Still Don't Have a Google+ Page for Your Business?

I work with hundreds of small business owners or their representatives/managers.  Throughout our various meetings during the year, we discuss their digital presence, or where they "rank" on Google.  There is so much confusion for the small business owner and they really don't have the time to constantly study and stay up to date on the changing landscape of the internet.  So, they rely heavily upon my experience, knowledge and assistance to make sure they have their bases covered online.

One thing I have identified for the majority of my clients is that they have not claimed their Google+ page.  I know, you are thinking, "What is that?"  Right?  Well, Google entered into the social media game and over the past year and a half or so Google+ has morphed into a primary player in the social media game.  Also, since it's owned by Google, it is becoming more and more critical to a small business that they have and manage their Google+ page as it is affecting the rank of their website in the organic listings and ads on the Google SERP.

So, what are the benefits to the small business owner?  Here are just a few:

• Ratings & Reviews are all linked back to a page that the business owner can manage, approve or disapprove. Any business owner will tell you that the ability to manage and respond to reviews is critical.
• Coupons & Offers can be posted and shared directly through Google and in the Google local listings through the Carousel feature.
• When searching a local business, the consumer can link directly to the Google+ page and see all those reviews and offers.
• Although Google says that having a Google+ page bears no weight in the SERP results, when logged into my Google account I see more and more Google+ posts in the SERP rankings.

So, hopefully you, as a small business owner see the benefit of claiming and managing your Google+ page.  I'm here to help and assist.  I don't profess to know everything, but I have great resources and can get answers to any questions you may like answered via this blog.

Thanks!

Your Brand & Online Display

What is online display you ask? Well, online display is sort of like having a billboard on the internet except you can actually measure how many times these billboards are seen. You can also measure how many times click them to your website and engage with your business. Types of online display ads can include banner ads, rich media, video, and more. Let me explain.

I have the ability to help you create ad content that is dynamic in nature in that it actually moves on the page. Now, I'm not talking about pop-ups and crazy things moving around in your ad, but rather a subtle movement that catches the eye of the viewer. This is what gets their attention as the images change and move about. Besides, who wants a blah old ad anyhow, right?

Once your ads are created, we load them in to a display network, one of the largest in the US through the Microsoft network and other well-known websites such as yahoo.com, yellowbook.com, parenting.com and thousands more. We also allow you to choose some geographical targeting. This means that if you only want customers within your town, county, state, etc. you can have your ads display only in those areas. A potential customer for your business may live out of the area but may be searching for your type of business in your area and still find your ads. The cool thing though is that as that one customer travels throughout the internet, your ads keep following them so they see your ads over and over again burning that impression into their brain so that when they need your type of business, you are top of mind!

Let's go over a few statistics related to online display:

The current global display advertising market is predicted to reach $25.27 billion this year, with a 36% growth to $34.4 billion in 2013.

The overall internet advertising market, which also includes paid search and internet classifieds in addition to online display ads, will increase around 31.5% from $72.18 billion in 2011 to $94.97 billion in 2013.

If you are planning on creating, enhancing or expanding your brand, online display is strongly advised. In today's modern age, no one can argue that the majority of consumers are online. They may not necessarily buy online, but they are researching and shopping online and online display is part of a branding campaign and will encourage engagement with consumers.

I offer various packages of online display that will help you create, enhance and expand your brand recognition. You may reach me at 304-885-4403 or by emailing info@blazonbrilliantly.com www.blazonbrilliantly.com

How Do You Know?

Often I am working with a client to enhance and broaden their online presence.  In fact, this is an almost daily occurence.  In the course of these conversations it's rather interesting that they will get a call or email from someone out of the area promising to guarantee first position on Google for their website.  Sometimes they even get that call from a local person masquerading as a marketing professional.  Well, here's the advice I give.

• For those who are not local, that is easy.  I tell them if the person cannot walk into your office or meet you out in the public if you don't have an office, tell them to get lost!  Seriously, do you think there isn't someone in your local community or the next closest who cannot help with your online visibility?
• For that local person who can walk in, let's determine their knowlege level with a few simple questions you can ask them such as:
• What is a SERP?
• What determines ranking in Google Places?
• What is a title tag?
• What order does Google read the website?
• What is an alt tag?
• For the local person who can answer all your questions, let's talk about their experience and outcomes:
• How many current clients do you have?
• Do you have written and signed testimonial letters?
• What will you charge me for each change I want  you to make?
• How many of your current client websites rank in first position on the major search engines?
• How many of your current client websites rank on page one or two of the Google search results?
• What level of ongoing support do they offer?

This is just a brief conversation to share with you some of the things you, as a business owner, should be asking anyone who wants to manage your online visibility and presence.  If you have questions or comments, please post here or email me at lisafausey@gmail.com.

Who's Watching You?

In today's digital world, many of us have online chatter on various social sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Google + and more. We recognize and encourage others to see our thoughts, opinions and life events.  However, do we really know who's watching? 

Recently I noticed a posting on Facebook by an acquaintance, someone I don't really know except through the social site, related to a particular topic. I commented in a light-hearted fashion that previously my husband's employer was not on board with this topic but thankfully they had finally joined the 21st century.  I never gave it a thought afterward.

Then, a couple weeks later, one of the secretaries at his employer calls him with a warning that their boss didn't like my comment and that she is watching every thing both of us are saying online!  I have no issue with her watching as I allowed her that permission, but now that permission will be revoked!  I don't work there and refuse to be bullied to clam up!  Besides, what I said was really a kudos for implementing a new system.

I know my own employer watches the online comments of its employees. Recently one of my coworkers made a simple statement online that she's always looking for the next job opportunity.  It didn't take a day for that to make its way through the management levels and a top level manager was out to our office to investigate.  Its great that they value us employees, but do they have to hang on our every word?  I mean, who isn't open to new opportunities?

On a personal note, I once posted to Twitter about something work related and had emails asking how I got that info before our management got it.  It wasn't long after that a corporate policy regarding social media was sent out.

So, do you know who is watching you?