Small Business Marketing to Attract New Customers
Posted by admin in Content Development, Getting Started, Social Media Marketing, Social Media Networking, Website Development on April 13, 2013
What do you do to attract new customers to your business?
Most of us cannot attract customers with a colorful merry-go-round, and so we turn to marketing plans.
There are two general categories of small business marketing:
- Outbound or the old “PUSH” marketing – sending out advertisements on websites, in e-mails, on flyers, in magazines. Based on past experiences with outbound marketing, fewer people react to words like “New!”, “Sale!”, “Amazing!” and other overused terms, and it is more difficult to get the attention of your prospective customers in the clutter.
- Inbound marketing – attracting people to your brand and your products with engaging content – attention getting, interesting, useful, helpful information, supplemented with nice, related images and videos.
There are three main points to remember for successful Inbound Small Business Marketing:
1. Make a social connection, using one or more social media platforms for your business. Use social media that you are comfortable with. Remember to add regular updates, and occasionally mention your product or service, or a special event you are hosting, but not all the time.
An optimized business Facebook page is a great way to start. For a better look at how social media can be good for small business, take a look at this social media article (with infographic) on the Social Media Today website.
2. Get more attention for your message with interesting, topic-related images and videos. Creating a YouTube video channel for your short, optimized business videos and then sharing those videos in your website blog articles can be a real boost for your site’s ranking. More ideas for your small business videos – ask clients to send in videos of themselves using your product, or ask them (ahead of time) about making videos of your personnel providing your service, then feature some of those videos in your blog articles, and then share the articles (from time to time) on your Facebook business page. If you post information about a business event that your company is hosting, be sure to suggest that your Facebook followers share the information. (“Please share this.”)
3. After attracting these potential clients, don’t forget to provide a CTA (Call To Action). As excited as you may be to get hundreds of visitors reading your blog article, you also want to get them to engage with your business. Ask a question and invite them to share an opinion, Ask them to share their experience in a similar situation. Tell them if they have any questions about the information you’ve shared, you’d be glad to provide your insight and make sure your telephone number and link to your Contact page are prominent on your website.
How is your small business marketing going? Do you have questions about this article? Do you want to help market your business better online? Contact Jax SEO Works.
LinkedIn Marketing for You and Your Business
Posted by admin in Social Media Marketing, Social Media Networking on February 21, 2013
LinkedIn has been called the top social media platform for businesses and professionals.
LinkedIn is a FREE social media platform, where you can add information about:
- Your current and previous Experience
- Your Business
- Pictures, Presentation, Videos, and Audio
- Your Education
- Your Interests
- Your Awards
You can share this information on the internet, and also connect with other professionals – clients, peers, others in your profession. Then, you can recommend them for their good works, and they can recommend you and/or your business.
To find out even more about how to use LinkedIn to help grow your business, you can attend the Leveraging LinkedIn Workshop on February 28, 2013 at CoWork Jax.
Kenny Harper of Rock My Network and Key Theory gives a hands-on, easy to follow, thorough introduction to get you and your business going on the internet with LinkedIn.
Got questions? Contact Jax SEO Works for more information, and get started building your business brand with LinkedIn marketing.
Karma and Business
Posted by admin in Content Development, Getting Started, Link Building, Social Media Networking on January 28, 2013
When you do good, good comes back to you. That’s Karma.
If you help another small business, for example by recommending their products or services, chances are they will appreciate your helpful gesture and return the kindness. If you add a link to another business to your website, it will help your website, as well as help theirs. And if they link back to your website, too, even better.
When you share a Facebook post or ReTweet, something interesting or helpful from a friend or another small business, you are paying it forward, which is best done if you do not expect anything in return; goodness is its own reward.
For example:
Rock My Network is holding their Leveraging LinkedIn workshop on January 31, 2013 – geared towards those who may already be on LinkedIn, but want to take full advantage of the Power of LinkedIn for business networking.
For more information and to signup for this powerful workshop, please visit the Leveraging LinkedIn workshop page on Eventbrite.
JaxPromos.com Promotional Products is looking for a Graphic Artists to submit designs for a line of American flag shirts to be printed in the USA, on USA made shirts. If you are a Graphic Artist and interested in submitting a design, JAX Promos.com will be offering cool prizes and appropriate credits. Please contact Michelle at http://jaxpromos.com/
Jacksonville Online Marketing Meetup at CoWorkJax on February 12 will cover SEO Mastermind Sessions for Novice and Advanced, with Search Engine Optimization 101 for Beginners by Mary Fisher Design, Advanced Keyword Research by Discover Tec, and followed by an open SEO Discussion. For more information and to sign up for this event, please visit the JOMM SEO Mastermind Sessions for Novice and Advanced web page.
From time to time, Jax SEO Works shares stories and links about events and businesses we think would be interesting and helpful. If you have something that you think would be appropriate for the Jax SEO Works website, please Contact Jax SEO Works.
Keeping your business running with Duo Business Services
Posted by admin in Link Building on January 5, 2013
So much of our small business is tied into our computer systems running smoothly.
Whether it’s our laptops, or desktops, the operation of our wireless router, our business network, our backup hard drives, or if our computer starts slowing down, freezing, or having problems, we want prompt, thorough, reliable help to get our business systems operating again.
Duo Business Services, located here in the Jacksonville, Florida area, provides on-site computer repair, PC service, and MAC repairs.
We need our computers operating well to keep Jax SEO Works projects on schedule, and when we have had problems with our computers, Duo Business Services has responded promptly and got us operating smoothly again. They have experienced and certified technicians, who are available 7 days a week to resolve issues. Duo Business Services techs are ready for problems as complex as setting up a business network, or as simple as helping you get the most out of your PC or laptop. We also like that they are proud to have a great response time, too – they respond within 24 hours.
If you have a problem with your business systems, contact Duo Business Services. They are good people to help keep your small business running well.
Jacksonville Online Marketing Meetup
Posted by admin in Internet Marketing / PPC, Link Building, Social Media Networking, Website Development on December 19, 2012
Your website is your home base for the online marketing efforts for your business.
Your Pay Per Click campaigns, your Guest Blogging, your link building efforts all are bringing new visitors to your business website.
Who wouldn’t want to join a group of people who are also interesting in improving their own online marketing skills, and sharing what they have learned so far with entrepreneurs in the Jacksonville, Florida area, at the monthly Jacksonville Online Marketing Meet Up?
Who is the Jacksonville Online Marketing MeetUp for?
- Business Owners
- Marketers
- Entrepreneurs
- Anyone looking to learn more about online internet marketing
How complex is the Information being Shared?
The goal of the group has always been to help each other, from beginners and more advanced marketers, so that the information that is shared during the meetings will be helpful to as many members as possible.
With each month’s topic, we try to help keep all attendees involved, covering the basic concerns of that topic, and sharing developments and changes that we’ve found.
What are some of the Topics of Conversation?
- Internet Marketing
- Social Media Marketing
- Networking
- Search Engine Optimization
- Small Business Marketing Strategy
- Marketing
- Web Technology
What is the Cost of membership?
There is no fee to join the Jacksonville Online Marketing Meetup; we pay only for the meetings we attend.
For most meetings there will be a ten dollar fee for the actual meeting, to help cover the costs of the meeting space, materials and refreshments.
- This is a bargain, and worth your investment.
What should I expect for a typical Jacksonville Online Marketing Meetup?
As the members show up, we have a brief opportunity to network. The group is usually a mix of people who have attended one of our meetings before, and people coming to their first Jacksonville Online Marketing Meetup. We have a few minutes for some light refreshments and sharing our recent online marketing experiences. .
Next is the structured part of the meeting where members share information covering a variety of related topics.
The focus of the meeting features a presentation on a selected marketing-related topic, and then floor is opened up for discussion and questions. The goal of our group is to combine spirited, informative presentations and discussions with a relaxed and fun evening for the group.
- For more information on our group, check out meetup.com/Jacksonville-Online-Marketing.
How do I Join Jacksonville Online Marketing Meetup?
Follow this link: meetup.com/Jacksonville-Online-Marketing for more information on joining our group.
Topic of our Next Meeting – Brilliant Brainstorming & Rocking Results Roundtable
Tuesday, January 8th @ 7:00 pm at CoWork Jax
Our Jacksonville Online Marketing MeetUp group is looking for Volunteers and Contributors.
- We are currently looking for volunteers and contributors to help promote and market the MeetUp.
- We are always looking for interested people to help the group grow and gain visibility.
- Please e-mail kenny@keytheory.com for more information on how you can participate.
Shop Local – Shop Small
Posted by admin in Getting Started, Link Building, Recent Projects on November 23, 2012
Black Friday is here! A Great opportunity to Shop Local – Shop Small.
So many businesses advertise Great Sales to make a profit, and get their business “in the black” (profit) versus “in the red” (loss).
If you are a small, local business, hope you have taken advantage of the recent interest in buying local, and buying from small, local businesses. Shop Local – Shop Small is important to many businesses in our communities.
Have you seen the American Express Small Saturday page on Facebook? They share creative ideas to help small businesses, especially on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, but the promotional concepts will work throughout the year.
Another good idea is to cross promote with other small, local businesses. The goodness you do in helping to promote other small, local businesses will come back to you.
Here are some Great small, local businesses we have worked with:
Visit these websites, and leave a helpful comment on an article you like, Contact them for an appointment, or buy one of the products and services they offer.
- They are good people, too!
All About Health Care Advocates – professionals providing relief, research, referrals and reminders to patients or their loved ones
American Chiropractic and Rehabilitation – offering great chiropractic services in two Jacksonville locations – Baymeadows and Jacksonville Beach
BlogBrevity’s Posterious- social media musings and inspiration in 140 words or less
Bonnie’s Floral Designs – creating beautiful floral arrangements in fresh and silk
Borders Woodworks – designs and builds custom cabinets, furniture, and built-ins
Cool Shopping Ideas and A Perfect Wallet – all gifts come with a 1 Year Perfect Gift Guarantee
Dixie Supply Bakery & Cafe – serving up Great Southern food in Charleston, South Carolina
the Engagement Ring Studio – excellent selection and help to find the ring of her dreams
Galaxy Builders – residential, commercial, eco-friendly, even solar
Gina’s Deli – serving up Great breakfast and lunch in the 5 Points neighborhood of Jacksonville, Florida
Gutter Solutions & Waterproofing – solving water problems from Pensacola to Jacksonville
Jax Promos Promotional Products – Great, Made In the USA products to help you promote your business
Jacksonville Yoga – offering Yoga classes, MELT classes, and massage therapy to help you feel and look Great
Key Theory – helping people succeed on the web, using strategy, design, and social media
MAC Hair Studio – creative hair salon, spa, massage therapy, weddings, and more, in San Marco
Marque by Design – a full service marketing consulting firm for small businesses
MicroTech Water Damage Control – 24 hour Emergency Water Damage Response, with mold remediation service
Rock My Image – a strategic marketing team to make your brand Rock!
Shades of Pink magazine – a guide to products, services, and information for women on-the-go
Shannon Miller Lifestyle – health and fitness for women
Spectrum Films – including films, video, and interactive – where imagination meets reality
Torres Creative – creative designs, print and marketing services
T-Shirt Bordello – a variety of funny t-shirts featuring creative artwork
Your Etiquette Style – providing business etiquette training to help you polish up, move up, and stay on top
Support other small, local businesses in your community, not just on Small Business Saturday, but all year long. Cross promote with other small, local businesses in your community. And every opportunity you get, remind people to Buy American! HooRah for the USA!
If you have suggestions for promoting small, local businesses, please share. Sharing is good!
Jacksonville Business Journal Book of Lists Expo 2012 – Social Networking for Small Business
Posted by admin in Getting Started, Social Media Marketing, Social Media Networking on October 1, 2012
Are you going to be part of the Jacksonville Business Journal Book of Lists Expo 2012, Thursday, October 4, in the Prime Osborne III Convention Center in Jacksonville, Florida?
The Jacksonville Business Journal Book of Lists EXPO 2012 will be attended by hundreds of successful companies. Following a Kick Off with a keynote luncheon featuring one of America’s most popular business speakers, Harvey Mackay, with timeless sales advice and selling wisdom.
Next the Expo rolls to Multichannel Breakout Sessions, with hot topic being discussed by successful business representatives.
All day, you will be able to tour the Jacksonville Business Journal Book of Lists Expo business and product displays.
Then stay for “Connections Live”, a social networking cocktail reception, giving business professionals an opportunity to network and socialize with their peers in a casual business setting.
Rock My Image, the collaborative venture by the strategic marketing team of Manny Torres, Jen DeVore, and Kenny Harper, will be making their debut appearance at the Jacksonville Business Journal Book of Lists Expo 2012. Rock My Image develops cohesive and creative marketing campaigns for clients that need strategic planning, message development, creative execution and deployment in all mediums.
Cost: Starting @ $5 per person
Suggested Dress: Business Attire
For more info on this Great Networking Event, Visit the Jacksonville Business Journal Book of Lists Expo 2012 website, Or Contact Andy Brennan at 904-265-2207 or abrennan@bizjournals.com
Support a Charity – 2012 Boobsapalooza
Posted by admin in Getting Started on September 22, 2012
A good way to build public trust in you and your business is to show your support for a charity or charitable event.
Charities give back to your community, and the public can appreciate the goodness that you are doing by supporting a charity. Also, your participation in charitable events will give you more social networking opportunities. Help where you can. Do good. The good that you do will be a positive reflection on your business.
One of the charities that Jax SEO Works and Key Theory supports is Bands Against Breast Cancer.
BABC (Bands Against Breast Cancer) is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating and empowering women to save their own lives in the battle against breast cancer. BABC is holding its major fundraising event, Boobsapalooza featuring a group of great, live bands playing on the two stages at at Lynch’s Irish Pub, at 514 First Street North in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, on Saturday, October 6th, from 12:00 noon to 8:00pm. Lynch’s brings a taste of Ireland to their Jacksonville patrons.
Celebrating its 5th year, Boobsapalooza is held in October, as one of many events in recognition of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Find out more – visit the 2012 Boobsapalooza page on the Bands Against Breast Cancer website!
Find out even more – visit our 2012 Boobsapalooza Facebook page!
Have you helped your community by supporting a charity? Share your positive story in a Comment to this article. :)
Business Marketing – Collaborate with Good People
Posted by admin in Internet Marketing / PPC, Social Media Networking, Website Development on September 16, 2012
Business Marketing is necessary to keep your business going.
We all want to do more, but there are only so many hours in a day.
Projects can be easier if you are working as part of a collaborative team. A team of good people working with you can help improve your business exposure to new potential clients, and help you continue to grow your business.
Most of us have developed good working relationships with other small business owners, and even refer business to them when the need seems like a good fit. These associations are sometimes called affiliates, and being introduced and recommended by others can help build and extend your brand.
Kenny Harper of Key Theory, Jen DeVore of Marque by Design, and Manny Torres of Torres Creative have launched a collaborative venture, Rock My Image, a strategic marketing team to work with design and image aware companies.
Rock My Image will develop cohesive and creative marketing campaigns for clients that need strategic planning, message development, creative execution and deployment in all mediums.
You probably can think of some other small businesses that you can collaborate with to benefit the community as a team; a team effort able to accomplish more than an individual small business could?
For example, your business may re-roof homes, and you may collaborate with another small business who installs vinyl siding.
Or your business may be a neighborhood gym, and you collaborate with local small businesses that sell sports shoes, sporting clothes, and healthy, organic food.
There are lots of ways to collaborate and help others and also help your business.
Are you already part of a collaborative business effort that you have found helpful? Please leave a Comment so we can share your idea to help others.
Community Rethreaded Launch Party
Posted by admin in Getting Started, Social Media Networking on July 12, 2012
Get your small business involved in positive events in your community.
Let your friends and neighbors, and your potential clients in the community know what a good person you are by helping out; participate in community events.
As an example, Rethreaded, in partnership with PB&J (Party Benefit and Jam) , a group dedicated to supporting local non-profit charities), invite us to celebrate the opening of their future workspace.
Rethreaded’s mission – to love people affected by the sex trade, both on the local and international level. Volunteers have been working for months to renovate their warehouse, where local women coming out of lives of addiction, violence and prostitution will find a safe place of transition to help them “sew a new story”.
From 2 until 8 PM, on Saturday, July 14, 2012, visitors to the Rethreaded Launch Party will be able to:
- Tour their newly renovated warehouse
- See samples of upcycled t-shirt creations
- Browse products made by women who have found freedom from the sex trade
- Enjoy on-site games and concessions
- Donate old t-shirts to be made into new products
Here’s another excellent opportunity to get your small business involved with something good in your community.
Support this positive event and RSVP on the Rethreaded Facebook event page to get updates and invite your friends.