It may seem counter intuitive to fight the noise of information by adding to what’s already out there, but information’s is among the most valuable tools in any marketing strategy. And in order to deliver effective information, you have to listen first. What is the market saying about your industry, your products or your services? Understanding through listening will help you target your information to meet the market interest.

In fact, listening is the basis of trust in relationships, be they business or personal. Listening enables you to determine what information will be most valuable and relevant to your customers. That information, then, becomes the key to building trusted relationships. Listening is accomplished through research from everyone about keywords being typed into the search engines to discussions in forums and social communities.

The new marketing isn’t about self-promotion; it’s about giving customers what they need to become educated consumers. This is the age of:

• Information marketing,
• Education marketing,
• Content marketing

If you want customers to see your brand as a trusted information source, you need to think like an information provider, not just a provider of goods or services. By empowering customers with relevant news and information, a company becomes one-half of a trusted relationship.

So, what are some methods for you to distribute information through content marketing on the Internet? First we would recommend reviewing a previous post on our blog related to Content Marketing here. Content Marketing is not directly about your website, but rather what is happening overall within your business and industry sector. This is a communications art and outreach effort that does not involve direct selling, but is rewarded with sales and loyalty. Content Marketing is a supportive method of selling via quality, relevant and valuable information which:

• Educates your customers
• Shows your authority in your field
• Allows prospects to find you through multiple sources

Your brand is what people read about and talk about online. Isn’t it better to be part of shaping the conversation?

“SmartFinds Internet Marketing is an outstanding company and deserves recognition as one of Michigan’s companies to watch,’” noted the Edward Lowe Foundation in a written acknowledgement.

Michigan 50 Companies to Watch celebrates high-performing companies in the state of Michigan. Known for their contributions in the marketplace, innovative products, unique processes or philanthropic actions, these companies represent a wide range of industries throughout the state.

Winners were selected by judges from the banking, economic development, entrepreneurship development and venture capital communities. Judges evaluated the nominees’ demonstrated intent and capacity to grow based on one or more of the following:

-Employee or sales growth.
-Exceptional entrepreneurial leadership.
-Sustainable competitive advantage.
-Other notable factors that showcase the company’s success.

“We are honored to be selected as a recipient of this award,” commented Melih Oztalay, CEO of SmartFinds Internet Marketing. “This award helps showcase our company’s creativity and technical skills in providing corporations with complete Internet marketing services and solutions.”

CEO Melih Oztalay has fifteen years experience with Internet and digital services in developing strategies that utilize all facets of the World Wide Web. As a digital marketing agency, SmartFinds Internet Marketing’s major focus is to develop multi-directional marketing campaigns to drive traffic to client web sites from more than just search engines.

SmartFinds Internet Marketing provides businesses with Internet marketing services and solutions that include all or a combination of the following to meet the business growth and revenue objectives: Research, Strategy and Planning; Creative and Technical Development; Content Marketing; Social Media Marketing; Internet advertising solutions; Management, Measurement and Analysis.

The official unveiling of the Michigan 50 class of 2009 will take place during a Michigan Celebrates Small Business event at Lansing Center in Lansing, Michigan on April 30, 2009. Michigan Celebrates Small Business are presented in association with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center, Small Business Association of Michigan, the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Edward Lowe Foundation.

About SmartFinds Internet Marketing
The most critical element of SmartFinds Internet Marketing services is the creativity and imagination to apply the technological aspects of the digital marketplace to the marketing objectives of a particular business. Initial research provides SmartFinds the ability to develop a digital strategy that can be measured every step of the way to insure business growth and revenue generation. Some of SmartFinds’ clients have included Delphi, Flagstar Bank, Guardian Industries, Soave Enterprises, Detroit Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, McCann Erickson, Wendy’s and others. You can learn more about SmartFinds at http://www.smartfindsmarketing.com.

Contact: Doug Menzer, 330 E. Maple Road, Suite 503, Birmingham MI 48009, 866.501.5758, doug@smartfindsmarketing.com