First of all Tyrann Mathieu Jeysey , e-learning means “electronic” learning. That covers a wide variety of topics, utilizing a wide variety of tools and platforms rom handheld devices and electronic pads to desktop computers, and from standalone applications to web-based coursework.
One might think that the trend toward more e-learning would be accelerating Frank Clark Jeysey , what with the recent recession, the threat of a new recession and more people out of work. The trend of Google searches for “e-learning” has been in a steady decline for the last seven years. The decline may be slowing, but when it gets close enough to zero Darwin Thompson Jeysey , “slowing” doesn’t mean much.
E-learning certainly has many advantages. It has the convenience of being available on a student’s computer, especially if connected to the internet. In the corporate environment, though Khalen Saunders Jeysey , one danger to e-learning is the idea that the training is always available, so why rush it? Procrastination can be a major killer, especially in an environment where many other things seem to take a higher priority. Perhaps the “time management” class should be their first priority.
Outside the office Juan Thornhill Jeysey , those who remain out of work might already have tried e-learning. Perhaps they did not find sufficient conversion from completed e-learning to the very desirable goal of landing a new job. And perhaps the right courses were not available, or the courses taken did not carry sufficient weight with the hiring managers they visited.
The funny thing about trends, though Mecole Hardman Jeysey , is that the pendulum can sometimes swing in the opposite direction as new approaches and new technology are implemented. And when trend statistics are bandied about, one needs to consider the possibility that some critical factors may not have been included. Take the Google “e-learning” trend, mentioned above. It could very well be that people are searching for the subject using a different term. And what do you know? The keyword “online training courses” is now on an uptrend and remaining far higher than most of the previous four years. Perhaps e-learning isn’t so dead after all.
Could e-learning be improved? Most assuredly it could. There was a great deal of fuss made a couple of years ago about e-learning 2.0 Wholesale Chiefs Hats , but how does that translate into marketable skills? Some have talked about “game learning,” and while the idea holds some promise, we have yet to see it live up to that promise.
Perhaps the next great thing in e-learning will prove to be the “art” of the marketplace. The trick might be to consolidate all the myriad sources of e-learning under one “supermarket” roof Wholesale Chiefs Hoodies , so to speak. One other thing about search trends that can be misleading is that the people who wanted to find something may now have already found it. In other words, they no longer have a need to search for it. With a marketplace for all things related to e-learning, the individual who has a hankering for learning new things has their location already bookmarked.
As a small business you are usually on a limited budget. This means you often have to tighten your budget when it comes to marketing your business. Surprisingly enough there are several ways to promote completely free and still be able to have an effective campaign. In fact when you use free methods you can then build enough money to get paid advertising.
Ways to promote for free:
Article distribution
Ad and article swapping
Cross promoting
Networking
Forums and Bulletin boards
Announcement lists
Blogging
Viral marketing
Newsletter
Search engine submission
Linking
Joint ventures
Article distribution is a powerful way to promote your business. Here are a couple of techniques to make it even more effective.
Always write your articles with your special market in mind. For instance if you have a web development service write an article on a hot marketing topic.
Always include your 3-line bio and adapt it to fit the subject and audience. For example, if you are promoting your newsletter mention you are a publisher and make sure your subscription box is on every page of your website. If you are promoting your web design service make sure your bio reflects what you do and the URL leads to your web design service page.
Always allow rewrites with your permission to use on the top and bio on the bottom
Go to Google and find libraries and article distribution places.
Cross promoting by placing your subscription box with partner websites is an effective way to build your opt-in list and promote your business. You can swap subscription boxes with your partners. You can also recommend their newsletters and they can do the same for you.
Business networking online: Business networks like can be valuable sources for promotion. You can join for free and they allow you to post your articles on many of the networks. Remember to join only those targeting your market and to post replies and questions as well as articles with your small sig and URL Advertising as such is not allowed on these networks but your sig will be your salesman.
Forums and Bulletin boards work the same way. Again target them well. You can find those relating to your field in the search engines. The same rules apply as business networks; let your sig be your salesman. Ask questions and give helpful answers wherever possible. Let people know you are the expert in your field.
Announcement lists: Can be quite effective. You can join Yahoo Groups to send announcements. Do not blatantly advertise, but you can send announcements for a new newsletters or exciting new info articles on your website. Check the rules carefully.