Posted on 5th July 2010 by Susan Venancio in Business Tips |Marketing |Social Media |email marketing
Business Growth, Business Tips, contest, customer, customer service, email, email marketing, giveaway, ideas, incentive marketing, internet sales, Landing Page, marketing strategy, micro site, online promotion, Social Media, special offer, sweepstakes, web marketing
Online incentive marketing strategies are an affordable and powerful marketing tool. These are the online promotional contests such as, sweepstakes, giveaways and special offers companies use to get their customer’s attention. Going online with this type of marketing is taking over; it is quick and easy for the user and cost effective for your company, saving on postage, paper and printing costs. When planned well with clear goals your return on investment (ROI) is worth it.
Online incentive marketing campaigns can be created for a small or large scale plan, something for any budget. Your promotional contest sweepstake, giveaway or special offer prizes can range from company logo items (pens/pencils) to coupons, gift cards, products and/or services and vacation destinations, just make sure that it is FREE. People love to win FREE stuff! The idea is to generate customer interest and enthusiasm. Campaigns that create a strong emotion (make your contestants laugh) will get recognized and passed along through the various channels; email and social media networks, etc.
Here are 10 reasons to plan an online incentive marketing campaign:
- Find future new customers
- Increase website traffic
- Build your marketing prospect list
- Strengthen your loyalty with existing customer relationships
- Immediate sales increases
- Company gets exposure
- Increases new/existing product or service exposure
- Increase marketing research survey response rates
- Improve product/services using contestant ideas
- Testimonial responses
This is a great tactic to generate an online buzz for whatever you decide to promote. As said before: People love to win FREE stuff! This should be a win/win. To be sure of a win/win measure your efforts. You want your efforts to get the attention it deserves. Creating a landing page or a micro site will make it easy to track your measurable desired data.
Best wishes for a successful online incentive marketing campaign. Cheers!
Posted on 28th June 2010 by Susan Venancio in Business Tips |Marketing |email marketing
Business Growth, Business Tips, customer service, email, email marketing, ideas, marketing strategy
The word of mouth has long been known as a powerful marketing tool. Have you considered using online reviews to spread the word? Reviews are very successful for Amazon. Why not use this marketing strategy for your business? Yelp offers a fantastic online review forum to market your company. This online marketing tool allows your customers to share their experience with your company by writing reviews, be it positive or negative. In addition you can communicate back and forth, post offers and announcements and add photos. And it’s free! For details take a look at http://www.yelp.com/business?country=US.
This is another great tool to add to your marketing portfolio. It provides a great opportunity to listen and nurture your customer relationships. To get started, offer your customers an incentive to write a review. With their receipt or invoice, produce an invitation with the information needed to write the review, plus an incentive on the spot, like a freebie of some sort or coupon (Who does that? You just exceeded their expectations – that’s excellent!) And in your next e-newsletter or marketing e-mail invite your customer to write a review, give them a coupon incentive upfront too. Let everyone know that another special offer will be waiting on your Yelp profile.
To make it an even better marketing experience, make it a habit of responding to all your reviews. Set time aside each day or week, depending on your review volume. Customers love to know that their review was noticed, even if the review was negative. Negative reviews are opportunities to improve what you do and often result in a more loyal customer.
Word of mouth marketing is powerful. An online review forum makes it even more powerful. I hope you like this marketing tip and take advantage of it.
Cheers!
Posted on 21st June 2010 by Susan Venancio in Business Tips |Marketing |email marketing
Business Growth, Business Tips, customer service, email, email marketing, ideas, marketing strategy, web marketing
Have you considered adding a survey page to your website? Or adding an email survey invitation to your marketing portfolio? Implementing an online survey needs a sincere marketing strategy behind it in order for it to be an effective business tool with usable results. It’s a great idea to measure the level of customer satisfaction with your products and/or services and you want your survey to have a positive impact on your customer as well as your business. You want this marketing tactic to be planned out completely with everything thought through, it’s among the top most effective and affordable marketing tactics available, so make it count.
Here are some design tips to consider while creating your online customer survey:
- Start with your objectives. Clearly define what you want to accomplish. Do you want to; spot trends, know your customer satisfaction rate, or improve your product/service.
- Have clear concise questions and answer options. Use specific close-ended questions with 6 or less radio button answers to make the process fast and easy on the customer.
- Introduce your survey. In a polite tone, tell you customer why you are asking the questions; how long it will take, and explain what you’ll be doing with the results. For a high response rate allow your survey to take 5 minutes or less to complete and offer incentives. Incentives can generally increase responses by 50%.
- Test you survey. You can send the survey to a select employee group first, make changes as necessary, and then send to a sample test group before announcing or sending the survey to your full marketing list of customers.
- Share the results. Once all of the survey data has been collected and analyzed, post your findings and the action your company will be taking. Customers will be more responsive in the future. People love knowing their opinion makes a difference.
Additionally, the best days to send out surveys are Tuesdays, Wednesday, and Thursday. Test it; you will see what day of the week works best for the responses you would like to have. Also, depending on your response timeline, using a reminder can boost the number of responses. If you are looking for an out of the box online survey analytics company, try: http://www.surveymonkey.com/, http://www.zoomerang.com/, or http://www.questionpro.com/.
3 Cheers for an Online Customer Survey! Hip, Hip, Hooray! Hip, Hip, Hooray! Hip, Hip, Hooray to Online Customer Surveys!
Posted on 14th June 2010 by Susan Venancio in Business Tips |email marketing
advertising, Business Growth, Business Tips, customer service, email, email marketing, internet revenue, marketing strategy
An email newsletter, when put together effectively, can be a fantastic avenue to generate traffic to your website and increase your sales revenues. Keeping the format clean and sharp looking with useful engaging articles and irresistible promotional special offers will give your subscriber a reason to open and read more.
Here are some helpful tips to consider as you create your newsletter:
- Make it simple, easy to read, and quickly scan-able with easy navigation. Format with a 12 pt. size font (I like Arial typestyle) in dark font color on a light background, publish only 3-5 articles, using a few compelling pictures and add a clickable table of contents with article titles at the top. For articles that have over 200-300 words, add a “read more” link to take your reader to your website for the full details.
- Set your standards. Keeping the same colors, article and promotional placement, and number of articles; sets a predictable standard that customers love.
- Establish a publishing schedule. Decide and commit to sending your newsletter at regular intervals. For example, if you were to publish a monthly newsletter, email it on the first Monday of each month. This too, helps establish a predictable standard that customers love.
- Format for the preview pane. Most people view their emails through the preview pane, so format the top 200-300 pixels with the most engaging and irresistible material.
- The 80/20 content rule. 80% of the newsletter content should be engagingly useful tip oriented articles and 20% promotional sales content.
- Subscriber access on the homepage. Put a subscribe box at the top of the homepage, only asking for the subscriber’s email address. Give the subscriber an opportunity to view current and previous issues. Also, offer a share button. And make your privacy policy easily accessible.
- Check it out. Send your newsletter to email clients, such as, Outlook, Yahoo, Gmail and Hotmail to ensure quality viewing results in these various environments.
- Measure the results. Analyze what works and what does not work after each newsletter. Find out the: delivery rate, open rate, click-through rate, sales rate and sign-up growth rate.
An email newsletter is another opportunity to showcase your company’s personality. Also use your target audience, competition and newsletters you receive to help guide you towards writing and designing a great newsletter. If you are looking for material inspiration to cover in your newsletter try: a main editorial, “From the President” article, testimonials, special featured products/services, upcoming events, promotions, coupon, other industry expert interviews with tips/best practices, FAQ section where you answer customer submitted questions, customer feedback, surveys, or enter a contest.
I hope these tips help you write and design an irresistible newsletter. Get creative and have fun!
Cheers!
Posted on 7th June 2010 by Susan Venancio in Business Tips |Marketing |Web Design
Business Growth, Business Tips, customer service, ideas, internet revenue, marketing strategy, mobile apps, mobile device, mobile website, seo, web design, website
It is estimated that there are more than 175,000 mobile apps and over 326,000 mobile websites available for those with smart mobile devices in their pocket. Users have all types of mobile applications available: games, utilities, social networking, news, weather, reference, travel, productivity tools and more. Users have come to expect having information available mobile style. And having information available mobile style is only expected to increase.
It is hard to deny, mobility increases the workforces’ productivity and it takes your business to the next level. However, for a business, weighing the options to go mobile app &/or mobile website is a big deal that needs careful consideration. Here are some major points to consider:
Mobile App
- Is developed for a specific mobile device, download and installation required.
- Updates, download and installation required.
- Development required for each mobile device platform.
- Your business will need a very large budget with a well-defined strategy to get top rankings to be found with the search engines.
- App store approvals may be required.
- Ability to use all GPS, camera, voice, RFID, address book, calendar capabilities.
- There can be publishing/certifications fees.
- Costs more to develop/maintain. Consider your businesses updates, plus updates as devices change.
- Sales revenues are shared with app store.
- User has full control and is seamlessly integrated with the mobile device.
Mobile Website
- Is developed specifically for mobile devices, no downloads or installation required.
- Updates automatically available.
- Runs on all web enabled mobile devices.
- A good SEO marketing strategy will increase your traffic volume.
- Anyone can access your mobile website.
- For security and privacy concerns access to address books/calendars are limited.
- No publishing/certification fees.
- Costs less to develop/maintain. Your developer has complete access for updates when requested.
- Sales revenues are the businesses.
- User experience depends on your mobile website design.
Understanding the who, what, and where of your user base will also be of great benefit to you. Even though mobile apps are all the rage in popularity and lots of fun, look at all your options to pick the best solution for your business to go mobile style.
Please choose your mobile style wisely. And remember to be a responsible mobile device user.
Cheers!
Posted on 1st June 2010 by Susan Venancio in Business Tips |Web Design
Business Tips, customer service, ideas, internet sales, web design, website
Your homepage has a big impact on your company. It leaves a lasting impression on your visitors because it gets the most traffic. When a user lands elsewhere, generally the user will click back to the homepage, so make the best of your homepage.
Make sure your homepage has:
- An effective tagline: make it memorable and clear with 3-7 words that reflects the personality of your company.
- A visible title tag: Using 65-70 characters or less; starting with your company name followed by the use of relevant keywords and/or phrases relevant to homepage searches.
- An “About” section: Provide a place to give more details about your company.
- 5 Items: List the top 5 most important things your users will gain from your web site.
- An easy to find and use search box.
- Show your best articles, products, and promotions, etc. on your homepage.
- Links need to be listed by relevant words to be visitor friendly.
- Archive: Provide an archive of featured homepage articles, product, and promotions, etc.
- Keep it simple: Avoid elaborate illustrations, boxes, and colors.
- Meaningful images: Your homepage images should create a lasting impression that best reflects your company.
Add value to your business by enhancing your web site’s homepage by utilizing these suggestions. It is well worth the investment. Make your visitor’s happy today!
Cheers!
Posted on 24th May 2010 by Susan Venancio in Business Tips
Business Growth, Business Tips, ideas
Over the years I have collected tips that I have found inspirational and continue to practice on a daily basis. This short list can be an inspirational reminder for us all.
- Analyze the success of admirable people and organizations.
- Be an outstanding role model by helping others succeed, setting a positive example for others to follow.
- Surround yourself with responsible people with good attitudes.
- Maintain a positive attitude.
- Remember your attitude is contagious and your words, vocal tone, eye contact, body language, and actions have power, even WOW! Power.
- Work to improve your positive communication skills daily.
- Be the first to say “Hello”, you’ll be known as a friendly, approachable person.
- Have the confidence to laugh at your self.
- Be a problem solver not a complainer, listen carefully and ask questions to discover solutions.
- Create a plan for ongoing, self-development.
- Routinely set goals, stay focused and track your successes.
- Show your gratitude to your customers, peers, employees and family members.
- Behave with honesty, integrity, competence, credibility and inspiration.
- Go the extra mile, give until it hurts, do the unexpected, it all makes a difference.
- Make it a priority to schedule time for your own health, wellness, and balance.
There is always room for improvement in all the things we do, regardless of how big or little that thing may be. Our business and personal success depends on it. Try one tip at a time, if it works for you, make it a habit. Have fun with it. Good luck!
Cheers!
Posted on 17th May 2010 by Susan Venancio in Business Tips |Marketing
Business Growth, Business Tips, customer service, ideas, marketing strategy
I don’t know about you, but I have my kids write thank you notes for their birthday and Christmas gifts. The recipients always show appreciation for receiving the notes when we talk, commenting on the old-fashioned ways gone lost. Isn’t that sad? Well, lets turn that around. Lets give an old tradition of handwritten thank you notes a modern day business makeover. Lets add this to your marketing strategy giving you a competitive edge on an underutilized old-fashioned tradition. It is cost effective, powerful, and makes you stand out. Showing gratitude makes good business sense.
I’ve mentioned it before; keep blank thank you note cards in view at your workstation; provide a supply to your team to follow your lead. Set a small goal, write and send out one a day; making this a daily habit. (I like writing them at the end of the day; it’s a de-stressor, feels good to close my day on a positive note.) Increase your goal every two weeks until you reach an appropriate volume. Your note must be warm, sincere and personal without strings attached. This is not a sales pitch! Additionally, it must be sent in a timely manner; within 48 hours.
Opportunities to be thankful for:
- Sales calls, presentations, demos
- New customers
- Existing customers’ loyalty
- Job well done by an employee, vender, or peer, etc.
- Business referrals
- Did someone give you good advice?
- Did someone do you a favor?
- Did someone show you kindness?
- Send out compliments, testimonials
- Complaints. Complaints come from people who want to do business, so, fix the problem, and thank the person for bringing it to your attention. Make sure to tell them what you did to fix the problem.
Thank you! These are two magical words that you can easily add to your marketing strategy that will not let you down. You will find that it creates more business opportunities, opens more doors, and attracts more people to you. It makes others feel good and most people do not make the effort. So, go get some plain quality stationary to get started today. That’s a powerful marketing tool and a customer service WOW!
Remember, sincere goodwill creates opportunity.
Cheers!
Posted on 10th May 2010 by Susan Venancio in Business Tips
Business Tips, customer service, ideas
What kind of customer service makes you say “WOW!”? Well, it is simply the genuine sincere attitude a customer senses, plus the unexpected things you and your team do to exceed their expectations. Did you know that face-to-face your voice is 38% of your message, 62% is body language? Over the phone your voice is 100% of your message? Your genuine sincere attitude can be seen and heard, it’s contagious, and has an impact on your bottom line. Your customers want to feel welcome, they want you to be personally interested in them, and they want you to solve their problems. Let’s make it happen!
Whether you meet your customer face-to-face or over the phone, by implementing the following customer service principals into a routine, you and your team will start the “WOW!” factor in customer service.
- Always pleasantly greet your customer with a warm sincere smile, even on the phone. Face-to-face you want to immediately acknowledge your customer with your pleasant greeting; making eye contact and shaking hands when appropriate.
- Handle your customer’s request. Understand your customer; listen for the problem, have a true sincere goal of finding out their wants and needs, then do your best to find a solution. Ask who, what, when, where and how questions; maintaining eye contact. This helps build rapport. Customers like that!
- Use your customer’s name. Figure out a way to obtain your customer’s name and work it into your customer service routine. People love to hear it. It gives them a feeling of family and belonging. The more you use the name; the easier it is to remember, too.
- Once you think you have handled the request, ask, “Is there anything else?”. Taking the time to ask this question, even if you were handling a complaint, results in a happy customer.
- In the end always say “thank you” with the same warm sincere smile and wish your customer a good day, remembering to use their name. Your customer will love it.
Hire great people, train your team, go the extra mile and treat your employees well. In the end it is your company’s bottom line, which is your responsibility.
Have a fantastic day and thank you for reading.
Cheers!
Posted on 3rd May 2010 by Susan Venancio in Business Tips
Business Tips, entrepreneur, ideas, leadership, management, owner
In today’s market it is a daily routine of difficulty to keep business healthy at all angles, some of which you do not have much control over. However, you do have the control to have the right people, systems, technologies and resources in place. You need to cut through the BS, provide clear priorities, have high productivity, keep morale up and say “bye-bye” to the speed bumps (employees) that keep this from happening. Some questions to ask yourself:
- Are we determined? Your team needs to stand strong with no weak links. Everyone must share the same determination, regardless of where the person stands in line.
- Do we regularly focus on what needs to get done? Communicate, over and over, your goals and how you are going to achieve them.
- Is it really clear on what needs to get done? Make sure everyone is on the same page.
- Are we holding employees accountable? Take appropriate action when necessary. Start by hiring the right people; it will make this part easier. And remember to reward those who make you look good.
These are questions you should ask yourself regularly to keep your team and business in good health. It’s a continual, ongoing process of evaluation and adjustment, no matter the economics. Your efforts will ensure you are building and maintaining good business health. It’s a strategic choice.
Cheers!
