CONNSTEP Advantage Spring 2011

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market, to your clients and to your prospects.

Welcome to the Opportunity Revolution

It was recently reported that 73% of US companies use social media tools for marketing purposes, and by 2012 it is expected to be almost 90%. And with 46% of internet users interacting with social media on a daily basis, how do you capture the opportunities?

Blogging is also an effective way to support your sales and marketing objectives, strengthening your plans for future growth.

Measuring Effectiveness Everything you do online must have a goal of driving traffic to your website. In order to understand what is working, and what is not, you need to have measurement tools in place. As Dr. Deming stated, “In God we trust. All others must bring data.”

by Kathy Hokunson

One of the most reliable measurement tools available is Google Analytics. Google Analytics is As we all start to feel the effects of the

Facebook emulation for professionals, but, with

a free service which is relatively simple to install

economy’s recovery, it is refreshing to shake

real value – networking for success, making

for your webmaster or web hosting company.

off the restraints and restrictions of the recent

valuable connections that can lead to growth,

With a tool like Google Analytics, you will know

business-growth struggle. Instead of looking to

opportunity and yes, even, sales.

the volume of traffic you drive to your site from

simply survive, we are now looking forward to new opportunities and growth.

all platforms; how long visitors stay on your site The success of LinkedIn comes from three key

and how many pages they view.

areas: The choices that lay in front of us are both

A deep dive into Google Analytics can even tell Community. Building a quality professional

you how many visitors go to your contact page

being offered more choices than we have

structure by connecting with people you

and, subsequently, how many visitors actually

ever had to grow our businesses, reach out to

know or have met or would like to meet.

submit your conversion form. This information

Engagement. Participating in

can also reveal what pages visitors like and don’t

conversations with groups where you are

like, what search words you are found for in

most likely to reach your prospects and

Google and more importantly, what words you

customers.

are NOT found for.

empowering and slightly terrifying. We are

potential prospects, develop new markets and

1.

2.

compete in the international arena. Historically, our choices to market our companies and reach prospects were limited - industrial

3.

Networking. By building a strong

directories, market-niche magazines, and

community, your access to the

These simple recommendations are just a start.

eventually, a brochure-like website. In the last

connections of others becomes highly

Many of your peers have embraced these

five years, however, this pattern has begun

valuable. Identify companies you would

platforms, as well as your competitors. Now is

to change. The options that now exist have

like to work with, find someone you’re

the time to change your thinking and look at

significant reach, provide tangible results and are

connected with who is linked with

new ways to grow your business and break the

measurable - providing real ROI.

someone who works for that company

barriers that have held you back.

and request an introduction. If they are in With the evolution of Internet marketing and

your community, they will connect you.

social media, our industry faces the opportunity

Lend me your ears, my friends, as the time for action is now. Are you ready to join the

for revolution. The ways in which to reach

Marketing

further and grow bigger are plentiful.

Blogging is an excellent way to build brand

revolution?

recognition, authority and thought-leadership Now is the time to embrace this revolution. If

among your clients, prospects and peers.

you’re not sure where to start, consider the

Blogging will drive traffic to your website,

following . . .

improve your ranking in search engines and

KH

showcase your expertise.

Social Media At first, LinkedIn was perceived to be a job-

With the tools the Internet affords us, you

hunting avenue for those who found themselves

can quickly build a blog and start sharing your

non-recession proof. The truth is, it’s just

thoughts and opinions that are relevant to your connstep.org

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