Category: General Article

Marketing Automation For The Savvy Business Person

Marketing automation is a top notch strategy for the company that is out to improve on its business strategies or increase its market presence. This kind of automation has been around for years and ought to be part and parcel of any company’s marketing campaign. This will ensure that the business in not only at the forefront of the industry, but also that numerous consumers are reached using this particular plan.

In order for the marketing campaign to be a resounding success, there are several things that have got to be taken into consideration. First and foremost, the data that is being sent out has got to be understood by the individual. As such, it should be simplified and straight forward enough so as not to bog the client down with unnecessary information while getting the product or service information across to them.

In order for the information to be considered effective, it has got to be both solid and pertinent to the client in question. As an example, the consumer should have access to the products selling points as opposed to just general information on the pros and cons of the goods or services.

Even though all the content that the customer is being bombarded with might be relevant, it is imperative that the company avoid email fatigue. This is counter productive for both the client and the company in question, but is unfortunately more widely practiced by new and old companies alike. In such situations, the client is bombarded with unnecessary information which works against what the company is trying to achieve because in most instances, the information is sent straight to the spam folder. This can be avoided by sending out emails that are both relevant and to the point. When this is combined with effective conversational marketing, it gives the client the confidence that the information is relevant and can be used to make an informed decision on the products they are about to spend money on.

In as much as marketing automation with an emphasis on conversational marketing makes sense for the modern organization, it has got to be functional in order for the expected results to be achieved. This in turn enables the company to increase and decrease its potential market with ease. Functional marketing could make or break a company and before it is undertaken; the target market should be thoroughly researched in order to make the marketing campaign as impact as possible.

Conversational marketing is an achievable feat regardless of the size of the establishment but as with all other forms of direct or indirect marketing adequate research has got to be done. This is what will ensure that the marketing campaign is a resounding success for all those concerned.

Marketing automation is for the company that is out to reach a wider target audience with a minimum amount of effort for the concerned party.

In conclusion, the savvy business person should look into different …

Article Marketing – 5 Strategies For Maximum Traffic Results!

In the past, article marketing has been used for two things, links and traffic. Distributing articles can get you lots of links pointing in to your web pages, all with great keyword rich anchor text. Lots of links improve your search engine rankings and bring you visitors.

In the past, you could get away with just distributing your articles to lots of article sites, and in doing so your sites would rank well, but now, these directory style links carry a lot less ranking juice. However they do carry some and it is therefore still worth your time to distribute articles for indexing and rankings.

Lots of people start article marketing campaigns, but soon get frustrated that all the effort and time they spend writing is not rewarded with floods of traffic or ranking boosts. So what can be done to ensure the time you put into writing your articles is actually time well spent? Here are 5 tips for boosting your article marketing results.

1. Article Research

How many times do you just sit and write an article off the top of your head and submit it without considering what keywords your targeting, or look to see which articles are proving most popular with readers in your niche? Often I’d guess! If you want a ton of people to see your article, get ideas from articles that are already proving popular in the leading article sites.

2. Article Titles

Always consider your article title very carefully. Going back to the first tip, look to see what titles are proving popular and write similar ones. Secondly try and target your main keyword phrase at the start of the title, and if you can squeeze a second one in after it.

3. Bio Boxes

Make sure you give the reader a compelling reason to click on the link in your bio box. Offer more ‘secrets’ or something for ‘free’.

4. Mass Distribution

If you are going to the time and effort of writing your own articles, make sure you get the most from them by using a distribution service to automate the process of submitting them to all the leading directories and ezines.

5. Blog Networks

Why stop at article directories? Join a blog network and post your article to member blogs, you can quickly get lots of one way targeted links from member blogs that will definitely boost your search engine rankings!

The greater your distribution, the more links you will get from your articles.…

The Publishing Model For Marketing

Publishers use the editorial model. Simply put, publishers are constantly acquiring and thinking about content. The story is their lifeblood. What about your company? Have you struggled recently to get out your latest e-mail blast, scrambled to pull together the material for the webinar you’re hosting in three weeks?

Publishers produce a product every month, every two weeks, often every day. Think of your hometown newspaper, for example. Publishers think of more than just events – they have a continuous process in place to keep important information flowing.

How can you get your message out using the publishing model? You can use a message map – a guide for our structured and targeted communications.

First, you capture the attention of your prospect with relevant and appetizing information.

Second, after you have their attention, you educate them.

Third, you engage them by fulfilling their needs.

And that’s the most important part – fulfilling their needs with the solutions offered by your products and services. You give customers what they really want and, in the process, you’ve educated and enlightened them.

Good messages must be delivered with speed to your customer. Businesses don’t have the luxury of waiting three months to create and deliver content. In today’s speedy world, your message needs to stand out and be sent as soon as it’s needed. Marketing automation, a sales tool that tracks data and allows your marketers to hold meaningful “conversations” with your customers, can help you manage that process.

What if you don’t get your message right in the first place? Publishers don’t worry about that. As they learn more information, the story evolves. You can do the same with your own marketing efforts. Your story may evolve to the point that it’s published in a foreign language – after all you do want to reach a global market.

Publishers also work with templates to solve communication challenges. If your website is fed by a content management system, you’re already doing this. The website becomes the template for the information that’s fed into the management system. In that way, businesses are able to produce and change their messages in a dynamic and often proactive way.

The publishing model may seem radical to businesses that hand out product brochures, contact potential customers through phone banks or send out an occasional e-mail.

But think about how technology has changed our lives and where we’re headed. The world is hungry for instant information and if your business can provide relevant and targeted content, it will be miles ahead of competitors who are still knocking on doors.…

Why Know Your Customers?

Knowing your customers and their preferences is the easiest way to customer retention.

Why know your customers? Initially, the seller-purchaser relationship was tilted in favor of the seller. This was because competition was less and purchasers had fewer choices. However, the last two decades have seen a consistent power shift. With technological advancement and easy availability of information, the buyer now has an upper hand. If your business doesn’t provide what’s required, a competitor is just around the corner to grab the opportunity.

Customers today have become more demanding and expect innovative solutions. Merely meeting customer needs is not enough. The goal is to exceed their expectations so that they return to do more business with you. Studies have shown that about 80% of a company’s business comes from its existing customers. In such scenario, customer retention assumes increased importance. In order to retain customers and ensure that they do not move on to your competitors, it is essential to understand the customer and customize your product/service offering to suit their interests and needs.

How to get to know your customers better? Businesses today don’t function like the corner shops anymore where there’s face-to-face interaction with the customer everyday. Today, customers may be interacting with the business without the business even knowing about it. A visit by the customer sto the business’s website is an example of one such interaction. The key is to capture such interactions, understand the customers and predict their future behavior based on these interactions and use that to anticipate customer needs before they arise. This way the business will be adopting a customer-centric approach to its offering. Knowing the customers will also help your business to make smart decisions that enhance customer experience. Every decision being made can be looked at from the customer’s point of view. However, for this ideal customer-centric approach to become a reality, it is also essential that the commitment towards customer focus is top-down. Only when the CEO and the Board is committed to customer relations will the other employees believe in the concept. Until your business adopts a proactive approach to customer satisfaction, this would not be easy.

What are the benefits of knowing your customers? Knowing your customers better can help you boost is because once you know what could be of potential interest to the customers, you can cross-sell or up-sell relevant product/service offerings. Also, you can save considerably on costs incurred in acquiring/retaining a customer, since your marketing efforts would now be more focused and yield better results. Improved customer satisfaction and loyalty are some other benefits that will arise.

What are the core requirements in this process? To know your customers and be able to understand them, your business needs to adopt an integrated approach to the whole process. All the functions should be well co-ordinated, especially, marketing and sales. Your marketing strategies should be highly customized, running primarily on customer activities that arise as a part of client interaction. The …

Demand Generation Services To Focus on Buyer Requirements

B2B demand generation services should be primarily built around three key components which can be used to develop effective marketing strategy that completely focuses on the buyer. These three ingredients – lead management, marketing automation and content marketing should be integrated and optimized to design efficient demand generation programs that do not merely generate leads but also help in leads conversions.

Lead management framework as an essential constituent of demand generation services

Comprehensive lead management is required to build an effective demand generation plan. The lead management framework defines how the lead will be taken through the different stages of sales cycle from the point of entry into an organization, through marketing nurturing, to hand-off from marketing to sales, through further sales nurturing and finally to close. Lead management is a significant part of the process that defines the important parameters for lead scoring, routing and nurturing. This is critical to finding success with marketing automation and to ensuring that the customers get the information they require to make their own evaluations at various legs of the buying cycle and so that they can move their process forward. Lead management is therefore critical to content marketing and that help devise and deliver buyer centric demand generation services.

Demand generation services focusing on marketing automation

Supported by an efficient lead management process, marketing automation becomes the vehicle for moving the sales process ahead. Marketing automation takes constant signals from lead scores – driven both by buyer demographics and by behavioral cues – as well as segmentation and routing logic, to ensure that the leads are moved forward through the lead management process. And this is an intelligent sorting that is done very rapidly – triggering actions that are beneficial in generating demand.Marketing automation is not just about diminishing manual tasks and enhancing operational efficiency.Rather there is a strategic intention behind using this engine which is to manage buyer-centric, mass one-to-one marketing on a scale basis.

Content marketing is at the heart of demand generation services

Today majority of the buyers do research on their own ahead of speaking with a sales representative. And with easy availability of information that can be accessed with the help of the preferred search engine it has become more important than ever to provide useful content that buyers can use to make their decision fast. The success of these services depends largely on identification of the content buyers need at various buying stages and choosing the right media and channels to convey this content. Basically, content marketing is all about churning out good-quality, pertinent and valuable information to prospects and customers to drive profitable buyer actions. In fact it is not just about providing information but also about using customers’ behavioral cues ( pages accessed and documents downloaded) to find out where a customer is in his/her buying cycle.

Conclusion

Intertwining these three important elements can help tender demand generation services that are focused on buyer needs. Demand …

Benefits of Marketing Automation Software

When you use internet marketing, you have to expect that it will be competitive. As a result, you need to use any tools that will give you an edge over the competition. One of the tools that you can use is marketing automation software. Marketing automation software is often seen as the tool of last resort. But it should not be overlooked that this kind of tool will not only help your company become more effective, but also more profitable.

One of the greatest benefits to using software is that it can help your organization become more effective simply because you naturally become more productive. No longer will you or other employees need to spend time on tedious tasks like sending out mass emails to customers on your mailing list. Neither will you need to spend time doling out marketing and sales leads. Instead, these tasks are performed automatically by the software.

Another benefit to using automating software is that it allows your sales staff to communicate with customers and potential new clients while at the same time tracking leads and how well the sales staff are performing. Client relationship management software, which is an aspect of marketing automation software, helps automate marketing campaigns. As a result, client communication can be better tracked and its effectiveness quickly evaluated.

Marketing automation software also streamlines emails to existing and potential new clients. As a result, you can send out regular emails that inform them of new products or benefits of your products that they might not have thought about. The more information you provide to your clients and potential new clients, the more you improve the likelihood of increased sales. Marketing automation software allows you the ability to schedule email campaigns to bring in new sales.

Software for marketing automation also allows you to improve your business organization. Since the software is a tool that combines several work tasks all in one bundle, you can gain better control over your marketing efforts. Instead of manually scheduling marketing campaigns, you can do this automatically and all business communications with clients are sent out as routine tasks. The marketing campaign goals can be easily built into the marketing campaign, giving you measures to evaluate how effective the campaign is and to generate new sales for your company.

You can also use this software to generate personalized email campaigns that address where potential new clients fall in the sales process. This builds relationships and leads to increased sales. Eventually, if all other aspects of the business is maintained efficiently, success is imminent.

The software allows you to measure the effectiveness of each marketing email campaign and evaluate it for any needed changes for the next marketing campaign. Marketing automation software will help you achieve much higher rates of productivity as a , it will be easier to track and graph any visible changes in the results for reporting purposes.

If you have an internet website and conduct internet marketing campaigns, …

Internet Marketing Is Always Evolving

The online world is constantly changing and evolving, thanks to the advance of technology and the development of various online services, tools and software. Take, for example websites. They are now more interactive than ever, providing users with rich multimedia content that is tailored to their needs. This is in contrast to 15 years ago, where websites were usually static HTML pages that simply contained text, links and images. Web presence has also increased and many businesses in the Boston area have hired the services of a Boston Website Development company to build a site for them.

Search engines have existed in some form ever since the internet has come around. Those who have been online for a while might remember names such as Lycos, Excite and Alta Vista. These names have faded into obscurity, with the majority of search traffic coming from Google, Bing (formerly MSN search) and Yahoo. Not only have the players changed in the search engine arena, but also the way that websites are ranked. Previously, as there wasn’t that many websites around, search engine algorithms were relatively simple. However, with millions of new sites being created, they have increased in complexity, often making it difficult to rank a site well if there are plenty of other websites that are based on the same keywords. A SEO company can help you make sense of search engines and give you valuable advice and services on how to get your website more visible on them, so that it will appear closer to the top of search results for your desired keywords.

The use of the internet as a marketing tool has also gone up. The reasons are simple: with more users, comes greater exposure, which is valuable for anyone who would like to sell something. There are now plenty of online marketing experts, like a Boston Online Marketing Company that provide services to businesses and individuals who want to market something through the internet.

The internet is changing, but where is it going? The current trends seem to point towards an increase of social media sites and applications, where users connect with others to share things that are important to them. Also, the internet is rapidly becoming integrated with other devices as well. You can see this in web enabled smart phones, as well as new televisions that have the ability to connect to the internet to watch movies and videos. If you are using the internet to sell something, then it is important that you stay up to date on new developments in the online world. It doesn’t mean that you have to be a geek who researches new technologies every day, just keep yourself up to date on what is happening online. That way, you will be the first one to take advantages of new developments which could be very profitable for you.…

5 Top Small Business Networking Tips!

Here are 5 tips to ensure that networking becomes an important part in promoting your small business.

1. What is networking?

For any small business networking should be an essential part of your business. My 14 years as a practising solicitor provided me with a network which has been especially invaluable since forming Samson Consulting. Essentially networking is getting out of your office and mixing with people from your same sector, potential referral sources, and any other occasions where you meet new contacts. It should not be confined to thinking that networking only relates to business networking groups although these can be an excellent source.

2. Reasons You Should Network!

There are many reasons that you should network, not just to generate new business. Here are some of the reasons to network:

o Share ideas (see what is working for other people in different business sectors – can you apply this to your business?)

o Get out of your office (running a small business from home or in an office with a few other staff can be lonely. You need to get out of your office to think about your business in a different way. Your best ideas will rarely happen when you are chained to your desk.

o Practise your sales skills on non core targets (before you present to potential clients).

o To win new business (last but often seen as the most important reason).

3. Networking targets? You can only find out if something works by measuring it. What is your networking target? Do you want to meet three new business owners to share ideas or mastermind with or do you want 3 new leads per month? You have to have a goal to score (Sir Alan Sugar) so you must know what you are trying to achieve with your networking.

4. What To Say Or Not To Say?

Networking is essentially a sales and marketing tool. Two of the most important rules of sales are:

o Prospect (i.e. get out there and meet people); and

o Listen.

These are simple rules, yet if they are employed for networking events they will guarantee results.

5. Long Term Gain. We have all been to networking events where we are approached by someone who interrupts our conversation, jumps in with his or her business card, shouts about how brilliant they are and then throws themselves at the next unsuspecting group of people. This is one way to guarantee you will not succeed with your networking approach. The only way you will ever really prosper through networking is to build long term relationships and show a genuine interest in the people you talk to. In the last two years I have brokered deals putting several contacts on my network in touch with each other leading to a benefit for everyone involved. One of these contacts I first made over 8 years ago.

Far too many small business owners run around talking about how great …

Before hiring a water damage restoration company, you should consider several things. These include the following: Immediate removal of water, Drying, Antimicrobials, and Cost. A quality company will consist of these elements in its water damage restoration services. Read on for some of these considerations. Then, make an informed decision based on your budget. If you want to save money on water damage restoration, choose an affordable price company.

Immediate water removal

As soon as a flood or other disaster happens, immediate water removal is essential. Water can cause a large amount of damage in a short period. Luckily, a water damage restoration company can get the job done quickly and efficiently. Calling a water damage restoration service early can help save you time, money, and unnecessary damages. Here’s how to do it. Read on to learn more about water removal and restoration.

Drying

The first step in water damage restoration is drying out the affected area. This process can be noisy and hot, and you should report any loss of power to the damage restoration company. A restoration crew will periodically evaluate the drying progress to keep the affected area dry. This process can take several days. Start the drying process right away if you are working on the carpet yourself. Depending on the severity of the damage, you may have to spend more time on the rug than anticipated.

Antimicrobials

The chemical must be applied according to manufacturer guidelines when using antimicrobials for water damage restoration. Incorrect application may result in injury or ineffectiveness. Water damage restoration professionals should avoid using aerosols and other forms of spray. Both methods are ineffective and dangerous. If you find sewage on a porous surface, an antimicrobial will not work. The sewage must be removed entirely before applying antimicrobials. Water damage specialists must inform you of the potential hazards and rules when using antimicrobials.

Cost

When you’ve experienced flooding or other water damage, you may be wondering: How much does water damage restoration cost? The cost depends on several factors, including the type of water damage, the amount of mold, and other conditions. A professional water damage restoration contractor can give you a good idea of what your specific situation will cost. For example, suppose you’ve experienced flooding due to an appliance. In that case, the cost will be much lower, as the restoration company will only be responsible for drying the affected areas and setting up equipment to prevent mold growth.

Restoring property to pre-loss condition

After water damage, property owners will likely require some reconstruction work to restore their property to a pre-loss condition. These repairs may range from minor repairs to rebuilding entire rooms. To make the process easier for both parties, hiring one company to complete the initial damage mitigation and the subsequent reconstruction is best. The benefits of hiring one company include cost efficiency and convenience. Here are some tips for selecting the right company for the job.

Insurance coverage

The first step in getting insurance coverage …

Creative Ways to Engage Employees and Boost Performance

Every time you hire a new employee, you spend money on the hiring process and lose productivity during training. The most financially sound businesses are those that have low turnover and make infrequent new hires. In order to be this company, you must retain employees, which means keeping them happy and encouraged. Engage employees in a variety of ways to keep them involved in the company and boost their work performances.

Keep Work Fun

A company’s employees are part of a team, but with cubicles keeping them pinned up all day and departments segregated in different areas of the building, it may be difficult to feel that team spirit. Help employees see the bigger picture by getting them together frequently with company activities, like monthly or weekly games or scavenger hunts. Encourage participation by giving prizes to winning groups.

Ask for Advice

To make employees feel like part of the team, prove they are part of the team. The execs may know the ins and outs of the business, but employees often come up with solutions that those locked away in their offices may not see. When changes need to be made to company operations, go to employees for their thoughts. Keep an open-suggestion policy where any new idea is considered. When employees have a say in the running of their own departments, they’ll be looking for ways to improve the process every day, upping employee engagement.

Rewards

Nothing makes employees go above and beyond like rewarding them for that effort. Make the workplace one of recognition by handing out award certificates on an annual, or even monthly, basis. Rewards don’t have to be for common categories, like attendance and sales volume. Think high school yearbook, and consider awards for “best hair” or “best potluck dish.” Do it until every employee has awards peppering their workspaces.

A Word on Bonuses

When you do give out official performance-related rewards, keep them in line with your employee’s purpose. Remember, employees come to work each day to make a living, so rewards that acknowledge that have the most impact. If the company has the funds, immediate rewards like cash bonuses or trips have the most impact on employee engagement. If a company is growing, stock options may be more budget-friendly, and still offer financial incentive. No matter what business you’re in, you must engage employees to keep the workplace from becoming a place of tedium and dread. Create a workplace to which employees don’t mind coming, foster relationships within the company to create loyalty, and reward employees for their hard work to keep them on the team and working for the good of the company for years to come.…