Quick Wins for Internet marketing?

5 areas to invest in, to improve your online audience engagement

Never in the history of marketing have methods changed so rapidly; the fluid nature of the Internet requires constant innovation and flexibility. While 2015 will bring plenty of changes in the coming months, there are a number of things you can do now to maximize your success using some available tools.

Tip 1: Invest in 'Contextual Marketing'

OutMarket CEO, You Mon Tsang, believes 'contextual marketing' is the key to Internet marketing success this year. In other words, you should be pursuing data-driven marketing that leverages the information you’re able to gather from your customers. He claims this will allow you to 'deliver personalized and relevant content at the right place, at the right time.'

The question is, how do you accurately gather that information? Depending on the tools you have available, it might be as simple as tracking social media posts from your target market or filling out registration forms. For those with access to advanced analytics programs, much of this information can be easily and automatically compiled.

The success of your contextual marketing efforts will depend on how you gather and nurture data, but this can pay large dividends in the future. Share your ideas with peers and find out what they’re doing to gather relevant data.

Tip 2: Infographics Sell

Infographics experienced enormous growth in 2014 and resulted in enthusiasm from Internet users everywhere. Consumers love them because they provide the perfect blend of factual data and easily digestible graphs, charts, and images. Armando Roggio of PracticalEcommerce.com suggests there are three main ways to utilize infographics this year: '1. As how-to guides 2. as product selection guides, and thirdly as pure entertainment.'

Infographics, when properly used, are extremely powerful because of their viral nature. People love sharing them on social media, and blogs will conveniently link back to your site. Find a way to invest in beautiful infographics this year, and you'll experience a positive result.

Tip 3: Focus on Local SEO

Local SEO has never been more powerful than it is now. Google is placing a large emphasis on local search and is rewarding sites, pages, and companies that provide the information they’re looking for. In many cases, it’s as simple as updating all of your contact and location information. You’ll want to meticulously examine all of the major online directories, and look for any blank fields or inconsistencies.

The data you compile in your contextual marketing efforts should help you determine which directories to invest in, based on how customers are searching for you. Local SEO is still very much a new element of Internet marketing, and will likely see major developments in 2015. Getting a head start can help you better position yourself for changes in how search engines might use local directories in the future.

Tip 4: Videos lead to conversions

While content will continue to lead the way for Internet marketing, videos have become increasingly powerful. They are able to do a number of things that text cannot, and ultimately that turns leads into conversions. Albert Scaglione, CEO of Park West Gallery says, 'Our mission is to create an entertaining, educational and welcoming environment that ignites a passion for the arts and offers an incomparable collecting experience.' He believes video marketing will play a major role in showing off that welcoming environment to new customers.

Marketing experts recommend investing in a brand spokesperson who is able to clearly portray your organization’s message and value. Videos should be engaging, informative, and high quality. Access Smart Insight's Video Hub for tactics.

Tip 5: Connect with your audience

Above all else, you must find ways to connect with your audience. While these four tips provide ideas for connecting, they aren’t the only ways. Any tool that allows you to engage with your target market will prove to be an invaluable resource.

It’s still early in the year, and there's no better time to gather your decision makers and creative minds together, and develop a plan for Internet marketing. Which tools do you plan on using and how do you anticipate using them?

Thanks to Larry Alton for sharing his advice and opinions in this post. Larry Alton is an independent business consultant specializing in social media trends, business, and entrepreneurship. Follow him on Twitter and LinkedIn.