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You’ve probably heard about Pinterest and wondered if your business can benefit from it. You may have also thought, “Do I really need another social channel to manage?” Pinterest’s explosion in popularity makes it worth adding to most marketers’ consideration lists, right next to heavyweight mainstays like Facebook and Twitter. With over 12 million active users and over 16 million unique visitors a day, Pinterest has become the fifth largest social network in the world and the country’s 16th most visited website in just two short years. So what makes this virtual scrapbooking site so popular? READ MORE »
Pinterest becomes a powerful marketing tool for brands
Getting started in pay-per-click advertising
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No matter what sort of business you run, chances are good that your next customer or client is going to find you by searching online. Landscapers, dentists and advertising agencies alike need to have a web presence (websites, social media, etc.) that show up on search engines. A quick and surefire method to make sure that people find you is to use pay-per-click. READ MORE »
This time it’s personal.
We all know social media, blogging, and other forms of content marketing hold great opportunities for companies to connect with clients and customers. The changing focus from outbound “bullhorn” marketing to engagement and conversation has been discussed many times.
Now that many companies have come to the conclusion that they need to share content to remain relevant, there is no shortage of well-meaning advice out there. Generic advice, especially in the marketing and communications (marcom) industry, flows so freely that much of it gets lost in the clutter. To break through and foster meaningful connections with readers, your company must say something fresh, something different. READ MORE »
Is your business benefiting from the blogosphere?
Written by Does your business already have a blog? Good! If not, we think it’s time.
Sure, there are already lots of blogs competing for attention… so many, in fact, that getting an accurate count isn’t really possible. But based on recent credible estimates, there are likely over one hundred million active blogs out there—and the number is growing every day.
Of these blogs, a substantially large chunk are written and maintained by companies. According to bigmouthmedia.com, “65% of businesses now operate an active blog.”
Still, only some of these business blogs are any good—which offers your business a chance to create a valuable point of distinction. READ MORE »
Does your private school marketing pass the test?
There are many options for preschool through high school. For example, there are private school options, ranging from Montessori to Waldorf to Country Day to faith-based schools and more. Competing with these options are home schooling and for-profit ventures, plus more charter schools than ever. And, of course, there are public institutions.
The result is that when it comes time to market your private school, you need to keep in mind that conscientious and increasingly value-conscious parents are demanding hard evidence to prove that the cost of your school is justified. READ MORE »
Does your urgent care center marketing need a checkup?
When a medical issue arises that needs immediate—but not emergency—attention, urgent care centers are now available. And they’re growing in popularity, particularly among working families with employer-provided health insurance.
According to Lucia F. Bruno, J.D., LL.M., M.B.A., there are “approximately 8,700 urgent care centers nationwide and an increased percentage throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey.” According to a survey conducted by the Urgent Care Marketing Group, “an overwhelming majority of urgent care operators experienced an increase in patient counts for the first quarter of 2011.”
Our question is: Are you considering your points of distinction and communicating them effectively to attract new customers? Mull over the following questions… READ MORE »
Should companies say Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas?
If you want to get people arguing over the eggnog, ask whether it’s more appropriate to say Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas. Some people are pretty touchy about this topic.
While we were tempted to avoid this controversial issue completely, when it comes to companies and their marketing agencies, it can be an important decision. So instead of sticking our heads in the snow, we decided to offer our observations and insights.
Think it doesn’t matter which choice you make? Consider that entire talk shows and websites have devoted themselves to the debate and that certain groups monitor which companies explicitly state Merry Christmas and which choose an alternative. There have even been boycotts against companies such as Dick’s Sporting Goods and Barnes & Noble because of their choice to use “Holiday” instead of “Christmas.”
Let’s start with current trends. READ MORE »
For financial institutions, trust has to be earned
Sometimes blamed for the recession and jeered for their perceived bonus culture, financial institutions have become an easy target for customers, the media, and politicians. Let’s face it—even sterling reputations have been tarnished.
Trust is an essential part of the success of any organization. It’s what makes customers loyal and is crucial for strengthening and sustaining your brand. Perhaps it’s time to consider if your marketing communicates trust in the most persuasive way possible.
Instead of grumbling about perceptions, many financial institutions are picking themselves up, dusting themselves off, and addressing the issue of changing beliefs head on. Through bold communication, they are taking advantage of many consumers’ renewed emphasis on trust in their financial decisions. READ MORE »
Client-agency relationships are the lifeblood of great marketing
Relationships permeate everything we do—in our personal lives and in our business lives. Good relationships give us strength and confidence and can propel us forward into great successes. Bad relationships, on the other hand, can drag us down.
The client-agency relationship is no different. Simply put, the best ones are true partnerships that result in exciting, enduring work. READ MORE »
Working with a media planner and buyer can pay for itself
In addition to saving you money, media planners and buyers can also free you to concentrate on running your business.
Though sometimes overlooked, media planning and buying are core components of the ad world—and possibly a significant part of your marketing strategy. While tightly related, there is a difference between the two disciplines. Media planners select the media that best meet a client’s marketing goals, while media buyers negotiate the best media rates and actually purchase the media.
The best media planners and buyers constantly evaluate market conditions to choose the best mix of media, the best schedule, and the best strategy for your audience and goals—all while ensuring that you get the best value for your budget. READ MORE »