Sep 19, 2017 | blog, marketing tips
There is something slightly unnerving about writing a blog post about blogging, but here goes…
Blogging has been around for 20 years, but I still get asked “Why should I be blogging”, so here are 7 reasons why your business needs a blog on its website.
- Improves your Google Ranking
Google likes fresh content, so regularly updating your blog will help your website rank higher in search results, and Google will then crawl your site more regularly too once it realises that it is being regularly updated.
It will also increase the number of pages on your website (each blog post should be a new page), which will help convince Google that yours is an important website and worth ranking more highly.
- Helps you get found on Google
If you blog about topics related to your business, you will probably use the terms that people will be looking for when searching for businesses like yours, so it will improve your SEO (Search Engine Optimisation). You can research the terms people are looking for using the Google Keyword Planner.
- Builds your Reputation and Trust
A blog gives your business the opportunity to show off their collective knowledge, which will help convert readers into buyers. It may get you other opportunities such as speaking at events too.
- Shows off your Knowledge
You are an expert in your field. None of that claiming “We are market leaders, blah blah,” you can actually show readers that you know what you are talking about.
- Tells people what you do
A good blog has lots of posts so it gives you lots of opportunities to show all of the things your business can do. Client case studies can also make great blog posts, demonstrating your knowledge, and how you go the extra mile for your clients.
- Creates Content to share on Social media
Not everything you share on social media needs to be your promoting your own business – but it is easier to promote your own business if you have blog posts which you can share on your social media profiles, whether that is Facebook, Twitter or Linkedin. Remember the 80:20 rule – around 20% of your posts should promote your business, the other 80% should be sharing information which aims to inform, educate and entertain.
- Creates Content to use in Email Marketing
A good blog works hand in hand with email marketing too. Each email newsletter can introduce the blog articles, and then link back to them.
If you need to learn more about how to blog, check out my next blogging workshop here.
Photo by Corinne Kutz on Unsplash
Sep 5, 2012 | Uncategorised
Maximise Your Marketing Workshop
Tuesday 6th November 2012
Nottingham Racecourse, NG2 4BE
Are you using Facebook and Twitter for your business, but not sure you’re getting the most from your efforts? Would you like your business to be featured in the media, but don’t know how to go about it? Then join us for this hands-on full day workshop at Nottingham Racecourse on Tuesday 6th November. For just £96 you will learn how to
– Write and send out press releases
– Research the media
– Build a database of contacts
And to get the most from Twitter and Facebook, you will learn how to:
– Use Twitter lists and tools eg Hootsuite
– Use Twitter Search
– Use Facebook Insights and Apps
– Create Facebook competitions
– Integrateyour social networks
– Research content
– Link with your website and blog
Book Now to Save 20% ! If you book your place by Friday 19th October 2012 this full day workshop is only £96. After this date the full price is £120!
To learn more and book your place, click here
About the Trainers
Beryl Pettitt has worked in marketing for over 25 years. Her experience spans both the corporate environment and running her own business, Ridgeway Marketing. She understands the needs and pressures of managing a business, so clients find her advice both practical and affordable. Beryl has worked with a wide range of businesses, from consultants and accountants to artists and entrepreneurs, helping them to reach new markets and get more customers. She has an MA in marketing, is a Chartered Marketer, a SFEDI accredited business mentor and member of the Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurs.
www.ridgewaymarketing.co.uk
Naomi Johnson’s background is in science; she has an MSc in Clinical Biochemistry and worked as a Biomedical Scientist in London area NHS labs for 11 years before moving north to take over the running of a small boarding cattery. She has always been interested in the web and online activities, has dabbled in web design, and in 2011 set up her own business as a social media manager and trainer, focussing on helping small to medium enterprises use social media to its full potential as a marketing tool. She is currently marketing assistant for a Retford business networking group, and is the social media “specialist” for the Lincoln MarketingClub.
www.naomijohnsonsocialmedia.co.uk
If you have any questions about the workshop, please call Beryl on 01623 883144 or Naomi on 01777 249075
May 31, 2012 | Events, marketing training
Join us for an informal workshop and learn how to promote your business online through an effective website and focused marketing strategy. Bring your laptops and questions and get real world advice!
Thursday 5th July, 6pm – 8pm Cafe Piano, 1 Westgate, Southwell, Notts NG25 0JN
– Getting your marketing strategy right
– What you need to know before getting a new website
– Domain names, hosting, CMS, blogs and ecommerce – what does it all mean?
– How to drive traffic to your website
– Search engine optimisation basics
Hosted by Beryl Pettitt, director of Ridgeway Marketing and Nick Hayward, owner of FCS Websites.
Spaces are limited so book early! Tickets are £20 and are available from our Eventbrite page
May 20, 2012 | Events
Watch the Social Media Mayhem video on Facebook here
Naomi Johnson, social media specialist, and Beryl Pettitt are running a Social Media and Marketing Workshop on the 10th July at the CORE Conference Centre near Retford.
This really is a not to be missed opportunity for small and large businesses and sole traders alike – viral social media and marketing is one of the best ways to stay in contact with your customers and business associates, share your updates, run competitions and attract new business. Did you know that most Facebook users have on average 100+ friends – what better way to maximise your marketing, create interest and increase your reach?
The Trainers
Beryl Pettitt has worked in marketing for over 25 years, she has an MA in marketing, is a member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, a SFEDI accredited business mentor and member of the Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurs. www.ridgewaymarketing.co.uk
Naomi Johnson is the social media “specialist” at the Lincoln Marketing Club. To read more about Naomi please follow this link. www.naomijohnsonsocialmedia.co.uk
Want to Focus on Facebook, Trend on Twitter, and Market on Mailchimp?
An Advanced Social Media workshop with Email Marketing
Tuesday 10th July – CORE Conference Centre, Nr Retford, Notts DN22 0L
– Twitter lists and tools
– Twitter Search
– Facebook Insights and Apps
– Facebook competitions
– Integrating your social networks
– Researching content
– Linking with your website/blog
And how to market your business using Mailchimp email marketing
– Creating templates
– Creating and downloading your lists
– Writing headlines
– Creating content
– Following up
– Measuring the results
The workshop costs £87 (plus VAT) which includes including unlimited parking/refreshments, locally sourced home cooked lunch, and the marketing and social media course. To book your place on either workshop Click here to register!
For any queries on the venue, please contact Martin on 01777 249346 or email martin@coreconferencing.co.uk
www.outklassfitness.co.uk – www.coreconferencing.co.uk
Apr 21, 2012 | blog, marketing mentoring, marketing tips
If like me you have been inspired by the spring sunshine to have a big de-clutter and spring clean at home, you will know what a therapeutic process it is! Once all those annoying jobs and clutter are gone, you feel inspired to make a fresh start – and the same goes for your marketing. So how do you go about spring cleaning your marketing? Here are some ideas:
1. Review your marketing materials
If it is a while since you created your website and business card, you will probably find that they are in need of an update. Do they make your USP clear? (for more on checking your USP see here). Have you got new customers that you could add to your website and ask for new testimonials?
2. Review your Social Media Profiles
Are your Twitter and Linked-in profiles up to date and complete, with all your qualifications and experience? Is it clear what you are offering? Do you have a good up to date photo of yourself on there? Do you need to get some more recommendations on Linked-in? Get in touch with your happy customers and ask for some testimonials. Have you set up your Facebook business page for the new Timeline yet?
3. Update your records
If there is a pile of business cards lurking in the corner of your office, now is the time to add them to your database so that you can bin those cards. Think about keeping separate lists of clients, prospects and referrers, so that you can target them with separate communications. If you don’t have a database, then you can create a simple one using a spreadsheet with separate columns for first name, second name, company, address, phone number and email. This can then be uploaded to an email marketing system such as Mailchimp (for more on email marketing, see here). You could also connect with them on Linkedin – that way you can stay in touch even if they move jobs or company. Linkedin also allows you to download all your contacts which could then form the basis of a database.
4. Check your SEO
Once you have updated the content on your website, do an SEO (search engine optimisation) spring clean. There are a lot of factors involved in SEO, but at least check that the page title on each page (that is the one on the tab at the top) contains useful information for anybody searching for your company, your name, and what you offer. (on this page it is Spring Clean Your Marketing | Ridgeway Marketing). It should reflect the same words used in the text on the page – too many waste this title on words such as “Home” or “Services”. If most of your customers are local, have you registered on Google My Business? This is a free Google service and will help with local SEO. Also think about getting links on high ranking sites.
5. Review your marketing activities
If this is the end of your financial year, now is a good time to review your marketing activities to see what is working and what is not. Think about it in terms of cost and time, and the value of the business (and profit) each activity generates. You also need to consider the Lifetime Value of the customer – though it may cost a lot to get one customer, if they stay with you, what is the Lifetime Value of that customer? This might lead you to re-consider how much time and money you spend on each area of marketing.
6. Get an outside viewpoint
Most of us just get too close to our own business to see the wood for the trees, so do ask a trusted friend or colleague for an outside viewpoint. They may spot something that you just cannot see. A marketing mentor can help you with a fresh perspective on your marketing, and give you lots of new ideas on how to market your product or service – for more details on Marketing Mentoring, see here
Author: Beryl Pettitt
Ridgeway Marketing provides Marketing Mentoring and Marketing Training to small businesses and organisations across the UK. Beryl Pettitt has worked in marketing for over 25 years, and her experience spans both the corporate environment and running her own business. She understands the needs and pressures of managing a business, so clients find her advice both practical and affordable. If you would like some help spring cleaning your marketing, request a free one hour marketing mentoring session.
www.ridgewaymarketing.co.uk Tel 0115 772 2518
