Google’s lead product manager reports that the quality of these ads are increasing because mobile optimized sites are ranked higher in Google than websites that are flash heavy, have poor user experience and slow loading times. And mobile advertisers are seeing improvement in their lead generation by using click-to-call ads, which allows consumers to click on the phone number in the ad and directly call the business. Google is reporting 10 million calls per month from click-to-call ads on search and the Google Display Network.

Google plans to use mobile signals in the future to serve more relevant ads to consumers based upon search term, physical location of the search and mobile optimized websites.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfK1Z6oIscU

Get a Mobile Strategy
If you don’t have a mobile strategy, get one now. Mobile tactics will be a substantial source of lead generation in 2012 through QR codes, near-field and Bluetooth communications, social check-in platforms, mobile search , mobile web, text/SMS/MMS and mobile advertising.

Personalization
With social integration becoming the norm, users expect their online experiences to be personalized. Look for ways to get users to personalize their experiences with your brand.

Use Social Check-in
In 2011, social check-in services like Foursquare and Gowalla sparked greater interest in the 18-34 demographic. Claim your page in Foursquare and Gowalla and start some promotions that will build excitement and generate leads.

Mobile Apps
Mobile apps are already integrated into users’ everyday lives. If an app for your business can add value for your users, start exploring the process of developing it. Useful apps generate leads though promotions, advertisements and notifications.

Social is Still King
Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn are synonymous with social media. Keep your social campaigns fresh, up-to-date and compelling. Exciting campaigns build brands, promote user engagement and generate leads.

Be Goal Oriented

Good mobile copy is minimal and only includes the necessities. Create content focused around your goals and avoid the fluff.

Use Strong Headlines

Make your content quick, smart and witty. Strong headlines will get the attention of the user and stick with them when they leave your site to answer emails or text messages.

Use Visual Cues

Leave space in your copy for visual cues that will draw the user’s eye towards your objective. Strong visual cues can get the point across very quickly.

Test Your Copy

Copy should be tested to see what performs better. Experiment and find a balance between information and space.

The new brand pages are being launched with select Twitter advertising partners including American Express, Coca-Cola, Chevrolet, Bing, Disney Pixar, HP, Pepsi, Verizon Wireless and a handful of other big name corporations. Twitter says that the new enhanced profile pages will be available to a wider audience in the coming months.

It’s still questionable if existing brands will be able to seamlessly convert to the new design, or if they will have to create new pages as they did when Facebook rolled out business pages. Hopefully Twitter will give us more insight on these changes in the months to come. Whatever the case, Twitter’s new enhanced profile design offers brands an even more powerful way to engage their audience.

Focus on a goal, an objective, a purpose! Make it clear why you want your business or brand visible through social media:

• What does your business do for customers?
• What does your brand promise?
• What do you want to be known for?

Give your business a ‘brand voice’ to communicate with its fans through social media. Engage your fans with value worthy information that share and support your business and brand. Do not try to sell through social media! It is ineffective and most people will be turned off. Social media should be used strictly for marketing objectives.

Use social media for these three business types:

• Business-to-consumer or retail
• Professional
• Business-to-business

It is important to continue building relationships where possible. These three types of business suggestions will help your credibility. Last but not least – remember to always have fun! Social media is about engaging with your audience and building that community within your brand. Once you are on track, you’ll feel the satisfaction of social media and be glad that you jumped on the bandwagon!

Here are more examples of Call to Action:

•  “Limited time offer!”
• “Click here!”
• “Register here!”
• “Don’t delay!”

Including incentives such as offering free shipping or double the product for one low price also acts as great call to actions. People love extras and incentives are great for that purpose, offer your reader something for making a purchase!

But where do you use the Call to Action?

• Your website.
• Newsletters.
• Your blog.
• Social networks.

With the Holiday Season full speed, a Call to Action will be extremely beneficial when it comes to those Holiday shoppers. Remember to use incentives as a motivating tool and spread that Holiday cheer!

How do you create this perception of value through Social Media? Value worthy content! It’s easy to post a picture on your wall and say, “Hey, here is our product.” In reality this will not work, you need to create something significant, eye-catching, something that will draw them in. For instance, creating a video of happy customers using your product!

Facebook Ads can also work to spread the Holiday Cheer through Social Media – if used correctly! Here are 6 Tips when using Facebook Ads:

1. Look at your Facebook Insights demographic data.
2. Create at least 10 design variations for an ad campaign.
3. Within each design variation, target at least three to four different segments.
4. Test broad category types for each ad variation.
5. Decide whether you want to drive traffic to a landing page on your website, or if you want to acquire more “likes”.
6. After launching your ad campaign, monitor closely for the best and worst performing ads.

Engagement with your fans throughout the Holidays is crucial; you can even ask them to share holiday stories they have with your brand. With value worthy content and help from Facebook Ads, your social media strategy for the Holidays will be right on track! And don’t forget to always have fun – Happy Holidays!

LocalVox creates a unique opportunity for local businesses, giving them the chance to rise to the top on search engines like Google. The tool provides a platform for your business to have a single online marketing solution. Your business can create awareness, drive transactions and manage client communication.

If you want a consistent way to promote your business locally, LocalVox is the way to go.

Businesses need to take advantage of all the little details Google has to offer. Google Alerts is simple to use and easy to sign up for. This tool gives you the opportunity to receive updates of the latest relevant results based on your search query.
But why is it important to sign up for Google Alerts? Here are 5 Reasons:

1. Monitor mentions of your business
2. Follow industry trends
3. Track your marketing
4. Identify plagiarism
5. Find sources for blog posts and presentations

These five reasons are enough to keep your company informed and ahead of the game. Sign up for Google Alerts today, it’s free and will save you a lot of time!