Clients come to me to improve their search engine optimization, as well as their presence on social media. I of course am happy to help, that is my business after all 🙂
I always tell them I can help, but I can’t do it alone. You are the subject matter expert in your given field. I may be a thought leader in my field, but all that allows me to do is help YOU. You, the client have to put in some sweat equity if you want to be successful. I can provide you the mechanisms to improve your sites visibility with search engines and social media. I have done this for myself, I’ve done this for clients, but still there are many clients out there that want everything, just not willing to put in the time.
Now what does this mean? Well for instance social media. I can help you gain followers visibility, etc. But to do so we have to be active. To be successful in social media, you actually do have to be social. I know that sounds like common sense but you’d be surprised how many people want to do well with social media but don’t actually like being social. Work is not all about doing what we like to do, that is why they call it work.
At RooSites we often start by having people set up a schedule for work they’re going to do both with their website, and for social media. We have even started a beta test of sending reminders to people each week, to write a blog or an article for their websites. This way they can improve their search engine visibility, and do it the right way, through old-fashioned hard work and quality content. Google loves quality content. And you know what? They should. After all, that is what people are searching for, right? No ones sets out looking for the most optimized website. No, they want the best result set for the what they are querying the search engine for in the first place. So put in the hard work, the sweat equity will pay off.
But, if you aren’t willing to put in the time to improve your site or social media, do yourself a favor, delete your social media pages. Then put a note on your stale website: “We really don’t care about our site, hope you will do business with us anyway.” Hey at least you will get points for honesty.
Why you ask? Well, first they send in a spy to check out the bar and to sample the food and drinks. In my case I look at the website and evaluate. They figure out why the bar is losing money, re-design the space and fix the deficiencies. Very similar process for me but I don’t get as angry as the host of Bar Rescue. (Most of the time)
I was watching an episode the other day. The bar owner had sold his previous bar. He then opened a new place across the street. This particular bar was in New Orleans which means it is one of the few places in the US where you sell drinks to go. Instead of coming up with a new concept, he copied the plastic to-go cup in color and looks. (the old bar had a green hand grenade shape at the bottom, the new one had a turtle motif on the bottom, but both looked identical) The result? They got sued for copyright infringement and spent $100,000 defending the suit. His bar ended up a cheap copy of his old place and the result was a cheap imitation that was easy to miss. So easy in fact, that the spies which were sent in actually walked by the place!
So, this made me think in terms of new websites and new business branding. Often times clients will look at their competitors and want to copy what they see. Now competitive analysis is a great first start when you are in the process of getting a new business venture going. But copying what they’re doing is never a good idea. You want your own original branding strategy. Readers to my blog will remember I spoke about names in my last post. You also want to think very carefully before you name your new business. If you choose a name which there are already five or six other companies with the same name, chances are you will not get a great domain. And even worse, you actually drive traffic to those sites.
Bottom line: Be original in your name, your design and everything you do so that you establish your own brand and company identity. You want to differentiate yourself, not copy others. Do your competitive analysis, but think of ways you can be better than the existing competition. As the web world is ever changing, chances are your website is a good place to outdo your competition as you can have the most up to date website with the latest technology.
Being original in branding, business name, design, and everything you do is crucial for several reasons:
1. Differentiation: In a crowded marketplace, originality helps you stand out from the competition. It enables you to establish a unique identity and create a distinct brand image that sets you apart. Originality helps consumers remember and recognize your business, leading to better brand recall and differentiation from competitors.
2. Brand Identity: Originality allows you to develop a strong brand identity that aligns with your values, mission, and target audience. It gives you the opportunity to craft a narrative and personality that resonates with your customers. By being original, you can communicate your brand story effectively and build an emotional connection with your audience.
3. Authenticity: Originality promotes authenticity, which is crucial for building trust with your customers. People are drawn to genuine and original brands that have a clear purpose and offer unique value. By being true to your vision and expressing it through your branding, you can establish credibility and foster long-term relationships with your audience.
4. Memorable and Impactful: Originality helps create memorable experiences for your customers. When your branding, business name, and design are original, they have a higher chance of leaving a lasting impression on people’s minds. Memorable branding leads to word-of-mouth referrals, increased customer loyalty, and a positive brand reputation.
5. Competitive Advantage: Originality gives you a competitive edge by allowing you to offer something different and innovative. By introducing fresh ideas and unique approaches, you can attract customers who are seeking novel experiences or solutions. Originality can help you disrupt traditional markets, capture attention, and gain a competitive advantage over rivals.
6. Intellectual Property Protection: Being original helps you protect your intellectual property, such as trademarks, copyrights, and patents. By creating original designs, logos, and names, you reduce the risk of infringing on existing intellectual property rights. Protecting your original assets ensures that your business remains distinct and legally safeguarded.
In summary, originality in branding, business name, design, and all aspects of your business is vital for differentiation, brand identity, authenticity, memorability, competitive advantage, and intellectual property protection. By being original, you can create a strong foundation for your business and attract the attention and loyalty of your target audience.
