Archive for the ‘Marketing’ Category

What’s better then testing out mobile marketing than with a new iPad 2?

This is my first post on a mobile device. After some hoops and hurdles in getting my iPad I’m now ready to give it a go.

Mobile Marketing and why it’s so important

As an online marketing expert I’m always watching what searches are doing on my web properties. A growing trend is the use of mobile devices to search for information and local interests. As i watched the numbers grow on my websites I thought it was about time for me to get in the game.

Now equipped with a new iPad 2 I find myself searching a lot more then I ever did before. I can now sort more clearly the information that interests me. So how does this impact SEO and my marketing efforts?

SEO for mobile devices

When creating content and dialing in on the keywords I’m beginning to think it is almost as important to focus on the reading medium. I thought smart phones would have launched a greater need for this type of content but as a user found it hard to read. Now with a range of tablets the content has becoming more accessible and readable.

In a way I’m glad for this shift as presentation of content is important both from a visual perspective as from a creative view.

Well I think it’s time for me to end this post and move on to another app on my iPad. Let me know what you think is the most important marketing need for the mobile market.

How to improve your website SEO 

How has the Panda update affected my SEO?

Oshawa Website Design Builds SEO

Social Media For Small Business

What is Social Media?

What are the benefits of Facebook for small business?

What are the Social Media Pitfalls?

How to build a strong marketing plan?

Sales and Marketing Working Together

Change is the one thing we seem to be able to count on.  For decades business as always seen change and adapted to it. 

Today’s world has a few new wrinkles that make the changes that are happening now more important then ever before.  We have heard about the ‘global economy’ for many years but only now see it working at the micro level.  Today’s consumers and businesses can easily  access information about goods they are wanting to purchase.  It has become common to search online for things we need to buy locally or from the other side of the planet. 

Tips for small business marketing 

Tip 1 – Market to sell

Market your business to sell product now.  Although your brand is very important don’t try to build brand equity at the cost of your business.  Remember purchases are what pay the bills not fancy brochures.  Your marketing budget should be in proportion to your overall sales, not your dreams.

Tip 2 – Offer a range of products

There are many different buyers out there that have different needs beyond what your product or service does.  Having a lower cost or cheaper product allows for a greater range of prospects.  Without compromising your business structure your product offering in a way that addresses the different levels of buyers.

Tip 3 Offer “top of the line” premium product

This is part of the product range many small businesses fear.  There own self-doubt limits them from gaining access to the highest profit customers – those with money.  Your work effort is typically marginally greater when working on a premium product or service so why not capitalize on it.  Find those who have the money for your service and up sell them.

Tip 4 – Traditional Marketing vs Unusual Marketing

Your marketing mix is critical to the success of your business.  Try to find unique ways of advertising your business by thinking outside the box.  Place your business in front of your best target prospect in ways that they will see you.  Standing out, within reason, is the best way to get them to see you.

Tip 5 – Reduce reuse and trim the fat

When advertising your company keep it simple.  I often see a sign at the side of the road spelling out EVERYTHING a company offers.  I’m driving by and barely have enough time to even see the sign let alone ready a laundry list.  With simply wording you can catch the eye of the reader and quickly direct them to action.  By telling them everything you are actually causing them to ignore you, either they are bored reading or can’t read it fast enough.

Tip 6 – Join forces and marketing together

By knowing who your target buyer is you can now leverage your business with other business the same buyer purchases from.  If you sell flowers and you know your buyers often purchase a bottle of wine when they buy flowers why not market and sell your product with a wine store?  This joint effort both reduces your overhead and increases your reach.  Joint marketing and joint selling is a win win situation

Tip 7 – Remember who has bought from you and sell to them again

Repeat business is well known as the easiest sell.  Your customers already know who you are and trust you.  Keeping them in the loop is often an easy way to sell more with minimal costs.

How to market like a large corporation on a small business budget.

When ever I talk to small business owners about how to best market their business they often respond the same way, “I don’t have the budget”.  You don’t have the budget?  How can any business say that? 

If we look at the common strategies used by large corporations we can see some comparable and often equally effective (relative to our market share and needs) strategies. 

Branding your small business

Large corporations spend tons of money here.  The brand perception, or brand equity, is critical and is often the foundation for every marketing campaign, sales collateral and underlines the complete company culture.  They spend money not only to influence the buyer but also their own employees.  Creating the brand through colour, styling, holistic messaging and so on keep the marketing departments of these corporations busy.  The brand speaks large to the buyer and is a major component to why people buy from them. 

So how can I ‘Brand’ my business and why should I?

If you’re wondering what your ‘brand’ is you are sitting to close to the window.  Take a few steps back, no run far away from your company.  Now looking from 50,000 feet can you see your company?  I doubt it; all you can see is a small dot in your hometown.  Now as you move closer in down to street level and walk toward your company what do you see?  You’ll either see a store front, your company van, truck or car and then finally you.  If we stopped here we could talk for hours how each of those elements to your business have strong brand value.  Each influences customers to either buy from you or run for the hills.  Imagine a handy man pulling up to the job site in a beat up 1972 cargo van with rust held together by duct tape.  Nah I don’t think I’m going to spend $20,000.00 to fix my bathroom with this guy regardless who has referred him.   No when you walk up to McDonalds, one of the worlds best brands, what do you see?  You almost always see a very well kept store.  The front is colourful the inside is clean, the furniture is new and the personnel are very eager to help you.  At this point you haven’t even bought anything and you’re happy to be there.  They have used a strong well laid out brand strategy to make you feel at home; after all you’re going to have dinner with them. 

• Work on your store front even if it’s a car.
• Keep your appearance professional and reflective of your customer’s expectation
• Make them feel welcome

 Now we have only touched the surface of branding and small business brand strategies.  Take a look around the site and you’ll find a number of related articles on how you can build a brand and strengthen your brand value simply and easily. Check out 6 Tips For Small Business  or more branding info in What is Branding and How Important is it to Your Marketing Strategy? If you don’t find what you’re looking for leave a message and we will help you to find it.

As a start-up or small business your marketing budget is often the last on the list.  Wanting to have everything at once is a common desire for any business.  But, when you look at the bottom line and realize this money has to come from somewhere you immediately begin to hack.

How can you increase your marketing for free?

What is the best way to market my company?

How can I get the best bang for my buck?

Before asking these question start with looking at your core business strategy.  This seemingly simple analysis of your business and the marketplace tend to bog down many entrepreneurs.  There is often a desire to be everything to everyone and offer a “I can do anything’ approach.  This ‘Me too” mentality more often then not leads to chasing the wrong business for your company.

Your business Identity

Your target market, who are they?

If you build it will they come?

What is Social Media?

How can business use social media?

What Are Some Social Media Websites?

Social Bookmarking

Social News. 

Social Networking

Social Photo and Video Sharing. 

Wikis.

Bring In Customers

Increase Advertising Revenue

Build on your success