Tag Archives: economy

Mobile marketing – The Internet just got personal

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mobile marketing

I have been around the block a few times with websites, email, marketing solutions and branding services. My background “started” in graphics and communications. I remember the day when I would get buzzed from my design markers and super 77 spray glue (that glue would make my hair unruly for days). I would start my day by gathering my design tools of layout bond, rulers, exacto knives, and that little orange cone-shaped can filled with solvent, that removed any blemish or mistake.

Fast forward to today….Now I am living in digital world where all of the tools I once had at my disposal are still in existence, only virtual and available to me with one click. Having remained on the cutting edge over the years and transitioning from a marker and paper artist to a digital artist specializing in website design, to more recently a digital marketing strategist, I have to say that the latest trend towards capturing an audience, which totally blows my hair back is mobile applications and smart phones. These little programs can scan a credit card, purchase merchandise from my favorite store, keep my kids busy while we are traveling on vacation, find my favorite radio station, search for my favorite recipes and much more. Now I don’t have to wait until I get home to have access to the most amazing technology of our time.

The big push now is to take all of the data that’s coming in from web, search, CRM, ecommerce, mobile and email while making sense of it all. An effective marketer in today’s business will be able to take all of the digital footprints and touchpoints and make intelligent decisions in leading a company forward. He will be worth his weight in gold and able to answer the questions of the day: How am I able to capture leads, what is the most effective way to generate those leads, and how can I nurture my leads and turn them in to customers? What about brand loyalty, what makes my company unique?

CEO’s are still grappling with the ROI on this new little diddy and I have to say that it’s time to get on board or you will remain behind the curve and miss your opportunity to stand out from the competition. The numbers don’t lie, on Tuesday, Google‘s Senior VP of mobile devices Andy Rubin revealed that the Internet search giant presently activates close to three-quarters of one-million Android mobile phones daily. iPhone activity is even higher beating Android 2-1 on app downloads. Even though more users are on Android, iPhone users seem to love the ease of use to gain access via the smart phone so they download twice as much.

Social media is transforming communities (and even toppling regimes). This story from Nashville, is a good example of how access to smart phones helped a community get information when timing was critical:

During last Sunday’s storm, 44,000 Nashvillians were without power (myself included). The only way I was able to receive critical information about the severe weather advisories and the growing flood problem was through Twitter and Facebook on my phone.

Read More

If having a smart phone makes you smarter than I would say having a smart app to promote your business and stay connected with your audience is the smartest decision to reaching a generation “on the go”. Social media integration, sharing information to those that you influence, avoiding long lines in a check out, saving money on gas, personalizing my shopping experience, these are positive signs towards mobile business in a mobile friendly world.

For more research on this topic, check out the following links:

Android apps more popular than IOS – Huffington Post

Google activates 700,000 devices everyday – Mobile Marketing Watch

The Online Customer – Daily Infographic

Tried and True but not Tired – Search Engine Land

Top Ten Financial Resolutions to keep in 2011

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For many, the magic of the holiday season begins to fade as soon as they realize how much they spent over the holidays and calculate how big their credit card bills are going to be. On the bright side, the New Year offers the perfect opportunity to set attainable financial goals. Following are some examples of financial New Year’s resolutions worth keeping:

1. I will make informed financial decisions, understanding the difference between wants and needs.
2. I will communicate with my family about money matters so that we are all working toward the same goals.
3. I will be aware of the effects of advertising on the financial decisions I make, and resolve not to be influenced by them.
4. I will take care of my finances today by tracking expenses and creating a budget that is flexible and realistic.
5. I will take care of my finances tomorrow by saving for my future.
6. I will meet the credit obligations I have made on time and as agreed.
7. I will continue my personal education about financial health, budgeting, credit, and personal debt.
8. I will plan for periodic expenses, including the next holiday season.
9. By setting a good example, I will teach my children the importance of budgeting, saving, and the wise use of credit.
10. Finally, if I am over-obligated, I will take the necessary steps to seek assistance.

The Secret To Success…Passion

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I get asked frequently, in this economy, “How is your business doing?” I tell all, “That we are thriving and that most of our clients are thriving.” They then ask, “What makes the difference?” I then give them the advice Jon  Gordon articulates, The strongest may survive but it is the passionate that will thrive. If you want to be successful today you must do the tough thing and prune your team, and then load your team with passionate people… and most of all you must be passionate yourself. In the past maybe you could be lukewarm and mediocre and still be successful. Not anymore. Now, in today’s competitive environment, your passion and your purpose must be greater than your challenges. You have to be willing to work harder, run faster, drive further, study more, practice longer, lead better, sweat more, love deeper and this requires passion. Passion wakes you up earlier. It dials your phone one more time to make one more sale. It rallies your team together when times are tough. It moves you to see one more patient after a long day at the hospital. It provides legendary customer service. Passion transforms workplaces.

But what about someone who has a low paying job or who is in a job that quite frankly is hard to be passionate about you might ask? I get this question often and my answer is: “It’s not the job or the money you are being paid but the passion that you bring to your job that matters.” After all, I’ve got fast food worker clients who are more passionate about their jobs than some of the professional athletes making millions of dollars that we serve.

 

If your people aren’t passionate about the work they do and the people they work with, and if they aren’t passionate about your brand and mission, then you need to let them off the team so they can find another team where they can live their passion. This is good for them and it’s good for your team.
By letting disengaged employees off the team you make room for those who are passionate about your team and organization-and with a company filled with passionate people you will thrive while others merely try to survive.
This article was posted by Wayne Essex, you can contact him for more information

Wayne T. Essex PhD. – Essex & Associates

 

The Viral Underground

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Do you think that you will be able to survive the new economy?. Would you like to get “more with less” money to spend? Businesses and individuals are suffering right now and nobody seems to have the answers.

Internet Statistics

Internet Statistics

I want to spell it out for you. If you are 15 or 50 years old, you are most likely experiencing the world of the internet. It weaves it’s way into every fiber of our culture these days. Why is it so important and having so much significance in our lives? Because it’s an organic tool to make your voice heard. It’s a viral community of people sharing and distributing information. It allows us to interact with our favorite TV shows, play games and email each other. Most of it pointless, but a lot of information that is relevant to where you are right now.

Life has not been the same since 911. Capitalism as we knew it, is gone. Big business and small business alike are all experiencing the same dilemma, how to get “more for less”. The money is tight, and not worth the paper it’s printed on, credit is maxed, loans are sparse, but you know that you need to take your product or service to market fast.
The internet offers hundreds of solutions to help you grow and maintain your reach. You don’t have to spend a million dollars on the next superbowl ad to communicate your message. The internet has a smorgasbord of options, consider the following:


1. Corporate video (if you don’t have one – shoot one) and post it under Youtube.com – the account is free, don’t forget to link people back to your website, www.sendwork.com

2. Podcasting – iTunes will let you sign up for free, just post your audio or video to the site and start reaching a new audience

3. Blogging – start sharing what you know, people are starving for good information, and link them back to your website, www.theguru.com

4. Online newsletters - got a mail list? You need to keep people informed, don’t let them forget about you, frequency is very important

5. Texting - did you realize most phone services will provide you with texting options that allow you to broadcast to everyone on your email list. You can fire this out from your website in just seconds

6. Distance learning – do you have to travel and spend countless hours and money to make presentations? You can do this via the internet, you can access video, slideshows, whiteboards and more with state-of-the-art webcasting tools

7. Desktop support – do you drive all over the city trying to solve the most mundane computer problems? Webex.com allows you to remote desktop right into your customers PC and fix the problems without leaving your desk

These are just a few of the ways you can weather the storm and the “new plan” of 2009. Please send me a note if you need any assistance in tackling your marketing giant this year, I would welcome the opportunity to serve you.

Internet Marketing – How to stay financially sound in 2011

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I am sending this message today to encourage you to consider “ramping up” your web marketing efforts and allow me to help you do it. I have seen increased success in the following efforts and the cost is much lower to bring in satisfied customers:

1. Search Engine registration and optimization – or being found at the top of the search engine results (Google, MSN, Yahoo)
2. Google analytics for tracking hits daily
3. Meta tags, description tags, alt tags and strategic creative writing for your website
4. Additional links, site maps, additional content pages for increased visits
5. Social networking links, adding a blog, Flickr, Myspace, Facebook, Twitter to your site links
6. Ad clicks for reciprocation with related sites
7. Networking between related sites, online directories and groups in your industry
8. Web-based storefront software with marketing tools integration

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The economy is tight and we need to be creative and cost effective when marketing today.</blockquote>

The economy is tight and we need to be creative and cost effective when marketing today. Whether you are seeking to reach new customers, sell more products and services or raise money for your organization you should not ignore this service. I would love to sit down with each of you in the next few weeks to discuss how we can assist you in your web marketing efforts, please contact me for consultation today.