Best Ways to Promote Your Online Courses

Best Ways to Promote Online Courses

Actually there is no specialize way to promote online courses, You’ve got to address the same challenges you do when promote a service or product online: build attention, interest, desire, and action in your prospective customers.

You do need to take into account the unique structure, timeline, and value proposition of your online course, and create online marketing campaigns that support it.

Here are ways that can help you market your online course effectively and grow your Audience (I believe so).

Make a blog 

Maintaining an active blog in order to support your online course activity as an educator is the best thing to do. Update your blog few times a week with engaging, useful and informative content about your online course.

Regular blogging also make your blog authority source in your niche. Becoming an authoritative source for information that meets users expectations more than search engine needs will become exceptionally important.

Social Media 

Οbviously using social media in order to communicate and connect with potential learner is important. What you should never forget is to always provide useful information and actual and useful knowledge. Also, keep this activity within reasonable limits. For example, post blog articles on Facebook not more often than 2, 3 times a week. Making “noise” in the social media will have a negative effect on your image.

Provide Authentic Information

Make testimonials and small stories for specific people who enjoyed your online courses recently. Publish these positive examples on your blog and social media pages.

Make Short, Free Courses and Share Them 

Giving things for free builds more engagement with existing and potential customers. It is an excellent way to grow your online community and to generate more new leads.

Newsletter 

Keep engaging your past, current and future potential learners with informative newsletters. Let them know about the latest on the industry, tell them about your content, interview industry opinion leaders etc.

Run a Forum 

As an educator you are an opinion leader yourself, most probably. Use this expertise and engage learners with a forum. Of course, it takes a lot of effort to properly administrate a forum but once you are up to it results will be fascinating. You can also use it in order to start discussions, get feedback and come up with new ideas just by listening to people.

eBook 

eBooks are used to provide information, engage online customers and provide the writer with an authoritarian role. You can make and share new eBook every couple of months. They should be anything between 10-20 pages and they must share clear and useful information related to your online course.

For example, if you are educating people on Website Design, you can make a 20 page eBook on how to design a basic website. You can then upload it on your website or blog and allow people to download it for free only by giving you their name and email. This way an eBook can also become a useful lead generator.

Of course, this list isn’t a road map to guaranteed success to Promote Your Online Courses. There are number of ways you can do in order to promote your online course and sell your courses. You can start by using these ways I just mentioned above and make them part of your core strategy, before using more advanced processes.

The State of Mobile Marketing 2015 [Infographic]

Did you adjusted your online marketing strategy to accommodate the rapidly growing number of mobile users currently interacting online?

The rapid rise of smartphone and tablet adoption has affected almost every aspect of digital marketing. The impact ranges from the most recent 'Mobile-friendly' algorithm changes to Google's smartphone search results through to the lower conversion rates on smartphones, use of social media on mobile and ensuring that our emails are mobile-friendly.

JBH Marketing & Smart Insights put together this infographic that details the state of mobile marketing in 2015, and some of the statistics and data is staggering. For one, the percentage of time spent on a mobile app in 2015 is 86%, and 79% of smartphone users say they use apps almost every day. Keep that in mind next time you're trying to decide if your business needs a mobile app.

Mobile Marketing in 2015


I hope this compilation of statistics about Mobile Marketing in 2015 to be useful - please share if it is and we'll continue to update it in 2015.

Related Post:

Search Marketing in 2015

The State of Search Marketing in 2015 [INFOGRAPHIC]

There are over 100 billion global internet searches being conducted each month. Where is all the search traffic coming from, and where is it going? How does desktop traffic measure up to mobile? What’s working better, PPC or SEO?

To get answer of all these questions, check out following infographic created by JBH and Smartinsights.

Search Marketing in 2015


So, I hope you agree that the infographic presents a compelling case for investing more in Search Marketing in 2015 given how competitive it has become.

Google Local Listing 3-pack: What Does This Means for Local Businesses?

Based on relevance, distance, and prominence Google may show one or more maps results for our search query. Traditionally the local maps results composed of 7 business information which we often call 7-pack. On Thursday, August 6th, we began to notice that the traditional 7-packs that frequently showed up in the google local search results were suddenly replaced with 3-packs in the search results.

The new local 3-pack results appearing right below the AdWords and the top of the organic results as usual, which users can click to view full business details with address, phone, photos, hours, reviews, and directions, or click ‘more + search term’ for a full list of business within the local area.

Why These Update?

Google’s focus has been shifting heavily towards mobile friendly search results over the past year and I guess 3-packs update is just Google local results display format changes to fit across various device. Google's 3-packs brings desktop the same user experience as mobile users have been getting in a while.

Here is how the new local pack appears on mobile.

Googles new local 3-pack

What has actually changed in Google local SERPs?

  • Only 3 businesses instead 7.
  • No business addresses and phone numbers, click to call option in mobile device.
  • Google+ Links Removed.
  • Business Category Added.
  • Business Hours Added.
  • “Google Reviews” Renamed to "reviews"
  • No flyout business cards. 
You can read about all the changes from my this post.

What Does It Means for Local Businesses?

This is going to be tough for Local businesses. It mean if your business are not listed in top 3 listing, the chance is very low to get leads from google local search results. Ultimately, I think it will result in more Local businesses looking to increase visibility via Adwords. I also heard a rumor that google want to push adwords ads (I read in WebmasterWorld and Warrior Forum) by this update as they heavily promoting adwords vouchers at the same time update took place.

Why?
Do you think google just made this changes overnight without their extensive internal research? No, I don't think so, Google's data team must found something interesting like local top 3 listing might get all the CTR. That's why google knocked out 4 out of 7 from the local results, What do you think?

How to Get Listed in Google 3-Pack

Want to Be Part of the Google Local 3-Pack and Stay safe? Read This Local 3-Pack SEO Guide.
These Local SEO Guide are for businesses who want to list their business in google local 3-Pack or stick to top 3 listing. You'll find this guide strenuous but ensure your local business placement in Google’s 3-Pack.

Depending on your business, Google Page, how your website is set-up and optimized, you might not be able to implement all of these tactics, but implementing even 70% of them is enough for most local businesses to rank in the Google 3-Pack.
  1. Create, verify and Optimize your Google+ Local page
  2. Optimize Your Website for Your Business
  3. Get Local Business Listings (Citations)
  4. Get Reviews on your Google+ Local page and on 3rd party websites
  5. Create and Share Local Content
  6. Find Local Link Opportunities
  7. Constantly Test & Optimize


Tactic #1: Create, verify and Optimize your Google+ Local Page

Google+ Local Page is your direct connection to your customers, whether they’re searching for your business through Google Search, Maps or Google+.
Create Google Plus Business Page

Google+ Local Page dominate in local search results and your competitors are already there, so we want you there too. A verified and optimized Local Page integrates your online business presence to one easy place. Follow this steps to create and optimize your Google+ Local Page:

  • Create, verify or consolidate your Business listings from Google My Business.
  • Select your  business category carefully, The Business Category you choose for your listing is now showing in 3-pack right below your business title.
  • Use a real physical address and a local phone number, not an 800 number.
  • Put as much business information as you can including images and video as required to achieve 100% completion rating.


Tactic #2: Optimize Your Website for Your Business

An optimized website helps search engines identify and rank businesses by their geographical location in relation to a search query. This is not overly difficult, but many local business owners tend to overlook it as it require a great effort. Website On Page signals has 21.0% impact in local search as per Moz research.
Local SEO Microdata Schema Markup

My On Page optimization checklist for local business will help your business rank in google 3-pack as well as increase your website organic ranking. The following optimization techniques will ensure that your website is properly optimized for Google Local 3-pack.

  • Include your business NAP in prominent place.
  • Give your pages geo-specific, descriptive meta tags (meta title and description) including your zip/postal code.
  • Make sure you have contact information, including your NAP, in text on every page of your site.
  • Embed google map and driving direction on your website.
  • Add your location to your image alt text.
  • Add Schema markup in your website where possible.


Tactic #3: Get Local Business Listings (Citations)

Local Business Listings are defined as mentions of your business’s name, address and phone number (aka NAP) on other webpages—even if there is no link point to your website. An example of a citation might be an online local business directory where your business is listed, but not linked to your website.

When it come to Local Map Ranking, Local Business Listings (Aka Citations) are a key component of the ranking algorithms in Google and Bing Local Search. According to Moz 2014 Local Search Ranking Factors, Citation is the 3rd biggest ranking signal and make up 15.5% of the overall ranking factors.

Citation volume and the number of other business listings referencing your business location(s) are important in google local 3-pack; however, consistency and accuracy will always take precedence over volume. Here's a list compiled by Hubspot of the 50 local business directories to submit your business

Tactic #4: Get Reviews on your Google+ Local page and on 3rd party websites

Google + Review
Reviews are one of the major ranking perspective in your local rankings in Google and elsewhere, and they’re one of the very important factors (It hold 9.8% weight in local search) in getting customers to choose you over your competitor.

This is truly important that your business have some positive reviews on Google+ Local page and on other popular third-party sites. When your consumer want to read reviews, they usually visit Google Maps, Yahoo Local, Yelp, CitySearch, Insider Pages, MerchantCircle, TripAdvisor, Better Business Bureau (BBB),  Foursquare, Manta, and Angie’s List.


Tactic #5: Create and Share Local Content

Create local content relevant to your business and the city you live in and share with the world via your website and social media. For example, you can write about an past local event where you participated or an upcoming event you're going to participating.

There’s endless opportunities when you use creative thinking about the events and businesses in your area of town. Just don't forget to include images, videos and link to the event site (If there's any website dedicated to that event). Want more Local Content Creation Idea, read Mike Ramsey Strategy.


Tactic #6: Find Local Link Opportunities

Moz found Link is the second important factor and has 18.3% impact in local search results. Links from local websites that point to your website impacts your sites ability to rank in 3-pack and make your website "authority" locally.

There are many ways to acquire local links like Sponsor a meetup group, Host a community event, donate to a local club or organization, from local newspaper site, etc. You can find an Interesting Local Link Building Guide from Casey Meraz Post on Moz.


Tactic #7: Constantly Test & Optimize

The previous six tactic that we have just discussed need to be constantly addressed. To dominate in Google Local 3-Pack you need to always be one step ahead of your competitors. There is always room for improvement, so don't be afraid to test and make changes. You would be surprised at how the smallest change can often result in the biggest change. What do you think?

Google Redesigns its Logo

Google New Logo

Google is introduced a new logo yesterday and this is the fifth such modification since the search engine giant started in 1998. Just a month after unveiling a major restructuring of the company, Google is updated its logo.

But why change it up? A post at the Google Blog explains:
Once upon a time, Google was one destination that you reached from one device: a desktop PC. These days, people interact with Google products across many different platforms, apps and devices—sometimes all in a single day. You expect Google to help you whenever and wherever you need it, whether it’s on your mobile phone, TV, watch, the dashboard in your car, and yes, even a desktop! 
Today we’re introducing a new logo and identity family that reflects this reality and shows you when the Google magic is working for you, even on the tiniest screens. As you’ll see, we’ve taken the Google logo and branding, which were originally built for a single desktop browser page, and updated them for a world of seamless computing across an endless number of devices and different kinds of inputs (such as tap, type and talk).

The new Google logo is still a wordmark, but it's now using a sans-serif typeface, making it look a lot more modern, playful and similar to the one being used by Google's newly created holding company, Alphabet.

The colors are softer than they used to be. The logo bears a bit more resemblance to the logo of Google's new parent company, Alphabet, as well. Alphabet's wordmark has a similarly unadorned look, and this update makes the two companies' design language fall more inline.

The revamped logo, used to identify most of its apps, bids farewell to the little blue "g" icon and replaces it with a uppercase "G" colored in blue, red, yellow and green to match the full logo.

Google New App Icon