Latest Articles

vertical horizontal
  • Politics Is Like Hiring A Hitman
    by Scott Woods inPolitical on2020-08-13

    For me, politics is like hiring a hitman. I have values and things I care about. I care enough about them to at least bother voting for 5 minutes every year for one issue or another. And because I care at least that much, I vote for people who align with the ability to realize the things I care about.

    Read More ...

  • Punching Above Our Weight
    by Roger Madison Jr. inPolitical on2020-07-24

    I believe our vote is the punctuation of our voice. Without that resounding exclamation mark, I believe our voices are just incoherent noise.

    Read More ...

  • BLACK PROGRESS AMIDST SOCIAL CHAOS
    by Roger Madison Jr. inPolitical on2020-06-16

    Recent events have raised the profile of historical injustice and inequities here in the USA. The entire world has taken note of the fact that BLACK LIVES MATTER.   We invite all of our friends to engage in actions that result in the greatest movement for change in our history. It is imperative that we take advantage of this opportunity to affect a positive change by ACTING IN OUR SELF-INTERESTS.

    Read More ...

  • Living in a Black No-Man's Land
    by Roger Madison Jr. inOur Community on2019-10-28

    There are many narratives that define the Black experience in America in this 2nd decade of the 21st century. Our striving over the centuries of our sojourn in this nation is a tapestry of every human experience -- oppression, enslavement, forced assimilation, dehumanization, exclusion, segregation, isolation, struggle, perseverance, achievement, excellence, celebration, mourning, despair, progress, setbacks, lynching, assassination, genocide, terror, self-hatred, low esteem, pride,...

    Read More ...

  • Fighting Racism
    by Scott Woods inOur Community on2018-10-25

    I had a boss who was racist. Not an outright bigot, of course; her toolbox was more subtle than most. We bumped heads a lot over inconsequential things. She frequently couldn’t keep my name out her mouth. Lot of gaslighting. You know…2018 style. I tried a lot of ways to combat or navigate her issues. None of them worked, and that’s saying a lot because I’m really good at fighting racism. But at the end of the day – every day – she was my boss, I had to deal with her, and that was that. Finally I...

    Read More ...

Top 10 Ways to Promote Your Website

How do I get more people to visit my website?  That is the number one question I get from my clients. So, I decided to put together a top 10 list that will work for both businesses and non-profit organizations.

  1. Make sure your website has your keywords in the META TAGS.  This is probably the most important strategy to increase traffic to your site.  Search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo use "spiders" to crawl your website looking for clues as to what your site is all about.  These meta tags make their search easier.  In return, they give your website a higher ranking.  Here is a suggested list of  "Tag Locations"  you should consider:
    • Add your keyword or phrase in your web title
    • Add your keywords in the first paragraph of your body text.
    • Add your keywords in the ALT attribute of image tags.
    • Make your website search engine friendly.
    • Use your keywords in hyperlinks
  2. Add your listing on the internet.   There are free listings for you to add your business information to such as Google Places for BusinessYahoo! Local, and Bing Local Listing Center.  Make sure they can find you.
  3. Submit your site to Free Directories.  There are business and non-profit directories on the internet that are focused on particular industries such as fashion or education.  Even if you have to pay a small fee to be a part of these directories, it will give you and your business more exposure.
  4. Write Articles About Your Business.  You can increase your traffic to your website when you write articles in your area of expertise and submit them to editors as free content for their websites.  This is an effective “viral” approach that can lead hundreds of potential customers to your site over time.
  5. Create a Blog.  If you have excellent content, people will more than likely link to it, increasing your site's search page ranking. Consistency and quality of the content are key.
  6. Join a Social Media Community. Some of the best online social media sites for businesses include FacebookLinkedIn, and Twitter.  Also, search for social networking communities that your market is concentrated in.  For example, my major client base is African-American businesses.  I joined Black Business Women OnlineBlacks Network, and iZania.
  7. Join Online Forums and Groups.  The Internet offers thousands of discussion lists, online forums, and groups consisting of people with specialized interests.  You can join these sites and promote your business through interaction.  Just search on Google, Bing, or Yahoo to find appropriate groups, blogs or other forums.
  8. Include Your Website's Address on Stationery, Cards, and Literature.  Make sure that all business cards, stationery, brochures, and literature contain your company’s website.   To go even a step further,  place your business name and website on a t-shirt and wear it while you are out running errands.
  9. Use the “Signature” function in your Email Program.  Most email programs allow you to create a “signature” at the bottom of your composed email.  This signature should consist of: Company name, address, phone number, website, email address, and a one-phrase description of your unique business offering. Look for examples on email messages sent to you.
  10. Email A Monthly Newsletter. While it requires a commitment of creativity and time, creating a monthly email publication is one of the most important promotion techniques. It could be a newsletter, list of tips, industry updates, or new product information — whatever you believe your customers will appreciate. This is a great way to keep in touch with your current clients and prospects.  I am starting my monthly newsletter (Small Business & Online Marketing Tips) this May!  If you are interested in receiving a copy, you can sign-up at my website at www.gostudiogreen.com.

These are certainly not all of the ways to promote your site, but these tips will get you started. To effectively market your site, you need to spend time adapting these strategies to your own market and capacity. Right now, why not take the time to go over this checklist with someone who shares your business interest?  Use this checklist to take your business or organization to the next level!