Inbound Marketing Blog

The number one request I get as an inbound marketing consultant is to help companies rank higher in search results to drive more traffic to their site. So the question begs; “how do we do this the right way?” Thankfully Google is committed to returning search results that are highly relevant to searchers’ requests. They do this by updating their search algorithm, the way they rank web pages and return results to the searcher, to penalize sites that use tactics that cheat the system, known as ‘black hat’, ‘keyword stuffing’ and ‘webspam’. 
"The key takeaway is that Google is changing its algorithm to reward quality sites – so stay focused on publishing quality content."

While your end goal for might be sales, the secret to success for lead generation with social media is to know where it fits into the buy cycle for your business. My view is that it's at the beginning, and should be utilized to build reach, awareness, rapport, trust and authority. So here are my 9 social media tips for small business owners and marketers:

How are you adjusting to the new Facebook Timeline? The more I learn about it the more I love it, especially for marketing.

How was your first quarter of 2012? Did you achieve your lead, customer and revenue goals? Did you get through all your tasks?

It's easy to get overwhelmed with all the changes to the internet, social media and specifically Facebook. Especially when you're trying to run your business and just keeping up with technology is a job in itself.  

With Facebook switching all Business Pages to the new Timeline format this Friday March 30th, I thought I'd share what's important to do and understand before Friday. Here’s a 5 step quick intro to help you get started.

If you are in charge of marketing and generating leads and customers for your business then understanding content marketing, if you want to be successful, is important. "But why?" I hear you ask.

This article is a follow on from last week’s post 11 Marketing Strategies For Which Small Business Should Use Blogs. Assuming you’ve had the chance to read that article, I thought I’d share how to use video in your blogs and communication.

It’s great to mix up the format of your blogs with video, written word and images. As well as the style – entertaining, funny, educational and informative. Using different formats like video and presentations can help communicate an important message that the written word, alone can’t. Like bringing personality and life to your company and products. Here’s a few ideas on how to use video to keep your blogs interesting and valuable.

Blogging is a communication tool that provides small business marketers with the unique opportunity to achieve a range of marketing strategies and tactics that were once left up to professionals, or only those with deep pockets. The internet and social media have leveled the marketing playing field and small businesses should take advantage of this opportunity.