Regardless, social media has huge implications for marketing and lead generation. It can thrust your small business in Kansas City to the national arena, gaining access to a larger pool of your target audience.

I read an article in Inc. this week I want to share with you. It supports social media with numbers. Yes, numbers. Executives know that investments aren’t made without knowing the potential…and the numbers.

Here’s something for you to chew on as you consider a foray into social media.  As you read through and wonder how your company can utilize this incredible medium, pick up the phone and give us a call:  (913) 735-3654.

Is social media worth it?

According to a recent survey by Inc., it is. Here are some stats:

• 74% small business owners say social media has helped them close business. (How, you may ask? Give us a call to discuss your options.) They’re considered “early adopters” – they’ve been at it for a while. It takes time, but it pays to use social media in business.
• 85% say that social media has helped create buzz for their business (of 1,898 small business owners surveyed). That’s astounding. Do you know of another medium that generates sales-potential visibility at such a relatively small cost?
• 45% indicated that social media reduced their overall marketing expenses. So investing in a valuable marketing opportunity that actually reduces costs. Want to learn more about options that are relevant to you? Call us today.
• 50%+ say that social media generates good sales leads.
• 73% reported an increase in search engine optimization. This means that your social media efforts not only allow you to connect and interact with your target audience, but also that you can extend your target audience and get greater visibility for your website on search engines.

To read the full article, visit the Inc. website. To learn more about how your business can start benefiting from social media, contact us at Alvin H. today.

Thinking about how you’ll grow your business this year? Look to the web. Opportunities are everywhere.

Over the past year, we’ve helped our clients unleash the power of the web in a variety of aspects – online visibility, organic marketing, new websites, ecommerce sites, effective social media strategy, efficiency tools, innovative business models, web-based research (competitive, market, customer)…the list goes on.

They’re enjoying the results this holiday season and we are loving their success.  Our clients are the reason we do what we do. The intersect of business and the web is our sweet spot; sharing this passion and knowledge to help our clients grow their businesses and add value to their bottom line is the essence of Alvin H.

Back to the opportunities that await you this year. Let us help bring you leads, drive traffic to your website and/or storefront, increase revenues and organically grow your business using the powerful tools of the web. From social media marketing to visibility campaigns to online business development, we’re here to make 2010 a happy and healthy year for your business.

Call us today to learn more about how we can help you – every business is unique, and each has its own approach and solution. Mention this blog post and you’ll save 15% on any services you select in the month of January.

Resolve to grow your business online in 2010 – let us help you hit the ground running.

http://www.alvinh.com/

Facebook, Facebook, Facebook. That seems to be the buzzword floating around these days. That, and Twitter. I can’t tell you how many clients I have whose first question is, “We need to get on Facebook (or Twitter). Can you help us?” My question back: “Why do you think you need to be on Facebook or Twitter?” Most likely the answer: “Because everyone else is.” Take a deep breath and a sigh of relief.

We’re here to help bring a rational, business-minded, objective-based voice of reason to the world of the web.

All types of social media are not for everyone…heck, social media isn’t right for every business, either. A winning strategy doesn’t revolve around Facebook, Twitter or the next Web 2.0 startup. It revolves around business fundamentals that consist of objectives, strategies and measurable results. We understand this. Some components of this may include social networks. But there’s a lot more on the table than just that…

Let’s not confuse social media with general technology and opportunities on the web. Social media is in fact a subset of these opportunities online, but it is not the end all be all.

In fact, there is much to be desired with a coherent web strategy – one that includes relevant aspects of social media and/or the web (note: not just social media). Throughout our engagements, we work closely with our clients to develop actionable strategies that generate real results.

There are great rewards for those who unlock the secrets to leveraging social media and the web in business. Just ask some of our clients who are capitalizing on opportunities on the web, when their competitors aren’t.

So if you’re in Kansas City, the Midwest or beyond, let’s sit down and talk about how we can get the web to work harder for you. Remember, the web waits for no one.

http://www.alvinh.com/

With the growing importance of the web in business, Alvin H. was founded with a commitment to helping our clients succeed online. Innovative thinkers with the possibilities of the web at our fingertips, we want to share our knowledge, experience and creativity with you. We want to help your business excel online, whether it’s enhancing your online presence, developing your web strategy, leveraging social media, designing your website and/or driving traffic to your site…our passion for our clients’ success never rests.

Rooted in business fundamentals and armed with the capabilities of the web, we take a unique approach to what can be a difficult thing to navigate. Our clients range from entrepreneurs to small and medium sized businesses, with varying levels of familiarity with the web and new technologies. We strive to help you better understand the business potential the web provides; then we help you develop strategies to capitalize on those opportunities. And there are many opportunities. Just ask us or any of our clients.

Bottom line…we love what we do. We are thrilled by new challenges. We make it our business for your business to succeed online.

So give us a call today to learn more about the Alvin H. approach. We know business. We know the web. Let us introduce you.