Klout can be a good indicator of how well your brand is engaging online.

No one argues that for your business to succeed online you have to continually work on, and manage, your brand reputation. With an increased amount of brand reputation tools being released and further developed, it only strengthens the importance of adding reputation activities to your digital marketing plan.

 Give Your Company Klout

Klout has recently released their “Brand Squads” brand pages. Starting out small, they’re only using Red Bull as an example at this point, with more brands to be released shortly. This brand reputation tool takes into consideration your social media activities and gives you a rating from 0 to 100, with different labels depending on how you use your media.

Here are a few features of Klout:

• Mobile app just released with new API
• Now takes into consideration other social media activities instead of solely Twitter
• Those with higher scores can take advantage of rewards with the Klout Perks program

Your Branding Activities

Enjoying  a higher Klout score isn’t as tough as you think. Half of developing a better online reputation is common sense. Here are a few thoughts to remember when developing your online brand:

• Always pay attention to what people are saying about you and react accordingly.
• Be helpful! Answer questions and introduce your network to each other.
• Engage with your community, especially those that are most influential – this is not the time to be shy!
• Create great content.

One of the most important points to remember (that is often overlooked) is that your online and offline business behaviors are not separate entities. One correlates with the other in a very significant way. Should there be blemishes on your business record offline, know that it’s just a matter of time before that materializes online as well. Run your business the way you would want a business you deal with to be run.

Make sure your online reputation is crystal clear. Contact a WSI Consultant today to develop a plan that will give a boost to your digital marketing strategy.

Afraid of Pandas? Meet the Newest Beast in Search – Google Penguin.

Just when you thought you were safe from Google updates, along comes another beast in Google Penguin. A few months ago we did an article outlining how you can protect yourself from Google Panda. Google actually released another update, Panda 3.5, just before, but it was the Penguin update on April 24th that has really caused waves in the Internet community.

What Happened

This newest search engine optimization update is predicted to affect a smaller amount of queries than Panda, but has still caused problems for some sites. The forums are a-buzz with talk of job and income losses, giving a rather bleak outlook and making Google look like the bad guy. Otherwise known as the WebSpam update, Penguin focused on penalizing those using spam and black hat SEO tactics such as cloaking, link schemes and general keyword stuffing. As much as we can’t help hearing from those that were hit, there were some winners with this update as well. It’s important to follow the rules. 

SEO Points to Remember:

• Quality. Focus on quality content that readers will want to share, rather than strictly writing for the search engines.
• Unique Content. Make sure your content is unique, not duplicated.
• Rankings Fluctuate. Don’t put all your marketing tactics in one basket. Relying strictly on Google search to make your site successful may not work.  Always have a back-up strategy, so that if there is another update and you get hit (even accidentally), it won’t matter as much.

What You Can Do to Your Site

If your site has been hit with the Google Penguin update, there are a few steps you can take. First, look at your site honestly to see if there is something you could do better. If you believe you have been penalized incorrectly, you can submit a reconsideration request to Google.

If you’re worried about your rankings and how to get your site found, contact a WSI Consultant today to plan out a successful digital marketing strategy for your business.

Tumblr is next on the list to be adding “ads” to their strategy.

As if there wasn’t enough choice before when it comes to adding social ads to your digital marketing strategy, Tumblr announced this week that it will be launching ads, or rather “Radar promotional features” on their dashboard.

About Tumblr “Ads”

It wasn’t long ago, 2010 in fact, when Tumblr co-founder David Karp mentioned his distaste for social media ads. So, it was with much surprise to many that Karp announced the addition of Tumblr ads to their roster. Scheduled to launch May 2^nd, Tumblr ads have been making waves all week.

Here are a few elements of the features to note:

• Pay ads are to be in a featured section on the dashboard
• No big blocks of text (to take away from Tumblr content)
• Claim of about 120 million impressions a day on Tumblr

There is no word yet on how much it will cost advertisers to implement an ad campaign, but there’s no doubt there will be brands checking it out on day one.

What Can Social Media Do for Your Digital Marketing Strategy?

Twitter and Facebookhave been around for a bit, but the idea of social media advertising is starting to really heat up. No matter what platform you use, should you decide to go the social ad direction, you always want to make sure it suits your brand, fits your target, and is about engagement. Also, remember that the ad is on a social site – where people are interested in being social and engaging. Trust may be higher, meaning clicks may be as well.

Word has it Foursquare is next on the list, so make sure you keep one ear low to the ground when it comes to social media ads and your successful marketing campaigns.

Make sure your online reputation is working well with your digital marketing strategy! Contact a WSI Internet Consultant today and start making waves in the online  social circles.

WSI Franchisee Madelene featured on GD.SE after attending a local business trade show. 

WSI Consultant Madelene Wadelius was recently featured in an article on GD. SE in Sweden, as she participated in a local trade show. Thoren Business School and the Alderholmen Trade Association came together to hold a business fair, offering students a chance to speak with local small business owners like Madelene.

 “‘We are small business owners who agree with Alderholmen, and we want to be more visible,” says Madelene Wadelius. “One way is to make ourselves seen at trade shows, and another is to take on trainees from the school.’”

 

Click here to read the entire article. (Note: the article is in Swedish)

It was a wonderful opportunity for students to speak directly with successful business owners, and maybe pick up some tips and ideas for their own paths. It just shows that not only do WSI Consultants work to provide best in class online solutions for their clients, but to mentor young entrepreneurs as well.

To read more success stories of WSI Franchisees around the globe, visit the WSI News Room.

As our digital PR strategy changes, it may be time to give that traditional press release a facelift.

There was a time when sending out a press release was a great way to get noticed. Once a release was sent to listed media outlets, odds were pretty good the event would create some interest. These days, not only is the market saturated with businesses looking for press, but no longer is it enough to send out a simple PR. You have to start thinking outside the box and beyond the traditional release.

Why We Love PRs

Marketers still have a soft spot for the press release. They may not hold as much clout as they used to, but let’s not abandon them completely just yet. They can still be a vital piece to a successful online reputation strategy. 

There are still a few benefits of a finely written PR:

• Distribution equals great SEO opportunities
• It may get picked up by the media (success!)
• Depending on your plan, it can be pretty budget-friendly

Steps for a Successful Press Release

There has been plenty of discussion in internet marketing circles about whether or not the press release is dead. It’s not that a release is completely obsolete, but the traditional use may very well be. Here are a few steps to get more out of your press release plan:

• Remember to supplement your press release with a blog post, tweet and Facebook post, and make sure to add it to the Media page of your site
• Use plenty of keywords, so even if it doesn’t get picked up you can still get the links
• Give the journalist a definite angle – the less they have to do the better
• Add interesting triggers and snippets media agencies can use (quotes, facts, figures, video clips,  pictures)

Last Thoughts

Here are a last few thoughts on adding a press release to your Internet marketing initiative. First, be aware of what distribution service you’re using. The majority of businesses utilize free tools, so check out the paid services for better visibility and reach. Remember that your PR will only stay at the top of the newswire for a very short time, so make sure to craft news-worthy headlines that demand attention.

Do you still use traditional press releases? Have you had to rethink your online reputation efforts?

Make online reputation part of your digital marketing plan! Contact a WSI Internet Consultant today and get on the right track to better business online.

Let someone else do the blogging while you sit back and reap the links.

It’s no secret that writing a guest post for someone else’s blog can bring in some pretty nice link juice. But, you should also remember the reverse is true as well: A great guest post from someone else on your blog can be just as valuable.

How Does It Benefit My Digital Marketing Strategy?

Consider this a moment. When you write a guest post, how much energy and resources do you spend promoting the content? When you have someone else posting on your blog, they’re going to do just as much – and those links will be going straight to your blog. It’s a great complement to your social media and SEO digital strategy.

Here are just a few benefits of someone else writing a post on your blog:

• Their followers will be reading your blog meaning a possible bevy of new fans
• The guest blogger may reciprocate and offer up a blog post opening on their site to you
• It mixes things up for your readers – everyone loves a fresh outlook every once in awhile
• Instead of spending time writing a post, you can concentrate on other link building activities, guest posting or even – gasp – taking a break

How Do I Attract a Guest Blogger?

Getting someone else to write a guest post on your blog is sometimes easier than you writing for someone else. However, there are some steps to take to make the process all the more easy for everyone involved.

• Make sure your blog is attractive to guest bloggers. Think about what you look for in another blog and do the same to yours.
• Make contact information very visible. The easier it is to reach you, the better.
• Ask. Is there someone you would love to have on your blog? Be brave and just ask them.
• Make sure the rules for your blog are protective, so you get what you want, but not restrictive to the point it scares people off.

One last option is to look for resources like Blogger Link Up. This site matches bloggers looking for guest writers with those wanting to write – and vice versa. Just remember to avoid making it one sided – offer your services on both sides of the coin. 

Get your social and site digital marketing plans working cohesively! Contact a WSI Internet Consultant today and get on the right track to better business online.

WSI franchise featured in FOX News Latino highlighting franchise opportunities for Hispanics. 

Vice President of International Development for WSI, Valerie Brown-Dufour, was quoted in an April 9th, 2012 article from FOX News Latino discussing the WSI Franchise opportunity. “Latino Franchisees in High Demand” brings to light the growing franchise opportunities for Hispanics in the USA, and that franchises now go beyond fast food and retail. 

“WSI, or We Simplify the Internet, is a Canadian-based provider of digital marketing solutions for small and medium-sized businesses. Founded in 1995, WSI started its push into Latin America in 1997. The company has 25 Latino franchisees in the U.S.,154 in Mexico and 85 in the rest of Latin America.  Franchise fees start at $29,700 in Latin America, with a total initial investment between $5,000 and $10,000. While 83 percent of WSI franchisees have university degrees, backgrounds in technology are not mandatory. “We want to make sure that they [franchisees] like systems and like learning. Unlike burgers and fries, our system is continuously evolving at break-neck speeds,” said Valerie Brown-Dufour, vice president of international development for WSI.” Click here to read the full article.

WSI’s ever-evolving system offers excellent educational and business opportunities, making it a perfect fit for the inherent entrepreneurial spirit amongst Hispanics. 

It’s always exciting to see WSI Internet Consultants making waves in the business world. To read more professional success stories of WSI Franchisees around the globe, visit the WSI News Room.

Getting found online gets a lot more social with Bing Linked Pages.

A month or so ago, we told you about Google’s foray into the social search ring with Google Plus Your World. Now, Bing has come to the table with Linked pages – and has brought a few friends with it.

Control your Online Reputation

Bing Linked pages allows you to have increased control over how you show up in Bing, by letting you link the pages that are related to you, in order to manage your personal search results. It connects with the social tools Facebook and Twitter, so when your friends and followers search for you, they’ll get your results – not someone else. Also, when you link yourself to a result, a message automatically gets sent toFacebook letting your circle know what you’re up to.

It is quite similar to Google Plus Social Search, however Google only uses results from Google+, while Bing brings in results from the other two main social networking channels. From a user standpoint, Bing Linked pages also allows you to link your mentions from other social outlets like LinkedIn and blogging platforms. And if someone links something to you that’s actually not you, you are easily able to unlink.

Reputation Is Everything

In business, online reputation is everything. The greater reach your name has in the public, the better your chances are at grabbing a new client’s attention. Here are a few points to remember when it comes to handling your online reputation:

• What you do in your social circles affects not only the way people view you, but the way they find you
• Make it as easy as possible for people to find and follow you
• To get amplified you have to do or say something worth talking about – write a book, do a guest post or be active on social mediums

Content Marketing Tip: Think ahead of the pack by marketing to the back-to-school crowd today.

Last week we discussed putting together a content calendar for your digital marketing plan. One of the important points to remember when dealing with time-sensitive material or seasonal activities is to think ahead – way ahead. And for back-to-school season that means the planning has to start today.

It’s probably been a few years since many readers have been waiting patiently by the mailbox for those college or university acceptance letters, so for most the back-to-school season is September. In fact, hopeful students start receiving their letters in March, which means that’s exactly when you should be thinking from the student angle – before their decisions and purchasing patterns have been set in stone.

Think back-to-school marketing is just for school and textbooks? Think again. Many products and services have a student angle, but it may take a bit of creativity when writing that next blog post or tweeting your next message. 

Here are some ideas to get you thinking in the right direction:

• Students May Be Living Alone for the First Time. This is a great opportunity for insurance, dental and home furnishings. Think of a dorm room or apartment and brainstorm how a product or service would fit in.
• Students Have a Disposable Income (sort of). They may scrimp and save when it comes to things like food, but a student will splurge if they have the chance to buy the newest gadget or if it makes them look good on campus.
• Student Requisites for Classes. Does the product or service help them in their academic life? Software, utensils, books and even tutoring or educational tools are top-of-mind for a student.

When implementing seasonal activities into your social media strategy, the key is to think a few months ahead. If you act first, it’s more likely you’ll be in front of those students when they first start making their purchasing decisions.

Make sure your digital marketing plan is on track all year long. Contact a WSI Internet Consultant today to create a successful strategy for back to school and beyond.

There’s still some cloudiness when it comes to properly calculating social media ROI, but it’s worth investigating.

Social media is a big part of your business’ digital marketing strategy. With all the social platforms sprouting up and taking off (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest), the possibilities to market yourself are almost endless. A little creativity can go a long way to growing your online reputation and your ROI. And it can happen much faster than with traditional media.

Can you track your social media return on investment?

Not everything you do on Twitter and Facebook is going to move people directly to the checkout every time. What it will do is increase your visibility. In regards to ROI, what is your reputation worth? One way to calculate is by asking how much that syndication and reputation outlet would cost in real media dollars. Considering Facebook and Twitter are free (unless you buy ads), the cost of social media is relatively low compared to newspaper or television campaigns.

Here are a few things to consider when putting together a social media marketing campaign:

• Realize what you will be missing out on if you don’t engage
• Make sure all social channels are aligned towards one single goal
• Understand it takes time to cultivate and nurture social leads

Tools Available for Your Social Media ROI

As marketers and developers continue to unravel the mystery of social ROI, the number of social monitoring tools is growing. Recently, Google launched a Social Reports addition to Google Analytics, while Adobe launched Adobe Social. As more digital powerhouses release options for social media tracking, it becomes clear just how important so-called “vanity metrics” is to marketers.

In the end, it’s all about what your business needs from your social media campaign, be it followers, likes or general brand awareness. 

Looking to get the most out of your social media efforts? Contact a WSI Internet Consultant today and get a strategy that works!