No matter what your business, having a website is key to growing it. But to get your online marketing rolling, you have to start driving traffic to the site. Here are some things you can do to expand your online exposure.
First, for a little motivation, Google yourself. Put your name inside quotation marks in the Search box and see what comes up. If there's not much there, here's how to boost those results.
Start a Blog. This is just your own take on the things you know about that relate to your services and, most importantly, to the needs of the people you want to reach. There are many free blog platforms you can go with: ActiveRain, Google Blogger, RealTown, Wordpress.com.
• Focus blog content on things that will interest your audience
• Include keywords that relate to your business and where it operates
• Include in each post a photo and links to other resources
• Use widgets and key plug-ins for social networks, email sign up and links
Get a Second Blog Platform. This is for sharing news and events posted elsewhere. You can comment on these things in your blog, but you can't simply cut and paste info from other online sources – it violates copyright law. Check out amplify.com and posterous.com, for a start.
Engage Google. Here are a few things to do:
• Make your Google Profile complete, with links to your sites, blogs and social media profiles
• Use Google Reader to keep up with your industry and do ongoing research
• For timely info and news, set up Google Alerts on yourself, your company, your competition
• Check if the Google Merchant Center might be a good place to promote your business
Fine-Tune Your Facebook. Make sure your profile has a photo and keywords that relate to you and your business. Brand your page with your name like this: facebook.com/johndoebusinessexpert. Brand your business page like your website or blog (there's a fee). Look into Marketplace for promoting what you have to offer. Use RSS to get blog posts to your business page. Tab your other social media, videos, business page.
Leverage LinkedIn. Complete your profile. Get involved in Questions and Answers. RSS your blog to the site. Post books you like. Get yourself a dozen professional recommendations. Add a resume with career accomplishments.
Don't Forget YouTube. Set up a YouTube channel and profile for your business, then post videos on items of interest to your audience. Incorporate visual elements and stay under two minutes. Upload the videos to your blog and share on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.
Tweak Twitter. Your 140-character profile needs dead-on focus and a link to your blog or site. Use a photo or avatar. And don't sell – just give links to more information.
All this does take time to set up at the beginning and then work every day. But expand your online presence, and you may very well expand your overall business.
10 reasons to buy
People who are thinking about buying in today's market should check out this piece from the Wall Street Journal.
Have a great month!
----------------------
© 2010 PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company. Trade/service marks are the property of PlainsCapital Corporation, PlainsCapital Bank, or their respective affiliates and/or subsidiaries. Some products may not be available in all states. This is not a commitment to lend. Restrictions apply. All rights reserved. PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company (NMLS no: 13649) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of a state-chartered bank and is an exempt lender in the following states: AK, AR, CO, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IA, KS, KY, LA, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WV, WI, WY. Licensed by: AL State Banking Dept.- consumer credit lic no. MC21004; AZ Dept. of Financial Institutions- mortgage banker lic no. BK 0907334; Licensed by the Department of Corporations under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act- lender lic no. 4130996; CT Dept. of Banking- lender lic no. ML-13649; D.C. Dept. of Insurance, Securities and Banking- dual authority lic no. MLO13649; IL Dept. of Financial and Professional Regulation- lender lic no. MB.6760635; IN Dept. of Financial Institutions- sub lien lender lic no. 11169; ME Dept. of Professional & Financial Regulation- supervised lender lic no. SLM8285; MD Dept. of Labor, Licensing & Regulation- lender lic no. 11058; Massachusetts Division of Banking– lender & broker license nos. MC5404, MC5406, MC5414, MC5450, MC5405; MI Dept. of Labor & Economic Growth- broker/lender lic nos. FR 0010163 and SR 0012527; Licensed by the New Hampshire Banking Department- lender lic no. 14553-MB; NJ Dept. of Banking and Insurance-lender lic no. 0803658; NM Regulation and Licensing Dept. Financial Institutions Division- lender license no. 01890; ND Dept. of Financial Institutions- money broker lic no. MB101786; RI Division of Banking- lender lic no. 20102678LL and broker lic no. 20102677LB; TX OCCC Reg. Loan License- lic no. 7293; VT Dept. of Banking, Insurance, Securities and Health Care Administration- lender lic no. 6127 and broker lic no. 0964MB; WA Dept. of Financial Institutions-consumer lender lic no. 520-CL-49075. PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company is an Equal Housing Opportunity Lender.
