There is a lot of comments about how much time all this social media can take. And it is true! It can be overwhelming. But some of it you do once and it stays forever. Yelp is a great example. Once you start getting your glowing reviews from your most loyal customers up on Yelp, they are there forever. Then put a link on your home page and this new tool will always be there working on your behalf. Also, once you right an article, it becomes a part of your brand and overall reputation. Now when people go to my profiles, they see a number of really great articles. And I didn't spend hours every week, just a few here and there. You will find that putting some time into it will create a lasting presence and reputation.

And there was a comment earlier about asking for reviews on Yelp. I would absolutely ask and even make suggested content that has your keywords that you want to come under in the search engines embedded. Make sure that the reviews are working their hardest for you. Just make sure that the loyal customers that you are reaching out to know that it is just suggested content, and that you want them to tweak or re-edit to reflect their true feeling.

Keep the comments coming.

Steve

Sorry to have not posted back all day, but I am just now getting back in front of my computer. And I must say...Wow! Thank you for your generous comments and feedback. I have just one question, and it is around a new business idea I have been brewing, and I think you all have just validated.

Would you be interested in a subscription based newsletter (about $15/month) that was full of practical social media ideas for small businesses. The kind of tips that are easy to understand, even if you aren't a techie. Just taking the world of social media, and turning it into digestible, bite sized golden nuggets of information for the small business community.

How many of you would be up for that?

And thanks again for all your wonderful comments!

Steve

Thanks Jess. This is one of the best social media and brand reputation moves that you can make.

I'll see you then.

Steve

I love being part of a "Summer Excellence Program." Thanks for including us.

Steve

Patricia,

Isn't it great to see how just asking yourself a few good questions can make you think in new ways.

I'm so glad that this is helping.

Steve

Glenn and David,

Thank you so much for your comments. Branding is the most important first step. Glenn, I get a great sense for your services and what I will see, but I don't know what your brand promise is? How are you different than the rest of the diving companies. And I'm sure that the answer to that question lies within your customers. What is that emotional connection that your company so greatly creates with the customer. I want to hear some of that in addition to the types of dives...which look really great.

Thanks.

Steve

Everyone,

Thank you so much for the kind words and interest to go to the next level with workshops. I am going to be developing a workshop, but it may take another month. I appreciate everyone's enthusiasm!

Steve

Bryan and all the others that have responded. Thank you for you kind words. This will be an event that changes the way that you look at your business. I can promise that.

I appreciate everyone's support.

Steve

Lee Ann,

You are very welcome. It is so important to spend the time to think through what you are doing before we just simply start doing. And at the same time, when we are in the doing phase, not all information is equal when promoting your company. So a practical way of looking at how to distill what is important from what is not a handy tool to have.

I'm so glad that you enjoyed the article.

Steve

Rachel,

Thanks for the vote of support. They are articles that put into plain english what needs to happen to create a powerful brand. And that is the starting point for making anything you do in marketing work that much harder for you. I look forward to seeing you there.

Steve

Jen and Cathy,

The best way to be successful is to know your customers better than any one else. They are, by the way, the highest authority. We simply manage our brands, but the ownership lies in the minds and perceptions of others.

Steve

Thank you Stacey. It is always great to hear from somebody with a marketing background. I just hear the struggle and confusion that you talk about with businesses on a daily basis. They don't know where to start, and arguably it is because they aren't an expert and immersed in marketing on a daily basis.

But the best first step is always to define your brand. Everything from then on just works that much harder on your behalf.

Thanks for the comments.

Steve

Thank you Stacey. It is always great to hear from somebody with a marketing background. I just hear the struggle and confusion that you talk about with businesses on a daily basis. They don't know where to start, and arguably it is because they aren't an expert and immersed in marketing on a daily basis.

But the best first step is always to define your brand. Everything from then on just works that much harder on your behalf.

Thanks for the comments.

Steve

Nancy and Winnie,

Thank you so much for such great response. If we can all find that simple emotional connection that you talk about Nancy, we;ll go from being considered to being the only choice. It is that powerful.

Thanks.

Steve