There are
many local businesses that are not marketing their companies online and it’s a
mistake. It doesn't matter what kind of business you are in, you need to get
the word out. Some people prefer to shop online and have products delivered to them
instead of standing in long lines. Online marketing offers so many benefits;
especially if you have both a blog and website. On your blog, you should add
valuable content that will help your prospective and existing customers. This
is the place where you build strong business relationships. This is where you
will position yourself as the expert in your industry. This is where your
clients will come when they need answers. So don’t take this for granted.
Can You Write?
Oh, so you
can’t write? Well, you don’t have to be the expert writer. You can convey your
thoughts to a hired writer who will do the job of writing on your behalf. All
you need to do is to give the writer an idea of your voice (how you like to
write) and he/she will transform it into something that you would write. Content
marketing is first writing the content or have it written for you and
publishing it in strategic places online. Your content has to be unique, which
means, it cannot be found elsewhere on the Internet. In your article or web
content, you should provide benefits, which will trigger the reader to want
more information. Always put a call to action. Sometimes, people need to be
told what to do. In your resource box, give the reader instructions on what to
do next.
Great Content
Your content
should be seen by a group of targeted people who are looking for what you have
to offer. When a search includes specific keywords or keyword phrases, and the
prospects land on your blog or web page, it should have exactly what the
searcher needs. Be sure that you have an attention-grabbing headline on your
blog or web page. You want the searcher to be curious enough to want to know
more. In your content; whether it is an article or web content, I cannot say it
enough - list all the benefits and value. Make it interesting and not filled
with a lot of fluff. List some of the features, but don’t let all of the
content be based on just the features.
Marketing Your Content
Use article
directories as much as you can. Ezinearticles.com is an excellent platform for
great exposure. This website already has high search engine ranking so you can
ride on ‘their coat tail,’ so to speak. You must keep your blog regularly
updated, which means post on a daily basis or at least three times per week.
The search engines love fresh content. If you have a Twitter and Facebook
account, which you should, then you need to share your content with your
followers. It can go viral in a matter of minutes when your followers share it
with their followers.
Conclusion
Be aware that
as a local business, you may be leaving money on the table. Some of your targeted
prospects can be overseas; providing a possibility for you to make money while
you sleep. Get an experienced writer to put your content together and many
writers also know how to market the content. Don’t underestimate your own
writing abilities, but if you can’t or don’t have the time to do so, then a
hired writer is the next best thing. Good luck with your business. Check out my
self-published books at Amazon.com. You can also hire
my writing services here.
