Ok, I get it. You are busy and the last thing you want to do is bury yourself in a computer and spend countless hours online learning the ins and outs of social media, websites, and Internet etiquette.
The fact of the matter is that just having some of these accounts can give your business a big boost.
Sure, working them is better, but something is better than nothing and I promised you could do this in less than an hour.
Here are FIVE THINGS that will have a BIG effect on marketing your business online and you can do them ALL in less than one hour…
1. Set up Google Places
Chances are Google has already created a page for your business – you just need to go out and claim it. Look up your business on http://www.google.com/places/. Check out the “Claim your business listing” button.
Google will verify you are really the owner either by snail mail or phone (Google’s choice) and provide a PIN.
Once you have claimed it, go in and enhance your listing with bios, photos, and a bio about your business. This will get your business listed on Google+ Local and as a pin on their map.
2. Set up Twitter
I am not saying you need to spend the day with your Smartphone glued to your fingers but just having a Twitter account sends a positive message to the marketplace.
Go to Twitter.com. Set up and account (pay attention to your user name – that will be everywhere). If you can make your business name the user name, all the better. There is a character limit, so you may need to get creative.
Even if you are not going to “Tweet” anyone, be sure to fill out your bio including your location and a little about your business
3. Facebook
Set up a Facebook fan page at facebook.com.
Again, for now we are just talking about having a presence out there in cyberspace. To start, I am not worried about you posting and sharing pictures. If you do post, don’t tell anyone what you had for lunch…they don’t care.
Again, be sure to fill out the profile part of Facebook. There are some great ways to generate traffic (to your store) using Facebook – but let’s just start with an account in your name.
4. Sign up for LinkedIn
Go to LinkedIn.com and set up an account.
If you are like me, you may never use it again. I don’t think it offers much more than people out their sharing resumes and business to business networking – but maybe that is exactly what you need!
Whether LinkedIn becomes a part of your ongoing online strategy it does give you a little hit when it comes to SEO and Internet presence.
5. Go Flickr
Here is a pretty easy one that can have big Google and SEO benefits. Flickr.com is basically a photo-sharing site – so you are going to have to break out that Smartphone (with camera) or find a couple photos you can post.
Set up a Flickr account and fill out your bio. Post 5 pictures of you and/or your business. Try and make them fun or interesting.
That is it!
Congrats! You have just done more than most businesses. In the future we can talk about how to get the most bang for the buck (or the best use of your time) but for now, lets just get on the Internet map!
You will also notice that, in this article, I did not mention websites. In my opinion they are a given. You need some sort of web presence but oftentimes business owners end up paying way more than they need to. If you are looking for great options at an affordable price feel free to check out our web design packages and sample websites here at Exposure One!
