Social Media Marketing

4 Reasons Why You Should Use Google My Business

It was a couple of months ago that Google Places changed its name to Google My Business. But instead of being a rebranding exercise, they’ve actually switched their focus to catering to small business by offering all of their services.

Speaking of which, here are a number of things that you can benefit from when using Google My Business:

#1: Update business information

You can update your business information for Search, Google+ and Maps all in one place. Whether it is business descriptions, operating hours or even website information, businessmen can do all this and more. With this information falling in the Google Knowledge Graph, this will make searches for your business more focused and relevant.

#2: Connect with customers directly

Using Google+, you can now connect directly with customers while sharing updates, customers and news. You can also respond to Google reviews posted by customers too.

#3: Add photos to your business

Compared to the old Google Places, there’s a lot more room on Google My Business than ever. You can put up shots of happy customers, store locations, employees, products and facilities and so on and so forth.

#4: Understand how people find businesses

One of the ways by which you can increase your profitability is by understanding how people find businesses. This can be done by looking at custom Insights and AdWords Express.

#5: Manage Information using Apps

There are two apps that can be used to manage information: the Google My Business Android app and the recently released iOS app too.

advertising

How Real Estate Agents can Use Blogging Effectively

Blogging is all the rage, but a lot of businesses fail to devote much time to their blogs. If you approach your blog with the intention of increasing readership, you will have a much easier time finding an audience. Blogging isn’t something you need to do every day, so lift that weight from your shoulders, but you will still need to focus. Here are some thoughts on how to blog effectively.

Guest Blogging

A guest blog is your chance to reach someone new. The World Wide Web has a surprisingly local focus these days, and if you look for local blogs you’ll find a ton that would be willing to share your opinion as a post. You’ll reach segments of your city that weren’t possible with your photo on a bench. Even if that person isn’t in your area, you’ll soon see how branding yourself online has huge benefits.

Personal Blogs

A personal blog isn’t your space to share your meal plan and exercise routine, although you could work that into a fun post that shows off the virtues of your local city. It’s your space to discuss the things that interest you, and hopefully your audience. Share the road trips your job takes you on, and the homes that you see. Share the fun parts of your city, so that when you entice others to pack and move they think of your name first.

Alternate Income

Blogging can also become an alternate source of income. Mind you, not one that will pay your bills. Blogging might cover small expenses for you over time, like covering the costs of office supplies or coffee. Running ads on your blogs, and doing public endorsements of sponsored products, are great ways to make a bit of extra cash on the side.

Stay focused on what makes your blogging interesting, and you’ll find that it pays off in the long run.

 

Source: Kuba Jewgieniew blogs on behalf of Realty ONE Group, a lifestyle brand that was named one of Inc. Magazine’s fastest growing companies for six years. Kuba Jewgieniew is an experienced, data-driven professional interested in bettering communities.

advertising

Best Practices for Video Ads

Video advertising is not a new concept. Streaming video content is now the norm in some parts of the nation, and it’s common for users to catch their favorite TV shows or sporting events through ad-supported venues. If you are looking to expand into video advertising, take a moment to read through these best practices.

Types of Ads

Before you get started with video advertising, you should know the types of ads that you can purchase. The practice is a lot different from standard display advertising, especially as new ad formats are added to video reels. There are three common types of advertising for videos:

• In-Stream ads are also called “pre-roll ads” and they generally occur before the video starts. These ads generally take over the entire consumer experience, and may appear at any point in the video itself.
• In-Banner ads are the same as most banner ad units, and usually appear in margins surrounded by content. These ads cause a video to play as the user hovers near them.
• In-Text video usually takes the form of a small text message triggered by certain words. As the user mouses over something, the video ad pops up in a small window that seems to emerge from the keyword on the site.

The type of ad you choose will be based heavily on what your publisher allows.

Efficiency

If you plan to run video ads, there are a few guidelines to keep in mind for added efficiency. For instance, the preferred resolution for desktop videos is 640×480 with a minimum of 400×300. Color depth should be 32-bit at least, and bit rates should be at least 2 mbps. You should also talk with your publisher to see if the ad scales, or becomes larger, for any reason. You will need to make adjustments to your video accordingly to better fit the dimensions, or you may need two versions of the same video.

Ad Formats

Much like banner advertising, there are certain formats that are accepted by a publisher. It’s best to try and accommodate both 4:3 and 16:9 ratios if you can. Also be sure that the file format is right for the sight. Ask your ad network if they prefer Flash files or Silverlight. These formats make a difference in who can see your ads as well.

Bio: Ted Dhanik is the co-founder and CEO of engage:BDR. Ted Dhanik has 15 years of experience in direct marketing and brand stewardship. Visit Ted Dhanik online at his blog for more tips on converting leads with display advertising.