American Marketing Association

Posts Tagged ‘American Marketing Association’

Social Media: Why It’s a Must for Small Businesses

Tuesday, February 7th, 2012

It's not just teenagers logging in to their social media accounts every day to check their timelines and alerts. Many businesses now run their own accounts, which they update as fervently as your average 16-year-old. By using online tools such as blogs, Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn businesses can spread word of their services, effectively communicate with their customers, and advertise new deals and products without making a dent in their budgets. If you run a small business, it is about time that you, too, join the world of social media.

Make a Connection
Today's consumers love feeling as if they have a personal relationship with the companies they conduct business with. An active social media account can transform a distant and impersonal office into a friend. When a customer feels as if they know you as more than just a corporation, it inspires feelings of loyalty and trust. Along with using social media to share information, use it to make true connections with the people who support you and your professional efforts.

Spread Word Fast
Social media gives you an instant platform for quick communication anytime you need to announce a new product, make a change in office hours, ask for customer opinions, or respond to negative publicity. Instead of waiting until you publish the next monthly or seasonal company newsletter, any news you have can be shared within seconds through your social media accounts.

Find New Customers
Not only is social media an effective method of communicating with current customers, it can also help attract new clientele. Offering valuable content or discounts for followers will bring in a consistently increasing follower base. You can also track down and strike up conversations with people or businesses that fit your ideal customer profile.

How do you use social media to benefit your business? Share and learn from the extensive network at AMA Tampa Bay! Consider joining us today.

Tags: American Marketing Association, Facebook, Florida, LinkedIn, small businesses, Social Media, Tampa Bay, twitter
Posted in Social Media | 2 Comments »

How to Successfully Utilize the Blog-O-Sphere for Marketing

Tuesday, 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.

Market Your Business For Free

5 Ways LinkedIn Can Benefit Your Business

Tags: American Marketing Association, blogging, Florida, internet marketing, Social Media, Tampa Bay
Posted in Marketing | 1 Comment »

Why Content Is King in Internet Marketing

Tuesday, 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:

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.
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?
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.

Tags: American Marketing Association, blogging, Florida, internet marketing, Social Media, Tampa
Posted in Marketing | No Comments »

5 Reasons to Listen to Your Customers

Tuesday, 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.

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.
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.
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.
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?
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.

Tags: American Marketing Association, customer feedback, customer interaction, customer opinion, Florida, Social Media, Tampa Bay
Posted in Marketing | 1 Comment »

Best Ways to Stretch Your Marketing Budget

Tuesday, 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!

Tags: American Marketing Association, budgets, finances, Florida, Marketing, Tampa Bay
Posted in Marketing | 1 Comment »

8 Holiday Marketing Mistakes to Avoid

Tuesday, 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.

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 1^st 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.

Tags: American Marketing Association, Florida, holiday marketing, marketing mistakes, Tampa Bay
Posted in Marketing | No Comments »

10 Ways to Get More “Likes” on Your Facebook Page

Tuesday, December 6th, 2011

Does your Facebook page resemble a ghost town these days? Use these tips to attract followers and increase interaction:

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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
Create Incentive to Join. Whether you hold seasonal contests or provide discounts for Facebook followers, your customers need a convincing reason to sign up.
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?
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.
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.
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.

Tags: American Marketing Association, Facebook, Florida, online marketing, Social Media, social networking, Tampa Bay
Posted in Social Media | No Comments »

Market Your Business For Free

Tuesday, November 22nd, 2011

Although it pays off to invest in paid marketing campaigns, not all marketing efforts need to cost you money. There are several ways to spread word of your business without spending a dime. Experiment with some of the following ideas to expand your company’s reach and influence locally and globally.

Blogging – starting a blog is a great way to attract search engine traffic and encourage personal interaction and relationship building with your customers.
Community involvement – getting your business involved with local events and causes, whether through sponsorships or direct participation, will spread word of your brand and boost your reputation among potential local clients.
Contests – one way to encourage extra sales is to periodically host contests that reward a couple customers with valuable prizes or discounts. Contests can be done raffle style, or you can reward the 100^th customer of the week or month.
Customer testimonials – copywriters can write persuasive content for your ads and website, but no one will beat the influence of a genuinely satisfied customer. Ask for feedback and post the most positive responses on your website under testimonials.
Incentive programs – hoping for your customers to sign up for a newsletter, purchase a certain product, or join a new membership program? Give them a reason to do so. Discounts or a free gift in return will always create conversions.
Social media – more consumers are turning to interactive, personal companies to meet their wants and needs. Using social media tools, such as Twitter or Facebook, to converse with customers will give your business an approachable feel, and provide a platform for instant communication.
YouTube – you might not have the budget for a commercial on television or radio, but uploading to YouTube is free, and viral videos have been known to reach millions.

For more ideas on free marketing, join AMA Tampa Bay. Our network and resources can help you devise a solid and effective marketing campaign on the cheap.

Tags: American Marketing Association, blogs, community involvement, customer testimonials, Florida, free marketing, incentive programs, Social Media, Tampa Bay
Posted in Marketing | No Comments »

5 Ways LinkedIn Can Benefit Your Business

Tuesday, November 15th, 2011

If you’re looking for a way to build an online presence for your business, signing up for the social networking site LinkedIn might be your first step. Unlike other internet social scenes, such as Facebook or Twitter, LinkedIn is designed specifically with businesses and professionals in mind. You won’t need to wade through seas of animal pictures, goofy videos, or mindless chatter to find information about the resources, networks, or job candidates you are looking for. Not certain about how LinkedIn can help your company? Here are five ways the network routinely helps companies every work day:

Pull in new customers. Interacting in groups relevant to your industry, or answering questions from other users will spread your company’s name and grab the attention of potential future customers.
Connect with your clients. Linking up with current or past clients will remind them of your services and products, keep your name fresh in their mind, and give you an easy way to alert them about changes or additions happening within your business.
Network with other professionals. Instead of viewing other similar businesses as competition, LinkedIn transforms them into valuable resources. When you face challenging circumstances or decisions, you can ask questions or seek opinions from others in your industry.
Search for new hires. Whether you need another employee, or you want to outsource certain tasks, LinkedIn can show you the resumes, portfolios, or recommendations for potential workers.
Find investors. LinkedIn can help connect you with investors who might be interested in funding a new start-up, project or expansion.

A network of professionals will help you build a strong business and career. Along with LinkedIn, the American Marketing Association will provide you with the connections and resources you need for success. Learn about the benefits of joining us today.

Tags: American Marketing Association, Florida, internet marketing, LinkedIn, social networking, Tampa Bay
Posted in Social Media | 1 Comment »

What Makes Good Email Marketing?

Tuesday, November 8th, 2011

No matter what kind of company you are working for, email marketing can be an effective method of bringing in higher conversions and sales. Unlike billboards and magazine ads, an advertorial email does not need to fight to grab a potential customer’s attention. Instead, your subscriber list provides the contact information for consumers who already enjoy and use the products and services you offer. Since they voluntarily requested email newsletters, half the battle is already won when you spread the word about new products or promotions.

Gathering Subscribers
An obvious characteristic of effective email marketing is a large subscriber list. Motivating customers to share their email addresses is easier than you might think. Periodically offering coupons for subscribers will always lengthen the subscriber list. Simply asking customers to subscribe as they check out will also help collect addresses. To keep a steady increase of subscribers, offer something in return for their participation. Free e-books or product samples will give your customers the push they need to sign up.

Providing Value
Once you have built your subscriber list, maintain your numbers by providing value with each correspondence sent. If your email marketing appears too advertorial, readers will likely unsubscribe or start deleting your messages without opening them. Provide relevant tips, ideas, promotions, or coupons with each message.

The Call to Action
Ask yourself what you want to accomplish with each email. Do you want to increase sales? Include a link to your online store. Do you want to persuade readers to attend an event your company is hosting? Give them specific information on when and where, and explain how they can purchase tickets. Although marketing with email can be a powerful tool to keep your brand’s name fresh in the consumer’s mind, you can’t expect them to purchase, join, or attend unless you are asking them to.

Trying to craft the perfect email marketing message? Our helpful network of marketing professionals and resource library is here to assist you. Consider joining the American Marketing Association of Tampa Bay today, and never approach another email marketing campaign alone again.

Tags: American Marketing Association, email, email marketing, Florida, Marketing, marketing campaigns, marketing with email, Tampa Bay
Posted in Marketing | 1 Comment »

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Posts Tagged ‘American Marketing Association’

Best Ways to Stretch Your Marketing Budget

8 Holiday Marketing Mistakes to Avoid

What Makes Good Email Marketing?