Posts Tagged marketing
Advice On What Promotional Products To Give Away
Posted by SEO SERVICES in Marketing and Advertising on January 31st, 2011
The economic downturn in recent years has affected many businesses lately sometimes with catastrophic effects, we?ve all seen the headlines on TV or read about them in the newspapers. It?s never been more important to get your message out there, generate fresh interest and keep your customers happy. So how can you make your business work better for you? A fresh advertising campaign may be the solution to getting things moving again but what else can you do if you have already tried this?
Most people love getting something for nothing so promotional products are a great way to cheer up your customers and give them a pleasant surprise. It is important however to carefully consider the promotional items you choose to give away as something ugly or useless will probably end up in the bin. Promotional giveaways need to be useful or fun and, as the aim is to market your business, should have your company name and logo printed discreetly on them somewhere. You can give away these items as a welcoming gift, to show your thanks to regular and returning customers or to celebrate your company?s anniversary or some other milestone.
Some simple ideas for promotional items to giveaway include those that fall into the useful category. We all always need pens to write with, mugs to drink from and umbrellas to shelter from the rain and it?s always a good thing to have a spare one of these items to hand. Make sure your business stays in people?s minds by having your company?s name and logo printed on the items and they will act as a regular reminder of your services.
Apparel items are also another popular choice for promo items and these can be printed up quite cheaply with the name and logo of your business. You could choose from sunglasses, baseball caps and t-shirts and put a smile on the face of your customer with a freebie. Extra items of clothing are always useful and it?s always good to have a spare to hand if you are caught out by the weather conditions or if you need to make a quick change after getting wet or spilling something on yourself when out and about.
If your business attracts families or is aimed at children then promotional giveaways that appeal to kids are a great idea. Children are perhaps the most excited recipients of freebies and if the children are happy then you can guarantee that the parents will also be happy. Print your logo onto balloons, yoyos, soft toys, glo sticks, erasers or small puzzles and see how pleased a child is to receive a free gift.
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Trade Show Exhibition Stand Advice
Posted by SEO SERVICES in Business General on December 27th, 2010
It can be hard to know exactly what makes one exhibition stand more attractive than another at trade shows: often there doesn?t seem to be much between them but one will be drawing the crowds while others flounder. There are a few things that help you to get noticed though, so read on for some tips. Freebies, for example, work wonders at getting people interested in your stand. If people think there?s a chance of winning something or getting stuff for free, they?re sure to find their way to you.
Another brilliant way to make sure you stand out from the crowd is to utilize all the modern techniques you can to highlight your stand, while keeping things simple. Choose a couple of key, complementary colors and use them to attract attention. Don?t go overboard or you may find your message is lost in the madness and people get put off. You could consider having a computer or presentation screen playing a slideshow containing key information on your company to draw people in.
Next, get out there and actively seek support. You can?t rely on people being able to find where your stand is located, so take steps to ensure they find you. Print some leaflets with key facts about your business plus the location of your stand and leave them in strategic locations around the hall. Ask other, friendly businesses if you can leave your business cards at their stand. Finally, send staff out into the hall to talk to people and point them in your direction.
If you know any key industry figures who are guaranteed to draw the crowds and they like what you do, see if you can persuade them to come and give a talk at your exhibition stand. This is sure to get people flocking in to see your special guest and you can catch them before they leave to make sure they see your publicity material, too. Alternatively, pitch it as a networking opportunity and give people a presentation on your work while they?re there.
Another great way to get attention at a trade show is to show off your trade: take some examples of products you manufacture or market and give people a demonstration. Send out staff to ask people if they want to see how the products work and take time to answer everyone?s questions. This helps to create an atmosphere of curiosity and excitement around your stand and will hopefully encourage people to tell their friends and bag you some new business.
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Using Direct Marketing Techniques To Reach New Customers
Posted by SEO SERVICES in Marketing and Advertising on December 25th, 2010
There are several types of marketing that are aimed at keeping a brand name fresh in the public eye or to get a new company or business off the ground. One such kind is known as direct marketing. This involves methods of reaching prospects by contacting them directly rather than by hit or miss methods like radio or television. Some common direct marketing strategies are well known to many people.
Direct marketing is a commonly used technique because the results can be directly measured. By mail is still the most popular method by which to directly contact people. Couponing is especially effective at tallying the results of a marketing campaign. For example, if a business sends out 1,000 coupons that must be redeemed in order to take advantage of a certain offer, the number of coupons turned in can easily be recorded. Fliers and door hangers are another common direct marketing strategy. These may not necessarily be used to record the success rate of a particular advertising campaign, but everyone returns home at some point and is sure to see a company?s ad hanging from their door knob.
As communication methods have found their way to the internet, direct marketing through email has become rather commonplace. One issue here, though, is that many email clients have spam filters that cannot recognize the subtle differences between legitimate business offers and phishing scams and other junk mail. This does not become a huge problem because direct marketing strategies through email are often used by establishments that have received someone?s email address with his or her permission. The campaigns often come from stores and websites that the customer has visited and has offered their address for the specific purpose of receiving offers. They will recognize the company and be willing to read their email.
Another common direct marketing strategy that anyone with a telephone is familiar with is telemarketing. This is about as direct as it gets, because the employees making the calls speak one-on-one with the prospect. Though the exact rate of success with telemarketing campaigns varies, they are apparently successful because the practice is still used. Remember, the idea is to obtain some sort of publicity, and even if a person does not buy the product being sold, they have still heard the name of the business and may think of it when they are ready to buy.
Direct marketing is productive because when a prospect is contacted directly, he or she will take some time to consider the product or service. Mail is at the top of the marketing list, with email and telemarketing right on its heels. Direct marketing one of the largest aspects of advertising.
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Marketing Tips
Posted by SEO SERVICES in Marketing and Advertising on December 4th, 2010
If you are looking to market your business but not sure where to start then this post provides you with some useful tips? There are several techniques out there to promote your business such as Internet marketing, Offline Marketing, Promotional Merchandises and many more but in this post we will be covering just these three mentioned here. In last few years the Internet has become a major player in advertisement and challenging the radio and TV ads. Some say one day it might even pass TV advertisement but no one will stop watching TV so I doubt that comment.
Internet Marketing has different methods inside it like email marketing, seo, reputation management, pay per click management and social media marketing. To promote it through internet marketing technique you require a website. And most experts say that your web design needs to be search friendly. The reason behind that is because the website needs to get promoted in Yahoo, Bing and Google and these search engines prefer search friendly websites.
Offline marketing like radio and TV ads have been used by several companies around the World for many years. Before doing any online marketing big brands go for these techniques because millions of people watch TV on a daily basis but how many people use the Internet on a daily basis? Nevertheless both these methods are important and should be run in parallel. It will be beneficial to run both techniques together than one after another.
Promotional merchandise is also a good way to find your next customer, some say it will fall under offline marketing but I want to discuss this separately. There are lots of people who do not realise leaflets and business cars are promotional merchandise well I think so. They both have been used for years by many companies in the past and they contain your company’s information along with product information. Many businesses and individuals have found their next customers through this technique.
Improve Brand Awareness By Giving Away Promotional Business Gifts
Posted by SEO SERVICES in Business General on November 23rd, 2010
Is your company looking to invest in promotional giveaways? If you’re looking for the best promotional product out there, the key is to look for a high-quality, distinctive way to promote your company. Do not settle for merely printing your logo onto the cheapest item you can find. If your company falls into this trap, as thousands already have, it’s a great way to ensure that your giveaway will do nothing to promote your brand. Regardless of the industry and the size of your company, there are dozens of ways to use a promotional giveaway to build your brand. Here are four successful ways to promote your company with a giveaway product:
- Offer free gifts with each purchase. This is an effective way to increase sales and keep customers coming back. Options include offering a small or sample version of one of your products, a gift related to your industry, such as a promotional pedometer when customers sign up at your gym, or an eco-friendly shopping bag printed with your logo.
- Go high-tech. If your company positions itself as being on the cutting edge of innovation, choose something that’s sure to please your technologically-savvy audience: USB memory sticks. Printed with your logo, your customers will see your brand every time they use this device. It’s a sure way to show your customers that you understand the needs of the modern consumer.
- Consider whether your target clientele will use the product. A USB memory stick is perfect for technologically-savvy audiences, but perhaps your customers would prefer something else. Designer glassware, lip balm, mugs, and high-quality pens are just a few of the options when it comes to usable corporate gifts.
- Consider the message your gift sends. Today, more companies are opting for eco-friendly promotional giveaways, reflecting the changing desires of their audience. As more consumers seek out environmentally conscious companies, such gifts show that you share their priorities. Options include bags, mugs, and pens made from recycled or natural materials.
The business of promotional gifts has virtually exploded since the days of pens imprinted with a company logo. Today, your company can find thousands of different promo products in every price range. The key to getting the best return on your investment is choosing distinctive and usable products which will leave a lasting impression on the recipient.
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Best Practices For Trade Show Exhibition Stands
Posted by SEO SERVICES in Business General on November 14th, 2010
For a business looking to increase its exposure and reach members of a target audience, trade shows are the perfect place to do so. A trade show is a place to display your wares and services and advertise your company brand. Trade shows, however, take time and money, so you will want to make your trade show exhibition stand successful and get the most out of your time there.
The set up of a successful trade show stand begins even before you put it up. It is important to find out what shows and conferences members of your target audience like so that you can place a stand at appropriate ones. Ask your current customers what shows interest them and what kinds they would likely attend. This will give you a good idea where to place a stand so that you experience the proper traffic. Erecting a stand at a show with the wrong clientele would be a waste of time and money. Check trade show directories and your local chamber of commerce for further ideas.
It is no secret that people like free things. When setting up a stand at a trade show exhibition, be aware that all of the other vendors know this and will be handing out goodies to everyone that stops by. Not only will you need to hand over some promotional items to keep up with the Joneses, your goodies will need to stand out. The key is to provide attendees with something useful; for example, a canvas handbag is a great idea because it gives the trade show patrons something to carry around all of the fliers and brochures they acquire throughout the day. Notepads and pens are also cheap to provide and will remind someone of your brand each time they jot something down.
One small, yet incredibly effective way to make a trade show stand worthwhile is to place a picture of your company?s highest profile product on the business cards you hand out. Simply placing you and your company?s names on the card may not be enough to remind someone of the reason they took your card in the first place. They must have been interested in taking your card for some reason, and one with a picture will remind them of what, sending business your way.
Trade shows serve as good advertisements and for increased brand recognition. A trade show stand takes time and money in order to operate successfully. The increased traffic your company will experience will be well worth the investment.
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The Reasons Behind Buying Promotional Items
Posted by SEO SERVICES in Marketing and Advertising on October 8th, 2010
Several companies buy promotional products on a quarterly basis and send them as gifts to their new or current customers. This is a process of reminding their customers, they are still thinking of them. This is a way to build a relationship and also promote your services (new offers, etc). This is used to welcome new customers and also thank them for choosing their services and products.
There are various kinds of promotional merchandise that organisations give as gifts like promotional pens, corporate clothing, promotional mousemats, branded mugs, promotional business cards and several other products. Products like mousemats, pens and mugs are the most used products given to customers as gifts. The simple reason for this is because the products mentioned above are more likely to be used on a regular basis. It’s not rocket science its just simple tactics.
Many small, medium and large businesses use this marketing technique to promote their services or products. To retain their clients every freelancers have started to take this approach. Promotional items can help you find your next client. Business cards and takeaway leaflets are also a form of promotional items but many of us don’t realise that. They have just been given a separate names. Leaflets are easy to promote, all that is done is they visit various properties around their area and put the leaflet through the post. When travelling business cards are always useful to have. Business cards can come in handy to stay in touch with people when you are travelling by air, water or ground. You never know you might find your next customer doing that.
I hope the articles above have given you some idea on the reasons to use branded products. If you are a new company then you should definitely look at promoting your services through onsite and offsite marketing. One of the many offsite marketing methods are personalised promotional product.
Direct Mail - A Proven Marketing Tactic
Posted by SEO SERVICES in Marketing and Advertising on September 11th, 2010
No matter what type of business you own, you need customers in order to survive. Almost every type of business needs to advertise to reach their existing customers, and more importantly, to attract new customers. There are many ways to advertise, but one method that can be very effective is direct mail. Direct mail advertising has been around for many years, and been used by many companies, proving its effectiveness.
The world has become very digital, and so has much of our communication. That stated, how many people really read their junk email? The answer is almost no one. In fact, those who do occasionally read our junk email only do so occasionally. These kinds of messages are quickly labeled ?spam.? The bottom line is that reaching people through email just isn?t very efficient or effective. On the other hand, direct mail, by its very nature, means that there is a physical component involved. It means that someone has to take a moment to look at, hold and process your mail that arrives in their mailbox. In that moment, you have a chance of making a sale!
You can make your direct mail campaign very specific to the type of person you want to reach. Through the purchase of one of the many databases of customers, sorted and selected to any criteria that you choose, you can go after just the type of person you want as your customer. There are so many lists available today that you can get very specific in targeting your audience, which allows you to reach the type of customer that would likely have an interest in your business?s products or services. By being so selective in whom you target, you can make your direct mail campaign specific, successful, and cost effective.
Another advantage of direct mail is that you can tailor it to your needs over time. While you might advertise one way during most of the year, but have a specific campaign for your peak season, you can accomplish this with different pieces of mail that are sent. In fact, you can even tailor it to the type of person you are trying to reach. As a result, you can have a campaign for customers, while doing something very different to try to convert targeted people into customers. The beauty of direct mail advertising is that you can make it whatever you want it to be, whenever you want to use it.
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Promotional Items, A Good Technique Of Marketing
Posted by SEO SERVICES in Marketing and Advertising on September 5th, 2010
Now a days lots of companies are investing in advertising on online marketing but they also need to realise there is a market to reach through offline marketing such as promotional products. Promotional items such as promotional pens, promotional mugs, corporate clothing and other products can still help in finding your next business. As a business looking for new customers on a regular basis you should never shut down any offline marketing technique just because online marketing is on the rise. To be honest the best thing to do is to run online and offline marketing campaigns side by side and see which one works better and then make a decision.
There is still a market to target through offline marketing even though Online marketing is making it’s mark in advertising industry. For businesses such as take away, restaurants, bars and others the best way to market their product is through leaflets. Leaflets can be classed as a promotional product to be honest as it contains the product information along with the company information. Other business uses promotional products too its not just the hospitality industries. Several other organisations use promotional products as gifts to send to their customers during Christmas and Easter. This way you are constantly telling your customers we are always thinking of you and also they will remember you.
Whenever there are big sports such as Wimbledon, World Cup or Champions League huge amount of promotional products are sold. When the World cup was hosted in South Africa there were millions of promotional products sold. Through promotional merchandise you also receive a lot of word of mouth customers. Let’s take an example of you having some friends over and are looking to order some takeaways, this is when leaflets comes in handy so there you you are referring a takeaway to your friends. This is just one example, there will be thousands of circumstances like this where people will be referring your business.
Explaining The Article Twin (article Marketing Automation) Rating System.
Posted by SEO SERVICES in Marketing and Advertising on September 3rd, 2010
Explaining the Article Twin (article marketing automation) rating system.
It took a while to finally learn how exactly the Article Twin rating system works, but I think did it. You know now, that you can rate each article that you receive from copywriters, but rating has an influence on several characteristics, so using it should be quite thoughtful.
When you rate fresh content (an article), you both provide a characteristics to its author (Preferred, Neutral or Blacklisted) and influence his maximum price level for 1K of the symbols he creates, meaning that the more clients prefer one particular copywriter (well, you can not really see which one exactly, as in a try to evenly spread the chance to get some work, Article Twin does not show copywriters? details, just their prices.), the more he would be able to charge for his future work. Neutral status simply leaves all characteristics unchanged and is reasonable to use not only when you are not sure, which category to put this particular Author to, but when working with ?Preferred? copywriters. In this way you would not unnecessarily increase their upper margin of their service price.
Copywriters, on the other hand, may apply a personal discount to their maximum price per 1K of symbols to attract clients, so there should be no worries about hyper-preferring copywriters. Very expensive copywriters simply would not get enough clients. So, for example, if the maximum price that some author may get per 1K of symbols is $9, he can voluntarily apply a discount of up to 99%, so that he could get into a cheaper pricing category, to get more exposure to the clients that, actually, search copywriters based on their price per 1K of symbols value, for their particular article marketing budget.
Blacklisting permanently bounces an article author from any of the lists to the General list (with unrated authors), where he gain, has an equal chance with other yet unrated authors to possibly be chosen by you again (if you would include an option for to receive articles from all copywriters).
My approach to working with Article Twin more effectively is quite simple ? I use only one category of the copywriters within one price range per order. First, I choose ?Articles from all copywriters?, for the price range of $0.05 - $ 0.50 for 20-30 article variants. Then, I rate the received articles, short listing the ones I like by choosing Prefer rating. Accordingly, I check ?Neutral? if the article is more or less acceptable and blacklist completely unacceptable ones.
I shall carry on doing so for 5-10 other article orders, to create a bigger list of ?Preferred? copywriters. Then, I switch to ?Articles from my preferred copywriters only? filter, and use an increased price range, $0.50 - $1.00. This would mean, that those authors that I have in my ?Preferred? list may have their price increased due to the preferences, chosen by the other SEO clients, which ensures such authors quality and professionalism in writing.
Next steps are just shifting the price range to the level that that you find acceptable in terms of your budget, thus, short listing the ?cr
