Get Rid of the Internet, Get Rid of E-Marketing

This title is obviously a ridiculous idea, but it is truly the only way to eliminate the need or effectiveness of e-marketing. If we were to remove the Internet altogether, that is the only thing that would eliminate the huge leveraging opportunity that is e-marketing. As it is, with the Internet so deeply entrenched in our global culture, there is not chance that e-marketing will get any less important.

Not only is e-marketing simply a great opportunity for companies to put themselves out there into the spotlight of consumers, it is actually much more convenient for the consumer themselves. Take buying a car for example. This activity is a highly time-consuming and costly (not just in price but in exertion from the consumer) activity. With the help of e-marketing and internet shopping, it allows a consumer to view hundreds and thousands of options without so much as leaving their sofa.

Personally, as a girl who loves to e-browse and online window shop, I am much more readily accepting of being bombarded or exposed to e-market ads and schemes online than I would be in person. This is because it is not costing me as much to be inconvenienced online as it would if I were being disturbed somewhere in person.

In addition to this, I will more quickly become saturated and receive brand exposure if I do not have to actually leave my house to get it. On Facebook, I have seen ads for two particular e-stores that always catch my eye, and I have clicked on them on multiple occasions. The clicks were simply for the repetitive exposure, yet now I know when the opportunity comes to purchase an item similar to what they sell, I will definitely go there.

As far as the role Social Media plays in the buying process, it is adept at forcing the consumer to recognize a need or desire, and then it frequently helps to carry that desire to further development. This is because it simply has the ability to be everywhere.

E-marketing has a long-term future.

Check out some more E-marketing info here:

http://www.quirk.biz/resources/88/What-is-eMarketing-and-how-is-it-better-than-traditional-marketing

Groupon Stoop On

The now popular and well-known social coupon site Groupon has quadrupled in estimated value over the course of six months. This is an incredible increase, but is it worth it? I believe so. Groupon (along with a couple other similar services) have capitalized on a unique idea that allows them to be the middle man and get the best of both ends of the deal: marketing for the consumer and money from the consumed.

The company functions under quite a genius idea, and as one article mentioned, it is in an ideal position because Groupon is allowing and encouraging companies to follow the market to online marketing (something most companies know they need to do anyway).

So yes, I think Groupon holds immense value now, but as other competitors jump into the social marketing race, Groupon will lose its edge (go into a “stoop” – if you will – as it loses market share). The best idea for Groupon is to capitalize on its value, access to capital and cash flow while it has the opportunity, and use that to open doors to future opportunities. It seems this is actually what is on some of the Groupon co-founders minds as it is reported they are looking to invest $1 million in a future monster called Qwiki. Qwiki “is a technology platform that uses data to create multimedia presentations.”

As long as the minds running Groupon keep a competitive eye out for chances to advance the future of the company, rather than just maintaining the current idea, it has a chance of surviving. However, like in the story of the tortoise and the hair, there is a chance that Groupon – as the lighter, more easily steered company – starts with the sprint, but the larger, more cumbersome organizations – such as Google –will catch up in the long haul to win the race.

Check out these articles on the future of Groupon:

http://dailynewspulse.com/groupon-from-local-chicago-business-to-coupon-powerhouse/2216070/

http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2011/03/31/groupon-co-founders-invest-in-qwiki/

And Qwiki here: 

http://www.qwiki.com/