Practical Social Media: Using Google Local Search To Rank Above All The Big Guys

Attended

Hosted by Steve MacDonald, Richard Geasey & Shannon Evans in Bellevue, Washington

Type: Educational Workshop
When: Thursday, April 16 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Fee: Free

1191 views

Event description

Did you know that even in today's world of Amazon, eBay and thousands of other online marketplaces that over 85% of goods and services are purchased within five miles of the buyer.

These buyers are looking for you and what you have to offer using the Internet with what is called Local Search. At this event you will learn why Local Search is not only one of the more simple, lasting and powerful social media tools you have at your disposal, but that it is also free!

Whether you have a web site or not you can rank in the sought after upper left position on Google and other search engine listings by creating and enhancing your Local Business listing.

What else will you learn?

What Local Search is and how it affects your business.
How to create your Local Business listing.
Tips and tricks to enhance your Local Business listing so it stands out against your competition, even those larger companies.
The best ways to incorporate your brand and sales messages into your profile
Real life examples for how to get into the search engine rankings

These practical steps and guidelines are easy to implement and in many cases show immediate results. There is a never-ending stream of businesses that are finding out how easy it is to use Local Search for their businesses.

About The Presenters

Steven MacDonald is the founder of StudioHDV, the Practical Social Media Newsletter and the e-commerce site, The Designer Jean Company. As a marketing consultant and retailer, Mr. MacDonald uses every method of branding and social media that he recommends for his clients. His first hand knowledge and Fortune 500 marketing background with companies like Coca Cola, VISA, Nike, P&G and more provides a unique backdrop to help companies wade through the new world of marketing opportunities and social media tools. Spanning more than two decades, he has been the VP of Strategic Planning for Mazda, EVP of a regional marketing firm, partner in a successful advertising agency and CEO of a dot.com. He is on the Thought Leadership Board of a national marketing group, spoken at companies like US Airways, and been published in business journals.

Shannon Evans is a consultant and business writer who creates marketing materials and web content for small to medium local businesses as well as those with an online presence. Her background in engineering, technical industries, and academia have provided her with a rich platform from which to draw for her books, e-books, and white papers/case studies. Her 17 plus years in publishing, on-line education, and instructional design with Syracuse University, Oklahoma University, University of Maryland, Community College of the Air Force, Utica College, Western Governors University and the University of Kuwait provided the background for much of her current work. Shannon also spent a number of years working for Kirby Steel International both in the US and abroad helping to provide business/engineering expertise to joint venture construction projects in the Middle East and the Asian Pacific Rim.

Richard Geasey is a consultant and writer focused on small business marketing and creating improved web presence for brick and mortar stores, service professionals and on line businesses. His background includes twenty plus years in data communication and storage products marketing and business development with Western Digital, Seagate Technology and SMC Networks. He also spent a number of years working for the government of Australia helping Australian companies establish businesses in the Pacific Northwest.

32 Bizniks attended this event

allan feldhammer

sales/sales management

Issaquah, Washington
Annie Phillips

innkeeper

Seattle, Washington
Beryl Fernandes

consultant

Seattle, Washington
Beth Schermer

Energy Worker and Feng Shui...

Seattle, Washington
Bill Hagstotz

Commercial Photographer

Seattle, Washington
Christy Aston

Promotional Products Consultant

Normandy Park, Washington
Dan Stiglich

real estate/remodel consultant

Seattle , Washington
Dawn Renee Mallory

Dare To Wear Black Shampoo

Seattle, Washington
Eli Darland

entrepreneur

Bellevue, Washington
Ellen Fowler

chef

Seattle, Washington
Gil Pauley

Dental Office Business Mgr

Bellevue, Washington
Gina ODaniel

Graphic Design, Marketing Design, Website...

Renton, Washington
Jamie Isaacson Fenimore, MACP

Mental Health Therapist

Renton, Washington
Jason Tafoya

Small Business Consulting

Bellevue, Washington
Jeff Evans

magician

Olympia, Washington
Jennifer Kannapel

Travel Consultant

Bellevue, Washington
John James

Imprinted Promotional Products

Redmond, Washington
Kelly Bolen

Professional Pet Sitting Service

Snoqualmie, Washington
Kelsye Nelson

Founder, Director

Seattle, Washington
Kim Cripe

Account Manager

Everett, Washington

Plus 12 more. [show all]

Discuss this event

Posted by Tania Smith, Hollywood, Florida | Mar 26, 2009

I would love to attend your event but unfortunately you are not located in my area, will your event also be available via webinar?
Posted by Richard Geasey, Bellevue, Washington | Mar 26, 2009

This is a "live" event so not on a webinar. It's certainly an option to explore within Biznik. Thanks for your interest though!

I should say that after a long winter here in Seattle (24 inches of snow on the I-90 pass on Tuesday) we might rather be in Hollywood FL!
Posted by Gil Pauley, Bellevue, Washington | Mar 31, 2009

I learned a little about this at Steve's last event about using Social Media, but want to learn much more. I have a top position in Google search for one of our Key Words, but I hope to find out (1) exactly how I got there, (2) how I can maintain that position, and (3) how can I get there for various other Key Words.

I am looking forward to this event.

http://www.brooksidedental.com
Posted by Gayle Kendall, Kent, Washington | Apr 07, 2009

I would love to attend another meeting for this type of info; have a prior commitment already on this night... please host another one! :)

Gayle
Posted by Marianna Veress, Seattle, Washington | Apr 10, 2009

I also have a conflict I can't skip, but the subject is exactly what I'm interested in. Would be nice to repeat the event in the near future, or just start to tape the events and post them, or on YouTube, or have Biznik to create an education database and have it downloadable at any time.
Posted by Janine Parris, Mill Creek/S. Everett, Washington | Apr 16, 2009

Turns out I'm not going to be able to attend due to a scheduling conflict. Please let me know when you'll be hosting this again. Thanks so much!
Posted by Julie Park, Bellevue, Washington | Apr 16, 2009

I am cancelling also. I look forward to attending a similar event in the future. Thursday nights are great!

Law Office of Julie S. Park, PLLC
Posted by Brendan Thorson Seattle QiMan, Seattle, Washington | Apr 17, 2009

I wish I was available to attend. Hopefully next time.....
Posted by Allen Cooper, Seattle, Washington | Apr 17, 2009

Hi Everyone,

I was really looking forward to this but I left my super Cooper cape at home today and ran out of hours.

I am sure it was a great event and I will look forward to the next one.

I am sorry about the last minute notice.

Have a great week, Allen

Allen Cooper-Strategic Real Estate Investments
Posted by Kim Cripe, Everett, Washington | Apr 17, 2009

What a fantastic evening! This is the wave of the future... better make sure you are on board!
Posted by Len Davis, Seattle, Washington | Apr 17, 2009

I enjoyed it as well. All this week's events that Steve hosted helped to reinforce for me the exponential power of web video in the branding, search engine optimization, and social media marketing realms.

Time well spent, thanks.

Pangeality Prod. Your Business. Your Voice. Your Story.
Posted by Bill Hagstotz, Seattle, Washington | Apr 17, 2009

Knowledge is power, great event. Highly recommend attending this event in the future ! Now the question is, the red or blue pill ?
Posted by Yasmine Rafii, Seattle, Washington | Apr 17, 2009

Thanks you guys. This was very useful.

Discovery leads the way
Posted by William Cole, Port Orchard, Washington | Apr 17, 2009

Great event! Friendly people. Informative presentation. Great speakers/teachers. Awesome resources.
Posted by Walter Lewis, Redmond, Washington | Apr 18, 2009

Another really valuable event. I highly recommend these talks by Steve and his team members. They have distilled some really valuable information and made it clear what are the most worthwhile things to do with one's website and one's online activity. If this if stuff you don't already know, next time make sure to go!

http://www.engageyouressence.com
Posted by Jeff Evans, Olympia, Washington | Apr 18, 2009

Everyone who attends these knows what a great value they are. I figure I probably leapfrogged my competition by six months by attending this. I try and keep up to date on marketing, but I had never heard of Google Local Search. Thank you Steve, Rich, and Shannon!

http://www.amazementproductions.com
Posted by Jamie Isaacson Fenimore, MACP, Renton, Washington | Apr 18, 2009

This was a very practical and helpful class. Thanks for all the free tips!
Posted by Laurie Lonsdorf, Seattle, Washington | Apr 19, 2009

Steve, Rich & Shannon, your advice really works! I already had a Google local listing, but was ranking way down the second page for copywriters. I made a few of the suggested changes (most notably adding keywords to my company name), and presto, less than 24 hours later I'm number one. Thank you so much!
Posted by Dan Stiglich, Seattle , Washington | Apr 20, 2009

This event was very good! I learned a lot and will be making time for the next one. Thanks Steve! Dan
Posted by Gil Pauley, Bellevue, Washington | Apr 20, 2009

Rich, Steve and Shannon,

Thanks for a fantastic event. I really learned a lot. I look forward to attending many more of your excellent events and workshops. I told my wife and daughter that you had used Brookside Dental to discuss some of your points and thoughts--at first they didn't believe me. However, when they realized it was true, they were very excited that we are doing somethings correctly and more importantly we were going to be able to stay in front using what I learned from you. Steve I got an additional great idea for "patient testimonials" watching how easy it was for you to video tape me after the event. Thanks again for a terrific and fun event.

Gil Pauley

www.brooksidedental.com www.brooksidedenta.com/blog
Posted by Patricia WoodEchabarne, Brier, Washington | Apr 23, 2009

Fantastic event, loved being able to "pick the brains" of the people that have succeeded in the plan
Posted by Gil Pauley, Bellevue, Washington | Apr 23, 2009

I just came across an interesting article, related to this class's topic at the following website:

http://www.seomoz.org/blog/how-to-rank-well-in-google-products-search-a-big-list-of-places-to-get-reviews

Reviews were mentioned briefly in the class and this article has a very good write-up on the importance of reviews. It lists many of Google's trusted review sites. However, the list appears to be mainly for retail reviews. The principles should apply to all businesses in Google Local/Base and each business niche will probably have its own "trusted list" of review sites. I know that medicine and dentistry have trusted sites that are completely different than the ones listed in this article. Real estate and others probably also have their own trusted review sites also.

Gil Pauley www.brooksidedental.com www.brooksidedental.com/blog