5 Tips to Be Retweeted More Often

Do you ever get the feeling that social media can do so much for your business if you just push the right buttons? Well, you couldn't be more right. Word of mouth is one of the best strategies local businesses rely on, but where does the conversation start? Social media, that's where.

Getting more retweets increases your exposure in the Twitterverse and the rest of the World Wide Web. It can also get you more followers. Other than benefits for your business, retweets can be really exciting. Maybe it's the thrill of being appreciated or it's the childish ego inside us that cause this happiness when we receive praise. Maybe it's both.

1. Know when to tweet

Every business has a demographic. If you don't have this information, as your Montreal SEO company (if you have one) or use your site's analytics. There are also tools that analyze your follower's behavior. Some of these services include Tweriod and SocialBro. Schedule your updates according to what time they are online and most likely to tweet so they see your tweets the moment they log in.

If many of your followers have a different time zone, schedule future tweets. There are several services/applications that let you do so, such as Twuffer, FutureTweets and Tweet-U-Later.

2. Keep it short

Tweets should be 140 characters at the most, but you should keep tweets shorter than that to be retweeted. Some users prefer using RT instead of the retweet button. Your tweets should have enough space for the letters "RT", the @ symbol, your username, and a few words.

3. Be share worthy

Of course, to be worthy of retweets, your posts have to be interesting. That's the best way to truly have that word of mouth buzz you so desire. People should actively want to pass on your status because they find it informative, useful or funny. A very share-worthy tweet is something retweeted by several layers of influence.

4. Catchy headlines

Many of the most retweeted content sound like attention grabbing headlines. And what constitutes an awesome headline? Here are some tips:

• Play on words — make your tweet creative, clever and valuable. According to some stats, 8 out of 10 people read headlines, but only 2 will continue to read the whole story. That's how powerful headlines are. 


• Use words that tell people they can "get what they want". For instance, you can say "tips on saving money and earning more" or "tips on gaining more money in your job".


• Create list headlines. Putting numbers in headlines and tweets can draw attention. Also, lists are attractive and memorable pieces of reading material. Examples of lists that work are "10 eating habits that reduce belly fat" and "10 mistakes women make in a relationship".

5. Join the conversation of trending topics

This may not directly advertise your links, business or products, but it can expose your account to thousands of users. Many tweeters check out the live stream of trending topics to know what others have to say. You could be retweeted if you join the conversation with interesting or funny tweets.

6 Blogging Tips for Local Businesses

So many blogging tips focus on the national and even global stage, but there are small and medium businesses that only serve the local community, not the entire country. Although the concept and purpose of blogging remains the same for both local and international SEO, you need a different approach when targeting just your geographical area. If you have a local business in Montreal, these are the blogging tips for you.

1. Integrate the local atmosphere. Make your site reflect the local culture, art, architecture, landscapes, etc. The goal is to make site visitors feel the local flair through your content. Design your blog (or higher a designer) so it celebrates Montreal's community. Site visitors from your area will find that you're creative and they can truly identify with your content. 


2. Connect with organizations that reach out to the community. Local news, charities and associations often strive to increase their visibility online and offline. Build a profitable relationship that can also benefit the organization. One way to do this is by offering your blog as a channel for their local news and event updates. The news doesn't have to show up on your entire blog; a section dedicated to the latest news can be something site visitors will appreciate. Both your blog and the local group will receive a wide audience that can pave the way to a lucrative joint venture.


3. Supply local media with good content. Many local radio stations and newspapers find it difficult to deliver excellent local content. By emailing them your locally-focused news and events information, you can be a valuable resource for them. You can also show your support by retweeting and liking their statuses.


4. Reward or give free stuff. Who doesn't love free or discounted items? Give special discounts to your blog readers or promote special offers. Not only will you be able to advertise your business, your store location will also have more visitors.


5. Social media can take your blog one step further. A lot of website traffic is attributed to social media marketing and recommendations. When you have a large following in online social circles, you have more opportunities to expose your content, engage regular site visitors, and get more clicks. Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr, Reddit and Stumbleupon are among the top social-oriented sites that drive a flood of traffic to blogs. Aside from directly posting your content on the social networks, include social media buttons in your pages so site visitors can easily share your content as they will.


6. Use local SEO tactics. Remember that your blogging is just one part of the whole online marketing ecosystem, but it's still an important part nonetheless. Make sure to post your business name, address and phone number wherever applicable. Place them in a prominent area on your blog. You'll be able to increase your citations, and allow visitors to find important contact information fast. Also, use Google Keyword Tool to know how Montreal residents are finding your blog. Incorporate the keywords and key phrases you find into your titles and content.

For more details on how a local SEO company can help you rank in Google Canada, please visit: http://www.wakondamarketing.com/seo-montreal/

Attract More Patients - SEO Tips for Healthcare Professionals

Internet marketing is applicable to most if not all industries. Even medical experts and practitioners should learn a thing or two about online marketing and use SEO Montreal services. How many times have you opened your web browser to search for a disease that may explain your symptoms? Even if the Internet is no certified doctor, healthcare shares a huge part of web searches in Canada. In fact, according to a Pew Internet Project survey, four out of five Internet users say they have used the Internet to gather medical information, particularly details about specific diseases and treatments.

The most frequent searchers of health information are women, most often those who take care of kids, relatives or friends. Other big users are adults with a college education as well as young adults.

The essentials of search engine optimization are valid among all industries. For the health sector, you have to tailor your online marketing campaigns so you target the right demographic and talk about topics relevant to your practice. Here are things medical professionals, doctors and clinics should know. Note that this guide will start with the basics.

1. When setting up your website, buy all possible combinations: .net, .com, .gov, .info, etc. 

2. Make sure your website explains how it can be of service to patients. Clarify what you can do for them.

3. Center your website on your strengths and specialty. There are all types of doctors: pediatricians, gastroenterologist, dermatologists, neurologists, and whatnot. Show your website visitors your expertise the moment they land on your site.

4. Focus on the geographic location that you serve. Someone living in Saskatchewan won't be looking for a doctor in Montreal. 

5. Place your contact information and address on a prominent area on your website. Don't make it hard for site visitors to search for contact details. Many want to reach a medical expert as soon as possible.

6. Have a page dedicated to testimonials from patients.

7. Create an account on LinkedIn and join social communities based in your local area.

8. Create a blog and fill it with news and updates about your expertise.

9. Give web searchers what they're looking for — information about the symptoms, causes and treatments of certain diseases related to your field. 

10. Create a Facebook and Twitter account, and post status updates about news and information of the services you provide.

11. Be listed on local online directories.

12. Be bilingual as much as possible. If you're targeting the people of Montreal, chances are they need information in either French or English.

13. Design your website to appear simple and clean but informative. Don't make the layout look "busy" because you want visitors to feel welcome. A presentable, professional look will encourage people to get your services.

14. Apply link building to your website. Your site can rank higher in the results pages of search engines if relevant websites link to you. When you have a high ranking on search engine results, you have a better chance at being found via search engines, like Google, Bing and Yahoo.

15. If you lack the manpower to perform online marketing, outsource. Find a reliable SEO company in Montreal that can increase your practice's online visibility and profits.

Take advantage on all your competitors and Click here to find out how your business can do better.

Search Engine Marketing in Montreal - Understand What You're Looking For

Search engine marketing is a fast growing industry in Montreal and the rest of Canada, so now, small or local businesses have a whole host of SEO companies to choose from. On the other hand, a good deal of clients is still dissatisfied and disappointed about the online promotion services they receive. Montreal SEO companies are aplenty, and it’s surprising that a number of businesses complain about not receiving their desired results.

The reason why this is happening is simply because your SEO provider doesn’t know what you’re looking for. You’re not at fault because you’re the client. Still, there are steps you can take that will help you identify the best web marketing strategy and the most suitable SEO firm for your small business. By understanding search engine optimization and knowing facts about the trade, you will be a step closer to the online marketing company that will boost your business.

Search Engine Marketing Facts for Small Businesses

1. Yes, there are companies that succeed in attracting visitors to websites, but what they fail to do is create an effective sales pitch that encourages those visitors to stay and check out the offerings. It's practically suicidal to create a site that doesn't have a good sales pitch. Once site visitors leave your site right after clicking through, you won't get a second chance to convince them to stay.

2. According to several sources and online stats, anywhere from 25 to 80 percent of Internet searches are local. This encompasses searches made in Montreal. That means a high proportion of Internet users are going online to find businesses or stores in their area. This is why part of your online advertising strategy should be projecting your business location and contact information so that customers in your locality can quickly decide on the kind of product, service or store they have in mind.

Many SEO companies aren’t aware of this fact, however. Those who do are not taking advantage of it. When online strategies are geared towards a purely global audience, you fail to attract highly lucrative local search engine traffic.

3. Content quality is a critical element in Canadian search engine marketing as well as Internet marketing in general. A good approach in creating content is writing for the purpose of gaining trust from potential customers instead of writing with the intention of forcing a site visitor to click a link. If the SEO firm you approached is all about reaching huge numbers in website traffic, find out more about their strategies because they might be lacking one of the most important element of search engine optimization, which is quality content.

Remember all these vital factors when searching for the right Montreal SEO company. Even from the very start, when you're talking with a customer service representative, make sure these three points are addressed. If they're not, there's a good chance that certain company isn't well-versed in search engine marketing best practices. Make informed decisions because your choices will have a huge impact on the success or failure of your online promotion endeavor.