Who’s In Charge?
By · CommentsI’m always encouraging you to make sure you have a website and blog that you control. That’s because when you rely on someone else’s site, especially a social media platform like Facebook or Twitter. Today someone learned that lesson the hard way, when Facebook shut down a page with over 47,000 members.
Here’s the short version: two year old group, 47k members and a vanity url that violated the terms of service, although not intentionally. (“Realtor” is a registered name, so facebook.com/socialrealtor was a violation). Instead of trying to work things out in a way that everyone involved seemed willing to do, FB just closed the page. *pOOf*
UPDATE: With the intervention of Mari Smith, “the Pied Piper of FaceBook,” the page was reinstated with a new vanity url.
While having a social media presence is part of a solid marketing plan, it should only be part of your overall plan. What is crucial is that you have a website and blog that work together to get your practice found online. FYPO can help you get your marketing plan going by teaching you how to set up an online marketing plan for your practice.
You can engage us individually, by enrolling in one of the courses or by joining the Third Thursday Teleseminar. All three methods also include membership to the Members Only Tech Lounge, where you will find all sorts of resources to get a marketing plan for your practice up and running.
2nd UPDATE: The most popular link shortening service bit.ly was booted off Facebook yesterday. It’s all back now, but this uncertainty is why you need your own hosting service and your own Wordpress blogsite.
What is ALT Text?
By · CommentsWhen you add a picture to your blog there is a line for “ALT text.” If you don’t use any, you are asked if you’re sure you don’t want to add it. ” With more people accessing the internet from mobile devices, ALT text is becoming more important. What is it and why the focus on Alt text?” you may ask.
ALT text is the text description that appears when your reader has images turned off or uses a mobile device that doesn’t display images. If you use Gmail or an iphone, you have seen alt text displayed. If you use a logo, you want to have alt text with your company name in it so that the description is displayed. On your reader’s screen it will appear as something like “My_Company_Logo.” Add a bit of SEO to your email or blog post by paying attention to your ALT text.
Google says that 73% of searches are for local content. If you are a solo practitioner, this is important information. It means that your clients are looking for you online – not in the Yellow Pages. And while you really do need a website and a blog, there are some ways to start your online presence even if you don’t have anything online right now.
Many practitioners are surprised to learn that they can get their practices found online even if they don’t have a website or a blog. Are you one of them? Then let me introduce you to Google Places one of the free Business Solutions offered.
Your free listing must go through a verification process before it is “live” on the web. This can take several weeks if you opt for the verify by mail option. It’s well worth going through the steps to get a live listing. Here are the additional benefits:
1) Descriptions: You can list information about your practice, like whether you offer weekend or evening appointments, your specialty areas or the geographical are you serve. Privacy: If you are a coach or other professional who works from home, you can also choose to make your address private in your listing.
2) Photos- You can upload up to 10 images per listing, in JPG, GIF, PNG, TIFF, BMP. In some locations, you can even ask for a professional photo shoot for your business from Google.
3) Place Page Posts- You can post real time updates. Each post can be up to 160 characters. Use it to announce special sales, events, and new products.
4) Custom QR Codes: Smart phones use the QR code (think barcode) to take users to your mobile website.
5) Advertise: There is a limited program for enhanced listings in select cities for $25.00 a month. For this fee, your business will be highlighted on Google.com and on Google Maps.
6) Coupons: You can offer Google users special coupons as an incentive to visit your site and engage your services. Look for the “coupon tab” on your listing page.
7) Post Videos: You can add up to five YouTube videos to your listing with their URL.
These are 7 ways Google Places can help get your practice found online even before you have a website or blog.
I’ll be discussing Google Places and other free services to your practice found online on July 15th at 1:30 pm (Eastern) on the Third Thursday Teleseminar. I hope you will join me. The Third Thursday Teleseminar is for anyone who wants some accountability in their marketing efforts and who wants to stay on top of marketing their practice.
3 Benefits of Having a Marketing Mentor
By · CommentsAs a solo professional, one of the best things I’ve done is to get a marketing mentor. Each week I check in with her to report on my efforts. Here are the top 3 benefits of having a mentor:
1. Accountability. Before I had a mentor, it was so easy to put off marketing tasks. I thought of them as chores – something to be avoided if possible. Even if I marked off time on my calendar to do it, without accountability it was so easy to let it slide and fluff it off. With a mentor, I know that if I report no effort for the week, I’ll hear that pregnant pause before the question comes, “Tell me exactly how taking no action will bring you clients?” Plus, I’d feel like it was a waste of money.
Like an alcoholic the day after a bender, I promised to take action while resisting the structure, like AA meetings, needed for support. So there it is. I need to pay someone to nag me – or to offer the possibility of being nagged. Add in a dose of possible shame and I seem to be totally motivated. With that motivation, I can accomplish my marketing plan and stay on track because I’m aware of having to account to my mentor.
2. Not Reinventing the Wheel. By having a mentor, I don’t have to chase after every fad marketing idea. She’s been around and knows what works. Plus, she knows so many shortcuts! I can take advantage of all that she’s learned and refined through the years.
My mentor has built a successful online business that I would like to model mine after. She’s been through all this before – including the idea that some proven marketing methods are out-of-date. And she can reframe my whining from “I don’t want to hype up a fake deadline for registering” to “I have a registration deadline because I want you to take action and be committed.” It’s that power to push me forward just a bit that makes having a mentor so worthwhile.
3. A Third Eye. And a fourth too 
Having someone outside your business provides a broader perspective on what you are doing and how you are doing it. It’s always easier for someone else to see the underlying problems from the outside, isn’t it? Having a mentor can give you this outsider’s perspective in a supportive manner.
It’s this third eye perspective combined with her marketing experience that provides the real juice. With it, she can hone in and focus on things even before they become issues. That’s provided another benefit – having less stress about marketing and online technology.
If you are interested in having a marketing mentor, you can start painlessly by joining my Inner Circle members monthly teleseminar program. I promise not to nag, just to keep marketing on your mind. Each month I’ll share more DIY marketing tips and strategies with you on the Third Thursday of each month at 1:30 pm (ET). Plus, you’ll get get access to a special “Members Only” resource area on this site when you become a member. Click on the tab above to learn more about my Inner Circle.
