Category: Marketing

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The Benefits of Social Media Marketing

Post author By Skynet Solutions
Post date November 21, 2016
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Social media collage with icons background. Vector illustration

It’s no secret that social media marketing is one of the best steps businesses can take to further their business goals. With over 1.71 billion monthly active users, Facebook has become the go to social media network for businesses of all sizes. With the addition of social media in your marketing plan, several major benefits can be achieved.

Content Syndication

Social media profiles function as an easy accessible content distribution channel for businesses that they may have not had previously. Content syndication across social media platforms can help build brand recognition and introduce potential new customers to your brand or products. When a user shares content previously posted by your business, even more individuals will be introduced to your business, encouraging further growth.

Company Humanization

Social media marketing allows businesses to connect with their customers on a human level, creating a bond that otherwise would not have been possible on such a massive scale. This connection can help build brand loyalty and result in sales conversions that might never have been available. By building your social media networks you will be consistently improving your conversion rates.

Cost-Effective Marketing

Paid advertising through Facebook or Twitter is affordable to any business large or small. By determining your budget and gradually increasing it with more product demand, social media advertising couldn’t be easier or more effective. Some social media marketing efforts can even be done at no-cost for business owners if they invest the time necessary for growth.

You can always call the experts at Skynet Solutions for help with your business listing, website development, marketing or anything else you need to help make your business succeed. With our diverse range of skills and experience, we are sure to have the tools you need to make 2016 your business’s best year yet. You can fill out our contact form to get started today. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and LinkedIn!

Tags marketing, social marketing, social media, socialmedia

Marketing

Growing Your Email Marketing Lists

Post author By Skynet Solutions
Post date November 14, 2016
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Studies have shown that email marketing lists are outdated by 22.5% every year. This is mostly due to the transition of email addresses being used or the use of a junk email when signing up for certain lists to receive a bonus. It is important for marketers to consistently update their email marketing lists to keep marketing efforts from becoming ineffective.

Promote Sign-Up Links

If you have a newsletter, the easiest way to build your email marketing lists is to promote your newsletter sign up links whenever possible. Most often, this can be seen within the closing tag of a blog. By promoting your sign-up link as an incentive to receive new content that consumers find beneficial, they are more likely to opt in.

Promote on Social Media

Facebook recently allowed business pages to include call to action buttons. Perhaps the most beneficial way to use these call to action buttons is to add the option to sign-up for a newsletter list. If your Facebook already has high engagement levels and followers, this can be a quick way to add leads to your email marketing lists.

Incentivize Newsletter Sign-Ups

If your company can give away something of value, use it to help build your email marketing lists. Giveaways could be as simple as how-to guides, free samples or a free consultation. The easiest way to leverage this is to require a newsletter sign-up to unlock special content or receive something free.

Tags Email, marketing

Marketing

Improving Search Ranking with Google+

Post author By Skynet Solutions
Post date November 7, 2016
No Comments on Improving Search Ranking with Google+

You’ve created a Google My Business page and are ready to start promoting your business to gain higher favor in search rankings. For a small to medium sized business, appearing in Google’s local results can be an important way to gain new customers that previously may not have known about your business. Luckily, the implementation of Google+ and the various tools and resources associated with the platform have made promoting your business easier than it ever has been!

Over time, Google+ has gotten a bad reputation in the social media world. The inherent value obtained from creating an account for your business lies in search engine ranking, not necessarily engagement analytics. However, when a business receives a review on their Google listing it can directly impact the likelihood of customers to choose one business over another.

One of the biggest perks of utilizing Google+ for your business is the ability to gain immediate indexing. This can be important for businesses who may not have their own website SEO up to par. When content is posted onto a Google+ page, it can easily rank in Google results even if your website isn’t! Google+ also provides businesses with a wide variety of marketing tools to better connect with their customers. These resources include Communities, Hangouts, YouTube and Google Maps. When all of these resources are utilized in conjunction with one another, immediate value can be obtained.

If you are struggling to get your business seen, Skynet Solutions can help you use cutting edge SEO practices to ensure the best possible Search Engine Ranking. Though no ranking can be guaranteed, we can help put you in the position to be seen and begin your journey to better search rankings. You can fill out our contact form to get started today. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and LinkedIn!

Tags google, google plus, googleplus

Marketing

Promoting a Blog with RSS Feeds

Post author By Skynet Solutions
Post date November 1, 2016
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cloud of words or tags related to web design on a vintage slate blackboard with a chalk and cup of coffee

An RSS feed, or Really Simple Syndication feed, is a web-based news feed to ensure website subscribers are able to find new information as soon as possible. Typically, once an individual user has subscribed any new information added to the blog will be presented to the RSS feed subscriber. Depending on the RSS feed used, full text may be shown or just a summary.

RSS Autodiscovery

RSS autodiscovery is precisely what it sounds like. When this feature is added to the coding of an RSS feed, aggregators and browsers will be able to find content from the RSS feed and distribute it accordingly. Focusing on keywords and keeping content original will further enhance the visibility of your RSS feed.

FeedBurner Promotion

Launched in 2004, FeedBurner is a powerful feed management tool currently owned by Google. This unique tool gives a webmaster traffic analytics and access to an optional advertising system. Perhaps the most valuable service, FeedBurner allows users to track feed subscriptions.

Flipboard Integration

Cellphone users are undoubtedly familiar with the functionality of Flipboard as a news delivery service. When a user adds a complete RSS URL into the search functionality through the service, it will automatically be added to the Flipboard database. This can also be done through services such as dlvr.it.

Utilize RSS Directories

RSS directories function as a repository for RSS feeds. With nearly 400 directories and RSS search engines available, there are many opportunities to get your blog in front of potential customers or readers to further your reach. Many sites have compiled the available directories into an easily navigated directory.

If you are struggling with your social media content and outreach strategies, Skynet Solutions can help you succeed in this growing medium. You can fill out our contact form to get started today. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and LinkedIn!

Tags blogging

Marketing

Using Facebook Live for Business

Post author By Skynet Solutions
Post date October 24, 2016
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Digital photo camera in studio with softbox and flashes. 3d

Video is the king of all content. By combining visuals with the message you are trying to get across, a powerful information medium is created. Facebook Live, the new live video streaming platform, allows real-time customer interaction with nothing more than a Facebook account and a video camera.

One of the biggest perks of Facebook Live is the ability to view engagement in real time. As you stream, customers can react to the video with a variety of Emojis as well as live chat. Never has a business been able to interact with their customers on such a large scale. Facebook Live can be used in a variety of applications, however, these tested methods are a great start!

Inside Looks

Customers love seeing behind the scenes of their favorite business. My giving an inside look at your manufacturing process or giving a live demo of your product, customers will be more inclined to support your business. This not only will boost engagement, but customers will feel like they are part of something exclusive.

Live Events

If you host seminars, conferences or events, Facebook Live will open your business or brand to entirely new market that may otherwise never find you. By live streaming these events, customers who couldn’t afford to go or couldn’t travel to be there can still benefit from the experience. This will help build brand loyalty and customer appreciation. Access can also be limited by groups of individuals!

Business Updates

Businesses within the service industry can use Facebook Live to talk about promotions or what the company has been doing recently. Some podcasters have started using the platform to provide information to a wider audience. If the live stream produces informational or fun content, people will likely return for another live stream event.

Tags Facebook, Facebook Home, facebook phone, facebook phone app, fb, social media, socialmedia

Marketing

Working with SEO Companies: Google My Business

Post author By Skynet Solutions
Post date October 17, 2016
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Portrait of two business people pulling SEO banner

Recently, Google released a list of recommendations for picking a reputable local company to help improve SEO and Google search rankings. Google My Business makes local businesses more easily found within search results. This can lead to an increase in organic, local customers to aid in small business growth.

Google admits that even with the tools they provide, not everyone has the time required to set up a listing or properly maintain it. Working with a third party can help achieve these results with little to no effort by the business, letting them focus on maintaining store operations. For this reason, Google released their own list over “how to work with a third-party”, however, we will go over some of the more prominent points.

Be Selective

Google makes it very clear that not all third-party SEO providers are equal. It is important to find a company that has managed business listings previously while similar target audiences or budgets equivalent to your own. Furthermore, don’t be afraid to ask what other services they can provide to further your business goals.

Stick to One Company at a Time

Testing one SEO company at a time will ensure you are receiving unadulterated results from the Google My Business management you are receiving. Business listings are only shown once for each location available, meaning multiple companies would we working over each other. For best results, test companies individually, if you are satisfied with the results then stick to that SEO provider.

Evaluate Business Performance

Google My Business offers a multitude of insights and analytics options. With these tools, businesses can track how customers are finding them and interaction levels they are achieving through the listing. Reviewing Google My Business insights monthly can help evaluate the effectiveness of the third-party in use.

Avoid Deceptive Behaviors

It is important that the third-party used to manage a Google My Business account remains transparent. As the business owner, you are entitled to know how users are interacting with your business and specific data counts, such as views and clicks. It is also important to note that third-parties cannot influence the order in which a business appears on Google Search or Maps.

Also, it is imperative that you obtain an official copy of your agreement before giving your Google My Business account to a third-party for outsourced management. This can help ensure no deceptive pricing is enforced. Regardless of what the third-party provider says, they cannot remove your business from Google or access the listing without your permission. For more information on working with third-parties read the entire Google help page by clicking here.

Tags google, Google Partners, google plus, seo

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