We're a start-up looking to begin effective online marketing campaigns. What are some effective ways new company can effectively drive new customers to our website and convert them? We've begun looking into CJ Affiliate marketing but what are other marketing methods you guys would recommend for a company trying to create a solid customer base?
Depend from niche. Always keep looking for people who will test your project. Ask them for opinion and then you will be able to make helpful changes in startup. First you should use all media, and see what is convert for you, then make it in larger scale.
There is really no easy way to do this. Effectively marketing a new business is a major challenge, which is why most new businesses go out of business the first year. But, there are many things you can do to improve your chances of success. If I were you, the first thing I would do is print out a bunch of business cards and small promotional pamphlets to distribute to everyone who will take one. Many of these will end up in the trash, but some of them won't and the ones that actually get viewed and/or given away will improve your company's branding and visibility. Another thing you should do is make sure your website is fully optimized for search engine visibility. Ensure that every page has quality content with high keyword density and proper metadata. Submit your website, as well as an XML sitemap to all the major search engines. Create an externally-hosted company blog and regularly create content for it. Use an automated ping utility to submit your blog across the web. Create a Facebook page and update it every couple days with information about your products and services. Invite people to like and share. Run adds on Craigslist, PennySaver and other free classifieds, advertising your products and services. Consider offering a local radio station a free giveaway product in exchange for a plug or two. All those radio contests you hear about came into existence this way. Most importantly, be creative. There are literally millions of ways to market your business. Just think, "how can I reach the most people?" and you will come up with fresh new ideas.
What are you selling ? don't waste time with CJ as it only works for very targeted products. Do check http://www.inboundio.com/blog/51-in...ur-startup-and-business-on-shoestring-budget/ to find how you can promote your startup too for free.
Consider some PR activities. You could develop a press release with some "news" of interest to the media for the market(s) you are pursuing. And, you could pitch a "story" to the same reporters involving your business and the latest market trends or events. It is hard work, but does not require a lot of upfront cash, if any at all.
I agree with neest 32 about CJ. My own company began looking into affiliate marketing and CJ Affiliates was one of the first companies we looked in to. Unless you have thousands of dollars to invest in this, stay away from CJ. They're one of the most expensive setups out there.
Thanks everybody. This has all been very helpful. If we still wanted to go with a paid advertising service, which would you recommend? To help paint a clearer picture we are starting managed dedicated server hosting business. Currently, we are looking to position ourselves towards the Devops/R&D and Start-Up communities.
1) Find forums related to web design and web-hosting where you can get some traffic and learn what customers really look for in hosting. 2) Place banner ads on web design sites 3) Use Google AdWords, but it's expensive. Not sure whether it will acquires clients cost-effectively.
Like déjàone said forum posting is great for marketing but you should also comment on relevant blogs in your niche.
Have not been to CJ's advertising section in a long while, but don't they require for a site to be at least a year old and have some significant daily traffic before you can get accepted to the program? I don't know, maybe they've dropped that requirement.
Great post about the Startup Business. I have some Ideas of Startup Business. There are some keys of business success. You can achieve the success if you apply this: The very first key is focus: You have to be much focused to know what you need to attain in business and life. You will find people who do this. Exactly, how? They have constructed their minds of their goal and starting from that point this objective will be the primary thing on their thoughts. Every decision which they take following the goal fixation is going to be when it comes to achieving this particular goal. There is absolutely no deviation through the focus, as soon as it is decided. The 2nd key is planning: There is absolutely no success with a course of action. With no adequate strategy expense is feasible to translate the fantasy into reality since the ladder will be missing. After you have found as well as agreed upon objective, you will need to support it having a long-term plan along with a short-term strategy. The long-term strategy has the ultimate outcome broken up in perhaps five or 10 years routines. The immediate plan however may have the long conditions plan broken in to bite-sized plans that have to be accomplished and monitored over brief durations, state monthly, three-monthly as well as six-monthly. These programs are what will figure out the business success to have a business owner.
I'd say forum posting is the best for your niche (and not Facebook or Google+). You should also create a blog to educate readers and showcase your in depth knowledge of the subject. The blog will help your website in SEO as well.
This is usually the hardest part. You need to invest; Ads, social media networks, eveything. Always focus on your stuff.
Why would someone trade what they have for what you have? What is your USP? If you are better, faster, safer or whatever the case may be, you need people to know that. All the latest startups that I have been around have offered their service for free to a set number of people so that they could get reputable testimonials, however, you may need to give more. New offers come out everyday. Do a launch, partner with some big names and give them a huge affiliate commission to start... have a set number of people that you will give the deal to, then the next batch is a bit smaller offer and so on. The best and biggest launches have been all about giving away the best info before the product launches. Check out Jeff Walkers Product Launch formula. He is a genius and can help launch any product or service.... you need a launch that will set you apart and let people know you exist, and you need to give away great stuff to get people interested and get you on the map.
Hi , some of the posts are if you own a company , partners etc , what if you are a one man operation , what would you use to market or to start up your online business?? (using free or using very little money to spend?)
Marketing is the most important aspects of any business, because through effective marketing you can reach to maximum people and get potential customers. Start by distributing pamphlets in newspaper and through other sources, you can use visiting cards as well. You can also think on organizing training kinds of events to your targeted customers. Take advantage of free local business directories. Start Blogging because every business has something to gain by blogging regularly. You can also think on posting Online Video. wish you All the best