Simple Google Trick - Write a Blog -- Ministry and Business Marketing, Media and Strategy Blog

If you spend any amount of time on industry-specific web forums, you'll see a mountain of posts on how to improve search engine rankings. No doubt organic search results are one of the best ways to drive traffic to your website and generate business and ministry possibilities. In fact, you can check out a few quick tips from us here.

One tried-and-true tactic that gets little mention is starting and regularly maintaining a blog on your website. A good blog will help meet client needs and will be chock full of the keywords that Google and friends just love.

Car dealers could blog about new models, warranty questions, vehicle reliability and dealership awards, and community happenings. Builders could blog about new home models & developments, financing and charity work they're proud of. Churches could blog about missions, youth activities, outreach & community service.

Again, regularly blogging (2-3 times/week) will meet the needs of visitors and help you achieve high search engine rankings. These posts don't have to be long to be effective. 250-500 words will do. Keep it snappy & interesting and folks will keep coming back.

Blogging...your new SEO best friend.

Bonus Features that Sell - Ministry and Business Marketing, Media and Strategy Blog

Start your day off with this insightful article from the Hollywood Reporter. I know, I know, you don't make films and you're not in the entertainment biz. Don't let that stop you from considering the article in light of your ministry or binistry (business that's your God-given ministry).

You ministry leaders should think about how you package your sermons/conferences online. If you have video capabilities, try adding a special pop-up interview as the main speaker takes the stage, which will introduce the sermon or talk at-hand. This intro can be given by an Associate Pastor or other ministry leader, and could cover the content of the talk, offer a funny related story, or even be a teaser for folks to stay tuned after the sermon.

Your goal is not to "package" Christ in such a way to make Him palatable to the "wicked and perverse generation among whom you shine as children of light." The world, devoid of the effectual drawing of the Holy Spirit, will never want what you have. In fact, Jesus Christ declared that the world hates the light and will not come near it, lest their deeds be exposed. (John 3:20)

However, you can add cool and informative "special features" that the Spirit might work through to help you become "all things to all men, that by all means (you) might win some."

You business owners and corporate leaders should think about ways to make your content pop, especially through your website--one of the lead-generating/sales producing engines which you can modify slightly, without great expense and fanfare.

A great example of using "bonus website content" is Aprimo marketing software's wide variety of client case studies which reinforce their sales message. This content amounts to more than giving your pitch in a different way or the usual "I used them, you should too" testimonials. These case studies offer a real "nook and cranny" view of how Aprimo might help large businesses and non-profits increase their marketing impact.

Other web-based possibilities include audio or video interviews with clients, which put flesh to case studies and testimonials. In fact, if you want to reach out beyond your website (the answer is "yes"), then you should make multimedia interviews available in widgets for your re-sellers to add to their own websites and blogs. And be sure to reference these new resources in your print, email, and radio/TV advertising.

Adding special features which help you cut through the clutter is not as hard as you think. Take a cue from the above article about DVD/Video on Demand bonus content that actually sells. You just might stick out, to the glory of God.

Marketing Strategies for Any Budget - Ministry and Business Marketing, Media and Strategy Blog

In case you missed it, check out this survey from Media Week's 2007 Media Plan Award Winners. If you're short on time, skip to the coverage of SanDisk's brilliant anti-Ipod campaign which won for "Best Plan Under $1 Million," or check out McDonald's uber smart Seattle campaign which won for "Best Use of Nontraditional Media."

Great ministry and business buzz spreading doesn't have to cost a lot of money. In fact, you shouldn't think about what you'd do if money were no object. Rather, take a cue from SanDisk and prayerfully consider how to break through the clutter, to the glory of God.

I also strongly encourage you, to beat an old drum, to use viral widgets to spread your media and message far and wide. With the new, free SproutBuilder, you can build slideshows, music players and more without hiring a Flash programmer. Check out my recent post on Sprout and widgets here.

And you need to research and prayerfully consider Bluetooth broadcasting. It's hot for good reason in Europe and doesn't have to be a pain to consumers.

In fact, why don't you pastors and ministry leaders create simple graphics/promo stuff, load low-cost Bluetooth broadcasting software onto the smart phones of your students, and send them out to concerts & coffee shops? Call it guerilla ministry!

Why don't you store owners set up a low-cost Bluetooth receiver and send coupons to passers-by and customers? Check out Powerade's use of Bluetooth marketing here, complete with scanners that read barcodes right off of mobiles. Again, Bluetooth marketing doesn't have to be annoying and invasive; solid consumer response to past such campaigns shows that a significant percentage of customers actually appreciate this targeted marketing.

Feedback?

CSI's Anthony Zuiker and Your Ministry or Business - Ministry and Business Marketing, Media and Strategy Blog

CSI is perhaps the most successful franchise in the history of television, watched by tens of millions around the world. No, most of their shows do not promote a biblical worldview and yes, you should exercise discernment in your television viewing habits. But you can learn a lot from CSI's media planning for your ministry or binistry (business that's your God-given ministry).

Check out the clip below of CSI Executive Producer Anthony Zuiker talking about creating and airing content across multiple platforms including television, web, mobile and more. Especially notice his comments about viewers' immediate response to show content, as evidenced by their web surfing habits. (Warning: the video contains no profanity but does reference inappropriate content.)

Take a cue from Zuiker and think about your ministry or business content, and how to spark audience response across various media. If you air a weekly radio show, push your listeners to log onto your website for a forum discussion immediately following the radio broadcast. Then take it a step further.

Build widgets from your show content, which fans can add to their blogs and online profiles. As an example, check out the PluggedIn movie review widget to the left of this column, which I built in about five minutes this afternoon using SproutBuilder.

Better yet, create shorter webisodes from your audio or video content, which can be consumed and spread virally online. Or unfold a story over a series of ads, which individually convey your sales message, but also fit within a larger narrative, with cues to participate/solve the mystery/share similar stories online.

Don't just utilize a single medium to minister or promote your business. Shape and deliver your message through broadcast, web, and mobile venues. And don't simply hope that folks will talk about your ministry or business online; take a page out of CSI's book. Facilitate and fan the flames of the conversation through better media planning, to the glory of God.