A few of our favorite things!!!!!!

Great pieces of marketing are among our favorites. 

What is your favorite Website or Facebook page? Post it here! 
For a chance to win over a 1lb of yummy fudge!

We will select a random “Poster” to win some of our favorite fudge. We will draw after 74 entries have been posted using our Random Number Generator and
Post the winner here!

Tip: Feel free to post your own Website or Facebook page for free exposure.  It is welcOMed. :-) *Each URL counts as 1 entry, only 2 entries max per person.*

Prize = Fudge from Tom’s Fudge made with love in Longview, WA. Assorted Holiday Pack with well over 1 lbs of Fudge
Be sure to keep checking back and tell your friends!!!

Comment on our blog on or on Facebook.

http://www.facebook.com/omoriginals

Tis’ the season to eShare.

Howdy Neighbors,

Tis’ the season to eShare.  What better gift is there to give than fresh info about our community?
We encourage you to visit the websites our clients that offer event info, news, and good news about about Cowlitz County.

• Cowlitz Today
  Our communities online event calendar.  You simply can’t say, “There is nothing to do in Cowlitz County”.  Check it out.
  
  
• KLOG Radio
  Hometown News, Home Team Sports, and Classic Hit Songs.  Tune in to AM 1490 to listen.

• Valley Bugler Newspaper
  The Valley Bugler is a monthly good news publication.
  Featuring Community Events & Activities, Funnies, People, Animals and an Occasional Tall Tale.

We’ve integrated these web sites to make them social savvy.  Please take a look and share them on Facebook and Google.
Spread the (Local) News!

Google +1 and why you need it

Thanks for tuning into another edition of Geek Speak. This summer I shared with you about Google’s answer to Facebook. Google Plus One (+1).
There has been a fair amount of hype with Google’s new social efforts. Fast forward to today “Is Facebook dead, yet?”
No, not at all. My Facebook connections and interactions continue to grow like crazy. ~:-) But today I want to discuss my favorite feature of Google Plus One. To save ink I’m going to refer to it as simple +1 button.
Here it is. The +1 button.
You might say, “So what? It looks like a Facebook “like” button to me.” My first reaction was, “I wonder if the +1 affect search results. That would be awesome!”
<<Remember I’m a marketing geek…
Fortunately, I was correct. Search results are now personalized based on the likes of those in your Circles. Circles are similar to friends on Facebook. As a marketer, this really changes the game.
In the past, there was one Google and one set of search results (at least for this article). Now the social aspect is shaking it all up. Rest assured search results are still based on Google’s proprietary algorithms, they aren’t thrown out the window(or chrome), they now just have a social component. Sites with more +1s will appear to be more relevant and thus ranked higher.
Google appears to be personalizing the search results on the micro and macro level. Meaning if you are logged into your +1 and you do a search, Google will give sites higher rankings if people in your circles (your connections) have +1’ed those sites. Additional on the macro level, the +1s of people outside of your circle are changing your search results as well. I suspect that when I search, my results are personalized by my connections AND by others on Google(outside of my circles).
Is this making your brain hurt yet?
The bottom line is this. Google has a new Plus One button and you want it on your website so you will have better search rankings.  Savvy professionals can get the code for their websites @
www.google.com/intl/en/webmasters/+1/button/
Need help with integration? omOriginals Marketing! can help with any site regardless of who developed it.  Isn’t it nice to know a geek?! Call us local geeks at 575-9839

Want to try a button? You should first get an account with Google. If you don’t have one you can get signed up (it is free). http://www.google.com/+
I invite you to read the intro article that I wrote in my August 2011 BLOG post.
Time to start clicking.
You can see examples of +1 on omOrginals.com and on ValleyBugler.com.
You’ll see that we’ve placed the button on each individual page. This allows visitors to “vote” for individual pages. If you appreciate this article, I’d appreciate your +1.

Facebook Workshops October 27th, 2011

Oscar will be presenting both Facebook Level 1 and Facebook Level 2 classes.

• Level 1 – (1:30-3pm)
  - If you or other business owners you know do not have a Business Facebook Page, or would like to expand on the page you currently have.
  (This is your class!)

• Level 2 – (3:30-5pm)
  Learn “14.5 powerful ways to grow your Facebook fan base”.
  - If you already have a Facebook Business Page that is set up and would like to increase your fan base and create more fan interaction.
  (This is your class!)

Payment guarantees your seat!
Visit Facebook Workshops page or call our office for more information and to pay by phone. 360.575.9839

Does Your Business Really Exist? Google it!

For years it was my job (or part of it) to convince people on the importance of using the Internet for business. I don’t really do this anymore.
It’s not that I don’t still believe that the Internet is a powerful tool for marketing business, the shift is that everyone else knows it now too. Instead of me convincing people on the value of a web site, I now get to jump right in and help them harness the power of the Internet.
I recently had the pleasure of visiting with Mr. Rick Winsman, President/CEO of our local Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce. Our subject of discussion was about all things “business and the internet”.  Imagine that! Mr. Winsman expressed to me that “every business needs to be online”. He went on to say, “If people can’t find a business online it is likely that they (the business) won’t be around much longer”.
Maybe that is what happened to the Dinosaurs. ~;-)
We all know that Big Foot (Sasquatch) exists. But, does your business really exist?
Let’s find out the existence of your business with two simple questions:
1) Can people find your business online?
To find your business, let’s do some searching. Go to Google.com and get started. I recommend you take some notes on the results (digital or old school pen and paper will work). We are going to do two types of search.
A search for your “business name” and a search for your “product or service”.  Type in your “business name” and hit return/enter. I typed in “omOriginals”, and I also tried “Valley Bugler”. I’m happy to say, “We exist!!”
Next click on “maps” to see if your business is on the map.
Our second search is for your keys words such as “Longview WA Marketing” or “Longview WA Newspapers”. You can do these searches without the state name, but sometimes the results show Longview, TX.
Record your results. Don’t be shocked or discouraged if you don’t show up on the first page or results for your keywords. Just be motivated to be on this page so people can find you.

[Quick Tip: To be found for your “keyword”, make sure your web site has Google content discussing your keyword. Relevant (and fresh) is the best way to receive better search rankings. For maps, you need to add a list, or edit].

I recommend you do the same searches on bing.com, yahoo.com and even facebook.com <<< wow 400 words in before mentioning facebook!
And if all of the above is over your head, then call me anyways because we can help it make sense for you.
Now to our second question.
2) What does your presence say about your organization?
Start with the basics, to make sure your information is correct and up-to-date. Then ask yourself if you’d be interested in your business (based solely on what you see online)?
Not too interesting? Then perhaps it’s time for an online marketing review. Here at the office, we are currently offering those for free. If you’re interested, please give Johnene, our awesome Administrative Assistant and Office Manager a call! She can get you on our calendar with a free review. (360)575-9839
Long Live your Business.
Make sure your business can be found AND is putting it’s best foot forward. Take advantage of today’s technology – not only to survive, but to flourish.
Oscar Myre IV is the owner and creative director at the flourishing company, omOriginals Marketing! in Longview, WA. They’re local geeks and ad designers for this paper, who have esteemed clients from all over Cowlitz County (and the nation), and would be happy to chat with you about your own online marketing goals and thoughts. They can be reached at (360)575-9839 or online @ omOriginals.com

<GeekSpeak> is also published monthly in the Valley Bugler Newspaper.

Google’s Answer to Facebook: Google +

When discussing G+ with Kelso Mayor David Futcher, another early adopter, he expressed some excitement, but we agreed that “the world doesn’t need another Facebook”. But, we see that it is bigger than social, it combines the world of social AND search. PLUS other Google offerings such as; eMail, Video, Calendar, Documents, Photos, Reader, Web & More.

Columbia Theatre Longview WA.

omOriginals is excited to be performing with Columbia Theatre in Longview!
This all new web site showcases the upcoming show CTPA shows and other community performances in this recently renovated historic theatre.  Web site high lights include YouTube Video integration, Facebook Feed & online ticket sales (click4tix).   We invite you to check out the web site and go to a show.  This site also looks and works great on mobile devices.   http://ColumbiaTheatre.com

Cowlitz Electric – Website, eClub & Facebook

Thanks to Rich Black and his crew for having us help with their online marketing.

Cowlitz Electric is based out of Castle Rock Washington and they serve all of  Cowlitz & Lewis County.   They offer both Residential Electrical Services and Commercial Electrical Services. They are members of IBEW local 970 & 76.

We invite you to connect with them @ http://cowlitzelectric.com & http://facebook.com/cowlitzelectriclcc 

Marketing Services provided OM include: new website, Facebook consulting/coaching and eMail Marketing.

Groupon watch out: Facebook has a Mobile Deal for you

Facebook has launched a new way to coupon. It is called Facebook Deals. This is how it works… when people check IN to your business on their Mobile phones they can receive “Deals.”  Note: They are only available for claimed “Places” on Facebook @ this time. The end of this article will tell you how to claim your “Place”.

What is Facebook Places? On your mobile phone, you can check IN (tell the world where you are at). This is cool and a bit spooky at the same time. Instead about worrying that Big Brother watching everything you are doing, you are telling him. There is great info here for advertisers and potentially bad people. So I can enthusiastically encourage businesses to use places, but more cautiously consider it for your personal use. As a page owner you can offer 1 (and only 1) of 4 deals at a given time. Here is an overview for each Facebook Deal:
1) Individual Deal
Reward individual customers when they check in at your business. Best for simple discounts or gifts with purchase. This is a simple coupon with nothing to print. People simply show their phone to get the deal. It (the coupon) is displayed on the phone after you check-in with your phone.
2) Friend Deal
Reward groups of customers when they check in together. Help spread the word about your business more rapidly. Similar to a individual deal, but you only get the “coupon” if you and multiple friends check-in. The page owner determines how many check-ins required to get the deal.
3) Loyalty Deal
Reward customers for visiting your business a certain number of times, similar to a traditional punch card.
4) Charity Deal
Pledge to donate to a charity of your choice when customers check in at your business. A win-win for everyone! We are currently running a Charity Deal @ our studio to support Project Joplin.
Watch the Video
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10100211990206733
So how much does it cost to offer a Facebook Deal?
It is currently free, I’m not sure if this is just until they are out of beta or if this is free forever.
Claim your Place:
As I said above you need to claim your place on Facebook to be able to offer a deal.
To claim your Place, search for your business name on Facebook via the normal Search bar. If your business’s Place already exists on Facebook, click on it to visit its page. At the bottom left side of your Place you may see a link that says “Is this your business?” Click on the link and you will be directed to a claiming flow.
Facebook will ask you to verify that you are the owner through a phone verification process, or you may be asked for document verification. If your claim is confirmed, you will be able to admin your Place on Facebook. This took about 3 days for FB gave me admin access to our “Place”.  I then requested that they combined my Page and my Place. This took 7-10 business days to combine.
If you do not see the “Is this your business?” link on a Place, then it is not available to claim at this time.
The Deals features are going to be HUGE. I recommend you take claim to them ASAP. If you’d like to learn more about how to use Facebook, please check out our website or give the office a call to learn about upcoming FB Classes and Facebook Consulting, available Monday through Friday 9am – 5pm.
We take care of your marketing – online and off – so YOU can take care of business!
omOriginals Marketing is owned and operated by Oscar Myre IV and Michelle Myre of Longview, WA. To see how he can put the “Master” influence into your marketing, call (360)575-9839 or online omOriginals.com

In the Studio with Yoda…

Here are a couple of our radio ads for our June 9th Facebook Classes.

We hope you enjoy. ~:-)

May the Facebook be with you!
We hope to see you in class. We are looking to share some valuable info and have some fun to boot.

Facebook Classes.

Mobile users

FB1

FB2