Business Strategies That Work!

Published on the Dale Little Business Strategist Blog.

More companies are realizing that Internet Marketing blogging is a crucial part of their online business strategy, however it is a real shame that many people spend hours writing articles and blog posts and then destroy their hard work by spamming the article / blog post with too many outbound links.

Here are some of the actions people take:

• They start panicking because they have a lot of search engine competition.
• They register many Free Blogs and fall into the trap of “overload”.
• They are so desperate to get their main website ranked that they damage their blog posts by placing too many outbound anchor links pointing to the website that they are trying to help.

HERE IS THE SHORT TO THE POINT ANSWER.

BACKGROUND

We publish many articles, press releases and blog posts on behalf of clients.

We have realized that if you have more than two outbound links in your text that the search engine ranking and priority of your blog post gets downgraded.

SOLUTION

1. Write shorter articles which point to the complete article located on your main website.
2. Place one contextual anchor link within the first sentence of the blog post. This ensures that if another website syndicates your RSS Feed that your main anchor link will appear on the syndicating website.
3. Make sure that the title of the blog post contains the main “anchor link phrase” – The title of this blog post contains the phrase “Internet Marketing” and the first outbound anchor link is on the phrase “Internet Marketing” which is pointing to one for our website EuropeInternetMarketing.com.
4. And if you must, you can place one outbound link at the end of the post that gives credit to the author.
5. Schedule your blog posts – WordPress offers you the option to schedule your blog posts – Depending on how many blog posts you have to publish, try to schedule the publication for one a day or every second day
6. Rather, have fewer blogs and work them correctly. Publish at least one post or article per week per blog.

Wow! It’s already Tuesday afternoon! How’s your week going?

Suggestion: Over the next three business days, try to complete the following business builder options.

1.  Log on to all of your established professional networking sites and post something about your business. Promote yourself!

2.  Write one article or web press release… and Publish It!

3.  Refer an associate or colleague to a business professional that will benefit from their services.

You haven’t joined very  many professional sites?  That’s okay.  There’s no better time than now.  Check out  Twitter Not sure what to do with Twitter?  Take a look at this article. Linked In is a great site for networking.  I highly recommend joining Linked In Groups that focus on your peers (You can learn from them.) and your target market.  Entrepreneur Connect offers options for networking and article publication.

Writing articles and press releases can be intimidating.  Social Media consultants like Lisa Cole, owner of Cole Communications, can teach you the tricks of the trade.  Already know how to write the articles and releases, but not sure where to post them?  Take a look at this list.

Public speaking, whether it be on a stage before 1000’s or at a conference table with three business associates, can cause many of us to feel a distinct desire to hide under our desk.  We overlook the fact that the main reason we’re the one offering the presentation is because we have the knowledge and talent to speak with insight and clarity on the subject.  Even that realization does little to comfort many presenters.  So how can you not only survive a presentation, but also accomplish the intended goal?

Be prepared. Preparation for a business presentation comes in many forms.  Are you presenting a proposal to a client?  Is your purpose to teach business associates a new technique or trend?  Define who your audience will be. Determine what their goal will be for your presentation. By this I mean, “What’s in it for me?  Why should I listen to this?”.  Once you’ve established your audience goal, you’re well on the way to creating an effective presentation.

Research. Start planning and organizing your presentation materials as soon as your presentation is confirmed.  Know your topic inside and out.  Do online and traditional document research. Dialogue with others in your business that have knowledge of your topic.  Make notations of key points. Presentations written as bullet points make the best presentations. Memorize your outline. Then expound spontaneously on the ideas you’re sharing.  Don’t be troubled if your research leaves you with stacks of notes and lists.  15 – 30 minutes is the standard length of a business presentation. Studies show that it takes one hour of research and preparation for every minute of an informative presentation.  All those notes will come in handy!

Practice. After you’ve prepared your presentation, read through it several times a day.  You may want to video a practice presentation, and then review the video from an audience member’s perspective.  After 2 or 3 days move to “speaking”  your presentation in front of a mirror.  Try to use your presentation document or notes only for a quick glance now and then.  An engaging speaker maintains eye contact with the audience, thus developing a relationship with the listeners.

Helpful Odds and Ends. Divide your presentation into three main segments:  Introduction, Body, and Conclusion.  Remember the main rule of public speaking that you’ve probably heard for most of your life, “Tell ‘em what you’re going to tell ‘em.  Tell them.  Then tell ‘em what you told ‘em.”  If time permits and the setting is appropriate, conclude with a 10-15 minute Question and Answer session (Allow more time if you’re presenting a client proposal or project.)

Be cautious with humor.  A joke or brief anecdote is an excellent way to begin your presentation, as it sets everyone at ease and works toward establishing rapport with your audience.  Your jokes or stories should steer clear of controversial or intimate topics. Rely on topics that are generalized and “G” rated.

Speak slowly and clearly.  Don’t forget to breath.  Have a glass of water nearby.  Sip discreetly and only as needed.  The water-glass shouldn’t be a substitute for other nervous behavior.

Relax and enjoy. Accept that you’ll be nervous as your presentation begins, that’s what makes you a great business professional. You’re concerned about doing well, and providing quality information to your audience.  That’s a good thing!    Take several deep breaths, stand tall… and go wow them with your presentation!  Enjoy the spotlight.

Tis the season…  Exotic locations, days packed with meetings and workshops, and nights filled with networking events.  Are you going to be participating in industry events this year?  Get your money’s worth!

Branding is one of the top business buzz words.  I think for some of us, even with the realization that our brand should encompass everything that impacts our client(s), a fair number of us simply don’t realize how many components are included in this realm.  Branding is a key part of your conference impact.  Susan Gunelius shares the best must read branding articles of 2009. Take a look at Susan’s list, and check out some of the suggested articles.

Share the tips and techniques that have worked for you in your conference experiences.  I’m looking forward to reading them!

No one will extol the virtues of the products or services you offer with the same excitement and intensity that you will.  The internet opens doors for publicity and marketing that were once either inaccessible or non-existent for business owners.  In addition to your current sales and marketing plan, begin a strategy of writing and posting informational articles and press releases about your company.

Your articles and press releases should, of course, include big news but are also for all occasions (i.e. new staff member on your team, business event your company is sponsoring, new product being offered, your personal review of  developments in your industry, etc.).  It is beneficial to target journalists on occasion, and some press release sites only target journalists, but don’t forget about the interests of your target customer.  Include offers that compel your target audience to respond to your  press release. Include links that drive traffic to your web site and/or blog.  Add social media tags so your release can be found.  Optimize your releases with keywords relevant to common searches for your business.  It’s up to you to blow your own horn louder and longer than anyone else will.  The following list offers some options and opportunities for you to get the word out about your business.

Free media leads

http://www.PitchRate.com

Free list of all the US Newspapers

http://www.usnpl.com

Free Press Release Sites:

http://www.pr.com/promote-your-business

http://www.free-press-release.com/

http://www.rembrandtwrites.com/FreePressReleasePostingSites.htm

http://www.newswiretoday.com/index.php

http://www.1888pressrelease.com

Publish your articles online:

https://publish.associatedcontent.com/signup.shtml

http://www.articlesbase.com/

http://biznik.com/

Delivery of your professional message, via a blog, is one of the latest and greatest marketing tools available to small business owners.  Why bother? A blog can be a simple and relatively inexpensive way to get your business message to your target audience, as well as establishing your expertise in your industry.    Two new blog directories offer free listings with nominal fees for premium listings.  Check out Directory of Blogging and Content Desk.  Both sites also offer valuable blogging techniques, and the ability to share your blog articles through their sites.

Not sure what to blog about?  Consider these questions.  What information can you give to your customer that will make life easier? What tips can you offer that will simplify daily tasks?  Share coupons, special offers, recipes, generic humor.  Define who your customer is and what they expect from  your business.  Then give them more than they expect.

“Hello, this is Matt from the Entrepreneur Enclave. Our goal is to support and promote entrepreneurs. We’re launching your entrepreneur community on January 21st at 2pm PST. To live out our win/win/win strategy, we’re micro-financing entrepreneurs through kiva.org with 50% of your membership fee during our launch to the end of the month. Membership fees will be less than $99/month. I’ll update the blog on our entrepreneurenclave.com on January 15th with more info on the price. If you’re an entrepreneur, a small business, or trying to build a personal brand, you’re in a great position to benefit from what what we’re about to release. I’ll talk to you soon! If you decide to join, I look forward to journeying with you during 2010.”

Who is this?

Entrepreneur Enclave’s goal: To support and promote entrepreneurs everywhere.

How will we do that? We could make several promises about what we hope to deliver on. Instead, we’d rather you side with us because youbelieve in what we’re doing. If you believe in the entrepreneurial route and energy, then join us and let’s journey together. We have a full time team of people working towards this goal.

We can’t drop big names of people who are helping finance this company or superstars on our team. What we can do is say that we’re just like you, entrepreneurs. We want to help.

At the Entrepreneur Enclave, we are not in this for the win/win. We are in this for the win/win/win. We want to pursue our passions in helping entrepreneurs, support and promote your business, and have others across the world benefit. We’re micro-financing entrepreneurs in third world countries through Kiva.org because we believe this truly helps promote entrepreneurs everywhere. We want to create more than another business. We want to create meaning. After all, we’re an interdependent people. Check us out at Kiva or contact us with your thoughts.

It’s so important that you utilize the assets that you have on hand to take advantage of the opportunities and abilities that present themselves each and every day.  The holidays offer a variety of opportunities to do just that.   I think we all agree, holiday greetings and remembrances serve two purposes:

1. They let your clients know how much you appreciate them, and value your relationship with them.

2. It reminds them that your business is around, and how it can continue to be beneficial for them.

Listed here are options that require little or no financial outlay, and can be completed with minimal effort and prep time.

o    Sending greeting cards?  Include a coupon, timely hints and tips, or an easy holiday recipe, something that will bring personal value to your client.

Snack Recipe: Fast & Easy

1 (10 oz.) package dried fruit blend (blueberries, cherries, cranberries, raisins, etc.)

2 1/2 cups miniature pretzels

1 1/2 cup M&M’s Dark Chocolate candies

1 cup roasted, salted almonds

1/4 cup coarsely chopped crystallized ginger

Combine mixture.  Store in airtight container for up to 1 week.  Makes approximately 7 1/2 cups.  Hands on time:  5 minutes

o    If you haven’t sent out greeting cards, and there’s simply no time left in your December calendar, why not send out New Year’s greetings after the first of the year?

o    Host an open house.  Retail, service and professional businesses can easily host Holiday Meet & Greet events.   Tight on money this year?  Cookies and Apple Cider (warmed in the coffee machine) are inexpensive refreshments. Invite clients to stop by for FREE refreshments.  Place sale items or coupons in prominent positions at the entrance to the showroom, lobby or conference room.

o    Business is really slow?  Not a penny to spare?  Make phone calls!  Call your customers and thank them for their business.  Wish them Happy Holidays!  Offer to send them coupons or rebate certificates for purchases completed in the first quarter of 2010.