Google has a LOT of free tools to help you market your business.  One of these is called Google Places (click on Business Owner to get started).  It’s an online directory where you can list your business (think Yellow Pages) for FREE!  By listing your business with Google Places, you will:

• show up in Google Maps with your information in a “bubble”
• have an option in Maps to view “More Information”
• increase your visibility to Google with the information you want them to see
• be fed statistics that will help you to better target your marketing efforts
• gain another inbound link to your website, which will help you rank higher in search engine results

Below, you will see a screenshot of Dramatic Design’s listing on Google Maps.  (Click to enlarge any of the images below.)  URL: http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&georestrict=input_srcid:f619ea71e3881350&ie=UTF8&view=map&cid=1830561358437269488&q=Dramatic+Design&iwloc=A&ved=0CEsQpQY&sa=X&ei=UoTiTKX9HJj8yAWVyay6Dw

Here is a screenshot of the Profile page created for Dramatic Design on Google Places.  It’s really another way to promote your business and the inbound link from Google’s servers is a high-quality link, which is valued higher than the average inbound link.  You can add whatever images and links you like to your profile and your customers can add reviews about your business, too.  The URL for this page is: http://maps.google.com/maps/place?hl=en&georestrict=input_srcid:f619ea71e3881350

And, below is a screenshot of the administrative area of Dramatic Design’s Google Places account.  You will see, when you enlarge the image, all of the areas you can add and change on the right side and the statistics on the left.  In the upper-right corner, you will also see that you can add status lines, like you do on Facebook or Twitter.  Google also allows you to add coupons for your potential customers that will show up on your profile page at no cost!

I found it very interesting to see that Dramatic Design was returned as a result 36 times for the term “business development” in search results.  This is something that I do help with, but it’s never been a focus area–perhaps it should be?  Now, are these results as good as I would like?  No, but I’ve gained the eyes of 111 searchers who may not have found me without being listed in Google Places.  In marketing, every time you have eyes looking at your search result, that’s a good thing!

Have you set up your Google Places profile yet?  If not, go to http://places.google.com and claim your business listing!  Once you’ve set it up, I would love to take a peek!  List the URL of your profile in the comments!

I am very excited to announce the launch of my new self-study course — Marketing 101 for Small Business Owners.  The course is written in plain English and is very easy to understand.  It takes you by the hand through the steps of defining and marketing to your target audience–one step at a time.  The lessons are sent right to your email inbox about once a week, which gives you plenty of time to work on the assignments in each lesson.

In working with small business owners for over 10 years now, many of the same questions come up over and over, so I address these questions as a part of the lessons.  You will learn all the basic steps that will start you on the path of reaching your potential clients using low-cost and free tools that will be shared in the course.

I’m very excited about this course and invite you to read more about it at Dramatic Small Business Marketing, a new site that I created just for this project.  The course runs for 5 months at only $19.95 per month–less than $5.00 per lesson!  This price is pretty much unheard of and may make some waves in the marketing circles, but I’m okay with that!

But if that isn’t cheap enough, I’m going to let you in on a really special secret!  I’m coordinating the launch of my course with the annual Mom Masterminds 10 Day May Madness Sale.  This is a super-exciting sale that only runs once a year.  Each participant puts up a valuable product for only $5.00!  You should check out all the great deals that are offered from now till May 19!  I’ve already been shopping!  Some of the things offered include:

• Advertising discounts
• Online courses to help you business
• Ebooks
• Private Label Rights articles
• Unique business idea books
• Keyword Research
• Social Networking informational products
• Virtual Assistant services
• Custom graphics
• Membership at Mom Masterminds — First Month only $5 AND $5 off the regular price for the rest of the membership!  (This is something that has NEVER been offered before!)

Please, go check out the deals at 10 Day May Madness for yourself–then come back and tell me what you liked best, what you have questions about, or what you bought in the comments!

NOTE: Please be sure to use the links located at 10 Day May Madness to receive the special $5 pricing on items listed in this post.

I’ve been told that I have the gift of gab–and it’s true.  I am able to connect quickly with people and can usually find some common ground to talk about within just a few minutes of meeting them.  It’s not something that I plan out, it just seems to “happen”.  I really enjoy meeting new people and  I love networking events!  I don’t mind “cold calling”.  I even enjoy interviews.  (How weird is that?)

My kids can’t believe how I can start talking to someone like I’ve known them forever.  As an example, during the last airplane trip that we took, I was sitting next to a guy and I found out that he was a pilot from the same airline traveling to his next assignment (the uniform was a dead give-away).  We started talking and before we knew it, it was time to land…THREE HOURS LATER!  For me, this is fun…but I realize that I’m the exception and not the rule.

For those who don’t find it totally natural, just think of it as making new friends.  People will never do business with someone who they don’t

• Know
• Like and
• Trust

As you make and develop these relationships, you will find that being genuine and developing the above will help others to know, like and trust you as a person.  They no longer see you as a salesperson who is just after your money, but rather, as a friend or acquaintance that genuinely cares about them.  People will do business with you–and they will refer others to you.  There is a great article that I read about this–here is  a quote from that article.

A critical component in any marketing campaign is learning, understanding and catering to the needs of your audience. This process takes time and doesn’t lead to an immediate sale. However, through developing relationships with your audience, you gain a far greater understanding of how you can uniquely meet their needs.

A concept that is often overlooked in modern digital marketing is the personal touch. Many companies seem to have forgotten that their audience is comprised of people who have needs, wants and could just use a simple “Hi! How are you today?” without having a “buy now” message shoved down their throat.  Read more about developing a following through altruism.

Are you building genuine relationships with other people?  Do they know that you care about them and you want to help them?  Your product or service could be just the solution they are looking for, but if they don’t know, like and trust you, they will find their solution elsewhere.  When you build those relationships and they do become clients or customers, they are generally loyal and long-time customers and may even become your sales force!  Take the time and get to know your potential clients–you may just make a new friend in the process!

I’m going to be very transparent here.  This is a personal invitation to my clients–leave a comment and tell me if I’m “walking the walk.”  If not, I want to know.  Comments are open to everyone of course.  I would love to hear how you use relationship marketing in your business–be sure to leave your URL when you comment!

This week, I have been attending NAMS in Atlanta, GA.  This morning we learned all about Strategies for Social Marketing from five of the best in the business!  It was so informative and I wanted to share the information with you.  Below, you will see a snippet of the video presentation.

The presenters are Jeff Herring, Meritza Perra, Kevin Riley, Willie Crawford, and Bob “The Teacher” Jenkins.

Now, if you thought that was good, you’ll want to check out the full audio presentation: Strategies for Social Marketing.  The audio is available for only $17 and includes several bonuses!

I’ll write more about NAMS later, but had to get this information out to you!