Category: Advertising

What Measures Can Marketing Communications Impact?

As I work with companies on their marketing communication efforts most are understandably concerned about measuring the effectiveness of their marketing efforts whether those efforts involve multi-media campaigns or social media. And, personally, I’m a strong proponent of measurement in any business endeavor – you must be able to show a return on your efforts to prove your worth whether you’re an employee or a consultant/contractor.

But, if you’re responsible for marketing communications, you also need to make sure that you’re measuring those things that your efforts can realistically impact.  Continue reading “What Measures Can Marketing Communications Impact?”

You on YouTube!

A great, inexpensive way to promote your business and gain exposure is to take your ideas online and put them into video format. Many consultants advertise their expertise by drafting white papers or putting useful information on a website. Moving to a video format is simply a natural progression of this marketing technique.

While putting yourself in front of the camera and creating a permanent, internationally available video might be terrifying for some people, YouTube offers significant benefits, such as ease of access and use for your audience; a more intimate, human experience; and an enormous reach. Here are some tips on how to create and use YouTube effectively as a marketing tool for your business: Continue reading “You on YouTube!”

Simple Tips for Measuring the Effectiveness of Your Advertising Efforts

Advertising campaigns are often expensive investments, particularly for small businesses with little name recognition and limited financial resources. Therefore, it is no surprise that businesses are very interested in measuring the effectiveness of their advertising efforts. Unfortunately, the task of measuring advertising effectiveness is not an easy one.

Continue reading “Simple Tips for Measuring the Effectiveness of Your Advertising Efforts”

Raising Awareness for Your Products or Services

I had a media inquiry recently from a reporter asking how businesses can best reach out to consumers to raise awareness of their products and services. It’s a great question and one that every new business/service provider grapples with. It is also the first step in the consumer buying process once a need has been realized. So, if you’re a business owner with something new to offer what steps should you take to get the word out to raise awareness of your product/service? Continue reading “Raising Awareness for Your Products or Services”

12 Tips for Conducting Effective Webinars

Webinars have become increasingly popular in recent years for conveying information to a range of virtual attendees in remote locations. While this form of media is great for distributing information to individuals and organizations that would not be able to attend a live presentation, it can be difficult to achieve the same level of engagement with a virtual audience. We were curious about what webinar attendees most valued in their webinar experiences, so we asked them. Continue reading “12 Tips for Conducting Effective Webinars”

Could Facebook Business Pages Make Sense for You? (This is a trick question!)

I recently responded to a reporter’s request for perspectives on Facebook’s new feature that allows people to have business pages as well as personal pages and whether it will make a difference in the way small businesses use Facebook to market to customers and prospects.

These types of questions are always interesting to me because they seem to prompt a somewhat Continue reading “Could Facebook Business Pages Make Sense for You? (This is a trick question!)”

Should You Use “Real People” In Your Advertising?

I recently spotted this posting about one of the latest examples of an “employee on a rampage” to go viral. Bad enough to have a situation like this make the social media rounds, but what if you’d just used this employee in a “feel-good” advertising campaign? Or, what if Domino’s had used its now-infamous employees in a campaign? I was just interviewed by a trade publication about the wisdom – or lack thereof – of using “real people” (generally, real employees) in advertising spots.

Those who have worked with me know that I’m Continue reading “Should You Use “Real People” In Your Advertising?”

Social Media Myths and Misconceptions. My Advice: Think Logically!

A friend and business colleague recently asked me to share my thoughts on the perspectives of the authors of a new book on Facebook marketing.

I’m always flattered to be asked my opinion (aren’t we all!?!) and always glad for a legitimate opportunity to ponder something. So here are my thoughts-I’d be interested in hearing yours: Continue reading “Social Media Myths and Misconceptions. My Advice: Think Logically!”

Example of QR Code in Print Ad

I’m still fascinated by QR codes! Recently came across an ad in a magazine I was browsing through that included a QR code. It was an ad for “Hearts on Fire” and includes a QR code in the lower left corner, with copy that reads: “Scan the QR code with your smartphone to view styles, share, and become a Facebook.fan.”

This YouTube video talks about the ad and gives a good, brief, overview of the use of QR codes.

“Hearts on Fire” use of the code is a good example, I think, of illustrating how these simple codes can be used to easily provide additional information to consumers while sending a signal that the company is “techno-savvy.”

Have you seen example of QR codes in use? Would love to hear about other examples – please share!

QR Codes – Have You Seen Them? Used Them?

As I was doing research for my upcoming Direct Mail in the Digital Age I discovered a neat new (well really not so new…) communication technology called QR codes. I think this codes offer a wide variety of very interesting options to marketers. Continue reading “QR Codes – Have You Seen Them? Used Them?”