RTI Business & Consulting Services

Archives for March 2022

5 Common Mistakes New Businesses Make On Social Media

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Are you struggling with social media? RTI can help! We offer a variety of services to help businesses of all sizes harness the power of social media.

Making the jump into the social media world can be daunting for any business, new or established. It’s easy to make mistakes – after all, there are so many platforms to choose from, and each one works differently. In this post, we’ll look at some of the common mistakes businesses make on social media and how you can avoid them.

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Using the Wrong Platforms

As of this writing, there are 17 major social media platforms to choose from: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Tiktok, YouTube, Pinterest, Snapchat, etc. Each of these platforms has its strengths and weaknesses. For example, LinkedIn is great for businesses looking to network with professionals, while Pinterest is perfect for e-commerce businesses looking to drive traffic to their website.

Not knowing which platforms to use is one of the most common mistakes businesses make on social media. So before you start any social campaign, take the time to research which platforms are best for your business. Also, avoid using too many platforms at once; that’s a recipe for disaster. Instead, focus on two or three at most, and make sure you’re using them correctly.

Not Having a Social Media Strategy

This may seem far-fetched, but you’d be surprised how many businesses jump into social media without a plan. Your social media campaign should have specific goals and objectives like any other marketing initiative. What do you want to achieve with social media? Have you increased brand awareness? More website traffic? Greater customer engagement?

Answers to these questions will help you determine which tactics to use and how to measure your success.

Not Knowing Your Target Audience

This is another common mistake businesses make on social media. You’re shooting in the dark without knowing your target audience with your marketing efforts. Take the time to create buyer personas– i.e., fictional representations of your target customers. Once you have a good idea of your target audience, you can tailor your content and messaging to appeal to them.

Focusing On Selling Instead of Building Relationships

This one should be self-explanatory, but it still happens all too often. When businesses focus exclusively on selling their products or services, they come across as pushy and unprofessional. Instead, think of social media as a way to build relationships with your target audience. Offer valuable content, be responsive to comments and questions, and be patient. It takes time to build relationships online.

Not Using Visuals

Did you know that our brains process visual information 60,000 times faster than text? That’s why visuals are so important on social media. When you post images and videos, they not only help to break up the text but also help to capture attention. So make sure you’re using visuals in your social media posts. Remember not to use just stock photos – original visuals are always best.

A few other mistakes include:

  • Posting without a plan or purpose
  • Posting too often (or not enough)
  • Neglecting paid advertising options
  • Not measuring results
  • Using the wrong tools

Social media is a powerful tool for businesses of all sizes. It can build brand awareness, connect with customers, and generate leads. However, if it’s not used correctly, social media can be ineffective and even damaging to your business. Avoid the mistakes highlighted above, and you’ll be on your way to social media success.

RTI Business & Consulting Services

Are you struggling with social media? RTI can help! We offer a variety of services to help businesses of all sizes harness the power of social media. Contact us today to book an appointment.

CALL (314) 529-1525
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Tips on How to Start a Successful Photography Business

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Our photography business consulting experts can help you get on the right track. We’ll work with you to develop a custom plan and provide ongoing support.

Have you decided to start a photography business? We applaud you for having the ambition and drive to make your dream a reality! Photography can be a very lucrative and rewarding industry. However, starting a photography business is not as easy as just picking up a camera and taking pictures. There are a lot of things you need to know to be successful.

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This article will discuss eight tips on making your photography business thrive. We’ve got you covered, from setting up your business correctly to marketing yourself effectively.

Develop a Business Plan

First things first, you need to develop a business plan. This is essential for any business but especially important for a photography business. You need to think about your target market, what services you’ll offer, how you’ll differentiate yourself from other photographers, your pricing structure, and your long-term goals. This may seem like a lot of work upfront, but trust us, it will be worth it in the long run.

Come Up With a Memorable Business Name and Logo

You only have a few seconds to make a good first impression. Make sure your business name and logo are memorable and accurately represent your brand. Your logo should be simple eye-catching, and it should be used on all of your marketing materials.

Gather The Right Equipment and Supplies

As a photographer, you need to have the right equipment and supplies on hand to be successful. This includes everything from camera bodies and lenses to tripods and lighting gear. Investing in high-quality equipment will help you produce better results for your clients.

Stay Up-to-Date With the Latest Technology

The photography industry is constantly changing, and new technology is always being introduced. To be successful, you need to stay up-to-date with the latest trends. This means reading photography magazines, attending trade shows, and taking advantage of online resources.

Create a Schedule

One of the biggest challenges faced by photographers is managing their time. When running your own business, no one tells you when to show up or when to leave. So it’s essential to create a schedule for yourself and stick to it. This will help you stay organized and on track.

Keep Your Skills Sharp

Finally, one of the essential tips for running a successful photography business is to keep your skills sharp. This means regularly practicing your craft and constantly learning new techniques. Take classes, participate in workshops, and never stop trying to improve.

Build a Strong Online Presence

These days, it’s more important than ever to have a solid online presence. This means having an up-to-date website and active social media accounts. Make sure that your website is easy to navigate and showcases your best work. In addition, be sure to post regularly on social media and interact with your followers.

Develop a Marketing Strategy

A big part of being successful in any business is marketing yourself effectively. You need to let people know who you are and what you do. There are several ways to market your photography business. You can use online marketing tools, such as SEO and social media, or traditional methods, such as print advertising and PR.

Contact RTI Today!

By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to starting a successful photography business. Just remember to focus on your goals and work hard. With a little bit of dedication, you can make your dream a reality.

Need help getting started? Our photography business consulting experts can help you get on the right track. We’ll work with you to develop a custom action plan, and we’ll provide ongoing support to help you implement it. Contact us today to learn more.

7 Essential Features Every Website Should Have

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We can create a website for your business that’s effective, user-friendly, and looks professional.

Do you have a website for your business? If not, you are missing out on a lot of potential customers. A website is a perfect way to reach out to more people and promote your products or services. But not just any website will do. Your website needs to have certain features to be effective. This article will discuss 7 essential elements that every website should have.

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  1. Easy Navigation – One of the most essential features of a website is easy navigation. If people can’t find their way around your website, they’ll quickly leave and go to another site. Therefore, your navigation menu should be easy to locate and use. It should also be organized logically so that people can easily find what they are looking for.
  2. Contact Information Everywhere – Potential customers need to be able to find your contact information easily. This includes your address, phone number, and email address. So make sure it is easy to locate on every page of your website.
  3. A Strong Call to Action – Your call to action (CTA) encourages people to take action and buy from you or contact you for more information. Therefore, it should be prominent on every page of your website.
  4. A Blog – A blog is a great way to connect with your customers and prospects. It gives you a chance to show your expertise and build trust with potential clients. Be sure to update your blog regularly with fresh, original content. This will keep people coming back for more, and it will help you attract new visitors. Also, make sure your content is clear and concise. It should also be free of grammar and spelling errors. It should also be easy to read and understand. Remember to use short paragraphs and bullet points to make it easy for people to scan your content.
  5. Secure Hosting – Your website needs to be hosted on a secure server. This will protect your site from hackers and keep your customer’s information safe.
  6. High-Quality Images – Did you know that our brains process images 60,000 times faster than text? Your customers and prospects are more likely to remember your website if it contains high-quality images. Make sure you use images relevant to your business and that are of the highest quality possible. People should be able to see them clearly without having to zoom in.
  7. Trendy, Intuitive Design – 94% of first impressions are related to your website’s design. That means that people will form an opinion of your business based on how your website looks. Your website should have a trendy and intuitive design that is easy to use. People should be able to find what they are looking for quickly and easily.

Speaking of design, your website’s design needs to be responsive, which means it should be optimized for all devices. People should be able to view your website on their desktop, laptop, tablet, and smartphone without any issues.

Contact RTI

These are just a few of the essential features that every website should have. If you’re not sure how to create a website or add these features, don’t worry! We’re here to help. We can create a website for your business that’s effective, user-friendly, and looks professional. Contact us today to get started!

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6 Key Benefits of SEO For Your Business

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Our team of experienced SEO experts will work with you to create a customized strategy that meets your unique needs and goals.

When it comes to growing a business, SEO is one of the most essential tools you should have in your arsenal. For the uninitiated, SEO, or search engine optimization, is a set of practices designed to convince search engines, such as Google and Bing, to rank a website among the top organic– aka ‘unpaid’ – search results. When done correctly, SEO can provide several key benefits for your business.

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This article discusses six of SEO’s most important benefits for your business. Keep reading to learn more!

1 – Increased Visibility

Did you know 75% of internet users never go past the first page of search results? Did you also know that the top three search positions for any search results have an average CTR of 75.1%? That’s right; only the first page of search results receives a majority of the impressions and clicks. So this means you have to rank on page 1 of search engines to gain clear visibility for your business and solutions. A great SEO strategy will help you do just that.

2 – Improved User Experience

A well-optimized website provides a better user experience, which is one of the main goals of SEO. By improving your website’s navigation, design, content, and speed, you can make it easier for users to find the information they need and are more likely to stay on your site longer. Of course, all of these factors also play a role in improving your conversion rate.

3 – Improved Credibility

Ranking high on search results can help create credibility in the public eye. This is because people tend to trust the websites that appear on the first page of search results more than those that appear lower down. This is especially true for organic listings, as they are seen as more trustworthy than paid ads.

4 – High-Quality Leads

According to recent research, 60% of marketers claim their best quality leads come from SEO-engaged consumers. Quality leads refer to the users who are most likely to convert into customers. This is because they are actively searching for products/services like yours and, thus, more likely to be interested in what you have to offer.

5 – Cost-Effective

Paid ads are instant gratification but have no long-term benefit. They have no residual future benefit because you have to continue to pay per click. However, SEO content & links compound so the longer you invest the exponentially better results you receive.

6 – Brand Awareness

SEO can help improve brand awareness for your business. When people see your website rank high on search engine results pages, they are more likely to associate your brand with the terms they are searching for. As a result, you will become more recognizable to potential customers, which can help increase sales in the long run.

Let Us Help You Create an Effective SEO Strategy

Are you ready to take advantage of all the benefits SEO offers for your business? Then contact RTI Business & Consulting Services today. Our team of experienced SEO experts will work with you to create a customized strategy that meets your unique needs and goals. We’ll also help you stay up-to-date with the latest SEO rules, techniques and trends. Contact us today to get started!

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