WORK THE BLOG

A blog is a website. However, unlike other types of websites, this one has

a design to provide you with the ability to add more pages to it. Rather

than focusing on pages that stay the same, the pages have frequent

updates to include new information. Search engines love blogs because of

the fresh content. Website visitors love them for the same reason.

A blog should be one of the focuses of your business for 2021 since it is a

tool that allows you to connect with many of those who will visit your

website. It is a form of social marketing. It is a way for you to interact

with prospective clients. It is a way to build traffic to your website. You

need a blog.

There are many ways to use your blog to advertise, and many of them

have already been listed (such as social networking the site.)

However, here are a few more important tools to use.

57 POST REGULARLY

One of the keys to making a blog work for you is to post regularly. Try to

post three to five times per week, to generate traffic.

58 INTERACT WITH OTHER BLOGS

Also, focus on other blogs that are not your direct competition but may be

related. When you leave a comment on another company’s blog post,

include a link back to your own blog post (this helps with backlinks, too!)

59 WRITE A GUEST POST

To get even more business; write a guest post for one of these blogs that

you visit. You will need to contact the administrator. In many cases, you

can have them guest post on your blog, too. This interchange helps to

create more traffic for both blog sites.

60 BE UNIQUE

For your blog to do well, which in turn works as advertising for

your business, you really do need to show your readers that you have

something interesting and worth watching so that they will come back to

it, time and time again.

61 PLACE A BOOKMARK TOOL

For your blog to do well, you need to create a readership. To do

this, you need to get people to come back. Be sure to install a bookmarking

tool on the blog so that your readers can easily get back to your site.

62 BECOME A RESOURCE

A blog is a very inexpensive way for you to add content to your website.

However, it is also important for you to focus on building a level of respect

on the web. You can do this with your blog. For example, if your business

is based on childcare services, be sure to include unique tips and tricks for

parents to help them teach their child, rear their child, or even crafts they

can do. This builds up a database for users and ensures your website is

helpful to those who use it.

63 CREATE AN EFFECTIVE LANDING PAGE

Your blog will drive traffic to your website, but if it does not have an

effective landing page, people will turn the other way. Focus on ensuring

that your landing page or the page people get to visit when visiting your

site, offers something intriguing to them. It should provide them with the

tools and resources they need. What is in it for them?

64 INTERACT WITH OTHERS

One of the key benefits of using a blog to help advertise your business is

that you can get up close and personal with your clients. However, many

people do not do this. They do not spend the time necessary to interact.

They post a blog post and head off. Rather, interact with your customers

to build interest. This will make a considerable difference whether

those who visit your website become your paying customers.

65 PAID SEARCH

Consider paying for searches. In other words, consider paying to have

your website listed on search results pages. This is also a way for you to

get people to your website. The fact is, it is inexpensive to get your

website listed with Google Adwords for specific keywords. It is a way of

getting people to your blog to get interested in what you have to offer so

that you can turn around and sell to them.

HOW TO STAND OUT

When it comes to advertising your business in 2021, you need to do

things that will help your business to stand out. This is not always an

easy option for a business. No matter if your business is a local service or

an online-based business, you need to stand out from the competition if

you are going to generate sales and be successful.

In this chapter, we give you a wide range of ways to stand out. Use those

that work best for your business.

66 GET ON TELEVISION

No matter what your business is, get on television to promote it.

However, you do not have to do this through a direct ad. Find a news

story that you are an expert on. For example, if there was an explosion of

natural gas in your local area, contact your local news program and tell

them you would love to come on and talk about, the risks of natural gas

and how to prevent it from happening.

67 GET ON RADIO

Do the same thing as you did for television on the radio. Find a way to

connect with others in this way.

68 OFFER LOCAL DISCOUNTS

To stand out from the rest, offer a local discount. Has it advertised on

commercials on television or radio? Many local markets are now doing a

50 percent gift card promotion for local businesses. Those who visit the

website get a gift card for $25 with a value of $50 in services. Chances

are good they will spend far more than this.

69 WRITE FOR THE PAPER

One of the best ways to gain stature in a local market is to write a column

or an article in a local paper. For example, if you are an attorney for

bankruptcy, write an editorial piece on the struggles of locals who are

considering bankruptcy. This piece then serves as a way to distinguish you

as the best professional to work with.

70 AVOID THE GRAPHICS BUT GO BIG

When it comes to getting the attention of those on the web, some

websites place long graphic features at the front of their website that

visitors have to sit through to get to the website. Avoid this. Rather,

proudly show your benefit to your client’s right on the front page of your

website.

71 DO GO FOR MEDIUM

Have you visited a website in which there was a figure of a person who

starts speaking to the website visitor? This person is an ideal tool to use

to help your business show customers how to navigate your website or

how to interact with you.

72 FOCUS ON LIVE CHAT

Another way to really impress your guests is by using software that allows

for them to interact with a customer service representative right away,

right on the website! A good way to do this is to use an internal instant

messaging service. For example, you are a heating repair technician. The

client comes to your website to find out if they should have someone

come out. They can chat with a representative of your business to find out

if it is a good idea or if they just need to press the reset button first.

73 OFFER A FREE SERVICE

One way to stand out from the crowd is to give something away to the

customer. For example, while the other guy is charging clients for

something, you can offer it for free. Perhaps estimations are free. Perhaps

you are offering a free eBook with a purchase or a free eBook for signing

up for a newsletter. Find a way to offer something free that the other

person is not. Value and discounts are important in 2021.

74 EXPAND YOUR SERVICE AREA

If you can expand your online business into international markets, do so.

It is now easier for businesses to communicate across seas and you

should invest the time it takes to build a business in this way if it makes

sense for your particular business. In 2021, the world gets even smaller

as it becomes easier for you to communicate with those around the world

who want to do business with you.

The bottom line is that you do need to find a way to stand out from the

rest. If you can do that, your business will be a success.

TIPS FOR ADVERTISING
YOUR BUSINESS LOCALLY FOR
LESS

Local advertising of both online and offline businesses is quite important.

However, this can be one of those areas where you end up spending a

good deal of money. To save money, consider the following advertising

methods that are ideal for 2021.

75 THE BASIC BUSINESS CARD

How can a basic business card help you to advertise your business? Your

the business card can and should be easily given out to those who you

interact with. It can be placed in numerous places, too. The goal you have

here is to use this card as a way of keeping your business in the minds of

your customers.

76 FLYERS STILL WORK

It is understood that you do not want to litter the parking lot with flyers

for your business, but it is a good idea to use flyers to advertise

promotions. Try to drop them off with other businesses to pass out. Flyers

create a tool that goes home with the customer, so that they can

remember your service later.

77 USE YOUR CAR

For local advertising, purchase a magnetic sign that can be placed on the

sides or the back of your vehicle that helps to advertise your business.

This is an easy way for you to show others about your business and it

does not damage the vehicle at all. You can even remove it when you do

not need to use it.

78 CHECK OUT YOUR CHURCH

Most churches are always looking for ways to pay for things. For example,

the church may need help with roof repairs. If this is your business,

provide the service free. Then, ask for a place in the bulletin or other

papers that the church publishes as a thank you.

79 GET LISTED IN YOUR CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE

The local chamber of commerce is one of the best resources for a new

business. This allows for the business to be listed as a business within the

city. Most local communities offer resources and tools to help that new

business to do well. In addition, they will help recommend your service to

those who are looking for help.

80 GET INVOLVED IN SCHOOLS

Just like churches, schools often need help with sponsorships or activities.

By helping out, you can get your business name published in a local paper

or through other resources. This small type of advertising shows that you

care. By showing, that you are more than a business that is looking for a

profit is an important value element of advertising in 2018.

81 PAPER COUPONS WORK

Placing advertisements in local papers such as discount coupons really

does help to bring in new customers to try out your service. It is a good

idea for you to offer only what you can afford and factor in the likeliness

that these coupons will be redeemed on the large scale. As mentioned,

people are looking for a deal in 2018.

82 CHECK OUT TRADE FAIRS

Many times, local areas will have trade fairs or other events sponsored by

the local community as a way to help promote business within the

community. Find out if your community is offering this and if so, get

involved. Generally, an inexpensive booth allows you to hand out flyers to

those who may be interested in your business.

83 USE THE CLASSIFIEDS

Classified ads are still a good way to promote your business since people

do read the paper. However, it is also a good idea to advertise within

those classified ads that position your ad not only in the print version of

the paper but also in the online version. Many people are turning to an online

reading of their news.

84 USE PROMOTIONAL TOOLS

Giving away items that you have your company’s name and website

address on them is a great way to grow your business. Be sure that you

give out items that are useful, such as giving pencils to schools or giving

away a coffee mug that people will use.

Finding ways to advertise locally is important. Focus at least some of your

efforts on the web, too, though even if you are a local business.

NETWORKING TIPS THAT
WORK

When it comes to advertising your business on the web or even locally,

remember that, you do not have to do it all alone. In fact, some of the

most beneficial types of advertising are those types done alongside the

help of another business.

Try to network with other companies in numerous ways to build up your

business traffic on your website and to get more people in the door. These

tips will help you to break down the barriers and really build your business

in 2021.

85 LOCAL BUSINESS NETWORKING

Find local businesses that are not your direct competition but have a

relationship with your business and network with them. Combine advertising

dollars to do a campaign together, for example. This is an easy way for

both of your to benefit.

86 WRITE A DIRECTORY

Pull together a directory of local businesses that are working together. For

example, if your business has a focus on window repair, networking with

heating and air conditioning businesses, plumbing businesses, and retail

suppliers to form a directory for home improvement. Circulate it locally.

87 BUILD YOUR BLOG WITH OTHER
BUSINESSES

Including more than one business on a blog or website is not always a

good idea but it can work well in some instances. For example, you can

often refer a business to your clients or they can refer you. Try to network

to build this type of relationship.

88 TWITTER ABOUT OTHERS

Not only should you use social marketing for yourself but you can also use

it to help promote other businesses who in turn will do the same for you.

For example, you can help to promote the blog posts by one company

through Retweeting their message on Twitter while they do the same for

you.

89 CHECK OUT YAHOO GROUPS

Yahoo Groups is a great place to find others both online and offline. To

use them, though, you do not want to solicit business. Rather, interact

with other companies and services locally within the group. Use your

signature line to help promote your business. Interact with other

businesses that can help promote you, too.

90 GO WITH THE MOMMY BLOG

There are many ways that you can promote your business but some of the

very best are those where you have personal recommendations from

another person. There are many mommy blogs out there, geared towards

mothers and written by mothers. Offer a sample of your product and

request that the blogger writes a review of the product on their blog. You

can do the same for them, too.

91 NETWORK WITHIN GROUPS

Like the mommy blogs, many online groups are a great place for you to

interact with others. Some of them even have a design towards helping

businesses to grow. You help others within the group with your knowledge

and expertise while they help you. A search on Google for groups with the

topic of your business is enough to find this group.

92 PULL TOGETHER FOR A CONTEST

Now, we have mentioned contests before but what about something

bigger and more impressive. Go ahead and get involved in a large contest

within your local areas, such as giving away a large cash prize or

something else. The advertising of this type of promotion is enough to

drive business your way. Going bigger in 2021 is critical!

93 CHECK OUT INTERNET RADIO

While not technically a form of networking, Internet radio is a growing

fad. It is likely to be a better option for 2021 than ever before as people

centralize more and more of their life on the web.

94 FLYERS EVERYWHERE

One of the ways that you can actually place flyers throughout your area

and not get in trouble for doing so is to network. For example, your local

library needs donations. You make a donation and ask to leave flyers on

their bulletin boards about your service. Do this throughout the local area.

As you can see, networking is really a powerful medium. How can you use

it to better your business?

A CONCLUSION WITH MORE

Are you still looking for a few more ways that you can promote your

business? Of course, you are. Now that you have a good idea of what some

of the best options for 2021 are, there are a few more to take into

consideration.

95 DO HIRE A PRO

One of the best advertising tools for you is the professional. Rather than

working your business on your own, hire a professional to help you. More

specifically, for developing your website, for building your blogs, and for

writing articles to submit to directories, look for experts who can do the

work for you, better than you can.

96 DO NOT FORGET THE SALES PAGES

While many people in 2021 will be focusing on ways to build their

business socially, that does not mean you should stop selling to your

clients. You do need to. Focus on sales pages professionally written for the

web. Flyers and other documentation for local businesses should deliver a

sales message, too.

97 GET ELECTRONIC IF YOU CAN

Any way that you can get your message out electronically is a good

option. With the use of iPods, radios, email, and smartphones, you want to

be on those websites that people are using the most. Look for advertising

opportunities that help you to get on people’s devices, including the

podcast.

98 RESEARCH WHAT’S NEW

Although this book contains great tips for 2021, by the time we are halfway through it, new websites and online tools for advertising will be

emerging. If you do not want to be left behind, focus some of your time

on researching new trends.

99 GIVE A SEMINAR

You may not think you have anything to tell people, but if you are selling

a product, there is likely a market that you can educate about it. Put on a

free seminar to teach others. You can do this online through a live chat or

even through video. Alternatively, do it locally. You will gain specific

recognition as a professional when you do this.

100 TALK ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS

Whether online or offline, you do need to tell others about your business.

Be active at promoting it by simply telling people about it. For example, if

you are meeting the parents of your child’s friend, introduce yourself to

them. When the question of “what do you do” comes up, inform them.

Many times, this is an easy way for you to build your business

relationships up.

101 DO NOT HIDE IT: ASK FOR THEIR
BUSINESS

Finally, the last tip that you will find for advertising your business in 2018

is to ask for the business of others. There is no reason to hide behind all

the graphics and websites that you create. Rather, be sure to show others

that you are in business and that you want to work with them.

It may be a handshake or it may be a phone call. It could be an email

message or just a blog site. Include language that comes right out and

says, “I would like your business.” That way, you are doing the one thing

that people are truly expecting this year. You are being honest and

upfront about your intentions.

Advertise online and offline (part-3)