BC, Canada (IPRWire) Wed, Oct. 25th, 2006 --Online entrepreneurs stand to lose significant profits if they don’t launch their strategic Internet marketing plans for the holiday season in the next two weeks, says a top Internet marketing expert.

Derek Gehl, CEO of the Internet Marketing Center, cites a recent study by BizRate indicating that 34.9 percent of online holiday shoppers surveyed stated that they planned to commence their holiday shopping by October 31st.

“If you don’t start adding holiday elements to your marketing messages right away, you’re going to lose out to the competition,” Gehl warned.

And the facts back him up – according to the same BizRate study, 62% of online retailers are launching their holiday marketing promotions by November 4th this year.

“Internet business owners need to make some key changes to their web sites and marketing plans right now if they want to outperform their competition,” Gehl said.

These changes include adding holiday-focused, benefit-rich headlines and sales copy, and posting holiday-specific delivery guarantees and return policies prominently.

“Advertising your shipping rates and offering a no-questions-asked return policy gives shoppers the reassurance they need to make a purchase,” Gehl says.

Online entrepreneurs can further boost their sales with well-timed email marketing campaigns that emphasize their holiday specials and explain why their products would make great gifts.

“Make sure emails clearly explain how your product benefits both the giver and receiver,” Gehl said, “Also be sure to mention special holiday services, such as free gift-wrapping and reduced shipping.”

“As it gets close to the holidays, marketing campaigns should build urgency by pointing out how many days are left until Christmas and offering products or services at a special discount rate.”

The best way to avoid losing business to competitors during the holiday season is simply to take action first – there’s no such thing as getting started “too early” anymore.

For more tips on how to launch an effective holiday campaign, visit:

www.MarketingTips.com/newsletter.

About Derek Gehl and The Internet Marketing Center

The Internet Marketing Center provides their clients with all the tools they need to successfully start, build, and grow their own profitable online businesses on small budgets — using the same tools, resources, and strategies that IMC has used to generate over $60 million in online sales.

Since 1996, the birth of online commerce, the company has created best-selling marketing software, courses, and other information products, including the Insider Secrets to Marketing Your Business on the Internet (www.marketingtips.com/tipsltr.html).

CEO Derek Gehl has carved a reputation as one of the Internet’s foremost marketing experts, and recently completed a worldwide, multi-city seminar tour.

For more information, visit www.marketingtips.com

Contact:
Mitch Tarr
The Internet Marketing Center
Phone: 604-730-2833
Fax: 604-730-2480
http://www.marketingtips.com

(original source: http://iprwire.com)

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