Floodlight Consulting

SEO or Search Engine Optimization is one of the most used methods to extend the volume and the quality of the traffic to an internet site using important content, internal linking, and back links from outside the internet.

Keywords can be searched by any search engine and will allow your site to be indexed. Keywords will appear in the natural search results of a search engine results page and therefore, they are a vital weapon for Search Engine Optimization.

There are a lot of factors that search engines like Google, Bing and Yahoo use to rank websites, and not all search engines put the same weight on each criteria. Often, the better the meta tags have been researched the better your results will be and the more probable that the page rank will be higher. Also, text links inside the web site using , keyword phrases and terms will be vital as good search engine tools.

If your web content is relevant and ties into your keywords it can be very helpful. The writing and the proper placement of your content, will greatly improve the chance of you being found.

Search Engine Optimization strategies need to be a part of the total design and development of your website. Some of the basic parts of SEO are web designs, menus, content management systems and shopping carts, because these can be optimized easily.

Once visitors have visited your site they will need a call clear call to action which will allow them to engage with your product or service. Your job is to also make sure you have a clear message when the visitors find you.

If you need to discuss your Internet Marketing Strategies give us a call for a free one hour consultation.

Donald Robichaud
President
FloodLight – Build Your Business
250-768-9415
http://www.floodlightconsulting.com/
http://donaldrobichaud.blogspot.com/

• Is customer-centered
• Determines where you’re most effectively reaching customers
• Identifies the marketing TouchPoints or tactical tools that would help your company reap greatest rewards
• Allows you to have a greater understanding of your marketing potential
• Ensures brand consistency
• Helps you build your business

Floodlights TouchPoint marketing system will help you improve your sales,  marketing and branding which will help you Build Your Business in Kelowna.

Donald Robichaud  FloodLight – Build Your Business – 250- 768-9415

www.floodlightconsulting.com

Well 2009 is over. Did you reach your goals?

Each year, people make New Year’s Resolutions, only to find that they didn’t achieve their goals, and then they make the same resolutions again the following year.

Regardless of the goal, one of the major reasons that people fail to achieve their goals is that they do not have a goal-setting process, or a formula for success.

So what makes a good goal? Goal setting provides a target to aim for so that you can make better decisions about how to utilize your time and effort for both business and personal achievement.

A good goal is one that is worthy of individual pursuit and is of course, highly subjective. So, far be it for anyone to define for you what your worthy pursuit ought to be! All goals, no matter what they are, start with a plan!

So what is your Goal-Plan? A good Goal-Plan is one that when followed, offers a reasonably high probability of success, given sufficient time.

Here are a few tips to get you started for 2010
• Identify areas of strength and weakness
• Create a vision statement for the year (What is your Purpose?)
• Determine which areas to focus on in order to receive the biggest payoff
• Set goals to achieve business and personal results
• All goals must be written (and reviewed weekly, monthly and quarterly)
• All goals must be believable
• All goals must be challenging (moving you forward in your life)
• All goals must be measurable and specific
• All goals must have a deadline
• You must hold yourself accountable for all your goals

Find other people to support and encourage you. It’s easier to make progress towards your goals if you have some support from a friend, coach, mentor, or a family member. Share your goals with them and the kind of support you desire so that they can help and encourage you to reach your goals.

This is a great way to begin the New Year!

With solid goals and a primary purpose you will be in a great position to “Build Your Business”.

Donald Robichaud
President
FloodLight Consulting – Build Your Business – 250-768-9415
http://www.floodlightconsulting.com/
http://donaldrobichaud.blogspot.com/

This past year Canadians had to deal with an economy that was in a recessionary mode and we had to also watch many young Canadian soldiers passing away in Afghanistan.

In the Okanagan we had to deal with the summer fires and the downturn in the construction and tourism industry. Many families had to find a way to cope with layoffs and personal tragedies.

In the center of all this turmoil is the business owner who has to weather every day’s business upswings and downturns.

In our lives we get so caught up with the daily news and the negative side of life, that sometimes it’s hard to find the daily gems.

The little things that kept me focused this past year were the things that are most dear to me my family.

My father was declared cancer free after a battle with prostate cancer, my mother had successful hip surgery and is now moving around like a young school girl, my wife is in good health, and my sister just underwent successful surgery. (A family in the US would have been financially crippled.)

This past year I walked my youngest daughter down the aisle in San Diego with the waves of the Pacific Ocean crashing below the Sunset cliffs. I was able to travel throughout the US visiting many spots that I had only previously read about. The visit to the Grand Canyon was the highlight of our tour of the US. My oldest daughter finished her education with her masters and landed a great job with National Resources Canada.

This past year I volunteered my time with the Chamber of Commerce and the Okanagan Mustangs and Fords club which allowed me to meet so many great people of the Okanagan. I hiked and biked many mornings around West Kelowna and I enjoyed many summer afternoons at various beach locations with family and friends.

It was a great year for many personal experiences and when it is all said and done I am thankful for the warm hand shake of a new acquaintance, the hug of an old friend and the love of my family.

It has not been an easy year, but when I reflect back it is those moments of time spent with the people that I care about that mean the most. I have been blessed with a healthy family, truly great friends and I look forward to 2010 with great enthusiasm.

This is an important time of year for reflection and gratitude and a great time to count our blessings.

I wish you all the best this holiday season and I trust you will reflect on those things that will allow you to build your business and personal growth.

Donald Robichaud is the President of the FloodLight Consulting team and can be reached at http://www.floodlightconsulting.com/  or at 250-768-9415

This is a great article from Paul Beauchemin of Ecentric Media.  Ecentric Media located in Kelowna BC,  is a leading and trusted Integrated communications supplier to other best- in-class businesses across Western Canada by offering clients a wide variety of strategic services and solutions, all delivered with respect and integrity.

Video Marketing – The next big thing on the Internet.

YouTube has the third highest site traffic ranking globally according to Alexa, surpassed only by… you guessed it, Google and Facebook.

Video marketing is quickly becoming the tool of choice for the next generation of Internet Marketing. It is poised to replace or seriously reduce almost all written text on the web. So the questions is, how do you take advantage of this powerful advertising medium and apply it to your business?

Below are 5 simple ways you can utilize video marketing to improve your sales, lead generation and conversions, while at the same time branding yourself as an expert in your particular niche. Video marketing is one of the most fun marketing methods available online.

1. Create a youtube account.
YouTube is the #1 video site in the world, and just in case you didn’t know… is owned by Google. This is the place to be for those two reasons. Hundreds of Millions of videos are watched daily on YouTube around the globe. With hundreds of thousands of videos being added daily. Once your video is uploaded, it is then automatically in the cue to be indexed by Google.

2. Create your videos.
These videos can range in complexity and production value, and can be almost anything from a content perspective. Ideally, the videos give the viewer insight into your product or company, without being blatantly self promotional. Videos that offer information, a solution to a problem, reviews on a product and even just something funny are typically the most effective.

3. Search Optimize your new videos.
Since YouTube is owned by Google, YouTube uses the same basic algorithm to display user search results. This means all the same rules apply from a search engine optimization (SEO) perspective. It is very important to consider what keywords you are trying to optimize each video for?

4. Upload these new videos to your blogs.
Knowing that more video gets watched then text on your website gets read is very important. Be sure to post all your videos to as many of your Internet marketing sources as possible. Blogs allow for complete control of the author to post what they want, when they want.

5. Social Media channels… Tweet those videos!
The power of twitter and other social networking sites cannot be argued or ignored. Once you have a strategy in place to take advantage of the variety of social networking tools, be sure to Tweet that new content or video. Do be aware, that not every social networking site is for everyone. Strategy and branding should determine where to focus your time and efforts.

Video is a very powerful tool when used correctly and consistently. Video will drive traffic faster than nearly every other source of SEO advertising, but that does not mean you should drop everything you are currently doing. Implement video marketing into your online marketing portfolio and you will see your sales and your leading generation improve almost instantly.

Donald Robichaud is the President of the FloodLight Consulting team and can be reached at http://www.floodlightconsulting.com/  or at 250-768-9415

Today’s fast-paced climate demands that you develop a marketing strategy which allows you to deliver a solid message to your customers and helps you close sales.

Statistics show that 82% of people who inquire about a product or service will purchase a similar product or service from someone within the next 12 months. Will it be you or your competition? What will set you apart and allow you to make that first class impression in your customer’s mind?

Here are three examples of how you can leverage your sales and marketing message, and work smarter:

Position yourself in the Market: All things being equal, would you rather buy from a specialist or a generalist? The more important the purchase you make, the greater the need to purchase from a specialist. It costs you nothing more to introduce yourself as a specialist in your field and a leader in the industry for your product or service. If you’re a leader in your field and your services are unique and competitively priced, you will set yourself apart from your competition.

Testimonial Endorsements: What’s more powerful to you? A company that says something great about themselves or what someone else is saying about them? 10 to 1 the testimonial carries more weight and is more believable! 78% of consumers today trust peer recommendations – only 14 % trust advertisements! So where are you spending your marketing dollars? Total cost to add testimonials to your marketing message = zero dollars!

Unique Selling Proposition (USP): A USP is a clearly articulated statement about who you are, what you do, and most importantly, and answers why anyone should choose to buy from you vs. your competition. Your USP answers the questions, “why should I buy from you?” and “what’s in it for me?” Adding your USP to every piece of advertising or marketing material costs you nothing extra yet this it an incredibly profound impact on your bottom line.

Now take the same three principles and introduce it into your internet marketing strategy and you will be delivering hundreds or thousands of positive interactions with your potential clients without ever leaving your office.

This marketing strategy allows you to identify and harvest the lowest hanging fruit first, which leverages your time because you’re always working with people who are ready to buy now!

By following these three simple examples you can leverage your marketing and start advertising with a more powerful sales message, and you will successfully “Build Your Business”.

Donald Robichaud is the President of the FloodLight Consulting team and can be reached at http://www.floodlightconsulting.com/  or at 250-768-9415

In this tough economic climate it is very important to continue to market your products and services, and to raise your so-called ‘celebrity’ status for yourself and your business.

As a business owner it’s important to understand what we can do to become ‘celebrities’ in our own right.

Why?

Because as consumers; we view some people as “worthier” or “more expert” than others, just because they’re better known.

In fact, these people may not be any more talented than anyone else, but we assume that they are more skilled or talented just because they are more famous.

And because they’re famous, their names become currency in themselves. For example, think of how many movie stars make commercials for hair products, when they don’t even do their own hair!

It’s important for us to do what we can to add some sparkle of celebrity to our own names. Simply put; the better known we become, the more customers and clients we’ll be able to draw in, and the higher the fees we’ll be able to command.

One of the easiest ways to raise your celebrity status is to create your own ‘Special Event’ – one that will draw attention to your company and its core products and services. The benefit of raising your celebrity status with an event is that the event speaks directly to your target market and establishes credibility for you as a leader in your industry and makes you and your business better known.

Becoming better known is a stepping stone to achieving other goals like attracting new clients, participating in speaking gigs (especially paid speaking gigs), making connections with marketing partners, attracting talented employees, and other activities that generate more business.

I recently worked with a client and helped him create a ‘Special Event’ designed to draw attention and create awareness for a custom service he provided to his clients. It was a fun event, capped by a contest that allowed him to tap into radio, TV, and newspapers with traditional marketing strategies, and incorporate Internet Marketing Strategies, utilizing newsletters, a Blog, Twitter, and Face book. The event and contest were both successful and the client was subsequently featured on both Global and CHBC news.

Events like this take a little time to assess the opportunities, assemble the right marketing information, and apply the right marketing strategies.

If done correctly, it’s a great way to raise your celebrity status and Build Your Business.

Donald Robichaud is the President of the FloodLight Consulting team and can be reached at http://www.floodlightconsulting.com/  or at 250-768-9415

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been
with us for many years.. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth
records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.

He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:

- Knowing when to come in out of the rain;
- Why the early bird gets the worm;
- Life isn’t always fair;
- and maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don’t spend more than
you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing
regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual
harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using
mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student,
only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that
they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It
declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to
administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents
when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion..

Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and
criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a
beating when you couldn’t defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and
the burglar could sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize
that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and
was promptly awarded a huge settlement. Common Sense was preceded in death, by
his parents, Truth and Trust, by his wife, Discretion, by his daughter,
Responsibility, and by his son, Reason.

He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, I Want It Now, Someone
Else Is To Blame, and I’m A Victim

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you
still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.
-
Donald Robichaud is the President of FloodLight Consulting and can be reached at www.floodlightconsulting.com

 or at 250-768-9415

As I am writing this article I am headed on my way to San Diego for my daughters wedding by way of the Oregon Coastline traveling down 101. The views are breathtaking and we are focused on our destination.

I can’t help but think as I am awed by the beauty of the coast how we were able to pull this off. In less than three months the event was planned, invitations sent, the hall booked, and all the necessary things related to the wedding were put in place.

The last 90 days have been a whirl wind and in addition to the wedding my business has been strong with steady growth.

In the past year I have interviewed a lot of business owners who do not have a set direction for the year, let alone a 90 day plan.

Business owners need to look at a 90 day plan like a road map for their business. This a great time of the year to finalize objectives for the end of the year and then set forth a 90 day plan to begin 2010 with solid momentum.

Here are three steps to help you with your efforts and make a great road map for your business success.

1. List your priorities and desired outcomes. Going off in all directions only causes confusion. Make a list of your top priorities. Ask yourself what it is that you want. Focus on what will:

Excite and inspire you!!!

Improve the value of your business, your work life balance, and your client’s experience,

Boost your bottom line and add to your ROI

2. Are your goals really goals? Sometimes we add topics to our ‘To Do’ list that aren’t really goals.

Be specific with dates and outcomes. Example:

Is it time for a website?

a) When will it be done? Time specific.
b) Who will do the copy?
c) Who will build it?
d) Who will host it?
e) Who will manage it
f) How does this work with my Marketing?

3. Get rid of your behaviour or habits that no longer serve you.

Procrastination is a killer in business. Too many business owners wait until it’s the right time!!!! And the right time will never come……. It’s the small steps that we take every day that help build our businesses. The small steps must be tied to a destination which are the goals that we set for ourselves.

Begin with the destination and your outcomes in mind. Identify ‘what’ it is that you want and ‘why’ you want it. And if ‘why’ you want it, is strong enough, then the action plan and the steps to follow through will become crystal clear.

Just like a road map it will help you “Build Your Business”.

In this world of electronic gadgetry such as cell phones, BlackBerry’s, emails, texting, voicemail, and recorded answering services, I sometimes wonder what happened to the days of a receptionist and a live voice at the other end of the phone.

The internet world provides us with instant answers and information. Gone are the days when you could afford to wait 24 to 48 hrs to return a call or communiqué. Today it’s all about instant communication, but not always instant gratification. The warmth of a caring human voice in this cold text age seems a distant memory. Instead, we find ourselves getting aggravated trying to work through the menu of an electronic answering service!

Electronic answering systems encourage people to form hasty opinions and give quick replies rather than take the time to develop thoughtful, well-reasoned points of view and offer real help.
But has life really been made easier with the development of these technological advancements? We seem to be always wired to something, often interrupting conversations to answer a vibrating phone.

Last week I ran into a problem while I was working on a newsletter template within icontact. It wasn’t a major issue and I am sure that if I had taken more time to sort through the copy on the page I would have found the solution, but I was on deadline (aren’t we all?).

So I decided to call icontact, which is an email, newsletter service. (My wife would be proud: me asking for help and direction). On the dashboard page of my interface was the picture of a young lady with a phone number to call for help. I called assuming that I would get voicemail.

What a surprise!!!!

They actually answered the phone. I expressed my amazement and she proceeded to explain that she was my account rep, ready and willing to take care of my needs. Within a few minutes my problem was solved and I was back on track to meet my deadline.

The live interaction with a polite and knowledgeable person was truly an amazing experience. No voice mail, no message bubble with some far off help desk. A live voice that was able to help to solve my problem – wow!

It’s the little things we do in business that leave an ever-lasting impression with customers, such as: consistent, prompt, quality service; and a willingness to go the extra mile.

My provider at icontact delivered great service with instant communication, the old fashion way…..with a real, live person at the other end of the line!

How can you add a little human touch to your communications and make your callers and customers feel more special? What can you do in this area that will ultimately help you “Build Your Business?”

Donald Robichaud is the President of FloodLight Consulting and can be reached at www.floodlightconsulting.com