FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE As social networks continue to successfully infiltrate and integrate everyone’s lives together; the value proposition for businesses continues to rise on a steep incline. Where the attraction of social media has grown for entrepreneurs, the frustration keeps a firm lead ahead as businesses everywhere struggle to successfully incorporate these mystical digital tools of the future. Kelowna and the entire Okanagan Valley is a hot spot for social media activity. It’s not unusual to see 50 over even hundreds over comments on Facebook posts from local radio stations in under an hour. It isn’t unusual to see radio stations easily command a dominate social presence but it is very unusual to see activity on those posts from local Kelowna businesses that are advertising products and services. Melonie Dodaro, international social media speaker and founder of Top Dog Social Media, has called out businesses for poor practice of social media as the reason for their failures. “They are barely keeping their heads above water with social media. Most of them are wasting their time and time is money. It doesn’t take long before they notice it hit their bottom line and they head for the hills,” says Dodaro as [...]
How to Promote Your Business With a Google Places Listing
Have you ever typed keywords into Google search before and got a results page with a map on the right side and the first seven websites on the list marked with red balloons from A-G? If you have, then you have found the “Golden Seven”—the seven top businesses Google have in their Google Places listing. Google Places is the Yellow Pages of Google, because more and more people are using Google to search for products and services located near where they are. Depending on your keywords (and the size of your screen), those seven tend to occupy more than the upper half of your screen. Every business wants to be one of the Golden Seven. Depending on the number of competitors in your area, having your business listed—and entered well—in Google Places can get you in, or close to, the Golden Seven. Notice Google already knows your location (reported by your browser) when you type your keywords, so it will present you with businesses close to your area. Here’s a sample search for “pizza delivery okanagan”: Notice there’s no “Golden Seven” and the only result with the red balloon (also seen on the map to the right) is actually fourth [...]
