Another reason to love Disney!

I was reading an article on the deal Disney and Verizon made recently- see article in USA Today: http://tinyurl.com/6e5cmo  that will allow Disney to provide exclusive info to Verizon users if they opt-in for this free service. Could this work in our industry for with database marketing? Would the allure of getting specials via something other than mail or email be enticing enough for our market to off-set programming and development fees? Yes, we could just send another email with the same offer, but would this approach work—-at least until something else comes along. Curious to know if others are using this and what response has been.

amy@maximumdesign.com

http://twitter.com/coastalgirl142

Another up and coming social scene?

According to AdAge there is another social community taking shape. Unlike Facebook the user profile appears to be a little older. Good news for those of us targeting the boomer market segment. AdAge reports… “Older consumers seem just as willing to compare notes over a glass of a wine at places like the fast-growing Gather.com. With a median age of 42, the 2-year-old site has attracted advertisers including Kraft, Nestle, American Express, HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, Schwab, Amtrak and Starbucks. Gather’s 500,000 members cascade reviews and recommendations through their ranks.”

A guide to Twitter

For those of us on numerous networking sites…Twitter, ActiveRain and yes, LinkedIn, to name a few it is a daunting task to master each and every one. I wanted to share a great Twitter guide by David Petherick …http://en.calameo.com/read/0000000257624143a2b57. See you on Twitter.

amy@maximumdesign.com

http://twitter.com/coastalgirl142

Comfort Zone Marketing

The vast majority of us strive to remain in what we term ‘the comfort zone’. I truly admire people that are constantly trying new things or striving to meet new people. I have to admit when I am thrust into a social setting in which I know hardly anyone I freeze. When I go out to eat I look for comfort foods that I recognize and never mind trying to make them in some new form or fashion. I do sound boring, conservative, shy even. However, when it comes to my clients and their digital strategy, they tend to look at me in a whole different light. It is kind of like Clark Kent aka Superman.

As with most agencies, our clients may be familiar with Social Media but do not have a grasp on how to integrate it, much less manage it. When we explain the various elements that should be in their online tool box their reaction is typically the same. They want to embrace it because the web is generally one of their largest lead sources, but skeptical that the toolbox really has to have it. Knowing how I despise being out of my comfort zone, I am very sensitive to how they must feel when I recommend they step out of their marketing comfort zone. Once we talk of trends, the supporting data, etc. it is with great trepidation that they finally agree to trust me. I am happy to say that all are happy to have done so. Maybe I should take my own advice and try something a little different…yeah right!!

amy@maximumdesign.com

http://twitter.com/coastalgirl142

Not enough time in the day.

Are we so busy using social networking sites like Twitter, FaceBook, and yes, LinkedIn (gasp) , that we are not being efficient in our day jobs? If you just stop to consider the sheer number of blogs out there….some with really useful info (others-not so much), that the time mine them, let alone comment on them, is staggering. Add to that the numerous networking sites that must be maintained… how is a girl to keep up with her work?

Lead Generation in today’s Real Estate Market

I know it is on the forefront of everyones mind these days…what is the magic bullet in marketing homes. What is working now? Is it an aggressive direct mail campaign? Is it a huge spend in Google Adwords? Is it XM Radio? Is it private shows? What are the items within your marketing plan that is bringing in leads? Wouldn’t it be fantastic to have a open, active forum on what it is taking to generate leads in this market? Who’s game?

Embrace Social Media

Our very own Amy Tharrington and Susan Johnson were recently asked to talk on the topic of Social Media at the 2008 Amenity Community Marketing Summit. Here are some interesting social media statistics featured in their talk:

• The Society for New Communications Research reports that social media is rapidly becoming a core channel for disseminating information. Fifty-seven percent of [the survey] group of early social media adopters reported that social media tools are becoming more valuable to their activities, while 27% reported that social media is a core element of their communications strategy.

• Recommendations from other consumers was listed as the greatest source of trust in advertising in over 47 countries.

• Consumer opinions posted online ranked #3 on the same source of trust list.

• From a survey of 17,000 internet users 57% have joined a Social Network, making it the number one platform for creating and sharing content. 34% post opinions about products and brands on their blogs. 36% think more positively about companies that have blogs. (Universal McCann, 2008)

Increasing Website Traffic… Going Beyond Pay-For-Placement

To successfully increase traffic to your website requires a multi-prong strategy. Just because you build it, it doesn’t mean they will come. Prospects can either find you offline or they can find you online. If they find you offline, and become interested, rest assured their next step is to seek you out online. However, it is important to note that today’s buyers are the modern day Sherlock Holmes. Buyers are taking control of their own fact-finding agendas. Online research does not necessarily mean a direct visit to your website. Today’s buyers can be classified as cynical, skeptical and very well informed.

Online search behavior studies show a significant trend towards research beginning in social media forums as well as local and regional news sites, prior to visiting the community’s actual website, if they actually make it that far. This trend directly supports the fact that friends, acquaintances, and third party opinions and comments are much more meaningful and held in a higher regard than a community representative’s marketing-speak. In addition a recent international study shows that when consumers were asked what their most trusted sources of information were, social networking forums sites ranked at the top.

With this knowledge in hand, it is time to concentrate on creating a consistent, knowledge-based presence in other industry-related venues. Be where your buyer can find you. Sites like City-data.com and Tulia.com have over a hundred million unique visitors a month, visitors that are seeking information or advice that is relevant to them personally. These are your prospects. Participating or becoming actively involved in sites that already has tremendous traffic can be more rewarding than most pay-for-placement campaigns. Create a detailed profile for yourself, post comments, answer questions, become a consistent participant, a valued expert.

A word of caution: There are thousands of user-generated forums and blogs out there. Be critical of your choices. Make sure the platforms in which you are positioning yourself support or reinforce your philosophies, brand and personality. For example, Facebook and Myspace might not fit for either your demographic or your business model. Whatever forum you choose to pursue realize that this low-cost networking tool requires a lot of time and dedication. They are not for the person or persons so busy or technically challenged they can’t seem to find the time to answer their email. If budget allows, a well-managed paid search program will result in generating website traffic.