YouTube

The web is an amazing place with a limitless supply of cheap advertising opportunities for small and large business. An increasingly popular advertising medium is YouTube, and it is free.

As a business, you can promote your products and services by way of video presentation. It does not need to be fancy, just worth watching. Another great way to utilise YouTube is Do-It-Yourself instructions and video testimonials. These can help you and your business appear more credible.

To create your own video, all you need is a video camera, that you can hook up to your computer, and some video editing software, to add some text, cut sections of movie etc. Keeping your video short is also important…it is recommended that your video is between 2 and 3 minuets long depending on what is it for. You can also get an animator to create a custom video for you, like a music film clip. It may just cost you a bit extra.

Once you have your finished video, you can create a Youtube account (otherwise known as a YouTube Channel) where you can upload your video. You can customise your YouTube Channel to match your business colours etc, and you can also add other people’s videos to your Channel. It is all for free.

To further promote your videos, adding them your website/blog is an option. Just get your website designer to do this for you if you don’t know how. You can also add other people’s YouTube videos to your website or blog. This is great if your suppliers/headquarters have spent the money/time creating the perfect ‘you-beaut-videos’ and that they are happy for you to use it.

Another great thing about YouTube is that you do not need to be creating videos to benefit. You can use it to learn new stuff – FOR FREE. The amount of information available that you can use to help improve your business is amazing. You can learn more about online marketing and social media, how to use certain computer programs, how to become a better manager and more…

Ever wondered what sites already link to your website?

By simply typing in link: before your web address into Google, you can see what other sites link back to yours. Google does not count all of the links pointing to your site but this is a great starting point. This works on Yahoo too. For example: you might find out that you already have a listing with www.hotfrog.com.au but you do not appear on True Local or Start local.

It also works on your competitors websites. If you are wondering where their website appears...type in link: then your competitors web address. You can then copy these links and start to advertise also. Many of these databases are for free so all it costs you is your time and a little grey matter to figure out what to type.

Another great way to test if your external “links” are working for you, is to type in your business name into the different search engines and see what appears (other then your own website link).

This technique is great for getting serious about your search engine optimisation (SEO), search engine ranking and overall Internet presence.

Website Rules

In this day and age it is almost expected for all businesses to have a website. Those of us who already have a website, need to learn how to better utilise them. Those without a website, need to invest in some careful planning before making that final step.

WEB RULE NUMBER ONE:

Determine whether or not you really need a website. Some services do not necessarily suit the web. Decide whether a website is the optimal method of reaching your audience. Alternatively, you may not need an actual website, you can list your business or organisation for free on a bunch of great online databases. E.g. www.hotfrog.com.au, www.startlocal.com.au and more...

WEB RULE NUMBER TWO:

Make sure your site fits. Your website should fit in with your business image; color scheme, business cards, other advertising, logos, pictures and message. Build your business as an overall brand that is easily recognised.

WEB RULE NUMBER THREE:

Make sure that your website is relevant. Depending on what your message is, it is sometimes inappropriate to include too much personal information, if any at all. The type of client you want to attract, will determine what kind image your need to create and therefore the type and amount of information you provide to them.

WEB RULE NUMBER FOUR:

Update Update Update. Give people a reason to revisit your site! Provide new information, update product news, include your monthly newsletter or regular special offers. This is also a great way of maintaining/improving on your search engine rankings. Create a blog (not unlike this one) and link it to your website.

WEB RULE NUMBER FIVE:

ADVERTISE the fact you have a website. Some search engines rank in accordance to how relevant and popular your site is, so blab about how great it is in every piece of advertising you do already do, online and print It does not cost you anything extra. Also, some customers feel more comfortable on visiting a website before contacting a business direct. You can never have too much publicity.

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A good website is easy to read, easy to use and easy to find.

Facebook

Grow your business with Facebook

I have one particular client who uses Facebook everyday (www.mystiquefashion.com.au). This one-women-business is a ladies clothing online shop, specialising in European fashions. Facebook is responsible for over 40% of her website visits most months, averaging at over 100 unique visitors per day.

How does she do it?

Tamara (our one women), uploads all of her products onto her online shop, and then uploads these product photos to Facebook in a gallery. Tamara is able to inform potential customers about when a particular line of products is about to run out or when she wants to create hype about new stock coming in. This type of update encourages people to visit her website and potentially buy her products.

NOW, while spending everyday on Facebook is not necessarily suit you…it is a great FREE tool that you can use to further promote your business.

Why?

-          It is free – what have you got to loose.

-          Spending 30 minutes to 1 hour per week can be all you need.

-          It is an almost instant way of communicating to a large group.

-          It can also help build your credibility.

Where to start?

There are two main types of Facebook pages.

1. The profile page or “FRIENDS” page. More suitable for personal use.

2. A business page or “LIKE” page. More suitable for business use.

Other quick notes: You have to have a profile page to be able to create and administer a business page. More than one person can be an administrator for a business page.

Once you have chosen your page type…here are some ways to encourage “Likes” and “Friends”.

-          Add a Facebook icon to your website.

-          Include your Facebook link in your email signature.

-          Add “find us on Facebook” to your current advertising.

-          Hold a competition or offer a free gift for those who “LIKE” you or become your “FRIEND”.

-          If you have an online shop, offer FACEBOOK ONLY discounts using Coupon Codes. You can offer anything from 10% to free postage.

-          Promote short term FACEBOOK ONLY special deals or VIP treatment.

-          Check out your current “friends” or ‘like-ees’ and invite some of their friends. You can invite people to opt-in as your “FRIEND” or to “LIKE” your profile page.

-          Facebook also makes suggestions of people who you may want to be “friends” with.

There are also pay-per-click advertising opportunities with Facebook also.

Happy facebooking!

LIKE Web-Sta on facebook >>>>

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