January 31st, 2012
It seems like everyone has a blog now. Do you? Whereas these internet tools used to primarily house the personal thoughts and opinions of individuals, the blog-o-sphere is now filled with successful interactions between businesses and customers. Setting up your own corner of the web makes you instantly more accessible, approachable, and personable to the people you want to do business with.
Ramp Up Your Titles
Attracting readers is your first step to attracting new customers through your blogs. The most effective way to get new and old readers to browse through your most recent post is to think of an attention-grabbing title. Titles that tease the readers’ curiosity, target one of their prime desires, promise to meet a need, or inspire a little controversy will always attract clicks from RSS feeds, search results, or virtual bookmarking pages. Of course, you should always be careful to fulfill your title in each post. Never trick your audience into clicking a headline by promising something you don’t deliver – you’ll lose their trust and they won’t fall for it again.
Tone Down the Advertorial Language
When creating copy for your ads you might use grand, persuasive language, but readers won’t want to read an extended advertisement on your blog. They want genuine communication. When blogging, focus more on providing value for your readers rather than convincing them to make a purchase. Although you will certainly mention your products and services, the majority of your posts should aim to benefit or entertain the potential customer.
Issue a Call to Action
When natural and appropriate, issue a call to action on your blog. This is when you will slip in a plug for your latest deal or a link to your online store. Your call to action could vary from buying a product, to visiting your business’s main website, or connecting with you on Facebook or Twitter.
Starting a new blog from scratch can be intimidating, and beginner’s mistakes are often glaringly obvious to prospective readers. Benefit from the wisdom of blogging veterans in the AMA Tampa Bay network. Visit us online to learn about the benefits of membership today.
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Tags: American Marketing Association, blogging, Florida, internet marketing, Social Media, Tampa Bay
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January 24th, 2012
Even if the job market may seem grim, there are opportunities for marketing jobs everywhere. Interviewing for a marketing job might prove to be a little more difficult than interviewing for other positions because you are expected to "market" yourself and show that you understand the art. With the right job-search methods and a few tips, you can improve your chances of finding–and landing–a job in the marketing field. Here are five tips to take along on your journey to finding the best marketing career for you:
Tip #1: Market Yourself
Applying for a marketing job is a little different in that you are essentially marketing yourself. Demonstrate that you are qualified for the job by doing a good job of marketing yourself during the application and interview process. You can think of yourself as a brand and strive to distinguish yourself from other brands, show what can you bring to the table, etc. Avoid using buzz words and generic responses. Present a clear understanding of who you are and what you have to offer.
Tip #2: Check and Double Check
Good spelling and grammar are essential to marketing, and a necessary skill in any marketing position. Represent these capabilities by presenting your interviewer with a clean cover letter and resumé. Double check all of your spelling and grammar, and consider running it by a second set of eyes before submission.
Tip #3: Get to Know The Company
Any good marketer knows how important it is to know the company or brand you are representing. Take the initiative to get to know the company you are interviewing with, and show that you are interested in them.
Tip #4: Make Sure Your Resumé Stands Out
Don't use a template for your resumé! You should be innovative and think like a marketing professional, even for the smallest of details like the layout and design of your resumé. Think of your resumé as one of the most important marketing documents you will write. Use the same techniques you would use to market a product to market your benefits on your resumé. When showcasing prior experience, use bulleted lists and real numbers that show the results you have achieved in the past.
Tip #5: Join a Professional Organization
Network, network, network! Some of the best resources you can tap into for your career search are other marketing professionals. Here in the Tampa Bay Area, the American Marketing Association Tampa Bay chapter is a great resource for your job search. To find out more about us and how our network of professionals can help you, visit us online.
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January 17th, 2012
A new year brings new resolutions, expectations and, in marketing, a shift of focus from the year's end to the year that lies a.jpg)
head. The New Year is a time marketers should take advantage of–a chance to clear their plates and start something new. By taking advantage of new and emerging trends, you can leverage your marketing and ultimately elevate your brand. So, here are some marketing trends you may want to look for and take advantage of in 2012:
More Content
Getting more valuable content out to your audiences is a big focus in 2012, but just getting it out there isn't the point–spreading it is. The use of sharing buttons on a blog or website will get others to help spread your message for free.
Reputation Management
Catching (and dealing with) customer issues in a timely manner is becoming a popular way to showcase your brand's trustworthiness and reinforce your reputation. Accepting and responding to customer feedback will show that your brand takes customers seriously and remains positive even through the worst.
More Photos
A picture is worth a thousand words, so why not use those words to your brand's advantage. Sharing of photos on social networking sites has skyrocketed, and one of the best ways to create interaction is to post relevant images that users are likely to share.
Creativity to the Max
Each year, marketers vow to "push the limit" when it comes to creativity. The trend for marketing is no longer just to "be creative" in their products but, instead, to build creativity into their culture as a marketing firm.
More Social Platforms
Google+ is something to be watched in 2012. It hasn't completely taken off with the general public just yet, but it–among other platforms like Pinterest–is something to keep your eye on for the New Year.
Focus on Timing
An emerging trend for 2012 is scheduling content to go out at particular times via social media and mobile platforms. Researching what time of day most people log in to Facebook, and sending relevant posts out at that time, will deliver great results.
More Mobile
Tablets and phones are the new computer, and so your website should be optimized for them. Delivering real-time and location-based content to mobile devices is a gold mine for marketers.
Looking for success in the New Year? Join AMA Tampa Bay to access our resources and network of marketing professionals who can help guide you in the right direction. Visit us online to learn more or view our membership options.
Tags: Marketing, Marketing in the New Year, Marketing techniques, marketing trends, Marketing Year, New Marketing, new marketing trends, New Year, New Year's Marketing
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January 10th, 2012
As you turn your attention toward internet marketing, there are several approaches that will get eyes on your website or online store. Search engine optimization, pay-per-click advertising, and social media involvement could all bring in a temporary influx of new viewers, but the one and only way to retain loyal visitors and create conversations is to offer valuable content. Even the best internet marketing techniques may be overlooked without quality content to keep the attention of your visitors.
You Have Options
Content may be king, but you aren't as limited as you think in this department. Quality content comes in many forms, from blog posts, to YouTube videos, to podcasts. You can get as creative as you want, as long as what you offer provides something your audience is looking for in a way they will understand. If your ideal customer is highly visual, go with slideshows or multimedia clips. If you are looking to attract analytical clients, text-based case studies might be the kind of content you need to offer. They key to effective content is that it will do more than advertise your own purposes; it will also serve your customers' needs.
Improving Your Content
How do you know if your content is "good enough?" Try running it through the following checklist:
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Is it clearly communicated? Proofread your text for spelling errors, grammatical problems, or run-on sentences. Make sure that video and audio presentations have an easy-to-follow outline and speakers who do not mumble or stumble over their words.
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Does it serve your ideal audience? Your content will never please everybody. Target your content toward an ideal audience member. Would this person prefer a formal style, or a casual conversational approach?
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How are you providing value? Depending on your ideal audience, the right answer to this question can vary. You may seek to inform, entertain, teach, or promote discussion.
Looking for ways to improve the content on your site? Joining AMA Tampa Bay gives you access to the resources you need, along with a vast network of marketing professionals who can help you achieve your goals.
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Tags: American Marketing Association, blogging, Florida, internet marketing, Social Media, Tampa
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January 3rd, 2012
No matter what your company does, your customers have a lot to say. Whether negative, positive, or neutral feedback, finding and listening to customer opinions is a vital part of running a profitable business. Disregarding consumer comments, or making communication difficult between you and your buyers, could be harmful to your business's long-term success. Here are five ways that listening to customers will improve your business.
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You can't make things right if you don't know what's wrong. Whether a customer is complaining of unsatisfactory customer service or poor product quality, your listening ear will give you the advantage of knowing who is unhappy and figuring out how to solve the problem.
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When you know their needs, you can meet them. Your ultimate goal in business is to meet the needs of your customers. Don't know what those are? You would if you were paying attention to what your buyers have to say.
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Not sure where to put your focus? A customer can tell you. Carefully observing customer reactions to your various products and services will let you know what's working, what needs improvement, and what should just be dumped.
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Your customers will give you the best business ideas. Brainstorming what product or service to launch next? Keep your ears open to what customers say in your store, on social media, or in customer surveys. What are their daily routines and concerns? How can you help?
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If you aren't listening to them, you won't build a relationship. The majority of consumers enjoy feeling a personal connection with the companies they interact with. Even if they aren't giving you valuable opinions that will shape your future decisions, listening to your customers will build a business relationship that promotes loyalty to your work.
AMA Tampa Bay's network of marketing professionals can help you brainstorm new ideas on interacting with and learning from your customers. Learn about all the benefits of joining us today.
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Tags: American Marketing Association, customer feedback, customer interaction, customer opinion, Florida, Social Media, Tampa Bay
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December 20th, 2011
You may not have the marketing budget you dream of, but even a modest amount of cash set aside to spread the word about your brand can make a difference in your number of clients and bottom line – you just need to get creative with what you can accomplish with a small budget.
Get the Most Mileage Out of Your Current Ads
While it is a mistake to keep running advertisements that are stale, outdated, or inaccurate, never ditch a campaign just for the sake of building something new. Ads can remain effective far longer than most businesses use them. Don’t expend the extra creative energy and funds it takes to build an entirely new campaign when the old one is still bringing in the right numbers. When it does come time to refresh your approach, don’t throw out everything. Consider which existing photos, graphics, and text could still be of use in advertisements, leaflets, or company information packets.
Reconsider Your Needs
Assess where your marketing funds are currently going. Some costs may not be necessary for your business. Expensive formal, glossy marketing literature isn’t necessary for most companies. Find the materials and approach that really communicates who you are and what you offer. Many times the best options won’t be the most expensive ones.
Find Free Publicity
You don’t always need to pay to grab the public’s attention. Creating a web presence for your company and attracting eyes through search engines, social networking, and online community building will create a genuine connection with your potential clientele. Offline, get involved in local activities that will form relationships and spread the word about your services or products.
Are you trying to work out an effective advertising campaign on a miniscule budget? Join our network of marketing professionals for advice, success stories, new ideas, and extra resources. Sometimes all you need is a fresh pair of eyes!
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Tags: American Marketing Association, budgets, finances, Florida, Marketing, Tampa Bay
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December 13th, 2011
December is almost halfway over, and hopefully your holiday marketing efforts are in full swing. While families slow down and enjoy each other’s company during this time of year, many businesses actually pick up speed fulfilling the seasonal demand. During these busy days, make sure you aren’t making any of these holiday marketing mistakes.
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Underestimating your competition – If you are accustomed to a busy holiday season, it might be tempting to half-heartedly throw together a marketing campaign. Lazy efforts could give your competition the upper hand. Strive for higher sales this December than you achieved last year.
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Overlooking other holiday traditions – It is easy to forget that not all of your customers celebrate the same holidays. Keep differing traditions in mind while wording your advertisements and communications.
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Ignoring purchase patterns – Team up a stocking stuffer that just isn’t moving off the shelves with one of your more popular gift items to create more sales before January comes around the corner.
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Using last year’s campaign – People will notice, and it will appear cheap and unimaginative. A new campaign with fresh wording will grab your customer’s attention and give them a new perspective – even on older products.
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Forgetting the last-minute shopper – Several desperate customers will hit the pavement with only days or hours left to shop. As the countdown to the holidays shorten, lengthen your hours and restock your inventory. Advertise these hours to attract last-minute shoppers.
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Neglecting your online store – Every year more and more people turn to the internet to beat crowds and complete their online shopping in peace. Don’t forget to add holiday discounts and seasonal items to your website.
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Staying quiet on the little extras – If you offer complimentary gift wrapping or special holiday deliveries, broadcast these perks to your customers. It is the little details that will set you apart from your competition.
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Sloppy discount timing – Carefully timing your discounts to become steeper and steeper as time wears on will bring in customers who initially backed off certain items because of price, and it will prevent you from opening your store on January 1st with holiday items still cluttering the shelves.
If you’re stuck for creative holiday marketing ideas, let the American Marketing Association help you brainstorm. Join us today to network with other professionals in your field and obtain access to all of our wonderful resources.
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December 6th, 2011
Does your Facebook page resemble a ghost town these days? Use these tips to attract followers and increase interaction:
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Establish a fan base with friends first. It’s intimating to be the first one to like a page. If you are just starting out with Facebook’s pages, create a foundation by asking your friends and family to click “like.”
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Spread the word on your website, blog, or other social networking accounts. Facebook will give you a page badge, or “like” button, that you can place on your own site.
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Fill out the employment section. Type in the name of your page in the employer field while filling out your personal profile, and an easy link will be created at the top of your wall.
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Include a link in your email signature. As long as you have 25 or more followers, you can create a custom URL. Include the link at the end of your standard email signature.
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Mention your Facebook page on your business cards. Not every person who gets your card will have an immediate need for your services, but providing them with a Facebook page will give them a way to instantly connect with you in the time being.
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Create Incentive to Join. Whether you hold seasonal contests or provide discounts for Facebook followers, your customers need a convincing reason to sign up.
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Communicate clear information about your business. Getting potential new customers to your page is only half the battle. Now you need to convince them to click “like.” Have you effectively articulated what your business is and how it can help them?
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Deliver quality content. The best tip for attracting and keeping a following is providing value in your updates. Most Facebook users will peruse your last few updates before deciding to like a page.
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Update regularly. If a potential follower notices that you haven’t posted anything in months, they probably won’t like your page even if they love your business.
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Interact with your customers. Facebook thrives on community. Show your potential followers that if they like your page you will listen to what they have to say and build a relationship with them.
Our network of marketing professionals can help you achieve immediate growth on your Facebook page. Join us to share and receive tips on all forms of online marketing.
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Tags: American Marketing Association, Facebook, Florida, online marketing, Social Media, social networking, Tampa Bay
Posted in Social Media | No Comments »
