How to Market Your Business for LessSEO Tips & Trickswww.AdvertiseForLess.com

I have received no return on investment, is advertising worth it?

2009-04-07T16:26:00.000-07:00

The answer is, yes, to a certain degree.

It really depends on what you are trying to gain out of advertising. If your goal from advertising is to become an overnight celebrity and make millions immediately, than the answer is definetely no.

Advertising and marketing are a gamble. Set expectations, but don't aim too high initially. It is important to monitor the type of advertments and marketing that you are doing and decide where to invest your time and money. There are time wasters and money makers.

Try something new for the month of April. Rather than trying to spend money on advertising campaigns, save some money and spend some of your own time. Your time may be costly, but ultimately, it is free to you. Make a profile on linked in, start a twitter blog, develop a facebook, create an online google blog, help people find you.

When McDonalds wants to open a location, they don't simply flip a coin and choose a spot on a map. They do research and put that location in a highly visible area with an abundance of traffic. Why do things that make it even more difficult for someone to find you? Come up with innovative ways to bring the traffic to you.

Recession Smart Advertising

2009-03-16T06:51:00.000-07:00

Most organizations, in difficult economic and recessionary times, typically cut advertising dollars in order to trim costs. This reduction in advertising was made apparent during SuperBowl XLIII when the "Big 3" decided not to spend any ad dollars on commercials time. Some think this decision hurt the Big 3, by allowing foreign competitors such as Hyundai and VW/Audi to gain market share. Others believe it was necessary in order to save Millions of dollars for an unknown, but most likely limited, return on investment.

"Recession Smart Advertising" is a phrase commonly used by Tony Haddad, President of T-Tech Solutions LLC, to describe the limited use of ad dollars to provide the greatest outcome. Tony believes that using a combination of his "Recession Smart Advertising" techniques can prove effective for small businesses.

Tony provides the following advice:

Use what's free and use it effectively - Become intimately familiar with Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and the numerous integration points
Don't stop advertising - Savvy businesses effectively utilize recessions as opportunities to gain market share and increase visibility
Know your target audience and find out where to best reach them
Measure the impact of your campaigns and optimize quickly
Most importantly, be creative, use what works, and leverage expert advice to save you time and money

Exchanging Links and the Benefits of One Way Linking

2009-03-09T10:50:00.000-07:00

The term link exchange is an old web marketing technique that has recently been identified as one of the top SEO strategies used by organizations to improve their site's ranking.

Link exchange is a marketing technique in which websites, typically offering similar services, exchange text or banner links. Link exchange is usually free when you negotiate directly with other site owners or can be purchase through one of many link exchange programs.

While there are various forms of linking exchange strategies and naming conventions, one linking strategy continues to come out as the winner.

One-Way link (aka Incoming Link, Inbound Link, Non Reciprocal Link) is considered by many as the most desirable form of linking, and consists of placing a hyperlink on someone's website, typically one with a high amount of traffic, that points to your website, without any reciprocal link. One-way links increase your link popularity and further increase the ranking of your site.

How is this better than exchanging links? The thought process behind this is simple, one-way links tell search engines that your website is so useful that other sites want to tell people about it.

Using Twitter as a Marketing Tool

2009-03-05T19:02:00.000-08:00

According to their website, "Twitter is a service for friends, family, and co–workers to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing?"

Some may think of Twitter as another medium for kids to post and exchange meaningless messages and random comments with their friends. While at first glance, the tool may seem like just another Myspace or Facebook knockoff, Twitter can actually be used as an effective marketing weapon.

If used effectively, Twitter can be a great way to keep your existing and potential clients abreast of your company's breaking news. Below are just a few ways that you can use Twitter as a free marketing and broadcasting tool:

Real Estate - Post new properties or scheduled showings the moment they become available
Retail / Online Store - Inform readers of new promotions or product lines
Public Speakers - Post your upcoming round table or speaking events
Recruiters - Post new job openings or opportunities

Smart companies use Twitter, why don't you?

The shirt off my back?

2009-03-01T06:09:00.000-08:00

I'm sure that most of us have heard the cliché "To give the shirt off your back," which typically refers to giving as much help or resources as possible to an individual or organization. Let's face it, in this difficult economic environment, it's difficult for the typical family to give anything, let alone the shirt off their backs. So, instead of giving someone the shirt off your back, why not just let them look at it?

What we're talking about here, is creating custom business t-shirts that don't have to break the bank or make you go over the top with your marketing budget. When t-shirts are fun and stylish, and tailored to a specific demographic, your advertising dollars will go further.

A typical Saturday family outing starts at McDonald's, moves on to the local grocery store, ends up at Walmart, Costco, or Sam's Club superstores, and then back home. And what does your business have to show for it? Absolutely nothing!

Why not turn these Saturday outings into an advertising blitz, without having to do anything out of the ordinary other than wearing a comfy t-shirt or sweatshirt with your corporate logo or website on it?

Most importantly, is to make sure that the t-shirts fit well and are comfortable, otherwise your employees, family members, and children won't wear them. We suggest the following websites based on customer satisfaction surveys, ease of use websites, and product guarantees.

BrokenArrowWear.com
Sonicshack.com
Zazzle.com

Tips:

Take into consideration that women's and men's bodies are shaped differently
T-shirts made specifically for men are roomier
T-shirts made specifically for children are among the lowest in costs
Register for an upcoming charity walk, your registration fee will be tax deductible, and you'll come in contact with hundreds, even thousands of potential customers.

So, you built a great looking website, but now what?

2009-02-28T23:46:00.000-08:00

Wondering about this question yourself?

Did you ever hear the saying, don't judge a book by its cover? Well, what if it is reversed and put in the scenario of a website... What if the website looks incredible and you spent tons of money for a customized web design... The site looks beautiful, but there is nothing inside! Basically meaning, there is no content or information that grabs a users attention or brings them back for more.

This is a problem with numerous websites on the internet today and more importantly, the reason that the expensive website you paid for is not attracting visitors. Content, Content, Content!

If you are spending money each month on advertising campaigns that are designed to drive traffic into your website, but have not thought about building up the content and material within your website, than you are basically throwing money away.

Try this for your next month's advertising campaign. Spend half that amount and invest the other half in a content writer or ghost blogger for your website. Pick topics that you think your potential visitors would be interested in and have a professional firm write blog articles and content that will bring your visitors back and more importantly, help the search engine spiders find you even better!

Interested? Spend the next month dedicating your time into building in well written content and material for your website. Or, if you don't have the time, give us a call at T-Tech Solutions @ 248.616.9600 and let's set up a customized plan for your website for the upcoming month. We'll do the work for you.

Whether you decide to the work yourself or hire a professional firm, definetely take the chance to fill up that great looking website. Don't be that book with the great cover and empty pages!

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Guarantees

2009-02-26T21:26:00.000-08:00

If you have been guaranteed by a Search Engine Optimization (SEO) firm results and traffic, the alarm should be going off in your mind. It is one thing to guarantee a client that they will at least notice some results and visitors begin travelling to their site as a result of properly implemented SEO tactics, but it is another thing for a firm to guarantee a specific amount of sucess due to their investment.

I stand behind my statement that advertising, whether it is in local or internet media, is a gamble. There is always a certain amount of success factor that accompanies your advertising based on whether you placed it in the right spots, used the right content, set up the right keywords, etc. However, whether you spend millions or dollars or hundreds of dollars, you are still taking a gamble that what you are offering to potential clients is something that will be interesting or a niche.

You can be guaranteed that your SEO content will look good, you can be guaranteed that your content will be abundant, you can be guaranteed that you will receive actual work that you paid for, but don't be fooled into thinking that you can be guaranteed to become an overnight celebrity or millionare as a result of online advertising and marketing.

Online advertising, marketing, and properly implemented Search Engine Optimization tactics are awesome and should definetely be used in your online business or website. But, do some research and understand what you are actually being offered and paying for.

Google Adsense, should you use it?

2009-02-26T21:14:00.001-08:00

The common statement I hear from clients is why they would want to run Google Adsense on their website when it basically provides links of competitors to be advertised on their own site, ultimately creating an opportunity for a visitor of your website to travel onto another site.

The answer is that Google pays you back for that click-through to another site. If you are speneding money on SEO for your website, Google Adwords, or any online advertising, set-up a Google Adsense account and put the ads on your page. Whatever money you get back from your Google Adsense can be put right back into your pocket, or put right back into your next months advertising costs.

Adsense can really pay and it is worth it. Most people visit a website and do not stay longer than a few minutes, unless they are truly looking for something. Make some money on random web searching!

What is the Linkedin hype all about?

2009-02-26T21:06:00.001-08:00

There is a hype about LinkedIn simply because it is the place to be these days.
I often describe LinkedIn to those who have never heard of it or seen its power as the myspace for business professionals and networking.

You basically create a profile for yourself as a professional and provide a free online resume for yourself including your summary, background, skillsets, education, etc. From there, you connect yourself to other professionals and individuals within Linkedin based on previous work history, schooling, clubs, or an affiliation that you have had with that person.

After connecting with these individuals you will ultimately be connected to the connections of your connection. Sound confusing? It's basically like a six degrees factor. You will be connected to new connections through your connections. Meet new people, connect to professionals, be connected to other professionals, etc.

Whether you are looking to advertise your business, or yourself, Linkedin is a great and free way to do this! I highly recommend setting up a LinkedIn account today.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

2009-02-23T11:35:00.001-08:00

The internet has without question become an advertising and networking powerhouse. There are hundreds of companies providing SEO services, internet marketing, advertising, etc.The question is, where are you putting your money for your business advertising?

There are numerous tools available on the net, both for a cost and at no cost.The importance is understanding what type of advertising will actually drive traffic to your website and help bring you business.

The most important thing to remember, however, is that there is absolutely no guarantee in advertising. Advertising is as much of a gamble as throwing dollars off the top of a building and waiting for them to float back to you. Advertising requires involvement, research, and dedication into what may have potential to bring you revenue.

T-Tech Solutions LLC will be providing an entire website based on Search Engine Optimization and Online Networking coming in March 2009. The website will be located at AdvertiseForLess.com .

Stay Tuned! This website will focus on providing useful information, expert opinions, and a place to stop and read up on latest SEO tools, tricks, know-hows, and how-to's.