Cogent SEM

There are many ways that you, as a business owner, can connect with local customers to build trust, loyalty, and brand awareness. By doing so, you create a relationship with your customers that will keep your them coming back as well as recommending friends and family. Each of these methods require a little effort on your part and will not cost you very much, if anything at all.

1. Twitter - Create a Twitter account for your business if you haven’t already. Twitter every day to communicate new products, services, deals, coupons, and what your business is doing in general.
2. Facebook - Create Facebook Fan Page for your business and suggest all your friends become fans as well. Be sure to post new and exclusive content on your fan page too. It’s important that you connect and interact with Facebook fans differently than you would on your website.
3. LinkedIn - Create a LinkedIn profile for you and your business and make sure you complete the profile 100%. Once you’ve done this be sure to upload all your contacts and invite them to link up  with you. Lastly ask for recommendations and join and participate in groups. LinkedIn is a great way to generate new business leads.
4. Blog - If you haven’t thought of starting a corporate blog, then now is the time. A blog is a fantastic way to reach out to customers and let them know what you’re doing. Blog each day about both personal and business achievments and be sure to ask for your readers input. This interaction between you and your customer is a powerful tool.
5. Comment - It’s important that you not only blog but subsribe and read other blogs as well. Look for local blogs from newspapers, television stations, and other professionals in your area and comment on their posts. This not only puts your name out their but builds links back to your blog.
6. Google Local Listing – This should be one of the first things you do as a business. Create a listing with Google for your business and be sure to pick several appropriate categories. This listing will show up when customers search for businesses in your categories.
7. Local.com – Another great directory for businesses and will cost you nothing to register. The more directories you can register your business with similar to Local.com the better. The reason for doing this not only helps you build your brand but establish trust with both your customers and Google.
8. Host a Free Seminar – Building trust is crucial to your business’ success and what better way than give away free and valuable information. Host a seminar in your community that will benefit attendees by sharing your knowledge. Whether you’re a real estate agent, attorney, plumber, or car dealer you possess specific trade knowledge that can benefit your customers.
9. Sponsor a Local Event – Look for events in your community where you can have the opportunity to be a sponsor. Most of the time your business name and information will be placed in the event’s publications and printed materials. This is an excellent opportunity to build your brand.

Most of us recognize Facebook as a social medium that allows people to connect and share common interests through messaging, photos, videos, and other related online activities. As a business owner, Facebook offers you a great platform to reach out and connect with your customers in a way that advertising has never been able to before. [...]