<p>It may still be warm outside and you may not be ready for your 2010 summer to end, but if you are in ecommerce and you are planning to sell product to holiday shoppers this year it's time to start putting those holiday plans together. If you don't start now you are liable to get lost in the dust and your competitors will capture the sales that were meant for you.</p><p>Ecommerce holiday planning takes time and effort and it also means being aware of the latest trends, tools and technologies that consumers are using. You can't just do what you did last year and expect to increase your online sales. We are 16 weeks from Christmas and less than 12 weeks from the busiest shopping day of the year.</p><p>Are you ready for this holiday season? If not, this is your wake-up call. Major holidays are on the horizon and it's time to get prepared.</p><ul> <li>Thursday November 25, 2010 Thanksgiving Day (Notorious for online shopping)</li> <li>Friday November 26, 2010 Black Friday</li> <li>Monday November 29, 2010 Cyber Monday</li> <li>Monday December 13, 2010 Green Monday </li> <li>Monday December 17, 2010 National Free Shipping Day</li></ul><p>According to Shop.org 63.4% actually finished their shopping in the last 2 weeks of December in that same report 30% of customers surveyed by their shopping before Halloween, and only 7% report that they started their shopping Thanksgiving weekend.</p><p>Learn how to create a solid strategy and plan for your promotions. I'll help you get a jump start by showing you the<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://marketing.about.com/od/ecommerce/a/Ecommerce-Trends-And-Strategies-For-2010-Holiday-Season.htm?once=true&#38;"> top 5 ecommerce trends and strategies for the 2010 holidays</a>.</p><p style="background:#f5f3ef;border:1px solid #d5d0bf;clear:both;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://marketing.about.com/b/2010/08/29/top-5-ecommerce-trends-and-strategies-for-the-2010-holidays.htm">Top 5 Ecommerce Trends and Strategies for the 2010 Holidays</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://marketing.about.com/">About.com Marketing</a> on Sunday, August 29th, 2010 at 22:23:09.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://marketing.about.com/b/2010/08/29/top-5-ecommerce-trends-and-strategies-for-the-2010-holidays.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://marketing.about.com/b/2010/08/29/top-5-ecommerce-trends-and-strategies-for-the-2010-holidays.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://marketing.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://marketing.about.com/b/2010/08/29/top-5-ecommerce-trends-and-strategies-for-the-2010-holidays.htm&#038;zItl=Top 5 Ecommerce Trends and Strategies for the 2010 Holidays">Email this</a></p>

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<p>I think the biggest mistake small businesses make in marketing is making everything so difficult for consumers to understand that they don't get it.</p><p>Small businesses often make the mistake of trying to compete with the "big dog" companies that have larger marketing budgets. I daily watch small businesses try to market like big companies, when in fact they've missed the core components that will get a person to buy their products or services. My first piece of advice is stop trying to compete with the "big dogs" - find your own niche and your own market and become one of the big dogs.</p><p>Are you making mistakes that are costing you customers?</p><p>To succeed in marketing your marketing must be strong enough to move a customer from the point of just attracting their attention to inspiring them to actually take action - which is making a purchase from you. There are four steps to doing this. There are four <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://marketing.about.com/od/strategytutorials/a/smallbusinessmarketing.htm">small business marketing steps</a> that you can use to evaluate and put your marketing into check, today I want to share them with you.</p><p style="background:#f5f3ef;border:1px solid #d5d0bf;clear:both;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://marketing.about.com/b/2010/08/22/four-small-business-marketing-steps-you-need-to-put-into-check.htm">Four Small Business Marketing Steps You Need to Put Into Check</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://marketing.about.com/">About.com Marketing</a> on Sunday, August 22nd, 2010 at 05:00:57.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://marketing.about.com/b/2010/08/22/four-small-business-marketing-steps-you-need-to-put-into-check.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://marketing.about.com/b/2010/08/22/four-small-business-marketing-steps-you-need-to-put-into-check.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://marketing.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://marketing.about.com/b/2010/08/22/four-small-business-marketing-steps-you-need-to-put-into-check.htm&#038;zItl=Four Small Business Marketing Steps You Need to Put Into Check">Email this</a></p>

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<p>It's so easy for the confusion to begin when you start talking about advertising, marketing and sales. Truth is most individuals don't understand the difference. The good news is there is a difference and each of these components have a part to play in the success of a company. Today, I want to clear up the confusion.</p><p>I started to see the misunderstanding of these roles when I was spending time browsing and sorting through job listings. It is not uncommon for sales jobs to be listed in the marketing jobs classifications and the same was true when it came to jobs that pertained to advertising.</p><p>I'm going to say it one more time, before getting into the details - they are not the same.</p><p>Let's take a look at the defining differences:</p><p><strong>Marketing:</strong> The systematic planning, implementation and control of a mix of business activities intended to bring together buyers and sellers for the mutually advantageous exchange or transfer of products.</p><p><strong>Advertising:</strong> The paid, public, non-personal announcement of a persuasive message by an identified sponsor; the non-personal presentation or promotion by a firm of its products to its existing and potential customers.</p><p><strong>Sales:</strong> The sales process is everything that you do to close the sale and get a signed agreement or contract. The sales process consists of interpersonal interaction. It is often done by a one-on-one meeting, cold calls, and networking. It's anything that engages you with the prospect or customer on a personal level rather than at a distance. Advertising and marketing lay the ground work to warm up the lead and prepare them for the close of the sale.</p><p>When you are looking to place job listings, be sure to list them in the right category and you will more than likely detour the chances of getting applicants that don't fit the requirements for the positions you are listing.</p><p>When it comes to the world of corporations and business structure look at the different roles and use them to help define how departments can work together with the other departments and the role that each department plays when supporting the others.</p><p>All three of these components are necessary when it comes to the success of a business, but having a deeper understanding of their purpose can help in organization and planning for that success.</p><p>For a greater understanding of the differences use the following resources:</p><p><a href="http://marketing.about.com/cs/advertising/a/marketvsad.htm"><strong> Marketing vs. Advertising: What's the Difference? </strong></a></p><p><a href="http://marketing.about.com/cs/advertising/a/mrktingvssales.htm"><strong>Marketing vs. Sales: What's the Difference?</strong></a></p><p style="background:#f5f3ef;border:1px solid #d5d0bf;clear:both;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://marketing.about.com/b/2010/08/19/marketing-advertising-sales-who-does-what.htm">Marketing, Advertising, Sales - Who Does What?</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://marketing.about.com/">About.com Marketing</a> on Thursday, August 19th, 2010 at 05:00:48.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://marketing.about.com/b/2010/08/19/marketing-advertising-sales-who-does-what.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://marketing.about.com/b/2010/08/19/marketing-advertising-sales-who-does-what.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://marketing.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://marketing.about.com/b/2010/08/19/marketing-advertising-sales-who-does-what.htm&#038;zItl=Marketing, Advertising, Sales - Who Does What?">Email this</a></p>

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<p>I love that I learn from my contributing writer <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://marketing.about.com/bio/Guy-Bergstrom-71451.htm">Guy Bergstrom</a>.  He's a <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://marketing.about.com/od/publicrelation1/u/publicrelations.htm">public relations</a> professional that gets it and makes things so easy to understand.  For example, I'm often asked to speak at events and I love doing it, but I am always looking for ways to be more organized and even more effective. Guy must have understood my plight, because he  recently wrote an article on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://marketing.about.com/od/publicrelation1/a/Putting-A-Short-Speech-On-An-Index-Card.htm">how to organize a short speech on an index card</a>.  I love it.  It's simple, it's effective and it's easy!<br /><br />If you are needing to do a 3 to 5 minute speech in the upcoming weeks, I think you will find his advice very helpful - you won't want to miss this. Guy shows you how to focus on the meat of the speech and organize it so that your audience gets value out of the time you spend with them.   Learn how to<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://marketing.about.com/od/publicrelation1/a/Putting-A-Short-Speech-On-An-Index-Card.htm"> divide your speech into three parts on an index card</a>. If you are not doing a speech soon bookmark it I promise you'll be glad that you did.</p><p style="background:#f5f3ef;border:1px solid #d5d0bf;clear:both;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://marketing.about.com/b/2010/08/15/short-speech-easy-as-1-2-3.htm">Short Speech - Easy as 1-2-3</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://marketing.about.com/">About.com Marketing</a> on Sunday, August 15th, 2010 at 21:08:59.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://marketing.about.com/b/2010/08/15/short-speech-easy-as-1-2-3.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://marketing.about.com/b/2010/08/15/short-speech-easy-as-1-2-3.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://marketing.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://marketing.about.com/b/2010/08/15/short-speech-easy-as-1-2-3.htm&#038;zItl=Short Speech - Easy as 1-2-3">Email this</a></p>

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<p>Marketing is changing and if you are stuck in the old patterns of marketing you may be taking your business down a destructive path. Consumers want more engagement and interaction from those that they buy from. Our consumers have faced an overstimulation of marketing messages over the last several years and now in order to get their attention you must do something different.</p><p>Consumer are getting smarter and making choices. We are no longer telling them what to buy, they are listening to other consumers and paying attention to word-of-mouth marketing now more than ever.</p><p>As consumers we like to buy from people that others recommend. We like to purchase our products and services from people we feel we have a relationship with.</p><p>I can see some of you shaking your head and wondering if what I am telling you is true. I understand, but I think you can answer that on your own without any research statistics. All you have to do is think of your own lifestyle and those around you for a moment and your own buying behaviors.</p><p>How are you doing when it comes to reaching your potential customers? Are you interacting with them or interrupting them?</p><p>Learn why it's now more important than ever to <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://marketing.about.com/od/markettrends/a/interactivemarketing.htm">interact with potential customers</a> in order to gain their business.</p><p style="background:#f5f3ef;border:1px solid #d5d0bf;clear:both;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://marketing.about.com/b/2010/08/10/are-you-interacting-or-interrupting-potential-customers.htm">Are You Interacting or Interrupting Potential Customers?</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://marketing.about.com/">About.com Marketing</a> on Tuesday, August 10th, 2010 at 05:00:57.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://marketing.about.com/b/2010/08/10/are-you-interacting-or-interrupting-potential-customers.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://marketing.about.com/b/2010/08/10/are-you-interacting-or-interrupting-potential-customers.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://marketing.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://marketing.about.com/b/2010/08/10/are-you-interacting-or-interrupting-potential-customers.htm&#038;zItl=Are You Interacting or Interrupting Potential Customers?">Email this</a></p>

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<p>I started in the online world nearly 13 years ago.  I will tell you that back then businesses saw online marketing and ecommerce as an option, not a necessity.  That's changing and it's changing at a rapid pace.  The businesses that were early adopters of the online marketplace reaped the benefits, but now they are seeing many of their competitors sneak up behind them and sometimes even stealing a part of the market share that they have built over the years.  These businesses can't be surprised after all their competitors have started to realize the value in ecommerce with 94% of people shopping online.</p><p>If you've found yourself behind the game and slipping in traction I'm here to help.  I want to show you how to revisit and revamp your ecommerce marketing plan in a way that is effective and fool proof.  There are five steps that you can start working on today.  You must follow these steps in order, because it's the only way that it makes financial sense.  Learn the five steps you can take to <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://marketing.about.com/od/ecommerce/a/Revisiting-And-Revising-Your-Ecommerce-Marketing-Plan.htm">revamp your ecommerce marketing plan</a>.  You'll be glad you did.</p><p style="background:#f5f3ef;border:1px solid #d5d0bf;clear:both;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://marketing.about.com/b/2010/08/08/revisiting-and-revamping-your-ecommerce-marketing-plan.htm">Revisiting and Revamping Your Ecommerce Marketing Plan</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://marketing.about.com/">About.com Marketing</a> on Sunday, August 8th, 2010 at 23:29:07.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://marketing.about.com/b/2010/08/08/revisiting-and-revamping-your-ecommerce-marketing-plan.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://marketing.about.com/b/2010/08/08/revisiting-and-revamping-your-ecommerce-marketing-plan.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://marketing.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://marketing.about.com/b/2010/08/08/revisiting-and-revamping-your-ecommerce-marketing-plan.htm&#038;zItl=Revisiting and Revamping Your Ecommerce Marketing Plan">Email this</a></p>

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<p>Mobile marketing sounds exciting. It's another way to for us to reach consumers and perhaps the best way, since most of us are never 10 feet away from our cell phone. <br /> <br /> Frequently, discussions regarding SMS and mobile applications surround us, but what's the best way to break into the realm of mobile marketing? <br /> <br /> I had the same question, so I called up Mike Craig at <a href="http://www.ruxter.com" target="_new">Ruxter Mobile Marketing</a>, located in Kansas City, and bribed him to sit down with me for a cup of coffee so that I could get the answers many of you are seeking. <br /> <br /> Mobile marketing seems out of reach for some, and the thought of the potential cost can make many of us shy away from it, but don't. At least don't until you hear what Mike has to say about mobile marketing.  After you've read my interview, I think you will have a clear picture as to whether mobile marketing is for you, and you'll have an idea of what it will take for it to be successful.  Learn the <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://marketing.about.com/od/marketingmethods/a/Mobile-Marketing-Basics-For-the-Small-Business.htm">basics of mobile marketing for the small to medium size business.</a></p><p style="background:#f5f3ef;border:1px solid #d5d0bf;clear:both;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://marketing.about.com/b/2010/08/01/mobile-marketing-the-basics-for-the-small-business.htm">Mobile Marketing - The Basics for the Small Business</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://marketing.about.com/">About.com Marketing</a> on Sunday, August 1st, 2010 at 23:38:48.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://marketing.about.com/b/2010/08/01/mobile-marketing-the-basics-for-the-small-business.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://marketing.about.com/b/2010/08/01/mobile-marketing-the-basics-for-the-small-business.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://marketing.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://marketing.about.com/b/2010/08/01/mobile-marketing-the-basics-for-the-small-business.htm&#038;zItl=Mobile Marketing - The Basics for the Small Business">Email this</a></p>

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<p>It is true we all make mistakes, but are you making marketing mistakes that are costing your company hundreds if not thousands of dollars? There are common marketing mistakes that companies make in every marketing campaign. They are so common that they almost always go unidentified. Learn what the top 5 marketing mistakes that businesses continually make are and how you can avoid them. <a href="http://marketing.about.com/cs/advertising/tp/marketmistakes.htm"><strong>Common Marketing Mistakes</strong></a></p><p style="background:#f5f3ef;border:1px solid #d5d0bf;clear:both;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://marketing.about.com/b/2010/07/26/marketing-mistakes.htm">Marketing Mistakes</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://marketing.about.com/">About.com Marketing</a> on Monday, July 26th, 2010 at 05:15:49.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://marketing.about.com/b/2010/07/26/marketing-mistakes.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://marketing.about.com/b/2010/07/26/marketing-mistakes.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://marketing.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://marketing.about.com/b/2010/07/26/marketing-mistakes.htm&#038;zItl=Marketing Mistakes">Email this</a></p>

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<p>Are you over communicating with your clients and customers?  This is becoming more of a problem as new communication tools are introduced to our companies.  We are using email, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and RSS Feeds. Have you ever considered how many messages you are sending out using all these marketing vehicles?  It may be time to consider that while technology has made us more efficient perhaps it has also made us less effective.</p><p>I've seen so many companies lately bombard their lists and followers with multiple messages on a daily basis.  This causes detrimental effects. When you over communicate with your customers you will find that your message is being lost, your audience encounters confusion and worst yet you will even begin to lose that audience one-by-one.</p><p>There is a balance between marketing, being informative and overwhelming those that receive your messages.  Have you found that balance? If not it may be time to consider the messages you are sending out, the volume of those messages and make a determination as to whether they serving as a marketing tool or a nuisance to those that are subscribed. Learn <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://marketing.about.com/od/internetmarketing/a/Marketing-Communication-How-Much-Is-Too-Much.htm">how much marketing communication is too much</a> and how to find out what type of communication your customers and clients want from you.</p><p><strong>Your turn: </strong> Have you found that balance in your marketing communication and have tips that you would like to share when it comes to balancing email, social media tools and RSS feeds?</p><p style="background:#f5f3ef;border:1px solid #d5d0bf;clear:both;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://marketing.about.com/b/2010/07/18/marketing-communication-how-much-is-too-much.htm">Marketing Communication - How Much is Too Much?</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://marketing.about.com/">About.com Marketing</a> on Sunday, July 18th, 2010 at 22:02:49.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://marketing.about.com/b/2010/07/18/marketing-communication-how-much-is-too-much.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://marketing.about.com/b/2010/07/18/marketing-communication-how-much-is-too-much.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://marketing.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://marketing.about.com/b/2010/07/18/marketing-communication-how-much-is-too-much.htm&#038;zItl=Marketing Communication - How Much is Too Much?">Email this</a></p>

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<p>I don't know what it is about this time of year, but it always seems to be the time that people transition in their jobs. They get promoted or move to another company. My correspondence is flooded with marketing job questions. What kind of education do I need? Is this the right salary for this job? How do I find my marketing dream job?</p><p><a href="http://marketing.about.com/od/careersinmarketing/u/marketingcareers.htm" target="_blank">Exploring careers in marketing</a> is just half the fun. Our industry has such diverse opportunities for employment. Once you've figured out what job it is that you desire and you've brushed up that resume to <a href="http://marketing.about.com/cs/marketingjobs/a/marketingyou.htm" target="_blank">market you</a> I'd suggest contacting a <a href="http://www.marketingheadhunter.com" target="_blank">marketing headhunter </a>that specializes in finding jobs for marketing executives and professionals. You'll find Harry Joiner's blog filled with fantastic tips on not only finding, but landing that dream job.</p><p style="background:#f5f3ef;border:1px solid #d5d0bf;clear:both;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://marketing.about.com/b/2010/07/14/257706.htm">Marketing Jobs: Finding and Landing the Right One</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://marketing.about.com/">About.com Marketing</a> on Wednesday, July 14th, 2010 at 05:00:24.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://marketing.about.com/b/2010/07/14/257706.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://marketing.about.com/b/2010/07/14/257706.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://marketing.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://marketing.about.com/b/2010/07/14/257706.htm&#038;zItl=Marketing Jobs: Finding and Landing the Right One">Email this</a></p>

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