Where is Social Marketing Going?
Twitter…Facebook…LinkedIn and countless other social marketing networks have become part of our everyday lives, both personally and in business. The question is where is it going? How prevalent will these forms of communication be?
I spend lots of time honing my social marketing skills and have been observing countless experts and futurists so I can be informed, and in turn, separate the “wheat from the chaff” so to speak. Facebook has become especially dominant. At a recent event I attended, Sree Sreenivasan, the Dean of Student Affairs at Columbia Journalism School, asked all attendees what their “ROI” was on their social media efforts. The answers were meager if anything. Mr. Sreenivasan, who teaches a social media course at Columbia – a sign of how seriously this medium is being taken, stressed that our “ROI” “is that we’ll all be in business in 5 years.”
I agree. Social marketing will only become more dominant. Of course a personal recommendation from a friend has always been the most powerful marketing for any product or service. So now, imagine shopping online, researching online and surfing leisurely online and bringing your entire social network with you. Looking for a Realtor or Mortgage Broker? What if you visit their site and see 3 of your friends have “liked” them…that’s pretty close to a personal recommendation! Maybe comments have been left on the site. Our online reputations will become increasingly visible and important. Our own pictures and images will be accompanying all our online activity as well, adding a compelling aspect of legitimacy to a digital platform.
You have to be in the game. Grow your network, provide valuable information, services and/or products that distinguish you from your competition and be part of an exploding medium. It is a powerful, insipient way to reach and engage your clients and customers. If you haven’t already I urge you to get comfortable with these platforms. You don’t want to be left behind.
Gail Lewis started Gail’s Graphic Designs in 1993, specializing in individual and small business communication and marketing needs. Since then, the company has grown into a comprehensive network of industry professionals – illustrators, graphic designers, programmers, copy writers, public relations experts, and more – that can create a marketing message that resonates with your target market.Marketing News Roundup
Marketing
- Mobile advertising and marketing round-up: banking, RIM and lawsuits – GoMo News
- Outdoor ad group spent $186384 on 2Q lobbying – BusinessWeek
- Digital marketing poised for rapid growth in 2011 – Brafton
- New Local Business Internet Marketing Company Brings Advertising Tools to … – PR Web (press release)
- Search Engine Marketing Mid-Year Check-in – MediaPost Publications
SEO
- Top Search Engine Optimization Services – Seo Hawk – PR-inside.com (press release)
- “Big news” for SEO as Yahoo! switches organic search to Microsoft – Internet Marketing News
- SEO Makes It Too Late for Truth for ‘Ground Zero Mosque’ – Poynter.org
- SEO and Integration With Social Media – ClickZ News
- Conductor’s SEO Train Accelerates – ADOTAS
Manhattan Summer Soiree
UPDATE: View the video and photos of this event
The next stop for JudyNetworks’ Summer Soiree is Manhattan. August 12th be right in the heart of Manhattan overlooking Central Park. Join us at the Helmsley Park Lane for an evening of networking, history and fun with other real estate professionals.
The evening will be comprised of:
- Networking and cocktails
- Complimentary buffet
- Sponsored exhibit tables
- Jazz band
- Lots more!
Marketing News Roundup
Here is a mashup of news on brand identity and marketing.
Brand Identity
- Virgin Atlantic Unveils New Livery and Brand Identity – PR Newswire (press release)
- Catch Hold of Audience Interests with Effective Logos – lonad News
- Disney is likely to promote Paul Lee to ABC Entertainment president – Los Angeles Times
- New Tampa Bay Lightning CEO Tod Leiweke to focus on ‘brand’ – Tampabay.com
- Journey of a brand, cowboy to urban knight – Bizcommunity.com
Marketing
- Meredith Reports Strong Fiscal 2010 Fourth Quarter & Full Year Results – MarketWatch (press release)
- Ambush marketing: HUL’s last-minute surprise foxes P&G – Economic Times
- DG FastChannel(R) to Present at Oppenheimer Annual Technology, Media … – MarketWatch (press release)
- FP Marketing: The unstoppable Old Spice guy – Financial Post
- What Earnings Reports Have Revealed About Ads – ABC News
What You Should Know About Mobile Marketing
When shopping at the mall I take photos of a cute top or fabulous pair of jeans on my mobile and email it to my sister for her opinion. I sometimes send her a BB (blackberry instant message) with a link to the store’s site. She in turn sends me links to items she would like me to purchase. While in the store I open the link…show the item to the sales person and then I am off. No printing of lists (saving the trees!!) or trying to remember what she wants. Now my fellow marketers, do you see the goldmine that awaits you on the mobile phone? Each link I send or receive from my sister includes ads on the landing pages. Hence I am enticed to shop for other items. This month my magazine subscriptions have been chatting about mobile marketing. This post summarizes some tips from American Marketing Association’s (AMA) Magazine, Marketing News. I look forward to reading your comments about mobile marketing.
According to the Marketing News article Tao of Mobile Marketing (written by Elisabeth A. Sullivan), “Eastern markets like Japan and South Korea have led the way for mobile marketing. While the power is shifting noticeably westward—especially as the iPhone’s technological tentacles wrap around the globe—US marketers can learn from Eastern marketers’ mobile experience.”
- Think Strategically, Not Just Tactically—US marketers think of mobile marketing as a one-time marketing campaign vs a completely integrated marketing strategy.
- Look Beyond the iPhone App—In Japan, South Korea, Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore, marketers’ focus include additional interactive options such as Text Messages (SMS) and Quick Response Codes (QR Codes).
- Create an Effective Call to Action—Call to action should tempt people by giving them a sense of what they will get if they text your company or log on to your mobile website.
- Make Mobile Part of Your Multichannel Strategy—Asian markets have a call to action for mobile on all branding campaigns…”text for more information or visit mobile site”
Just the STATS
67% of the world’s population is using mobile phones, compared with only 26% who use the internet.
(Source: Marketing News, United Nations’ International Telecommunication Union February Report)
East Vs. West
(Source: Central Intelligence Agency’s World Factbook, www.cia.gov * in 2009 **in 2008)
2014 Interactive Marketing Budget Forecast
Change is here—the ways in which your audience view and process information from standard media sources has changed. Technology has empowered the consumer to access information as they read and surf across offline and online media. My children (I am guilty of it as well) are engaged in watching TV, chatting with friends on Facebook and surfing the Internet to research a movie/song/gadget/concert all at the same time.
Small, medium and big companies are paying attention to the digital culture. Forrester Research provides a peek at the interactive marketing budget of US companies. The interactive marketing spending as a percentage of all advertising spending will grow from 13% in 2010 to 21% in 2014. The two top choices for interactive marketing investing are search marketing and display advertising. See chart below.
Source: American Marketing Association, Forrester Research’s US Interactive Marketing Forecast 2009-2014; Cambridge, Mass.
6 Ways To Stay In Touch With Your Clients
Staying in touch is an effective marketing tool because it keeps you at the top of the list with your clients and prospects. Here are six simple low cost ways you can stay in touch with your clients or customers:
- Create an eNewsletters
Build on your relationship by sharing industry news, special offers, or invitations to events. Importantly, eNewsletters contain links to drive traffic back to your website. This means people will see more of your brand image, and can read about your products and services. - Sponsor Events In Your Community
If the opportunity presents itself, sponsor your community church, school or sports team. Your contribution does not have to be monetary. Give of yourself—give your time. - Use Postcards For Announcements
Postcards are not used for coupons or sales only. Send a birthday wish or boast about an industry award. There are an infinite number of things to share with your customers using the postcard. - Share Articles
You can stay in touch with your clients by reading newspapers and magazines. Be aware of your clients’ interests to occasionally clip an article or a quote that might interest them. Don’t forget to forward pertinent Internet stories (no jokes or chain letters please). - Send A Hand Written Note
Never underestimate the power of a simple thank-you note, remembering a date or a place that’s important to a client, or a note of congratulations. - Take Your Client To Lunch Just Because
No sales pitch, no pressure—have lunch (or breakfast or coffee) just to shoot the breeze. Catch up on new interests, problems, additions to the family, etc. Then follow up with a note saying “it was fantastic to catch up with you today, here is an article on preparing your child for college…”
Mt. Vernon Business Owner Gail Lewis Honored
Gail Lewis, founder of Gail’s Graphic Designs, was honored in New York Real Estate Journal’s 7th Annual Women in Real Estate Spotlight issue . In this issue Ms. Lewis answers the question “What impact has social networking had on your success?”
The special issue recognizes women and their achievements. “I am truly grateful to be named amongst the esteemed list of women honored this year,” said Lewis. “This recognition is a great way to end 2009 and start off 2010 as Gail’s Graphic Designs continues on its path towards great success.”
Ms. Lewis has more than 15 years of marketing experience, including senior level corporate marketing positions in leading commercial real estate investment and service companies. Ms. Lewis has extensive background in advertising, website management, events & sponsorships, marketing collateral, and email-marketing initiatives
A graduate from Bernard M. Baruch CUNY, Ms. Lewis earned her Bachelor of Arts degree with a focus on Operations Management. She is a member of the American Marketing Association (AMA) as well as the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce, Inc. (CACCI). Ms. Lewis is also a contributing writer to “Mind Your Business” column in Your Money eZine (Jamaica’s premier business and financial eZine).
About Gail’s Graphic Designs
Based in New York, Gail’s Graphic Designs offers a broad spectrum of creative design and communication solutions to assist in the marketing of your product or services. Visit Gail’s Graphic Designs at www.gailsdtp.com.
About New York Real Estate Journal
New York Real Estate Journal is the largest weekly commercial investment real estate newspaper in the state of New York covering all aspects of the commercial real estate industry. Learn more at www.nyrej.com.
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Online Ads: Do They Annoy You?
I conducted a mini survey of my clients and colleagues to see where advertising dollars are going. Well, more funds are being allocated to social media and online advertising in the coming months. After reading the August issue of American Marketing Association’s (AMA) Marketing News magazine, I must caution everyone on the online ad methods they use. Based on a survey done by a LinkedIn Research Network/Harris Poll survey, many viewers are not so happy with the online advertising techniques used today. Responders answered the question: “How frustrating are the following characteristics of Internet advertising?”
When creating your online ads for this fall, use the bells and whistles with caution.
Rosie of Susie’s Hot Sauce Honored
Congratulations
Susie's Hot Sauce
“To entrepreneur Ms. Rosemarie “Rosie” McMaster who was recently honored with the Order of the British Empire (OBE).
She is the Managing Director of the award winning
Susie’s Hot Sauce”
(SunBiz Showcase Alliance PLLC, E-Newsletter July 17, 2009)
Rosie, there is no doubt that your recent achievements will be spoken of for some time to come and that the admiration for your accomplishments is felt by all of us within the industry as well as the general public.
Please accept my heartiest congratulations for your success.
About Susie’s Hot Sauce
Susie’s Hot Sauce is a small cottage business from the tiny Caribbean nation of Antigua-Barbuda, yet it is internationally renowned for its huge taste. It is almost impossible to visit Antigua without becoming intimately acquainted with this Caribbean delicacy. And once you’ve been introduced…It is even harder to forget! Susie’s has been pleasing palates since 1960 when Susie’s Original Hot Sauce was first introduced. Its award-winning red habanero and scotch bonnet hot sauces have captured the hearts, minds and taste buds of chile heads and pepper sauce aficionados all over the world. Visitors to our friendly twin islands insist on returning home with bottles of Susie’s sauces for family and friends, sharing the warmth of the sun-drenched paradise, its people, and the joy of their tropical experience. For more information, visit www.susieshotsauce.com.
