Marketing/PR
- Jump in the Frogpond!
- Yet Another Great Blog!
- Copy Does Matter!
- Create a Social Network!
- Contests Really Increase Exposure!
- The Power of Expertise
- Marketing and the Environment
- Choosing a Contest Giveaway
- Forrester's Marketing Blog
- Creative Brands Stick in Your Mind
Posted by
Brenda Keener
The team at Buzzagent has added a new feature to their site - the Frog Pond. If you find a website, product or service that you think needs more buzz, you can add it.
Buzzagent.com is a highly successful word of mouth marketing site that runs campaigns that compensate so-called "Buzz Agents" with points redeemable for merchandise for spreading the word about their client's offerings.
I visit this site every so often to see what is new - and today I wasn't disappointed. Buzz Agent has announced a great new addition with the ambiance of a social networking site where ANYONE can suggest a company, product or service that needs more buzz - called a Frog.
Suggesting a Frog puts it into the Frog pond, where others can comment as well. Simply go to www.buzzagent.com and check out the Frog pond - and add YOUR company so you can start seeing the results of word of mouth marketing.
I visit this site every so often to see what is new - and today I wasn't disappointed. Buzz Agent has announced a great new addition with the ambiance of a social networking site where ANYONE can suggest a company, product or service that needs more buzz - called a Frog.
Suggesting a Frog puts it into the Frog pond, where others can comment as well. Simply go to www.buzzagent.com and check out the Frog pond - and add YOUR company so you can start seeing the results of word of mouth marketing.
Posted by
Brenda Keener
During my daily surfing, I happened across this great blog with more wisdom to share with my readers.
I am always on the lookout for blogs that have tidbits of wisdom to share - wisdom about the art and science of marketing. A Marketing Blog by Marketing Journal is my find this month, and I really enjoyed browsing its pages. I am sure you will too.
There is a great two part posting series on Advertising frequency - which is a question many of us face in our jobs today. How much is too much, and how much is too little? There is also a great post on socially responsible marketing, and what this means.
I really enjoyed this blog, and learned from it. I invite you all to check it out.
There is a great two part posting series on Advertising frequency - which is a question many of us face in our jobs today. How much is too much, and how much is too little? There is also a great post on socially responsible marketing, and what this means.
I really enjoyed this blog, and learned from it. I invite you all to check it out.
Posted by
Brenda Keener
Many new companies feel that product development is THE most important thing, and that the copy for the website and brochures are secondary.
Although it is critical for a new company to have a great product, that great product has to be packaged in an appealing way before anyone will buy it! I recently have had members of a management team express that reviewing brochure copy is " at a low level of detail" - nothing could be further from the truth!
The copy that is placed on your website and in your product brochures helps to create your company and product image in the marketplace. Writing this copy as an after thought is analogous to putting on fine makeup and jewelry, then going to dinner in rags!
Be sure to think through the wording you use - and make your product sound as appealing as possible. Capture the essence through a verbal picture of what makes your product - or company - unique in the marketplace.
Dress your product well, and your market will respond accordingly.
The copy that is placed on your website and in your product brochures helps to create your company and product image in the marketplace. Writing this copy as an after thought is analogous to putting on fine makeup and jewelry, then going to dinner in rags!
Be sure to think through the wording you use - and make your product sound as appealing as possible. Capture the essence through a verbal picture of what makes your product - or company - unique in the marketplace.
Dress your product well, and your market will respond accordingly.
Posted by
Brenda Keener
Now, anyone can create a social network! This presents a golden opportunity to get people talking about your product or service, on a social network created just for it.
The team at Ning.com has added another great tool to a marketer's arsenal - the ability to create a social network for free.
All you have to do is join Ning, upload a logo, choose from wide variety of colorful templates and badges, and start promoting your new network.
This is a great way to stir buzz for a concept you are marketing, or for a product or service. For example, if you own a hair salon, you could start a network entitled " All About Hair". If you own a kennel or are a vet, why not start a Pet site?
The possibilities here are endless!
All you have to do is join Ning, upload a logo, choose from wide variety of colorful templates and badges, and start promoting your new network.
This is a great way to stir buzz for a concept you are marketing, or for a product or service. For example, if you own a hair salon, you could start a network entitled " All About Hair". If you own a kennel or are a vet, why not start a Pet site?
The possibilities here are endless!
Contests Really Increase Exposure!
Posted by
Brenda Keener
Everyone loves a good contest, and every day I see more examples of how a well run contest can dramatically increase exposure for a site, company or product.
Contests that require skill appear to be more popular than the "run-of-the-mill sweepstakes in today's world, and savvy marketers are making the most of this trend.
iRobot recently sponsored a contest for designers who use their base product to create a useful and complete robot. The winning entry could water plants, remind you to take your medicine, and act as an MP3 player.
We all remember the successful Davinci Codes contest run by Google - I don't remember the exact figures on web traffic increases, but I do remember that it was significant!
Now, Gather.com has put its site in the news by partnering with Borders Books and Court TV in the Search for the Next Crime Writer. This highly publicized contest is sure to add tons of new traffic to Gather, as well as new members to the social network.
By the way, be sure to check out my entry - it is the Salt/Sage Murders!
iRobot recently sponsored a contest for designers who use their base product to create a useful and complete robot. The winning entry could water plants, remind you to take your medicine, and act as an MP3 player.
We all remember the successful Davinci Codes contest run by Google - I don't remember the exact figures on web traffic increases, but I do remember that it was significant!
Now, Gather.com has put its site in the news by partnering with Borders Books and Court TV in the Search for the Next Crime Writer. This highly publicized contest is sure to add tons of new traffic to Gather, as well as new members to the social network.
By the way, be sure to check out my entry - it is the Salt/Sage Murders!
Posted by
Brenda Keener
Companies and their products have to be credible to succeed.
One way of making your products or services - and your company credible is by establishing yourselves as experts in your particular field. Publish white papers, or articles on the web showing your grasp of your corner of the world. Attend tradeshows, and work with the organizers to get speaking engagements. Publish articles that add to the knowledge base in your area.
Above all, when meeting with a customer, show your knowledge in your product area. Every good marketer should know his or her product inside and out. Make sure that there are no questions that you can't answer. If you do get stumped, go back and research the question - and get back to that customer as quickly as possible. This is the way to win in today's competitive marketplace!
Above all, when meeting with a customer, show your knowledge in your product area. Every good marketer should know his or her product inside and out. Make sure that there are no questions that you can't answer. If you do get stumped, go back and research the question - and get back to that customer as quickly as possible. This is the way to win in today's competitive marketplace!
Posted by
Brenda Keener
Today has been designated blog action day, a day when all bloggers unite to promote environmental awareness. Marketers can do many things towards a cleaner environment!
What can you, as a marketer, do to help clean up our environment? Here are some simple steps you can take, no matter what your product or service - in the Spirit of Blog Action Day.
- Use less paper! Set your brochures up as PDF files and email them to your customers instead of handing them paper. Print doublesided documents, and use Efax instead of a paper fax machine.
- Use recycled products such as paper, and try to buy trade show giveaways made from recycled products. This will score you points also among the environmentally conscious!
- I know there is no substitute for "face time" - but on issues where face time isn't as important, make use of web conferencing. Airplanes use lots of fuel.
- When traveling, rent fuel efficient vehicles
- Turn the light off in your office when you are not there.
- Check to see if you can telecommute 1 or 2 days a week. That means one less car on the road.
- If you work in a city, try to walk to lunch instead of taking your car
- Brevity is important - try to keep your printed documents to as few pages as possible. This also makes them more readable.
Posted by
Brenda Keener
Contests are great ways to raise awareness of your product or company, but what will inspire people to enter?
This week's article discusses using contests to create "buzz" around your product, company, or service.
However, the prize has to be compelling before you will get many entries! If you have a popular product, such as a new electronic gadget or travel service, why not use your product itself as a giveaway? My company makes GPS modules, so our recent tradeshow giveaway was an automotive GPS system. Many people came by our booth to drop their business card in our fishbowl for the chance to win.
Other great prizes include iPods, trips and airfare, vacation rentals, and computer games (in youth oriented markets).
Always keep your audience in mind when selecting a prize. If you have a hobby store, why not giveaway a train caboose or set of model paints? If you have a wireless service store, then offering a mobile application or phone upgrade is a good choice.
There are many prizes out there that can be donated by partners wishing your good will, or the enhanced publicity gained through the donation as well. Don't be shy about approaching them!
Good luck!
However, the prize has to be compelling before you will get many entries! If you have a popular product, such as a new electronic gadget or travel service, why not use your product itself as a giveaway? My company makes GPS modules, so our recent tradeshow giveaway was an automotive GPS system. Many people came by our booth to drop their business card in our fishbowl for the chance to win.
Other great prizes include iPods, trips and airfare, vacation rentals, and computer games (in youth oriented markets).
Always keep your audience in mind when selecting a prize. If you have a hobby store, why not giveaway a train caboose or set of model paints? If you have a wireless service store, then offering a mobile application or phone upgrade is a good choice.
There are many prizes out there that can be donated by partners wishing your good will, or the enhanced publicity gained through the donation as well. Don't be shy about approaching them!
Good luck!
Posted by
Brenda Keener
I am always on the prowl for great marketing blogs, and have used Forrester research for years. This blog has many great "gems" of information.
The Forrester's marketing blog that I have just discovered is a great place to glean tidbits on the latest in Internet marketing. The folks at Forrester have long been a reliable source of marketing data and numbers, and their blog is a great place for "free" stuff. They have categories such as brand marketing, B2B marketing, mobile marketing, word-of-mouth marketing, and of course, Internet marketing.
From examining the blog, my take is that it is very heavy on Internet marketing - but this is a topic near and dear to the hearts of ALL marketers these days. Without a solid Internet marketing strategy, your marketing plan is missing a very key component!
I definitely recommend this blog as a useful resource for all marketers.
From examining the blog, my take is that it is very heavy on Internet marketing - but this is a topic near and dear to the hearts of ALL marketers these days. Without a solid Internet marketing strategy, your marketing plan is missing a very key component!
I definitely recommend this blog as a useful resource for all marketers.
Creative Brands Stick in Your Mind
Posted by
Brenda Keener
The conventional school of thought holds that a brand should convey what your company does, like International Business Machines or National Cash Register. Balderdash!
Last weekend my husband and I were discussing the virtues of Google vs Yahoo when he turned to me and commented on how it seemed like we were talking baby talk! No kidding! Today's Internet market is Delicious and full of Googles and Yahoos and Amazons - but these names are easy to remember and stick in the viewers minds.
National Cash Register doesn't just make cash registers anymore, so the name is almost antiquated. And who would remember this if it hadn't been shorted to NCR? How many people remember that IBM stands for International Business Machines?
Google, as a brand, is now one of the most highly valued brands in the business. Creative naming as a strategy is proving to create quicker brand recognition and unique value for the companies deploying it.
When you are tempted to go the route of 1980's blue-suit wearing monoliths in your naming and branding discussions - think Google, and smile!
National Cash Register doesn't just make cash registers anymore, so the name is almost antiquated. And who would remember this if it hadn't been shorted to NCR? How many people remember that IBM stands for International Business Machines?
Google, as a brand, is now one of the most highly valued brands in the business. Creative naming as a strategy is proving to create quicker brand recognition and unique value for the companies deploying it.
When you are tempted to go the route of 1980's blue-suit wearing monoliths in your naming and branding discussions - think Google, and smile!
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