OK, this is a check list that every small business should consider. You may already be doing all of these things, if so give yourself an A+ and the drinks are on you. If you do 4 out 5, you’re a B; 3 out of 5, a C, and less, well, let’s not go there. And if you do none of these and still run a successful biz, congrats, how do you do it?

1. Make a yearly marketing plan. Basically write down all of the things you are going to do to promote your business AND schedule them. Ad campaigns are more effective when they appear consistently; social media engagement suffers if you take weeks off from it; blogging twice or more a week reaps huge long term “Thought Leader” benefits. Don’t wait until a slow period to do promotion; keep it ongoing, fresh and “attractive” (meaning it actually gets you new customers or at least response).

2. Ask your customers questions about your business, their likes and dislikes, what you could do better, what they’d like you to do, etc. Ask other business owners and professionals what they think about your new marketing plans; or product additions; or general advice. I’m always amazed and impressed by how much information people will share if you just ask and act interested. And most importantly: listen more than you talk, follow up answers with more questions, and show gratitude.

3. Delegate to professionals that which professionals do best. I have a client who insists that she can run her business, and learn everything about social media marketing, and do promotional planning, do her own PR and learn to tweak her own website. She is constantly creating and stressfully putting out one fire after another. Why do you have to be an expert in all things? Concentrate on your core business; learn a little about promotion, but let a dedicated pro do the heavy lefting. You’ll sleep better.

4. Create a system for following up with new leads, customer problems and the like. Develop scripts and procedures; allocate specific time each day or week for someone to reach out and engage.

5. Reevaluate on a set time line. Is your marketing plan working? Check analytics from your website; measure response rates form an email campaign; examine your “followers” and friends on social media and decide if you need to do better. Tweak anything that isn’t performing well or drop it. Try some “A-B” testing to see if your landing pages could work better. The key is doing all of this regularly, on a schedule.

6. Investigate buying from deal sites, especially the new ones focused on B2B sales. A penny saved is a penny earned, and these sites can help you try out new products and services, usually for half of  the normal price.

There are tons of other things all businesses can do to increase profitability, engagement, customer satisfaction and healthy expansion. All you A+’ers out there, take a bow.

What other ideas do you use or suggest?

Generating leads is what marketing is all about.

So what do you do with the other 50%? Hope for the best? Cast a magic spell?

Professionals go into “lead management” mode and you can do the same thing while building your leadership authority, improving SEO, creating loyal fans and buyers, and learning what your prospective clients want.

Attracting new leads can come through an email campaign or social interaction (real and online) or any advertising. Once you’ve got new leads you need to determine 3 things:

1. Evaluate your leads to determine which are ready to buy, likely to buy and likely to never buy. Buyers will be obvious, likely buyers are ones who ask a question or stay on your site for extended periods of time and click around (your site analytics are crucial here -Google Analytics, for example). And unlikely buyers don’t stay long on your site.

2. Determine where the leads came from and how to engage them. If they came from a social site you’re invovled with; note that. You should have a way of collecting email addresses on your landing page, and the best way to do that is by offering something valuable in return; such as an advice pdf, or a discount, etc. Add these new leads to an excel sheet with date of contact and site behavior from your analytics, and how to engage with them: social site, email, phone, etc.

3. Engage, advise, coddle, compliment and befriend. OK, really it’s a matter of giving good advise and adding value regarding your prospective client’s needs.

Building relationships with your leads can be the most important step you take in converting them to buyers and most importantly repeat buyers and brand evangelists. These last three tips go into further details in case you’re not convinced building relationships is worth the effort.

4. Building relationships works. Since the start of the 2008 recession, more small business owners and purchasing agents have used the Internet to search for deals and information before making purchases. Consumers already make many of their buying decisions after hearing a recommendation online or using a search engine. This is an opportunity you can’t ignore. Find people looking for your offering and let them know you’re trustworthy, thoughtful and an expert in your field; it makes all the difference.

5. Join groups on social networks and ask questions, offer advise and make comments. Start a blog or add to your blog regularly; stick to your area of expertise. Become a “thought leader” and refer to your postings when contacting leads.

6. Gather as much info as you can from each lead in a way that seems friendly, natural and not self-serving. Ask open ended questions like, “What is your biggest concern when purchasing XYZ?, “How do you make decisions about a new vendor?” or, “Why do you think the economy seems to be creating a ‘deal madness’ mentality?”

7. Bonus Tip: Don’t over sell! Always talking about you, your offering, or being pushy doesn’t work. Stop it. Offer advice, highlight differences between you and your competitors, but only in context.

Lead management is not easy for some, but if you think about what impresses you; what influences your buying, and put yourself in someone elses shoes, you’ll soon be charming leads into buying in no time.

What other ideas or techniques do you use to nurture leads?

Debunking Myth by R. Hess

Author Michael Stelzner, has put together an interesting report based on a survey of 900 marketers. The report looks at the state of social media marketing. The link at the bottom of this post takes you to the source which includes a video by Stelzner about  his in-depth report, “Social Media Marketing Industry Report”

Interesting stats from the report:

• 88% indicated they were employing social media for marketing purposes
• 72% have only been using social media marketing for a few months
• 64% of marketers are using social media for 5 hours or more each week
• 39% are using it for 10 hours a week
• 81% say the number-one benefit is generating exposure, followed by increasing traffic and building new business relationships
• Over half saw a rise in search engine rankings.
• Out of social media tools marketers most wanted to learn about, social bookmarking sites ranked highest followed by Twitter.

Marketers and business owners still have a lot of questions about social media marketing. The report looks at the top ten questions they have:

You can see Stelzner’s full report as well as a video narrated by Stelzner himself here.

http://www.whitepapersource.com/socialmediamarketing/report/

You see, many internet marketers were writing 150-200 word articles that gave no informational value whatsoever, just to get the link. They were after the SEO benefit and not taking full advantage of what article marketing has to offer. But now, because of the new Google algorithm change sites like EzineArticles.com lost a lot of its visibility on Google and it has many internet marketers up in arms.

Now, unlike many internet marketers, I think the change is a GOOD thing — and here’s why…

4 Reasons Why I Think the New Google Algorithm Change is a Good Thing

1. It forces article directory sites like EzineArticles.com to enforce stricter editorial guidelines. Google wants quality! Your readers want quality! I can almost guarantee this is why EzineArticles.com now requires you to write articles at least 450 words. And, it’s why they are going to review your articles even more thoroughly for spelling, grammar and formatting errors. They are  increasing their quality control – and that’s usually a good thing.

2. It forces you the article marketer to go beyond the article directories – and target the best websites, ezines and blogs. Now, as the Google algorithm change focuses on article directories (and I’m sure this is only the beginning!) you cannot solely focus on SEO. You need to start putting your content on targeted websites, ezines, blogs and forums that your audience is going to every day.  This way, you go directly to your audience instead of you hoping they find you on the search engines. Plus, these sites will give you the credibility and expert status you need to build your business. To find out the correct way to submit your articles so you can get published on more websites (and not just the article directories) go to:

http://www.articlesubmissionsecretsrevealed.com/special

3. It forces you to use other mediums to get your content out in front of your prospects’ faces. If you didn’t have a reason to start engaging in social media before – now you do.  Besides trying to get rid of the “junk”, Google is changing its algorithms based on the way people search. Now, your prospects are gaining the information they need from social media sites like LinkedIn. If you want to be found and if you want to be heard, then you need to engage in social media.

4. It forces you to start creating articles that give prospects the perception that you are the thought leader. You think sites like Entrepreneur.com and WomenEntrepreneur.com (which my article submission clients have been published in!) want to publish regurgitated content that is already all over the Web? No way! So, if you are going to go beyond the article directories and get your articles published on top websites, then you need to up your game. You need to start offering information that is usually held back – and you need to “wow” publishers and readers with the information you are revealing.

How to Embrace the New and Upcoming Google Algorithm Changes..

Understand that article marketing is not what it used to be. No longer can you submit an article to thousands of article directories and expect the traffic to come pouring in! Whether you’re just starting out in article marketing, or you already run an article marketing campaign, you have to learn how it should be done in today’s world if you want it to succeed.

If you need help, remember that my online article submission secrets course, will take you by the hand and literally walk you through setting up and executing your new article submission campaign from the very start.

Here’s to submitting articles the right way – that won’t have you affected by the recent Google algorithm change and any upcoming changes.

About the Author:

Article marketing expert Eric Gruber creates online marketplace opportunities for authors, internet marketers and small business owners who want more website traffic, publicity and prospects. If you’re looking to build your business with article writing and article submission, check out Eric’s free ebook: How to Build Your Business Just with Articles at: http://www.FreeArticleMarketingBook.com

Full Voice Media is proud to announce that we have committed to donate half of all profits from Search Engine Optimization services for the next 3 months (4/1/11 – 7/1/11). This applies to all new customers.

Money will be donated to The American Red Cross for the Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami fund. Proof of donations will be provided upon request.

Make your business more noticeable on search engines while helping ease Japan’s pain. Email me at alec@fullvoicemedia.com if you are interested.

Share of Social Sharing on the Web

Facebook is not a trend; not for casual users and not for marketing. It’s a fact. The post below comes from our friends at Social Media Examiner and is more proof that we all have to respect and utilize Facebook in our promotion efforts.

5 Studies Show Facebook #1 in Social Media

By Amy Porterfield

Published March 15, 2010

When you hear that Facebook is yanking Yahoo from its ranks and inching up on Google’s traffic throne, you can’t help but pay attention.

And if you work for a business or own one, it’s likely that social media marketing is on your radar.  More and more marketing dollars are beginning to shift toward social media marketing and this trend only continues to climb.

Here are 5 studies that show how Facebook is undoubtedly a leading online social contender…

http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/5-new-studies-show-facebook-a-marketing-powerhouse/

Source: Business Advice Daily

Myth by R. Hess

Author Michael Stelzner, has put together an interesting report based on a survey of 900 marketers. The report looks at the state of social media marketing. The link at the bottom of this post takes you to the source which includes a video by Stelzner about  his in-depth report, “Social Media Marketing Industry Report”

Interesting stats from the report include:

• 88% indicated they were employing social media for marketing purposes
• 72% have only been using social media marketing for a few months
• 64% of marketers are using social media for 5 hours or more each week
• 39% are using it for 10 hours a week
• 81% say the number-one benefit is generating exposure, followed by increasing traffic and building new business relationships
• Over half saw a rise in search engine rankings.
• Out of social media tools marketers most wanted to learn about, social bookmarking sites ranked highest followed by Twitter.

Read the whole article at: Social Media Examiner

The website should be the hub of your business and the social media pages should integrate and compliment the website.  I use the analogy of the tradeshow booth.  The social media profile is the tradeshow booth at other locations on the internet, while your website is the brick & mortar store.  Attending the booth and talking to your customers is important but you don’t necessarily want to spend all your time there.  You want to be at your store and make sure the cash register rings.

Last evening I was driving through my township and noticed one of the billboards for a new condominium. The sign read, “follow us on Twitter @newnjhousing.” There was a website listed, in very small print.

Social media is a very important method of marketing, sales and branding for many businesses. It does work, and is a communications medium that should not be ignored. However, many businesses are caught up in the euphoria of social media and neglecting two of the most important marketing vehicles of their business: their website and email marketing.

Sure, during the Super Bowl Honda gave it’s Facebook page instead of a traditional website. Yes, we hear many anecdotal stories of businesses using Twitter to drive sales and boost communication for their company’s products or services.

However, for most growing businesses who have a limited budget, focusing on a well designed website and email marketing are the essential elements they should focus on, before diving too deep into social media.

Why?

1. Search engines, which are still the most popular way by far to find information online, use website and blog traffic to determine your ranking.

2. Email, for many, is still the most popular and easiest method of communication (hence the power of email marketing).

3. Your well designed website can serve as a foundation for your social media and any other online marketing.

4. Websites provide the broadest and most flexible opportunity for serving the variety of needs to your customers (hosting video, offering free downloads, forms for receiving customer information, etc).

5. Email marketing enables you to see critical statistics about your audience and email message (how many opens, who opened, what was clicked on, etc).

6. Email messages can be highly targeted to specific groups within your email database and the individual message can be customized for each recipient.

7. Websites are owned by you—no need to worry about change in privacy settings, or who owns your data.

8. Your website can serve as a powerful and automated sales tool, that works 24/7/365.

9. Your website and email marketing contains only your message and not extraneous advertising or content from dozens of others on each page.

10. Competitors are not able to display their advertising around your messaging.

11. If third party social media networks go down, you’re not “out of business” while they are down.

12. Your customer’s data has less of a chance of being hacked.

13. People often want to receive regular email messages just to remind them to buy from you later on.

14. Website domain names are easier to market and for people to go to than Twitter handles.

15. Until social commerce matures, websites are the best way to sell online.

16. Great subject lines in email messages are still a very powerful way for recipients to prioritize what emails they open.

17. Websites can be as simple or as complex as needed.

18. You can create multiple websites for multiple audiences.

19. Websites don’t have a barrier of needing to enter a password and user name to visit them.

20. All of your audience can navigate a good website—everyone still can’t effective navigate Twitter and Facebook.

21. A great website can be created with no need for programming “apps” or special developers.

22. Some companies block social media sites.

23. Your photos and video can be placed precisely where and how you want them on your website.

24. “Social is great”, but building a direct relationship between you and a customer (without 267 of their friends) might be important.

25. A well designed website is like opening the door and sitting in a brand new car with leather seats.

26. An email marketing message lives forever, social media posts move along a time line and require regular attention.

27. Your website and email newsletter will never compete with you.

28. If your sales message requires lengthy copy, your website can tastefully accommodate.

29. Email marketing messages can automatically engage a customer, depending on their response to a preceding email message.

30. Websites can change as little or as much as you like. Whenever you like.

The “Apple-Fanboy” Opinion (The MAJORITY of people at this company):
Wait a minute. Apple makes everything they do more intuitive, better looking and easier. And then Microsoft tries to catch up and the rush to buy new and better gets turbo charged. Apple does the heavy lifting of actually inventing & producing well designed products and software, and MicroSpit reaps the benefits of being a so-so copycat.
If those bread sellers in old time Rome just added croissants and bagels and sticky buns to their offerings before anybody else, they would have cleaned up, too.

What do you think?

What if you didn’t have to invest a lot of time, what if, in the words of Ron Popeil, you could “set it and forget it”?

The answer is, you never know what kind of opportunities will come your way.  I met Alec Hess through LinkedIn, the founder of Full Voice Media. I get numerous calls a week from head hunters.

And now, as  a Power User, I meet potential clients, network, participate in discussions, and provide free advice.  Does everyone need to be a Power User?  Absolutely not.  Can anyone open the door to a new world of opportunities?  Absolutely.

Interested in any of the following?  2 Hours Initial Setup Time.  30 minutes a month after that.  Return on investment = infinite.

• Career opportunities
• Business deals
• Consulting offers
• Expertise & references
• Keeping in touch
• Job offers
• Partnerships

For a quick list of Tips to kickstart your LinkedIn profile, check out the article about Lewis Howes, author of LinkedWorking.  He was recently profiled on SmartBlog on Social Media and shared some tips on How to use LinkedIn with Business Savvy.

And call us if you need help. We can even handle the whole thing for you for a small fee.