Sarasota Business Network

We have been asked why we keep telling Sarasota businesses how to do things on their own when we could make a lot more money charging people for the service. Technically that is true, but in reality it is not. The Sarasota economy is a nightmare and businesses are cutting back on marketing and printing to try and stay afloat. They let employees go and they hope they can make it three more months. If we don’t help local businesses stay alive other businesses will suffer and as a result we will as well. So, you can see why it is more beneficial to educate.

Our Idea - Educate Sarasota Businesses and We Can Help Stabilize the Local Economy

If we help businesses learn how to handle certain marketing campaigns themselves we save them money. We can also help them bring in more work which could help them stay afloat or keep an employee. Every single person that loses their job in Sarasota hurts our entire county. It is like a ripple effect…it is far reaching for each person that loses a job.

We feel our classes can help the small businesses the most and whether you think they are important or not, we need them. Individually-owned lawn, pool, cleaning and home repair businesses should be thinking about how some affordable, but effective Internet marketing could help them. Medium to large business can also benefit, but often they are already doing their own email marketing, blogging and local search implementation.

EXAMPLE - I always get these business cards on my door for pressure cleaning. I keep them, but I always lose them. Sadly, I can’t google them and find them. They don’t have a site that I can find, because I would recognize the logo if they did. If they can’t afford a site they could use other free Local Search options. Being visible and accessible on the Web is really important (and can be easy). If these businesses were educated and marketed online I would be able to find them and then they would have another client.

What Should Your Business Think About?

Are you marketing at all? If you cannot afford traditional ways than you can afford online marketing because much of it is FREE, you just need to take them time to discover your options! Blogging, Email Marketing and Social Media are all options and you could get many benefits from spending $20 a month on these options. Just skip a couple of fast food restaurant visits and you have it paid for.

SEO Aware educates because we want people and businesses to do well. We are NOT doing it just for money. If that were the case we would charge the $1,000 we usually do for clients instead of the $100 we are for the class.

Melissa Fach - See upcoming classes

Below we have some links to articles we think can help you assess which marketing options you should pursue.

How to Cross-Market Your Blog and Your Business, Promoting Each to Each Other’s Audience

Business Blogging – “What Should We Write About?”

Some Things To Consider When Establishing a Budget For A Web Site

Two Online Tools to Find out Who Is Talking About You On The Web

The 3 Trust Factors of Web Sites and Their Design

Findability vs. Trustability

The Businesses That Are Left…

Let’s Talk About the Many Jobs of Your Web Content

Why Businesses Should Include Their Phone Number(s) in Their Optimization

You Now HAVE to Sell Through a Computer Screen to Be Successful

SEO…What Is It? Why Do You Need It? Part 1- Local Search

Easy Way to Add Business Videos to You Tube and Your Web Site

So, What Really Is Important to a Business? SEO? SMO? SEM? Clients? An Effective Web Site?

SEO…What Is It? Why Do You Need It? Part 3, SMO- Social Media Optimization

Some Basic Web Site Psychology to Consider When Designing a Web Site

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I am the owner of SEO Aware. Obviously as an SEO company we observe a lot in our local market. We also keep an eye on the competition. Our company has been discussing the benefits of  Wordpress for a long time (see this article from 2007).

I want to tell local businesses to be careful before hiring a company to develop a Wordpress site, because there are MANY, MANY aspects to creating an effective Wordpress site and/or blog. The SEO benefits don’t just happen even if you add a plugin or two. Make sure your Wordpress person knows what needs to be done or consults with an SEO company to ensure everything that should be done is being done. Suplee Design is a good example, they contact us for every client to ensure that the site is done right and they haven’t missed anything. That is what you want, a company that cares.

One other thing, I have seen about 10 local sites this week all built off of the same template. The only thing that changes is a header and some colors. Make sure, if you are going to spend the money, that you get a look that is unique and that your template is not easily recognized. Be careful, research and make sure your spend your hard-earned dollars with the right company.

Melissa Fach - SEO Aware - FloridaSEOTraining.com - MedicalSEOTraining.com

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2nd Class 10:30am-12:30am – “Email Marketing” October 8, 09

What you need to know, what you should avoid and what you need to do to have a successful email marketing campaign.

Some of the class outline includes:

1. Why Email Marketing?
2. Content – What do I email about? Sales, Promotions, Nurture Marketing
3. CAN-SPAM Act – What the Law Says Not to Do!
4. Get Your Email Opened & Read!
5. Email Look & Style
6. Email Programs
7. Email Marketing Tips
8. Adapt Successful Emails to other Marketing Venues
9. Educate Your Staff

In addition to the above we will be showing you how to set it up an email campaign in Constant Contact, design options, how to integrate your site and blog into the email and how to look at and use the stats. We will also discuss nurture marketing and offer ideas on how you can make it work for your industry! ALL of this information will be in a book for you to take home. You can take notes in it and always have the information we gave you in class for reference. We will limit this class to 35 to ensure that we can answer all questions and help you know how to walk out, go back to your office and get started.

This day will include refreshments! You can choose either class or both classes. Class 1 – Local Search – is $100 per person and has a limit of 50. Class 2 – Email Marketing – is $200 per person and has a limit of 35 (we also have a “Bring a Friend” discount for class 2 – Sign someone else up and you both get in for $150). If you attend both classes you can get both tickets for $250. Previous attendees, your discount code can apply to one class or both.

Sign up thee paying people get in free!

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Questions?

Class will be in the Sarasota Keiser University auditorium on October 8, 09. If you would like to register please send your contact information (name, email, name of company and phone number) to Info@SEOAware.com. We will let you know if spots are available. If they are we will send you a link to make a payment. More info at http://seoaware.com/2009/09/08/seo-awares-class-october-8-09-local-search-email-marketing/

***Web design companies, SEO and Internet Marketing companies and advertising/marketing agencies are not eligible to attend these classes. These classes are for local businesses that need to find an affordable way to market their businesses. We don’t want to give a spot to someone that already knows how to do these things.***

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We will be having two Classes in one day- you can pay for either or get a discount on both. We charge A LOT of money to set these things up for clients. You will find out how to do it yourself for about a tenth of the cost.

1st Class 9am-10am – “Local Search” October 8 2009

We will show EXACTLY where you should add your business profile (and link) and we will show HOW to add to it. You will be given step-by-step directions on how to do this the right way. This is more of a class and will have less discussion than our previous class, but we will answer questions. The goal is for you to show up on the Web effectively and convert! You will learn how to make Google, Yahoo and Bing maps work for you! Other sites can also be very beneficial – one is so effective that we create a listing for every client and 99% of the time this listing is on the first page of Google within a week.

If your site can’t reach the first page of the SERPs due to competition we can show you how to get there other ways. We will also give you some tips on how to integrate locations into your website, blog and Internet marketing.

We will take a 25-30 minute break for snacks, networking and questions then start the 2nd class. Admission to class 1 does not allow you entry into class 2. Class will be in the Sarasota Keiser University auditorium. Class price is $100. Our second class will be at 10:30 and will teach you how to do your own email marketing campaign. That class is $2oo and you can attend both classes for $250.

Sign up thee paying people get in free!

More information at the following link:

http://seoaware.com/2009/09/08/seo-awares-class-october-8-09-local-search-email-marketing/

***Web design companies, SEO and Internet Marketing companies and advertising/marketing agencies are not eligible to attend these classes. These classes are for local businesses that need to find an affordable way to market their businesses. We don’t want to give a spot to someone that already knows how to do these things.***

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When I met Norman Jones I had been suffering from severe TMJ symptoms. I had jaw pain, a loss of equilibrium, I was nauseated all the time, I felt like there was water in my ears, I couldn’t hear as well and I was eating through a straw. My mouth couldn’t open enough to fit a spoon in and brushing my teeth was painful.

I was given all the TMJ recommendations - eat soft foods, use hot compresses, get a mouth piece for nighttime, take Motrin etc. It is interesting that neither health insurance or dental insurance would pay for treatment at the time I was suffering (I don’t know if they are now or not).

The physical problems caused by TMJ were also making me feel quite depressed. People take for granted the ability to eat, to go out to eat with their families and being able to walk without holding on to a wall for balance. The owners of Pacific Rim recommended I go see Norman. I am pretty cheap so I didn’t want to spend the money, but I made an appointment.

Within 20 minutes of him working on me my mouth could open wide enough to eat and within the hour I had the ability to eat anything, the pain was gone, but the best thing was that I wasn’t dizzy. He told me to work with the jaw instead of not using it as I had been told. My jaw did develop the same symptoms within about 10 days and Norman told me that I needed to work on it weekly for awhile. This is what  I did. After about 8 sessions the jaw was staying where it should and I started going every two weeks, then every month.

The truth is Norman gave me my life back. I don’t have to hold on to things and beg God not to get sick. I can do things with my kids. I can eat and live a normal life. The TMJ does flare up now and again, especially when I am stressed, but most of the time I am fine.

If you are having bad TMJ symptoms and you have no relief you may want to try and meet with Norman. He is a gifted massage therapist that has studied everything for years. He knows exactly what needs to be worked on and how to do it without causing more trauma. He is also a kind, fun, relaxing and a great guy. I have added Norman to the site under Message.

Norman can come to you or you an go to him. Contact Norman Jones at 544-2265

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How to Do an SEO Analysis of Your Website - Class at Keiser College Sarasota 9-02-09

“SEO Aware is putting the control in your hands. We are going to tell you what you need to know to have an effective website that will work for your company.”

“No sales speeches from us, this is all for you! The class will be at Keiser College on September 2nd at from 9:00-10:30am. We will have Q&A and be available for questions after the class.”

To learn more about the class please visit SEO Aware. Contact information is Info@SEOAware.com or 941-363-1SEO (1736).

You can sign up for the class at SEOAware.com. http://seoaware.com/seo-services/seo-aware-classes/

Some of Their Upcoming Classes:

• Search Engine Marketing and Local Search
• Run Your Own Email Marketing Campaign
• Affordable and Easy Video Marketing
• Social Media Marketing – Which options will work for you?
• Blogging – A Free and Effective Way to Market Your Business
• The Values and Benefits of Wordpress
• The Ins and Outs of Wordpress
• What You Need to Know About PPC- Pay Per Click

“Gladly serving businesses throughout the Sarasota, Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, Venice, Northport, Englewood areas.”

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SEOAware.com blogged today about expanding their services and showing us services they haven’t advertised before. Those services include:

• PPC
• Email Marketing
• Video Optimization and Marketing
• Blog Set-up
• Blog Customization
• Blog Optimization
• Blog Writing
• Graphic Design for Print Advertising

Training Services:

• SEO – Search Engine Optimization
• PPC – Pay Per Click
• Email Marketing
• Video Marketing
• Wordpress
• Blogging

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There is NO Formula!

I get a lot of phone calls from people that have been to a business network event or a meeting by their company and they have heard about Social Media- Twitter, FaceBook, etc. and they have been told they have to be tweeting to do well in business. Suddenly they need Twitter help right now! But, they really don’t. Twitter is an option, but is it an option that will work for your business? Will it make you money or waste your time? I hear tons of advice they were given and most of the time they have been told about 3% of what they really need to know

Guess what? There is no formula for businesses to market online effectively. Not all options work the same for all industries or businesses. As with any advertising or marketing, online marketing needs to be researched and planned. Twitter doesn’t work for everyone. A new Web site won’t work if there is no optimization or marketing strategy. Careful planning is needed.

Some things to be considered by business owners:

• Online Reputation Management - do you have a plan?
• Online Marketing Options- How do you choose? Hire someone that knows and won’t waste your money.
• Is your Web site user-friendly?
• Is your Web site optimized? Are your highly visible online for what you do or just your business name?
• Do your marketing materials support your online marketing strategies?
• Have you truly researched the company you are about to hire for your online marketing? How well do they understand the search engines and user behavior?

My Recommendation

Hire a consultant that TRULY understands what your marketing options are and can tell you what will work and what won’t. So you spend a some money to  avoid wasting your advertising dollars, is that a  bad thing? Hire someone that lives and breathes the Internet and also understands how to take your traditional marketing materials and make them work with your online marketing.

Melissa Fach - SEO Aware

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Recommended articles:
So You Paid for SEO & Then An Email Comes Telling You Your Site Isn’t Doing Well…

What is SEO Consulting? Well, It Depends on the Vision of the Consultant

Let’s Talk About the Many Jobs of Your Web Content

Findability vs. Trustability

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Ever wonder what it is like to get a Botox treatment? Watch and see…

See more videos by Dr. Abrams on Laser treatments.

Visit AbramsDerm.com and SarasotaDermatologyBlog.com

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In April the the outside part of my A/C  (I have no clue what it is called) died. I thought I could just replace that part, but I was wrong. New government regulations insist that your outside and inside units match (I think I am making this simpler than it is), so I was needing a new Air Conditioning System.

I had met with Sean McCutcheon a few weeks before this happened about SEO and marketing and he told me his business model, some of it was…

• Provide truly excellent service, his company should be the best
• Make sure the client feels respected and gets quality service
• Get to those with no A/C as soon as possible
• Remain as ethical and honest as possible
• He was proud that his company had a trusted reputation

There was a lot more, but he was so genuine and nice that when the A/C broke I called Sean. He had his guy come out real quick and explain to me what my options were. This man also laughed when he saw my unit because he said it was like 80% a heater and 20% A/C which might explain my $600 electric bills. A guess a certain builder got them cheap; they are for homes in the north.

Now it was April, but the days were getting warm and it was about 83 in the house without an A/C unit. I decided which unit I wanted to buy, a green and energy efficient 17 seer system (have no clue what it means, but it is suppose to be good). I told Sean and he had to get the unit and he said he would get it here as quick as possible and which day did I want it installed? Long story short, I told him at about 5:30pm, on Tuesday, he got most of the parts together and they started at like 7 am on Thursday. One part of the unit was coming in that day, but he put his guys to work to try and get it done.

These guys worked their hearts out all day. 2-3 guys removing the old system for 3-4 hours, then 3 guys preparing everything for the new system and then 5 guys worked to install it. They stayed until 7pm because they didn’t want me to go another night without air. Sean walked around and inspected everything for so long and made sure everything was perfect, including the tube outside that drains the water. He wanted it more hidden so the house looked nice.

Do I recommend KeepingSarasotaCool.com? HECK YEAH!

In the last few years any service I have received anywhere has been just “OK”. Many people are no long interested in providing really excellent service. They just have a job they have to do and they do it with no extra effort. Sean and his crew worked their butts off to get a two day job done in one, just so I could have air. They enjoy their jobs and try hard to keep the client happy. If you need an A/C company you can trust I recommend Sean McCutcheon at KeepingSarasotaCool.com.

So, here is a public  thank you to the guys at Keeping Sarasota Cool. I appreciate all you did.

Melissa Fach

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