Comments on: Local Search – The Business Model (Beware: Long Post) http://www.convertoffline.com/local-search-the-business-model-beware-long-post/ SEM Help For Local Service Businesses Sat, 20 Mar 2010 17:06:41 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Fred Waters http://www.convertoffline.com/local-search-the-business-model-beware-long-post/comment-page-1/#comment-1184 Fred Waters Sun, 03 Feb 2008 14:24:38 +0000 http://www.convertoffline.com/local-search-the-business-model-beware-long-post/#comment-1184 One of the biggest obstacles to local online marketing, are local businesses and their understanding of the media. You'll find few have even a basic understanding on how to reach local customers on the net. Unfortunately, the only people who read the kinds of excellent articles as the one above are fellow Internet marketers. However, once we can educate local businesses on the advantages of marketing online, then the market will take off. One of the biggest obstacles to local online marketing, are local businesses and their understanding of the media. You’ll find few have even a basic understanding on how to reach local customers on the net.

Unfortunately, the only people who read the kinds of excellent articles as the one above are fellow Internet marketers.

However, once we can educate local businesses on the advantages of marketing online, then the market will take off.

]]> By: Local Search Hound http://www.convertoffline.com/local-search-the-business-model-beware-long-post/comment-page-1/#comment-1113 Local Search Hound Tue, 29 Jan 2008 22:25:35 +0000 http://www.convertoffline.com/local-search-the-business-model-beware-long-post/#comment-1113 Thanks David... Great advice. I feel like I knew it someway but just had to hear it from professionals like you and Miriam. Thank you both for taking the time to comment. Thanks David… Great advice. I feel like I knew it someway but just had to hear it from professionals like you and Miriam.
Thank you both for taking the time to comment.

]]> By: David Mihm http://www.convertoffline.com/local-search-the-business-model-beware-long-post/comment-page-1/#comment-1109 David Mihm Tue, 29 Jan 2008 18:17:06 +0000 http://www.convertoffline.com/local-search-the-business-model-beware-long-post/#comment-1109 Tim, what a great read. (and thanks for the link!) I agree wholeheartedly that the local / SMB market for online marketing services is still hugely untapped. I am shocked by the number of inquiries I receive on a weekly, and sometimes daily, basis, and there is simply a shortage of people who provide quality services at affordable prices. The impending foray by NetSol and Intuit/Homestead is only going to increase our value as people become disenchanted with their templated websites and horrendous customer service. My .02 would be to at least try things on your own for awhile. As Miriam said, there are plenty of people you can partner with for things that you are not necessarily an expert in. I am starting to do that with link building & social media for my clients. You've got a great voice & brand going with your blog, and if it hasn't happened already, I would expect that your own network will start to grow. It only takes one or two clients to start seeding your client list to the point where it grows organically. Stay broad with respect to the topics in the industry that you follow, but figure out what you enjoy doing the most & really develop your expertise in that. Tim, what a great read. (and thanks for the link!)

I agree wholeheartedly that the local / SMB market for online marketing services is still hugely untapped. I am shocked by the number of inquiries I receive on a weekly, and sometimes daily, basis, and there is simply a shortage of people who provide quality services at affordable prices. The impending foray by NetSol and Intuit/Homestead is only going to increase our value as people become disenchanted with their templated websites and horrendous customer service.

My .02 would be to at least try things on your own for awhile. As Miriam said, there are plenty of people you can partner with for things that you are not necessarily an expert in. I am starting to do that with link building & social media for my clients.

You’ve got a great voice & brand going with your blog, and if it hasn’t happened already, I would expect that your own network will start to grow. It only takes one or two clients to start seeding your client list to the point where it grows organically. Stay broad with respect to the topics in the industry that you follow, but figure out what you enjoy doing the most & really develop your expertise in that.

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