By edith on 08-20-2009

Idea One – Claim Your Linkedin Public URL

1) Go to your Linkedin Account
2) Go to “Edit My Profile”
3) Go to Public Profile, click ‘Edit’
4) Update URL. Click Set Address.

Total Time Needed: Less than 1 Minute (also Check out Linkedin 101 for Business Owners)

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Idea Two – Add Your Business Info to Google Local Business Center

1) Go to Google Local http://www.google.com/local/add
2) Add New Listing

Total Time Needed: Take less than 5 Minute

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Idea Three – Claim Your Twitter URL

Yep. Even you don’t tweet. You should claim it (just in case). I have friends who gave up their Twitter URL with their own names, and it took weeks to claim it back.

1) Go to Twitter Setting
2) Modify User Name

Total Time Needed: Take less than 1 Minute. Also check out Twitter 101 for Business Owners

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Idea Four –Create a YouTube Account Using Your Company Name

Yep. Guess who own YouTube… Google! So when people google you, your YouTube URL will usually show on the front page.

Tips:
1) Choose a username that include your company name.

Example: http://www.youtube.com/biztechday

2) If the name already taken, make sure you pick a new name that will still include your business name.

Example: http://www.youtube.com/biztechday_technology_day

Total Time Needed: Take less than 1 Minute

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Idea Five –Create a WordPress Blog

1) http://en.wordpress.com/signup/
2) Fill in basic info
3) Make sure you choose a blog domain of your company
i.e. BizTechDay.WordPress.Com

P.S. Make sure you check ‘Yes’ for I would like my blog to appear in search engines like Google and Technorati, and in public listings around WordPress.com.

Total Time Needed: Take less than 3 Minute.
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To learn more about working with Linkedin, come to BizTechDay and attend ‘How to Create a Strong Business Brand on Google, Yelp, Linkedin & Facebook’ session.

Register by this Friday and receive an Early Bird discounted price by clicking here.

About edith

Edith Yeung is the Founder of BizTechDay and SFentrepreneur. She is also a lecturer at UC Berkeley International Program and committee member of the San Francisco Small Business Week. She has previously worked with AT&T Wireless, Oracle, Siebel, Autodesk, Cisco Systems, Symantec, American Management Systems (AMS), Telstra Australia, Matav Hungary Telecom and Taiwan Semi-Conductor.

4 Responses to “5 Ways Increase Your Online Presence for Free in Less than 5 Minutes”

1. mari Says:
   August 21st, 2009 at 6:16 am

   Edith,
   Thanks — these are all very practical tips, which are really easy to take advantage of. I added my biz toGoogle Local Biz.
   (and I highly recommend Wordpress.com. Mine is on it too.)

2. Linda Lee Says:
   January 6th, 2010 at 1:54 am

   Edith- All excellent suggestions. I would however suggest a serious business owner be sure to self host their WordPress blog vs. using the free version or “hosted” version with WordPress.com
   What is the difference between a self hosted blog and one that is hosted by someone else, (Wordpress.com, Blogger, Typepad) With a self hosted blog you are able to do more things, you have full control of it. Just one example is if you ever want to add any type of advertising on your site, you will not be able to so with WordPress.com or you have to buy some upgrades with the other hosted sites. I install and customize custom WordPress blog sites including all the nifty plugins you may need. I also offer hands on training on how to use your blog.
   It is simple to learn, so don’t be scared. Starting out with a self hosted blog straight out of the gate will save you the hassle of moving the whole blog later to your own hosting.
   Good luck!

3. Emelda Roode Says:
   June 19th, 2010 at 9:42 am

   Exceptional site, where did you come up with the information in this blog? I’m glad I found it though, ill be checking back soon to see what other articles you have.

4. Sharon Says:
   August 5th, 2010 at 1:35 pm

   I would recommend Blogger. It enhanced ur website’s ranking by 10 pages!

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