Transcript January 14, 2010 Small Business Networking Presentation

Small Business Online Networking Presentation
with Jonathan Blackman
[email protected]
415 971 0310
How to Use your Website to Network OR How to
Network your Website…
small
…and Promote your ^ business
Using Email and Affiliate Marketing
Without Cost, if you Do it Yourself!
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Web Resume of Jonathan Blackman
[email protected] 415 971 0310
EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, Honors. Brandeis University, Waltham, MA.
1988
Software Development: Flash, HTML, DHTML, JavaScript, CGI, Graphics Rendering, Editing, Information
Architecture, Technical Writing, Gaming.
Currently seeking Flash Certification for web interactivity, gaming and site design.
WORK EXPERIENCE:
Enterprise Software Sales
2005 – 2009
Project Manager, Marketing
2001 – 2004
Self-employed, Computer Consultant, Los Angeles
1998 – 2000
Developed, designed, and coded web sites.
Taught basic and advanced skill sets to clients looking to maintain and enhance their web presence.
Sole Proprietor, Retail Store, The Yellow Room, Los Angeles
1993 – 1998
Built my own business and as entrepreneur, self starting came naturally.
Managed all aspects of the business from financial to product to employer.
Bought, researched, restored, rented, sold museum quality inventory.
Specialized in antique globes and scientific instruments.
Self-taught historical geo-political cartography expertise.
Developed a significant international clientele.
Marketed concept via Internet, direct marketing, press editorials.
Received various regional and international recognition.
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simple free
Keep internet promotion of your business focused
^
Your business has a focus – your website and the
promotion thereof should be similarly focused to
maintain current customers and bring in new business.
How? We’ll discuss 2 ways.
1. Use your website as your email address domain
• [email protected] (not an actual email address)
– Create banner categories to target your email
– [email protected] (not an actual email address)
2. Affiliate Marketing – external and internal to your site. . using one
website to drive traffic to another—is a form of online marketing, which is
frequently overlooked by advertisers. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Affiliate_marketing
• External – Seek out and add your site on lists
• Internal - A links page on your site
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1.Use your website address as your
email domain to promote your website
• My personal email address:
– [email protected]
domain
• My business email address:
– [email protected]
My business email address is routed to my personal email address.
Use your business address for all of your emailing.
Create email banners for specific uses.
Give your employees personalized email banners.
Create banners for each department or specific use.
List each complete email address on your site’s contact page.
Include your email address on your OGM.
Use email auto replies to speedily respond and further promote your business.
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2. Affiliate Marketing – a form of online marketing:
.
1. Email a request to add your URL to others’ websites
2. A links page on your site
Concept: The web is a community. Make your site a destination by adding your
URL to resource pages; Draw traffic to your site by creating and promoting a
resource page of your own.
This is time consumptive, but an assistant could perform this. No expertise
required.
The benefits are increased traffic and raising your web search ranking.
How:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Search for your site and (mailto: [email protected]) request from the top ranked to
add your URL to their resource list.
Run a search for resources, links associated with your business
Reach out to list organizers and request they add your URL.
Change the search; Repeat steps 1 and 2.
Create a resource page ; add your fav URLs and those that require a quid pro quo
Add a link on your home page to the resource page
Promote your Resources/links page as an independent site
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Affiliate Marketing – Links List Search
example: Antique Dealer Resources SF Bay Area
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Most Lists Are FREE to Join.
Efforts are enhanced when you add links to your list.
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A Links Policy Page I Happened Upon.
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Conclusion: How do I make my website work for my business?
OR how do I enhance my exposure and clicks (traffic)
• Your email address is a promotion engine.
• Request Relevant Resource Pages Add You.
– Best Way to Increase Traffic.
– Improves your Search Ranking.
• Create a links page.
– Promote your links page as an independent site.
– Transform your website from a business card – into a
community center. Visitors to your site will generate
goodwill, repeat visits, opportunity for more business.
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Resources Page
What are the most important, easiest and cheapest things to do to promote a local, small
business website?
• Colin Chandler, Owner, FogCityMac.com
–
…drumming up traffic amongst other things can help. Make sure the web address is on business
cards, ads, etc. Change content to keep people coming back. Get present on Yelp and other peer
review sites. Make sure you're search engine optimized and purchase a service from your hosting
provider that does these things for you if you don't know how to do them yourself.
• Anonymous, Internet Industry Client Services Manager , Lyris, Inc.
–
Anyone looking to promote their small business online has a good handle on "who" their audience is
so keywords and content create a good ROI.
• Josh Blackman, VP Biz Dev LegalOptin.com
–
easiest/cheapest ways to promote small biz site are metatags/words and Google Adwords.
• 5 Things Small Business Owners Should Do Today Online
–
http://www.chrisbrogan.com/5-things-small-business-owners-should-do-today-online/
• Optimize your site for local search engine traffic
–
http://www.improvetheweb.com/going-local
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