Released on: June 9, 2008, 1:14 pm

Press Release Author: John Tanner

Industry: Small Business

Press Release Summary: There are 2 critical pieces of information businesses must
know about their customers and competitors to effectively gain market share. Armed
with this information they can make educated decisions about how to position
themselves in the market place, relative to their competitors. Without this
information many businesses are \"flying blind\" and are at risk of losing current and
future business to their competitors.

Press Release Body: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

2 Critical Elements Columbia South Carolina Businesses Must Know To Stay Competitive

Small and mid-sized businesses struggle to compete for market share as the marketing
landscape, technologies and techniques are evolving at an incredible pace. It's
nearly impossible for businesses with limited in-house resources to stay on top of
current trends. Add to that the effects of high fuel prices and a staggering
economy and you understand why it's imperative for businesses to market themselves
cost-effectively.

In order for Columbia South Carolina businesses to effectively market themselves,
reducing unnecessary cost and achieving the highest return on investment they must:

1. Know what their customers are doing to find them
2. Know what their competitors are doing to attract those customers first

The "McKinsey Quarterly survey of business executives, 2008" surveyed a cross
section of industries to determine how customers would be using the internet to
research, purchase and use products and services over the next 3 years.

The following results reveal the percentage of customers that used the internet to
conduct the activities listed below (as opposed to using traditional, offline media
and purchasing methods).
Ex. 63% of customers researched products and services online prior to making a
purchasing decision - even if their purchase was made offline.

Become aware of new products: 55%
Search for information: 63%
Compare prices: 41%
Purchase: 32%
Use product/service: 44%

This could be alarming news for companies who aren't yet online or who have been
ineffective in marketing their businesses online as it suggests that over 50% of
their potential customers are going to competitors with more effective internet
marketing strategies.

So what about those competitors?

The 2nd critical thing businesses need to know is what their competitors are doing
to grab their share of the market.

Businesses aren't fighting an invisible enemy. It's generally easy to know who
you're competing against. As long as you're positioned well relative to your
competitors you should be ok.

The same study also surveyed participants to identify which marketing vehicles were
more effective in reaching customers and driving revenue.

The following results reveal the percentage of participants that found the internet
marketing strategies listed below were more effective than traditional, non-internet
marketing techniques.

Ex. 60% of participants indicated that paid keyword search marketing was more
effective in driving business than traditional, non-internet strategies.

Paid keyword search: 60%
Email marketing: 51%
Branded sponsorship: 50%
Referrals: 48%
Video ads: 47%

The study also reveals that the overwhelming majority of participants intend to
increase their marketing investments in these internet marketing channels over the
next 3 years.

Conclusion?

A. The majority of your customers are using the internet to make buying decisions
and transactions concerning your product or service.

B. Your competitors are aggressively positioning themselves to gain this internet
market share.

Businesses who have been "on the fence" about getting online or who feel their
internet strategies are not effectively positioning them in relation to their
competitors need to take action now.

For a FREE internet marketing primer send an email to
info@marketdominationintensive.com

Or visit our website at: www.marketdominationintensive.com/columbia to learn more
about our June workshop in Columbia, SC designed to give businesses the nuts and
bolts of internet marketing so they can effectively position themselves against
their competitors using internet marketing strategies.

Market Domination Intensive workshops are conducted by Spillover Strategies, a full
service marketing firm helping businesses get more leads and sales by designing and
executing internet and non-internet based marketing and business development
strategies.

John Tanner
http://www.spilloverstrategies.com
http://www.marketdominationintensive.com
T: (888) 275-7875
614 Lake Lennox Dr.
Simpsonville, SC 29681

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Web Site: http://www.spilloverstrategies.com

Contact Details: John Tanner
http://www.spilloverstrategies.com
http://www.marketdominationintensive.com
T: (888) 275-7875
614 Lake Lennox Dr.
Simpsonville, SC 29681