Like death and taxes, another constant in doing business or increasing awareness is the level of your online visibility. In the 21st century, a growing number of people are wanting instant information for everything from auto repair to hotels to the best dentist in town.
For those not accustomed to tablets, smartphones and almost lighter than air computers, it seems daunting to enter the new digital age where the devices seem to be getting as smart as their owners. But here 10 ways to consider when entering or expanding your presence in the digital age:
- Web Presence – If you don’t have an active website get one. If you have one but it has your current activities for 2007, it can be worse than no web presence at all. If you don’t know how to keep your online visibility fresh seek out web designers who can for a very reasonable fee keep you in the game.
- There’s An App For That! – Today’s tablets and smartphones download thousands of free or low cost applications (called apps) which give interested consumers quick and necessary information such as phone numbers, emails, hours of operations, today’s specials and much more! Websites are still great but Apps need to be a part of the mix.
- Low Tech Meets Hi Tech – While you won’t want to use this technique exclusively, together with the other methods mentioned here it can add another layer of online visibility for you. There are still a sizable number of people in the boomer generation that use traditional print ads for their primary source of information but their grandchildren just got them a cheap laptop to use Facebook and now they Skype their great grandchildren into their modest home or assisted living center. Run a consistent amount of print media with your website and App availability, especially BOGO coupons.
- Be A Star! – Make a short video of you and your business, hobby or cultural center and upload it to YouTube for free! Don’t make it long but make it feel real by being yourself and show your online audience how to access your services by linking to your website or App.
- Go Surfing – Skim associated websites to what you offer and write entries on their blogs that are so interesting that they ask you for more information about yourself. It’s a virtual meet and greet before you actually meet!
- Sponsor A Worthy Cause On Your Website – Draw people to your site by sponsoring a special need in your community and the media types will usually put your website out in public for free in their news coverage.
- Let’s Go Blogging! – In today’s world, a blog is a shorthand way of sharing opinions and thoughts on a host of topics. Search engines increase your online visibility by drawing people to your site who used a specific word pattern in their search. Add a blog page today!
- Social Media – Perhaps the most dynamic digital invention in the 20th century that is taking the world by storm in 21st century. Use your Facebook page, LinkedIn and other sites to increase your exposure and your contacts will take your information and go viral.
- Become a short story writer about your enterprise – place it on your website and let the reader see the first few paragraphs but to finish they must enter their email address. You can now send them regular features of news about your business.
- Hire a company to help you get it done. Let us help with a Free Consultation.