MediaWeek recently reported that advertising on blogs, networks



and similar venues where content is produced by consumers is

about to explode in popularity and become a much bigger business.

This year it is expected to hit a billion dollar business,

however by 2011 it will grow beyond $4.3 Billion, eMarketer says.



Companies that are providing internet marketing software

solutions are now filling this tremendous need to educate

individuals and small business. This is particularly true for

software marketing firms like newcomer EDC, founded by Craig

Garcia and Michael Michael Corcoran, that has built up a large

base of distributors devoted to helping small and medium size

businesses thrive in the challenging cyber environment.

Unfortunately, it's not all candy canes and lollipops. The

picture is not so rosy when you think about it without their

training and support.

For starters, the people who create all this content that's

getting monetized - you, me, your Aunt Tilly - are not going to

continue doing so for free. If the platforms are getting all of

the financial gain, then the community should stand to get a

significant share of that money. Sites should start to implement

these systems now in a fair and ethical way.

Second, people are getting a lot more sophisticated when it comes

to ad blocking technology. Younger, more technically adept users

have extensions installed. Take a look at digg, for example.

However, it's going more mainstream. For example, the new

version of Camino on the Mac has ad blocking built right into the

browser. There will be an arms race between those who serve

banner ads and the ad blockers that's similar to the spam wars

of today.

Google and Ask.com have been butting heads with the likes of

Microsoft whose has to deal with this in order to survive long

term. With the recent upgrade of its MSN search platform,

Microsoft is beginning to go after large business clients.

Microsoft, with its large cash reserves will remain competitive,

even with the likes of Google.

“The advertising industry is evolving and growing at an

incredible pace, moving increasingly toward online and IP-served

platforms, which dramatically increases the importance of

software for this industry," said Steve Ballmer, chief executive

officer of Microsoft. “Today’s announcement represents the next

step in the evolution of our ad network from our initial

investment in MSN". Ballmer is referencing its recent decision to

acquire aQuantive, a internet marketing platform, for

approximately 6 billion dollars. Ballmer goes on to say,

“Microsoft is intensely committed to creating a thriving

advertising business and to partnering closely with all key

constituencies in this industry to help maximize the digital

advertising opportunity for all.

"Microsoft faces competition from both established competitors

and fast growing newcomers. EDC is well known to the small

business world because of its large inventory of over 1900

software offerings. The company has focused specifically on

digital downloads as a primary distribution system mechanism.

The internet has now reached its second phase of development.

Consumers are now beginning to comprehend all of the unique

advantages that the World Wide Web has to offer. Businesses must

follow the lead now or they will not survive.

I have recently established this business oriented blog to track

and comment on new internet developments and how to take

advantage of them. Put www.myhelpinghandup.com in your favorites

section in your browser. I’ll attempt to always keep you informed

as to the latest and greatest breakthroughs concerning internet

marketing.