Now there’s an interesting question…
What have you done to promote your business online?
I don’t mean just saying you have a website or a Facebook page. What have you actually done – what actions have you taken to get the word out about your business?
Be truthful!
You see, having a website, Facebook page or any one of the myriad of social accounts is not enough.
Connecting all the accounts together and blasting “buy me” messages into cyberspace is not enough.
It takes effort to promote your business online!
I guess you have probably realised by now that it is not as easy as people make out to promote your business online. It doesn’t happen automatically. People don’t just turn up and buy your products or book your services.
If only promoting your business was so easy!
We’d all be retiring next year and living the high life…
Online promotion has been a recurring theme throughout this week. I’ve met or chatted to several small business owners and prospective business owners, and turned down as much work as I have picked up.
Why?
Because I know that just putting up a website or creating a Facebook page is not enough. I can’t work miracles. It simply isn’t in me to take on projects that my gut feeling tells me won’t benefit my clients. All the “stuff” that surrounds it needs doing too. It is an ongoing process.
A brand new website isn’t suddenly going to appear at the top of the rankings – even locally. A Facebook page without interaction is pointless.
You, the business owner, need to make a choice.
You can either pay to promote your business online using ads or hiring someone to do the legwork you don’t have time to do.
Or
You put the time in to drive traffic to your website, email your list, collect Facebook fans etc.
Promoting your business online is not free. You pay with your money or your time – sometimes both!
Which brings me nicely back to the question, “What actions have you taken to promote your business online this week?”
Do you know where to start promoting your business online?
I suggest the beginning…
For a local business:
- A website – with a blog and email opt in too
- Local directories and review sites
- Google Places
Before spreading your wings wider, get the foundations in place.
Then, each week make the time to blog, to email your list and to find new sites to add your business details.
Once a month pop into your Google Places account and check your details are how you left it, take the opportunity to update your status, change images or videos.
And now fill in the blue strip below to get your “Get Started Online” reports.
What methods have you used this week to promote your business online?
Pop your actions in the comments – which in turn will link back to your website. Yes, that’s an action too!
Image Copyright (c) 123RF Stock Photos
What Have You Done To Promote Your Business Online This Week? by Jan Kearney
Grab your guide to local search and learn:
- What elements are important on your website
- How to set up your Google My Business Local Page
- How Google Plus can help you zoom past your competitors
- Two things you should not neglect if you want to rank in the local search pack
- How to power past your competitors and dominate your area
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Nice simple post, Jan and great advice for those just starting out online.
Hi Casey, thanks for popping in! Simple is often best 🙂
Well right now I’m writing a blog every day this month, plus I’m trying to make new internet friends, I’m guest blogging at two different sites that have my target audience. Plus I post on fb & twitter. Any more ideas?
Hi Shawn, thanks for popping in 🙂 It’s great that you are guest blogging too. With all the Google changes going on, that’s definately the way forward. While you’re doing all this writing, have you thought of article marketing? I know, I know – old school, ineffective, doesn’t give high quality links, blah, blah…
Take it back to what works and it’s nothing to do with links. Write for readers, link to a landing page and sign up to your list for your book.
Jan
It’s always great to be reminded of the basics.
We can sometimes get too bogged down in other stuff and forget the fundamentals of marketing our business.
Thanks Valerie 🙂