Jenavi Kasper - 11/5/2012
Email marketing is one of our favorite marketing tools here at D&B. Compared to other media types, it gives our clients a return on investment that can be measured with every eblast.
Here, we’ll go over the benefits of email marketing and some ideas for how to integrate it into your marketing plan.
1. Affordability
It said that it's six to 12 times less expensive to sell to an existing customer than to a new one and with email marketing companies like Constant Contact, who charge by number of emails versus number of email blasts, prices stay low.
2. Top-of-Mind Awareness
With more and more people using smartphones, email is at the tip of most people’s fingers and therefore, top-of-mind. Reach them quickly and frequently via email.
3. Tracking and Metrics
With email, you can track details such as how many people opened the email, how many people viewed it and how much traffic was driven to your website through the eblast. All of this data give you insight to what kind of messaging resonates with your clients.
Need ideas for how to utilize email marketing?
Exclusive sales or special limited time deals
Launching of new service or product
Newsletters
Product/Service Feedback email
Cross-selling other services/products to current customers
Referral programs
If you’d like to learn more about email marketing (or find out to survive the upcoming apocalypse) give us a call or join our email list!
http://visitor.constantcontact.com/manage/optin/ea?v=001AAPQafplpnI5IohEibKHXg%3D%3D
Rob Davidson - 10/22/2012
I get this question all the time and I ask my clients to think about their own mobile device habits. How often do you use a phone or tablet for shopping and research? Do you ever look up addresses and numbers for stores - while running errands? Does it make sense to have your clients access your site in the same manner?
It's pretty obvious that retailers and those selling products over the web must have mobile sites. People drive to their stores, call looking for hours of operation and check on the availability of products.
But what about service industries?
Do your clients or vendors ever:
The cost of a mobile site is relatively inexpensive, so why would you risk losing out on a sale, and the potential future business, because you are not giving your clients the access they want?
Jenavi Kasper - 09/21/2012
In today's world of social media, tablets, digital billboards and apps, take advantage of that camera built right in to your smartphone and share visual content with your customers.
On Facebook posts, you are likely to get a 16% longer engagement if you add a photo, according to the website http://danzarrella.com/
On Pinterest, the content is all about the image. And better yet, this site will allow you to link back to your website, earning you more organic traffic.
Apps like Instagram have exploded in popularity. You can check ours out (davidsonbelluso).
People love visual content. It's instant gratification and the eye sees shapes before it cognitively understands content.
In addition to using images to engage your audience make sure to use visual communication strategies such as infographics. An Infographic takes what can be either boring or complex information and breaks it up into an easy-to-comprehend visual. Here’s an example of how we used icons to present information in a more engaging and visual way.
A striking image or a visual that resonates with your audience is a powerful form of communication. You know what they say; an image is worth a thousand words!
Michela Belluso - 10/04/2012
Searching for the right marketing agency is a bit like looking for love. You may start your search online or seek out your friends' advice, but how do you ultimately select your love partner?
Just like dating, you may take into consideration overall looks, income level, experience (ahem) and of course, whether they call you back! Same goes for a marketing agency – quality of work, fee structure, experience and of course responsiveness are all important factors.
But just like in love, there are the deeper levels of compatibility (eHarmony, anyone?). After all, it's about getting along, especially when you'll be interacting with your marketing partner on a weekly, or even daily, basis.
So no matter how you go about choosing the right agency, make sure you get to know the people. Don't be afraid to ask questions (you're allowed to be straightforward here).
Make sure they have protocols in place for when unforeseen things happen (because they will, in marketing just like in love). So take your time and don't make rushed decisions when it comes to such a critical relationship (even if that deadline is fast approaching). After all, you're looking for a long-term relationship, some sort of reassurance that this one is going to last and you (aka your business) won't get hurt.
"Finding the Right Agency" is part our apocalyptic brand survival tips that you can find at www.InCaseNothingHappens.com
Rob Davidson - 08/30/2012
Research from Stanford (http://credibility.stanford.edu/guidelines/index.html) reaffirms what we already knew, people judge your company’s credibility based on their first impression of your website.
1) Have a professional looking website
People quickly evaluate a company by its website alone. Nothing kills credibility faster than a poorly designed site.
2) Double-check everything
Spelling errors and broken links hurt a site's credibility more than you would think.
3) Avoid promotional content
If you must have banner ads, clearly distinguish the sponsored content from your own. Avoid pop-up ads at all costs.
4) Make your site easy to navigate
Your site needs to provide a service, not a challenge. Keep your target audience in mind when designing your website map and overall flow.
5) Update your content often
Keep your content up-to-date and relevant to your current offerings and customer needs.
6) When you make a claim, link to verifiable information
Third-party endorsements go a long way in providing credibility so link to any supporting evidence available.
7) Showcase your expertise
Most companies have experts on their team. Leverage that expertise by displaying credentials and professional affiliations.
8) Make it easy to contact you
Make your contact information clear and accessible. Include a phone number, physical address and email. Contact forms are good too as long as they are quick and easy to fill out.
Make sure to follow these basic tips because your website is usually the first and only opportunity you have to impress potential customers.
