Latest Marketing Best Practices

Marketing experts are always researching the latest and greatest ways to reach their audience and to increase awareness about their product/brand/services. Networking, events, sponsorship, analytical and geographic research of behavior, and content strategy are some of the best tactics to include within an overall marketing plan.

Another critical aspect you may want to consider is customer service! Ask yourself, WHO is my customer? WHO am I trying to reach and WHAT do I want them to believe and act on? 

Analyzing the above questions is critical to the growth and development of your audience and increased awareness of your brand and messaging. The next question is, "How do I research?" 

1. Hold a focus group. What is a focus group? A focus group is a group of selected participants that fit a certain criteria that matches your target customer profile. The participants will answer various questions that would provide you with more insight on your product/brand/service and how they feel about what is happening, what happened, or what COULD happen. A focus group can be arranged in person, or even online (via Google Hangout, or perhaps GoToMeeting). You'll provide a set of questions, most of which will be open-ended. A focus group should provide in-depth answers to key questions like: What do you feel when you see this logo? What thought comes to mind when you hear this commercial? Where do you shop/buy XYZ products? How often do you (name an action)? Who do you call for information about XYZ? Usually, when holding a focus group, there is a reward for the participants, such as a gift card, or movie tickets, etc. -- this will help to increase the number of participants. 

2. Create a survey. Along with your team, create a list of questions that are easy-to-understand and straight forward for your audience. Send this survey to potential participants. If you are using a generalized marketing list -- always send to more than you would like to participate because usually, only 20% will actually complete the survey. If you are sending to a targeted list, write something catchy in the subject line of the email. Perhaps you can use the tactic of the focus group and include a reward after completing the survey. In this situation, it may be better to send to a targeted list with familiar contacts so that your email is not interpreted as spam. There are a lot of great resources for surveys, you can either include the questions within the text of the email, or use outside sources like Survey Monkey that will include statistics and a link where you can input the question (instead of calculating manually). 

3. Create a questionnaire. Usually, with questionnaires, you have very basic yes/no type of questions that can be quickly answered. In this case, many marketing pros will actually go out in to the world (yes not on a computer) and will bring their questionnaires to the general public to gain feedback. The questions should be quick and simple -- to the point.

These three tactics are great ways to gain insight and feedback from your target audience. They are relatively inexpensive and provide fast results.

Good luck to you on your next analysis/research project!

Creating a Linkedin Company Page

Creating a Linkedin.com Company Page: 

Linkedin.com is becoming increasingly important in the social media world, especially in the business sector. Many have referred to Linkedin as the "Facebook" of business, because it essentially allows a business professional to share their updates and news with people who are truly interested and can benefit from it. Anything from job postings, to expert articles, company updates, and promotions are all shared through this great networking site. 

Social media experts have been creating business pages for quite some time, but lately, the exposure of a business or social media leader at an organization has gained vast attention. The groups, and followers, and all the other names that come with interacting via Linkedin are growing exponentially. Therefore, it is imperative for every business to have a Linkedin business page. 

Below are a list of easy steps to set up your Linkedin business page, directly from the Linkedin FAQ:

1) Adding a linkedin company page requires that you have a Linkedin profile. You must register your email address and create an account for Linkedin. 

2) Once you have signed in to your page, hover your cursor interests and you'll see choices populate on the drop down, click on "companies." 

3) The next step would be (obvious) "create a company page." 

At this point, you will simply fill in the necessary information and company background/data/website etc. and your page will be officially created! 

Feel free to assign an administrator by clicking on the company page while signed in to your Linkedin account and click edit on the right side of the screen at the bottom you'll see the option to "Designate Administrators." 

It is a good idea to designate an alternate administrator so that someone other than you can make the necessary updates. 

Enjoy your page! 

 

 

Google+ Pages and the Google PIN issue

GOOGLE PLUS: 

Everyone wants to ensure that their information is accurate on google right? Of course! As a business owner, nothing is worse if someone would like to come to your business, or buy a product, or make a reservation, and they can't seem to find you. It can make your business look unreliable and in today's world, it seems that you don't "care" or put enough effort in if you can't simply ensure your address and phone number are correct online. 

What is the first step? Well, according to Google's advice on address/information accuracy, you'll need to create a Google ID. 

1) Set up an email address via Google 

2) Create a local Google + page with your business's information / address / website / contact information / keywords and description / hours of operation 

*Make sure you enter your business address exactly how is appears offline and online (like on your website) 

3) Once you have created your Google + page, Google will want you to verify the address so that the listing is correct. This will also be necessary if a page already exists or information is already listed about your business and you need to update it. 

*If you do not verify your information, it will not appear correctly on Google Maps

4) You'll need to click "submit" in order to confirm your information and complete the update. 

5) Designate a Google + manager for your page. 

How do I verify my business?

Only the Google+ manager can request verification for a business page. To add a manager simply click on "Add Manager" on your Google + page. Enter the email address of the manager and have them check their email to verify the manager status. 

Once the manager is able to edit the page, have the manager sign in to the Google + page. You'll have choices to make updates on the dashboard of the page. Once you make your edits, you'll need to verify. You can verify via telephone or via post card.

If you verify via telephone, be ready to receive a phone call quite quickly -- within minutes. The automated Google system will read a PIN to you and you'll need to enter that PIN on the verification page when signed in to your Google+ account. 

If you choose to verify via post card, you'll need to wait until the post card arrives and then enter the PIN in to the Google+ page. 

Do not panic if it takes a few days to see the changes reflect on Google+ this is completely normal. 

Good luck on your Google + page! Here are some helpful links:

Verify Google + page: https://support.google.com/plus/answer/1713911?rd=2 

Setting up a Google + page: https://support.google.com/plus/answer/1710691?hl=en&ref_topic=3293696 

Add or remove manager: https://support.google.com/plus/answer/2380626?hl=en 

Heard of Google Voice? Free Phone Line!

Google Voice Features

Have You Heard of Google Voice?

Great tool for Small Business! 

How to Use "Google Voice"

Step One: Create A Number
Step Two: Making a Phone Call

Google Voice is TOTALLY FREE at the basic usage level. 

• Provides you with your very own number

• Ability to call, text, email, receive voicemail and transcribed messages

How to set it up? 

• Create a Gmail account, or use an existing one.

• Sign in to your account and click on “More” on the top bar with a list of options  provided by Google – click on “VOICE” with the phone icon next to it.  

Google Voice Icon

• Begin to set up the voice account following the prompts. You will have a choice to use  the existing phone number you own with your current voice carrier, OR, you can use a new number that will be provided by Google Voice. 

• If you choose to obtain a new number from Google Voice, you will be asked to enter your current number. Google will then provide you with a code number and will note that they will be calling your phone number once you click “connect.” 

• When you connect, Google will ring your CURRENT cell phone/landline and will ask you to enter the code number provided. They automated voice will prompt you to create a voice message. Once this is done, you will see a note on the screen that says, “Google Voice Number Verified.” 

• You will then have the option to ADD more numbers if you have colleagues, and you can also set up a voice message system. Below you can read instructions on how to place a phone call! 

Download the App and call with your Mobile Phone!

To Place a Call via Google Voice:
·       Click on “call”
·       Change “phone to call with” from Google Talk -> to Mobile
·       Type in the number you want to call
·       Click “connect”
·       Your regular cell phone will ring
·       When you pick up, you will here that your cell phone will automatically be dialing the destination you want to reach. The person you are trying to reach will see your GOOGLE number as the caller ID on their end.
·       If you want to be able to do this via your cell phone – go to the APP store, and download the Google Voice APP
Once you download the Google Voice APP, you will need to dial a specific number (depending on your service provider in order to create your new Voice Message) à This will be if you want to use the Google Voice Message as your message! –you can’t have both unfortunately it seems! If someone knows a suggestion or solution for this, feel free to share! Thanks for viewing! 

Follow the Steps To Call 

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Reputation is KEY!

Grow Your Reputation!

As small business owners, especially those just starting out, we look to build our relationships. The relationships we want to grow are not only with our clients, but with potential clients, and with other business owners and network groups.

How to start working on your reputation Management?

  

      First Step: 

            Research yourself! Search your business name in the top search engines. Conduct an analysis on the results you find. What are consumers saying about you as the business owner and/or your products or service?

a.       Based on the findings you will know where you stand. Note: you may not have any results come up because you are brand new. This is actually not a bad thing because you have a clean slate to work with and can set yourself up for great success.

           Second Step:

      Create a plan! Decide if you are going to focus your outreach on a local market, regional market, or national market. Who is your target audience? What is the demographic? Do you have a specific gender, age group, income level, or perhaps business sector you are trying to reach? If so, you may want to consider geographic-targeting or content-targeting.

a.       Geographic-targeting (geo-targeting) allows you to focus on specific geographic areas even down to the zip codes.

b.      Content-targeting allows you to focus on specific content that people search by keyword or by website, by topic, or by phrase.

c.       Note: you can use these methods of practice via GoogleAd Words, Facebook Adwords, Display Ads, Search Engine Optimization, Content Strategy, Banner Ads, Video Advertising, and even traditional radio/print/television will allow for such specific outreach.
d. Add video to your website - then add the video to Youtube which is owned by Google. This can influence the positioning and ranking of your business on search engines because of the content (a smart investment)! 

3      Third Step:    

      Organize a budget! Come up with a budget that will work over a 3month – 6month period at the minimum in order to start seeing results. You should not expect to create a plan for one or two months. You need time to grow your content and let people start to know who you are.

          Fourth Step:     

           Measure your success! Keep track of what is working, what isn’t and what needs editing. Make changes as you go along. You can edit your keywords, your display ads, and your campaigns. If one campaign is performing much better than another, perhaps you may want to invest more money in that campaign. 

Fifth Step:

            Be Innovative! Never give up. Always strive for better. Continue to connect.

One more thing…

Just in case you checked out your business and you realized you may have some negative reviews or your information isn’t listed accurately:

*I can help you with that! Visit TrendSetter Communications and send and email!
Your Google+ Local listing is VERY IMPORTANT along with the other top 35 directories such as Mapquest, Yahoo Local, Bing Local, YellowPages, Yelp, etc.

You will want to make sure the information on those directories is accurate so that folks can reach you, visit your website, find out about updates, services, coupons, and most of all: YOUR BUSINESS!

Stay tuned for the next blog on how to fix inaccurate data!