As of 7:04am this morning (Saturday, June 30, 2012) we have 184 votes. YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME!! Thank you so much.

We need to get to 250. We just have today to get it done. Saturdays (especially in the summer) are typically slow Internet days. But I know we can do it.

Yesterday I talked about how I figured out this program: OK. So I think I’m getting the Chase Mission: Small Business Challenge

I realized that all the participants need to work together and vote for each other.

Today I realized that’s only half the battle. You have to let people know what you did.

In search engine optimization terms it’s creating compelling content and then asking people to link to it. You can’t have one without the other. People will not just naturally link to you. You have to ask for the link.

So today I’m going to go back to all those companies I voted for yesterday and let them know I voted for them and ask them if they might vote for us.

The contest people have linked the participants’ Facebook page (if they have listed one). So it’s pretty easy to ask for the link.

Also, I got some more requests for votes from people who had voted for us.

Here are the latest people I’ve voted for:

Alt Architecture + Research Associates, LLC
Using Architecture as a Tool for Healing
263 votes

Greek Awards
Awarding Middle School, High School, and National Greek Fraternity and Sorority Excellence in Academics, Performing Arts, and Community Service.

Renee’s Eventi
Renee’s Eventi is a full service event planning boutique that provides consulting, coordination and event design.

HealthEconomics.Com
The world’s most comprehensive and credible website for resources and jobs in healthcare value and market access.

Brooklyn Flavors
Handmdade Skin Care and Soy Candles Using Natural Butters and Oils. Brooklyn Is Making Scents!

WVO Management
Go Green, Go WVO Management…

Then I decided to start going through other Ohio cities. (I voted for all the Akron businesses.)

As I am voting for people I’m going to their Facebook page and letting them know that I voted for them. I also ask if they might consider voting for SageRock as well. Incidentally, I’m liking them and posting a comment to their timeline as SageRock (not as Sage Lewis). This contest is a super great opportunity to reach out to local businesses and introduce ourselves by giving them something in return.

If you would like a vote from me just let me know here at the SageRock blog, on twitter at http://twitter.com/sagerock or anywhere else you might find me online

I’m going to be voting for people most of the morning. It’s fun to see all their Facebook pages. (Plus it’s raining at the campground this morning… I’m in Sandusky Ohio.)