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Marketing Student Needs Your Help

ljpokas — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:32:29 GMT

Hello,

I am a marketing student in the Metro Detroit area. If I am way off base or out of line asking for input on this forum, please advise.

I am working on a marketing campaign (from Executive Summary through a Promotional Presentation) for a new product that has not yet come to market. I came across your site (in a Google search) and read many interesting ideas for advertising and marketing, so I thought I would ask for your input. I need advise on how to choose the target market/demographics for my product: an all-in-one wine making device for your home (products were assigned by the professor).

price range is under $500
device has the latest computerized technology
device makes a case of wine at a time in a period of 6-8 weeks
obviously more of a luxury item (a want, not a need -- especially in this economy)

Any tips on how to find the wine enthusiasts/lovers to market to?

Social networking will most likely be the main source for advertising.

Your expertise and advise is appreciated.

Laura

Improving Customer Experiences - Is It Still Important?

sglatstein — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:11:55 GMT

Has the economic downturn minimized the importance of the Customer Experience?

In Chapter 5 of my book, Strategy Activation: How to Turn Your Vision into Marketplace Success, I talk about how important it is to improve your holistic customer experience to differentiate your company from your competitors. As products and services continue down the inexorable path toward commodification, it is the ongoing customer experience that drives customers to choose one vendor over another.

However, in the past two years, as the economic downturn has forced significant changes in customer behavior, many have questioned the importance of the overarching customer experience. These naysayers claim that in tough times price is the only thing that matters. Customers, they say, are more likely to accept a bad experience as long as they are getting a good deal. This perspective, however, is not confirmed by the data.

When Money is Tight, Customers Expect an Even Greater Customer Experience...

The most recent Harris Interactive Customer Experience Impact Report surveyed consumers on how they engage with companies both online and via phone, what they find frustrating, and how negative and positive customer experiences affect them.

They discovered these facts that are startling to most business owners today...

87% of the surveyed consumers stopped doing business with an organization or company because of a negative customer experience. That's up from 68% reported just two years ago.

Even during tough economic times, the significance of customer experiences does not dwindle. More than half (58%) of consumers polled said they will pay more for a better customer experience during a down economy.

Consumers stated that the most important thing companies could do to encourage them to spend more is to improve the overall customer experience

So, it's clear that even when finances are tight, people still value good service.

Why This Study's Results Are Not Surprising To Me...

When money is easy to come by customers are likely to be more forgiving. Consider this restaurant dining example...

When the economy was booming many couples found themselves dining out twice per week or more. With eight to ten dining-out occasions per month a single bad experience is easily forgotten. However, when belts tighten, monthly dining-out occasions may settle back to just two or three. With fewer opportunities to "splurge" on an evening out couples and families now demand that each experience justifies the expenditure of limited funds. Thus a bad experience like poor service, long wait times and cold food makes a bigger impression and stays with us longer.

Once you have a bad customer experience, you may wait months before you visit that restaurant again - and that's if you ever go back. Plus, you'll probably tell your family and friends about your experience. This will make them think twice before they visit that restaurant.

Real Proof That Bad Customer Experience News Travels Far...

A recently published Forrester Research report, "How Customer Experience Drives Word of Mouth" cites:

Consumers tend to discuss bad experiences with more people than they discuss good ones

Gen Xers, as a group, tend to tell the most people about a bad experience

Gen Yers are the chattiest in general. They are more likely to tell someone about a good experience. They are also the most likely to share a bad experience.

So, don't you think that you should find out right now exactly what your customers are saying about your organization's performance over the past eighteen months? Have their experiences diminished in the wake of corporate austerity? As we begin to see the recession bottom out, now is the time to explore this issue; to find new ways to improve the customer experience; to ensure that your customers have only good things to say!

Strategy Execution Consultant Scott Glatstein, President of Imperatives LLC turns market opportunities into record breaking profits even in a recession. Now, with his new book, "Strategy Activation: How to Turn Your Vision into Marketplace Success," Scott unveils his groundbreaking plan for improved customer experiences and higher strategic profits. Get your FREE Sneak Preview at: http://www.strategyactivation.com

Advertising Ideas???????

ironbed — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 16:49:21 GMT

We opened a Linens store about three months ago. We do have a web site but it doesn't rank high. We have had two SEO for it, that talked a good game , with no results and cost alot of money. We have advertised our store in two local magazine without any results. We joined the Chamber and this hasn't really helped. Only lot's of people trying to sell us on there product. The local newspaper doesn't mean much here. I do Twitter. Any Suggestions??????????

Seasonal Business - How else can I get noticed?

aacl2009 — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:02:22 GMT

I sell firewood with a friend of mine and we have a great product. We sell bundles that are twice as big as what people can buy at the store and 1/2 the price! The tricky part is getting a lot of people to learn about the deal without spending very much money. Here is what we are currently doing...

Advertising
Craigslist: We post 2 different ads for firewood, one for bundles, one for bulk purchases

Truck: I have a large truck with high walls that say, "Firewood $5/bundle" and my phone number

_*Retail</Grocery Stores: We are working on getting into grocery stores but we are finding that some have long-standing contracts and do not wish to partner with another vendor.<br />
Christmas Tree Lots: We have found two lots so far that are willing to sell our bundles of firewood. They sell it for the same price we do but they get $2 for every bundle sold. It may not be a ton of money but it's more than they would have without us. Plus there is no risk since we collect payment after the sale and they do not pre-pay for the wood.

Is there anything else anyone can think of that might help us sell some wood during our 3-4 months of business?

Why Traditional Article Marketing Should Be Dead!

egruber — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:29:26 GMT

Article marketing is one of the best ways to gain instant credibility, increase website traffic, build your list and get more sales. But, the only way you'll experience these results is if you stop doing article marketing the traditional way!

Here's why most of what you have been told by other so-called article marketing experts and gurus is dead wrong when it comes to writing and submitting articles online.

1. Traditional article marketing rarely results in any new traffic to your site.

Links from hundreds or thousands of unimportant article directories and sites are only going to build an army of low-quality links that do nothing for your page rank in the search engines. And it certainly will NOT bring you any more traffic. This is a mistake that tons of people are still making everyday on the web, and most of them don't even know it. They just assume what they are doing will eventually work - because that's what other experts are telling them.

2. Traditional article marketing does not establish you as an authority in your niche.

One of the biggest advantages of article marketing is that as soon as you publish your first article, you become a published writer in your marketplace. You will soon be considered an authority in your niche, which is great - but only if you are published at reputable sources. For example, my articles can be found on top websites like About.com, SiteProNews.com, MarketingProfs.com, Microsoft Community Dynamics and many more. Blasting out articles to a lot of low-quality sites makes you appear to be an amateur and not an expert, something that traditional article marketers tend to do.

3. Traditional article marketing promotes going for the quick-fix.

There are a lot of marketing "gurus" out there who claim to have the magical solution for helping you obtain thousands of links back to your site just by the push of a button. There are others who claim to have a solution for the duplicate content problem - and promote something called spinning software, which will produce several variations of an article. The problem with these "old-school" quick fixes is that article submission software results in the low-quality link. And spinning software creates articles that read unnatural. This is Not an effective way to create REAL traffic. It's a waste of your time and money not to do article marketing the right way.

4. Traditional article marketing doesn't result in dollars earned.

Traditional article marketing is all about producing content for the sake of quantity and not quality. Mediocrity is not the way to attract new business. Article marketing done right will grow into a powerful viral machine that will continuously bring you fresh new targeted traffic and qualified leads day after day. Especially, once you learn what your market wants to learn. Writing quality articles to meet those needs is like money in the bank!

5. Traditional article marketing doesn't give you a system for maximizing your article marketing efforts!

You spent time writing the article. Even if you used my article templates at http://www.startwritingarticlesfaster.com/ to write your articles in 30 minutes - That's 30 minutes that you could have been doing something else. So why not get the most use from your articles. Getting your articles published on top websites will give you the ability to...

Mix your social media efforts with your article marketing efforts. You can Tweet about your new article placement. You can link to the article placement on Facebook and LinkedIn. You can answer people's questions on forums and send prospects to your article for even more information.

Get in front of your prospects face again. Send the high authority site's link with your article to your list. That's how Kevin Berchelmann received a new, mid 5-figure client!

Enhance your credibility on your blog. You can link to your article placements from your blog and show that you are the expert. Show how you're different by getting published on a top website or online publications and not just sites like EzineArticles.com where everyone can get published as long as you follow the editorial guidelines.

You can mention these placements in an auto-responder series. You can take the main take away lessons from your articles and turn it into an e-course. And than at the end of the day's message, link to your articles so people can get even more information from you.

Turn your articles into videos. And, within these videos show how you're published on top websites as this will build instant credibility. Now, if you're ready to writing and submitting articles the traditional way - then check out my Online Article Marketing Course at http://www.onlinearticlemarketingcourse.com/

Article Marketing Expert Eric Gruber uses the power of articles to create online opportunities for Internet marketers, small business owners, authors and speakers who want more publicity, prospects and profits. Now, with his new article marketing course, Eric is opening up the curtains and revealing how he has built a 6 figure income business just by using articles. Check it out now at: http://www.onlinearticlemarketingcourse.com/

What's the best way to safely build an opt-in email list?

amspcs — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:55:09 GMT

I certainly don't want to spam, but I WOULD like to better utilize opt-in email marketing.

Any suggestions on ways to safely build an opt in email list? I know "Constant Contact" is a great emarketing tool if you already have an opt in list. The trick is....how do you effectively go about getting the list in the first place?

Any ideas and suggestions would be great.

Thanks. Happy Thanksgiving to all.

AMSPCS

How do I find Wine Lovers?

WineLady — Sun, 25 May 2008 19:32:49 GMT

I am a Senior Wine Consultant for a major Award Winning California Winery.

One key feature besides our Premium Wines is that we are noted for our ability: Private Label--your name/logo/ and ship direct to your doorstep.

I am seeking some suggestions on how to find leads (prospects) in the following fields.
a. Wine Enthusiasts--
b. or Just Companies that are seeking a good Marketing Vehicle: as thank yous to customers, as employee incentives, company functions
c. Social Events: Weddings, Private Stock, Birthdays, Anniversaries, etc.

Finding leads in todays slowing economy is becoming very challenging; kind of a Catch 22, --slowing economy means there is a need for stronger marketing but companies are tightening up their purse strings.

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Thanks,
Bonnie.

Anyone use Twitter to promote their business?

Howard — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 13:49:25 GMT

My kids are always on Twitter. Wondering if any of you use Twitter for your business? If so, how?

Brick and mortar business and online marketing

sbmar2009 — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:01:49 GMT

Hi everyone. We've got an idea for a business and we wanted to get some other business owners thoughts on it. If you own a B/M business and we offered you the service of getting your business listed in the local business centers of the major search engines, local search engines, 411 services, Internet yellow pages, yelp (etc), GPS services and "X" amount of social networks, tied the social networks together so you can make one status update, and it updates all of your social network status updates (think Twitter, Facebook, Myspace) so you or your employee isn't spending days doing the work, would a small business owner be interested? The social side is good for branding and building your footprint online. I can go on for days about it but I just was trying to get my point across. We would also advise you on the best practices for marketing your business online without the nonsense that most online marketers give you.

We know there is a TON of information out on the net and most if it is complete marketing B.S. . We're thinking about offering a free 15 minute consultation over the phone. We guarantee that we can tell you more about how your business looks online than anyone else. We are offering no fluff and no "marketer speak" or internet hyperbole. We are talking about no nonsense approach, straight facts and how it will benefit you, as a business owner.

With Google releasing street GPS navigation on your phone and the ability to find businesses as you are using the service in REAL TIME, it has become vitally important to have your correct information in these systems. Think of Iphone users and their ability to retrieve information on the fly from the search engines. We have the data that supports the importance of it. We CAN verify this. Let me be very clear we are NOT offering SEO services. That is not what we are talking about. Most online marketers are completely unaware that there are two separate algorithms that show the organic search results and the "one box" results in Google. This is why you will see a business in the one box and not in the search results.

If you are running an online business, you can just use the social networking aspect and still reap the benefits. I know that this may come off as "spammy" since I haven't posted in here before so, to show you that I'm a real person, here is my real email address fsoriano2005 {at} gmail [dot} com

If you had the option to pay a onetime fee or hourly rate, which would you, as a business owner prefer? All this can be done with 2 simple online forms so you aren't spending days filling out information. You just go to our website and input the data and we handle the rest. Of course if you needed help, we would offer support.

If there other options that you as a business owner would like to see, please let me know. We are open to any and all ideas.

Thank you all for any input you can provide and good luck in all your endeavors.

Direct Mail Marketing is Alive and Well and bringing in lots

Dataguy — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:44:26 GMT

For as long as there has been a US Mail service we have heard complaints about

Proverbial "junk mail". Everyone complains about it but most open, read it and

every year it generates billions in sales. Here are a few tips on how it will work for you and your business.

First decide what you what your direct mail campaign to accomplish:

Make prospective customer in your trade area aware of your business. This is especially valuable when sent out to new households moving into your area.
Announce a sale or event your business is having.
Offer specials on specific products or services.

After you decide there are four main components to consider for your campaign.

Your mailing list. Who are the best prospects for your mailing.
Your mail piece. What is the best way to convey your campaign.
Your offer. It needs to be relevant and attention getting.
Postage: Do not overlook the cost of postage and different ways you may be able to save.

1. Your mailing list is probably the most important component. It will not make a
difference how good your mail piece looks or how great the offer if it does not get to
the right prospects. Most mailing lists providers can furnish you with similar lists, but
prices and service can vary greatly. Check out more than one and compare prices.

2. Your mail piece is what will get you "in the door" . A well designed large postcard
is the best way to get noticed and quickly convey your message to your prospect.

3. Your offer will be the decision maker. Does you prospect need and can afford your
product or service? Give them a good reason to buy or come in today! Make sure to
add urgency with a time limit or certain dates.

4. Postage can run from 20% to 40% of your total cost per mail piece. Be sure to include
this in your initial planning and budgeting. You may get discounts by mailing to
every address on the mail routes in a select area. Check with your Post Office.

Here are a couple of ideas that have worked for thousands of small businesses:

Use business to business direct mail to promote your business to the employees of other

businesses in your area. Select businesses with a certain number of employees and send them a promotional piece with lots of coupons attached good for specials at your business. This works great for restaurants, dry cleaners and specialty shops. Think about what your employees purchase on the way to or on the way home from work or during their lunch hours. You will be providing other business owners with a way to offer their

employee specials on services they need. It is a win-win promotion.

For your direct marketing to your consumer prospects make sure to fine tune your mailing list as much as possible. Base your geography on your knowledge of where your current customers are coming from. Using a driving radius out from your business is a good way to plan. You should also think about your current customers and have your mailing list provider compile a list for you that most closely matches these customers.

If you are a pet groomer, select only households with dogs or cats. If you are selling higher ticket items make sure the names on your lists have adequate wealth and income to afford your product. You get the idea, again, the better the list the better your response will be.

Remember, there are no filters (like email) , or do not mail like the do-not-call lists, so

Get the most bang for your advertising bucks with direct mail. Good Selling!

Jim Wallert, owner of JWallMarketing has over 35 years of successful experience working with all types and sizes of businesses in developing profitable direct marketing and direct mailing campaigns. Jim works with clients to deliver the right list for their

needs at great prices with low minimum order requirements. Your custom targeted list counts and quotes are always free. Contact Jim at jim@jwallmarketing.com