So assuming we all have limited time, energy, and financial resources, what should a promotional products distributor do for maximum exposure and best possible ROI. The following list is not scientific, but it should serve you very well. The thing you have going for you is that the internet has become "local." By using your local advantage, you should be able to at least get great rankings in your natural market. In major cities, you will have a much more difficult time getting visible beyond 10 miles or so. We won't touch on that here.
Top Ten Ways Your Customers WIll Find You Online in 2012 by ROI
The assumption is a rigorous effort applied to each through either cash, time, or both. So for instance, you might spend $1000 to upgrade your Website or create a mobile version. You might spend six hours a month on a blog or you might pay someone to do so (value $3000?) You could spend $6000 per year on PPC. You might spend $1000 or a bunch of time optimizing Google Places and Yelp, or go crazy and spend $5000 a year for a Yelp upgrade.
1. Google Places and Yelp
2. Website - Should be Mobile
3. YouTube Videos
4. Email blast to Customer List
5. Blogs and article submissions
6. Apps
7. Webinars
8. Other Social Media
9. Online Press Releases
10. Pay Per Click - Adwords, FB ads, and Youtube
Note: The reason that social media is so far down the list is that it takes huge amounts of time compared to the return I am seeing thus far. Also please note that some pundits lump YouTube and blogs into social media. I agree with that idea, but these two elements are so far out in front by ROI compared to FB, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Google+ that I preferred to leave them separate.
