6 Content Ideas Your Company Should be Posting on Social Media

If your company is new to the social media arena or even if you have had channels set up but weren’t sure what to post, we have some content ideas to help you fill your channels with excellent and engaging content. One of the most important things to remember with social media is to consistently provide content, updates, and engage without always trying to sell something to your fans and followers. Here are 6 content ideas to keep your company top of mind and engaged with your customers.

Company News: You may not think that your customers are interested in the newsworthy events that go on in your company, but they are. It is always a good idea to fill your social streams with content about your company’s news. It can be that you moved or opened a new location. Maybe you have a new hire or want to spotlight the employee of the month. inning an award or even being nominated for one are all news bits that are perfect to share on all your social channels. All of this type of news helps show insight into your company and lets customers in.

Local News: This works especially well for local businesses that are not solely internet based. Although some local news can even benefit internet-only companies. Posting about local events, things happening in your town, or things happening in your shopping mall or plaza will attract the attention of the fans and followers of the other businesses and the city or town. Tagging the other businesses and your city as well as neighboring cities is a great way to make new connections by getting extra exposure on their social networks as well as yours.

Industry News: The news from your industry can also be big news for your social media followers. They might want your take on industry news or just want to come to you as a source for the industry. This establishes your company as an authority and is one of the best ways to remain top of mind with your customers and potential clientele. Offer Tips and Advice: Are you an authority on the things you sell or services you provide? Show your readers the great ideas you have, how to use your products, or tips to enhance the services you offer.

Use Humour: A few weeks ago we did an entire blog post on the benefits of using humour in your content. Even the most serious businesses can utilise humour in a tasteful way. Funny posts attract more people and make it easier for them to remember you. Images: Whenever possible, include images in your social media posts. People are very visual and a post with a picture in it attracts much more attention than just text alone. Always look for a relevant image to post with your content.

Images: Whenever possible, include images in your social media posts. People are very visual and a post with a picture in it attracts much more attention than just text alone. Always look for a relevant image to post with your content.

Posted in Internet Marketing, Marketing Advice

The Intrigue of 3D Printing

You’ve probably heard the 3D printing skeptics – hey, I’ve been one myself. We’ve been saying things like: “3D printing is years away. Plus, it takes days to print anything half decent. Oh, and by the way, you need an engineering degree to operate one of those contraptions anyway.”  Well, most of that was true – but times are changing, quickly. In fact, 3D printing technology is progressing much faster than was forecast. 

For example, this week Lowe’s became the third major U.S. brand (following Staples and UPS) to offer 3D printing services. Lowe’s, though, is unveiling a much easier to use kiosk, letting shoppers print home-improvement products in almost any material – from plastics to hard metals. Customers can also bring in items to have a printer replicate them. Lowe’s is providing the technology with the help of a California firm called Authentise.

“Until now, it’s been hard for the average consumer to benefit from this technology because of the cost and complexity,” said Kyle Nel, executive director of Lowe’s Innovation Labs. “Our partnership with Authentise enabled us to rapidly develop 3D solutions in a way that is core to home improvement.”

Now, as much as I like home improvement (my wife is laughing), I like marketing much more. If 3D printers can suddenly be rigged to create fancy sconces and doorknobs, imagine what kind of promotional items they can produce. From bobbleheads to balls, from drinkware to desk accessories – the possibilities would be endless. And sector number one to target would be the live events market. If customized items could be made in minutes at a concert, a fair, or a ballgame, brands would be foolish to not embrace that kind of real-time and keepsake advertising. 

Certainly, it would make sense for larger industry companies to explore partnering with 3D printing startups. If printers could eventually reduce the reliance on China, the cost savings would be tremendous. Smaller firms, though, should be invested in this conversation, too. Distributors that are losing out to e-commerce firms could level the playing field a bit, especially in terms of turnaround time.

There are those in the industry who worry that 3D printing will upset traditional models and ultimately cut into margins. I won’t dispute that notion. My logic, however, is this: Rather than trying to stop the freight train, hop on board. Embrace entrepreneurial spirit instead of standing by unwritten rules. Tech companies seem to be on the cusp of making 3D printers incredible tools. Don’t be the business owner who got into the game too late.

Published in Promogram Tuesday May 5, 2015 By Dave Vagnoni

Marketing to Boomers

Are you paying attention to them?

Boomers (Baby Boomers are those individuals born between 1946 and 1964), are the largest generation in North America. They represent well over 35% of the nations population. Additionally, boomers are responsible for spending half of the country’s consumer spending.

There are a lot of misconceptions about boomers. The traditional view of this demographic is that they spend less, have rigid brand preferences and take little interest in new products and technology but this couldn’t be further from the truth. In reality, boomers are outspending other generations at a rapid pace of $400 billion each year in North America and they are the largest buyers of new technology. If you are a provider of consumer goods and services, you may want to take notice of this booming generation.

Demystifying boomers

Inaccurate assumptions about boomers have caused this group to be dubbed the most neglected wealthy demographic in the history of marketing. If you are looking to tap into this valuable audience, here are some things to consider:

Boomers are online: Boomers represent one-third of the country’s Internet users. In fact, last year they spent 27 hours online per week. Boomers are on the Web gathering information, shopping, gaming, engaging in social media and finding coupons or discounts. Consider reaching boomers by emailing coupons or posting discounts to social media. Or, try testing online ads with Google® AdWords. You can target your ads to reach those in a specific age group or life stage.

Boomers are active: Many boomers are working well into their 70’s, and not because they have to; because they want to. When marketing to boomers, it’s important to speak their language. They don’t want to be referred to as senior citizens or elderly.

To speak their language, think active, balanced life, optimal health, wise and mature. When designing communications, steer clear of imagery that portrays this group as sedentary; instead, show mature consumers doing meaningful things such as playing with children or engaging in outdoor activities.

Further, appeal to their interests by holding a Facebook® contest asking them to post a picture of themselves engaged in a favorite hobby or activity to enter.  Depending on the time of year, award winners with items such as a Fishing Bag, golf umbrella polo shirt or gardening tool kit, winter car care kit.... you get the idea. And don't forget... if you are calling on a Boomer, bring along some swag for them. They'll appreciate it and it will go a long way!

FINE TUNING YOUR MARKETING REGIMEN

While this article has a retail slant, it's marketing thrust still speaks to all business formats.  Original blog courtesy of the RedCappi Team.

      
Summertime marketing campaigns are in full-effect now that the 4th of July holiday has passed. Small businesses can use some simple and creative tactics of their own to better optimize their summer selling and to execute relevance and interest in the eyes of their target audiences.

Here are 5 helpful tricks to consider for successful summer marketing.

1. Send Out Summer Swag

Seriously, who wouldn't love a FREE pool tote, indestructible cool shades or an oversized beach towel? With the spike in temperature comes beach-bound weekends, pool-side barbecues and wine & cheese nights under the stars... so it's always a smart little trick to entice your audience with free summer swag.

And of course, slap on your brand name or logo and voila! You're summer giveaway product just metamorphosed into a moving ad campaign and a go-to reminder of your brand.

VICTORIA SECRET: PINK TUMBLER GIVEAWAY

Victoria Secret over the last several years has mastered this fine art of tempting swag giveaways, that really drive the average sale upwards of $75. They usually promise a free giveaway product, ranging from umbrellas in winter, summer beach totes and back-to-school duffle bags. Their latest campaign offers a pink Victoria Secret cooler tumbler with any PINK product purchase.

Knowing that most young girls who love the casual line of PINK products will adore a PINK tumbler poolside or at their desk, it's a smart giveaway to gently secure a sale.

2. Switch Up Your Marketing Techniques

It's easy for small businesses to get comfortable with their marketing routine and same avenues of promoting their business. Often times, even their content becomes stagnant and essentially glossed over by audiences for having somewhat of a 'bore' factor.

Switching up your marketing methodology to try new channels of communication, as well as sometimes different content, varying offers and promotions might just be what the doctor ordered for successful summer marketing.

If your business usually relies on sending coupons, try to host a local summer event inviting your audience to you for a more hands on experience, or vice versa. If your business is only growing primarily due to word of mouth, try using social media networking or email offers to see how they might work for you.

KIDS AHOY: NEW ACTIVITIES CAMPAIGN

A small local business in Los Angeles, Kids Ahoy, a kid's indoor playgym, has demonstrated just what switching up marketing techniques can bring to the table. No longer are the days of mere two for one deals or a coupon for a month's membership off. Kids on summer break demand more and Kids Ahoy understands their market precisely.

Their latest email promotion introduced a summer morning breakfast with Elsa from Frozen, among the other perks with admission, ranging from crafts to face painting, etc. Their offers to appeal to their subscribership and are anything but boring emails to parents' inboxes.

3. Bring Something Back for Summer

Sometimes, businesses think of summer as a time to purge the old and bring in new, fresh, clean, bright, energetic, taste-bud awakening, stimulating new items. Of course, this method is tried and true and while it makes sense, sometimes the opposite might work just as effectively- bring back the OLD!

Where an item in the past, a product or a menu item was popular, displayed high demand and drove sales, it might have the same power to devise the same effect  in the summer time. Try bringing it back for a limited time in the summer. Bringing something old back for a limited time can do one of two things.

First, it lets your audience know that this was popular and successful in the months before, which creates an organic curiosity to it and nature affinity. Second, by limiting it to the summer season adds a sense of urgency and heightened need to 'get it while its still available.'

MCDONALDS: MONOPOLY GAME

Every so often, McDonald's brings back the McDonald's Monopoly game, most recently in sticker form, as a sweepstakes sales promotion. They first started the sweepstakes game in the late 80's, and have brought it back a number of times, sometimes displaying a different name, like Monopoly Best Chance Game or Monopoly: Pick Your Prize!, but always resting on the same game principles.

The franchise truly understands the inner workings of sweepstakes and how they draw customers into their restaurant locations across the world. It's a classic example of bringing something back for summer.

4. Special Summer Hours

Consider adjusting your business hours to accommodate the times people are actually out and about. Given the summer scalding heat, air conditioners are pumping in full force until later in the evening when it often cools down.

So you might want to consider extending your hours to accommodate those special summer night owls. And vice versa also applies, where if you know its a summer long weekend and your audience is probably out of town, you might want to wait until the weekend passes and they are back in their offices at home before sending your next lines of communication.

MENCHIES: ICE CREAM HAPPY HOUR

Menchie's, a popular frozen yogurt chain, has started offering somewhat of a happy hour promotion after 9PM until midnight for all you can pour ice cream at a flat fee of $5. Whereas, typically, the cost of ice crea per person would be weighed and measured in ounces, this essentially offers a price break for late night patrons, making the most out of otherwise lost time with the store being closed.

5. Summer Clearance Sale

The most commonly used summertime marketing idea for all businesses alike is the classic summer clearance. It is worth taking a moment to remind you about why.

A summer clearance speaks to target audiences because even at a single first glance, they already know they are gaining something of value- a discount on your product that they already would probably otherwise want. It's a built-in trust mechanism that drives this simple tactic that you see being used across the channels.

OLD NAVY: CLEARANCE ALERT: 1000's of STYLES FOR $5 OR LESS

A well recognized American clothing retailer GAP, operates several notable divisions, including Banana Republic, Piperlime, Athleta and Old Navy. Each one of these divisions has mastered the art of summer marketing, with their timely sales and creative super promotions that absolutely grab your attention in the inbox.

The latest Old Navy campaign is a certain summer charmer, with its bright bold colors and block letters "SUMMER CLEARANCE- THOUSANDS OF ITEMS $5 AND UNDER." Without even clicking further, its already a given that you'll be getting a great deal on anything you order."

So there's really no reason to wait on fine tuning your summer marketing regimen.

Happy Summer!

Simple Marketing Tips for Small Business

As a small business, you may think it's impossible to get the word out about what you do. That's no excuse. And you don't need fads or gimmicks. Follow the proven, timeless tips and techniques of these entrepreneurs to help get the word out about your business and watch it grow.

1. Give Your Stuff Away

Ari Fleischer and Aly Moler of Frozen Pints have grown their craft beer ice cream business by leaps and bounds by attending craft beer shows and farmers markets to do one thing--give their product away. Once customers taste this unexpected combination (which happens to be delicious) for free, they line up at their local store to buy it or even request that the store carry it.

2. Attend Networking Events...

Desiree Scales of Bella Web Design is a master networker.  She attends and presents at almost every event in town. Her contribution to the overall community makes her one of the first people that come to mind when anyone looks for an expert in her area of concentration: small business websites and drip marketing.

3. ...Or, Create Your Own Event

If you don't like the events you are attending, invent your own! Darrah Brustein has created one of the most successful networking events in Atlanta: Atlanta Under 40. The event, which Darrah created to connect with other young entrepreneurs in her city, is now being franchised to other cities.

4. Volunteer to Lead an Organization

The secret to getting the most out of a group or organization is not just to attend but to lead. Take Lisa Calhoun of Write2Market. She served as the president of Entrepreneurs' Organization, allowing her to rub elbows and connect with the brightest minds of the fastest growing companies in the Atlanta market.

5. Start a Podcast

Todd Schnick of Dreamland Interactive is the first person I saw create his own podcast--he interviews other business owners.  People love to tell their story, and by highlighting them on a podcast you make an instant and meaningful connection. It's also a great way to get an education on a topic you are interested in.

6. Be Helpful

Most small business owners struggle to get their finances in line, especially when they move from an Excel spreadsheet to something as sophisticated as QuickBooks. Cathy Iconis of Iconis Group hosts a Quickbook Chat on Twitter every Thursday night at 7:00 EST to answer small business owners' questions--and potentially find some clients.

7. Send a Weekly E-mail

If you want to stay in relationship with your customers, there is nothing simpler than creating a weekly e-mail that provides something of value. Rick Houcek of Soar With Eagles sends one out every Monday that he calls the 2-Minute Monday Motivator. I look forward to getting it every week and often forward his advice to others.

8. Support a Cause

Mary Hester of LAN Systems throws an annual cookout with purpose every Earth Day. Party-goers are encouraged to bring their "e-waste"--old computer monitors and CPUs. At their most recent event they collected more than two tons of IT equipment, keeping it out of the landfills and creating goodwill with their customers, current and potential.

9. Sponsor an Organization

Many local organizations are not that expensive to sponsor for a year if you consider the  so-called per meeting cost. If your product or service is a good fit with their audience, you will get exposure every time the organization sends out an e-mail and a mention every time they meet. Attendees always remember and appreciate companies who sponsor their favorite organizations.

10. Create a Cool Giveaway

When thinking through what your company will  give away make sure it's something they won't want to throw away or easily lose in their desk or bag.

Get Mobile Friendly Now or Suffer Google’s Ranking Wrath

Google announced last month that an upcoming addition to their ranking algorithm will take into consideration whether your website is mobile friendly or not. Websites that are not mobile friendly will be penalized and that means that sites that are not mobile friendly will likely take a hit in Google’s search rankings. Google’s reasoning behind this addition of mobile-friendly design as a ranking signal is because “when it comes to search on mobile devices, users should get the most relevant and timely results, no matter if the information lives on mobile-friendly web pages or apps. Mobile usage is growing and that is why mobile-friendly website design is so important. Even if Google wasn’t taking this design element into a ranking factor, your site is likely to experience a higher bounce rate because of the large amount of smaller mobile devices that are being used at greater frequency.

If you are registered webmaster tools users, then you should have already received an alert letting you know if your website is not mobile friendly. The email alerts let you know what to fix regarding the mobile usability issues they have picked up; it includes mobile-friendly design tips and how to fix the mobile usability issues. If you haven’t received an email and you aren’t sure if your website is mobile –friendly, you can check for yourself with this tool Google created for the purpose of checking for mobile usability issues. You have until April 21, 2015 to get your site’s mobile usability in order. Act fast!

Mobile Usage

The statistics and reports have all shown that mobile usage overtook desktop usage on many levels in 2014. Essentially what that means is that if your site isn’t mobile friendly, it’s too late and you are losing sales, conversions, and visitors who can’t navigate your site on their smartphones

As Posted in Internet Marketing

Plan Ahead - June is National Safety Month

This is a great opportunity for internal and external promotions highlighting safety in June. For your employees, a safety campaign can focus on reducing lost man hours by adopting safety measures in the workplace regardless if it's on a shop floor or in the office. A tiered incentive program should provide logoed products for attaining goals. Promotions can also stress safety while on the road, whether it's for business or pleasure. Consider branded car safety kits as a gift. Such a campaign lets clients know you are concerned about their well-being. And for new homeowners or new parents, a promotion that highlights safety measures at home can be beneficial, especially if you market your products and services to this market. Your distributor partner can help you develop these campaigns and help you find appropriate products for each.