Small Business: SEO, Email Marketing, Websites and Socia Media - Oh My!!!

Small business is no longer just local business...

In today's world, a social and web presence are not optional, they are a must and vital to the success of your business. I am here to say no matter how small your business is, a digital presence in the world is easier than you think.

First, you must have a plan of action. Create a marketing plan and social media plan for your business. Of course newly created businesses rarely have much wiggle room for paid marketing, but social media is thankfully free and if you use it wisely,  you will quickly reap it's rewards. 

Looking at your financial status, figure how much you can realistically spend on your web design. Often you can locate another small business/boutique style designer like myself to create a WSYWIG (What You See Is What You Get) site or site on another platform, such as Word Press of Joomla. Expect a website to cost you between $2000-$5000 as a low ballpark average.


First of all, you may be unsure of what exactly the acronym, SEO means.  If you don't this may be your biggest roadblock - Search Engine Optimization. How you rank compared to the world? Compared to your competitors in your region or around the world. Mashable has a great article on ways to increase your SEO. 

http://mashable.com/2012/01/09/increase-google-rank/

There are many ways to increase your SEO. Often SEO and website design go hand in hand. A big part of  SEO is meta tags - these are keywords or main ideas that best describe your business or site. These help your rankings in search engines and help drive more business to your site. In addition, to correctly using meta tags, proper web platforms, social media, and blogs are also huge components of driving traffic to your site, and making your web-presence more prevalent.

Do you have a Facebook page, Twitter handle (@businessname) or LinkedIn accounts? All of these not only increase your SEO, but help you create an online community of customers and supporters. Here is a great article from the Social Media Examiner on small business successes with social media.


http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/9-small-business-social-media-success-stories/

Now social media is great, it keeps our customers connected, up-to-date, involved with our business when properly managed, but what about email marketing and newsletters? Are these a thing of the past? Think again. Email marketing is still a useful and widely accepted marketing tool that businesses should still utilize. I wanted to hear what other experts thought where the best email marketing tools out there and this article beautifully sums them up. 


http://www.readwriteweb.com/biz/2010/08/which-email-marketing-platform-is-right-for-your-small-business.php

What are your goals for your small business in 2012? Do you need a consultation? Should you outsource social media and other web related business? Sit down, grab a pen and paper and map out your goals, think about how those should look and then compose a plan to help you achieve those goals.

Have questions related to this blog or any other social media, web design, or graphic design questions?

Happy planning!
Katherine Fell

Contact me Katherine Fell @naptimedesign on Twitter or katherine@naptimedesign.com.
www.naptimedesign.com

Mack Collier's "A No-Nonsense Guide to SEO and Content Creation for Bloggers"

Mack Collier, of mackcollier.com says it best in his article re-pasted below. In the New Year my goals are to ensure my blogging doesn't take a backseat - how about you? What are your go-to buckets?

A No-Nonsense Guide to SEO and Content Creation for Bloggers

Two of the most common complaints I hear from bloggers, especially during #Blogchat is:

1 – I wish I could figure out how to post more often and create more content
2 – I wish I better understood SEO and how to optimize my posts for search

I’m going to show you a ‘trick’ that will hopefully help you with both of these issues.  First, we need to pick 3-5 Topic Buckets for your blog.  These are 3-5 key areas that you want to focus on with your blog content.  For example, my Topic Buckets for this blog are:
1 – How businesses and individuals can improve their blogging
2 – How businesses and individuals can better use Twitter
3 – How businesses can create and improve their Social Media Strategies
4 – How businesses can better embrace and empower their fans
5 – Catch-all (Facebook, Social Media Monitoring, everything I don’t want to blog about quite as much goes here)

Now the great thing about this approach is that notice since I have 5 Topic Buckets, if I just write one post a week from each bucket, I’ve got 5 posts for the week!  Or I could spread those 5 posts out over two weeks, so I have 3 posts for the 1st week, then 2 for the second week.  And if I wanted I could add a 3rd post in that second week, either from one of these buckets again, or maybe I want to let you know about a Live #Blogchat coming up, or an event I will be speaking at.

But once you’ve created your Topic Buckets, it makes it MUCH easier for you to organize the content you create on your blog!  And if you want to be super-organized, you could say pick 3 Topic Buckets for your blog, then write a new post for the 1st one every Monday, the 2nd bucket would be every Wednesday, and the 3rd Topic Bucket’s post would be every Friday!
So thanks to Topic Buckets, we’ve tackled the issue of how to create more content.  Really, the biggest issue you will have with this is deciding on what your Topic Buckets should be, and how many you should have.  I think 3 is the perfect number, if you get over 5, then you should probably consider spinning some of them off into a new blog, or eliminating some till you get back down to 5 or less.

Now, let’s talk about optimizing your posts for search and SEO.  Let me say up front I am NOT an SEO expert, the following is good old-fashioned ‘common sense’ advice that I learned by reading SEO experts, then experimenting with my own content here, and seeing what worked, and what didn’t.  This is 101-level stuff to get you started.  I would recommend that you try this, and then when you see the positive results, that will probably whet your appetite to want to learn more about SEO.
First, learn to write better post titles.  Seriously, this was the biggest improvement I made in my blogging this year.  But it goes beyond simply writing a ‘catchy’ headline, you need to seriously consider what words you use in your headline.  Because what you want to do is use certain search keywords and terms in your post’s title.

For example, lets say we want to write a post on how businesses can use Twitter.  Before you start writing the post or even the title, ask yourself ‘what would someone type into Google in order to find this post?’  Put yourself in the shoes of the marketing manager at a mid-sized company that’s trying to decide if her business should start a Twitter account.  Some of the things she might put into Google could be:

• ‘How do businesses use Twitter?’
• ‘How can Twitter help my business?’
• ‘Does my business need to be on Twitter?’
• ‘How do you get started using Twitter?’

You get the idea.  But notice she is Googling QUESTIONS that she wants the answers to!  Think about it, isn’t this how we usually use Google?  We have a question we want answered.  So taking the marketing manager’s questions in mind, here’s some possible post titles we could go with
1 – Four Innovative Ways Businesses Are Using Twitter
2 – Should Your Business Be on Twitter? Here’s How You Can Decide
3 – How to Start a Twitter Account For Your Business in 5 Minutes!

See how those post titles closely resemble what the marketing manager was Googling?  If you can use the same or similar keywords and phrases in your post title as what others are searching for in search engines, you will greatly increase your post’s chances of ranking high in search results for those words and terms.

Another tip:  Use your keywords as close to the start of the post title as possible.  This helps, but isn’t an absolute.  For example, the first post title of ‘Four Innovative Ways Businesses Are Using Twitter’ could be changed to ‘How Are Businesses Using Twitter? Here’s Four Innovative Ways’.  You may want to make this change because the term ‘How Are Businesses Using Twitter’ will be what more people are searching for.  Personally, I think the 1st version of the post title flows better.

Finally, use the same keyword/phrases in your post title, in the post itself.  Ideally, you want to use the keyword phrase, such as ‘How are businesses using Twitter’ up to 3 times in the post.  Or at least once at the start of the post.  You want to do this because this helps Google and other search engines correctly identify what the post is about.  Google will scan the post and if it sees the same or similar words and phrases repeating in the post, then it assumes that’s what the post is about, then when someone searches for those same or similar phrases, your post will rank higher in search results!
So that’s enough to get you started.  Start creating Topic Buckets for your blog, then start beefing up your post titles with the proper keywords and phrases.  I think you’ll be pleasantly pleased with the results you see!

 

 

 

 

New Year's Goals - Leave 10 Bad Habits in the Dust

New Year's is upon us and we all hope to make each year better than the last. I was perusing my Facebook account and happened upon Craig Darling's inspirational idea that New Year's Resolutions should be goals rather than hokey resolutions. He said, "I know it is hip to set a few resolutions. How many do we actually keep? It is a pretty poor success record over all... Try to set some goals instead. Goals drive you in ways a resolution can not. Set a detailed goal.. and every time you ponder your goal... picture the success in your mind.. Did you know that many years before Jim Carey made it big... he wrote himself a check for 10 Million to make a movie... kept it in his wallet. Hey, that goal worked out for him... Try it... To your successful New Year then!" I think this is a much better resolution to resolve to set achievable goals that short term plans - remember habits take weeks at a minimum, on average 66 days according to Psych Central (http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2009/10/07/need-to-form-a-new-habit-66-days/).

So in the spirit of the New Year and all things new let's check out a this article featured today by Laura Frongillo, Salary.com contributing writer. There are great tips for stepping out of our ruts and getting on with the new. 


Many thanks Laura Frongillo for your encouraging words and ideas. 

10 Bad Habits to Leave Behind in the New Year 

1.  Put off procrastination…now

Overwhelmed by the difficulty or size of a pending chore? Make use of calendars and computer alarms to plan out and schedule small pieces of big projects. Doing a little at a time is usually easier than tackling a whole project at once – and always more productive than putting it off ‘til you’re “up to” a big challenge.

2. If your system's broke, fix it

Do you clean up your act every few months only to find your folders empty and your desk a mess again in no time? If you’re constantly unable to find things, you may be trying to adhere to a filing system that doesn’t work for you. Notice where your various papers naturally end up and base a new categorization scheme on what works for you.

3. Are you too accessible?

Nothing hinders a project’s progress more than incessant interruptions. When you really need to focus, be sure you will not be bothered. Let co-workers know you are busy. If you have a door, shut it and hang a do not disturb sign. Turn off phone ringers if possible, as well as instant message boxes and incoming email announcements.

4. Cool the water cooler gossip

Sometimes it gets a little too easy to join in the office banter, even when it starts heading down the wrong path – like discussing the boss’s bad breath or which sales rep’s going out with which admin assistant. If you need to vent about a co-worker, do it with a trustworthy non-colleague. Limit the work coffee talk to sports and “Idol” chatter.

5. Poor planners don’t get rich

Do you arrive at your office without a plan for the day or run into meetings unprepared?  If so, it’s likely you’re wasting valuable time – and annoying your co-workers. Leave the poor planning in the past. Take a few moments to write a to-do list or an outline for the next day or an upcoming meeting so you can show up ready to go.

6. You won’t get ahead by being behind

If you find you are constantly 10 minutes late for work or appointments, chances are others notice it too. Nip this habit in the bud by setting all your alarms 15 minutes earlier and leaving yourself an extra half hour to get to work. The worst that can happen is you’ll be a little early and find yourself with some valuable free time.

7. Cut out crude cubicle conduct

Remember, your cubicle is not your castle. That’s because in most offices cube walls are not made of stone. Therefore it’s not okay to talk loudly, produce offensive smells, clip fingernails, blast music, belch, or cough incessantly. Be sure you leave the nail clippers, dental floss, strong perfume, and colds and flu at home or behind closed doors.

8. Unchain yourself from your work

It may seem like keeping your nose to the grindstone is the height of efficiency, but studies show that taking regular breaks from your work is a more productive approach. Step away from your work every so often so you can come back with a fresh outlook. Or take a break from one project every so often to work on another.

9. Unhealthy habits can affect your work

It’s easy in an office to get into a sedentary routine. But your physical health has a direct correlation to your mental health, which in turn affects your work success. Bringing healthy snacks to work instead of eating fast food can do wonders for your mood. Likewise, taking a walk after lunch can revitalize both your body and your mind.

People notice smart dressers – even if unconsciously. So, if you’ve gotten a little lazy in the wardrobe department, it’s time to weed out the “comfy” clothes and spruce up a bit. Don’t worry; you don’t need to be a GQ model or glamour queen to dress for success. Just tailor your look a little. Here are some helpful hints about clothes that say “pay me more.”

Full speed ahead

Once you’ve divested yourself of behavior that may be holding you back, replacing it with positive work habits should be easy – in fact, it often happens automatically. Congratulations on leaving the past behind and following the road to career success! Now, how about resolving to call your mother more often?
http://www.salary.com/Articles/ArticleDetail.asp?part=par1670

Great article Laura, now what we do with these items are what count. I wish someone had written this when I used to work a full time, in office, job, but of course many of these items still apply to the work at home, self-employed.  

 Let's start making those goals today and not wait until the New Year to get started. 66 days start now! Happy 2012!

Katherine

A Year In Rewind - 2011 What a time!

2011 has been a wonderful year filled with joy! Naptime Design has taken on numerous new clients and projects. I am so beyond words as to how thankful and blessed I have been. In the past year we have continued to serve a wonderful boutique (as we have since 2008/2009), Get Noticed Boutique, in Richardson, Texas. I maintain their website, social media, email marketing and all their graphic design and photographic needs. Around the same time I began helping Canyon Creek Fitness with their website and social media management and set up Cottonwood Creek Civic Associations websites.

Later in 2011, I began work with Fit For All Now with Stephen Volcik, my wonderful personal trainer and client, who I built a website for and maintain his social media, blog and graphic design. The work for him has been rewarding and fulfilling as I have also been able to create and maintain his YouTube channel as well as his photo galleries.

Another fantastic unique small business who we assist is Southern Vintage Glam in Plano, Texas. This shabby chic boutique and with a hair salon station in the back of the store, on 15th street in Plano, just down the way from Urban Crust. We enjoy photographing their merchandise, updating and maintaining their website, and managing their their social media.

I love that Naptime Design is not limited to any category of business. I love helping my sweet childhood friend with her online handmade craft store, The Sweetest Stitch. It has been so fun seeing all the wonderful crafts that such crafty ladies have made. Although, my friend runs her business from about 250 miles away from me, she has put me in charge of working on some of her blogging and graphic design as well as her managing her social media, Facebook and Twitter.

A new industry that I am knowledgeable about, but certainly not an expert on has become a new client and interest of mine. Jerry Parks, of Traditional Select Homes, has hired me to manage his social media. I love keeping up with home building and remodeling. This is a secret passion of mine - I secretly desire to be home builder/realtor/stager - I love this industry. My knowledge may be not be 40 years like Jerry's, but my personal experience of buying and remodeling the homes I have owned has been my own inspiration. Jerry has recently published a book on his incredible experiences over the past 40 years to help you build your dream home. The Builder Book is a wonderful book that will help and inspire you. Check out his book, available for Kindle, on Amazon.com.

A passion aside from my husband, children and clients is my newly formed, 501(c)3, non-profit organization, called Trooper's Team. Trooper, a badly burned dog, was found wandering the streets of south Dallas, and his story won the heart of my friend Kim Whiting, as well as mine. She fostered Trooper and has since adopted him. We started this non-profit organization to be able to support animal rescue groups and prevent the unnecessary euthanization of pets. There is much more to come from Trooper's Team - stay tuned in 2012 for great things.

Over the past year, I have also has some clients which I have done graphic design work for, Ebby Halliday (Lake Highlands Office), Tina Booth (Scentsy distributor), numerious friends and family who have graphic design needs for invitations, etc. I love it all!

There are special things in the works for Naptime Design and myself. I have loved 2011 and am anxiously awaiting all the fantastic projects ahead for 2012. Happy New Year!

Updates for Fit For All Now

Stephen Volcik, personal trainer and owner of Fit For All Now has become a great friend and my personal trainer. I am pretty bothered by the fact that I haven't worked out in weeks due to illness, but hope to "hit the ground running" (no pun intended) again starting next week. Fit For All Now's website is now up and running. His social media, Twitter and Facebook are getting noticed, the blog now has some insightful entries and I finally nailed down a logo that we all agreed on. Stop by check out Steven's pages and subscribe to his blog. He know his stuff and works hard to make everyone more healthy and fit. 

Meet my newest client, Stephen Volcik of Fit Now For All!

Sprucing up while I work!

Work continues and Naptime Design is so blessed to be busier than ever. I may be in the market shortly to add on to my staff of one. If you know anyone with graphic design, web design and social media experience looking for something very part time, send them my way. In the meantime, I felt my nest (my home office) needed more sprucing up. I love my office - it has become one of my favorite rooms in my home (and most frequented), but I figured that it needed some more unique touches. I just bought this lamp from my friend Whitney at W.E. Giggle - she and her adorable mother are the quite possibly the sweetest and most creative ladies I know. Crafty, crazy about the Lord and their families and have a wonderful eye for design. Be sure to check our their amazing home decor and printed cards and stationary. I love all of her things and could honestly buy it all - if my darling hubby wouldn't make me take it all back. More updates to come - lots of work happening and I will work on being a better blogger. I promise. :)

Katherine 

W.E. Giggle - Cards, Stationary, Home Decor

10 Things I've Learned

10 Things I've Learned...

The past couple weeks have been a lot about learning...

Let's just say I learned more than ten things, but I have to start somewhere, right?

1.  Networking is always key - grow, socialize, learn - make friends, be a good friend, work together...

 https://www.facebook.com/smcdallas

2.  Blogging can change your life - think it, blog it, share it.  I feel, I now think in terms of blog posts, Facebook status updates and tweets - do they always get written, not exactly, but I am certainly growing toward that. I think all my thoughts recently consisted of less than 160 characters. LOL

3.  Just like INXS said there is "Not Enough Time" - The days are never long enough, but sometimes we should just accept that what we don't finish today will still be there tomorrow and if it's not, then it wasn't meant to be. 

4.  SEO and Klout scores mean everything - not sure what these items are - well, if you work in or near social media and online marketing, you absolutely should and then you should read everything about how to make improvements. 

5.  Working from home (with kids present) isn't for the faint of heart - I love my work flexibility, love my clients, and love being able to work with my kids playing alongside of me - but let's just say it isn't for everyone and some days I ponder renting my own office space away from my house. :)

6.  Take care of #1 - so cliche, but so true. If you aren't taking care of yourself, how can you run a business or better yet someone else's business.

7. Organization will help your productivity levels soar. I know sometimes this is a tough one, the papers pile up, the work piles up, you can no longer see your desk and then simple tasks become difficult. Staying on top of the organization process definitely minimizes stress in the long run.

8. I've never been diagnosed ADD, but sometimes I don't think I could do what I do, without having it. The biggest question clients always ask is how many hours did you work on this or that - honestly, I usually cannot give an exact number. I dabble here, I dabble there - I dabble a little everywhere (Dr. Seuss-ish right?) - so clocking in specific hours per project is tough for me, but the truth is I spend a lot of time doing what I do and love each and every minute.

9. Education/Learning never ends - Graduate from college and you know everything and then you enter reality, where in reality, you know nothing. I am still learning each day - constantly, making sure I keep up with the latest news in design and social media - ensuring that I don't lose touch with the reality that is social media and it's ever-changing platforms.

10. There is a word called "No". I know, big shocker here - I learned new words this week, "No" and "I'm sorry". I would love to be able to help everyone, I love helping everyone, but there is only so much time I have available in days and weeks. 

Hope this brought you some insight - I know I could keep going, but my pillow is screaming my name. 

Cheers,

K