Net Frontier Marketing

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I’ve done more than my share of ranting lately. There’s been a lot of heat going around the concept of the “Death of Internet Marketing”. Sometimes I feel it’s almost a duty to denounce all the hype and lies going around.

But this post isn’t about me.

It’s about online business and the monumental transfers of power that are going on right now.

It’s about taking heed of these changes and positioning yourself and your business where it needs to be in order to fully experience the massive opportunities created by web 2.0, social networks, blogging and the ability to leverage your readers, buyers and visitors for something infinitely more durable and important than the quick sale.

I’m talking about the “Secrets of Online Persuasion”, a book released in October by John Paul and Deborah Micek.

Both authors have a long list of successful business coaching and optimization, assisting hundreds, from small business owners to US senators in achieving and surpassing their online goals.

As I write this, I’ve only gotten my hands on the free excerpt of “Secrets of Online Persuasion”. I’m out of the country until mid December and I can’t wait to get to the bookstore and buy the full version.

Here are some quotes that really hit home with me:

“Tribes are unified groups bound together by tradition, common thought, shared beliefs, and a common interpretation of the symbols around them including marketing and advertising messages. They come together for a common purpose – to support and to receive support from one another. They are highly influenced by other members of the tribe and they exert great influence on the tribe.”

The web means tribes are more flexible, perhaps more vibrant and healthy in their opinions and views than ever before. Influence is still passed on by the big gurus but more and more so, this influence will come from people like you and I. You the blogger, you the forum poster, you the reader…

“In order to succeed today, you must not only understand what your consumers want, but how they find that information, validate it and make decisions.”

Part of what this means to me is that the straight sales pitch is dead. It is only one part in the complete process that takes a prospect from visitor to customer. Buyers need social proof, validation of their impulses and with the internet and abundance of free thinkers and user generated content; they can find it at the tip of their fingers.

“The New Media Revolution is about people, participation, and persuasion.”

The old habits of interruptive marketing and creating authority from a lack of competition and clarity are no longer good enough.

“The universal hunger has always been for freedom, connection, and participation.”

Who can argue with this? Forums are seeing record growth; the wikipedia is giving Encyclopedia Britannica a run for its money with one thousandth of the financial resources at its disposition. MySpace, despite its issues and ugliness has skyrocketed out of nowhere without advertising of any sorts because it gives people what they really want.

Influential bloggers oust witches and burn them at the stake. They make things possible that only pure capital could have in the past.

What this book is about:

“A new virtual playing field that would allow professionals and businesses of all sizes to attract, interact with, and retain a highly targeted audience online.”

I expect this book to be one of the single greatest influences in how I attack the growth of my online business in 2007.

For less than $25, Amazon will hook you up with your copy of “Secrets of Online Persuasion”.

Let me know what you think, your participation is vital .