Take Your Business Marketing Plan Online

One goal that any business should have in today’s world is to have an online marketing phase of their business marketing plan. Online marketing is essential because, millions of people around the world search online for a service or solution first before making a buying decision. If a business isn’t online they will lose money to their competitor and ultimately go out of business.

How to Market Online

The first step that any business should take before marketing online is to optimize their existing website for the search engines. This can be done either by hiring a legitimate SEO Service or doing the work in house.
Optimizing a website for the search engines involves adding regular search engine optimized content to the website, updating the websites Meta tags, keywords and re-submitting the websites URL to the search engines.

Internet Wide Exposure

One of the best ways that any business can increase their exposure online is with the use of Social Media. Every business should have accounts with the major social media services like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Google Plus.

With social media, a business owner can reach out and interact with an audience that’s interested in the products and services that they offer without having to spend hundreds of dollars on buying an email list or other expensive forms of marketing.

A Long Lost Art

For many years it appeared that pipe smoking and pipe tobacco had gone the way of the dodo bird. It was considered an arcane relic of times past, like the Cinemascope and the carburetor. In recent years, however, many people of Gen-X age have taken up pipe smoking. This could be out of nostalgia – something their grandfathers and uncles had done – or as an offshoot of the maturation process; pipes go well, it seems, with some silver in the temples.

The Finer Points

The novice pipe smoker probably has not yet invested in such niceties as meerschaum pipes or exotic, fine-cut tobacco. Most people who are new to pipe tobacco, in fact, will buy it at the local drug store. Many over-the-counter brands can be purchased in tins or pouches under such brand names as Sir Walter Raleigh tobacco or Borkum Riff. From there, they must learn and perfect the finer points of pipe smoking, such as whether their tobacco needs to be hydrated or aerated, how best to pack their pipe, and how to puff on the pipe to achieve proper burning and heat levels.

Discriminating Palate

Some folks will fall in love with the first brand of tobacco they find, and never switch, while others will explore around for a brand that suits them. As they progress, they will begin to pick out details, such as room note (which actually more affects the other people in the room who are not smoking). Sir Walter Raleigh tobacco (of the Burley variety) is of a very fine grind, has a hint of sweetness about it, and burns well in almost any pipe. Borkum Riff is not beholden to heavy flavor, even though they sell varieties such as Borkum Riff  Bourbon Whiskey and Borkum Riff Cherry Cavendish.

There are also various cuts of tobacco, cavendish being one, ribbon being another. Sir Walter Raleigh tobacco tin is described as a “cube” cut by some. The cut of the tobacco has much to do with the way the tobacco is packed in the pipe, as well as the way it burns. It would take the novice pipe smoker some time and experimentation to determine which type of cut they prefer, as well as which cut burns best in the pipe that they have.

Upscale Restaurants in Richmond are Closing Their Doors

I love good food, but I love having money in my pocket even more.  Like me, many Richmonders are pinching their pennies and forgoing the 4 star restaurants for cheaper dining alternatives.  Many even going so far as to actually cook for themselves.  I shudder at the thought of having to eat my own cooking.

Richmond Restaurants that have closed in the last week:

• Bottega Bistro
• Manakin Grill
• 1 North Belmont

I must say that I am going to miss Bottega.  Being a Southside girl myself, there was nothing nummier than their Sunday brunch.

My husband and I went to 1 North Belmont a couple of years ago for our anniversary and the food was delictable, but the check was so high that it hurt.  The food was so wonderful that we’ve always wanted to go back, and it saddens me that we won’t get that opportunity now.

I’ve never been to Manakin Grill, but I can only imagine it must have been delicious.

It seems that the finer things in life are slipping away in Richmond.  I wonder what will get hit next.

Quick Money Saving Tips:

1. Buy discounted gift cards for restaurants and other local merchants.
2. Have a gift card that you will never use?  Sell your gift card for cold hard cash!

 

Shula’s Steak House

Shula’s Steak House is an upscale, white tablecloth restaurant that features the signature SHULA CUT.  We offer custom center cut premium black angus beef.  Our beef is superior to USDA prime in 9 out of 10 specifications which makes our beef remain undefeated.

Shula’s Steak House is themed after Don Shula’s 1972 “Perfect Season” when he coached the Miami Dolphins during their 17-0 season.  Perfect atmosphere, perfect service and perfect food.

We will offer a variety of steaks including a classic filet mignon, a cowboy steak and our 48oz porterhouse.  When you order a 48oz porterhouse you immediately become a member of Shula’s 48oz club.  This is just one of the many unique things we offer to make your experience memorable.

We open December 1 inside the New Hilton Richmond Hotel & Spa at Short Pump.  We also offer private dining rooms for any function or meeting space.  We can’t wait to see you there!

For more information or reservations please call Shula’s Business Development Manager, Tracy Fisher, at 804.218.3860.   Also check out www.donshula.com.