If your business needs NEW CUSTOMERS…
- Search Engine Marketing – Starting at $97 per week ($0 set-up)
- Text Message Marketing – 30-Day Free Trial, then $47 per month ($0 set-up)
- Internet Video Marketing – Starting at $497 (one-time)
- Blog-Powered Web Site – Starting at $997 for design, and $47 per month for hosting & basic maintenance
- Free Marketing Analysis – $0 (FREE)

If your business needs LARGER ORDERS…
- WideScreen Digital Signs – $497 for design, and $97 per month for hosting & content management
- Internet Video Marketing – Starting at $497 one-time

If your business needs REPEAT CUSTOMERS…
- Auto-Email Marketing – Starting at $19 per month
- Text Message Marketing – 30-Day Free Trial, then $47 per month ($0 set-up)
- Customer Appreciation – Coming Soon

PLEASE NOTE: Prices and services subject to change.

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1. How Small Businesses Can Build An Online Presence …
2. Local Business Marketing is Big Business | PublishMyself.net

Email List
Some of you may have started collecting customer email addresses. Very smart! Emails are quick and easy to write, plus they are FREE to send. Just be sure you are CAN-SPAM compliant… have an unsubscribe link at the bottom of every email, as well as your physical mailing address. We use Aweber to manage our email list, send automated scheduled marketing messages and keep us CAN-SPAM compliant. You can get a 30-day FREE trial here >> http://freetestdrivepromo.aweber.com .

Text Message Phone List
The latest and most effective list you should be building is a customer cell phone list for Text Message Marketing. You can start capturing cell phone numbers with a simple KEYWORD/SHORTCODE combination. You’ve seen these on billboards and television ads…

“Text FERGIE to 50799 to win a trip to meet her”
or
“Text LOCALS to 41411 to start your text message marketing campaign”

Yes, that one is ours. Try it now to see how it works.

When you include your KEYWORD and SHORTCODE in all of your ads, online and offline, you give your potential customers a new instant response mechanism. When they text your KEYWORD to your SHORTCODE number they will receive two automated text messages from you. First, they will receive a notification that they have joined your list, including how to opt-out. Next, they will receive what they requested (i.e. a coupon or confirmation of contest entry).

Why Text Message Marketing?
There are more Cell Phone Users (3.3B) in the world than Internet Users (1.3B), and 91% of your customers carry them in their purses and pockets everywhere they go!
Source: Neustar, Morgan Stanley

Is 2010 the Right Time to Start?
77% of US Cell Phone Users sent or received at least one text message in 2008, a 369% annual increase. The time is now to get on board and start building your cell phone customer list.
Source: Nielsen, CTIA

For just $47/month (plus $97 set-up fee), you get:
* a custom 5-15 character alphanumeric keyword (i.e. COUPON)
* a shared 5-digit short code number (i.e. 41411)
* up to 250 subscribers (additional blocks of 250 available at same rate with $0 set-up fee)
* UNLIMITED messages

Text Message Ads…
* increase your customer loyalty and brand image
* are permission-based (no spam)
* have response rates 2-10 times higher than Internet display ads
* are opened and read within 5 minutes
* can be received on 99% of US cell phones (not just smartphones)

Common Uses…
* weekly coupons and specials
* contests and sweepstakes
* charitable and other event reminders (remember “Text HAITI to 90999 to donate“?)
* weather warnings and other local news
* holiday greetings

Using the example above, you would use the following phrase in all of your advertising…

“Text the word COUPON to 41411 to receive weekly special offers.”

It’s so easy and so effective.

No related posts.

We all have so much going on in our heads everyday that it’s hard to keep track of things like where we first heard about a company. It’s even more difficult to properly answer the question “Where did you hear about us?” when you’ve had multiple interactions with a company’s brand or message.

My point is… asking your customers where they heard about you will give you misleading information at best, and possibly even flat-out wrong information.

Here at Local Marketing Today, we use a combination of Web Analytics and Telephone Tracking systems to determine the true sources of the leads we provide to our clients. This is the only way to optimize our campaigns so we can allocate marketing dollars and resources where they will do the most good. If you like to do your marketing yourself, we recommend you do the same.

Learn more about our lead generating marketing services >>

Like this post? Some readers show their appreciation with a cup of coffee, but feel free to send a larger gift, if you must.

Related posts:

1. Local Customers Are Asking For Deal Emails, Especially from Restaurants

Landscape Management

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Is the first magazine devoted to reporting on the Internet revolution in retailing and today remains the only magazine on the market with…

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Click here for more choices.

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2. Add Photos and Videos
Upload the maximum number of photos and YouTube videos, including your company logo. Use photos of your staff, your office/shop, and a couple from personal shots to give your profile a human touch. Videos can include a tour of your facility or simple tips that are generally helpful.

3. Incorporate Keywords in the Business Description and Business Name
When listing your company name and describing what your company offers, be sure to include popular keyword phrases used by your potential customers. Keyword popularity can be found at google.com/sktool. Don’t change your business name, but do append some relevant keywords like this…

WRONG: Javier’s
RIGHT: Javier’s Mexican Restaurant

4. Add a Coupon
Google provides printable coupon functionality on your business profile. Provide a compelling offer valid only for a limited time.

5. Create Links Back to Your Local Profile
Create links to your Google Local profile page from your website, your YouTube page, your articles, your forum posts, your blogs, etc.

This same tips also apply to Yahoo Local and Bing Local, so you’ve got some work to do!

Until next time,
Anthony

Anthony Curtis
http://www.LocalMarketingToday.com
800-538-0150

Like this post? Some readers show their appreciation with a cup of coffee, but feel free to send a larger gift, if you must.

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1. Hot Google Local Ranking Tip
2. Let Google Promote Your Local Business for FREE
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PlacePop lets you collect, share, and be rewarded by the places you go: cafés, bars, restaurants, parks, airports…everywhere.

When you ‘check in’ at your favorite places and you can:
- Build status at your places, so they can reward you.
- Show your friends where you go.
- Share live photos of places (like photos of bands at a nightclub.)
- Collect your favorite places, at home and on trips.

The PlacePop app for your iPhone is available free at the app store: itunes.com/app/placepop

Now, let’s meet our guests…

Kent Lindstrom – Founder and CEO, PlacePop
Kent has a background in pioneering social applications. Kent joined Friendster in 2002 as one of the company’s first employees, and served as their CFO from March 2003 to Jan 2006. He took over the CEO role in 2006, and led Friendster’s turnaround to become the #1 social network in Asia, and the 7th largest website in the world. As the company regained traction, Lindstrom helped raise more than $30 million to fund growth and recruited the head of Google Asia-Pacific to be Friendster’s new CEO.

He joined Ooga Labs – a San Francisco based consumer technology incubator – in 2009 as the founder and CEO of PlacePop.

Julia Graham – Community Manager, PlacePop
Julia has a background in building communities both online and offline. She was previously the regional director for Advertising Photographers of America, a New York city based non-profit organization. She moved to San Francisco in 2009 with the goal of working at a consumer web startup, and happily found her new role as PlacePop’s first community manager.

She is passionate about social media and in particular the growing opportunities in the mobile space.

Questions Asked During the Podcast
* For those unfamiliar, what are location-based apps and how are people using them?
* Where does PlacePop fit into this space?
* What types of local businesses can benefit most from location-based app marketing?
* What advice do you have for businesses that have yet to “get in the game”?
* Once “in the game”, what should these businesses do to maximize their return in this space?
* Where do you see location-based apps taking us in the next five years?

Everyone be sure to visit PlacePop.com, set up an account, and download their free iPhone app at itunes.com/app/placepop.

PLAY PODCAST (Download MP3 files)

Related posts:

1. Anthony Curtis Interviews PlacePop.com CEO, Kent Lindstrom (part 2 of 3)
2. Anthony Curtis Interviews PlacePop.com CEO, Kent Lindstrom (part 1 of 3)
3. MyTown Getting Six Times More Check-Ins Than Foursquare

PlacePop lets you collect, share, and be rewarded by the places you go: cafés, bars, restaurants, parks, airports…everywhere.

When you ‘check in’ at your favorite places and you can:
- Build status at your places, so they can reward you.
- Show your friends where you go.
- Share live photos of places (like photos of bands at a nightclub.)
- Collect your favorite places, at home and on trips.

The PlacePop app for your iPhone is available free at the app store: itunes.com/app/placepop

Now, let’s meet our guests…

Kent Lindstrom – Founder and CEO, PlacePop
Kent has a background in pioneering social applications. Kent joined Friendster in 2002 as one of the company’s first employees, and served as their CFO from March 2003 to Jan 2006. He took over the CEO role in 2006, and led Friendster’s turnaround to become the #1 social network in Asia, and the 7th largest website in the world. As the company regained traction, Lindstrom helped raise more than $30 million to fund growth and recruited the head of Google Asia-Pacific to be Friendster’s new CEO.

He joined Ooga Labs – a San Francisco based consumer technology incubator – in 2009 as the founder and CEO of PlacePop.

Julia Graham – Community Manager, PlacePop
Julia has a background in building communities both online and offline. She was previously the regional director for Advertising Photographers of America, a New York city based non-profit organization. She moved to San Francisco in 2009 with the goal of working at a consumer web startup, and happily found her new role as PlacePop’s first community manager.

She is passionate about social media and in particular the growing opportunities in the mobile space.

Questions Asked During the Podcast
* For those unfamiliar, what are location-based apps and how are people using them?
* Where does PlacePop fit into this space?
* What types of local businesses can benefit most from location-based app marketing?
* What advice do you have for businesses that have yet to “get in the game”?
* Once “in the game”, what should these businesses do to maximize their return in this space?
* Where do you see location-based apps taking us in the next five years?

Everyone be sure to visit PlacePop.com, set up an account, and download their free iPhone app at itunes.com/app/placepop.

PLAY PODCAST (Download MP3 files)

Related posts:

1. Anthony Curtis Interviews PlacePop.com CEO, Kent Lindstrom (part 3 of 3)
2. Anthony Curtis Interviews PlacePop.com CEO, Kent Lindstrom (part 1 of 3)
3. MyTown Getting Six Times More Check-Ins Than Foursquare

PlacePop lets you collect, share, and be rewarded by the places you go: cafés, bars, restaurants, parks, airports…everywhere.

When you ‘check in’ at your favorite places and you can:
- Build status at your places, so they can reward you.
- Show your friends where you go.
- Share live photos of places (like photos of bands at a nightclub.)
- Collect your favorite places, at home and on trips.

The PlacePop app for your iPhone is available free at the app store: itunes.com/app/placepop

Now, let’s meet our guests…

Kent Lindstrom – Founder and CEO, PlacePop
Kent has a background in pioneering social applications. Kent joined Friendster in 2002 as one of the company’s first employees, and served as their CFO from March 2003 to Jan 2006. He took over the CEO role in 2006, and led Friendster’s turnaround to become the #1 social network in Asia, and the 7th largest website in the world. As the company regained traction, Lindstrom helped raise more than $30 million to fund growth and recruited the head of Google Asia-Pacific to be Friendster’s new CEO.

He joined Ooga Labs – a San Francisco based consumer technology incubator – in 2009 as the founder and CEO of PlacePop.

Julia Graham – Community Manager, PlacePop
Julia has a background in building communities both online and offline. She was previously the regional director for Advertising Photographers of America, a New York city based non-profit organization. She moved to San Francisco in 2009 with the goal of working at a consumer web startup, and happily found her new role as PlacePop’s first community manager.

She is passionate about social media and in particular the growing opportunities in the mobile space.

Questions Asked During the Podcast
* For those unfamiliar, what are location-based apps and how are people using them?
* Where does PlacePop fit into this space?
* What types of local businesses can benefit most from location-based app marketing?
* What advice do you have for businesses that have yet to “get in the game”?
* Once “in the game”, what should these businesses do to maximize their return in this space?
* Where do you see location-based apps taking us in the next five years?

Everyone be sure to visit PlacePop.com, set up an account, and download their free iPhone app at itunes.com/app/placepop.

PLAY PODCAST (Download MP3 files)

Related posts:

1. Anthony Curtis Interviews PlacePop.com CEO, Kent Lindstrom (part 3 of 3)
2. Anthony Curtis Interviews PlacePop.com CEO, Kent Lindstrom (part 2 of 3)
3. MyTown Getting Six Times More Check-Ins Than Foursquare

Click for eVoice Video Demo

It’s a super-slick virtual phone system that gives your small business a very BIG BUSINESS feel. I’ve used other services like this in the past, but eVoice is far superior (and it’s cheaper).

My Favorite Features

Flexible Numbers – Transfer your existing phone number, or get a new toll-free number, or a new local number

Auto-Attendant – Press 1 for Sales, Press 2 for Customer Service

Call Routing – Can ring up to 3 of your existing phone numbers (i.e. cell, office, home) before taking a message

Conference Calling – 95-seat conference line included with no extra charges

Call Screening – Asks caller for their name before attempting to connect the call, so you can choose to answer or send to voicemail

Voicemail-to-Text – Transcriptions delivered by email or text message, so you can skim long-winded messages and read messages in meetings or loud areas.

Voicemail-to-Email – Recorded call sound files delivered via email for another easy listening option

Professionally Recorded Greeting – You get one free greeting read and recorded by professional voiceover talent

Music-on-Hold – Sounds very professional

Reliable Company – eVoice is from the makers of eFax

I’m shocked that all these features are only $9.95 per month (the site says $12.95, but if you upgrade your 6-month free trial before it’s over, you get the lower price). I would expect this service to be at least $49 per month, if not $99.

Check it out.

Enjoy,
Anthony

Related posts:

1. MyTown Getting Six Times More Check-Ins Than Foursquare
2. Free Visual Voicemail from YouMail

This is where I keep links to my most important Local Internet Marketing tools and resources, for quick access, as well as a reminder of what needs to get done. You may notice, most of these tools cost less than $20 per month, many are free.

You’ll want to bookmark it and return often, since I add new resources all the time.

Enjoy,
Anthony

Like this post? Some readers show their appreciation with a cup of coffee, but feel free to send a larger gift, if you must.

Related posts:

1. Press Release: 2010 Prediction: Massive Shift From Chain Restaurants and Retail to Independents
2. Why You Shouldn’t Ask Your Customers Where They Heard About You