New Company Offers Strategy for Implementing Web 2.0 Tools

CHARLESTON, SC – For organizations who don’t know a blog from a Podcast, but realize they should, a new company formed by public relations and Internet marketing professionals has the answer. Step Ahead Web Strategies, which recently opened for business, will provide companies with comprehensive online strategies, beyond their Web site, from a public relations and marketing perspective.

The new company, founded by Lyn Mettler, owner of Mettler Public Relations, and Bud Di Maggio and Simon Ashton, co-owners of Internet marketing firm the SIMS Agency, will work with clients to develop creative ways they can implement Web 2.0 tools, such as social networking (MySpace, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.), blogs, Podcasts, online video, social bookmarking, virtual communities (SecondLife), Wikipedia and more, to expand awareness, manage their reputation, and reach their target audiences with an appropriate message online.

“While we realize plenty of people already know they need to have a Web site and may even be doing some search engine optimization and pay per click campaigns to drive traffic there, we saw a need to help businesses figure out how they can engage some of the social Web technologies, like online video, social networking, podcasting, blogging and more in ways that strategically fit within their marketing plan,” says Lyn Mettler, president of the new company.

Step Ahead Web Strategies also implements recommended projects, such as creating blogs, producing Podcasts or videos, and setting up social networking profiles, as well as manages them for clients on a day-to-day basis. “Because many of these tools can be time-consuming, we are able to help clients manage them to ensure they remain relevant, timely and credible,” says Ashton, vice president of technology for the company.

Step Ahead Web Strategies offers clients a comprehensive online strategy from a public relations and marketing perspective. The company helps businesses and organizations expand their Web presence beyond their Web site, engaging the latest and most innovative technologies, including online video, social networking, search engine optimization, blogs, Podcasting and more, to reach their target audiences with the right message. To date, the company has worked with European tour company Breakaway Adventures, the Charleston Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, Charming Inns of Charleston, and Decorum, LLC. Visit www.stepaheadwebstrategies.com or call (843) 388-8376 for more information.

Contact: Laura Thompson, (843) 406-6261,
lthompson@mettlerpr.com
AIM: LThompson23

###