Great News

When computer maker Dell announced it earned three million in revenue by using Twitter, the blogosphere was all a buzz about it. It was proof that social media had potential to increase traffic AND increase sales.  Dell was quick to mention, it took 18 months to make that first million via Twitter, but only six to earn the remaining.

Even though Dell generates over $60 billion in revenue, smaller businesses can also benefit from using social media (e.g. Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn) and blogging.  This is Public Relations "The Next Generation."

Unlike traditional PR and advertising, which is costly, the main cost associated with social media is time, not cash. Any business can benefit if it is able to spend the appropriate time on social media/networking sites building a community.

Social networking levels the playing field and provides small business owners another platform or medium to leverage their marketing dollars. 

Not-So-Great News

Not everyone who says they are an expert really are... they may not even know what they are talking about.

We have all been watching the explosive growth of social media.  It has created a larg mass-market of experts selling manure. They are like really those slick used car salemen with such vapid pick up lines that you don’t even see 'em coming - hoping you remain clueless.

Social Media Gotcha Pick Up Lines

Pick Up Line	What You Need to Know
Social media is an imperative strategy for all companies. You will be left behind if you don’t have a social media plan.	Social media isn’t the “right” answer for every company. There are several factors to consider before diving into a social media strategy. Do you have the resources to support a social media strategy for the long-term? Are there natural places within your current marketing strategy where social media can be integrated? Are there conversations happening about your industry already?
It is a marketing requirement to have a presence on Facebook and Twitter and YouTube and…	There is no magic list of social media sites that apply to every company and every industry. Facebook, Twitter and YouTube are not the only of social media channels.  For many companies they are the “wrong” places to be. The better question is whether or not your audience is actually using a social media channel. If they are, which ones?  For many industries Facebook and Twitter are not the right channels, but they can drain the resources that could be better spent on social media sites where the audience actually participates.
We will do everyting for you. ...it’s effortless for you	WARNING:  Social media isn’t about posting a bunch of marketing messages, it’s about engagement - about conversation. Who is going to converse with the audience?  What kind of training is involved before you let someone pick up the phone for the first time?  Handing over the role of customer/prospect contact to a social media consultant could be a nightmare.
We developed a strategy for XYZ Company and it led to over ten-thousand fans	Anytime a consultant uses the number of fans or views as a measure for the success, you should watch out.  Were the fans relevant to the company? Did any of these people do anything that actually contributed to the goals of the company? We reviewed a site showing Facebook followers for a LED Lighting Retrofit company.  They consisted of general people from India that had no involvement in the industry.  They were students, teens, and others (we suspected) were paid to "like" the Facebook profile.  They were not the property managers they were looking at as their market.
Our team consists of experienced social media experts	It is too new!  There aren’t enough people who have successfully created, implemented and measured a social media strategy for a business to work for all of these providers who are making these claims. This may be a group of fresh out of college “interns” managed by one person with a little bit of experience. Make sure to ask exactly who will be working on your account and how much experience they have in social media. Also, make sure to ask what companies they have developed and implemented social media strategies for.
Social media is special. Your current marketing strategies won’t work, that’s why you need us.	Social media is just another tool in your marketing tool kit. It isn’t any more special than email marketing or paid search advertising. Each requires and understanding of your goals and how it can help you reach your objectives. Social media is NOT any different. In many cases, social media will compliment your current marketing strategies with a little twist.
Social media is the only marketing strategy you need.	Social media is not a silver bullet. It will not fix problems within your current marketing strategy. It is not the “only” marketing strategy any company should use. Good marketing is a combination of strategy and circumspect tactics executed within channels where their prospects and customers play. Putting all of your eggs in the social media basket is extremely risky.

If you don’t know a lot about social media and need some help, that’s okay. But make sure you prepare yourself so you hire a solid provider who can contribute to your goals.

Expert Web Professionals can manage and implement your social media marketing opportunity.

Definition:  Direct email marketing is a format for email-based campaigns in which standalone advertisements are sent to a targeted list of recipients.  Email is a versatile marketing medium where email is sent to a mailing list using a server (or computer) to send out formatted messages.  Email can be sent from simple text messages to elaborate HTML & rich media.  The message or content can be broad based apealing to everyone or can be highly customized per person.  Email Marketing can be as frequent as needed from one time messages to daily updates.

Whith the great power of email comes great responsiblity.  We all experience the abuse of email, commonly known as spam.  Do you consider spam email as marketing? Technically, the answer is yes, but it is certainly not responsible marketing and has limited if not detrimental results.  Spam and the growth of un-asked-for email is a major threat to legitimate email marketers.  As the glut of messages increases, the less effective it becomes.

Market Air Conditioners to Floridians and Heaters to Eskimos

The total population of customers is obviously large and varied.  It contains people from all walks of life and belonging to different income groups.   Each of these different groups of customers require an altered and unique approach. The basis for this approach is developed with market segmentation analysis.

Market segmentation is a strategic marketing tool to define markets and then allocating resources appropriately. Using a  statistical techniques called factor analysis and cluster analysis combines attitudinal and demographic data. The result is then used to identify segments that are easier to target. It is better to identify target groups and then aggressively market to these smaller, more defined segments.  This results in better results at lower costs.

From a management viewpoint, market segmentation divides a market into seperate groups who are more likely to be drawn to different products or services. This technique is accepted as a fundamental requirement for a successful marketing campaign.

Market segmentation is concerned with individual or group differences in response to specific factors (e.g. lifestyles, personal preferences, media habits, etc.). If these response differences can be identified, and are stable, and if these segments can be efficiently reached, market share is increased.

Once the market is defined and segmented, we apply the best tools and technicians - to reach the buyers - cost effectively.

Target Your Message With The Appropriate Medium

All advertising seeks to target the right products to the right audience, and makes possible low- or no-cost content and services. Most online ads aren't matched to you as an individual, but to data categories —such as demographics, interest  groups, location, or online behavior.

Expert Web Professionals reach your audience - the audience that buys.

Marketing research involves more than merely approaching a consumer qualitatively with a "pencil and a survey...asking 'can you please fill this out'.  Then totalling the 'I agree' and 'I disagree.'  It involves understanding the substance of demographic and psychographic data gathered from research methods and evaluating this data to apply its results for the purpose of improving existing business strategies aggressively.

An integrated marketing communication plan is basic to consider types of buyers and consumers, and potentially negative and positive impacts. In addition, initial research may assist to avoid challenges, define objectives, initiatives, and marketing budgets. This research will focus budgets on a specific marketing phases and techniques.

Once this is done in conjunction with the Market Segment Analysis, we deploy one or more strategies.  These may include:

• trust email marketing
• geoIP site coding
• targeted opt-in marketing
• selected geographic ad placement
• affiliate advertising strategies
• cloud advertising

SEO is"search engine optimization" beware of "Snake E Oil"

Hiring a SEO firm is is a big decision that can potentially improve your site. But,  an unscrupulous SEO firm promising "page one in a day" could risk damage to your site and reputation.  We often hear from clients that outsourced to an offshore SEO company and found they were doing lots of work, and expending many hours (cheaply).  Their efforts did grow the hit count, but it did nothing for their business goals.

While cruising along in their brand new car, top down, to a new vacation spot

Wife: "You're lost!" Husband: "Yea, but we're making good time."

Research the advantages and disadvantages.  Thelma provides these SEO services:

• Review of your site content or structure
• Technical advice on website development: for example, hosting, redirects, error pages, use of JavaScript
• Content development
• Management of online business development campaigns
• Keyword research
• SEO training
• Expertise in specific markets and geographies.

CLICK HERE and read what Goole says about outsourced SEO firms.Over 14 billion online searches every month and growing.  There is a huge opportunity to get in front of millions of people using your website. To take advantage of that opportunity, however, it is critical to rank in the search engines, to use social media and pay per click advertising. 

Most importantly, to make sure your website turns visitors into leads and sales.  If you don’t understand how to successfully apply these strategies, then your customers will go to your competitors.

Being one of the most cost-effective methods of advertising, search engines are the #1 way Internet users find websites and search engine marketing continues to deliver the highest pre-qualified audience online.

Content is King and Good Content is the Key to the Kingdom.

All the search engines thrive on content.  But because there are billions of articles on the internet, the search engines look for:

• Original Content
• New Content
• Relevant Content

Thelm's article wirting service provides this tool.  We have native English-speaking writers that come from a marketing background, so you get great content that reads well, contains relevant key words, and motivates the visitor.

With our service:

• We research the key words
• Define the goal of the article (informative, action oriented, entertainment)
• Determine the audience
• Submit articles to blogs for backlinks
• Create PDFs for further SEO
• You own the content

We specialize in the defacto standard: Google Analytics.

Google Analytics is the enterprise-class web analytics solution that gives you rich insights into your website traffic and marketing effectiveness. Powerful, flexible and easy-to-use features now let you see and analyze your traffic data in an entirely new way. With Google Analytics, you're more prepared to write better-targeted ads, strengthen your marketing initiatives and create higher converting websites. Web analytics is the process of measuring site statistics and analyzing traffic behavior. Here are there of the main benefits of web analytics.

It is typical for any business to do some data analysis. Data analysis is used to determine sales, profit, loss rate, and market interest. However, in terms of establishing a strong e-presence for your website, there is one tool that you could used in order to collect necessary data that you would need to promote your site.

1. It helps monitor your visitors and users
2. It can help you optimize your website
3. It can help you formulate a sales and e-marketing plan

Where do you want to be tomorrow?

Judicial Use Justifiers

Pay per click (PPC) is an Internet advertising model used on websites, where advertisers pay their host only when their ad is clicked. With search engines, advertisers typically bid on keyword phrases relevant to their target market. Content sites commonly charge a fixed price per click rather than use a bidding system.

Companies that offer pay per click services match ads with what users want. If someone searches for "mobile phones" on Google, the pay per click company displays ads related to the query. This means that those who will see your ads, are the people already interested in your products and services.

We can help you navigate the Pay-per-Click advertising and join it with our keyword analysis, branding, SEO, and integrated internet Marketing plans.


For more information check out Pay Per Click Universe.

Eye-Popping Presentations...

...leaving PowerPoint in the dust.