Refresher course: Get noticed through Google My Business
Posted By: Scotty Spielman
Google My Business is one of the most useful online tools a small business can access. It puts your name and business name in front of customers who are looking for you nearby—and it also places you on the map when people do searches for other businesses close to your location. These local search results... Read More
Ways to drive more traffic to your business with Google My Business
Posted By: Scotty Spielman
We recently talked about the new Welcome Offer feature offered by Google My Business as a way to increase engagement and earn new customers. That is just one way the search engine giant is strengthening its business services. Google My Business is also rolling out additional features that will help drive customers to your web... Read More
Google My Business rolls out the ‘Welcome’ mat
Posted By: Scotty Spielman
The latest upgrade to Google My Business can help you attract and keep new customers with just a couple clicks. Google unveiled an easy new ‘welcome offer’ feature that allows you to provide special incentives for customers who click “Follow” on Google maps, when they find your business. The option is available through the Google... Read More
The benefits of Google My Business App
Posted By: Scotty Spielman
Whether or not you advertise your business, you still recognize how important Google is to attracting new customers. According to the search engine’s own statistics, one in three consumers who use its search feature is searching with local intent. That is, they have something in mind and they want to find it nearby, whether it’s... Read More
Are Facebook Ads Still Relevant to Small Businesses?
Posted By: Sherrie Brindley
Maximizing a small business advertising budget is always challenging task. With new platforms trending on a regular basis, should organizations stick with familiar sites such as Facebook or try exciting upstarts? That largely depends on whether Facebook ads are still relevant to small businesses. Are Facebook Ads Right for Your Business? Studies show that potential... Read More
How to Optimize Your Business For Voice Searches
Posted By: Scotty Spielman
Optimize Your Business For Voice Searches “Hey Google….” How many times have you started a Google search that way? If you’re like the majority of Americans, the answer to that question is “more and more often.” Increasingly, U.S. consumers are turning to voice searches to find the services, products or answer to the questions they... Read More
How Are People Finding Your Business?
Posted By: Sherrie Brindley
Your Website is the Portal Whether you run an automotive business, locksmith, landscaping, or other professional services, you need people to find your business. Your website is the portal. When your phone rings or your email dings, it’s likely that the customer on the other end has found your business through your website. At least,... Read More
How to Leverage Local SEO to Bring More Customers to Your Small Business
Posted By: Sherrie Brindley
How to Leverage Local SEO to Bring More Customers to Your Small Business If you own a business that relies on in-person customers rather than online sales, the benefits of digital marketing might not be immediately apparent. But, digital marketing isn’t just for online businesses. It offers a wealth of opportunity for businesses of all... Read More
Six tips to get your business ready for the holidays
Posted By: Scotty Spielman
The holiday season is already breathing down our collective necks. If you haven’t already come up with a marketing plan (or plans) to capitalize on the busy season, there’s still time—but you should act quickly. Here are some simple ideas that you can use to let your holiday spirit flow: Create a gift guide. With... Read More
Google now lets businesses ‘keep it short!’
Posted By: Scotty Spielman
Anyone who has tried to have a text conversation with a teenager knows how dated full words and complete sentences are. It’s possible that Google is following this trend. Google now allows verified businesses to create a short url or custom name that will allow customers to find them faster. Now, once you create and... Read More
Posted By: Scotty Spielman
Content marketing can be effective if you do it properly. Just like many other forms of advertising, publishing any content to a targeted online audience can be a hit-or-miss proposition. There are plenty of theories on what works and what doesn’t—and plenty of companies out there willing to charge you an arm and a leg... Read More
Posted By: Scotty Spielman
If you’re relying on Search Engine Optimization (SEO) to draw customers to your business web site, chances are you’re using outdated information. The SEO world is constantly changing, for one thing, and it’s difficult for even experts in the field to keep up with it. Also, if you’re continuing to avoid putting money into your... Read More
Top 5 social media business trends for 2017
Posted By: Scotty Spielman
The social media industry can be difficult to predict, year in and year out. New platforms come and old platforms go–and the ones that stick around are almost constantly changing. Last year saw an increase in the use of video, the rise in the importance of telling stories and creating mobile content and the decline... Read More
How to mix business with social media
Posted By: Scotty Spielman
When you have a business web site and a social media presence to back it up—and we’re assuming you do—it can be difficult to know how best to use them effectively. There are plenty of rules, or formulas, for the mixture of marketing messages to mix in with your content. You’ve probably heard about the... Read More
Posted By: Sherrie Brindley
RESPONDING TO REVIEWS 101 No matter what industry you’re in, online reviews can directly impact your business. Positive customer reviews can amplify your marketing efforts; but all of the marketing dollars in the world may not be enough to overcome a negative online presence. The only space on the internet where you can maintain 100%... Read More
How important is ‘drive-by’ web traffic?
Posted By: Scotty Spielman
By now, you’ve established your business on the world wide web through a website, various social media channels and through search engine optimization. What’s the best way to turn all that digital space into new customers? Pay attention, according to Kevin Steeland, CEO of PISTn Marketing. “To me, one of the number one things that... Read More
Local searches matter! How to improve your odds
Posted By: Scotty Spielman
Improving your Search Engine Optimization ranking is difficult enough, but when you factor in the local angle, it becomes even more challenging. That’s the goal you’re striving for: to have your business appear to customers in your neighborhood that are looking for your services. Fortunately, Google has made it somewhat easier and there are actions... Read More
Why is text marketing so important?
Posted By: Scotty Spielman
Text Message Marketing Short message service (SMS) or text message marketing has advantages over other types of direct marketing. It’s fast, it’s cheap and it’s effective. It also encourages interaction between your brand and your consumers and, for that reason alone, it’s increasing in popularity. In the US, over 77% of the entire population owns... Read More
A Big Thank You and A Few Words on Geofencing, Service Reminders and Smart CRM/OEM
Posted By: Sherrie Brindley
A BIG THANK YOU All of us here at PISTn want to send out a big thank you to all the Tuffy dealers that attended our Breakout sessions at the Tuffy Conference in Florida this year. We enjoyed visiting with everyone who stopped by our Trade Show booth as well. Our first breakout was standing... Read More
“Your News” Articles: Are You Making the Most of Your Website?
Posted By: Sherrie Brindley
Are You Making the Most of Your Website? Sharing short news updates about your business on your website is a great way to keep customers engaged and thinking about you. Your website is the only real estate on the internet where you have total control. You can use that space to promote your business with... Read More