When you’re building an online business you recognize that you attract and serve people online. So when it comes to them looking for solutions to their problem, it’s important that you recognize how they do that in an online setting.
You’ve already discovered the problems they are discussing and those that the major publications in your field are targeting for them. They definitely use those sources.
But another way they look for solutions is through keyword phrase searches in the search engines.
Google provides a keyword tool that lets you search for keywords. (Just search for Google keyword tool and you’ll find it). Now it’s just a matter of putting in your major keyword phrases from the problems they have – and see HOW they are searching for answers.
Since you’ve already done this before, I won’t go into a tutorial on how to use the keyword tool. But let me offer a couple of suggestions:
1. When you identify a “hot term” do a search for that term. You may be surprised what you find.
Let me illustrate. In the mid-90’s when the Internet was still the Wild West, I was helping with a Kids’ Sea Camp at the State Aquarium. Each group was to choose a sea animal to do their report on. We adults helped them with the online search.
One group choose Sea Horses as their animal. I went online and found – that there is a large organization of cross dressers called Sea Horse. (and at that time they were at the top of the search engines – that’s no longer the case, so it’s safe to search with your kids). Luckily I was doing some pre-searches the day before we worked with the kids.
Since then, I ALWAYS do the search on the keyword term – to be sure that the searchers are thinking of the same thing I am!
2. Focus on 3 and 4 word keyword phrases. You do this automatically when you’re searching.
You type in Information Products – it’s all over the place!
You type in Create information products – still too much to digest.
Now you type Create audio information products – now you’re gettting specific results
And your clients do the same thing. So think long keyword phrases.
3. Make a list of the most promising keyword phrases. These aren’t necessarily the ones with the most results; but rather those with the most potential for you to write about. You’ll be using those phrases in articles, blog posts and videos.
One other recommendation on keywords and problems. Take a look at the “answers” sites such as Yahoo Answers. You’ll find exactly the questions (and phrases) that your audience is asking. Hold onto this information for use in a couple of days.
My road to creating a successful online business has been long and yes, I will admit, hard. I came from a retail business, where you buy a product, put it on a shelf, promote it with advertising and word of mouth endorsements – then hope for a sell through. With over 1000 SKU’s sales were easy to come by. It was not rocket science by any means.
Internet Marketing on the other hand has taken a touch more insight, planning, DOING and follow through. My largest hurdles? Finding not only a niche everything would fit into (impossible) and finding my voice. That finally happen a few weeks ago and now, everything is falling into place.
My voice is loud, clear and simple – I offer “solution based” products, information, eCourses, eBooks and blog content. In other words, I offer solutions!
So I am starting over, under a new master umbrella, Holly Ralston Oyler International, with the tag line, Solution Based Businesses.
I can’t say I have been unsuccessful the past three years. IM is my full time job and generates the family income. Over the past six months, I have been able to inject the “International” into the HRO brand due to a joint venture project with an international company. That would not have happen if they had not noticed my image blogs and ask what I could do for them and their world-wide client’s.
Jeanette, I can’t imagine what the future holds, but I am sure I will find out by simply stepping back, looking forward, starting over and doing it right this time.