Should your business sign up for a Google Plus account?

My answer is YES! Why wouldn’t you be on the social network that is run by Google, the #1 search engine in the world and gateway to YOUR business?

By now, you should know I love using big-name brands as examples. H&M is one of my FAVORITE stores, so I will use them!

Miriam Tappert, Global Social Media Manager, explains that H&M’s goals for their Google Plus page was simple: “To be where our customers are, have a dialogue, and share the latest fashion.” She goes on to say, “We have chosen to focus on inspiration…nice images, films, and, of course, a lot of fashion.”

H&M uses video and photos frequently in posts, as visuals of their customers in H&M pieces. That is an effective way to promote fashion and lifestyle. They also links to product pages on their site to help convert social visitors to potential customers. And of course a no-brainer… they post great content. You can learn a lot from H&M’s use of Google Plus.

On top of those great takeaways, we must note:

The greater your visibility is on Google Plus, the better chance you have at high-level visibility in Google searches YOUR customers are conducting; google plus activity increases your website traffic flow PERIOD. It’s no wonder Google Plus (sometime referred to as “ghost town”) has seen a 33% increase in usage since July 2012. Get on, get posting, and get visible!

So you’ve toyed with the idea of putting your company on Facebook, Twitter or another form of social media. You ask; will being on social media really benefit my product or business? The answer is almost certainly yes.

Social media is a very effective way to generate exposure for your business in today’s marketplace and it has many indisputable benefits. It has become a powerful medium that can benefit your business by attracting more traffic to your website, growing brand awareness, helping you understand and identify your customer’s needs, pinpointing your target market, and connecting with key influencers.

According to Infographics Zone:

• 63% of companies using social media say it has increased their marketing effectiveness — among other benefits.
• Blogging:  Companies that blog generate 88% more leads per month than those who do not blog.
• Search Engine Optimization (SEO): 89% of US internet users search online before they make a purchase, even when the purchase is made at a local business.

With statistics as powerful as the ones mentioned above, it’s never been more important to utilize social media marketing for your business. Consumer behavior has changed due to the social, mobile nature through which we consume content. We are seeing more and more that consumers take to search engines and social media to perform product research and acquaint themselves with brands and products.

It’s not just who you know…It’s who knows you. Say yes to social media or get left in the dust!

 

Hi everyone! This week I am going to be talking a little bit about the Art of Blogging!

Blogging – there’s all kinds of people doing it today – for business, for pleasure, and even just for entertainment.  A blog is essentially an online journal that can be read by anyone. Blogging is an instant way to promote yourself or company and your knowledge of your specialty. But what exactly makes a good blog? It’s a funny thing to say, but yes there is an art to blogging.

The first blog I wrote took me hours. I wish I were exaggerating. I was focused on all the wrong things. A lot of people make the mistake of starting out by picking a niche they are not exactly passionate about simply because it pays well. Mixing business with pleasure is not only possible, but it is also a good idea. Yes, you can make money by doing something you love and, even more so, you will also see your personal productivity go through the ceiling. Try starting a blog on a topic that relates to your specialty. You will be surprised at how easily the words flow. Readers will be able to sense your enthusiasm and passion.

Another quick tip – It’s vital that you market your blog in all possible ways to drive targeted traffic. Comments on popular, active blogs and forums helps a lot. Post to your website and remember to link your blog to Twitter, Facebook, Goggle+ and LinkedIn. If you want to go even further, Socialmediaexaminar suggests getting your blog on smaller less well-known networks such as Quora.com, Tumblr, and Empire Avenue.

And don’t forget images! Images don’t just make your blog look pretty, they also help people find you in image search options offered by Google, Bing and Yahoo! Plus nobody wants to read a blog without images…it’s well…BORING!

Happy blogging!