Author: Ethan Theo

Abe WalkingBear Sanchez is an International Speaker / Trainer / Consultant on the subject of cash flow / sales enhancement and business knowledge organization and use. Founder and President of www.armg-usa.com, WalkingBear has authored hundreds of business articles, has worked with numerous companies in a wide range of industries since 1982 and has spoken at many venues including the Shakespeare Globe Theater in London.

Categories
Online Business

The Simplicity Concept – SEO Tips That Work after Panda

Simplicity is the best SEO concept that produces results.

Search engine optimization is a wide subject, and a lot of people think they have to know the various processes before it can work for them. But the right steps to take when trying to beat competitions and emerge as the foremost internet business website in your niche, is to simplify SEO.

Create a platform whereby you can interact with proven facts, instead of flowing with guess work and assumptions.
In line with your goal, here are three simple ways to fully implement SEO, and how to produce the right Content that works. See next line:

Create – Convince – Capture – Convert

Create Unique Content

Before search engines could send organic traffic to your website, you need to create unique Content. Regurgitated Content will not cut in – at least, not in the Panda and Penguin era. The best content creation process begins with thorough research.

Getting to know your competitors is a good thing. If a particular webpage is ranking against or ahead of you, it’s the right time to ask intelligent questions.

What have you failed to do? Are your keywords good enough and how competitive are they? Once you can answer these questions, you’ll be able to craft undiluted articles, press releases, blog posts, review articles and so forth to boost your ranking.

Note: keyword research should be the foundation of every search engine optimization task. It doesn’t matter if you want engagement on your site or to sell a specific product or service, without giving search engine spiders directions, your target audience would wander off your path.

But use keywords discreetly, placing them naturally as though they’re part of the content itself. Start creating exceptional Content today.

Convince the Prospect

There is no better way to convince prospects than to use a strong voice. You can’t afford to imitate competitors, or walk in their shadows. Potential customers who need your product and services are desperate for that unique personality.
Until you convince them, the quality and valuable products in your warehouse will not be sold. Did you know that attracting targeted traffic from Google isn’t the yardstick for making sales? You might get 1000 buyers to your sales page, but if the hook is missing, they would click away.

Have a unique personality. Connect emotionally with people. If you research long-tail keywords and optimize with them in your Content, the chances of ranking on Google first page within a short while is high, but it wouldn’t make a difference until you master the art of persuasion. Copywriters understand that persuasion is the key to winning sales and generating buyer leads.

Capture the Audience

Real marketing doesn’t end with quality Content and distribution. The most vital task in web marketing is to capture your audience. While search engines can send the prospects to you, it’s your duty to convert them.
Most internet entrepreneurs are struggling to boost sales. They have neglected the primary objective of starting a business – which is to provide the right solutions to a set of people. It would be easier to convert your audience if they’re the right people.

That means the content you create has a part to play in leading the right audience to your product funnel. If your content isn’t relevant or well-planned, you might be serving the wrong people.

When you capture leads, you should follow-up with in-depth information about your product or service. It’s all about serving the right meals to those who matter in your business. Since they’ve given you the go-ahead (permission), nothing should stop you from profiting.

Convert Prospects into Customers

Connecting and communicating with prospects can evolve into a more profitable system. When we offer SEO to small, mid-sized and fortune 500 companies, our focus is on establishing the right platform that can funnel paying customers to their businesses.

If you know an author in your city that is making success with every launch, understand that he or she has built a platform. You can’t sell to yourself or to your families and expect to be in business for long. Search engine optimization is the light that brightens up your internet marketing path. It all begins with a tiny idea. An idea that’s has a root in market and keyword research coupled with well-crafted Content.

Use search engines to attract responsive prospects. Turn strangers to subscribers and establish good platform for selling. Until I receive your comments, see you at the top!

About the Author:

Brian Nixon is a search engine optimizer who writes for Pitstop Media Inc, a Vancouver SEO company that provides top rated services to businesses across North America.

Categories
Online Business

Stay One Step Ahead of the Competition in 2012

In today’s competitive marketplace, it is now more important than ever to stay one step ahead. If you want to retain client loyalty and bring in new business, it is essential to constantly re-evaluate your business processes with forward thinking ideas to stay ahead of your competitors.

If you own a business, you will know that there is always room for improvement and if you want to be the best in your industry, it is essential that you are familiar with the latest marketing methods.

Lead Generation Companies-Stay One Step Ahead

Using the latest marketing methods can help you to stay on top of your game. There are a number of ways to increase your existing client base but if you want to be one step ahead of the competition you must not be afraid to try something new. Lead generation companies can generate high quality leads at speed and create a bespoke lead generation campaign that is unique to your company. Every company is different and what works for your competitors may not be the best route for you. Professional lead generation companies understand this and strive to create a superior lead generation solution to meet the individual needs of your company.  Outsourcing your lead generation requirements can free up time within your company leaving your employees free to attend to more pressing matters.

Go Online to Find a Lead Generation Company

The first step to finding the best lead generation company in your area is to go online to do your research. You can use the internet to compare hundreds of lead generation companies in just a few clicks. There are many signs that a lead generation company is worth its salt. Choose a company that has a vast array of experience and search their website for information on past clients. Many companies have a section on their website dedicated to client testimonials that can tell you a lot about the way they work. Once you have narrowed it down to just a few lead generation companies, get in touch with each one to discuss your requirements in more detail. Before you speak to a member of their team, it is advisable to have an idea of how much you wish to spend outsourcing your lead generation. Once you are aware of your specific requirements, you can then go online to find a company that can meet your needs in terms of budget and services.

 

Categories
Customer Service

How to Lose a Good Customer or How to Create a Lifelong Customer

I was in the bank Saturday morning, waiting in line behind the cutest 4-year-old and his mommy I’ve seen in a long while. It was a long line, and Junior was getting restless.

“Mommy, I have to go.”

“Go where, honey?” (mommy was distracted)

“I have to pee, mommy.”

“In a few minutes, sweetie, we’re almost done”.

“Mommy I can’t wait, I reaaaaallllyyyy have to pee pee.”

“Honey you’re going to have to wait. They don’t have a bathroom here.”

“I can’t wait mommy, I need to pee RIGHT NOW.”

Junior really had to pee. He couldn’t wait. You know how it is. When you gotta go, you gotta go. Just ask any new mother, post childbirth give or take 3 years. There is no gray area, and it’s no different for a 4-year-old who’s just getting it down in the first place.

I, of course not minding my own business, and not wanting to be used as a fire hydrant (I was wearing red… who knew how he’d been potty trained) sidled up to the mom and quietly said, “I’ll wait on line with him if you want to go up and ask if you can use their restroom.”

After being sized up and down, the mom nodded gratefully and left Junior with me holding my hand with one hand and his whatsis in the other, and proceeded to jump up and down. I noted that he was starting to turn red.

About 10 seconds later the mom was back in line, shaking her head. No luck.

“They said it’s not for public use.”

“Really?” I asked. “Did you point out your little guy jumping up and down and holding his whatsis?”

“Yup. The teller repeated herself twice — the restroom’s not for public use.”

If you’ve been reading my blogs for awhile you won’t think it’s odd that I now tried to take matters into my own hands. ‘No’ is not my friend.

“I’ll be right back.” The woman looked at me gratefully if not somewhat quizzically.

“Thanks… good luck!”

I sidled up to the teller bank and asked quietly if there was a manager I could have a moment with. There was. In my nicest, most demure yet firm voice I asked the bank manager for mercy. I pointed out the little guy who was now beginning to hyperventilate and explained that the 4-year-old didn’t understand public vs. private restroom, and if they didn’t agree to let him use the restroom they were about to have a bigger mess than they’d planned on in line at their bank on Saturday morning at 11:45 when all anyone wanted to do was get through their business and go home… ”if you know what I mean.”

It was as though I’d mentioned the pleasant temperature outdoors. I was looked through benignly and with a definite internal eye roll (I know, I have a teenager; they’re subtle but definitely visible), told that there was nothing to be done. If they went a few doors down the Burger King had a public restroom.

Can I just say that there are a few times in our lives when justice is served in such a sweet and organic way that the skies seem to open up and the angels sing. This was one of those moments. Just as I was getting the eyeroll, the heavens opened up alright. And it was sweet. So satisfyingly sweet if not a bit messy.  The heavens opened up 3 customers back in line at the _______ Bank of _________, and yet another natural disaster plagued our shores.

Mom was mortified, the line moaned and parted like the Red Sea, pun intended, and Junior had his moment, all over the commercially cleaned carpets — a teensy twinge of fear in his eyes but thankfully no tears, just relief.

The rest is glorious history.

What’s the take away here? Customer Service, of course.Going the extra mile… of course.Humanity, anyone?

In a case like this, what harm beyond the bending of a rule would have come in allowing this little guy and his mom into the employee restroom to take care of ther business. Rules schmules! There are times when rules are meant to be broken, or just a little bent. Had the conversation instead been one of “it’s normally for employees but I see that your little guy is about to burst, so come on with me”… shown graciousness… and caring… that manager would have, instead of giving the bank some really bad PR and losing a customer, earned big points in the “we aim to please” department, possibly cementing a relationship and creating a life long customer. Instead, as I helped the freaked out mother out the door as she held her drenched guy out in front of her with outstretched arms, she wasted no time in telling me how that was the last straw with said bank, and that next week she was switching to a ‘kinder and friendlier’ bank down the street. Apparently there had been some prior issues, but this badly executed and oh so avoidable experience was the straw that broke the camel’s back for her.

We all have choices these days — many, many choices — in where we choose to do business. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again because this is the deal in today’s frenzied world of choices: It’s the business that goes the extra mile that wins your business. A bank is a bank is a bank. Rates are pretty much even no matter where you go, and all have similar services with not many differentiators. What’s the difference in where you choose to place your money? Customer service. Being treated really well, and as though you matter.

To that end, I was sitting in the waiting area at Firestone in Brookfield this morning getting my emissions tested, when a guy walked in and needed to have service done that would require him to leave his car there for the day. I overheard him ask the technician if he could get a ride home.

Guy behind counter: “Where do you live?”

Customer: “New Fairfield.”

Guy behind counter: “Sure. We’ll have someone out to give you a ride home in just a few minutes. Have a seat.”

New Fairfield… a good 15 miles away.

That’s what I’m talkin’ about.

About the Author:

Suzen Pettit blogs at http://omaginarium.com/blog/, a site that guidessmall businesses through the maze of technology to help them grow their online presence with successful SEO.

 

Categories
Starting Up

A Stress Free Guide to Setting up a New Business in 2012

Many people dream of setting up their own company but are unsure where to start. Many people are put off by the amount of work involved in setting up a new company but there are many ways to make the process hassle free. Here are a few tips on starting your own business in 2012.

If you want to get up and running in the business world, the first step is to go online to do some research. The internet has a plethora of information that can help you set up your own business at speed. If you are setting up a company for the first time, you don’t have to do it alone. There are companies that specialise in company formations and if you want to take the stress out of setting up your own company, you should seek help from the professionals. Many allow you to set up your company on the same day for a small fee. Simply go online, find a company that offers these services, and choose a company with services to complement your budget.

Not all lead generation specialists are equal. While all of them may be able to assist in registering your company, their services will differ in price and some may take longer than others to complete your registration. Once you have chosen a company formations specialist, it is time to choose a formation package that suits your specific needs. The best thing about using a company such as this is that they do all of the work for you. If you are registering a company for the first time, you can rest assured that your registration will have been checked by a professional. They will even fill out the necessary forms and submit the form for you so you never have to lift a finger.

When looking for a company formations specialist, look for one that is willing to go the extra mile and not only offers you the opportunity to register a company but one that provides a high level of support throughout. Experience is also another factor to consider when choosing a site on which to register your company online. Browse the company’s website and this will not only give you information on the services they offer but also how long they have been providing these services for.

 

 

 

Categories
People & Relationships

Why Every Entrepreneur Should Develop Their Emotional Intelligence

Not just anyone can pick up and be an entrepreneur. There are a number of valuable skills that are needed to grow a business from nothing to something. However, as a budding business owner, improving your emotional intelligence (EI) will help sharpen your existing skills to make your more successful. There are four areas of EI, all of which will be beneficial to your business.

Self-Awareness

When you are fully in tune with your own emotions, you can understand how it impacts, you, your business and the people around you. As a successful entrepreneur you need to be able to overcome obstacles, maintain business relationships and make new ones as you go. Being aware of how your emotions effect your actions and thoughts will be vital to the success of your business.

  • Read yourself: When you can read yourself, you can better traverse difficult situations that come with starting your own business.
  • Understand your emotional influence: How do you respond to a negative client or bad news from your business partner? Understanding how your emotions will affect them is vital to maintaining important business relationships.

Self-Management

When you’re starting a business from the corner of your living room on a cluttered desk, with distractions all around, it’s critical that you utilize your ability to self-manage. However, managing yourself doesn’t only mean at the desk; managing your emotions, your work ethic and life balance will be integral to succeeding.

  • Controlling your emotions: Controlling how you react is an important aspect of entrepreneurship. Maintaining a positive outlook and keeping calm are necessary.
  • Managing yourself: Without a boss in the corner office across from you, your success is fully dependent on the discipline you have.

Social Awareness

While entrepreneurship lends itself to a lot of solo work, it’s important that you develop a successful social awareness, as well. From listening to those around to, to understanding the dynamics of business and community, TechCrunch.com explains, “Entrepreneurs are accused of not listening, but the best ones are listening and learning all the time.”

  • Number one, and then some: The most important aspect of being a successful entrepreneur is remembering that other people have valuable knowledge.

Relationship Skills

Final aspect of your entrepreneurial emotional intelligence is being able to understand and recognize the emotions of others on a one to one basis. This will be beneficial to you in a number of ways including handling conflict and potential employees.

  • Managing: When the time comes to hire on employees, your EI will be crucial to maintaining an open and welcoming demeanor.  Being able to understand the emotions of the people who work for you will allow you to manage conflict in an appropriate and positive manner.
  • Relating: When you understand the emotions of others you can better relate to them. This makes you a well-rounded leader who is approachable and successful.

Developing your emotional intelligence is beneficial to the beginning entrepreneur. While it’s important that you recognize your emotions – what they’re saying and how to manage them – it’s critical that you can understand the emotions of others as well. A well rounded entrepreneur is not only focused on the business, but on the well-being of those around them, as well.

About the Author:

Sara Fletcher writes for an emotional intelligence website and is interested in understanding the results of her emotional intelligence test online. She loves to explore psychology, business, and sports in relation to becoming a motivational speaker.