How do I capture leads for my business using the Internet?
You capture leads online by offering something of value for free, in exchange for prospect’s contact information which they enter into a form on a Web page. Depending on your business, it can be aspecial report, a buyer’s guide, a regular newsletter, a coupon, a free consultation or assessment, etc.

Request a personal consultation so we can help you determine the best, most affordable way to capture leads!

What are Internet Influence Engines and why do they matter to my business?
Although we know Google is the number one search engine, most of us don’t know there are more than 50 other key online locations! You must be using these other locations to help Google rank your business so your target audience can find you.

We call these “Influence Engines” and they include:
•  Local Search Engines like Google Places, Yahoo! Local, and Merchant Circle
•  Social Networking Sites like Facebook, Yelp! and Twitter
• Internet Business Directories like Superpages.com and Kudzu
• Online Business Directories specific to your region or metro area
• Online Directory Assistance sites like 411.com, and
• Many category-specific directories relating to your industry

They matter to your business because they can have an enormous impact on how easily people find you online. Getting your information listed and encouraging customers to post comments and reviews is one of the first things you should do to get leads and customers from the Internet.

Once I do an online marketing campaign, why would I need to manage it month after month?
Would you run just one ad in the newspaper and expect it to continue to generate calls or foot traffic? It’s the same thing online. You want people to find you when they’re looking online, which means you have to stay fresh! Keep in mind that search engines and directories treat your messaging like grocery store produce.  There is a “sell by” date on almost every piece of digital information.  If you’re not putting fresh content on your shelves, you will lose to someone who IS.

What’s the benefit of using pay per click advertising like Google Adwords?
Paid online advertising like Google Adwords (also known as pay-per-click advertising), can enhance your overall online marketing program but you shouldn’t rely on it exclusively. Before you go spending money though, get an online marketing expert to help you research the best keywords to focus on for your ads.

Also, you should consider using Facebook ads, especially if you have a business page set up on Facebook. You can target specific locations, demographics, likes, etc. on Facebook that you can’t in other online paid ad services.

Let us help you determine the best, most affordable way to integrate paid advertising into your online marketing plan.

Why would my business need a text message follow-up campaign?
Let’s look at some telling statistics:
• 91% of Americans have mobile phones
• People send 152 billion mobile text messages each month
• 90% of text messages are read within one minute of receipt

Text messaging is now a major form of communication.  Businesses that know how to incorporate it into their marketing plans have an edge over those who don’t. Imagine being able to cut through all the clutter and reach your prospect or customer on the gadget they keep with them all the time—in their pockets and purses, in their cars, at their work desks…even on their night tables?

Your messages, delivered judiciously AND strategically, could turn a slow week or month into a bonanza!   

What is social media?
Social media are online channels or services that people use to communicate with friends, followers, subscribers and others with like interests. They all have social features including the ability to “like” another member’s messages, rate a service, product or experience, post reviews or comments, etc. The most prominent examples include YouTube (more than 300,000,000 visits each month), Facebook (more than 500,000,000 members), and Twitter (more than 200,000,000 members). Another significant social medium for local businesses is Yelp! With 39,000,000 monthly visits, Yelp! combines local business listings with user ratings and reviews in a highly social environment that allows members to subscribe to other member’s reviews.

Why is social media important to my business?
A couple of statistics are key to understand why online social media are critical for your business:
• 78% of consumers trust peer recommendations
• Only 14% trust ads

If you can establish yourself in the right social media AND you have a strategy for generating positive reviews and ratings, you can dominate your market! Your presence in social media, like your own YouTube channel or Facebook business page, establishes your business as a social authority. It engages your prospects and customers on their “turf,” instead of having to drive them to your Website to establish a relationship. You can communicate with them regularly and offer deals and specials as part of an ongoing conversation, instead of an occasional intrusion. It also personalizes your business and makes it more likeable.

Request information about our Social Media Power Cluster service and how it can help your business get established, and dominating online.

How do I know I can reach my customers through social media?
This is really a myth-busting answer because a common misconception is that only young people are using Facebook, YouTube and other social media.  When you consider the social network has more than 500,000,000 members, it’s a safe bet your customers are on there!  Another example is YouTube, which has become a household name and a common online destination. Who do you know who hasn’t watched videos on YouTube or searched for information there?  With more than 300,000,000 monthly visits, it too, is a safe bet for reaching your customers.

Request information about our Social Media Power Cluster service and how it can help your business get established and begin dominating online.

Isn’t online video hard to create?
With today’s technology it isn’t nearly as difficult as it was even five years ago.  There are a few strategic elements you want to add to videos for marketing purposes such as the mention of an offer and a call to action.  But an online marketing consultant can take care of those details for you.  Editing and distribution are areas that require some additional tools, but they have been vastly simplified for marketers in the past few years as well.

 Find out how easy it is to create a high visibility, traffic-driving online video marketing campaign by contacting us for a personal consultation.