google uses google places to get local businesses started with online advertising.

following is an email i received from google this morning. besides that google boost is finally expanding beyond the small number of test markets it is clear that google is starting to put much more weight on local advertisers. however, the biggest revelation is that google is now offering a support phone number to help advertiisers get started with google boost and google tags.

Google Places

March 2011
Dear Client, Welcome to our latest newsletter. We’re sending this to you to keep you updated on our latest features and provide tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your Places account. We hope you enjoy it.

We also want to notify you of a technical error that has affected the Places Dashboard statistics from Feb 18 onward. We apologize for any inconvenience while we work to get you the freshest data possible. Thank you for your patience.
Google BoostGoogle Boost, now in more cities Try Google Boost, a new way to advertise on Google. When you Boost ad shows, your listing is marked by a blue pin on Google Maps and a placement in the Sponsored Links section of Google search results.

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Google HotpotLocal recommendations powered by you Rating and reviewing is now even easier in Google Place with Hotpot. The recommendation engine allows users to find new favorites based on places they already like.

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Google PlacesGet the most out of Google Places Looking for some tips to get the most out of Google Places? We’ve got 3 to get you going:

BallTip 1Tip 2Tip 3
Video of Places UsersReal stories from real users Find out how three Google Places users have increased their business.

BallWatch video
Google PlacesGet online with Google Google offers many different tools to grow your business. Find out which ones are right for you with this free download.

BallDownload now
More ways to help your business grow Google BoostGoogle Boost
Attract local customers with targeted advertising

$100 in free local advertising
Call (877) 546-9962 to redeem
Google TagsGoogle Tags
Make your listing stand outStart your free trial now »
If you would like to speak with a sales representative, please call (877) 546-9961

You can update your Places account at any time by signing in at http://places.google.com/business with your email address and password. Until next time!
The Google Places Team

 

 

 

© Google Inc. 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA, 94043. Email preferences: We sent you this email because you have indicated that you are willing to receive occasional Google Places newsletters. If you do not wish to receive such emails in the future, please visit the settings tab of your Google Places homepage (http://places.google.com/business – Places login required), uncheck the box next to ‘Newsletters’, and click ‘Save Changes.’

Boost offer Terms & Conditions:
Promotional credit is only valid when signing up as a new Google Boost advertiser. Promotional credit allows for $100.00 of free Google Boost advertising. This credit can be spent on 1 Boost advertising campaign per new advertiser. Advertisers will be automatically charged for advertising that exceeds the promotional credit. Promotional credit will be applied to customer’s designated AdWords account within 30 days. Google Boost ads are subject to ad approval, valid registration and acceptance of the Google Places and Google Boost program terms and conditions. Offer void where prohibited by law. Offer expires April 30, 2011. The promotional credit may not be sold or bartered. The offer may be revoked before acceptance at any time for any reason by Google Inc. Tags offer Terms and Conditions.
Promotional credit is only valid when signing up for new Google Tags listings. Promotional credit allows for $25.00 of free Google Tags advertising (equal to 30 days free for one listing). This credit can be spent on one tag listing, or it can be applied across multiple tags listings and $25.00 will be deducted from your monthly billing statement. Advertisers will be charged for advertising that exceeds the promotional credit, which is $25.00, per listing, per month. If you don’t want to be charged for the additional months, you can pause your tags at any time and your charges will be pro-rated for that month. Google Tags are subject to ad approval, valid registration and acceptance of the Google Places and Google Tags Program terms and conditions. The promotional credit is non-transferable and may not be sold or bartered. Offer may be revoked at any time for any reason by Google Inc. One promotional credit per customer.