Facebook has been updating their practices quite a bit this year, and if you have not had the time to keep up with the changes you may not be aware that your business page is a little more difficult to find by your customers.

In this post I will not go into details on all the changes, just make note that getting your business page recognized and shared is now more about promotion and ad spending then just creating content.

So how does a small business owner create revenue and traffic using Facebook moving forward. Content is still a great lead source but if you can't create buzz on each piece of content you will eventually see that Facebook will devalue your voice and fewer and fewer readers will actually see your content. I would recommend creating your content on a Blog and feeding it to your Facebook page instead of  creating it directly for Facebook.

However Facebook APPS are now more valuable and hold a primary space for business use on the new Facebook page layout.  Small businesses can invest inexpensive app solutions that allow them to become e-commerce friendly through the Facebook experience. Through a Facebook apps readers can enter contests, shop for merchandise, read listings fro real-estate, read menus and coupons pages for restaurants etc...
Facebook APPs are not new and the best Facebook Marketers for years have used services such as shortstack, mindfire, appapeal and more. Recently I had the opportunity to work with a new company out of Florida, CashKlick 
They  have a great new design and format for hosting Real-Estate listings, Newspaper classifieds, Restaurant menus, Grocery Store Circulars and more. 
Click here for a demo of a Restaurant site: https://www.facebook.com/cashklickeatery on Facebook click the Menu Tab to see how it looks live to the reader. Here is a Real estate Sample: https://www.facebook.com/wilmingtonrealestate .

What I like about CashKlick is that they do all the work for you. I have come to realize that most business don't use APPS because they don't have the time to build the app and manage it.

For a local Business owner a Facebook app can be a driving revenue source that has limited investment and high returns. If you have invested in building a Facebook audience or interested in getting started, using a service like CashKlick can streamline the effort, make you look very professional and provide you with new revenue streams.

Interested in learning more about how your business can use APPS to create audience and revenue, give me a call and I will help you sort through the advantages for your individual business.

There is a new discovery happening in your community. As consumers become constantly mobile in their shopping and content consumption, local business has an opportunity to re-brand itself in digital formats that allow their customers or future customers to engage with them in a mobile fashion.

From local clothing stores to the neighborhood bars retailers are now able to create branded app experiences that take their consumer far beyond the boundary of their store front. They have ability to engage in lifestyle and entertainment choices with little or no knowledge or effort.

Consumers are engaging with brands that are mobile and that are sharing life with them.  With brands that  help them connect with  unique content that enhances their social lives and enjoy great savings offers that they can carry with them on the phone or tablet they are carrying.

Going Digital on App stores is getting easier as suppliers of technology build platforms that provide easy access to development. But developing an App is only the start. the question then arises on how do I engage this audience and grow revenue.

Taking the following steps will help your business launch a successful app experience for your business and position your business for revenue growth opportunity.:

1. Promote the APP - seems elementary, but with millions of apps to choose from and with the app stores not likely to feature your local service the branding and promotion of your app falls to your resources.  Social Media, Direct Mail, Newspapers, App launch parties, Business card or flyer hand outs, all are great resources to invite the public to try your new app.
2. Create Engagement - In Designing you app create engagement opportunities -  Combine app offerings of Social sharing, Photo sharing, link Sharing, links to landing pages etc... But make sure the user is getting an opportunity to engage and receive reward.
3. Stay relevant and current. - Updates are key. Nothing worse then introducing an app that never changes and offers no reason to return. Offer weekly coupons, update product offerings, share social media updates, run digital app contests provide real value.

In order to drive revenue you must create audience. Audience creates revenue opportunity for your brand. looking for a provider that provides local business apps? Give us a call for a free app evaluation and we can lead you to the vendor that best fits your desired model. Valet Marketing 775-392-1289. 

Working with publishers across the nation on APP development the key concern has been revenue generation. There are more creative ways to engage and connect with your audience created every day. I found this slide deck very helpful and their approach tot he solution unique.

We're hosting an exclusive Google event on May 21st, and you're invited to join us.

It's a great opportunity to learn from Google experts about how to grow your business. We'll provide refreshments, all we need is your company.

Please RSVP by 2014-5-7. We'd love for you to come learn with us.
                http://partners-connect.withgoogle.com/event/valet-marketing

  The CMO Council  Published a report on the use of Content in the buying decision process. http://www.cmocouncil.org/images/uploads/278.pdf.

Key fact I found intriguing -  The Internet is the primary place where business buyers begin the path to purchase. 68% start their content sourcing at search engines and portals, 40% go to vendor websites, and 25% are activated by an email from a trusted source or peer.

Highlights: 
Sharing of Content is surprisingly event - 30% comes from the Bottom up in in organization, 30% for middle management up and 29% from the top down.


1. Online content sourcing by buyers has a big influence in identifying, qualifying and 
selecting vendors. 

• Fifty-four (54) percent of respondents note that it keeps them current on new technologies.
• Forty (40) percent say it helps them identify potential suppliers, partners and solution providers
• Thirty-eight (38) percent note that it provides strategic insights and shapes purchase specifications.
• Thirty-seven (37) percent report that it educates them about issues, problems and challenges in their industry.

Full report: -  http://www.cmocouncil.org/images/uploads/278.pdf.

I am excited to be joining Joey in the future development of the Carson Valley Times. Over the next several month's Joey and I will be introducing new services to our local community that will enhance the Carson valley Times Brand in our region and provide local business owners a new and fresh approach to marketing and communicating with local residence.

If I can be of any assistance in looking at your local marketing plans or consulting you on  your digital strategies in this new age of marketing I would be honored to help.

THE PROBLEM OF NON-STANDARDIZED DEVICES
The Non-Standardization of mobile device has been creating havoc and countless challenges for software developers, programmers, brands and marketing companies. Since every smartphone and every tablet device behave differently, depending on their brand, make, and model, it is impossible to create content, using a single platform, that will uniformly work across all brands and models or smartphones and tablets.

If you want a native app that will work with an iPhone, an Android phone, and a Blackberry phone, you will have to design not one, but three separate apps, one for each brand. And that can be both time-consuming and wickedly expensive.


THE SHIFT TO WEB APPS AND MOBILE WEBSITES
Because of the expense and other built-in demands in creating multiple native apps, the smarter advertisers are beginning to invest their efforts on building Web Apps and Mobile-Optimized Websites instead -- especially now that they have to create apps phones and for tablets, too. Unless you want to produce a gaming app or one that demands computing muscle from the device itself, there is really no compelling reason for producing native apps. In fact, if you're producing an app just for marketing purposes, a Web App and Mobile Website will prove not only very affordable, but also quicker to develop and deploy, easier to maintain and update.

Sept 2012, saw the start of a new business in the region. I'm excited to share this with you because Chad is a close friend and an amazing cook.

The I'd Eat There Food Truck is now serving in Carson City Mon, Wed and Fri. and Gardnerville / Minden Tuesday and Thursdays.  Chad has also made his talent and truck available for special events.
Chad, Former exec Chef at a Local high end Golf Country Club int eh region, is now out on his own and bringing amazing flavor to your local streets.  From Fish tacos to Jerk Chicken Sandwich and much more Chad is Sure to have you coming back for more.

Follow them on Twitter and soon on the web at www.iettruck.com