Karen is a travel consultant and writer specialising in travel to Europe. She has two websites: http://www.europealacarte.co.uk http://www.europe-culture-activity-tours.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karen_Bryan Internet Marketing Sense - Research Your Market
By Allen Jesson
If you want to be successful with Internet Marketing then you need to begin with the end in mind. Far too often would be marketeers have a 'build it and they will come' attitude. Sadly, many times 'they' don't come and those 'would be's' end up being forever 'wannabe's'. Let's not make the same mistake. That is why any Internet Marketing campaign should begin with proper research. The good news is that there are plenty of tools available.
You also need to think about building different web sites for different markets. Even if your market is quite defined, you will find that there are various niches within that market. So, think about building a web-site for each and every niche you identify. The reason for this is quite simple.
Let's say for example you used one piece of software to rapidly build SIMILAR sites in the SAME market. You might achieve some short term success but what happens when Google bans that piece of software or our target market becomes overcrowded or even worse, dead? You get the idea, that is why you need to diversify.
Ideally, I would like you to choose a target market from Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. Also, go with your first instinct, something you're interested in or an area where you think there is potential. Just to whet your appetite, these are the average fees paid PER CLICK by the top advertisers for the following keywords:
Cheap flight $ 4.00 Credit Card $ 15.45 Holiday $ 15.53 Mobile ring tone $ 5.15 Smoked fish $ 0.20 Vegetable delivery $ 0.05
Source: Sunday Times August 2006
There are many sites where you can find the top paying keywords but I suggest you do not go down that route and follow the 'road less travelled'.
One other important point:
When a surfer uses 1 to 2 words they are generally just doing research i.e. gifts. When they use 2, 3 or more words the surfer is generally looking to buy something i.e. traditional anniversary gift.
So ideally, you should be looking for business segments that you can wrap up in two or three words i.e.
www.traditional-anniversary-gifts.com.
Note and one big long word of caution,
www.youdonotwanttomakethedomainnametoolong.com
Because this will get ridiculous when we start to add sub-domains further down the track i.e.
nowwhatwehaveisareallylongdomainname.wedon'twanttomakethedomainnametoolong.com
In summary, there is an old wood chopping saying that goes something along the lines of:
If I am going to spend 8 hours chopping down a tree, I am going to make sure that 7 of those hours are spent sharpening the axe.
With Internet Marketing it is no different, market research is your vital and must do first step of any internet marketing campaign.
Allen Jesson writes for several sites including an internet marketing company and one that helps you make money with a home based net marketing business.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Allen_Jesson The Road to Mystery Shopping - Ethical Market Research Pays Well
By Mike Smith
Have you considered becoming a mystery shopper? Secret, or mystery, shopping is now a widely popular way for companies to obtain quality consumer feedback, while mystery shoppers get rewarded with cash and freebies. Companies are competing to recruit mystery shoppers who pose as real customers on their premises to check the quality of their services and the responsiveness of their staff. However, mystery shopping is far from being a secretive tool for punishing employees; it is a legitimate way for improving staff training, customer service and, ultimately, sales. Therefore, ethical mystery shopping is a powerful channel for positioning businesses upwards marketwise, while rewarding the objective and candid evaluations that mystery shoppers complete for these companies.
If someone has already told you that mystery shopping doesn’t pay well, you should definitely question that statement. Certainly, many people have been unfortunately burnt in mystery shopping scams, or have not been ambitious enough to master the tricks of successful mystery shopping – rather simple, but requiring a good doze of persistence. You should keep realistic. And the reality is that there is always a good return on a rational investment of your effort and time. Once you have registered with legitimate mystery shopping companies, you can start earning, and actually increase your earnings as you get better in completing your mystery shopping assignments.