Who are you checking out on Google? And who do you think is checking your social reputation online?
The social economy - Brian Solis from 2012
in 2014 this is the new normal.
Saturday, August 23, 2014
Your Social Media Reputation Matters
The social economy - Brian Solis from 2012
in 2014 this is the new normal.
Sunday, July 27, 2014
Lack of Internet Savvy Hurting Local Businesses In The Hunter
The Hunter Research Foundation has released their Business and Digital Technology survey for June 2014 with some interesting results that business owners in the Newcastle and Hunter region should take some time to understand.
While the uptake of technology for consumers is high, and businesses are using technology of others - they are paying scant attention to their own provision of internet functions with only 57% of companies having a dedicated website.
I've seen some of them - many of them are not working nearly as effectively as they need to and could be.
While the uptake of technology for consumers is high, and businesses are using technology of others - they are paying scant attention to their own provision of internet functions with only 57% of companies having a dedicated website.
I've seen some of them - many of them are not working nearly as effectively as they need to and could be.
Businesses have many good reasons to get updated to operate in the world as it is today. The world where there customers live and do business.
To not be there is letting your business down.
The Internet Not Just For Hipsters Under 40
While the numbers are depressing on the face of it, they reveal real potential for our local businesses to improve their use of internet and communication technology. All they need is learning and that is definitely available.
If you're not sure how to start and are a bit scared of computers or looking "silly" contact me via the form on this page or give me a call on 0403 365 855 so we can look at your options to get in the race.
And have some fun!
Sunday, July 13, 2014
Get Your Business On Google
Of course I am always most interested in businesses in Newcastle and the Hunter Valley but all business can be, and really should be taking advantage of the available opportunities that Google make for business to get found online.
Indeed, if you own or manage a business, you really need to go and claim your listing - which may already be online and showing some information. That information not be up-to-date and if you haven't put it there yourself, probably is not showing your business as well as it could be.
Claiming your business listing on Google, is to some minds, the new equivalent of taking out an advertisement in the Yellow Pages. In some ways I agree and it is a very good step for business to take. is it enough? I don't think so, personally, but it is certainly something to make a priority. Even if you don't understand why you need it, do it anyway, or risk someone else claiming your business for their use, as detailed in this article, which has indeed happened in some cases.
While there is a bit of mucking about to claim your listing, it is worth the effort. Here's a snapshot of my business listing on Google
Your Google listing lets you select a photograph for your business and a good description of what you do, where you are located and your business hours.
Easy to see - this is also where people can review your business - in fact some businesses will already have reviews they may not know anything about! Customers don't need permission to leave a review so it is important to be monitoring your business online - whether you are active on the internet or not. Information can also be showing from other review sites in the public domain.
By claiming your Google listing you prevent others from falsely claiming your business as theirs.
Your listing also shows your location on Google maps - and this is important to note that listings are for businesses that operate in the physical space - either at your premises, or if you see clients at their places of business. You can elect to show a region in which your business services customers. EG within 20, 50, or 100 kilometers from your location.
You can also add photographs of your work or products and add detailed descriptions so that people can understand what you do and how you can help them.
If you have videos, these can also be added to give a thorough coverage of your products or services.
People can also follow your business and get your updates when you post. This an excellent way to let people know when you have news or an event coming up, or post new photographs or educational information.
And of course most importantly - you can link your website to your Google business profile.
This is really a fabulous free way to get new people to find your business. You can change the settings for the hours you are open if this changes throughout the year and your customers always can find out your current hours of operation before they head out to your store.
This is also a good way to ensure your business is easily found AND readable on mobile phones and tablets.
Have you some questions or had some experiences with Google for your business?
Give me a call!
Servicing Newcastle, Hunter Valley, Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens and Maitland, Sydney and country clients also welcome. Online coaching is available all locations
Indeed, if you own or manage a business, you really need to go and claim your listing - which may already be online and showing some information. That information not be up-to-date and if you haven't put it there yourself, probably is not showing your business as well as it could be.
Claiming your business listing on Google, is to some minds, the new equivalent of taking out an advertisement in the Yellow Pages. In some ways I agree and it is a very good step for business to take. is it enough? I don't think so, personally, but it is certainly something to make a priority. Even if you don't understand why you need it, do it anyway, or risk someone else claiming your business for their use, as detailed in this article, which has indeed happened in some cases.
While there is a bit of mucking about to claim your listing, it is worth the effort. Here's a snapshot of my business listing on Google
Easy to see - this is also where people can review your business - in fact some businesses will already have reviews they may not know anything about! Customers don't need permission to leave a review so it is important to be monitoring your business online - whether you are active on the internet or not. Information can also be showing from other review sites in the public domain.
By claiming your Google listing you prevent others from falsely claiming your business as theirs.
Your listing also shows your location on Google maps - and this is important to note that listings are for businesses that operate in the physical space - either at your premises, or if you see clients at their places of business. You can elect to show a region in which your business services customers. EG within 20, 50, or 100 kilometers from your location.
You can also add photographs of your work or products and add detailed descriptions so that people can understand what you do and how you can help them.
As well as a photograph of your location or to represent your business you can also post articles and updates easily to you Google business listing.
If you have videos, these can also be added to give a thorough coverage of your products or services.
People can also follow your business and get your updates when you post. This an excellent way to let people know when you have news or an event coming up, or post new photographs or educational information.
And of course most importantly - you can link your website to your Google business profile.
This is really a fabulous free way to get new people to find your business. You can change the settings for the hours you are open if this changes throughout the year and your customers always can find out your current hours of operation before they head out to your store.
This is also a good way to ensure your business is easily found AND readable on mobile phones and tablets.
Have you some questions or had some experiences with Google for your business?
Give me a call!
Servicing Newcastle, Hunter Valley, Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens and Maitland, Sydney and country clients also welcome. Online coaching is available all locations
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Internet Trends 2014 Report - What It Means For Local Business
Some interesting selections from the 2014 Internet Trends study. While the study is geared to large company issues, the selected data also applies very much to local business, as they consider the new marketplace in which they are doing business. Thanks to digital master Paul Wallbank for pointing this study out.
Houzz is a website and online community and a fantastic example of how architects, building contractors and products for the home can be promoted and shared and open the door to being noticed by those with the interest and intention to learn and share about what they like in home design elements and building.
Yet many building trades are nowhere to be found online and are missing out on the benefits of good visual content to improve their reach online. This is a fantastic medium for those in the business of creating built environment still largely untapped by local business. A look at the average home renovation company website reveals a lack of understanding of the importance of good professional photographs, well lit, and well staged. If your images would not look good on Houzz, they probably are not the photographs to use on your website and online content.
Many owners of local business seem to have not yet got the message that computing is getting cheaper all the time. That should free up the budget to be doing more with that saving to enhance their presence online and capacity to streamline business operations through automation and other high output functions, that saves manpower and time. Using technology to streamline and improve quoting on new business, communicating with customers and internal departments as well as suppliers should mean faster throughput and less unexplained and unnecessary delay.
Let's be clear here. No matter what the rep from Yellow Pages tells you, that's not where people go now to find a service provider. Online reviews, and recommendation from friends is driving sales. You need to be there where the people are too, for your business.
There is a lingering doubt for those who are not using Twitter to doubt its value to business. For that reason this data set seems to put paid to the idea that it serves no purpose for business. Twitter has many benefits for business, but you need to understand how to use it effectively. That isn't by following 20 people with your business account. And it isn't by buying 20,000 fake followers. Learn what you need to learn to make this work for your business.
This looked like a powerful reminder and sometimes it can seem like businesses lose touch with this basic premise. Whether you are looking to invest in tech stocks, or looking to make the most of your business, understanding these points is a practical and useful philosophy to keep in mind. And technology and the internet including social media can assist in helping your business to earn more money.
See full report as .pdf online
Tablets continue rapid growth as the screen of choice for many internet users. What that means for local business - is that it is critical to ensure your online presence is presented in a way that renders intelligently on the screens of visitors.
Houzz is a website and online community and a fantastic example of how architects, building contractors and products for the home can be promoted and shared and open the door to being noticed by those with the interest and intention to learn and share about what they like in home design elements and building.
Yet many building trades are nowhere to be found online and are missing out on the benefits of good visual content to improve their reach online. This is a fantastic medium for those in the business of creating built environment still largely untapped by local business. A look at the average home renovation company website reveals a lack of understanding of the importance of good professional photographs, well lit, and well staged. If your images would not look good on Houzz, they probably are not the photographs to use on your website and online content.
Many owners of local business seem to have not yet got the message that computing is getting cheaper all the time. That should free up the budget to be doing more with that saving to enhance their presence online and capacity to streamline business operations through automation and other high output functions, that saves manpower and time. Using technology to streamline and improve quoting on new business, communicating with customers and internal departments as well as suppliers should mean faster throughput and less unexplained and unnecessary delay.
Let's be clear here. No matter what the rep from Yellow Pages tells you, that's not where people go now to find a service provider. Online reviews, and recommendation from friends is driving sales. You need to be there where the people are too, for your business.
If you're advertising on traditional TV or even radio then you can improve your results by also having good coverage online for the background story on what you do. Nobody is sitting there watching your advertisement during the ad breaks. Those days are long gone. They are looking for information on the next thing they will buy, or share or learn about. So again, your business needs to satisfy those needs of the consumer when it comes to what you do best.
There is a lingering doubt for those who are not using Twitter to doubt its value to business. For that reason this data set seems to put paid to the idea that it serves no purpose for business. Twitter has many benefits for business, but you need to understand how to use it effectively. That isn't by following 20 people with your business account. And it isn't by buying 20,000 fake followers. Learn what you need to learn to make this work for your business.
This looked like a powerful reminder and sometimes it can seem like businesses lose touch with this basic premise. Whether you are looking to invest in tech stocks, or looking to make the most of your business, understanding these points is a practical and useful philosophy to keep in mind. And technology and the internet including social media can assist in helping your business to earn more money.
See full report as .pdf online
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
#Socialnomics 2014 by Erik Qualman
Latest version of social media statistics for 2014 #Socialnomics
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Monday, April 28, 2014
Getting Started With Content Marketing
What is Content marketing?
Content marketing is the name given to the combined activities that generate information geared to appeal, entertain, or inform those interested in a topic, and provide the basis of keeping a website 'fresh' and aiding in the business or individual being visible online. Content can be across different online platforms such as social media - eg Facebook, Linkedin, blog, or website.
Context
Context is matching the content appropriate to the business and the interests of the target demographic. When you have quality Content that is fit for purpose and on target so far as the context goes, you greatly improve your chances of being found online by those you want to find you. You also demonstrate your expertise and attention to the important issues for those with an interest in what you do.
A Content Marketing Strategy
To get this right you need to approach this as you would any other business project. With a plan written and a developed well-formed strategy with actions and activities organised to achieve your purpose.
If you would like help with that give me a call.
Lindy Asimus
0403 365 855
Business & Executive Coaching | Social Media Marketing Training | Individual Training Classes
Sunday, April 20, 2014
Social Media Driving Sales Online In 2013
It's clear that social sharing is having a big effect on how people buy.
"According to a study by Mobstac, the most significant impacts of social media for business are the building of trust and lead generation. In 2013 Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest generated 75% of all social media referred sales. Mobstac notes that in 2016 U.S. consumers are expected to spend $327 billion online, making a social media investment all that more important."
Time to start taking your business approach to social media and online presentation seriously.
Need help?
Social media classes are now available - one on one - to get you up to speed. Classes run for 2 hours and you can pick the module you want to learn about, with the class tailored to your individual business.
To book, call Lindy Asimus on 0403 365 855
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