From Blog to Bank: How to Utilize Your Blogging Platform to Boost Your Online Presence

You might be wondering, how can this “blast from the past” marketing tool still make some noise in the world of social media posts and decreased attention spans? Well, it turns out, blogging may be just the tool you need to see your business gain more online foot traffic, resulting in more money in your bank! Blogs are like a secret superpower that you can utilize on your website, giving you the ability to have a wider reach on the internet. If you’re still confused about how this works or how you can use it for your business, I’m going to break it down for you below!

SEO = Your Blog’s Secret Superpower

Search engine optimization, known as “SEO” for short, improves your website’s visibility in search engine results pages, like Google, Yahoo, and Bing. This process optimizes your online presence by making sure your website has keywords in it that are easily searchable and findable by online users. One of the ways you can increase your SEO online is through blogging; by researching the most popular topics in your niche and writing a blog focused on that topic, your website now contains keywords that are currently going viral on the internet, driving more traffic to your platform. Even if many people don’t read your blogs, your keywords (and thus your website) are still popping up on search engine results, giving you a chance to reach a larger audience than before!

Content Repurposing

If you’re ever experiencing “content-block” (aka, the “writer’s block” of social media), then you know how difficult it can be to come up with ideas for content on your social media pages. Well, have no fear! The content that’s in your blogs can be repurposed for your social media pages; as I like to say, you don’t need to create more content, you just need to create smarter! One blog’s content can turn into several social media posts, short-form videos, and a newsletter. Blogs are like the recycling station of social media; you can keep repurposing your content in several different types of media, which gives you the ability to link between your different social media pages, and ultimately drives more traffic to your business.

Building Personality

If you’re new to social media marketing, it can feel impossible to build a personable and competitive social media page that shines through all the noise, trends, and perfectly curated feeds, especially when you're still figuring out what your brand voice even sounds like. You might be second-guessing every post, trying to determine which color palette and caption connect to your audience. But the truth is, your blog can fill this role by providing you a personal and trustworthy voice that gives you the space to connect on a deeper level. Let’s be honest, how many of us actually read social media captions longer than two sentences? We usually don’t, meaning valuable information in your captions is just being skimmed over. Audience members who want to connect with your brand or find out more information about your business will seek out your blog to learn more about you as a person and your business as a whole.

Concluding Thoughts

At first glance, blogging might feel a little outdated, like something from the early 2000s internet era. But the truth is, it’s one of the most underrated tools you can use to grow your online presence today. And no, you don’t have to be a professional writer or marketing expert to make it work for you! Think of your blog as your space to be real, to be relatable, and to show the world the “heart” of your business. Whether you’re trying to get more clicks on Google, struggling with what content to post next on social media, or just looking for a way to connect with more of your audience, your blog can do this for you.

At Newton Peach Marketing, we specialize in optimizing your online presence through many different tools, including blogs. If you’re ready to take the leap and start your blog, contact us today!

St. Patrick's Day: The Backstory

St. Patrick's Day, or The Feast of St. Patrick, is a well-known holiday, known for fun (and sometimes crazy) parties all over the United States. Shamrocks are abundant and you'll be seeing in the color green just about everywhere you go on March 17th. However, many people celebrate the holiday without ever knowing WHY they are celebrating or WHAT the traditions mean. We're here to put those questions to rest.

What is St. Patrick's Day, Besides a Party?

St. Patricks' Day is when people, specifically those of Irish descent, recognize and remember St. Patrick, a historical figure of religious significance in Ireland. The day was traditionally celebrated as a feast day by those of the Catholic, Anglican, Orthodox and Lutheran churches.

Who Was Saint Patrick?

It is thought that St. Patrick was born a Roman Britain to a wealthy family in the fourth century. He was kidnapped by Irish raiders at age 16 and sold as a slave. He served as a shepherd in Gaelic Ireland for 6 years, and during that time, it is historically said that he "found God". According to the story, God told him to flee to the coast where a ship would be waiting to take him home. Once he made his way home, Patrick became a priest, and later returned to Ireland to convert the pagan society to Christianity. During his ministry, he converted thousands, and tradition holds that he passed away on March 17th.

Why All the Shamrocks?

According to the historical tales, St. Patrick used clover, a three-leaf plant, to explain the concept of the Holy Trinity to the pagan Irish.

Saints and Parties?

Traditionally, the Feast of St. Patrick was the one day that the restrictions of Lent were lifted, and people could indulge in the things they had given up, including alcoholic beverages. It was a time to honor and celebrate the patron saint Patrick and remember what he did for the Irish people. Today, St. Patricks Day is used as a huge marketing holiday for many food and beverage (specifically beer) companies since the day is celebrated with large parties  around the world. They take advantage of the concept of "abundance" and extravagance that has come to be associated with St. Patricks' day.

So, this St. Patrick's Day, go green on March 17th knowing exactly why you're wearing those sparkly shamrock glasses and enjoying a fun party with your friends. Are you feeling like you’re out of luck when it comes to advertising your business or building your brand online? It’s time to call Newton Peach Marketing! We are Polk County’s top choice for online and small business marketing. We personalize the process of building your brand, and tailor a plan to you, your budget, and your business. Call us!

Happy St. Patty's Day!

Green and Growing: What Newton Peach Marketing Does for Winter Haven Businesses

Spring is here, and many of us are thinking of things green and growing. However, while you are picturing flowering plants and colorful blooms in pots or as part of beautiful landscapes, we are picturing businesses, and the clients we represent. For Newton Peach, green and growing is what we set up as a primary goal for each customer that comes to us requesting assistance with a website, creative solutions for their social media accounts, or even an eye catching piece of print in the form of business cards or flyers for local events. How though, do the words "green" and "growing" tie in to these things?

Well, "green" refers to what we want to see in YOUR hands in the form of increased profits for your business. We aim to bring in more customers for you by targeting your audience in direct ways, and getting your name in front of the very people that need your product or service. We build your online "presence" and brand and over time, this gives people a sense of knowing you and feeling confident in choosing you for their needs. So, while green plants and blossoming flowers are beautiful, the green we want will show up in your wallet.

"Growing" is our main task when it comes to your business. Growing in size, growing in influence, and growing in efficiency and profits (as mentioned above) are just a few of the things we strive to help you do, and by utilizing the techniques mentioned above, and many more, we have seen this happen for businesses throughout the greater Winter Haven area. Clients all over Polk County have let us step in and walk alongside them as they make their mark in our area, and with each one, we are reminded of how much we love cultivating growth, much like gardeners and farmers enjoy the dirt on their hands and the joy that comes with harvesting fresh fruit, vegetables, and flowers throughout the year.

Do you feel like your business is thriving? If not, it might be time for some fresh perspective! Newton Peach Marketing is ready and waiting to help you grow this year. Take that step forward and give us a call!

Show Your Favorite Businesses Just How Much You LOVE Them This Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is all about showing those around you how much you care. Giving gifts, acts of service, or a simple "I love you" to remind someone that they are important to you are all ways we share the love around this holiday. Have you thought about showing your favorite local businesses just how much you appreciate them, and care about their success in the community though? They might not be your first thought when Valentine's Day rolls around, but there are many ways you can show them some love and help boost their presence in the community not just on holidays, and EVERY day. 

How? 

Give them positive reviews. It's easy (and common) to leave a negative review. When we receive goods or services that are less than satisfactory, we want a sense of justice, and often, leaving a scathing review makes us feel somehow validated in our displeasure...and we totally understand that! After all, that's what reviews are for, right? They are the modern day "comments box" for businesses, and they give other potential customers insight into what they can expect from a particular business or brand. How often do you leave a positive review though? Taking those extra few minutes of your time to leave a review letting a business owner know how much you were impressed by their product, their service, or even their staff is a great way to show them some love, and send other customers their way. 

Make them your first choice. How often do we say we like a local business, but the first time a shopping need comes up, whether for a gift, a home service, or simply something for your home, you jet off to the big box store down the street simply because it's convenient? Taking the extra time and effort to utilize local small businesses as your first shopping choice not only makes them feel loved, but makes them successful, and that benefits everyone in the community. Cities where businesses are growing and thriving have better economies, and higher employment rates. What's not to LOVE about that? 

Refer your friends. Word of mouth is a key way to grow small, local businesses, and any marketing expert will tell businesses owners how vital it is to get people talking about their brand and name within the community. A business card, a social media post, or even a booth at a downtown fair or market are definitely key points in growing a business and brand, but even those who visit the booth, see the Facebook ad, or receive a business card might not follow through and become a patron unless a friend or family member can personally attest to the quality of the goods or services offered. That's where YOU come in. If you love a local business, tell people about it! Share their posts on Facebook and throw in a personal reference for your contacts. Did someone comment on that great piece of jewelry you're wearing from a local boutique, or ask you how you've landscaped your yard so beautifully for the upcoming spring season? It's ok to name drop! Spreading the names of small businesses will help them immensely, and will ensure that your treasured goods and services that they offer will be around for years to come. 

Newton Peach Marketing is committed to making sure our local businesses in and around the Winter Haven area thrive and grow. By customizing plans for each individual client we ensure quality services at a price they can afford. When you put your business growth in our hands, you are given the freedom to pay only for what you need, and nothing more, unlike pre-determined packages with larger marketing firms. That means you're left with more money to invest back into your business, allowing you to continue to expand...and nothing makes us happier than seeing you succeed. Interested in what we can do for you? There's a simple two step process: give us a call, and tell us how you want to grow in 2019. We do the rest!