My Internet Marketing Predictions for 2008
What the heck – since the inaugural post to my brand new blog just happens to coincide with the start of the new year why not? So, without further ado…
My Internet Marketing Predictions for 2008
- Google will roll out Pay Per Action Ads. Currently Pay Per Action is in beta and by invitation only but I think before the end of 2008 we’ll see Pay Per Action come out of beta. More info about Google Pay Per Action Ads can be found here: http://adwords.google.com/support/bin/topic.py?topic=11635
- Yahoo Publisher Network will briefly come out of beta, see it’s shadow, go back into beta and slowly chock to dead on it’s own indecisiveness.
- Google will do evil.
- eBay will drop their listing fee in favor of a higher final value fee. (ok, that’s not so much a prediction as a forgone conclusion but as I write this it hasn’t been announced yet so if it happens I get to take credit for the correct prediction.)
- eBay sellers will find something to bitch and moan about wheither Prediction #4 happens or not.
- The Kindle will be the hottest consumer electronic product of 2008. What does this have to do with internet marketing? If you publish PDF content you should also publish it in Kindle format and take advantage of this emerging new distribution channel for digital products. (stay tuned to this blog for more about Kindle and Kindle Content)
- Aweber will be acquired by (Google?). Tom Zulzer and his team have done a great job of building Aweber into the premier Auto Responder service on the internet. You can barely utter the phrase “email marketing” without mentioning Aweber in the same breath. I think Tom’s positioning Aweber for a buyout. And with Google’s new Pay Per Action Ads coming on line this year — well, sounds like a no-brainer for the good folks over at do-no-evil headquarters.
- Microsoft will acquire Facebook. Acquisition rumors have been flying for a couple of years now with various players including Yahoo, Google, and AOL. I think the most likely and best fit would be Microsoft. In 2008 Facebook will be a force to be reckoned with in the Pay Per Click industry and I think Microsoft will see this as a way to gain much needed Pay Per Click Impressions without competing with “Live Search” (the MSN search engine).
- The return of Wayne Yeager to Internet Marketing. If you don’t recognize the name then you need to turn in your internet marketer membership card and badge. Wayne was one of the first Internet Marketing gurus — although I doubt he ever considered himself such. He started the Trafficology newsletter. He was ClickBank’s first customer with a product called Unclaimed Domains. (ClickBank actually used his account as a live demo on how to use ClickBank — probably still viewable on archive.org). He was the first internet marketer to talk about the weath of information available in the public domain. He developed a traffic generation technique called Sidetracking. A few years ago he sold everything and got out of Internet Marketing to devote all his time to his eBay Auction tracking service, Viewtracker (www.sellathon.com). Last January Wayne sold Viewtracker to Auctiva. I figure Wayne’s had about a year now to rest up. And with his sharp marketing mind I doubt he can stay out of the game for long. Come on back Wayne. We miss ya!
- Pay Per Play ads will die a fast death. If you haven’t seen this yet it’s basically an online media channel that plays 5 second audio advertisements on websites. The website owner gets paid a commission for every play. Sounds like a great concept but I really doubt it will fly. Fraudulent impressions (ie: bot generated hits to a website instead real visitors) plus the lack of participation of quality websites will cause advertisers to pull out in droves. Pay Per Play will be dead before the end of the year. You can find out more about Pay Per Play here at http://www.sellingppp.com/
It’ll be fun to see which (if any) of these predictions come true.
Your comment are welcome.
James
Tags: 2008 internet marketing predictions, 2008 predictions, Aweber, Facebook, Kindle, pay per action, Pay Per Click, wayne yeager, yahoo network
January 3rd, 2008 at 9:25 pm
James, your predictions are a mix of good info and laughs. I love them!
I am very interested in Pay-per-action. I will be watching for that to be made available. Kindle is also very interesting and sold out on Amazon. It is hot! I can see a number of great ways to use it but also a few drawbacks. But that is the way with most things.
Aweber has become the predominate Autoresponder in the business. No doubt about that. I can see possible advantages for those who use gmail accounts if Google does take it over.
Wayne Yeager coming back to IM? I would love to see him in action! He is a legend.
Yahoo always has something dying in beta. And pay-per-play likely deserves a quick death. Anything prone to easy fraud does.
Google do evil? Has that ever happened? LOL! Guess that would depend on who you ask.
I like the idea of eBay dropping listing fees in favor of a small increase in fianl sales fees. It would make it more likely for sellers to revamp descriptions and relist items that didn’t sell if there were not a listing fee every time. Of course there will be moaning and groaning about it or something else. That is business as usual at eBay. LOL!
January 3rd, 2008 at 9:52 pm
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January 3rd, 2008 at 10:29 pm
Hi James. I use Pay Per Play ads and I think your prediction is going to prove correct. But if I get good results from using it I will let you and your readers know. Post Haste.
January 3rd, 2008 at 11:03 pm
Some interesting and amusing predictions there James, it will be interesting to look back at them at the end of the year!
I like the idea of eBay removing listing fees as long as they are not too greedy with their increased final value fees. And, of course, you can’t please all the people all the time and you definitely can’t please some eBayer sellers any of the time so you didn’t need a very powerful crystal ball for your prediction about their continuing bitching and moaning!
I look forward to Pay Per Action coming out of beta, and I’d be interested to know exactly what evil you think Google will do
Although I am familiar with Sellathon I have to confess to not having known who Wayne Yeager is, but I would very much like to keep my Internet Marketer’s membership card and badge of that’s okay with you
Have a great year!
January 3rd, 2008 at 11:14 pm
James, Happy New Year and congratulations on “The Internet Marketing Insider’s Blog.” Sounds like realistic predictions.
Man, you are right on the money with prediction #5, “eBay sellers will find something to bitch and moan about whether eBay drops their listing fee in favor of a higher final value fee or not.” Even with their many changes eBay is still an awesome and cost effective place to do product research, to test products and a traffic driving machine to your personal website.
Someone has said, “Opportunities are never lost; someone will take the one you miss.” I think that is an awesome quote to remember for this New Year. Instead of being negative about eBay, the Internet and life in general, let us all seek every opportunity to succeed and pull others upward and forward with us as we network together on the Internet.
And just a word of thanks to you James for being an encouraging, giving, and helpful force in the life’s of other marketers as they seek to succeed in Internet marketing.
Oh, by the way, I am really enjoying your excellent piece of software, Micro Niche Finder.
Blessings, and wishing much success in 2008.
January 4th, 2008 at 2:28 am
Where do I turn in my badge? My membership’s about to expire anyway, so Wayne whatshisname can do whatever he wants… it’s OK by me.
Thanks for the giggles!
-Nick
January 4th, 2008 at 9:35 am
Hi there J.Jones–Want to wish you a prosperous New Year—and—a big “Thank You” for the major effort that went into your training course in 07–”eBay 30 day challenge”. Which leads me to this—#4, #4, #4. I can’t remember ever having my “bubble-burst” so bad as to having every item in my “basket of goodies” from around the house NOT SELL I must of heard a BS rumor around here (central PA) that went like–”Yeah, sell it on eBay. It don’t cost anything if you don’t sell it”??? Man was I PO’d having to pay all those listing fees without selling one item (out of about 8 items). Just the mention of eBay makes me wrinkle my nose now. Call me “Steve #5″!
Note from James: Steve, selling items you find around your house is a great way to learn your way around eBay. But, sometimes its hit or miss on wheither the items will actually sell. The very first thing I listed on eBay was some porcelain figurines of animals. I was absolutely shocked that no one wanted them
On the other hand I just interviewed a friend of mine for my latest product, Secret Product Sources, and he had a bunch of old Dean Martin Variety Show DVDs in storage that he listed. He made a mint on those things. So, at the very least you will get some great “on the job training” on selling on eBay and may find a hidden treasure.
January 4th, 2008 at 9:59 am
CORRECTION TO MY LAST POST!
The 30 Day Auction Challenge was a major biggie in Aug. 06, NOT 07! Where did all that time go??? I know where it went. I spent all of 07 just collecting anything and everything I could find—determined to beat this IM thing. The only thing that grew is my “lack of hard drive space” and not my wallet. THE LESSON HERE IS STICK TO ONE THING AND GO FOR IT. If eBay is your thing–you are in good company here with JJones.
January 4th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
Hi James,
Well, as usual, your one step ahead of the game. Good stuff
you got there.
Micro Niche Finder was the first tool I used and I actually made $.
Keep up the good work….your a head above the rest!
May you have a healthy and prosperous new year!
January 4th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
Too bad all your predictions are internet related. A prediction on the Stock Market going down, the price of oil will continue to go up and a recession is apond us would effect more people than just the internet. Happy New Year
January 4th, 2008 at 7:39 pm
Funny and wise…I definetly agree about Kindle. Do you know what can write kindle books yet ? That would likely be something to jump on right away. I look forward to watching the rest of your predictions. Best of the New Year to you. You’re one of the good guys.
Regards,
Hazen
January 4th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
Concerning the Kindle;
If I had the gumption, here’s what I postion myself to do. Create a transformation in our public and private education system to ebooks. The overwhelming cost and weight savings would drive this. Create a toll booth position for digital user licensing for each subject book.
On the mechanical side, I’d add color display capibility, and a stylus.
That all.
Thanks Jim!
January 5th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
Hi James
Happy New Year to you and all of your readers.
I wholly agree with your predictions #4 and #5 but I won’t be doing any bitching and moaning myself. I love eBay and I personally think selling on eBay is one of the least expensive ways to grow a business. Compare it to running classified ads in offline publications as I did in pre-eBay times and eBay’s fees look like pocket money. So I too have no worries about eBay increasing their final selling fees.
As to sellers always finding something to bitch and moan about, yes I agree with you there and I think it can only get worse as more and more people come on board who read media reports about ‘anything and everything’ selling and fetching high prices on eBay but not realising you do have to put at least a little work into selling on eBay. Only this morning I had someone moan about the time it takes to list 100 items (postcards) on eBay and the (hefty!) listing fees involved - all £20 of it! Asked how many items he expects to sell from those 100 listings he said ‘All of them. And I’ll probably make a few hundred pounds from them!’
I agree with your GOOGLE WILL DO EVIL mention also. I’m not sure if things have changed recently but not so long ago when Google contacted AdWords customers they frequently asked us to sign into our Google accounts directly via the email they sent. How bad is that and definitely not good practice when many scams actually operate by requiring people to sign directly into eBay or PayPal accounts from links inside an email.
Have a great year everyone.
Avril
January 5th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
Great work, James,
As for this old Internet Klutz, you offer a breath of fresh air! I haven’t been around for about a year and really enjoyed your offline reports.
And speaking of offline, there are still some business people (quite a few it seems from my earlier research) that still give only lip service to the Internet and like to focus on ‘trading customers’ and trading promotions with other business people. There are still some folks, and I agree with them (my good friend Jim Straw for one), who say “Give me a phone and a phonebook and put me in any strange city for 30 days and I’ll return substantial profits!” They also say that the ‘bulk’ of the money is still to be made offline. Now, I don’t know, but that’s why I loved your how-to reports of last year.
I’m also reviving my National Federation of Business Networks (from the 1980’s no less!) and look to work with folks who know the Internet while I set up local markets (looking for 3-4 beta testers). Do you know anyone?
Warmes regards,
Steve
January 6th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Hi James,
Agree with ou wholeheartedly .
This past few months te Twitter thing just takes so much time. I’me also thinking some of this web 2 stuff is so time consuming.
Not sure weather its all worth it
Great post - time to re think strategies.
Hamant
January 7th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
James
I predict a massive upturn in PPP’s on blogs
That is pay per prediction. (pity I’m only kidding about the first P)
Well we all have our own opinions and if we could get paid for them………
Nice start to your new blog.
William…
The ‘Strategic’ Sales Trainer
Get your free £10,000 Sales and Marketing Health-check here
www.strategicsellingsystem.com/healthcheck
January 7th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
Pay per play sounds cool actualy, I cannot see it holding water over a longer period,But I hope I am wrong? Kindle is hot already, Thats worth keeping an eye on. On a note someone else made: Selling Items around my house works better using local sites. One site even has a swap option. Ebay won,t do that, But I like ebay the way it is for the most anyway. Other than display options on squidoo sucks somewhat, But I guess we can,t always have our cake and eat it
January 7th, 2008 at 6:19 pm
James,
Good list. I’m interested if you are going to name the evil Google will do–or maybe they already have done evil?
David Burch
January 7th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
Very Nice Post. I am waiting to see how it all plays out.
Jim
January 7th, 2008 at 7:07 pm
Hey James,
Thanks for your post and letting me know you had it up. I will be adding this blog to my favorites.
I like hearing about new things and old (like me). I would like to get hold of some of the old sage words you paseed out over this last year. Would appreciated where I could get hold of them.
Man alive Micro Niche Finder is good tool. I have already written up a set of articles using the keywords from MNF, have graphic pkg on drawing boad, and audio and video clips being done as we speak. Beleive we will make a few bucks from the package.
Ken Leatherman
January 7th, 2008 at 7:18 pm
I predict that IF Ebay does discontinue it’s listing fees. Ebay will become the land of useless “crap” The listing fees are the ONLY thing keeping people from posting hundreds of ads in the hopes that someone will buy something eventually.
I can see it now. Some “schmuck” will devise a program to mass list on Ebay complete with products of some sort.
Sorry folks….I vote NO on removing the listing fees.
A better idea would be to rebate the listing fee if the item sells. This keeps all the garbage ads away.
January 7th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
Very nice list, is the pay per play similar to adsense youtube?
January 7th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
Will be interesting to see what happens to aweber, they are a great service. Ebay shouldn’t have to raise prices too much, with all the money they are making from craigslist.org. Craigslist is growing so fast, hard to predict what they’ll do. They make a ton from job and housing ads. Probly will start charging in more cities.
Fun Read,
Thanks James
Craig
January 7th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
Some creative guesses and a couple that almost seem like a no brainer, but nonetheless very fun to read.
January 7th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
In my opinion, you are dead on for most if not all of your predictions…
January 7th, 2008 at 9:43 pm
I have to agree that Kindle will be the product to watch for 2008. Enjoyed your posts and predictions. Thanks
John Alexander
January 7th, 2008 at 10:02 pm
Kindle — Might sell well but the problem with “latest gadget” buyers is that their attention span rarely exceeds ten seconds. As for reading a PDF? No chance. Just too many words for them to take in.
January 7th, 2008 at 10:26 pm
Well James, thanks for the update and also for the “Niche finder Program”. Since I signed up, I have used it to uncover some interesting Niche markets. My website is listed above and I designed it myself. This is the first time for me.
I also signed up for your affiliate program and I have a tab set up for Niche Finder on my site. I have learned so much from you and I am glad I found your Program.
Thanks and I shall let you know when I make my first sale.
Regards,
Wana.
January 8th, 2008 at 10:17 am
Some great points James, in particular the direction of eBay and Google.
I look forward to a Prosperous 2008 for all of Us!
Take it easy,
Paul
January 11th, 2008 at 5:24 am
You’re ahead of me with everything except Pay Per Play, James. From the moment I heard about it I couldn’t figure why anyone would want someone else’s audio ad intruding upon their visitors to their website.
That’s the only prediction I can lay claim to, either in common with you or otherwise. ‘Twill be interesting to see what results 2008 will bring.
All the very best to you for the year ahead.
Marlene
January 23rd, 2008 at 6:58 am
Interesting list of predictions you have there, James. The only one I’ll comment on is your prediction for the Kindle. While I haven’t used it or even held one, based on what I’ve seen online about it, I’d have to say it’s not going to be the hottest thing since sliced bread. It’s too klunky looking and if I recall correctly has some things about it that don’t make it user friendly.
January 26th, 2008 at 11:07 am
Hello James,
I like MNF in terms of its ease of use though I am still a newbe. What I can’t figure out is how does MNF compare to Wordtracker. I have a subscription to WT. MNF does not come up with quite the same results as WT. But I find WT extremely difficult to work with as lots of time goes into finding niche markets whereas MNF takes much less time.
November 17th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
Hey James,
I just now found this or I would have posted sooner. Well, looks like I’m probably gonna miss a 2008 “comeback”, but I’ll definitely be launching a new site (webalytics.com) in early 2009.
Thanks for the laughs!
Cheers,
Wayne
December 5th, 2008 at 11:24 pm
Hi James,
I really like your approach, especially the fact that you don’t inundate my inbox numerous times a day and do so only when you really have something worthwhile to convey.
I am very new at internet marketing and a bit slow to learn, but compensate by being very persistent. After all, not all the “Gurus” can be liars.
So after many months of not getting any results I hit on the bright idea of writing a 10 liner to some forum and promptly forgot about it. I still get distracted by my current work commitments.
After returning from an overseas assignment it occurred to me to take a look at my clickbank account.
Much to my surprise I found $180.- in commissions.
Not much to write home about, but miles better than a slap in the face with a wet fish and all that for a 10 liner.
Klaus
December 6th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Hi Jame,
I am happy that someone sent me your newsletter.
Listen you are a God sent person . I like all your video you
send me to learn difference things about the web. Plus God place in your heart to tell what hot products in 2008. And “kindle” is one of them it can true. You sent me Rebecca Cooper website. I joint and is studying her course now. keep up the good work telling the newbie and other people “how to” on the internet. I have learn a lot from you.
P.S No I would’nt sit and watch a video on worthless talk for 30 minute.
Thank you
December 27th, 2008 at 11:54 am
[…] didn’t predict any of those things but in early January 2008 I did make 10 predictions about the online world in general and online marketing in particular. Let’s see how I […]
February 28th, 2009 at 5:19 am
I wish I could really use James Enck’s line “from a valued gold plus platinum reader” still I enjoy getting pointers and tips and I won’t downplay them. They aren’t just valued, they are often priceless. So thanks to a Skype Journal reader who pointed me to these two articles. A few more scribes are starting to get their heads around the Skype- eBay merger and put some dollars on them. / p “With Skype, eBay can expand into the service industries. They can serve attorneys, contractors, dry cleaners, who knows! …
April 24th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
I was wondering if you could set up some sort of system so when your publish a new article, i get emailed to alert me? Unless you already do this?