our daily marketing practice

December 30, 2014October 13, 2015

Resolutions! Do we or don’t we? That is the Question.

Many of us start the year with decicions to work out more. Get to Yoga everyday. Get to the gym, show our loved ones more lovingkindness. But then the world gets in the way and something happens to stop us from achiving our goals.

This year I am going to not make any resolutions. I am going to continue to get to yoga everyday and work to make sure that my clients are happy and successful. We should do everything with the more gusto. Life is too short to spend out time spinning our wheels.

Along with excersie and good food. We also more work our brians and get those creative jusies flowing. Look to our buisnesses. This is where we always have too much to do and not enough time. We can get help with almost every aspect of our companies life. There are consultants here in the Berkshires that will help you create a business plan, a marketing plan. Then there are others that can help you carry it out. You can do it. You can make a difference in your buisness and create an enviorment that will build a strong company.

Start the new year. Get help with your company, get help with keeping yourself healthy. It dose work. I know this. I am proof it does work. If you are not here and need help call 413 528-6386 and I will help you or guide you to the right kind of advice.

Have a very happy profitable New Year.

Bob

November 15, 2014November 15, 2014

Computer Therapy: 11 things you need to know about writing for the web.

Writing for the web is a little different than writing for a magizine or news paper. I will outline 11 things you can do to get your copy written.

November 10, 2014November 10, 2014

10 things you should know about your Facebook Post.

The way you write your Facebook posts is the number one key to engaging with your audience. And with the latest change in the newsfeed algorithm, more engagement means more reach. And the more people you reach, the more you are likely to get likes, comments and shares which will in turn bring even more reach. See why you need to write effective Facebook posts?

The most important thing you should keep in mind is if anyone would want to share or recommend the specific post to their family and friends. If the answer is no, don’t post it.

Once you know what you want to write about, follow these 10 tips which will help you write copy that will boost engagement on your post:

1. Be natural – Facebook is a fun and relaxed environment. People come on Facebook to have a good time so keep your writing natural, nice and drop out the too formal approach. Nobody wants to read boring posts.

2. Be topical, timely and relevant – Your posts should be written for immediate action – write your posts so they can be read and engaged with right now.

3. Be visual – Images are the most engaging on Facebook. Adding a good image will attract readers.

4. Keep it short – The shorter, the better. Posts of 80 characters or less are the most engaging. Learn to edit your posts so that they make sense in less words.

5. Be Emotional – Emotions sell and encourage readers to share. The most shared posts sway and persuade. They are invitations to discussion and interchange. Try to write posts that scream for reaction. Create posts for commentary.

6. Ask questions – Questions are a great way to get comments. But only ask questions that are easy to answer. If you can, place questions at the end of your post.

7. Post quotes – Inspirational quotes work very well across social media. Try also to post quotes within images.

8. Don’t game the distribution – Many are tempted to ask people to like their posts. In fact, Facebook is not a fan of call-to-actions to like or share and the algorithm may penalize these types of posts.

9. Post Full links – Use only full URLs when posting a link to an external website. Shortened URLs get as much as 3 times less engagement than full-length URL instead.

10. Be yourself – The most important is to be and speak as yourself. Your fans love you or your brand. They expect you to write in your usual tone of voice and make them feel like you talk to them directly, not as a corporation.

Out thanks to Wearesocialmedia.gr For the great InfoGraphic
Read more: 10 Tips to Write Engaging Facebook Posts [infographic] | WeRSM | We Are Social Media http://wearesocialmedia.gr/10-tips-to-write-engaging-facebook-posts/#ixzz3IgHyMhnx

November 7, 2014November 7, 2014

An Overview of Social Media!

I am always being asked about social media?

This is a good overview in a nice infographic by Leverage Media. It will show you what the focus, audience, users, and other information that is good to know. With all of your use of the social medias to get the word out. You need to understand what it is all about.
Use this to see where you fit. Where does your company belong? Where does your client hang out?

Check it out.

November 6, 2014November 6, 2014

How to find out about your Online Reputation.

Everyday people are putting up reviews, good, bad and just plain lies.

Where are you or your company listed?
Where can the public put reviews?
Can we answer the bad reviews?
How can you stop bad reviews messing with you and your business?
How often do you need to check your reputation?
How can we protect our selfs’s

Wouldn’t it be nice to just be able to post a dog to protect us online? There are things we can do!

With a simple search you can find most of the companies that you are listed on. You could go one by one and correct, claim and post on each listing. That can be a real time suck. So what is one to do?

You can find someone to help. Yes we are here for you and all of our clients.
We can help you find you and your company, correct the listings with the correct address, phone, hours, etc. Then we will help you get some reviews up on these sites. There are ways todo it where the reviews will be seen by the public. It seems that every time there is a bad review it goes up right away and just starts coming up in the search listings. This can effect you and your company. Waiting until you have a bad review that effecting you is late to this process. Yes it can be corrected but it takes more time, money and damage to your companies reputation.

Saying, that when i get a bad review I will deal with it then by getting a lot of my happy clients to put up reviews that will fix it. Not always. On some of the directory sites like Yelp.com has an algorithm that decides what reviews to put on your listing and which ones are fake. This goes for any review. It you have never had any reviews and then get a bad one. I am talking about Yelp as an example.

The computer decides that the bad review was legit and the others that were put up in the last few days all 10 of them are not real reviews because it did not follow your pattern of reviews. So it lists most of your good reviews deep in the site where they are hard to find. Now to the computers credit if you string them out make them more like a normal review posting it will let them up on your front page and the will have an impact to your listing.

That is just one example that happened to one of my clients. All these directories can and are good things. We must be diligent and make sure that we take care of our reputation online as much as we do in our daily lives.

There are few good web sites that lay it out and give you some more examples of what I was talking about above.

Three things you need to do to protect your companies reputation

Protect your reputation. This site was created by high school students. We can learn from our youth.

Some good common sense things to learn to protect ourselves, from the mouths of babes.

July 24, 2012July 4, 2014

Each day is a new beginning

Everyday we wake up. Get out of bed and face the new day. Everyday we go about our work, everyday we need to say a little about our work on a blog.
It has need a long time since I posted last. A lot has gone on. Kids, family, work. The good is that everything I did before is still there. Waiting to be built on. So done feel that you have blown it all you have done is deal with life. Get back up make it happen. Each time you begin again and start to see results the faster you will be to start again. it is just a matter of dpi g it!
So get up and do it now, don’t wait, make it work for you life and build your business today.
Blog, get the FAQs out on your site. Start now blog now. Do the SEO that you need to. Know that there are others out there that are doing the same thing in the same place.
You can do it!
Have a peaceful day.
Bob

June 29, 2012July 4, 2014

Is your business on an empty street?

You can get up each day and go to work. If no one calls or comes into you business you are not getting far. If someone in your local area is looming for you and can’t find you again no business. No life.
So each day get up with a purpose. Decide it is going to work today. In my life I worked very hard for a long time 7 years. There were times I thought it was going to work and others I just wanted to give up. It was not until a major life change that I took a step back and let it happen. Now we are on a great road work is coming and I have people to help. Sometimes we just push too hard and get in our own way.
So get out of the way, make your business what you want it to be.
Find your path, find the way to make it work for you.
Have a peaceful day. I am going to start my yoga.
Bob

June 24, 2012July 4, 2014

Day by day we can only do what we can do!

Yes, it has been a while. A lot has happened, life has changed. But we must get back up on that horse.

It is a balancing act!
How do I run my business and do the things I need to do to promote it. Well you just need to find the time. Sometimes it is in the morning. That worked for me for a while, other times is is sitting in a Resturant waiting for food. Create content for your web site that has the keywords you need. Oh ya the keyword density should be 1.8. No more or Google will not rate you well.
Make sure you stick to good SEO practices. There are a ton of articles online read a few of them. Remember on the Internet it is alway good to get a few opinions. You should never trust just one find the truth for you and you will be better for it.
Creating content for you website is the best way to bring traffic and establish you as an authority in your field. Make a difference in you business today. Spend sometime talking about what you know. And you will get people to listen.
Have a peaceful afternoon. I am going to eat my dinner.
Bob

June 8, 2012July 4, 2014

Push through the fog.

Some days are harder than others. Just to keep thing going.
If you are not going to keep marketing you company the at some point things are going to just stop.
Just do it as the saying goes. Check your website, read others, like posts, comment on posts where there is a good conversation going on. That will introduce you to many more real people. You must let visitors know you are there. Let them find you. I can give you tips forever but if you don’t use them, are you helping yourself?
Everyday do something, it adds up over time. But you must start.
Have a peaceful day.
Bob

June 6, 2012December 30, 2014

An empty seat.

June 5, 2012July 4, 2014

Blue skies, a sign of calm

Blue skies in the distances after rainy days. A sign of clearing. No matter how you have faired in this Great Resession you will live to the next day. We need to look at our tasks ahead and mark them off one by one. As we see progress everything will become more clear.
It is clear to me that to I must find ways to reach out. To bring people and businesses together.
Content is king on the Internet. Find what you have to say. What is important to you? Tell the world! Do it now. Start today.
If you love your work then talk about it the way you do to your family and friends. What do you say when someone asks, What do you do?
Start there.
Also get help when you need it. When a pipe breaks in your house you call a Plummer. So of you need help with your web site find support. Find someone that will listen to your needs and come up with real solutions. That gives you options allows you to learn, grow.
If they feel like the right thing then do it, if not run. Find someone that gives you options and educates to allow you to make informed decisions.
Take the first steps. The second will be easier.
Have a peaceful day.
Bob

June 4, 2012July 4, 2014

Internet Marketing Tonight at Fuel in GB

Today is the day to come together and work on your web site. Talk to me and others in your community about supporting your site and business. We will meet at Fuel Coffee Shop in Great Barrington MA tonight from 5 to 7 to talk about Internet marketing, WordPress and all things Internet.

We will work in a group to find the best ways to get more information out about your company and find ways that we can help each other to grow our buisnesses.

Let us come together as a group to learn and support.

I look forward to seeing all of you there. Tonight!

June 1, 2012July 4, 2014

A sunny day and a new month!

It is a beautiful morning, a new month and a great time to start blogging. I know what you are thinking. I can't write, I don't gave the time, I don't know what to say!
Well then just stay in bed and let the world pass you by.
Get over yourself and find a way that works for you. Find a time, a tool.
For me the morning works best. If you have noticed I get my inspiration from looking out the window and seeing what is going on. Then I take a picture with my phone. Then use the IPhone WordPress app to make the post. It forces me to be short and use the least amount of words. I get tired of typing with my finger.
Think about you product or service. What questions do people ask you?
What are your answers?
Those are great posts! They will have lots of keywords and they will be what people need to hear. Don't worry about anything else just do it. Or find a service like ours to do it for you. But you have to do it or your web site is just not going to be seen.
Remember Monday nights 5 to 7 at Fuel in Great Barrington we are meeting to talk Internet Marketing. Get help and support from us and friends going through the same thing you are.
See you Monday!
Have a peaceful day and great weekend.
Bob

May 31, 2012July 4, 2014

Storms come and storms go.

The other night a storm came through, the first real one of the summer. The lightning flashed and the thunder boomed. I shut down all my computers to wait it out. The kids were excited to see nature put on a show.
It reminded me that life happens around me even if I don't do a thing.
The Internet grows every day. How can we make a difference? After all we are just one person. You can make a difference. Studies have shown that normal people have about 500 people in their world. If you are working with the public there could be thousands. Facebook has a measurement called "reach". That how many people do all of you fans have. A fan is someone that likes a page on Facebook.
With Linked in they call it your network. How many people can you touch witha post or comment you make?
The other day I looked on my LinkedIn page and saw that I have under 500 contacts but I have over 2 million in my network. What does that mean?
When I post something to LinkedIn it goes on all of my contacts pages and it would then be possible for all if their contacts to see it. Facebook offers the same thing. But with a possible reach of many more. I am now working with both Facebook and Google directly learning how to get the most from a little. They both make their money from Advertising so they want you to spend big. But you don't have to. You can take you existing budget and move it to on line for just one or two months. See what it does for you. With online you can track it all down to the click. You know how you money is working for you.
One work of warning! Don't spend a dime unless your website is ready to convert the new visitors to clients or Contacts. It is worth a call to me to get more info. Or you can come to our Monday night workshop at Fuel coffee shop in Great Barrington from 5-7 starting next week on June 4th.
Life will past you by. So get up and make a difference in your life and business.
Talk to you soon.
Have a peaceful day.
Bob

May 30, 2012July 4, 2014

Each day we have tasks

Just as the clouds rest on the hill tops for only a short time each day. We can not rest on the work we have done. We need to find that rhythm, that beat that keeps us going.
Some say routine. Whatever you call it find it and own it.
If you do simple things each day, like post a problem you product solves. A joy that your product or service brings. You will bring people to you.
If you sell you product on the web you sales will increase. If you have local services you will raise awareness. Just think of it as that one thing a day to build your business.
Have a peaceful day.
Bob

May 29, 2012July 4, 2014

Today is a good day to start.

Yesterday there were parades and celebrations. Honoring our fallen Heroes. Today is the day to become a hero and make you business successful. We are lucky we work for ourselves we have the success of our business in our hands.
For an investment if time we can talk about our business, get it in front of our clients. Show them why we are the best at what we do.
Take 15 minutes a day, an hour a month, down time in you day. Find a way to make it work. Create content in your web site. Write about what you know. You web site is the most effective tool in your marketing plan.
Make sure it is posting to Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Get most out of your work. Even if you have said it before say it again in a different way. It will reach different people.
Web sites can and do make a difference in the way your clients see your business. Make that difference today!
Have a peaceful day.
Bob

May 28, 2012July 4, 2014

Relax, take the day

We all need time down. Time to reflect on what we have done. Time to rest in the shade. So have a great day today. Spend it with friends, honor our fallen Hero's.
Tomorrow is a great day to start posting great content to your web site. Follow up on a conversation on Facebook or Twitter. Put up some pictures on Pintrest.
The most cost effective way to get the word out about your product is also one If the best.
Have a peaceful day.
Bob

May 24, 2012July 4, 2014

Seed your web content all around the web.

If you want food in the late spring and summer you need to start planting now. It is the same with your Internet Marketing it take time to grow.
You must engage you visitors get them talking about you products. Don't try to plant too many messages into any one email. It will only confuse the message. Keep your message free from weeds and extra words.

Above all just get out there, read, create content, take pictures, comment on other blogs. Get involved
in the conversation.

If you put yourself out you will be surprised at the. Creating content on your blog the Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and the new one pintrest. Are all good.
Get up and do it now!
Have a peaceful day.
Bob

May 22, 2012July 4, 2014

Love what you do and it will grow.

In my life and travels around the world I have seen many religions, many ways of life. The one thing that they all had in common at their core was love.
I think that is a strong driving force. It is one of the things that gets us up every morning.
Our companies need love too. They demand time and energy. If we want them to grow we have to take steps to make it happen. I was talking to a marketing director of a local non-profit yesterday. She said we can't afford you and I'm the only one to make this happen. In that situation you have think outside the box as they say. Ask the question. "what can I do to make a difference?"
I believe more every day the Internet is the way, to teach, to reach, and to bring people, real people together. And for those non-profits out there bringing people together create power and excitement for you organization.
Love what you do. Enjoy it, but remember you can't do it alone. If you don't have the money to pay then ask for help. See what happens. Find a way to make it work. To use the Internet to make your organization grow! You have to make time and take that first step. Now start you day with love and peace. See where it brings you.
Have a peaceful day.
Bob