Archive for December, 2010
Before Choosing a Local Online Advertising Company, Read This
Dec 31st
At the moment, you’ll find a handful of local online advertising companies trying hard to acquire new small business customers. While a select few are legitimate and getting results for their clients, others just trying to extract as much money as they can from businesses providing very little in return.
This second group thrives off of the ignorance of the average local business owner. This article is going to help empower others to be able to make an educated decision about who to let market and promote them online.
As a Local Business, Should you be Doing your Marketing Yourself?
No. The internet marketing learning curve is much too large and time-consuming. You could literally spend years learning all there is to know about marketing your business online. There’s just a lot of technical stuff that you have to know if you want to be successful.
It’s important to understand just enough of what’s going on so you can track the local search marketing then delegate the tasks to a company that can help grow your business fast
Should you be Listed in an Online Directory?
No. Look, it doesn’t hurt you to be listed in the SuperPages, Yellow Pages, or any other online directory, however NEVER pay to be listed in directories like this.
Here’s why.
The average consumer that searches the internet will not take the time to Google a professional (Atlanta cosmetic dentist… for example), then click on a directory link, then search through the directory through a vast sea of business owners.
I have what I call the 1:1 rule. That means that the average potential new client / customer won’t go beyond one second and one click to find the information they’re looking for. You know this and more than likely are the same way.
Need further proof?
Google just launched Google Instant a few weeks ago because people are so instant gratification oriented! The average person doesn’t even want to wait one second for their search results to populate. Think about it. There’s no way in hell they’re going to go to a directory and then search and the statistics prove it.
People want their search information from Google yesterday!
Do not waste your money with local online advertising companies that talk about placing you in an internet directory(s) and “enhancing” your listing for a premium. This is a total scam and they are just trying to make money from local business owners due to their lack of knowledge. Don’t fall for it!
Consumers hardly look at directories because they go straight to Google to search.
Ideally, you should have an overwhelming presence on the organic Google search (left side of the search engine). This is where the consumers are looking and sophisticated heat map studies prove this. You want to dominate the first page of Google for the keywords you’re trying to rank for. Own as much internet real estate there as possible.
How do you Dominate the First Page of Google?
You do this by understanding that Google indexes many types of content on the first page like websites, blogs, videos, images, articles, local business listings, and press releases. Each one of those pieces of content is a way that you can sneak on the first page if you do it right.
Ideally, you want to find a company that handles all of these aspects like content creation, content distribution / online syndication, social media marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), back-link building, etc.. It’s important to take a very comprehensive local search marketing approach if you want to build massive social proof and become the “go-to” expert in your city.
Here’s the Harsh Reality
Consumers search the first page of Google. If you’re not at the top and within one second and one click of their reach, you won’t be getting new customers from the internet anytime soon. This is what the local online advertising companies NEVER tell you and why most of them are lacking and cannot deliver what they promise.
Hopefully this article opened your eyes to consumer search habits on the internet and why you want to be very careful when selecting and paying for a local online advertising company. Ask questions and make sure they also provide a money-back guarantee and detailed progress reports monthly so you know exactly what’s being done on your behalf.
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Want your online marketing COMPLETELY done for you you every month? Click here for more information on how to fully automate the internet marketing and growth of your business.
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Related Blog Posts:
7 Ways to Rank your Google Places Listing Higher
3 Facebook Marketing Tips for Local Businesses
Why you Should use Video in your Small Business Marketing
How to use YouTube to Promote your Business or Brand
7 Ways to Rank your Google Places Listing Higher
Dec 23rd
This informative post will apply to small businesses like attorneys, dentists, financial planners, chiropractors, cosmetic surgeons, realtors, auto body shops, etc… When people put the word “(your city) (your specialty)” into Google, what every professional wants is for their company / practice to be the first one that pops up on that searcher’s local business map.
Getting your Google Places (formerly Google Maps) listing ranked #1 is certainly an attainable goal. Here are seven tips that you can use today in your local listing to ensure that your office finds its way to the top for maximum exposure!
Get Dozens of Reviews from Clients
It is extremely helpful to your rankings if your business has dozens reviews. By “dozens,” I mean as many as you can get. You want the volume of your reviews to overshadow those of all other professionals of the same specialty in your area. If others have five, 10 and 30, then you want 60, 70, 80 or more. Reviews are massive in terms of acquiring high rankings on Google and having your business highlighted on the map.
It is important that these reviews are real and they should be from your past or current clients / customers. The best thing to do to facilitate this is to contact your base and ask each of them to write a review. Use email to do this and give them a link to the review area. Create an incentive for them if your state board doesn’t have any issues with it.
The Power of Photos and Videos
Google Places listings love photos and videos. Use as many videos and still images as you can and make sure that your company logo is on each. The videos don’t need to be long. They can offer tips and valuable free information. Make each video subject specific, offering useful information in easy-to-understand, capsule form.
Photos can show you at the office, involved in charity or community work and even on a special trip. The photos and videos are all about connecting on both a professional and personnel level with prospective patients and keeping linked to your present clientele.
Keywords and Your Business Description
Using the correct keywords in your Google business description is important. Choose these words with care as they are designed to interact with the search engine, garnering you hits. The Google Keyword Tool can help you find the most popular keywords that people are searching and in what volumes.
Utilize Keywords in Your Business Name
Hopefully you have high-traffic keywords in the name of your business. This technique is very powerful. Make sure that you list your keyword rich business name correctly with Google.
Connect through Back-links and Citations
Whatever and wherever you post something related to your business, you want to make sure that it links back to the Google Places listing. Anchor text links are much better for the keyword(s) that you want to rank higher for online. Each one of your press releases, articles, forum posts, blogs, photos, citations from other authority sites, etc. should have a link to your Google local business listing.
Offer Limited Time Coupons
Google business listings allow you to upload coupons that can be downloaded by visitors. Offer limited time coupons that you change from time to time. Limited time coupons are a good way to get people to act since the expiration date on the coupon helps motivate people to take action. Keep changing your coupon offers and track which ones seem to work best in bringing in new business.
Get a Google Tag
Google Tags are those yellow tags you see in front of the listing when you search “Atlanta chiropractor,” for example. They’re right next to the maps listing and very powerful. You’ll be able to get one after you’ve verified the listing. This just helps you stand-out even more.
People will find you with Google Maps
Your Google business listing can be utilized to ensure that you garner hits, raising your search engine rankings and making your business pop-up on that prominent Google map. The great thing about Google Places is that people will find your chiropractic practice instantly and fast. Use each of the six tips above to access the power of this feature to get more new patients monthly.
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Want your online marketing COMPLETELY done for you you every month? Click here for more information on how to fully automate the internet marketing and growth of your business.
—
Related Blog Posts:
3 Facebook Marketing Tips for Local Businesses
How to Choose a Top Tier Local Search Marketing Company
How Using Twitter Can Grow Your Business
How to Get a Flood of Traffic to your Local Business Website
How Using Twitter Can Grow Your Business
Dec 17th
Unless you’ve been living under a rock you understand that Twitter is a phenomenal medium where people can glance into your life to see who you really are. This being said, it’s a good idea to set-up an account immediately at Twitter.com.
Once your account is active, you’ll be able to post “Tweets” about things that are going on in your business or personal life daily, as well as what you’re doing and thinking about. Now, I’m not saying you need to document your entire life’s story, but simply let people know when something worth posting surfaces. I recommend Tweeting articles / videos related to your profession or ones that are comical in nature.
The tweets that you post daily are very revealing about yourself and basically tell others if you have things in common, are a trusted resource, or if you’re just plain crazy! I’ve met several people that are interested in social media marketing, outdoor sports, and others that have the same type of dog I do. It’s pretty incredible with whom you can connect with in this form of social media.
When navigating on Twitter, pay attention to what people are saying. If there is a question someone has posted, go right ahead and answer it. I know, at first it may feel like eavesdropping, but I assure you everything is fine. When viewing a Tweet that you want to comment on, don’t think, just do it.
You can even use http://search.twitter.com to search for related topics about your business locally. When you answer questions, you’re instantly viewed as a problem solver and a resource.
This is a short-list of reasons to use Twitter every day:
1) You can easily establish connections and meet new friends that eventually may do business with you
2) You get fresh, minute-by-minute insight as to what is happening in peoples lives
3) You get access to links to articles folks have read and particularly enjoyed
4) It’s the perfect place to ask legit questions and obtain answers
5) You can connect with people in your local area
6) You can get massive amounts of new business
Twitter is actually pretty easy to understand, you just have to begin today and get familiar with it. I would rate it much simpler than many other social networks discussed in the past. Keep in mind that you always want to add value to a Twitter conversation. This is very basic. If you contribute something of value, individuals will thank you and be inclined to remember you. Some may decide to also follow you in return. In its basic form, though, you’ll have gotten someones attention.
The first thing to do once you get on Twitter is to get yourself a user name. Decide which of the examples below you want to mimic. If you want, you can alter the names later, but makes sure you think ahead. In a local niche, review these hypothetical listings below for ideas.
- Plummer & your Name = @PlummerJack
- Regular Name = @MatthewLoop
- Attorney Related = @AttorneyLady
- Name & Area / Location = @JaredMI
- Brand-Name = @FreeCreditBen
Do yourself a favor and set-up an account on Twitter today. I can promise you it’s just as fun and addicting as YouTube or Facebook. Continued success!
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Want your online marketing COMPLETELY done for you you every month? Click here for more information on how to fully automate the internet marketing and growth of your business.
—
Related Blog Posts:
3 Facebook Marketing Tips for Local Businesses
How to Choose a Top Tier Local Search Marketing Company
3 Facebook Marketing Tips for Local Businesses
Dec 11th
Since Facebook has over 500 million active users, it’s important that small businesses like attorneys, chiropractors, realtors, dentists and cosmetic surgeons participate regularly on the network. Facebook can also be a massive lead generation magnet if used correctly.
The common problem I see with business owners, is that they have no idea how to get the traffic from Facebook to their blog or website. Let’s face it, social networking is great to build relationships but if you cannot bring the people to your site and capture targeted leads, it doesn’t matter.
Don’t let Facebook be a royal time-suck! If you’re not careful, you’ll spend hours on there without being productive. In fact, the stats say the average Facebook user spends close to an hour per day on the network. Considering the average internet surfer spends no more than 3 seconds on any given website, this is HUGE.
Here’s how to capture targeted traffic from Facebook:
1) Use Facebook Ads to target your specific local demographic and send them to a landing page with an offer. You can either send them to a Facebook Fan page or to your website. Have a free report, offer, or contest on that page and get them to place their name / email into an opt-in form.
You’ll need to hire a service to create a custom Facebook page so it looks professional. You’ll also need an email follow-up system if you don’t have one. I use Aweber because they have over a 99% deliverability rate and phone support.
2) Friend request / meet 15 local friends per day on Facebook and send them a polite message with the invite. Engage in open ended conversation when they accept your request and ask them about what they do. After on your friends list for a few weeks, create and send an invitation with a special offer about your business.
3) Use the Facebook like button on your blog or website. The great thing about this is when someone clicks the icon, it immediately tells their Facebook friends list that they liked you / your business. Many of their friends will click the link because they trust the recommendations of their friends.
Using these effective methods described above will allow you to increase your website traffic and new business through your doors by using Facebook. There has never been an easier way to get more exposure via the web.
Related Blog Posts:
3 Easy Steps to Promoting Your Facebook Fan Page
How to Choose a Top Tier Local Search Marketing Company
How to use YouTube to Promote your Business or Brand
How your Facebook Fan Page Can Create Massive Local Buzz
