With Jonathan Christian

What? Google Maps is now known as Google Places. Big deal? Well, it is for those who have discovered a powerful listing tool that can get you on that all-important Page 1 of Google (and get you there FREE of charge!)  Ever Googled a business to find them appear at the top of Page1 on a local map? They’re using Google Places. Question: When someone Googles ‘your’ business, will it appear on a Google map at the top of the first page? If not, it’s time to make that happen – so those all-important customers will see your listing, along with a pushpin icon, right there on ‘your’ Google map.

Why? In today’s “everything happens on my screen” world, when was the last time you picked up a large yellow book to find a local restaurant or business service? Probably not recently. And it’s the same with your customers. So it’s time to make sure they can find you when they do a Google search. If you haven’t yet mastered Google mapping, here are the details.

How? First (as always) log into your Google account; then click ‘maps’ on the menu bar.

• On the right hand side bar click on Put your business on Google Maps
• Click on the ‘add new business’ box
• Complete the details you want your customers to read – you know all the good stuff like how to contact you, your office hours, a brief description of your services – and then you can add up to five categories your business fits into – such as Marketing Consultant, Business Consultant, Business Coach, Turnaround Specialist – you get the idea.
• Add your logo (keep your branding consistent)
• Add an offer – e.g. first 30 minute consult free with this Google Maps exclusive coupon

Tipzntrix: Got the idea? Simple huh? Another great feature is that your customers can post a review about your services — and we know how much Google loves great reviews. Why not ask a few customers to go online – as soon as your map is up – and post a review. Go on – I dare you! (Want to see a great way of using these maps? Google ‘Mama’s Mexican Kitchen’ (in Seattle) and click on ‘reviews’ (instead of clicking on the name of the restaurant). See how they display photos of the restaurant, as well as reviews by customers? Now ‘this’ is how to use a Google map!)

Want to learn more? Come join us at our next Meetup and hear Internet Marketing Guru David Neale share how he keeps his clients on the first page at all times! For those of our readers outside of the Metro Vancouver area we’ll post a review straight after the event.

jc
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Don’t miss our next Social Media Challenge Meetup – Saturday, July 3 – in Langley, BC

Featuring: Canadian Internet business pioneer, David Neale
Topic: How to use Google Business Maps (a free service now called ‘Google Places’) – and other Google Services – to ramp up ‘your’ business – now!

David Neale registered his first internet domain name, ‘www. pricehunter.com,’ in 1995 – when domain names were still free of charge. His first online company, ‘Webscape Internet,’ opened in 1996 and was the largest reseller for yellowpages.ca online directory advertising in the Lower Mainland. In 1998 he launched one of Canada’s first social media sites, called ‘RendezView’ – just in time for the Dot.com bust that followed the Dot.com boom.

Today, David works with business owners to help them fully utilize the Internet  to grow their sales, improve relationships with customers, and reduce marketing costs (especially print Yellow Page costs).  He is a genuine internet marketing guru – and you do not want to miss his presentation.

The details:

Date: Saturday, July 3
Where: Hampton Inn, Langley, Langley (Metro Vancouver) Canada (On the Langley ByPass east of 200 street)
Time: Time: 3:30 to 5:00
Request: Please RSVP– and – would you please alert your business friends?
Admission: Free of charge.
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Special Offer:

‘Three Ways to Drum up Business in a Down Economy’

An action packed TeleCoach Audio Seminar with Neil Godin and Shane Morgan Learn how to take action — each and every day — to grow your sales, improve your service, and promote your business. This simple, three way approach to building business will ensure your success — no matter what the state of the economy. By booking time for sales networking; business promotion, and service improvement – every single day – you will take market share from those who are ‘giving it away’ by waiting for the phone to ring! This TeleCoach audio seminar gives you the hard-hitting how-to’s.

Audio Download Regular Price: $29 USD
Special Discount Price: $18 USD
Note: This offer ends on Monday, July 5, 2010.

To order please Click here to link to our store:
Then copy and paste this Coupon Code: ChallengeWeek4
And click on the word ‘Apply.’

Thank you.
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We need your story.

If you use social media in any way to build your business, send an email to ndgodin@shaw.ca, or jonathan@neilgodin.com with the details – or provide your telephone number, and we will call you for details.

A special thank you: We will say ‘thank you’ with a copy of Neil’s ebook, ‘How to Start Your Economic Recovery – Right Now!’ for every idea submitted – whether we publish the idea or not. If you already have a copy of this ebook, let us know and we will send you a valuable alternate product.

Thanks very much!

Neil Godin and Jonathan Christian.