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IMMS Mastery Reflection

On Nov 1, 2017 I wrote that my intentions and expectations as it relates to becoming an Internet Marketing Masters student were to “truly master the field of Internet Marketing using the knowledge and skills that I learn to not only assist me within my personal business development but also the development of our clients and their businesses.” Thus creating the ability for me to further master the content with the ability to create talks, programs, and workshops around some of the content. Over this past year, not only have a gained a wealth of knowledge. I’ve been able to identify the areas within the field of Internet Marketing that I had little to no knowledge base, yet have gained an affection for the content.

This program placed another level of confidence in my knowledge base and increased my self -esteem as a coach. I found that I have a huge interest in the website and competitive analysis development. I enjoy the overall process of researching and these two topics allow me to dig. I also believe that it’s important to go back and master the weak areas that encountered during the program. The advanced Search Engine Optimization class was slightly challenging for me, which lets me know that it’s an area that I need to go back and study to mastery.

I have already begun to go back and review the content from the courses at the beginning of the program. My belief is that we as students have to continue from this point on to master the content. One of the courses that I was excited to take however I don’t feel as though I received exactly what I was looking for was the internet law course, with the rise in social media, I thought it would be great to review some of the laws that surround Social Media such as what can be posted, how to effectively and legally create contest along with do’s and don’ts that may surround internet laws that we may not be aware of.  In conclusion, I am extremely happy that I fought past my personal issues and maintained my student status. I feel more confident in my current position and I’m ready to help others gain the knowledge they’ll need to truly be successfu.l.

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Internet and the law

The last three months of this masters program proved to be challenging for me. Not only due to the content but also the personal things that I had to endure. The second week of this course, I fell extremely ill, I don’t believe I’ve been that sick in an extremely long time.

My original thought process going into this course was vastly different then what we received; although the content of the course allowed me to gain understanding on topics such as defamation and jurisdiction that I lack total understanding in prior.

The professor did and awesome job executing the information and challenging us to dig deeper in our research; especially for myself as I can tend to stay on the surface a lot. Personally I was expecting and would have loved to learn more about the legal rules and regulations on social media; although one of our assignments caused us to read in a book directed towards this topic; and I plan to go back and read the entire book; I’d would have enjoyed having open discussion on the topic whether in a discussion post or a project; as social media has become a huge; highly unavoidable aspect in marketing. Within my review I also wanted to gain a better understanding of legal trademarks and the implications surrounding any litigations involving trademarks infringement. This course has opened my eyes to researchable topics that will carry me past the life of these courses.

Learning about the legal considerations of our online actions as bloggers, marketers and entrepreneurs. It’s important to know and understand your rights. I was shocked to know that in case of defamation; not only does the statement have to be false; but only one other person needed to hear (slander) or read (libel)it; to be labeled as defamation. I assumed that the number of people who where exposed to the information needed to be substantial. All in all, this course allowed me to dig deeper and really evaluate how to protect every aspect of a brand.

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Web analytics and Optimization

As we grow closer and closer to graduation, it seems that I have been able to grasp the content better than I had in the beginning of the program. Now my life on the other hand has gotten busier and more complex as a unmarried mother and caregiver.  The web analytics and optimization courses content directly answered the knowledge; based requests that I posed within my mastery reflection.  As business owner who has Google analytics installed on our site however we’ve never utilized the information provided to assist our organization with our over company goal.  How can we operate successfully without data.

           Within my reflection I stated that in this course I wanted to learn how to utilize Google analytics. Creating the opportunity to become certified in Google analytics and two have all of the additional articles and resources for mastery fulfilled this request and more. I myself know that I need to take more time to understand and utilize Google analytics more to gain more mastery. This course provided amazing start to accessing the knowledge needed.

           My second goal was to troubleshoot web issues this course provided us with the resources needed to trouble shoot Google analytics but not necessarily web issues.  My lack of knowledge and understanding on topic looked at a portion of this course as the basic level of website development as it relates to businesses however it was actually about analyzing the data you receive from your website for the benefit of assisting the corporation to reach its goals utilizing accurate data.

            My final goal was to learn how to use the tools provided to predict future trends. Properly learning to use Google analytics over time, creating the ability to monitor consumer behavior will allow create the necessary information you need to predict consumer behavior through monitoring past behaviors and trends. Google analytics has the ability to set a small business a head of its competition through the use of data analysis, I really enjoyed this course and possibilities I’ll have in the future to grow with what I’ve learned

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Strategic Internet Public Relations.

When we think of PR, we always think of the glamorous side of Public Relations, having your brand shown positively in the media, generating TV, magazine and interview opportunities. This course allowed me to really take a look at the negative side of PR. How should a company handle a crisis situation? What should be done ahead of time and how to properly create a crisis management plan?

My initial thought process for my take-way from this class was how to get my brand noticed using public relations techniques. Not only did I gain information on how to properly create a press release and the proper means of distribution through our distribution strategy assignment. I know have the tools needed to handle the internal and external crisis, I believe that most corporations focus solely on the glamorous side of PR and are not equipped enough to properly handle the crisis. Corporations should establish a management plan within their business plans. We should also focus on internal communication crisis and management. Are we properly training our staff to handle internal as well as an external crisis?

My plan is to continue researching how to properly create and distribute press releases, a press release is a vital part of your companies distribution plan, it’s the simplest way to get a lot of information in the hands of the people that need to know about it, in a professional way. One area that as opened my eyes was not only thinking about the press release but the content that needs to be developed to back up the release ie; your blog and social media posts.  We have to truly plan or we are placing our selves in a position to fail.  Great class and I look forward to continuing my personal research after graduation.

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I’m always learning; Marketing, Business and Forex 

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Advanced Search Engine Optimization

This has truly been a road to graduation, SEO and the strategies surrounding it, has seemly been a stumbling place for me. Upon entering this degree, I realized that my knowledge in this area was limited. This course really pushed me to move past my limitations. Building a masters career, in conjunction with your home and work life, can become a taxing experience. This month proved to be the hardest month of this experience for me, due to my work schedule, family engagements along with my ability to grasp the content. I honestly wanted to quit, I think during the process you’ll have those moments, however, ability to press and the support of the faculty makes a world of difference. What I’ve found that assists me through the mastery courses is the willingness of the instructors to take the extra time to work with you to assist you with gaining the understanding and knowledge that you need.  

This course helped me to gain extreme clarity on the importance and usage of keywords within your marketing as well as on your websites and blogs. Utilizing keywords to help drive organic traffic to your site through your end users searches. As well as utilizing keywords for within your paid advertising promotions, the level of interest created around your content no matter if it’s a blog or an ad will draw the traffic needed for conversions.  My ah-ha moment in this course, when working on a PPC campaign, you not only have to do the research to determine the keywords that effectively represent your message, you also have to bid on the keyword for its usage against other marketers, for Google placement, you can have a hundred organizations bidding for the same keyword. Now the terms “prime real estate” and keyword building made a world of sense. This is just the beginning for me. I know have to take the time to continue to study and apply these topics and strategies.    

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Advanced Internet Marketing Strategies.

As a masters’ student, I came into this experience because of my love for marketing and how effective marketing strategies have been with the inclusion of the Internet. As a self study-marketing connoisseur, I knew that I had hit a learning block, and to gain the information needed to truly become an expert in my field, I had to go back to school to essentially take courses that would “fill- in” the blanks for me.

           The Advanced Internet Marketing Course was a course that not only filled-in the blanks, it challenged my knowledge base, this was my learning curve course.  Interesting enough it came a time when my personal life had so much going on.  I had to truly put my personal issues aside to focus on content comprehension.  I entered this course with the expectation that I would not only learn the advanced strategies and procedures of concepts that I already knew; however, I would also be introduced to new concepts.  I had never experience or even dealt with ad words or the development of an ad words campaign.   This course was honestly one of the hardest courses, although with the understanding that we are halfway through and the concepts become more advanced as we grow.

This was my learning curve course, my initial ability to understand the concepts as well as the assignment needed to complete the course, where a little challenging for me because I didn’t have any prior knowledge or examples to go by, however, our instructor always made herself open an available for questions as well as provided detailed feedback. I just wished I utilized her availability more, I realized that I’m a little stubborn and I probably could have avoided tons of stress just by asking the instructor for an elaboration of the concepts outside of the live class sessions and content provided. 

Overall this was a great course, however, I know that at some point I’ll need to go back over it for mastery understanding, this is one of the main reasons why I said yes to Full Sail, because we have the ability to retake coursed indefinitely.

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New Media Marketing

As a go through this journey of knowledge and discovery, I am finding out that I know a lot more about aspects of the Internet Marketing field than I realized. Prior to taking this course, I stated that I wanted to accomplish three things:

1. I want to review the current marketing strategies of the key organizations that I admire. A. Strategy- Review youtube videos, websites and social media content of those companies.

2. Learn what the new trends in content marketing. A. Strategy- Research journal reference from Business Source Complete database.

3. Gain an understanding of location-based technology. A. Strategy- This will be content and education derived from the course study.

I wanted to review the current marketing strategies of key organizations that I admire. I did not do this prior to this class, however, now that I have a better understanding of what an influencer is and how their participation can positively or negatively affect the brands' overall image as well as their goals. 

I plan to research The Brands - Charming Charlies and Target, two of my favorite brands.  

In the world of cosmetology, I was very familiar with companies enlisting A-list celebrities to share and encourage others to purchase their brand as paid influencers. In most cases when the financial relationship ends the influence generally stops, the ideas that brands should foster true relationships with these strategic partnerships, fostering a healthy business relationship has the ability to be a win-win for both parties. The brand influencer is recognized by the brand and vice versa. 

Within the content of this program, we also studied what a brand ambassador program was and how to effectively create and monitor its results. In the coaching world, coaches use brand ambassadors quite often one time events. The concepts in this program allowed me to stretch my thought process and development skills and determine how a brand ambassador program if constructed properly, could catapult your organizations reach.  This content allowed me to view some of the new trends in internet marketing. 

Unfortunately, the content within the program did not include providing an understanding of location-based technology. This is still a concept that I’m not familiar with, hower as a natural born student, I plan to circle back to this topic and gain a better understanding of what it is and how it directly or indirectly affects my field. 

Overall, I have to say this has been one of my favorite classes, not only did this class stretch my thought process, our instructor provided us with a wealth of additional knowledge during our weekly live calls, he added to each concept and expounded on them for understanding. He also has some great stories to tell! I am looking forward to the time when I can go back and review and spend more time with these topics. 

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Web Design and Usability

The content of this course allowed me to clearly identify how to relay the intended website needs of our clients. Understanding the difference between usability and find-ability and the intended need for both topics when it comes to creating a user-friendly website. It’s important that the guest that visit your site can immediately gain an idea of what your site is about as well as how to find the information that they’re looking for quickly as well as easily.  

Hosting the usability tests with three website visitors, who all have different needs and opinions, helps to create a real-time view of the effectiveness of your website.  Companies should establish a usability testing schedule throughout the website development process or redesign process. I suggest at least two to three times during the process. This helps to ensure that you’re making the necessary changes that properly service your visitors.  

Proper SEO and keyword management help to ensure the find-ability of your website. Completing the appropriate keyword searches for your industry and utilizing those keywords throughout the site will help users find your website online. This course provided the opportunity to think creatively and out of the box, how can we create a website environment that answers the consumers' questions as well as creates an environment of content that will allow them to return on a regular basis as well as send others to the site as well.  

One way to ensure that you are staying abreast with your market is by completing competitor’s analysis to ensure that you’re in alignment with the needs of the market and to determine ways to create a creative advantage. Companies must understand that their website is usually the first or second touch point that a consumer encounters when meeting your brand and we must make conscious effort to ensure that each experience is an informative as well as stress-free experience.

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Internet Consumer Behavior and Analysis Mastery Journal

Internet Consumer Behavior and Analysis

 Going into this course I had a vague understanding of consumer behavior and the importance of not only compiling the data but using it to study your buyers' behaviors and utilizing the data to gear your marketing towards segmenting your consumers and creating ways to drive consumer-generated content. Gaining an understanding of can-spam compliance for consumer-driven emails. Opened my eyes to the importance of understanding the laws that govern our industry. Especially as small business owners, we usually work on the bandwagon effect, if one business is doing and says it works then we’ll all do it.

To effectively market we have to understand the behaviors of our current market as well as our potential market. This allows businesses to create products and services that truly meet the need of their audience. Essentially tracking and understanding your consumers’ behaviors takes the guesswork out of product and program development. Create what they need; not what you think they want.

The more we understand our market the easier it will be to create copy for our email campaigns that lead to conversions which ultimately leads to sales. Behavioral targeting helps you to understand what emails copies work and which don’t. How many times the email was opened, and most importantly did the email content lead to conversion?  Has the buyer returned to the email after purchase?  

How do my consumers behave should be the question that every marketer should have after the understand who their target market truly is?  Just as a parent understands their Childs behaviors marketers should have the capability of understanding their consumers’ behaviors just as closely.

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Digital Storytelling and Branding

Digital Storytelling and Branding

After reviewing the course curriculum, I was extremely excited about the digital storytelling and branding course. Having extensive knowledge in branding, my goal coming into this course was to enhance and become extremely clear on the things that I do know. My expectation was to also find the missing pieces in brand development that I haven’t learned or mastered.  I wanted to enhance my knowledge on the subject of storytelling and its true relation to brand development.

Starting this course with the brand you assignment allowed me to gain clarity on who I am as a person, what gifts that I bring to my industry. This assignment helped me establish a small pitfall within my branding and marketing, I need to narrow down and hone into who my target market truly is. I believe this journey of being a master in digital marketing will assist me in defining my market.  As I grow in the knowledge base and finding my niche in marketing, it will allow me to hone in on my target market based on my expertise.

Establishing your companies’ brands voice assignment was a transformational assignment for me. Especially when building a team. I was introduced to a similar exercise in one of my undergrad psychology courses. The focus was geared more towards you as a person, identifying your brand from the voice of a fictional character allows those connected to the brand understand that your brand has a personality, when you understand the personality of the brand, it allows you to gage every idea and opportunity to determine if it aligns with your personality.

The knowledge gained from this course will assist tremendously with our final marketing plan. This course allowed us to begin to clarify who we are, what we do and whom we truly serve. Gaining this type of clarity allows you to strategically focus your plan design to gear it towards your true market.

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Mastery Reflection Assignment- Internet Marketing Fundamentals

           My original objectives for the Internet marketing fundamentals course, from my PDL created in the mastery course, was to understand three things; to gain a true understanding of the influence and impact that the Internet has on creating a marketing campaign, how to begin to analyze the methods used to create a marketing campaign, and to gain the ability clearly define Internet Marketing.

           My objectives focused more on creating a marketing campaign, although this course did not meet all my personal objectives at no fault of the course instructor or content, as a novice expectations where skewed. I do feel that the course fulfilled it’s intended purpose which is to provide an overview of what Internet Marketing is along with some of the current and related topics that surround it. While providing an overview of the information we can expect to learn in upcoming courses.

           Completing the marketing research paper and competitor’s analysis for our company allowed me to see that we have a great start to the overall focus and objectives of our brand. The research paper and the analysis highlighted the places where we can clarify and scale down our objectives and showcased areas within our website that we can incorporate to give us a more of a competitive advantage. Interesting enough each week, during our weekly discussions, we covered a topic that truly intrigued me.  I was truly fascinated with the understanding, benefits and pitfalls of retargeting and the negative effects of click fraud.  

           In the upcoming weeks, I plan to review the content of this course for knowledge mastery as well as use the content to complete website and business plan updates for our company. I plan to also review how this information could benefit our current clients and determine where we can add supplementary content to our current programs. Overall, I realized that I truly have a love and interest for understanding the concepts of Internet marketing and how grasping and executing these concepts are the next level in brand development. This course helped me to realize that I made the right choice when choosing my masters program.

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His love endures forever, never doubt his love. His love is never failing, it will never get distant and it will never disappear.

Excerpt from my book: Gods divinely Implanted desires, his desire, your will.

You set the "TONE" for your day, year and life! Make it a great one!

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My Internet Marketing Mastery Timeline.

My #Moveafraid Mastery Journey (Visual Presentation)

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My goal and tactic presentation for my 12 month Masters in Internet Marketing Degree.

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Excited to reach a point in my life that I am not only visualizing my dreams, I’m doing the things that I need to do to manifest them. 

[meme]. Retrieved from https://me.me/i/who-does-she-think-she-is-it-appears-she-is-10340270

Personal Image

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The moment you say No, you’ll live with the thought of what if? 

30 Inspirational Richard Branson Quotes on Business & Life. (2015, September 27). Retrieved from http://www.joelannesley.com/inspirational/30-inspirational-richard-branson-quotes-on-business-life