4 Online Marketing Tips

1. Social Networking - Use social networking responsibly. It can be addictive and time-consuming. I suggest joining Twitter andFacebook and perhaps one more specific to your industry. Maintain a complete and updated profile. Then start connecting with people. Don't just connect for the sake of adding another contact. Really take time to get to know the person you are connecting with.

2. Blogging for Business - Schedule time to create blog entries. Start with two entries per week. Don't forget to go out and contribute valuable comments on other blogs in your industry. I'd recommend trying to make two valuable comments per week to begin.

3. Newsletters - Your newsletter should provide interesting and valuable information. Stick to a consistent schedule of sending it out.

4. Articles - Write interesting and informative articles. These can be used in your newsletter, on blog posts, posted on your website and submitted to article directories.

What's your favorite online marketing tip?

Typos in Your Marketing Materials?

It seems that due to technology, text messaging, trying to squeeze lots of information into 140 characters on Twitter, status updates on Facebook, etc., that we've become very sloppy spellers. I see typos more and more often in marketing materials.

I have a strong belief that we need to present ourselves as professionals - and that includes correct spelling and proper grammar. This is especially important in our marketing materials. Often, business persons hire a virtual assistant to help them write articles, post information on their website, and create other marketing materials. These business owners expect a level of professionalism that includes correct use of the English language - and no typos!

You may feel that posting a quick tip on Twitter or updating your status on Facebook doesn't require correct spelling. However, it is a reflection on you and your business. More and more this is how your prospects are going to find you and you need to make a good first impression.

So take the time to spell our 'you' instead of using 'u' and proofread your marketing materials before sending them out. Get a second set of eyes to review your materials also. It's very easy for our eyes to see the same mistake over and over and not catch it.

One aspect of our virtual assistant coaching is to review all your marketing materials. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you present your virtual assistant business in a professional manner.

4 Online Marketing Tips

1. Social Networking - Social networking is the rage right now and more and more people are using social networking sites to connect and build business relationships. There are many out there and they can be addictive and time-consuming. I suggest joining LinkedIn and Facebook and perhaps one more specific to your industry. Create an effective profile and start building relationships.

2. Blogging for Business - Again, more and more businesses are blogging. Yes, it can be time consuming. By scheduling a regular time to blog, you can increase traffic to your website and connect with your target market.

3. Ezines - Create an email newsletter and send it out regularly. Too often businesses are not consistent with this and lose subscribers. Commit to sending your newsletter out on a consistent schedule and you'll build credibility.

4. Articles - If you write an article for every newsletter you publish, you can then submit it to article directories and increase exposure for your business even more. This helps get more web site traffic and higher search engine rankings.

What other online marketing tips have you used?

3 Ways to Re-purpose Your Articles

1. Compile your "Top 10 Tips" articles and create a tip booklet. Offer it as a complimentary gift when prospects sign up for your e-zine.

2. Repost your articles on your blog.

3. When you go to networking events or speaking engagements, handout reprints of your articles. This is less likely to be thrown out than a flyer or brochure.

Turn Your Articles into Income-Producing Products

1. E-Book: Compile your articles and put them in e-book format. You can give it away for free or offer it at a low cost.

2. E-Course: Organize your articles into a logical sequence and then set up a free 3-day e-course and at the end of the e-course ask your subscribers if they'd be interested in continuing the course for a fee.

3. Create a membership club and charge a monthly fee for your articles, resources and newsletters.

4. Use your articles as an outline for teleseminars that people pay to listen to.

5. Expand your articles into special reports and then sell them.

6. Expand your article into a book.

Writing Articles to Build Customer Trust and Confidence

1) Write consistently.
Just writing one or two articles won't establish you as an expert in your field. Schedule to write and submit at least one article a month.

2) Be authentic.
Write about what you really know and be yourself.

3) Connect with readers on an emotional level.
Most people buy based on emotion, not based on logic. So find a way to connect emotionally. Telling stories about yourself is one way to do this.

4) Provide proof.
Give your readers case studies or testimonials to show the results.

Write an E-book to Promote Your Services

One way to promote your services is to write an e-book. It doesn't need to be difficult or time-consuming. Just pick a subject you are knowledgeable in and are passionate about. This is also a way to become known as an expert in your field.

If you've already written articles, try expanding them and putting them together as a basis for your e-book.

Once you've written your e-book you can sell it, give it away, or offer it as an incentive. This is a great way to get people added to your mailing list. When they join your list, they get a complimentary copy of your e-book.

Become An Expert - Write An Article

If you’d like to become known as an expert in your field, writing articles is a great way to do that. Just start writing about what you know. It doesn’t have to be lengthy, but should be informative.

Your article should end with your bio with all the pertinent information such as your name, your website address, and email address. Offer your article for reprint as long as all your contact information and links are included. Then start submitting them.

Here are a few places you can submit articles at no charge:

Article Alley
Article City
Go Articles
Alumbo

If you’d like help creating and submitting articles, please contact me.