Submit your blog into blog directories
It is a great way to get one-way links to your blog and to your site.

• http://www.blogcatalog.com/
• http://www.blogarama.com/
• http://www.bloggapedia.com/
• http://www.masternewmedia.org/rss/top55/

How to use keywords
One of the biggest mistakes is using high traffic keywords. High traffic keywords do not rank well and, in return, receive little traffic. There is no direct correlation between high traffic and high sales.

Instead, use keywords that receive a moderate level of traffic. Many of the most lucrative sites only have a moderate level of traffic because their profitable keywords. This results in more subscribers and more profit.

Know where to place your keywords:

• Use your primary key phrase in the title of your blog or blogposts.
• Use secondary keywords throughout the body of your post. Be careful not to use these too frequently to avoid sound unnatural.
• Use your primary keyword in your blog domain.
• Use your primary keywords in the anchor text of links.

Search Query
The length of your search query is extremely important. Four word queries form the highest conversion rates from search engine traffic. Because blogs are so well indexed, it has the potential to appear in any number of four word phrases relevant to your industry.

Also use two and three word phrases that target your industry. Try to use a phrase that will attract high traffic, yet with little competition. With constant new trends, developments, products and services, this should not be difficult to do.

Update Frequently
The more frequently content is updated, the more your site will be spidered. After consistent and habitual updating, the spider will eventually add you to a frequent schedule of returns. Your new pages will then show up faster in searches. This will be extremely advantageous to your new product or service.

Posting
You do not have to worry all day everyday about updating your blog. The best way to frequent new content is to write a number of blogs in advance and set up your blog software to post one each day. This will give your site new information each day, and you only set aside one day for blogging.

In addition to this brand dis-trust, companies no longer own their brands, consumers do.  Consumers control the success of large brands and their future.  Today’s social media movement is stealing corporate control over mainstream media and giving more control to word-of-mouth advertising on a large scale.

When it comes to advertising, more and more Americans are becoming smarter and are aware of certain strategies such as product placement.  In order to preserve marketing success, large corporations have de-branded their products during product placement, also known as “product displacement.”  These companies place their product in movies, TV shows, etc., and intentionally change their product’s name on the actual picture.  For example, VitaminWater has changed the bottle’s text to “MeatWater”, Jack Daniels has changed the bottle’s text to “Jake Danzels”, and Pepsi has changed the bottle’s text to “Pecsi” in certain campaigns.

This confusing product displacement works like this:  the audience sees the product with a change or typo in the brand and notices something is different.  They think about the products real name and associate this “different” brand with the “real” brand.  The audience has then spent more time thinking about the product than they would if the product was placed with its original name or logo.

Starbucks is taking this de-branding marketing strategy to a whole new level.  As a coffee shop, large portions of Starbucks’ target audience are fed up with corporate control over the chain and, in return, prefer local coffee shops.  First, many typical “coffee shop regulars” think small, simple and unique—none of which describe the fast-food-chain-headed Starbucks.  Many coffee shop regulars think “different is cool” and might even be part of the de-brand campaign.  Second, those who go to coffee shops to do work are immediately turned away by Starbucks while it offers expensive internet, excessive noise, corporate approved music, over-lighting and fresh-out-of-the-package food.  Starbucks has become a grab-and-go chain leaving customers feelings less and less welcome to stick around.

To solve their problem, Starbucks turned to de-branding as a marketing strategy to go back to their small coffee shop roots and “faking” being “local”.  After all, the only thing trendier than Starbucks is a coffee shop far from Starbucks.  The first try at this simplification was in Seattle (where it all started), with the transformation of a corner Starbucks into the secretly corporate owned 15th Avenue Coffee and Tea.  Other than its previous décor, this “local” coffee shop shows no sign of being affiliated with Starbucks.  The shop also serves beer and wine, the baristas pour everything by hand (rather than a button) and local events, such as open-mike night, fill the shop’s evenings.

Consumer trends are constantly changing, which means products and the marketing of products must change as well.  It is important for companies to think outside the box and try the unthinkable in order to gain or retain the success of a product.

Lets look at some examples of changing design.

In the 1970′s there was a lot of design being done with flowers and Earth Tones.  This was due to the state of our society being in the “Hippy” era.  Designs were Psychedelic and crazy with floral patterns and fun shapes.

In the 1980′s we found the masses being attracted to bright neon colors and a sort of robotic feel.  This was most likely due to the advent of computers and the emergence of technology.

The 1990′s brought us a sort of transition phase to where we are now.  I personally cannot think of any defined style or relevance of the 1990′s but it was probably in anticipation of the new millennium.

In this dawn of the new century we have a new style that is prevalent all around us.  This is sort of a minimalistic, yet bold approach to design.  Quite a few ads and designs are not much more than well placed images with a couple splashes of text and a logo.  This style has been driving Websites, print ad campaigns and outdoor media for quite a few years now.

No matter what style of design an individual likes, if they are a designer, they still have to follow some basic elements of the trends around them.  Adopting parts of various styles will make a design unique, but making sure it appeals to the masses is what will make the design successful.

Pier Marketing is a marketing firm that has worked closely with various companies to develop graphics for everything from Advertisements and Point of Sale Materials to Trade Show Booths and Websites. To learn more Pier Marketing’s Graphic Design and Advertising services, Please contact us today for a no obligation consultation.

1. Present yourself as your business
   When scouting out new clients you should make them believe that you and your business are one-in-the-same.  People work with people, not with companies.
2. Have a clear image
   Make sure that your product or service is to the point and people can understand what you are promoting.
3. Cut the BS!
   Do not hide fees or try to sell someone on something and then have restrictions.  Be upfront with people and let everyone be on the same page.  It will do wonders for your word-of-mouth referrals.
4. Communicate
   Make sure to constantly be in touch with colleagues and associates.  By keeping the lines of communication open, people will think of you as the “Go-To Person”.
5. Offer Advice
   Be insightful to your peers.  By offering advice and knowledge to those around, you will let them know that you can be a valuable resource and could lead to future business.
6. Collaborate
   Get with other people in your industry or outside of your industry.  By talking to those around you, you may end up with ideas of your own that you didn’t realize.
7. Stay Organized
   Keeping yourself on top of things and being organized will keep your brain on track.  Make lists, write things down and focus to achieve your goals.
8. Don’t Be Shy
   In order to attract customers you need to be willing to get out there and show yourself off.  By having an outgoing attitude, you will be contagious to others.
9. Keep Deadlines
   Make sure that your projects and services are delivered on time.  Clients love the fact that deadlines are met.  Even if changes end up needing to be made once the deadline is met, clients will know that you are committed to getting projects done or delivered when promised.
10. Don’t Waste Time
    Time is so important that you want to make good use of all of it.  By maximizing your time you will get more accomplished and feel better about yourself for being productive.

These are just some of the things I can think of off the top of my head to offer advice.