Why You Need to Use Facebook for Business…

There are two schools of thought when businesses think about using Facebook – one is “I will just build a page, and they will come!” no, not really that is only ½ of the equation. These businesses start off earnestly with great excitement but soon become frustrated because they are not getting the returns they want or need.
Then there are business owners who think Facebook is a waste of time and resources.  They think they have to spend hours just to stay ahead of the fray, and it is just not worth it.

Both groups are wrong – Facebook is an important business tool and when you learn the tips, tricks and techniques, there is nothing quite like it.

Did you know Facebook is still growing after years of existence? 37% growth in 2011, 1 in six people (on the planet) are using Facebook; that is over 800 million people. If your target market’s age is 35+ that demographic is growing rapidly, this age group is now over 30% of the entire Facebook user base (as of 2011).

Harnessing the power of Facebook is learned through knowledge. It is important to become aware of the best techniques through reading and taking classes. Start with asking yourself what you want to achieve having your business on Facebook?

What are your goals for your business, gaining exposure, building your brand, selling products or services? How about all the above…

I am constantly amazed at how much really valuable information is available through searches on the web. Why not start educating yourself on how to use Facebook the right way?

Without a doubt, you need to be on Facebook. I don’t care what market you are in it doesn't matter your market is on Facebook.

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Don't forget to sign-up to receive future posts - This is the first in a series of articles on using social media to build your business.

Pamela Jacob - Artista Design
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Pamela Jacob
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Researching Keywords – How to do it Right.

Everyone who has a website knows (or should know) how important keywords are.  Search engines use keywords when they include your website in their search results. Keywords can make or break your search engine ranking. When searching for Keyword it is important to remember, it’s not always about getting visitors to your site, but about getting the right kind of visitors.

Often overlooked is the long-tailed keyword. Did you know 70% of searches are done with long-tailed

keywords? Long-tailed keywords often convert better, because they catch people later in the buying/conversion cycle.

(Long-tailed Keywords) Keyword phrases with at least 2 or three words in them.

Think about how you search – do you put one word in or a string of words. I personally put in 3 or 4 to get what I want. And usually it is in a sentence such as: Free guided meditation audio or How to plant petunia’s you get what I mean.

Another mistake a lot of people make is putting in keywords that are the most popular and most competitive. This makes it virtually impossible to come up on the first page of a search engine. What you want to look for are those keywords and phrases that have a lot of people searching but not so many businesses using them.

When using a keyword research tool you will find that there are different columns of information. Usually you will put in a keyword or phrase and hit search you will see a lot of different versions of the keywords below and alongside of them will be a column with something like Search Volume (this is the number of people search using that keyword or phrase) and Competition (these are the number of websites that are using the same keywords). You will want to pick the keywords that have a lot of volume but less competition. This is why keyword research tools are invaluable…


Below are 4 Free Keyword Research websites.

1. Keyword Country
2. Google AdWords
3. Key Word Discovery (free trial)
4. Moz (You will have to register to get the tools)

Don’t forget if you are local to put the location/City/State in your keywords – it will make a big difference.

For a free initial consultation or if you just want to ask a few questions contact me: pamela@artistadesign.com

Pamela Jacob
Google+

Setting up a New Business – How to Succeed

I am currently working with a client who I know is going to be successful. They have the passion and excitement but more than that, they have done the home work that should be involved with building a strong foundation for their business.

Have you really set up a sound foundation for your business?

It is so much easier to build a business right the first time than to try and save a company that is floundering. The mistakes I see individuals make when starting an online business would surprise you. An amazing amount of people really do not take the time to research competitors, find out who their target market is or even

figure out what they will need in order to market their business/services once they have website is developed.
In our society, we (me included) want it all right now. We don't want to have to wait… We want instantaneous wealth, success, fame that is why it is so easy for those unethical few to bilk people/businesses out of billions of dollars a year…


What have I learned being in business for over a decade? There are no short cuts…


To be successful in any endeavor you must first do what it takes to build a strong foundation, this includes:

• Researching
• Learning about your competition
• Who is your target market?
• Putting together a business plan
• Figuring out and setting aside a marketing budget
• Figuring out your Unique Selling Proposition (USP)
• Learning that you don't cut corners on the important stuff.
• Online image creation. It is no longer an option to have a website and work with social media. If you are going to build a business you need to develop these crucial pieces.
• Develop a traditional marketing package – including business cards, branding you look with logo, tagline and contact information including website, Facebook etc. Other things such as flyers, online brochures etc. depending on your business.
• Develop a following – a data-base of people who are interested in your product or service.
  
  

Put together a blueprint for your success – it takes time to be able to hammer these things out. It is so crucial it literally can make a different on whether your company will live or die.
Did you know that 99% of these overnight success stories are simply not.

These “lucky few” have been dreaming, planning, and structuring this “overnight success” for some time in some cases for years…

Don't be fooled – Success is not an accident, and it is not a fluke…

When you plan well and build a strong foundation. Success is up to you.

Owner of Artista Design. Being in business for well over a decade I delight in helping others achieve the success that I have enjoyed. For a free consultation please email me at 

pamela@artistadesign.com

Pamela Jacob
Google+