SiteProNews |
- Learning Proper SEO Techniques Will Increase Your Traffic And Sales
- Stock Photos, Custom Photos, or a Blend of Both? – A SPN Exclusive Article
- How to Set Up a Powerful Facebook Business Page
- What is Social Media and Why Your Company Really Needs to Be Onboard
- 8 Brand Video Story Development Concepts
| Learning Proper SEO Techniques Will Increase Your Traffic And Sales Posted: 27 Jul 2011 09:38 AM PDT 
Internet Marketing involves learning about and keeping up with the best marketing techniques and practices. It is not unusual to find little changes that can increase your traffic and sales. Learning to test your sales materials, landing pages, and other factors will ensure you have constant results and you’ll build upon your success. It is highly recommended you avoid any techniques or shortcuts you may come across often referred to as ‘Black Hat’. These tactics might provide some quick results, however, if you wish to have a long-lasting presence and reputation, it will be better to avoid the temptation to use them. Learn from those that have employed successful practices and principles, it will be worth it in the long run. Not only will marketing methods change, so will the algorithms that search engines use. Their goal is simply to provide their users with the most relevant search results for any given term. Changes and updates they make may affect your rankings at times. However, if you are using sound and proven techniques, you should be able to recover quite quickly with some minor tweaks. One practice that goes a long way in helping you get that valuable traffic, so you make more sales, is learning how to find potentially profitable keywords. The key is to find those words that a lot of people use, yet there are less websites in place that you will be competing against. Many different approaches to doing this are offered online. Once you find those high-value keywords, you can use them in domain names, or just start posting on your site, using them in the most effective ways. You’ll also use them for link building. The idea is to use them as anchor text so you start getting links that point to your website, or the page where there is more information. You can also use them when commenting on blogs and forums related to those items you’re marketing. To increase the value of the posts and articles you write, it is important to learn how to effectively use Latent Semantic Indexing (LSI). These are words that are directly related to your keywords and when included will add relevance to what you have written. You’ll also will want to learn the best ways to make the most of all the social media sites to increase your exposure and find those interested in your offers. You’ll also get more valuable backlinks that will increase the importance of your website. All of these are things you will want to do so that over time your website will show up higher in search results for the terms you want to rank for. The biggest advantage is that these are SEO practices that will give you long-term results. How much success you attain with your marketing efforts will depend a lot on how effectively you learn to apply these principles. At the same time, if you try to cheat the system, you’re very likely to see a loss of visitors, sales, and perhaps see your site disappear from any search engine results. Consult the top search and social media marketing firm in Canada for more advice on Montreal SEO, as well as other web-based processes. Offering a wide array of search engine optimization London strategies, contact the experts today. http://www.searchenginepeople.com/ Post from: SiteProNews: Webmaster News & Resources |
| Stock Photos, Custom Photos, or a Blend of Both? – A SPN Exclusive Article Posted: 27 Jul 2011 09:25 AM PDT 
The answer lies within the microstock websites. This emerging group of sites (such as iStockPhoto, BigStockPhoto, and Dreamstime) allow customers to purchase high quality images at much lower prices. Each site has certain licensing options and distribution restrictions for images, but most of the time a customer can purchase the desired image and the necessary license for a relatively low price. For most companies, finding a good, applicable image isn’t a problem. Just between the three stock sites listed above, there are over six million images. Yes, some of them are duplicates, with the same artist creating galleries on each site. However, there are still several million different images available. A word of caution though when you are selecting an image to use – try to stay away from the most popular images. Why do I say that? Well, they are popular due to being sold and downloaded more times. Why do I caution you against using popular images? Because you don’t want to create branding material for your company or product that is being used elsewhere. Your business is unique… your product is unique… it may not be in your best interest to use an image that has been sold hundreds or perhaps even thousands of times. What am I talking about? Well, perhaps it’s best to just use some visual examples. I came across this blog post which shows how three major electronics companies used the same image in various promotions. Check it out for yourself: http://www.brianbehrend.com/archives/2004/09/more_stock_foot.php Better yet, here’s a nightmare scenario that you would never want to have occur for your company. Can you imagine the constant explaining that Design Matters has to do regarding their (lack of) association with Vagisil? You see, they both used the same image of a young teen girl in their promotional materials. Unfortunately, the link to the Vagisil ad is no longer active. The Wall Street Journal also featured an article on this dilemma several years ago that is still worth reading. These examples are the risk that you run when choosing to use stock photography for your business. I am certainly not telling you to abandon the use of stock photography for your business! Please don’t misunderstand. However, I am recommending that you proceed with caution. There are very valid risks to consider. The customer’s perception of your business is on the line. David Ogilvy said, “Always give your product a first-class ticket through life.” This incredibly important concept is applicable to not only a product, a brochure, or your website – but your business as a whole. Is purchasing an image for a buck or two really the best route to take? It can be if you navigate your way through the process wisely. Choose a Photo That Matches Up With Your Purpose Don’t just choose one to “fill space.” Rather than use a potentially risky or dull photo, fill that space with great content. Or, at times… empty space might be the best option. Space is good. Be Creative in Your Choice Instead of using a picture of a man or woman, (who isn’t employed by your company), perhaps a graphic of some sort will convey the same message just as effectively. Or better yet, hire a photographer to take pictures of your actual employees. It may be slightly more expensive to choose this route, but the end result will certainly be more genuine. An example that comes to mind for me was a Sear’s sales flyer that I received in the mail not too long ago. It completely missed the mark with me. I flipped through it until about page 3. On that page, I finally realized that every person in every picture had well placed smudges on their faces. (The flyer was geared toward outdoors/construction clothing and accessories.) I even saw painters with paint on their hands and face…however, their painting clothes were spotless. I also wondered why the “architect or engineer” in the picture seemed to have a The pictures were a complete bust for me. I didn’t look at anything in the catalog with the mindset of “hey… I wonder what’s on sale”; instead, I was just looking at the ridiculous pictures. In my opinion, the whole catalog was a ridiculous attempt to get me to purchase something…and it didn’t work. Color Card Administrator is the parent company of PrintBusinessCards.com and several other innovative Real Estate Business Card websites. We’re eager to share with you what it is we do. Give us a call today at 858-522-9335 or email at Author@CardAdmin.com for Print Business Cards. We look forward to discussing your comments, suggestions, or hearing any ideas for future article topics you may be interested in regarding online business cards design or business card management. Post from: SiteProNews: Webmaster News & Resources |
| How to Set Up a Powerful Facebook Business Page Posted: 27 Jul 2011 09:00 AM PDT 
Plan Your Page - the first step is to create your page online. This needs to be planned so that it is preferably right the first time around. You’ll need to think about using a keyword as part of your page title. For example, if you sell health products then make this part of your business page title. This will then be something that can be useful for the search engines, both inside Facebook and outside of it in Google. Use the Fields - there are plenty of areas to add words on the page, be sure to use them. Add your website link, description and what your company/business/page is all about. Add your website to the ‘About’ section so that people can find it easy to click through to you. Remember with all sales including affiliate marketing – you mustn’t spam – use your writing to build desire. Add Photos - add your products in a variety of photo albums for easy viewing. Part of what people love about Facebook is being able to look at photos. Five of the photos will be shown randomly across the top of your Facebook business page. Ideally you should create a profile picture that communicates something about your business – i.e. what it does, it’s brand image and your website if you have one. It should ideally tie in with the brand image on your website or your blog. Finding People to ‘Like’ Your Page - suggest your page to your friends on Facebook to get started. Add an icon through to your Facebook page from your website. Also post your Facebook page up on any other social sites that you use such as Twitter. If you use any marketing material such as business cards or email signatures, then add your page to those too. Even with affiliate marketing – operating under a business can have it’s benefits as you grow – you may decide to present yourself with a particular brand image. Once you have 25 people connected to your page, you will be able to sign up for a vanity URL on Facebook and select a URL for your Facebook page. Use Your Page - post your blogs and other information that people may find interesting and relevant to your niche. Don’t do the sales spiel or you’ll lose some of your connections because it’s a version of spamming. Affiliate marketing should be the same as other marketing – i.e. all about building desire for a product. You should mention the benefits of your products. Monitor Your Progress - the main goals of your Facebook page should be to grow your connections and to develop your interactions. You can measure how well you are doing by checking on the ‘insights’ link of your page. You will see several graphs detailing how well you are doing on these two fronts. By following the above suggestions, you will be growing your affiliate marketing business in a way that will bring you more sales. Andrew Holtom is an experienced and accomplished online marketer. Andrew enjoys introducing newcomers on how to successfully make money online. If you are looking for an easy way to get started with affiliate marketing, internet marketing or having an online business, then check http://www.webmarketinformation.com where you can download a free 94 page guide to starting your own online business. Post from: SiteProNews: Webmaster News & Resources |
| What is Social Media and Why Your Company Really Needs to Be Onboard Posted: 27 Jul 2011 08:39 AM PDT 
What exactly is social media? Social Media is Where the Engagement with Your Prospects Happens From family to friends and colleagues to consumers, one of the ways to use social media is to connect with the individuals and companies who are interacting online. As a social media user, you’ll be ready to build relationships with others that share your interests, whether it is another cafe owner who shares your insistence on selling the best coffee possible or the customer who absolutely cannot survive one additional day minus the product you are marketing. Social Media is How Entrepreneurs and Small Companies Boost Their Revenue It’s hard to argue that additional profit streams are more important for website owners and small businesses. A good way to use social media is to boost the reach of your branding. You’re no longer restricted to audiences in your region or area. Social media web sites, such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, can help you spread your brand from Buffalo to Brussels. Social media is how those big companies stay competitive. Consumers use social networks and sites to check out and discuss product reviews, hunt for solutions, and interact with businesses. Major firms that want to always keep a competitive edge know the importance of using social media networks as an integral of a very focused campaign that will connect with followers. For example, one of the ways to use social media might include a competition for followers to create a jingle or a logo with the goal of generating buzz for your next hot product. Do your clients spread the word about your fresh, new iPhone application? Do your patrons stand in line for long hours just to get access into your club? One way to use social media is to make it easy for your biggest fans to share their enthusiasm with other consumers. Social Media is Not Just the Wave of the Future. It’s Our Current Marketing Reality It is exactly how forward thinking individuals and online businesses are choosing to collect and easily share information. Using social media to market to consumers is not just a trend for the young: statistics show that more than one-quarter of women and men over 50 years old are using social networking sites, according to a 2010 AARP report. So even if you think social media will fade away like the Pet Rock of the ’70’s, you still need to have a presence because social media is is exactly where your customers are right now. What are you procrastinating for? Now that you know the answer to the question “What is social media?” the time is now for your business to get on board. You are leaving potential customers on the table by not taking advantage of this free and engaging form of marketing. Dianne Shaddock is a small business owner and self proclaimed “HR nerd” who has used social media tutorials to successfully engage website visitors and prospective customers. Learn how at http://easysmallbusinesshr.com/SocialMediaTutorial Post from: SiteProNews: Webmaster News & Resources |
| 8 Brand Video Story Development Concepts Posted: 26 Jul 2011 10:00 PM PDT 
The High Cost of Amateurism On the positive side many creative and intelligent people are now able to present their talents and knowledge to a global audience whereas ‘Before The Web Era’ they had to settle for friends and family or at best a local audience. On the downside, just because everyone can do something doesn’t mean they should. I am not even talking about the silly, uninformed comments that appear everywhere, or even the dumb-and-dumber user-generated videos that highlight adolescent stunts and salacious exhibitionism. What I am talking about is how so many legitimate businesses opt for amateur video presentations without the slightest understanding of the damage they are doing to their To my mind, your image and message are far too important to leave up to amateurs who don’t understand how to develop and present a marketing message using the Web video medium, a medium that differs from television advertising and corporate presentations as much as it differs from print. For those who think that professional Web video is too expensive, I would advise the real cost of DIY and amateurism is lost sales and reputation. It’s About Concept and Performance The truth is you can get away with a lot of technical stuff on the Web but you can never get away with inferior messaging both in concept and performance. The true essence of Web video professionalism is how your business message is turned into a compelling brand story, a mission that should not be taken lightly. I have said it many times, but Web Video is an exercise in psychological persuasion not a display of technical wizardry. If you don’t understand how to convert your message into a meaningful brand story, it is best you find someone who does. 8 Brand Video Story Development Concepts 1. Story Form Business people trained in number-centric management practices often reject, or at least bridle at the notion of storytelling as a legitimate business function, but unless you have a good story to tell no one is going to listen to what you have to say. Within the movie business it is often said that there are only seven movies: these are the prototypical plots that can be presented in some compelling fashion over two hours. The difference between an award winning movie and a flop is how that story is told, a function of script and performance. Your marketing video must contain the same kind of conceptual reference in order to deliver the message quickly and effectively. 2. Transformation There are many ways to present your story but every story needs a hero or heroine. He or she is your brand representative who is transformed from one condition or state-of-mind to another. This is the symbolic transformation that your audience vicariously goes through as they watch, a transformation that changes their attitudes, perceptions, and prejudices. It is the process of psychologically moving your viewer from prospect to client. It is the process of conversion. 3. Obstacles No transformation is complete without overcoming some obstacle in the same way no sale is closed without overcoming some objection. The bigger the obstacle, the more powerful the message becomes. Everyone instinctively understands their product or service must solve a problem, but the problem-solving nature of your solution may not be as apparent as first thought, and a poorly constructed video can actually negate what your trying to accomplish. 4. The Setup Without a setup your message will fail to make an impact. This is one of the hardest things to get people to recognize. Like any memorable anecdote or magic trick, you cannot skip the setup; without a setup, a punch line (your tag line) will have no meaning. 5. Consistent Signature Patterns Human beings learn through pattern recognition. If the audience can’t recognize the pattern, you don’t have a brand. Successful brand development uses consistent language, attitude, and point-of-view, supported by consistent image, color, and style, presented within a consistent contextual framework. 6. Campaigns One-off presentations don’t result in long-term clients any more than a one-night stand results in a long-term relationship. You must continually support and enhance your identity and image with supportive content and material. 7. Emotional Value Proposition There are only a handful of hardwired psychological needs that drive human motivation and therefore consumption. The universality of these desires is what makes us tick, it’s what makes us make the decisions we make, and to ultimately buy what we buy. It’s the Emotional Value Proposition you offer your audience that makes them a client. A reliance on fads and features might lead to short-term sales, but they’ll rarely lead to long-term customers. 8. Performance Everyone has a friend who loves to tell jokes but can never quite get it right; either they screw-up the punch line or they butcher the timing, and the story falls flat. Your brand story videos are no different. Unless they are delivered with skill and professionalism they will fail and maybe even do more harm than good. It’s not just a question of hiring someone who can actually spit the words out without getting tongue-tied; it’s about knowing how to use performance techniques within the Web video medium to deliver a memorable marketing message. It’s about performance. Final Thoughts Everyone likes to save money, especially when the economy is not the best, but saving money at the cost of your company’s reputation and identity can be a costly mistake. Technology has provided the business executive and company owner with all kinds of benefits, but it would be a mistake to think technology solves psychological concerns; and sales and marketing are most definitely psychological issues. Jerry Bader is Senior Partner at MRPwebmedia, a website design and marketing firm that specializes in Web-video Marketing Campaigns and Video Websites. Visit http://www.mrpwebmedia.com, http://www.136words.com, and http://www.sonicpersonality.com. Contact at info@mrpwebmedia.com or telephone (905) 764-1246. Post from: SiteProNews: Webmaster News & Resources |
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is one of those things that can make or break an online business. It is so important to find ways to get your message out and motivate others to visit your website to get more information. It is very unlikely you will ever have much success if you don’t learn how to effectively market your sites.
Over the past few years, the stock photography market has exploded and expanded exponentially. Iconic stock giants such as Getty Images, Corbis (privately owned by Bill Gates), Alamy, and Jupitermedia, Inc. (parent company of Jupiter Images) dominate high end publications and websites. Unfortunately, most of the images available from the companies listed above are simply too expensive for most small businesses to purchase for their web use, advertising campaigns, and media related ventures. Many times you’ll see images owned by these companies used in highly publicized magazines and websites such as Time, Sports Illustrated, CNN, and many others. So, how do small businesses locate quality stock images that they can use effectively to promote their business and/or products?
In the world of affiliate marketing Facebook is a powerhouse of marketing. Affiliate marketing is a type of business and by now you will be well aware that every business should really have a presence on Facebook as it provides so much in the way of opportunity. It’s a good place to build a community and it can also be a good source of traffic to your products. Let’s look at how to set up a powerful Facebook business page that will enable you to engage with your connections.
To utilize social media or ignore it? It is a question that a lot of business owners are considering. Can all those Twitter updates and Facebook “likes” be worth the time and effort? In basic terms, yes! Whether you would like to market your personal blog page or perhaps launch a company Twitter account, it is possible to successfully engage visitors by way of social networks. This guide can help you to understand, what is social media, not to mention why it is an essential marketing tool which can be used to connect with visitors and prospects.
The Web has spawned many great opportunities for people in general and businesses in particular. One of the byproducts of ubiquitous access and use is the ability of anyone with a Web-ready device and Internet connection to participate. Pardon me for being cynical, but maybe not everyone is capable of participating in a meaningful manner. What I’m saying is the Web has created a whole new venue for amateurism that has both positive and negative consequences.| You are subscribed to email updates from SiteProNews Recent Articles To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
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