Local Search Marketing overview

Do you know what is meant by "local search marketing"?

Essentially, this term refers to using the search engines to make sure that people who are searching for local businesses will find your information as a local business.

Simple? Not exactly.

Google took a step a while back to make sure that people who were looking for a local business found just that at the top or near the top of the first search result page. Since then, Yahoo and MSN created their own local search results. There are quite a few hoops you need to jump through to get your business listed on the first page.

Let's say you searched in Google for "website design in Minneapolis" because you want your new website to be built by someone you can easily meet with and discuss the project in person. It is good to know your website person personally, right?

If you did that search today, 2.3.09, you would see what is shown on the picture above on the first page of Google search results page (SERP).

Go ahead. Type your own search for your business. Be aware that Google local results are not found for every search.

Now search for "insurance in paso robles". Do you see the Google balloons that indicate the locations of various insurance agencies? That is Google Local.

I will do a series of articles on Google Local. Stay tuned. It is important for the future success of your business.

Greg Cryns
The Complete Guide to Freelance Riches
The Mighty Mo Website Design and Promotion

List building your local business

Picture: Kennedy Adventure fitness center in Paso Robles, CA 93446

Last night I attended a weight loss seminar at my local health club. I don't need to lose weight, of course. That's my story and I'm sticking with it!

But in the interest of total honesty I could stand to lose some pounds, so I had a selfish interest in the seminar.

The seminar is run by a nutritionist who believes that we should eat "only what God made and nothing man-made." So, if I signed on to her holistic non-pill program (the only kind I would consider) I would have to exclude my morning breakfast of Grape Nuts and most of the pizza I treasure. Not sure I can do that.

At the beginning of the seminar the nutruitionist asked us to put our name, phone and email address on a sheet of paper she passed around to the prospective clients. I joked, "That's called list building!"

She said, "Yes, list building."

I was struck by her comment because I did not expect her to be familiar with the concept of building an email list to keep in touch with prospects and customers. She is not an internet marketer. I don't think she has a website yet. But she did know what list building can do for her.

If I had to guess about the number of people she has on her email list I would say abou 200. This led me to think that her list may be much more responsive than one of 2,000 solicited by the normal squeeze page process. After all, the people who are on her list already know what she looks and sounds like and they definitely are interested in losing weight.

Which type and size email list would you prefer?

Greg Cryns
All About Atascadero California