Effective Inbound Marketing Tips

There is not a business owner out there who does not wish to have more business.

While several years ago business was still done through direct marketing, mail marketing, or even walk up to your doorstep product demonstration, that type of marketing in this modern era does not make sense. We are all too busy and no one is prepared to let a vacuum cleaner salesman into your home anymore. It’s just not done.

For a while email marketing was the way to go. How many times in the last 10 years had you gotten an enticing looking email which just requested that you “click this link and your wildest dreams will come true”? Of course we are all a little more educated now to ploys like that.

In the wake of the loss of these other marketing avenues, social media has gobbled up a large portion of that dearth. Social media marketing is a little more focused and a better option than unsolicited marketing from email or far costlier direct mail. But it’s all a numbers game; how can you track your social marketing efforts to make sure that this type of marketing has any effect at all?

One of the easiest ways to understand your social marketing effectiveness is to utilize a social media tool which has track able statistics. If you know that 10,000 unique visitors have visited your social media page then you can assume that your social marketing is working. However if this avenue dries up after an initial bump, maybe you need to consider other options.

Working with a partner who deals specifically with social media strategies may be what you need to do. Even if your business is well established that doesn’t change the fact that you couldn’t still grow your business online. The online customer is different than the loyal established customer; injecting new traffic into your business is never a bad thing.

You need to embrace the medium and you need to stay on top of your efforts. Conducting regular campaigns, throwing up video, putting out calls to action, building your links, responding to customer feedback, sending out regular connections, and personal blogging are all ways to increase your social marketing presence.

The World Wide Web may seem like the wild, wild west, but whether your business is time tested or just getting its legs, you can capitalize on this movement towards online marketing and build and establish relationships which can transcend generations.

You have heard so much about SEO that the term is already getting clichéd. Everybody promises miraculous results, while in fact SEO can be easy to do on your own, as long as you know what tools to use and how to make the efforts consistent.

Facebook is the hot thing on the social media scene. Everybody has an account. You probably have at least several acquaintances who bombard their network with marketing messages or straightforward spam.

The competition is fierce to get your site noticed, and it can be frustrating for you to go it alone. Get more bang for your buck by using an Atlanta search marketing firm that has the experience to build strong relationships with your customers. Now, some basics.

The Big Kahunas in Search Engines

1. Google - This search engine is so big, it became a verb in our language. Google this!
2. Bing - No that's not your microwave, it's Microsoft's search engine, now giving Google a run for its money.
3. Yahoo! - Ride 'em cowboy! This oldie but goodie is still in the game.

The question becomes, how do I get noticed in these engines? That's where spiders come in. Not the creepy crawly kind, but the software kind that prowl around and gather information from the websites it visits. There is Panda, though not the kind that eats bamboo all day and pretty much nothing else. This Panda measures traffic metrics and comes from Google. Panda came on the scene in February of 2011 and changed the way rankings were calculated. An Atlanta marketing company keeps on top of this kind of stuff, and it changes rapidly.

Usually you can't stand traffic when driving, right? Well, here we want it. Search marketing is an organic approach to getting you seen as far up in the ranking as possible, on as many search engines as possible. Search marketing companies have studied where to place your ads and get the most for your dollar. Ads placed in the right places and the right context get more clicks, more traffic and more business. There is one key step that makes us different from all the rest. We know how to build a rapport with online visitors so they become paying customers.

How do you build this rapport? You have to show your authenticity and build trust with your customers. Make your credibility shine and let them know it's important to you that they know this. The basics of building a good rapport online result in a  successful internet based business that stands out from the rest. Let us show you how.

Keep in mind, the technical areas of marketing change on the dime, and to stay successful you have to be able to do the same thing. Leave it to the experts who know how to feed the Panda and make the spider crawl right over your site. Once customers visit, we know how to build a rapport with them so they stay and become paying, repeat customers. Optimize and maximize by finding the right Atlanta search marketing company for you, that knows how to hold 'em. Now watch that Panda get fat.

When your company is looking for  seo experts there are a few important things you need to ask them. You undoubtedly will find a long list during your search, but don't just pick anyone. Seo is a pretty significant aspect for your company and the life of your business. After all, how can you even have a business if people aren't finding you online, right?

The internet marketing expert should be able to answer these questions and you should feel confident with their answers.  All right, let's get started.

First things to consider-
1.Is there going to be a contract between the two of you? A good time frame for a contract would be around 6-12 months.

2. Who is really doing the work? Will you be doing the work yourself or subcontracting it out to some other country who works for pennies on the dollar?

3. Can you get references from other clients they do seo work for? If they say no, I would be tempted to run the other way. Any reputable company should be glad to give you references.

4. Do they offer any other services that might benefit you? Such as link building, tracking, video or content writing?

These are some of the most basic questions to ask and you may think of more as you go along but these will give you a good feel of the companies you are interviewing. Don't settle for anything less than the best for your company. Seo experts are a very important part of your success ,so choose wisely.

You've got a website.  But is it a smart site?  If not, well then Get Smart.

I've experienced the benefits of a smart phone for making my life easier. Haven't you? Well, there are smart homes which build in all sorts of automation into lighting, electronics, heating, cooling, TV, and security - all designed to make everything work together and your life easier.

Its time for businesses to experience the benefits of smart websites.  Because consumers are smarter than ever.

Here's a tip:smart sites use proven inbound marketing techniques to grow businesses.  First, here are the benefits of smart sites that marketing firms in Atlanta (or wherever) should be promoting:

Key Benefits of Smart Sites

• High quality leads are generated automatically
• Ability to determine which online marketing efforts are working best
• Attract more site visitors
• Higher conversion rates

Smart sites are websites that are intentionally managed to attract and engage visitors. They do so naturally by offering valuable information, insights and useful tips. At the heart of every smart site is content writing that progressive marketing firms in Atlanta ensure are keyword rich and highly optimized.

Dumb sites are simply boring, brochure-type sites.  Dumb sites don't have blogs or interesting web page material.

Writing Blogs is a Business Annuity

If you already have a website... Get Smart.  Writing blogs is the way to go.  Consistency is key.  Regular blogging is like writing an annuity for your business.  Over time fresh content will attract organic links and visitors. Be sure to put your website on a base (a CMS platform) that is search engine friendly and easy to use.  WordPress and HubSpot can be easily maintained.  Paying attention to design and not to conversion/engagement ideas will ultimately cost you business.  Be sure analytics are completely in place.  Smart sites track and measure EVERYTHING. 

Smart sites have keyword-rich copy that compels site visitors into action.  These calls-to-action can be buttons or other interactive, engaging offers. 

Smart business owners focus on their business and hire smart site professionals.  They seek out marketing firms in Atlanta who know inbound marketing and smart site technology.

You have been noticing things like people looking down at their smartphones and tablets. Yes, the game has changed in Atlanta search marketing.  The days of radio, billboard and even TV ads are dwindling.  TV is for the big boys with the big time marketing budgets.   You are just a small business that does not have the money for the big marketing team nor the time to do it on your own.  Yes, it takes time and/or money to be in the marketing space but if you want to grow your business, you must do one of the two.  

Here's the deal. You have your own business and a website and know that you need a search marketing agency, but where to start?  The ones this Atlanta SEO have seen start requiring the big buckos with little other than "we guarantee results".  Problem is you may feel like you are at an attorney's office when the word "retainer" comes up.  Retainer is a way to get you to put money up and pay per hours performed and that can be hard to swallow not knowing exactly what is your return.