Creative Marketing in a Slow Economy
Some ideas for a slow economy:
Back to basics. Now’s the time for down-and-dirty marketing – do the things that you know work, but maybe don’t like to do. Cold calls work but no one likes to make them – now’s the time to suck it up and get on the phone, or do some cold canvassing and drop by some prospects in person.
Think twice about that yellow page ad. Still using the Yellow Pages? More and more businesses are abandoning traditional advertising in favor of less expensive but effective internet advertising and investing in their websites. This is the time to enhance your website, make sure it is mobile-ready, invest in Search Engine Optimization, and join social networking sites like Facebook and LinkedIn. Continue reading
The Power of Personal Networking
One of the most effective marketing methods often overlooked by many business owners is personal networking. Your local chamber or referral group (such as BNI) can be a huge source of new business. Here are some tips to help you network effectively:
Don’t just pass out as many business cards as possible. What do you think of someone who just puts his business card in your face and quickly moves onto the next person? Don’t be that guy. Two or three meaningful conversations are worth more than hundreds of cards passed out. Continue reading
Do You Have a Mobile Website?
There is no doubt that mobile web browsing is growing at a very high rate. With the popularity of smart phones and tablets, mobile browsing has become very commonplace, as many consumers and business people prefer the convenience of their mobile device to desktop or laptop pcs. This poses a problem for viewing websites, however, because most traditional websites are too content-intensive, have too many pages, and appear too small when viewed on a mobile device. The need for an alternate mobile website has clearly arrived.
Client Testimonials are Great for SEO!
It’s sometimes difficult to come up with quality content for an existing website, and a really effective way which has multiple benefits is asking for client testimonials. There are several reasons why this is such a great, creative way to add content to your site:
– Testimonials will usually have many quality key words in them, since the client is often complimenting you on a particular product or service you provide.
– Asking for a testimonial puts you in contact with a client, which is always beneficial; any “touch points” with a client are important ways to build on your business relationship. Continue reading
QR Codes
By now you’ve probably come across QR codes, the square bar-code images used on coupons, websites, business cards, and other marketing materials. QR stands for “Quick Response,” and all one needs to scan a QR code is a free app on a smartphone. They seem to have caught on, with stores using them to provide shoppers with instant savings or info on a product, manufacturers using them on coupons, and businesses using them on their marketing materials.
What can you put on a QR code? You can make it link to your website, or show some text, or show your contact info which people can then easily save on their phones. Creating a QR code is pretty easy, with several websites offering it for free. You’ll need to play around with the size of the QR code, depending on whether you’re using it in print or online, and on how much info your code stores.
Google Dives into Social Media
A few weeks ago, Google launched Google+ (Google Plus), which is its attempt at social networking. Google allowed a limited number of users to sign up and test drive the new platform, and yours truly was lucky enough to get a special invitation! Google+ is simple and clean, but obviously it’s still early. I’m sure Facebook was much simpler early on as well. Google simplifies categorizing your contacts into different groups, or “circles,” and like Twitter, allows you to connect with someone without them connecting with you. Overall, I like it! Continue reading
Social Media Management Done Right
With social media being the hot thing right now, more and more companies are offering social media management, which has prompted several clients to ask us about this service. What I tell an inquiring client first is, “Social media is best done by you,” and I believe this to be true. Who better than you to represent your company at a networking event? Who better than you to promote your business? The same holds true for online networking.
Having said that, however, if you don’t want to engage in social media yourself, or don’t have the time, then second best is to pay someone else to do it, whether that means an in-house staff member or a company. Better to have someone else do it than not do it at all due to lack of time or will. Continue reading
Google makes major change in search ranking algorithms
In response to ongoing complaints that search results do not often yield the highest quality websites first, Google announced that they it some modifications to its search algorithms. The result of this change is supposed to be more websites with original, quality content ranking higher. Insiders say that sites such as eHow typically rank highly, but offer shallow and lower quality content, and in a rare public admission of fallibility, Google made this change and announcement. Continue reading
Social Networking – Have you Jumped in Yet?
So, have you jumped into social media yet? As a business owner or manager, have you started promoting your business with Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter? Or are you still intimidated by these sites, not sure what they’re all about, how to use them, doubtful about their effectiveness, or too busy with other things to make time for them?
I think most of us can agree that with the growth of social networking websites over the past few years, it appears as though this isn’t just a fad, and therefore can no longer be ignored.I speak to business owners every day who are intimidated by sites such as Facebook and LinkedIn, don’t know much about them, or feel they are too busy to get involved.Take the plunge! Try it out, what’s the worst that’ll happen?
I would urge anyone to dedicate just a few minutes a day, two to three days a week, to social media. If you can’t, then have someone else in your organization do it, or hire a reputable consultant or firm to do it for you.
Keep in mind that social networking is very similar to personal networking, and you should have similar expectations from both. Just as you wouldn’t expect to go to one Chamber meeting and get business right away, don’t expect to get quick sales from sites such as Facebook or LinkedIn.
Farming or Hunting?
An analogy I often use is that this is like farming vs. hunting. If sales calls, cold calls, direct mail, and doing trade-shows are all ways of “hunting” for sales, then personal networking, and likewise social networking, are “farming,” i.e. planting seeds for the future. You’re making connections, having conversations, getting to know people, so that when the need arises for your service or product, they will think of you. It’s all about staying in front of people so you stay on their mind.
Pick one site to start – I’d recommend Facebook for its ease of use and inherent sociability – and spend just a few minutes a few times a week on it. Fill out your profile, interact with friends and business associates, click around, have fun, and you’ll be a social networking pro in no time!
Starbucks’ New Logo – What Do You Think?
Yesterday, Starbucks unveiled their brand new logo. It’s a bit revolutionary in that they removed their name from the logo! Their move is designed to be minimalistic and use a recognizable image as a logo, allowing them to enter markets other than coffee. I like it – what do you think? You can see it here:
http://news.yahoo.com/starbucks-gives-logo-look-20110105-100942-929.html