The New Wave in the Digital Age Is Local

Created by Rebecca D. Levinson

The Tide Has Turned In Digital

More UGC

User Generated Content is hitting the SERP. What they want to know is what you should be serving up online.

The Internet is fragmented and splintering with choices.

Facebook leads time on site for consumer eyeballs. Continue to build your hub (website) and compliment it with a social media marketing strategy.

Review sites are huge

How people feel about your services and what are they saying online makes an IMPACT that can’t be ignored.

•Site speed is critical

We have Instant search on Google. Even with this option off people are choosing Page 1 SERP results and increasingly choosing above the fold.

The Tide Has Turned In Digital

Competitive Analysis online is a must

Who do you know and what do they know? What do you know? Do alliances with competitors to strengthen your weaknesses make sense? Every business owner carries their own blind spots.

What is your core and where can you branch out? Who do you need to create, develop, execute and manage your “A-Team”.

Interaction creates a trusted network and networking means everything

Extend beyond your internet savvy walls and reach out and touch people in face to face gatherings. Whether it’s a local business meeting or a more internet savvy tweet-up you’ll find that traditional organizations can no longer ignore digital. Your digital savvy help could be just what these organizations need.

Consider tools like Skype when in person meetings just can’t be done. The nuances in body language and personal connection should not be overlooked. You will find that the listening skills you have mastered online will take you far in RL (real life).

The Tide Has Turned In DigitalMobile is white hot and a mobile strategy should be a priority.

How about?•A mobile website.•Mobile single property websites.•An app.

Have you tried SMS (Short Message Service) to build out your database?

You Can…•Increase New Business•Build Brand Awareness•Create a marketing campaign for a special property (think “old school” and how we moved corporate owned relocation inventory).•Increase customer service efficiency/communication.•Keep in touch with old clients- A twist to the old “Pop-by”.•Create a referral program.•Be Top of Mind.•Send a New Agency Announcement

The Tide Has Turned In DigitalGoogle makes moves to make searches more user friendly

Caffeine Made Search FASTER. Google has also made an algorithm change to spurn the moves of content farms. Now search results are in the power of consumers with the Chrome Extension they can eliminate your site from their view.

……What you like now you might +1 in the future.

Universal Search has changed to become Blended Search.

The world of images, video, audio, UGC and more have hit search…now they call it Google Places Search. What you feel comfortable doing might not be what an online consumer is wanting. Break your comfort zone and step out---blogging, photos, and videos.

Podcasting is making a comeback, can I order you up on my Ipod,Ipad, or an app on my Droid? How about a radio show?

Business must make a plan for search

In most cases they need to employ expertise to handle the changes. They must also monitor their reputations online. There are all the distractions in the world for a searcher to go and it’s in your business’s best interest to know where ,what, when ,how, and why and create and execute a plan for search and be flexible and ready for change.

Video Is Powerful

Why Facebook?

It’s Simple Really,

•If Facebook Business Pages appear on Google (they do).•If Users spend more time on Facebook than anywhere else than on the web (they do).•If Facebook users can be targeted by their habits and interests (they can).•If Facebook users can share information with their friends (they can).

Facebook is a Land Grab and It’s Time to Buy In. They are integrating Q&A, Deals, conversations, and messaging platforms and they know the behaviors of their database quite well.

Review SitesBusinesses Cannot Ignore Them

Source: Emarketer.com

Reviews Are In the SERPReviews are a huge shift in Google Places Search

ReviewsGoogle Released Its Own Review Site…HotPot

It also aggregates reviews from sites like Yelp, City Search, and InsiderViews, to name just a few.

ReviewsHave you tried successful consumer membership websites like Angie’s List?

To Qualify Quality Is Key

Test your site for speed and repair if necessary.Create and maintain original and relevant content. Users will have the power to block you from view.

Source: Googleblog.blogspot.com

Trusted Network

Mobile

It’s Gonna Rule….time to plan and execute

A few things about mobile

•Search- Only 3 results in the SERP.•Mobile users are normally instant…they want to take action now not to research.•They use maps-your location means everything.•They want simple mobile websites- Smartphone updates may allow for flash sites but don’t forget to k.i.s.s. and gimme just what I like.

Local Businesses Need to Be Observant, Aggressive, and Proactive

Are you serving real needs an desires? Are you talking to people to know if you are?

WTV---What’s the Value?

•Use your feet on the street….survey your own customers. •Build out your online storefront.•Own your social space.

What would be useful in your own business and in your own local market? Can you build it or find outside resources to help you? If you build it will they want to come? Are you connecting with people to find out or are you waiting for someone else to do the work for you?

INNOVATE

About Me

Tip: When interviewing service providers ask questions…Ask a lot of them…listen to the answers. Do they make sense? Is there research to back up these statements?

Embracing change is my virtue. Helping local businesses is what I love to do.

Text/Phone Me: #815-219-0691Join Me as I put it on my blog: http://bloggingintherain.comLet’s Connect on LinkedIN: http://linkedin.com/in/rebeccalevinsonI’ll be honored with your like on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/realskillzrealestatemarketingDo you tweet? @rebeccalev