LinkedIn Tips Part 2

While LinkedIn is a relatively straightforward website, offering social networking tools to professionals, there are many ways to get the most from your LinkedIn experience.

In a previous post with 4 initial LinkedIn tips, we suggested developing your profile, making LinkedIn a part of your conversations in real life, and recommending professionals with whom you have had a good experience.

Here are 4 more tips to help you with LinkedIn:

1.  Get smart about keywords.

Put yourself in the mindset of the people you want to find you, whether they are other professionals or potential customers. Ask yourself “What will they search for”? What common words or phrases will appear when they type in their search terms? Once you have come up with a list of them, incorporate those words and phrases into your profile.

2.  Personalize the URL for your profile.

Initially, LinkedIn assigns a set of numbers to your profile. This generic URL can be personalized to your name, which will make it easier for other professionals to find you both with general searches on engines such as Google and when searching on the LinkedIn website itself.

3.  Use status updates.

Remember this is a professional website – people are unlikely to be interested in your latest home improvement project, unless you are a construction contractor. Status updates are a great way to keep the people who comprise your network aware of what you do and what you know.

4.  When in doubt, start asking questions.

If you are looking for information or for a specific type of professional, ask questions that will help you find it or them. Your network is a great source of knowledge and experience that can help you choose the best Internet provider or find a good realtor in your area. Additionally, you can use the people in your network to look for a new employee or to vet potential candidates.

Training available

We just recently completed a training session on LinkedIn for a sales team that we work with.  If you would like to have a personalized social media training program for your company or team please contact us today.

Facebook – not just for kids anymore

Once you have set up a Facebook page for your business, it would be a waste of valuable Internet real estate to just let it sit there, hoping people find it and see your company.

Instead, make the most of this opportunity to increase your presence on the web and attract the attention of current and potential customer.

Some ways you can use Facebook for business include:

1.  Link your Facebook page to your official website. Putting the Facebook icon on your homepage will tell those who visit your website that they can also find you on Facebook.

2.  Announce your arrival on Facebook through a group email. Send a blast email to your mailing list to let them know you are on Facebook and to invite them to become a fan. This will quickly establish a fan base and encourage people to become active on your page, posting comments and viewing the latest news and events.

3.  Link to other social media. If you currently have an account on Twitter or YouTube or maintain a blog for your business, linking them to your Facebook account will save time while adding to the depth of content on each of these sites.

4.  Run your first Facebook ad campaign. See how Facebook can turn into customers and profits by running a campaign and tracking the results.

Once you have accomplished these four steps, you are well on your way to making this social phenomenon into a source of increased profit for your business!

6 Aspects of Marketing Your Website to Searchers

The internet is getting to be a complex place.  And today, more than ever, website owners have lots of choices when looking for ways to promote their websites on the internet.  The term “search marketing” refers to making your website visible to people who are searching on Google, Yahoo, Bing, etc.  By placing your website in front of these search phrases you are effectively marketing your business to the online user.

Today’s search marketing techniques include:

1.  Search Engine Optimization (SEO) – SEO refers to configuring your website to show up in
“natural” search results when people type in a given phrase.  These natural, or “organic” search results are those that appear underneath sponsored listings and are free to click on.  SEO generally takes time to implement and succeed but long term is has tremendous benefit for website owners in terms of driving traffic.

2.  Link building – The number and quality of links on the internet pointing to your website is very important when it comes to web marketing.  The best way to build links is to offer web users interesting, entertaining or otherwise valuable content that they will want to talk about or share.

3.  Paid Search Marketing (PPC) – PPC is essentially paying for clicks.  All search engines have a section called “sponsored links” where advertisers pay to be visible when users type in key phrases.  You are charged if someone clicks on your ad and is taken to your website.

4.  Email Marketing – Keeping in touch with your existing clients via email is a tried and true, cost effective way of digital marketing.

5.  Blogging – Many people keep up with blogs for regular doses of good information.  Blogs are a great way to promote your content to other bloggers as well as reach web users in a less formal manner.

6.  Social Media Marketing – This is perhaps the newest and least understood method of search engine marketing.  It refers to techniques used to network with others on social sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, etc.  Marketers today are testing and measuring results from these efforts to figure out the best way for their business to participate in social media and have a positive ROI.

How long until the rivalry is renewed again?

As great as this 7 game Celtics vs. Lakers series was, basketball fans have to admit part of the fun was not just because Kobe, KG and Paul Pierce are great players.  Part of the draw and nostalgia was watching the guys in green jerseys duke it out with the guys in purple and gold just like in the “old” days.

When I was growing up, it seemed like every year it was Magic vs. Larry in the NBA finals.  The supporting cast members sometimes changes, but at the end of the day the Celtics and Lakers were always there.  Every series featured great games, lots of drama and different heroes every time.

Then Magic and Larry got older, and along came Michael Jordan.  And seemingly the Lakers and Celtics kind of went away.  Michael racked up 6 titles against all sorts of different opponents and the Celtics and Lakers were a bit irrelevant, at least for awhile.

The End of This Chapter in the Rivalry?

But after watching Game 7 last night, you can’t help but think that this chapter in the saga is drawing to a close.  Kobe, while still arguably the best player in the NBA, is nearing or passing his peak physically.  And the annual talk began (again) months ago about Phil Jackson leaving for one reason or another.

On the Celtics side, you would be blind if you didn’t notice that KG, Ray Allen and Garnett looked like their legs simply left them during the last 2 games.  And Doc Rivers has already said he wants to spend more time with his family.  I guess you can’t blame him knowing that re-building is around the corner for the Celtics.

Happy trails…

So here’s to game 7’s with guys in green bumping and grinding it out with guys in yellow.  Unless LeBron decides to sign with the Celtics I’m afraid it might be awhile until we see it again.  But it was sure fun while it lasted.

5 Web Marketing Basics You Can Use

Web marketing is one of those things that are easy to over complicate.  There are lots of technology type words and acronyms out there, probably designed by marketing types, that tend to keep the average person in the dark about what they can do to help marketing their websites.

Not to worry, as the basics of web marketing can easily be understood even non “techy-type” website owner.

Marketing Strategies You Can Use:

1.  Well thought out conversion elements – this seems like an obvious one but it’s the most often missed.  By “conversion elements” we mean giving the user a chance to take action.  In layman’s terms what this means is that your phone number, email address, contact information, shopping cart, newsletter signup etc are EASY TO FIND for the user.

If the user can easily find what you want them to do, that makes it easier for them to “convert” from shoppers to buyers!

2.  Special offers or incentives – As much as we don’t want to admit it, just getting a person to visit your website may not be good enough.  The web is a very competitive place and the “Back” button is easy to find.  Combat this by crafting a special offer or incentive that users can only find on your website.

3.  User oriented content plan – Ask yourself what types of questions and information  your customers are seeking, and plan to create content to provide that information.  Remember people are searching for information online, not sales brochures.

4.  Clearly defined goals – Define what goals you want to achieve from you site.  Do you want xx number of calls, emails or sales?  Taking this step will help you evaluate the success of your web marketing program.

5.  Website analytics program – the final step is to ensure you are tracking and measuring your results with a website analytics programs.  The best one from Google is free so no excuses allowed here!

Do you really need web marketing?

If you think your website stands out from the crowd, just remember that there are billions of websites out there on the web – most of them accessible with a single click.  Always keep in mind how competitive things are and use that to spur creative thinking when it comes to your web marketing plan.

Get the most from Linked In, Part 1 of 2

So you have a log in and you have filled in the most basic information on LinkedIn. You know that other people are using this site because you hear them talk about it and the people they have met using it. How can you join the others who are getting the most from LinkedIn, the leading professional social networking website?

1.   Develop your profile.

A generic profile does not allow you to connect with others as efficiently and makes it harder for your connections to help you by making introductions. Be sure to fill out past employers, education, and the time you have been in your current position, as these are the easiest ways to connect with other professionals like you and to be found by those looking for someone with your experience.

Additionally, be sure that your profile is displayed. Hiding the profile you have developed and worked on will make it harder for you to build a presence on this website and in the professional community.

2.  Bring LinkedIn into your real life.

When you meet people, ask them if they are on LinkedIn. If so, ask to connect with them soon after meeting them so that you are fresh in their mind. This will help your LinkedIn network reflect the network you have built in reality.

3.  Work the recommendations.

Recommend others and ask people you have worked with to recommend you. Reach out by making the effort to recommend others before they ask you to do so; this will help your relationship with them, help others on LinkedIn by giving them an accurate reflection of the person you have recommended, and may increase the chances that you will be recommended as well.

4.   Promote your profile

Do your customers or personal contacts know you have a LinkedIn profile?  One important step in succeeding with this tool is to add a LinkedIn logo to your website, blog, email signature. or other marketing materials.  Each time we look at website analytics and traffic reports, customers are always amazed that they receive traffic from simply including a logo in their email but it works!

Look for the long term

These are the first steps to getting the most from LinkedIn, but there is much more you can do with this important professional tool.  One good way to think about Linked In is that it can become your professional networking tool for 201o and you should treat it as such.  Don’t spam people with advertising, make comments you might later regret or do things that you wouldn’t do if you were in person.

Get used to participating on Linked In and you might be surprised what the results would be.

Groups: Step 2 in LinkedIn Success

One of the most valuable tools for professionals and companies who are using LinkedIn is the ability to join and form groups. As a member of LinkedIn, you are able to join other professionals like yourself or who share interests with you, create new groups that reflect needs and offerings, and ask questions of the members. Each of these actions will help you get added value out of your profile on this website.

How to best utilize LinkedIn Groups:

• Join a group (or groups). As you establish your profile and presence on LinkedIn, you will find that there are already existing groups that have been formed. Individuals may form these groups for a variety of reasons such as common experiences, common goals, shared educational backgrounds, or professional experiences. By joining these groups, you will be able to connect with others who are like you or who share your goals, expanding your professional network. Additionally, you may find knowledge or skills among the members that can help you in your professional development.

• Create a new group (or groups). If you are looking for a group that does not yet exist, you can create your own. Remember, however, that this is not an opportunity for you to sell your product to members. LinkedIn groups must add value for their members, and abusing them by promoting your own product is not an acceptable use of this tool.

• Ask questions. You can ask questions of your group to learn new information from people you trust or to use their experiences to make important choices for your own career or company.

• Answer questions. Responding to the questions others pose is a great way to establish your knowledge and authority, giving yourself credibility in the eyes of current and potential associates. However, once again, it is important that your answers offer useful information and are not just a plug for a particular product or company.

Getting involved is the best way to start

If you want to get smart on LinkedIn, it’s time to get involved with the many groups you can find on this professional social networking site.  If you are unsure where to start or would like help developing  your social website profile contact us today.

Social Networking for Professionals

Depending on your industry and your individual level of awareness of social media sites, you may or may not have know what Linked In is about. If you have not heard about or are not using this site, it is time to get on board so that you can make the most out of a very valuable tool.

In the simplest sense, LinkedIn is a social networking website that is aimed at professionals rather than purely social connections. As of May 2009, the business-oriented networking website had over forty million users and spanned more than 170 industries, making it a great resource for today’s professional.

Some basics to know about LinkedIn

In order to make connections on LinkedIn, members can only contact other members if they have already linked themselves to that member or if they are introduced through a mutual contact. This provides a greater sense of community and accountability between members, giving more validity to relationships formed and introductions made on this website than on most social networking sites.

The first steps to getting involved in this innovative networking tool are to establish a profile and reach out to friends, coworkers, and former coworkers or classmates. Once you create a profile and begin to build a network of contacts, you can move on to groups which will allow you to find others that can help you professionally and benefit from the knowledge pool available from the other members.

Additionally, you can introduce friends or associates who you feel may have common interests, encouraging them to do the same for you. With these simple steps, you will be in a great position to start making LinkedIn work for you.

Listen, learn and interact

The biggest mistake most people make is jumping into social networking and starting to sell.  So with that, my recommendation is to start the other way which involves listening and learning.  Join in and make a few connections and groups.  Then check back regularly to watch and learn how the discussions take place, how endorsements are done and what the etiquette is.

Once you have the basics down, you can begin to engage others with the goal of giving something back instead of just selling.

BP bids on “oil spill” related key words

You know it’s 2010 when after 50 days of spilling oil in the gulf, an oil company and starts placing ads on search engines to make sure you know what a good job they are doing handling the situation.

A quick search of terms such as “gulf oil spill” on any of the major search engines will turn up a paid advertisement from BP directing you to their oil spill response website.

Some additional digging around shows they are bidding on a variety of keywords relegated to the oil spill.  I can only imagine what sort of bill they are running up for paid search given that “oil spill” is now a top search phrase on all the major search sites.  That said, last week President Obama criticized BP for spending $50 million on TV ads while at the same time trying to limit their damages and liability in the Gulf Coast region.

Google AdWords Used for Real Time Damage Control

I’m sure the BP website has a lot of information about what they are trying to do.  And the point here is not to question those efforts, but really to look at how companies are responding to situations using the entire 2010 media trick bag.

On the BP website some of the things you will find include:

1. Twitter feeds with updates as they happen
2. A Facebook page link for BP
3. Links to their You Tube Channel
4. Photos they are sharing via Flickr
5. Various news stories that you can subscribe to via RSS feeds
6. Links to state specific spill websites (which BP manages)
7. Live video feeds
8. Opportunities to contact them and learn more

Remember How Facebook Helped Obama in 2008?

President Obama’s use of social media sites such as Facebook really helped create awareness and validity as to the power of today’s digital media.  And this disaster is proving, once again, that smart companies are using all of today’s opportunities to communicate in order to get their message out.

So no matter what you think of BP spending money on damage control, you have to admit they’ve done quite a good job in the online world with a well established plan.

It’s just too bad they don’t have their act together in the real world.

How “good” is a website?

When I meet with clients for the first time, one of the things they usually want to know is “what do you think of my website?“  I’ve learned to be careful with these answers because site owners can be a bit like parents in that they think their website is beautiful even though others might not.

But more importantly, I’ve also learned that there is more to a good website than just pretty design.  An effective site is one that does the job – and for business people that means converting visitors into buyers.

So in an effort to help people evaluate their own websites I suggest the following:

3 Signs You May Have A Crummy Website:

1. Your contact information is hard to find.

This seems to be problem #1 with web designers.  They create a beautiful site that doesn’t offer an easy way to contact you.  Remember that yours is one of billions of websites and that people will be spending mere seconds on each page – so make sure your phone number or email address are easy to find in the top right hand corner.

Oh and make sure it’s in text and not a graphics file so that mobile users can click on it when they need to.

2.  You cannot update your website yourself.

If you cannot update your site yourself that means the site is probably outdated or stale.  Google is out looking for fresh, relevant information and if you are unable to update your website than there is not much chance your information is terribly fresh.

Plus, with the amount of free content management systems like Word Press available to the public, there really is no excuse for this unless you have a crummy website.

3. You can’t find yourself in searches.

I see this one a lot.  Website owners that can’t Google their own site and find it with relative ease.  There are a whole host of reasons this could be the case – and all of them point to a crummy website (or at least a crummy web designer).

Changes you can make

If you didn’t pass the crummy website test don’t despair.  There are changes you can make without having to scrap the whole site and start over again.

If you would like to learn more about website fixups that will help in any of these areas please contact us today.