Incorporate "New Media" into your marketing--5 easy ways to get started

Just got back from a trip to Destin, Fla. to speak to the Southern Public Relations Federation--what a great group of professionals to meet and present to! Thanks for your hospitality. The topic was using Internet marketing to maximize your public relations and marketing. According to The Neilsen Company, 220 million Americans have Internet access at home and/or work. There's staggering potential in using the Internet to communicate your message to potential clients.

So, how do you use New Media to reach these potential customers? By using new media tools--integrated media technology across different channels. You should understand all of the touch points of your media that can convert users and link as many of them together as possible. Here are my top five new media tools:
1. Your Web site--is it the same on-line ad you built several years ago or is it an active and working sales person for your business? Your site should gather contact information and store it for you to use; show you who's visiting/what they're viewing/when they visit; and be easy to find if someone doesn't know the name of your business.
2. Email marketing--I'm not talking about SPAM, but email marketing sent directly to people who want to get information from you. Again, not an ad, but helpful info that's easy to read and links back to your Web site.
3. Social networking--LinkedIn is a great networking tool! There are currently 20 million current members, with more than 1 million new members every month.
4. Online newsroom--journalists who want to hear about your industry and company are going to your Web site for information. Make it easy for them! Accenture does it right.
5. Blog--it used to be said that "every business needs a Web site;" now it's "every business needs a blog." It's easy to get started!