As a business owner operating in 2016 you know about social media, but may still get hung up on some of the myths circulating out there on the web. Social Media Marketing can be an amazing tool to help build brand awareness and also help you stay connected and engaged with your customers. So, don’t let these common myths deter you from trying your hand at social media.
It’s not possible to generate leads for your business on social media
If you put the time into optimizing your social media pages and engaging your customers, there’s no reason you can’t generate leads. Social media is a tool to help build brand awareness and also stay engaged with your customers. Building that engagement is what helps get the conversation started about your company and in turn drives people to learn more about what you have to offer.
Not enough content to post
Sometimes less can be more when it comes to social posting. You want to post quality content that’s relevant to your audience and also something they enjoy seeing in their feed each day. If you’re just posting content to post, that’s not going to get you the engagement you’re looking for and may even lose you some followers. You can also repurpose old content and topics. Now, you don’t want the same post going out week after week, but if a few weeks went by and you know it’s a topic that resonates with your audience, create a new post around it.
There is no way to measure ROI
As companies continue to flock to social media, these platforms are making it easier and easier to help them measure ROI. Most offer metrics on the overall page engagement and even more specific data on how certain campaigns performed. The key is using those metrics with your website analytics to help determine how much social media is contributing to the overall traffic on your page.
You have to be on every social platform out there
You want to be on the same platforms your target audience is on Otherwise, you may be wasting time engaging with people who aren’t even interested in what your business has to offer. There also might be certain platforms better suited for your type of business. So, do some research and find out which platforms your audience is on and focus your efforts on those. Also, if you create too many profiles, it’s going to be difficult maintaining them and you never want a profile sitting out there with no activity.
It needs to be all about my business
This is a big one we cover with our social media clients. Promotional messages are an important component in your social media strategy, but that can’t be all you post about. We have an 80/20 rule, where we do promotional posts 20% of the time and then use the other 80% to post about meaningful and relevant content to our audience. Pushing out more than just promotional messaging allows you to create a conversation and build engagement with your followers.
Want more tips on social media and other topics like SEO and website design? Then head over to our blog!
https://infinitereachagency.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/3-14-16-Featured-Image.png341341Katelyn Floreshttp://infinitereachagency.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/IR-Strip-smaller-500.jpgKatelyn Flores2016-03-14 11:25:262016-03-16 08:32:175 Common Myths About Social Media Marketing
What is guerrilla marketing, you ask? It’s all about expressing your personal imagination and creativity! While it may be an unconventional marketing strategy, it has been a successful strategy for small businesses.
This specific type of marketing relies heavily on taking the customer by surprise by making a lasting impression. It is about creating something that will really get people talking after seeing your advertisement! Most guerrilla marketing campaigns aim to ignite the consumer on a more memorable level.
Small Business Advantage
So why is guerrilla marketing ideal for small businesses? This type of advertising is a great way to reach a massive audience without breaking the bank. Below is a great example of a guerrilla marketing campaign done by Cocoa-Cola. They “created happiness” for some lucky college students!
When executed well, guerrilla marketing is a wonderful way to get your small business noticed. At a low cost, you can set yourself apart from the competition and show consumers how different and fun your company is!
Take it from Jay Conrad Levinson, the man who coined the term. Here is a list of some of the most important ways he thinks guerrilla marketing differs from traditional marketing:
“Instead of investing money in the marketing process, you invest time, energy and imagination.”
“Instead of ignoring customers once they’ve purchased, you have a fervent devotion to customer follow-up.”
“Instead of believing that single marketing weapons such as advertising work, guerrillas know that only marketing combinations work.”
Guerrilla Marketing=Taking a Risk
As a small business, it can be a good thing to take a risk every once and awhile. Basically any company can utilize guerrilla marketing, but it definitely requires you to step outside of your comfort zone and do something new and exciting that as a business, has never been done before.
If you want to take a safer route, try online guerrilla marketing tactics. LinkedIn, in my opinion, is the most powerful social networking site, and you should take advantage of it for the advancement of your business!
Moreover, creating a LinkedIn group is a great way to gain exposure. “LinkedIn Groups provide a place for professionals in the same industry or with similar interests to share content, find answers, post and view jobs, make business contacts, and establish themselves as industry experts.”
LinkedIn also offers a tool called LinkedIn Events, which allows marketers and other professionals to promote an upcoming event. This creates an opportunity for your business to put your event out there, which will then enable users to promote the event through their profiles and personal network page.
Guerrilla marketing can be anything your business wants it to be, as long as it’s something unexpected, eye-catching, and unforgettable. Just make sure your strategy represents your brand and your customers! Whether through online or in person, this marketing strategy creates awareness and is bound to generate more traffic to your business- for little to no cost!
https://infinitereachagency.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/guerrilla-.jpg341341Janelle Nodarhttp://infinitereachagency.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/IR-Strip-smaller-500.jpgJanelle Nodar2016-03-09 11:31:142016-03-16 09:22:28What Guerrilla Marketing Can Do For Your Business
Using proper grammar and spelling is very important. And when it comes to your business, it is more important than ever before. People decide in the first 2-3 seconds whether or not to stay on your website, and if they encounter grammatical errors and misspelled words, chances are they are going to find another resource.
Grammar is the foundation of all communication and we all know that a good, strong foundation is the key to building anything worthwhile. Studies have indicated that Americans between 18-34 have some of the highest standards when it comes to the proper use of grammar and correct spelling. That means that it is only going to become more important in the future.
Having content with spelling errors and grammatical issues can really harm your credibility and negate any authority you may have built. It can also make you look unprofessional in the eyes of potential clients and have a negative effect on your search engine rankings. Don’t let a spelling error undo all your hard work.
Proper Grammar Affects Your Credibility and SEO Rankings
You may think that a little spelling error is no big deal at all, but when it comes to your online content, proper grammar is essential. Proper spelling and grammar are not only important; they can be the main deciding factor whether or not you convert a lead to a sale.
You spend a lot of time creating content and trying to draw in customers but if you get them to your site only to be greeted by grammatical errors, chances are they are going to question your credibility. When someone encounters a misspelled word, they assume that you don’t pay attention to the details or that you are lazy even if it was an honest mistake.
Customers will question whether your lack of quality control over your content also applies to the other aspects of your business. A recent study in the UK found that almost 60% of consumers said they would not buy from a website that had grammatical and spelling errors.
Your credibility and authority in your industry are paramount in the online world. If customers and clients don’t believe in you or question whether or not you are committed to doing a great job in all aspects of your work, they will find someone else.
Bing has openly admitted that they consider grammar and spelling when determining search rankings and credibility. Google has not come right out and admitted to it but they include proper grammar and spelling in their guide to building quality content. If you are interested in learning more about ranking on Google, check out this article by Kristi Church.
Helpful Resources
Proper spelling and grammar can be tricky, especially if it’s not your strong suit. You can get tripped up on hard to spell words, or words that sound the same but have different meanings like further and farther and effect and affect. If you are not sure on something, ask a coworker or friend to look over your work. Sometimes there’s nothing better than an extra pair of eyes to catch a mistake.
There are several free resources on the web to help make sure you get it right the first time. For help with grammatical issues, you can use either Grammarly or the Hemingway app. If you are not sure about the meaning of a word or how to spell it, you can go to Dictionary.com. Whatever resource you use, it is always a good idea to check and double check your work before you publish it. Happy writing!
https://infinitereachagency.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/grammar-blog-pic.jpg341341Kellie Meisenheimerhttp://infinitereachagency.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/IR-Strip-smaller-500.jpgKellie Meisenheimer2016-03-04 15:14:172016-03-18 10:17:28Proper Grammar Is Important in Online Content
Here at Infinite Reach Agency, social media is one of our top priorities! It is so important for any business to be able to reach their customers in an innovative and widespread way. For new businesses it is especially important, as it can help you increase business and get you established in your field. The power of social media is great and has the ability to reach far more customers.
Who Is Your Social Media Audience?
The first thing you need to know is who your target audience is. Who do you want to sell your service or product to? Are you aiming for a certain age demographic? Are you looking for a specific gender? Are you looking for people who engage in certain activities, athletics for example?
Defining your audience will help you choose the best platforms for your business. It will also help to ensure that you reach the customers who will be most interested in what you have to offer.
Social Media Platforms
Which Social Media Platform is for You?
Once you have determined who you want to reach with your social media, then you can start to see which platforms are going to work best for you. This will help you optimize your efforts and get your information out quickly. There are many social platforms; let’s go through three of the most popular ones:
Twitter is good for people who are on the go and just want your information to be simple, short and to the point. A quick update can send them to your site to find more details.
Facebook can help you reach more of a general and broader audience than some platforms because it has become so very popular. Businesses can share multiple photos of new product, write about happenings at the company and increase the traffic going to their site.
Another useful platform is LinkedIn. This site, originally for the working professional has broadened, but is still full of people looking to connect with other professionals and businesses. This is a great resource to spread the word about yourself and also to help your business to find potential employees, as well.
The Power of Social Media
The wonderful thing about promoting your business through social media, is that it is always available to the client or customer. Most everyone these days is connected to at least one platform, to stay connected and informed. It allows them to gather information about your business and your services without you lifting a finger. Essentially, social media brings the customer or client to you, saving you time and money. All of the information is at their fingertips!
By using social media and keeping current on your posts and updates, you can keep the customer’s interest and really show them what kind of business you have and what you have to offer them. Customers want to see what is new and exciting, and social media helps you to keep them in the loop and coming back for more!
https://infinitereachagency.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/social-media.png341341Morgan Hirschihttp://infinitereachagency.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/IR-Strip-smaller-500.jpgMorgan Hirschi2016-02-18 09:42:442016-02-18 09:42:44Social Media: How Important is it to Your Business?
In the world of Instagram, things are just absolutely incredible. More and more people are finding ways to use the real-time online mobile platform to create trends, re-invent their style and brand all the way to producing and then also broadcasting a new thriller in short 15 second episodes as in Shield 5. I’m completely enamored with how it’s being used and seriously research and study new trends and ways companies as well as the regular Joe are reaching their followers on this platform daily.
Have a Voice? Instagram Can Be Integral
Okay, so we’ve established that I’m a fan. Let’s really look at Instagram and I’ll explain why. I actually love it and have finally developed a voice on the platform that I’m proud of with my personal profile of @BeingKristiChurch. Over the last 9 months my life has changed dramatically into fitness and eating healthy so I’ve been fortunate enough to have grown a following of over 1,000 people in a short amount of time. I found my voice and my audience. It takes a lot to narrow that down…and now I stick to posting on 3 or 4 different topics with one thing in common. Happy and healthy living.
If you have a mission or truly something to say that people can identify with, it can be an incredible tool. Instagram encourages organic and real-time sharing. It was made for you to stop and share exactly what you’re doing at the time. In addition, the use of hashtags has also developed in helping tell and share your story.
One of my favorite hashtags is #FromWhereIStand. Every now and then I’ll grab whoever I’m with and we’ll all put our feet into the frame of my cell phone and I’ll capture a pic of where we are in real-time. The cool part is that you can geotag that to exactly where you are at that moment, connecting space and time in a way that it gets logged into the Instagram book of time – forever. How cool is that?
Instagram; Not So Easy For Professional Marketers
Here at Infinite Reach, we work hard to include every important social platform we can for our clients to help their followers connect in ways that previously, hasn’t been available. If you’re reading this and wondering why you should hire a social media marketing company to handle your social platforms, our very own Kellie Meisenheimer explains perfectly in this article.
Top of the mind awareness is difficult to achieve these days, especially now that we live in the world of selective consumption. Everyone has a choice as to how they’re reached and what messages they receive during their day; unlike the tactics of first generation marketing where messages were flying at you in all directions and places 24/7 – 365 days of the year. They were intrusive to say the least.
The one issue for marketers is that Instagram has always been difficult to manage electronically. Being that it was designed to be in-the-moment it doesn’t allow for marketing teams to easily plan ahead and include this platform in the marketing plans of their clients, without a lot of extra effort.
For starters, Instagram can only be managed on a mobile device. Okay, let me digress. You can use Instagram on a computer however, what you can do isn’t as important as what you can’t do.
You can’t post an update unless you are on a mobile device. Once you go log in to your Instagram account on your computer device, you can like and comment on other posts, but if you want to actually create an Instagram post you need to move away from your laptop or desktop and use the Instagram app on your mobile device in order to do so.
Dashboard scheduling tools such as HootSuite are popular for marketing teams as they allow for multiple client and platform management. All the major social platforms can be managed via Hootsuite and up until recently, Instagram wasn’t one of them. Still, as of last fall when IG joined the Hootsuite bandwagon it did so with limitations.
With Hootsuite, it’s a known fact that it’s a helpful tool to schedule posts that will roll on your terms while focusing on the main goals of your campaign. With the IG – Hootsuite integration, Instagram still has control over the fact that their main mission is intact – they are a real-time online mobile platform. They’ve been able to stay true to their own mission and still allow marketers a way to use the tool. It’s a win-win, right? Not quite. Posting to Instagram through the dashboard is still time consuming and takes extra effort. It’s not perfect.
Here’s a quick tutorial from Hootsuite on how to add the platform to your dashboard and schedule posts.
To make matters even more difficult, in order to manage an Instagram client account, one would have to log out of their own Instagram account and log back in each time they would want to publish a post. Big pain in the back-side! This was a frustrating piece of using the tool that I just had to accept. Not everything is perfect in relationships and sometimes you just have to take the good with the bad. It can be love-hate. A push-pull, if you will.. or in this case a ying and yang… and I’ve made peace with it.
However –Instagram’s recent announcement just took a little bit of the sting out of this bittersweet relationship we have. As professional marketers, we received excellent news last week that Instagram has finally released the much anticipated Account Switching tool! Yes!! Thank you so much Instagram!! You just keep getting better and better!
One can quickly and easily switch between multiple accounts on Instagram now… which is one step closer to helping marketers do their jobs more effectively. Here’s the step by step in how to set that up!
The following is adapted from a post published on February 9th, 2016 by Nicole Cozma of CNET.com
Step 1: Head to your profile in the app to access the Settings menu in the top right corner.
Step 2:Scroll down to the very bottom of the menu to reveal the Add account option. Tap and enter your details to log in to another Instagram account.
Step 3:You can switch between accounts by tapping your username at the top of the app. Another account (up to five total) can be added through the username menu, as well.
As for push notifications, they will work for all accounts that have them enabled, according to Instagram.
Should you need to log out of any account you’ve added to the app, simply pick it from the username menu, then head to the Settings area through your profile. There be a log-out option for the current account near the bottom of the list.
The fact is though; you’ll always need your mobile device in order to post on behalf of a client as that is the core of what Instagram is all about. It takes a little practice to get used to, however after you get going a bit, you’ll see that all the hard work is worth it, especially if you’ve established a great Instagram voice. That’s #instagood!
https://infinitereachagency.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/instagram1.jpg341341Kristi Churchhttp://infinitereachagency.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/IR-Strip-smaller-500.jpgKristi Church2016-02-15 16:30:422016-02-16 13:06:54Instagram; It Keeps Getting Better and Better
It’s February and you know what that means- the month of love. V-Day is just around the corner but here at Infinite Reach, love is in the air all days of the year! Holidays, such as Valentine’s Day, are a great way to engage your customers by posting creative and exciting content on all of your social media sites. We have a few tips for you that will ensure engagement that can ultimately grow your business.
Promote
Start a sale that will run the whole month of February. This will encourage customers to come into the store and they will not feel rushed because the sale is all month long rather than just for one day or over one weekend.
It is also a good idea to decorate your social media platforms. Create a Facebook and Twitter header that is centered on Valentine’s Day, hearts and love, while still staying true to your company’s logo. By periodically changing your cover photo on your social media channels, customers and viewers are more likely to check your page more often.
This is also a great opportunity to add images promoting certain products/deals with links to your website. That way, you will be bringing in more traffic. These images will capture your viewers’ attention and reel them in. In no time they will be clicking those links to see the sales you have going on!
Special Offers
Don’t be afraid to post a giveaway onto your social media sites, such as liking or commenting on a specific post to enter to win a gift certificate. Use your own creative hashtags in order to spread the word and reach a greater audience than just your own followers.
Maybe something like “Bring in your loved one to receive 50% off your purchase”. This will encourage customers to come shop and bring their friends or significant other, while at the same time you are engaging your customers. It’s a win-win for all!
Be Creative
Be sure to target EVERYONE on holidays- especially such as this one. It is an important holiday for couples all over, but don’t forget about us single people on this day of the year! The humorous Single Awareness Day has been declared a holiday by single people everywhere who are fed up with being ignored on Valentine’s Day.
As for more creativity across your social media channels, ask questions! That is a fool-proof way to up the engagement. Post a lot of photos, get personal by providing an inside look at your company, share/comment/like your followers’ posts to show that you love them and appreciate them! Do whatever it takes to stand out amongst competitors.
Tips To Engage
Donate time to charity and talk about it
Give a small gift to customers
Offer a free rose or candy bag for every purchase of $50 or more
Give red wrapping for free
Use Facebook Ad so you can target according to relationship status
Don’t forget to target your male customers
Be Bold
If you want to engage your customers, send an email that is going to catch their eyes. If you’re anything like me, you sometimes just scan over an email when you’re short on time before finding out if you’re interested enough to read the whole thing. You don’t want this to happen to you!
Striking content is a way to grab attention from the reader. Think: V-Day inspired images and creative content that is centered around the specific holiday. Include many links to your websites, blogs, and social media channels. Using a bold approach rather than doing what you normally do will drive engagement to your website.
As you can see, the holidays are a pretty big deal in the business world! Follow these tips and you will be sure to engage customers this Valentine’s Day!
To find out how we can help your business, please contact us to schedule a no obligation consultation!
https://infinitereachagency.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Image.jpg341341Janelle Nodarhttp://infinitereachagency.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/IR-Strip-smaller-500.jpgJanelle Nodar2016-02-10 12:00:252016-02-10 12:00:25Engage Your Customers This Valentine’s Day!
It’s Girl Scout season! I was definitely inspired by these pint sized entrepreneurs and came up with three business tips that reflect some key pieces of their business model.
Stay on top of trends
Remember the days when getting your fix of Thin Mints® meant hunting down the neighborhood Girl Scout or catching a troop stationed outside a grocery store? Well, Girl Scouts soon realized they were missing out on the ever growing e-commerce trend and as a result a large market of potential customers.
In order to stay on top of the trend, they created a digital cookie platform where the girls can keep track of customer orders and even promote to friends and family via social media, with a custom link to their online shop. This not only makes it easier for them to track cookie sales and customer orders, but allows them to reach people on a more convenient platform. As a business owner it’s not only important to be on top of the trends affecting your industry, but try and stay ahead of them.
Set Specific Measurable Goals with a Deadline
Those girls aren’t just out there selling cookies; they have a goal to hit. They are raising money for their troop to participate in national events or to help a cause they support. Without setting those goals, they have no idea how many cookies they sold or need to sell, or how many more grocery store slots they need to book. It’s not just enough to have a specific goal either, you need to make sure it’s measurable. Making the goal measurable gives actual evidence you accomplished what you set out to do and allows you to track your progress towards that goal along the way.
Deadlines are important because they create that sense of urgency and also help keep people accountable. You bet that local troop has a specific goal they need to hit for cookie sales, and tracks progress every day so they can make the deadline. It’s easy to set goals, but making a process to attain them is going to be key if you want to see positive change in your business.
This seems like a no-brainer, but sometimes we get caught up in our day to day business and forget to thank the people who are at the core of what we do. After all, we are customers ourselves every day. Doesn’t it make you feel appreciated when a business owner or employee takes the time to personally send out thank you card? It does, because it shows they actually appreciate your business and took the time to make sure you knew that. Personally, I’m always more willing to refer friends and family to them when they take the time do that.
Even though these tips were inspired by Girl Scouts, they are still very applicable to your business or to an upcoming entrepreneur. Need more tips for your business? Don’t forget to check out Kristi’s blog on “Here’s Your #1 Tip to Ranking on Google in 2016.”
https://infinitereachagency.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Featured-Image-2-8-16.png341341Katelyn Floreshttp://infinitereachagency.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/IR-Strip-smaller-500.jpgKatelyn Flores2016-02-08 03:00:092016-02-26 10:09:29Three Business Tips Inspired by Girl Scouts
Blogs are a simple yet effective way to connect and share with your customers. Communication is key! Blogging is a perfect way to showcase all of your content in one, easy-to-use platform. It gives your company a voice, which produces a place to discuss any number of topics. But most of all, blogs allow your brand’s personality to shine bright and show everyone what you’re all about!
Blogs Send Traffic to Your Website
Blogs encourage interaction with your viewers whether they are commenting and providing feedback or simply reading what you have to say. This creates a chain reaction. Blogging helps you get discovered via social media because each blog post that is created means an opportunity for someone to share it on their social networks- Twitter, Facebook, etc. This will then reveal your business to a whole new audience. If they like what they see, they will share the blog post and you will have so many more additional, engaged viewers to your company and brand.
Blogs Tell Your Brand’s Story
What better way to offer insight into your company’s ideas and employees than writing a blog for your website? Blogs are a fantastic way to show potential and existing customers what makes your business the best and how you can provide them with help.
Infinite Reach is all about their customers! We are experts at what we do and we know we have the potential to bring your business exactly where you would like to see it to go. We take pride in writing blogs that are beneficial to our customers. We want to show all of our viewers what we are all about, how we can help, and all of the capabilities that we have!
Establishing Trust with Blogs
A company wants customers to trust them and believe they are credible, right? People are interested in and buy from those they know and have certainty in. By investing time and creating quality content in your blogs, you are gaining that person’s trust, which makes them more comfortable investing your company.
As you can see, blogs are of great importance when trying to get your company’s name out there. They help demonstrate your knowledge and show customers what you are all about and how you can be of assistance to them.
Social media and blogging is becoming more and more popular so it is important that you use this to your advantage to stand out amongst competitors. Blogging allows you to build credibility while increasing website traffic and boosting your search engine rankings. This is an opportunity that no business should pass up!
https://infinitereachagency.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/1-15-16-Blog-Featured-Image.png341341Janelle Nodarhttp://infinitereachagency.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/IR-Strip-smaller-500.jpgJanelle Nodar2016-01-15 12:07:112016-01-27 11:23:59The Importance of Writing Blogs for your Company
As you can see from our About Us page, a good portion of our team consists of women. Now that’s not to say we don’t love and value the gentlemen we have on our team, but we do value supporting women in business. Whether that be coaching our employees on how to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams, or joining organizations in the community like the Women’s Enterprise Foundation, we are passionate about helping women get to that next level. So when our CEO, Kristi Church, was asked to be the Marketing Chair of the Women’s Enterprise Foundation, we were more than thrilled to help such an amazing organization.
What is the Women’s Enterprise Foundation?
Just to give a brief overview of the organization, they are a 501 (c)3 charitable organization dedicated to helping emerging women business owners in the greater Phoenix area. They act as the fundraising arm for the NAWBO Phoenix chapter and help raise funds to support their scholarship and grant programs, aimed at helping women business owners who need support hitting that next milestone in their business.
Our Marketing Initiatives for the Women’s Enterprise Foundation
One of our first initiatives, after accepting the position of Marketing Chair, was increasing their social media presence and redesigning their logo. Our Creative Design Lead Alli, updated the original logo on the left to the classier, feminine design on the right.
One of our Account Managers Kellie, started increasing their social media presence and got the conversation started about the Creating Fearless Leaders event. And then our graphic design intern Ashley, took the lead on designing all of the marketing collateral for the event, such as the save the date, sponsorship package, and social media headers.
It was a great experience working on the Creating Fearless Leaders event and our team can’t wait to start collaborating with the WEF board on the next event Mid-Spring 2016.
Below is the inspired video Kristi created for the Creating Fearless Leaders breakfast to showcase what it means to be a Fearless Leader and how those in attendance could help women business owners in the valley achieve new heights.
https://infinitereachagency.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/WEF_NailPhoto2.jpg341341Katelyn Floreshttp://infinitereachagency.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/IR-Strip-smaller-500.jpgKatelyn Flores2016-01-11 15:58:422016-03-23 08:03:41What Makes a Fearless Leader?
Here’s what we always tell our clients…Writing quality content on a regular basis is one of the most important and essential components to grow your Google rankings and as a result, your business. As your rankings grow, your business grows.
Content became king last fall as Google rolled out an update which affected sites that didn’t have good, quality content. In fact, with the Google Panda 4.2 update that was just released a few days ago, some sites that were hit hard during the last Panda algorithm update may even see an uptick if they worked to reverse that while maintaining quality content as a result since.
Yes, Google giveth and Google taketh away.. Hopefully you’re site is on the giveth side!
First Things First; How Often to Blog
We believe that you should be writing quality content on a regular schedule. What happens is that Google sends out its little bots to check your site. As Google finds that you are actively blogging and your content appears every Tuesday at 10am (or any regularly scheduled date) then your site becomes relevant.
If it finds no posts or updates when the little bots return, it also makes note of that and eventually will stop paying those little visits and you start all over again.
Of course frequency is great, but is it really doable? Meaning…if you start out thinking you can blog quality content twice a week but after a month or two you lose steam and only get a post in every other week, you’re actually doing more harm than good.
Google likes to see consistency.. so set up a realistic schedule you can live with and stick to that on a regular basis. It’s better for you in the long run if you can do one post a week over a series of months that posting sporadically.
How to Find Your Niche Topics
We’re often asked what to write about. Do you know your niche or do you write about everything under the sun? There are quite a few blogs like Lifestyle blogs that write about many different topics but still have a central theme for the blog.
Check out these tips to drilling down what your niche really is.
Write out a category list of everything your business provides to your clients.
You know your business better than anyone and should be passionate about your offering and the results it provides. What do you do to help people every day? What problems are you solving for them? What are the pain points of your clients and how do you make them better?
Write out all the keywords that your business should be ranking for. If you don’t know these–get with your SEO specialist to understand what they are. If you think this is as simple as “Wedding Photographer Phoenix”…..I’ll be the first to tell you that you’re mistaken.
Do comprehensive keyword research (or have it done by a professional like us!) and use those keywords combinations to help give your post added traction to building your website traffic. Many writers miss this opportunity, which if applied becomes the juice that really gets the engine going.
Write down every topic that you enjoy writing about that is also related to your business. For instance, you may love to blog about travel, finance, recipes, parenting, photography, or business in general.
Next, which one or two of these top-level niches do write about more often?
Take a look at your current blog Categories and see how many posts are in each one. The data found here just might surprise you! Hopefully, you have Subcategories under your main Categories.
Do one or two of your Subcategories have the highest number of posts? This is an easy way to see just exactly what you tend to write about the most!
Become a Niche Content Writer
Let’s say you are a massage therapist and write a lot of self-care posts. By looking at your subcategories, you see that you write a lot of tips about making the most of meditation and yoga.
You can become a niche content writer in both meditation and yoga with a secondary niche about massage. Or you can go one step further and become and industry expert on full self-care and wellness, because in your industry you are solving issues that people and have and some that they haven’t even thought about yet, which is golden!
This doesn’t mean that you can’t write about other topics, but your main posts should be on your main niche topic. A key thing to remember is in order to have a successful blog, writing needs to be cohesive. Find your voice and make it conversational to keep your readers in tune… this is uber important! You will lose readers or they will raise a side-eye if you all of sudden start writing about doughnuts and you have a health-food blog.
For your business blog to show your new niche, go with it and make your transition over a period of two months and post on your new niche every other week.
If your blog is solely about one topic and you have lost interest, then start back over with what your business is currently offering and make a new list.
What Else to Write About?
Write about triumphs, successes AND failures. Write about your team and how they currently support your customer base. Report on events, things you’re doing and awards you’re winning… and by all means, make sure that last press release is posted on your blog to reinforce Google that you’re worthy of their support.
If you still need some help—contact us! Our team is here to help you get the traction you need from your blog by adding quality content that helps your business grow! It’s our business and we can help!
If you’re not passionate about your business, then you’re in the wrong business. Writing quality content about what you are passionate about – on a regular basis with appropriate keywords; now THAT should always be your niche!
https://infinitereachagency.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/7-28-15-Post.jpg341341Kristi Churchhttp://infinitereachagency.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/IR-Strip-smaller-500.jpgKristi Church2015-07-28 07:30:142015-07-28 07:30:14How to Write Quality Content Now!
