The Do's and Don'ts of Internet Marketing

Understanding the Internet Marketing Landscape

As someone who's tried to navigate the choppy waves of the online marketing sea, I can tell you it's not all sunshine and rainbows. Like a good breezy novel, it has its ups and downs, twists and turns, and of course, a slew of colorful characters along the way. From my experiences, lessons learned, and perhaps unlearned, I'll share what I’ve taken away. I’ll also sprinkle in a couple of personal stories to keep things interesting. I guess you could say I’m your Internet Marketing Sherpa guiding you through the steep slopes of SEO, content marketing, conversion optimization, and well, whatever else the digital world throws up.

Diving into the Deep End: SEO

Oh, the murky waters of SEO – such a delightful area to explore, isn’t it? It’s one of those universally acknowledged truths that a marketer in possession of a webpage must be in want of better SEO. One might argue that SEO stands for Sufficiently Exasperating Optimization, rather than Search Engine Optimization. Yes, it is overwhelming but it’s also oh-so-rewarding when done right. Remember the thrill you got when you first learned to ride a bike? Using SEO efficiently can give you that thrill, only tenfold. One could launch into a ph.D worthy dissertation about SEO, but let's keep it simple, you and I. Start off by using the right tools, for example, Google's Keyword Planner, SEMrush, Yoast, and many others can be your cuddly companions in your quest for keywords.

Content Marketing: Let your Words do the Talking

Fancy your chances at being the next J.K. Rowling of the internet? Then content marketing is your playground, the quill resting in your hand, the parchment laid out. Like the wand chooses the wizard in the Potterverse, in the world of content marketing, it's the content that chooses the audience, or better put, engages them. There's a quote that says, "Content is king, but marketing is the queen and runs the household." Simple, yet profound. Your content should be engaging, informative, and most importantly, should reflect your brand. I recall one of my earliest writing gigs where I had to craft articles about cat furniture. Yes, cat furniture. Strange as it may seem, when you dive into the depths of such a topic, you find a wealth of content possibilities.

Transforming Visitors to Customers: Conversion Optimization

I like to think of conversion optimization as being similar to dating. Just hear me out, okay? You meet someone insteresting (site visitor), you make a positive first impression (website design), engage them in fascinating conversation (content marketing), and eventually convince them to go on further dates or even enter into a relationship (convert). Simple, isn’t it? If only dating were as simple. But Internet marketing guru Bryan Eisenberg summed it up pretty well, "Our jobs as marketers are to understand how the customer wants to buy and help them do so." From strategizing your call-to-action to optimizing landing pages or running email marketing campaigns, you need to be at your charming best. Conversion optimization can be a game-changer for your online marketing strategy if done right.

The Two Sided Coin of Social Media Marketing

Social media marketing is robust and influential, just as volatile and impulsive. It's the magic potion that can turn your product viral overnight or the wrong sort of spell that can plunge your brand into oblivion. It's a coin with two faces, and it's important to understand this to use it to your benefit. It's not just about posting pictures or creating catchy hashtags but about fostering a relationship with your audience and instilling brand loyalty. That one time when I replied to a disgruntled customer's tweet with a funny gif and a promise to fix their issue? Their subsequent tweets praising us are still one of my go-to marketing successes. Remember, engaging with your audience is equally as important as engaging them in the first place.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls in Internet Marketing

Of course, amidst the swelling sea of information, it's easy to stumble upon a slippery eel (or ten!) The world of internet marketing is filled with pitfalls to avoid, some glaringly obvious, others not so much. Who knew that keyword stuffing could lead to a Google penalization? If you're as surprised as I was when I first found out, don't worry - I won't let you sail in the same boat as amateur-me. Or have you heard about the dreaded cringe-fest that is false advertising? Nothing sends customers running faster than unmet expectations.

Sure, navigating the digital sea can be daunting, but with a bit of patience, determination and a pinch of humor, you too can become the captain of your internet marketing ship. In this vast ocean teeming with possibilities, you'll find your niche and seize the day. So, let's hoist the sails and embark on this grand voyage together!