Online ad spending up

Overall, ad spending was up 10 percent in the first 9 months of the year; however, online ad spending was up almost 26 percent.

(Click for MediaWeek article)

Internet Taking over the Holidays

According to A.C. Nielson, 84% of Americans will buy at least one gift on the Internet, which is up 10% over last year (click here for story).

Early news reports said this weekend was a good weekend in terms of sales, and the Internet played a huge role in those sales.

More important, those who purchase a gift on the Internet, tend to purchase more than one gift.

So What?

Americans, and the world, are expecting and enjoying more power to conduct many elements of their lives, on the Internet. Just a couple of years ago, the Internet was busted. Many had predicted the Internet zenith had passed.

Now we are realizing that the Internet boom was just a glimpse of the potential of the Internet. If you are not taking advantage of the Internet in your business, you can be sure one of your competitors, or future competitors, is seeking an Internet advantage.

Action. You're on WebTV.

New Internet services will soon act just like Tivo and will allow people to personalize their entertainment programming. Of course, it doesn't just end with entertainment.

Obviously, numerous sales and marketing opportunities will exist. "How To Do It" series after series, training, infomercials, and presentations will be unlimited in this medium.

Several startups are already making this happen, such as DAVE Networks and Akimbo Systems.

Small Businesses Missing Internet Opportunity

According to a MediaPost article, most small businesses are not advertising online, though most believe it offers huge opportunities.

One of the major impediments, the reports states, is "business-owner confusion".

Click here for the complete article.

As time goes by, I have noticed more and more small businesses have dipped their pen into the Internet ink. Unfortunately, many that have, have had disappointing results.

While Internet marketing offers a pot of gold, if utilized correctly, utilizing it correctly isn't some simple matter.

The Internet isn't just another medium, it is the most sophisticated medium ever created.

The Internet Boom and Crash is history. The potential of the Internet has barely been tapped. Voice over IP, mobile communications, multimedia data transmission speeds, alone, can change everything about the world in which we live.

Internet advertising is slowly becoming more and more expensive and is now a piece of the standard, corporate marketing mix - as the Internet synthesizes into every element of business.

As with any marketing, thought leaders have the greatest impact. Those whom follow with slicker run-offs of previous leaders are always behind. The Internet, by-far, provides the cheapest segment-specific exposure, messaging, and metrics ever created.

What else can you say? That doesn't mean it's simple, only that it cannot be ignored.

What is Podcasting?

Podcasting is a radio show, distributed via the Internet, for listening on a mobile device, like an iPod or MP3 player.

Using RSS, or Really Simple Syndication, shows are sent to subscribers.

The format could be used for any number of personalized media campaigns, and is probably the next frontier of Internet Marketing.

More Internet Shopping

While most retailers don't expect overall expenditures to increase this holiday season over last season, they do expect to do more of their sales online.

According to DoubleClick, "The two most cited reasons for shifting buying to online were "ease of purchase" and the ability to "learn about a new product," the survey showed."

Click here for the complete article.

Business Week: Online Advertising Growing

According to a BusinessWeek special report, online advertising is a growing business, as broadcast TV viewing declines, Internet surfing increases. "A year ago, media buyers could land discounted space on the home pages of major portals for between $100,000 and $180,000 per 24 hours, say buyers. Now, the cost is reaching $300,000."

Half America is now on broadband, especially those with spendable cash, and the Internet accounts for 14% of America's media time, not including those Web-surfing at work "...-- a major audience for advertisers."

Click here for the complete BusinessWeek report.

Importance of Internet Keeps Growing

Advertising and marketing professionals see online ads as part of standard media-mix today, states an article by Nancy Wong Bryan for iMedia. "They say online advertising has made significant inroads, and many consider it part of the traditional media mix now. It is now outside the norm to have a plan without an online component to it.”

Click here for the complete iMedia Article

The Internet's Power

The Internet, as a tool of communication, is the greatest source of power for the people to learn, to promote, to buy, to sell, to connect.

The Internet IS communication.