We all use Google everyday to look for information. Every now and then, there is a new link on the main Google page which catches my eye. If you haven’t done so yet, follow the Doodle for Google Contest link. The theme of this year’s contest is “What I Wish for the World.” The drawings which I previewed are all absolutely delightful but the originations of the young people who created them are what I found most compelling.

Here’s a YouTube video with some animated Google Doodles which is promoting the contest.

Every internet marketer has access to the entire world to promote their businesses. Not everyone is guaranteed visitors to their website daily, however. We all know that Google has this sort of leverage. To see a huge company like that use their advantage in such a selfless way warmed my heart.

Community involvement is not a new business idea. Engaging our prospects or existing customers through being present in a non-threatening way is a great method to get to know these people as people. Initiating a contest can permit you to attract targeted traffic to your site and it can be a lot of fun for you and your staff too. You are only limited by your imagination.

As internet marketers, we often overlook things that are not trendy. Leaving our desks to actually interact with our local community is something we rarely do. This could be due to the fact that we have an “online” business but I don’t think we should use that as an excuse. Getting involved with our regional and local communities can only stand to facilitate meetings with other like-minded entrepreneurs and expand our circle of influence.

If you haven’t done so already, cast your vote at Doodle for Google Contest. If you are inspired, try to think up a way to use this great promotional tool in your business too.

Although this is a lengthy video, Seth Godin is a grizzled and respected internet veteran with immense influence. If you have not visited his blog, you could benefit from acquainting yourself with him there.

Those in business are well aware of the power of having a website. More recently, the utilization of social networking sites for business promotion and lead acquisition is gaining popularity. Because social networking takes time, companies that are serious about their business success have decided to hire paid staff whose sole responsibilities are to connect with prospects and customers to drive traffic to company websites using social networking techniques.

While considering this idea, I took some time to conduct a little statistical analysis using Google’s nifty search trend analysis tool. This link provides research about search trends for 5 well-known and reputable social networks: MySpace, Facebook, Linked In, Twitter and YouTube. I must admit, the YouTube results surprised me. But, other than that, this data informs me that the trend of employing social networking, for any reason, is a critical strategy for businesses whose future growth and revenue relies upon connecting with potential customers or consumers living in the United States.

If you are a solopreneur or small business owner, you may not have the capacity to outsource or employ full-time staff for social networking so that duty will fall to you. The time that you spend on social networking is not frivolous time. Prospecting is an important part of establishing your new business and helping it continue to thrive.

There are many ways to attract your market using social networking. All networks provide personal blogging features. Duplicating content is not advised, although it is inconvenient to have to create multiple blog posts for every social network to which you belong. Since we all must prioritize how our valuable time is spent, a far superior solution is to use RSS outbound feeds to publish blog posts to all your social networking profiles. Since it is a feed, it is not considered to be duplication of content.

Most networks offer groups, forums or both. Groups and forums allow you to interact with the online community and begin to establish relationships. Including a link to your blog is a great way to assist your blog’s Page Rank through linkbacks and does not inhibit the confidence of members who appreciate what you have written. As an example, imagine that your business is home remodeling. Joining or starting a group about home repair is a great way to demonstrate your expertise, in a helpful way, and attract new business.

Social networking is often abused by people who do not understand how to effectively build online relationships. The keyword is relationship. Remember to be courteous, to write professionally and, perhaps most importantly, to establish a common ground for communicating with an individual or group before you begin to promote anything.

All too often, I see marketers make the social faux pas of leading with an offer. Even worse than that, in my opinion, is submitting a comment or wall post that includes a banner or link to their business. If a single-minded marketer, whose sole interest is making money, begins to bombard a group, forum or me with endless links to business opportunities or affiliate promotions, I tend to lose interest in them and what they have to say. I know that I am not alone.

For marketers who are conscious of the fact that there is more at stake than making money, social networking provides a method of establishing credibility, loyalty and referral business. The latter is THE most important aspect of any business endeavor. People who come to you on the basis of their friend’s recommendation already believe you can deliver the product or service they seek in a professional and cost-effective way.

Social networking is no longer an arena just for the kids. Business people who do not grasp the importance of utilizing these sites effectively will fall behind the curve as this trend continues to rise in popularity. Facebook has embraced their place by enhancing their Fan Page feature so that it is a better way to promote one’s business. Well known companies like Microsoft, IBM, Wells Fargo, State Farm and Prudential all have well-attended and active Facebook Fan Pages.

The power of your future business relies upon ready access to existing and potential customers who are interested in your product or service and who also want to remain informed. When they opt-in to your Facebook Group or Fan Page, you have gained permission to market to them and, if you do not abuse this privilege, your business can grow and you will prosper.

Big Foot is in the news today.  Many writers noted that the men who claim to have found Big Foot in the northern woods of Georgia also run Big Foot expeditions for profit.  If this breaking news was used as a means of getting free advertising for their business, it is a brilliant tactic.  We love our myths and legends, don’t we?

While reflecting on this news, I contrasted it to the way some internet marketers promote their products.  Their “squeeze pages” use compelling keywords that are well researched to attract people.  The landing pages claim to have found something brand new and yet undiscovered that will deliver endless streams of hungry buyers to your website and enhance your bank accounts by tens of thousands of dollars per day. 

The latest trend seems to be creating a sense of urgency by telling the reader only so many copies of this secret method will be released to the public.  Have you ever googled the product name to find out how many other people have published EXACTLY the same site?  Try it sometime! 

Let’s consider the idea of getting rich by doing nothing.  Many internet marketers are laughing their way to the bank selling products that claim to do just that.  Is that a hoax or is it possible?  Their business ethics permit them to play  on the emotions of people who don’t know anything about online success and are looking for a magic pill that will solve all their financial worries in the wink of an eye.  The website for any product or service that promises a fat wallet while you relax in a lawn chair doing nothing is not interested in you or your success.  They want your money and they are leading you down a primrose-bordered path to another disappointment.   

Is it unethical to leverage people’s emotions and interests to gain their attention?  I admit to using the Big Foot news today to bring you to my blog but I didn’t attract you here to lure you into buying the “next best thing” or seduce you into joining a membership site with excessive monthly fees that has “just launched” and will be fully developed long after your 56-day money back guarantee period expires. 

I want to help you REALLY succeed! 

Face it.  There are no magic wands or nose twitching techniques  that will turn you into an overnight millionaire.   You need a mentor with expertise to show you the way.  I can help you learn how to set up your online presence and also teach you how to use inexpensive or free internet marketing tools and techniques that WILL promote your online brand image and deliver targeted traffic and leads to your business website. 

Being successful at anything takes focus, work and practice.  An internet business is no different.