Archive for the ‘Internet Marketing’ Category
I don’t need to share the statistics with you. Everyone now knows how important Facebook is to marketing yourself and your business on the Internet. I had a few clients that were holding out but they’re starting to see the light!
If you’re a newbie here are a few links that will help:
Facebook Help Center: www.facebook.com/help.php?ref=pf
Tips on finding friends: www.facebook.com/help/new_user_guide.php?guide_section=find_friends
Setting up a profile: www.facebook.com/help/new_user_guide.php?guide_section=set_up_profile
Exploring Facebook: www.facebook.com/help/new_user_guide.php?guide_section=exp
lore_facebook
Safety Tips: www.facebook.com/safety
I’ll continue to share more advanced tips on how to maximize your presence on Facebook. Let me know if there’s a particular topic you’re interested in learning more about.
Posted in Internet Marketing, Social Networking | 2 Comments »
I’ve noticed that the majority of my new clients are looking for help with press releases. These entrepreneurs and small business owners know that press releases are a good idea but they’re not quite sure where to start.
When a new client calls and asks for help writing a press release this is the first question I ask – “What do you want to accomplish with your press release?” You need to be clear on your objectives so you can implement the most effective strategy when writing and distributing your press release.
1. When You Want to Spread the Word and Boost Traffic to Your Site
This type of press release should be written with SEO in mind so you need to implement the right keywords. Then I recommend utilizing an internet distribution service like www.prweb.com (there are other free services available). This type of distribution is a very effective way of giving your website a traffic boost since these sites rank high on search engines.
Of course, the idea is that when reporters are searching for your particular topic they’ll find your press release. Realistically, this doesn’t happen very often. If you want actual media coverage read on.
2. When You Want to Get Media Coverage in Newspapers, Magazines, Radio and Television
The second type of distribution I recommend is more likely to land you media coverage. You need to build a media list based on location or industry. This does require more work because you need to generate your own list. You’ll need to do your homework and find out who the best person is to send your release to and the best method of contact – email, fax or online form.
Make sure you have the right angle when you’re writing and sending your release to individual reporters. Consider using a “local” angle or an “industry” angle. In fact, you may want to consider sending them a “pitch” instead of a press release. A pitch is written in the form of a letter and specifically addresses the concerns of the reporter and their target audience.
Click here to learn how to go beyond a press release and cultivate a relationship with the media.
Posted in Internet Marketing, Public Relations | 1 Comment »
Testimonials build your credibility like nothing else can. Online this is especially true if you include a photograph, name and contact information like a phone number or web address. Most customers probably won’t follow-up and contact your source. However, the fact that you’ve given them that option makes them feel much more secure.
Make sure that they don’t get lost in the rest of your copy. Mike Capuzzi, a well-known copywriter, recommended in a webinar I recently attended to insert testimonials in a screen box and using a handwritten font to dramatically increase response.
In previous blogs I’ve talked about the best way to get a good testimonial – while they’re hot. If you provide excellent service you’ll get positive feedback and that’s the IDEAL time to get a testimonial from them.
If you haven’t been regularly obtaining testimonials you can always backtrack and contact customers you know are happy with their results. In this case call or email them and ask if they would like to participate.
Give Them a Formula
If they agree send them the following formula to help them get started. (Take a few minutes and personalize this formula for the best results.)
1. Please share any sincere and enthusiastic expressions of the benefits and results you’ve enjoyed from my service/product. What stands out in your mind? How is my service/product different?
2. Before (hiring me or buying my product) what were the biggest challenges or problems you faced?
3. Please share the three or more significant improvements (if you can be specific please include the number of clients/ revenue growth/increased productivity etc.) thanks to (my product or service).
4. (This is completely optional; let me know if you want to include the following line.) If anyone has specific question or wants to know more about the value of your (service or product), please have them call/e-mail me. I’ll be happy to talk to them about it. (List name, company name, e-mail, website and phone.)
People have the best of intentions but are often busy. Tell them that they can jot down their ideas in an informal format and you will edit their testimonial and send it to them for their final approval.
Have you had success getting testimonials? Please post a comment, I’d love to hear your suggestions.
Tags: testimonials
Posted in Copywriting, Internet Marketing, Marketing | 7 Comments »
Regardless of what’s happening in Wall Street today—who can keep track—the entrepreneurs I know and love are carrying on with business. One trap you never want to fall into is to stop or slow down your marketing. Marketing doesn’t have to be expensive and it’s always important to keep business streaming in.
What’s great is that there are a lot of simple and inexpensive marketing solutions.
1. Article Marketing - Write informative articles and post them on article directories. According to Charlie Page, the owner of the Directory of Ezines, there are over 300,000 ezines out there and an estimated 90% of them use free articles in their ezines.
2. Press Releases - Get some free publicity—what small business owner doesn’t want that? As an extra bonus using an internet distribution service will give your website a traffic boost since these sites rank high on search engines.
3. Amazon - Amazon provides terrific opportunities to promote yourself and your website.
4. Signature Line - Another easy tip is to include a call to action following your signature line in every email you send out - visit my blog, sign-up for my newsletter, take a look at my new e-book.
5. Testimonials - We all love getting testimonials but it’s also a great idea to give testimonials. It’s a simple way to market yourself as an expert in your field and include a link back to your website.
6. Flyers - If you have clients that come to your place of business make sure you have marketing materials visible. For example, you can post a flyer announcing a special promotion or have current newsletters available for them to pick up. If your only interaction is a monthly invoice, take advantage of the opportunity to slip in some marketing material like a newsletter or flyer.
7. Ezines - One of the best and most inexpensive ways to communicate with clients is email. There are inexpensive programs that will allow you to automate the process and send your clients regular email newsletters.
8. Blog - Regular blogging will increase the frequency with which search engine “spiders” visit your site. A blog also helps you position yourself as an expert in your field.
9. Squidoo - There’s no charge to set-up your own page on Squidoo. I know SEO experts who rely heavily on Squidoo to generate website traffic.
10. Social Networking - Facebook and LinkedIn are two of the most popular sites out there. Social networking is not just for teenagers anymore. The biggest marketing experts are on there and you should be too!
It’s easy to put marketing on the back burner, especially if that’s not your “thing”. Instead of getting overwhelmed try picking out a couple of the solutions—that will work best for you and your business—and then schedule some time to put them into action. Get some momentum going and you’ll generate results.
Tags: Add new tag, article marketing, blogs, Internet Marketing, press releases
Posted in Internet Marketing, Marketing, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
If you’re a coach, therapist, or any kind of “expert” in your field, Amazon provides terrific opportunities to promote yourself and your website. The first step is to set-up a profile where people can learn more about you. Be as thorough as possible—post your picture, a bio, and of course your website.Â
Find a descriptive name for yourself too—for example I might call myself Jen Odear, The Internet Writing Pro. That makes it clear my area of expertise because Jen Odear by itself doesn’t mean a whole lot, at least to most people…
There are three ways you can generate some buzz within Amazon and encourage visitors to click on your profile:
- Book Reviews - Write a book review. I’m not talking about just any book you’ve read, I’m talking about books related to your expertise. Books that your target audience is interested in reading.  When they find that book they find you, because your book review will show-up on the page. Give an informed opinion on what you like—or don’t like—about the book.  People who are interested in what you have to say will scroll over your name and a window will pop-up with your information—very cool!
- Create Listmania Lists - Listmania allows you to create lists of Amazon books or products that you recommend. It’s an effective way to show that you’re a “well read” expert in your field. Give your list a catchy name but make sure it’s obvious what category you’re covering. This is a great way to get yourself listed throughout Amazon.
- So You’d Like to . . . Guides – This is another great area to post any “how to” articles you have relating to your field. Make them informative and interesting, this isn’t free advertising but it will help your target audience find you.
There’s also a new feature that allows authors who sell products on Amazon to send their blog posts to readers who have bought their books on Amazon or have signed up to receive their posts. Something authors should definitely check-out.
If you have any tips on using Amazon as a marketing tool please share them with me! Also contact me if you’d like more information on how to implement these strategies - www.internetwritingpro.com/contact.
Posted in Internet Marketing, Marketing | No Comments »
