Many purchases are based on the need for instant gratification – gum, magazines and fast food are all good examples. The price is low, satisfaction is immediate and there’s little risk involved with the purchase. 

Looking for an easy, social-friendly way to share presentations? Consider SlideShare. Much like YouTube is the hub for video sharing, SlideShare.net is a website that hosts presentations for individuals and businesses. It boasts 60 million monthly visitors and 130 million page views.

Making a company’s presence known on Google can mean a higher rank on search engine results, an increase in potential customers finding your website and consequently, more business. Yesterday, we described how to build the foundation of a Google account and Google+ company page. Now we’ll take a look at how to claim your Google+ Local page and connect authorship to your company – two beneficial strategies in gaining exposure.

Developing a presence on Google is vital for a business, allowing opportunities to prosper and expand B2B marketing. Numerous potential customers and clients are on Google every day, searching through vast amounts of information for specific wants and needs, including personal and business insurance. Google has much more to offer than just their search engine and maps; they have created behind-the-scene services, such as their company and local business pages. Skeptics point out that the top social media tools are LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook, but consider the overarching reach of Google. It’s enormous. And although Google doesn’t specifically spell it out, many believe that using Google products can benefit your search engine rank. It’s time to conquer the Google realm by building a strong Google presence in your insurance marketing strategy.

As technology grows and becomes the center of how we live and work, it should come as no surprise that how we write and use technology continues to evolve. That's right, English is an evolving language. New words are added to the dictionary every year. Today, who doesn't know what LOL means?

It’s the very lifeblood of what you do as an insurance professional. Without it, prospects won’t call, relationships won’t develop, customers won’t stick around or send referrals your way, and you’ll have a hard time growing your agency in this tough market. And if you’re shooting for any kind of sustainable competitive advantage, you’ll need plenty of it.

Testimonials are a great way to promote your insurance business. Testimonials provide proof that your business can deliver a positive experience. However, care must be taken to use good, quality testimonials that are not too light … or too dark. John Forde puts testimonials into perspective with this article from his free weekly newsletter “The Copywriters Roundtable.” And here it is for your insurance marketing enlightenment …

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What did you do to celebrate National Grammar Day on March 4? If the day passed you by unnoticed, don't worry, there are still plenty of ways to honor good grammar. Now is the perfect time to do a little spring cleaning. Scrutinize your website, your letterhead and your fliers for common spelling mistakes and grammatical errors. Is the text easy to read? Does the copy flow well? Is there anything that can be cut or rearranged for better understanding?