Local Search Newsletter #1
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First, I have 3 videos I’d like you to watch first. They will get you started with Local Online Marketing TODAY!
Click Here to Watch the Videos.
I have even more videos about local search marketing here:
http://www.WeberInternetMarketing.com
Here Are The Free TOP 10 Local Search Marketing Tips
They explain what local search is all about and how it can dramatically jump-start your business:
Ok, now that you understand what local search marketing is, let’s go over the top ten tips you should know in order to take advantage of the power of local search.
1. Check out your current standings in the local searches. Go to Google and type in searches your customers may use to find your business. For example, if you own a dog grooming business in Tulsa, search for things like “tulsa dog groomer”, dog grooming service in Tulsa”, etc. Check out where YOUR business shows up AND notice how your competition ranks. If they rank better than you, they are taking business from you today!
2. Google, Yahoo, and Bing all have free services called Google Local, Yahoo Local, and Bing Local. You absolutely positively HAVE to get your business listed in those first. It’s important that you get your business in there today. You may not show up on the first page (right buy the Google map with your own push-pin on the map) right now, but we can work on that later. There are specific strategies you can take (all for free) which insure your first place listings in all the local searches.
3. Although you don’t need a website to get your business info into the search engines’ local listings, it’s very important that you have at least a simple website where people can go and view basic information (such as multiple contact methods) about your business. Contact me about your options for this. I want to make sure you are on the right track in this area.
4. Although the cost in dollars is extremely low for local search marketing success, it does require some work. Those who are successful at it have learned the value of dedicating just a small amount of time each day to local search marketing. It’s important that you budget some time to the process. Your local search marketing could be well in place with 30 minutes a day of work for the next month or so. Once it’s in place, the weekly requirements to maintain it are dramatically less in time. It is your best investment of time with respect to effective marketing strategies. Nothing compares to its bang-for-the-buck!
5. Don’t pay anything for local search marketing in the beginning. There are MANY highly effective and free ways you should take advantage of first. Once you have implemented the many free methods, then we can talk about some paid online marketing options.
6. Video marketing is HUGE now days! Video is one of the most effective methods for demonstrating value and establishing trust with potential customers. If you don’t have a Flip video camera yet, get one! I suggest the mid-range or low priced Flip. Their software makes it VERY easy to create YouTube videos for your business. Just click, click and click and you have your video posted to YouTube…Very Easy! Plus, that one YouTube video can be leveraged in MANY different ways in your local search marketing strategies! Video is POWERFUL!
7. PayPerClick, like Google Adwords, is a viable option for getting your business in front of local searchers. However, be aware, that although it is very easy to begin advertising with that method, it is NOT easy to make a good return on investment initially for the beginner. It takes time and testing to learn the process and the testing requires advertising dollars. You absolutely should consider Google Adwords, but let’s first spend the time making sure we have taken advantage of all the free opportunities.
8. Combine your local search marketing methods with your off-line methods. For example, create a nice landing page with picture, business information, videos, etc. and then provide a link to that site in your off-line advertising such as your Yellow Page and newspaper ads. You’ll magnify the effect those off-line ads have on your business.
9. Keep a steady stream of new Craigslist ads running. Craigslist ads cost NOTHING! You can begin with simple text ads. However, colorful ads with pictures and formatted text using simple HTML are much more powerful!
10. Lastly, but not least by any means, your goal should be enjoying the “Holy Grail” of search marketing. That means having the various pages of your site show up in Google, Yahoo and Bing searches in the “organic” results. These are the real meat and potatoes of online search. You will get more traffic by being seen in the organic search results than from any other method. It’s important to remember that searchers use all kinds varied search queries when searching for local products and services.
If you create a simple, but robust and search engine friendly site with plenty of great content, Google, Yahoo and Bing will be more than happy to show your site on their first pages for many variations of search phrases related to your business. I can’t emphasize enough how important this strategy will be to your business. Most studies show that the organic results for any given search are clicked on by searchers 70% of the time. Your long term strategy must include positioning your site well in the organic search results.
There you have it! My Top Ten Tips for Local Search Success!
But we are just getting started. Be watching for coming issues of the newsletter which feature more great marketing tips that will help you dramatically increase customers, leads, and profits in your business!
