7 Practices to Finish What You Start

Do you ever feel that you just aren't getting important projects DONE?

I'm Donna Lynn Price, and I KNOW that it can be challenging to get to the important things, because "life happens", right?

Well, in this free guide, I give you 7 practices that you can use to get your projects moving and finished!!

When you learn these 7 practices, you can start checking things off your list!!

Download the Free Guide:

7 Practices for Finishing What You Start

Fill out the form below to get access to my micro membership!!

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Procrastination, CRISIS, WORK, LIFE, they can each pull you in the other direction...

Take Your Projects OFF the Shelf

Move Into Action

These 7 Practices will have you in action in a whole new way!! Do NOT doubt that you can do it!!

FREE BOOK

With an action plan for each practice.

NEW RESULTS

You will feel better, more confident, more in control of your life, because you did what you said you were going to do!!

GET IT DONE!!

When you LEARN the 7 practices AND take ACTION, you will see your project getting done!!

DOWNLOAD NOW

Donna Lynn Price KNOWS How to Get INTO ACTION

From Cross Country Cyclist to Outdoor Leader to Business Owner -- Author, Speaker & Marketer

Donna Price has lived boldly and brings that boldness to her work.... from a 72 Outward Bound Leadership Course to a cross country bicycle tour to jumping into business..

Donna Inspires Leadership

It's not just talk, it's experience, it's a passion for empowering leadership, creating the space for leaders to emerge and supporting their journey along the way....

Values That Guide

At the core are values of commitment, perseverance, courage, responsibility, fitness & risk. Each support a vision of success and boldness.

Speaker

Keynote Speaker

Workshop Leader

Visionary Womanpreneur

Marketing Strategist

Business Growth Expert

Adventurer

Passion for the outdoors

Cycling, kayaking, camping 

Mom, Partner, Wife

My Most Important Roles

Absolute love 

Donna Lynn Price has been working with business leaders since 2003 and Compass Rose Consulting has evolved from its beginnings as a leadership development resource to add marketing strategy and business growth as a focus. Donna is an extraordinary mentor and business coach. She has been helping people achieve their goals for the last 30+ years. Her passion is in seeing the moments that people create their own "aha's" and understanding. By gaining personal insight and ultimately movement to their dream and vision, 

 

Donna is inspired and her life's passion is fulfilled. It's not enough to have a vision; you have to live the vision. 

Donna Lynn Price has a passion for working hard to make sure businesses achieve the success they envision.

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5 Ways Unlimited Laser Coaching Can Help You

I just posted my newest program..... and it is pretty wild!!

Make It Happen Unlimited Laser Coaching!!

You know, as a coach, I have to believe in the power of coaching.  I do.  I have experienced the power of coaching personally.  And I have witnessed the power of coaching with my clients.  It can be transformative.

It gives you a mentor, an ally, a person in your corner, cheer leading for you!  You are no longer alone as the business owner or leader!  Let's face it, you can have a BIG organization or a small organization but still be all alone. As the owner, or manager, to a certain extent, actually to a large extent, you are separate from the staff.

A coach gives you that person that you can talk to, and receive feedback.  One of the cool things about the feedback the coach gives you is that their interest is in your success. They have no investment other than that in the outcomes.  What you decide to do with your business does not affect the coach, like it does an employee or a board member or a client.  They are yours!

Mentoring or laser coaching gives you a place to:

- brainstorm ideas, solutions, problem solve

- bounce ideas around

- learn new strategies and discuss how to implement them in your business

- stay motivated and on track with your goals

- have someone that is helping you to trouble shoot why a goal is stuck

There are so many ways a coach is in your corner.

But now, with Unlimited Laser Coaching -- you have access to the coach frequently.  You can schedule multiple calls in a week or a month. You have control of it. It is also ACTION Focused! It is not some "fufu" time, it is focused to the point, action focused time.

Good business coaches are able to look at a company objectively, ask pertinent questions, and guide the owner through the process of creating a plan for future growth. Consider a business coach your objective third party, the one who can sort through the processes that work and those that don’t work and help mold the company into a profitable entity.

Very often business owners are too close to the situation to see how everything flows (or doesn’t flow) together, similar to why having someone else proofread your sales copy is ideal because they are more likely to pick up typos, strictly because they didn’t write the copy.

We provide clients with access to additional resources, templates, emails, planners etc. to solve problems, create new strategies.

The things that people work on with a coach are varied, but for just about every single business we work on how to get more business, how to market more effectively, how to increase revenue through repeat business or new products or upsells/down-sells... most every business has these same goals.

There are so many ways that coaching can benefit you.  But let tell you a little bit more about how I help my clients.  I have been learning and studying marketing strategy since I started my business. I am an expert online marketer. We can review your website and determine if it is working or not working for your business -- it should be bringing you new clients. We can review your follow up strategies and conversion strategies.  I help my clients build systems into their business so that eventually, their business starts running on a predictable system.

Imagine, a client getting system that is reliable and predictable.  Every business I see is working to increase their business and their revenue.  Let's figure out the best strategy for your business!

Check out the unlimited laser coaching program to see if it is the right coaching fit for you!!  HERE

https://bit.ly/3LxHz4a

The Goals of Good Marketing Copy

The Goals of Good Marketing Copy

While one of your main goals for any good copy is to get sales, a copywriter also needs to have other goals in mind. A good copywriter will understand that they need to build a sense of trust in a reader.

On top of this the reader has to see the product or company as an authority figure. Once they can identify with it they are more likely to take the final action, which is hitting that buy now button or subscribe button.

While copy is viewed as a written advertisement it really is more than that. A great sales page will engage the reader and make them feel as though this product will fix their problems. That is why it is important to highlight issues and problems at the beginning of your sales copy. It immediately strikes a chord with people, after all they are ultimately looking for a solution.

What is the PAIN that your product solves?

Good copy needs to be clear and concise. You want to write your copy and then go back and edit and clean it up. Look closely at each section and take out words and punctuation that is not necessary. You do not want to add any fluff or filler in your sales copy.

When it comes to following grammatical rules you should get into the habit of not worrying about this. We know that this can be difficult for you to accept. But if you were to follow all the grammatical rules in your copy, your copy will most likely not sell!

BUT, you DO want to avoid using wrong spellings and slang, avoid things like pleaz instead of please etc.

When it comes to writing your copy you need to get inside your reader's head. Put yourself in the shoes of a potential buyer. Research the product and discover what problems and fears your customer has. What age and gender are they? Once you know who you are writing to as your audience, it will be much easier to write for them.

Another goal should be to have copy that is easy to understand and is hype free. We are sure that you have read plenty of sales pages which come across as nothing but a major sales pitch.

You want to create copy that makes your reader feel as though you are talking directly to them. That this product is just the thing they need to fix their problems.

As Einstein puts it, 'If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough.'

Great words of advice that every copywriter should heed. Keep it Simple....

https://bit.ly/3Ftzlq3

Build Customer Loyalty Through Your Marketing

Building Customer Loyalty is Challenging!!

If you are a dog owner, you know loyalty.  I know that my dog is totally loyal.  Yes, she loves meeting other people, but it is me that she sleeps next to, me that she talks to when she wants to eat, and me that she dances for when I pick up a leash.

So, how do you build that customer loyalty?

It is a relationship like all others.  But it seems easier!

Let's take a look:

1. Attention: most of us dog lovers pay attention to our dogs.  We pet them, walk them, run with them,.....play and rough house.

2. Feed them: every day, maybe more than once, we feed them.  Possibly give them some snacks along the way.

3. Take care of: we take care of them. If they are hurting we try to fix it, we take them to the vet, get medication etc.

So how do we do that with our business.

Attention -- pay attention to your customers, your prospects, your contacts, connect with them, contact them.... be attentive!! Be authentic and be real in who YOU are.

Feed them -- Share information with them, send them valuable information for their business. Give them what they need, not what YOU want.  Information is valuable and giving them something of value in your marketing attracts those potential customers to you. Continue doing that after they become customers to continue building loyalty.

Take care of them -- solve their problems.  Provide excellent customer service, care and attention. Be user friendly. Be accessible.  Have a plan.

We can build customer loyalty when we take the time to do so.

Interaction matters for business success!

Build Your Customer Loyalty -- Provide support!

People often need support with a product or service that they purchase, and any respectable seller or re-seller ought to be able to provide assistance. Many businesses have made it a common practice to create support email addresses and 800 numbers in order to build and maintain trust in their company. Professional customer support represents one great marketing advertising business strategy you should not overlook. But it is critical that you are quickly responsive. Do NOT delay your response. Addressing issues quickly is part of the support success equation.

All of the above are just examples of tactics that can help win over customers and build loyalties yet, lots of other things can be done to support business development in general.

https://bit.ly/3ThtERI

The 5 Basics of Good Copy Writing

The Basics of Good Copy Writing

Writing good copy is a skill that many people should learn, regardless of whether they actually want to be a copywriter or not. If you send a lot of emails then these same skills and tactics apply to you as well.

The following list is a quick overview of what it takes to write good copy.

Five Strategies for Good Copy Writing!!

- Understanding your target audience - it is much easier to write to someone when you have a little background on them. You should try and come up with a mental or written image of who your target audience is. What their age is, where they live and their average income, plus their likes and dislikes.

You always want to know the answers to these two questions.

1--Why should your customer buy this product and
2-- What's in it for them?

Another way to phrase this is:

1--What is the pain that your target customer HAS that they DO NOT Want?
2--What is the SOLUTION that YOU offer that solves that pain?

Try to find a way to make your copy stand out from others. Look for similar sales pages and look for an angle or hook that is different. But always, make sure your copy is speaking to YOUR audience.

Have a specific purpose to your copy - yes you want customers to buy. But think about helping to solve problems by offering solutions. Tell stories, evoke emotion, get your reader to connect to the problem and the solution.

2. Take the time to write a good headline - if your headline is weak the customer will most likely not read all the way through on your sales page. If you are writing emails then this section pertains to your subject line. Give your reader a good reason to open your email. Here is an example of when good copy writing is critical. Without a good headline or subject -- you will not get the rest of your copy read.

3. Use headings and sub headings - these help to first break up your copy but they also help to highlight the benefits of the product. Remember that 'what's in it for me?' question.

4. Avoid using filler or fluffy words - don't use words such as maybe, hope, wish, try could and perhaps. Instead you want to create concise sentences that are short and contain words such as will and can.

Always write your copy in the present tense. Instead of saying 'was chosen' use the word 'received'. Using the present tense really helps to add strength to your entire copy.

5. Use testimonials or customer quotes - this really helps to add proof to your copy and if possible try to include a photo of the person. If you can make these people seem real to your potential customers, the better your copy will convert. It also helps to add where the person lives by city or state, always get permission first before adding testimonials.

Once your copy is finished always read it out loud. Either you can do this or have someone else read it for you. When you read your copy if you stumble over a section, go back and edit it. If someone else reads it see if they are compelled to purchase it, if not, tweak it!

By applying these basic concepts to each piece of copy you right you should have no trouble in converting readers into customers.

Check out our email marketing for profits course that includes copy writing.

The course will give you more training on writing copy that converts.  It is only worth spending your valuable time writing your own copy if you can write copy that converts your prospect to your customer!!

Otherwise, you are wasting your time and losing money.

Copy writing done right can be the success of your business.
https://bit.ly/3JopGCm

How well do you balance your work and life? it can be challenge.

How well do you balance your work and life?

it can be challenge. I know for me, this past week, it definitely was!!

I find that having good systems set up can help.

Work systems are essential.....

it can help you to streamline tasks and stay on top of everything that needs to get done.

Accountability coaching can support you as well.

Make a plan for balance in your life, taking time for play, recreation and leisure. Turn off work at a predictable time. Make a commitment to not let your business take over your life. It can happen so easily.

#businessgrowth

#worklifebalance

#selfcare

#businessleadership

#visionarywomenpreneurs

#womenbusinessowners

#businessvision

Do dreams really happen?

happen??

Launching Your Dreams: Making WILD Ideas Happen is now in it's fourth edition and gives you the step by step guide for making it happen. It is possible to make it happen.

It starts with the idea -- then the vision, then a strategy plan and then massive action!!

Dreams don't just happen. They only happen when you decide to make them happen!!

Living the dream -- can be your reality, when you choose to move the dream off the shelf and into action!!

When you pick up the book, you can start the journey of making it happen.

https://compassroseconsulting.com/launching

#launchingyourdreams #makeithappen #businessgrowth #visionary #visionarywomenpreneurs #visionary
https://bit.ly/3kLpgxs

Podcast: Vision, Strategy and New Ideas for Change

Visionary Womenpreneurs Radio:

Vision, Strategy and New Ideas for a Changing Environment

The current business environment has drastically changed around the world.  Donna Price, shares ideas for taking a look at your current strategies and shifting them to this new reality.

What are the ways that you can shift?

What can you create now that can have a positive impact on your business?

Resources discussed in the show:

Creating a communications plan: Email Marketing for Profits

Right on the home page -- info to access articles on positive mindset, success mindset, scheduling a free consult.

Connect with the Visionary Womenpreneurs Facebook Group: 

The times are shifting.  Creating a plan to shift with the new environment is essential.

First, know that you can create new strategies that can move you into the future as well.



It seems daunting, but meetings are moving online, healthcare appointments are shifting, therapies, yoga it is shifting. So, how are you shifting with the times?

Take a look at your vision?  Remember why you do what you do!

Next take a look at your strategic plan.  What strategies can you shift? What products or services can you offer remotely?  For some, it is easy. For others it is not.  But for many, there are things that can be done. New ways to do business, to do it differently.  This is the time to not panic, but to get creative.  Brainstorm.  Brainstorming means that no idea is bad.  Write it down and then the next one.  Look at the ideas and see what emerges.  Need help brainstorming -- schedule time with me.



Create a communications plan to be in touch with your clients, your prospects, your community. Communicate!! Communicate often.



The best way to communicate is your email. SO -- IF you do not have an email sign up form on your website -- add one.  Use Mailchimp or iContact or GetResponse or ActiveCampaign.  Use a professional email marketing tool.  I use GroundHogg, a plugin for Wordpress. You can also add email marketing using a plugin on a wordpress site. The plugin that I like is MailPoet. Upgrade for free.



Your website is your HUB.  Send out an email and post it on your website. Link out and distribute to your social media and bring people back in to your site. It is the HUB.



Develop valuable content for people. Think about -- can I do this in a course via video. Create a course. All content can then be added to a membership area on your website.  (the HUB again!!). Content for a membership site can be created as you go or LIVE.  Record the videos live and then add them to your membership.  You can do live videos for free or paid.  Putting the pieces together can seem overwhelming but it does not have to be.  Repurpose your content, take one piece and use it over and over again.

And then use that content to create a new product or service on your website.

You can see on Compass Rose Consulting -- we take a webinar and then host here and offer it to members. Sometimes for free and sometimes paid. It depends on the webinar. You can do that very same thing.  Have things that you offer for free and more advanced content or classes are paid. Your information is valuable. Think creatively. If you want more info on memberships -- be sure to pick up my free guide on micro-memberships or join Club Building



I have a Vet -- for our animals. He sees lots and lots of animals.  He is a natural.  He has vast knowledge.  He is an animal whisperer.  He understands his craft. So, what can he do with that?  Well, lots of new vets need his knowledge.  Video is a great way to teach.  First, you don't have to teach the same thing over and over again. You teach it once or maybe twice, and you offer people the chance to watch the video. Then you can do a consult with them (paid) about the video. What did they see? What did they learn? What questions do they have?  OR you can have a weekly group call. Watch the videos and then come to the group with your questions.  Learn from the other people in the class.   It can become an online resource that has real value.



How can you implement this idea or strategy in your business?  Comment below!! Or schedule a consult!!
https://bit.ly/3ZpH9Rf

As CEO, Vision is Yours

We all wear several hats in business. But the CEO hat is vital to the growth of the organization.

You might get pulled down into the weeds of daily operations, but it is critical that you take time to pull out the CEO hat.

As the CEO, you are responsible for creating the company vision.

What is vision?

Vision is the BIG picture of what you are building, where you are taking the company in alignment with your core purpose.

Visions should be exciting, inspiring and attractive. When you have a compelling and powerful vision, it inspires not only you but your staff and possibly even your customers.

Vision can be the motivator to get out of bed each morning.

To keep persevering. It is from that vision, that you can create your strategic plan. Strategic goals are different from your everyday action plan. They too, are bigger. They point to the future, to that vision.

When your goals do not align with your vision, then you are off course.

Spending time, revisiting or creating your vision, helps your organization or company stay on course, or get back on course. Vision is part of your guiding compass.

https://bit.ly/3SqFmca

Song of the Day!! This is Me

Song of the Day!! This is Me

Performed by Kealla Settle

Love the Oscars 2018 performance but also love the movie version.

A few of the lyrics that really speak to me:

"… When the sharpest words wanna cut me down

I'm gonna send a flood, gonna drown 'em out

I am brave, I am bruised

I am who I'm meant to be, this is me

Look out 'cause here I come

And I'm marching on to the beat I drum

I'm not scared to be seen

I make no apologies, this is me"

Is there a song that is your go-to for inspiration?

I find that sometimes music can be a mind shifter, energy shifter, motivation shifter.

What songs work for you??

#mindset, #successmindset #makeithappen #businessgrowth #gettingintheflow #flowstate #flowenergy

Do I need a funnel in my business?? YES!! But there are many types of funnels.

Recently I was talking with a client about funnels and they asked, Do I need a funnel in my business??

YES!!

But there are many types of funnels. I think of funnels as the map that we are working to lead the buyer down. It's the process. So, do you have to have a funnel that is a AD->> LANDING PAGE ->> EMAIL LIST->> TO UPSELL->> BUYER?? (simplified here) But YOUR map or funnel is going to be specific for you.

Maybe it starts with an ad and goes to a coupon opt-in that captures phone numbers.

Or perhaps your roadmap is one that starts with someone coming to your store.

But what are your next steps?

How do you start the relationship and continue it??

The goal is to enter into a relationship that you can build over time.

Of course, we all want that instant customer and for some businesses, that happens. But for many, we need to think through the process of first contact, relationship building to customer.

And there are a variety of possible steps along the way.

That is why it is critical that you think it through, KNOW your customers and build a process that guides them along the route!! Call it a funnel or a sales process or a roadmap.... the name doesn't matter, it is thinking and planning that do!!

Do you have your process planned out? Is it working?

What questions do you have?

#marketingroadmap #salesprocess #funnelbuilding #businesscoaching #businessfunnel

5 Warning Signs That Your Project is Going to Be Derailed

In this articleHere are 5 key warning signs to be on the lookout for:You're procrastinating too much

Work has to be redone

You're falling back on deadlines

You lack motivation

You're making excuses to quit

Stay AlertLearn why you aren't getting done what you wanted!

When we get derailed or experience a major setback or failure, it always takes us by surprise. Sure, the going was a little rough but we just didn't see it coming. At least, that's what we think.

Getting derailed is serious. It could mean having to start all over again or worse, ditch a project altogether. It’s one of the main causes of not finishing what we start and if this happens often enough, our whole life course can be impacted.

But you can avoid derailment by being alert to the warning signs. That's right, a derailment shouldn’t come as a surprise because there are always red flags that indicate you're heading for big trouble.

Here are 5 key warning signs to be on the lookout for:

You're procrastinating too much

If you're constantly procrastinating rather than acting, it's a sure sign that something's wrong. Your loss of motivation causes you to procrastinate and this could be due to many reasons.

It's your job to quickly find out what they are.

Usually, a quick review of your goals and timeframes to ensure that they're realistic can resolve the issue. Make any modifications you need to, roll up your sleeves and get to work!

Take a look back at your vision. What are you building, why are you building it?? Vision can often get us back on track. If you don't have a vision, (the Vision Board Project is a great resource!!) it may be time to do some visioning. Write it down, make an image for it, revisit it every day. Vision can help re-inspire you and motivate you out of procrastination!

Work has to be redone

When work results are poor and have to be redone (whether you're responsible or others are to blame), this is a big red flag. It means you could be headed for that one big, irrevocable error that could completely derail you.

Usually, the reason is poor communication of task requirements or poor skills. Pinpoint what the problem is and take quick measures to fix it, and closely monitor work outcomes.

You're falling back on deadlines

Whether you're working to your own deadlines or have an assigned one, it doesn’t matter. Consistently falling behind is the biggest motivation-zapper of all. It could simply be due to unrealistic deadlines or goals, and these should be modified. Of course, if the goals are NOT unrealistic then modifying them is not the answer -- accountability and follow through may be needed.

It's important to assess what could be going on. Pinpointing the problem will allow you to quickly get back on track with your deadlines.

You lack motivation

The loss of motivation means mediocre or poor work outcomes, or even finding an excuse to quit altogether. Reflect on why you find the work at hand boring or frustrating.

Sometimes, injecting some enjoyment into a task or project can reignite your motivation. You can do this by mixing up your routine, changing your surroundings and finding new and creative ways to do things. Setting up a reward for work done each day and a bigger reward for the complete project. We do this in Accountability Coaching with daily rewards and bigger rewards.

You're making excuses to quit

When things get difficult, it's easy to find a dozen excuses for quitting – and having to admit defeat and failure is the worst kind of derailment because it destroys your self-confidence and self-discipline.

Learning to see obstacles as exciting challenges that you're totally capable of overcoming will kill your thoughts about quitting and keep you fired up. Shifting your mindset to seeing these as challenges puts you in a better place to finish what you start and overcome the challenges.

Stay Alert

Don't let derailment take you by surprise again and empower yourself to finish what you start with success and outstanding results. Stay alert to these 5 signs that you're getting derailed.

Recognizing the signs of derailment early on and addressing them can effectively keep you moving forward with your project.

https://bit.ly/3YJE4vn

Consistency can produce results

Whether you're trying to get better at your craft or become a better leader, consistency is one of the most important traits to develop.

With all the distractions we have in the world nowadays it can be hard to stay consistent in routines and habits.

Without consistency though, our relationships and our professional life will fail. Consistency is easier to talk about than to actually implement.

With a little consistency though, your life can change.

How do you build consistency into your day? your routine?

#finishwhatyoustart #accountabilitycoaching #businessgrowth #businesshelp #makeithappen #getitdone

Let's Tour the Profitability Academy

What's happening at Compass Rose Consulting? It's the Profitability Academy tour... helping people increase profits using the FIVE Step Profit Formula!

The Profitability Academy is one of the tools that every client receives and every member of the Visionary Womenpreneurs Mastermind.  #womenpreneurs #visionarywomenpreneurs #womeninbusiness #businesscoach #njbusinesscoach #marketingstrategies #makeithappen #profitabilityaccelerators





https://compassroseconsulting.com/visionary-womenpreneurs

Know Your Numbers

Marketing with Authenticity

Profitability Accelerator: Lead Generation - Create a System

Http://profitabilityacademy.com/blog/10k-in-45

Create Your Strategic Plan in the Summer Planning Session

How to Market With Heart

Local Marketing Strategies for Your Offline Business . http://www.crconlinemedia.com/local-marketing-strategy/ Local Marketing: Is Your Offline Business Online? Is It Online Well? Great info graphic on the advantages and benefits of bringing your offline business online. You probably recognize yourself in some of the statistics. Critical pieces for developing your local marketing online presence are: 1. Web... Donna Lynn Price

Local Marketing: Is Your Offline Business Online? Is It Online Well?

Great info graphic on the advantages and benefits of bringing your offline business online. You probably recognize yourself in some of the statistics.

Critical pieces for developing your local marketing online presence are:

1. Web Presence and Blog.  At this point in the world of the Internet you must have a website.  We recommend a couple of different things.  One is a lead capture system using a squeeze page or landing page.  This enables you to capture the leads that are visiting your website.  You can see our lead capture in the upper right of this page.

But it is also vital to have a blog and be blogging regularly.  You can't just create a website and hope people find it.  You need to be continuously engaging and educating your audience.  In the graphic above you can see that sales increase when a business blogs. People want to get to know YOU and your company.  They can do that through a blog. AND you also build trust and rapport through the process. These both increase your sales in the long run.

2. Social Media -- 92% of all ONLINE adults use social media, but only 50% of small businesses are using social media to promote their business. Now these numbers aren't totally comparable.  BUT there is a very good chance that many of your customers and prospects are online and using social media.  If you are not there then you are losing business.  Social media is another venue for engagement, relationship building and another place to build yourself as an expert in your field.

If you are not currently on any social media then you need to seriously evaluate why.  If you just have your head in the sand hoping that it will all go away, then it is time to pull it out and figure out how to best represent your company on social media and use it effectively for increasing your business.

Is it possible that you are leaving thousands of dollars on the table because you don't like social media or you are afraid of it or you have another excuse to avoid being on....?

3. Local Search SEO -- Using Local Listing Sites for More Exposure

Many local business owners are challenged in the same ways:  they create a website and their social media presence but they DO NOT succeed in leveraging them to attract new customers.

New foot traffic is the goal and the key is using local directory listings, but is often forgotten or missed in creating an effective online strategy.

The World Wide Web is like a HUGE phone book or yellow page directory. You have to stand out to be noticed.

Local listings are worth the investment of time or money (to hire out). The benefit far exceeds the investment. it means taking the time to fill out forms on different local listing sites. A few of the local listing sites are part of the social media sites you are probably already on, which makes it easier to complete.

Two of the really popular sites are offered by Google. This search engine is in charge of Google+ Businesses / Google+ Local. Other popular local listing sites include CitySearch, Bing Local and Yahoo Local Listings.

Yelp is also another site that you want to claim your profile on. This not only helps you attract web attention, but it provides a place for local customers to review your business. So it's an effective way to convert potential customers into paying customers.

Be sure to completely fill out the profiles and provide as much information as possible about your company. Include things like: your office hours or business hours, phone number, contact info and website, as well as your other social media sites.  If you use a different URL for your mobile site, be sure that that is included too.

Completing a profile on these sites only solidifies your online presence and aids potential customers in finding during their business search.

Often the local listings that are found by web searches are perceived as more authentic and real than the typical web search results.  This is because here, they can access maps, customer reviews, videos, images and address verification to ensure authenticity.

Keeping this in mind, and actually taking the time to complete your local profiles can increase the business coming into you.

Comprehensive Local Marketing Strategy

A comprehensive local marketing strategy is needed for both online and offline businesses.  The Internet is a resource that is critical for both.  Increasing your online presence in ways that truly benefit your business just makes sense. Critical pieces of your marketing plan should include minimally -- a website and blog (can be one in the same), consistent social media presence, local listings, mobile friendly website, keyword optimization and SEO.  Don't be left behind. There are more customers out there for you!!

Pick up a copy of my Local Marketing Report!

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