1. Brand Building
via Links & Mentions
Mary Bowling

2. Authority Links* can help you to rank in Google organic results
* From sites that Google trusts as authorities on certain topics

3. Local Links and Mentions
proxies for location prominence
can help you rank in Google Maps & Packs

5. BUILD YOUR BRAND!
Build your brand in your own market area. Spend your efforts doing things that have the potential to bring you more new customers and encourage former customers to return.
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6. Visibility X
Reputation =
BRAND
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7. Best Links
& Mentions
drive phone calls & store visits

9. What Would You Do
to promote your business to the people in your area if the internet didn’t exist?

10. #1 Upgrade Existing Listings
examine current links and mentions and improve them, where possible

11. Check Your Incoming Links

12. 1.Use these settings
2. View URLs
3. Look at linking pages

13. 4. Is info about you correct and complete?
5. Can you list products/services, service areas, hours, credit cards?
6. Can more photos/videos be added?

14. Check Your Mentions

15. 2. Look at first 2 pages of search results to see where info is found
3. Look at info on these pages

16. 4. Is info about you correct and complete?
6. What else can you add?
5. Can more photos/videos be added?

17. Check FB, Yelp, Bing

18. #2 Get Supplier Listings
ensure you’re listed as a dealer on the sites of manufacturers whose products you sell & service

19. 1. List your brands and suppliers
2. Check their websites for dealer listings
3. Make sure you are listed correctly and completely
4. No dealer directory? Encourage one!

21. #3 Become a Member
join appropriate professional groups for your industry and for your location

22. 1. Review and consider possible professional memberships and certifications

23. 2. Research and consider joining possible local business groups

24. #4 Go Local/Hyperlocal
get listed on websites associated with the cities, towns and neighborhoods from which you’d like to draw more customers

25. 1. Research opportunities and consider listings on local and hyperlocal websites

26. #5 Earn Community Karma
Get listed as a sponsor, volunteer, donor or contributor on locally-focused websites

27. 1. What efforts do you already make to help your community?
2. Do the websites associated with the causes you support give your business online recognition? If not, suggest they do so
3. Can that recognition be improved in any way?
4. If you’re not already involved, what causes would you consider supporting in your area?

28. 5. Get more ideas for community karma links and mentions from Google Search

29. #6 Promote Your Niche get listed in topic-specific directories
Woman owned, minority –owned, speak different languages, free wifi, green, handicapped-accessible, etc, etc

30. 1. Think about what’s special about your business and research opportunities
2. Consider listings in niche directories

31. #7 Become a Barnacle
get listed on sites that rank for the terms you want to rank for

32. View Localized Results
searchers usually see different organic results depending on their location

33. 2. Choose Google organic Or Maps 3. Enter search term 4. Get specific1.
2. Choose Google organic
Or Maps
3. Enter search term
Free tool
4. Get specific

34. 5. Check pages 1 & 2 of localized organic

35. 6. Find and note listing opportunities

36. #8 Get Good Links Your Competitors Have
and good links and types of links top rankers in other areas have

37. Competitive Link Research
1. Identify your top competitors for terms
2. Check links of top rankers
3. Look for opportunities
sites in or near location
sites about location
sites about industry
4.Check links of top rankers elsewhere for ideas

38. 3. Run search for Google organic1.
2. Enter term
3. Run search for Google organic
Free tool

39. 4. Identify competitors ranking organically on page 1
5.Record URLs

40. 6. Search again on Google Maps

41. 7. Record URLs of top 10 rankers

42. Use Open Site Explorer to check links of competitors
(the way you checked your own links)

43. Check Competitor Links

44. 1.Use these settings
2. View URLs
3. Look at linking pages
4. Look for possible opportunities for your business

45. Key Take Aways Get Links & Mentions Local and Hyperlocal Organizations
Local and Industry Business Groups
Niche Directories
Suppliers and Manufacturers
Well-Ranking Sites
Good Links Competitors Have