Make 2010 Your Best Online Year EVER!

As we welcome the year “Two-Thousand-Ten”, or “Twenty-Ten”, depending on your preference, It’s a great time to take stock of our online activities. For many of my clients, the internet is a fairly new found resource for additional business, and is taken much more seriously than those who simply “have a website”.

Here are some ideas that are sure to advance your online activities, and your business in 2010.

1. Become a “Blogger”.
Your business blog must be vibrant, alive and must be updated frequently. Essentially, your blog either works or it doesn’t and there is no in between. If you are going to take advantage of this great medium and build up an avid list of followers, and potential customers, you have to produce great content – and regularly. Aim to compose a blog post every day and allocate time to interact with those who comment, as well.

2. Promote, promote, promote…
Have you ever thought about an online press release? Did you know that Google loves press releases and you’re likely to get a good ranking for your important key phrase? Why not allocate time to do one of these every month. If your business is as dynamic as it needs to be, you will have something tangible to say at least once per month and can create a press release accordingly. There are many distribution vehicles available to you, a number of which have no cost attached. We can help you with the distribution of these on a regular basis.

3. Become a Radio Star.
Have you thought about going on the radio? This is becoming a popular medium as well and you should get involved, seeking to become the voice of your particular business. As conventional radio stations are also often looking for expert guests, consider approaching a station or two. You might also consider your own online radio show. It’s easy, and very effective. Check out www.blogtalkradio.com.

4. Video is the HOTTEST!
Video marketing continues to be the hot trend. As a client of Web Traffic Solutions, you already have your own YouTube channel and video marketing distribution sites. You don’t have to be another Steven Spielberg to create a video around your subject matter. You could use a product such as PowerPoint to create a slideshow-based presentation of interest to prospects. Better still, step out in front of the camera and start talking to your potential customers. You’ll be amazed at the results.

5. Socialize. Learn Social Networking.
You surely realize by now that you must have a Facebook fan page and a Twitter account and must again allocate time to interact regularly. Research individuals, companies, groups or pages where those interested in your product or service could gather. Start interacting with those sites, their friends and followers. Many struggle with how to make Facebook and Twitter pay off in business. The secret is simple… just give your customer some information that they’ll be interested in, and let them respond to you, and discuss the topics of your business. In 2009 consumers paid more attention to advice they received from their online “friends” than their real friends and neighbours. This trend is very likely to continue in 2010.

6. Gather intelligence.
Find experts in your business!  Search for blogs to subscribe to and RSS feeds to read on a regular basis.  Find people online who can help your particular business and learn from them.  Fill up your inbox with information that will help you turn a profit.

7. You are “the man!”
You have to try and own your niche. This means that you should try and become a perceived expert. This may require you to devote time to creating targeted and educational content – articles and blog posts. Consider writing regular articles on topical subjects and distributing them to the main directory sites. Most of my clients don’t have time to sit and write. If this idea makes sense to you, send me a note and ask how we can help.

8. Be alert.
Google has a great service called, simply, “Google Alerts” You can sign up to receive daily or archived alerts about almost anything under the sun.” Whenever the keywords you specify come up within news items or blog posts online, Google will send you an e-mail to tell you.

9. Build your list.
Are you keeping up with your e-mail subscriptions? Do you have email subscribers?  Did you know that email marketing is the most effective way of direct marketing that we know of?  You need to get a means to gather email addresses and begin to offer up good information to those who are interested in your business.   Create a regularly scheduled newsletter will help to keep your name in their radar and over a period of time you will start to convert e-mail subscribers to clients.

10. Aim to make a difference.
Considering everything, 2009 was not too bad a year for Internet marketing and it appears that 2010 will be a year full of prospects. Make it the year when you finally break through and make a difference to your business online,

May you have a very Happy New Year!

Murray.