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Went Hot: October 8, 2007 - 10:51 am
Posted By: MattMcGee 637 days ago
Topic Type: News Story (Jump to http://www.smallbusinesssem.com)
Category: Link Building
Here's why: In the last couple weeks, I've come upon two small businesses (neither are clients) that are getting some combination of media attention, online buzz, inbound links, and natural search traffic simply because they've created products or emphasized products that represent environmental-friendliness.
10 Comments
Comments
Kind of like this: French Supermarket Casino Labels Eco-Friendliness of its Products
This is a classic example of the more you do offline the better you do online. Nice post.
Great topic! Going to have some fun with this one.
Yes, yes, YES!!!
Great article, Matt. I am happy as a clam that going green is not only good for the planet, but good for business. One of the nicest things that's happening on our little blue ball right now.
Miriam
Another great article from Small Business SEM, I do like what Matt writes!!
An interesting take in how to create buzz and to leverage something which is a hot topic - the environment!! If you go about this the right way this will create traffic and natural inbound links, and also using your skillz offline in the process!!
Blue sky ideas all the way!!
Just for the record: I WAS GREEN BEFORE IT WAS COOL OR GOOD FOR BUSINESS!
Okay, thanks, just had to get that off of my chest. =)
I'm glad more businesses are adopting a green strategy and spreading awareness. Obviously with more demand, the high price of many green products will drop, though the quality is usually worth the added cost.
Besides switching to CFL bulbs, green trucks (still rare) and community service here are some other tips:
- use 100% post-consumer recycled paper (post-consumer is key! If it doesn't say this, it's usually swept saw-dust)
- turn off the lights!
- turn up the AC and down the heater
- make sure your office is up to all codes (a well-structured office IS a green office if it isn't leaking or losing heat/air to unknown holes)
- use products like bamboo for flooring and cabinets (durable and easy to grow)
- switch dish detergents to all-natural options like Seventh Generation
- get rid of as many paper, plastic and styrofoam products as possible! Use glass, real silverware and cans instead.
- carbon off-set your emissions while traveling (there are calculators online that give you your travel cost in carbon and then you can support alternative energy sources)
- screw ethanol, go solar or wind-powered (one solar panel will heat your water and power various electronics... look into a community program)
- find a consultant to come in and point out specific areas you can improve on
- use a water filter instead of bottled water
- recycle your ink catridges (take them back to the store)
(insert another thousand things you can do!)
It's not a matter of doing everything, just doing as much as you can. Sorry for the rant, but this is my first love and I would hate to see people making a profit when they haven't really gone green/blue.
=)
If anyone has specific questions, please let me know, I'd be happy to help and have tons of contacts in this area.
~Rhea
Great article. Thanks for posting!
Right on, Rhea! Yes...I can identify with the now-it's-a-buzzword feeling. On the other hand, we have to hope that 'green' becoming mainstream will have a good outcome for the planet. My husband and I recently started a blog called Tangergreen so that we have a vent for our energies about all of this...we're so green, you could use us as compost in your garden. haha!
Enjoyed your comment and voted it up!
Miriam
Tell me about it my pal from Environmental Graffiti is smashing it on traffic. If only SEO were that cool.
If we can get ad agencies, Yahoo, and Starbucks to reduce, reuse and recycle the carbon impact surely would drop. Yahoo still has styrofoam cups. Ad agencies - we're all guilty of the print queue - Starbucks - we're all guilty consumers - when was the last time you got your cup 'o joe in a porcelain mug, and avoided printing a major document?
I saw what Google was doing with plug-in hybrids, solar powered carports, and other sustainable solutions in Mountainview, CA when I was there in August. Impressive indeed.
We can do more - all of us - I haven't purchased the Prius yet, but I do request it when I rent a car and if you can figure out how to drive the thing, you're in good shape -
I've also recently gone on a solar tour here in Columbus, OH - neat to see what residences and companies are doing to go green with solar and wind power. by the way - there is not a lot of wind in columbus ohio on the daily basis - but solar power is very green and within reach. Our state government offers rebates for certified installation and hopefully that will continue.
Lastly, I'm trying to go to Antarctica - in December 2007 - if possible. I'll tune you in if I go.....
LauraThieme.com