For some, the term "online marketing" is a vague one. This is because there are many different ways one could define online marketing since there are scores of methods one can market a product or service online. This opens the door for various different marketing strategies most of which have proven quite successful. What are some of the more popular methods of online marketing? Here are a few…..

Article marketing was originally considered too laborious to be successful but now it has emerged as one of the primary means entrepreneurs promote their wares online. As the name implies, article marketing centers on promoting a product or service through short, well written articles that are published on the internet. These articles are a mode of information marketing where solid, informative, and entertaining writing is designed to entice readers to learn more about said product or service. A link is usually included at the end of the article. Those whose curiosity was piqued by the article will follow the link to the product/service's main website.

In a similar vein, promotional blogging has been known to deliver solid results. The way this method works is fairly simple and extremely effective. How does it work? A common example would be a website that sells sports related merchandise would publish a blog (or series of blogs) that revolve around sports. The goal of these blogs is not only to provide entertaining reading to those stumbling upon it, but also to drive traffic to the main website selling the merchandise. To make promotional blogging successful, it needs to be done consistently. Thankfully, blogging is a lot of fun. Once you get the hang of it and receive accolades from your readers, you will find yourself updating you blog several times a week. Really, who doesn't enjoy the role of a muse? And what better way to muse than to muse your business' profits through the roof?

Those that prefer audio-visual mediums as opposed to the written word will greatly enjoy the opportunities available with audio podcasting or video marketing. Thanks to the development of digital video and its accompanying editing software, the ability to promote a video featuring your product or service is easier than ever before. Those that may find video production a little complicated or involved could always release an audio only promotional recording. The venues for such promotional materials are vast as they can be placed on file sharing sites, blogs, personal websites, and social networking communities. And, no matter where they are presented, they can draw in large audience which can convert to large volumes of traffic.

Interactive platforms such as social networking sites have great marketing potential as well. The benefit to these platforms is the producer of the product or service can step from behind the wares he/she is promoting and sell himself. Many products are sold because of the charisma and credibility of the person selling it. (Infomercial pitchman Ron Popeil made billions with this strategy) Social networking venues can definitely help you promote yourself as well as your product to great success.

This is only a brief overview of a handful of online marketing methods. Honestly, the world of internet marketing contains limitless potential. Exploring this potential could very well change your life!