Beacon Marketing & Communication Strategies

For anyone who missed our Online Marketing presentation/seminar at the Winthrop Chamber of Commerce in September 2008, or anyone who needs help with their marketing strategy, here is some important information about online marketing from Beacon Marketing. To view the full presentation click link at bottom of post.

• A 1993 report by Coopers & Lybrand and Business Science International concluded that “Businesses that maintain aggressive marketing programs during a recession outperform companies that rely more on cost cutting measures. A strong marketing program enables a firm to solidify its customer base, take business away from less aggressive competitors, and positions itself for future growth during the recovery.” Many additional research studies support that claim and we recommend you do the same.
• Despite the down economy and looming recession, online marketing is growing. US Internet advertising revenues for the first half of 2008 were $11.5 billion, reaching another half -year record that represents a 15.2 % increase over the first half of 2007, according to the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB).
• So what is online marketing? There are numerous options which can make it confusing but most of them fall within the following groups: Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Search Engine Marketing (SEM), Email marketing, Affiliate and Link programs, Display Ads and Rich Media and Comparison Shopping. If you are still confused read our presentation at http://beaconmarketing.biz/map.
• There are many advantages to online marketing since it is often inexpensive, very effective in generating leads and sales, and can be tracked to determine ROI. There are also free options such as emailing clients, posting messages onto forums and blogs, and getting listed in free directories.
• Online Marketing is also very useful for small local businesses since you can geo-target your ads. For example, we’ve launched successful online Pay Per Click campaigns for a private chef, several types of contractors, a preschool, and a chiropractor.
• Despite the myriad of options, the first step of any online marketing campaign is a good web site. It must be easy to navigate, visually appealing, with a clear call to action (usually to order something or to make an appointment). But to dispel a online myth, “if you build it they will not come”. You must drive traffic to your site. You can choose from several options based on your budget and time.
• So don’t let the down economy get you down; beat the odds by going online.
• You can download the PPT presentation here or at:  Online Marketing Map Presentation