Marketing – Virtual Assistant | n.b. Office Assist

Making the Most of Google Business Profile: Tips for Small Business Owners

admin — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 21:37:00 +0000

... 91% of people read Google My Business reviews prior to contacting a local business!

'G' is for Google Business Profile

Today, we are looking into the wonderful world of the Google Business Profile (GBP) and why it is a powerful free tool and can be a game-changer for your local success. Whether you’re a sole trader or a small team, having a GBP is like having a virtual welcome mat continually out for your business.

Keeping up with Google Business Profile names …

Before we dive into the present GBP, let’s take a trip down memory lane. The GBP has been known by many names over the years. It started as Google Places, then became Google+ Local, and finally, in 2014, it became Google My Business. In 2020, it officially became Google Business Profile. Phew, that’s a lot of name changes, right?

But despite these changes, one thing has remained constant – the power of this platform to connect local businesses with their community.

Why Do You Need a Google Business Profile

Whether you a bricks and mortar or a service based business, there will be a benefit for your business:

Visibility: When people search for businesses like yours on Google or Google Maps, your GBP helps you show up in their search results. It’s like a digital spotlight for your business.
Credibility: Having an updated GBP gives your business a sense of legitimacy. It shows that you’re active and trustworthy.
Essential Information: Your GBP provides crucial details like your address, phone number, website, and hours of operation. It’s like an online business card.
Reviews: Customers can leave reviews, helping you build your reputation. Positive reviews can be a magnet for new customers.
Photos and Posts: You can showcase your products, services, and promotions through photos and posts, keeping your audience engaged.

Getting Started with Your Google Business Profile

Ready to jump in? Here’s a checklist to get you started:

Check your eligibility – There are a few business types that may not be eligible, so make sure you check it out here.

Claim or Add Your Business: If you haven’t already, claim or add your GBP here

Choose a Business Category, location (store or office), area to service and contact details: Enter all your details (you can choose ‘yes or no’ for your location / address), add all other details, like phone numbers, logo, photos, website, hours of operation etc.
Get Verified: Google has multiple ways to get verified, including: phone or text, email, mail, video recording or a live video call.
Once you receive your code, enter and you will have a ‘blue tick’ on your profile!

Spend some time, once your verified and appearing live, working through your description, and ensuring details are correct and you are happy with how everything looks. Be sure to check it out from another device or computer or logout so you can see how it looks for your ‘potential customers or from your clients perspective!’

Some next steps:

Reach out to your clients and customers and ask for a Google review: Ask your customers for a Google review, make the process as easy as possible, provide the link (via ‘Get more reviews’ blue button, so they are only 1 click away!

Maybe you’ve received a negative review from a customer? … it happens! Be sure that the review is ‘real, ie a real client or customer known to you’ – this is important. Respond and try and resolve directly with them.

Fake reviews: In the event of a negative 1-star fake review, report it immediately to Google, click on the 3 dots to the right of the review – Flag as inappropriate, then choose the appropriate category. As tempting as it will be to respond, hold off and let the review process happen, as the Google algorithm may see your reply as signifying that the review is real, not fake and may slow down the process for removal by Google.

Some Easy Do’s and Don’ts for Maintaining Your GBP:

Do’s:

Keep Your Information Accurate: Update your GBP whenever there are changes to your address, phone number, or hours of operation (this includes public holidays) and review your main business category and description.
Engage with Customers and Clients: Respond to customer and client questions, reviews, and comments promptly and professionally.
Remember to Post Regularly: Share updates (re-share from Facebook, Blog Posts, Instagram), promotions, and relevant content to keep your audience engaged and shows them that you are active and current!
Sell Products? Add them to the Product Section.

Don’ts:

Don’t Overload with Keywords in your Title: Use keywords naturally in your title and description, and avoid keyword stuffing.
Don’t Ignore Negative Reviews: Address them politely and professionally and use them as an opportunity to improve if your customer or client has made a valid point.
Don’t Use inaccurate images: Sometimes using stock photos or images can give a false or misleading impression! Use accurate images.

Your Google Business Profile is your digital storefront in the local community. Embrace it, keep it updated, and watch how it helps your small business shine.

Stay tuned for our next blog, where we’ll explore ‘Hashtags in 2023: Do They Matter for Your Business on Social Platforms?’ Until then, happy Google Business Profiling!

Till next time …

Thanks for checking in today. As always, I do not consider myself a writer, or an expert in particular topics. It’s about enjoying the journey and giving your business information to assist you to grow. I’m proud to work with small business owners, Australia wide and in all areas of administration, office, business matters and virtual assistant tasks, which aim to provide helpful and practical tips and tricks along the way, for you.

What is Social Proof and Why is it Important – Plus 7 ways to use in your business

admin — Wed, 09 Aug 2023 09:00:22 +0000

All of us are influenced by Social Proof, and you may not even be aware of it! Whether a friend raves about something they’ve bought and loved, or someone shares a great book, or you automatically hop onto Google to check out reviews or ratings for that new purchase you are planning to make …. These are ALL types of social proof!

Social proof is certainly not new! And has been around for as long as marketing has existed. Check out this 1950’s Washing Machine advertisement, with the Tag Line ‘trade in your troubles’. Showing a relaxed housewife, feet up! Boasting a Five-Year Guarantee, that they support.

Social Proof – How it’s defined

Wikipedia states that social proof (or informational social influence) is a “psychological and social phenomenon referring to people’s reliance on the feedback and actions of others to determine what is right and what is wrong. Sometimes the social proof is also referred to as ‘herd mentality’ experiences that become credible and then supported through the behaviour and opinion of others.

Why Social Proof is Important for Business Owners

In a super competitive world when it comes to products or services, using social proof as a tool is a must for any business owner. We all work so hard for new clients and customers, so it’s only natural that our new clients and customers will seek out some form of social proof before working with you, adding your product to their cart, booking a discovery call or signing up to a freebie on your landing page!

7 Ways to Use Social Proof

Here are seven easy tips to help you unleash the power of social proof on your social media, website, or landing page:

Credentials and Certifications: If you’ve got some … flaunt them! Be proud of your achievements. Your credentials and certifications build trust. Share anniversaries of when you gained qualifications, show reels or snippets of webinars or training you attend.
Trust Badges: Trust badges add an extra layer of credibility and help build customer trust in your website and landing pages. They assure potential clients and customers that you are experienced and trusted in your industry. Trust badges can also include, free shipping, secure checkout, accredited seller, be a member or certified through an external process. Check out my trust badges featured on my Home Page.
Chat Bot & Real-Time Validation: Consider integrating live chat on your website and display real-time notifications of customer interactions and purchases (again perfect for e-commerce sites). Seeing others engaging and purchasing from your business creates a sense of urgency (FOMO … Fear of Missing Out) and fosters confidence in those potential new customers.
Online Reviews: Encourage your e-commerce customers and client to leave positive reviews on popular platforms like Google or your industry-specific review sites. Create posts for your socials, website and your landing pages to show potential customers just how amazing your products and services are!
Testimonials: Have a template ready to send out to happy clients asking for their testimonials to use on your website and socials. Authentic testimonials from real people are very powerful. Testimonials are ideally suited to service-based industries versus products.
User-Generated Content / Earned Media: Unleash the Power of Your Followers and Fans when clients or customers share their experiences and tag your business on social media. Repost their content, with permission, to share how real people are enjoying your products or services. It’s an authentic way to showcase your products or services. Tip! Cafes and restaurants are great at utilising their UGC.
Social Media Shares, Mentions and Likes: Make sure your social media posts are shareable and like-worthy. Produce engaging content that compels your audience to hit that share, comment or like button. The more your posts are shared, the wider your reach will be, and your social proof will be seen by a bigger audience!

So, there you have it an introduction to Social Proof and why it is important to use every day in your business.

Above the Fold Marketing – How It’s Still Relevant in 2023!

admin — Tue, 02 May 2023 09:30:51 +0000

Above the fold Marketing – What is that you ask?

A term borrowed from the world of print media Above the fold marketing refers to the space above the fold of a newspaper that is visible …. when ‘folded’. Hence the term ‘Above the Fold!’. Normally including the headline and a striking cover image to attract attention.

Digital Marketing and Above the Fold Marketing

In the world of digital marketing, above the fold content is considered ‘the most valuable ‘hot’ real estate on a website or landing page. It’s the first thing that users see when they arrive! It’s often used to showcase the most important information.

A headline
a call-to-action (CTA)
a key offering that is unique to your business.

As a business owner, you should always aim to make sure that above the fold content is engaging, informative, and compelling. Ensuring they stay on the page and take action. This might be reading an article, reading your blog or signing up to your mailing list! Effective above the fold content can also help to increase conversion rates, as users are more likely to take action if they are immediately presented with a clear, compelling and engaging reason to act.

Is Above the fold marketing still relevant for small businesses in 2023?

YES, it’s absolutely relevant for small businesses in 2023 – Including Above the fold marketing should be an essential factor when creating your online business presence. Competition is tough in the digital world, and as a small business, you need to use every trick in the book. This will help you capture the attention of your target audience quickly and effectively.

Here are a few reasons why above the fold marketing is relevant for small businesses in 2023:

First impressions matter: Users form an opinion within 0.05 seconds when landing on your website or landing page – WOW. Users won’t scroll down at that time. So, it is crucial to make a positive first impression, above the fold.
Attention-grabbing content: Above the fold content should to engaging and attention-grabbing enough to keep users interested, and engaged and encourage them to explore further.

Mobile-friendly design: As more users browse the internet on mobile devices, it is crucial to ensure that above the fold content is optimized for small screens and loads quickly.

Increased conversion rates: Effective above the fold content can help to increase conversion rates by giving your users a clear value proposition and a compelling reason to act.

Remember, it’s always great to make a good first impression and this applies to your digital marketing too!

Don’t forget…

So, if you want to continue to stand out in 2023, make sure to include Above the Fold marketing in your business. Just like in real life, you want to make an awesome first impression. Apply this awesome first impression to your marketing as well!

Remember, Above the Fold marketing is like the opening line of a conversation – make it count! We always put our best foot forward when meeting a new client, so why wouldn’t you do the same when it comes to your marketing?

I’m proud to work with small business owners, Australia-wide and in all areas of administration, office, business matters and virtual assistant tasks, which aim to provide helpful and practical tips and tricks along the way, for you.

Till next time …

Social Media & Design Services

admin — Sat, 14 Jun 2014 09:57:19 +0000

Are you struggling to stay on top of your social media? Have ideas, but they are not turning into actual content?

Let’s be honest – Everyone struggles in this area. Having a virtual assistant to help you, with planning, creation and scheduling is an awesome start!

Choose me and you’ll be working with someone with a Diploma in Social Media Management – but more importantly the practical applied skills and the ability to listen and deliver to YOUR business needs.

I use various platforms for visual creations, including: Visme, Canva, Adobe Illustrator plus many more. Working together, we can setup, navigate and build your social media presence.

Including:

Social Media Scheduling
Creation of content
Adding Blogs | Updating links and SEO

Are you ready to tackle your social media content … ? Then book your call today!