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<title>Latest Market Research Articles</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/</link>
<description>Articles at Populate.NET</description>
<language>en-us</language>
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<title>Are You Confused About Internet Marketing?</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Marketing/Market_Research/are-you-confused-about-internet-marketing.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Marketing/Market_Research/are-you-confused-about-internet-marketing.html</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 28 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ A lot of Internet Marketing companieshave been active in Internet Market for about five years. The Internet marketing arena is a place that can inspire you to throw your hat in the ring and say if that guy can do it so can I.

What is not very obvious is the fact that lions and tigers are out there in the middle of the arena, just waiting to devour you. 

If you decide you would like to take a trip to a place that had the very best beaches in the world, what would you do? Would you just jump in your car and start driving until the road dead-ended onto a beach?  On the other hand, would you in this age of the Internet go to a search engine on the web and start to enter keywords that describe what you are trying to find?
You would first search for all the information could find about the worlds very best beaches.

When you decided which beach, you were going to visit. You would plan out how do we get there at the lowest cost and the quickest way.

To start Internet marketing business you have to plan how you are going to make it profitable. Have you ever heard of a business plan?

A business plan is required to determine how you get where you plan to go in the quickest time at the lowest cost and the highest profit.

Internet Marketing is a business, All businesses have to be marketed no matter what type of business you have it must be advertised. If no one can find you, how will anyone even know what type of business you have? The next thing you have to do is determine what type of customer would be looking for your type of product. When you determine the type of customer you need, you have to find the best way to advertise that will attract that customer.  That is your targeted customer.

To summarize you need to first search for information. There now many web sites that specialize in providing information. Search for information about the type business you would like to have. When you think you have all the information you need, put together your business plan. As you work on your business plan you will most likely find you will need to search for more information. Do it until you know your business plan will make your business a successful business. ]]></description>
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<title>Using Technology Market Research for IT Lead Generation</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Marketing/Market_Research/using-technology-market-research-for-it-lead-generation.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Marketing/Market_Research/using-technology-market-research-for-it-lead-generation.html</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 17 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Many technology companies are nowadays using technology market research to help them identify and leverage new sales opportunities. The following samples of sales opportunities driven by technology market research illustrate just how effective this method of market research can be.

Sample 1: 

Country                          UK                                               
Company                        On File 
Industry                          Warehousing
Turnover
Employees                     350 
Number Sites                  1                        
Telephone                       On file 
Contact Name                 On file                 
Contact Title                             
DDI/Mobile                      On file 
Fax                          
Email                             On file                 
Web Site                        On file 
Date Identified:                29th August 2008
Lead Expires:                    

Project Summary:
The Client is currently using a bespoke ERP solution among 50 users and intends to replace the existing ERP application. The Client is open to evaluating various ERP solutions and has expressed an interest in MS Navision. It is envisaged that the new ERP system will commence implementation circa Jan.09. There is a budget available for this implementation but it has not been disclosed. There is future opportunity for a Warehouse Management System for the Client.

Sample 2:

Country                          USA    
Industry                          Medical Device 
Turnover                          Unknown             
Employees                     600+ 
Number Sites                  6
Telephone                       On file
Contact Name                On file                 
Contact Title                   IT Manager          
DDI/MobileFax               On file 
Email                            On file                 
Web Site                       On file
Date Identified:               18th August 2008
Lead Expires:                 20th November 2008

Project Summary:
The Client has 9 companies and requires a global ERP solution. The Client is predominantly Microsoft based and is currently launching a MS CRM solution globally. The emphasis for this project is on an ERP implementation in the US and North American market with the remaining global offices thereafter. The Client is considering both an upgrade of the existing MS Dynamics NAV ver 3 to Dynamics AX as well as a replacement of MS Dynamics NAV. The proposed ERP system should include MRP, Order Processing, Logistics, Automated Purchase Order Processing and automated personal expense and credit card management. The Client is also looking at a Financial Reporting tool, possibly third party to incorporate consolidated accounts as well as the 9 individual company accounts. 

When implementing technology market research it is important to consider the primary objective of the research campaign. Is it to understand customer needs, understand product performance or to generate sales opportunities. The above samples had a singular goal of generating sales opportunities for clients and the campaign criteria for this was very clear. Clarity of campaign objectives in technology market research is the key to success. ]]></description>
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<title>Telemarketing Surveys vs. Online Paid Surveys</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Marketing/Market_Research/telemarketing-surveys-vs.-online-paid-surveys.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Marketing/Market_Research/telemarketing-surveys-vs.-online-paid-surveys.html</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ I worked with a temp agency for a little while when I was in college, and one of the jobs they assigned to me was with a telemarketing survey company where I called people on a list to take verbal surveys for market research. I lasted about 2 days; it was horrible to interrupt people's evenings with a bunch of questions. Many times people wouldn't answer their phone or simply decline to take the survey. People who did consent to take the market research survey were usually cordial, but I always thought I was catching them at the wrong time.

While I didn't like having to initiate the survey over the phone, I do understand the need for these types of surveys. How else can companies find out what is working and what is not working in terms of their products, target market, advertising, pricing, etc? Market research is an invaluable tool to the success of a company's product, and the consumers are the only ones who can provide the much needed information.

When I found out that you can take surveys online and get paid to take surveys that made so much more sense to me. First of all, you can take paid surveys on your own time about things you have experience with and products you actually use and would like to help make better. Second, you get paid to take surveys. Market research companies need this information, and they're willing to pay for it. You can earn up to $75 per survey taking online surveys.

I didn't know this, but there are hundreds of websites out there where you can sign up to take these online surveys and get paid to do it. Signing up is easy and free, and the companies will send you as many surveys as they can for you to take. Getting paid to fill out surveys for market research purposes is brilliant because it benefits both the companies and the individual.

If you need to make a few extra bucks each day or week, look up taking paid surveys online and see what you can find. Many people successfully supplement their income taking paid surveys or at least make enough extra money to play around with on the weekends. You have to be 18 years old to take online paid surveys, so let your friends and adult children know. Taking paid online surveys is a great way to improve the products and services you use and earn some extra spending cash at the same time. ]]></description>
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<title>If You Can't Beat Your eBay Competitors, Take A Lesson From Them</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Marketing/Market_Research/if-you-can-t-beat-your-ebay-competitors-take-a-lesson-from-them.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Marketing/Market_Research/if-you-can-t-beat-your-ebay-competitors-take-a-lesson-from-them.html</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Sometimes it's painful to look at your eBay cometitors' listings, especially if they seem to be doing better than you are. It can make you feel defeated and wonder if you can really be competitive ... WAIT A MINUTE! It's absolutely wonderful to be able to look at your competitors' listings on eBAY because that's how you can figure out what's working and what's not working, then use all of that strategic intelligence to accelerate your own selling performance! So, put on your analytic hat and start learning from your competitors.

Analyse the competition

There are four effective ways to analyse your eBay competitors listings:

Visit your eBay category of interest and from the left menu tick the checkbox 'Completed Listings'. This will show all the listings in your chosen category that ended recently. Look at all the listings with a green price. Green means that the auction or BIN listing ended in a successful sale. Evaluate, by taking notes, which products sold most successfully.

An alternative method to finding completed listings is to use eBay's advanced search feature: search your desired keyword, checking the 'completed listings only' box and setting the minimum number of bids to '1'. (No point in looking at listings that received no bids.) Go through the results carefully (again ignore prices in red - when the price is shown in red it means the auction didn't close with a sale.) and take notes. Both this method and the first method can be a bit tedious, since you have to do everything manually.

A third, newer, method is to browse your chosen eBay category and observe which listings on page 1 and 2 of your category have the longest end date. eBay now ranks listings based on how successful they have been in the past (they no longer rank listings based only on how soon the listing will end). By observing which listings on page 1 and 2 of your preferred category have the longest end date, you can automatically know which products / bundles are performing well. If you can beat those sellers prices (or offer, by selling a bundle with extra bonuses at a higher price) you can have your auction feature on the first two pages of the eBay results for as long as 30 days, receiving maximum exposure.

A fourth, more stable, method is to use market research services like the eSources Market Research Wizard. These services allow you to specify a keyword to obtain statistical data on success rates and average selling prices for your chosen products on eBay. Identify which categories are best for your products, which categories will yield the best sale prices, when is the best time to start and end your auction, for what duration, and much more. 

Additional Strategies To Outperform Your eBay Competitors

Titles

Titles are incredibly important. They create the keywords that will bring searchers to the product. Copy the titles and look for commonalities. Are there keywords you should be using? Are they paying for bolding, a subtitle, highlighting? The eSources Market Research Wizard reveals how much extra return you can expect from each extra eBay listings feature, helping you maximise your spend.

Descriptions

How are your competitors descriptions written? Are they long, short, terse, friendly? How much information is given?

Time

When did the auction start and end? How long was the auction? What days of the week were involved? You can again try the eSources Market Research Wizard to reveal the best start and end times for your products.

Pictures

How many views are there? What kind of quality is involved? Anything special about the setting?

Price

What's the price range? Do the variations in price correlate with condition of the item, special circumstances, special offers or anything else? 

Shipping

How are your competitors handling shipping? Are high delivery charges correlated with lower pricing? If so, you know why the price is lower. Which shipping strategies seem to be working the best?

Analysis

Now that you've gathered the information, look for tactics that you can use to your advantage as well. 

For example:

Are you using the keywords that successful sellers are using? 
Are successful sellers consistently using any differentiating feature that you are not, such as subtitles or bolding? 
Do your pictures measure up to photos from the most successful sellers? 
Are your prices competitive? Is there a way to use price to your advantage?

Once you have a list of proven tactics, you may want to try them all together to get the biggest advantage or, if there is expense involved, you may want to test one or two at a time to see what works best for you, giving you the best cost/benefit ratio.

Take example from your successful eBay competitors and try replicating their strategies to your advantage. ]]></description>
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<title>Market Research Surveys Go On With or Without You</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Marketing/Market_Research/market-research-surveys-go-on-with-or-without-you.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Marketing/Market_Research/market-research-surveys-go-on-with-or-without-you.html</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 01 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Companies live and die by offering the right product or service at the right time to the right people.  Inexperienced companies, or dare I say, unintelligent companies just play the guessing game and throw any product or service out there to see if it sticks.  This can be very risky and with high risk comes either great reward or great loss.  In most cases, companies playing this guessing game, end up with a great loss.  Smart companies, on the other hand, do extensive market research to help them know what the next best product or service is for their target market.

Market research has been happening for years.  Companies have been doing surveys to collect their consumers' buying habits, views, and opinions for decades.  A lot of money is paid to collect this invaluable data.  I say invaluable because knowing what the customer wants and giving it to them is how you win the game of business, period.  

The best surveys that collect the most relevant data start before the surveys are taken.  The pre screening process should weed out anyone that does not fall within the target age group or gender of the market that the product is geared towards.  Besides age and gender, markets may only cater to people with a certain level of education, households with a certain level of income, people who live or have lived in a certain area, people who speak a specific language, people with a certain health disorder, and the list could go on and on.  The important thing is to only have people who fit the target market exactly fill out the survey.

With this data collected, companies can then see if there product will help or is helping this target audience to solve its problems or if it is useless or will be useless to them.  Obviously it is better to know this information before the product is created so as not to waste time and money on the wrong product.  

Companies that don't already gather market research for their industry are missing the boat and even if they are making it without this data, they could be doing a lot more business if they only knew what the market thinks and what the market needs.

The fortunate thing is that there are companies who have networks setup of all types of people, the consumers, who want to take surveys and give their opinions for a little cash reimbursement.  You can tap into these networks and get all the market research you would possibly need to know where and how to grow your business. ]]></description>
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<title>The Top 5 Sites that Rank for Marketing</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Marketing/Market_Research/the-top-5-sites-that-rank-for-marketing.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Marketing/Market_Research/the-top-5-sites-that-rank-for-marketing.html</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Say you wanted to rank for the word "marketing" in Google for example, what is the first thing you would do to optimize such a broad phrase?

In case you thought it was entirely out of the question (aside from budgetary constraints for human resource), I would like to share a very profound algorithmic principle (simplified by a rudimentary analysis) to shed some light on which tactics would accomplish this feat.

We often think about ranking for competitive terms as just that, competitive and immediately associate the premise with hard work, luck or chance.

I can assure you, after reverse engineering various aspects of search algorithms (inadvertently as a result of a photographic memory and a keen insight for patterns) you can essentially classify a ranking by 3 simple methods.

Months ago, I may have suggested a staggered keyword ranking strategy with an emphasis on ascent essentially starting with 4 keywords, start building links with those variations of anchor text and then when you are ranking target 3 keywords, 2 keywords and then ultimately go for the benchmark across the board ranking with just one keyword. 

Now, I beg to differ and have adapted a new approach. Target the root keyword (over time using content and links) then solidify the two word, three word and long tail semantic permutations.

The premise is keyword concentration and volume. Let's take an extremely competitive phrase (like the word "marketing" for example). When you conduct a search in Google 745,000,000 results are returned (due to this phrase being quite broad in its application).

However, analyzing the top 5 sites (results may differ based on your data center) leave a distinct signature. Each domain tells a unique chronological story:

* #1 for Marketing - Wikipedia (authority site leveraging internal links as well as over 8000 inbound links to a sub folder).
* #2 for Marketing - Managementhelp[dot]org (subpage using silo site information architecture with pages augmented by authority domains).
* #3 for Marketing - bidvertiser[dot]com (this site uses sheer link weight millions of links with diverse anchor text over time).
* #4 for Marketing - entrepreneur[dot]com (authority site using silo site architecture).
* #5 for Marketing - marketing.about[dot]com/ (this site uses authority with a sub domain ranking strategy).

The implication of using a silo means, you have your main topic in the root folder, then you create sub folders to organize and segment your site using keyword rich naming conventions. An example would be sitename[dot]com/root-topic/sub-topic/keyword-rich.title.html

Ranking for competitive root phrases is not just about the competitiveness of the phrase alone, it is the concentration of the relative keyword density for that site combined with the criteria of quality, trust and off page factors.

The page from #2 had a keyword density of 6.72 percent. In my tests, anything with a concentration for on page over 6% when coupled with off-page link building that addresses the semantic root phrases should be in the top 10 to 15 results when combined with modifiers (more descriptive / supporting keywords).

By targeting a root phrase like marketing for example, ranking for variations of the modifiers is second nature such as online marketing, marketing strategies, internet marketing etc.

Looking from another standpoint the page from managementhelp[dot]org has 296 other pages from outside the domain referencing it, which from one level may seem excessive, but when combined with the top ranking pages concentration and the fact that there are 186 pages on the subject within the site out of 770 pages you realize it is not just one set of circumstances affecting the outcome.

This is a perfect example of a cumulative ranking which is based on momentum, link weight, topical relevance through content and authority. Despite sounding like a broken record (since we have covered dozens of pages on the topic in our site) the simple facts remain. Combine enough factors that are favorable and the relevance score increases.

By using any of the key metrics discovered in various sites that hold top ranking positions, the pattern becomes clear. Although each page has its own method, chronology (for content, inbound links and diversity) the end result is, they comprise a particular signature that search engine algorithms are looking for that associate this phenomenon with relevance and top rankings (at least for now).

The point is, it is possible to analyze any number of phrases and or websites and determine why in fact they are where they are and essentially which strategies they are utilizing. Some sites are more difficult to assess than others, but if the top position can be toppled with less than 500 pages and a mixture of links, then at least you can gauge how long it will take to acquire a threshold for competitive phrases. Most in fact only require less than a dozen (if constructed properly).

If you start writing now, keep your inbound links focused, structure your content to support itself and maintain a focus for the topic, then essentially any keyword can be captured over time. Or in the event that you simply don't have the time because you are too busy marketing your products or services, at least you could hire an online marketing that specializes in competitive search engine optimization services to steer you in the right direction.

In closing, rankings can be acquired by the page or through using the entire site to reinforce a page depending on the threshold for what search engines consider relevant and how many other individuals are standing in line for the keyword or phrase.

This goes back to the analogy between the tortoise and the hare. Sometimes it is better to patiently plot your path and acquire relevance for the root phrase (instead of thinking short term and sprinting to capture one piece of the puzzle or series of keywords).

Slow and steady wins the race was a motto devised from wisdom, so, if you can apply that to your SEO strategy it will be no surprise when your site, pages and relevance climbs the ladder to the helm of a phrase and stems into multiple top 10 rankings.

Keep in mind, we used a very competitive phrase as an example, if your keyword has 2 words, then your job just got easier, 3 keywords (even more flexible to zero in on). 

The main takeaway from this post is, see how each page is a piece of the puzzle, but understand what role it plays in the grand scheme of the site. Then, apply the same logic to your own site and dig deep and shore up the areas that need support. ]]></description>
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<title>The Power of Book Reviewers in Book Marketing</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Marketing/Market_Research/the-power-of-book-reviewers-in-book-marketing.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Marketing/Market_Research/the-power-of-book-reviewers-in-book-marketing.html</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 09 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Writing, editing, and getting a book published is a lot of hard work, unfortunately it does not guarantee any tangible sales. In fact, most books published each year fail to sell more than a few dozen copies, creating a very competitive and cut throat book marketing industry. There are many ways people will tell you to market a book, however the most effective is usually attributed to book reviews. 

Custom book reviews not only provide an author with substantial buzz for a new book, it also lends the book a sense of credibility that would be otherwise void. There are certainly no shortage of great books on the market today, however only a small percentage of them have the necessary book reviews to urge people to take action.

Next time you are on a book merchants website, have a look at a book that has no reader reviews and ask yourself if you buy this book? Chances are you would pass on buying this book in an effort to find a better, more reviewed book that people can give you some information on before buying it. The bottom line is that book reviewers provide a valuable service to book buyers by taking the mystery out of buying a book.
For whatever reason book merchants typically supply a short and concise review of the book by the publisher. This review offers often too little information for a book buyer to take action. It is therefore up to the book reviewers to provide all the needed info that persuades a book buyer to get their wallet out and click the purchase now button.

Book reviewers are unfortunately a rare breed, as the population of the world turns more and more to TV, DVDs, the internet, and other forms of entertainment. This creates a large demand for high quality book reviews, and thus the price is driven up by major publicity firms that offer such services.  Thankfully there are several firms that specialize in affordable book review services, allowing authors to reap all the benefits of custom book review without the big price tag.

Affordable book reviewers can be found, and should be sought out for those interested in gaining major publicity without having to get a second mortgage on their home or put the family dog to work delivering newspapers each morning just to pay your PR firm bill. Further the author that utilizes book review services can see an immediate result in their publicity efforts because book reviews can be completed in a minimal amount of time. 

There are many reasons why authors choose to get their books reviewed, but most reasons seem to stem back to the fact that book reviews actually work, and thus it is a safe investment for the author to make. ]]></description>
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<title>Finding The Right Network Marketing Company</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Marketing/Market_Research/finding-the-right-network-marketing-company.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Marketing/Market_Research/finding-the-right-network-marketing-company.html</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 30 May 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Network marketing is a multi-step sales process in which you must find contacts first. You can find contacts online, through friends and family, while attending social functions, or while pursuing hobbies. The next step is to strike up a conversation with a contact to see if they would be interested in learning more about the services you sell. This is where receiving training will be necessary in order to sell these services without scaring people away. If the contact seems interested, then you will have to persuade them to talk about it further and sign up for services. For each sale you make, you will earn a commission. 

It is important to always ask contacts if they know anyone who would also be interested in the services you are selling. This is the best way to generate additional contacts. Because you may have to talk with a contact more than once, being able to contact them through email, phone, or by mail is important, so be sure to ask for their contact information. Even though you may be selling services that are important to some people, they may not be useful to everyone. Make sure you find people who are genuinely interested in learning more about these services before setting appointments. 

Because network marketing relies heavily on your personality, many people are uncomfortable at first. This is why receiving training is important. Companies that do not offer training usually expect you to already have this experience. Finding how much you will make in commissions and the minimum number of sales you have to make each month are also important. While some companies have no minimum, many expect you to make at least one sale per month in order to remain in the program. 

In order to succeed in network marketing, you don't have to create a website, but many people do in order to gain even more exposure to the services they are selling. You can create a simple webpage that tells people about the services you sell, and your contact information. This will allow people to find you when they are looking for services similar to the types you sell. Many companies encourage you to advertise in as many ways as you can in order to create a large contact list. From this list, you will be able to hopefully sell services to more people and earn a steady commission. Network marketing can be done on a part-time or a full-time basis and can be an excellent source of income. 

If you are interested in joining a network marketing company, there are many online to choose from. Depending on your level of experience in sales, you may want to find companies willing to train you in finding contacts, creating an effective sales pitch, and closing deals. Network marketing usually involves selling services such as financial planning, legal services, and life insurance. You do not have to have experience in these areas, but you should have a willingness to learn more about them. ]]></description>
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<title>Understanding The Fundamentals Of Marketing</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Marketing/Market_Research/understanding-the-fundamentals-of-marketing.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Marketing/Market_Research/understanding-the-fundamentals-of-marketing.html</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 26 May 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Marketers concern themselves with acquiring and retaining customers, who are the lifeblood of an organization. They attract customers by learning about potential needs, helping to develop products that customers want, creating awareness, and communicating benefits; they retain them by ensuring that they get good value, appropriate service, and a stream of future products. 

The marketing function not only communicates to the customer, but also communicates the needs of the customer to the company. In addition, it arranges and monitors the distribution of products and/or services from company to customer. 

Condos in Miami, traditional music stores, gas-guzzling cars, pharmaceuticals that get unfavorable press, foods made with trans fats: All marketers, from time to time, confront products that, for whatever reason, become difficult to sell. What strategies should companies follow to reposition their products in ways that might attract new audiences, or at least retain existing ones? "There are so many different kinds of customers out there. You just need to find them," says one Wharton expert. 

Too often, people jump right to the outbound marketing. As a result, they often end up trying to push products onto people who really don't want the products at all. Effective inbound marketing often results in much more effective -- and less difficult --outbound marketing and sales. 

Advertise your business in search results on Yahoo! You can put your business in front of potential customers at the precise moment they're searching for what you sell. 

Creating a successful marketing mix that will increase results often takes experimenting and market research. There are many methods that can be used, both in person and the use of impersonal presentations. The key is to not always depend on "one" mix always explore other avenues. One of the main keys to the success of any marketing program is the ability to work effectively in shaping marketing mixes that meet the nature and needs of your specified target market. Learn how to develop your marketing mix. 

The video-sharing site YouTube is currently running a comedy sketch contest sponsored by Toyota's 2009 Corolla. It's just one of the latest examples of companies using this advertising hot spot to target customers who spend a lot of their time watching online videos. But finding a home in the medium is not so easy, Wharton professors say. In a digital world of instant feedback and ruthless honesty, a company can either score major brand points or look as ridiculous as any adult trying to hang with the cool kids. 

Among the first to write about algorithms designed to identify people with high Social Networking Potential is Bob Gerstley in Advertising Research is Changing. Gerstley uses SNP algorithms in quantitative marketing research to help marketers maximize the effectiveness of viral marketing campaigns. 

It is also named "viral" because it allows a message to spread like a virus. In 2004 the concept of Alpha User was released to indicate that it had become now possible to technically isolate the focal point members of any viral campaign, the "hubs" who are most influential. Alpha Users can today be isolated and identified, and even targeted for viral advertising purposes most accurately in mobile phone networks, as mobile phones are so personal. 

Marketing managers develop the firms marketing strategy in detail. With the help of subordinates, including product development managers and market research managers, they estimate the demand for products and services offered by the firm and its competitors. In addition, they identify potential markets for example, business firms, wholesalers, retailers, government, or the general public. 

Marketing managers develop pricing strategy to help firms maximize profits and market share while ensuring that the firms customers are satisfied. In collaboration with sales, product development, and other managers, they monitor trends that indicate the need for new products and services, and they oversee product development. Marketing managers work with advertising and promotion managers to promote the firms products and services and to attract potential users. 

But below are the six basic elements you hope to include in your strategy. A viral marketing strategy need not contain ALL these elements, but the more elements it embraces, the more powerful the results are likely to be. 

Marketing is the most important, yet least understood, small business skill. It's not easy to find marketing consultants who truly understand what a small business owner needs to do to attract more clients and customers. 

"Free" is the most powerful word in a marketer's vocabulary. Most viral marketing programs give away valuable products or services to attract attention. Free e-mail services, free information, free "cool" buttons, free software programs that perform powerful functions but not as much as you get in the "pro" version. "Cheap" or "inexpensive" may generate a wave of interest, but "free" will usually do it much faster. Viral marketers practice delayed gratification. 

They may not profit today, or tomorrow, but if they can generate a groundswell of interest from something free, they know they will profit "soon and for the rest of their lives" (with apologies to "Casablanca"). Eyeballs then see other desirable things that you are selling, and, presto! Eyeballs bring valuable e-mail addresses, advertising revenue, and e-commerce sales opportunities. Give away something, sell something. 

Public health nurses offer sage advice at flu season: stay away from people who cough, wash your hands often, and don't touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. Viruses only spread when they're easy to transmit. The medium that carries your marketing message must be easy to transfer and replicate: e-mail, website, graphic, software download. 

Viral marketing works famously on the Internet because instant communication has become so easy and inexpensive. Digital format make copying simple. From a marketing standpoint, you must simplify your marketing message so it can be transmitted easily and without degradation. 

Sales managers direct the firms sales program. They assign sales territories, set goals, and establish training programs for the sales representatives. See the Handbook statement on sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing). Sales managers advise the sales representatives on ways to improve their sales performance. 

In large, multi-product firms, they oversee regional and local sales managers and their staffs. Sales managers maintain contact with dealers and distributors. They analyze sales statistics gathered by their staffs to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and to monitor customers preferences. Such information is vital in the development of products and the maximization of profits. 

When Guerrilla Marketing was first published in 1983, Jay Conrad Levinson was considered a pioneer with his innovative, take-no-prisoners approach to marketing for the small- and medium-size business owner. Nearly 25 years later and half a million copies later, "Guerrilla Marketing" is now considered the bible of marketing and entrepreneurial advice. Radio show host Russ Lombardo interviews, as his guest, The Father of Guerrilla Marketing, Jay Conrad Levinson, discussing solid marketing weapons and invaluable business advice on "Sales Talk". 

A market-focused, or customer-focused, organization first determines what its potential customers desire, and then builds the product or service. Marketing theory and practice is justified in the belief that customers use a product or service because they have a need, or because it provides a perceived benefit. ]]></description>
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<title>The Niche Annihilation Method Is How To Dominate Your Market</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Marketing/Market_Research/the-niche-annihilation-method-is-how-to-dominate-your-market.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Marketing/Market_Research/the-niche-annihilation-method-is-how-to-dominate-your-market.html</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 21 May 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Niche Marketing is about finding a particular subject then searching within that subject to find the most specific group of people to market to as possible.  However, the niche group must be a potentially profitable one. This something new marketers either overlook or don't understand how to research.

It is very enticing to look for a wider niche in a market in hopes of attracting more visitors to your website or blog. Regrettably, this has been proven to have the contradictory effect. The problem is that the "take all comers" approach is not very successful by and large as a marketing strategy; marketing becomes pricey when everyone is a prospective customer. In a broad market most of the visitors are not going too interested in what you have to offer. 

These people are looking for something quite specific when they type a key word into their browser. It's not like walking threw Wally World Mart where they'll be tempted to pickup something from the shelf, no, in less than 10 seconds your visitor will simply go to another website.

Now that you know what a niche is and how they work, how do you go about identifying your own profitable niche, and more important how can you step into that market and create a  "Niche Annihilation" where you are one of the dominate players?

You can start at the very beginning, by asking your self a few essential questions: Such as, "What am I good at?"
 
Take into account all of your skills. What are you good at that you might consider a hobby or just a genetic talent? You might not consider reading a book as something you would consider as a niche market.  However, speed reading and being able to teach others how to improve their reading skills is already a very profitable niche. I say this so you don't discount even the smallest talent you may have or may have knowledge of.

Another way to discover a niche you can get started building a business in is figuring out something you personally don't like to do, or something that someone else does that takes too long or is too expensive, in your opinion, and then you come up with a solution to solve that problem. 
 
For instance, it once took literally forever to get your oil changed. Someone didn't like that and came up with 15 minute oil changes by designing equipment, tools and a system to make it happen. Now the time it takes to get your oil changed has forever been reorganized.

After you figured out what you are good at and what you don't like it's now time to discover if there is a market willing to pay for the knowledge you possess. Today most niche marketers share a ferociously competitive playing field. If you are simply a tire kicker dabbling in a market you'll quickly find yourself battling it out over price with competitors who present identical products and services to your own.

To rise above the norm, you need a mentor that has already gone through the steps, walked the road that you are now about to step upon. You need to cultivate the knowledge of a proven Niche Marketer who can teach you what you need to know about niche marketing so you can get where you want to go.

So, how can you find these profitable niche markets and a mentor to help you annihilate your niche competition?
First, you find the keywords that are looked for the most in your chosen broad topic. Then, you use Yahoo or Google keyword tools to find the best ones for your purpose. Now its time for you to go to a search engine, like Google, and look for your competition in this niche market.
 
This is the simple part, simple, but not necessarily easy. Type in your keywords one at a time, and find out how many websites are about the same niche market as yours. Put your key words in quotation marks to narrow your search results to sites with those exact key words. 

You are looking for keywords where there are a high number of searches but fewer competing websites, be forewarned this manual process may take many hours to complete. However, there are very specific niche marketing tools that help you determine these factors as well. They save you time and are a lot more accurate while giving you a wider range of keyword options.

Your next step is to purchase or find all the material you can from the niche marketing leader in this market... Get on their mailing list and learn from them. A good marketer will respond to your questions via email and you can build a great amity with them - people love to show how much they know... It's true.

From this guru, you'll learn what works in this niche and what doesn't. From paying attention to what is being purchased you can clarify if your new mentor is on point with the market or not. Use a company like Click Bank as a resource to discover what is being sold in this niche and pattern your products by what is selling, or become and affiliate of these products yourself.

Niche marketing can be very lucrative. But, you have to be persistent and focus on completing each task. The most important thing is to actually do something! You can plan all you like, but until you take action you won't see a dime of profit. The biggest and I must say probably the only difference between a person making money in marketing, and one who isn't making any money is that the person making money is applying what they've learned and researched. ]]></description>
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