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Can The Obama Strategy Work For Your Business Online?

If you have a website or are considering having one created for your business, one question you're likely to ask is "what value will the site provide for me?" To answer that question, you don't need to look any further than the recently concluded Presidential elections.

It has been said by many that Barack Obama has changed the way that political battles will be fought in the future. He made politics intersect with the Internet in a way that offers lessons for anyone who wants to succeed online. More businesses are now seeing the power of the Internet as a marketing tool when used effectively.

Arianna Huffington of the Huffington Post surmised that if it wasn't for the Internet, Barack Obama might not have won his party's nomination or the Presidency. Observers will remember that in the initial stages of the race, Hilary Clinton was the clear frontrunner for the nomination. But Obama and his supporters effectively used the Internet to get his message out to an enormous audience, and for little or no cost. People who bought into the vision passed on videos and messages to others, building a critical mass of support. People all over the globe saw his "Yes, We Can" video, all because of the Internet.

Obama might have been taking his cues from another Democrat who threw his hat into the Presidential ring. Howard Dean was credited with effectively using the Internet to raise money for his campaign in 2004. The tech-savvy Obama (who is rarely pictured without his trusty Blackberry) and his team knew the power of the Internet and rode that gravy train to success. Because of these efforts, Obama has also been likened to former President John F. Kennedy, who had the foresight to take advantage of the then-new medium of television to outline his vision for the nation.

So what's your message? Do you have a product or service that's worth a look? If the Internet and Web 2.0 technologies can be used to win the Presidency of the United States, they can do wonders for your business.

Understanding what's involved in developing a Web marketing strategy is key to online success. Few businesses have immediate access to the large numbers of volunteers that political campaigns are able to attract. But there are aspects of Obama's strategy can be employed to increase your visibility online.

The Web provides you with a low-cost means of reaching the audience who is waiting for your message. If you can make that message engaging and informative, connecting with people on an emotional level, you too can develop a loyal community and build support for your business. Whether you build a blog, a newsletter, or a thoughtfully constructed website, the Obama strategy can work for you.