Making a better networking and internet marketing platform for YOU

We have already announced that in a few weeks time we will be introducing paid memberships. But of course, we don't expect people simply to pay for what they already have. Rather, we are working on a number of enhancements that will be made available to those taking a premium memberships.

iStadia is already proving to be an effective platform for creating a "buzz" for products or services, or enhancing online reputation. This is done both on and off the site. Active members are seeing not only excellent search engine placements for articles, blogs and their profiles but also improved placements for their own websites (when they use their content effectively by linking to their own site).

I can speak from my own experience: Since I've actively linked my activity on iStadia to my own site I have started creating a regular stream of enquiries for my sport psychology services. Not only has this benefited me but, as others will testify (and a look at the forums will tell you) I am passing on referrals to other members too. iStadia has taught me some valuable lessons which we are now applying to make premium membership a highly effective, low-cost platform for marketing your sports business or consultancy - or simply enhancing your personal brand.

The improvements that are coming are designed to give premium members greater control over the presentation of their profile and other content, particularly with a view to search engine optimisation and creation of business leads.

These include:

1) Turning your profile into a more personalised 'mini site', with additional elements to elevate your own brand and optimise it for search engines.

This should help to attract more visitors to your profile, so the first improvement is

- The ability for potential customers to contact you directly from your profile, to your email inbox,
without them having to log in.

Improvements designed to create additional visitors include

- Personalised title. The title is known to be particularly important to search engines, so we will allow
you to create your own, which can include your most important key words.

- A short 'elevator pitch' or summary, which gives human visitors an instant understanding of what
you can offer, and search engines more focused, keyword-rich text to pick up and display.

- A list of your own articles and blogs, rather than simply a link to 'your blog' and 'your articles'. Again,
this will create a more focused, rich page to attract visitors.

- The ability to add a feed. So, if you have a blog elsewhere, you can show it on your profile page.

- More control over the layout of your profile - a choice of tabs or a single page.

2) A business or consultant finder - which will be more prominent, potentially benefitting all, but in which premium members will be given prioritised listings.

3) Personalised blogs, articles and news. So, if you want to make your brand/business name more prominent, or make your keywords more prominent to help your business you can.

4) Adding a summary to your articles, to give people and search engines the opportunity to quickly see what your article is about.

5) Giving paid members their own 'space' (based on a club) to which visitors can subscribe, giving you the opportunity to communicate directly with them - rather like an interactive newsletter.

Those of you who are serious about using the web to increase business will see that these enhancements, on their own, are worth paying (what will be a modest annual subscription) for. However, to sweeten the deal further we will be adding a package of discounts (e.g. on the marketplace, for future events).

As we have already said, we will continue to welcome non-paying members and most of the benefits that can currently be gained from membership will be available, at least to some degree, to you all.

Please drop me or Keith a line with any queries. I'm on 07739 411383. Keith can normally be found in the office, on +441491574938.

Regards,

Rob

Rob Robson

Sport and Business Psychologist, Warwickshire