Technology changes almost on a daily basis. Along with those technological changes, so do the methods of internet marketing have to keep up with the times.
Imagine if you currently were not using social media for marketing, surely your business would be lost amidst those trend-setting companies that use every new platform, forum, or device to put their name at the forefront.
How can you possibly stay on top of internet marketing trends when they change so rapidly? There are several methods, as outlined below.
Following Those Who Know
The easiest way to keep your finger on the pulse of the newest, most innovative, and most effective methods of using advancing technology for marketing is to find a good internet marketing blog written by a professional and follow it. There are lots of them out there and new ones being added daily, but if you can find a popular, well-established site, you are most likely to gain the best, most reliable information.
Outside of the blogosphere, you may also want to keep an eye on what’s happening at social media sites. Be sure to ‘friend’ or ‘follow’ internet marketing gurus. Do a search for trending topics on Twitter that include the word ‘marketing’.
Google Alerts
Just in case your favorite blogger isn’t keeping up on the latest marketing trends, create Google alerts for the phrases “Google pagerank news”, “internet marketing news”, “internet marketing trends” or something similar. This will send a message straight to your email inbox that lists any new content referencing these exact words.
Attend Professional Conferences
For the serious internet marketer, it is definitely worthwhile to join an association or organisation that focuses on this topic. Paid memberships often allow you to receive the latest news and notice of upcoming changes. If you can afford to do so, attend a conference where you can ask questions and listen to the advice of professionals who have the inside track with the major search engines and software companies.
The Importance Of Keeping Up With Internet Marketing Trends
Consider this scenario: several years ago you owned a monetised website that used the process of posting duplicate content across the internet to build links to your pages. If you were not aware that Google was planning on blacklisting sites linked to duplicate content, you might have lost everything you’d worked so hard to achieve.
The same holds true today if you own a site that relies on affiliate marketing for income. Since Google made some important changes to its Adsense program in recent times, you could well be losing your stream of income right now. Without staying on top of news and trends, you are vulnerable to losing your entire business if it is based on an outdated model.
It is very difficult to find internet marketing success unless you stay abreast of all the changes that affect your efforts. If you want to work smarter instead of harder, the key is to follow internet marketing trends and blaze new trails to success.
Sean Rasmussen
Aussie Internet Marketer
Learn Affiliate Marketing with Year Of The Affiliate © 2012
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
As a newbie to this world, I am amazed at the spread and speed of information passed every day. Keeping abreast of trends would have to be a prerequisite of attempting success, i would have thought, and the more I see, the more I see the need for creativity and flexibility within this field.
Thank you for this post, and the link to Google Alerts. Wise words, and I look forward to your next post.
.-= Jo Carey-Bradshaw´s last blog ..Empowering Mindset – Mindfulness =-.
Happy to help Jo. Our industry is one that changes very quickly and developing a means to keep up with it all is vital for success.
Hi Jo,
Apart from Google Alerts which is a great little tool, I have found that one of the best ways that has worked for me to be kept informed of the latest news is RSS. Where in the past I use to bookmark sites and visit every few days, I now just add them into my RSS feed and do a scan everyday and if I find something that looks interesting I read into it further.
This works for me but I am sure that there are many other ways.
.-= Cemil´s last blog ..Google To Stay In China =-.
Great tip there Cemil. RSS is like your own personal online newspaper where you can choose what news and articles interest you.
Hi Sean,
It’s not easy keeping up with internet marketing trends and it definitely pays to be in the know. When Google makes changes they make them quickly. When they did their purge of music blogs, it was swift and a lot of people didn’t seem to see it coming. It would be heartbreaking to lose all your work in one hit.
So, I subscribe to the RSS feeds of blogs I think are industry leaders and have Google Alerts for the latest internet marketing news. I follow a few of the internet marketing gurus on social media. But mostly, I trust you to tell me what I need to know.
.-= Jazz Salinger´s last blog ..Learn and Earn – It’s a Marathon Not a Sprint =-.
Hi Sean,
I have heard about Google slaps. that’s where marketers can be penalized for making mistakes or for making a wrong decision concerning on-line advertising etc.
Social Media sites can also close you down if not abreast of the latest marketing trends. Attending conferences is a good way to receive current information and keep up to date with trends, as you say Sean.
.-= Jill Brown´s last blog ..Couples Marry at Common Law =-.
Keeping up with Internet Marketing Trends is quite a challenge. The advantages of the Internet (endless information available) can here sometimes feel like a curse – so much information to keep on top of.
I am using Google alerts and RSS, but I don’t check them as regular and intense as I want to at the moment. Why? Because I am still on a huge learning curve and reading posts, watching webinars and experimenting on my own blogs.
So, for the moment my main source of knowledge is listening to someone who knows
.-= Renee´s last blog ..Self Improvement Books – What Are Your Favourites =-.
I’m with you there Renee. I too use RSS but only check them about every 10 days as its not in my daily routine yet as there is just so much more to read and learn.
.-= Jackie Stenhouse´s last blog ..Types of Child Anxiety Disorder =-.
I struggle with keeping up with internet marketing trends as they seem to change daily. I have never thought about google alerts, thats a great tip.
I subscribe to this really good internet blogger, I think his name is Sean Rasmussen. He seems to know what he’s talking about and keeps up with the latest.
.-= Jackie Stenhouse´s last blog ..Types of Child Anxiety Disorder =-.
Hi Jackie,
Very well said. I totally agree. Sean definitely knows what he’s talking about. I have complete faith that he’ll keep me updated on the latest information.
.-= Jazz Salinger´s last blog ..Finding Your Passion =-.
Sounds good Jackie, I’ll have to check that guy out
LOL
Keeping up with trends! I am not even up with a trend! I do use Alerts – including one with Sean – so I obviously need to scan through them more instead of deleting without reading.
It certainly will help me target better ideas and tips if nothing else