Interactive Marketing for Local Business

Here is the slideshare of the paired down version of the presentation I did this morning on interactive marketing trends for small business owners.

If you are managing the marketing for a small business.  I dare you to visit the Google Adwords Keyword Tool HERE then type in your city and your product and service offerings – just 5 or so like “Atlanta Heating” “Atlanta A/C” etc.

Then look at the Search Volume that comes up.  I bet you’ll be surprised.  Then try and find your business using any of the terms with the high search volume…then call an Interactive Marketing Firm to find out how to fix it!

Privacy Lives!

Here is a great satire from the Onion (if you don’t know what that is, it’s fake news) about the new Google Opt Out Village, where you can live a life of privacy.

Watch Video at the Onion HERE …the <embed> script wasn’t working

This parody draws to light the fact that Google, and the indexing of the world is such a pervasive part of our lives.  However, it’s not necessarily a bad thing…

…I dream of a world where I only see commercials that are relevant to me based on my interests.  In this world, commercials are no longer interruptions but instead valued services.  Of course, I have to be willing to share information about myself in order to achieve this…to me it’s worth the trade-off to reveal I’m a male to never see another commercial for feminine hygiene products.

In all seriousness, Google Analytics provide valuable information on who is using your website, and how to better serve your customers…but savvy Interactive Marketers have other tools and services they can use to track behavior.  The truth is out there…and someone is indexing it!

Spending Ad Dollars on Booster Seats?

Example, Google Local Business Center Listing

Clark Howard recently had a piece on CNN’s Headline News (I love waking up with Robin Meade) talking about Google’s Local Business Center Listings – the GLBC is the MAP that pops up on top of the Search Results when you search for something using a geographic modifyer, like “Tack Store Portland.”

Clark incorrectly reported that this service was not yet available in all markets, but that Google was testing it in a few markets.  I believe what he meant was – this service is now available for FREE in all markets, but they are beginning to test charging for it in some markets.  The thought being that if businesses are willing to pay for the Yellow Pages, which has very little accountability, and very few results, they would probably be willing to pay for this Google Local Business Center Listing which costs much less.

CLARK HOWARD VIDEO HERE

The Atlanta Journal Constitution recently reported that when AT&T stopped delivering the White Pages in Atlanta – NO ONE NOTICED!!!  What value is there really in the Yellow Pages then?

I would be curious to hear from anyone that uses a separate tracking phone number in their Yellow Pages ad to see what actual results they get.  When was the last time anyone used the Yellow Pages as anything but a booster seat for a toddler?

If you need help setting up your Google Local Business Center Listing, let me know.  Google is in the process of indexing every business, you’d be better off creating one for yourself than letting them create it for you.

Mad Men Dolls vs. KISS Dolls

OK, I can’t help but comment on this.  Is Barbie really the right platform for Mad Men?  I would’ve thought someone other than the wholesome Mattel would’ve taken this licensing deal, even that Mattel would’ve passed – it’s not like they’re going to have martini shakers or zippo lighters come with…

Not that I’m against Mad Men dolls – I wanted KISS Dolls when I was a kid – I guess the characters on Mad Men are the new KISS.  Larger than life caricatures of flawed heros who over indulge in everything, but get away with it because they are just so damn talented!

Here’s AMC’s full

Mindmap: Where do Sales Come From?

Mindmaps seem to be a trendy thing right now, basically a mindmap is a a  list arranged visually to show the relationship between different things on the list.  I just tried out one that was recommended to me http://www.mindmeister.com to map out the relationship between the different ways we generate sales.  What are your thoughts?  Did I miss anything?  Any opinions on moving anything around?

Click HERE to view my SALES MIND MAP