Blueprints for Success - eMarketing: Winning the Internet eMarketing Game

Jerry Hart with Bette Daoust
Blueprint Books (2006)
ISBN 1883955491
Reviewed by Irene Watson for Reader Views (9/06)

I took this book for review because I wanted to learn more about eMarketing.  Little did I know that I was going to get a book that would blow me away!

“Blueprints for Success – eMarketing” is concise, educational, and proven.  What more could one ask for?  The footwork has been done; all we have to do is follow the steps provided by Hart and Daoust.

The first chapter of the book covers websites, the most important front door to any business. The authors claim that “there are five steps that drive sales and relationships offline and online.” They are: drive traffic (to the website via advertising, marketing, communication); capture leads (landing page registration); acquisition (acquire new customers); retention (lifetime value of customer); and, referral (satisfied customers find referrals.)  This basically is the road to success in the internet world. Besides the internet road map, the authors suggest going beyond the “brand,” have a long-term plan, and have opt-in forms and landing pages.  Landing pages must provide an opportunity for the visitor to do something – register for a webinar, buy a demo or product, subscribe to a newsletter, or give contact information.  Hart and Daoust also stress the importance to keywords.  There is much more than this in the first chapter and it does end with a checklist.

Chapter two continues talking about websites.  The first question the authors entertain is: What’s the single most important thing that could improve the web?  Their answer:  better writing.  Most people think it is broadband, however, according to Hart and Daoust, writing has the major impact of what people thing of you – your product, your service.  But most importantly what you can do for them.  They say never to start a heading or a sentence with the company name but to address the need to the target reader.

There is more! This 255 page book is not one that you can read in one sitting.  Actually, it’s not a book to be read, but one to be used as a resource and each step implemented into your existing or intended business.  If the reader has a website already, this book is even more important to pursue because more than likely if the website is “home made” it is not effective.  Furthermore, after going through “Blueprints for Success – eMarketing,” I am more aware of what is wrong with many websites and why the businesses are struggling, not getting hits, or the rankings are low.  Also, I am taking the time and implementing suggestions that I have not considered into my own business.   Do I recommend this book?  Yes!  Definitely!!  The reader will be truly elated with all the knowledge they can get from this investment.  The return on the investment could easily be documented. 

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