Invest in internet marketing to reach click-happy consumers.

By Kirsten Osolind

Spring, a season defined by growth and renewal, is the perfect time for building relationships with customers. While face-to-face meetings, sales-counter encounters and phone chats are fine opportunities for connecting with customers, don’t overlook the effectiveness of internet marketing. Fast and flexible, internet marketing allows targeted segmentation, reach beyond geographic boundaries, impulse-purchase stimulation and success measurement.

Some tips to help you get started:

1 Take a closer look at search engine optimization. Two resources to try: Submit It (www.submit-it.com) from Microsoft and Submit Corner (www.submitcorner.com).

2 Launch an e-mail marketing campaign that delivers. Podcasting and multimedia blogs are en vogue, but e-mail marketing is here to stay. Arc Technology Group (www.arctg.com) specializes in e-mail marketing and website development for growing businesses. The company will help you bridge online content and your business.

3 Devour a good read. The Online Marketing Superstars e-book (www.onlinemarketingsuperstars.com) contains goodies from 24 online-marketing experts.

4 Schedule a refresher course on pay-per-click advertising, e-metrics and more by attending the Inter-net Marketing Best Practices Briefings in Chicago (September 12) or Denver (September 14). Register online at www.wilsonweb.com/seminar.

Kirsten Osolind is CEO and founder of re:invention inc. (www.reinventioninc.com), a Chicago-based marketing consulting company that specializes in marketing strategy, promotions and PR for women-led businesses.