“Timid salespeople have skinny children.” – Zig Ziglar
“Hey, let me ask you a question…” – Larry David (often)
Maybe you’re a Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Larry David fan. Maybe not.
But, you gotta give Larry his due. In “Curb”, in his role playing himself as a clueless, insensitive, schmuck, he’s fearless about asking questions.
“Hey, what’s with the [...]
Link-Building is a marketing tactic you’ll want to use to boost the rankings of your local website.
And, adding a blog to your local business site is a great tool to increase your local website traffic and build links automatically.
Here are 3 Sites where you’ll want to register your local business blog and add to your [...]
SEO or Search Engine Optimization for local or small businesses looking to grow their online traffic from search engines such as Google and Yahoo as well as gain increased exposure in IYP (Internet Yellow Pages) and other online directories is as easy as 1-2-3.
The debate between natural or organic search engine optimization versus pay per click has been raging for a while among the search engine marketing world as to which is better and a more productive use of a company’s limited online marketing budget. Build a better website and focus on organic search engine marketing or dump your dollars into PPC campaigns. Well, if you haven’t already figured out what I think…you will very shortly.
Traditional newspaper advertising, coupon mailers like Valpak, Clipper, Money Mailer, Red Plum or other local coupon mailers don’t work. Now understand, I am not saying direct mail coupons don’t or can’t get you any customers…that would be silly. If you do enough of anything, you are bound to get more customers. What I am talking about is the reason you advertise…MORE PROFITS!
So, you are starting a small business. First, let me say congratulations. Small businesses are the backbone of the US economy and are the foundation of the American Dream and I have nothing but the utmost respect and admiration for anyone that is willing to risk in order to grow and achieve success and a piece of that American Dream.
A growing number of your customers, potential customers and competing businesses are members of networks such as LinkedIn, MySpace and Facebook. Can they find your business? 25% of adults in America visit social networking site at least once a month. Again, are you there to find?
Bad or mediocre reviews are probably going to happen. We all know as business owners you will occasionally have an unhappy customer. Sometimes, it is even legitimate. Ratings and reviews, blogs and forums give those unhappy customers a voice.
1. Put your URL on everything: No matter what, every business should have a URL or web address, even if you don’t have a website yet. This is your online address and it can be pointed anywhere you choose. Once you have a web address, put it on everything. Every advertising piece you do, direct mail, coupon mailers, signs, your trucks, EVERYWHERE. The more you get this address out there, the more value you will get with your advertising. Many consumers are beginning to believe that a website is absolutely necessary and wont do business with someone that doesn’t have a website. Its like a litmus test for being a legitimate and modern business. Web sites and your URL are absolutely necessary. Put it on everything and everywhere.
Utilizing free listings provided by local directories can be a great way to increase your websites’ overall traffic and grow your business and profits. Regardless of what type of business you own, you can benefit from the free listings that are available with many local directories and search engines. It’s a numbers game: Increase the number of ways your business is found – increase the number of customers coming through your door.
