Whether you like cold weather or not it is encroaching upon us here in NW Indiana as we speak and for many business owners that means the slow season is coming too, but, it doesn’t have to. The reality is that no matter what your industry you can still maintain a very active presence to the communities you serve, and most business owners have some skills, products, or services that are still available during the fall and winter months. So what are these 3 things that every business owner HAS to be doing this winter? Well it’s very simple, they are the 3 things business owners HAVE to be doing in the busy months; SEO, Social Media & Blogging.
#1 SEO; There’s no doubt that SEO is important. Getting found online on Google, Bing, Yahoo Search, and many other search engines should be a business owner’s top priority but I find that more than a few business owners stop their efforts during the slow times. Here’s why you shouldn’t; A. Because your competitors are not stopping. SEO is something that has to be constantly worked on otherwise all efforts during the busy season are lost. B., Continued SEO efforts will gain greater rankings over time. Remember that old saying, “Slow and steady wins the race.”? The more work that goes into your SEO the better your rankings will be over time.
#2 Social Media; Again another important way to stay relevant and to attract new customers is through your ongoing Social Media campaign. There are many ways to expound upon your business through Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest (just to name a few must-haves). A., Customer Service; businesses are using their Social Media sites to address any customer service issues their customers may have and you should too. They are answering questions about products or services, and they are relating information to customers on how to get refunds, how to get something replaced, or setting appointments to have an issue looked at or addressed. B., Bring in the new; Keeping a constant presence on Social Media sites means your business is being seen and heard by your customers, their friends and family, and it’s being discovered every day by new customers.
#3 Blogs; Another fantastic way to connect deeper with future customers and other business owners, also helps with SEO. A.; Expertise, every business owner should be an expert in their industry and a blog is a great way to establish yourself as the go-to blog for any questions, concerns, or education on a subject. B., Connect with others; By connecting with other blogs in the same industry you are showing your present and future customers that you are staying on top of all the latest and greatest news and information in the industry. This grows their confidence in you. This helps them to depend on you and to develop trust for you. C., Communication; Remember what I mentioned earlier about Customer Service? This applies to Blogs as well, you can easily address all issues from a blog. Communicating with other businesses in your service areas also helps to build your business a great reputation. Commenting on other blogs, starting conversations, and asking questions is a great way to stay visible and helps the SEO by planting links to your website everywhere you go or have been.
All 3 of these things can help you stay relevant, visible, and available to your present and future customers throughout the slow season, making your slow season a not so slow season. The Little Guy Marketing is always available for Social Media Consultations, running aggressive Social Media campaigns, creating and running Blogs, and of course Local SEO. Call Kelly today to make an appointment. 219-210-5184
