Have you heard the latest news?  Probably.

Have you BEEN the latest news? Probably not.

Welcome to the wonderful world of Buzz Marketing.  It isn’t new — actually, it’s been around since well before the Internet.  Heck, it’s been around since before computers.  The only difference is that now, the Internet and computers make buzz marketing a lot more accessible to average companies.

It has many definitions that are all open to interpretation, but in a nutshell, buzz marketing is about making yourself or your product the subject of conversations.  Lots of them.  It could be based upon something that you do or something that you sell, something you produce or something you work with, but either way, buzz marketing is one of the best ways for certain companies to get the word out that they want and to get the exposure that they need.

Unlike other forms of Internet marketing like social media marketing or search engine optimization, buzz marketing isn’t for every business.  Some simply do not have a need to get “buzzed”.  Before a company decides whether or not they are “buzzworthy” they should ask themselves a few questions:

1. Do I offer anything unique?
2. If not, is anything about the way I offer it unique?
3. If not, is anything about ME or anyone in the organization unique or interesting?

At this point, you should have been able to answer yes to one or more of these questions.  If not, perhaps buzz marketing isn’t for you.

Then again, it might be.  We’ll assume it is for now.

With that said, what happens in a buzz campaign.  Simply stated, news is made and put out into the world.  Through blogs, press releases, interviews, videos, and other media the news is created.  Then, it is put out for all of the world to see through social media.  That’s it.  It isn’t rocket science to understand, but it is extremely difficult to make it happen properly.

If you want more info on video marketing, check out this how-to at video marketing strategies!

When Nike+ launched two years ago, there were many skeptics.  Other corporations have tried to create a strong social network for their users.  The results have been horrendous for most, but Nike has been able to build their brand and establish strong avenues of interactions with their customers through this social network.

What did they do that Coke, General Motors, and several other large corporations did not do?

First, they gave the platform connectivity and interactivity.  Using a device within the running shoes themselves, members can track every run they do and keep accurate records of how well they are doing.  This in itself has an appeal to those who are serious about running, but Nike+ took it a step further by allowing users to communicate with other runners around the globe.  The mutual interest that can often be called a passion gave the network the “legs” to bring people in and keep them coming back.

The second thing they did was give purpose to the network.  Through events that could only be coordinated online do to logistical challenges of multiple-locations worldwide, Nike+ made itself into a hub for runners to participate with distant peers towards common goals.  Earlier this year, nearly a million users logged on and signed up to run a 10K race.  It was sponsored by Nike simultaneously in 25 cities. Read the rest of this entry

Incoming search terms for this article:

• nike social networking
• social network slogans
• social networking important
• corporate social network
• why networking is important
• social networking sites and corporate
• success of Nike products
• the social network is improtant
• why are social events important
• Why Are Social network Important of business event?

As the economy pushes more businesses to pull back on their conventional marketing budgets and put some of it into Internet marketing, some are wondering where to spend their money.  The two major categories of Internet marketing making a splash today (and into tomorrow) are search engine optimization and social media marketing.

The question is” “Which is better?”

The answer is: “Usually both.”

Usually.

Just about any business that has a presence on the Internet could use search engine optimization to drive relevant traffic to their site.  Unlike search engine PPC marketing, SEO is less transparent and the results cannot be guaranteed.  Still, not getting optimization can be disastrous as the search engines are where people go when they want information.  Specifically, the organic results are where people click – 75% of searchers do not click on the sponsored results.

Most businesses can use social media marketing, but it’s even less transparent than SEO.  The results of a successful SMM campaign may take days, weeks, or even months to become visible.  On the other hand, sometimes the results are instantaneous and dramatic.

With SMM, the real benefits are traffic and branding.  Because people are often not currently in the market for whatever service or product it is that the business offers, the conversion ratios are normally low at first.  The key is how SMM works in the long term.  Even though the traffic spikes can be unbelievable, it often does not translate into direct sales immediately.

Don’t let that dissuade you, though.  In the long term, a proper batch of social media marketing campaigns can take an Internet business to the next level.  Showing your brand and your products to tens of thousands of people who normally would not have known you can have huge benefits now and in the future.

With all of that said, the question remains the same.  Which?  The REAL answer is that it depends on your situation.  For example, a website selling used cars in New Hampshire or Dallas cosmetic dentists will receive less benefit from world-wide social media marketing, while a company selling a less-known product like walkin bathtubs may get more out of SMM than SEO.  Of course, those who can rank organically in search engines AND have a successful SMM campaign can have the best of both world.

A company like Soccer Shop can optimize and still have great success with a viral marketing campaign.

For most businesses, a good combination of the two is wise.

* * *

Read more about Internet Marketing on this blog.

Incoming search terms for this article:

• SEO vs SMM

When I first came across Zimbio last month, i didn’t think much of it.  It looked like so many of the other “spam your blog” or “citizen (playing) journalist” websites out there — didn’t really take a second look.

That is, until last week.  Now I’m hooked.

Zimbio draws its strengths from many different marketing disciplines and combines it to form a smooth traffic and link generating machine if used properly.  That’s the key – it MUST be used properly to have a strong effect. Read the rest of this entry

Incoming search terms for this article:

• zimbio
• zimbio spam
• article marketing zimbio
• zimbio SEO
• zimbio marketing
• zimbio kudos
• why zimbio post is not indexed by google
• seo what is the benefit of zimbio
• my zimbio button
• marketing zimbio pil11

You’ve probably seen them on Techcrunch, Mashable, or a host of other startup-reviewing blogs.  “We have 500 invites for the private beta (get ‘em while they last)!”

Most who have been around these blogs see this and have become aware that usually, even if you are too late to get an invite, you can request one and get it within a day from the site itself.  In theory, with so many of these out there, they shouldn’t work.

Yet, they do.  Here’s why:

Read the rest of this entry

Incoming search terms for this article:

• private beta invites