by Bert Shlensky | Aug 24, 2018 | Marketing
SEO is frequently touted as an effective marketing tool for small business. I receive 3-5 e-mails per week from companies that provide SEO, promising things like first page placement, with inexpensive and quick results. SEO can be highly effective, especially within a comprehensive program. Is SEO overrated for small businesses? I think these claims should at least be reviewed.
- SEO is frequently marketed as a silver bullet. However, it is only a piece in the puzzle of a total marketing program. Integrating programs with social media platforms, like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter require continued posting and new efforts. In particular, key factors such as differentiation, innovation, and attention require additional effort. Also, the pursuit of SEO algorithms can detract from the innovation and differentiation of the project.
- SEO is not as easy as advertised, and like most things, it must be done well. This includes developing content, key words, links, marketing phrases, and pitches, in addition to continued maintenance, measurement, and modification.
It is not cheap – SEO consultants frequently charge $1000-$3000 per month. If you do it yourself, SEO requires significant time spent in branding and writing.- It takes time – SEO consultants generally say it takes 3-6months to even start showing results
- Almost by definition, the big guys win. SEO placement is governed by clicks, and the more you naturally get, the more likely you are to get hits.
- Another concern is the math – It is generally agreed that you need to focus on high placement, as first place in a search accounts for about 60% of clicks (and the first page 90-95% of clicks). Between 2013 and 2018, Google revenues have increased from $55 million to an estimated $140 million, which has two implications. First, paid search must work for many advertisers, because it is growing so fast. Second, paid search is increasingly taking up first page listings (which makes SEO that much more difficult.)
- SEO advocates frequently ignore providing documentation of economics and results in determining when is SEO overrated. In contrast, Google goes out of its way to provide free analysis of clicks, conversions, and pathways to success.
Nevertheless, there are ways to benefit from using SEO:
- The most important way is to have an integrated program, including social media, website development, and other marketing tools (like email, targeting, networking, and paid searches). Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google Plus, Pinterest, and industry sites should all be considered.
- I frankly believe that networking and targeting can be the most productive techniques, because they engage interested clients. Getting email addresses and posting are key tools to make SEO more effective.
- Focus on getting content and processes right. For example, spelling and inappropriate language can kill a campaign. It is always better to be polite and positive.
- Evaluate your effort and measure your results, and change tools when you see success or failure.
- Always consider how you are reaching your potential client and being interesting to them.
- Don’t be afraid to test and experiment. In particular, if you are using outside resources, be sure to develop clear goals and measures for success.
- SEO can be more effective for local postings, especially for service enterprises like repairs and restaurants.
In short, SEO and social media can produce great results. However, they must be done well, they must be part of a total marketing program.
Dr. Bert Shlensky, president of Startup Connection ( www.startupconection.net ) has an MBA and PhD from the Sloan School of Management at M.I.T. He served as the president of WestPoint Pepperell’s apparel fabrics business, and President and CEO of Sure Fit Products. Having provided counseling to over 2,000 clients, he now focuses on working with select start-up and small businesses.
by Bert Shlensky | May 1, 2017 | Marketing
Experts frequently focus on their ideas and execution. However, understanding your market’s key concepts can be just as critical.
“If you don’t know where you are going any road will get you there. “ – Mark Twain
As a business owner, there’s just no getting around having clear definitions for both your market and segments. Many of my clients often hate the work necessary to understand their markets. Having the U.S. population, which is made up of about 300 million people, probably won’t get you’re the results you want. In most cases, using segmentation (selecting targets according to sex, geography, income, age, etc.,) can reduce your market to the 5-10 million level, which is a much sounder target to have. Taking the time to define and segment markets can both, save you time and money, and improve results.
Here are the key concepts to consider in evaluating your markets:
Changing Environment and Structures
We are in a state of constant change that requires new and flexible analysis. Labor force, baby boomers, technology, the Internet are all well-known factors affecting most markets. For example, I have been coaching potential high school entrepreneurs and their focus on cell phone opportunities is incredible compared to older consumer’s. A simple Google search of current market trends for your product will help you stay in the know.
Old Paradigms and Structures are Failing
Many of our largest and seemingly most powerful corporations have experienced no growth or minimal growth or, worse yet, failed over the last ten years. Traditional retailers, magazines and newspapers, coal, and lengthy hospital stays are dying. In contrast, the Internet, cell phones, e-retail, and cloud software are growing exponentially. This may happen even faster as automation and Artificial Intelligence become more accessible. To offset stagnation, when growth slows down, try switching your focus to profit.
Changing Demographics Call for Open Systems and Collaborative Models
The greatest need for change is a commitment to open systems and collaborative models; particularly, in an era of ever changing demographic trends. Open systems typically reject bureaucracy, authority, hierarchy, and closed decision making processes. Instead they encourage participation, diversity, new rules, and, to some extent, chaos. For example, social media has greatly expanded communication and equalized communication. United Airlines response to the recent events is a good example of ignoring viral messages online and their impact on a brand’s image.
One of the biggest outcomes from open systems is the collaborative decision model. As decisions become more complex, the need for diversity, internationalism, innovation, and expertise are expanded.
Defining Your Market is also Based on Understanding Operating Characteristics of your Effort
I frequently argue operations can be the most innovative and best marketing tool. These can include customer service, delivery, price, quality, packaging, costs, going green, distribution etc. Amazon, Uber and Airbnb are the best examples of operations creating new market segments. There are many great resources like Shopify for retail, Mailchimp for marketing, Freshbooks for accounting, and Ship Station for shipping are innovative resources to help manage your business. Researching and discovering which model best fits your business, is a great place to start.
You Need to Welcome Measurement and Feedback
Start by observing, understanding, sharing financials, operations report, and sales reports. Adopt a collaborative management style and incorporating more information, data and analysis into your decision making improves performance and reduces mistakes. Tools like Survey Monkey, Google Analytics, and Google search can facilitate the process.
Simple questions to help you understand your market
Start by answering the following question from your own perspective with a little research, rather than any extensive analysis and time consuming reports. Once you’ve completed your initial answers, conduct research, such as, surveys and revisit these questions for a more complete assessment:
- How are your company and its products or services truly different?
- Do enough customers care about these differences?
- How can you most effectively communicate your differences within budget?
Defining your market can identify significant opportunities and help reduce segments with little potential. In the end, you need to ensure that your offerings meet the needs of your consumer. Ignoring key concepts, such as demographics, market innovations, and operations, can put your business at peril. Similarly, understanding the opportunities in your market and needs of your customers can dramatically and positively affect results.
Dr. Bert Shlensky, president of www.startupconnection.net, offers experience and skills and a team devoted to developing and executing winning strategies for businesses of all kinds. This combination has been the key to client success. His book, “Passion & Reality for Small Business Success,” is available at www.startupconnection.net.
by Bert Shlensky | Aug 25, 2015 | Marketing
And remember,
Ceteris Paribus
Every economics course – at least the good ones – will cover the idea of “ceteris paribus,” and its meaning: “all things being equal.” While it’s central to every economics program, the term is taught early in the class, and then forgotten as the semester goes on, and unfortunately when the student becomes a business owner.
But it is essential that is remembered in business, and especially in decision-making. In everyday language, ceteris paribus translates into “every business plan or analysis assumes certain assumptions that must be valid for the analysis to be useful.” (more…)
by Bert Shlensky | Aug 7, 2015 | Marketing
The hottest marketing idea in the news was the recent Amazon PRIME sale, where, for a day, prices were dramatically lowered for new and existing PRIME members. Advertised as “Better than Black Friday,” this was simply an online version of the “one-day” sale that your local department store would hold now and then; it’s been around for years. However, it’s hot, because it is perceived as being “new,” but also for showing a 200-300% increase in sales and generating a lot of new traffic for internet retailers.
In contrast to that, I have had small business and startup clients ignore the notion of a “discounted price” and “competitiveness” as critical factors in operating their business. For example: (more…)
