The first major change many of you may notice on your Facebook profile (not fan pages – yet), is the implementation of the “timeline” layout.  Some of us here at Higher Images love it, some not so much (several of us have been testing it out for weeks).  The pros and cons, as we see them, are:

Pros

• Easy navigation
• A snapshot view of a profile
• The ability to easily get to old posts and photos
• The option to hide photos and/or posts from profile viewers, without deleting them permanently

Cons

• Perfect for stalkers – want to see what someone was doing four years ago?  Click on any given year, and you can see it all
• Yet another major change that users have no control over
• No announcement that this change was coming, unless you knew where to look
• The expectation that once users get accustomed to using the new layout, the Facebook powers-that-be will do another complete revamp, and throw us all for a loop once again
• Finding that perfect “landscape” layout photo to use as your cover photo isn’t as easy as it seems.  While you can reposition the picture within the frame, too small of a photo becomes blurry and distorted, while too large of a photo won’t fit within the “confines” of the frame.

As it stands now, Facebook is keeping quiet as to whether or not Fan Pages will also have the timeline layout, but it seems that it would be inevitable big changes will soon follow those being seen on profile pages.  It would seem, based on the features available for profile users, the timeline (or something similar) would be a benefit to fan page users.

Another change that will be completed by February is the elimination of FBML (landing) pages on fan pages.  This is particularly important to business owners who utilize FBML pages as the default landing page for those who do not yet “like” the page.  While Facebook isn’t eliminating these pages entirely, they will soon be “hidden away” within a community tab on the side bar. In other words, if you want your visitors to see the page, they have to go and look for it.

The decline of the “Like” impact is something that Facebook has been hinting about for some time.  In the past, a brand’s success on Facebook was determined by the number of “Likes” or fans.

However, there is a shift in this, as Facebook wants to focus more on quality, instead of quantity.  In other words, simply having fans isn’t going to get your brand out there.  Engaging content, shares and “buzz” about your business is what’s more important.

As of this time, we are researching alternate methods of promoting businesses and brands across social spaces, including Google+ pages.  As we learn more about these changes, available alternatives and ways we are able to better your brand visibility, we will share with you!

If you have any questions about your current social media efforts, and how your social media marketing may change, please contact us at 412-203-1996.

Product – Search Magnet Local

Who It Works For

Amazing results for businesses with a physical location – either local, nationwide or worldwide.

Why we Love It

Boosts business income, leads, visibility and customer interaction.

Why Our Customers Love It

Contains a business overview, contact information, staff information, hours, location and menu/services – within a web browser OR via a mobile device.

Utilizing a service, such as Search Magnet Local any business can reach out and interact with current and potential customers, in real time.

Website Activity & Integration

Through integration of multiple modules and your consistent activity, our program helps invite search engines to re-index your site more frequently. Publishers, like Google, want activity and new content to rank you online. Our program gives you the ability to provide Google with what they want, as well as integration of web tools your website needs, to help win new clients.

Internet Real Estate

Our program ties you in to over 210 Directories, News Feeds, and other sources, to increase and showcase your presence on the Internet.

Mobile Technology

Over 55% of local searches on the Internet are conducted from Mobile Devices. Search Magnet Local includes a Mobile Website with marketing technology that helps promote your business.

Online Credibility

A good online reputation is critical. Our modules, such as Online Reviews, Testimonials, and highlighted business overviews, will provide invaluable long-term results for your continued strong online credibility.

Social Media

Our program allows for the Integration of Social Media such as Facebook, Twitter, Blogs and more. Allow us to set up your businesses Facebook Fan Page, Twitter and other social spaces your business needs to stay competitive. Online users spend more time on Facebook today then on Google.

Tracking & Statistics

Our system provides you cutting edge tracking, including visits to your website, form submissions, mobile website stats, Facebook, keywords used, and much more. New technology can be added for tracking and recording phone calls (on average, 70% of website conversions happen through a phone call).

If you are interested in taking your business to the next level, via minisite, mobile website, instant updating, and so much more, contact Higher Images, Inc. today about including your business in Search Magnet Local.  Call 412-203-1996, and kick off 2012 with a bang (for your buck)!

This week, we are focusing on how you can “thank” your site visitors through social media, form signups, localized search and additional forms of consumer engagement.  We are in the giving mood, here at Higher Images, and so we want to share some insight on how to best market to your target consumers.

Since the Internet has become the premier method of instant gratification, it is only appropriate that those who choose to spend time on your site, social space or taking the time to fill out your form, receive something of value for their time.  This is known as the push vs pull strategy.  A push-pull system is, in simple terms, the movement of a product or information between two subjects.

Typically, the consumer “pulls” the goods or information for their needs, whereas the suppliers “push” the goods or information towards the consumer.  While this concept can – technically – be explained in one sentence, we feel it is important to expand on the topic, so as to make it easier for our clients to understand which will work better.

In a nutshell, push marketing uses various activities to get the message of your business smack dab in front of your ideal customer.  You – the business owner – are in control of exactly what that message is, where and how it is viewed, when it is viewed, and where (think of a pay per click advertisements or localized QR Codes).  In essence, you are taking very certain steps, such as geo-targeting, to ensure that specific people see your specific ad, based on his or her specific location.  In other words, you are in complete control.  You are PUSHING your business, based on your criterion.

Pull marketing, however, involves enticing your potential customers to find out more.  They are teased, persuaded, or otherwise “pulled” into wanting to learn and know more about what you are offering.  Examples of pull marketing can include things such as free shipping, buy one get one free, a percentage off a purchase, and the like.

The trick is, however, to understand your market.  Are your customers looking for location, convenience and ease of access?  On the flip side, are your customers looking for the best price, regardless of their location, because of discounts or free shipping?

If you are a location-based business, but offer nationwide shipping, your business could easily offer a push AND pull marketing program.  If you are only available to geographically-related customers, your program would lean heavily towards push marketing.

Regardless, it is imperative that your marketing efforts and dollars are focused where your business will see the most return on investment.    If you have questions about how your business can best market to its target market, give us a call at 412-203-1996.  Thank you again, and have a wonderful holiday!

Google+ Pages

Recently, Google launched Google+ Pages. Much like fan pages offered on Facebook, business owners have the ability to create pages under the categories of Local Business or Place, Product or Brand, Company, Institution or Organization, Arts, Entertainment or Sports, or Miscellaneous categories.

A fantastic feature of Google+ Pages is the ability to see all Google Places that are associated with either a phone number or address. Therefore, business owners are able to see what listings are outdated, and make necessary changes.

Circles

In Google+, you can separate your contacts into “circles”. Unlike Facebook, where you can only do this for purposes of categorizing your Friends, Google+ allows you to share information with only members of certain circles. Common circles include friends, family, work, acquaintances, and those who you are following (similar to Twitter). A nice feature of circles is that someone can be in more than one circle if you choose.

Hangouts

A Google+ Hangout offers users the ability to select certain friends or circles to video chat with. A plugin is installed, which connects to your webcam and microphone, and allows you to choose which friends or circles you want to invite to the hangout. Also in beta mode is “Hangouts with Extras”, offering additional features such as screen and Google document sharing, notes, sketchpad and more. Expanding upon the “just for fun” aspect of video chat, Hangouts offer a collaborative method of seeing, hearing and sharing.

Mobile Messenger

When using Google+ on a mobile device, users can access the “Messenger” feature. Again expanding upon what Facebook has made available to mobile users, there are some great additional features available for users. In addition to standard SMS messaging and photo uploading, users can also video chat from mobile devices (including mobile Hangouts), participate in group chat, and more. Currently, all features are not available for all mobile devices, but they will be soon.

So What is Google +1, Then?

While the names are quite similar, there is a distinct difference between Google+ and Google +1. Google +1 gives registered Google users the ability to put their stamp of approval on websites, photos, blogs, search results and just about anything else on the web.

Simply put, if you like what you see, you +1 it. Once that is done, you can send what you like to specific circles on Google+, comment on what you like and why, and provide friends the ability to see what you have given a +1 to. It’s similar to the “Like” button on Facebook, and webmasters/owners must add the +1 code to their pages or sites, just as you do for Facebook.

The benefit is the ability to see, right within Google search results, what pages or sites you have given a +1 to, as well as those pages or sites that your friends have given a +1 to.

Google is certainly investing time, money and resources into taking their users web experience far beyond a standalone website, and encouraging users to share, collaborate and contribute.

How are you using Google+ to maximize your businesses exposure?

Marcellus Connection is using innovative, leading edge technology and resources to connect businesses, people and information. We offer information and resources that focus on Marcellus Shale and Utica shale, located in Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia and New York.

The economic, human and environmental impact in this explosive industry now is – in one way or another – impacting everyone in our region.

The goal of Marcellus Connection is to assist everyone in:

• Gaining an understanding of what is going on in this industry.
• Learn how to get involved.
• Ways we can work together.
• How to manage our new and ever changing world!

The Marcellus Connection would like to encourage everyone to join our site, collaborate, provide feedback, post information and make this site your site.

Working together, we can help people, business and industry work in a collaborative, beneficial and effective way.”

Check out their new video, outlining the economic impact to the Marcellus-Utica Shale regions:

Many business owners wonder whether or not social media marketing can actually have a positive impact on their business.  While social media marketing does take some effort, the payoff can be extraordinary.  The key to effective social media is to attract, engage and retain.  Below are some interesting facts regarding social media marketing, and how businesses have leveraged its power.

Facebook

• There are approximately 750 million Facebook users
• In the first half of 2011, the price of Facebook ads increased by 70%
• 52% of Facebook users access the site daily
• 70% of small business owners use Facebook for marketing, compared to the 66% who choose to use Google
• 11% of Facebook users say that they would purchase something available only to Facebook fans

Twitter

• In June of 2010, there were 86.5 million impressions for Coca-Cola’s promoted trend
• During American Airlines’ “Tweet to Win 30K Miles” campaign, there were 18,000 clicks
• In January of 2011, there were 35,000 Tweets with the #LS11 hashtag for IBM’s “Lotusphere” conference

YouTube

• There were 22 million views in one week for Old Spice’s video “Mano a Mano el Bano”
• There are over 10,000 YouTube brand partners
• The iPad video “Will it Blend” had more than 12 million views in four months

Location-Based Services

• There was a 33% increase in check-ins during McDonald’s one-day campaign that randomly awarded $5 and $10 gift cards as check-in bait
• During Buffalo Wild Wings three month “SCVNGR” campaign, there were 184,000 players
• There are more than 500,000 merchants on Foursquare
• In 2010, there were 381,576,305 Foursquare check-ins
• Starbucks tops the list of Facebook check-ins, with  2,554,602 as of August, with McDonalds in second place at 1,212,773

Businesses are finding creative incentives to get followers to engage with a brand through Facebook Likes, check-ins, video replies and more.  The ability to participate in new and innovative ways encourages brand loyalty and word of mouth referrals.

Higher Images can work with you to create custom Facebook and Twitter pages, contests, sweepstakes giveaways and more.  If you have questions about social media for your company, contact Allie at Higher Images, at 412-203-1996.

However, domain name owners need to keep a careful eye on any and all communications received, to ensure they do not fall victim to the practice of domain name hijacking.

Domain name hijacking, in its simplest form, is the theft or coercing of a domain name owner into transferring his or her registered domains from a current registrar to an unscrupulous one.  This can happen in one of several ways.

Oftentimes, a domain name owner will receive a notice though postal mail or email, appearing to be on behalf of the current domain registrar, stating that it’s time to renew the domain registration.  This type of misleading communication is often referred to as “Domain Slamming”, and it is something domain name holders need to be aware of.

Since these communications appear to be official, including the correct Administrative Contact and domain name information, domain name holders often assume that the notice is legitimate.  Therefore, domain holders will often comply with the communication, providing personal information such as contact information, credit card information and the like.

However, domain name holders need to realize that the vast majority of these communications are merely solicitations from outside registrars seeking to manipulate consumers into transferring registered domain names from their current registrars to the soliciting company.  Unfortunately when this happens, consumers agree to the new terms and pricing included in the solicitation, often costing them a significant amount of money above what they have previously been paying.

There are several steps to ensure that your domain name remains safe and under your control…

1. Utilizing the option of Private Domain Registration when registering your domain name.  While it may cost you a few more dollars per year, this option will hide your personal information, and prevent unwanted and deceitful attempts to control your domain name.
2. Utilize very strong passwords, including upper and lower case letters, numbers and specialized characters such as #,! and @.
3. Register your domain name with an honest and reputable domain name registrar.  Ensure that customer service representatives are readily available to assist you with any questions or concerns.  If you find it difficult to contact a registrar, or there is a lack of contact information associated (often found with offshore and overseas registrars), look elsewhere.

It should be noted, however, that there are valid reasons why a domain name owner wants to move his or her domain to a new registrar.  Perhaps there is a significant savings in doing so, or there are ongoing service and support issues.  If the time comes to transfer your domain name to a new registrar, there are a few simple steps to follow to ensure the safety and security of your domain name transfer to a new registrar:

1. Apply for the transfer with your current registrar, either through your control panel or by contacting your current registrar directly.  An authorization code will be provided to you, and there is a small time frame in which it must be used.
2. Once you have received an authorization code, contact the registrar with whom you would like to register your domain name with.  Inform them of the authorization code, and begin the transfer process.  This process often takes 7-10 days to complete.
3. Your new registrar should contact you, either by phone or email, to inform you that the process is complete and provide you with any pertinent information or details.

By using a reputable and reliable registrar, you can ensure the continuous safety and security of your domain name and website or blog.    If you would like Higher Images to be your registrar, contact Robin Dugas at 412-203-1996 or robin@higherimages.com.

1. Plan, plan, plan
2. Consistency in your marketing
3. Vary your marketing message
4. Vary your marketing medias
5. Track Your Efforts

Plan, Plan, Plan:

Having a clear cut plan, goals, list of what you want to accomplish with your marketing and then how you plan on doing that will keep your marketing consistent, therefore making it more effective. Determine your budget, think about what your mantra or platform for your marketing will be this year. Is this a banner year, celebrating big accomplishments, new products or services? Define what your marketing will revolve around and make sure everyone is on the same page.

Consistency in Your Marketing:

Once you’ve established your plan make sure you’re executing it consistently in each avenue of marketing you use. Keep your message the same, but tailor it for various client demographics. Making sure your website, print ads, radio spots etc. are all conveying the same message, sale, tagline, etc. will keep your brand out there more effectively.

Vary Your Marketing Message:

Although you are establishing the same theme, you still need to vary the wording, image, call to action to resonate strongly with a variety of target demographics. A single, twenty-five year old male isn’t going to be interested in the same message as a forty-five mom of three. Strong calls to action based on your audience will generate more sales.

Vary Your Marketing Medias:

Just like you have to vary your message, the most successful marketing campaigns us a variety of medias. Lets face it, not everyone listens to the same radio station, reads the same magazine or Googles the same keyword phrases. So by having a variety of marketing message out there on various medias gives you a better opportunity to generate more leads. Not to mention creating stronger branding if someone sees your message three or four times.

Track Your Efforts:

So how will you know if your 2011 marketing strategy is working? Tracking! How will you track it…it’s simple, make sure the key call to action is to drive your potential clients to your website and to your call tracking number. This will return cold hard unquestionable details as to how your marketing is working for you. Isn’t it valuable to see where your leads are coming from, what their doing when they get to your website and how your staff is handling those calls? Then you have the opportunity to make the rest of your marketing more effective. If you do anything in 2011, don’t market harder or expand your budget…market smarter. Target marketing to a smaller demographic that you have a better chance of closing is much smarter than blanketing a larger demo and having to weed out the leads.

It has been almost a year since we had a story on Frank’s Tire and Automotive in Bethel Park, Pa and a lot has happened in the last year.  When I met Frank, he was in the middle of a nasty PR dispute with a gentleman that was unhappy with the cost of service that was provided by Frank’s Auto Service Company.   The person that was unhappy wrote letters, contacted the BBB, and wrote negative reviews online wherever he could find them.   I’m not here to take sides or say one party was wrong or one party was right, that is completely between them.  This interests me because so many people these days are flocking to the internet to provide reviews and share their experiences.  What are the ethics behind posting negative reviews online and the ethics behind all of the positive ones out there as well?

Reputation management in Pittsburgh is such a hot issue right now because of the number of people that are now online.  All of your businesses history and information is now online for all the world to see.  There are even sites such as Rip-Off-Report and Pissed-Off-Consumer that collect negative reviews and allow business owners to respond to them.  In my opinion, the best way to carry that on would be to allow both sides to present their side and allow the people reading the reviews to make their own decision.

So far Frank has been pretty mellow about the whole situation.  He showed me a book with hundreds of letters from satisfied customers that he has collected over the years that he proudly displays in the lobby of his auto repair store in Bethel Park.  The person that wrote negative reviews about Frank’s Tire has gone as far as building a website and naming it (FrankstireandAutomotive.com)  The laws of the internet allow this and right now there is nothing that Frank can do to get that website removed or pulled down.  It’s quite a shame that it has had to go to this point, but when people aren’t happy these days, they take it out online instead of in-person.

A few key points to remember if someone has written a negative review about your company is that they cannot mention one of your employees by name, If they do, you can ask whatever service they left a negative review on to delete it and more than likely they will.

Chris Reidenbaugh Sales & Marketing Manager

How do I know what to do?

I have heard this question so many times, you would think my answer would be the same for every occasion right?  If you answered yes, you would undoubtedly be incorrect.  The majority of people that I see using Facebook and Social Media as a business tool are not doing a good job.  I worked with a client for six months to help them achieve close to 9800 new fans only using social media and not any type of paid search to generate those results.  Our six month agreement is over and now I see that they are dropping fans every week.  The posts they make are not engaging and EVERY single mention is about a coupon or an offer.  How about some useful information instead of  ”mention this and get 15% off”   Don’t get me wrong, they are really nice clients and they do a great job with all of their other types of media and advertising.  They just don’t know how to step away and decrease the salesman and increase the information.  Facebook Marketing makes so much sense to most advertisers because they can get solid and truthful feedback on their brand.

Most business owners are obviously fiercely loyal to their product, service, or brand and they let it show on a daily basis.  Social Media allows someone to post a comment, give praise, advice, or criticism without actually having to e in front of that particular business.  If you have a great product and great service- then you are in pretty good shape from the beginning.  If you do not however, you will need to step back and allow yourself to understand that sometimes, you have to make sure you talk and converse WITH an unhappy customer and not AT an unhappy customer.  One of the best things that a potential customer/client/patient can see is that you made a mistake, AND made it right.

A while back I wrote about a furniture store that actually complained and grilled a customer that said they felt the value of their sofa was not what was advertised.  The person handling the business social media for this company told them to “save up and buy a better sofa next time” You should have seen the number of people that commented on that post. It was like throwing gasoline on a fire…  You could imagine that customer probably made a status update that would have been characterized as incendiary.    Here is a short list of common sense tips that  I use when either teaching business social media or handling it for one of my clients…  It’s my “short list of gold tips” but then again… It may not be everyones.

1. Keep it real- honesty is the ONLY policy online.  Remember that when you are posting something online, the person viewing it probably has some sort of screen capture program.
2. Have a conversation- Don’t be pitchy or pushy with people who value your information.  If they are a fan, follower, or friend…  they already see value in what you offer.  If someone asked you to buy 293 times in one week, wouldn’t you get tired of it?
3. Give and ye’ shall receive-  Give advice on what you do.  If you are a carpet store, give stain treatment tips, if you are a restaurant- give away a free drink for a promotion.  You will get a lot more for giving something away when it is something that people like.
4. Frequency-   If I am selling mattresses, it is not likely that I will have a repeat buyer every six months.  Most people keep them longer so consider giving tips on how to get a better nights rest, or allergy free bedding materials.   If you are only giving away coupons, what value is it if someone wont use it for another five years.
5. Make It Fun- Use a scavenger hunt, a giveaway, a promotional video, or anything that you can think of to be creative.  Don’t just copy your competition.  People see right through it.

My quick five points aren’t the most important things that you will need to know about social media.  They are just what I practice and preach with my particular clients.  IF you have any questions, tips, remarks, or just plain disagree… leave a reply. After all, isn’t social media all about interaction anyway?