Blog

What is Online Marketing?

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 19:43:00 GMT

What is online marketing? It is a promotional activity on the internet through various platforms and strategies such as a business website, directory listings, social media, search engine marketing and mobile marketing.

You may not be familiar with some of these terms however the use of these platforms and strategies and recent developments on the web have paved the for any small business owner to participate in these activities with the possibility of good results; generating leads and building their customer base.

Online Marketing was initially introduced in the early 1990s. This was basically displayed on the web as text-based websites, similar to a brochure that included information of the product or service and an invitation to purchase; no interactivity at all.

In a few years time, during the mid-1990s, the internet connections of the ISPs (internet service providers) improved and became faster. This opened a new avenue for the availability of images and videos to web content. Then along came software such as auto-responders and the advent of email marketing platforms.

There are many online marketing activities that your business can engage in but all must be based on a strong, accurate, consistent online profile including:

Google Places listing
Quality and relevant directory listings
Quality, well designed website
Link building
Search Engine Marketing
Blogging
Email Marketing
Social Media – Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin
Video Marketing

The important ‘take away’ from this article however is that all online marketing activities must be based on well defined marketing objectives and an online marketing strategy with well defined goals and objectives.

Rhiannon Rees - Timing and Success

Mon, 09 May 2011 11:34:00 GMT

I am a great believer in timing. Things happen in their correct timing. And not to get too esoteric but it seems we are never given anything we can’t handle. I have come into contact with a woman who has had quite a bit to handle in her life and has faced many challenges and come through it all and built a very happy and successful life for herself and her son.

I know when I decided to start my business it took incredible drive to keep going wondering when it was going to click. I stuck at it mainly because I had a mentor who encourages me to keep going day after day; telling me that it would happen. It did happen but not in the quite spectacular way that it has for Rhiannon Rees.

When I started talking with Rhiannon and became aware of her story and the incredible events that had led to her successful career as a business coach and author I knew that none of us can be stopped if we set our mind on our success.

Rhiannon is an award winning Action Coach, a Homeopath, an Intuitive, Speaker and Author. Yet less than 3 years ago she and her four year old son were living in a tent.

Rhiannon has written a book called “How to Climb Mount Everest in Sandals – The Courage to Live an Ordinary Life.” This book will inspire the most jaded and give you the lift you need to know that the problems that you have in your life that you believe are insurmountable are actually an opportunity to ‘change your mind’ and change your life for the better.

As for timing, it seems that the wisdom that Rhiannon has to share is just what I need right now in my life and I thank Rhiannon for her wonderful insights and wisdom.

Rhiannon currently has a Book Giveaway offer which can be viewed on her blog at Love Living the Dream website.

The Challenges of Working from Home as a Sole Trader

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 23:43:00 GMT

Working at home as a sole trader may seem like a dream come true, as you get out of bed, make yourself a coffee and sit at the computer with your pet dog curled up at your feet. No time or money spent on commuting to work and no one to answer to but yourself and your customers. However, there are some aspects to working alone that can be challenging.

Loneliness can be a major issue, as you find the camaraderie you shared with co-workers is missing. Major decisions become more difficult to make without feedback from colleagues, and you find yourself searching for someone to talk to. A solution for this can be to join a business networking group. Members are often in a similar situation and can provide the support and advice you need. Either online or offline groups exist in many areas. Join one and surround yourself with a group of like-minded people.

Another challenge of working at home can be the difficulty in separating work from home life. When you stay at home to work, distractions are at a maximum. If you want to have a successful business, you can't allow personal phone calls or housework to constantly distract you from your work.

It is important to separate your work from your personal time and space, possibly by scheduling your work hours so that family and friends don't interrupt, and creating a workspace apart from your living area, i.e. an office room. By sticking with your work hours, you will also avoid the trap of overworking and maintain a good work/life balance. Only you know how to find that tricky balance, and now you are your own boss, you can!

Several websites that offer some great advice on how to avoid the pitfalls of working alone are:

Australia’s solo and micro business community

D and B company All Business

List Your Business: A Step Ahead for Positive Gain

Tue, 05 Apr 2011 06:38:00 GMT

Is there value to list your business in several online directories? Yes, there is! The majority of those who use the Internet utilize the search engines to obtain information regarding their lines of interests. This also holds true when the internet user is a business-minded person who will definitely browse through online business directories.

List Your Business for a Positive Result

Online directory listings are part of the foundation of your online profile for your business and are a basic necessity along with listings such as Google Maps. If this is undertaken properly and carefully planned, it can be very inexpensive.

This may seem very basic, yet it is a way of advertising your products or services and increasing your chances or being found online. This enables you, as the business owner, to achieve positive results.

The Likelihood of Generating Good Traffic

This course of action increases the likelihood of Internet users finding your business listing and visiting your website. If your website is designed well and user friendly then there is the distinct possibility of that website visitor taking the action on your website that you intend.

Further information.

Online Action also provides support to local businesses who require assistance with their Google Maps listing and online directory listings.

Cyclone Yasi - Mission Beach - Queensland

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 11:31:00 GMT

On February 2nd my town, Mission Beach, was hit by one of the largest cyclones in Queensland’s history – Cyclone Yasi. It was one of the most terrifying experiences of my life and one I hope never to repeat in my lifetime. I was lucky as my house held up and my home office fared well. Others were not so lucky. I know at least 10 people personally who have lost their homes.

The first light of day was a shock with our beautiful rainforest view now a mountain view with a match stick forest stretching into the distance. I was not living here for Cyclone Larry which hit Mission Beach quite hard five years ago so this was my first experience of the aftermath of a disaster such as this.

My partner was able to walk me through the process of what would happen each day which was a comfort of sorts; it made each day more predictable.

No power, no internet and no communications are certainly a challenge and make running an internet based business impossible. My partner, in the same boat with his business, made trips up to Cairns, our closest city, to catch up and work when we could.

Power has been restored 2 ½ weeks later and now we are back in business. Disaster planning is high on my list of tasks to fulfill now – there were many holes in the one I had that became evident during this experience.

My one word theme for this year was – “Simplify”. A natural disaster has a way of putting things into perspective and I feel that my year is just re-beginning with a fresher, simpler view on my life and my business.

“There's no disaster that can't become a blessing, and no blessing that can't become a disaster” ~ Richard Bach

Add your Business to Google Maps

Wed, 26 Jan 2011 09:25:00 GMT

Google offers fantastic free tools to promote your business. At Google Places your business can be listed on Google Maps. If you are a business owner or a local business then you need a Google Maps listing in fact you may already have one that is inaccurate and as yet unclaimed.

Millions of people search Google Maps every day looking for the location of a business, contact information and directions. A listing on Google Maps can potentially bring many new clients and customers to your door. Listings are free. Google lists businesses using sites such as Yellow Pages. These listings remain unclaimed until the business owner verifies the ownership of the business and takes control of the listing.

It is important at the very least to claim your listing. You need to be in control of your business information to ensure it accuracy and to represent your business in the way that you choose.

If you already have a Google account go to Google Places and go through the process of claiming your listing. If you do not have a Google account then go to Google Places and sign up for a new account.

You can list information such as your business address, hours of operation, contact information, photos and video. Your listing provides a detailed map of your location and easy to follow directions.

If you have a quality Google Maps listing then you may appear before businesses with a website competing for number 1 in organic results. You don’t need a website to be listed. You can potentially receive high search engine visibility for local oriented keywords and phrases.

A Google maps listing is fantastic for your business when your business:

Relies on walk in traffic
Is a local business needing more clients/customers
Does not yet have a website
Website is new and not ranking

An optimized listing has:

Complete accurate information
Keywords related to product, business & service
Use keywords relating to location
Photos, video and any relevant information
Use of coupon function
Happy customers reviews

Here are a couple of great resources:

Stacy Williams – Promote your Business Locally

Mike Blumenthal - Understanding Google Maps & Local Search – Developing Knowledge about Local Search

Online Action also provides support to local businesses who require assistance with their Google Maps listing and online directory listings.

Blogging Tips for Small Business

Wed, 12 Jan 2011 03:40:00 GMT

Blogging for business; we all know we should be doing it. Web 2.0 has drastically changed the way everyone uses the Web with dynamic shareable content, social networking, video sharing and blogging.

Web 2.0 is now mainstream and if you are not ON it you may want to consider it. With my own clients it has taken a while to get across the difference between a website and a blog; then the concept of how a blog can support their online marketing.

A blog is essentially a 2-300 word article anywhere from weekly to daily and preferably no less than that. Time is always a factor particularly for business owners who are flat just running their day to day business. Their online business can be too unreal for them to even think about it on a daily basis.

Blogging is part of a social media strategy for your business. Blogs are dynamic and the search engines love them. However the goal is to serve your audience. It is all about communication. In my experience if you always start from that premise all other goals will be met. A blog gives you the opportunity to interact with people and learn and share with them.

Blogging can be remarkably simple to set up and run. This is the first thing I like to get across to my clients – anything that appears hard or involves more work they will not jump on board!

So how to make it appear easy –

Write about what you are passionate and knowledgeable about
Be original
Keep it casual, fresh and fun

Other elements that are important to learn along the way are:

Plan your content/know your audience
How to market your blog
Blogging SEO

Information to assist you to get started:

Blogging for Beginners

Better Business Blogging 2011

10 Simple Strategies for Business Blogging Content

Client Trust - Build it and they will come

Tue, 21 Dec 2010 01:50:00 GMT

When I first started my work as an online marketing consultant I would speak to clients about online marketing and they would glaze over within less than a minute. My target market is business owners who know very little about online marketing. My passion is to empower business owners to understand and embrace the power of online marketing for their business.

How did I overcome the fact that most of my clients did not understand much of what I was saying to them? I built trust. I built this trust through several years of networking and built my reputation through quality work for current clients. Once a client trusts you they will give you the reins to do what needs to be done.

Clients will now say to me when I give them a rundown: “Sue, I don’t want to know about it, just do your thing?” People do not say this to you unless they trust you.

Trust in business is a valuable thing and should be treated with respect. When someone trusts you they will happily refer you to all their friends and family. They will make you a part of their business.

Here are my top tips for creating and preserving your clients trust:

Know what you are talking about and admit it when you don’t
Refer the client to others if the work is outside your brief
Stick to your agreements – deliver what you agreed on when you agreed on it
Ensure your client understands the overview of what you are doing and what this will achieve (plan and strategy)
Know your client’s expectations and make sure they are realistic and that they understand their role
Always speak to your client in a language that they understand – know your client
Communicate issues as they arise – good or bad

I value the trust that my clients give me. It is a gift and the life blood of my business. Enjoy the holidays people – that’s what they are for!