Some definitions may be in order. The push marketing is where the marketer sends his or her marketing message directly to prospects. This will include methods such as e-mail, telemarketing, etc. "Pull" marketing, on the other hand, is how marketers are trying to attract prospects to their site through some other means such as a blog or article and then submit it message out only when someone visits. Both methods have their advantages and disadvantages over the other.
With the emerg
ence of Web 2.0, there have been a huge focus on the benefits of "Pull" marketing. Pull marketing with it by nature, feels much less "salesy" and softens the natural resistance that most of us have against anyone trying to sell us something. Drag marketing works by constructing a foundation of trust and credibility first and then let the message to come across as more of a recommendation from a reliable source rather than as an overt sales pitch.
The driving force behind Pull marketing is content. Quality content attracts visitors who are interested in the information you provide. When the visitor is the one initiating the contact (by visiting your website), she is much less resistant to all marketing messages presented. This is assuming of course that your marketing is designed in an efficient manner that comes across as a "recommendation" instead of a sales talk.
While the current trend is decidedly tilted against profits pull marketing, push marketing virtues should not be dismissed too quickly. Push marketing is much more "direct" and can be incredibly effective in connection with potential leads. Would you rather market to the Internet as a whole or have a targeted list of people who know who you are you and are interested in what you're marketing? In our opinion, the list a clear winner.
The use of opt-in forms to build a targeted email list is imperative for success in internet marketing. Through prewritten messages in an autoresponder and the ability to "broadcast" to your list, you can quickly build a strong relationship and build trust. As with pull marketing, this element is essential.
The use of SPAM and "Blast-Your-Ad-To-Ten-Million-Emails" types of push marketing methods are a nuisance and a waste of everyone's time and money. Do not even think of trying this. It does not work and it can potentially get you a lot of problems.
The truth is the most effective marketing on the Internet is a combination of both push and pull methods. Each blog should have an opt-in form for your autoresponder, so you can build a "list". Any article you provide should be a reference to your web page, which should also have an opt-in form.
When people subscribe to your list, you must be consistent in sending informative emails, works primarily to build trust and credibility. Bombard your list with an ongoing litany of sales pitches is a mistake and will result in people unsubscribe faster than that chooses in. Quality content is still king, no matter which method you use. When you take this approach when you DO send a marketing message to your list, there will be a much higher response rate.
Then build a marketing strategy that includes both "pull" and "Push" methods and you'll soon find yourself subsequently as an internet marketer.
