Digital communication milestone reached

Its official, the internet has now passed traditional newspapers in terms of advertising dollars!  While this may not come as much of a surprise to some, it serves as something of a validation of the shift from the traditional consumption of media to the desire for digital media.

The new study was just released by eMarketer shows that for the first time ever, businesses will spend slightly more on online ads than with newspapers.  The trend is projected to continue into 2011 and begin to widen as the desire for digital media continues.

Is online marketing recession proof?

One of the most interesting facts revealed by the study is that in spite of the tough economic times, businesses are continuing to INCREASE their budgets for online marketing.  The report also shows that among those businesses who advertised with newspapers, a greater portion of their budgets were allocated toward the online ads as opposed to the traditional print versions.

What is fueling this trend?

With all disclaimers in force (as we sell internet marketing), I believe there are certain factors which are pushing businesses toward online marketing even in a tough economy:

1.      Online marketing can be tracked.  When you run ads on Google or invest money on search engine optimization, today’s tools allow for clear tracking of results to develop a tangible ROI.  Oftentimes with print advertising, it can be difficult to track direct results.

2.      Growth of mobile. Just about everyone has a web friendly mobile device these days, and they aren’t using them to read the paper.  Advertisers know that as mobile usage increases, it is becoming more important to reach digital consumers.

Need help in 2011?

If you would like to learn more about how you can use internet advertising in your business, contact us today for a free initial consultation.

Why are the Top 5 Lists so different?

A few weeks ago, Yahoo released its “Top 10 Searches of 2010” list, and the real story was that something other than a celebrity topped the list with the Gulf oil spill leading the way.  Well last week, Google released its “Top 5 Searches of 2010” list and the list looks quite different.

Google’s Top 5 Search Terms of 2010:

1. World Cup
2. Olympics
3. Haiti earthquake
4. BP oil spill
5. Ash cloud over Iceland

Yahoo’s Top 5 Search Terms of 2010:

1. The oil spill in the Gulf
2. The World Cup – Soccer
3. Miley Cyrus
4. Kim Kardashian
5. Lady Gaga

Hmmm, what can we learn from this list?

When we look at ways to market your business via the internet, there is always this question of “audience.”  Meaning where do we need to go to find internet users who are more likely to fit your profile.

These “Top 5” lists offer some insight into the differences between Yahoo and Google users.

My own personal observations are:

1.      Google has more of a global reach. Things like the Haiti Earthquake and ash cloud didn’t even make Yahoo’s Top 10.

2.      Google is more trusted for hard news. Given the absence of non-celebrity searches on Yahoo, you have to assume that people go to Google for details on more weight subjects.

3.      Yahoo has a younger audience. The Yahoo list screams “pop” interest with lots of celebrities, and even more of them in the 6-10 spot.

4.      Yahoo is a bit more “hip.” Yahoo’s portal is full of other news stories and related, fun activities.  So it doesn’t surprise me that their searches would be more geared toward people looking for popular or trendy information.

Yahoo Announces their 2010 Top 10 List

As a kid, I always remembered the end of the year as a time to hear the “Top Whatever” from the year.  Usually that meant top songs from the billboards and having to wait through hours of programming just to get to the #1 song.

Well, in 2010 life has certainly changed.  Now we like our Top 10 lists a little more interactive, and we’d like to be the first to hear about them when they are posted to Twitter.  But where does this information come from?  You may have noticed phrases like “trending searches” on your favorite search engine or website which show the top things people are searching for that day or week.

Top 10 internet search topics for 2010 (according to Yahoo):

1. BP – the oil spill in the gulf
2. The World Cup – Soccer
3. Miley Cyrus
4. Kim Kardashian
5. Lady Gaga
6. iPhone
7. Megan Fox
8. Justin Bieber
9. American Idol
10. Britney Spears

Clearly, lots of guys are using Yahoo

Based on the 2010 Yahoo list, you’d have to assume that there are LOTS of dudes using that search engine!  No listings for Tom Cruise or Hugh Jackman in the top 10; but instead there were lots of not-unpleasant looking women earning most of the interest.  Of course, that doesn’t include search interest in Justin Bieber but does he really count anyway?

Singing OFF of social media to punish us

I grew up reading Sports Illustrated, and one of my favorite segments in the magazine is a section they call “This weeks sign that the apocalypse is upon us” where they writer, points to a current event that is so hard to believe it may be a sign of the end of days.

Well, last week in the online world, we had one of those when the news story broke about celebrities that are going silent to gain attention to their message.  That’s right – Lady Gaga, Justin Timberlake and Usher are signing off of Twitter, Facebook and whatever other social sites they participate on until their fans can’t take it anymore and finally give up $1 million for a charity they support.

How far have we come?

I found this whole idea quite remarkable and a true sign of how far we’ve come in the acceptance of social technology in our lives.  After all, when did we become so hooked on reading Justin’s tweets that we’ll raise money just to get them back?

In recent years, it became the rage for celebrities to use their social technology prowess to gain awareness for causes or raise money.  But this idea of taking it away is now possible thanks to the sheer numbers; after all, Lady Gaga claims 7.3 million Twitter followers all by herself.

What’s next?

This whole thing makes me wonder – what’s next in the social technology world.  After all, if we’ll raise money to get someone back on Twitter, are there other heights we would be willing to go to live in our hyper connected world?  Time will only tell!