I was thinking the other day, what might make a good metaphor for web marketing and for some reason fishing came into my mind. The more I thought about it and tested the idea, the better I liked it.
See if you agree.
There are Different Kinds of Fish
What type of fish do you plan to catch? What type of customer do you want to acquire? There are fish to be found everywhere and there are many, many different kinds. When you set out to go fishing you have choices to make. Do I go to the ocean, a river, a mountain lake, or a muddy stream? By knowing up front what type of fish you are after, you’ll have an idea of where to go to find them. Start by deciding what type of client is your ideal client?
Fish in the Right Locations
Now you know you are after a particular type of fish (client) you should start to formulate a plan as to where to go to find them. You can start with a broad idea and narrow it down to a very detailed description. Where exactly in this river will I find this brown spotted trout? So if you’re looking for dentists as your market where will you find them?
Learn How to Catch a Fish
As a rule the fish don’t jump into your boat when you want them to. You have to learn how to catch a fish. Will you need a net, or a fly rod, or long line? Certainly it depends on the type of fish you’re trying to catch. But you need to know about your fish. Do they feed in the morning? Do you need a particular strategy to catch them? Once on the line, what is the proper way to reel them in?
Get the Proper Bait.
I think the reason there are thousands of flys and lures out there is that the right bait for the right fish for the right occasion increases your chances of a successful catch. Same for marketing.
Watch for Other Fisherman.
Who else is after your fish? Not only do you have to watch for other fisherman but you might also compete with eagles and other predators. Not all competitors are the same.
Knowing now what you know about fishing could you write an effective Internet marketing plan?
- What does your ideal client look like? The web is big, narrow it down a bit.
- What websites do they hang out on? Who do they follow online?
- Learn basic Internet marketing skills. Know about SEO, PPC, Blogs, WordPress, email, and social media.
- Find something you can use to attract your ideal client. Write a free report, or a white paper, hold a contest or offer a free, useful resource.
- Keep a close eye on your competition. What is their site like?
When you are in the middle of running your business, keeping your Internet marketing on a even keel can be tricky. But use this template and you’ll have a better handle on how to attract new clients.
Photo credit: Swift Benjamin