HireEzy – Hire and Rental Software for MAC & Windows

Internet Marketing Trends for 2011

Stay One Step Ahead of the Rest!

What’s happening in the world of social media for 2011?  We’ve been through Facebook, we’ve developed the Twitter account and blogging keeps us busy.  But what next?  What are going to be the new and exciting movements in the online world for the commencing year to grow your business?

 Here is a list of trends for the New Year.  Take what you like from it but don’t disregard… or you may just miss out on the next best thing (or be regarded as a bit of a laggard!).

1) Social Commerce

Facebook is familiar to us all but how about selling on Facebook?  The option is now there for a ‘marketplace’.  Link it up to your business’s profile and you’ve got a nice little free online-shop!  Facebook Marketplace is really quite simple; search for goods, upload pictures and insert information as you do with many sites.  Hopefully in the future there will be other options for payment rather than requiring individuals to be in direct contact with eachother, however it works nicely now and there is the option to only advertise to ‘friends’.  Check it out…

Facebook Marketplace - http://apps.facebook.com/marketplace/
Learn how to use - http://www.mahalo.com/how-to-use-facebook-marketplace

2) Group Buying

This is a relatively new concept that has swept across the world.  Advertised quite heavily in Australia alone, the power of group buying really does bring the power back to both the consumer and the business alike. Sites such as http://www.jumponit.com/ and http://cudo.com.au/ offer daily deals, so consumers have 24 hours to take advantage of the deal before it expires.  The site guarantees the business a certain number of sales in order for the discount to go ahead and the discount is guaranteed for the customer once a specific number of potential clients is confirmed.  Sounds like a win-win situation to me! 

Also try: 

Australia - http://dealdump.com.au/
UK - http://www.groupon.co.uk
USA – http://www.webbyplanet.com/
For general information – http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-12053015

3) Ever considered yourself a media company?

As more and more forums and other forms of marketing such as article writing become popular, companies, big and small, need to realise the importance of their writer.  Most of the tasks undertaken are similar to those of a PR or Communications staff member.  Therefore it is absolutely crucial the person in this role has the interest, capability and ability to learn exactly what is it that leads to successful e-marketing campaigns. 

Luckily, there is an absolute plethora of information on the net aimed to help out the novice writer or marketer.  Many E-Zines, How To’s and Forums contain valuable information regarding internet marketing, not to mention the number of paid options that are available.

My favourite is http://ezinearticles.com/

4) Workplace mobility

There is nothing more exciting than the ability to take your business mobile in 2011!  Without a doubt, the iPad and iPhone has revolutionised the way business can be conducted.  My previous article about ‘AirPrint’ http://www.hireezy.com/index.php/3036/apples-air-print/ has been a popular read, giving me the impression many of you are excited about these new opportunities.  Just imagine your sales reps on the road with an iPad, having the ability to update the database, print out catalogues, and send through invoices without the need to head back to the office or potentially wait days until the client gets the information he is after.  This is what workplace mobility is all about, and I guarantee this will change general business practices for the better in 2011.

HireEzy is moving forward in leaps and bounds in 2011.  We are especially taking advantage of the iPhone and iPad to increase the opportunity for workplace mobility for our clients. Our iPad and iPhone version of HireEzy will be launched in March 2011. This App will give you access to your database of clients, invoices and quotes and a full list of products. Making life so much easier!

Click here for more information on HireEzy – Hire & Rental Software

These are just a few examples of how businesses can suck the juice out of the internet in 2011.  How exciting!