This is what our graduates need to “get”

Problem #1 – My website is practically invisible.  Most of the people visiting my website are trying to sell me something.  Do my “hot prospect” customers even know my website exists?

Problem #2 – My website gets good traffic.  If I could convert 5% of my website traffic to paying customers my sales would go through the roof!

Why Your Website Doesn’t Sell

If you are satisfied with your website (presumably because it’s generating tons of new leads), why are you reading an internet marketing blog?  Get a hobby or something!  If you aren’t satisfied with your website, it’s either because of poor website traffic (Problem #1) or poor conversion rate (Problem #2).

At this point I want to make one thing clear:  Email marketing is not for everyone.  If your website fits Problem #1, you don’t need email marketing (not yet anyway).  So, read something that will put your website on the map, like this post about Pay Per Click advertising for service businesses.

Make Your Website Start Selling

The rest of you (presumably who have good website traffic) consider this:  Your prospects are STUCK.  They’ve seen your website – but they aren’t buying.  So, what does it mean when your prospect is stuck?  Let’s define a “stuck” prospect.  The answer is simple but requires a brief explanation of the two stages every person goes through before they buy:

Stage 1 is the Nurturing stage.  These are the people who need your solution – but they aren’t trying to buy for whatever reason (e.g. they think they can’t afford your solution or it’s not “quite right” for them).

Stage2 is the Sweet Spot.  These are people who are trying to decide where to buy.  They don’t need to be convinced.

Email marketing moves people from Stage 1 to Stage 2.  In your target market there are huge pools of customer seeking useful information.  You can help them.  The information and knowledge you possess has the power to carry them along the sales process like a strong current – if you deliver the right information, at the right time, to their email inbox.

Email Marketing Case Study Example

The ecommerce company www.mylittleclothesline.com sells used kid’s clothes.  In September 2012 the company was receiving approximately 400 website visitors per day (people who wanted to buy bargain priced, “like-new” kid’s clothes – but weren’t willing to buy today).  A certain number of these daily website visitors were registering on the website (providing their email address).  So, MyLittleClothesline.com decided to email hundreds of prospective customers who had never purchased.  The results were astounding.  The very first email generated a huge spike in sales and increased the conversion rate to over 22%.  In other words, 22% of website visitors made a purchase in the days following the first day of the email campaign.

Do you want 22% of your website visitors to buy, right now?  Then you want email marketing.  I recommend checking out the online marketing company, Benet Inc.  Why?  Because Benet holds your hand, doesn’t break the bank and has a seasoned team of internet marketers drive your online sales.

Problem #1 – My website is practically invisible.  Most of the people visiting my website are trying to sell me something.  Do my “hot prospect” customers even know my website exists?

Problem #2 – My website gets good traffic.  If I could convert 5% of my website traffic to paying customers my sales would go through the roof!

Why Your Website Doesn’t Sell

If you are satisfied with your website (presumably because it’s generating tons of new leads), why are you reading an internet marketing blog?  Get a hobby or something!  If you aren’t satisfied with your website, it’s either because of poor website traffic (Problem #1) or poor conversion rate (Problem #2).

At this point I want to make one thing clear:  Email marketing is not for everyone.  If your website fits Problem #1, you don’t need email marketing (not yet anyway).  So, read something that will put your website on the map, like this post about Pay Per Click advertising for service businesses.

Make Your Website Start Selling

The rest of you (presumably who have good website traffic) consider this:  Your prospects are STUCK.  They’ve seen your website – but they aren’t buying.  So, what does it mean when your prospect is stuck?  Let’s define a “stuck” prospect.  The answer is simple but requires a brief explanation of the two stages every person goes through before they buy:

Stage 1 is the Nurturing stage.  These are the people who need your solution – but they aren’t trying to buy for whatever reason (e.g. they think they can’t afford your solution or it’s not “quite right” for them).

Stage2 is the Sweet Spot.  These are people who are trying to decide where to buy.  They don’t need to be convinced.

Email marketing moves people from Stage 1 to Stage 2.  In your target market there are huge pools of customer seeking useful information.  You can help them.  The information and knowledge you possess has the power to carry them along the sales process like a strong current – if you deliver the right information, at the right time, to their email inbox.

Email Marketing Case Study Example

The ecommerce company www.mylittleclothesline.com sells used kid’s clothes.  In September 2012 the company was receiving approximately 400 website visitors per day (people who wanted to buy bargain priced, “like-new” kid’s clothes – but weren’t willing to buy today).  A certain number of these daily website visitors were registering on the website (providing their email address).  So, MyLittleClothesline.com decided to email hundreds of prospective customers who had never purchased.  The results were astounding.  The very first email generated a huge spike in sales and increased the conversion rate to over 22%.  In other words, 22% of website visitors made a purchase in the days following the first day of the email campaign.

Do you want 22% of your website visitors to buy, right now?  Then you want email marketing.  I recommend checking out the online marketing company, Benet Inc.  Why?  Because Benet holds your hand, doesn’t break the bank and has a seasoned team of internet marketers drive your online sales.

2012 will go down in history as a year of unprecedented global and political change.  In large part, this upheaval is due to the rapid exchange of information and ideas.  The re-election of Barack Obama has important implications for American business owners.

Foreign Trade & Relations

In comparison to the incumbent, Mitt Romney was a relatively unknown entity and occasional saber rattler.  His navigation through a difficult primary election and his stated intention of “declaring China a currency manipulator on day 1″ represented uncertainty for the future relationship of the United States and its partners and allies.  In 2013, expect the China relationship to remain stable and the Israel relationship to be slightly strained (a source quotes that 85% of absentee ballots from Israel were Romney supporters).  Although Europe is a less important trade partner than China, its continued decline is a negative impact on the US economy.

Economy

The double whammy of spending cuts and tax increases will drag on the tepid economy.  As Democrats and Republicans have been sharply divided, the January 1st deadline to address the Fiscal Cliff approaches.  Certain sectors of the economy will be more affected; but the overall impact will impede growth.  Fed policy will continue to promote stability with low interest rates until labor markets improve.

Investments

Hospitals will benefit as more health care patients demand services due to the President’s universal health care initiatives; however, medical device companies will not benefit.  Expect alternative energy companies to benefit from increased funding.  The financial sector will be hampered by increased regulation (expect Senator Warren to make a mark on both Wall Street and Main Street financial companies).  Municipal bonds a solid US stocks remain attractively priced with solid fundamentals.

Taxes

If you have gifts to give do it now.  2013 will come with increased capital gains, gift and estate taxes.

In conclusion, the uncertainty is over, which in itself is positive for business planning.  However, the turmoil of political change may not yet be over…