Mari Smith has a new book out entitled, The New Relationship Marketing: How to Build a Large, Loyal and Profitable Network Using the Social Web.”  In it, she discusses 9 steps to using social media for business and how to connect with your customers on a personal level and humanize your brand. Smith says that the former B2B (business to business) or B2C (business to consumer) marketing theories are being pushed aside by the new P2P (person to person) marketing. With that she means that social media allows us all to share personal information about ourselves and therefore businesses can use that data to get to know us and understand better the products and services we want. In turn, businesses can also see what we don’t like through comments, blogging and social feedback.

Smith has said in interviews that it doesn’t matter if you are a small business or a large corporation, you need to engage in relationship marketing by getting to know your customers, engaging them through comments and social discussions boards and provide quality content to be deemed a valuable resource within your industry. A major part of this type of marketing is making sure you have consistency in your brand messaging and clarity in your businesses purpose. Smith mentions that she has business pages that she “likes” on Facebook yet has no idea what the business is about or what they sell. You can provide a mixture of relevant content to your business that you wrote as well as refer customers to content from other sources as well. Social media and relationship marketing isn’t always about promoting your product or service, but creating a loyal following that will be customers for life because they like the people behind the brand.

In December 2011, over 7 million unique visitors joined Pinterest. Around 1.6 million joined in September so the site is definitely gaining momentum. Unlike other social media sites, Pinterest is exclusively visual, aside from image descriptions and comments.  So, businesses that have products and services in image format on the web can create another “catalog” of products on their Pinterest boards. The site also offers a unique way to conduct research and development on almost any topic or product. You can see what the most popular “pins” are and get an idea of what users are “repining” as well. Pinterest is a site to share and gain ideas for home decorating, cooking, gardening, books to read, business, technology gadgets and so much more.

One of the main drawbacks to Pinterest, for a business, is the fact that it is mainly a visual site. Finding ways to visually showcase your talents and products can be hard for financial services, legal help, etc. So, the site will work better to promote physical products, rather than services, unless you have pictures of your work posted on your website. When a user clicks on an image that has been pinned, it takes them to the website where the image was posted. So, businesses are seeing a real benefit in the increased link building and traffic driving capabilities of Pinterest. You can even visit Innvio’s profile at Pinterest.com/Innvio. Let us know if you’d like an invite and happy pinning!

Littlemonsters.com has been around for about 4 weeks, created by a startup company Backplane with some collaboration from Gaga herself.  It is in a Beta testing phase now but you can request an invite on the site to be allowed a profile. The site’s format is similar to Pinterest in its scrapbook style look where users can post anything related to the user’s love of Gaga on a home page and other users can rate the content as well as take the content for their own profiles. It is a site geared toward sharing mainly visual content as well as inspiration, obsession and anything Gaga.

The CEO of Backplane notes that the site was created with a mission to “unite people around interests, affinities and movements.” Users can post on the home page as well as their own profiles, showcasing an ever changing home page bulletin board like collage. Users can tag people, things and credit inspiration with the “inspired by” tag option. The site also has editing software so users can manipulate images before uploading, if they wish.

Users interact through a messaging system in which each profile is given a @littlemonsters.com email address. An Events tab highlights Lady Gaga concerts as well other publicity information for the artist. Will this be the first of its kind in a social network based on the support and inspiration of one person? Will this site gain credibility with all fans of Lady Gaga or just the ones that need an outlet for their Gaga obsession? With the rise of the general social media interaction and participation, will this platform be a staple for information as well as promotion?

It appears that mobile search is not only here to stay but growing faster than most anticipated. In a study conducted by mobiThinking at the end of 2011, they reported that there are 6 billion mobile subscriptions worldwide. Also, maybe not as shocking, is the fact that these mobile subscriptions outnumber fixed, land lines 5:1. We’re a mobile society with busy schedules and the need for constant contact and accessibility to information. Therefore, more now than ever, your business’s mobile web strategy is going to be more important than your PC web strategy for long term growth.

Recently, a company named Mediative conducted a study on the new Google Places app for Iphone as a follow up to their earlier eye-and-click tracking study. Basically, the study monitored 12 users, ages 21-45, while they used their Iphones to locate tattoo parlors in various Canadian cities. While mobile sites can be an extension of a PC-based website, it is important to note that mobile site users are looking for quick and accurate information on the go. Most times, a mobile site will host the most used features of a PC-based website. However, this study found that reviews and images were key factors in getting the 12 users to click on a site listing. Sites that were higher on the list but didn’t have any or few reviews as well as no pictures of the business were not as popular with our users.

Social Signals

Now, images and reviews tend to help full websites as well but mobile users are especially keen to these features as they are most likely on the go and looking for restaurants, services, etc. When you don’t have a lot of time to research these business like you might on PC-based website, customer reviews and images could be the deciding factor in getting business over your competitors. And, regarding images, it’s important to make sure the images you upload will work well when reduced on a mobile device like a phone.

Innvio understands this growing need for mobile sites and wants to help your business get a piece of the mobile web traffic pie. It is expected that by the year 2015, mobile search will overtake PC based search. So, if you already understand how important a great PC site, know that mobile is becoming just as important. Contact us today for a free consultation and let us help you gain customers…on-the-go.

The landscape of the internet and search engines, the main avenue users employ to find information, is changing every day. While most of us know how to use Google, Yahoo and Bing search bars, do we really understand the information that is produced from these search querys? Below is a screen shot of a Google search engine being used to find a glass repair company in Las Vegas. As you can see, the queried information is in orange. From there, the listings shown are split into 3 categories: Organic (un-paid listings), Paid ads, and businesses on Google Maps.

Pay Per Click

The red boxes show the Paid Ads. These will appear at the top and right sides of the screen. These sites are showing up because those companies have paid to appear for certain keywords (including the ones we entered “las vegas glass repair.”) So, every time you click on a Paid Ad, the business is charged a fee, which is why these are called “pay-per-click” ads. The owner can be charged by impressions (every time their ad appears on a webpage) or by clicks (every time a user actually clicks on the ad.) Research shows that less than 15% of users click on the paid ads, maybe because they don’t always match the intentions for the search terms.

Search Engine Optimization

The Organic listings are listings that have not been paid for, rather the search engine took the words or phrases you put in the search bar and decided that these sites were the most relevant to your search. Search engine optimization is a process of increasing the visibility of your site in search engines based on the keywords you want to target, how much relevant information you have in relation to the keywords, how many links throughout the web lead to your site, etc. Organic listings are regarded as “recommendations” so they get 5-6 times more traffic than paid ads.

Google Maps

Google Maps listings have recently been added to the top of the list as well. These listings are also “un-paid” but give important contact and location information for the businesses that are relevant to your search. So, it is extremely important to claim your business on these maps as it is free and can push you to the top of search engines.

Partnering with an experienced SEO company like Innvio can increase your web traffic and therefore, your business. We have the skills and expertise to research the keywords you should be targeting for your businesses, evaluating the competition within your industry and getting you the most for your money. We know that having a nice website is nice, but if no one ever finds it, how are you going to make money? Call today for a free quote and site analysis.

2. Re-visit Inspiring Stuff: Muses can show up anywhere so go to that happy place, watch clips from that funny movie, read clips of that fantastic novel you couldn’t put down or browse beautiful art. Inspiration is cultivated all around us, so why not steal some creative juices from all those things.

3. Get away from the Group: Trying to brainstorm in a group tends to be counter-productive because everyone is trying to be nice and may get stuck trying to develop an idea that is bad, just because they don’t want to insult the idea’s owner. Usually you hear that group brainstorming is a good idea but research has shown that it promotes “talking in circles” and creativity can be squashed unless everyone is willing to accept any and all ideas as well as possibly get their own rejected.

4. Expose yourself to New People: No, we don’t mean flash new people, wearing only a trench coat. This would be wrong, although you may get some creative responses. Meet new people, start conversations with those co-workers you barely know and surround yourself with people that are unlike you. Talking with these people may allow you to see an idea differently or give you a fresh idea entirely. Different does not equal weird, it equals possibility for fresh outlooks.

5. Get off the Internet: Admit it, you keep looking at the same sites for inspiration and somehow cannot get off YouTube to save your life. Taking a walk or any kind of break from the computer forces you to find other sources of inspiration. Read something about a completely un-related topic or an industry you know nothing about. The unknown can be a powerful tool for creativity because it gets us out of our box.

1. Have Persistence: Success usually occurs after failing over and over.  One of the panelists explained his hiring process as a test of persistence. He was hiring sales people that needed to have the skills to knock on doors and be persistent in selling a product. So, after the initial interview, he told the candidates to call him in a week and when they did, he didn’t answer or call them back. He was testing them to see if they would be persistent and call him back until he answered, like they’d need to do if offered the job. Persistence shows determination and passion.
2. Inspire Followship, Support the Leader:  Being the leader is hard. So, even if you don’t always agree with the leader of the organization, support them. Leaders’ job is not only to make decisions but to inspire followers to work toward a common mission. Good leaders inspire everyone in the organization to have passion for the organization, not just follow orders.
3. Lead from the Bottom: Just because you’re not in a management position doesn’t mean you cannot be a leader and practice ownership of your current position. People do not get promoted by sitting around, waiting for a leadership position, they over-achieve and inspire those around them no matter which position they have.
4. Find a Mentor: Now, the panel admitted that this can seem like daunting task, but they assured us that being asked is quite an honor and is humbling that someone else sees their talent and wants to learn from them. And, having a mentor doesn’t necessarily mean a formal program of meeting once a week in formal meetings. The panel mentioned that they have been mentors to co-workers that they met once in awhile for coffee or maybe didn’t talk to for years and then would receive a call asking for advice about a job offer. Mentorship can be such a helpful tool for young professionals as it shows humility and a willingness to learn.
5. Have Humility: This may seem simple but it was one of the most important lessons I took away from the panel. We all are constantly learning and there will always be someone that knows more than you. There is always someone that is better than you at something so keep your pride in check. One of the panel members told a story about sticking your finger in a glass of water. When you pull your finger out, you can see how quickly the water is displaced. This is also true for your career. There is always someone waiting to take your place so be humble in your achievements. If you did something great, someone else will recognize it. 

The panel consisted of 2 men and 2 women in executive level positions within various industries such as telecommunications, law, hotel & tourism and energy. It was a very casual atmosphere where the panel was asked a question by a moderator and any one of the panel participants could answer, go off on tangents, give eachother a hard time about his or her answer and genuinely gave professional advice to about 50 young men and women in the room, ages 21-39. (The panel joked that they were secretly resentful that they could not join the group due to the age requirement.) However, here are some key pieces of wisdom they shared:

1. Don’t Be Afraid to Fail: You learn the most about yourself through failure. If you never try and fail, how can you succeed? Take calculated risks, apply for jobs you think you’re un-qualified for, and ask for help. If you fail, fail better than anyone has failed before!
2. Most Careers Are Not Linear—but Sideways: You get out of college and think you’ll have job offers everywhere and when that doesn’t happen, you take a job maybe doing something you never thought you’d do…and discover a hidden talent. You take that meeting with the idiot you hated, that you thought would be a waste of time, and 3 years later, that idiot offers you a job or saves your career. Most careers do not start off in one industry and stay there for the duration, they bounce around and may end up somewhere far from anything your planner could have predicted.
3. Failure and Success Go Hand in Hand: If you’re not failing at something, you’re not trying hard enough. One of the panel members said she frequently says to her employees, “ If you think you have it all figured out, you’re hugging the tree, go climb the thin branches…explore…and maybe fall.”
4. Put Yourself in Uncomfortable Situations: You will learn more about yourself by, again, taking risks and exploring the unknown than you will staying on the safe path. Leading is about being in the front of the train where you’re taking the brunt of all the debris and storms flying your way so accept that challenge and you’ll grow because of it.
5.   Meet as Many People as You Can That are NOT Like You: Good leaders know how to fill the gaps in their team. Everyone has different strengths and interacting with those unlike you will train to you see the spark of genius in every personality, making you a better hiring manager, leader, boss, CEO, etc. There’s always someone out there with a better idea or easier way and you’ll miss out on them if you don’t learn to work with people that are very different from you.

Words of Wisdom #6-10 will be posted on tomorrow’s blog…stay tuned.

In a new survey, 500 SEO companies participated and gave responses to questions regarding their pricing models and cost ranges. And while there are a number of models from by-the-hour pricing to project-based pricing, it was surprising to see that that average project-based pricing (most widely used model) was between $2,500-$5,000. Also, those companies that offered a monthly retainer rate for ongoing services fell between that same price range. Many people see that monthly figure and assume it’s an outrageous amount being charged for simple services that they could do themselves. Yes, there are SEO companies out there doing minimal work and overcharging their clients. However, this study shows that the majority of companies practicing SEO are using complex methods of on-page, off-page and time-consuming link building strategies for their customers and the prices they’re charging are commensurate with the services provided.

Is SEO Customer Service Long Gone?

Also, there’s been some skepticism within the industry over the past few years from both bloggers and SEO customers complaining that consulting firms don’t provide enough “hands-on” assistance.  However, the survey says that 88.5% of participating companies said they offer “hands-on SEO changes to sites” and 79.1% provide “hands-on link building.” Obviously, hands-on attention is still widely practiced. Innvio is one of these companies. We are available by phone or email 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you have changes or revisions that need to be corrected, Innvio guarantees a response within 24 hours and if the problem is more complicated and takes longer to fix, you will have direct communication with an account manager within that same 24 hour time period.

It’s not rocket science, it’s just good business. As with any industry, there are companies out there providing bad customer service with amateur skills and overcharging for false promises. At Innvio, we have account managers that will talk to you in real terms that you can understand about the state of your website and what we can and will do to fix it. Because the industry is constantly evolving, we’re always learning too so if we can’t figure something out, we’ll let you know that too. We’ve been successful in delivering internet marketing solutions because we’ve been honest, promoted open communication with our clients and genuinely want to help businesses succeed. Call today to get a free assessment of your website and what we can do to improve your visibility and search engine ranking.

Social Command Center

The team at the command center will use search tools and techniques to identify key words and phrases in the social conversations, alerting them of someone in need. For example, searching for “cant find parking” or “parking sucks” in the area’s social chats will enable the team to respond with parking availability and directions. The command center’s staff of 20 people will be on duty for 15 hours per day starting Monday and running through Super Bowl Sunday, February 5th.  With more than a mile of Ethernet cable and 150 square feet of networked screen space, the command center team is hoping to set a precedent for successful event communication strategies. In fact, researchers from the Center for Media Design at Ball State University will be analyzing the center’s efforts to determine what worked and what didn’t.  The director of the center’s Insight & Research Unit, Michael Holmes, contributes an email response, ”the ubiquity of social media and the absolute necessity for companies, organizations and communities to use these tools to improve their relations with their customer, audiences and citizens.”

What do you think about this command center? Do you think it will improve the Super Bowl experience by giving fans a resource to relieve their frustration? How many times have you been at a large event and feel completely overwhelmed by the people, traffic, schedule of activities and lack of clear communication? Event organizing is an art in being intuitive at expecting the unexpected and managing the needs of thousands of people. If all goes well,  this new social media command center could just be the new “requirement” for large events.