How Can You Optimize Your Google My Business Page?
You’ve set up and claimed your Google My Business page. Now it’s time to optimize it! Here are a few tips from The Small Business Marketing Academy to help you get started. Read more
Posts
How to Remove Writers Block and Come Up with Awesome Content Ideas
Not sure what to blog about? Having trouble getting started on that white paper? Here’s what marketing expert John Jantsch has to say on the topic:
Removing writer’s block
Take a break and go outside
Seems simple enough, right? Stand up, walk away from your desk, and get away from your computer for a bit. Do this even if you’re on a tight deadline. There’s no point in just staring at your computer if it’s getting you nowhere. Getting some fresh air will help get your creative juices flowing and will make you feel refreshed so that you can return to your desk and conquer a stellar piece of content. Read more
7 Must Have Website Elements
“Marketing-Focused” Thinking Should Drive Your Website Design Today
The homepage is often a prospect’s first impression of your website. Long, scrolling pages are the expectation these days, so think of your homepage elements as a bit of journey. Don’t try to cram it all above the fold, let people get further and further as they scroll.
So that visitors can get the most out of landing on your website, consider implementing the seven elements below.
1. The promise
The purpose of the promise headline, above the fold on your homepage, is to show the visitor that you understand the challenges they face. You need to make them a promise that will solve their problems.
2. Call to action
A call to action (CTA) is an image or text that prompts visitors, leads, or customers to take a specific action. CTAs help to guide people through the customer journey and advise them on next steps.
Your call to action can be to request more information, schedule a consultation, or download a free report. Make sure it’s relevant and useful – the days when people simply signed up to receive an email from you are over, but people still want to be led to useful activities and resources that get them closer to solving their problems.
3. Video
Many companies are beginning to feature video on their homepage, and for a good reason! Video allows you to give people a real sense of who you are, what you stand for, and let people hear your story. It’s also a great way to produce content to engage your audience.
Some put this in the nice to have category, but I think it’s a must these days for small business websites.
4. Trust elements
You need to have elements that build trust on your homepage, whether they be logos of current customers or testimonials for your audience to glance over. Have reviews or accolades you want your audience to see? Make them easy to find and place them on the homepage.
This is almost a content category for many businesses as things like reviews, case studies, and testimonials should be part of your ongoing content building efforts, but once you collect them use them to build trust and social proof.
Wondering why your website doesn’t generate traffic and leads like you thought it would? Our Total Online Presence Audit can help.
5. Changing content
It’s a good idea to feature frequently changing content from your website on your homepage. For example, place a blog or social feed on the homepage that shows recent activity. It’s a great way to show your company is active and to keep content fresh on the homepage.
6. Content upgrades
A content upgrade gives people the ability to download premium content in exchange for an email address or capturing a lead. This is an essential element for conversion on your website. If they download this content, this expresses interest in what you do. Take this opportunity to give them more valuable content moving forward to nurture them through to the sale.
The key is to make the upgrade, a checklist or eBook for example, highly relevant to the blog post or content where it is featured.This is an essential element for conversion on your website. If they download this content, this expresses interest in what you do. Take this opportunity to give them more valuable content moving forward to nurture them through to the sale.
This is an essential element for conversion on your website. If they download this content, this expresses interest in what you do. Take this opportunity to give them more valuable content moving forward to nurture them through to the sale.
7. Core services
Create boxes that feature your core products or services and include about 100 words of content with each. Since these are your core services, you’ll likely have full pages or sections of your site related to each, but by placing them on your homepage accompanied by descriptive content, you’ll also get some additional SEO value.
Get help with your website
The experts at Advantage Marketing can help you develop a website that generates leads for your business. Contact us to learn more.
Reprinted from 5 Step Marketing Blueprint by John Jantsch, Duct Tape Marketing
How to Hire a Marketing Consultant: 4 Questions You Need to Ask Yourself
Small businesses hire marketing consultants for many reasons. But do you know what you should consider when evaluating marketing consultants?
In this video, Duct Tape Marketing founder John Jantsch discusses the four key questions you should consider when hiring a consultant for your marketing. Read more
AM’s Loraine Kasprzak Achieves Certified Duct Tape Marketing Consultant Status
Advantage Marketing’s managing director, Loraine Kasprzak, has successfully completed the rigorous initial Duct Tape Marketing training and has continuous access to training throughout the year ensuring she is the best at the marketing game. Read more
LinkedIn Business Marketing Tips
LinkedIn’s ad platform is powerful, considering that its user demographic is made up of decision makers. Here are tips for LinkedIn that will drastically increase your marketing potential:
Complete Your Profile – your profile is the heart and soul of your personal and online business brands.
Common SEO Mistakes Ruining Your Content Marketing
Search engines help you get new readers, viewers, and listeners for your content. Give the search engines what they want by avoiding the following common mistakes that content creators make.
Short Content
Google likes long-form content because it gives searchers enough information to satisfy their needs. Generally, the more in-depth the content is, the more likely it solves the searcher’s intent or question, and that is what Google wants. Read more
Marketing Myths Debunked
Don’t be fooled by common marketing misconceptions. Here are 4 myths that just aren’t true:
Social Media Doesn’t Sell – 75% of B2B buyers use social media to make purchasing decisions.
Blog Content is Fluff – Marketers who prioritize blogging are 13x more likely to see positive ROI.
More Eyes = More Dollars – Views and clicks don’t create customers. Engagement marketing builds advocates for your brand, which pays dividends long after purchase.
Your Product Should Sell Itself – If you don’t put your product in front of the right audience in a measurable way, you may not be discovered.
For more Marketing Myths Debunked READ THE FULL ARTICLE via TechnologyAdvice.
Top Resources for Marketing Automation
Automation will save you time, money and help make your business run smoothly – you just need to know how to use it. Here are my top resources for automating your business.
Top 15 Social Media Tweets for 2017
Social media can be tricky to navigate due to the ever-changing features, networks and guidelines. Here are some of my top social media Tweets to help you make the most of your efforts.
Simple Solutions to Common Marketing Challenges – http://ow.ly/N4l630dujdP
Three Keys to Better Social Media Engagement – http://ow.ly/u3Mb30dujf3