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December 21, 2017 by Bob Torella MBA Leave a Comment

Leverage Google My Business for local search results

Google My Business

Google has centralized Google Search + Google Places for Business, and Google+ (Google’s social network) into one easier-to-manage tool, now called Google My Business. Use Google My Business to put the right info about your business on Search, Maps and Google+ so that customers can get in touch.

Take ownership of your Google My Business listing. Add categories, summary, business hours, pictures, time-sensitive posts, videos and more.

Get more Google My Business tips in my blog article here.

Search Engine Listings

The adoption of mobile devices worldwide is driving a new economy. It is important that your brand is consistent from your website to social media to search sites (Google, Yahoo, Bing, and hundreds more).

The first step I recommend is to review your image on the net either using a standard Google search (search your firm name) or use search tool designed for this purpose (select image on left for free scan).

Knowing what I know – chances are you will NOT be impressed with the search results. Your listings may have different firm names, no phone number nor links to your website, or just very incomplete. Many of these listings were auto-created by some unknown source lacking info about your business. There is ABSOLUTELY no reason for poor web listings for your firm today – the only benefit is to your competitor!

Your Yahoo! Local and Bing Places for Business listings should also be checked thoroughly. Verify your firm name, address, phone, and web address.

Yelp. Yelp is a powerful mobile site to find local business. What is most important, is that Yelp customer reviews get forwarded to Yahoo! and Bing. Chances are you need to take control of your Yelp listing and update it. Then invite your best clients to add a review at Yelp.

If you find an incorrect or incomplete listing, you can attempt to update each search listing manually but that task is daunting even for a webmaster. Try just one and you will understand. Consider using search listing sites like MOZ Local or Yext to update multiple listings at once (these are paid services). Even better – seek a professional to get it right!

Getting your internet business listing basics (name, address, phone, and website) completed correctly is important. Having someone find your firm on the net is great – but you can really stand out with several customer reviews touting your firm. If you ever purchased goods from Amazon or other online retailers – you probably took a look at the product reviews first. Reviews can help or hurt your decision to move forward – give them the weight they deserve.

Niche Directories

Industry directories are also helpful to boost your visibility on the net. Many of these directories require an annual fee.

If you are a tax preparer, one directory stands out from the pack – namely PTINdirectory.com.

PTINdirectory is like the Angie’s List for tax pros – they collect unbiased tax preparer reviews from consumers. Consumers love to use reviews to make informed decisions (Angie’s, Amazon, and the like). PTINdirectory ranks very high on Google and local searches and they offer a ONE-TIME subscription fee. At $249 that is a great deal – Stop by my website and pick up a promo code for an even better deal.

Monitor your reviews. Most of the time the reviews will be great – but you may get a negative review too. There is generally no way to remove a negative review – hopefully, you have many positive reviews to offset the negative one. Tread carefully, if you have an issue with this seek out identity reputation management services (at a hefty expense). Definitely contact a professional for assistance.

August 15, 2017 by Bob Torella MBA Leave a Comment

Must-have new feature on Google Maps

Now web visitors can Message you right from your business listing. Chances are your business is listed on Google. And hopefully, you took ownership of your listing and maxed it out with your business details (and added a few Reviews).

There is no doubt that many of us LOVE TO TEXT. Now if a web visitor finds you on Google, you can enable a new feature to text you directly. Make it easy for Millennials and other texters to start a conversation with you.

Need help enabling this feature – just ask.

Search for your Google Business Listing here: https://www.google.com/maps

Google My Business profile updates starts at $99.

Enable messaging feature (if you own your GMB listing) just $49

Confused? Start with a no-cost consult here

April 26, 2017 by Bob Torella MBA Leave a Comment

Is your marketing system running on all cylinders?

A successful marketing system needs to include these 5 core tenants.

Identify your target market
Attract the right prospects
Connect to highly-targeted industry principals
Nurture the relationships
Convert conversations into clients

Now comes the really good news. There is a marketing tool on the internet that can help you with all aspects of your marketing. And even better, you are probably a subscriber to this service! SAY WHAT!

I am referring to LinkedIn.

If you are not creating a buzz about your practice and connecting with highly-targeted prospects on a daily basis you are missing opportunit-IES. Join me for a 40-minute free training webinar where I show you how to capitalize on LinkedIn like you never imagined. I like to say I can take you from the #cellar to the #penthouse when it comes to optimizing LinkedIn.

Tip: When registering select Watch Yesterdays Recording if you want to view the webinar right away.

This webinar is designed for CPAs and EAs, Tax Pros, attorneys, and other professionals that want to grow their practice thru referrals or by building a highly targeted network of business professionals (with LinkedIn at its core).

June 24, 2016 by Bob Torella MBA Leave a Comment

Opportunity knocks for CPA firms – will your firm answer? Or will it be your competitor next door??

There is no doubt that social media creates a special bond between people with common interests. This new medium works great for many sectors especially the entertainment industry, politics, sports, news, and the like. Why not CPA firms you ask?

I strongly believe that #CPA firms have a unique opportunity to build and nurture a large local network of business owners. In other words, a virtually untapped market of highly targeted prospects to grow their B2B services. In addition, many local businesses rely on social media for advertising and revenue. These business owners need an advisor that is social savvy – certainly much more than just a tax compliance officer!!

Does your firm have a social medial policy?

Does your CPA firm have a social media policy that fosters collaboration?

The next question is, what is stopping your firm from dominating your local area? There is a saying I learned early in my marketing career, and that is “speed kills – the first to the market gets the largest share”. The time is right to grab hold of your share of the local market BEFORE some other firm does?

BAT Consulting Group can help. We have a proprietary system to reach out to hundreds of local business owners and CEOs using LinkedIn, blogging, social media, email marketing, and more. We can help your firm build and nurture your local community and get your deserving share of this untapped market.

I am not sure where your basic tax work is going considering the competitive downward pricing pressure, online tax prep services (including free) and politics – but I am confident that your business accounting and advisory services will always be in demand (and at better fees). Today is a great day to start something BIG! Be the firm that grabs the golden ring and harnesses the power of the new economy.

Watch this informative video for more insights.

Best wishes for your greatest year ever.

Bob Torella MBA
www.batcgi.com

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Connect with me on LinkedIn or Facebook to stay on top of these marketing trends. Visit my website at www.batcgi.com for more tools and free resources.