Growing it on your Own: Internet Marketing 101

Crafting your Internet marketing plan is not as scary as it may seem. Understand your market, craft your website, and either market your site locally in print, web and grassroots marketing efforts, or venture into the world of pay-per-click or pay-per-impression marketing.

Start with a Google AdWords starter account to learn the basics. Brainstorm possible keywords related to your product or service. For example wedding planner could have an abundance of potential keywords relating to anything about the wedding: bride, groom, wedding party, wedding flowers, wedding cakes, etc. etc. Make your own list and then do your research about which keywords are generating traffic and have the least amount of competition. Hands down the best tool out there for keyword research is WordTracker. They give you a free trial run and walk you through how to use the program and what the numbers mean to you.

Then, pick up a copy of Ultimate Guide to Google AdWords (Ultimate Guide to Google Adwords) and take your time in perusing all the great information Perry Marshall and Brian Todd are sharing with you. You may even want to start another business just to utilize all their great techniques!

SEO Resources

Once you have your website up and running, the best way to drive traffic to your site without spending a penny is to optimize it - that is, making changes to your site that allow it to appear in the top rankings of a search engine. Keyword research is essential, and I reccomend WordTracker as the best tool out there for keyword research. Also, tracking your rankings is a good idea for folks who get serious with optimizing their site. AgentWebRanking is a good tracking program to use. If you are in Kansas City, consider taking my "How to Market on the Internet" class, which will give you a good intro to SEO. Otherwise, and even if you have attended my class, do as much research as you can, SEO is an ever evolving monster!