Ditch the Desk: How to Thrive with Freelance Work

Learn more about “Freelance Paycheck” by watching a short video HERE

Tired of the mundane 9-to-5, shackled to a desk while your dreams gather dust? It’s time to break free from the corporate grind and forge your own path to success.

Welcome to a world where the digital realm becomes your playground, where the freedom to work on your own terms awaits. This groundbreaking blog post will unveil the secrets to thriving with freelance work, guiding you on a journey that will revolutionize your career and transform your life.

In this era of boundless opportunities, freelancing has emerged as the epitome of professional liberation. No longer confined by rigid office walls, you can now unleash your true potential, harnessing the power of technology to create a life of abundance and fulfillment. Imagine the thrill of being your own boss, calling the shots, and dictating your own schedule. With freelancing, the possibilities are as vast as the digital landscape itself.

But the benefits of freelancing extend far beyond the allure of autonomy. Picture a life where your income potential knows no bounds, where your skills and expertise are sought after by clients worldwide. Feel the rush of adrenaline as you masterfully navigate the freelance marketplace, connecting with like-minded professionals and building an impressive portfolio that speaks volumes. Say goodbye to the limitations of a stagnant salary and hello to a world where your earnings are limited only by your ambition.

Join us on this transformative journey as we delve deep into the intricacies of freelance work. From discovering your niche to honing your craft, from securing projects to delivering exceptional results, we will equip you with the tools, insights, and strategies necessary to thrive in this dynamic realm. It’s time to bid adieu to the desk and embrace the boundless possibilities that await. Get ready to unleash your potential and step into a future where your dreams become your reality.

II. Getting Started with Freelancing

Assessing your skills and interests

Before embarking on your freelance journey, it’s crucial to take a moment for introspection. Assessing your skills and interests will lay the foundation for a successful freelance career. Start by identifying your strengths, areas of expertise, and the skills that set you apart from the crowd. Be honest with yourself and embrace the unique talents that make you shine.

Consider the tasks that bring you joy and fulfillment. What are you passionate about? What skills do you possess that align with your interests? By merging your passions with your professional pursuits, you’ll not only enjoy your work but also attract clients who value your genuine enthusiasm.

Identifying your target market

To thrive as a freelancer, you need to know your audience. Who are the individuals or businesses that require your services? Identifying your target market is vital for crafting a focused and effective marketing strategy. Research your niche and gain insights into the needs and pain points of your potential clients.

Consider the demographics, psychographics, and behavior patterns of your target market. What challenges do they face? How can your skills and expertise provide solutions? By understanding your audience on a deep level, you’ll be able to tailor your services, messaging, and branding to resonate with them authentically.

Setting up your freelance business

With your skills and target market in mind, it’s time to set up your freelance business. Begin by defining your brand identity. Choose a name that reflects your expertise and values, and create a compelling logo and visual identity that captivates your audience.

Next, establish your online presence. Build a professional website that showcases your portfolio, services, and testimonials. Leverage social media platforms to expand your reach and engage with potential clients. Remember, your online presence is your digital storefront, so make it enticing and easy to navigate.

Additionally, consider the administrative aspects of running a freelance business. Set up a separate business bank account to track your finances and maintain professionalism. Familiarize yourself with the legal and financial obligations in your jurisdiction, such as registering as a sole proprietor or obtaining necessary licenses.

By assessing your skills, identifying your target market, and setting up your freelance business with a strong brand presence, you’re ready to take the leap into the world of freelancing. Embrace the freedom, flexibility, and endless possibilities that await. Stay tuned as we delve deeper into the intricacies of thriving with freelance work in our next segment.

III. Building a Strong Freelance Profile

Crafting a compelling bio

Your freelance profile is your digital introduction to potential clients. Crafting a compelling bio is essential for making a memorable first impression. Tell your story in a way that resonates with your target audience. Highlight your unique journey, experiences, and the value you bring to the table.

Think of your bio as a captivating elevator pitch. Use powerful language to convey your expertise, passion, and dedication. Showcase your personality while maintaining a professional tone. Remember, clients want to connect with real people, so infuse your bio with authenticity and enthusiasm.

Showcasing your portfolio

Your portfolio is a visual representation of your skills and capabilities. It’s a powerful tool for showcasing your past work and demonstrating your expertise. Curate a portfolio that highlights your best projects and exemplifies the quality of work clients can expect from you.

Include a diverse range of samples that demonstrate your versatility. If you’re just starting, consider creating mock projects or collaborating with friends and family to build a strong portfolio. Don’t be afraid to explain your role in each project and the impact you made. Visuals speak louder than words, so let your work do the talking.

Highlighting your expertise and experience

Clients want to know why they should choose you over other freelancers. Highlighting your expertise and experience sets you apart from the competition. Emphasize the specific skills you excel in and the achievements you’ve accomplished.

Use industry-specific terminology to showcase your proficiency. Describe the challenges you’ve overcome and the results you’ve achieved for clients. Illustrate your ability to adapt to different projects and industries. By presenting yourself as an expert in your field, clients will trust that you can deliver exceptional results.

Building a strong freelance profile takes time and effort, but it’s worth the investment. Craft a compelling bio that captures attention, curate a portfolio that showcases your best work, and highlight your expertise and experience to establish yourself as a trusted professional. Stay tuned as we dive deeper into the world of freelancing in our next segment, where we’ll explore the strategies for finding lucrative freelance opportunities.

IV. Finding Freelance Opportunities

As a freelancer, finding lucrative opportunities is the key to thriving in the digital realm. Luckily, there are various avenues to explore and connections to be made. Let’s delve into some strategies for discovering the perfect freelance gigs.

Exploring freelance job boards

Freelance job boards are treasure troves of opportunities waiting to be discovered. These platforms bring together clients and freelancers from all over the world, creating a marketplace for projects of every kind. Websites like Upwork, Freelancer, and Fiverr offer a wide range of gigs across industries.

Leveraging social media platforms

In today’s interconnected world, social media platforms have become powerful tools for freelancers. Utilize platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook to showcase your skills, engage with potential clients, and network with industry professionals. Join relevant groups, contribute to discussions, and share your expertise to establish yourself as an authority in your field.

Networking and building connections

Networking plays a crucial role in the freelance industry. Attend industry conferences, workshops, and events to meet potential clients and fellow freelancers. Engage in meaningful conversations, exchange business cards, and follow up with personalized messages. Building genuine connections can lead to valuable referrals and long-term collaborations.

Remember, freelancing is not just about finding gigs—it’s about building relationships. Focus on nurturing connections, providing value, and delivering exceptional work. By leveraging freelance job boards, social media platforms, and networking opportunities, you’ll unlock a world of possibilities and establish yourself as a go-to freelancer.

Stay tuned for our next segment, where we’ll explore the art of crafting persuasive proposals and pricing your services competitively. It’s time to take your freelance career to new heights and embrace the freedom and flexibility that comes with it.

V. Nailing Your Freelance Proposals

Writing persuasive proposals is the key to winning over clients and landing those dream projects. In this segment, we’ll explore the crucial elements of crafting a compelling proposal that stands out from the competition.

Writing persuasive proposals

When it comes to writing proposals, it’s essential to make a strong impression right from the start. Begin with a captivating introduction that hooks the client’s attention and showcases your understanding of their needs. Use powerful language to convey your expertise and convey confidence in your abilities.

Next, outline your approach to solving the client’s problem. Break it down into clear steps, demonstrating your knowledge and expertise in the field. Show the client that you have a well-thought-out plan to achieve their goals and address their pain points.

Pricing your services competitively

Determining the right price for your services can be challenging. It’s crucial to find a balance between being competitive in the market while valuing your expertise. Research industry rates and consider your level of experience and the value you bring to the table.

When presenting your pricing, clearly outline the various components of your services and the corresponding costs. This transparency demonstrates professionalism and helps clients understand the value they will receive for their investment.

Showcasing your unique value proposition

What sets you apart from other freelancers? Highlight your unique value proposition in your proposal. Showcase your specialized skills, relevant experience, and any certifications or awards you have earned. Let the client know why they should choose you over others and how you can provide them with exceptional results.

Additionally, demonstrate your understanding of the client’s industry, their target audience, and their specific pain points. Tailor your proposal to address their unique needs and show how your expertise aligns perfectly with their requirements.

By writing persuasive proposals, pricing your services competitively, and showcasing your unique value proposition, you’ll position yourself as a top choice for clients. Stay tuned for our next segment, where we’ll explore the art of delivering high-quality work and exceeding client expectations. It’s time to take your freelance career to new heights and thrive in the world of remote work.

VI. Delivering High-Quality Work

As a freelancer, delivering high-quality work is not just important—it’s crucial for building a stellar reputation and securing repeat business. In this segment, we’ll explore the key elements of delivering exceptional results and exceeding client expectations.

Understanding client requirements

To deliver high-quality work, it’s essential to have a deep understanding of your client’s requirements. Take the time to carefully review the project brief and ask clarifying questions if needed. Pay attention to the client’s goals, preferences, and any specific instructions they provide.

Effective communication and collaboration

Clear and effective communication is the cornerstone of successful freelance projects. Maintain open lines of communication with your clients, providing regular updates on the progress of the work. Be responsive to their messages and address any concerns or questions promptly.

Collaboration is also key. Actively involve the client in the process, seeking their input and feedback at key stages. This collaborative approach ensures that the final deliverable aligns with their vision and expectations.

Tips for exceeding client expectations

To truly stand out as a freelancer, go above and beyond to exceed client expectations. Here are a few tips to help you achieve this:

1. Deliver on time: Respect deadlines and strive to deliver your work ahead of schedule whenever possible.

2. Attention to detail: Pay close attention to the finer details of the project, ensuring accuracy and quality.

3. Anticipate needs: Proactively identify areas where you can add value or suggest improvements to the client’s original vision.

4. Provide exceptional customer service: Be responsive, polite, and professional in all your interactions with the client.

5. Go the extra mile: Surprise and delight the client by adding an unexpected element or offering additional support beyond the scope of the project.

By understanding client requirements, maintaining effective communication and collaboration, and going the extra mile, you can consistently deliver high-quality work that leaves clients impressed and satisfied. Stay tuned for our next segment, where we’ll explore the art of building long-term client relationships and generating referrals. It’s time to take your freelance career to new heights and thrive in the world of remote work.

VII. Overcoming Freelancer Challenges

Freelancing comes with its fair share of challenges, but with the right mindset and strategies, you can navigate these hurdles and thrive in your career. In this segment, we’ll explore three common challenges faced by freelancers and provide tips for overcoming them.

Dealing with feast and famine cycles

One of the biggest challenges for freelancers is the unpredictable nature of workload and income. It’s not uncommon to experience periods of abundance followed by scarcity. To manage feast and famine cycles, consider the following:

1. Budgeting: During prosperous times, set aside funds to help you weather lean periods.

2. Diversify your offerings: Explore additional services or expand into related niches to attract a wider range of clients.

3. Seek recurring work: Look for long-term contracts or retainer agreements to provide stability and a consistent income stream.

Managing work-life balance

Finding the right balance between work and personal life is essential for freelancers to avoid burnout and maintain overall well-being. Consider these tips for managing work-life balance:

1. Set boundaries: Define your working hours and stick to them. Communicate these boundaries to clients and avoid overworking yourself.

2. Prioritize self-care: Take breaks, exercise, and engage in activities that recharge you mentally and physically.

3. Time management: Plan your work efficiently, set realistic deadlines, and use productivity tools to stay organized.

Coping with client rejections and setbacks

Rejections and setbacks are a natural part of freelancing. To overcome these challenges and maintain a positive mindset, try the following:

1. Learn from feedback: Use client rejections as an opportunity to improve your skills and refine your approach.

2. Seek support: Connect with fellow freelancers or join online communities to find encouragement and advice.

3. Stay resilient: Develop a growth mindset, embrace challenges as learning experiences, and persevere through setbacks.

By proactively managing feast and famine cycles, maintaining work-life balance, and developing resilience in the face of rejections and setbacks, you’ll be better equipped to overcome freelancer challenges and thrive in your career. Stay tuned for our next segment, where we’ll explore strategies for scaling your freelance business and achieving long-term success. It’s time to unleash your potential and take your freelance career to new heights.

VIII. Scaling Your Freelance Business

As a successful freelancer, you may reach a point where you want to take your business to the next level. Scaling your freelance business requires careful planning and strategic decisions. In this segment, we’ll explore three essential strategies for scaling your freelance business and achieving long-term success.

Building a team or outsourcing tasks

To scale your freelance business, consider building a team or outsourcing tasks. As your workload increases, you may find it beneficial to delegate certain responsibilities to others. Hire talented individuals or collaborate with fellow freelancers to create a powerhouse team that can handle larger projects and increase your capacity to take on more work.

Outsourcing tasks to specialists can also be a cost-effective solution. Identify areas of your business where you may not excel or enjoy working on and find experts who can handle those tasks more efficiently. This allows you to focus on your core strengths and deliver exceptional results to your clients.

Creating passive income streams

Creating passive income streams is a smart way to scale your freelance business and generate additional revenue. Passive income refers to the money you earn with minimal effort, often through products or services that can be sold repeatedly. Some ideas for creating passive income streams include:

1. Developing digital products: Create eBooks, online courses, or templates that can be sold to a wide audience.

2. Affiliate marketing: Promote products or services that align with your niche and earn a commission for each sale made through your referral.

3. Licensing your work: Allow others to use your creative work, such as photographs or designs, in exchange for a licensing fee.

Expanding your service offerings

Another strategy for scaling your freelance business is to expand your service offerings. Analyze the needs of your target market and identify areas where you can provide additional value. For example, if you’re a freelance writer, you could expand into content strategy or social media management. By diversifying your services, you can attract a wider range of clients and increase your earning potential.

Scaling your freelance business requires careful planning, but with the right strategies in place, you can achieve long-term success and unlock new opportunities. Stay tuned for our next segment, where we’ll explore the importance of building long-term client relationships and generating referrals. It’s time to take your freelance career to new heights and thrive in the world of remote work.

IX. Conclusion

Congratulations! You’ve reached the end of our ultimate guide to thriving with freelance work. Let’s take a moment to recap the key takeaways from this journey and provide you with the encouragement you need to take action and excel in your freelance career.

Throughout this guide, we explored the various aspects of freelancing, from getting started and building a strong profile to finding opportunities and delivering exceptional work. We discussed the importance of assessing your skills and interests, identifying your target market, and setting up your freelance business for success.

We delved into the art of crafting persuasive proposals, pricing your services competitively, and showcasing your unique value proposition. We also explored the crucial elements of delivering high-quality work, exceeding client expectations, and overcoming freelancer challenges.

We discussed strategies for scaling your freelance business, including building a team, creating passive income streams, and expanding your service offerings. Each of these strategies opens doors to new opportunities and helps you achieve long-term success.

Now is the time to take action and thrive as a freelancer. Embrace the freedom, flexibility, and endless possibilities that await you. Apply the knowledge you’ve gained, implement the strategies we’ve discussed, and continue to learn and grow in your craft.

Remember, success as a freelancer is not an overnight achievement. It takes dedication, perseverance, and a commitment to continuous improvement. Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, stay resilient in the face of setbacks, and always strive for excellence.

You have what it takes to make your mark in the world of freelance work. Unleash your potential, follow your passion, and create the career and lifestyle you’ve always dreamed of. The journey won’t always be easy, but with determination and the right strategies, you’ll rise above the rest.

Now, it’s time to grab your laptop, ditch the desk, and embark on your freelance adventure. Take that first step, and let the world witness the incredible talent and expertise you bring to the table. Thrive as a freelancer, and let your success be an inspiration to others.

Thank you for joining us on this incredible journey. Remember, you are not alone. The freelance community is here to support you every step of the way. Embrace the freedom, embrace the possibilities, and thrive in the world of freelance work. Good luck!

Need More Guidance? Learn more about Freelance Paycheck HERE.

To Your Success,

Regina L Floyd
Simple Online Business Development
https://www.simpleobd.com

Strategies to Boost Your Social Media Presence

What If You Could Boost Your Social Media Traffic With Proven Strategies to Skyrocket Your Online Presence?

In the everevolving digital landscape, leveraging the power of social media can propel your business to remarkable success. Whether you’re a burgeoning startup eager to carve out your niche or a seasoned brand poised to amplify your digital impact, mastering strategic maneuvers is key.

This guide unpacks an arsenal of proven strategies to boost your social media presence, ensuring your brand not only participates but stands out in the digital conversation.

Unlock Proven Tactics to Amplify Your Social Media Traffic:

Businesses aiming to scale their digital reach and influence will find a wealth of knowledge here. With these actionable strategies, transform your social media channels into conduits of increased traffic and enhanced online visibility.

Embrace the Journey: Elevate Your Social Media Game:

1: Profile Optimization for Lasting Impressions:

Your social media profiles are the digital handshake with potential clients — make it count. Ensure your profiles are optimized to capture attention and communicate your brand’s value proposition effectively.

– Select a username that reflects your brand identity and optimizes searchability.

– Craft a succinct, compelling bio detailing your unique offerings.

– Embed a direct link to your website to guide visitors towards conversion.

– Utilize high-resolution images for your profile and cover photos to maintain brand consistency across channels.

2: Content Consistency: The Pulse of Social Engagement:

Content reigns supreme in the social media kingdom. Keep your audience captivated with a strategic approach to content:

– Develop a content strategy that aligns with both audience interests and business goals.

– Implement a content calendar for regular posting, ensuring your audience remains engaged.

– Diversify content formats with eye-catching visuals, dynamic videos, and informative posts to cater to diverse user preferences.

– Promote user-generated content to build community spirit and authenticity.

3: Hashtags and Keywords: Expand Your Social Reach:

Hashtags and keywords are the compasses that guide users to your content. Use them wisely to enhance your brand’s visibility:

– Perform in-depth research to identify impactful hashtags and keywords relevant to your audience.

– Integrate these elements naturally into your posts, maintaining a balance between discoverability and readability.

– Stay abreast of trending topics to participate in viral discussions strategically.

4: Interaction: The Foundation of Social Connectivity:

Social media is a two-way street. Cultivate lasting relationships with your audience through meaningful interaction:

– Respond promptly to comments and direct messages to value your audience’s engagement.

– Initiate community-driven content such as polls, Q&A sessions, and interactive challenges.

– Share customer testimonials and success stories to reinforce trust and spur organic referrals.

5: Influencer Partnerships: Magnify Your Growth Potential:

Tap into new demographic pools by collaborating with influencers who embody your brand’s essence:

– Identify influencers who share your target audience and brand values.

– Develop personalized outreach proposals emphasizing mutual benefits.

– Experiment with collaboration formats, from sponsored content to joint campaigns, to maintain engagement and interest.

Conclusion:

The journey to a formidable social media presence requires steadfast commitment and strategic planning. By applying these strategies consistently, you’ll observe a significant upswing in your social media traffic and engagement rates.

Building a commanding online presence is more than just visibility — it’s about fostering value-driven relationships and engaging with your community authentically.

Are you ready to elevate your social media but seeking expert guidance? Contact us or explore our services to discover how we can customize our expertise to your brand’s specific needs. Let’s partner up to transform your brand into a social media titan!

Regina L Floyd

Simple Online Business Development

FB @SimpleOBD
IG @SimpleOBD
LinkedIn @ReginaLFloyd

Importance of Website Design for Online Marketing

How Important is Website Design?

The Importance of Affordable Website Design for Online Marketing

Imagine launching your business into the digital world without breaking the bank. In today’s fast-paced marketplace, your website is no longer just a virtual business card—it’s your 24/7 salesperson, your brand ambassador, and often the first thing customers see. Affordable website design for online marketing is like discovering a hidden gem, offering startups and established businesses the power to grow without overspending.

So, can cost-effective website design still deliver top-notch results? Absolutely. It’s not about cutting corners but about making smart decisions. By focusing on what truly matters—like intuitive navigation and clean, professional design—you can create a budget-friendly web design that resonates with customers while keeping your expenses low. Think of it as unlocking the full potential of your digital presence, where every pixel and piece of code amplifies your business’s impact.

Unlocking the Power of Your Online Presence

Your website is more than just a collection of pages; it’s the heartbeat of your business in the digital age. For many potential customers, your site serves as their first introduction to your brand. In a world where people form opinions in seconds, your website must exude trust, reliability, and professionalism right from the start. A strong website design for small businesses isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about functionality, engagement, and telling your brand’s story in a way that speaks to both humans and search engines.

Picture your website as a store that never closes. Whether someone is browsing late at night or during lunch, your site is always there, ready to serve. This is why a well-designed website—one that balances beauty with performance—becomes a dynamic tool that works for your business even when you’re not. It’s the difference between having a simple online brochure and an all-in-one professional website design and engagement platform.

What Affordable Website Design Offers Your Business

Affordable website design is about finding the right balance between cost and quality. You want a website that looks professional and polished, but it also has to fit your budget. The key is to be strategic. Rather than investing in every flashy feature, focus on what drives results—like clean, intuitive layouts, fast load times, and compelling content that speaks directly to your audience.

Think of it like buying a car: you need something reliable, but that doesn’t mean you have to splurge on every extra. A cost-effective website development with smart design choices can offer a seamless experience for your visitors, turning them from casual browsers into loyal customers. And with mobile usage growing, a responsive design that works across all devices is critical. Your site needs to look great whether it’s viewed on a laptop, tablet, or smartphone.

Design Essentials on a Budget

Designing on a budget doesn’t mean compromising quality. A strong user experience (UX) is what sets great websites apart from good ones. When your website is easy to navigate, people are more likely to stick around—and even make a purchase or reach out for more information. Every click should feel intuitive, guiding users toward what they’re looking for without any friction.

Your website should adapt to the viewer, not the other way around. In today’s mobile-first world, a responsive website is essential. Just like a chameleon adjusts to its surroundings, your website should shift to provide the best experience regardless of the device it’s being viewed on. This adaptability not only keeps users happy but also helps boost your site’s SEO, improving your search engine rankings.

Content is King—Even on a Budget

You’ve likely heard the phrase “content is king,” and it’s especially true when working with a limited budget. Great content doesn’t just fill space; it engages, informs, and converts. Think of it as preparing a gourmet meal from simple ingredients—done right, it leaves a lasting impression without costing a fortune.

Your content should tell your brand’s story in a way that resonates with your audience, using a voice that’s authentic and approachable. And don’t forget about SEO-friendly web design—it’s the secret ingredient that helps your site get found by people searching for the products or services you offer. By strategically using keywords, building backlinks, and keeping your content fresh, you can boost your site’s visibility and drive organic traffic to your business.

Functionality Without the Fortune

Your website needs to do more than just look good—it has to work well, too. Features like contact forms, social media integration, and even e-commerce capabilities can help turn visitors into customers. But here’s the thing: you don’t need to invest in every feature out there. Focus on the must-haves and build from there.

Streamlining your site’s navigation is another way to enhance the user experience. Every click and transition should be purposeful, guiding users toward your business goals—whether that’s making a purchase, signing up for a newsletter, or learning more about your services. Budget-friendly web design can still deliver a feature-rich website without compromising on functionality.

Branding on a Budget

Building a strong brand presence doesn’t have to drain your wallet. Your logo, color scheme, and typography are all critical elements of your brand identity, and they should be consistent across all your platforms. Think of your logo as the flag you plant in the digital landscape—it’s a symbol that instantly tells people what your business is about.

Consistency is key when it comes to branding. Whether someone is scrolling through your social media or landing on your homepage, they should instantly recognize your brand. This consistency not only builds trust but also reinforces your brand’s message with every interaction.

Affordable Website Platforms

Choosing the right platform for your website is crucial, especially when working on a budget. Content Management Systems (CMS) like WordPress, Wix, or Joomla offer affordable options that allow you to create and maintain a professional website without needing to code. Each platform has its strengths, so pick the one that best aligns with your business goals.

If you’re comfortable with a DIY approach, many of these platforms offer user-friendly tools that let you create a responsive website without hiring a professional. But if you prefer a more hands-off approach, hiring a web designer may be worth the investment, ensuring your site is both functional and optimized for performance.

Maximizing Your Website’s Performance

Speed matters. Users expect websites to load in under three seconds, and if your site is slow, you’re likely losing visitors. Fast load times enhance the user experience and can even improve your search engine rankings. Optimize your images, minify code, and use caching to keep your site running at top speed.

Ready to take your online presence to the next level? Affordable website design for online marketing is more achievable than you think. Schedule a 30-minute discovery call with our team to learn how we can help build a cost-effective, professional site that drives business growth. It’s time to invest in your online success without breaking the bank.

Regina L Floyd
Marketing Consultant
Simple Online Business Development

5 Tips To Grow Your Local Business in 2024

Are you looking for ways to grow a local business?

As we are already on our way into the exciting world of online marketing in 2024, if you want to grow your local business, you’ll need to adapt to thrive in this digital landscape.

With the right strategies in place, you can reach a wider audience, increase brand visibility, and ultimately grow your business. In this article, we will share five actionable tips to help you achieve success in growing your local business online.

1. Build an Engaging Website:

Your website serves as the virtual face, and hub of your business. Ensure it is easy to navigate, visually appealing, and mobile-friendly, and provides value. Optimize it for search engines by using relevant keywords, providing valuable content, and incorporating local SEO techniques.

The goal is to make it easy for potential customers to find your business online and convert them into loyal customers.

2. Take Advantage of the Power of Social Media Platforms:

Social media platforms have become powerful marketing tools in growing local business, so you are going to want to identify which platforms your target audience prefers and create engaging content to connect with them.

Share relevant information, behind-the-scenes stories, and special offers. Interact with your audience by responding to comments and messages promptly. Leverage social media advertising options to boost your reach and attract new customers.

3. Leverage Online Reviews:

Online reviews play a crucial role in building trust and credibility so encourage satisfied customers to leave positive reviews on platforms like Google, Yelp, or industry-specific websites. Respond to both positive and negative reviews promptly, demonstrating your commitment to customer satisfaction, encouraging dialogue, and addressing any concerns raised by customers to build a positive online reputation.

Not sure how to solicit reviews? We have an easy way to request business reviews without feeling awkward.

4. Collaborate with Influencers:

Influencer marketing continues to be a powerful tool for reaching new audiences. Identify local influencers or bloggers who align with your brand values and target audience. Collaborate with them to promote your products or services. This can generate buzz, increase brand awareness, and drive traffic to your website or physical location.

The sky is the limit with this, and you just never know what great partnerships you’ll create from thinking outside the box.

5. Harness the Power of Local SEO:

Local SEO is crucial for businesses targeting a specific geographic area, so consider how to optimize your website and online content with location-specific keywords.

Create and optimize your Google My Business profile to appear in local search results. Consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) information across online directories is essential.

You may also consider partnering with local businesses or participating in community events to enhance your visibility and local SEO.

Conclusion:

In the ever-evolving world of online marketing, growing your local business requires adapting to new strategies and technologies. It’s not enough to just randomly post on social media, or put a sign out front and hope for the best.

By implementing these five tips, you can position your business for success in 2024. Remember to continually monitor and analyze your online performance to refine your strategies and stay ahead of the curve.

Embrace the opportunities offered by the digital landscape, and watch your local business thrive in the online world.

Remember, building a successful online presence takes time and effort, so be patient, consistent, and always seek ways to improve and stay ahead of your competition.

If you have questions, or need help in marketing your local business online, reach out and contact us today for a complimentary consultation. We are happy to help with website development and optimization, social media marketing, and social content creation, Business Review Cards, and more! Visit our Services Page to learn more!

Regina L Floyd

Simple Online Business Development

FB @SimpleOBD
IG @SimpleOBD
LinkedIn @ReginaLFloyd

Tackling Spam Reviews on Your Facebook Page: Protecting Your Online Reputation

In today’s digital age, online reviews play a critical role in shaping a business’s reputation. As a business owner, you’ve probably encountered the frustration of dealing with spam reviews on your Facebook page. Or any business page for that matter.

Recently, I’ve been getting an unbelieve number of random reviews for my business page with links and information that have nothing to do with my business or page.

These deceitful and misleading comments can harm your credibility and discourage potential customers.

With the right strategies in place, however, you can effectively combat erroneous reviews and safeguard your online reputation.

In this article, we will explore the issue of spam reviews on Facebook and provide actionable solutions, including leveraging Google reviews and utilizing review cards for business.

Understanding Spam Reviews:

This type of review refers to fraudulent or misleading reviews that are often posted to damage a business’s reputation. These reviews may come from competitors, disgruntled individuals, or even automated bots.

Recognizing the signs of spam reviews is crucial in order to address them effectively.

How to Identify Spam Reviews:

1. Repeated or generic content: Look out for reviews that use similar phrases or generic language, as this could indicate spam activity. Mine kept including someone’s name and contact info but was posted by another person.

2. Lack of detail: Genuine reviews often provide specific details about the customer’s experience. Conversely, spam reviews may be vague or lack any meaningful information. In my case, they had nothing to do with my business.

3. Sudden influx of negative reviews: If you notice a sudden surge in negative reviews within a short period, it could be a sign of a targeted spam attack. Fortunately, mine weren’t negative in nature, just not accurate and promoting something else.

Strategies to Combat Spam Reviews:

1. Monitor and flag suspicious reviews: Regularly monitor your Facebook page and promptly flag any suspicious reviews. Facebook provides options to report and hide reviews that violate their community guidelines.

I did this and ultimately had to block the person, and then actually turn off the review feature on my page. I’d rather send people to Google Business anyways.

2. Respond professionally: If you get an actual review about your actual business, be sure to engage with genuine negative reviews professionally and address their concerns. By showing your commitment to customer satisfaction, you can mitigate the impact of spam reviews.

3. Verify user accounts: Enable the option to require verification for users leaving reviews on your Facebook page. This can deter automated bots and reduce the chances of spam reviews. I found it easier to just shut this down, and focus on acquiring genuine Google reviews from clients.

4. Leverage Google reviews: Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews on Google. Since Google reviews are considered more reliable and difficult to manipulate, they can counterbalance the impact of spam reviews on Facebook.

5. Utilize Google review cards for business: Take advantage of physical review cards that provide a direct link to your Google review page. Distribute these cards to customers and incentivize them to leave honest reviews.

This not only helps combat spam reviews but also boosts your online reputation on a trusted platform.

Conclusion:

As a business owner, it’s essential to protect your online reputation from the negative impact of spam reviews. By understanding the nature of spam reviews and implementing the strategies mentioned above, you can effectively combat these deceptive tactics.

Leveraging Google reviews alongside Facebook can not only help counterbalance spam reviews but also strengthen your online presence.

Protect yourself by not letting spam reviews tarnish your hard-earned reputation; take proactive steps to safeguard your business and encourage genuine customer feedback.

Are you ready to take control of your online reputation?

Start by leveraging the power of Google reviews. Reach out to us today to learn more about how Google review cards for business can help you get more authentic and positive customer reviews.

Together, we can build a strong online presence that reflects the true value of your business.

To Your Success,

Regina L Floyd

Simple Online Business Development

FB @SimpleOBD
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LinkedIn @ReginaLFloyd

Social Media Marketing is Powerful: How It Transforms Business

In today’s digital age, social media has become an integral part of our lives. It has not only transformed the way we connect and communicate with others but has also revolutionized the way businesses operate.

Social media marketing has emerged as a powerful tool that can take your business to new heights, exponentially increasing brand awareness, customer engagement, lead generation, and overall business growth. If you are a business owner who is using social media but not harnessing its full potential, it’s time to unlock the power.

Brand Awareness:

One of the key benefits of social media marketing is its ability to enhance brand awareness. By creating a strong presence on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn, you can reach a wider audience and establish your brand identity. Engaging and shareable content can help you gain organic visibility, making your brand more recognizable and memorable in the minds of your target audience.

Customer Engagement:

Social media allows businesses to directly interact with their customers in real-time. By regularly posting relevant and valuable content, responding to comments and messages, and hosting live videos or Q&A sessions, you can foster a sense of community and build meaningful relationships with your audience. This high level of engagement can lead to increased customer loyalty, advocacy, and ultimately, more sales.

Lead Generation:

Social media platforms provide businesses with powerful tools to target specific demographics and reach potential customers with precision. By utilizing features like sponsored posts, lead generation forms, and retargeting ads, you can capture the attention of potential leads and drive them to your website or landing page. Social media marketing can significantly boost your lead generation efforts and help you expand your customer base.

Business Growth:

When executed effectively, social media marketing can have a direct impact on your overall business growth. By analyzing data and insights provided by social media platforms, you can gain valuable insights into consumer behavior, preferences, and trends. This information can be used to refine your marketing strategies, improve your products or services, and identify new market opportunities. Ultimately, social media marketing can help you achieve higher conversion rates, increased sales, and sustainable business growth.

Conclusion:

The power of social media marketing cannot be underestimated. It has the potential to transform your business by increasing brand awareness, fostering customer engagement, driving lead generation, and fueling overall business growth. If you are a business owner who is not utilizing social media to its full potential, it’s time to take action and leverage this powerful marketing tool. By partnering with experts in social media marketing, you can unlock the true potential of your business and stay ahead in the competitive digital landscape. Embrace the power of social media marketing and watch your business soar to new heights

We hope you’ve found this article helpful. If you have questions or need assistance, be sure to contact us.

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Youtube @SimpleOBD
Linkedin.com/@ReginaLFloyd

Simple Online Business Development
Regina@simpleobd.com
808 400-1460

Top 10 Social Media Marketing Trends to Watch Out for in 2024

Top 10 Marketing Trends to Watch in 2024

As social media continues to evolve at a rapid pace, marketers need to stay ahead of the game to effectively engage their target audience.

In 2024, we can expect to see some exciting marketing trends that will revolutionize the way we approach social media marketing.

From augmented reality to personalized content, here are the top 10 social media marketing trends to watch out for in 2024.

1. Augmented Reality (AR) Takes Center Stage:

AR will become a mainstream marketing tool, allowing brands to create immersive experiences for their audience. From virtual try-ons to interactive ads, AR will enable users to engage with products and services like never before.

2. Personalized Content Becomes the Norm:

With the increasing amount of data available, brands will tailor their content to individual preferences. Personalized ads, recommendations, and messages will enhance the user experience and drive higher engagement rates.

3. Rise of Micro-Influencers:

While influencers have been a staple in social media marketing, micro-influencers will gain more prominence. These niche experts with smaller, highly engaged followings will be seen as more authentic and relatable for targeted campaigns.

4. Social Commerce Continues to Grow:

Social media platforms will integrate e-commerce features, making it easier for users to shop directly on their favorite platforms. Brands will have the opportunity to sell products seamlessly, reducing the friction between discovery and purchase.

5. Video Content Dominates:

Video will remain the king of content. Short-form videos, live streams, and Stories will continue to captivate audiences, allowing brands to showcase their products and services in a more engaging and interactive way.

6. Voice-Activated Social Media:

With the rise of smart speakers and voice assistants, social media platforms will adopt voice-activated capabilities. Users will be able to interact with their favorite platforms through voice commands, opening up new opportunities for brands to connect with their audience.

7. Authenticity Takes Center Stage:

As consumers become more discerning, authenticity will be crucial for brands. Genuine, relatable content that resonates with the audience will be highly valued, encouraging brands to showcase their human side.

8. Social Listening and Sentiment Analysis:

Brands will invest more in social listening tools to understand their audience better. Sentiment analysis will enable brands to gauge public opinion and tailor their messaging, accordingly, leading to more effective marketing campaigns.

9. Increased Focus on User-Generated Content (UGC):

UGC will continue to be a powerful marketing tool. Brands will encourage their audience to create and share content, leveraging the power of social proof and authentic recommendations.

10. Privacy and Data Protection:

As data privacy concerns grow, brands will need to prioritize transparency and data protection. Building trust with the audience will be crucial, leading to more stringent privacy policies and measures.

Conclusion:

In 2024, social media marketing trends will undergo significant transformations. From the rise of AR and personalized content to the growing influence of micro-influencers, brands need to adapt and embrace these trends to stay relevant in an ever-changing landscape.

We hope you’ve found this article helpful. If you have questions or need assistance, be sure to contact us.

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Simple Online Business Development
Regina@simpleobd.com
808 400-1460.

Boost Your Holiday Email Marketing: 7 Easy Tips

Boost Your Holiday Email Marketing: 7 Easy Tips to Drive Engagement and Sales

Email marketing is the secret weapon you need to tap into online audiences and skyrocket your success.

Attention, local professionals and business owners! Are you ready to take your business to the next level?

Whether you’re a local restaurant, boutique, or service provider, you can not ignore communication with customers via email.

Honestly, it’s the combo of email marketing and SMS marketing, but for today, we’ll stick to email.

What’s email marketing and why is it so important?

🤔 Imagine this: you have a mouth-watering holiday menu or an exclusive holiday sale, but how do you get the word out to your customers?

That’s where email marketing comes in! It’s like having a direct line to your customers’ inboxes, allowing you to share exciting updates, promotions, and special offers.

Here are just 3 easy, simple, actionable steps. 🎯

If nothing else, you can do these first 3 steps today:

1. Personalize your emails: During the holidays, people are bombarded with promotional emails. Stand out by personalizing your emails. Address your subscribers by their names and segment your email list based on their preferences and purchase history. This will make your emails feel more tailored and relevant, increasing engagement and conversion rates.

2. Create a sense of urgency: The holiday season is a time when customers are actively looking for deals and promotions. Use this to your advantage by creating a sense of urgency in your emails. Include limited-time offers, countdown timers, or exclusive discounts for a specific period. This will motivate subscribers to take immediate action and make a purchase.

3. Optimize for mobile: With the increasing use of smartphones, it’s crucial to ensure that your emails are mobile-friendly. Most people check their emails on their phones, so make sure your emails are responsive, have a clear call-to-action, and load quickly. Test your emails across different devices and email clients to ensure a seamless user experience.

By personalizing your emails, creating a sense of urgency, and optimizing for mobile, you can enhance your email marketing during the holidays and drive more engagement and sales.💡

But, let’s not stop there.

Here are 4 more email marketing tips to help you grow your business.

1. Use eye-catching subject lines: Grab attention with compelling subject lines that pique curiosity or highlight special offers. Consider using holiday-themed words or phrases to make your emails stand out in crowded inboxes.

2. Provide exclusive content and offers: Give your subscribers a reason to open and engage with your emails by offering exclusive content or special holiday promotions. This could include early access to sales, limited edition products, or exclusive discounts for loyal customers.

3. Incorporate festive visuals: Make your emails visually appealing by incorporating festive imagery, colors, and holiday-themed designs. This helps create a festive atmosphere and resonates with the holiday spirit, capturing the attention of your subscribers.

4. Send triggered emails: Implement triggered emails based on customer behavior or actions.

For example, if a subscriber abandons their cart, send them a reminder email with a special offer to encourage them to complete their purchase. Triggered emails can be highly effective in driving conversions during the holiday season.

By using eye-catching subject lines, providing exclusive content, incorporating festive visuals, and sending triggered emails, you can further enhance your email marketing during the holiday season and maximize engagement and sales.

From building a strong email list to crafting attention-grabbing subject lines, we love to show you how to create emails that leave a lasting impression.

So, if you’re ready to boost your holiday sales, get busy with the 7 tips we’ve shared with you in this article.

If you need some help, just reach out and contact us anytime.

Stay tuned for future posts to help you make your online business development simple.🌟

Take action now and don’t miss out on this opportunity to connect with your customers in a whole new way. Let’s make this holiday season your most successful one yet!

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Regina L Floyd
SimpleOBD
Regina@simpleobd.com
808 400-1460

Other Articles You May Like: 5 Useful Hacks for Building an Email List

8 Effective Social Media Marketing Tips For Business

8 Tips to Develop an Effective Social Media Strategy for Your Business

Interested in marketing tips that work? You know you need to be using social media to grow your business, but are you feeling overwhelmed? Not willing to “dance” on Tic Tok” to get business?

Social media marketing for business works, but it does take time, and take strategy.

In this short video, I’ll share 8 Effective Social Media Marketing Tips For Business.

How to Develop an Effective Social Media Strategy for Your Business

In today’s digital age, having a strong social media presence is crucial for businesses to connect with their target audience and drive growth.

However, without a well-defined social media strategy, it can be challenging to achieve desired results. In this quick read, we provide you with valuable marketing tips that will guide you through the process of developing an effective social media strategy that aligns with your business goals and helps you stand out in the crowded social media landscape.

Marketing Tips:
1. Define Your Goals:
The first step in creating a social media strategy is to clearly define your goals. Are you looking to increase brand awareness, drive website traffic, generate leads, or improve customer engagement?

Identifying your goals will help you shape your social media strategy accordingly.

2. Know Your Target Audience:
Understanding your target audience is crucial for crafting content that resonates with them.

Conduct market
research to identify your audience’s demographics, preferences, and pain points. This will guide you in creating content that engages and connects with your target audience.

3. Choose the Right Social Media Platforms:
Not all social media platforms are suitable for every business.

Research and identify the platforms where your
target audience is most active.

Focus your efforts on those platforms to maximize your reach and engagement.

4. Develop a Content Strategy:
Content is the backbone of any social media strategy. Determine the type of content that will resonate with your audience, such as videos, images, blog posts, or infographics. Plan a content calendar and create a mix of educational, entertaining, and promotional content to keep your audience engaged.

5. Optimize Your Profiles:
Ensure that your social media profiles are complete, consistent, and visually appealing. Use high-quality images, include relevant keywords in your bio, and provide all necessary information. Optimized profiles help build trust and attract followers.

6. Engage with Your Audience:
Social media is not just about broadcasting messages; it’s also about building relationships. Actively engage with your audience by responding to comments, messages, and mentions. Encourage discussions, ask questions, and show genuine interest in your audience’s opinions.

7. Monitor and Analyze:
Regularly monitor your social media analytics to gain insights into what’s working and what’s not. Use tools like Page 1/2, Facebook Insights, Twitter Analytics, or third-party tools to track key metrics like engagement, reach, and conversions. Adjust your strategy based on the data to optimize your results.

8. Stay Updated with Trends and Best Practices:
Social media is constantly evolving, so it’s essential to stay updated with the latest trends and best practices.

Follow industry blogs, attend webinars, and join relevant communities to stay informed. Implement new features and strategies to stay ahead of the curve.

Conclusion:

Developing an effective social media strategy is key to achieving success in your digital marketing efforts. By
defining goals, understanding your audience, creating valuable content, and engaging with your followers, you can build a strong online presence and drive meaningful results. Regularly monitor and adapt your strategy to stay relevant and maximize your social media impact.

Ready to take your social media strategy to the next level? We’re here to help!

Whether you need assistance in developing a customized social media strategy, optimizing your profiles, creating engaging content, or managing your social media accounts, our experienced team is ready to support you.

Contact us today for more information or to schedule a consultation. Let us help you unlock the full potential of your social media presence and drive meaningful results for your business.

Take advantage of the opportunity to elevate your social media game. Reach out to us now and let’s embark on this exciting journey together!” Visit: SocialMediaPosting.SimpleOBD.com

Simple Online Business Development
4-1101 Kuhio Hwy
Kapaa, HI 96746
808 400-1460
https://www.simpleobd.com
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How Much is Your Customers Lifetime Value?

Do you know your Customers Lifetime Value?

You should. Are you aware that it actually costs more to attract a new customer than it does to retain an existing one. How much can you really afford to spend to attract a new customer to your business?

The key to creating an effective and workable budget for marketing is knowing the lifetime value of your customers.

That lifetime value number will help dictate how much you spend in your marketing. Spend too much and you’re losing money in the long run. Spend too little – and you’re missing out on an opportunity to grow your business.

The Following are 5 Simple Steps to Calculate Your Customers Lifetime Value

First, start with your company’s total revenue in the past year and divide it by the total number of purchases in the same period. The resulting number is your average purchase value.

Next, take your total number of purchases in the past year and divide it by the number of unique customers who made purchases. The resulting number is your average purchasing frequency rate. (Note: If you make a log of cash sales and don’t request an email, then this number may not be accurate)

Take your average purchase value and subtract the average purchase frequency rate from it. That gives you the customer value per year.

Calculate the average number of years a customer continues to buy from you. If you’ve been tracking unique purchases this shouldn’t be difficult. This number is the average customer lifespan.

Now, multiply the customer value by the average customer lifespan to get the lifetime value of your customer.

The following ids an example using some sample raw numbers:

– $100,000 in annual revenue

– 250 purchases

– 150 unique customers

Your average purchase value would be $400. You would then take that number and divide it by 150 to get your average purchase frequency rate, which is 2.67.

Next, you would subtract your average purchase frequency rate from your average purchase value to get $397.33, your customer value per year. If you keep your customers, on average, for 10 years, your customer lifetime value would be $3,973.30.

That’s a very simple example but it illustrates the point. The business would have a lifetime customer value of nearly $4,000.

How To Use Customer Lifetime Value in Marketing

So, now you know your customer lifetime value – now what?

The short answer is that you’ve got a piece of information that can help you attract more customers and make better use of your marketing budget.

Every customer you have contributes to your company’s success and profitability. Understanding just how much each customer is worth to you can help you do a better job of attracting new customers, increasing their lifetime value, and maximizing your profits.

This may seem complicated but it really isn’t. It’s a matter of tracking your numbers, doing a little simple math and being clear on where you stand. Once you are, you have a better idea of what you need to do in your business.

Leave us a comment if you take the time to do this.

To Your Success,

Regina
Digital Marketing Consultant
808 400 1460
Regina@simpleobd.com
FB @Simpleobd
IG @Simpleobd

Youtube @Simpleobd

How to Boost Your Local Business with Social Media Marketing

How to get more local business with Social Media Marketing

In today’s digital age, social media has become an integral part of our daily lives. From connecting with friends and family to discovering new products and services, social media platforms have transformed the way we interact with businesses.

As a local business owner, harnessing the power of social media marketing can significantly boost your local business and your brand’s visibility, engagement, and ultimately, your sales.

Social media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, offer a unique opportunity for local businesses to reach their target audience in a cost-effective manner and boost local business.

Here’s why marketing on social platforms matters for your local business:

1. **Increased brand exposure**: With billions of active users, social media platforms provide an expansive audience for your local business to showcase your products or services. By establishing a strong presence on social media, you can increase your brand’s exposure and reach potential customers who may not be aware of your business otherwise.

2. **Improved customer engagement**: Social media enables direct communication with your audience, allowing you to engage with your customers on a personal level. By responding to comments, addressing concerns, and sharing valuable content, you can build a loyal customer base and foster strong relationships with your audience.

3. **Targeted advertising**: Social media platforms offer robust targeting options that enable local businesses to narrow down their audience based on demographics, interests, and location. This means you can ensure that your marketing efforts are reaching the right people in your local area, maximizing the return on your investment.

4. **Word-of-mouth marketing**: Social media allows your customers to share their experiences with your business with their friends, family, and followers. Positive reviews and recommendations can go a long way in attracting new customers to your local business. By actively engaging with your audience and providing exceptional customer service, you can encourage positive word-of-mouth marketing. Can you think of any better way to boost your local business?

Now that we understand the importance of social media for local business, let’s explore some effective strategies to make the most of your online presence:

1. Identify Your Target Audience

Before diving into social media marketing strategies, it’s essential to identify your target audience. Consider factors such as age, gender, location, interests, and buying behavior. This information will help you tailor your content to resonate with your target audience, which helps to increase engagement and conversions.

2. Choose the Right Platforms

Not all social media platforms are created equal, and it’s crucial to choose the ones that align with your target audience and business objectives. For example, if your target audience consists mainly of young adults, platforms like Instagram and TikTok may be more effective than Facebook. Research your audience’s preferred platforms and focus your efforts accordingly.

3. Create Engaging and Valuable Content

To capture your audience’s attention and stand out from the competition, create content that is engaging, valuable, and shareable. This could include informative blog posts, eye-catching visuals, how-to videos, or exclusive offers. Experiment with different content formats to see what resonates best with your audience.

4. Consistent Branding and Messaging

Maintain a consistent brand identity across all your social media platforms. This includes your logo, color scheme, tone of voice, and values. Consistency helps build brand recognition and trust among your audience, making it more likely for them to choose your local business over competitors.

5. Engage with Your Audience

Social media is all about building relationships, so make sure to actively engage with your audience. Respond to comments, messages, and reviews promptly and authentically. Show appreciation for positive feedback and address any negative feedback with empathy and a willingness to resolve the issue. Engaging with your audience fosters loyalty and strengthens your brand reputation.

6. Leverage Local Influencers

Collaborating with local influencers can help you increase your reach and credibility within your target market. Identify influencers who align with your brand values and have a significant following in your local area. Partnering with them for sponsored content or product reviews can expose your business to a wider audience and generate buzz around your local business.

7. Track and Measure Results

To ensure the effectiveness of your social marketing efforts, you must track and measure your results regularly. You can use performance measuring tools provided by social media platforms to gain insights into your target audience behavior.

You will be able to gauge things like engagement rates, click-through rates, and even reach. Then, simply adjust your strategy based on these insights to optimize your social media marketing campaign.

Conclusion to boosting your local business with social media marketing.

Social media marketing has become a powerful tool for local businesses to connect with a target audience, increase brand awareness, and drive sales.

Basically, by putting to work the strategies outlined in this post, you can effectively leverage social media platforms to boost your local business’s success, but remember to identify your target audience, choose the right platforms, create engaging content, maintain consistent branding, engage with your audience, collaborate with local influencers, and track your results.

Embrace the power of social media marketing and watch your local business thrive in the digital world.

Are you a local business owner looking to boost your online presence and attract more customers? Look no further!

Fortunately, Our social posting service is geared specifically for local businesses like yours. With our knowledge and experience, we can help you reach a wider audience and maximize your online presence.

Discover more about this opportunity to take your business to the next level. Contact us now to learn more about our services and start growing your online presence today!

Regina L Floyd
Simple Online Business Development (SimpleOBD)
4-1101 Kuhio Hwy, Kapaa HI 96746
808 400-1460

FB @SimpleOBD
IG @SimpleOBD
LinkedIn @ReginaLFloyd

How to Turn Fans into Brand Ambassadors

Did You Know Brand Ambassadors are important to your business?

The truth is, highly engaged customers buy 90% more often and 60% more per transaction and that 77% of consumers are more likely to buy a new product when learning about it from friends and family?

In a perfect world, everyone who buys your products would talk about them to everyone they meet and be your best brand ambassadors for your business.

The reality is, we don’t live in a perfect world. And while some of your customers might be raving fans, others might need a little bit of coaxing and nurturing to get to brand ambassador status.

The good news?

In just four easy steps, you can turn customers into enthusiastic brand ambassadors for your business today.

Model The Behavior You Want To See

For example, you can do things like creating branded hashtags and use them in your social media posts. Another option is to seek out some influencers and have them post images of themselves with your products using your branded hashtags. People who follow your brand on social media will see the posts and hashtags and you increase the likelihood of growing some brand ambassadors.

Request The Behavior You Want

After modeling the behavior you want, the next step is to ask your followers to do the thing that you’ve modeled for them. For example, if you wanted customers to post pictures of themselves using your product, you could ask them to post them with a special, branded, hashtag.

Incentivize Your Fans

Some people share photos of themselves simply because you asked. But, many more people will do it if you give them a reason to do it. Running a contest where you’ve away a product (or a year’s supply of a product) is a great way to create new brand ambassadors. If you choose to do a contest, make sure to post a clear set of rules for entry!

Deliver Rewards

Contest Winners will get a reward, but you should also reward others who enter with some recognition and love. This is another great way to create brand ambassadors. Liking their posts, commenting on them, or even sharing them with your followers can make your fans feel special and appreciated.

Brand ambassadors are more than just enthusiastic fans. When brand ambassadorship is at its best, customers identify heavily with the brands they love!

Not Sure Where To Start?

Try asking on social media! Your fans who are already engaged will be eager to tell you what they want – and you can use their advice as guidance to get things started.

Sooner than you know, you’ll have an army of brand ambassadors happily helping you promote and grow your business.

Leave us a comment if you have some other ideas you’d like to share with other. You can also contact us with any questions you may have.

To Your Success,

Regina
Digital Marketing Consultant
Regina@Simpleobd.com
808 400-1460
FB @SimpleOBD
IG @SimpleOBD

Google knows that “Mum” knows best!

Google Mum Knows Best!

Have you heard about Google Mum already? I just found out about it and thought I’d share what I found when I did a quick search about it.

The following is a snippet of a great article that explains exactly what Google Mum is about. Take a minute to read it when you can. Instead of rewriting the whole thing, I figured I’d just share a snippet and link you to the original

What Is Google MUM?
Google’s Multitask Unified Model (MUM) is a new technology used to answer complex questions that do not have a direct answer. Google MUM is an artificial intelligence tool designed to simplify the way people search online. This new Google algorithm update is designed to understand the comparisons implicit in search queries (the example Google gave in the keynote is how to prepare for a hike in two different mountains) and provide the most appropriate answers.
What is Google MUM for?
Google MUM helps solve a common challenge that search engine users face: “having to type a lot of queries and do a lot of searches to get the answers you need.”
As Senior Vice – President Prabhakar Raghavan noted, Google’s mission is to “make information more accessible and useful to everyone,” and advances in artificial intelligence “push the boundaries of what Google products can do.” In the past two decades, our goal has been “not only to better understand information on the Internet but also to better understand the world, because when we understand information, we can make it more useful. ” SOURCE

The one constant thing in marketing online, is that something is always changing. If like me, you hadn’t heard about this yet, I highly recommend you read the rest of the article quoted above. It’s pretty informative.

Leave me a comment below if you already knew about Google Mum.

Have questions? Reach out and contact me!

Regina Floyd
Digital Marketing Consultant
808 400 1460
Regina@Simpleobd.com
Facebook: @SimpleOBD

Need some help with your marketing needs? Book at time to chat!

5 Useful Hacks For Building An Email List

Email List Building

99% of consumers check their email every day!…
80% of retail professionals indicate that email marketing is their greatest driver of customer retention…
87% of marketers use email campaigns to nurture their audiences…

List-building gets a lot of attention – and that should not be any surprise. It probably sounds like a lot of work to build an email list!

It can be exhausting to think about adding another chore to your never-ending to-do list when you’re already wearing multiple hats every day in your business!

Guess what?

Good News: It doesn’t have to be difficult to build a list.

Email List: Useful Hacks

The Following are some quick and easy hacks to try.

If you have a storefront, train your cashiers to ask for email addresses during checkout. This is such an easy method it’s surprising when a business doesn’t use this simple method. Let customers know they’ll get early access to sales or special coupon codes if they subscribe.
Post about your list on social media and include a link to your opt-in form. This is a great tip if your social media following is outstepping your subscribers. It only takes a minute to do and your business can build an email list very quickly this way.
If you have email addresses that you’ve collected from your loyalty program or other sources, you should add them to your main email list! Provided that you include an opt-out option at the bottom of the email, it shouldn’t be a problem.
Partner with other local businesses and see if they are willing to plug you in to their email list to help you attract more customers – and vice versa of course!
Put opt-in forms on every page of your website(s), including your home page. You may want to experiment with static opt-in forms on the margin of the page as well as pop-ups and light boxes to see what gets the biggest response.

BONUS TIP: Email List

In an email series, I like to add an enticing ‘P.S.’ at the bottom to text my next email and build anticipation.

The bottom line is that email marketing has one of the highest ROIs of any marketing technique and I recommend it to all of my clients. These local email marketing tips here will help you build a robust list, create content your subscribers will love, and grow your business!

I hope you found these tips helpful. If you have questions, contact me Be sure to stop by Facebook and follow my page: @SimpleOBD

Regina L Floyd
Online Business Development LLC
Regina@SimpleOBD.com

Have You Seen Our Google My Business Free Video Course

4 Tips For Creating Content For Business

Creating content is critical for local businesses so it’s always a good time to focus on content creation for your business.

That means more than simply putting your local keywords into general content. You’ll need to show casual visitors to your site that you are a part of your local community!

The following are some points to get you started…

Creating Content for Business About Local Events In Your Area

Every community, from small rural towns to huge cities, have local events that are a big deal to the community!

As a business owner, you should be aware of these events and find a way to write and create content about these events and tie them back into your business!

An easy way to do that if you’re planning to attend the local event or street fair is to sponsor a booth. Local charity events and holiday celebrations offer the opportunity for you to talk about your community and why you love it!

Talk about Local News

Did your local little league team make the playoffs? Did a high school student win a contest? Is there a new business coming to town? These are all great ideas for creating content for your business purposes.

Any of these things could be turned into blog posts and they’re especially effective if you can find an organic way to relate the story to your business.

Develop Case Studies That Are Relevant To Local Prospects

Your business may serve a variety of neighborhoods or more than one city in your area. If that’s the case, it’s your opportunity to show that you care about all the cities in your service area.

One way to do that is to develop ‘case studies’ that demonstrate your knowledge of the area and any special circumstances that might be unique to where you are.

For example, a Kaua’i landscaper might talk about the risk of weather changes or how to get rid of certain pests.

Find out what your audience is interested in and then write about it

Of course, you don’t want to stray too far from your business, but there is nothing wrong with getting excited about the things your audience cares about. Creating content that appeals to your audience can be beneficial.

For example, you might write about an upcoming holiday or the year’s first big storm, or something else that appeals to your audience.

A great way to get ideas for creating content for local business is to stay plugged in to your local community online. Many communities have Facebook groups you can join for example.

You might follow your local Chamber of Commerce on Facebook or subscribe to your local paper and stop into your local library to see what new flyers have been added to the bulletin board.

The key is to make creating content relevant to your business and to your target audience. You can still share general content too, but local content creation is a must if you want your business to grow!

I hope you’ve enjoyed these tips about creating content for your business. If you have questions, feel free to reach out and contact us.

Regina@SimpleOBD.com
808 400 1460

Customer Complaints | How To Handle For Your Local Business

How to Handle Customer Complaints About Your Local Business

Customer complaints are a reality of running any business. While receiving negative feedback can be unpleasant, it can be helpful for making improvements to your company practice and ability to hold onto customers.

Is there a way you can lessen the sting of negative reviews by people who take time out of their day to complain about your product or services?

Yes. Acknowledge them!

When a customer feels heard, they will more than likely go away happy- even if not satisfied with what was done in response. The whole point is to respond.

Best-case scenario, your customer may even have a more positive view of your business after a complaint is resolved simply because you acknowledged it.

What Are Customer Complaints?

In business, there is always a chance that a customer will be disappointed with the product or service delivered. This alone can lead to customer complaints and negative reviews overall.

Customer complaints demonstrate that there may be a possible mismatch between the product or service delivered and the customer’s initial expectations. Although you can’t manage expectations, you can acknowledge complaints.

When complaints are one-off occurrences or mistakes, they can be interpreted as negative feedback and the relationship between the business and customer can usually be salvaged. If there truly was a mistake or error, apologize, and if possible, make amends. If the errors (complaints) are consistent trends in your business, you must address them at a more fundamental level.

This conflict in expectations and results can be due to a variety of reasons:

Unreasonable expectations that are hard to meet.
Occasionally customers have a long list of demands that are difficult for any business to meet. They may have unreasonable expectations regarding pricing, the level of service, or they may have misunderstood the product’s purpose.
Situations that are outside your control. Sometimes things go wrong and they have nothing to do with your business or its offering.
Misleading marketing around the business’s offering. Sometimes businesses misrepresent their products or services through their marketing and social media campaigns, and customers may feel that they’ve invested in an offer that didn’t meet their expectation
Administrative failures. Sometimes businesses may have a great product or service but fall down when it comes to the fulfillment. This can happen when businesses that don’t fully train employees.

Where Are Customers Most Likely to Complain About Your Business?

Depending on your business model and location, customers may have multiple ways to file a complaint. Customer reviews and feedback can appear publicly and/or privately.

If you are providing channels for private negative feedback you’re more likely to be able to handle these issues outside of the public eye.

Here are some of the top ways customers usually choose to complain:

Frontline staff. If you own a store-front business, your customers may be more likely to complain in-person to a staff member who happens to be on duty.
Surveys. If you send out regular customer satisfaction surveys, they may use it as an opportunity to share complaints about your business or offers.
Online reviews. Sometimes dissatisfied customers will use 3rd party review sites like Google, Bing, etc. for complaining about your business. If you do receive online negative reviews, remember it is really important to acknowledge the feedback, be empathetic, and if possible, remedy the situation.
By phone or email. Businesses that provide a more personalized service to a smaller group of customers, may receive more complaints directly to their phone lines or through email. Again, it’s important to acknowledge them.
Social Media. It’s increasingly common for customers to leave comments and reviews on social media profiles like Facebook, Instagram, etc. It is critical to have a policy in place because social media is so public.

What Do Customers Typically Complain About?

Regardless of what industry they represent, businesses will be met with some form of customer complaint at one point or another. It is just a part of doing business. Whether it is as a result of an error you made or due to something they felt was impossible for your customers to overcome, there are certain scenarios that tend provoke customer complaints the most.

Having an awareness of what your customers typically complain about will not only help you improve your business’s offering but also help you and your staff prepare for handling common complaints.

If you want to save time and make your customers happy, perhaps before they file a negative review, then don’t hesitate to collect feedback from them in advance. It takes just a little bit of work every day for both the customer and business owner alike in order to avoid confusion or conflict.

Here are some of the most common areas that customers typically complain about and plausible solutions to those complaints.

Slow Customer Service

Whether you run a restaurant or plumbing business, customers appreciate efficient customer service. Customers like to feel that their time is respected and they don’t want to waste any of it on waiting in line while talking on the phone with your company’s team.

Long wait times mean that your business does not prioritize customer experience and may be unable to deal with customers efficiently.

Here’s what to do:

Training! Helping your staff understand how to communicate with customers when wait times exceed expectations can decrease complaints.
Improve the way your business operates! Things like adjusting processes, adding staff, being aware of inventory or signage are also good ways to pre-emptively address potential bottlenecks

Out of Stock Inventory or Unavailable Services

In the world of business marketing, an out-of-stock product or fully booked service is better than a sold one. Your business must be doing something right if customers are willing to wait for you without being able to purchase what they want from your store.

However, outdated inventory and no available services can make potential clients lose interest in your company quickly so it’s important that these items stay on hand at all times.

Customers may keep calling and emailing your business for updates about these unavailable services and products.

Ultimately they may leave you negative feedback either online or in-person.

Here’s what to do:

Train your staff to communicate empathetically with customers for the inconvenience is a good start…
Setting realistic expectations by communicating when you next expect to have these products or services available is ideal.

Low-Quality or Defective Products or Service

All too often, people are left disappointed after buying a product that breaks shortly afterward. When this happens and customers will complain about it.

When customers lodge a legitimate complaint and they don’t receive any kind of suitable solution, they may feel doubly frustrated and lodge a second complaint.

Here’s what to do:

Apologize for the slow response and explain that the team recognizes the problem searching for a suitable solution.
Clearly communicate the expected timeline for follow-up communication and the final resolution…and follow it!

No Follow-up

Even if you have the best intentions of resolving a customer’s issue, they may feel anxious about your progress and want to know how it is going.

If customers are in need of help with time-sensitive requests or complaints, then they’ll be looking for updates on what information you’re able to find.

It’s important to be upfront about expected response times and stick to them. This way, you can give all customers the best service possible without disappointing some people just because their expectations are too high.

Here are a few follow-up best practices:

It’s ok not to have the solution right away. Its a good idea to communicate with the customer that you are actively trying to solve the issue.
Set customer expectations with realistic timelines for resolution. If you know it will take a few days to resolve the problem, don’t promise a solution for the next day.
Think about the channel through which the customer made the complaint and the acceptable response time. 24 hours is acceptable for a negative online review or an email, but a few hours or less is generally expected for in-person or phone complaint
If a complaint is time-sensitive, reassure customers by providing a few regular updates.

How Should Local Businesses Handle Complaints?

Your business will be able to turn complaining customers into loyal advocates if you are aware of the issue and resolve it, as well as effectively communicate throughout. This is a great way for both sides to win!

Make it Easy for Customers to Complain

Customers will not feel inclined to go through the hassle of complaining when they know that their feedback is only going to be met with a formality.

To help create a solid customer experience, customers need to feel that the business cares about their thoughts. When customers complain, it should be easy for them to share their honest opinions and thoughts with a business.

You could encourage customers to share their thoughts by:

Putting a form on your website to encourage feedback and complaints.
Posting a feedback link in your newsletter, social media platforms, and in-store.
Actively ask your customers for their opinions.

Proactively asking your customers for honest feedback is a great way of preventing complaints from escalating. Sending out customer satisfaction surveys at regular intervals helps you gauge how they feel about your business and if there are any problems that need to be addressed before it’s too late!

It can be used as an opportunity for uncovering valuable insights such as what may not be working for your business.

When customers complain, ask valid questions to dig deeper into what caused the issue in the first place.

When a customer registers a complaint, consider asking the following questions:

Could you elaborate on that point more?
Could you clarify what you mean by that?
Help me understand how we can meet your expectations?

Here’s the thing, although customer complaints are never comfortable, it’s also a good time for some self-reflection.

Ask yourself:

Do I need any further details?
Why is this complaint significant for my business?
What happened to cause the customer to complain?
How can we prevent this from recurring?

Asking the right questions will help you uncover the root of a problem so that it can be resolved. Depending on how your business is structured, you may choose to assign one team member as customer complaint specialist who handles complaints and uncovers insights about what needs improvement in order for customers to have an even better experience with your company.

Respond Proactively and Efficiently

Acceptable response times depend on the nature of the complaint.

Here are some complaint response time best practices:

Respond promptly.Negative feedback requires a swift reply and resolution to show care and action from your business.
If the feedback is public, respond publicly. It’s an opportunity to show future customers you’re responsive, capable and willing to right a wrong.
Read through the complaint thoroughly. Use the customer’s own words to personalize your reply. This goes a long way to display empathy!
Offer a solution. Showing empathy for the situation and being respectful is vital to successful response management, but a solution is at the core of what the customer wants. Providing a solution that’s appropriate to the complaint, whether that be compensation, a refund, or replacement.
Put the right person in charge. Make sure that the person replying to negative reviews has the authority to offer solutions.

Taking time to regularly monitor your customer complaints is important to ensure you don’t miss one.

Follow up to Verify You’ve Solved Their Problem with a Suitable Solution

When you’ve found the cause of a customer complaint, identified an appropriate solution and proposed it to them, don’t forget about follow-ups. It can be hard for customers to let go so make sure they feel heard by following up on your proposal in order see if their problem has been addressed or not.

Customers appreciate businesses that care about their experience and their overall satisfaction.

You can then follow up with customers by:

Asking them if there’s anything else you can do to help them.
Simply asking if the solution worked out for them.

Record the Complaint and Analyze Patterns

When you receive a complaint, it’s important to record the type of complaint and who it came from.

The complaint could come from:

A regular customer
A one-off customer
A high-value customer

If you receive multiple complaints about the same issue from a similar type of customer point, you can identify trends in your operations!

It’s important to identify high-volume complaints as these can point to dominant issues throughout your business.

Identifying repeat complaints and take steps to address the root cause, it’ll becomes easier to prevent future complaints!

Here’s How You Can Support Your Employees to Properly Handle Customer Complaints?

Business managers should provide employees with the proper training to help them resolve customer complaints in a timely manner.

Clear guidance and policies will help ensure that each customer complaint gets a standardized level of attention from staff members, while those complaints are recorded properly.

Create a Clearly Written Complaint Handling Document

Writing a guide to handling customer complaints professionally and effectively is a good idea. This document should be comprehensive so employees know how to deal with different situations as they come up, both on the job training-wise and in a pinch when no one else is around for guidance.

As we mentioned earlier, if you’re consistently collecting feedback, you should be familiar with common customer complaints and have a specific way for your employees to be able to handle them. That way, employees will understand what’s expected of them as the complaints arise.

Try to provide guidance on how they should react, how to escalate the complaint, and provide possible solutions.

To avoid complaints, make sure your complaint handling document is easily accessible to all staff members. After reading the document you should feel confident in making judgment calls and tackling different situations on your own.

Give Your Staff Resources to Resolve Complaints

If you want to make your employees feel confident in handling complaints, consider providing interactive training sessions. You could incorporate role-play situations where we show them the potential set of customer problems that can occur and force trainees to come up with solutions on their own.

Re-evaluate How Your Business Handles Complaints Routinely

Handling customer complaints is one of the more difficult aspects of working in a customer-facing role. It’s important for employees to feel well-equipped when handling these types of cases, so it’s necessary that managers check on their staff quarterly and provide high quality training sessions if needed.

Final Thoughts On Customer Complaints

Complaints are inevitable when running any business but they can also provide useful information about where improvements need made which will ultimately benefit customers as well!

Customer Support is a big part of your businesses’ marketing! It tells a story of how your business values your customers sentiment. Take it seriously!

It is important to make the effort to work on the issues that customers complain about, and proactively improve how your business deals with negative feedback. You might want try implementing a few of our suggestions for handling complaints and see if you can retain more loyal customers.

Regina L Floyd
Regina@SimpleOBD.com
(808) 400-1460
Facebook.com/SimpleOBD

Take a look around our site, and if you have any questions, Contact Me

Apple Maps: How To Add It To Your Local Business

How To Add Your Local Business To Apple Maps

Apple Maps (AM) is the third most popular map service on the market today and if you have a business, you WANT to be on it. With 23 million monthly unique visitors, they are right behind Google’s 154 million and Nokia HERE’s 27.7 million

So you may be wondering: Is it worth the time for a local business?

As you’ll soon discover, you bet it’s a worthwhile investment and a key part of your local search and review management strategy.

In this remainder of this article, I will be covering the following:

What is Apple Maps?
Apple Maps vs. Google Maps
Siri with Apple Maps
Apple Maps and CarPlay
Who uses Apple Maps
How does Apple Maps handle Ratings and Reviews
How to get your business listed in Apple Maps
The future for Apple Maps
Why Apple Maps should be a Priority for your business

To begin with, this map service is a web mapping service exclusive to iOS, iPadOS, WatchOs and macOS. As the name suggests it’s built by Apple Inc., but before launch in 2012 they announced that their app would include turn-by-turn navigation, 3D maps with Flyovers from your phone or tablet (or computer), as well as Siri – all of which are designed exclusively for you!

In Case you didn’t already know, Maps in Apple offers a variety of features that most people find extremely useful. Features like:

Turn-by-turn navigation with spoken instructions for vehicles, pedestrians, and public transportation.
Apple customers can use the app while driving via CarPlay, and via Siri, Apple’s voice assistant app.
It can also be used to see real-time traffic information. Siri, Apple’s virtual assistant, is integrated into navigation.
Maps display points of interest provided by approximately twenty companies, including Booking.com, Foursquare, TripAdvisor, and Yelp.
Users can drop pins on the map to save places for later retrieval.
The satellite view features Flyovers, three-dimensional satellite views in designated locations.
The Nearby feature displays points of interest for each category. Points are shown with their names, distances, and reviews on Yelp.

This particular system also integrates with many third-party providers, such as Yelp and Booking which means you can use it to find a restaurant or hotel without having to switch back and forth from one service’s app to another. How cool is that?!

Apple Maps (AM) vs. Google Maps

So what’s the difference between these two maps? AM is an exclusive application to Apple devices, while Google Maps is available for both Android and iOS. There are some important differences that you should be aware of before installing either app on your device:

Apple shares data contextually taking a subtle approach. Google gives the user everything.
Apple has flyover mode, a 3D landscape of buildings and structures. Google has Street View.
Apple integrates Siri tightly with Apple Maps, and other apps in your phone (e.g., location data for your photos) tell Siri where you’d like to go, and navigation is seamless.
Google Voice Assistant works in a similar fashion but isn’t as tightly integrated with the rest of the software and hardware in your device.
Both Apple and Google integrate Maps with mobile devices, vehicles, watches, and smart speakers.
Apple Maps doesn’t hold onto your data! Apple goes out of their way to protect your privacy. According to Apple, “When you use Apple Maps, your route from A to B is scrambled into sections on Apple servers because nobody else should know your entire route.“

If you want a navigation experience that’s seamless, one where the app is natively integrated with all of apple products, then it may be the best fit for you.

On the other hand, Google Maps is the best mapping tool on the market, providing you with detailed data and giving you access to a wide variety of information.

Both of these platforms are the best of both worlds and in my opinion, it’s a really good idea to add your business to both Google and Apple Maps.

Siri with Apple Maps

Using Siri, Apple’s voice assistant, you can perform several different types of searches starting off with the activation of the app by saying “Hey Siri.”

For example, you might say things like:

Hey Siri, take me home.
Hey Siri, where is the nearest Pizza shop?
Hey Siri, what’s the traffic like in Philadelphia?
Hey Siri, what time is the Phillies game tonight?
Hey Siri, show me Independence Hall in Philadelphia?

Siri is remarkably intuitive, handling searches with several variables.

AM With CarPlay

With CarPlay, iPhone users can now start their car with a simple touch of the screen. And even better than that, you’ll never have to look down at your phone again – just take advantage of Siri’s voice control! And yes, It’s all hands-free of course.

CarPlay with Siri voice control gives you the hands-free experience and navigation of AM without ever taking your eyes off the road. You can use both car controls as well or report issues using Apple Maps.

Who uses this maps system? Is this for you?

If you’re an Apple user then your maps are on apple’s map service. It was the default mapping app for all of their devices until Google Maps replaced it in 2012.

After all this said, this is why Apple Maps is important.

Apple says 1.65 billion Apple devices are in active use overall and 900 million to 1 billion+ users in 2019 with a total of 4.66 billion internet users worldwide as of 2021

and, Here’s why that should matter to you.

Apple Maps is more popular than Google Map on iPhones and Apple devices, as evidenced by its 3x greater usage. Yea, read that again!

But wait, There’s more.

Did you know that DuckDuckGo uses Apple Maps to display maps and navigation data in their search results? I just learned this too!

Although DuckDuckGo doesn’t collect user information, it’s difficult to pinpoint an exact number of users. However, earlier this year they hit an important milestone: 100 million searches per day!

More people are using DuckDuckGo and although this may not seem like much, it’s significant because Duck Duck Go’s new users come from Google and Bing. It’s indirect competition!

This should be another huge reason to consider getting your business on Apple Maps!

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How does AM handle ratings and reviews?

Initially, Apple Maps relied on third-party providers like TripAdvisor and Yelp but has since decided to start rating businesses in their Maps app. For now, these ratings are being provided by third-party sources but it is only a matter of time before Apple decides to offer them themselves.

Apple’s rating system for products, services and businesses went live in 2019 with the MacOS 14 beta 6 update. This thumbs up/down ratings system allows users to rate their favorite things – it is a work in progress!

Apple’s new rating system will allow users to leave reviews about local, regional and national businesses so now is a good time to get in with your business info.

The company has not shared the specific timeframe for adding content to their ratings and reviews yet. They have, however, mentioned that they hope “to add more services and features in future.”

Now that you know all of this helpful information, Here’s how to get your business listed

You can add your Apple Maps listing via Apple Maps Connect. A free Apple ID is required. Here’s how you do it.

Head over to mapsconnect.apple.com
Sign in with your Apple ID (you’ll need to create an account if you don’t have one)
Search for your business using the search fields above. If you don’t see your business, you can also add it
Once you’ve found your business, you’ll be prompted to verify your account
Once verified, you’ll be able to edit the content on your page

At this point in time, you can add the following information to your listing:

Business Name and Phone Number
Business Address
Hours of Operation
Place Status (Open / Closed)
Links to your apps, website, Yelp, Facebook, Twitter Profiles
Apple Pay Accepted (or Not)
Categories

Apple makes this a simple and straightforward process. Just follow the prompts, provide the necessary info, and your business should be ready to go!

You might be wondering what’s the future AM

Apple Maps is an essential part of the Apple product ecosystem, and it’s a service that offers marketers something different than Google does. Where other platforms want to lure in advertisers with slick marketing campaigns or free services like Waze, Apple prefers focusing on developing groundbreaking new products instead. As their line-up matures, they have moved into creating subscription plans for many features within its map app – such as traffic updates and satellite images.

Apple seems to be taking on Yelp and TripAdvisor with its own ratings service. The features of the reviews will most likely look very different than what we’ve been accustomed too in order for Apple to make a name for itself as an innovator.

This means the time to prepare is now and get in on the ground floor of this today!

Apple Maps should be a priority for your business

If you’ve got a business in this century and you want it to grow and expand, One of the biggest mistakes you could do is putting all your eggs in one basket. Not only does this risk your business, but it can also be an inconvenience for customers who want to leave a review with another site and need you to sign up first before they do so.

This means that while Google receives the lion’s share of reviews, enough negative or mediocre ones could cost them potential new clients down the line if people associate these past stories as current occurrences instead of just bad luck or timing-related incidents.

In order to put a new innovative spin on your digital marketing strategy, take the time for review management. If you notice iOS users in analytics surveys and follow-ups, make sure that Apple Maps is part of your plan moving forward. Particularly because Apple makes it super easy!

We hope you’ve found this information helpful to your business. If you have questions, or need some help, just Contact Us.

Regina L Floyd
Simple Online Business Development LLC
Regina@simpleobd.com
808 400 1460

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6 Local Lead Generation Tips for Local Small Business Owners

6 Local Lead Generation Tips For Small Businesses

When it comes to owning a small business, lead generation can be the difference between success and failure. As a business owner, you need repeat customers to stay afloat, but you also have to look for new leads online if you want your business to scale.

In today’s age of technology, it seems that everyone has a computer in their pocket in the way of a smartphone. 97% of people learn about local companies through the internet, on their phones, so if you’re not online to meet your customers’ needs and wants, they’ll go elsewhere for what they need!

The local lead generation strategies mentioned here provide a way for you to capture business from these searchers.

It doesn’t require much cash up-front to generate leads and local customers who want your services when you know how to go about it. So, if your marketing budget is slim to none, this is the most efficient strategy when there is a lack of resources and your business can’t afford expensive advertisements, but you still need more people walking in through the door!

If your audience is localized in a small area, your competition can be high. The good news is you don’t need to spend thousands of dollars on ads or marketing strategies with the methods we share here. Your business can receive the attention it needs without spending money you just don’t have. Lead Generation doesn’t have to be expensive.

The following are 6 Lead Generation Tips for Local Businesses:

Build an Email List Through Localized Lead Magnets

Lead magnets are a creative way to obtain and collect contact information of prospective leads. But since you’re a local business, there’s no point in sharing a generic lead magnet that will attract people across the globe.

Instead, create one specific for your target audience and localized so it only attracts prospects who live around this area!

Use Targeted Social Media Ads

Ads are an excellent way to get your business in front of the right people. These targeted search results will allow you reach potential customers no matter where they go online, making sure that more eyes on what you have to offer and improving revenue as a result!

If you find Google ads expensive, start with a small budget, and gradually increase it once you understand what works and what doesn’t for your business.

Facebook ads are the next best local lead generation platform for small businesses with its 2.5 billion users and unmatchable targeting capabilities.

When you run a Facebook leads ad, it shows in the newsfeed, and you can even ad forms making lead generation almost automatic.

This convenience can help you get 20% more leads compared to Facebook ads leading to landing pages.

Create and maintain a Blog

A blog is a great way to communicate with your customers about your products, services, vision, and commitment to serve. It allows you to attract your audience and involve them with your brand continuously by providing value about what you know how to do.

Your blog provides a way for your company to connect with customers in an honest and meaningful fashion. Consider running a Blog on subjects that will interest your audience, while highlighting the benefits of working with you.

Blogs also allow you to create content as you target relevant keywords and helps your website appear in the search engines for more related keywords and it improves the overall visibility of your business.

Using your geographical location in blog titles and URLs also will be beneficial for your business as it contributes to improving local SEO (search engine optimization).

Build Localized Landing Pages

When you direct your leads to a landing page, it becomes the determining factor for effective conversion. When people are looking for products or services in a specific location, they are much more likely to engage with a localized promotion than one that is not targeted at their needs and wants.

Localized landing pages also improve your local search rankings when someone searches with location modifiers such as “chiropractor near me,” or “plumber in Hershey PA” etc.

You’ll see more conversions with local Google or geo-targeted ads when they lead to the closest branch, rather than a generic landing page.

Optimize Local Listings

With more than 96% of Americans owning a smartphone, you need to make sure your business is listed on local directory sites.

You can expect competitors in the area to be doing this too so if they’re not already prepared for that competition then it’s time they start!

Mobile technology has taken over America and with mobile usage steadily increasing people are using their smartphones as an everyday tool.

In fact, 93% of adults use their phone daily or almost every day according to Pew Research Center data from 2016-2017.

Because nearly everyone owns a smartphone these days businesses should take advantage by listing themselves on at least one major online directory site like Google My Business (formerly known as Google Places).

The following are some Top local listings:

Yahoo Local
Yelp
Bing Local
TripAdvisor
Foursquare
Angie’s List
YP
Better Business Bureau
GlassDoor
Biz Journals
CitySearch
Manta
White-pages and more!

Optimizing your Google My Business page not only improves your visibility but also gives your SEO a boost. It ensures that your business shows up when someone looks up the internet for related products and services. (see link for a free Google My Business Course I offer)

Keep in touch with your leads!

This should go without saying, but after giving you their information, one might agree the next step is to keep in touch with the people asking for more information.

It’s not enough to generate a lead by asking for their email address. Keep in touch with your leads and remember that they may be busy, distracted or forgetful when it comes to following up on your lead magnet!

Sending them an automated follow-up email sequence will help you build rapport and show that you care about what matters most – keeping these prospects engaged until they are ready to purchase from your business!

Similarly, if you get some leads during an offline event, make sure to follow them up through email or a phone call to encourage them to take action or move one step down the sales funnel.

Following up on cold leads is another excellent way to keep your cold leads in the loop. Create an automated email series to pull them back into the sales funnel.

These 6 Local Lead Generation Tips for Small Businesses are just a few proven methods!

So, if you need more lead generation for your business, give them a try and be sure to come back and comment and let us know how it goes.

By the way, if you don’t have time to implement these ideas into your marketing and need assistance with the technical aspects, we would be delighted to help! Just contact us

Regina L Floyd
regina@simpleobd.com
808 400 1460
Follow Us On Facebook: @SimpleOBD

Check Out A Free Google My Business Video Course To Grow Your Business Online

How To Use Google My Business For Free To Get More Local Customers

How to Use Google My Business for FREE, to Get More Local Customers

What is Google?! It’s a massive search engine that just about all of us know, use and love, and it’s become synonymous with searching for information online. It’s even become part of our everyday speech and jargon.

Just ‘Google It’!

I for one am guilty of saying that to my teen daughter when she asks questions about things she could easily look up.

If you are wanting to give your business the advantage and leverage of being found when someone does a search for your type of business, product or service, in my opinion, it makes sense to use as many Google products as you can!

Did you know that Google is actually more than just a ‘search engine’ these days?

In their daily lives, people use Google to navigate and explore their local areas (think maps), discover answers to common household problems, seek out product and service recommendations by reading reviews as well as writing their own reviews about their experiences with businesses!

As a local business wanting to stand out, there is a lot you can do to improve your visibility on Google and showing up when people search.

Setting up your Google My Business (GMB) is probably the most advantageous of them all. And it’s NOT hard to do.

As a side note…it’s totally FREE!

What is Google My Business?

Google My Business is a free listing service that literally puts your business on the map!

It was created as a tool to help local businesses manage their online presence and connect with local customers.

Quite literally your business gets a location-specific listing in the biggest directory in the world all in an effort to help you do more business.

These listings help prospective customers discover the important information about your business, such as your business address, online reviews, and where they can find you online and offline! It also lets them see what you are about and often, see how others feel about your products &/or services.

What are the benefits of Google My Business?

There are a number of benefits to your business for setting up and getting your Google My Business listing optimized.

Getting your Google My Business listing set up properly is all about visibility for those closest to your business!

As a local business, you want to get in front of as many businesses as possible, right?

The whole idea is to show up in the search engine for your type of business locally!

Here are the main benefits of putting a concentrated effort into Google My Business.

Rank better than #1 with the Local 3-Pack

Here is a subtle but important thing worth considering

When you search for a local business, even before the SEO-driven search results come up, Google shows you a list of nearby businesses that it considers to be the most relevant to the search. (Read that again)

These results show up on a map, complete with star ratings and all the business information that is important to searchers (also known as your potential customers).

Does that get your attention? It should!

The exciting news about this is by filling in your Google My Business profile as much as possible, and getting Google reviews, it will help boost your chances of being included in the 3-pack!

Show up on Google Maps searches

Achieving 3-pack visibility is definitely a great accomplishment but it’ll only work for you when the customer is already in your area.

So that raises a question, “What about when searchers don’t happen to be in your local area?”

Setting up your Google My Business account helps you come up on Google Maps when people search locally.

These days, 86% of people are searching for businesses on Google Maps with 30% of all mobile searches are related to location!

More searches mean more traffic, which means more sales. Over 50% of “____ near me” searches result in a store visit and a chance for a sale!

It’s Easy, Fast and FREE!

Marketing and SEO can be complicated, super expensive, and time-consuming.

Setting up a Google My Business account is a fast and free way to get your business found on Google.

It’s easy to update your business details so that customers trying to reach you have the right information.

Local SEO delivers great ROI…

Google reported that 46% of searches have local intent! That’s HUGE!

That means almost half the searches on Google are specifically looking for a nearby business!

Within that 46% of searches, 60% of those people are searching from a mobile device, which means the map search result is going to pop up and they are ready to buy.

Leveraging that would be a huge advantage for your business!

Build trust and social proof with reviews

It would stand to reason that having (positive) reviews of your business would be favorable!

When someone searches and discovers your business, seeing positive testimonials and reviews is a great way to display social proof that your business is reputable.

We all like to do business with those whom we know, like and trust! And customer trust is critical for a successful business! Reviews on your Google My Business listing makes your business that much more legitimate and trustworthy!

It’s been said that 73% of consumers will trust a business based on their positive Google reviews!

Access the smartphone market

Do you know how much time the average person spends on their mobile phone?

4 Hours!

That is a massive amount of time! And a lot of that time is spent searching for businesses!

Over 50% of all web traffic comes from mobile phones!

Considering that information and the fact that 78% of local mobile searches lead to an in-store purchase, its clear that a winning formula is literally at your fingertips!

A FREE Website!!

While many businesses already have a functioning website, there are so many more that may be just getting around to moving online.

For local businesses that prefer to sell offline but want to be found on the internet when someone searches for their type of business, they can get a Google My Business page set up in minutes!

A Google My Business page is a simple website that shows off your business, and helps searchers know where to find you.

A Google My Business Page also helps facilitate things like placing orders, sending messages, and calls to your business!

How to start using Google My Business

The best part about setting up a Google My Business listing aside from being Free is how easy it is to do.

To create a Google My Business listing for your business:

- Head over to Google.com/business (or log in if you already have one)…
- The page will prompt you to provide information that makes it easier for potential customers to get in touch such as your phone number, website URL, your physical address (which will show on the map), business hours, and photos of your business…
- Make sure to complete your business category…
- Click ‘Finish’ to verify!
- Google will send you a postcard with a code to the address you entered to make sure it’s your actual address.
- Don’t miss this last step! Once you get the postcard (it should only take a few business days), log back in, enter the code, and you’re done!

Is Google My Business right for you?

Some businesses don’t have a physical location or storefront.

If you don’t want everyone online to know your home address, you’ll still have to put it in during the Google My Business setup process to get the verification postcard but you can change the settings, so people don’t see it.

You can choose what information is visible to searchers.

You can also select the areas you service.

And this is ideal for businesses who want to specify the locations where you offer delivery or if you have a service rather than a product.

As a local business, this should sound interesting particularly if you want more customers!

Here’s what to do next…

If you want new or more customers, go set up your Google My Business profile today and start tapping into all those extra searches!

By the way, if you need help with this Google My Business stuff and don’t want to deal with the all the technical aspects, we would be elected to help you. Just contact us here.

>>Click Here For A FREE Google My Business Video Course<<

Regina L Floyd
808 400 1460
Regina@Simpleobd.com

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Simple Online Business Development
4-1101 Kuhio Hwy
Kapaa, HI 96746
808 400-1460
https://www.simpleobd.com
https://linkedin.com/in/reginafloyd
https://www.facebook.com/simpleobd https://www.instagram.com/simpleobd