If you are not taking advantage of social media or are not currently on Twitter you're missing out big time!
Get on Twitter asap. Start looking for people who have the same interests as you or how about getting some news flash's from CNN or your local news outlet? With companies like Dunkin' Donuts, Southwest Airlines and Expedia using Twitter it only makes sense for you to be on there too! What are you waiting for?
Twitter will help you drive traffic to your website. There are other social media bloggers who are claiming 800 additional views per day to their website. I don't know, can you use 800 more views per day on your site? I know I can!
Twitter is not complicated and it's a great tool to start meeting like minded business people. You get 140 characters to work with in your mini-blog. Get creative and learn how 2 shortn txt. Every character counts.
Social media is all about transparency. Be real. Don't sell. Make friends. Don't make it complicated. Have fun.
Get on Twitter now and start sending your tweets. Your marketing will never be the same!
Here's to a successful 2009!
Tony Estigoy VP, New Media
Rebel Public Relations
tony@rebelpr.com
p.s.Below is a self-serving video that shares testimonials from my last social media seminar.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Monday, December 29, 2008
Graphic Designer vs. Marketing Designer
Too many times I have witnessed the graphic designer become a web designer simply because the client didn't know to ask the right questions. A year later, maybe less, the client finally figures out that little to no traffic has been generated by this beautiful web site and cannot figure out why. "It looks so good. Check out the graphics and this beautiful flash page!" This client then spends several thousand dollars on "seo marketing" through a 3rd party vendor and voila! nothing.So in essence the client has paid twice for a good looking web brochure that generates zero organic traffic. True story!
But what does this have to do with a "marketing designer"? Absolutely everything when it comes to proper Web site design. Understand, professional internet marketers study marketing. From eye research studies on how a home page is read to the colors and layout. Keywords and phrases are also vitally important to a great web site and whether or not you get indexed high in the search engines for optimal page placement.
Here are 3 questions you must ask your "graphic designer" the next time they tell you that they can build you a web site:
1. What is your strategy for guaranteeing that you will get leads from your website?
2. Now that you have visitors(inquires, possible purchase, etc.)what is your strategy to convert them?
3. What is your strategy for getting repeat business?
If they can answer these 3 questions then you have yourself a marketing designer and high probablity of success with your website!
If they cannot answer these questions to your satisfaction,visit , and let's see if we can help you out!
To Your Success!
-Tony Estigoy
-VP, New Media
-tony@rebelpr.com
But what does this have to do with a "marketing designer"? Absolutely everything when it comes to proper Web site design. Understand, professional internet marketers study marketing. From eye research studies on how a home page is read to the colors and layout. Keywords and phrases are also vitally important to a great web site and whether or not you get indexed high in the search engines for optimal page placement.
Here are 3 questions you must ask your "graphic designer" the next time they tell you that they can build you a web site:
1. What is your strategy for guaranteeing that you will get leads from your website?
2. Now that you have visitors(inquires, possible purchase, etc.)what is your strategy to convert them?
3. What is your strategy for getting repeat business?
If they can answer these 3 questions then you have yourself a marketing designer and high probablity of success with your website!
If they cannot answer these questions to your satisfaction,visit , and let's see if we can help you out!
To Your Success!
-Tony Estigoy
-VP, New Media
-tony@rebelpr.com
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Traditional advertising vs. internet marketing
Traditional advertising is dead! Actually, maybe "dead" is too strong of a word but certainly dying. Internet marketing is fast becoming the way to share with the world your products and services.
With the costs continuing to go up but effectiveness going down it's no wonder print ads in newspapers, magazines, etc. are dwindling while costs for internet marketing is declining at the same time effectiveness rate is increasing.
The amount of time people are spending on the internet increases daily which in turn has created more opportunity for business on the internet to advertise. Major companies are jumping on this bandwagon.
The fact that you can target your customer with pin point precision on the internet is a lot more appealing than the shotgun approach with traditional advertising. That's huge!
Not only target, but track, those reading your ads(can't do that through a newspaper ad!)allowing you to further market to them and get them to convert.
The Internet can be less expensive to advertise, have a lower entry point, and advertise in a greater range!
Overall, if you are still throwing your money at print ads, why? It may be time to chat with someone about how your business can utilize the internet for marketing and advertising.
Tony Estigoy is a specialist in social networking and seo web design.
Tony Estigoy
VP, New Media
Rebel Public Relations
tony@rebelpr.com
Producer
The RebelWoman Show
http://www.TheRebelWomanShow.TV
With the costs continuing to go up but effectiveness going down it's no wonder print ads in newspapers, magazines, etc. are dwindling while costs for internet marketing is declining at the same time effectiveness rate is increasing.
The amount of time people are spending on the internet increases daily which in turn has created more opportunity for business on the internet to advertise. Major companies are jumping on this bandwagon.
The fact that you can target your customer with pin point precision on the internet is a lot more appealing than the shotgun approach with traditional advertising. That's huge!
Not only target, but track, those reading your ads(can't do that through a newspaper ad!)allowing you to further market to them and get them to convert.
The Internet can be less expensive to advertise, have a lower entry point, and advertise in a greater range!
Overall, if you are still throwing your money at print ads, why? It may be time to chat with someone about how your business can utilize the internet for marketing and advertising.
Tony Estigoy is a specialist in social networking and seo web design.
Tony Estigoy
VP, New Media
Rebel Public Relations
tony@rebelpr.com
Producer
The RebelWoman Show
http://www.TheRebelWomanShow.TV
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Social Networking Plus Blogging Equals...
Social networking plus blogging for small business equals success! But, you have to know what you are doing to make it work properly.
Recently, I responded to an email from a gentlemen who has a small business. He mentioned that he has tried the "web 2.0 thing" because everyone told him he should.
Well, according to our correspondence, he tried Facebook, LinkedIn,and even started a blog but he wasn't getting any business. No leads, no nothin'! So, according to him, social networking and blogging doesn't work!
I did some research on both of his social networking accounts and looked at his blog. He had a total of 13 friends on his Facebook and 4 connections on LinkedIn. His blog was an absolute mess. Ok, maybe I'm being a little harsh on the blog but as a person who teaches on proper blogging techniques it required some attention.
So let's get real. If you are going to use social networking to enhance your marketing efforts please go to a seminar or a workshop and at least learn the basics. Don't complain if it isn't working for you especially if you don't know what you are doing.
Here are a couple of tips for Facebook:
1. Become friends with someone who has lot's of friends to get started. Use their friend list to help populate yours. It will take a little time but it will help you get started.
2. Search for groups that these "friends" belong to and join. It will help you get acclimated to Facebook and increase your learning curve. There is sooo much more to offer, in terms of training, on Facebook but these 2 tips will help you get started.
Now,here is tip for your blog:
1. Use the same header on your blog as you do on your website. This will help keep the synergy between the two and help build brand awareness.
Totally off subject. I recently produced a show with a woman who reads faces. Yes, reads faces. The business is personology and her name is Naomi Tickle. This is way cool stuff and it really can help someone in small business, sales ,and/or marketing. I have included a short clip from the show.
To your success!
Tony Estigoy VP, New Media
Rebel Public Relations
http://www.RebelPR.com
Producer
The RebelWoman Show
http://www.TheRebelWomanShow.TV
Recently, I responded to an email from a gentlemen who has a small business. He mentioned that he has tried the "web 2.0 thing" because everyone told him he should.
Well, according to our correspondence, he tried Facebook, LinkedIn,and even started a blog but he wasn't getting any business. No leads, no nothin'! So, according to him, social networking and blogging doesn't work!
I did some research on both of his social networking accounts and looked at his blog. He had a total of 13 friends on his Facebook and 4 connections on LinkedIn. His blog was an absolute mess. Ok, maybe I'm being a little harsh on the blog but as a person who teaches on proper blogging techniques it required some attention.
So let's get real. If you are going to use social networking to enhance your marketing efforts please go to a seminar or a workshop and at least learn the basics. Don't complain if it isn't working for you especially if you don't know what you are doing.
Here are a couple of tips for Facebook:
1. Become friends with someone who has lot's of friends to get started. Use their friend list to help populate yours. It will take a little time but it will help you get started.
2. Search for groups that these "friends" belong to and join. It will help you get acclimated to Facebook and increase your learning curve. There is sooo much more to offer, in terms of training, on Facebook but these 2 tips will help you get started.
Now,here is tip for your blog:
1. Use the same header on your blog as you do on your website. This will help keep the synergy between the two and help build brand awareness.
Totally off subject. I recently produced a show with a woman who reads faces. Yes, reads faces. The business is personology and her name is Naomi Tickle. This is way cool stuff and it really can help someone in small business, sales ,and/or marketing. I have included a short clip from the show.
To your success!
Tony Estigoy VP, New Media
Rebel Public Relations
http://www.RebelPR.com
Producer
The RebelWoman Show
http://www.TheRebelWomanShow.TV
Friday, November 21, 2008
Are you LinkedIn?
Are you LinkedIn? I used to think that this was another social networkng site that I would have to manage and ,quite frankly, didn't want to invest the time. Man, was I wrong.
Why would I want to be on LinkedIn?
Considering that the new currency in business is trust what better way than to have your collegues, co-workers, or friends recommend you to thousands of people. Wow, there is nothing more powerful than "word of mouth" advertising for your business. Nothing! Unless, of course, you and your business stinks, well that's another story.
Below are 3 reasons for you to be on LinkedIn:
1. To increase visibility-Be found by other people
2. Increase Credibility
3. Build Relationships
It's pretty simple. Who in business doesn't want to found? Especially if you don't have to pay advertising or marketing costs to get it!
Your credibility is enhanced when collegues, co-workers, or friends recommend you. That's huge TRUST!
And of course, relationship building 101. Any entrepreneur will tell you that relationship building is a vital component to the health of their business.
Here are a couple of tips for you as you ramp up your LinkedIn account so that you can maximize your LinkedIn account:
1. The header area of the LinkedIn page is keyword searchable. Yes, Google will index your LinkedIn page. So be sure to have strong keywords. Just don't leave it blank!
2. Customize your profile.Include your website and customize the label. The goal is too be found.
3. Call to action.Include phone numbers and email address so someone can easily connect with you.
Just by doing these few things you are helping to become more visible.
Be sure to make connections and you are on your way to using social media to enhance your marketing efforts for your business!
To YOUR success!
Tony Estigoy
VP, New Media
Rebel Public Relations
tony@rebelpr.com
Why would I want to be on LinkedIn?
Considering that the new currency in business is trust what better way than to have your collegues, co-workers, or friends recommend you to thousands of people. Wow, there is nothing more powerful than "word of mouth" advertising for your business. Nothing! Unless, of course, you and your business stinks, well that's another story.
Below are 3 reasons for you to be on LinkedIn:
1. To increase visibility-Be found by other people
2. Increase Credibility
3. Build Relationships
It's pretty simple. Who in business doesn't want to found? Especially if you don't have to pay advertising or marketing costs to get it!
Your credibility is enhanced when collegues, co-workers, or friends recommend you. That's huge TRUST!
And of course, relationship building 101. Any entrepreneur will tell you that relationship building is a vital component to the health of their business.
Here are a couple of tips for you as you ramp up your LinkedIn account so that you can maximize your LinkedIn account:
1. The header area of the LinkedIn page is keyword searchable. Yes, Google will index your LinkedIn page. So be sure to have strong keywords. Just don't leave it blank!
2. Customize your profile.Include your website and customize the label. The goal is too be found.
3. Call to action.Include phone numbers and email address so someone can easily connect with you.
Just by doing these few things you are helping to become more visible.
Be sure to make connections and you are on your way to using social media to enhance your marketing efforts for your business!
To YOUR success!
Tony Estigoy
VP, New Media
Rebel Public Relations
tony@rebelpr.com
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Barack Obama is Using YouTube, Are You?
Of course the fact that Barack Obama is using YouTube as a media vehicle is nothing new. But what is new is that he will be using it for his weekly fireside chat. Every week the President-elect will be broadcasting his address to the world through video via the internet. Wow!
So here are the real questions? How are you using video to communicate your message? How is your business using video to communicate its message?
The use of video has come a long way from just a year ago. With internet speeds getting faster and faster(remember dial up? I do!) upload speeds for video has also increased incrementally allowing the user to watch a tv show on their laptop. The reason for this increased speed is simple-We are moving from copper wiring(the slowsky way) to fiber optics(wooohooo!)!
Communicating your message via video is a powerful way for people to get to know you and trust you. And you trust is worth is weight in gold in today's social market. Video puts a "face" on business, your business. It allows you creative freedom to showcase your passion, your knowledge, your product. But, there is a caveat, be careful with your video as there could be negative backlash.
So here are a couple of tips:
1. Don't make it too commercially
2. Don't try to "fool" the audience
Video is a wonderful and inexpensive way to promote what you do to a potential market of millions!
The world is truly your oyster.
Go for it!
Tony Estigoy
VP, New Media
Rebel Public Relations
tony@rebelpr.com
Producer
http://www.TheRebelWomanShow.TV
So here are the real questions? How are you using video to communicate your message? How is your business using video to communicate its message?
The use of video has come a long way from just a year ago. With internet speeds getting faster and faster(remember dial up? I do!) upload speeds for video has also increased incrementally allowing the user to watch a tv show on their laptop. The reason for this increased speed is simple-We are moving from copper wiring(the slowsky way) to fiber optics(wooohooo!)!
Communicating your message via video is a powerful way for people to get to know you and trust you. And you trust is worth is weight in gold in today's social market. Video puts a "face" on business, your business. It allows you creative freedom to showcase your passion, your knowledge, your product. But, there is a caveat, be careful with your video as there could be negative backlash.
So here are a couple of tips:
1. Don't make it too commercially
2. Don't try to "fool" the audience
Video is a wonderful and inexpensive way to promote what you do to a potential market of millions!
The world is truly your oyster.
Go for it!
Tony Estigoy
VP, New Media
Rebel Public Relations
tony@rebelpr.com
Producer
http://www.TheRebelWomanShow.TV
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
SEO, Online Marketing, Really?
We keep hearing about businesses that can create a seo website or an online marketing site so...
Here are 3 great questions that I want you to ask your web designer prior to you handing over any money for a new website.
1. What is your strategy that will guarantee traffic to my site? How do you plan to do that?
2. What is your strategy to convert those prospects who visit your site?
3. What is your strategy to get repeat customers?
If your web designer(seo expert, webmaster, your cousin, etc) cannot give you answers to these questions then what why would you give them a dime to build your site?
There are too many web design businesses that claim they can optimize your site or create more traffic but when I question them or analyze their site I find more often than not it's a bunch of bs.
Online marketing is not rocket science but it does need to be done correctly in order to maximize the internet and create traffic.
Need to be found on the internet?
Let's chat.
Tony Estigoy
VP, New Media
Rebel Public Relations
www.RebelPR.com
tony@rebelpr.com
Here are 3 great questions that I want you to ask your web designer prior to you handing over any money for a new website.
1. What is your strategy that will guarantee traffic to my site? How do you plan to do that?
2. What is your strategy to convert those prospects who visit your site?
3. What is your strategy to get repeat customers?
If your web designer(seo expert, webmaster, your cousin, etc) cannot give you answers to these questions then what why would you give them a dime to build your site?
There are too many web design businesses that claim they can optimize your site or create more traffic but when I question them or analyze their site I find more often than not it's a bunch of bs.
Online marketing is not rocket science but it does need to be done correctly in order to maximize the internet and create traffic.
Need to be found on the internet?
Let's chat.
Tony Estigoy
VP, New Media
Rebel Public Relations
www.RebelPR.com
tony@rebelpr.com
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