Facebook Tips for Busy Business Owners

Facebook is hot, hot, hot in the social media marketing world right now. If your business isn't on Facebook, it basically doesn't exist. Even if you hardly post on Facebook [which we don't suggest], your company should at least have a company page with basic information. We know that you are super busy, which is why we compiled this list of helpful Facebook marketing tips:

1. Add basic information. [Time spent: 20 minutes]. It takes less than a half hour to get a professional Facebook page up and running. At minimum, add your business location, hours of operation, and a little about the company. Update the cover and profile picture with something unique. 
2. Create a clear "call to action."[Time spent: 5 minutes]. Facebook allows you to customize your profile with a "call to action" such as "reserve now" or "buy here." No matter what your product or service is, you want to convert lookers into buyers. 
3. Schedule weekly posts in advance. [Time spent: 30 minutes]. Scheduling posts for the week can take a little as 30 minutes, if you are really focused. Taking the time to sit down and plot out what you wanted posted for the week will save you a great deal of stress in the long run. 
4. Boost posts. [Time spent: 5 minutes]. Facebook is a business and it wants to make money too. Unfortunately, in order to get your name out there, you may have to pay to promote. Don't spend money randomly, boost important posts that are likely to give you a return on your money.
5. Expand your reach. [Time spent: 15 minutes]. The amount of shares and likes your post gets is certainly important, but the scope of the reach is more relevant. Facebook is all about community and the algorithm loves when your company shares posts by other people. Whenever you come across a relevant post by a fellow page or business, share it to your own wall and watch the views rise!  

Still sound like too much time? Don't worry! eMarketing247 would love to help your business achieve social media success on a budget!

Prepare Your Brand for the 2015 Holiday Season

The 2015 holiday season is just around the corner! Your brand should already have a focused marketing strategy in place to make the most out of this busy time. If not, don't fret, there is still some time, but you have to act fast! We have put together 4 ways to help prepare your brand for the shopping season!

1. Know your customer and when they are looking to buy. For example, if you are in the travel industry, you would know that your customers are looking to book online in August or September for their holiday travel. Similarly, target customers the week before a major holiday for those last minute or emergency reservations. Once you identify when your customer is looking to buy, you can target your marketing during these specific times.
2. Employ creative advertising. People are going to be inundated with content this holiday season. It is your job to make sure that you business's marketing strategy stands out. Industry tip: when advertising online, make sure that your campaign is optimized to fit a mobile phone. Customers are turned off when images and graphics don't fit their mobile screen and are more likely to leave your website for a competitor. 
3. Keep it personal. Personal content must also be consistent. Customers like to believe that your brand knows them on a personal level. Address them by their first name. Thank them for liking you on Facebook. Let them know that you appreciate them making a reservation from your online blog. Anything you can do to keep content focused yet personal will help your business this holiday season.
4. Offer valuable social media deals. Your customers are always on their social media. Whether it is Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Vine, or Snapchat, customers are always browsing and you can take advantage. During the holiday season, offer attractive deals on social media. This will entice potential customers to purchase and potentially even share your product or deal with friends. 

Still sound confusing? Don't worry! eMarketing247 is ready and willing to help you! Whether you are looking for marketing in the Tampa Bay Area or around the world, we have over 30 combined years of experience in business marketing! 

Social Media Marketing Do's and Don'ts!

The impact of social media marketing on today's business environment is anything but simple! Your business must engage with consumers on many levels in order to attract their attention and keep it. Don't underestimate the enormous value that social media adds to your business website, as well as your brick and mortar presence. For your online marketing assistance, we put together this handy chart on the helpful do's and don'ts relating to successful social media marketing:

Still sound tricky? Luckily, eMarketing247 offers comprehensive social media management services. Visit our website and find out more information regarding this feature.

Reviews Matter: Helping You Help Yourself!

In case you didn't know, online reviews for your business matter!!! There are a lot of studies proving this fact (such as this one). Reviews affect local SEO and even improve a businesses bottom line. Now, more than ever before, this is extremely apparent and important to the success of your company!

 Now you will say to yourself "Ok, great. So what?" 

 Throw that bum response out the window, and get involved! Here are easy, easy steps that your parking business can take to gain more reviews:

• Shuttle Drivers
  
  • ​Shuttle drivers interact with your customers more than anyone else. When they drop someone off at the airport, or drop them off at their vehicle, have them take 10 seconds to say "Did you enjoy your stay with us?" "Ok great! Would you mind leaving us a review on Facebook, Google, or Yelp?
• Cashiers
  
  • Cashiers are the next group of people that spend the most time with your customers. Have them take 7 seconds and ask the customers "If you wouldn't mind, please let us know how we're doing. Leave a review on Google, Facebook, or Yelp."
• Facebook
  
  • Do a special drawing or discount for reviews left on Facebook. People love free things, so use this behaviorism to get what you need: a review!

These are very simple ways to ask customers for reviews. If your good customers aren't leaving reviews then the rest of the world will only see the reviews left by unhappy customers. Improve your SEO and bottom line by simply asking this question . . . 

"Would you mind leaving us a review on Facebook, Google, or Yelp?"

http://www.shopify.com/blog/15006641-how-online-reviews-impact-local-seo-and-why-they-matter-to-your-bottom-line

Contact us today to learn more about how eMarketing247 can help your business with parking marketing. We want to see you succeed! 

2 Online Branding Secrets

No matter what industry you are in, your identity as a business is crucial to your revenue and longevity. Consumers are driven by emotions and instant gratification, so being in the right place at the right time is a must. Just as you want to be found at the top of the page during a Google search, you also want to be known as a reputable provider in your industry. Branding is the means by which you build this persona and excellent public relations is the key to maintaining your good name.

If your business has a brick and mortar location, it is essential that this site is kept as clean, tidy, and professional as possible. You could have the best website in the world, but when a client arrives at your business, they will remember that fences were torn, or that the restroom was not spotless. You want your business to showcase your brand both on and offline.

Since this is 2015, your business better have at least one social media profile. You do? Great! You don't? Probably should get on that! Branding your company on social media is important, but customer service should not be sacrificed. If an angry customer comes into your store, you address their issue immediately and take care of the problem at hand. Often times on social media, brands will ignore customer complaints and bad reviews for days, sometimes never responding! This is equivalent to telling your customer to sit outside your business for three days before you discuss their issue. Respond as soon as possible so that other customers see that you are serious about your company's image. 

A little confused about all of this online branding stuff? We will show you the ropes and explain exactly how to accomplish this. Contact us today to get started! 

Why is Customized Content So Important?

Studies show that when customers visit your website, they must be able to find what they are looking for in under three seconds! The addition of custom content adds tremendous value to your website. Well written website copy will explain to customers all the notable facets of your business while appealing to search engines such as Google and Bing. Unfocused content can leave potential clients feeling confused or stressed, which may lead them to other businesses. 

As a result, it is important that copywriting, blog content, articles, and marketing content all be handled with your business in mind. Blogs have become an integral part of internet marketing, and have the ability to connect your business with a variety of audiences. Blogging allows us to consistently add new content to your website, while fulfilling your customers’ unsung desire for more information. In addition, maintaining a blog creates interest in your brand, showcases offers, and invites interaction with your website. 

One of the most popular question is "how do we drive more traffic to our website?" -- the answer is simple. Content! Lost for words? Let us help! Contact us today to customize your website content! 

5 Tips for Marketing your New Business

Just starting a business? New to marketing yourself? Check out some of our suggestions on how to break into marketing as a small business:

1. Claim your social media. Have a business name? That is enough to claim your Facebook, twitter, Instagram, Youtube, and Google+ username. Even if you don't have time to launch a full social media campaign, claim your account now before it is too late.
2. Give stuff away for free. Generate excitement about your new product or service by giving it away! New ice cream stand? Give away a free small cone for a weekend. The possibilities for giveaway options are endless and don't have to be costly to your company. Getting your name out there will be worth it!
3. Leverage email marketing. Emails are completely free to send. If you are a new business, chances are your email base is small, so you can start by using a simple Gmail account. Keep all customer information in a tidy Excel sheet for future use. Email marketing is one of the most powerful marketing tools available for new businesses. 
4. Understand your customers. No matter what marketing plan you choose, put yourself in the shoes of your customers and consider what you would want from your company if you were a consumer. Think about why your customers need your product or service and then hone your strategy accordingly.
5. Well-designed website. This may go without saying, but it is essential to have a well-crafted website. Customers stay on a website for an average of 3 seconds. If they do not find what they are looking for in that time, chances are, they will leave your page for a competitor. Spend a few extra bucks and get a website that is worth your money!

Don't know where to start? Contact eMarketing247 and we will get you started! We can help you with whatever you need, from SEO and Social, to website building and PPC!