Welcome to this issue of 'Savvy Marketing Tips' and to more new subscribers! Now that the clocks have gone back and the days are getting colder, we hope to give you lots to think about and do in your business online, so you can stay in the warm!
Each month we bring you easy to implement tools and tips for your small business, so you can take advantage of the many brilliant low-cost ways of marketing via the internet. We hope you will find our newsletter a welcome and useful addition to your inbox. If you do, please tell others about us so we can reach more people!
Best wishes, Sam & Louise the Savvy Marketers
Next Workshop 'How to Get More Visitors to Your Website' on Monday 14th December 2009, in Eastleigh (for Southern Entrepreneurs). This workshop is always oversubscribed, so book early!
Please can we ask for your help? We're planning to hold new Workshops in 2010 and would really like to know what you want to learn about! Please can you help us out by answering this short survey? It'll only take a minute of your time. Just click here - Click Here to take survey We would have offered you a bribe but apparently survey takers who aren't bribed give the most accurate responses! Otherwise of course we'd be sending you some chocolate! :-)
Feature Article: Social Networking - Who Needs It?
You already know you need to get more involved in marketing your business online, and you can’t have failed to notice social networks Twitter, YouTube and Facebook being mentioned on TV and other, more ‘traditional’ media.
This month’s article will focus on some of the reasons why you need to be involved in networking online (I’ll be using the terms online networking and social networking interchangeably). Social Networking isn’t going away Do you remember the days before we had Emails? When we used to rely on posting letters, or sending faxes? Sending and receiving messages by email is almost instantaneous, compared to waiting for the postman to deliver important documents - the next day! And with social networks we can now communicate with hundreds and thousands of people all around the world, simply by typing our thoughts onto the keyboard of whatever device we’re using, hitting send and our message is out in cyberspace, instantly.
Every generation is embracing online networking. Grandparents & parents use sites like Facebook to keep in touch with families far away, teenagers share photographs, music and videos with friends, news junkies get the latest stories literally as they happen, not to mention the many thousands of us who connect with people who share similar interests.
I think it’s safe to say social networking is here to stay.
The internet has changed In the early days of the internet only large corporations with deep pockets could afford a website. Now there’s no excuse for not having an online presence – especially with so many free options available.
With Web 2.0 everyone has the ability to interact, to answer back and to communicate our opinions – through forums, blogs and of course, the social networks. Anyone can ask questions on Twitter or LinkedIn and expect helpful & informed answers.
As a customer service tool, the social networks are invaluable. Now customers can tell a very large audience exactly what they think of a service or product – instantly.
The way people buy (and do business) has changed There was a time when, if you wanted to arrange a special meal out you’d ask a family member, friend or neighbour if they could recommend a ‘nice’ restaurant. Or you’d look under ‘restaurants’ in the phone book and take pot luck.
Now people are more likely to search the internet and to read the online reviews from previous customers before making their choice.
The major supermarkets are now vying for the opportunity to deliver the grocery shopping, at a time that’s convenient to you, and even carry it right into your kitchen! Such a service is a boon for busy working mums and for people who find going out to the shops difficult.
What this all means is prospective customers are likely to do at least some research using the internet when they’re looking for the type of products or services you provide, than to rely on the Yellow Pages or other printed publications.
Using social networks, companies can spread the word quickly about, for example, special offers or new product launches, and drive more interested traffic to their websites and stores. Loyal and delighted customers will help by sharing their experiences on Twitter & Facebook, and perhaps even on their blogs. Social networking works for local businesses too For the reasons above, local businesses definitely need to take part in social networking. If you’ve always relied on word of mouth to get more business, then social networking is word of mouth – on steroids!
Imagine you own a local car hire or taxi firm, you’re on Twitter and monitoring what’s being tweeted about your local area. Suddenly, a tweet shows up from someone stuck at the station or airport because their lift hasn’t turned up. You can immediately tweet back with an offer to help. Not only may your firm get the business, but everyone who follows that person will have seen your offer too – what great publicity!
This will work just as well for many other local businesses. Think of hotels, restaurants, florists, specialist shops, bakers, garages, accountants, solicitors… the list is limited only by your imagination!
There you have 4 reasons why your business needs to be involved in online networking. We hope to have persuaded you of some of the benefits and to connect with you on the social networks soon!
We'd love to hear it! Just get in touch and let us know what Internet Marketing topic you'd like to know more about.
We'd Like to Recommend...
The Confident Business Networking Home Study System - If you need more clients but find your networking isn’t bringing the results you’d hoped for and, if you’ve nothing more to show for your efforts than a drawer full of business cards, then you need to brush up your skills! Here's a sample of what the system covers: • 5 simple ways you can get more from your networking today • 3 insider secrets to help you feel confident when entering a room full of strangers • The most important thing you MUST do in order to get new business from networking • How to make a start with networking on the Internet
This Home Study System contains all you need to know about Business Networking so that you can quickly attract more clients with less effort.
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Step by Step E-Marketing Do you want to get higher search engine rankings and handle online advertising campaigns without the expense of hiring someone to do it?
Forty First's Step by Step E-Marketing teaches you how to promote your website via weekly telephone calls & emails. This programme is a very cost-effective way of handling your own online marketing campaigns and includes:
Search Engine Optimisation
Pay per Click Advertising, such as Google Adwords
Reviewing Competitors' websites & links
Helping you develop your website to make it compelling to your visitors
This will increase the visitors and sales to your website, all while you learn the ins and outs of online marketing so that you can manage your own website effectively.
Pssst...Pass It On!
If you know anyone who might be interested in reading 'Savvy Marketing Tips' please feel free to forward this copy to them. Or tell them to visit http://www.savvymarketers.co.uk and get their copy of 'The Ultimate Small Business Guide to Marketing via the Internet'
Savvy Marketing Tips are brought to you by the Savvy Marketers, who are Sam McArthur and Louise Barnes-Johnston. We offer no-fluff, low cost, extremely valuable how-to information about marketing via the internet for the small business owner who has little or no prior experience.
Connecting to Facebook
The major supermarkets are now vying for the opportunity to deliver the grocery shopping, at a time that’s convenient to you, and even carry it right into your kitchen! Such a service is a boon for busy working mums and for people who find going out to the shops difficult.
