SEO Archives - MediaFuel

The Importance of Understanding Business Finance in Marketing

by Micki | Nov 7, 2025 | Marketing Strategy, SEO, Small Business Growth

You might be wondering, does business finance really matter for marketers?

The answer is yes—and the numbers prove it. According to a 2025 Deloitte study, 46% of U.S. adults—including small business owners—say a lack of financial literacy limits their business strategy and decision-making (Deloitte, 2024). At the same time, a recent report reveals that only 30% of marketers worldwide say they can effectively measure ROI from their campaigns (Statista, 2025).

In other words, marketing campaigns are launching—but not always profitably.

Modern marketing requires balancing creativity with financial insight. Yet, many teams still operate without fluency in essential business finance metrics like customer acquisition cost (CAC), lifetime value (LTV), and ROI. When those gaps are closed, creativity becomes a true growth engine—not just a visual win.

So, let’s explore why understanding business finance is the difference between simply creating content and truly growing a business.

1. No One Is Going to Learn Business Finance for You, and What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You

Skipping the fundamentals of business finance—profit margins, break-even points, CAC—can lead to expensive mistakes.

Marketers often handle campaign expenses, ad budgets, or media buys. But if you don’t also know metrics like customer acquisition cost (CAC) or customer lifetime value (LTV), you may invest in campaigns that look good on the dashboard but kill margins. Business finance helps us see the bigger picture behind our decisions—ensuring every campaign is both creative and cost-effective.

Let’s break down the key business finance metrics every marketer should know:

Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC): Total sales and marketing spend ÷ number of new customers acquired
Customer Lifetime Value (LTV): Total net profit generated from a customer over their relationship with the brand
Break-even point: The moment when total revenue equals marketing investment

A healthy LTV:CAC ratio is around 3:1, meaning you're making $3 for every $1 spent acquiring a customer. According to Harvard Business Review, an LTV/CAC ratio below 1 means you’re losing money, while a ratio between 1 and 2 indicates you’re only breaking even—often a red flag for profit-focused investors (HBR, 2025).

Additionally, a 2025 Nethority Technologies analysis found that reducing CAC by just 10% can improve profitability by up to 25%, especially in SaaS and eCommerce businesses (Nethority Technologies, 2025).

Without this clarity, marketers may invest in “high engagement” channels that don’t convert—or cut budgets from ones that actually do.

2. Marketing is Only as Strong as Its ROI

Creative ideas spark attention, but their impact depends on measurable results. That’s where business finance becomes the foundation of effective marketing.

ROI—or Return on Investment—connects marketing activity to financial outcomes. The formula is simple:

Marketing ROI = (Revenue from Marketing – Cost of Marketing) / Cost of Marketing × 100. (Investopedia, 2025)

Good ratios can depend on the industry, but according to Hubspot, high-performing companies typically generate an average 5:1 marketing ROI, meaning every $1 spent returns $5 in revenue. When ROI dips below 2:1, most executives view the campaign as financially unsustainable (Hubspot, 2024).

Understanding these numbers turns creative work into strategic impact. We stop chasing vanity metrics—like clicks or impressions—and start aligning campaigns with revenue growth, not just reach.

3. Knowing Your Numbers Is How You Scale — Sustainably, Profitably, and With Purpose

Growth feels exciting, but without strong business finance knowledge, it can quickly become unsustainable. Financial literacy allows us to scale smarter, not just faster.

When marketing teams track revenue attribution, cash flow, and profit margins, they can forecast growth with confidence. That means knowing:

When cash flow can support a larger ad push
Which campaigns drive long-term value
How to re-invest profits for continued scalability

According to McKinsey & Company, companies that integrate marketing analytics and financial decision-making outperform peers by 2x in revenue growth (McKinsey, 2021).

The smartest marketing teams don't just track performance—they forecast outcomes, optimize costs, and reallocate budgets based on real financial impact. Here’s what that looks like:

Forecasting CAC, LTV, and expected returns before launching major campaigns
Measuring channel-specific ROI to see which ads drive profitable growth
Pausing or reallocating budget when CAC increases or margins shrink

Understanding business finance helps us see the difference between campaigns that make noise and campaigns that make money. It’s not about spending more—it’s about spending smarter. Financial literacy prevents the “boost everything” mindset and replaces it with a data-driven one: scale what performs, pause what doesn’t, and always align creative with financial viability.

4. Case in Point: Podcast + Client Video Example

In our recent podcast video, we sat down with financial strategist Dan Lacy, President of Dynasty Business Consulting, to talk about why business finance often takes a backseat in entrepreneurship.

To summarize: Finance covers everything—cash flow, assets, debt, and valuation. But most business owners only think of taxes. Accountants focus on compliance, not strategy. Nobody’s teaching owners how to read balance sheets or understand profit margins—and that’s why so many struggle to scale. Then business owners have to learn finance through trial and error.

That perspective mirrors what many marketers experience: finance feels intimidating or “someone else’s job.” But when we integrate financial awareness into marketing strategy, everything changes. This insight underscores a huge gap: entrepreneurs or marketing teams neglect finance because it seems too technical or outside their comfort zone. That gap impacts every campaign.

By helping clients monitor CAC and ROI in real time, we’ve been able to pause underperforming channels and double down on profitable ones. That clarity doesn't just improve campaign performance—it gives leadership peace of mind. That’s the power of aligning marketing strategy with business finance: campaigns gain purpose, accountability, and measurable growth potential.

So What Now?

If your marketing looks great but doesn’t connect to profit, you’re not alone. Business finance may not be your comfort zone—but understanding it transforms your results.

At MediaFuel, we help brands make the most of every marketing dollar. By aligning strategy, creative, and performance data, we ensure your campaigns aren’t just visually impressive—they’re financially intelligent. Our team knows how to turn marketing budgets into measurable ROI and long-term growth.

Ready to elevate your marketing with financial intelligence?

Contact us today, and let’s turn your creative investment into real, scalable results.

How to Accelerate Business Growth in 2026: The Marketing + Cash Flow Connection

by Micki | Nov 6, 2025 | Marketing Strategy, SEO, Small Business Growth

If you’ve ever wondered how to accelerate business growth, the answer lies in aligning two often separate worlds: your marketing strategy and your cash flow strategy. When you plan both together, you create predictable revenue, sustainable visibility, and measurable momentum.

In today’s world—where economic uncertainty meets digital transformation—growth depends on how quickly you adapt. The businesses that thrive are the ones that stay agile, data-driven, and authentic in how they communicate.

This blog breaks down how to accelerate business growth through five powerful strategies that combine marketing, video storytelling, and smart financial planning, inspired by experts like Dan Lacy. Together, these strategies help you build a business that’s not only visible—but resilient.

1. Map Out Your Marketing + Financial Plan

One of the most powerful insights I’ve heard came from financial advisor Dan Lacy during our recent podcast episode. His advice was simple: plan, plan, plan.

That same mindset applies to marketing. When you map out your marketing campaigns with the same precision as your financial forecasts, you position your business to grow intentionally—not accidentally.

For example, if you know your busy season peaks in Q2, plan your content calendar and ad spend to align with when your audience is most active. Break down annual goals into monthly revenue targets and match each target with the marketing activity that supports it. This approach ensures your creative output directly fuels your business outcomes.

If you’re asking yourself how to accelerate business growth sustainably, it starts with integrating your marketing calendar and financial plan.

2. Use Digital Marketing Strategies That Scale

Visibility drives opportunity—you can’t sell to people who can’t find you.

In 2025, search visibility isn’t just about keywords anymore. It’s about intent and intelligence. Optimizing for both SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) ensures that whether your audience searches on Google or asks AI-driven platforms like ChatGPT or Alexa, your business shows up first with the right answer.

Think about it like this: SEO gets you seen. AEO makes you trustworthy.

That’s more important than ever, because 20.5% of people worldwide now use voice search to find products and services (DemandSage, 2025), and nearly 60% of U.S. Google searches end without a click—meaning users are finding what they need directly from the results page (Search Engine Land, 2024). In other words, optimizing for quick, conversational answers isn’t optional—it’s how you stay visible.

When you post videos or blogs that answer real questions—like “how to manage cash flow during economic uncertainty”—you naturally earn higher rankings, backlinks, and credibility. In fact, 80% of consumers now rely on AI or zero-click answers in at least 40% of their searches (Bain & Company, 2024).

Pro tip: Turn your most common client questions into short, searchable video FAQs. Upload them to your Google Business Profile, YouTube channel, and website—these AEO-friendly assets improve discoverability and are key to understanding how to accelerate business growth through digital marketing.

Digital visibility is the foundation of how to accelerate business growth—because if people can’t find you, they can’t work with you.

3. Tell Your Story Through Video Content Strategy

If one strategy consistently drives faster growth, it’s video. According to Wyzowl, 93% of marketers say video marketing gives them a good return on investment, and 88% credit video with generating leads (Wyzowl, 2025). That power comes from the fact that video is personal, visual, and highly shareable — it allows you to explain what you do, show why it matters, and connect with your audience on a deeper level.

At MediaFuel, we’ve seen brands grow faster when they use a video content strategy to stay top-of-mind even during slower months. For example, turning customer testimonials or educational clips into short-form social videos ensures your message keeps generating leads long after the initial campaign ends.

When you build video content that educates and engages, you create marketing assets that continue working while you sleep—and that’s one of the smartest ways to accelerate business success and understand how to accelerate business growth through content.

4. Leverage Social Storytelling for Brands

Marketing has evolved from promotion to connection. The brands growing the fastest today are the ones that use social storytelling to humanize their business—especially in industries that people don’t usually associate with creativity.

Take Westfield Steel, for example. Being a modern manufacturing leader isn’t just about running operations; it’s about adapting, innovating, and building partnerships that drive real growth. Their president, Fritz Prine, shared how working with MediaFuel transformed their digital presence and helped them reach new customers in a changing marketplace.

Together, we developed a digital marketing strategy focused on visibility and authenticity—through SEO, blogging, and video storytelling. Westfield embraced creativity in a traditionally offline industry, producing content that showed the people and process behind the product. By leaning into storytelling, they built trust, increased engagement, and turned online visibility into real business results.

Their journey is a powerful example of how to accelerate business growth through storytelling. When you connect your expertise to human emotion, even complex industries become relatable—and that’s when real growth happens.

5. Strengthen Cash Flow Strategies with Marketing Insights

Accelerating business growth isn’t just about creativity—it’s about consistency. And consistency starts with healthy cash flow.

For example, we recently worked with Dan Lacy, a financial advisor with over 50 years of experience, on our podcast series. He shared strategies for keeping cash flow steady during economic uncertainty—from tracking revenue monthly to managing receivables and assets responsibly.

By turning this expert conversation into a searchable, keyword-rich video, we answered a common question from business owners: “How do I maintain profitability when the economy slows?” The video didn’t just educate—it boosted SEO by aligning with real search intent.

When you post educational videos like this—especially those addressing frequently asked business questions—you build authority, earn trust, and show your audience exactly how to accelerate business growth in both marketing and financial stability.

6. Measure, Refine, and Repeat

Every business that grows sustainably shares one key habit: they measure what matters.

In fact, a 2025 survey by Forrester found that 69% of data and analytics decision-makers plan to increase their budgets for data, data management, data science, and analytics so they can unify marketing, sales, and financial metrics across the organization (Forrester, 2025).

So track your marketing and financial metrics side by side. Compare ad performance to monthly profit margins. Analyze how engagement rates align with sales velocity, and how campaign spend affects working capital. Refine what’s working, cut what isn’t, and repeat often. That continuous cycle is the backbone of how to accelerate business growth—and it’s one of the most reliable ways to build long-term success.

So What Now? Here’s How to Accelerate Business Growth

If you’ve been looking for practical ways to understand how to accelerate business growth, start by combining creativity with control. Align your marketing strategy with your financial vision—because when your message and your money move in sync, everything else follows.

If you’re ready to pair your marketing strategy with stronger financial foundations, we’re here to help. At MediaFuel, we turn smart ideas into measurable growth—from SEO and AEO optimization to video storytelling that drives real results. With the largest green screen in the Midwest, a strategic team, and a full video production crew, we have all it takes to bring your story to life.

Ready for a change?

Contact us today and discover how to accelerate business growth with MediaFuel’s strategy-driven approach.

Dos and Don’ts for Your Video Marketing Strategies

by Micki | Jun 12, 2025 | Digital Marketing, Marketing Agency, Marketing Plans, Marketing Strategy, SEO, Social Media, Video Production

Video marketing strategies may look simple from the outside. You grab a camera, post a few clips, maybe throw some ad spend behind it—and voilà, right?

Not quite.

The reality? Most businesses waste time, money, and creative energy because their video content lacks a clear strategy. It’s not optimized, doesn’t speak to its customers, and (most importantly) doesn’t convert.

I’ve worked with enough overwhelmed marketing managers and burnt-out founders to know that this isn’t your fault. You’re busy. You wear 16 different hats. But if you’re serious about using video to grow your business, you need more than pretty visuals. Experts inform a real video marketing strategy with audience insights and platform fluency.

If you’re ready to get strategic and start using video to move the needle, here’s your expert-backed, easy-to-scan guide through the top Dos and Don’ts — enhanced, actionable, and SEO-optimized for successful video marketing strategies.

Mediafuel Digital Agency Video Production Studio | Fishers, IN

Video Marketing Strategies? Do They Matter?

Video marketing strategies are more than just a content plan. They’re a roadmap that aligns your videos with your business goals, customer journey, and platform best practices. Without clear strategies, even high-quality videos fall flat. A strong strategy ensures every piece of content serves a purpose—whether it’s to attract, engage, or convert your audience.

DOs: What Works in Video Marketing Strategies

1. DO define clear goals for your video marketing strategies

Start every campaign by determining your goals: brand awareness, lead generation, conversions, or customer education.
Use SMART objectives like “25% more signups from video ads this quarter.”

2. DO know your audience

Analyze demographics, behaviors, and preferences — platforms, devices, and watching habits.
Tailor your video marketing strategies to speak to them directly, whether that means short-form social clips or long-form tutorials.

3. DO develop a content plan

Map out topic ideas aligned with your goals, audience needs, and buyer journey.
Plan formats: short teasers, product explainers, webinars, testimonials, etc.
A defined plan enhances consistency—which is key to effective video marketing strategies.

4. DO focus on quality plus speed

Great production quality matters—but fast turnaround matters just as much.
Use efficient workflows (templates, scripting, batch shooting) to keep videos frequent and fresh.

5. DO track performance with data

Monitor views, watch time, engagement, conversions, and retention.
Use analytics to tweak future video marketing strategies based on real data.

6. DO build a funnel, not just a feed

The best video marketing strategies go beyond creating standalone clips for social feeds. A high-performing strategy builds a video funnel that supports every stage of the buyer journey—awareness, interest, decision, and loyalty.

Here’s what that looks like in practice:

Awareness: Use short, catchy videos on platforms like Instagram Reels, TikTok, or YouTube Shorts to reach new audiences and stop the scroll.
Consideration: Create product explainers, behind-the-scenes content, or brand stories to deepen engagement.
Decision: Share testimonials, case studies, and detailed product demos to drive conversions.
Retention: Send personalized thank-you videos, tutorials, or exclusive content to keep customers coming back.

When you build a funnel—not just a feed—you turn video marketing strategies into a growth engine that drives measurable business results.

DON’Ts: Common Mistakes in Video Marketing Strategies

1. DON’T skip planning

If you jump into production without goals, it becomes random and ineffective.
A strong video marketing strategy always begins with a strategic plan.

2. DON’T ignore your audience

Aiming every video at “everyone” dilutes the impact.
Without targeting, your video marketing strategies risk irrelevance and low ROI.

3. DON’T make videos too long or boring

Most social platforms favor videos under 2 minutes.
If longer, hook viewers in the first 5 seconds, then deliver value.

4. DON’T neglect mobile viewers

Over 70% of users watch videos on mobile devices.
Ensure subtitles, legible text, and vertical or square formats as part of your video marketing strategies.
Design for silent viewing (as 85% of viewers watch with the sound off).

5. DON’T forget strong CTAs

Every video should close with a clear action: sign up, visit, learn more, or follow.
A weak or missing CTA means missed conversions.

6. DON’T ignore feedback

Use comments and analytics to adapt your video marketing strategies.
Watch drop-off points. Use them to improve pacing, format, or topics next time.

Boost Your Video Marketing Strategies Even More: Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What makes a video marketing strategy actually work?

A: The most effective video marketing strategies have a few key things in common: they start with clear goals, speak directly to a specific audience, use the right video formats for each stage of the funnel, are tailored to each platform, and—most importantly—are constantly refined based on performance data.

Click here to learn more about building video marketing strategies that convert.

Q: How long should my videos be?

A: It really depends on where you’re sharing them. For social media, short and punchy tends to win—aim for under 90 seconds. But if you’re creating content for YouTube, a webinar, or a product demo, going longer is totally fine as long as you’re keeping the content engaging.

Click here to learn more about the top video marketing tools.

Final Word: Don’t Just Do Video—Do It Right

Here’s the quiet truth: the brands actually winning with video aren’t editing clips at midnight or trying to DIY a strategy between meetings. They realize it is better to spend time leading—not learning Premiere Pro on weekends.

Video marketing strategies are essential—but without the right team and plan, it quickly becomes a costly, time-wasting effort that rarely delivers results.

At Mediafuel, we turn smart, strategic video into real business results. With a full in-house team, the largest green screen in the Midwest, and a deep love for all things creative and data-driven—we handle everything from planning to production so you can focus on what you do best.

Ready to stop guessing and start growing? Contact us today and let’s make your next video marketing strategy the most profitable one yet!

Not Sure Where to Start? Save This for Later—We’ll Be Here When You’re Ready

SEO Optimization Techniques. Go From Invisible to Unmissable.

by Chris | Jan 22, 2025 | SEO

Want the shorts?

Watch as our CEO, Jeff Kivett, and President, Chris Bass, discuss three SEO Optimization Techniques for increasing your site's findability.

Climbing the Google Ladder: Real SEO Techniques That Actually Work

So, your website is lost in the digital wilderness, and you’re wondering why no one seems to find it. Don’t worry; you’re not alone in this maze of algorithms and keywords. Let’s cut through the noise and talk about some SEO optimization techniques that can lift your site from the abyss.

Digital ladder made of circuit-like steps leading toward a glowing search bar, symbolizing progress in SEO.

Climb the digital ladder to SEO success with techniques that elevate your website from obscurity.

The Technical Stuff: Not as Boring as You Think

First off, let’s tackle the technical side of SEO—yes, the part that usually makes eyes glaze over. But here’s the deal: site speed matters. If your website takes longer to load than make a cup of coffee, you’ve got a problem. Compress your images, minify your code, and, for heaven’s sake, make sure your site doesn’t look like it’s stuck in the dial-up era.

Master the technical side of SEO with efficient, fast-loading website optimizations.[/caption]

Content Isn’t King—It’s the Whole Kingdom

Now, onto content. We’re not just talking about stuffing your site with keywords like “best coffee mug 2024” (though if you sell coffee mugs, that’s not a bad idea). The goal is to create content that resonates with your audience. Think about the problems you solve and speak directly to those issues. Be the answer to their late-night Google searches.

User Experience: Don’t Make Them Think (Too Hard)

Keywords: The Breadcrumbs of the Internet

Yes, we have to talk about keywords. What are people typing into that search bar when they’re looking for what you offer? Use tools to find out the keyword volume—how many searches certain terms get monthly. Incorporate these naturally into your content. But please, don’t turn your copy into a robotic string of search terms. We’re aiming for engagement, not a game of SEO Mad Libs.

Keywords: Solve Problems, Not Rubik’s Cubes

Your website should be a mirror of the problems you solve. If you’re a plumber, talk about leaky faucets and clogged drains—not the history of plumbing (unless you’re making a point). Create content addressing specific issues, and you’ll attract visitors actively seeking solutions.

Solve real problems for your audience—don’t make them work through puzzles to find answers.

Case Study: Thursday Pools Making Waves

Let me give you a real-world example. We worked with Thursday Pools, a company that operates with independent dealers. Ten years ago, they were virtually invisible online. We started by identifying their customers' questions: How do I choose a fiberglass pool? What maintenance does it require? By tailoring content to these queries and optimizing their site with the right keywords, Thursday Pools started competing with industry giants on page one of search results—no smoke and mirrors—just solid SEO optimization techniques and a focus on the customer’s needs and a clear understanding of the problems they are trying to solve and the goals they are trying to achieve.

The Unvarnished Truth

Look, there’s no magic bullet in SEO. It’s about combining technical tweaks with quality content and a user-friendly experience. Be the site that people are relieved to find, not the one they click away from in frustration.

Climbing the Google ladder isn’t about outsmarting algorithms; it’s about providing real value. Optimize your site’s performance, speak your audience’s language, and make their journey effortless. Do that, and you’ll see your website rise from the shadows into the spotlight.

Now, go make the internet a better place—one optimized page at a time.

Indianapolis SEO Agency

by Jeff | Jan 20, 2019 | Digital Marketing, SEO

Your Indianapolis SEO Company for Top Search Results

You’ve got a great product. You make better widgets than anyone you know. You’ve got stellar customer service. You’ve got a fantastic website. So why isn’t your inbox flooded with more requests for your widgets than you can handle? Why is your website (that you spent plenty of good money on) languishing on page three of the search results when you search “best widgets” in your area? It’s probably our old buddy SEO.

SEO is a term that’s bandied about in digital marketing every day. You’ve probably read a million articles about it. Every marketing guru you talk to reiterates that your website and blog must be “search engine optimized.” Failing to attend to SEO is the cyberspace equivalent of hiding your light under a bushel.

But what does that really mean? Do you just need to use the word “widget” in every sentence in order for the gods of the internet to smile favorably upon you and help you make the front page in a “widget” search? Well, it's a bit more complicated than that. But that's where an Indianapolis marketing agency with SEO experience like MediaFuel can help.

The bad news: The algorithm for search engines changes frequently.
The good news: There are some things that will never change: Google wants to serve the most helpful result for every search, which means good content that helps people and answers common questions is key.

But you don’t care how Google works, just like you don’t care how your refrigerator works. You just want people to find your website and buy your product or service (and you want your food to be cold when you open the fridge.) You want your website to show up on the first page of a search without paying for that spot. You want to know that new customers are finding you every day. And, most importantly, you want to know HOW they found you. That’s what SEO-based marketing can do for you.

Search engine optimization and link building

When was the last time you thought about link building on your website? Link building is an important element in any SEO campaign. Why? Because if high value websites link to your business, search engines view your site as having greater authority. It’s not just about building links, though. It’s about finding the right links, both in terms of quantity and quality. Our SEO process will seek to get you first page rankings for targeted keywords, increasing your trust, visibility, and, guess what else...leads. We build out all of the necessary citations, directories and local listings to get your business listed in Google Maps too.

SEO website audit/search engine ranking reporting

Want more inbound calls? We'll increase your average in-bound call volume through SEO and marketing and provide tracking to prove it. We'll first do a technical analysis of your website to give you a full in-depth report of what your current ranking status is. Of course, you'd like to rank #1 for your highest priority SEO keywords and that's where we're going to try to get you. We'll continue to track of all of your keyword rankings, and tailor your SEO plan accordingly, tweaking as needed to get you where you want to be-- at the top.

Marketing automation and lead validation

Yes, you want the phone to ring, but you want it to ring with genuine leads. We'll increase your in-bound call volume of validated leads with our lethal combination of SEO, digital marketing and tracking. We're one of the top Indianapolis marketing companies when it comes to SEO services and lead validation. Instead of reporting on “conversions” – leads, spam, misdials and other non-lead data – we'll help you identify and report true sales leads in real time. This enables you to review leads while they are piping hot, and evaluate your campaign with the utmost accuracy.

Copywriting on key landing pages

Sure, great images and design on your website are important. But the search engines are looking for words. So are your potential customers. Our SEO copywriting experts will go through each page of your website and make sure it's optimized for the keywords your customers are looking for, on the key landing pages you want your customers to find.

Social media optimization service

Social media isn't going away, and businesses that are smart with their marketing are using it as an SEO tool to drive traffic to their sites. In order for a social media campaign to be effective, though, it has to be tailored to your audience, in an authentic voice that represents your business. Simply re-posting other content won't drive leads, and if it's not driving leads, why do it? Our social media optimization services are proven to be effective at driving leads.

Inbound Leads/PPC/Retargeting

You need a multi-pronged strategy to generate in-bound leads. Pay-per-click (PPC) ads are a great tool for your marketing tool belt. So is lead retargeting. Research shows that you'll most likely need to make several impressions on a potential customer before they choose your product or service. Don't lead those leads slip away. In Indianapolis, we've got the strategy to use PPC and retargeting to result in conversion of your in-bound leads into what you ultimately need-- sales.

< Services

Get a Marketing Plan that Works

Change your business now. Contact us today for a free quote.

SEO. Really, Truly, Optimize It.

by Micki | Feb 2, 2018 | Digital Marketing, Marketing Plans, Marketing Strategy, SEO

Op·ti·mize

Äptəˌmīz (verb): to make the best or most effective use of.

Sounds good, right? We all want to optimize what we’ve got, whether it’s our piles of money, our devastatingly good looks, our precious leisure time or– our websites. You’ve spent a bunch of time and resources on your website, and it’s important that the world takes notice. How do you make sure that your gorgeous website stays out of the digital black hole– the place where good websites go to die? (also known as page two on Google.) You stay on top by adopting the best known practices for SEO today, and use them as though your life (or at least your business website’s life) depends on them.

Here are a few tips to really, truly, optimize your SEO. (Yes, we said optimize your optimization.)

Don’t try to take the whole pie. Give some serious thought to your keywords. For example, if you’re a management consultant in Indianapolis, specializing in the hospitality industry, you’re going to have a hard time getting to the top of the heap for “management consulting firms in Indianapolis.” Give up that ghost. There’s too much noise there. Instead, focus on your niche specialties and optimize the heck out of them. “Restaurant service consultants Indianapolis” or “Restaurant server sales training” might get you some traction. This strategy is commonly referred to as using “longtail” keywords. Essentially, that means that you’re not trying to own the whole pie, just a few tasty slivers of it.
Publish or perish. Google is like that nosy next door neighbor who always notices if you switch up your daily routine. If you’re not constantly adding new content to your site, that “nosy neighbor” assumes you’ve gone on vacation and stops paying attention. Find new ways to tell your story and send your message (without ever forgetting the all-important, aforementioned keywords) on a regular basis. If you don’t have time to do it, hire it out. And our final piece of advice here is, don’t be tempted to simply re-post others’ content pieces, or worse yet, plagiarize them. Your nosy neighbor will also figure that out, and your customers might as well.
Cheaters never prosper. Don’t try to stuff your keywords. It’s not a competition to see how many times you can get the word on the page. Consumers are smart– don’t underestimate your audience. Keywords will get them to your page, but if your content lacks focus, or doesn’t answer the age-old question, “What’s in it for me?” they’ll go right on to the next site. (By the way, your nosy neighbor is going to pick up on that too.)

To wrap this all up and put a bow on it, SEO is not something you can hope is happening. It’s something you have to tend to daily, weekly and monthly (much like your piles of money, devastating good looks and precious leisure time.) And if you need a little help optimizing your optimization, we’re here for you.

If you’re a small business, check out FuelGauge’s post “What DIY Small Business Marketers Need to Know About SEO”

MediaFuel is a digital marketing agency based just north of Indianapolis, in Fishers, Indiana, specializing in strategic and innovative message communication through video, VR, website design and content creation.

« Older Entries