Category Archives: Marketing

Keywords & Phrases: Understanding SEO Content

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Keyword research can be one of the most valuable activities any online marketer can utilize to drive traffic and attract visitors to their web site. Ranking high in search engines  for your targeted keywords can significantly enhance your ability to create online cashflow. The important distinction about SEO content is: it is not only about getting web traffic, it’s about getting the right visitors.

Selection of the right keywords and phrases is the initial step in quality SEO Content. You will discover what you target audience is looking for by determining the specific keywords and phrases they enter in search engine browsers.
A number of tools exist that assist online marketers in finding relevant keywords for purposeful content.

Here is a brief list of research sources:

Google’s AdWords Keyword tool is probably the most popular method for SEO keyword research. It recommends keywords, lists estimated global and local searches, and also predicts the costs associated with running Google ad campaigns. Analyzing your keyword lists will provide some great ideas for the type of content that provides value to visitors to your website or your blog.

Effective SEO content requires you to find the balance between strategically placed keywords and phrases that appeals to your readers as well as the search engines.

The article content should include keyword phrases that are indicative of the searches conducted by those you want to attract. It should be similar to leaving bread crumbs for hungry birds. The idea is to provide value in manner that appeals to potential buyers drawing interest to your blog.

Your efforts are worthy of searching for long tail keywords that show buyers intent. Long tail keywords are phrases with three or more words. In these types of phrases, your target market is telling you very specifically what they want to find.

Including relevant keyword phrases in your marketing content is the most effective method of attracting natural organic traffic to your site.

It’s also important to create SEO content that provides value to its readers. Your content should be written well, contain useful information, and have a positive impact on the readers experience.

When visitors land on your site, this may be your one shot at scoring a winning bucket. You better make it count. Targeted keyword phrases can draw traffic to your site. Keep in mind,  it is the quality of your content and the benefit the visitors receives is the determining factor whether they choose to stay and return a second time.

Your search engine rankings will be maintained with continuous updating to your site with relevant new SEO content.

This helps with your page rank because the major search engines will typically rank websites that are updated consistently higher than others. Additionally, frequent content additions can help capture new website visitors and encourage repeat visits.

Keyword research is not an end all deal for traffic, however, it is an extremely powerful tool that can help your site attract the traffic needed to drive more sales, profits and followers.

 

Social Networking : The New and More Dynamic Marketing Venue

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Social media and internet marketing have replaced the old Yellow Pages of the phone book. Consumers are using search engines and networking sites to locate local business that provide the services and products they want. Social media (e.g., Facebook, LinkedIn, Groupon, Twitter) have changed the way consumers and advertisers behave.  About 45 million smartphone owners access shopping-and-commerce apps each month.

There was a time when consumers saw a commercial on television and consulted their local phone book to find a nearby store. Although the old school printed yellow pages still exist, it has become less effective for business marketing. We are in the microwave generation and consumers will not sit around waiting until the store re-opens the next day for questions about prices or products offered.

Social networking sites make it easier for business to keep up with the dynamics of our changing world because the advertisements can be placed and quickly modified. The use of print media takes a while for the print to be disseminated and can not be quickly changed.  In today’s fast paced society, it is more appealing to consumers to visit a frequently asked questions(faq) page on a web site than to listen to a recorded phone message.

In the process of searching for new and effective channels, the internet has proven
to be the one that has no limits. If business owners want to create new marketing
channels, the only thing limiting them is their creativity.

It is well recognized by major brands that Facebook, Youtube , Twitter and Linkedin are the online communities of choice today. These social networks are established and have over a billion members combined. Prior to the internet, how easy it was to collect information to reach a billion potential prospects without a humongous budget?

The Value of Search Engines         

When the business owner understand the demographics of their ideal consumer, social networks allows them to zero in on their target market. The popularity search engines allow consumers to research product information readily available through smart phones and tablets. Constructively, search engines provide data to business owners of how and what consumers are seeking. Running campaigns in areas of your target market is just plain sensible business.

Offline Marketing

Consider for instance,  a company runs a billboard ad campaign. Prior to purchasing the billboard space they research how much traffic drives past the location daily. However, it is not possible to track how many drivers actually take time to view the billboard message.

The biggest challenge is judging the efficacy of offline marketing. Please note, there is no quick and cost effective way to split test a billboard ad campaign. This void in statistical data causes a business to waste marketing dollars in areas that will not provide a reasonable return on investment.

Online Internet Marketing

On the other hand, when a company runs an online advertising campaign, web analytics allow business owners to view the number of visitors to their virtual store. With the proper tools and methods, it is possible to determine the ad source of the prospective customer. What is even better, the length of the side visit and what products were viewed can be analyzed as well. .

With online marketing, you can run several ad campaigns simultaneously to test the results. It is possible to adjust the campaign to meet the desires of your potential customers while targeting the best place to apply your marketing dollars. Split testing and ease with which ad campaigns can be altered, allow businesses to receive “more bang for their buck.”

Social networking sites can be used to expand the local customer base and reach out to people that were not easily contacted in earlier days. From a statistical standpoint, it provides data which for analysis on which campaigns are most effective.

In summary, social networking sites permit businesses to access millions of potential customers at significantly lower cost and much more easily. Online marketing through social media is the new and more dynamic marketing venue. If you are not marketing on the internet, you are leaving vasts amount of money on the table. Get out of the “horse and buggy” days and make your marketing dollars more effective.


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Networking at Chamber of Commerce Events

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It is always a good idea to have a mixture of online and off line marketing strategies. Joining your local Chamber of Commerce can be invaluable for your business. The key is to not just JOIN – but to be INVOLVED. Attend the monthly networking luncheons, and have your “30 second commercial” ready to roll off your tongue during introductions. This means when they go around the table to do introductions, you know EXACTLY what you are going to say. It is no longer than 30 seconds, and it’s to the point. In 30 seconds, you should be able to say who you are, what company you are with, what that company does, and how you would like to help those who are at the event today.

Be direct and compelling, but leave a little on the table that will make someone want to seek you out afterwards. End with a comment similar to “If you’re looking to [insert your company benefit here], feel free to see me after the lunch for more information”.

MANY times Chambers of Commerce groups are looking for speakers. Step up to the plate!!! Offer to give a short talk on “How to Make Money Alongside Your Regular Job” or “How to [Increase Your Skin’s Appearance] or [Improve Your Legal Portfolio] or [whatever other benefit you have to offer]”. Think of anything that would appeal to business people.

*** Bonus – pay particular attention to any Women’s Groups offshoots of the Chamber (Women In Business, Women In Leadership, etc). They often have their own luncheons, and are also looking for speakers. It does not matter if you are a man or a woman – you can speak at these events!

After the lunch or main event, it’s time to do some additional networking. You cannot be a wallflower! With your business cards in hand, it’s time to walk up to people and introduce yourself. Here’s something that is VERY important to remember. People will remember you MORE if you ask questions about THEM. Plus you will be able to actually find more quality leads this way. Your conversations might go something like this:

1. Introduce yourself – hand them a business card.
2. Compliment them on some aspect – You enjoyed a comment they made, etc.
3. Ask a question – How long have they been with their company? What made them choose their industry?
4. Ask them if you can have one of their business cards.
5. Finish your conversation, and go on to meet someone else.
6. Make sure you make any notes of worth on their card.
7. Follow up with any leads that you may want to email or call that you were able to connect with.

Remember, a Chamber event is what YOU make of it. Most people who complain about Chamber events not being “worth it” are the ones who are sitting back waiting for people to  approach them!

Networking isn’t just about Chambers, there are other business groups, networking groups and/or speaking groups that you can join. Look in your local paper under the community calendar to find information on upcoming meetings. You can often go several times without having to join – and each one is an opportunity to get the word out about your product or services. Remember, people can’t use your product or services unless they know about you!!

 

Basics of Internet Marketing and Promotions

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internet marketingEvery time you look around someone is asking you to visit their website. Thousands of business and web enthusiasts are taking the plunge and joining the exciting world of internet marketing. It may seem overwhelming at first, but internet marketing and promotion can actually be classified into three simple categories: market research, search engines, and e-zine advertising. Those interested in the field of internet marketing should first become familiar with the very basics of what makes this fast growing business field tick.

Determining how much money to invest in your overall internet marketing campaign, and deciding which people and places to target your main product, are defined as market research. This research is the most basic aspect of your internet marketing focus. Investing the correct sum of money to the right groups is essential in market research, and internet marketing in general. Proper research is vital to the outcome of your entire business campaign. Become very familiar with Google keyword tools as this is an inexpensive means to collect data regarding internet searches for products and terms

Search engines have been a popular form of advertising, both past and present, in the internet marketing community. Search engines are divided into two sections: search engines and directories, and pay per click engines. While PPC(pay per click) was the most favored and effective form of internet marketing promotion, it is also the most expensive. Effective search engine marketing and placement can be quite time consuming as well, and it is best if submission is left to an experienced SEO(search engine optimization) professional.

Another extremely effective, yet inexpensive form of internet marketing promotion is e-zine advertising. Using the information collected from your market research, you should be well aware of the desires of your target audience. Research the types of online publications or newsletters that interest your internet marketing targets and purchase advertising from these sources. Ads generally are available in three basic types: solo ads, top-line ads, and classified ads. Solo ads are the best ads because they are sent to the entire publication list. These ads are also beneficial for internet marketing promotion because they contain only your ad. However, solo ads are the most expensive. While classified ads may be a low-cost alternative, they are less targeted and thus the results are not as good. These tiny ads are placed at the end of the newsletter, and are usually overlooked by the majority of readers.

These are just some basic points that will assist you with your online marketing and promotions. If the terms and concepts sound foreign you may want to purchase in-depth training courses or outsource your marketing efforts. The most important aspect on marketing and promoting online is consistency.  You have to get your product or service out on the world wide web and keep it in front of potential clients.

Business and marketing success

 

I appreciate your comments and feedback from this post. The value you found here should be shared on your favorite social networks!

 

 

How To Generate Leads Everywhere You Go

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When you are in Network Marketing, one very important aspect of your marketing campaign is to leave a footprint everywhere you go. No, I don’t mean a literal footprint! I mean that EVERYWHERE you go, the next person who comes behind you knows that you were there. How do you do this? Here are some ideas:

- Business cards – You should have a good stack of business card with you in your purse/wallet. When you pay for a check, leave your card behind. If you are in a bookstore, leave your card in a book you’ve been looking at. If you walk in to someplace and see business cards posted, put yours right along with them.

- Catalogs/brochures – Any time you are waiting in a service environment, you have time on your hands. So does everyone else. Leave something for them to read. If you are in a doctor’s office, tire shop, car wash, etc, leave behind a catalog or brochure for the next person behind you to read.

- Flyers – You need to have your eyes peeled for every opportunity. There are community boards that allow flyers to be posted for businesses. If you walk past one, you’d better be leaving your flyer for the next person who walks past the board to see (add some brochures or business cards in a backwards envelope for some takeways as a plus).

- Samples – If you belong to a company that has any kind of samples, package them in a clear plastic bag with a label that has your name and email/phone number. Any place you go, leave it with a receptionist or desk person as a thank you. You’ll score extra points and leave a footprint at the same time.

-$100 Drop cards-One of the most effective and nonchalant ways to get leads is using the drop card that looks like a folded hundred dollar bill. These marketing pieces will get your message in front of people by sheer intrigue. If you were to see $100 on the ground would you pick it up? That ‘s how this marketing method becomes so effective.  Click the $100 bill over to the right and visit one of my sponsors’ site and order yours today!

As you keep this footprint mindset, think of ways that you can leave behind SOME piece of your business EVERY time you leave the house. Make sure you have plenty of materials in your car and in your purse or briefcase. Soon, your footprint will be stamped firmly in your community.

 

Business and marketing success

Strategies for business and personal success