So how many posts is enough as part of my Social Media Campaign???

This is an interesting question I have pondered myself, how much is enough?  Some experts say post daily, in fact post twice daily?  Well it is our belief that if you have great content to post daily then definitely do but we are seeing so many posts now where you read it and ask yourself what were they thinking.  Our recommendation is ask yourself will the reader be interested in what I am posting, is it informative and will it have any value to someone.  Because just posting mindless garble serves no ones purpose.

So how much is enough we would recommend at minimum a weekly post to your social media sites and if possible twice a week.  Make sure to have fun with your weekly posts also and mix it up add some photos, upload some videos; everyone likes variety.  We would also recommend adding some features depending on your business to involve the reader, add some contests to encourage your customers to get involved and add content of their own.  This will not only add additional new content to your social media sites but it will also instill a since of ownership and belonging with your customers.

Then for the business owners that just have no time to implement or run a campaign such as this there are cost effective solutions.  We at StartSmartBusiness.com can assist you with running a Social Media Marketing campaign where we can even create weekly or daily content for your site designed around your current marketing.  Or if you have content and just don't have the time we can simply manage your social media campaign for you making the whole process fast and simple.

Remember though content is key and should take priority over quantity.

The Year of Social and Email

The Year of Social and Email

How important are Meta-Tags to your Website?

First lets talk about what a meta tag is if you are not familiar with this term.  A meta tag is a bit of HTML code added to the code of your web page to help search engines categorize the page correctly.  Although not normally visible to the user visiting the website they are a key component to aide in search engine optimization (positioning). 

One key element to making sure your website is correctly indexed is to make sure that relevant pages have their own unique meta tags featuring keywords as well as meta descriptors describing the content of the page.  One warning though is to make sure that the keywords and the meta descriptors are representative of the content of your pages.   These meta descriptors allow you the author to provide a more meaningful description for listings than might be displayed if the search engine was unable to automatically create its own description based on the page content.  Hence it gives you control over what the reader will see first when they are viewing search results.  Search position and Page Rank are great but if your prospective client doesn't recognize what you do or sell from the search results being #1 will matter very little if your competition hooks them with a well written slogan.

Meta Tag generation is just one of the services we provide, for more information on how we can help your site call or email us today.  Contact Information

A great night at the Barrie Business Bonanza

Well if you missed the Barrie Business Bonanza last night you missed out on a great night of networking.  The event had a great turnout and many new connections were made.  This was our first time attending the Referral Quest event in Barrie and we will definitely be going to the next one. 

If your unfamiliar with the Referral Quest network group be sure to check it out at http://www.referralquest.net/ as it is a great group to make new business connections and new friends.

Barrie Business Bonanza

Come out and see us Wed. Dec 1st, 2010 at the Barrie Business Bonanza from 6pm-9:30pm at The Ranch on 56 Bayfield St., Barrie, ON.  Over 150 businesses from 6 separate business referral groups uniting for a night of networking and business building activity.  Open to the public there is no charge to attend, but please bring a non-perishable food item for the Barrie Food Bank.

                                                                                                                  

We can help with a Social Media Strategy for your business

If your looking for a Social Media solution for your business, give us a call today and we would love to sit down with you to discuss a number of options.  I know the thought for most business owners of creating daily content for blogs and posts on Facebook and Twitter can be a daunting task, and most people just want to get on with doing business.  But don't let this important part of your overall marketing fall by the way side.  We can offer an online marketing solution to work with your existing branding and generate daily or weekly content for you all at a cost effective rate.  Sound good give us a call or email today and lets discuss how we can get a Social Media Strategy working for you today!

Email:  info@startsmartbusiness.com
Tel:  (705) 791-0987 or (705) 818-1056

Swanmore Terrace

This week we completed a site for Swanmore Terrace.  If you are looking for a dining experience away from the ordinary you should visit Swanmore Terrace located at the Stephen Leacock Museum in Orillia, Ontario.  Featuring great views of Brewery Bay year round and the Stephen Leacock National Historic Site, you can take in the patio in season or when it cools down enjoy the warmth of the dining room with great views and a fireplace.  Catering to just lunch, social and corporate events and weddings make sure you add them to your list of places to visit next time your in Orillia.
http://www.swanmoreterrace.com/

Social Media and why it is important to your business

So what is all this hype about blogging, basically it is the explosion of social media into the business world.  What is social media, well you see it in Facebook pages, Twitter tweets, Linkedin, etc., but what do these have to do with my business you ask and why blogs, what is a blog? 

In short a blog is a personal or corporate diary in short on the internet, where you can broadcast ideas, photos, weblinks and anything else you think might be relevant to your customers.  How relevant is having a blog to your business, well have a quick look at some of the large companies who have a blog:
General Motors
Home Depot

This trend continues right down to the small mom and pop shop that uses their blog to communicate new products and ideas with their customers.  The most important concept though to this whole social marketing strategy though is to always have new content for your customers.  Just like your other marketing you need to continuously be changing and evolving with your clients needs, and unlike this form of marketing a blog gives your customers the opportunity to interact.  On your blog customers can ask questions and comment on new products and services all the while providing you the opportunity to respond.

More to follow soon.....

Reaching new customers

I had an interesting discussion today with a customer about how to reach new customers.  They have been in business for many years and have recently found that they are missing out as existing customers retire and move on.  Their company like many doesn't have a large advertising budget and they are facing a dilemma as to how and where to best spend their money.  They currently have a website which is performing well but it is mainly used by their existing customer base and they feel is not really bringing in new clients.  So we started discussing some of their major strong points and one is their customer service and their product line which is superior to many of the competitions imported goods.  With this information I suggested that trade shows in the area as well as displays in the local malls may be their best form of advertising.  It would give them the chance to meet new clients in person where they really shine as well as allow the customer to pickup and hold their products first hand.  My other suggestion was to send out something as simple as a Christmas card to their existing clients thanking them for their support for the upcoming holiday season.  This form of advertising goes along way, because someone is more likely to recommend your company if they have a personal relationship there that they can't get from Walmart.  I don't know about you but I have never received a card from Uncle Wally. 

This was just some of the discussion we had on their companies current branding, but if you would like more information on promoting your company or product please feel free to contact us at info@startsmartbusiness.com

Another new site added

Just completed this week is the new corporate website for B&B Climate Care in Orillia, ON.  B&B Climate Care has been serving the Orillia and Muskoka District since 1989.  Specializing in Heating & Cooling systems for both home and business they also are your expert source for your electrical and plumbing needs.
Make sure to check out their new site at http://www.bandbclimatecare.com/

Completed this week

If you are seeking independent medical evaluation make sure to visit IME Plus Evaluations ltd. on their new site at http://www.imeplus.ca/ or for information on what may be effecting your rights as a consumer with the insurance industry visit their blog at http://www.imeplus.blogspot.com/ .

Just completed this week

Make sure to visit the new Internet home of Bob Bellamy real estate we completed this week.  Bob has been a realtor in Barrie, ON for many years and is now bringing his vast experience to you on the Internet.  Make sure to stop by his website.  www.bobbellamy.ca

Also if vintage airplanes interest you visit our on going work for the Canadian International Air Races Blog for the July 16 & 17th 2011 Battle of Britain Air Show.  www.battleofbritain2011.blogspot.com

Is your business website earning you income?

From this past weeks the Globe and Mail, Canadians are spending even more online with an increase of $2.8Billion dollars over the figures from 2007. Click here for full article 
If your answer to the title of this post is NO we would welcome the opportunity to discuss what we can do to help. 

I know what your thinking now though, my business really doesn't loan itself to online sales so how does this apply to me?  Well even though you may not be selling online your customers are still searching for products and services there.  So if they can't find you there your missing out.  We can provide you with several different strategies that can be implemented to a) increase website traffic b) increase relevant search position with search engines and c) track web referrals so you have real information as to the success of your advertising online.

Talk to us today about your website - remember Christmas is just around the corner and can you afford to miss out on those lucrative online sales.

Find us on Youtube

NEW website is now Online

Come visit our new website at http://www.startsmartbusiness.com/ and see some of the new features we have added as well as new print services including booklets and large format items such as signs and banners.  Remember to get a quote from us before you do your next project.

Why just having a website is not enough.

This topic keeps coming up time after time in discussions with friends and clients, "I have a website why are people not flocking to the door of my business?"  The answer is simple no one can find you on the Internet.  Today with so many sites on the Internet it is getting more and more difficult for small and large businesses to stand out from the clutter that exists.  You may have the greatest product and website out there going but unless your customers can find you in a search all your efforts are wasted.

How do I solve this you ask?
Well to start you need to get your site indexed by the search engines, the best starting point is Google which makes up the largest percentage of search traffic world wide.  The other search engines will actually pull from Google so this is where you need to start first.  The next steps you need to take is you need to add content to your website that isn't stagnant, by that I mean you just can't put your website online and hope for the best it needs to change with news updates, blogs like this one, videos and product/service reviews.  Sound difficult really it's not it just takes a little bit of work but these are all parts that will add to your Internet marketing campaign (more on this later).  These are just the base steps to getting your website moving up the ladder on the search results and getting it found.  The most important tip we can give our clients is don't put all your eggs in one basket, just because you have a website does not mean that you abandon all other types of advertising.  Instead combine print advertising to push traffic to your website, by this I mean don't take out the full page ad and try and tell the customer everything instead take out smaller ads in more media and direct them to your website for more information.  It is far more economical to give your customers all the relevant details online than it is to be putting it in print. 

If you would like more details on this or other topics concerning your companies website please feel free to contact us for a consultation.

Trade Show Special for September and October!!!

Need a Trade Show booth to set yourself apart from your competition we have what you need.  10' floor model Pop up Display, including 2 lights and podium carrying case for just $950 +HST.  Do you need something that truly showcases your companies brand get your custom graphics applied and it's just $1744. +HST. *Call for Shipping rates

Welcome to the SSB Blog

Here you will find informative information to kick start your web campaign, or if your not on the web with your business we will give you ideas that will save you time and money before starting that important first website. Tradeshow season is upon us and we will also discuss some of the tips and tricks we have learned to maximize your companies exposure while working from a small budget.  Marketing shouldn't be a mysterious blackbox, so in this blog we hope to share some ideas so you can start your business off with the right information the first time.