Wow, I came across an interesting video on Google expanding into interactive TV and they aren’t the only ones. Check out the details below from Mashable.
LAB Small Business Services online complimentary evaluation will reveal how past, current and future consumers view your business online.
By now, as a local small business owner, you know the importance of having a website. However, I’m finding many local businesses without one or their site is beautifully outdated and non-productive. Websites aren’t just to look good but to provide a valuable service (experience) to your customers and those seeking your product or service.
Your website is giving your customers and local internet searchers the reason they need to do business with you and not your competitors.
How do you view your customers? Below is a great clip from a business marketing giant, Jay Abraham, that addresses my point and I believe taking your website seriously is a major piece of the puzzle for building long-term business growth.
Just some food for thought!
LAB Small Business Services online complimentary evaluation will reveal how past, current and future consumers view your business online.
Friday Basics today will close out our three part series on Marketing Local Business with “The Difference.”
Dinah Washington sung a song years ago called “What A Difference A Day Made.” It’s a romantic song, however, what I love about it is The Difference one action made.
In part one of this series the action to change The Path for marketing your small business on the internet. In part two taking the action to switch from being The Hunter to The Hunted in your marketing efforts will make The Difference in your marketing efforts.
The whole point of making the decision to take the action to switch the path to internet marketing and becoming the hunted by your customers and leads is to make The Difference…
The Difference can be the “sun and flowers where there use to be rain”.
Enjoy Dinah!
LAB Small Business Services online complimentary evaluation will reveal how past, current and future consumers view your business online.
In part one of this series “Marketing Local Business – The Path” we suggested what path you should choose for your small business to go to the next chapter of growth.
Today we will tackle identifying if your business is The Hunter or The Hunted in your marketing efforts. Let’s begin with The Hunter. According to Wikipedia “..is the practice of pursuing.” If your business is The Hunter your spending most of your marketing efforts (time and money) chasing down your prospects or leads using the traditional methods of building your bottom-line.
According to Brian Halligan, Hubspot, “… most small businesses still use outdated and inefficient marketing methods … – that people increasingly find intrusive.”
Chances are your business is following this method of marketing which we call Outbound Marketing or playing the role of The Hunter.
In today’s world if you’re The Hunter in your marketing efforts there is good news. It’s easier and more effective to evolve into the role of The Hunted.
The Hunted is what we call Inbound Marketing. It’s customers and prospects searching for your product or services. The traditional thought of becoming The Hunted can create an uncomfortable feeling, however, in this case The Hunted works diligently to be found. If you become The Hunted you place yourself where The Hunters can easily find your business using inbound marketing.
As an owner marketing using local internet search for your business the choice between the role of The Hunter or The Hunted will make all the difference in your bottom line.
Tomorrow in part three we will conclude with Marketing Local Business ~ The Difference.
LAB Small Business Services online complimentary evaluation will reveal how past, current and future consumers view your business online.
In this 3 part series we are going to discuss the basics in marketing your products and/or services. This series will share with you, the local small business owner, why the next chapter in your local business growth is internet marketing.
Let’s start with “The Path”. The old path once driven in acquiring new customers locally has changed and has become the road less traveled.
The old path is the traditional forms of marketing local business such as,
This is the old path due to the high cost and it’s becoming less and less effective in producing leads compared to the new path called internet marketing,
The new path, internet marketing, is less expensive and potential customers are seeking your business/service.
That’s two reasons (less expensive and customers seeking you) to consider switch from the traditional path or at least expanding to include marketing online.
Oh, there’s one more important reason to consider internet marketing it’s called visibility. Claiming your piece of your local online real estate. You want to be there when your local customers are looking for your products and services. Don’t disappointment them.
Tomorrow, in part two of Marketing Local Business find out if you are the “The Hunted or The Hunter”.
LAB Small Business Services online complimentary evaluation will reveal how past, current and future consumers view your business online.
Google updated a few things. In case you didn’t hear the news. It’s less than 2 minutes and will keep you current.
LAB Small Business Services online complimentary evaluation will reveal how past, current and future consumers view your business online.
Today I came across the infographic below called “Local Search Evolved” by MDG Advertising. This is yet another powerful reason why local small business owners not visible online are missing the boat. Great information!
LAB Small Business Services online complimentary evaluation will reveal how past, current and future consumers view your business online.
Reputation management for local small businesses may not have been a big issue in the past, but, today the internet has drastically changed the rules. If you are a small business owner managing your reputation online is definitely something that cannot be ignored.
Online reputation management is simply a process of monitoring and addressing anything that is written about your business online. The actual “managing” of your reputation involves using strategic online techniques to promote positive and neutral content about your business.
Just about EVERYONE uses the Internet to research local businesses these days, but it doesn’t stop there. They are also using the Internet to voice their opinions about your products and services.
The growth of various avenues – such as forums, blogs, and social networking – has created an instant way for consumers to share their opinions about the businesses and services. While some people do provide “positive” feedback online, more and more people are using the Internet to voice “negative” feedback as well.
Therefore, as a local business owner it’s in your best interest to start monitoring what is being said about you online. It’s one thing to KNOW and do something about it… but it’s another thing to not even know what’s being said.
LAB Small Business Services online complimentary evaluation will reveal how past, current and future consumers view your business online.
There is nothing more frustrating than searching online for a local flowershop, mechanic or beauty salon and can’t find them. When you type in their business name nothing comes up. Or you get incorrect information on an out-of-date directory site.
How about this one, You type in your city and a service (like plumbing) and you get results for business’s 20 to 30 miles away and it takes hours for them to service your need. When you know you have many local plumbers in your area.
Everyday there are local customers or potential customers searching on line for your product or service and can’t find your business.
If you are business owner that is invisible online then make this 2012 your year to get your business visible online. It’s really simple to get started.
Now, I do understand with so much information coming from everywhere regarding small business’ getting online it can be overwhelming. So, do be afraid to ask for help. That’s why I’m here and created LAB Small Business Services. If you want to run your business and let me assist you then call me today.
If you have the time and what to do it yourself you can start with the basics. Google has an excellent guide called “How-To-Guide For Getting Your Business Online.” It’s a step-by-step guild that provides you will all the information and tools to get your business online and visible to your local market.
Whatever you decide, it’s important to your business to get visible online as soon as you can. It’s important.
Happy New Year to all small local business owners.
May 2012 be your year to shine online in your local markets.
Google Maps & Local Search News Google Mobile News
