Leveraging Google Alerts to Grow Your Impact Business

One of my top goals for 2024 is to work with more climate tech startups. Thus, I’m thrilled to share that the latest clients I am onboarding is the leadership team of a promising climate tech startup.

Though many business coaches don’t talk about them, this opportunity and several other exciting growth opportunities in my business have greatly benefited from the strategic use of Google Alerts (in this case, the keyword "climate tech startup.") This simple yet powerful tool has become a key growth strategy for my business. In this blog post, I want to share how you can leverage it to achieve your goals as well.

Identifying Key Growth Opportunities Via Keyword Research

To maximize the effectiveness of Google Alerts, it's essential to start with some basic keyword research. This process helps you identify the terms and phrases that represent opportunities to expand your business in exciting directions. Two excellent free tools for this research are Wordtracker (simpler to use) and Ubersuggest (more powerful). For instance, using these tools I have identified three key phrases that I’m leaning into for my business growth: "climate startup," "Albuquerque business," and "social entrepreneurship."

When identifying keywords to focus on, consider these three strategies:

1. Look for Keywords Representing New Areas of Focus: Identify at least 3 and no more than 5 keywords that signify exciting new areas of growth for your business. These should align with your passions and business goals. For example, I am particularly interested in the following keywords: "climate tech startup," "Albuquerque business," and "social entrepreneurship." These areas are not only aligned with my expertise and interests but also offer significant potential for innovation and impact.

2. Search Volume and Competition: Focus on keywords with at least 100 searches per month, ideally more, to ensure there is sufficient interest and activity. Additionally, try to find keywords with low to moderate levels of competition. This balance will help you target areas with significant interest without facing overwhelming competition. Use the tools discussed above to help you identify the search volume and competition level for potential keywords.

3. Set Up Google Alerts: Once you have identified your keywords, set a daily or weekly Google Alert for each one. This will ensure you receive the latest articles and updates directly to your inbox. Here’s how to set up a Google Alert:

   • Go to Google Alerts.

   • In the "Create an alert about..." box, enter your keyword (e.g., "climate tech startup").

   • Click on "Show options" to customize your alert settings (e.g., frequency, sources, region).

   • Choose how often you want to receive alerts (e.g., daily or weekly).

   • Click "Create Alert."

Leveraging Google Alerts for Business Growth

Setting up Google Alerts for your chosen keywords can provide a steady stream of relevant information. Here are four ways to leverage the articles and information you receive through these alerts:

1. Competitive Advantage: By regularly reading the best and most current research in your field, you will become better informed than many of your colleagues. This knowledge positions you as an expert in your industry, giving you a competitive edge. For example, my in-depth understanding of the latest trends and innovations in climate tech allows me to offer more specialized and insightful advice to my clients than a more generalist business coach.

2. Staying Updated on Trends: Knowing where a sector is coming from and where it appears to be heading provides you with valuable context and data. This information helps you make more informed decisions and offer more timely products and services. For instance, staying updated on trends in the social entrepreneurship ecosystem allows me to anticipate changes and prepare my clients for emerging opportunities and challenges.

3. Curated Content: The articles and information you receive through Google Alerts can serve as high-quality content for your social media channels, newsletters, etc. By regularly sharing current and relevant information, you can build trust and credibility with your audience. For example, I frequently share articles on climate tech innovations and social entrepreneurship best practices, which positions me as a knowledgeable and reliable resource in these fields.

4. Enhancing Your Products and Services: The insights gained from Google Alerts can be directly applied to improve your offerings. For instance, my business coaching for climate startups is highly informed by the latest trends and research in the climate tech space. This specialized knowledge means my clients do not have to spend extra time bringing me up to speed, allowing us to dive straight into solving their unique challenges.

Conclusion

Incorporating Google Alerts into your business strategy can provide significant benefits, from gaining a competitive edge to improving your products and services. By starting with thorough keyword research using tools like Ubersuggest and Wordtracker, you can identify the most relevant keywords for your growth. Once set up, Google Alerts will deliver a steady stream of valuable information that you can leverage in various ways to grow your impact business.

I encourage you to explore this powerful tool and see how it can help you stay ahead in your industry. Whatever the characteristics of your ideal client/customer, Google Alerts can provide the insights you need to achieve your goals. Here's to finishing off 2024 with more growth, innovation, and positive impact!