business objectives – Ashley Rose Davidson

There’s no doubt about it, we all know by now that Google is the #1 search engine online. With about 3.3 billion searches conducted every single day on Google, we would have to agree!

However, this massive number is just a small fraction of your actual relationship and interactive with Google. Think about it, there’s Google Places, Google Maps, Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs, Google Adwords and more. This is why putting your business on Google is such a key component to your overall digital marketing strategy.

In order to understand the importance of having your business on Google, here are some of the reasons why you should Google My Business.

Be Found on Google – Well this was an easy one but it’s this is where your customers will look for you online. Playing hard to get: good for dating but bad for business. You want to put the right information about your business on search, maps and even Google+ so that customers can get in touch you. Your next customer could just be a click away!
Be Found Across all Devices – Customers are using mobile devices, tablets, desktops and even Smartwatches now to find local businesses. Whether you’re searching at home, on the road, or even switching between devices, you want your customers to find the same information about your business no matter what the device.
Get on the Map – A verified business can appear in Google Maps and be listed as a registered business within Google Places which makes it easy for customers to find your business. They can also search for your contact information, star ratings and online reviews of your business.
Connect with Customers – Getting closer to your customers should be a top priority. Build lasting relationships by sharing what’s new and responding to customer feedback is a vital way for your business to success nowadays. The Google+ follow button allows for customers to stay up-to-date with special offers, important news or updates regarding your business. The number of followers you have can also show up when your business appears in Search which can be seen as a social endorsement.
Jump on the Google+ Train – Strong online reviews and pictures of your business and products can help your business stand out to users online. You want to be able to keep your customers in the loop with status updates, news and special offers on your Google+ page. Your customers can hit the +1 button (which is seen as a “like”) and reply to the content which gives you a direct connection to their feedback.
Give Customers The Right Information – Don’t make it hard for your customers to find the right information about your business. Display the correct contact information, description of your business, hours of operation, website and more. When your business appears on Google, you are making it easier for customers to find information about your business, including hours or operations, contact information and even directions to your location.
Stay on Top of Reviews – Stay on top of your online reputation by managing all online reviews of your business, reply to them as your business and track your star ratings. Customer ratings and reviews will assist with managing all of the valuable feedback from your customers. This can also assist in the way you do business going forward by making any necessary changes to meet consumer demand.

Don’t miss out on any more searches of your business! Now it the time to get your business found by the right people.

Do you know what you want to achieve with social media? According to recent report by Constant Contact, over 50% of small businesses need help with their social media. While many businesses have a social media presence, many are not engaging on those platforms and thus not meeting any goals. With a little planning, your business can use social media effectively and meet your objectives and goals.

So let’s start with the basics! Why is your company on social media? What are you working towards? What do you hope to achieve with social media? Every brand should have clear goals and objectives that its social media activity is trying to achieve.

If you’re unsure on how to define your goals, take a look at some of these common social media objectives:

Increase the overall traffic to my company’s website.
Increase your sales through lead generation and product promotion.
Attract new customers and connect with potential clients.
Generate awareness and increase word of mouth marketing.
Showcase my company’s products and services to fans and potential customers.
Increase your search engine optimization (SEO) results.
Put your business in front of your clients and customers.
Build loyalty and deepen relationships with your followers and customers.
Add another outlet to showcase and highlight the services you offer.

Important Questions to Ask

Before you define your social media objective and goals, you need to ask yourself some important questions about your business. These questions will help to set a foundation on how your strategy should be structured.

Who are you talking to?
Creating a social media presence means you are building a fanbase. Followers, Fans, Members, they’re your audience and you want them to participate, share and engage with your shared content. By doing this will increase your reach through word of mouth marketing. It’s helpful to create a painted picture of your ideal audience.

What should I talk about on social media?
Social media is kind of like being at a party or event. Now picture yourself at this event, do you find yourself drawn to people who only talk about themselves? Probably not. Use this idea of a “party” when speaking to your audience. Ask yourself, why will these people want to connect with my material?

What’s in it for them?
People tend connect with businesses on social media because they will get something out of it. Perhaps, it’s a discount, special savings, exclusive content, entertainment or even education that helps their own agenda. Whatever the reason maybe, it’s not about you. So, give your audience what they want. Keep your audience in mind with every piece of material that is created.