10 Free Ways to Promote Your Local Business Online

10/2/2011

Over 85% of people contact businesses they find in local searches. That's why 100% of businesses need to be online! Your local business has many options, to remain current online such as a website, business facebook page, social networks, videos, blogs, online ads, etc. Even for businesses with a limited marketing budget, there are ways to promote your business online. Here are 10 free ways to promote your business online:

Google Local: Create an account... Enter your company name, address, phone number and website. Verify the information with a postacard or telephone call. In a few weeks you get a map listing for your company name or industry and town.
Google Coupons: Coupons are a great way to bring new customers into your business or remind old customers that you’re still around. Google has a free coupon tool that puts your coupon on relevant local searches.
Yahoo Local: Yahoo local is a directory organized by category and geographic location. You can get a basic listing in Yahoo Local for free. People searching for your business or industry can find your listing.
YellowPages.com: Yellow Pages have a strong brand name and recognition, and are still used by many people today. They offer a few levels of listings the most basic is free.
Press Releases: Doing something newsworthy? You can always submit a press release to PRWeb or PRLeap.com. Be sure to check out their tips like 25 Action Words for Writing a Newsworthy Headline and Why Localizing a Press Release to a ZIP Code and City Matters.
Free Blog Promotion Tools: Does your company have a website or are you thinking of adding one? Websites like Technorati.com and mybloglog.com can help you gain exposure, visitors, readers, and subscribers to your blog.
Free Directory Advertising: It doesn’t get any easier than trying free advertising. Go to BOTW.org and sign up for a free 60 day advertising listing.
LinkedIn: Join LinkedIn and get connected with people you know and make connections with people you don’t through introductions. Look at the new Questions and Answers section and try and be genuinely helpful. Follow the axiom of ‘Givers Gain’ and you may generate a few leads for yourself from your goodwill.
Email Signatures: Be sure to add your URL to all of your outgoing email. Try adding your mission statement, network links, or a catchy phrase to help people understand what you do. Change it a several times a year so people notice it again.
Syndicate Your Content and Ideas: Take advantage of article distribution Services like EZineArticles, ISnare, and IdeaMarketers to spread your message and approach. Use them to bring leads to your site by offering things like free ebooks or PDF’s that they can download after entering their contact information.

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3 Ways To Make Internet Marketing Work For You

9/6/2011

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Internet marketing is a lot simpler than many small business owners make it. In fact, it's so simple that I'm about to give you a 3-part recipe that will almost ensure your success as long as you don't do anything superstar athlete level stupid.

What is the recipe? Here it is in all its simplicity:

Participate in the Web: Real simple. All you have to do is participate in the Web. Join forums, read blogs and comment, participate in social media activities, and build content on your website. Just participate.
Add Value to the Web: This one is a little more challenging than the last one, but you should be able to pull it off. All you have to do is add value to the Web. When you comment on blog posts and participate in forums, contribute to the conversation in such a way that you add value to people's understanding of your niche.
Build Solid Relationships: Whether on forums, through blogs, on social media websites, or through your own Web properties, make connections and build relationships. Relationships lead to business and when you participate and add value, you'll get the business.

This is a real simple recipe that anyone can follow. You don't have to be a genius to succeed online. You just have to follow the 3-part recipe.

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10 Free Ways to Promote Your Local Business Online

3 Ways To Make Internet Marketing Work For You

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