[from the article]
Internet marketing is the wave of the future, according to Weed small business owner and e-commerce specialist Arthur Cronos.

“If you’re business is not capitalizing on effective internet marketing, you could be losing a ton of possible revenue,” noted Cronos, who recently led a day-long workshop intended to help local business owners develop their web presence.

Gathering to glean some of Cronos’s pearls of wisdom was a group of local entrepreneurs looking to infuse new energy into their businesses. The answer, as far Cronos is concerned, lies on the web.

In a lively and engaging presentation, Cronos stressed the importance of incorporating the internet as a marketing tool for all businesses, even ones that appear to be unlikely candidates. He noted that 12,000 new buyers are discovering the internet on any given day.

How does the business owner effectively target his or her customers?

How does that person build a database of clients and maximize their return on their advertising investment?

[Ecommerce for the Local Business: read more]

Since so many customers do a search of local business before visiting or calling — and this trend is accelerating with the growth of smartphones — it’s become *essential* to have a location online. Even if it consists of nothing more than What You Offer, some prices or a FAQ, and contact information, you *must* be there, because to the searchers, if they can’t find you … you just don’t exist.

The Affordable Websites service is something I worked out that will do just that.

Get a Website for $99, 3-Day Turnaround

It’s just that simple. Check out WebNova Affordable Websites, and share it with your friends.

And, for those people who need a simple solution like this, I also created a simple one-page summary that describes what works today in online marketing.

Read it here:

Marketing Online on One Page

Most people search online, even when they’re looking for a LOCAL business … especially with the ongoing tidal wave of smartphone use.

Smartphone Consumers Search a Lot

Statistics from the Google report “The Mobile Movement: Understanding Smartphone Users,” 2011:

• 95% of smartphone users have searched for local information
• 61% of users call a business after searching …
• … and 59% visit the location
• 90% of these people act within 24 hours

The Three Waves of Google

Google, and other search engines have generally gone through three modes of operation, all with the intent of delivering up to the searchers the information that’s most likely to satisfy –

1. In the beginning, google simply used title, keywords and meta description .. but it was subject to abuse, and became completely unreliable as the sharpsters got wise and gamed the system
2. Then google began to rely upon inbound links, thinking that if external sites thought the current site was important, then that was a ‘vote’ and this worked until sharpsters got smarter and smarter about how to game the system by manipulating external sites
3. And in 2011, and in 2012, google is turning toward two other things as a way of gathering votes, on the expectation that these new ‘vote-gathering’ approaches will be harder to manipulate

The Increase of Mobile Phones

Right now, there are about 1.25 billion computers in the world … and 3 billion cellphones. And the trend within the cellphone users is to migrate overwhelmingly to smartphones. By 2013 there will be more people searching via smartphone than via normal desktops and laptops. (Sources: Gartner, 2010; Google Internal Data, 2011; Cisco, 2011)

Since Google’s prime directive is to make happy the searchers, Google is already rewarding folks who have a specialized mobile site, and penalizing those who don’t. People who buy Google’s ‘adwords’ advertising now pay less for their clicks if they have a mobile site, and pay more for their clicks when they don’t. And you can bet your bootie that search results are working the same way … ESPECIALLY google’s mobile search results, which is growing in importance every single day.

The Increase of Social Marketing

As described in my book (“Marketing Online, Clear and Simple,” available on Amazon), making money using the internet only happens when three essential steps are done.

If you are a local business marketing online, here are the essential steps: First is having a location online, a website. Second is some METHOD of engaging visitors in a conversation … otherwise, statistics tell us they visit once, and then never ever return again. And third is a METHOD of increasing traffic to the site.

Guess what?

Social sites like Facebook, Twitter, Linked-In, Digg, and Redit all provide a METHOD of engaging visitors into a conversation, and they all provide a METHOD of increasing traffic to your site.

And social site usage is booming.

The Rise of Local-Business Online Methods

Most local business owners are too busy handling the alligators of daily operation to engage in the rather long and changing learning curve of effectively learning online methods that actually work. Some of them “get a website” but never do the other two essential steps, and then wonder why “the website” doesn’t make a dime.

However, this is going to shift a lot in 2012.

The increase in smartphone usage will provide more local-business searches. The increase in social marketing, including people who run local businesses, and the local “chatter” from their customers … will increase search methods leading to greater foot-traffic into local businesses.

Further, the hijacking of first page search results by online sharpsters will become more difficult, and less profitable. That business model usually amounts to the sharpster seizing google results with the intent of grabbing the results, and then sending the buyer to the seller’s website, while extracting some profit in doing so. That model will become more difficult.

However, the “local” searches for a local business marketing online, such as “divorce attorney in pittsburgh,” will still be effective, and the rise in smartphone searches will make this kind of search more effective. Google development of Google places and local search results will support the accuracy of this kind of search.

The Result: A Boom for Local Businesses

And this represents two opportunities …

• If you are a local business, it will be worth your while to (a) get an effective website, (b) create a conversation system, (c) engineer a traffic-building system.
• If you are an online consultant or web-builder or marketing expert, you will most help your clients with their local business marketing online if you can help them with the “Three Step Marketing” Formula (described in my book), and especially with traffic and promotions using a mobile site, a facebook business page, and the new QR-Codes to snag even more smartphone users.

Is this only for big businesses? Or folks with lots of money?

Not really. Sure, big businesses will have web-gurus, but that’s unchanged from the past, and LOCAL searches won’t be much impacted. Local businesses will either have more money and less time to spend, like attorneys and doctors and hardware stores, and they can hire out the work … or they’ll be smaller and have less money and more time for smoozing on Facebook, like a musician and a hair salon and a local coffee house.

Need Help with your Local Business?

Contact me for a free 15-minute Discovery Session.

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When surfing with your mobile phone, just go to CopyDragon.com as usual. Our website will immediately know that you’re using a mobile device, and route you to an optimized website that’s easier to navigate on the phone.

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Note to google (only):  the CopyDragon webwriter’s mobile site is located at http://copydragon.com/mob/

Marketing Expert Nikolas Allen

Resident of Mt. Shasta, California, local marketing heavyweight Nikolas Allen, raves about Arthur Cronos new book “Marketing Online, Clear and Simple,” available now on Amazon in print and Kindle editions.

“Totally stoked,” says Mr. Allen, “and ready to dig into “Marketing Online – Clear and Simple” by local author Arthur Cronos ! Thank you for the gift, Mr. CopyDragon!”

Mr. Allen, thank you and you’re welcome!

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Nikolas Allen (http://bamsmallbizconsulting.com) has the knack of presenting marketing how-to in a crisp and easy-to-understand fashion, and is the brains behind some of the best marketing programs currently earning money for local business owners in Northern California’s Siskiyou County. His online blog is well worth regular reading for the outstanding, insider marketing content he delivers week after week.

Is a bear Catholic? Does the Pope visit in the woods?

Of course they do!

They learn from search results, user reviews, ratings, text ads, image ads, news headlines, forums, videos and even good old-fashioned official brand websites.

It’s All about the “Conversation”

They learn and decide in what Google now calls “the Zero Moment of Truth,” that moment when a potential customer is first exposed to marketing and research information about the products and services that *you* want to sell.

One way to dominate this moment (or the conversation) is to take as many places as you can on the front page of Google, Bing and Yahoo, because a single listing usually doesn’t cut it. and certainly just having your business name high on Google is often valueless, because all too  often NONE of your non-customers go searching for your business name, because they’ve never heard of you.

What Works?

Something approaching total domination would work pretty good.

That is to say, getting your “natural” listing on Google, video, Google Places, reviews, social media and directory listings all over the place. That is, an ongoing ‘conversation’ going on about your product or service and you control it.

Whoever is getting ‘talked’ about the most (positively) usually sells the most!

That’s why Amazon outsells Borders, and Borders outsells Henry’s bookstore in Des Moines.

• Did you know that 70% of Americans now report they regularly examine online product reviews before making a purchase? (And, about your business, how are your online reviews? Uh, do you have any online reviews? Think it might be a good idea to get some?)
• Did you know that 79% of consumers report they use a Smartphone to help with shopping? (Is your website optimized to display differently for a Smartphone visitor, so they can get around and actually read what you have to say?)
• Did you know that, last year, for the first time, the number of cell phones in the world became greater than the number of computers in the world? (So what does that say about how your buyers will pre-research this year and next year? Would you like to be a part of it?)

Did you know that 83% of mothers reveal that they see television commercials and then they research online for things that interest them? (So here’s the bottom line: Are you on page one of the major search engines?)

Want to OWN The Conversation?

The fact is, for any business — local business, nationwide business, online business — the most powerful way to get more customers and increase your income is by simply “owning the conversation” in your area.

Want to?

Call me for a free 15-minute Discovery Session to see how CopyDragon webwriters might be able to help you to conquer the world.

Check out his persuasive video about the “Zero Moment of Truth,” here –

Now, quite possibly you may wonder how this might affect your business. Or maybe you’re stumped about what you can do as a practical matter to take advantage of this idea. After all your business is your business. You’re not in the marketing online business.

Two Ways I Can Help

1. Get my new book, “Marketing Online, Clear and Simple, for Local Business.” It’s already on Amazon as a Kindle Edition, and Barnes & Noble as a Nook e-reader book. It will appear as a print title on Amazon soon, and you can get it online as a pdf at my “book site” at http://marketingonlineclearandsimple.com. With the book come a complete series of detailed “how-to” videos which will lead you through the essential steps, click by click.
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2. Call me for a free 15-minute Discovery Session, to see whether CopyDragon Webwriters might be able to provide a complete “done for you” service. You see, my business *is* online marketing. My musical instruments sell around the world, through internet marketing, for example, and I’ve helped dozens of clients to get on the cyberspace fast track.

Those Rascally Customers of Yours

When someone hears about your product or your service, as you darn well know, often their very first reaction is ‘Let me search online for it’. Fact.

It’s simply the way people live and learn and make buying decisions today. They use review sites, read online copy, hear referrals from Facebook friends, and more. It’s what they do at home, in the office, and on their cell phones too.

Lots of times they want to see a video. Seeing is believing. So it behooves you to *be seen.*

Don’t know how? Nope?

No problem. I know how.

Get the Book, or Call me …

Get the book here:

http://amazon.com, and simply search for “Arthur Cronos” (my name)
http://bn.com, and simply search for “Arthur Cronos” (my name)
http://marketingonlineclearandsimple.com

Call me for a free 15-minute Discovery Session here:

(530) 938-1100 (pacific time zone)

See you online!

In many cases, the deal is … your business either adapts … or dies. I’ve had a couple of businesses die, where I failed to find a way to adapt to the changing market. I’ve felt the pain, first hand.

The search behemoth, Google, has published an interesting view about marketing. I’d never heard of this before. It’s called the “Zero Moment of Truth.” This idea came from Proctor & Gamble, the soap barons, who know a thing or two about marketing. They apparently came up with this idea in 2005.

Here’s what the “Zero Moment of Truth” means …

What is the Zero Moment of Truth?

This phrase is based on the idea of the first moment of truth (FMOT) which is when a consumer comes across a shelf full of product and makes the decision on which to buy.

In that year, in a forward to a book called Lovemarks, the CEO of Procter & Gamble, A. G. Lafley said this:

“The best brands consistently win two moments of truth.

“The first moment occurs at the store shelf, when a consumer decides whether to buy one brand or another.

“The second occurs at home, when she uses the brand — and is delighted, or isn’t.”

I Can Relate. Can You?

I’ve had this experience. The moment at the store. And then the moment at home.

And I’ve talked to my customers, in a number of businesses I’ve run over the last 40 years. And I’ve heard them report these same moments.

Do you relate?

Evolution Today: What’s Changed?

Well, something has changed. The fact is, in many cases, I don’t go wandering down the aisles of the store. At least, that’s not my *first* action. In many cases, my first action is … searching online.

Have *you* had this experience? Searching online before visiting the store? Or searching online before buying online?

I’ll bet big money you’ve had this experience.

What Does This Tell Us?

It tells us that there’s a moment *before* the so-called “First Moment of Truth!”

It’s telling us about a new critical moment of decision. Google claims — and I believe them — that this happens before consumers even get into the store. Well, doh! Yup. Observation confirms this claim.

And whether you sell services or some product, local or online — a roofing contractor or an Amazon author selling books or a barber in your town or a traveling hypnotherapist — in many cases, your customers’ first impression — and quite possibly their final decision — will be made in this Zero Moment of Truth.

Want help? CopyDragon can Help

Want to take ownership of that Moment?

Or rather do nothing, and just let some competitor have it?

It’s up to you.

But if you want to have more control over your own destiny, over the forward movement of your business, both for greater prosperity and for ensuring better survival, then contact me for a free 15-minute Discovery Session.

Together, let’s see what can open up for you.

– Arthur

PS:  Watch for the next article. I’ve got a great video which illustrates this concept, OK?

And one part of my formula is that, generally speaking, I don’t permit the client to hire me just to leap into doing what he has in mind. That is, I don’t want the client to stampede us into leaping into (unconsidered) action.

Your LIFE is the Important Thing

Because the very first step, with pretty much every client, is an interview to determine what is the LIFE that the client wants to have.

And only after getting a good picture of the LIFE he/she wants, do we then focus on the BUSINESS in the fullness of time which creates exactly that life.

And only when we have a clear picture of that BUSINESS in the fullness of time, do we map out the strategic OBJECTIVES needed to be obtained between now and then, and only then can we consider the current project …

How does it fit to move closer to the OBJECTIVES, to create the BUSINESS, that yields up the LIFE that the client wants to have?

In this way, we avoid creating a business that interferes with the life the client wishes to have, and we can have clarity about what to do first.

You Can Only Do ONE Thing FIRST

Using this approach, as we move forward with business-systems creation, and creating the materials that advance the business, the client is in touch with his/her dream and inspiration.

And that’s where the juice comes from.

Always and only.

One thing different about working with CopyDragon webwriters is that we will cover the above methods, so that you wind up with much more than a website, and the website you have is then intelligently designed to advance your business, and help give you the life that you want.

And once we’ve done the above things, it’s fairly easy to create a website with a look, and with content, that your customers will automatically like! They won’t know why, but they’ll like it!

Three-Part Power-Marketing on the Internet

Overall, in most cases, a complete and powerful internet marketing campaign has these three parts –

1. 1) You create a website that automatically appeals to your customer. This is “your corner of the internet” and gives you a place to operate. It’s like renting a store if you’re going to sell hardware. You need a place where you can offer your products and services. In this case, it’s on the internet, on your website.
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2. At some later time, you are wise to add Email Capture and follow up marketing.This is the most powerful method of getting more sales available today on the internet. It’s simply because a person who sees your website once and goes away has low odds of buying. But we know (from the Direct Marketing Association of New York) that the average customer buys after 7 to 9 “touches.” Getting the visitor’s agreement that you can send email, and sending 9 to 20 automatic follow-up emails which provide helpful things is a simple way to keep that person thinking about you — and thinking more and more highly of you — and after 7 to 9 of these communications, lots more people buy. And … once set up, the system is completely automatic.
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3. For this to work, you must have “traffic,” which means people coming to your website. There are two ways to get traffic, and many people don’t consider this carefully. The first method is:  Make Google know what you are about so that when people search for you, Google sends them to your site.  The second method is:  You don’t have to wait for Google, because *you* can send people to your website, in a hundred different ways. We’ll go over how these two methods work.

So the first, and most important step, if you want to use the power of the internet to boost your business, is to get yourself a website that works well, that appeals to your target customer. This step has to be done first, for everything else to happen, and so it’s the most important step, to be done as soon as possible. (After thinking about your life and business, of course.)

CopyDragon versus Web-Designers

Generally, a web designer would make a custom site for $3000-$5000, but using WordPress and the methods I’ve developed over many years, working with you we can create your site for $1100-$1700, and this website will work much better than the web-designer’s site and so will actually help your business grow, because we will build it smart, and as an integrated, powerful part of your overall marketing plan.

If you want to see more of the site we’ve built, visit the Work Samples page.

Remember, if you want to build your own site, you can. If you want to enlist a techy friend, you can. If you want to hire a web-designer, you can. And these three paths will give you a website. Absolutely a website.

But, if you want a website that actually helps your business, helps to bring you income, helps to give you the life you want to have, then contact CopyDragon webwriters. We’ve helped others. We can help you.

Click Here to Contact Us Now