MediaCorp Overland Park, Kansas Expert Marketing

Author: Tracy McCaskill

Spending more money on marketing does not always mean better results. Many large companies spend a large amount on Internet marketing by hiring expensive advertising agencies with very disappointing results. Smaller successful businesses recognise the importance of developing a streamlined, effective and well-planned marketing strategy. For example, creating online business profiles can be a very inexpensive method of generating a large number of leads. You can also attract many prospective customers by learning how to conduct proper search engine marketing.

Marketing Small Vs Large Businesses

Competing with larger companies who have many years of experience and aggressive marketing professionals can make marketing a small business very challenging. Smaller businesses need to discover a way to stand out from their competitors by proving to their clients that they can offer something new or different. Focusing on a local customer base can prove advantageous over global markets.

Marketing Budgets

Another disadvantage is that small businesses usually have a much smaller budget than larger companies. Small businesses often rely heavily on the support of the local community and local customers to purchase their goods and services. What many small business owners don’t realise is that they can gain support from the local community and obtain much higher search engine rankings by utilising local online business directories effectively. Another advantage is the inexpensive cost; this is very important if your company has a limited marketing budget. Make sure you consult local online business directories so you can add your business and start to climb the search engine ranks and expand your customer base beyond your community.

Article Promotion

Article promotion is a very effective method of improving your search engine rankings. You can attract more visitors if your company website includes articles with advertising advice and tips geared for local businesses. Articles are very different from general business content included in business websites. Whenever possible, you should add links to your company websites within the articles. Another option is to include one link designed for local businesses and another one that is more geared for general businesses. Articles are a very effective method of increasing traffic to your website; leads generation is a crucial component to marketing any successful local business.

Search Engine Optimization

When you are marketing, you also need to ensure that any websites targeting local businesses are search engine optimized. SEO friendly sites are very effective for marketing local businesses. You can dramatically increase your profit margins by targeting locals with local business categories. The technology is very easy to use, and many websites provide affordable and competitive solutions for online marketing. Another advantage of search engine optimization is the fact you can tailor your marketing campaigns; you can attract prospective clients who live in the area and are more likely to utilize your services, purchase your products and become long-term customers. Remember to focus locally when you are marketing so you can attract a greater number of new clients in your area.

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Author: Douglas Farrick

Most of us today are so pressed for time that we are always looking for the shortest route possible. And there is such a proliferation of information begging to command our attention that we often choose what is easiest (and quickest) and takes less effort.

Of course, that is why such popular services like MapQuest exist, why almost all magazines today are designed via mini “sound bites” and why Apple places a premium on simplicity and clarity.

I was just looking at some old magazines the other day and the visual layout is completely different - once linear, they are now modular. Some examples include USA Today, Readers Digest, Men’s Health and Consumer Reports.

This is particularly important with anything that has a high percentage of text. This includes brochures, sell sheets, magalogs, proposals, emails and the like. I am always a bit surprised when some of my design coaching clients send me an email that stretches from one side of the email browser to the other.

Try using more: sidebars, subheads, quick summaries, “what’s ahead” content, informational bullets, drop quotes and “mini-profiles” in all your communications. As designers, we are particularly tuned into this but we can all improve and refine our communications with these principles in mind.

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