Google Alerts and Google Profiles - Set Up Both Today
Over the past several weeks, I have been emphasizing during my client coaching calls how easy it is to set up Google Alerts for their business development targets (i.e., clients, referral sources and prospects). Then when they pick up tidbits of information about these targets, they can use it as an opportunity to make contact (borrowing from the real estate industry, the most important factor in personal services marketing is: contact, contact, contact) to build on an existing or desired relationship. Or use the Alerts to learn more about your competitors.
It should take you about 10 seconds to set up an Alert. You enter the name (put multiple words in quotes “ABC Corporation” or “Jane Doe”), leave “comprehensive” as is, select how often, and insert your email address. That’s it. You’re done.
As for Google Profiles, I ran across a post by John Jantsch today pointing to the value of creating your own Google Profile. It seems that if someone were to do a Google search for you, by having your own profile, you would “own as much of the real estate that pops up under you(r) name on page one” of the search results.
That is a good reason to create your profile today. I’m in the process of doing just that myself. And don’t forget to set up your Alerts also.
Happy googling.
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I have used alerts for years. First with Lexis, then with Google. It is our duty to our clients to stay current and this technology allow you to do so without spending all day on it!
Great tips. Alerts are an excellent way to keep track of your online reputation. Be sure to set up your alerts in different way -- here are some tips: http://agentgenius.com/?p=11973.
Also, be sure to grab your profile before a squatter does!!!
Alerts have been a very useful resource to me. I've used them to check out competitors as well as see what others think of me. Great post.
Great post. What a great yet simple way to stay up to date. Thanks for sharing....I'll be setting mine up tomorrow.
Google Alerts is also a great way to find local contacts on social media sites. For example, you can use it to find Twitter profiles for people with desirable keywords in their bio and location fields. I've written up the complete procedure on my blog:
http://www.alertrank.com/mrgooglealerts/2009/04/09/google-alerts-for-local-sales-leads-on-twitter/
This technique will send you an alert when someone creates a new Twitter profile with your keywords, which is a great time to follow them. They will be much more open to making contact.
