Local SEO consultants should get you results within 10 months.
That means you are on page 1 of Google and on Google Map 3 Pack for your most profitable keyword. But the problem is most clients that come to us are working with an agency and are ranking for keywords that don’t bring in extra revenue to their local business.
DONUT click back…I can’t wait to give you a SWEET look at why I do what I do! Today, I’m sharing my favorite part of my job.
Growing up my parents loved competing in sports so of course, they’d teach us to love to win also. Every year in AWANA (it’s like Girl Scouts but at church) there was a Grand Pix. My dad would always ask us 4 girls, “do you want to win for speed or design”?
I ALWAYS said speed so my little wooden car was a wedge and having an engineer dad means that the weights and design had to be perfect so I’d win. Yes, parents and kids would make comments saying, “they always win” but my dad would show up before AWANA with his saw and tools so he could cut cars for the kids whose dads didn’t have those skills.
I take this winning attitude into doing local SEO.
Before taking on a new client we do a mini audit and try to figure out which keyword would be the most profitable and which one do we think you could actually rank for in the next 10 months.
Sometimes business owners get frustrated when we tell them “you’ll never be able to rank for that” but we always find even better keywords.
Getting results is my favorite part of being a local SEO consultant.
This summer we changed how we report results to clients. Our team loves the new process and our clients love it too.
First, to have full transparency clients can check in on what work our team is completing by logging into their Basecamp project anytime.
Second, on a monthly basis, we make an easy to read report so that you see your reviews increase, rankings get closer to page 1, and backlinks increase.
We used to do a monthly call to show results live but didn’t have it in an easy to read report so if the marketing manager needed to report to the owner it was tough to explain what we were doing.
Third, throughout the month when you get results we film a little Loom video to show you how excited so you can get excited too.
If you don’t think local SEO will work for you, read this blog about 5 industries that benefit the most from it.
In January we hit the 5-year milestone of being local SEO consultants.
If you’ve been in business for a while maybe changing up your process will help you get more results too. If any consultant you work with doesn’t show you the results then push back and ask.
There are many tools that give you reports that you can set up yourself to track. We like SEMRush. It’s really easy to use.
What’s your favorite part of what you do? DM me on social.
If you are a marketing manager or local business owner, click the “schedule call” button at the top of this page and tell us you want a mini local SEO audit.
Generate revenue from your website with these 10 things. Right now you have the time and can checkoff these to-dos before you open your doors again this spring.
I know it’s been rough these past 3 weeks working remotely, waiting to get a loan so you can pay your employees, and dealing with the emotions of clients wanting to pause their services with you. You are seeing that only telling on 1 stream of revenue doesn’t work. You have to have a way to work virtually and generate revenue from your website.
I keep thinking about the Bible verse that talks about separating the wheat from the tares, wheat from the chaff, or wheat from the weeds depending on the version of your Bible.
Your brick and mortar or service-based business can survive this! I pray as you read this even if you don’t believe the Bible is true and full of a TON of business wisdom that you are open to learning something to apply that will help your business not just survive but THRIVE this month.
24 Here is another story Jesus told: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field.25 But that night as the workers slept, his enemy came and planted weeds among the wheat, then slipped away.26 When the crop began to grow and produce grain, the weeds also grew.
27 “The farmer’s workers went to him and said, ‘Sir, the field where you planted that good seed is full of weeds! Where did they come from?’
28 “‘An enemy has done this!’ the farmer exclaimed.
“‘Should we pull out the weeds?’ they asked.
29 “‘No,’ he replied, ‘you’ll uproot the wheat if you do.30 Let both grow together until the harvest. Then I will tell the harvesters to sort out the weeds, tie them into bundles, and burn them, and to put the wheat in the barn.’”
So what does this have to do with how to generate revenue from your website?
There are many local businesses that from the outside looked like they were doing well but from the inside they are just weeds. I bet you will see a business you used to envy how successful they will NEVER reopen when the shelter in place order is lifted.
This time as also showed the true colors of the shady businesses.
Robert and I contacted about 50 people encouraging them to apply for the various loans that are available. I was shocked to hear that some cash businesses don’t file their taxes honestly or they pay their employees with cash to avoid payroll taxes.
Again, there is a sorting going on and I pray that your business is able to pivot and generate revenue from your website.
Top 10 Things To Do Right Now To Generate Revenue From Your Website
To-Do #5:Create A Sales Page
If you are a visual or auditory learner, watch this Facebook Live I did a couple of weeks ago.
I googled and this is what it said:
Sales Page Definition: A Sales Page is a single web page that has one particular purpose, selling one item. A Sales Page may also be called a Landing Page. Many sales pages have multiple up sells.
Let’s read that part again.
ONE purpose = selling ONE item.
“But wait, Liz, I’m not an online marketer…I have a brick and mortar or a service-based local business”!
I was in your same shoes in 2009 when I took my local personal training business online and created a hybrid business model.
Then we’ve helped hundreds of local businesses generate revenue from their website and having a sales page is a HUGE part of it!
These are the websites that have something extra you can buy online…online marketers call them a sales page:
I hope this got your idea flowing on what you can offer this week and sell from your website.
If you don’t have a sales page or people aren’t buying when you are running Facebook Ads to it. Schedule A Call with me and our team will figure out how to increase your sales or make one if you don’t have one yet for your local business.
Here’s another resource if online marketing is new to you:
I found it online while researching doing that Facebook Live.
To-Do #6: Create Really Great Content Weekly
Yes, posting on social to look like you are open is great. But Google doesn’t show your Facebook posts when someone searches “dentist near me” or “how to make homemade toothpaste”.
You need a website and a blog so you can create really great content.
If you are like me, you start off with a video then you write the blog later.
Or maybe you start with a podcast then write the blog later.
If you are a local business you have to have a blog with really great content that leads people to your direct call to action like “buy now” or “schedule call”.
Or that leads to your transitional call to action where they give you their name and email to get something for free like a “website checklist” or a “video series to help them with their #1 problem”.
If you aren’t #1 of Google for multiple keywords so aren’t driving 1000s of visitors to your website a month, then you need to blog WEEKLY.
With clients, we blog weekly for at least 9 months then we transition to blogging monthly with a super indepth article that has the information you can’t find online from any other competitor.
Want the Website Checklist PDF please share this blog and DM us anywhere @rebelfishlocal.
Want to schedule a call to talk about how to make money from your website? Click the photo and pick a time.
To-Do #7: Make A List Of Potential Affiliates
This is a list of vendors that your customers can click a link and buy from their website but you get a commission for referring them.
Like right now people are staying in so if you are in the medical industry there are a TON of food affiliate programs.
Farm Fresh To You Enter promo code LIZC3979 FOR YOUR FRIEND: They get $15 off their first delivery! FOR YOU: You get $25 credited to your account!
Thrive Market Invite friends and we’ll give them 25% off their first order. For each person you invite who becomes a paid member, you’ll get $25 in Thrive Cash.
Or if there is tech that your marketing and social media team uses:
Active Campaign They Paypal you a commission when someone signs up for their CRM (email marketing tool)
Acadium Need an intern? $50 is added to your account toward your next payment for every paying member that comes through your referral link. When you’ve got 6 businesses to pay for our service you get 50% off all your future purchases!
They use it when sending out their monthly email to let customers know about specials going on or laundry tips.
They also like it to be on the scrolling header image so people see the coupon graphic right away.
I found these on Google searching “dentist coupon graphic”.
To get some inspiration for your local business. Search “business industry + coupon graphic”.
To-Do #9: Choose Only 1 Homepage Goal
I talk about this a little in To-Do #4 Facebook Live here. Let me know you watched it by liking an leaving me comments through the video. If you have questions, ask them over there.
When I say 1 homepage goal, I’m talking about choosing 1 button to have the same text and color 7 to 10 times on your website homepage. Take a look at our homepage and count how many times we say “schedule call”.
It is easy to see what step 1 is to work with us.
Schedule A Call!
You need to do this also on your site.
Remove passive CTAs (call to actions) like “get started” and “learn more”.
Right now, if normally you want people to “schedule an appointment” but now your office is closed then change all your buttons to what you want them to do right now. Like “get virtual estimate” or “enroll now” if you have an online course you created with massages or stretches your partner can do to relieve your chronic pain.
Make a list of ALL your CTAs on your website homepage and count how many times you have your “homepage goal” button.
To-Do #10: Have Someone Review Your Website
You are too close to your business. Even if you are the marketing director or social media manager that also helps with the website. You are also too close.
You need an outside opinion to audit your website.
If you are waiting on your loan to come in start researching and interviewing marketing agencies who can help you update your website.
Keep caution.
Many graphic designers say they can build you a website.
Many web developers say they can build you a website.
But most of the time they didn’t go to school for marketing and they don’t have a background in copywriting.
You get what you pay for.
If you want to generate revenue from your website, make sure to hire a team that are StoryBrand Guides. This means they’ve done 100s of hours of messaging strategy calls and copywriting.
There is even scientific research that was done on this framework and how you can generate revenue from your website.
If you think your website is fine and you are happy with the sales that come from it.
Facetime 10 acquaintances on LinkedIn.
Ask them to go to your website WITHOUT scrolling down on their mobile phone.
Then do the “grunt test”.
Here it is. When someone lands on your website, you have 5 seconds to answer these three questions:
What is it that you offer?
How will it make my life better?
What do I need to do to buy?
I think you will rethink and see that what you have on your website could convert leads better if you communicate clearly above the fold or before they scroll to scan your website.
Thanks for reading!! Now you know 10 things to do right now so that you generate revenue from your website.
Now it’s your turn to take action! It is pointless to just read information and not take action on your business. You want to generate revenue from your website so do it!
We are here to cheer you on so let us know how you are doing with the website checklist on social media.
If you want the PDF please share this blog and DM us anywhere @rebelfishlocal.
Make money from your website, local business owners!
Today I want to share with you a 2-page website checklist on how to keep your small business stable in the time of the pandemic and turn the current economic situation in your favor (while helping people). You can make money from your website and it isn’t as hard as you think. You have the time now and I’m sure you have some ideas but need some help on executing them.
If you want the PDF please share this blog and DM us anywhere @rebelfishlocal.
In the last week, I’ve asked our audience over and over: “How is your business holding up?”
“What is your biggest challenge right now?”
“Are you offering any new virtual services?”
“What’s your plan for the next 3-6 months?”
And I get.
A lot of you are scared, confused and maybe a bit panicked.
The truth is – no one knows for sure what’s going to happen.
But.
My husband has worked or owned brick and mortar businesses for 30 years. He’s seen many ups and downs in the economy.
After the 2008 crash that’s when I knew I had to pivot. I took my personal training business online. 75% of my time was creating and helping people that didn’t live in my city.
In both of our entrepreneur journies, we were led to a hybrid business model allowing us to work locally with clients and employees or have the option to work online as well.
The time is now!
You can create an extra stream of revenue and make money from your website.
Let’s get into the checklist.
Top 10 Things To Do Right Now Make Money From Your Website
To-Do #1: Apply for SBA Loan
1 million small businesses get a $10k grant.
Apply for the Disaster Assistance Loan & Grant HERE.
People need to know what your company is doing. Are you an essential business offering in-person services? What about virtual consultations? Have abbreviated hours?
It is important your website visitors know what you are doing this month.
To-Do #3: Make Your Site Mobile Responsive
Just because you made a change to your website from your computer doesn’t mean that it will be updated on mobile phones.
So when you make an update to your website look on your phone to see if its a good user experience and if it’s easy to buy what you are promoting.
People more than ever are using their mobile phones.
80% of users used a mobile device to search the internet in 2019
40% of online transactions are done using a mobile device
US mobile search ad spending was estimated at 28.12 Billion in 2019
More than 50% of websites are using responsive web design technologies that work for all devices
More than 3/4 shoppers use mobile devices along with physical shopping
By the end of 2019, mobile advertising will account for 72% of all U.S. digital ad spending
Nearly half of users read reviews of all purchases on their mobile phones
Website speed is important for more than half of the mobile users
Nearly half of mobile users switch to your competitor instead, after a bad experience with your mobile site
3 out of 4 teens regularly make purchases online now
A little rant…
My pilates studio paused our memberships and was offering complimentary IG Live classes a couple times a day for 2 weeks. Then they posted on IG that they were moving the classes to Zoom.
I thought that’s weird, why are they moving?
Adding more technology and communication can complicate things.
They said “go to their website to signup” but it was so jacked up with text all in the wrong spots.
Then I email and DM but no answer.
Probably because everyone else was having trouble too.
I open the app and that didn’t work.
So I log onto my desktop and still couldn’t figure it out.
A couple of hours later I went back to the app and figured it out.
But sure enough, I couldn’t log in because they didn’t have proper instructions about how to get the the Zoom link.
So I sign up for the next class a couple hours later and it worked.
I jump on classes all week then come to find out these aren’t free classes!
They didn’t send out an email, they didn’t have anything on their website.
With the 10+ communications on IG and emails they said nothing.
DON’T DO THIS TO YOUR LOYAL CUSTOMERS.
Make it easy for them to know all the details so they don’t have to search around and go to multiple platforms to find answers.
Want the Website Checklist PDF please share this blog and DM us anywhere @rebelfishlocal.
Want to schedule a call to talk about how to make money from your website? Click the photo and pick a time.
To-Do #4: Simplify Your Website
Most websites are too complicated.
Your website should have 1 focus – create SALES! You can make money from your website.
“But wait Liz, I don’t ONLY care about money!”
We don’t either. You want to make money doing what you are passionate about.
Yes, branding and lead generation are important too.
But right now, SALES is number 1!
Want help with this? Check out our StoryBrand Website packages. While we are all #slowingthespread and sheltering in place we are offering extra discounts. Click the Schedule Call button and we can figure out what package is best for you.
Most service-based brick and mortars only need 4 pages + your homepage.
About
Service Page
Direct CTA Page
Contact
Homepage
Every other page can go in the junk drawer. That’s the footer. The part at the bottom of your website.
What’s a Direct CTA?
The Direct CTA (call to action) is what you are lead your website visitors to do.
Many sites have “learn more” or “get started” but these are passive calls to action.
They don’t work to get more sales.
Your direct CTA should be “schedule call”, “join virtual classes”, “buy 21-day immune booster”, etc. this will allow you to make money from your website.
These are the websites with a simple list of pages:
Thanks for reading!! I’m excited to hear how you make money from your website and keep your local business surviving.
Over the past week, Robert and/or I have been doing DAILY Facebook Lives 12 PM PST. We take 5-10 minutes to talk more about each of the “Top 10 Things To Do Right Now To Generate Revenue From Your Website” and show you examples of brick and mortar businesses who are doing a great job with each one.
Let us know if you like those videos and I’ll cover the 6-10 to-dos on the website checklist.
Join us live or watch the replay over there!
I’ll be back to write PART 2.
In the meantime, if you want the PDF please share this blog and DM us anywhere @rebelfishlocal.
When it comes to writing copy for websites, follow this unconventional guide for your local business.
Think back to the first website or blog you threw up online. Most likely you hired someone or bought an online course that taught you how to set up WordPress yourself. In 2020, you have to be more strategic than this and it’s worth the extra time in writing copy for websites you have.
When I say websites, I’m talking about your main website, your free offer landing pages, your review sites, and social media sites.
Most copywriters aren’t StoryBrand Certified Guides. StoryBrand has a proven framework and has scientific research published on StoryBrand Narrative Marketing and its effect on organizations.
Why does this even matter?
When someone comes to your website, you want them to take action right? Of course!
But the problem is that 96% of website visitors don’t contact you!
If your local business gets 100 website visitors a month, that means that 96 people don’t contact you. This would explain why you only got 4 email inquiries or 4 phone calls. Or if you get 1000 unique website visitors, that’s only 40 people who took action to email, call you, or book an appointment.
Keep reading as I guide you through our process so that you get more website visitors to contact you the first time they come to your website. They come into your local business and every time that door opens you hear cha-ching as your business grows!
Here’s our 3 Step Process for Writing Copy For Websites:
STEP 1 – MESSAGING
During three 90-minute calls, we will work together to clarify your marketing and messaging using a 7-part, proven framework from the book Building A StoryBrand by Donald Miller.
Stop reading and listen to this podcast. Its an overview of the book and will transform how you think about writing copy.
See, I told you it was awesome!
By taking the time to listen to the podcast, read the book, go through the online courses, or attend a live event, you will be so much better at writing copy for websites.
The week prior to working with a new client. I don’t research their business or their competition. I believe that you as the marketing manager or business owner know all the right words. Come on, you’ve had your business for 5-10 years so you know your customers. So I’m here to ask you questions to pull out all the right answers to put on your BrandScript.
I pray for the clients I will be working with before and during our calls. Thanking the Holy Spirit for always being with us and asking Him to guide us during the calls.
During the three 90-minute calls we do with clients, we use this messaging tool called a BrandScript. It looks like the photo below. It sums up your message on 1-page for your overall brand, departments, or services you offer.
So if you have a dental practice like Pacific Beach Smile Studio in San Diego, these would be your first BrandScripts to create:
Pacific Beach Smile Studio – Overall BrandScript
Customer Service – Department BrandScript
Hygienists – Department BrandScript
Invisalign – Service BrandScript
VIP Service – Service BrandScript
Cosmetic Dentistry – Service BrandScript
Depending on when you are reading this blog, this client’s new StoryBrand’d website may not be finished yet. This process takes typically 90 days unless you are super motivated and we can get your new site up in 6 weeks.
What we think we are saying to our customers and what our customers actually hear are two different things. And customers make buying decisions not based on what we say but on what they hear. – Donald Miller, Building a StoryBrand
After the BrandScript is complete and you know you got it right. This means every part lines up, it has 1 clear message, and it’s easy to understand you can go on to step 2 writing copy for the wireframe.
STEP 2: Write Copy For The Wireframe
A wireframe is a rough design of the pages on your website, including all copy, placement of pictures/videos, and suggestions for visuals.
But before I make a wireframe using Draftium. I like to write all the words for all the website pages on a Google Doc. This makes it easy for Robert and I to review each other’s work. It also helps you to stay focused on the words instead of worrying about layout, typography, visual elements, or photography.
Q: When writing copy for websites, which page do you start on?
A: I start with the homepage.
I use our 5-page homepage wireframe template. You can download it HERE. This shows you where to put each of the 7 parts of your BrandScript on your homepage. Sure you don’t have to use all the 7 parts, but when you do you’ll communicate clearly with each person who comes to your website.
Click On The Photo To Download This Template
I take the 5-page homepage wireframe template and type out the sections on a Google Doc. I put both of these docs side-by-side on my screen so I don’t deviate from the BrandScript when I start writing.
Q: What if you have brain fog or hate everything you are writing?
A: Take a break! Move your body. Get outside. Drink some water. I know I said don’t research the competition but if you are really stuck you can take a quick peek to get you inspired to write. If you are really stuck. You may need to take a few days off from working and take a mini trip. Whenever I get back from traveling I’m refreshed and the words flow out.
Once I’ve written the all copy for the homepage as well as 4-10 other important pages like blog, services pages, contact us, about us, etc I get to copy all this over to Draftium and build out the wireframe.
We’ve been building websites for 5 years through our agency but using Draftium for the past year. It has help speed up the web development process because it’s simple for me to use and gets everything laid out the way I want it before sending it over to our team to create in WordPress.
STEP 3: Website Development
Build a website that makes your customers take action. When you download the website wireframe template I mentioned in step 2, you’ll notice that there is a Direct CTA (Call To Action) Button on each of the 5 parts of your homepage. Use the same Direct CTA over and over and over. On our site its “Schedule Call” and for many of our local businesses its “Book Appointment”.
On our homepage, you can see a longer list of the clients we’ve worked with. If you want to see more StoryBrand’d websites I give some ways to google and find them so you can compare how you are doing writing copy for websites. Watch this video from a couple of blogs ago.
Your website is likely the first impression a potential customer will receive about your company. It’s almost like a first date. The customer simply needs to know that you have something they want and you can be trusted to deliver whatever that is. – Donald Miller, Building a StoryBrand
Did I make our writing copy for websites guide simple for you to follow?
Most copywriters I’ve seen just jump into free writing or they google and model someone else’s website. But its too easy to copy and plagiarize if you do that. I believe that you can do it. If you’ve had conversations with your customers or read their surveys they give you the words to use. Your local business has a unique brand, team, and the way you do business. It sets you apart from the persona down the street in the same industry.
This uniqueness in solving your customer’s problems is what needs to shine bright and loud on every page of your website.
Stop talking about how great your company is and how great you are. Instead, invite your customers into the story! The first thing you need to do is define something they want, as it relates to your brand.
If you haven’t yet, make sure to listen to the overview podcast of Building A StoryBrand book.
If you got value from this, show me some love and tag us on your stories @rebelfishlocal
Small business project management doesn’t have to be overwhelming!
Do you have a project management system? I’m sure you have a great one for customer service and sales but what about your marketing?
When you first open your business you have to wear multiple hats, but if you’ve had your local business for 5 or 10 years and still aren’t using teamwork everywhere then now is your chance.
I could talk about so many different areas, but today I’m sticking with marketing and creating better processes to make your life easier and more relaxing.
Watch this Facebook Live and let me know what you are doing to do better.
Don’t like watching videos? Then keep reading.
Do you have a project management system?
If you don’t, then think through your process for:
Customer Service
Sales
Content Creation
Blogging
Social Media
Podcasting
Advertising
Marketing
HR
Operations
Accounting
Jot down the 3-5 major steps in each area and expand on each point with more bullet points. Once you finish you shouldn’t have more than 1-5 pages on how to do the task.
If you want to grow in sales and marketing you’ve got to have a plan. Before you try out someone else’s document your own.
In the book Traction, they do a great job teaching you how to do “The 3-Step Process Documenter”.
Pick your small business project management system and follow it 100% for 90 days yourself!
If you can’t follow a system then how can you expect your staff to follow it? If you have a team, you are a leader. They follow your guidance.
Once you know you picked the right system for your local business, roll it out to your staff and have them follow it 100% for the next 90 days!
Its that simple, or is it?
If your staff is really struggling to implement what you want then reach out and get a coach. We’ve had multiple coaches that have helped us have breakthroughs in our company.
Ask me your question about small business project management.
Next, read PART 2 I’ll be focusing more on the workflow and what to do first when it comes to your 90 day marketing plan.
