As I have started to write these posts I have realized that at times I can get a bit long winded.
To help the reader “cut to the chase” I am offering a SMB (small and medium business) Takeaway that will summarize the post in as few words as possible. I say these are are for small to medium businesses but you folks at Ginormous Co. Inc. can use them too.
Let me know your thoughts on this feature. My hope is that when you leave my blog you can feel like you took away some value in some way. Otherwise, why even do this?
HERE ARE ALL THE SMB TAKEAWAYS AND THE POSTS THEY SUMMARIZE
July 2, 2008 - Flash and Search Engines - Can’t We All Just Get Along?
SMB Takeaway - While Flash is great for design it is still not search engine friendly. Just because Adobe and Google issue a press release doesn’t mean this issue is resolved, it just means there is a press release regarding the possibility of it being done in the near future. Reading between the lines, this whole thing sounds like bunk.
July 1, 2008 - Small Business To Do - Stop Talking and Start Doing
SMB Takeaway – It’s time to “Put up or shut up”. Tough times call for real action which may require change. Do you have it in you to make it through?
SMB Takeaway – Social media is still an unknown entity for small business. What is known, however, is that you leave a trail back to all things be they good or bad. Be careful how you use these mediums. Their bite may well be a lot worse than their bark.
SMB Takeaway - SMB Takeaway: No matter how small your business you could already have an online reputation. Hopefully, it’s positive but let’s be honest; very few people take the time to say something nice in a review. Most folks, however, can pump out a negative review in mere seconds and they feel like they are getting a measure of revenge. Make sure you know what is being said about you and your business online.
June 11, 2008 - Do I Actually Have An Online Reputation?
SMB Takeaway – Reputations online are fragile at best. They can change rapidly. Be aware of what is being said about you and work to keep the opportunities for complaints to a minimum.
June 9, 2008 - Just Blog Already
SMB Takeaway: It’s time to start blogging. The 21st century is waiting for you!
June 2, 2008 - SEMCheck Provides SEO Audits for Next to Nothing …..
SMB Takeaway – To check your web site for search engine friendliness use SEMCheck. Save time and money. Get more out of life!
June 1, 2008 - Why Can’t We Ka-muhn-i-kate?
SMB Takeaway – Don’t confuse information with communication. Passing information in an impersonal manner (most electronic forms of communication are very impersonal regardless of what the experts say) is just that, passing information only. Use some “old school” techniques like the phone to get things done quickly, efficiently and honestly. Sure sometimes it’s painful but there is always growth on the other side of pain.
May 25, 2008 - Blog? What Blog?
SMB Takeaway: Embrace search marketing, get out of bad marketing deals ASAP, build lasting partnerships in your business and take the time to recognize the most important things in life.
May 10, 2008 - Link Baiting…It Could be For You
SMB Takeaway: Link baiting is an interesting option to develop links for your website. It is certainly something that you should consider. If there is a controversial or hot topic in your industry and you have a definitive position think about how you can leverage that into some inbound links that will help you with the search engines.
May 3, 2008 - If Nothing Else ……Link, Link and Link Some More
SMB Takeaway – SEO services will sound different from each provider you speak to. If there is not a vast majority of the time spent on acquiring quality inbound links for your site then you are dealing with just another “ho-hum” SEO agency / provider. A strong SEO provider knows that linking gets the results you desire from search so go with a provider where linking is the main message in their story.
April 27, 2008 - The Economy Stinks. Does Your Marketing Stink Too?
SMB Takeaway: The economy is not getting better. This is no time to put your head in the sand or do as you always have done for success. This downturn will truly separate the winners from the losers. I suspect you want to be on the winning side so adapt to the new marketing economy now or let your competition roll you under the bus. It’s your call.
April 24, 2008 - Just Explain This $%#!&# SEO Thing …… Please!
SMB Takeaway: Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is not what many folks would like you to believe. Exercise extreme caution when choosing a vendor and at a bare minimum read and understand Google’s Webmaster Guidelines. This will arm you with enough information to protect yourself from some of the ridiculous claims in the SEO marketplace. Consider these guidelines as your can of mace to keep the predators away long enough for you to get to safety.
April 22, 2008 - Is Your Business a David or a Goliath?
SMB Takeaway: Small and medium businesses have to “pull the trigger” and get involved in internet marketing, regardless of what they are familiar with. On a local and national level the most aggressive internet / search marketers will literally steal market share from the traditional industry giants, regardless of the vertical. It’s your choice as to whether you and your business is a conquering David or a dead Goliath.
April 20, 2008 - OK, OK ….So It’s Not So Easy To Be A Blogger
SMB Takeaway: Blogging is a great tool for small businesses to incorporate in the marketing mix. It requires a real dedication and strong planning to have success. Don’t start blogging unless you are committed to keeping it current. If you don’t, you could end up doing more damage than good.
April 13, 2008 - Business Foundation: Sand or Stone?
SMB Takeaway: Your website is the foundation of your business. You can either build your company on a foundation of sand or stone. Choose the stone so that your website doesn’t allow the best parts of your business to get washed away in the tide of business.
April 9, 2008 - Yellow Page Advertising - Might as Well Light Your Ad Dollars on Fire
SMB Takeaway: Utilize as many free Yellow Page directories online as possible because they are free and stop wasting your marketing dollars on the printed version. Put your money into search marketing so you can be where your future customers are looking for you, know exactly what you spent and know what it generated for your bottom line.
April 9, 2008 - Buying SEO Part 2 - Don’t Get Sold Find a Partner
SMB Takeaway: Make sure that the sales process is consultative. Make sure you are doing most of the talking and thinking and not being directed toward some canned SEO delivery. Your business is unique and it demands that your SEO provider approach it as such.
April 5, 2008 - Blogging May Be Dangerous To Your Health
SMB Takeaway: When you are blogging for the benefit of your business don’t overdo it. If you are spending an inordinate amount of time doing it then just dial it back a bit. There is great benefit to blogging but just like anything else, you can have too much of a good thing.
April 3, 2008 - SEO Pricing Demystified - Part 1
SMB Takeaway: Don’t allow anyone to over simplify or over complicate SEO when talking about their service; both tactics are red flags. Don’t be afraid to “go with your gut” and size up the potential SEO provider based on the professionalism and knowledge of your sales contact.
April 1, 2008 - The Importance of Strong Site Search
SMB Takeaway: Make sure your on site search function is giving the absolute best experience to your visitor so you can win their trust, learn their true needs and turn them into repeat customers.
