Why It is Important for Business Owners to Establish and Maintain a Social Media Presence by Nicholl McGuire

You want to be seen. You want to make more money. Let's take a look at your social media presence. Having worked with fellow freelancers, real estate professionals, finance managers, property managers, hospitality and retail workers, and civic group leaders, I noticed that many had a presence online, but it wasn't always for the product or service that they most wanted to get in front of the public. Instead, they were buried in a sea of similar businesses hoping to grab whoever or whatever came their way.  I shared with them the importance of having not just an online presence, but a meaningful one that would get people to come to their websites and social media pages to engage with their material. 

The business owners and workers I interacted with had ambitious goals, but were they really prepared to be seen by many? What exactly would people see when they viewed their pages? What types of products or services would draw their desired audiences? These questions and more is what we tackled and what you, business owner or professional, will need to consider as you seek to grow your audience and your revenue.

1. What is your reach? The internet offers businesses the opportunity to connect with customers worldwide surpassing geographical boundaries. If you have no reach, it isn't any wonder why people are not visiting your website.

2. Do you need to be accessible 24/7? It can help. By having a presence your business can be accessible, to customers at any time regardless of their time zone or working hours. Now if you don't want that, then why display you are available to take phone calls, emails, or even in-person visits anytime day or night? The way you and your staff greet the customer says a lot. Consider using AI to greet your customer and answer any questions.

 3. Do you look credible to the public? A well-designed website and active social media profiles contribute to the credibility and legitimacy of a business in the eyes of consumers. Can't afford a new website or don't know anything about one? AI tools can help with that. Join my YouTube channel to learn more.

 4. What are you willing to spend on marketing? Online marketing methods like social media advertising and email campaigns tend to be more affordable compared to marketing channels such as TV or print ads. 

 5. Who is your target market? Online platforms provide businesses with the ability to focus their marketing efforts on demographics, interests and behaviors ensuring that they reach the audience. 

 6. Are you interacting with potential customers via the Internet? Social media platforms and other online channels facilitate interaction, with customers fostering engagement addressing queries and building relationships. 

 7. What tools are you using to collect and analyze data? Online tools provide insights, into customer behavior, preferences and interactions helping businesses refine their marketing strategies. 

 8. Who is your competition and how are you gaining a competitive edge? 

Companies that lack a presence may risk losing out to competitors who effectively leverage marketing to connect with and engage customers. 

 9. Have you established and enhanced a brand image? Being present online allows businesses to shape and communicate their brand identity through elements, engaging content and effective messaging. 

 10. Are you presenting your best products and services? Websites and social media profiles offer platforms for showcasing products and services using images, videos, detailed descriptions, well as authentic customer reviews. 

 11. How convenient are your customers' purchasing experience? E-commerce platforms empower customers to browse, compare options and make purchases from the comfort of their devices. Be sure your process is simple and gives your customer an immersive option depending on what you're selling. Think: augmented reality. 

12. Is what you are offering adapting to changing consumer habits? As more consumers embrace research and shopping practices establishing a presence becomes crucial in aligning with evolving consumer behaviors. 

 13. How does your business look on mobile devices? With the increasing prevalence of devices having a presence ensures that your business remains accessible to users, across smartphones and tablets. 

 14. What measures are you currently taking to enhance search engine visibility? A optimized website plays a role, in improving search engine visibility making it more convenient for potential customers to discover your business when they search online. 

 15. Do you have media that demonstrates your expertise? By publishing blogs, articles and educational content you can establish your business as an authority in your industry. This helps attract customers who are seeking knowledge and information. 

 16. Are you able to show measurable results? The beauty of marketing lies in its ability to be tracked and measured in time. This allows businesses to evaluate the effectiveness of their strategies and make decisions based on data. 

 17. Are you willing to be flexible with your current campaigns? Online marketing campaigns can be easily adjusted based on budget, goals and performance. They offer scalability options where businesses can scale up or down as needed. 

 18. Are you open to partnerships and collaborations? Having an online presence opens doors for collaborations with influencers, partners and other businesses. It expands your network. Extends your reach to audiences. 

 In summary establishing a presence is fundamental for business marketing. I ask my potential clients these questions and more depending on their industry and specific goals. For my own business, I do not have all questions answered nor do they all apply. You may also have some affiliations, products and services that are restricted or cannot be fully displayed on the Internet. 

You know your business. You know what applies to it and what doesn't--what is doable and what is not. However, keep in mind a strong internet presence enables you to connect with customers and helps with building credibility by showcasing your expertise. You are also able to adapt to evolving trends and achieve growth in our world. 

So what are you waiting for? Let's get to work!

Nicholl McGuire is the author of What Else Can I Do on the Internet? and Black Friday, Cyber Monday Strategies to Use Year Round

Content Marketer Tips for Content Creation: Finding Your Creative Inspiration

Writing a book or creating something creative online can be both difficult and exciting at the same time. It requires patience, motivation, and a dash of inspiration. However, sometimes it can be frustrating to know where to start or what to write about. That's why I decided to provide tips on how to stay on top of trends and write creatively. I hope these tips will help you start or continue your creative journey!

Follow the News - One tip to stay on top of trends is to follow the news. I did this for years until I took a long break from it because I had been overwhelmed by the negativity. When I returned to watching media trends, I was more focused on topics that were “How to” rather than hard news or investigative journalism. You can stay up to date on current events and see what topics people are interested in. As you follow the news, you can use your creativity to write about these topics in a way that is unique to your style.

Engage with Your Audience - Engaging with your audience can also help you stay on top of trends. I did this by conducting polls, offline event gatherings, writing social media posts, setting up email campaigns, and commenting on others’ projects while working for companies. Whether you have a blog, social media, or other platform, pay attention to what your audience is saying and what they are interested in. Ask for feedback, conduct surveys, or just have conversations with them. This will give you ideas for your next project or article.

Use Google Trends - Google Trends is a tool that can help you see what topics are currently trending. You can see how much interest a topic has over time and in specific regions. You can use this information to write about popular topics or to add your own spin to a trending topic. You can also chat with Google’s latest ai tool Bard. Similar to ChatGPT you can ask questions, but Bard has the latest information.

Be Open to Collaboration - Writing and other creative endeavors can be solitary activities. However, collaboration with other creatives can inspire and expose you to new ideas. I volunteered to help ambitious content creators with their YouTube channels and other social media platforms and websites by providing them with ideas, performing in their film projects, panel discussions, and agreeing to one-on-one interviews. Reach out to other writers or artists on social media or in online forums. You can also attend writing or art workshops to meet other creatives.

Find Inspiration in Nature - Finally, don't forget to find inspiration in nature. I have posted occasionally places I have visited that have been peaceful, quiet and are great for meditation or working out. Going for a hike, a walk in the park, or just sitting outside can help clear your mind and give you new ideas. Take a notebook or your phone with you to jot down any inspiration that strikes you.

Writing or creating online can be a challenge, but with these tips, you can stay on top of trends and write creatively. Remember, writing and creating should be fun and fulfilling. Don't be afraid to try new things and take risks!

What inspires you to create content? Feel free to leave your comment, happy writing!

 

On Helping Churches, Spiritual Individuals with Projects - Nicholl McGuire Media

Hello! I work with churches, nonprofits and small business owners. In this video, I tell you a bit about myself and what I have done for some clients. Feel free to like, subscribe, share and comment. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Faith-based Family History Projects: Called to Write a Book, Journal

Get Up to Speed on AI Tools You Can Explore with Nicholl

Nicholl McGuire Media Publications

Thanks so much for your support!  May you stay safe this holiday season and have a great year!

Content Marketing and Strategy - on Optimizing Your Website Content for the Search Engines

For almost two decades I have been marketing content online. I have seen tools come and go. However, what remains is the writers and marketers. Today, I am sharing what exactly is content marketing and why it is necessary for your business. 

What is content marketing and what are the main goals of a content marketing strategy 

Content marketing is a strategic approach employed by content marketers to create content aimed at spreading information and generating more online engagement. This content typically requires content creation efforts such as blog posts, videos, graphic designs, and podcasts. Content creation serves as the primary source of content that content marketers use to build relationships with their target audience. With content marketing efforts, the aim is to provide useful content for readers and create trust between content marketers and their potential customers. Content marketers also use content marketing to drive sales by including call-to-actions throughout their content which leads their readers to become paying customers. Additionally, content marketing can aid in creating brand recognition in the minds of potential buyers by providing quality content regularly that aligns with their interests and needs. Through understanding what content appeals to its target audience, content marketers also gain insight into what makes them unique from their competition when it comes to product or service offerings. All these elements contribute towards setting achievable goals of a successful content marketing strategy - garnering more online engagement, increasing brand recognition, boosting lead generation, and ultimately achieving sales growth. 

What are the benefits of using content management systems (CMS) for managing and publishing content 

Content management systems (CMS) are invaluable tools in the digital world that enable businesses to quickly and easily create, edit, store and efficiently publish content. This makes it easier than ever before to manage and publish content in online channels to reach a wider audience. With a good content strategy in place, CMS can serve as an incredibly effective inbound marketing tool, allowing businesses to attract more leads and increase sales by targeting potential customers in comprehensive ways. Besides providing an easy means of creating and publishing content, CMS also provides powerful features such as reporting capabilities that allow marketers to measure the success of their marketing strategies. Thus, businesses can make informed decisions about which strategies are working for them and apply all the lessons learned to craft powerful campaigns that yield better results in the future. Overall, CMS is a highly valuable asset for any business serious about making an impact in their industry with successful inbound marketing efforts. 

How can you optimize your website's content to improve search engine rankings and user engagement 

If you have a website, SEO (search engine optimization) should be one of your top priorities. SEO helps improve your site's visibility and ranking on search engine results pages, but it can take more than just the right keywords. To truly optimize your website's content for SEO, focus on creating high-quality content that offers value to users and establishes your site as an authoritative source. This means regularly creating fresh content, writing keyword-rich meta descriptions and titles, adding backlinks to supporting sources, eliminating any broken links or dead images, checking for consistent formatting across platforms/devices, and keeping up with SEO algorithm updates. With a good SEO strategy in place, it won't be long before your website begins appearing at the top of search engine rankings and engaging more users than ever before! 

What are some common tools and techniques for measuring the performance of your website's content 

If you want to make sure that your website's content is performing optimally, there are numerous tools and techniques available to help. Google Analytics is one of the most popular solutions, and it provides insights into audience behaviors, traffic sources, and user engagement. For further analysis, SEMrush allows users to drill down into keyword performance and competitor research. Adobe Marketing Cloud is also great if you're looking for comprehensive data on customer experiences and satisfaction levels. And if you want to evaluate the performance of individual pages, Moo Tools can provide in-depth details on page speed, Google ranking, and more. By leveraging these types of tools and techniques, you can get a clear picture of how your website's content is performing over time - invaluable information that can help you stay ahead of the competition. 

So, what is content marketing? Simply put, it’s a strategic marketing approach that focuses on creating and distributing valuable, relevant, and consistent content to attract and retain a clearly defined audience — and, ultimately, to drive profitable customer action. Content management systems (CMS) are essential for managing and publishing your website's content. They make it easy to create and manage your website's content while also providing features that can help you improve your website's search engine rankings and user engagement. Finally, measuring the performance of your website's content is critical for understanding how well your efforts are performing so that you can make necessary adjustments. Are you in need of a content marketer for your business? Let's connect and thanks for reading! 

Nicholl

Side Hustle - What About Affiliate Marketing?

Making money can be tough. Whether you're looking for ways to make a little extra cash on the side or ways to earn a full-time income, there are many options available. But if you're stuck on how to get started, affiliate marketing may be a good option for you. So, what is affiliate marketing and how does it work? 

Affiliate marketing is a type of performance-based marketing in which a business rewards one or more affiliates for each visitor or customer brought by the affiliate's own marketing efforts. The industry has four core players: the merchant (also known as 'brand' or 'retailer'), the network (that contains offers for the affiliate to choose from and takes care of the payments), the publisher (also known as 'the affiliate'), and the customer. Various types of advertisers offer different types of affiliate programs. Examples include single-tier programs, where a single affiliate earns commission on referred sales; multi-tier programs, where referral commissions are based on levels (or tiers) that the affiliate reaches; and hybrid programs, which blend elements of both commission structures. 

The benefits of affiliate marketing

 
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. There are plenty of benefits of affiliate marketing, but let's start with what it is first. The biggest benefit of affiliate marketing is that it is simple to get started. You don't need to create your own products, and you don't need to invest in inventory. You can simply find a product you like, promote it on your website or blog, and start earning money from the sales. 

Another great benefit of affiliate marketing is that it can be extremely profitable. If you find a high-quality product that converts well, you can make a good income from your commissions. And because there are no production or shipping costs, the entire profit goes directly into your pocket. Of course, affiliate marketing is not without its downsides. The most obvious one is that it can take time to build up enough traffic to generate significant sales. And if you want to be successful with affiliate marketing, you'll need to put in the work and be patient. But if you're willing to do that, affiliate marketing can be a great way to earn a passive income. 

Affiliate marketing  creates a win-win situation for all parties involved. The merchant benefits from increased sales, while the affiliate earns commissions on those sales. And because affiliates are only paid when they generate results, it's low risk for them as well. As a bonus, customers tend to trust recommendations from friends and influencers more than they do traditional advertising, making affiliate marketing a highly effective way to generate leads and drive sales. 

If you're interested in learning more about affiliate marketing, check out this article for some tips on getting started. If you're already an experienced marketer, there are plenty of resources available to help you take your business to the next level. Here is one company I recommend with a large database of merchants. They are looking for affiliates to help get the word out about their products and services, see here.

Thanks for stopping by my blog and here's wishing you great success!

Nicholl

Black Friday, Cyber Monday Strategies to Use Year Round by Nicholl McGuire and Other Useful Websites to Help with Personal Challenges

 With so many holiday shopping and so many more contemplating whether to spend money this time around, it can be challenging for all.  That's why I wrote Black Friday, Cyber Monday Strategies to Use Year Round, because it is a timeless book filled with valuable information helping you save time and money.

From suggestions on what specifically to type in the search engine to the best times to shop for certain goods, this helpful guide brings a wealth of advice you can use anytime of the year when selecting affordable items for your household, gift-buying, and treating yourself.  I have used the strategies in this book for years!  I still have top quality pajamas years later that I got for deep discounts, bathroom decor, office supplies, and more because I knew the season, the right website to look, and made some quality connections with insiders over the years.

So do grab my short-read, Black Friday, Cyber Monday Strategies to Use Year Round, and here's wishing you all the best this shopping season, happy holidays!

Other helpful books I have written and blogs I have managed are below:

For Christians...
adviceforchristians.com

For singles who are dating:
datingadvicewisdom.com

For people in spiritual warfare:
faceyourfoes.com

For people seeking apartments or maintaining one:
firstaptadvice.com

Family history, genealogy:
generationxancestry.com

Holiday invites/parties/planning:
holidaypartyadvice.com

People meeting people online:
internetdatingblues.com

Next level internet researching:
internetfunstuff.com

Abusive partner?
laboringtolove.com

Fatherless daughters and sons, manipulative fathers/in-laws:
saygoodbyetodad.com

Issues with mother/in-law?
tellmemother.com

New parent or motherhood challenges?
whenmotherscry.com

Tired of your job?
workplaceadvicetips.com