So many businesses are seeing success with targeted Facebook ads. Facebook ads offer businesses flexibility and optimization of their ads. You can chose dates and budgets for your ads, as well as who you want to target.

What’s in an Ad?

The Title
No longer than 25 characters, is the bold blue headline. A strong title can include your business name, the name of a product, a call to action, or a target audience’s interest.
The Destination URL
Every Facebook ad must have a destination URL that is directly tied to the ad, so this may not be your home page. This is key to getting your ad approved. If your link is not revert to the ad you are likely to get rejected. If you want to promote something on Facebook (event, page, application or group) then you will need to chose the option “I want to advertise something I have on Facebook”
Image
It is highly recommended to add an image to your ad to make it more appealing to the eye. The ad system will resize any image you add to 110 by 80 pixels.
Body Text
This will appear just below your image and has 135 characters available. It should include details to your offer, product, service or event.

Targeting
The targeting options need to directly match your advertising goals. You can set a number of filters to assist you in reaching the best audience for your ad. Options include; Location, Language, Demographic, Education and Work, Likes and Interests, and Connection Targeting. As you edit each of these areas Facebook will update you on your estimate reach alone the right hand side.

The Like button on ads
Many ads will have the well known like button. This allows users to express their liking over ad. Their friends will also see this action on their version of the ad. There is an “X” in the top right corner where users can close the ad. These actions assist Facebook advertising improve their system.

Reporting
Once you run an ad you will have access to reports from Facebook on how you ad is doing. These reports include standard metrics like Impressions (the number of times your ad was shown) and Clicks (the number of times your ad was clicked on), and Conversion metrics. You will be able to view demographic and profile information on those that have clicked your ads, for example; age, gender, location, interests, books, etc.

Facebook has a webinar recording available to you on “How to harness the full potential of Facebook Ads and Insights”. Great information to those who want to run ads on Facebook.

If you would like more information on Facebook ads here is the resource center from Facebook.

There has been a lot of talk on the Aweber blog about the new web form creator and it is now available to all members. This new feature is great for business that are new to HTML coding because it is point and click, with a little typing in between. Check out this short view with a preview of the new web form builder.

Now it’s easier then ever to get your newsletter on your website. Check out all of Aweber’s great features.

Short post today. I had to share this awesome offer you guys!

StomperNet is giving you access to free tutorials, software and training from their huge library. This is an incredible offer you can’t miss. Check out all the details at: http://stomper999.com/

You are essentially taking a test drive of their wonderful program. These guys are wonderful check it out.

As everyone knows, networking is very important for any business. Both on and off line networking will bring an audience or following to your business. But have you thought about representing your brand during every opportunity?

Online Branding

First and most importantly your website must show your branding. From colors to logos,  or slogans to business keywords, and all the inbetweens. All of your online profiles need to be branded as well. There are so many opportunities to get your brand out there, don’t miss any.

• Facebook: You may not be able colors, but don’t stop there. You can create a branded statement below your picture, add your web real estate, add business images in your photos. Add useful applications to help you branding even more. HTML Profile Box is a widely used one that allows you to add a tid-bit of custom HTML code to your profile. Want to add your LinkedIn information? There is a application in for that too.

• Twitter: Have a custom background created to match your branding. You have one chance to show what you have…do it right. Take advantage of this fully customizable feature. Also you have a short bio space here so make the most of it. Hashtags anyone? Create a hashtag for your business. Use it for tips to your audience, business news and more. People can then track everything related to your business with one easy hashtag.

• LinkedIn: Show your expertise, don’t be shy. Remember this; You aren’t bragging if you can back it up! Also link your blog to your profile, adding more quality to your profile. For your website links do not chose the options; my blog, my company, etc. Instead use this small opportunity to brand them. By selecting other you can type in your URL or even your slogan.

Offline Branding

Here is the where you can fun! Talk and walk your business. I don’t know about you but I love my business and when someone asks me what I do I tell them with more excitement then ever expected.

• Talk in understanding terms. Be sure you talk in a language they will understand, do not use industry specific jargon they may not be familiar with.

• Talk slowly. Your excited I know, me too, but they need hear everything you’re saying.

• Be interactive. By engaging them they have the opportunity to say ‘oh ya I know how that feels’ or ‘yes I wish I had the time for that’. There is your chance to give even more information.

• Talk benefits not processes. People don’t want to hear about how you do what you do, instead they want to know how it will help them.

Take the business you love with you everywhere, on and off line. You never know when your next client is going to be at the coffee shop or on Twitter. Be ready for them with open, and kind words that represent you and your brand. Be passionate but give them a chance to talk too. Have fun and build your brand recognition.

When you are running a website it’s important to understand and utilize SEO. This stands for search engine optimization. Great Erin, what the heck does that mean?

SEO has two forms, both equally important. The first form is on page SEO, while the second being off page SEO. Both forms require keyword research before hand to insure the best results.

On Page SEO

On page SEO page optimization has many areas where you can work with. Lets start with your home page. If you have a page that says ‘Enter Site Here’ (known as a static page) you should really consider removing it. This will hurt your search engine ranks tremendously. Your home page should be packed full of quality content and a standard navigation. Include your keywords, place them strategically, and using HTML coding to emphasis these words (such as the H1 tag). Using title, description, and keyword meta tags are important for your page formatting. Paying close attention to the page or post URL, including the keyword or keyword phrase within it. For your URLs do not use underscores, rather use dashes. The search engines can read and understand these completely with no restrictions. Another factor that will boost your site is the internal links you provide. Using the ALT tag with your images 1 or twice on a page will gain you some ranking points in the search engines too.

Off Page SEO
Is a bit simpler. This refers to the number of inbound links, also called backlinks, to your site. Utilizing anchor text will boost these rankings even more.The higher the authority of the page you are posting your link to the better value of the backlink. Targeting sites with a page rank of three or higher is a good rule of thumb to go by.

You have full control over the on page SEO so be sure to take advantage of this. Off page SEO is up to you to obtain, don’t hesitate!

Many small businesses and entrepreneurs find themselves working on the marketing and public relations during these pressing times. It is very important to be using tools that improve your efforts and make them run smoothly. Just as important you need to stay up to date on the new trends, resources and anything to help you stay on top.

During the month of June there is a a wonderful DIY marketing giveaway happening at Understanding Marketing. Every week they are giving away a different prize to help you and your marketing efforts. Here is an overview of their giveaway. You will have to enter every week for your chance to win that week’s prize.

June 1st through the 7th they are giving away 5 copies of the Public Relations Toolkit written by John Sternal. The Public Relations Toolkit is packed with detailed information and easy to follow tips for entrepreneurs. This will help businesses increase their exposure through the media.

June 8th through the 14th will be an American Express Gift Card. Sign up during this second week and you can use this gift card to purchase educational books, PPC advertising and more to help you with your marketing efforts.

June 15th through the 21st is a free press release with a PR Toolkit. You are entering to win a 60 minute mindmapping session with John Sternal to discuss the goals of your business. A 400 word press release will be written on a topic that will promote the winners company. Plus the PR Toolkit will teach you effective techniques to generate ongoing media exposure for your business.

June 22nd to the 30th is a marketing makeover plan AND SEO software. This great combination will take your marketing to the next level. Chrisanne Sternal will be providing an hour consultation to discuss marketing goals and objectives for your business. You will then be able to implement this strategy on your own without the aid of any angencies. Plus you will also receive 6 months of LotusJump DIY SEO software Pro Edition. This software covers many topics in an easy to understand manner. From content and link building, directory and article submitting, backlinking and more. Two additional winners will also receive the SEO Pro software!

Good luck everyone! Again here is the link to this great giveaway.