Freelance writing services from Yael Grauer
I’d just like to take a moment to honor and thank those who put their lives on the line for our country.
”…that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion, that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain, that this nation under God, …and that government of the people by the people and for the people shall not perish from the earth.” –Abraham Lincoln
This video on cheap flights made me laugh. I thought you might enjoy it, too.
Whether you own a gym, cafe, bike shop, recording studio or some other kind of business operating out of a physical location (as opposed to an online business), chances are that you want to increase foot traffic. Listen to this 17-minute audio file for five steps you can take to improve your web presence, increase your visibility in search engine rankings and get more business.
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Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Shownotes
Intro: Your unique selling proposition (USP), ethics/karma, and why it’s a bad idea to try to trick readers and/or search engines.
(I mentioned that I knew some great WordPress designers. DeLorenzo Media is one of them.)
Step #1 (5:49): Help people find your site by making sure your web copy includes words they’d be searching for, which is usually the type of business you offer, and the name of their city and state.
(Examples: “Kickboxing” + “Tucson” or “fair trade coffee” + “Seattle, WA”)
Shining Example: Catalyst Athletics. (You don’t have to list all surrounding cities for your area, especially if you live in a large city, but if you are in a small city or town, it might be a good idea.)
Step #2 (7:22): Use the alt tag for your images to describe physical products, or to work in the name of your business, type of business, city and state (see #1).
Shining Examples: Blonde Chicken Boutique. (I learned about alt tags from the Blonde Chicken herself!) It’s hard to take a screen shot of an image alt tag, but if you go to that site and hover over the upper right corner of each photo, a yellow box will pop up with a description of the product. Copyblogger always uses alt tags for their images.
I didn’t mention this in the audio, but on my own site, I use a WordPress plug-in called SEO-image. (It is available at http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/seo-image/). If you have a WordPress site, simply install it and then go to wp-admin > Settings > Seo friendly images and set it up. You can choose from setting up alt/title tags for images based on the post title, file name, category name or tags.
Step #3 (8:52): Use map listings to improve foot traffic by making sure all addresses are spelled exactly the same (including the same abbreviations or lack of abbreviations). Locations to check include Google Places, Yahoo Local, Bing Local Listings, YellowPages.Com, CitySearch.com, Local.com, Hotfrog and Goguides.org.
Don’t forget to research the “reviews” for your competitors on the Google map listings, and look up all those reviewing sites, too! Make sure your business is listed and the information is accurate and consistent–again, abbreviated and non-abbreviated words are not considered according to Google and other search engines!!
Step #4 (12:45) Work on getting local incoming links. National exposure is great, but usually serves more to energize your existing (local) customer base. Focus your media strategy on local sites. Hone your connections for this: local tourist sites, any professional groups with local chapters (or local groups) that you’re a member of, local newspapers, Patch.com business listings if there’s a Patch in your area. I also mentioned Google Analytics for analyzing incoming web traffic. It is invaluable.
Step #5 (14:27) Use your website and social media to get people in the door. I’m sure you can come up with your own examples! We all love Facebook and twitter, but a mailing list (keep a clipboard in your store) is even better, so that you can send coupons, specials, event information, etc. to your raving fans directly. (Mailchimp and Aweber both work well for email list management. Mailchimp is often free, and Aweber is a bit more user-friendly. There are many other services to choose from as well.)
NEED MORE HELP?
For a limited time, I’m cutting my price in half and offering 30-minute SEO consultations/brainstorming sessions for only $32.50. Interested? Simply pick two or three possible times through my Tungle page, and I’ll send select a time and send you a short questionaire and we’ll get started. I’d be thrilled to work with you!
I’m also available for SEO copywriting, map listing and blogging, so feel free to contact me with your specific project.
I’m not a know-it-all SEO expert, but I do know enough to get good traffic to my website. I wasn’t sure that doing an SEO consult with Yael would unearth a ton of new ideas, however, I left our call with three specific areas of improvement to address and improve. The thing I like most of all about Yael’s advice was that she took into consideration my unique non-creepy marketing approach in her suggestions. Her background in copywriting is a definite asset and she never told me to sell my soul. In fact, I’m already seeing results from her suggestions and feel excited to implement the rest! If you’re tempted to get SEO advice from Yael, you’ll appreciate her customized suggestions and enthusiasm! –Jennifer Hofmann, Inspired Home Office
I’m not sure if your summer looks anything like mine, but I have tons of trips in my near future. I’m heading to Portland for the World Domination Summit, and to visit my awesome friend. I have a fun excursion to Florida planned as well, after which I’ll turn right around and head to Detroit for the National Writers Union delegate assembly.
If your summer looks anything like mine, you’ll appreciate the travel-themed tunes this month. Even if you’re not headed far, I hope you enjoy the ride.
This week’s Variety Hour features links on overtraining, making deals, getting annoyed and whether or not that waitress was actually hitting on you. There’s also a recipe and links to two pieces of mine: an article on adapting BJJ for self-defense and a blog post on this really awesome BJJ gym I visited in Milwaukee. Check it out.
Shameless Self Promotion
I’ll be posting some audio sessions on improving search engine optimization sometime soon.
I’ll start with SEO for brick and mortar businesses (i.e. businesses with physical locations: cafes, gyms, studios, shops, etc.) How do you increase foot traffic to your business?
Please e-mail me any questions you have, so I can make sure to answer them!
I’m pleased to announce that Bodytribe instructors Chip Conrad and Tyler Welch will be conducting an awesome 2.5-hour clinic in Minneapolis on May 31st from 1:00-3:45PM at the Athlete Lab (3225 Country Drive in Little Canada, MN).
The clinic, which is $40 at the door, will be chock full of new and old information about movement, strength and play. Topics to be covered include:
This will be a fun and informative clinic with lectures and hands-on lifting and movement. BE THERE!
Refuse to fall down.
If you cannot refuse to fall down, refuse to stay down, lift your heart toward heaven like a hungry beggar, ask that it be filled and it will be filled.
You may be pushed down.
You may be kept from rising.
But no one can keep you from lifting your heart toward heaven-only you.
It is in the middle of misery that so much becomes clear.
The one who says nothing good came of this is not yet listening.
Clarissa Pinkola Estes
