A few years ago when internet-capable smartphones began gaining popularity, most people shrugged it off as a fad. The vast majority of businesses continued to focus solely on traditional computer users when building their websites & developing online marketing strategies, because investing in mobile seemed like an unnecessary expenditure for such a small group of users. Now that it’s 2011 and the future is clearer, it’s time to reconsider this approach.

Mass market adoption

Mobile internet usage is booming as more consumers get their hands on iPhones, iPads and Android devices. An infographic from earlier this year – shown below – illustrates a number of surprising facts. The biggest jawdropper? In less than three years, mobile internet usage is expected to surpass that of traditional computers. That means your customers will be more likely to visit your website on a phone or tablet than on a Mac or PC.

The future is now

Even today a sizable chunk of your audience is using a mobile device to find information about your organization. Right now one-half of all local searches are performed on mobile devices, with most of them leading to immediate action. Smaller businesses have a fantastic opportunity to make a splash by focusing in this area. And it’s not just people on the go; multiple studies have shown that a majority of current mobile internet browsing is done at home.

Get involved in social

If there’s one thing to take away from this research, it’s the large role social networking should play in an effective online marketing strategy. Over one-third of Facebook’s users are mobile, in addition to more than one-half of Twitter’s user base. YouTube video views are skyrocketing on phones and tablets, too. It’s incredibly important for businesses to be involved in social media to remain relevant as consumers purchase millions of new mobile devices and spend even more time using these services.

It’s not the tool but how you use it.

You can have a group on Facebook, an account on Twitter, a photo collection on Flickr, and a channel on YouTube, but what does that mean to your brand?

Online marketing is more than just creating accounts online and hoping the search engines lead potential customers to them. You have to be active with your fans, followers, and subscribers. Social media is an important part of Internet marketing that allows you to build a more solid brand by having a human connection. Current customers are more likely to suggest your product to friends if they have a good experience.

However, if you leave your accounts idle, you are missing out on communication opportunities. Even if your potential customers don’t need your product or service right now, keeping them posted with fun facts, transfixing trivia, and pensive pictures will keep you at the forefront of their mind when your product/service becomes a need.

Not only that, but the more relevant information you post, the more searchable your brand becomes to potential customers. And with Google as today’s #1 search source, pleasing the Google Search Engine Gods could lead you down a path of Internet sainthood.

Ready? Set? Rock!

Studies are proving that TV advertising is becoming less and less reliable. According to an article on MarketingProfs.com, “in 2010, most advertisers plan to move budget dollars away from traditional media to social media (77%), online advertising (73%), and search engine marketing (59%).”

There is talk that allowing fewer commercials per pod may be more effective, but with the population turning to search engines to find a resource to fulfill their needs, having a strong online presence is a must.

Social marketing tops the charts as the number one source advertisers and marketers will turn to for brand building. Through various social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and others, a strong brand strategy and marketing plan can have a huge effect on brand awareness. With these vehicles, you can build brand loyalty and an overall solid presence in today’s competitive market. By having a strong presence in social media, you allow your product/service users, fans, and, on occasion, addicts to feel like they belong have a place in the world of your brand.

But what good is being searchable when your web content is weak? That’s where web development and brand identity design come into play. Once your product or service reaches your target, the images they see need to tell them how you fulfill their need.

So give into the online tidal wave. Swim with the social media current. Develop a strong online marketing plan and you too can have a brand with substance.

Ready? Set? Rock!

Top 10 Reasons Your Brand Should Be On Facebook

1. It’s already built. No need to wait for a design team to create a community on your company website.

2. Millions of customers and potential customers are already members. You won’t need to convince them to sign up for anything, give out their personal information, etc.

3. Follow the leader. Every time someone becomes a fan of your brand on Facebook, all of their friends will be able to see that on their Facebook Wall. If they are interested or curious, they will visit your page and possibly become fans too.

4. Easy customization. In addition to the many features Facebook fan pages already have, you can easily add your own with the Boxes feature.

5. Instant interaction with customers and potential customers by writing on each other’s walls, responding to comments, etc. Build relationships with customers that will increase their brand loyalty.

6. Advertising network is built in. Facebook offers fan page owners an advertising venue complete with analytics.

7. Customers/potential customers can interact with each other via the comments, wall, and discussions forum.

8. All the content about your brand that you post to Facebook is easily shared by your fans with all of their friends.

9. Earn credibility by associating your brand with the Facebook brand. Companies that are active on Facebook have more credibility as being current, fresh, and “now”.

10. Aside from the advertisements, Facebook is FREE. No investment necessary except your time and effort.

Bonus 11 – You can access Facebook on the road from a number of mobile applications.

YouTube has been the springboard for some people to be “discovered.”

One young man, Justin Bieber was discovered on Youtube.  Both Usher and Justin Timberlake went after him. He signed with Usher.

Here is a short list of some people that made it big through YouTube…look em’ up!

Jessica Rose, actress – ABC’s show “Greek”

Ysabella Brave, singer – Signed with Cordless Recordings

Adam Sevani, dancer/actor – Step-Up 2

Amanda Baggs, videos on CNN

Lisa Levi, songwriter/singer

Michael Agrusso, new comic series

Pat Condell, comedian

Pretty sweet how people can make it big using the world wide web… maybe now is a good time for me to release all of the videos of me singing and dancing growing up???… just kidding.

1. Overdoing it – One of the most common ways to abuse sites like Twitter is by overdoing it.  Too many useless posts can be obnoxious and drive customers away.
2. Putting all your eggs in one basket – Some businesses are too wrapped up in Twittering for a few minutes a day, they have now ignored doing SEO or writing useful articles for their site. Don’t forget about the other important online marketing tools.  A well-balanced online marketing campaign including SEO, PPC, SEM, and Social Media are all vital.
3. Spamming – Do not fill up people’s social networking pages with unsolicited ads promoting everything ever created.  Its doing more harm than good posting bogus information about how consumers can “Get Rich Fast.”
4. Irrelevant information – They say that 40% of all Twitter posts are “useless babble.”  I think that is much lower than the actual amount of useless information.  They say that 10% of your social media should be used for sales and 90% should be used for posting relevant, usable information.
5. Repetitive Posts – Some people use programs to help them post tweets throughout the day.  But using this can be to your demise if misused.  Posts that are the same day to day or week to week are obnoxious and people notice.  Instead of people deeming your posts as relevant and constructive information, they will delete you.

Click here to read article.

Companies are now integrating Twitter in their online ads to gain consumer involvement.  These ads allow consumers to post tweets within an ad.

Juicy Juice is one of the first to do this posting these ads on websites targeting mothers.  They ask questions like “How do you stimulate your child’s mind?” or “How important are vitamin-enhanced foods to you?” then users answer the questions as Tweet that are placed directly into ads.

I think it’s great that companies have a way to be interactive with their consumers and create an actual dialog.  People may not even notice that they are participating in an advertisement. Also, an easy way to track metrics on an advertisement!  Social marketing is being taken to the next level.

View here for more information about this.

For those who are trying to catch up in the social marketing networks, it’s likely you’ve stumbled into Twitter.

Polls now show that 1 in 20 Americans has a Twitter account. Good social marketers have acknowledged its incredible marketing potential and ran with it, adding it to every client’s overall online marketing mix.

But, for those of us who still don’t quite understand the Twitter-mania yet, click here for a good explanation.  (I thought it was funny)