Best of the Flathead? Leverage that win!

How do you leverage your “Best of the Flathead” recognition?

First off… kudos and congratulations to everyone that won or earned a mention in the 2014 “Best of the Flathead” opinion poll. The PR benefits this gives your company are incalculable and advertising your award is one of the best forms of self-promotion.

Many of the readers of the Daily Inter Lake are now aware that your company ranks far above your competition and that is news to celebrate, but the real question is, “will having won this distinguished title do anything to actually increase your business”?

“Best of the Flathead” businesses are not found in polls or surveys

PLEASE don’t think I am disparaging your remarkable accomplishment, I am referring to how such an honor might translate into new business for your company. In a previous article I mentioned that being awarded the honor of “Best of the Flathead” may not be what you think it is (or hope that it means).

In that post, I mentioned that “the best companies are found in Google and Bing search results!” When people want to find the best place to eat, sleep, shop, rent something, fix something, entertain themselves or find a doctor, dentist, auto dealer, restaurant, etc… we search online. When your pipes burst and you need a plumber you don’t reach for a newspaper to see who may have won a poll or if someone placed an ad that week, you search online for “plumber”. (See entire article)

How to reach 2,390,000 potential customers!

With 90,000+ people living in the Flathead Valley and 2.3 million+ visitors every year, you can’t expect to grow your customer base solely by advertising to the 16,666 to 17,412 readers of the Daily Inter Lake. Should you capitalize on that? Most certainly, but that is just one tactic of a marketing strategy that you should exploit to your fullest advantage.

SEARCH is the only contest we need to win because the business world is driven by search – in 2014 and beyond your business will prosper or perish based on your website’s performance in search results. Your company may be voted the “Best of the Flathead”, but if it is not listed on page one of Google, that title has little or no value to your business.

Smartphones Drive Search Marketing

In a few short years, smartphones have become a cultural priority. Our need to remain connected to friends, family, colleagues and have information at our fingertips has changed the way we communicate, interact with people and make decisions.

How many people do you know today that do not have a smartphone or Tablet PC (or both)? Visit any restaurant, bar or public gathering and you will see people of all ages using their smartphones – ALL THE TIME. The average American is seldom more than three feet from their phone; it has become an extension of ourselves - more important than our wallet or purse.

With this technology shift, the ability to have ubiquitous Internet access has changed everything, but most importantly it has changed how - and how often we search for information. Instead of reaching for the Yellow Pages or a newspaper, people now search online for everything such as…

• Restaurants in Kalispell
• Best photographer in the Flathead
• Campgrounds
• Builders or contractors
• Homeowner services
• Businesses in Whitefish
• And every other reason imaginable!

Search Marketing 101

Positioning your company in search results is indisputably the most important thing we can do to grow our business today and in the future. Helping businesses like yours increase their rank in search is one of the primary objectives of the Flathead Guide.

How the Flathead Guide can help your business

Search marketing is what the Flathead Guide is all about; helping your business attract more customers at the exact moment they are ready to buy! Our smartphone-optimized Flathead Valley Business Directory functions like a stand-alone, mobile-friendly mini website for your business.

Advertising is only part of the marketing mix

Advertising is a good thing…if it gives you a positive ROI of the dollars you spend. It helps create top of mind awareness and builds your brand, but it is not always successful in driving new customers to your door.

The best customers you can find are the ones who want to buy your products or services NOW. Those ready-to-buy customers most likely are not seeing your ads – they are searching online so it is critical that you focus on improving your online marketing.

The Flathead Guide is the Best Marketing Solution

Every business listed in the Flathead Guide has an edge over their competitors. Your business listing in the Flathead Guide accomplishes two important promotional objectives. One, it actually helps your primary website rank higher in search results. Secondly, it provides a mobile-friendly mini website that expands your search opportunities.  Did you know that search engines display different results based on whether you are searching from a desktop or mobile device?

The Flathead Guide is the Best Promotional Value, PERIOD!

You can spend hundreds of dollars for a print ad in numerous publications, or choose from dozens of other advertising options in the Flathead Valley, but you will not find a better promotional value. You can own your Flathead Guide mini-website listing for only $4 per month (billed annually). To understand all the benefits of your Flathead Guide listing, see the details here.

Or, if what you just read makes sense and you can use the help improving your online marketing, get started now! Add your business to the Flathead Guide!