10 Thoughts About Online Marketing: The Week in Review

I was on the road again this week (this time DC) for two presentations (Speakerbox and Online Marketing Summit) on content marketing and social media, one MENG webinar (from Reagan National airport) and what seemed like dozens of meetings. While on the plane trip home, I jotted down some things I learned about, discussed with others, or thought about along the way. Thought you would enjoy.

1. Analytics - The three most important areas to continuously monitor for content improvement are the bounce rate (exit rate after just one page), most popular/least popular content pages, and top referring sites (where your customers are coming from). What else?
2. Looking for good eBook examples. David Meerman Scott's blog, right hand side bar.
3. As I discussed Twitter with practically everyone, it seems the lastest Twitter tool that is catching on is HootSuite. It allows you to manage multiple Twitter accounts. Looking forward to diving in.
4. More and more people are starting to understand content marketing as I travel the country. It's the buzz word for 2009 as far as I can tell...and I'm not sure if that's good or bad. I may have to start talking about something new.
5. Online Marketing Summit has flat-out the most approachable marketing attendees on the planet.  Everyone is smart, helpful, outgoing and willing to learn.  Kudos to Aaron Kahlow and team.
6. Over the last three weeks I've given seven presentations.  Here's some interesting stats from the combined audiences (marketers and publishers). % of people that have made a buying decision using the following over the last three to six months. Yellow Pages (5%), Direct Mail (10%), Print Advertising (5%), Search Engines (90%). I heard David Scott ask these questions during a speech and I've been using them ever since.  Thanks David.
7. More stats on social media usage - 40% are using Twitter, but only half of those people are actively using it. About 95% are on Facebook.  Last year at the same time, that number was about 20%. Amazing adoption of Facebook.  Next year at this time, I expect that almost everyone will have a Twitter account like it or not.
8. The best way to get more speaking opportunities is to give more speeches (I know, obvious right?). Last two days I've done three presentations and have six offers for additional speaking opportunities. Very cool.
9. I read the best article ever about travel tips this week from Peter Shankman.  Great blog...always helpful and interesting.
10. Writing one blog is hard.  Making time for another is a bit easier, but still takes time. Launched a new blog targeted at content providers this week. Check it out. The Junta42 blog is a TypePad blog. The CustomPublishers.com blog uses the WordPress Thesis theme, which I found from reading Brian Clark. So far, I like what it can do.

And last but not least...after talking about Blendtec religiously for the past two days, I end my day at Reagan National waiting for my to-go Omelet Sandwich before I get on the plane, and this was in front of me.

What did you learn this week?

Subscribe  -  Junta42  -  Find Content Vendors  -  Get the Book

Comments

[Susan Friedmann]

Joe, you're awesome and have such a great way of giving a succinct summary of the online marketing world. Really appreciate your contribution.

I totally concur that OMS is the best program out there. I'm telling everyone who wants to learn about online marketing that it's a "must attend" event.

[Joe Pulizzi]

Susan...you're too kind. Well, after all, we met at OMS!!!

[Rick Liebling]

Hootsuite, from the little I've played with it, is very useful.

Content Marketing is hot Joe. I find myself thinking about it a lot and am starting to discuss it with my colleagues. I'm a big believer in content as a tool and think the time is now to leverage this.

[Karl Kleinbach]

Been to OMS 3 times, lots new to learn every time. New speakers and new topics in a great format, OMS truly rocks!

No doubt Content Mktg here to stay, still not bought completely into Twitter. IMO better suited for B2C and niche B2B, but not general B2B. To quote Monk, I could be wrong, but I don't think so.