OPE daily

Spurred by the request and exchange of ideas about landscaper websites, I have been working on a few more posts for developing your electronic brand image.

Landscape professionals, arborists, home builders, et al, listen up! More and more of you have begun or at least thought about building your online presence. Volumes and tomes have been written just on the topic of website design alone. I want to offer a few ideas you can implement to increase not only your electronic reach, but also your interactivity, brand awareness, and marketability.

I can hear the moans and clap of foreheads on the keyboards already. “Why should I put more than my name and a few pictures on  an ad-supported page? What would I have to say to customers? It won’t do anything.”

You would miss not one, or even a couple, but many opportunities to engage your customers and prospective clients. You would be giving away business to others who had the foresight to be seen. You would also miss the opportunity to learn more about the business you practice and the industry that supports you.

What’s next then?

What are some ideas for your electronic landscape? How, when and where are you going to interact with the people who need your services? The good news is you aren’t re-inventing the wheel, only the industry. That is, there are businesses and industries that are ahead of ours (ours being the OPE industry and those who use outdoor power equipment) in terms of web development and application. We can then observe and utilize the tools that have already been created and apply them to our industry which is only now realizing the opportunity. The bad news is it will take some creative thinking and a sincere approach to the effort required. That really isn’t a bad thing because you will be thinking and working on your business rather than in it.

So here is what to expect from me over the next week or so. I have already posted a bit about the need for a website so I will address the issue of site content as well as Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Then I can introduce you to the concept of writing your own blog or creating your own forum. If those are too large to attempt then a simple newsletter would be a start. With increased broadband usage and video compression capabilities, video posts are a great way to virtually connect with people.

These are just a fraction of what can be done to increase your electronic landscape. Build your virtual image just as you would with the landscapes you create for your customers.