7 Reasons to Hire A Marketing Consultant for a Small Business

By: Kayla McDonald 

Hiring a marketing consultant is a good choice whether your organization needs support with social media, website design, or advertising. To help companies in creating a solid foundation for business growth,  Marketing professionals combine their business skills, such as strategic thinking and problem-solving, with technical expertise. They can help you develop a marketing strategy to reach ideal customers.

What Is a Marketing Consultant?

Depending on their skill set (such as Event marketing or Web design) and industry  (such as consumer products or B2B services)  a marketing consultant may concentrate on a specific niche. Regardless of their area of expertise, these experts should be able to improve your marketing efforts! However the process of finding a suitable fit for your organization can be daunting, so here's a list 7 qualities to look for when hiring your next Marketing Consultant.

1. Accountability Partner - Entrepreneurship can get lonely. A whopping 86.4% of non-employer businesses are sole proprietorships. Hiring a marketing consultant is beneficial because they can serve as an accountability partner, ensuring that projects are completed and goals are reached.

1.  Personalized Coaching Experience - There's no one size fits all solution when it comes to marketing. A good marketing consultant honors each client's unique journey, giving you the opportunity to build on the knowledge and skills you already have.
   
   

1.  Develop a Clear Understanding of How the Internet Works - This allows you to stop throwing spaghetti at the wall hoping something sticks! Furthermore, a marketing consultant can help you to gain a clear understanding of how the internet works and how it can be leveraged to your advantage.
    

1. Gain a New member of your professional network - Having a marketing consultant who is knowledgeable and experienced in their field can give you peace of mind when it comes to applying strategies with proven results!

2. Uncover Your Blind Spots - It sounds obvious, but you can’t fix what you can’t see. You likely don’t realize what's holding you back. A marketing consultant can help you identify those problem areas that are unknown to you.

1.  Clarity - Many of us are dealing with "information overload" which means you’ve heard so many ideas, that you don't know where to start or what to choose. Marketing consultants help businesses evaluate their current situation and set clear plans of action.

1.  Flexible Scheduling - Since everyone is not full-time self-employed most Marketing agencies offer evening and weekend hours for clients to work around their work schedule. In addition, you can work remotely as marketing sessions are conducted through phone or video conference. 

In conclusion, small business owners can find the support and guidance they need in working with marketing consultants. These professionals can offer a fresh perspective on your brand and customer’s experience that may have been overlooked. Compact Digital Marketing has experts who are sensitive to your unique business needs. We want to teach you how the internet works, as well as provide you with key insights into current trends and technologies for business grow! Contact us today.

Social Media consultant

7 Reasons to Hire A Marketing Consultant for a Small Business

By: Kayla McDonald 

Hiring a marketing consultant is a good choice whether your organization needs support with social media, website design, or advertising. To help companies in creating a solid foundation for business growth,  Marketing professionals combine their business skills, such as strategic thinking and problem-solving, with technical expertise. They can help you develop a marketing strategy to reach ideal customers.

What Is a Marketing Consultant?

Depending on their skill set (such as Event marketing or Web design) and industry  (such as consumer products or B2B services)  a marketing consultant may concentrate on a specific niche. Regardless of their area of expertise, these experts should be able to improve your marketing efforts! However the process of finding a suitable fit for your organization can be daunting, so here's a list 7 qualities to look for when hiring your next Marketing Consultant.

1. Accountability Partner - Entrepreneurship can get lonely. A whopping 86.4% of non-employer businesses are sole proprietorships. Hiring a marketing consultant is beneficial because they can serve as an accountability partner, ensuring that projects are completed and goals are reached.

1.  Personalized Coaching Experience - There's no one size fits all solution when it comes to marketing. A good marketing consultant honors each client's unique journey, giving you the opportunity to build on the knowledge and skills you already have.
   
   

1.  Develop a Clear Understanding of How the Internet Works - This allows you to stop throwing spaghetti at the wall hoping something sticks! Furthermore, a marketing consultant can help you to gain a clear understanding of how the internet works and how it can be leveraged to your advantage.
    

1. Gain a New member of your professional network - Having a marketing consultant who is knowledgeable and experienced in their field can give you peace of mind when it comes to applying strategies with proven results!

2. Uncover Your Blind Spots - It sounds obvious, but you can’t fix what you can’t see. You likely don’t realize what's holding you back. A marketing consultant can help you identify those problem areas that are unknown to you.

1.  Clarity - Many of us are dealing with "information overload" which means you’ve heard so many ideas, that you don't know where to start or what to choose. Marketing consultants help businesses evaluate their current situation and set clear plans of action.

1.  Flexible Scheduling - Since everyone is not full-time self-employed most Marketing agencies offer evening and weekend hours for clients to work around their work schedule. In addition, you can work remotely as marketing sessions are conducted through phone or video conference. 

In conclusion, small business owners can find the support and guidance they need in working with marketing consultants. These professionals can offer a fresh perspective on your brand and customer’s experience that may have been overlooked. Compact Digital Marketing has experts who are sensitive to your unique business needs. We want to teach you how the internet works, as well as provide you with key insights into current trends and technologies for business grow! Contact us today.

Social Media consultant

4 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Buying Domain Names

So you're ready to build a website, one of the very first steps is purchasing a domain.  However there's a lot of options on the market to choose from. Nowadays you can Buy Domain names from a variety of website providers, domain registrars and web hosting companies. While either service will get the job done…many people overpay or leave their personal information vulnerable to scammers. That's why we created a list of 4 common mistakes to avoid when purchasing domain names.

1.  Buying everything from a website builder  - This is like "putting all your eggs in one basket." Although getting a FREE domain from the same company you’re building a website is convenient… it may cost more in the long run. Website builder softwares typically allow customers to get started at no cost, however upgrades are required for special features like custom domain names which range from $10-$50mo! 

1. Not checking Renewal price - While promotional offers can be attractive please read the fine print! Some domain registrars & website providers offer a FREE domain for the 1st year then charge you twice the price for renewing. Take a moment to compare rates and buy domains that renew at fair prices.

1. Choosing monthly subscriptions - Website providers are known to offer monthly subscriptions as a payment option. The downside of using this method is the possibility of missed payments. If you forget to pay their monthly fee or become unable to make payments, website providers can disable your account and unpublish your website. We recommend registering domain names on a yearly basis.

1. Purchasing Domains without privacy - Not understanding privacy protections (WHOIS guard) could result in having your personal contact details on display and potentially paying extra to hide it!  The good news is that most website builder software include ‘Free domain privacy’ which means your personal details will be protected in the WHOIS directory. This will also prevent SPAM with a private email address for domain inquiries. So make sure your domain purchase includes privacy. 

In conclusion, whether you’re building a sales page, blog or website you’ll need a domain name. Ultimately, the goal in building a website is to have more control over your online reputation. That’s why we recommend buying a custom domain name. If your not familiar with those terms, checkout our past blog post explaining “custom domains” in more detail. Moving forward, hopefully this blog post cleared up any confusion and helped you choose the the best option when buying a domain!

What A "Domain Name" Means For Your Business

By: Kayla McDonald

 At first glance, many houses may look identical on the same street. Someone new to that neighborhood  probably would mistake one home from the next. Similarly it's just as easy for business owners to confuse the meaning of a domain and website - however they are quite different. While both are equally important in building your online reputation, knowing what a “domain name” is can go a long way in controlling your web presence  - especially if you want to sell things on the website!  A domain name and website have a close relationship because they work together to display information on the internet. Here's what you need to know...

A domain name (web address) is the combination of letters, numbers or symbols that you type into an address bar to view a website. Once you press enter or select the domain, the website appears. This is what people usually see after the page loads. For instance, think of a domain name like your home address and the website as the physical building. An address is how someone finds your home, but the style, size and layout of your home might vary from other houses nearby. The domain tells online shoppers where to find your information on the web!

• Are people searching for your idea, product or service online?

• Have you developed a website?

• Do you own a domain name?

Consumers are searching the internet to make buying decisions — from what to eat for dinner to which school is best for their kids. If you operate a business, you need a domain name and website.

Nowadays there are free and paid ways to build websites. Regardless of which option you choose, you cannot have a website without a domain name.  I recommend buying a custom domain name to establish your brand, protect your intellectual property and make a name for yourself on the web. So don’t delay, I’ve partnered with one of the world’s largest web hosting companies to help you find or manage domain names for your website! * Schedule  A Discovery Call to Get Started!

computer literacy

What A "Domain Name" Means For Your Business

By: Kayla McDonald

 At first glance, many houses may look identical on the same street. Someone new to that neighborhood  probably would mistake one home from the next. Similarly it's just as easy for business owners to confuse the meaning of a domain and website - however they are quite different. While both are equally important in building your online reputation, knowing what a “domain name” is can go a long way in controlling your web presence  - especially if you want to sell things on the website!  A domain name and website have a close relationship because they work together to display information on the internet. Here's what you need to know...

A domain name (web address) is the combination of letters, numbers or symbols that you type into an address bar to view a website. Once you press enter or select the domain, the website appears. This is what people usually see after the page loads. For instance, think of a domain name like your home address and the website as the physical building. An address is how someone finds your home, but the style, size and layout of your home might vary from other houses nearby. The domain tells online shoppers where to find your information on the web!

• Are people searching for your idea, product or service online?

• Have you developed a website?

• Do you own a domain name?

Consumers are searching the internet to make buying decisions — from what to eat for dinner to which school is best for their kids. If you operate a business, you need a domain name and website.

Nowadays there are free and paid ways to build websites. Regardless of which option you choose, you cannot have a website without a domain name.  I recommend buying a custom domain name to establish your brand, protect your intellectual property and make a name for yourself on the web. So don’t delay, I’ve partnered with one of the world’s largest web hosting companies to help you find or manage domain names for your website! * Schedule  A Discovery Call to Get Started!

computer literacy

8 Ingredients For A Solid Digital Marketing Mix

By: Kayla McDonald

This post was created in an effort to help organizations understand the different areas necessary to run successful internet marketing campaigns. Social media is often the only marketing technique businesses consider to reach clients online. When actually, social media is just one of many ways marketing is done over the internet. 

Effectively spreading your message online involves sharing information, providing value, being responsive and gathering data. Marketing online should be a team effort. Otherwise managing the process alone can cost organizations a lot of time and money. Most businesses in today’s economy, regard time just as valuable as making money! Internet Marketing can be made easier once individuals or departments have strengths identified. After that, team members can optimize time and talent. To learn more about the key areas of Digital Marketing see glossary below.

Key Areas of Digital Marketing

Brand Strategy 

Web Design

Content Marketing

Search Engine Optimization

Social Media Marketing

Online Reputation Management

Web Analytics

Digital Advertising

Checkout the glossary section below to learn more about the terms and how they impact your business.

Glossary: Key Areas of Digital Marketing

• Brand Strategy - developing a long term plan to help a brand reach specific goals. Examples include: Taking steps to  promote the unique personality of an individual, product or service.

•  Web Design - Building websites, apps and mobile programs using a variety of today’s programming languages. Examples include: Html, CSS, Web Hosting services and more.

• Content Marketing - Creating a variety of written or audio/visual media to build brand awareness. Examples include: Blogs, email messages, meme graphics, infographics and videos. 

• Search Engine Optimization (SEO) - Using a variety of techniques to rank at the top of search engine results. Examples include: Related keyword searches, tagging photos, Local Listings, searching for topics in Bing, Google, Yahoo…

• Social Media Marketing - Using social networks to communicate, generate website traffic, improve public brand perception etc. Examples include: Regular posting, monitoring and responding to comments on websites like Facebook.

• Online Reputation Management (ORM) - is attempting to shape the public’s opinion of a business, individual product or service by influencing, monitoring and responding to online information about it. Examples: Online comments, reviews and testimonials from websites like Yelp, Google My Business and Ripoff Report.

• Web Analytics - Using research tools on websites to gather data about online visitors. Examples: Gathering data through websites, the use of cookies or both. 

• Digital Advertising - developing or using paid advertisements to display on the internet. Examples: Paying for visual ads that drive traffic to a website, webpage or application.

  
  

  
  

  Like this article?

  Please share it with your network and tell me which strategy you're currently using? 

support black business

8 Ingredients For A Solid Digital Marketing Mix

By: Kayla McDonald

This post was created in an effort to help organizations understand the different areas necessary to run successful internet marketing campaigns. Social media is often the only marketing technique businesses consider to reach clients online. When actually, social media is just one of many ways marketing is done over the internet. 

Effectively spreading your message online involves sharing information, providing value, being responsive and gathering data. Marketing online should be a team effort. Otherwise managing the process alone can cost organizations a lot of time and money. Most businesses in today’s economy, regard time just as valuable as making money! Internet Marketing can be made easier once individuals or departments have strengths identified. After that, team members can optimize time and talent. To learn more about the key areas of Digital Marketing see glossary below.

Key Areas of Digital Marketing

Brand Strategy 

Web Design

Content Marketing

Search Engine Optimization

Social Media Marketing

Online Reputation Management

Web Analytics

Digital Advertising

Checkout the glossary section below to learn more about the terms and how they impact your business.

Glossary: Key Areas of Digital Marketing

• Brand Strategy - developing a long term plan to help a brand reach specific goals. Examples include: Taking steps to  promote the unique personality of an individual, product or service.

•  Web Design - Building websites, apps and mobile programs using a variety of today’s programming languages. Examples include: Html, CSS, Web Hosting services and more.

• Content Marketing - Creating a variety of written or audio/visual media to build brand awareness. Examples include: Blogs, email messages, meme graphics, infographics and videos. 

• Search Engine Optimization (SEO) - Using a variety of techniques to rank at the top of search engine results. Examples include: Related keyword searches, tagging photos, Local Listings, searching for topics in Bing, Google, Yahoo…

• Social Media Marketing - Using social networks to communicate, generate website traffic, improve public brand perception etc. Examples include: Regular posting, monitoring and responding to comments on websites like Facebook.

• Online Reputation Management (ORM) - is attempting to shape the public’s opinion of a business, individual product or service by influencing, monitoring and responding to online information about it. Examples: Online comments, reviews and testimonials from websites like Yelp, Google My Business and Ripoff Report.

• Web Analytics - Using research tools on websites to gather data about online visitors. Examples: Gathering data through websites, the use of cookies or both. 

• Digital Advertising - developing or using paid advertisements to display on the internet. Examples: Paying for visual ads that drive traffic to a website, webpage or application.

  
  

  
  

  Like this article?

  Please share it with your network and tell me which strategy you're currently using? 

support black business

Danville Va Computer Repair, Cell Phone Repair, Tablet Repair, Gaming Console Repair all in one place Hammer Hill Computers.

Finding the best place to get an electronic device repaired is very important.

Most of us use our devices many times a day. In this modern world our computers are used for work, schooling and recreation. Our cell phones are no more than four feet from most owners day and night. Tablets and I Pads are used by adults and children for checking email, browsing the internet, watching videos, downloading and reading books, building apps and more. Let's not talk about a Game Console, if these are down not only is recreation time hindered but also social interactions with online friends from anywhere in the world.  When these integral pieces of tech are not working we feel a real loss of functionality in our daily lives. 

So getting our computers Laptops or Desktops, Cell Phones, Tablets fixed is really a must. With a cracked or broken screen most devices become a pain to use and can cause eye strain or render the device unusable. Or the unfortunate situation when the touchpad mouse or the touch screen is not working at the worst time that can be so frustrating. Don't even mention when if a virus or malware damages your system and causes data loss or breaches security in a way that compromises the identity of the owner. For a game console the system not turning on can be really frustrating.

Getting them fixed properly is not only a must but getting them back in quick order or unfortunately if they have to be replaced be able to do easily. So any old computer repair store would not do. A certified technical specialist would be able to fix reparable issues in a timely manner to get the tech owner back in the saddle as soon as possible. If the tech is unfortunately not fixable then an authorized reseller would be ideal to help you get a replacement and sometimes at the best deal as well. A special note is that most computer repair stores with authorised reseller relationships sometimes gets deals on tech that the public would never know about.

If you are reading this and located in Danville Virginia Hammer Hill Computers fits this criteria perfectly but with one additional benefit, excellent customer service.

So if you are looking for to get your computer repaired or get a new one, or getting your Tablet, Laptop or Cell Phone Repaired Call Hammer Hill Computers.

Hammer Hill Computers

3633 Franklin Turnpike
Danville, VA 24540
(434) 298-4484

HammerHillComputers com

Danville Va Computer Repair, Cell Phone Repair, Tablet Repair, Gaming Console Repair all in one place Hammer Hill Computers.

Finding the best place to get an electronic device repaired is very important.

Most of us use our devices many times a day. In this modern world our computers are used for work, schooling and recreation. Our cell phones are no more than four feet from most owners day and night. Tablets and I Pads are used by adults and children for checking email, browsing the internet, watching videos, downloading and reading books, building apps and more. Let's not talk about a Game Console, if these are down not only is recreation time hindered but also social interactions with online friends from anywhere in the world.  When these integral pieces of tech are not working we feel a real loss of functionality in our daily lives. 

So getting our computers Laptops or Desktops, Cell Phones, Tablets fixed is really a must. With a cracked or broken screen most devices become a pain to use and can cause eye strain or render the device unusable. Or the unfortunate situation when the touchpad mouse or the touch screen is not working at the worst time that can be so frustrating. Don't even mention when if a virus or malware damages your system and causes data loss or breaches security in a way that compromises the identity of the owner. For a game console the system not turning on can be really frustrating.

Getting them fixed properly is not only a must but getting them back in quick order or unfortunately if they have to be replaced be able to do easily. So any old computer repair store would not do. A certified technical specialist would be able to fix reparable issues in a timely manner to get the tech owner back in the saddle as soon as possible. If the tech is unfortunately not fixable then an authorized reseller would be ideal to help you get a replacement and sometimes at the best deal as well. A special note is that most computer repair stores with authorised reseller relationships sometimes gets deals on tech that the public would never know about.

If you are reading this and located in Danville Virginia Hammer Hill Computers fits this criteria perfectly but with one additional benefit, excellent customer service.

So if you are looking for to get your computer repaired or get a new one, or getting your Tablet, Laptop or Cell Phone Repaired Call Hammer Hill Computers.

Hammer Hill Computers

3633 Franklin Turnpike
Danville, VA 24540
(434) 298-4484

HammerHillComputers com