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4 Tips for Better Brand Marketing

April 21, 2017 by Thomas 2 Comments

Are you more than a tad concerned about where your brand marketing efforts are headed (or not headed for that matter)?

In the event the answer is yes, what do you plan on doing?

For many business owners, it isn’t necessarily an issue of not attempting the right brand marketing initiatives, but more of a matter of being reluctant to do them in the first place.

That being the case, step back for a few minutes and look at how you’ve approached brand marketing up to this point. Are you simply not connecting with your target market, a market that undoubtedly is your key to making more revenue?

If you’ve been reluctant to move full-steam ahead, is that because of a lack of money, thinking that possibly brand marketing isn’t your strongest forte, or maybe even just not finding the right people to do the job?

It All Begins with SEO Plan

Before you can even begin to mount numerous effective brand marketing initiatives, you must make sure you have the right people in place to launch them.

With that being said, stop and look to see if the time has indeed come to reach out for assistance.

If so, that assistance might very well start and end by working with a San Diego SEO agency or one closer to home.

Keep in mind that search engine optimization (SEO) can do so many positive things for your business, things that you likely have been missing out on up to this point. In the event you do reach out to an SEO agency for help, how do you know which one is best suited to your needs?

Before just working with anyone, be sure you look for these qualities in an SEO partner:

Years of experience
Proven record of results
Open lines of communication
Pricing that is fair for the work in return
Honesty about how SEO really works

Once you’ve decided on an SEO partner, the next step is of course to improve your brand marketing initiatives.

Content is a Great Starting Point

So that your business can nail a number of key areas in the SEO brand marketing process, focus on these four for starters:

Blog content

When was the last time you assessed your website’s blog? If it was recently, were you happy with what you came across?

For many business owners, their blogs unfortunately rank at or near the bottom of importance on their list of things to do. As a result, they miss out on a number of opportunities to connect with consumers.

In working on your blog, not only write content that is authoritative and informative, but that also connects with consumers. By doing so, the doors to increased revenue opportunities are certainly opened up.

Drive off with better keywords

As part of that winning blog content strategy, it is imperative that you select winning keywords for your blogging content efforts.

One example would be for those in the auto selling business, specifically offering used cars for sale.

Sure, many used car dealers rely on TV commercials, newspaper ads; even word-of-mouth etc. in order to bring in business, but their websites shouldn’t be taken for granted.

With that in mind, your focus when writing content for this industry should include long-tail keywords, keywords that emphasize the auto industry and selling used vehicles.

Lastly, make sure you avoid any keyword stuffing, something that can send your Google search engine rankings into reverse sooner rather than later.

Social media outreach

Just as lackluster efforts towards blog content can hurt your brand, the same holds true with mediocre social media outreach.

Given the fact millions of consumers are on various social networking sites at any point and time of the day, shouldn’t your brand be there too?

With the answer being of course so, make sure you are active on a number of social media sites, but with that activity, also be sure to make your time there count.

Along with posting links to your blog content and other relevant industry content (whatever line of business you are in), also take the time to engage consumers. Remember, the more engagement possible the better.

Review your website regularly

Finally, do you take the time on a regular basis to review your website? If not, you could be hurting your brand more than you’ll ever know.

In reviewing your website; look for any and all glitches that could be hampering your efforts to make better inroads with consumers.

Such glitches can include:

Long downloading times
Pages that are broken
Hard to locate contact information
If you have an online store, difficulty for consumers in completing sales

Those are but some of the SEO website issues that could easily be curtailing you from better brand marketing, not to mention making more sales.

When it comes to better brand marketing, has the time come for you to invest some more time and energy in what you do?

Photo credit: Pixabay

About the Author: Dave Thomas writes for Organic Media Group on SEO and marketing topics.

4 Tips for Better Marketing Results

November 16, 2016 by Thomas 1 Comment

As a business owner and/or marketer, how would you rate your marketing game?

If it is coming up short of the desired results, do you have a plan in place to change the direction it is headed? In the event you do not, will you sit idly by and watch competitors reap the rewards of your inept marketing abilities?

Unfortunately, some businesses do just that.

They try to market their products and/or services, but ultimately come to the conclusion that they can’t for this or that reason. As a result, the competition gets rich off of them.

So that you do not end up kicking yourself for what effectively are bad marketing practices, stop and listen for a moment.

You can in fact turn things around if you’re so determined.

Don’t Settle for Second-Rate Marketing Initiatives

If the time has come to turn your marketing initiatives around so you can win a little bit more, remember the following four tips:

Goals – First and foremost, what are your goals with your marketing program? Having clearly defined goals is crucial in order for you to succeed. If you’re a small business, you probably have some roadblocks in your way at times, notably your marketing budget. That said it does not mean you can’t accomplish satisfactory results. With this year almost in the books, now would be a good time to review what you set forth as far as marketing goals for 2017;
Listening – You may think you are a marketing whiz (perhaps you are to one degree or another), but it never hurts to listen to others in the profession. If you have a marketing team in your office, have regular meetings to iron out where the marketing initiatives are headed. You might also find this great marketing podcast of great benefit to your endeavors. Such podcasts can provide a plethora of good marketing information like trends in the industry, where consumers have their heads at these days, why social media can never be taken for granted etc. There are more and more marketing podcasts, videos etc. on the market today than ever before. As such, you can learn lots of good information, information that you can then take and apply to your marketing strategies. While it is perfectly fine to think you know just about all there is to know regarding marketing, keeping your ears and eyes open never hurts.

Networking with Other Marketing Pros

Networking – It is one of the proven ways of getting new business leads, yet so many businesses (and marketers for that matter) drop the ball all too often when it comes to networking. As a result, they miss out on some golden opportunities to secure new business. While your marketing budget may be tight, you should do all you can to attend valuable marketing conferences etc. Even if you have to meticulously pick and choose which ones to attend, do it. The door is open to potential new business at each and every conference, trade show, chamber of commerce event etc. Make those doors open even wider by attending and solidifying new business leads;
Hiring – Last but certainly not least, are you hiring the right marketing talent at your business? In some cases, the answer to that question may be no. If you are not, that needs to change sooner rather than later. Take a look at what some of your competitors are doing when it comes to those they hire. Where are they getting these hires from? What kind of opportunities are they giving them to succeed in their careers? Knowing what winning marketing pros want from a business etc. is something you can never take for granted.

With 2017 just around the bend, take the time now to make sure your marketing goals for next year are ready to rock.

If they’re not, you could find yourself on the outside looking in when it comes to adding more business.

Photo credit: Pixabay

About the Author: Dave Thomas covers business and marketing topics on the web.

Marketing Products and Services That Involve Extra Effort

October 12, 2016 by Thomas 1 Comment

Whether you simply market the product or service and/or you are the owner, it is important that you understand your marketing audience. One of the most critical reasons for this is due to some products or services getting a little more scrutiny at times than others.

If you find yourself having to market products or services that garner a little additional attention than most others, what is your strategy? Do you even have a strategy in place? If not, it would behoove you to take the added time needed to craft a sound strategy. Doing so will make it easier to get your product or service to market. As a result, you will see your revenue stream (or the stream of those you represent) improve too.

That said what extra efforts are you putting into marketing certain products and services to get them sold?

Use Myriad of Marketing Maneuvers

So that you can be a winner with any and all marketing products and services you put out there, the key is leaving no stone unturned.

For instance, are you marketing medical marijuana to the masses? While medical marijuana has gotten notable approval in many corners of the country, some feel it is a prelude to abusing marijuana and potentially other drugs. As a marketer for any companies backing medical marijuana, how do you put your message out there in a positive manner?

For starters, if you are touting the positive results of one getting a marijuana card online, use examples of individuals battling health problems to have benefitted from getting the drug.

Such examples can be shown in your blog posts or even videos on your website.

As an example, some testimonial videos from men and women having used medical marijuana to their benefit in fighting cancer or other diseases can do wonders. It not only sends a message of success with the product, but it gives others in that position hope.

With your blog posts, talk about not only some individual examples of medical marijuana success, but also trends in the overall marijuana industry.

Get Credible People Backing Your Marketing

One of the best groups to have backing your marketing initiative would be those in the medical community, notably doctors.

Countless doctors have seen first-hand how medical marijuana can give hope to those battling illnesses, diseases, pain and more. As a result, it is not uncommon these days to hear more and more physicians backing medical marijuana.

As part of your marketing initiatives, using some information from said doctors would help back your cause. In many cases, people are more apt to get behind something when credible individuals say they support it.

Gambling with Marketing Initiatives

Another example would be gambling.

For decades, there have been supporters and non-supporters behind the idea of not only casino gambling, but also online gambling. As a result, millions and millions of dollars’ worth of marketing (for and against) have been spent on gambling ads and more.

If you back gambling, your marketing initiatives would want to show how the proceeds from gambling go to help residents of the respective states (senior citizens, children when it comes to schooling, public transportation etc.). If you are against gambling, your marketing efforts are typically directed at showing how some people can lose everything. While there are many responsible gamblers out there, some do not know when to call it quits. As a result, they can end up losing pretty much everything when all is said and done.

As you can see, marketing some products and services can at times prove challenging, but that is why having a sound strategy is so important.

In being a marketer, how do you go about marketing certain products and/or services that some individuals and/or groups may be against?

With marketing being such an important cog in the business machine, taking that extra time and effort in some cases can make all the difference.

Photo by BigStockPhoto.com

About the Author: Dave Thomas covers business and marketing topics on the web.

Market a Brand Consumers Will Come Home to

September 14, 2016 by Thomas Leave a Comment

In today’s world of B2C marketing, it is imperative that businesses do their utmost to get their brands properly marketed.

That said some companies are literally dropping the ball when it comes to telling consumers why the brands they have offer the public are light years better than the competition.

So, what are you doing to go out of your way to market your brand properly?

Whether it is more along the lines of traditional marketing methods, perhaps leaning more for mobile and social media marketing, there are myriad of ways to get your brand heard and recognized.

At the end of the day, the goal should always be to market a brand consumers will come home to.

Get Your Message Out There

In order to have your brand stand out from the competition, make sure you are doing the following:

Properly planning – Your first and foremost objective is to make sure you are properly planning any and all marketing initiatives. For example, if your company’s main offerings are home renovations and other home improvements, be sure your marketing efforts are geared towards the right demographics. While some senior citizens later in years do in fact make notable renovations and/or additions to their homes, many of them are content with what they have at home or are renting properties (senior center apartments or condos etc.). As a result, they’re not going to be your primary source of business. On the flip side, people who are either moving into an older home that needs work or consumers looking to upgrade the homes they have had for a number of years now, these would be some of the individuals/couples you want to target. Having done your research will help you in more effectively targeting the right audience;
Imagery is key – Even though information etc. is certainly important in the area of home renovations and additions, the impact quality imagery has can’t be overlooked. Whether you are Utah web developers or another such brand, showing consumers images that can’t be beat will help you in landing more business. This is where both your website and a quality social media presence are so important. Be sure your website is chock-full of imagery, imagery that shows how quickly a residence can go from looking rather ordinary to looking quite extra-ordinary. That imagery should also be shared on social media sites, especially ones like Instagram and Facebook, both of which are great for telling a story through pictures;
Providing unparalleled customer service – Where are you when it comes to providing customer service? This is one of the critical elements of being a successful brand, so don’t take it lightly. For example, consumers may come to you in-person or via the web to ask questions about home improvements. Don’t use the opportunity to try and push a sale down their throats, but instead use it to not only educate them on the best ways to go about home improvements/renovations/additions etc. but also to show that their interests are your interests too. By being there to answer their questions and give them the information they were hopefully looking for, you potentially gain their trust. Once that is gained, the door can quickly swing open to be a potential business-customer relationship for many years to come.

While sound marketing is not rocket science, it does take some effort and ingenuity, both of which should always be two staples of your business approach.

In the event your brand marketing techniques have been coming up a little short as of late, there is still plenty of time to change course, giving you the opportunity to make headway with consumers.

Some brands naturally sell themselves; others need a little extra push.

If your brand is one of those that needs a little extra kick in the pants to secure more business, don’t be afraid to step outside the box with your marketing initiatives.

Whatever you can do to secure more business, make sure you are doing it.

When consumers know your brand is the one that offers them the most, they are certainly more apt to come home to you.

Photo credit: BigStockPhoto.com

About the Author: Dave Thomas covers business topics on the web.

Marketing One of the Most Needed Legal Services

June 29, 2016 by Thomas 1 Comment

For those going through a divorce, it can be one of the most unnerving times in their lives.

For those dealing in a divorce that involves children, property, animosity and more, the situation can be 10 times worse.

So, what role do divorce attorneys play in trying to keep both sides from going at each other?

As many divorce lawyers and attorneys will tell you, doing the most for their clients and keeping the peace are oftentimes the two biggest goals.

Finding such clients has become easier and easier for many in the legal profession over the last decade or two do much in part to better marketing efforts.

Whether it is legal websites, blog postings, content marketing, social media, the list goes on and on.

So, is your law firm doing its best to market your family law services?

Myriad of Ways to Get One’s Message Out There

For many lawyers and attorneys, the key to landing more clients is in fact through sound marketing principles, principles that involve a well-rounded approach.

Among the ways divorce lawyers and attorneys should be courting potential clients:

Content marketing – Whether it is through content marketing pieces on their own blogs, guest posting on other blogs of interest, press releases, white papers, the list is literally endless. By having a stellar content marketing plan in place, attorneys and lawyers have the potential to reach countless individuals (families for that matter too) in need. Once some of those individuals and/or families see the final results they can obtain, they might be noting that was the attorney who did a great job with my divorce. As a legal pro in the area of family law, make it a point to direct a sizable portion of your promotional efforts towards content marketing. While you never want to come across as trying to make a sale if you will, it is important that you make it clear in your marketing efforts as to why your firm stands above the rest;
Client testimonials – Some of your best marketing and advertising efforts can come right from the mouths of those you have helped. Client testimonials are about as good as it gets for a law firm in terms of telling potential clients why one divorce court expert is better than the others. In putting together client testimonials, you obviously want permission from any participant you consider to go in front of the camera or provide a quote for a publication. Anything that may come across as possibly being coerced etc. will not only look bad, it could damage your reputation in the legal field;
Video promotions – Along with the above-mentioned client testimonials, more law firms are coming to realize that video promotions can be another winning form of marketing. Allowing potential clients the opportunity to get to know you and your staff better certainly can’t hurt. The video doesn’t have to be long (in fact it should not be long and drawn out). Simply tell a story as to why your law firm is the best choice for those in need of legal services when it comes to divorce proceedings. Finally, be sure to include pertinent members of your firm in the video, allowing potential clients to put a face with a name or voice they speak with on the phone etc.

Family law can of course be both exciting and contentious at times.

That said lawyers and attorneys in this line of practice know that there are plenty of people in need of such services, not to mention plenty of legal pros nationwide looking to score their business.

Always remember as a divorce attorney to focus on demonstrating through myriad of marketing and advertising means why your law firm is a notch above the competition.

Sure, you certainly are not going to land every consumer out there in need of family law services, but you will attain your fair share when you stick to good marketing principles and of course stellar customer service initiatives.

Simply put, you are one of the most needed legal services out there.

Photo credit: BigStockPhoto.com

About the Author: Dave Thomas covers business and marketing services on the web.

Don’t Be Afraid of Technology

May 11, 2016 by Thomas Leave a Comment

Given all that technology has to offer your brand, why would you in turn run away from it and try to hide?

Unfortunately, there are businesses out there that do just that.

For myriad of reasons, some companies see technology as too cumbersome, too expensive, too much to try and teach their employees. As a result, they miss out on all the great things technology can offer a brand.

That said has your business embraced technology as it should. If not, are you in fact afraid of all technology has to offer?

Consultants Can Make the Difference

For some of those businesses that are afraid of technology, what if they hired consultants to implement and manage such needs?

While some brands may shy away from using consultants, many other companies see much benefit in using men and women who have extensive experience in the world of technology.

With that being the case, how can your business put I.T. consultants to work for you?

Among the ways they can assist:

General website production and upkeep – Your website should know no boundaries when it comes to promoting your brand. That said your website must always be maintained so that not only is it working as it should, but also giving visitors to the site what they need. You can opt for a provider such as Maryland I.T. services or others that are out there, searching for the one best suited to your needs and financial means. Don’t just automatically opt for the one offering the cheapest price. Then again, the most expensive one doesn’t automatically guarantee the best service. When you combine great experience with an affordable price, you typically hit the nail on the head. Speaking of upkeep a minute ago, your site’s I.T. pro or pros should review the website regularly, looking for any errors. Some of the typical gaffes can include 404 errors, pictures that do not match with the content, headline typos etc. While the occasional error may slip through from time to time, a website filled with errors is likely going to give many visitors the wrong opinion about your brand. If they feel like your site is nothing short of a joke, can you really expect them then to fully trust your products and/or services? Don’t let visitors be the ones to routinely find gaffes on your site;
Blog content – Assuming your website offers a blog, that blog is some of your best marketing means available. With the right focus on the blog, you can write and/or include guest posts that revolve around your particular industry. The number one rule here regarding content is that it must be informative and authoritative for the reader, not trying to sell something every other sentence. The content should also have a call to action, thereby leading you to potential sales at each and every opportunity. Finally, the content should be shared (see more below) as often as possible, allowing you to get it in front of as many eyes as possible;
Social promotions – If your website has been lax at promoting itself on social media, that needs to change immediately. Your presence on social networking sites can open so many different doors for your brand, so don’t hesitate to use it. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn etc. are all great tools to give your brand the social exposure it truly needs. Make sure your site has its respective social media icons in an easy to locate area, allowing those wishing to an opportunity to follow you. Yes, some business owners will lament that they have trouble truly figuring out if social media provides a good return on investment (ROI), but the overwhelming evidence shows that it does.

These are but three of the ways I.T. consultants can educate business owners on improving their technology efforts.

If you have been only a so-so player in the world of technology, perhaps it was because you didn’t have the right consultant help available?

When you stop and think about it, technology is only going to get bigger and better in the years to come.

That said don’t be afraid of it and lose out on all sorts of potential business.

Photo credit: BigStockPhoto.com

About the Author: Dave Thomas covers business and technology items on the web.