Social media is one of the best new ways to deliver your marketing message - and to show your business personality - to your target market. With so many tools like Facebook and Twitter to use though, how do you manage them all? How do you make time to do it all?
I use HootSuite, a free Twitter-related application that allows me to set up my various accounts and to write, manage and measure my marketing messages with one tool. It currently works hand-in-hand with Twitter, Facebook, Facebook pages, LinkedIn, Ping.fm and Word Press. You can even schedule messages to go out automatically - so you don't skip a beat when you're out of the office!
And what's even better, this tool is FREE! I love it - check it out and watch how easily you can transform your social media marketing plan into a manageable, measurable task.
Virtually Yourz,
Dana Neuts
Follow me on Twitter: VirtuallyYourz
Find me on Facebook, Biznik and LinkedIn
Showing posts with label social media. Show all posts
Showing posts with label social media. Show all posts
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Ten ways to market in a recession
Late last year I reconnected with an old business contact of mine, a financial planner. This man has been in business for 20+ years and has always been successful because he is a stand-up guy with a unique niche in his business. He is the financial adviser who takes the time to get to know his clients and to really learn what makes them tick before helping them design a financial plan. He is happier if he has helped a businessman or a family get closer to their long-term goals than if he gets a big fat commission check.
Unfortunately, the economy has hit his business hard, and he isn't seeing many of those checks. People are either afraid to invest or don't have the assets left to do so, so his business has dropped significantly. He came to me to help ramp up his marketing efforts, something he's been able to avoid doing for a long time.
I thought I'd pass along some of my suggestions to those of you who might find some of yourselves in a similar position:
1) It is tempting to cut marketing expenses in a recession, but according to an SBA expert in Seattle, marketing is the last expense you should cut when the economy is down. In fact, if your year-round marketing efforts are consistent, you may only have to increase things a little bit (greater advertising frequency, for example) or maintain the status quo until the economy evens out. Bottom line: do not cut your marketing now.
2) Take advantage of the social media surge. Leverage sites like Stumple Upon, Digg, Facebook, Twitter and Squidoo to get your message out there. There is no "hard cost" to using these sites, but be cognizant of how much time you spend on them and be sure your message is consistent across the board.
3) Remember that the "hard sell" turns off many of today's consumers. Instead, take your time by offering them tidbits for free with a blog or posting tips on Twitter.
4) Position yourself as an expert in your field through article marketing, blogging, tweeting or commenting on others' blogs.
5) Interact with others online and through face-to-face networking without the expectation of a sale and, while doing so, remember to be yourself. If they need you down the line, they'll remember you or perhaps refer you to someone who might.
6) Keep your marketing efforts consistent. We all know that it takes 7+ times for a prospect to see our name, brand, product or service before it sticks or becomes top-of-mind. So make sure you get in front of your target audience on a regular basis (e.g., advertising 1x/week in local paper, 4 radio spots/day during rush hour, weekly blog posts, daily Twitter & Facebook updates, etc.)
7) Try "new" marketing tools. When finances are scarce, people are afraid to spend money so "doing what you've always done" may no longer work. If that's the case, try new (or new-to-you marketing tools - advertise in a different publication, try a TV ad, join an online network, join your local Chamber or downtown organization, investigate PPC or CPA advertising, place an ad on Facebook - whatever will put you in front of prospective customers.
8) Keep the customers you have. It costs less to keep a customer than it does to acquire a new one, so make sure your existing customers continue to have the great selection and service they are used to. Continue to woo them with special offers, free newsletters, thank you events, etc. to make sure they feel appreciated.
9) Be flexible. I know it is hard to be open-minded when business is slow, but you have to be flexible in order to adjust your marketing mix to what will work for you during a recession.
10) Perhaps most importantly, make sure you can measure whatever marketing tools you are using. That's the only way to see if what you are doing is working. If you are using online marketing tools, make sure you check your website or blog stats frequently to see what keywords, referral sources, days, times, etc. are bringing you traffic. For advertising, be sure to include a specific Coupon or Offer code so you can track the origin of the promotion and, if all else fails, ask your new customers, "How did you hear about us?" or "Who can I thank for your business?" You'll need this information when determining the success of your efforts.
Still not sure where to begin? Contact me to discuss your situation. My initial phone consultation is complimentary.
Virtually Yourz,
Dana Neuts
Follow me on Twitter: VirtuallyYourz
Find me on Facebook, Biznik and LinkedIn
Unfortunately, the economy has hit his business hard, and he isn't seeing many of those checks. People are either afraid to invest or don't have the assets left to do so, so his business has dropped significantly. He came to me to help ramp up his marketing efforts, something he's been able to avoid doing for a long time.
I thought I'd pass along some of my suggestions to those of you who might find some of yourselves in a similar position:
1) It is tempting to cut marketing expenses in a recession, but according to an SBA expert in Seattle, marketing is the last expense you should cut when the economy is down. In fact, if your year-round marketing efforts are consistent, you may only have to increase things a little bit (greater advertising frequency, for example) or maintain the status quo until the economy evens out. Bottom line: do not cut your marketing now.
2) Take advantage of the social media surge. Leverage sites like Stumple Upon, Digg, Facebook, Twitter and Squidoo to get your message out there. There is no "hard cost" to using these sites, but be cognizant of how much time you spend on them and be sure your message is consistent across the board.
3) Remember that the "hard sell" turns off many of today's consumers. Instead, take your time by offering them tidbits for free with a blog or posting tips on Twitter.
4) Position yourself as an expert in your field through article marketing, blogging, tweeting or commenting on others' blogs.
5) Interact with others online and through face-to-face networking without the expectation of a sale and, while doing so, remember to be yourself. If they need you down the line, they'll remember you or perhaps refer you to someone who might.
6) Keep your marketing efforts consistent. We all know that it takes 7+ times for a prospect to see our name, brand, product or service before it sticks or becomes top-of-mind. So make sure you get in front of your target audience on a regular basis (e.g., advertising 1x/week in local paper, 4 radio spots/day during rush hour, weekly blog posts, daily Twitter & Facebook updates, etc.)
7) Try "new" marketing tools. When finances are scarce, people are afraid to spend money so "doing what you've always done" may no longer work. If that's the case, try new (or new-to-you marketing tools - advertise in a different publication, try a TV ad, join an online network, join your local Chamber or downtown organization, investigate PPC or CPA advertising, place an ad on Facebook - whatever will put you in front of prospective customers.
8) Keep the customers you have. It costs less to keep a customer than it does to acquire a new one, so make sure your existing customers continue to have the great selection and service they are used to. Continue to woo them with special offers, free newsletters, thank you events, etc. to make sure they feel appreciated.
9) Be flexible. I know it is hard to be open-minded when business is slow, but you have to be flexible in order to adjust your marketing mix to what will work for you during a recession.
10) Perhaps most importantly, make sure you can measure whatever marketing tools you are using. That's the only way to see if what you are doing is working. If you are using online marketing tools, make sure you check your website or blog stats frequently to see what keywords, referral sources, days, times, etc. are bringing you traffic. For advertising, be sure to include a specific Coupon or Offer code so you can track the origin of the promotion and, if all else fails, ask your new customers, "How did you hear about us?" or "Who can I thank for your business?" You'll need this information when determining the success of your efforts.
Still not sure where to begin? Contact me to discuss your situation. My initial phone consultation is complimentary.
Virtually Yourz,
Dana Neuts
Follow me on Twitter: VirtuallyYourz
Find me on Facebook, Biznik and LinkedIn
Thursday, March 26, 2009
What is marketing?
If you asked 10 people what "marketing" means to them, you would likely get 10 different answers. You'd probably get a mix of advertising, branding, promotion, public relations, social media, business development, planning, marketing mix and more.
In my mind, marketing is all of the activities and tools that a person or company uses to promote its products, services or ideas. It should include all of the items mentioned above and so much more. So the next time you think about marketing and the tools available to you, don't limit your thinking to one aspect of marketing. Think of the entire gamut of possibilities, and you'll find a wealth of tools and opportunities available to you.
Virtually Yourz,
Dana Neuts
In my mind, marketing is all of the activities and tools that a person or company uses to promote its products, services or ideas. It should include all of the items mentioned above and so much more. So the next time you think about marketing and the tools available to you, don't limit your thinking to one aspect of marketing. Think of the entire gamut of possibilities, and you'll find a wealth of tools and opportunities available to you.
Virtually Yourz,
Dana Neuts
Sunday, March 1, 2009
What are your marketing challenges?
Marketing and PR are great vehicles for small businesses, particularly in a difficult economy where a consistent marketing presence is more important than ever. The challenge, however, is having enough time, money and manpower to market to your target audience consistently and effectively.
I want to help you hit that challenge head on; I am working with Kirk Davis at Green River Community College to put together some very specific marketing "how to" workshops that can help you to grow or sustain your business, even during troubled times.
To provide content that is most useful to businesses like yours, I'd love to get your input.
1) What marketing challenges do you face as a small business owner? (e.g., limited time or money, lack of knowledge, lack of manpower, etc.)
2) What marketing tools (e.g., e-mail marketing, press releases, event promotion, etc.) would you like to learn more about?
3) Do you use social media tools like Facebook, Twitter and Biznik? Would you like to learn how to use these tools to increase your social capital?
4) What marketing ideas or tools would you implement on your own if you just knew how?
5) Do you have a marketing plan? Do you update and adapt that plan as needed?
Please e-mail your replies to me at dana@virtuallyyourz.com or call me at 360-920-1737. I value your input and will keep your replies confidential.
Thank you and may you and your business be prosperous in 2009!
Dana Neuts
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Five Quick & Easy Social Media Marketing Tips
If you haven't already embraced the social media, consider adding it to your marketing toolbox to expand your online reach.1) Facebook: Create a profile, invite colleagues and clients to join, and make regular posts and updates. This tool is easy to setup and use and is much more professional than sites like MySpace.
2) Twitter: If you are a fan of Facebook, you'll love Twitter where you can post frequent but brief "tweets" that will automatically be sent to your list of followers.
3) Blogging: Create a free blog to reach out to prospective clients. Add blogs 2 - 3 times per week. Make them interesting and visually appealing.
4) Biznik: I love this fun networking site which not only promotes online networking but face-to-face networking as well - a nice change of pace!
5) Linked In: This professional networking site is a great way to connect with colleagues. In particular, I love the Q&A section where you can get and give free advice. It's a wonderful brainstorming tool.
Virtually Yourz,
Dana Blozis
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Social Media Resources
I found this great summary on Biznik.com of the most popular Social Media sites. The summary includes information on Blogging, Social Bookmarking, Social News, Social Networking and more. Thanks to Jennifer Manlowe for sharing this great information. Check it out here.
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