You are here: Home / Archives for Clients

Why is Social Media an Important Marketing Tool?

March 15, 2012 By Leave a Comment

If your company hasn’t taken advantage of social media, you could be missing out on the opportunity to increase business results and profitability. Social networking sites such as Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Google+, and others are free to use. When they’re used properly, they can drive traffic to your website, convert visitors to customers, and increase your sales and revenue. Let’s find out why social media is important and how it can help grow your business.

 

Social Media is an Important Marketing Tool

 

Social Media Week 2012 SP

Social Media Week 2012 SP (Photo credit: Fora do Eixo)

Connect and effectively communicate with customers.

Your customers use social media. They’re on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Some of them can be found on StumleUpon and other social networking sites.

The bottom line is that your company wants to be where your customers are.

 

Here’s an Example:

Bank of America uses social media to communicate and assist their customers with any questions they may have.

Customers with a specific question can connect with Bank of America at @BofA_Help. This is a good way for Bank of America to track how many customers use this feature.

 

Your industry has a social media presence.

Google your industry and other businesses in your industry, chances are they have a social media presence. See what they’re doing and find out how you can set yourself a part from them. Don’t get left behind!

 

Social networking sites will continue to develop.

Let’s face it; other social networking sites will be created and the current ones will evolve over time. Choose the best ones that work for your company. The ‘big three’ are Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

 

Tip: Social networking sites will come and go. Pay attention to social networking trends and use social networking sites that have staying power.

 

FYI: The newest social networking site is Pinterest. However, make sure you READ ALL TERMS AND CONDITIONS because there’s been chatter about the legalities of using Pinterest.

 

Social Media: What Your Company Can Do Now

 

Get employees involved in social networking.

Employees may resist the idea of social networking and social media; however, it would be in there best interest to get behind your company’s online marketing strategy.

 

Mashable’s social media demographics INFOGRAPHIC clearly shows who’s using social networking sites and where they can be found. It’s no surprise that most people use Facebook.

 

Embrace social networking, it can be fun.

It’s amazing that your company can connect with customers on a national, international, or global scale. Have fun with social media — keep the tone light and conversational.

 

Display social media icons on your website.

Make sure icons are visible on your website. Don’t make visitors hunt for them. Place icons at the top and bottom of your website. If you have a blog, include a ‘share’ button on posts.

 

Be active.

Hire a social media manager and or ask a freelance writer to ‘tweet’ and post Facebook status updates (manage your social networking).

 

FYI: Most social media managers put 30+ hours into social media.

 

Automating social media sites could appear mechanical and cold. Break it up by having blog posts automatically post to Twitter and Facebook. But engage in ‘real’ conversations too.

 

How has social media increased your business results and profitability? Share.

 

Related articles
Filed Under: Clients, Freelance Writing, Overcoming Obstacles, Social Media, Tips and Tricks Tagged With: , , , ,

Social Media and SEO: Do Your Employees Struggle with Change?

March 7, 2012 By 2 Comments

Social media and SEO are strategies to increase business and profitability. What happens if your employees don’t embrace these latest technologies? Employees may believe social media and SEO is a waste of time compared to the ‘old’ ways of increasing business, profits, and customer satisfaction. How do you get them to support social media and SEO strategies? Find out below and get everyone in the company on board with these 21st century strategies.

Social Media and SEO: How to Get Employees to Support New Strategies
SAN FRANCISCO - NOVEMBER 15: Facebook founder...

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

Explain the benefits of social media and SEO. Employees may not understand the importance and benefits of being on social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Schedule a meeting and explain how implementing these latest strategies will benefit everyone in the long run.

  • A dialogue can be created between a company and its customers on Facebook. It’s a good way to address any concerns they may have. Plus, starting a conversation builds interest in your company.
  • LinkedIn is a fantastic way to connect with other professionals within your industry. Who knows, you may find opportunities to collaborate.
  • Twitter is a great way to share your blog posts, eBooks, articles, and other helpful content. You can also share videos too!

Social media and SEO are here to stay. Like it or not, these technologies aren’t going away anytime soon. It would behoove employees to embrace them; otherwise, they could be left behind.

Social networking increases business and profitability. The key to social networking is to establish and build relationships first. Employees can use this tool to find out the problems that ‘potential’ customers have and then offer assistance to solve them.

Tip #1: Develop and build relationships through social networking. Ask for business (or referrals) when you’re confident business relationships have been built on a solid foundation.

SEO helps a company’s ranking in search engines. Companies use SEO strategies to gain organic web traffic. If your company uses a SEO company, schedule a meeting with them and your employees. Once employees understand ‘why’ SEO is important, they’ll be able to embrace it.

Social media is great for introverts. If some of your employees are introverted, let them manage one of your social media accounts. There’s no face-to-face interaction on social media websites — it’s all internet based.

Tip #2: Introverted employees can overcome their ‘fear’ by getting used to communicating with clients, customers, vendors, etc. Before you know it, they’ll be preparing and giving presentations, attending trade shows, and setting up client meetings.

Social networking can be fun. The internet allows us to communicate with people all over the world. Who knows, your company could gain new business nationally and internationally through the use of social media.

Social media (social networking) and SEO are strategies that help companies increase their web traffic, business, and profitability.

Employees may be hesitant to embrace these technologies for many reasons such as fear of the unknown, fear of losing their jobs, fear they may not be able to ‘grasp’ the knowledge, etc. The obvious theme is fear.

Ease your employees’ fears by informing them that companies use social media and SEO in addition to other strategies/tools such as offline and online marketing, branding, positioning, etc. to increase business activities. Everyone will benefit when the latest tools are implemented.

Are your employees struggling with SEO and social media? Share.

Subscribe in a reader

Related articles to Social Media and SEO
Filed Under: Clients, Freelance Writing, Overcoming Obstacles, Search Engine Marketing, Search Engine Optimization, Social Media, Tips and Tricks Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Content: Write for the Web in 7 Easy Steps

March 6, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Writing content (seo) for the web is different than writing for print publications such as magazines and newspapers. Remember, readers use different types of devices such as laptops, iPads (and others), cell phones, etc. to read information online. Even the internet browser makes a difference. Information may appear differently when viewed in Google Chrome vs. Internet Explorer. The biggest obstacle is that readers could become impatient if they have they have to take a lot of time to read a blog post or article. They prefer information that’s quick to read.

Follow the 7 easy steps below to improve your web content writing. Your customers and readers will appreciate it.

Writing Web Content That Works in 7 Easy Steps
Content-Content Interaction (Formal)

Content-Content Interaction (Formal) (Photo credit: jrhode)

Know your target market. Before you write content for the web, know your target market. If you don’t know ‘who’ the target market is, the content will be irrelevant.

Write catchy headlines and taglines. There’s a reason why tabloids, entertainment magazines, women’s magazines, men’s magazines, etc. sell. The catchy headlines and taglines ‘hook’ readers over and over again.

Writing headlines and taglines can take anywhere from 30 minutes to one hour. Yes, it can take that long to write an award-winning headline for an award-winning article.

Get to the point. When writing for the web, it’s important that content gets to the point. Don’t use industry jargon, unless of course, your target market is professionals who’ll understand what the content. Use simple language that can be read quickly.

Link to helpful internal and external links. Make sure to link to internal pages and posts within your website in addition to external links that will be helpful to readers. Look for web content that is clear, concise, and precise. Make sure it’s targeted to your market.

Use the ‘right’ keywords and phrases. Web content writing includes incorporating the ‘right’ keywords and phrases for your company. Don’t stuff content with keywords because Google and other search engines will penalize you.

When using keywords and phrases within web content, make sure it flows and doesn’t sound forced. Sometimes, it takes experience when it comes to web content writing. Your company can always hire a freelance writer to handle all of your web content writing.

Write short paragraphs and use bullet points. Web content (seo) needs to be easy to read; otherwise, you may lose readers along the way. Use bold headlines and bullet points to get your point across.

Recap

  • Know your target market.
  • Create catchy headlines and taglines that will hook readers.
  • Use the right keywords/phrase (seo) for your web content.
  • Web content writing (seo) may take more time if you’re not experienced writing for the web.
  • Write short paragraphs. Use bullet points.
  • Link to helpful internal and external links.
  • Get to the point.

Subscribe to Amandah Tayler Blackwell Savvy-Writer by Email

Related articles
Filed Under: Clients, Freelance Writers, Freelance Writing, Overcoming Obstacles, Search Engine Marketing, Search Engine Optimization, Tips and Tricks Tagged With: , , , , , ,

SEO Company Isn’t Performing – It May Be Time to Fire Them

March 1, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Do you need to fire your SEO company? If you’re not getting the SEO results or customer service support you deserve, it may be time to fire your SEO company. Here’s how to know when it’s time to say goodbye:

  • You never receive timely responses to your emails.
  • It’s always another person’s job within the company to handle whatever it is you inquire about, i.e., keyword analysis, web design, SEO, etc.
  • They always have an excuse as to ‘why’ something wasn’t done. For example, “The web design wasn’t completed because so and so is still out of the office.” Most SEO companies have more than one web designer.
  • They outsource SEO services to contractors in other countries which creates a communication barrier.
  • They thought you were doing the SEO work they were supposed to have done.
  • Contracted employees aren’t familiar with your website.
  • You’re not seeing the results promised to you when you signed the contract for SEO services.

If you’ve identified with more than two of the above criteria, it may be time to find another SEO company.

How to Fire Your SEO Company in 3 Easy Steps

English: seo block

Image via Wikipedia

Be professional. There’s no need for petty name calling or pointing the fingers. All you have to say is, “It’s time for us to find another SEO company that fits our needs better. Thank you for your service.” Don’t go into details if your SEO firm doesn’t ask for them. End the relationship and find another company.

Stick to the facts. As Sergeant Joe Friday from Dragnet would say, “All we want are the facts, ma’am?”

Contrary to Point #1, your SEO firm may ask, “Why are you unhappy with our SEO services? Stick to the facts. If keyword analysis was supposed to be completed each month but isn’t, mention it. If the web design wasn’t completed on time, mention it. If you’re tired of playing ‘email tag’ with their contracted employees, mention it.

Customer service

Do you have to babysit your SEO company? If you constantly need to ‘check up’ on your SEO company, it may be time to part ways. While you should know what your SEO firm’s doing for your company, you shouldn’t have to babysit them. You shouldn’t have to send them email after email asking the same question over and over again such as, “Is the keyword analysis completed? Is the web design completed? If they can’t give you an estimated completion time, it’s time to find a new SEO company.

You decide it’s best to hire a local SEO firm. Perhaps, your SEO company is located in another state. Sometimes, it’s better to hire a local SEO firm because they’ll be able to visit your offices should you need training or want to have a meeting to discuss your SEO. There’s nothing wrong with hiring a local company. It’s a good way to grow your area’s economy.

Fact: If you’re a part of a trade association/group or barter group, understand that your company may not be a ‘top’ priority.

Firing your SEO firm may not be easy, but it could be in your company’s best interest to do so. Before you hire another SEO company, ask questions such as:

  • How long does web design (redesign) take?
  • What programs do you use for keyword analysis?
  • How will you help us determine the ‘right’ keywords for our company?
  • Do you outsource SEO services to contractors located in other states and or country? If yes, where are your contractors located?
  • How long does SEO take to implement?
  • What are the benefits of your SEO services vs. your competitors?
  • What am I responsible for?

Make sure you understand exactly what the company’s SEO services are before signing a contract. Your company’s SEO is important to the growth of your business and online presence. Find a SEO company that will work for you and with you to increase your organic web traffic. With the proper SEO strategy, your company’s web traffic and profitability will increase.

Subscribe to Amandah Tayler Blackwell Savvy-Writer by Email

Related articles
Filed Under: Clients, Freelance Writers, Freelance Writing, Overcoming Obstacles, Search Engine Optimization, Tips and Tricks Tagged With: , ,

Skype Can Save Your Company Time and Money

February 29, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Don’t you hate it when you’ve scheduled a company meeting, only to cancel it due to horrible weather conditions? How many times are you going to reschedule because of a snow storm? Use Skype to solve this problem, and you won’t have to cancel next week’s meeting because of extreme weather.

Why Skype is an Effective Technology for Your Company
Skype Technologies S.A. logo

Image via Wikipedia

Choose a plan that works for your company. Select one of the business plans best suited for your type of business. Choose small business, medium business, and enterprise. There’s even a Home Office plan.

Reduce technology and travel expenses. Use Skype to reduce your company’s technology and travel expenses. If you have employees around the world, it can become expensive to fly everyone to your corporate location for meetings. Instead, download Skype to bring everyone together.

Tip #1: Use Skype and your company should notice cost reductions.

Tip #2: Employees would be grateful if they could work-at-home. Have them download Skype and voilà! They’ll be happy and help preserve the earth at the same time.

Improve employee communication. Your employees can work together and collaborate on projects when you download Skype. Have them use the chat room to keep in touch with colleagues. Productivity will increase since employees will be able to work together, no matter where they are in the world.

Tip #3: Have employees hold a group chat once a month to promote goodwill and harmony within the company.

Build customer and supplier relationships. Wouldn’t it be nice to communicate with customers and suppliers around the world? When you download Skype, you’ll be instantaneously connected with them. It’s also a good way to build and strengthen these important relationships.

FYI: Click here to view and use Skype cases studies. Learn how other companies are improving their communication, profitability, and productivity.

Conduct video job interviews. A video interview reduces the stress of job interviews for both parties. Candidates won’t have to sit in traffic and worry they’ll be late. Plus, they’ll reduce frequent flier miles. Interviewers won’t have to worry about straightening up their office.

Hint #1: Both parties will have to maintain eye contact — some people struggle with this.

Hint #2: If potential candidates understood how to download Skype, they’ll probably be familiar with how to use it. This saves time on training.

It’s good for the environment. Employees and suppliers won’t have to drive to the office for meetings. Job candidates can interview from the comfort of their homes. The reduction of emissions into the air will help preserve the environment.

Tip #4. You’ll be able to show stakeholders how ‘environmentally friendly’ your company is thanks to Skype. Everyone who reduces their drive time reduces pollution in the air.

Recap of Benefits of Skype
  • Cost effective plans for your home, small, medium, or enterprise business.
  • Group chat.
  • Save money on technology and travel expenses.
  • Good for the environment.
  • Easily conduct job interviews and presentations.
  • Build and strengthen customer, employee, and supplier relationships
  • Easy to use.

Skype is convenient and easy to use. Your company can hold business meetings, conduct interviews and presentations, and chat with customers and suppliers. Most importantly, you’ll save money which can be used to grow your business — increase charitable donations too. Giving back to your community promotes goodwill.

Related articles
Filed Under: Clients, Networking, Overcoming Obstacles, Tips and Tricks Tagged With: , ,
« Previous Page
Next Page »