How to get started in social media management: claim your business!
I routinely run across clients that have not claimed, listed or updated their business on social media. Merchants do not need to hire a third party to verify their business on the digital landscape. This is because listing your business is free and easy. It’s a great way to get your operation up and running, or update changes.
Be aware that some of the social media sites listed below offer upgrades for an additional charge, and some of this information may be used for email and telemarketing purposes. Beware of marketers contacting you claiming to be with Google. Google will not call you. These telemarketers usually say they want to help verify your site with them.
This verification process is very easy to do, and should be done by the business owner themselves. In addition to the cost savings of doing it yourself, you want to be in control of your content. You will also be able to be alerted and able respond to reviews of your organization.
There are many more social media sites than this, but the following are some important ones to start with.
How to list your business:
You will need your logo in various .jpg file sizes, typically 300 x 300 pixels. You will also need photos of your business interior and exterior, phone number, email, website address, etc.
Google My Business – search for your business and claim it (connects with Google Maps)
Apple Maps – register your business (you will need to set up an Apple I.D.)
Linkedin Company Directory – register your business
Better Business Bureau – register your business
Yelp – search for your business and claim it (they will try to sell you)
Bing – search for your business and claim it
Map Quest – search for your business and claim it (minimum $3 monthly fee)
Hubspot – register your business
Manta – search for your business and claim it
Four Square – search for your business and claim it
Merchant Circle – search for your business and claim it
Yellow Pages – search for your business and claim it
Local – search for your business and claim it (they will try to sell you)
Yellow Bot – search for your business and claim it
eLocal – search for your business and claim it (they will try to sell you)
Entireweb – search for your business and claim it
POI – GPS submission site (Garmin, Magellan, Navman, Route 66, TomTom, Nokia, Destinator and others)
Remember to keep your website updated with fresh authentic content. Google likes authority a relevancy. Customers reviews contribute to your standing on the web too. Google Street View 360º virtual tours also helps your rank. For expert Search Engine Optimization (SEO) advise, consult a professional SEO firm such as 2theTopDesign in Nashville, Tennessee.
Make sure your website is constructed properly. These are some questions to ask your webmaster.
Get your website monitored with Google Analytics. It’s free and provides great insights into your website traffic. More on Google Metrics.
Check your website health and speed with this free diagnostic by GTmetrix. More tools here.
#socialmediamarketing
