Anatomy Of An Internet Marketing System

by Titus Hoskins

Please let me tell you about the Internet marketing systems I use and find helpful. This information may be of some benefit to you, especially if your goal is to monetize your site or earn an income from your online marketing.

My name is Titus Hoskins and I own and operate a very modest marketing website called www.bizwaremagic.com. I have been designing web pages and sites since 1998. I have an Art/Education background but in the last couple of years I have been studying online marketing systems and using them.

Yes, studying them, since I have an art background I like to examine structures and beneath the surface of things in order to gain a clearer picture. I like to see the whole picture - the big picture. But the underlying elements behind these complex systems interests me the most. Whats beneath the surface excites me: the structure holding everything in place, how they are designed, the methods and tools used to make these marketing systems work.

Keep in mind that I still feel a bit funny referring to myself as an Internet marketer. Last week my marketing efforts made me around a thousand dollars. I dont know if that qualifies me as an Internet marketer or not - probably not. Most of the people with whom I associate and have contact, make that in a day. The really smart ones make that in an hour.

A thousand dollars in one hour?

How is that possible? Well, the marketing experts who earn the big ds - usually have complex automated marketing systems set up and operating on the Internet. These systems start with their own products but quickly expand and build with large opt-in lists or ezines, 1000s of affiliates, large JV networks, multi-sites, viral marketing, membership forums, brandable ebooks, online marketing tools/resources and the list goes on...

No doubt you may have stumbled across some of these marketing systems on the Internet... one of the first I encountered was Internet Marketing Center run by the late Corey Rudl who died tragically in a car crash at the young age of 34. I made my first affiliate check through Coreys system and it changed the way I looked at the Internet forever. And the check was only $5!

What helped me earn that $5 were not only my own efforts but more importantly the whole marketing system behind IMC. It took an ordinary webmaster and showed him how to market on the web. It showed me the way. More importantly, it also taught me that Internet marketing is a skill anyone can learn.

These marketing systems can be good places for the beginning marketer to learn those skills. There are many marketing systems quietly working the Internet. Some of the best (in my opinion) are Ken Evoys whole Site Sell system, Marlon Sanders Higher Response Marketing, John Reeses Traffic Secrets, Bryan Winters PushButton Publishing, Jeff Mulligans CBmalls, and Nitro Marketing.

These Internet marketing systems are all different, yet they all have common elements or features that make them very effective and powerful marketing systems. A close examination of the different components or parts might give you a better understanding of what makes these Internet marketing systems work.

Heres a list of the different parts of an effective Internet Marketing system:

o Founder or Helm: All these marketing systems have a strong leader or founder at the helm. A very vocal and forceful communicator or spokesperson is needed as a focal point. And like any company, its only as good as the person leading it. Because the Internet is still a very scary place for the average user - a friendly outgoing spokesperson is needed to break down those barriers (real or imaginary).

o Unique Product or Products: Most of the effective marketing systems have their own products to market. These can be digital information products, web building/hosting packages, or even self-contained marketing systems - or all of the above. Some popular products that come to mind would include Ken Evoys whole Site Sell and SiteBuildIt line, or Jeff Mulligans CBmalls which promotes the well-known digital download affiliate site ClickBank.

o Databases or Lists: All these systems collect and keep large databases or opt-in permission contact lists of customers and potential customers. The real net value of any marketing system is in the quantity and more importantly the quality of its lists. All deliver a weekly or daily ezine or ezines to these lists. Consider these databases as the engines that empower any Internet marketing system.

o JV Networks: Most have large Joint Venture Networks or contacts that will kick-start any new product. Momentum and sales are created with these JV partners. An ideal JV partner is a well-respected online marketer with very responsive and very large opt-in lists. If databases are like engines, JV networks will fill those engines with the fuel they need.

o Affiliates: The best marketing systems use 1000s of affiliates to promote and market their products. This is usually done in-house with their own affiliate program or onsite software set up. Some use third party affiliate programs like ClickBank, 1ShoppingCart, Commission Junction, LinkShare, or Shareasale. This is your ignition.

o AutoResponders: One of the most effective marketing tools these systems use, autoresponders, are essential for delivering the sales. A series of follow-up e-mails will increase sales dramatically. Studies have shown that it takes 6 or 7 follow-ups before someone purchases your product. Consider the autoresponder as a fuel injection system.

o Tracking and Marketing Resources: All have extensive tracking and marketing resources, usually located online within a membership site. An easy to use and accessible tracking system for affiliates is needed. So too are marketing resources such as banners, links, coupons, graphics, SEO tactics, landing pages, lead capture pages, brandable reports, articles and ebooks. Obviously, these are your toolkit.

o Viral Marketing: All great Internet marketing systems use viral marketing techniques. This can be as simple brandable reports, articles, software or ebooks. Affiliates can embed their own IDs and pass these viral products along to their friends and visitors. These useful viral products then get passed around all over the web - creating links, contacts, buzz and funneling prospects back to your marketing system. Consider viral marketing your Turbo Charger.

o Online Forums: Many of the better Internet Marketing systems will have an online forum where members can network and interact and could offer workshops and tutorials. This is a vital community building tool that must not be overlooked or underestimated. It will greatly enhance the effectiveness of any marketing system, building a foundation and launch pad for any new products. Online forums are your gas stations.

o Cross Promotion: These marketing systems can become very complex: promoting programs within programs, cross-networking whole systems within systems, joint ventures within joint ventures. Marketing seminars, conventions and workshops are other lucrative features these systems use to market their products and to network with other marketers. This is your Hybrid fuel.

o Corporate Blogs: Most have company blogs or a network of members blogs. Its important to realize the power of these relatively new mediums for getting the word out. RSS feeds are also used to syndicate your sales message and content. That would be your satellite radio.

o Affiliate Incentives: The better marketing systems have affiliate incentives and contests to motivate their sales force - from cruises to Ferraris.

o They Pay Their Affiliates On Time: This might seem trivial, except to the affiliate. The best Internet marketing systems pay their affiliate regularly and on time. They are trusted and respected by affiliates and online marketers. This trust has been built up over many years of good solid business relationships. The best marketing systems are the ones that can harvest and develop those relationships with thousands or even millions of affiliates. This is your accelerator.

o Automation: Automation is the one key element that makes all of the above possible. These Internet marketing systems are automated to the highest degree possible. Without automation these large marketing networks could not function. Therefore, almost all the day-to-day operation of a marketing system is automated and can run smoothly without much work or maintenance. This is the grease that makes everything run.

o Internet: These marketing systems have taken full advantage of the World Wide Web and used it to their benefit. It permits global marketing with affiliates in every country around the world. This large multinational marketing force is made possible only with the creation of the Internet. Consider it the glue that connects the whole system.

The computer and the Internet make these whole automated marketing systems possible. Closely studied and dissected, these systems are complex, intricate creatures solidly embedded into the Internet and the lives of millions around the globe. Together its enabling lifestyles that offer mobility, freedom and enrichment never before seen this side of a Powerball win!

When you picture these complex marketing systems, dont think of computers, databases, autoresponders, and wires. Rather, picture a sun-drenched tropical beach with a light breeze and a clear blue sky. Picture a person sitting to one side, checking daily sales stats on a cool sleek shinny laptop. Dont forget to zoom in close and you will notice a slight smug smile. But dont stop there, if you stare really hard and think about what you have just read, you will have a clear view of an Internet marketing system.

The author runs a modest Internet Marketing web site where you will find helpful online guides on RSS/Blogging, SEO, Affiliate Programs, List Building, Laptops, Internet Fax and quite a few Internet Marketing Tools. Including the very popular Free Desktop Calendar & Planner Copyright © 2006 Titus Hoskins