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Content Marketing Psychology: How to Get More People Sharing Your Content

Marketing is the key component of any business. When it comes to the digital playground, content becomes the king and thus, content marketing is something that every online business owner deals with. Be it telling about your services and products or selling those online, content plays an important role in getting more and more customers.

How can Content help you become the King?

Content is the tool by which a firm can target the emotions of the consumer. The content can persuade the people visiting your website to buy from it, or to avail your services. Content, if used wisely, can bring down marketing expenses by a huge amount as good content will automatically lead to good Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and people will organically access your site, says a report from a well-known provider of Digital Marketing Services.

Furthermore, the advent of Social Media has played a pivotal role, as people can now share your content in their own networks and give you more and more visitors. Sites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, VK, etc. are full of pages about products and services and companies are trying their best to interact with the users on these platforms. The firms' whose content is found interesting can be seen trending on the social handles and this definitely is one of the best and the cheapest digital marketing solutions available to the firms.

How can you make people share your content?

After doing some in-depth studies and collaborating with a popular SEO Services Company, we have found the conclusion that emotional messages delivered through content leave a deeper mark on the consumers rather than using promotional messages. So, making people feel connected with the content is the way you can make people share your content over the internet.

But you may ask how? Well, we have identified the five key emotions that must be targeted in your content so that more and more people share your content.

Amusement: People love to share jokes and funny incidents with their friends and relatives. This is true when it comes to content too. If you can create a funny infographic related to your business or can come up with a comic ad for your brand, then that type of content is more likely to be shared in the social circle.

Happiness: Positive news is something which brings a smile to the face of everyone. Marketers must create content that can show the brighter side of things. A content that tells about benefits and advantages are more likely to be shared by the people.

Surprise: It is globally accepted that humans love surprises (sometimes they hate it too). Surprising your audience by giving them something they didn't expect while clicking on your link will surely hold their attention. Such a content will be definitely shared over the social media and give you the much needed exposure.

Interest: Make money, become rich, get something for free, such lines immediately invoke the interest of the people. Content that can tell people what they'll be gaining from the product or the service is a great way to make people share your content. Make sure the content focusses on what they get and not on what they have to pay to get it.

Delight: People are delighted by offers, sale, rebates, cash backs and freebies. Framing the content in such a way that it gives more focus to your freebies and offers and will definitely grab the attention of the probable consumer and also make him share it with his friends and relatives. AS per the reports of an online marketing company, almost 70% of the people share a content on their social media circles if the content is based on something that has delighted them, like an offer or discount. Apart from this, people can also be delighted by a vivid description of your services or products and this can also be a great way to engage with your consumers.
As we know the content is the king, so it is very important for us to understand the importance of content. Digital marketing company focuses on the content sharing and link building equally.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9303363

The Psychology of Social Media

We've all heard the saying, "Fifteen minutes of fame!" and the possibility of achieving that has never been more prevalent than in this age of the internet, reality shows and social media. Even twenty-five years ago you had to be a young toddler falling deep into an abandoned well to reach the status of a national celebrity, but these days all it takes is a well placed Twitter, misquoted Facebook post or exposure through a viral video.

Following Osama Bin Laden's death, fingers were flying as posts and tweets were generated within microseconds of the news hitting the airwaves. One such Tweet attributed a stand against wishing our enemy death to Martin Luther King, Jr. Through supersonic research and the quest for the source of the ill stated quote, it was revealed the quote was either an error or a scam. Even the source and motivation of the misquote became a question and the truth has not yet been discovered. Through it all, the underlying burning question for social media considerations brought to the forefront a more interesting issue, the psychology of social media postings.

What is it that motivates the flittering tweet in a person's mind or that scandalous Facebook post that has people wondering what's the story between the lines? In dealing with social media, it's a very critical topic to consider, especially for businesses. Looking at the two types of social media avenues, personal and business, may offer a little more perspective and remind us to develop guidelines when creating social media plans for business.

The psychology of personal social media postings can be as varied as the people typing on the keyboard and not easily interpretable as many people may not reveal their true emotions, feelings or personality through their social profiles. A recent survey of college aged women found many reasons for daily posts had truly to do with real social events or hook-ups with a love interest. Women stated they intentionally posted where they were going, pictures of themselves looking incredible, or information about how much fun they were having, knowing a guy they were interested in would be seeing the post flying across the news feed. Twitter is more effective when connected to Facebook and the constant stream of Tweets is unavoidable and sometimes downright annoying.

Women in this college demographic also see the social media forum as just that, social. Many posts and pictures are splattered throughout the internet without a care or concern for the future, even though there are certain courses where professors may caution that once posted, you could be toasted in the future. One such college student recently commented, "She'd better start saving her money to pay Google to delete her existence when she began her career search." The problem with that is once public, the picture or comment can be copied and saved even if it's deleted at some point in time. And while the cross-dressing Halloween outfit may have been the hit of the kegger, it probably won't make a great political statement during an election should that be the direction taken after college. Long gone are the days of, "I didn't inhale," chances are there could be a You Tube video proving otherwise.

The other dilemma found in social media is the same concept we still see in email messaging, the circulation of false stories and viruses with the intent of causing harm and destruction. What motivates someone to intentionally dream up a horrible tale of cancer or death to cause people to click open the file and have their hard drive attacked? Is it the fact victims are unseen so there's less sympathy or none at all? Or, is it the satisfaction of knowing they had the single-handed power to ruin the time and energy of masses of people? Or, are they simply looking for some fake sense of grabbing their fifteen minutes of fame anonymously knowing anything other than halting the government systems will not likely produce a law officer knocking on their door? Whatever the motivating pathology, the certain thing is these malcontents can judge, measure and watch their destruction from the comfort of their bedroom knowing the discomfort they've imposed.

Fortunately, the vast majority of users of social media for personal fun aren't there for ill intent. From a perspective of someone who watches hundreds of Facebook posts, tweets, tumbles and stumbles, the majority of users appear to have one general theme: to reach out and touch friends, to make a difference in a life, to share a piece of themselves and to promote their beliefs and causes. Finding people who were once an important part of their life years ago, rekindling relationships with friends and family, staying in touch across miles and being virtual voyeurs with permission to do so and not having to feel creepy about it, are all reasons for making connections. Satisfying that nosey neighbor craving to know what other people are doing is also not to be overlooked.

After active users, there are several categories of "friends" beginning with those who simply do not care about what their friends are posting, never liking or acknowledging the existence of anyone else, instead simply promoting their own agenda. The quiet friends are the mere observers who never post, but read about everyone else, keeping their comments private and between close friends and family only. And the most curious partaker in social media is the friend who never post and whose wall is shut down, they rarely log in and have no idea changes to Facebook are being made constantly and have only a vague idea of Twitter but know they don't want any part of it. These are the individuals who at a weak moment in time caved to peer pressure and created a Facebook page and have now probably forgotten the password in order to delete it.

The personal drive of users appears to be for the most part, one of validation of existence. To feel life is moving and happening when the reality may be sheer boredom has set in. To feel part of a world that is constantly evolving and growing. To feel that what you believe, say or want makes a difference at least to the hundreds of names found on their friend list. It allows a bit of momentary narcissism and obtaining a tiny bit of attention on a grander scale than life without social media allows. It's an ego boost and a healthy expansion of our world that brings knowledge and conversation. However, one misquote on a tantalizing and controversial subject can throw you smack in the middle of a feeding frenzy of social media carnivores. So, caution should be taken when reposting or firing off a hateful or pointed post. But, the beauty of social media is the likelihood of becoming the subject of a scandal is rare and still leaves us able to throw around the fifteen minutes of fame cliche. Unless, you are a corporation or business, then the game and the rules change.

With regard to the psychology of business participation in social media, it's important to understand the factors that drive our personal use of social media must be used in reverse when it comes to promoting business. The personality of the user becomes insignificant as a voice for the company is the only sound that should be heard. The prejudice, thoughts and beliefs of the person in charge of the tweets and posts, has to be stifled and the words become politically correct no less than if the advertisement is hitting the front page of the local paper. Public profiles must be in line with company policies and standards, following a formula or plan to promote and encourage business without offending and designed to achieve the purpose of social media which should be business and income generation. The personalities of customers, followers and fans take over and become the target. The importance of the psychology of the readers of the content is what must be of paramount consideration to create an effective marketing strategy and plan. One misplaced quote, one offending post or tacky tweet can have a snowball effect to the bottom-line. Caution and care must be taken when creating the personality of the company to be put on the internet forever. Leaving the fate of such an important representation should be taken seriously and not put into the hands of the cashier at the front desk simply because she's the only one with a Facebook page.

As you can see the psychology of social media is responsible for the existence of social media and has the potential to destroy someone in the blink of an eye or promote fame at the speed of light. It's an important consideration for all players, on all levels, to correctly utilize and protect yourself when in the playing field of the social media arena. It's a world that grows as fast as keystrokes can be laid down and share buttons clicked and the consequences are far reaching with negative news flowing faster than uncontroversial tidbits. The only comfort in knowing that should you make a personal misstep is, fifteen minutes is a relatively short amount of time in which to weather a storm and should the ill-placed Tweet cause a downfall of a business, it can always post the offending social media manager has been fired, retract the misquote, delete the upset followers and seek out new fans. Just don't forget to do damage control and respond to all the negative comments certain to be floating around on the internet. Yes, that is another topic entirely.

Leslie Prichard is a freelance writer who consults with corporations in order to prepare articles and web content for their industry specific needs as well as a corporate social media manger. Leslie's work has been published throughout various media including websites and magazines and she has won awards for her writing. Leslie has also been a paralegal for twenty plus years and holds a B.A. degree from Texas Tech University. Leslie is always connected and can be contacted via social media: email at onenoseybroad@gmail.com or find her on Facebook and Twitter where she spends most of her waking hours.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6240525

Utilize Visual Imagery in Social Media Marketing to Increase Conversion Rates

Cognitive psychologists are very interested in determining how the brain works. Social media marketing practitioners are very interested in determining how to increase conversion rates. When these two groups of people share information, it becomes very evident that including specific types of effective imagery on your social networking websites becomes imperative for your success as an entrepreneur.

The visual interpretation of images has a profound impact on increasing conversions!

You see, when we understand the detailed mechanisms that affect the brain's performance levels, we are better able to communicate and collaborate with others. That is what social media marketing is all about! We want to establish a positive vibration with every visitor on our sites. We want to stir their emotions. We want for them to remember us and return to visit us often. We can accomplish this efficiently by tapping into their brains - by giving them physical representations of what we want for them to learn in addition to the text-based content that we provide for them.

Human beings use vision as a primary input device for knowledge building.

Information that is taken in through our eyes is transferred directly to the primary visual cortex in the rear of our brains. This information is then classified and transferred to up to more than 30 other parts of the brain. The three main parts of the brain that deal with our visual input patterns are:

- The ventral stream - determines what objects are;
- The dorsal stream - classifies objects according to available physical space;
- The limbic system - attaches emotions and feelings to those objects;

In order to be optimally effective at social media marketing, we need to stimulate each of these areas of the brain. When we make our visitors' brains fire up with activity, we create more engrossing and memorable experiences for them. That is interesting. That leads to increase sales.

Characteristics of effective imagery:

An effective image inspires visual interpretation by inviting the eyes to move around on it. Human beings create meaning in a large way through visual interrogation of their surroundings. Therefore, you can increase the power of your social media marketing endeavors by:

- Using images to clarify what you wish to communicate;
- Making your images more fully engaged by including an interactive element in them;
- Making your images more memorable by creating an unmistakable persistence about them;

Learning how the brain works, and how to inspire visual interrogation of the images that you include in your social media marketing vehicles, are imperative elements to the success of your campaigns. You have to take the time to get to know what your visitors are looking for - and then deliver it to them in the most p

Demetrios Tzortzis is a social media expert whose systematic approach to online marketing has effectively helped thousands of people across the globe grow their business. Demetrios works as a coach and mentor to help businesses maximize their Internet presence through strategic online marketing and brand maximization.

Demetrios Tzortzis

Blog Site

101 Website [http://www.strategicsocialmedia101.com]



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3001838

7 Ways to Use Videos for More Engagement on Instagram

In the digital world, social media has become a very important part of a successful marketing strategy. Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. offer a lot of opportunities for brands to showcase their products. These platforms are free to use and you can directly interact with a larger audience at once. You don't need to invest a lot of money in building a marketing strategy that includes social media videos. No matter whether you have a small or a large business, it's time that you take social media marketing seriously.

Based on statistics shared by Lyfe marketing, 93 percent of videos on Twitter are accessed from mobile phones. Views of branded video content on YouTube has doubled in the last three years. Moreover, Facebook live videos receive 10 times more comments that a regular video. All these statistics show that video content is in demand on social media networks. This is because millennials connect more to videos on social media. Web Marketing Video Council has found that more than 60 percent of brands are using social media videos actively for promotions. Thus, it is highly likely that your competitors are also leveraging the power of social media video to expand their customer base.

Instagram is a very powerful social media platform that allows you to share images and videos online. Techcrunch has been studying Instagram trends since its launch. As per their study, Instagram crossed the threshold of 1 billion monthly active users in 2018. Moreover, Instagram is currently growing at a rate of 5 percent per quarter, the highest among social media platforms. So, Instagram should be your first choice in showcasing your brand's product and services. In this article, we will take you through some ways to use Instagram videos for engaging more audience.

Short Commercials

Create short, valuable videos that represent your brand. You can showcase your product in an artistic way through these videos. The commercial can be inspirational, funny, or emotional. Instagram currently allows you to share a 60 second video on your timeline. With such short videos, it is easy to grab the attention of the target audience. Also, short videos are best to share crisp information about your products. You can share the commercial in Instagram stories, IGTV or in the Instagram timeline.

Product details

Showcase your product's specifications or a 'product in action' video to demonstrate its capability. Focus only on important features to keep the viewers engaged. Keep the video more informative and less descriptive. Attention to detail is the key to creating a cool and sexy video. You can put the product video in your brand's Instagram page's timeline for the audience to see anytime. Creating such spontaneous videos attracts a lot of attention.

Do it yourself videos

An effective way to use Instagram videos is to create instructional content. 'Do it yourself' or 'how to' videos share your products working. This helps the users to understand the product's usage. You can also create troubleshooting videos related to any problem that your customer might face. To the point videos are liked by the target audience as they get relevant information within a short span of time. By sharing such videos from time to time you can build a relationship with your existing customers.

Behind the scenes video

Customers have become picky in choosing a product, hence it is important to establish a connection with them. You can create behind the scenes videos that take them through trivia related to your product. You can even conduct quick learning sessions about tips and tricks related to your product usage. The fast forward video that Sheryl Cole has shared about her work will give some idea. You just have to be creative and smart in capturing the right moments for your Instagram video.

Instagram Stories Video

Instagram launched Insta stories in August 2016. Through stories, you can share images or videos with your followers for a 24-hour duration. This short span creates a sense of urgency and people tend to view the stories as they see one active. You can use stories to promote your business as follows:

Sharing short-time deals is a good way to attract people to your products and services. You can set up the offer so that it can only be redeemed during the story's lifespan. Once people get to know about such deals, they will come for more.

Let an influencer take over your Instagram handle to share a sneak peek of the products and discount offers. A familiar face is sure to attract more audience.

Live on Instagram
The best feature on Instagram is that you can stream live video on it. Once you go live on Instagram, you are at the forefront of your follower's feed. Hence, there are high chances of your followers engaging with your live stream. They get to see your stream even if they aren't physically part of the event. Product previews, product releases, Q&A sessions, educational streams, etc. are some ways in which you can engage with your online audience. If your event is pre-planned, then you can promote it through emails and other social media platforms.

Bring in the makers

Give a personal touch to your stories by introducing your employees who have created your products and services. You can get the team members to share their journey in product development. Also, you can let your employees handle your brand's Instagram account for a day. They can then share details about their work life and the hard work that goes into making the product. The employees can even conduct a Q&A session for the audience to educate them about the product. Such video sessions create an emotional connect with the target audience and more views to your Instagram account.

Conclusion

If you aren't incorporating the power of Instagram into your digital marketing campaign, then you are missing out on something big. Instagram's potential if exploited properly, can take your products to new heights. There is no perfect way to use Instagram video, the techniques mentioned above will help you in getting started in doing so. You can even hire social media management agencies that will help you promote your products by creating some amazing video content.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/10200394

How To Connect With Big Names On LinkedIn To Boost Your Business

Boosting your business can be done in many different ways on social media, from advertising to joining groups and contributing, and from targeting a specific audience to trying to catch some big names.

Here are some of the things that you should bear in mind when trying to link with big names on LinkedIn.

Build Up a Base For Your Business First

You can't join LinkedIn on behalf of your business and instantly start trying to connect with the big names and famous people. You can try, but you're unlikely to get very far, and LinkedIn may even try to stop you from connecting with anybody else.

You should spend at least the first few weeks and months building up a supporter and customer base from regular members of the public and other LinkedIn users. The more your brand is recognized, the more likely you are to be successful with the big names.

Find People With Common Interests

You can try to target whoever you like on LinkedIn, but remember that those most likely to reply and engage with you are those which already have an interest in your industry or niche.

For example, if your business relates to new ways of dealing with waste and pollution, look out for big name activists or politicians which have been heavily involved in these issues.

If you can't find anything in common with somebody on LinkedIn, ask yourself what the value in connecting with them is really going to be. By finding the common interests, you will be able to appeal to them more effectively, increasing the chance of a meaningful connection and future contact.

Take The Time To Make It Personal

It's a well-known fact among those who regularly correspond with big names that if you don't make it personal, it's unlikely that you will get a reply. If you haven't bothered to put any extra effort into writing to them, why should they be bothered to reply and get involved with your ask?

Take a few minutes to research the person beforehand. This enables you to include a couple of relevant details which would be of interest to them or act as a memorable reminder of who you are.

You should also remember or be aware that famous people and well-known industry leaders on LinkedIn receive hundreds of requests to connect, and only connect with completely new requests when they can see a real benefit or something or someone that really interests them.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/10201837

The Top 5 Benefits of Email Marketing

There's a huge misconception that email marketing is an old marketing method from a bygone era. However, though it predates Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat, email still remains a crucial part of a successful marketing strategy.

From its inception, email has continued to evolve. It transformed from being a means of simple message between academics to a global communication channel. According to Statista, the global email users amounted to 3.7 billion and the number will grow to 4.3 billion in 2022. That's half of the planet's population, we are talking about here! These numbers obviously justify that email marketing is a crucial means of marketing channel and you must not be missed out.

There are countless numbers of benefits that comes to email marketing that business could never ignore. Certainly, we won't be able to note all of them in a single post, however, we can discuss the top 5 benefits of email marketing that every business owner must be aware of. So, let's dive straight in!

Measurable results: Knowing what works is great. By using email marketing you can analyze campaign metrics by making use of various analytic software. You can effortlessly test different content, template, images, and subject lines to determine which one is most efficient. This enables a marketer to optimize future campaigns which increase the campaign effectiveness.

The most often measured metrics among campaigners are open rate, bounce rate, click-through, and conversion rate. However, if you are looking to measure more crucial numbers such as ROI, subscriber lifetime value or revenue per subscriber, you can do that effortlessly as well. If you see an email with a great click-through rate, you can analyze the data for your future campaigns. For instance, if you find out an email with a particular subject line performing really great, you can write similar subject lines for your next campaign for drawing similar results.

The insight is key to determining what is working and what needs to be improved upon. And out of the multitude of online marketing strategies, email campaign happens to be the simplest and most accurate way to measure campaign data.

User preference: When it comes to communicating with a business, customers tend to prefer email most of the time. According to studies conducted by MarketingSherpa, more than 55% of prospects prefer email as the most favored way to receive promotional content or business update from companies with which they are interested in doing business. Less than 25% of participants preferred social media, and about 17% prefer SMS.

The number definitely suggests that it is logical for businesses to invest resources into concentrating more on email marketing. In fact, according to Salesforce, 74% of marketers already using email to drive more sales and 21% of them are considering to begin emailing within the next few months to drive more revenue. If you are still neglecting, you are making your competitor's life easy.

Strong Return on Investment: This one is perhaps the most appealing benefit of email campaign for a business owner. You don't have to carry any print cost, no advertising rate, and no media space costs as well. The cost of email marketing is much lower than compared to other forms of marketing methods. Besides low cost, the return on investment of email marketing is massive. A well developed and strategically placed email marketing will help you to earn more cash period. According to Nielsen DMA, for every USD 1 spend on email marketing, a business owner can expect to receive USD 32(2018), isn't it massive? There are more notable benefits of email campaign, however, this one definitely tops the chart for keeping your business afloat and profitable.

Pertionalization: Open rates are the most reliable ways to determine how great the email marketing strategy is working. The average email open rate is about 20.81%. On the other hand, the average open rate for welcome email is 82%. Why the massive change in numbers? Well, the thing is, welcoming messages are more personal and clients love personalized emails. According to Lifecycle Marketing, emails which hold personalized subject lines generate 50% higher open rates. So a great email marketing tactic is to add personalized your subject lines and greeting messages to add recipient name when you deliver the email to your prospects to guarantee maximum open rates.

Environmentally-friendly: Global warming is real and people are scared about what the future holds. Email marketing is better for the environment and can help to reduce global warming. How? Well, more than 90% of papers comes from cutting down a tree which has a tremendously negative effect on the global environment. However, when you are using emails, nothing is getting printed, users getting the content in virtual space so no tree is dying for your cause.

Wrap up

There are numerous benefits of email marketing. Mainly, it all turns down to the fact that this marketing method is affordable and above all, offers incredible results. With email marketing, you can enforce your brand presence, grow your business and drive revenue without breaking your overall marketing budget in one single stroke. Email marketing is efficient and effective which should be an integral part of business marketing strategy, not an option.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/10208065

Four Reasons Websites Are Important for Businesses

Professional web development is an important consideration when building a business, as your website gives all the user traffic you generate a place to go. Without a website for your brand, you could end up losing customers and may not reach your sales or conversion goals. Let's discuss why having a professionally designed website is becoming more essential for businesses.

Marketing

A website acts as your online presence, presenting your brand to the world in a way that appeals to your target audience. It is one of the most important marketing tools you could have, as it gives the audience insight into what your business is all about and the services or products available. Even when using social media marketing techniques, you will still need an appealing and easy to navigate website design. Mornington Peninsula business owners benefit greatly with a great site for users to browse, learn, and make purchase decisions.

Sales

Without sales, your business can't continue operating. Luckily, there is any easy way to improve sales - improve your website. While it may not seem like a key factor, the state of your website can either improve or reduce your visibility. Professional web development teams strive to build websites that improve search engine optimisation and give your business even more sales opportunities. It's also a great way to share information with customers that increase the chances of bringing sales in to your brand.

Credibility

The website design of Mornington Peninsula brands is also essential in establishing credibility with customers. In the modern world, where the internet is easily accessible and browsed on a daily basis by most consumers, not having a website can be a problem. Without a website, users have no way of knowing whether your brand is reputable and trustworthy. A website that looks professional and neat creates an identity for your brand and provides valuable insight into your services or any products you offer.

24/7 Accessibility

The internet has taken the world of marketing by storm, giving businesses amazing benefits and new ways to reach customers all over the world. Because users can be in various different time zones, having a website allows your brand to be present at any time in any place. This means that you could generate sales even after business hours. Your site is always available, so users can get information about your brand and make purchases no matter what time it is.

A website is a highly important tool for modern businesses in Mornington Peninsula. It may seem as though every company has a site, but you'd be surprised at how many businesses have survived without interactions with users online. Whether you're a large brand or a small business, having an online presence can make a world of difference in your sales as well as how much trust and credibility customers put in your goods or services. Don't hesitate to build or optimise your site to increase visibility, traffic, sales, brand recognition, and more.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/10218052

Don't Be Scared To Pay For Ads On Social Media

When you're using social media marketing to get the word out about your business, it's important to understand that using organic methods is the long haul.

But, there are ways to speed up the process. Sometimes the best way to get your word out is to pay for it. Paying doesn't mean you're succumbing; it means that you're smart. It's important not to be afraid of paying for ads, because it's a fast way to get more reach and make more conversions if you have the right content.

To run ads the right way, you need to be clear on a few options first. These include:

Learn the Platform

Before you post any ads, it's imperative that you understand how to use the platform properly for placing your advertisement and targeting your audience. Using it right will make a huge difference. Using it the wrong way will waste your money.

Hire Someone

If you don't know how to run an advertisement profitably, you may want to consider hiring an expert. Choose someone with a track record of success. If they do their job properly it should not cost you anything as their fee will be a small percentage of the extra profits you generate from your ads.

Know Your Target Audience

If you don't know who your target audience is, it's too soon for you to try to run paid ads. Fully understand exactly who your ideal customer is before you get started.

Ensure Your Content Is Perfected

Before running ads, you want to ensure that your content is otherwise perfected. Although you can run tests and continue to run tests even with imperfect content, try to get it close to perfect before using it for an advertisement.

Spend the Right Amount

You need an understanding of how much money you should spend on any given advertisement. Some platforms like Facebook are good at making suggestions. Start with a small budget and then scale up as you start to get the response you want.

Watch the Data

Once you do place an advertisement, you want to monitor the data to ensure that what you're doing is working. That way you can tweak it as you go.

It's important not to be afraid of paying for advertisements. It can make a huge difference in how fast you expand your reach and start making a profit, getting more email sign-ups, and building your audience.

The majority of business owners who use social media to advertise their business claim Facebook is the best, most productive advertising service on all social media networks. The good news is that you can run a Facebook ad campaign for as little as $5.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/10213285

Top 8 Business Branding Tips For Today

1. Be Transparent

Even if you don't want people to know who you are today, they're going to find out if you become successful enough. Therefore, seek to build a brand that represents your true values that you'd be proud to represent. That way when things are discovered about you, it's not a shock to anyone because they know, like and trust you already.

2. Market to the Audience of One

Remember that you know exactly who you want to be in your audience and you will design all your marketing materials to appeal to only that audience of one. This means that you put blinders on and don't worry about whether you turn a few people off that might not buy your product, but seek to appeal to a specific targeted audience within the niche instead.

3. Send Information Regularly to List Members

One way to ensure that you stay connected with your audience is to ensure that you send emails to list members on a regular basis. One way to do that is to go with the "newsletter" idea, sending a nice update for each week of what you've shared all over social networks and your blog for them in one spot.

4. Pay for Ads (Especially on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube)

The days of free marketing are almost over. You can market free content, but it will take a lot longer. If you want to move things along faster, spend some money on marketing - at least on these platforms. Market your paid and free content to your audience to ensure the most eyes get on the content.

5. Post Long-Form Content on Your Blog

Today, longer content on your blog is more important than ever. When you post long content, it shows that you're an expert because you can get into detail about something that your audience cares about. It also signals to search engines that you may be an authority website.

6. Have a Mobile-Friendly Website

You really need a mobile-first strategy today, more than you need a "mobile-friendly" website. Your site needs to work on mobile and off mobile but if you design first for mobile, it will also work well and look good off mobile platforms.

7. Use the Social Media That Your Audience Likes Most

While you may want to be everywhere, use the platform your audience uses most more than the others. You may need to test it out to find out where you gain the most traction but once you know where they are, make that your main platform.

8. Attend Live Events

This applies whether the live event is online such as a live webinar or a live YouTube event, or an in-person event like a seminar or workshop. It's important that you go where your audience goes.

Branding is important for small businesses as well as large companies. If you have a limited budget, smart branding is perhaps the most inexpensive business tool you can create. To learn more about how to make your business stand out, download my free checklist, Branding For Small Businesses at https://jonallo.com/branding



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/10208506

Spartan Creed for Every Deed

Spartan creed for every deed suggests the duty, discipline and devotion for the ultimate quest of the personal mission. For an ethical framework by which life is a meaningful experience in every aspect, the free will choice is in the purpose of individuation. A code of ethics is a private selection. For a few, who prefer a more demanding existence, one filled with the pleasures and pains of real-life exposure, a Spartan perspective may be more acceptable.
Defining that viewpoint invites variations. As some practitioners of warrior traditions alluded, it is a sincere dedication to a rigorous lifestyle animated by the vitality of the "warrior's edge". To offer the term Spartan is to reflect upon historic reference points whereby living is mental, physical and spiritual in the wholeness of self-evolving transformation. It is a personal quest, a journey of individual liberation beyond the social enslavement of contrived consensus.
One writer offered the outlook that a Spartan way of life focused on self-development. In so doing, one constantly challenged himself or herself to become a better version than the original self. In furthering those aims, frugality was centrality, reflecting a minimalist existence. That is to say, less consumption and more conservation in using only what one needs. Essential to the mission of life, physical fitness remains critical, particularly to a changing mindset.
Training mentally and physically often confronts post-modern senses with a certain amount of anxiety. Timid, anxious and self-absorbed at a very superficial nexus, most dare not fathom the depths to which the "mind" can go. Nor is there much care to face the darkness within by seeing the darkness all around. Regardless, some, especially first responders and those in the military, a kinship of the few, face the depravity of human debauchery frequently perpetrated.
Being fit for the personal quest, is a commitment over a lifetime. Self-evolution in mature transformation is a slow process. It requires pain and suffering, as well as pleasure and passion. Each day is another training day to insist upon a freethinking worldview. Spartans are a good example for living simply, by prudent means and a lifestyle without extravagance. In such historical reference, the intention is to address principles of thinking and subsequent behavior based on disciplined thinking processes. As one group of advocates asserted, the illumination upon these precepts is about how to apply them in a modern context that is individually positive.
The warrior avoids conspicuous and gluttonous consumption. Yet, in modern society, the ostentations of wealth, consumerism, material possessions promotes a wasteful and arrogant manner of existence. Simplicity as a way of living, for the warrior, pertained to necessity of using only what one needed, without an absence of extravagant indulgence. By contrast, to a consumer-oriented society, the avoidance of gluttony was a significant matter. Over-weight, lazy, self-indulgent and uncreative are not expressions of what a warrior wants.
Regardless, in contemporary society, many are dismissive and condescending toward an ideology that expresses a warrior's mindset. Likewise, the mere mention of a Spartan concept evokes varied reactions. Typically, criticisms devolve toward sarcastic memes, which are most often in the framework of emotional reactivity of an unproductive nature. Courage, confidence, self-reliance, independence, freethinking, mental and physical fitness, etc., frighten and challenge the status quo. Outside the so-called confines of supposed "normal", a Spartan or warrior mindset labors to be different from commonplace expectations. It scares people.
To say such a thing as Spartan evokes many to react in varied ways. Often the reactivity is negative. For many, the notion strains the senses to give way to a primal submergence to personal self-doubt. Related terms come to mind. Such descriptors as frugal, plain and simple, austere, self-disciplined, self-restrained and courageous in confrontation with pain and suffering. Regardless though, those inclined toward an easier less cumbersome existence readily devolve to the comfort of safe and secure mediocrity. Personal self-reliance is fearful and uncomfortable.
For purposes here, the conceptualization is not literal in reflection upon an ancient time, culture and historic geographical location. Instead, the inclusion favors a tactical mindset, based on ethical precepts that inspire expanding realms of mature mental prowess. The code of bushido, for example, is another point of reference in developing a warrior's way of life. While ideological thinking makes transitions over time, place and circumstance, the essentiality of a belief ought to be one by which a maturity of wisdom rises above the selfishness of infantile regressions.
Frugal, austere, and economical require discipline and devotion to a set of ideals that persist in the individuation of the diligent person. As such, he or she is a warrior of self-evolution, as resistance fighters come in many human forms. Important to this psychic process of self-evolution is the perseverance for extraordinary creativity and authentic conduct.
As ethical perspectives invite diverse and divisive discourse, opposition is expected in every human endeavor. It takes hard work to be a modern warrior. Developing a warrior mindset, plus all the attributes of mental and physical strength, should not be viewed here as preferring a specific gender. Warrior hood is gender neutral. Essential to personal development, self-evolution, in order to achieve a higher state of differentiation, creativity is vital. Creativity unleashes the angelic and the demonic forms from inside the psyche to transform the individual persona. That is of course, metaphorically speaking. For the monsters from the Id, brave ones fight back.
From the attraction of ethical conceptions, beguiled is a sense of detached observation as to the perversities that intercept good intentions. Ideological roadblocks by those less inclined to self-evolve, as politicians, pundits and purveyors of egregious fallacies, will do whatever they can to protect their special interests. To be different from that requires a never-ending persistence to transform. As such, a Spartan way is one option to insist upon individuation in a creed for every deed. Not that which espouses the shallow discontent of juvenile narcissism. For that is passage from infancy through juvenile delinquency into adulthood. Yet, maturity may be elusive.
Maturation is the metaphysical ascendant masturbation of the brain's health, longevity and fitness through constant training and exercise. It is determined well-disciplined intensity of introspective thought carried toward aggressively confident actions. No whining, no sniveling no malcontent complaining of this or that, except transcend the old self. As one instructional website asserts in its admonition to "Ranger up!" to master the physical aspects, and enjoin the intellectual capacity for rejuvenation, the warrior becomes a better version than the original.
However, no matter how hard the trek of the personal quest, ghosts, goblins and gremlins strike back. Again, that is metaphorical in reference to the clowns in the human circus who project their insecurities toward others. Such members of the cast do whatever they can to negatively affect another person's successes. They come in many forms but all share the selfish egoistic arrogance of pretentious claims to special insight. Some are critics of creativity in condescending ways.
Others, given their limited range of intellectual capability and conceited shallowness, foment dangerous public policy. Of them, they are usually politicians. Still others spread the venom of their vehemence in places of supposed higher learning, where open-mindedness and free speech are often stifled. They would prefer to shut debate in order to ensure emotional pampering rather than promote the free exchange of differing viewpoints. Selfishness prevails.
In the pussification of modern males, particularly in the U.S., one writer argues the regressive devolution of manhood into a voluntary preference of the "victimization role". The claimant of this perspective suggests everyone, especially men, have a duty to pursue the betterment of themselves. In doing this, the writer maintains and ideal of personal and social responsibility for growing up in a mature non-materialistic manner. Although the scope and extent of measurement might question the validity of defensible data, the ideal is set forth to make the best of one's situation. Few men in post-modern society desires to do this.
Furthermore, the reality of a pussification of maleness has noteworthy attribution, providing a realistic appraisal is conducted of contemporary social interactivity. From various perspectives, the "state of manhood" in the early part of the 21st century seems under attack from a diversity of interests. A question at this junction might arise to question the viability of authenticity in such assessments in consideration of sweeping generalization. Given the heavy reliance on 24/7 news shows, social media and "academia activism", to mention a few, hastily generalization overlooks the exceptions. It could be easy to conclude adversity in an overall sense.
In addition, anti-maleness attitudes could be exaggerated or could be directly on point. Yet, that is not the direction taken here. The forgoing article suggested manhood is in a state of dilution, with good intentions for asserting a sense of individualism. Masculinity, in the mainstream talk circuits, social media and other places devoid of serious history lessons, reaches only half of the "social studies" arena. For some, the Spartan mindset in few discussions refers to men and gets sidetracked from the original perspective of self-reliance. Femininity is the other component. Specifically, male and female in terms of biological chromosomal implications.
A Spartan or warrior mindset is not concerned with gender in the perspective presented here. Men and women, regardless of personal orientation, ought to strive for a bolder sense of mature self-development in serious personal transformation. Such is a thinking process of individuality, or individuation for higher development. It is the serious personal quest for independence in thought and action. Such is the labor-intensive commitment to change oneself in profound and disciplined ways. The progression is one in which the liberation of thinking processes is essential. Escaping the enslavement of oppressive and tyrannical constraints of status quo consensus demands courage. Developing a tough-minded independent sense of self is risky. Many will not take the chance to break ranks, leave the pack, or flee the flock.
Personal liberation is composed of many components intricate to the thinking processes of the individual. Seeking a higher spectrum or broader context of self-evolution is not an easy undertaking. A life-long commitment to betterment, a more unique evolved sense of self, requires tireless dedication to changing oneself. Growing up is costly. Getting tough about it is costlier. Looking in the mirror and telling the alter ego, at least one of the other personalities and voices inside the psyche, that the day will be another for building a warrior mindset. Next morning, another part of the personality arises and looks back. Now what? Did anything change?
Warriors are different from others. They represent a special class of societal membership. With a diversity of service orientation, it is a diverse group. Examples include those who serve in the military branches of the armed forces, whereby warrior ethos is personified. However, that is not all. From police officers to fire fighters, corrections and probation officers, the examples of warrior-hood exemplify the willingness to serve others. In addition, other lifestyles have warriors. Naturally, a diversity of viewpoints will disagree with this perspective.
Nonetheless, the warrior comes in many forms. Fiercely independent, creatively rebellious, and exceptionally transforming, the knight is distinct and strives to be different. Diligent in personal education, philosophical enrichment, open-mindedness, psychophysical training and enlightenment, the sage resists the temptations to accept the commonality of mundane mediocrity. She or he works hard to change into a different version than the original version at birth. The warrior embraces free will as a profound means by which transformation occurs. Neither perfect nor without shortcomings, warriors seek to ensure chivalrous behavior.
Gallant and noble, courteous and honest, she or he follows a different passage through short history of her or his time. Along the way, by success and failure, pain and suffering, pleasure and learning, the warrior is wary of the enticements that pander stupidity. Where deception threatens the sanctity of truthfulness, the valiant ones confront the darkness within. Shunning the hypocrisy of diverse cultural collusions, the warrior labors to do the right thing regardless of consequences. Of these ideals, the code of bushido expresses the virtues of rightful actions. In brief, eight virtues were cited. These included justice, courage, benevolence, politeness, honesty, honor, loyalty and character. With honor and character, sometimes, sincerity and self-control are used interchangeably. Against these, attacks from the "safe place" mentality of political correctness and absurdities of status quo consensus cannot prevail. A warrior mindset is essential.
Naturally, such a perspective is a particular viewpoint and based on one's opinion. For the selflessness of self-liberation, the mythic charm of the heroic ideal comes into a modern viewpoint as vital to post-modern social survival. Arduous physical and intellectual energies come to bear to provoke an extraordinary sense of creativeness. Obstacles no doubt are rife within contemporary culture. From greedy consumerism to the stupidity of extremist ideologies, as well as the superficiality of political hypocrisy, the valiant few adherents to the warrior's code contend with maladaptive, divisive and counterproductive recriminations.
One example of cowardly social intolerance is the protestations for tolerance unless there are differing opinions. In the social mainstream, particularly in the overly opinionated news media, disagreement devolve to an invention of a "phobia". Such lower levels of primal submissiveness lurk in the shadowy realms of moral weaknesses. Higher ascendency to planes of self-reliance and rugged individualism require greater insistence upon individualism. Yet, collusions conspire daily to detract from that reality and impose a devolving spectrum of timidity.
In this sphere of social media shallowness, an evolving sense of presence, in the framework of individual mastery, asserts a positive sense of personal freedom. To pursue an enlightened transformation, free of contrived consensus claims the willful acceptance of personal uniqueness. Responsible, mature and stable persistence in the face of dismissive animosity or ridicule speaks to the inner courage of the rebellious spirit. For the warriors, it is a matter of seizing the right moment to claim his or her exceptionality in the face of reactionary spinelessness.
In one online commentary on social issues, the author colorfully compares many in modern society with the story of Peter Pan in Neverland. Refusing to grow, demanding dramatically to remain in perpetual childhood, the writer suggests entire generations relish in a never-ending state of adolescence. Some might go on to insist that many people today have not progressed beyond the toddler state of their existence. Further, the assertion offered id that, according to one UK news source, adolescence now spans an age range of 10 to 24. In previous generations, that line of demarcation extended to only about age 18. Population estimates put the number of persons in that age group as roughly one third of the U.S. citizens. This of course represents a significant impact in terms of news reporting, social media, and associated public interaction. Behaving in counterproductive ways does not promote the innovation, as well as the keen sense of creativity necessary to advancing the human species. Emotional drama promotes negativity.
For the rampant hypocrisy, the devious scheming and the nefarious deceptions, the adverse and divisive politics as usual speaks volumes of the insidious nature of cowardice. Of the nasty intentions of ill-informed unevolved personages on the grand stage, the hedonistic self-reward of momentary grandeur jeopardizes a republic. For warriors however, the valiant fight is never finished. Much individual work to be done. That comes from within, to rise above the social milieu of hateful bitter acrimony. Each must be prepared to seize the moment.
By keeping watch, without remorse, regret or restrictions, no guilt or self-doubt, staying vigilant and being mentally prepared, one must ignore the whining. Of course, they will whine, snivel and relish in excuse laden memes. Endlessly excusing foolhardy shortcomings gets wearisome, not to mention the demise of social advancement. The stupidity, especially the moral weakness of self-absorbed insincere subjective validation, brings on the eventual demise of the social structure. Such usually helps most become the willing victims of their own deceit.
Deception argues the sad defect in human fascination with false narratives, egregious fallacies of inferential attribution, emotional reactivity and the overall dysfunctional defect of childlike behaviors. For adventures in never-land, many choose to remain as children. Yet, for the warrior-hood of individuation in self-liberation, logic, reason and maturity anticipates the grounds, by which facts serve the truth in the final effect. As such, disciplined authentic ethical precepts produce possibilities for ascension to higher realms of enlightened differentiation.
As some would point out, the eternal victims of proclaimed adolescence refuse to grow up, as each subsequent generation unfolds the "selfies" of mirrored amusement. Acting child-like for many is much more entertaining that being responsibly authentic. Arguing against the essential efficacy of serious self-evolving objectivity, the sad defect of the post-modern era is weakness. Softness physically and mentally does little to advance individuality, or collectively, the human species. Along with that, comes the persistent agonizing annoyance of decision-making.
One writer, for an online cultural commentary, cites a continual regression of "maleness", or "manliness", over the last several decades. Accordingly, since 1960, societal efforts trended in the direction of turning males into "pussies". Naturally, from a classical criminological viewpoint, the primacy of free will offers choices not mandates. Therefore, a person does not have to bend to cultural consensus. Regardless, younger persons grew up in a weaker, more cowardly and softer less conflict-oriented society in a much-generalized sense. Yet, there are always exceptions.
Aside from the valiant few, who seek the higher realm of mature psychophysical illumination, probably at best about 20-25% of the population, "adolescence" trends to about age 30. With a rapidly growing crybaby culture, wonderment befuddles the prospects of serious hard-core decision making in a wussy society. As one author has written in an Orwellian framework, the devolving nature of the contemporary society exhibits a fat, soft and weak culture. As suggested earlier, the saga continues relative to a narcissistic, whiny and infantile society.
By contrast, some writers point out the issue relates to the previously cited intentional insistence not growing up. Purposefully forgoing maturity in adulthood, "delayed adolescence" as well as playing the role of "social victim", perpetuates the safe mediocrity of avoiding responsibility. By sidestepping accountability, crybabies can place blame for their weaknesses on something or someone else. Very quickly, and without much effort, absent credible scientific validation, the "social studies" realm of academia can invent an alibi and a "diagnosis".
Simplistic excuses are quickly conjured so the offended parties can feel better. As the devolution escalates, the generational self-imposed transmutation continues its downward spiral. A few exclusions will always be noteworthy, given the probabilities of exceptionality. For the majority, however, the choices are less than inspirational. Preferences favor less risky options for individual passivity. By contrast to previous historical points of reference, the rugged sense of individualism, self-reliance and spirit of adventure, fade to the pages of history.
Feeding on the inclination to stifle maturity and adhere to adolescence in adulthood, many relish in their insecure anxieties. For those referred to as "snowflakes", the derision provokes images of the cowardly lifeforms that dissolve in the face of adversity. While weakness comes in many forms across a diverse landscape, the intentional selfishness retreats from heroism of selflessness. Historical vestiges of pioneering inspiration and creativity in today's world falls upon a small percentage of those pursuing a warrior's mindset. It is exception not the rule.
Inside one's Spartan creed, there are the seeds of noble deeds. Such a mindset reconciles shortcomings with strengths that enjoy an affinity for serious personal insight. With this, the potency of introspection focuses on individual transformation. Every moment represents the freedom to make the right choices, and prevail in becoming a better version that the original template. Personal liberation is a work relentless work in progress to ascend to higher realms of psychophysical enhancement. It is an ascended quest for enlightenment

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/10210042

Using the Facebook Algorithm to Grow Your Podcast

The Facebook Algorithm is updated constantly. The various weights and relevance Facebook may assign to these areas can be changed. But the overall use of the Four Factors should remain fairly constant. If used properly, you can use Facebook to your advantage in promoting your podcast, your profile or your business.

When the Facebook Algorithm looks at your posts, it does so in four areas: Inventory, Signals, Predictions and Scores. I talked in a previous article in-depth about what each of these areas actually represent.

Each person who has an account on Facebook is given their own individual score through the algorithm. This score is unique to each person and determined by their own connections, interests, and how they interact with various content.

So if you interact more than your friends or relatives concerning a post or article, your score for that post will be higher than your acquaintances. The Facebook algorithm will use this information to show you other content it thinks you will interact with as you move forward.

Let's use an example to illustrate this:

Assume a friend you work with gives a post about robotic technology being implemented in your company. The post discusses how it will make the shipping and receiving area more efficient and will save the company millions of dollars per year in expenses.

Your friend then comments that it will cut the employee workforce for that department in half and that is where the savings will come from.

You "Like" that post. You then "share" that post and "tag" a couple of other co-workers in the process. You comment that you do not like it when "computers take over."

Your friends then "like" and "share" with their social profiles. They leave comments as well.

Over the course of a few hours, the original poster, you and those who have commented carry on a conversation. You may even post a few links to other content the supports your viewpoint.

Others that do not work for your company also see this and interact. Leaving comments and sharing the post with their followers. Some of them post it into groups they are in and that generates additional comments and shares.

The Facebook Algorithm takes ALL of that data and gives this post a HIGH SCORE. There is a lot of interaction. A lot of sharing among various interests and groups. This is the type of post Facebook will promote to other feeds and timelines - even those whom you do not know. They could be "friends of friends" (in Facebook terminology).

In the process, Facebook determines that you need to see more from the person who originated the post. The Algorithm has determined you will probably be commenting and interacting with additional information this person posts on their own timeline and feed. Which, once you see it, you do!

The same would then go for other people. Facebook will show them more information from YOU.

Have you ever received those "Friend Recommendations" from Facebook? Those are not random recommendations. The Facebook Algorithm has determined that you and those people you are not connected with have a lot in common. They are trying to get you to connect so further interactions can occur between their contact list and your contact list. This in turn will grow Facebook!

Have you ever had one of those posts where you share something with the world - and nobody notices? Your mom may give a "like" but that is about it? I know I have. That used to confuse me. How can other people get tremendous traffic but I get almost none?

Well, here is how that works and the reason why those posts fail.

It involves scoring of the Algorithm again. But this time, a "low score" rather than a high score.

Let's say you make a post about something that you have not talked about with your group before (or it has been an extremely long time since the last time you shared something along that topic line).

It could be something as random as posting a memory about your high school graduation.

Nobody comments. You may have 800 likes. But nobody comments. You may have 1,000 views. But only three comments and one share.

The Facebook algorithm is not going to give this post a high score at all. It will get a relatively LOW score, even though you had 800 or 1,000 likes. Facebook does not judge "likes" the same as "shares," nor does it judge "shares" as much as comments and interaction.

Because this post has such a low score, it will not be shared among the majority of your contacts. Maybe your immediate family will see it. But that is about it. Unless you start to actually have a conversation with someone (anyone, even your family), this post is going nowhere.

Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, every single social media platform out there, uses an algorithm to support the platform. This algorithm is used to determine what other people will interact with on the platform. Links that take people away from the platform receive lower scores.

This is important to remember as you post your information on these social media sites. If you want to increase your visibility, especially on Facebook, you need to use the algorithm to your advantage.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/10211164

Want to Rank in Local SEO? Follow These Tips

Local SEO Tips to Consider

Make sure you have a physical, brick and mortar address in your targeted town.

It is important to make sure you include a physical address in the location you wish to optimize for. In addition, this particular address where your property is situated has to be in the location or area you aim to target, or very close to it.

Make proper use of Google My Business.

Google has placed more importance on GMB; this means that any business information you include here is reflected on Google Maps and

Search. The customers' job to find you becomes much easier this way, no matter what if they use a tablet, PC or smartphone.

In building or developing your Google my Business location for local SEO even further, make sure:

- To use complete, accurate, consistent and relevant information when filling out the Google My Business account;

- To list a GMB location which you can verify;

- To use the town and city that you want to rank for in the title of the landing page;

- That your product or products are in accordance with the main categories of GMB, and that they suit a wider search group.

See to it that the Name, Address and Phone Number (or NAP) on your site matches the NAP on GMB.

Besides your physical address, the NAP should be identical with your actual business name should be consistent wherever they appear online.

Actually, it is best to make use of an exact template for your NAP anywhere you use these details, whether on your site, GMB, other websites or directory listings.

Ensure that you have a map to your location included on your website.

Aside from adding contact info to your website, it is essential to include an actual map on your website, so that viewers can see your exact position. The code to include a map to your premises can be added on your website's contact page.

Moreover, having some of the following information on your website, specifically in your contacts page, will be very useful:

Opening and closing hours of your store;

Directions to your premises from prominent landmarks;

Phone call links to call directly on mobile phones;

Social media links, but sharing options as well.

Starting from the next step, you should be knowledgeable about SEO. Otherwise, get some SEO training.

Make sure you create a new web page for every business location

If your business has several branches, see to it that each of them has a distinct web page, which is properly optimized for its specific location.

Use citations properly

It is very important for local SEO to get citations in major international, regional and local directories. Citations can help in building authority and integrity for your site, and above all, direct useful traffic to your page(s).

Additionally, if you do not have a website (which is a must nowadays), local listings give more visibility.

If you are taking citations into consideration, make sure that:

You have consistent citations;

You are using citations from trusted, respected websites;

You find ways to let your business get mentioned in various articles or blog posts in local newspapers;

You have lots of location-relevant and industry-relevant domains that cite your company in a positive way.

Still sorting through the Cleveland SEO companies to find one that can boost your Google rankings? Most experts recommend a Cleveland website designers company that also offers SEO services - it's much easier to make the necessary adjustments to the site - without any conflicts!


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/10213894

The Entrepreneur's Beginner's Guide to Hashtags

How a Few Words Can Increase Social Media Engagement

I'm sure you've noticed there's no shortage of social media techniques and tips out there!

But have you also noticed the majority of those tips focus on general info, like how to get more followers or likes, or how to post compelling content to engage your users?

Those resources are important, but I notice that sometimes hashtags get forgotten about.

They're rarely mentioned in marketing articles, but they're such a great tool for building your brand, raising awareness around marketing campaigns and engaging/entertaining your audience.

How Do Hashtags Work?

If you're new to social media, I know it can seem overwhelming.

You may have seen these words with the # in front of them on social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Pinterest. (The hashtag actually got its start in 2007, when Twitter began using it to index keywords to make them more searchable.)

But what are these words supposed to do? Should you use them? Why are they seemingly random?

I've put together this guide to help you understand how to use hashtags (and what the heck they are!) so you can increase social media engagement and leads.

Think of hashtags as a way to categorize your content.

Ultimately, they help people find and share posts on a specific topic.

When you create your social media post, you take a word or words and put the pound sign (#) in front of it. If you use two words, don't put a space between them. Now, the phrase is clickable and searchable on the social media platform the user is on.

Choosing the Right Hashtags

When done correctly, these tags can help you gain more exposure for your business and increase social media engagement. But like any social media strategy, you have to do your research and think before you post.

I'll make this process easier for you. Here are 7 ways to start choosing the right hashtags:

1. Create them for events.

This is one of the best ways to increase excitement and engagement on your social media accounts. For example, the Cornucopia wine festival in Whistler shared many posts on their Twitter and Instagram accounts with the hashtag #Cornucopia2019, and so did their followers and attendees.

2. Tag famous people or big brands.

Take a look at what's trending on Twitter, and try and incorporate it into your posts; but only if it's relevant. People are going to know if you're trying to force it or be fake.

Some examples are big sporting events, record releases by musicians, holidays and popular books. If someone who's famous in your industry makes the news, you could use that tag in one of your posts.

3. Do your research.

Whether you are doing research on the latest news for an upcoming Canadian Federal election or hockey playoffs, you could do a hashtag search to find several posts on the subject.

Searching tags on social media platforms can be a perfect way to find new ideas and spy on your competition.

A great resource for searching popular hashtags is https://hashtagify.me/hashtag/tbt

4. Encourage sharing.

The more people who share your hashtag and use it in their posts, the more exposure, engagement and traffic you're going to get.

You may remember the campaign #ShareACoke campaign. The company swapped out its iconic logo on 20-ounce bottles, replacing it with 250 of the most popular American names.

It was one of their most successful campaigns, leading to a 2% increase in soft-drink sales and lots of social media engagement as followers shared cans and bottles with their names on them.

5. Turn one tag into a campaign.

Many users "monitor" certain words, so focusing on one consistently can help you gain a following.

For instance, you could come up with a campaign with several posts around a specific product you offer, or a holiday promotion you're doing.

6. Find some weekly post themes.

This is a simple way to tie in a trending tag with your business.

Some common themes include #throwbackthursday, where people post anything from past vacation pics to high school graduation photos; and #wisdomwednesday, where they share their advice on all sorts of topics.

I use #MotivationMonday and #TuesdayTip on our Twitter, Facebook and Instagram channels and often mix in other popular hashtags for optimal exposure.

7. Use humour.

People love to share funny stuff with others, whether it's a trending meme or a relatable story. Here's a hashtag late night talk show host Jimmy Fallon came up with to get people to share: #MyWorstCostume.

By understanding which hashtags will resonate with your target audience, you can tap into a whole world of people looking for exactly what you're offering. So start brainstorming and researching how to add some fun and functional tags to your next post!



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/10213861