Commit to Growing in 2011: Creativity, Persistence, Passion and these Six Tips are sure to help your business blossom in 2011
As a working mother and business owner myself, I know time is precious. Every moment counts. That’s why I’ve made it even easier for the CEO, shoestring entrepreneur, marketing executive, local business owner or anyone else responsible for growing their business in 2011, to sort through the chatter of Internet Marketing ideas and zero in on the primary strategies you need to market your business online. I’ve compiled a list of six important action items you need to implement now to grow your business in the new year.
Please note the following is a quick action list. For a more in-depth look at any of these topics, you can pick up a copy of Low Budget Online Marketing for Small Business or Marketing in the New Media.
1. Do your Keyword Research
Whether your customers get their information from Twitter, Blogs, Google or anywhere else on the web, the right keywords play a critical function in ensuring your business is found at the right time. Understanding which keywords you should be using in your web page updates, product description, tweets, press releases and everything else you post online should be at the core of your Internet Marketing strategy. Take a few hours to find the best keywords for your products. Use a program like Market Samurai, WordTracker, or Google Keyword Tool to discover 2-3 word phrases that describe your product and offer high search volume with low competition. Then implement the top phrases throughout your posts, web page and any other spot online your company is mentioned.
2. Get a Blog
Now that you know what keywords you want to target, use a blog to help you drive more keyword related traffic back to your web site. Using free blogging tools such as WordPress.com or Blogger.com gives your voice further reach and exposure than an in-house or custom blog system. Be sure to use “tags” in your blog, as it will increase your chances of being found. (Find more information about how Blogs help drive traffic to your web site in Low Budget Online Marketing for Small Business, 3rd edition )
Learn more about any of these tips in Holly Berkley's Internet Marketing Books.
3. Sell Online
Whenever possible; make it easy for customers to book appointments and purchase your product online. Depending on your product, there are plenty of cost effective ways to sell online today that no longer require expensive custom shopping carts. Small businesses can use Google Checkout, Pay Pal, Yahoo Shopping and other resources to safely and easily accept credit card payments. Yoga studios, gyms and spas are using online tools like Mind Body to help them manage online appointments and post class schedules.
Low cost solutions like those provided by Mind Body Online, allow small businesses to easily book appointments and post class schedules.
4. Join the Conversation
With your keywords in mind, participate in social networks often. Free social monitoring tools like NetVibes.com allow you to instantly find out where the conversations online are happening that relate to your product or business. Join the conversation with meaningful advice and feedback to gain targeted, well-timed exposure for your business.
5. Solicit Reviews
Especially for local businesses, reviews on directories like Yelp, Kudzu and Google Places is crucial. Many times, these reviews will show up in the search engines before your actual business web site. Check your business listing on these directories often. Make sure your business information is up to date and encourage happy customers to post reviews. If you have a negative review, contact the poster immediately to see how you can make it right. If you’re lucky, they will modify their review or remove it completely.
6. Have a Professional Web site
No matter how customers find you online today, they will eventually end up at your web site before making their final decision. Chances are, they have already read your great reviews, were impressed by your blog posts, and followed your tweets. Now is your chance to close the deal and turn that lead into a customer. Professional looking web sites don’t have to cost a lot. Save money on custom design by using a template from Template Monster.com.
Share your thoughts!
What are you going to do to ensure your business grows in 2011? Do you have an online marketing tip you’d like to share? I’d like to hear about it.
Holly Berkley is the author of Low Budget Online Marketing for Small Business – the short, easy to read, actionable guide to marketing your business online. The book has been translated and re-released internationally. The fully updated, 3rd edition was released November 2011 and is the perfect read for the small business owner, shoestring entrepreneur, or marketing executive hoping to find cost effective ways to grow their business in 2011. Get your copy here.
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