Online Marketing for Local Business
Uncategorized
Web Content and the User Experience
14 years
by jhaynes
in Uncategorized
Regardless of industry or business, it’s important to take care of customers above anything else. In recent years, local businesses and national corporations alike have been noticing that user experience is an influential part of the decision making process. Individuals want to feel a connection to the product more than ever and there are several simple ways to help develop that connection for each potential customer.
Keep Content Updated
When a customer sees that you have the latest and greatest information, it increases perceived value for your product and your company. They know that your company is a thought leader and keeps on its toes. By knowing the latest trends and showcasing your knowledge to anyone potentially interested in your product, you’re proving your passion, something the customer recognizes and trusts.
Distribute Content Everywhere
With the easily accessible (and ever-growing) internet, anyone can access detailed information online with a few simple clicks. Often times, these are generated from search engines such as Google or Yahoo (in fact, 8 out of 10 internet users look to search engines before anything) and it’s important to cast your net wide and improve your chances of appearing in search results. Search engines now capture data from YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Blogs, and several other popular social media sites. Different users will prefer one network instead of another, so press releases, blogs, videos, and any other outlet makes your content (more importantly, your brand) that much more likely to be found.
Keep Them Entertained
If you fill your content with too many statistics and facts, you may wind up boring your audience. Make sure to tell a story or give real world examples that help your audience relate to what you’re talking about. Even more, create a situation where your audience can relate to your product or brand. If your company has annual events, openly invite readers to see the company or meet others. When you can entertain, interact, and openly communicate with your audience effectively, you’ll create an everlasting impression and relationship between potential customers and your brand.
Bottom line—when it comes to keeping customers informed on your business or your industry, you can create value by proving you know what your talking about and are passionate about your business.
So, Are Social Networks Great…Or Not So Good?
14 years
by jhaynes
in Uncategorized
Online social networks have changed the way we communicate, but whether you think their influence is positive or negative depends on whom you ask.
NYU professor and author Clay Shirky thinks social networks are distinctly positive, providing a way to share our collective wisdom. MIT professor Sherry Turkle disagrees and has written a book called Alone Together: Why We Expect More From Technology and Less from Each Other, suggesting social networking is a form of modern madness.
Which is it?
Marketing Tips For Your Email Signature
14 years
by jhaynes
in Uncategorized
Email signatures are so commonplace, and in most cases, boring, that they are usually an afterthought to most. But they don’t have to be, and they can actually help you achieve your marketing and sales goals. I should quickly make note that when I say “email signature”, we are only talking about person-to-person emails, not the footer, etc. used on your email marketing or e-newsletter campaigns.
And make note that these tips don’t just apply to your own email signature. These strategies also work for your employees, your co-workers or team members, especially if they are sending out customer service or sales-related emails.
First the basics, those standard pieces of information that simply have to be part of your signature and those representing your business:
•Name, company name, address and phone number
•Twitter and Facebook links and encouragement for people to follow you
•Website and blog address
Then there are some more creative ways you can utilize the signature portion of your emails that aren’t necessary but could help you add to your social media connections, website visitors, and increase your sales:
•Your logo
•A “Deal of the Week” with a special link so you can track how it’s doing
•A link to “Join Our Monthly/Weekly Email Newsletter” and receive special email-only offers
•A customer testimonial so that your recipients can see how much your customers love you
•A link to a webinar or an event you want them to attend
So don’t let your email signatures be an afterthought!
And if you’re going to have a weekly deal, make sure you follow through and change your deal weekly. Some people might even begin to look for it.
