Category Archives: Marketing
Social Media Results Are Real
I know that I’m fond of saying that most things are simpler than you think, but frankly it’s true.
Social Media is a valuable component of your content marketing plan. When done in a fashion that is consistent with your other efforts, it works. The primary mission of your social media component is to build and interact with your community. That’s pretty simple.
As the image shows businesses do close deals from Social Media. The slide originated in an inbound marketing slideshow on Marketo’s Facebook Page. If you don’t “like” them yet, you should.
Simple rule: Social Media works when you do it right.
Outside the Box and Ahead of the Curve
One of my favorite sketches from SNL’s Wayne’s World was when the guest star (memory eludes me) was a cool kid who was on Wayne’s show to announce what the new, cool word would be for the upcoming school year. That not only struck me as funny, it brought back memories of my own school days when it was very important to use the latest phrase.
The words seemed to evolve out of nowhere. One day,we were showing approval to something or someone by saying it was “Neat.” Then without warning we switched to “Groovy,” and then to “Boss,” “Tough,” “Far-out” and on and on. Nobody really thought about who 
started it or why we all followed.
Think about it – do you have any idea who was the first person to wear a backwards baseball cap (other than actual baseball catchers – who have a legitimate reason.) Read the rest of this entry
Focus.com 2012 Technology Marketers Handbook
There are always great discussions going on at Focus.com. They’ve just released their 2012 Technology Marketers Handbook. Aside from the fact that I’m one of the contributors to the report, it’s a good read. Check it out.
Noob Guide To Online Marketing (Unbounce.com)
I originally saw this on Pinterest. I haven’t read it all yet – but I will. There’s a lot of stuff. From what I’ve read so far, you will find at least some of it will be relevant to your marketing needs.
You’ll have to click it open in order to see the whole thing.
The Consequences Of Being Rude Online: 5 Things Not To Do In Online Discussions
Do As I Say, Not As I Do
One of the mantras of joining the online global community is that what you post on the internet stays there forever and forever. We all have heard this so it always amazes me when I see some of the thing that people post in various types of online communal discussions. We always make sure to let our kids know not to post pictures or comments that they wouldn’t want college admissions folks to see. Not everyone follows that advice themselves.
There are lots of places to post your thoughts and ideas online, for this article I’m focusing on the behaviors I see in Blog comment threads and Group discussions on forums such as LinkedIn or Focus.
A Double Edged Sword
Survey Monkey now has a Facebook App. Embed Surveys on your Page
If you haven’t used Survey Monkey, you should check it out. I’ve used it a few times and it works really well. You can customize the format, questions and how you want to receive your feedback.
They’ve now created a Survey Monkey/Facebook app so you can embed a custom survey directly on your Facebook Page. I haven’t tried it yet but this link has the instructions on how to add the app and set up a survey.
This app only works on Facebook Pages – not on personal profiles.
If anyone has tried it, or is going to try it, let me know how it works. I plan to check it out myself but not until next week. I’m thinking of doing a survey about surveys.
EMEA Use of Twitter as a Marketing Tool Increased from 31% to 61% in 12 Months
According to a study performed by CNBC, the number EMEA business leaders relying on Twitter as a vital tool in their business and marketing efforts, has grown significantly.
Looking at the number of users among European executives who use Social Media as a tool, Facebook continues to lead the pack. Twitter comes in well below when based on the number of accounts. 77% of execs have Facebook accounts while only 38% have Twitter accounts.
The point to note however, is that the Facebook number has declined in the last 12 months from 81% to 77%, while Twitter use continues to grow. Their 38% was up from 31% a year ago.
The CNBC article, posted on 9/13/11 also takes a look at some other interesting trends in business use of technology. Definitely worth a read.
The Networker’s Lament – A Doggerel on Mishandling Leads
I met her at a network group.
We chatted over onion soup.
Her business seemed to need my stuff.
Her current stuff? Not good enough.
We said we’d chat in a couple of days,
Exchanged our cards, then parted ways
I stacked her card with all the rest.
Gave it a star, ‘cause it was best.
I really planned on tweeting tweets
And setting up some real life meets.
I’d like her page and she’d like mine.
Our businesses would soon align.
When morning came, I had some tea.
I knew the task awaiting me.
My laptop squarely in my lap,
I’d enter names in my contact app.
First, I’d make a call or two,
Then out the door, with things to do.
The stack of cards just shrank away
To the far, far back of my action tray
Strong leads they were. I know I missed ‘em.
I never put them in the system.
“It’s okay” I sighed, with a droop.
“There’s always another network group.”
If you’d like to discuss setting up a process so this doesn’t keep happening to you, please reach out to me.
The Secret Place Where Marketing Ends and Sales Begins
The larger the company, the more of a bright line exists between sales and marketing. In fact, in most large companies there is a probability that your sales and marketing folks enjoy membership in a mutual dis-admiration society. This dysfunctional relationship costs the company money.
This is in area where large businesses should take a page from the smallest of small businesses. They know the secret: If marketing and sales functions are executed properly, no one should be aware where one ends and the other begins. Read the rest of this entry
One Small Step Backwards For Online Retailing
I just got the following email from the Amazon Affiliate program. No need to say more.
Hello,
For well over a decade, the Amazon Associates Program has worked with thousands of Connecticut residents. Unfortunately, the budget signed by Governor Malloy contains a sales tax provision that compels us to terminate this program Read the rest of this entry
Direct Your QR Traffic With A Gateway Page
When small businesses board the QR train the first stop is typically a link to their homepage or a vCard. Once they realize that it can go further, the challenge becomes deciding which URL to send their Q-Audience to.
There are so many choices of how best to use QR for your business. Where you want to send people may change from time to time – in fact it is very likely that it will change as you business grows.
I have some tightly targeted QR codes but I also have one that I call my QR Gateway. I actually have this code on a car magnet. Read the rest of this entry
Sales Addiction 