The seminar will focus on professional service providers and how they should leverage the internet to find new customers and keep them.
Topics include best practices and how to instructions for web design, blogging, online advertising, mobile marketing and search engine marketing.
2. We have a big event coming up soon and you’re invited!. It’s called
‘Digital Strategies for Professional Services' - Website Design in Las
Vegas and Hawaii
I will be moderating the breakfast seminar. But make sure you register
asap. Seating is limited: Register at
http://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/event/92661#register
The seminar will focus on professional service providers and how they
should leverage the internet to find new customers and keep them. Topics
include best practices and how to instructions for Hawaii web design,
blogging, online advertising, mobile marketing and Search Engine
Marketing Las Vegas
With that event in mind, I would like to dedicate this column to the
mistakes CPAs, attorneys, insurance agents and other professional service
providers typically make when developing digital strategies for their
businesses.
3. Mistake #1: We don’t need a digital presence.
This is really silly. It’s imperative to have a website. A simple one is fine.
But you must be online and it must be congruent with your brand.
Occasionally I will bump into a ‘successful’ firm run by an ‘old school’ guy
who doesn’t doesn’t believe ‘in all that web stuff.’ Can they survive asis?
Yes, of course. But will they thrive over the midterm? Probably not. Will
they attract and retain younger, more sophisticated talent? Definitely not.
The good news is you don’t need to spend a lot of time nor effort to get
going. Just hop on Google and see what pops up when you search on your
company name. Is there a clear and concise landing page explaining who
you are, what you do, why someone should use your services and how
anyone can get in touch with you?
Expect to spend $500 for a decent one page site that gets the job done.
4. Mistake #2: I don’t need to learn it.
It’s amazing how narrow minded some business leaders can be. They are
intelligent and can learn just about anything when motivated to do so. But
when it comes to computers and the internet, too many people claim
technophobia and punt responsibility to the bookkeeper, the friend of a
friend, or a distant relative. Usually, that dismissive attitude leads to fumbled
opportunity.
Your business is hundred of thousands of dollars if not millions. As a business
executive or owner, you took the time to know and love your financial
statement because it was/is important.
Give your IT the same level of commitment. You don’t need to become an
expert. You just need to know enough to recognize one.
Not sure where to start? Just ask Uncle Google.
5. Mistake #3: We can’t afford it.
Cost shouldn’t be the primary consideration. Return on investment
should.
Don’t approach online marketing (SEO Las Vegas) as a black hole expense.
Instead, view it as an opportunity to reach new clients in a more efficient
way. Every aspect of your digital strategy should have a clear purpose and
accountability.
You would never hire someone just for the heck of it. Likewise, you
shouldn’t build a website, start a blog, or advertise online without a clear
mission trying and well defined goals.
Your website should be your best employee working 24/7 delivering
results.
Ask yourself: What does success online look like? How will we measure it?
Use those answers as the starting point for your campaign.
6. Mistake #4: Let’s form a committee.
I showed a colleague the new collateral material for Island Air.
His reply, “The new design is lame. It’s all about giving good meeting.”
Anything done by committee tends to be more about posturing than
about being bold. Because your online properties will be visible across the
globe, you should convey as much personality as possible. Avoid the metoo syndrome. Mediocrity kills.
Chances are your company was founded with youthful indignation and
verve. The founder had an itch and solved it. As you look towards the web,
take the opportunity to recapture your company’s original esprit de corps.
If it’s pissing off someone, you are doing something right.
7. Mistake #5: We need it to be excellent.
Most business leaders excelled in school because they were committed to
excellence. They realized good grades came from being great not just good.
In the business world, excellence can mean costly delays and ultimately
missed opportunity.
I have been guilty of this! I want everything to be pixel perfect. Perfection
though can take time. And chasing perfection can take months if not years.
As you march towards everything digital, don’t be overly concerned about
being perfect. Speed is king in this world. Six months can mean the
difference between a great idea and a copycat product.
8. Of course, fix the typos and all the bugs, but get the new site launched
right away. You can always circle back later and improve it. Beat your
competitors in the market space. Let them get stuck in the quagmire in
the pursuit of excellence.
Please join us at the August 9th breakfast seminar. I will share the secrets
I’ve collected over the last 10 years as owner of SuperGeeks. And if at the
event you mention to me that you read this column, I will do shoutout for
you and your company. Hopefully, it brings you even more business.
9. Author Bio:
• JAMES KERR, Founder and Chief Geek of SuperGeeks. Mr. Kerr's tech tips
help businesses improve efficiencies and boost sales. Learn how your
company can leverage search engine marketing. Visit SuperGeeks .