Internet Marketing Cycle of Communication

I've spent a lot of time talking with small business owners about the importance of setting up a blog, using social media, and sending newsletters to their mailing list. The most common response is a physical response - the shoulders droop, a sigh escapes from their lips, their eyes close in exhaustion. I can see immediately that the mere thought of trying to add those elements to their routine is simply overwhelming.

So I immediately launch into my "mothering" mode, comforting them and telling them it's all right, we all feel that way - but YOU CAN DO IT! Then once I have their spirits lifted and their attention... I give them a rundown on my Online Communication Cycle Strategy. And once they understand that - hey, this can be automated - they are on board with the idea of creating an online communication strategy for their business.

By Melissa Shea

So what is my Online Communication Cycle Strategy?

Basically it all starts with a single blog entry. So what can you do with a SINGLE blog entry?

1. A blog entry can automatically feed your Facebook Fan Page status which feeds your Twitter status.
2. A blog entry can be used for a newsletter article.
3. A blog entry creates content for search engines to index and bring traffic.
4. A blog entry can be submitted to Article Directories.

Ok - that makes sense, but how do I make time for a blog entry?

1. Set a plan to write one blog entry a week. It's OK to start small - you just need to start!
2. All week, keep your eyes open for content that is coming to you - industry newsletters, news reports related to your industry, customer problems you've solved, new products, company achievements.
3. Once a week, pick one of these items and just write about it. It doesn't have to be long, just tell your audience what you tell your clients. I bet you're sharing this information all week long! Just write it down!

Of course, now you have to actually promote what you've written. This may seem a little time-consuming at first, but that's because it's new to you. Once you make this a part of your weekly routine (or better yet, delegate it), it will be easy and you'll start seeing results!

To get your Online Communication Cycle Strategy up and running you'll need to put the following in place:

1. Set up a blog (of course). Use WordPress.org code to implement a blog on your current web site - do not use a the free version because it does not bring you search engine rankings for your web site.
2. Setup a Facebook Fan Page (for business) and a Twitter account.
3. Use the Facebook Notes feature to Import a Blog to pull in your blog article and post it to your status.
4. Link your Facebook account to your Twitter account so that when your blog article posts to your Facebook status, it will also post to Twitter!
5. If you're article is well-written and contains useful content, submit it to article directories. Other's will pick the article up, put it on their web site and bring you incoming links and traffic. The better the article and more timely the information, the more it will get shared.
6. Use the article as the content for your next newsletter to your mailing list. Add info about upcoming specials, coupons, resource links, etc, and ta da! You have a newsletter!

Obviously you'll need to feel comfortable with your technical skills to set all this up yourself. If that is beyond your comfort zone - not to worry - sites such as Coffeeshopreneur.com can help for very affordable prices. The important thing is that you get this setup so you can get started promoting your wonderful services and establishing yourself as an expert in your field. It's critical. There really isn't a choice in this new world we live in. The longer you wait, the further behind your business will be from your competitors.  

Web and marketing strategist Melissa Shea is co-founder of Coffeeshopreneur (http://www.coffeeshopreneur.com), a site devoted entirely to helping internet entrepreneurs find the resources they need to build their online business and live the internet entrepreneur lifestyle that brings freedom, fun, wealth and contribution! Coffeeshopreneur.com provides a community where members can learn, share, and connect with like-minded entrepreneurs.

Over the years, Melissa built a reputation as a unique professional who could not only design a web site, but could use marketing strategy to develop it into a money-making tool for her clients. Representing clients in hundreds of different industries, Melissa developed a wealth of business experience and honed her instincts for marketing a message that sells.

In recent years Melissa has embraced the gigantic leaps of opportunity for business owners to cleverly and easily use internet and social networking technology to start and build their business. She relishes her ability to democratize the business world for small start-ups and help them compete with "the big boys" using clever, inexpensive techniques.