Facebook is an excellent example for viral marketing. You can advertise a new product that you are manufacturing, or activate an on-line promotion campaign – all at very little overhead. That is the beauty of social media – essentially the only cost is your time. Facebook makes it easy to add pictures or links to your products. You can also include specific coupons as a benefit for those who follow you on-line.

Through Facebook, you can also create polls or even add contests; a poll can help you decide which item you will create next, or provide feedback to improve your current inventory. Contests will draw attention to your business’s page – everyone loves two win!

Facebook is also beneficial because it has so much exposure. If one of your clients “likes” you, it starts a trickle down effect displaying the likes on their friend’s wall, who may also be interested. It’s just that simple.

Twitter is yet another social media marvel. By using hashtags (#), you can mark each of your posts (a “tweet”) so that each person who follows that hashtag will receive your comment. The amount of people who receive your post is directly related to the amount of people who follow that hashtag; so the more common the better.

Third party applications, such as Tweet Deck, can make using Twitter and Facebook a breeze. These apps allow you to write one post and add it to both Twitter and Facebook at the same time. Not only will this save time, it will ensure you keep followers on both your Twitter and Facebook accounts up to date.

New to Facebook a tool which allows you to transform your newsfeed into a newspaper, personalized to your interests. With topics such as fashion, sports or recipes, “automotive” and the like will not be too far behind.

Social media may be a new evolution of advertising, but the essence stays the same. The message needs to be concise, clear and to the point – especially when it comes to Twitter, which limits the amount of characters to 140. Social media is so much more effective than TV or print advertising as you are directly targeting an audience that has already shown an interest in what you offer – whether it be a “like” on Facebook or a “follow” on Twitter. Social media is the new way to advertise, and it’s here to stay.

Okay, so you built a website…now what?
A lot of people who build a website say if “I build it they will come.” Unfortunately, this statement is totally false unless you’re a celebrity or an individual with a large following. And I can guarantee that the vast majority of the population is neither of these things.

So, as a non-celebrity who wants to attract traffic to your website — what do you do?

SEO is a great way to drive traffic to your site. But most people don’t understand how it works. They pull the trigger and start a SEO strategy, and then get frustrated because their phone isn’t ringing or online orders aren’t rolling in.

My advice to you is, “Be patient.” An effective SEO strategy is a long term strategy, and you can’t expect instant results from it. Plan on seeing noticeable results in your site’s rankings 3 to 6 months from the start of your SEO strategy. It could take longer depending on your industry because of your sites relevance to the competition. If you’re looking for short term gains, use a pay-per-click campaign until your SEO kicks into full gear.

How does SEO work?
SEO works by gradually increasing your site’s rankings without raising any red flags with the “internet GODS” like Google. You have to play a cat-and-mouse game so you don’t get “black listed” as a spammer. You have to increase your site’s visibility 10 ranking points a month gradually to get on page one for a certain keyword phrase. With the goal of reaching 100 points. This is done by adding phrases to your site that net the most return to the number of clicks. A keyword analysis will help you decide which keywords work best for you. The analysis will take into account:

1. Your site’s relevance to your competition.

2. Content

3. Keyword strength (this doesn’t mean use a keyword that has 70 million sites connected with it)

Be a big fish in a small pond

Why focus on keywords that have millions of results? Be a niche player in your keyword search. Focus on keywords that are specific to your industry or product. Example: don’t use “web designer” as a keyword. Focus on one element that is closely related. Like “corporate web designer.” The more specific you get with your keywords, the more you can separate the tire kickers from your real clients that are looking for your product or service.

So…to re-cap!

1. It takes time. Immediate results don’t usually happen. SEO efforts need to be implemented in increments to work long term.

2. It’s not easy. To optimize a website properly, it takes time, know-how, and research.

3. It can hurt instead of help. If SEO is done wrong, your site can get black listed.

4. You have to play by the rules. The search engines are smart. You can’t fool them. Spam-like or unprofessional SEO practices will end up getting noticed and penalized.

5. It requires an ongoing commitment. SEO isn’t a magic bullet. You can’t just do it once and then it’s done. The rules are always changing, the search engines are changing, and the competition is changing. Stay on top of your SEO so it can have the biggest impact.

6. If you want immediate first-page results… SEO isn’t going to get you there. The only way to get on the first page right away – is by paying for Pay-Per-Click advertising.

So, don’t believe the myths. Know the truth, play by the rules, and make SEO really work for your business

We wish you well – and if you need our help, get in touch us.

“The best website, blowing the competition away this year, was truly a fine, fine work of art,” stated Martin T. Gold, Chairman of the AIA Award Committee before revealing Centric Parts as the winner.  The other nominees included Denso, Motorcar Parts of America, KYB, Fras-le and Beck/Arnley.

New and expanded features found at www.centricparts.com include online part ordering for distributors, a catalog lookup function with part identification images and buyers guide data, downloadable documents including tech guides and white papers, tickets for Centric Parts’ award winning tech support, plus product info, new part releases, and company news. The site also provides access to the company’s budding The Brake Room blog and YouTube channel, as well as links to visit the company’s StopTech and Power Slot divisions. The site even features a photo gallery with company logos, product shots, and images from events and races.

While this was the first Best Web Site Presentation of a Product Line for Cars or Trucks award for the company, Centric Parts has earned other awards from AIA in prior years.  The Centric Parts family earned a pair of product awards from AIA at AAPEX last year for Centric Parts’ CryoStop rotors as well as their Power Slot Power Alloy Enhanced Brake Rotors, which was named Best New Performance Product.

Centric Parts (www.centricparts.com) continually innovates significant improvements to brake technology for the street and track, having earned four patents along the way, providing superior performance, quality and value. Centric Parts offerings include PosiQuiet premium Metallic, Ceramic and Extended Wear formulas, an OE product line, plus C-TEK standard grade materials. StopTech (www.stoptech.com), Centric’s ultra performance division, is a leading innovator of world class brake components and systems for production-based racing cars and high performance vehicles on the street and track. Power Slot (www.powerslot.com), Centric’s performance division, focuses on entry level brake upgrade solutions and pioneered direct fit performance rotors for trucks, SUVs and severe duty vehicles.

With over 100 million members, networking on Facebook can have a tremendous impact on your business.

In the last edition (View here) of the Ballistic Designs newsletter (Great Web Design Isn’t Enough) we discussed how Facebook can help your business excel through networking with your clients and prospects.  Today, I’m going to talk about exactly how to get your business “on” Facebook.

How exactly do you get your business “on” Facebook?…With a “fan” page!

What is a “fan” page?

Facebook started out as a place for friends and individuals to connect.  As it became apparent that Facebook was a great place to promote businesses, Facebook came up with “fan” pages.  “Fan” pages can be used to promote businesses, musicians, artists, and products.   So, “profile” pages are for individual people, and “fan” pages are where businesses, musicians, artists or products can communicate with their network.

A “fan” page is essentially a “profile” page for your business.

Here’s a quick tutorial on how to set up a “fan” page for your business:

1.If you already have an account on Facebook, login.  If not, click here (http://www.facebook.com/pages/create.php) and skip to #5.?

2.Scroll to the bottom of the page, look for a link that says “advertising.”  Click on it.  (Don’t worry — there is no cost to set up a fan page.)?

3.On the top of your screen, click on “pages.”?

4.Then click the green button that says “create a page.”?

5.You will be asked what kind of business you’re making a page for.  You will also need to enter your full name as your “electronic signature” and check a box that says you are “authorized” to create this page.?

6.Now, your business fan page is created and you can edit it by adding information and photos.  In order to make the page live, you will be prompted to “publish” it.

Now you have a place to meet your peers, open dialogue, send updates, get feedback, build relationships, find business contacts, raise visibility, show up in Google searches, and if you choose, you can place targeted ads to advertise your business.

Keep in mind: Each “fan” page is linked to a personal “profile” page – so once you’ve created your fan page, you’ll notice there’s a button called “profile.”  This is where you can edit your personal “profile” by adding a picture, information, and making friends.  In your personal profile, you will be “John Smith, business owner,” but your businesses “fan” page is where all business promotion belongs.

To find your fan page in the future: Login to your account, look in the lower left hand corner, and next to “applications” you will see a small “f” that when scrolled over says “ads and pages.”  Click there. Then click on “pages.”  There you will see your pages and be able to “edit” them.

With so many business benefits, Facebook is the place to be.  Though it might sound complicated, it’s actually quite easy to get your fan page up and running – we promise!  Sign up today and start growing your online presence.  Need help?  Get in touch and we’ll see how we can help.

In the next edition, we’ll talk about how to get the most out of your Facebook “fan” page.

So, you’re Twittering and you’ve got some followers… Now what?

If you’re like most small business owners, what you really want to know is: Can Twitter actually help you grow your business – and how?

Here’s the honest answer: Yes, Twitter can have a tremendous impact on the growth of your business – if – you put the effort in and use the right approach. Unfortunately, Twitter is not a magic-maker. Twitter is an avenue to make meaningful connections with your audience.  And yes, your audience wants meaningful connections – not straight up advertising.

Just to be clear, let’s take a look at some statements about Twitter:

FALSE: I can send out lots of advertising Tweets and gets lots of new customers.

TRUE: If I create a valuable, relevant, informative Twitter presence, I can gain loyal followers, develop interest in my business, and ultimately get new customers.
Here are 9 ways to make the most of Twitter for your business:

1. Get real. If all you do is try to sell your products on Twitter, nobody will follow you! People don’t join Twitter because they want to be advertised to.  Put yourself in their shoes and think about how your Tweets will come across.
2. Link to your site, your blog, to interesting articles you’ve read, and to your newsletter, but remember, do it when it’s relevant!
3. Become a helpful expert. Use your expertise to comment on other’s Tweets and offer relevant help.
4. Skip the inane stuff. Don’t tell people you just ate a salami sandwich.  Before you Tweet, ask yourself, “is this relevant?”
5. Pay attention! If people re-tweet your posts, it means they found it interesting. Learn from what’s being re-tweeted and commented on, and create more content like that.
6. Be patient. Twitter success takes time. The first step is to gain followers by conversing, being personable, and being relevant.
7. Promotions and giveaways are a good way to get attention. If you keep them fun and exciting, the followers will come.
8. Engage people. Ask questions, be interesting, and be unique.  You can’t engage people with a robotic Twitter presence, so remember to be genuine.
9. Promote other people’s stuff. It’s not just about you. Re-tweet info from others. Be a member of the community, not just out for yourself.