Small Business Online Networking Presentationwith Jonathan Blackman

jb@jonathanblackman.com415 971 0310

How to Use your Website to Network OR How to Network your Website…

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…and Promote your ^ businessUsing Email and Affiliate Marketing Without Cost, if you Do it Yourself!

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Web Resume of Jonathan Blackmanjb@jonathanblackman.com 415 971 0310

EDUCATION: Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, Honors. Brandeis University, Waltham, MA. 1988 Software Development: Flash, HTML, DHTML, JavaScript, CGI, Graphics Rendering, Editing, Information

Architecture, Technical Writing, Gaming.Currently seeking Flash Certification for web interactivity, gaming and site design.WORK EXPERIENCE:Enterprise Software Sales 2005 – 2009Project Manager, Marketing 2001 – 2004Self-employed, Computer Consultant, Los Angeles 1998 – 2000Developed, designed, and coded web sites.Taught basic and advanced skill sets to clients looking to maintain and enhance their web presence.Sole Proprietor, Retail Store, The Yellow Room, Los Angeles 1993 – 1998Built my own business and as entrepreneur, self starting came naturally.Managed all aspects of the business from financial to product to employer.Bought, researched, restored, rented, sold museum quality inventory.Specialized in antique globes and scientific instruments.Self-taught historical geo-political cartography expertise.Developed a significant international clientele.Marketed concept via Internet, direct marketing, press editorials.Received various regional and international recognition.

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Your business has a focus – your website and the promotion thereof should be similarly focused to maintain current customers and bring in new business. How? We’ll discuss 2 ways.

1. Use your website as your email address domain• Michael@LevinsonInsurance.com (not an actual email address)

– Create banner categories to target your email– sales@LevinsonInsurance.com (not an actual email address)

2. Affiliate Marketing – external and internal to your site. . using one website to drive traffic to another—is a form of online marketing, which is frequently overlooked by advertisers. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Affiliate_marketing

• External – Seek out and add your site on lists• Internal - A links page on your site

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1.Use your website address as your email domain to promote your

website

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2. Affiliate Marketing –. a form of online marketing:1. Email a request to add your URL to others’ websites

2. A links page on your site

Concept: The web is a community. Make your site a destination by adding your URL to resource pages; Draw traffic to your site by creating and promoting a resource page of your own.

This is time consumptive, but an assistant could perform this. No expertise required.

The benefits are increased traffic and raising your web search ranking.

How: 1. Search for your site and (mailto: webmaster@domain.com) request from the top ranked to

add your URL to their resource list.2. Run a search for resources, links associated with your business3. Reach out to list organizers and request they add your URL. 4. Change the search; Repeat steps 1 and 2.5. Create a resource page ; add your fav URLs and those that require a quid pro quo6. Add a link on your home page to the resource page7. Promote your Resources/links page as an independent site

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Affiliate Marketing – Links List Searchexample: Antique Dealer Resources SF Bay Area

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Most Lists Are FREE to Join. Efforts are enhanced when you add links to your list.

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A Links Policy Page I Happened Upon.

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Conclusion: How do I make my website work for my business?

OR how do I enhance my exposure and clicks (traffic)

• Your email address is a promotion engine.• Request Relevant Resource Pages Add You.– Best Way to Increase Traffic.– Improves your Search Ranking.

• Create a links page.– Promote your links page as an independent site.– Transform your website from a business card – into a

community center. Visitors to your site will generate goodwill, repeat visits, opportunity for more business.

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Resources PageWhat are the most important, easiest and cheapest things to do to promote a local, small

business website?

• Colin Chandler, Owner, FogCityMac.com– …drumming up traffic amongst other things can help. Make sure the web address is on business

cards, ads, etc. Change content to keep people coming back. Get present on Yelp and other peer review sites. Make sure you're search engine optimized and purchase a service from your hosting provider that does these things for you if you don't know how to do them yourself.

• Anonymous, Internet Industry Client Services Manager , Lyris, Inc.– Anyone looking to promote their small business online has a good handle on "who" their audience is

so keywords and content create a good ROI.

• Josh Blackman, VP Biz Dev LegalOptin.com– easiest/cheapest ways to promote small biz site are metatags/words and Google Adwords.

• 5 Things Small Business Owners Should Do Today Online – http://www.chrisbrogan.com/5-things-small-business-owners-should-do-today-online/

• Optimize your site for local search engine traffic – http://www.improvetheweb.com/going-local

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