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Rebate Marketing Program: Still a Valid Marketing Method?I recently received a question about rebate marketing, and it reminded me that many companies still wonder if rebate marketing is a good method for attracting consumers.
Question: "Laura, do companies offer smaller rebates, knowing that people won't take time to fill out the forms as opposed to the larger rebates? Also, do you think that the smaller rebates are geared towards lower income consumers, as opposed to more wealthy consumers?" - Tim
...about.com | 13-May-2012 07:00
Online Branding - One of the Biggest Mistakes I See
I do a lot of writing on branding from branding basics to the more advanced things like creating a brand persona. I am often surprised how many times people ...
about.com | 06-May-2012 07:00
Marketing Internships - Land the One You Want
In a recent discussion with a friend she shared with me that her son was graduating college with a marketing degree, but had not done an internships or landed an entry-level job. She was concerned and I can understand why. In today's economy there are many experienced marketing professionals that have been laid off and are looking to reestablish their marketing career by re-entering the workforce.
...about.com | 29-Apr-2012 07:00
Why You Need a Media Plan
A media plan is not an option, it's a necessity. It doesn't matter whether you do all of the public relations yourself or you are just part of a big organization. The biggest mistake when it comes to a media plan is that we tend to focus on internal aspects, processes and technical details. While these things are important, it's not the core of a successful media plan.
...about.com | 27-Apr-2012 07:00
Social Media Marketing - Is There a Line Between Personal and Professional?
I'm a big proponent of social media marketing and I believe it will continue to play a large role in marketing as we continue move through the next decade. However, with that being said I also know that companies fear social media in general.
...about.com | 25-Apr-2012 07:00
Marketing Jobs - Where to Find and Post Them
Recently a company contacted me wanting to know where to post two high profile marketing jobs that they were seeking candidates for. This got me thinking, I often provide information and insight to those seeking jobs, but not enough to companies trying to find great employees to fill open marketing positions.
...about.com | 23-Apr-2012 07:00
What is Personal Branding?
Personal branding is the process of developing a "mark" that is created around your personal name or your career. You use this "mark" to express and communicate your skills, ...
about.com | 22-Apr-2012 07:00
Avoid Common Marketing Mistakes
It is true we all make mistakes, but are you making marketing mistakes that are costing your company hundreds if not thousands of dollars?
There are common marketing mistakes that companies make in every marketing campaign. They are so common that they almost always go unidentified. Learn what the top five marketing mistakes that businesses continually make are and how you can avoid them. Common Marketing Mistakes
...about.com | 15-Apr-2012 07:00
Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile and Increase Find-Ability
Did you know that there are 7610 searches on LinkedIn per minute? In 2011 there were 4.2 billion professionally-oriented searches on the LinkedIn platform.
LinkedIn launched on May 5, 2003 and has earned the name "the social network for professionals." On the average 36.5 million people visit LinkedIn every month.
...about.com | 08-Apr-2012 21:21
Google Analytics - A Marketing Must-Have for Businesses
Tracking is a vital part to marketing. If we don't know what we are doing that works and what we are doing that doesn't work we are just guessing.
With that being said many companies are depending more and more on online marketing efforts. They are using websites, social media, content marketing and search marketing. I am always surprised at how many companies don't track these efforts.
...about.com | 31-Mar-2012 14:02
3 Easy Steps to SMS Marketing
SMS marketing is marketing using a mobile phone. SMS stands for short message server, otherwise known as text messaging or mobile marketing.
In short SMS marketing is done using a mobile device to transfer marketing communication to interested consumers. It's an area that is gaining a great deal of interest by businesses both small and large. Which of course is understandable, considering that 70% of the world population now have a mobile phone. In the United States alone that's 9 out of 10 people that carry a mobile device.
...about.com | 30-Mar-2012 07:00
Marketers, Your Sales Team Needs You!
I had the pleasure of seeing one of my favorite sales trainers, Jeffrey Gitomer speak. His speech was informative as well as entertaining and drenched with energy. There however was one thing that stuck in my mind, Jeffrey would often talk about the materials that marketers provide their sales teams and how the marketers should try to sell with the tools they had produced.
...about.com | 28-Mar-2012 07:00
How to Use Google+ Search for Market Research
In my opinion one of the most important features in a social network is the search feature. These social and search go hand-in-hand when it comes to using social media for business.
...about.com | 25-Mar-2012 21:30
An Action Step is Worth a Thousand Words
Writing sales letters, drafting brochures, and composing websites consumes hours or days of precious marketing time. But it appears that many professionals have mistaken all this wordsmithing for productive action. Writing powerful and informative marketing copy is a useful skill to learn or hire out to a professional. Just don't let your marketing get put on hold because you haven't yet found the perfect words to use.
...about.com | 18-Mar-2012 06:00
4 Ways to Overcome Marketing Challenges Forever
For most small business owners, marketing is an overwhelming concept. They need and want marketing solutions that ensure a smooth-running, profitable business yet most don't know where to begin or how to focus their efforts.
...about.com | 11-Mar-2012 06:00
Understand the New Facebook Changes to Brand Pages
Just when you thought you had a handle on using Facebook for your business they introduce a change. Last week they introduced the timeline feature for brand pages. The good news is you have some time. You can change your brand page to the new format when you are ready, it just has to be done by March 31, 2012
...about.com | 04-Mar-2012 22:43
Marketing Careers - Help Someone By Sharing Your Success Story
We all know that starting a new career or transitioning to a new career field can be overwhelming, especially now. I receive several emails a week and the majority of those emails center on getting started in the career field of marketing. I give the usual advice - education, experience and stand out from the crowd.
...about.com | 28-Feb-2012 06:00
Pinterest Offers Marketing Benefits to the Small Business
Who would have thought that a virtual pin and social photo sharing network would create a craze and grow at over 4000% percent within a matter of months?
In December of 2011, Pinterest entered the list of top 10 social networks. They recorded over 11 million visits in one week. In January of 2012 Pinterest drove more referral traffic than LinkedIn, YouTube and Google+.
...about.com | 26-Feb-2012 22:58
Small Business Guide to Creating an Effective Online Presence
How's your website working for you?
Have you updated it within the last four years?
If not, you may be behind the times. It's important for small businesses to have an effective interactive online presence, without it you could drive customers away from you, rather than towards you.
...about.com | 20-Feb-2012 00:07
Save Money by Learning How to Measure Your Marketing Efforts
We are all watching our marketing budgets carefully. We want to make sure we get the most value from our marketing initiatives and efforts. That can be difficult to do when you don't know how to quantify your marketing and really measure what's working and what's not.
...about.com | 12-Feb-2012 06:00
Great Customer Service Captures a Consumer
Customer service is the key to turning a prospective buyer into a customer. Often, people think that the buying choice is made via price, but nothing could be further from the truth.
...about.com | 08-Feb-2012 06:00
Top 6 Marketing Consultants Share Their Secrets
There are times that a company seeks to outsource their marketing efforts. Often, when a company does this they seek out marketing consultants. A marketing consultant works with companies to create and implement marketing strategies. A great marketing consultant will be able to not only think creatively but analytically.
...about.com | 07-Feb-2012 06:00
QR Codes - Understanding Best Practices
You've seen them, those technical looking badges that are appearing everywhere. They are called QR codes, QR stands for "quick response." More than likely you are seeing at least one daily, perhaps in a magazine, on a billboard, flyer, business card or a sticker on a window.
about.com | 05-Feb-2012 06:00
Social Coupons - Good for the Small Business?
As consumers we love great deals, but do the social coupon offers make sense for small businesses?
For most businesses they are tempted to buy into social coupon sites like Groupon and Living Social. I've seen so many small businesses walk away after they have bought into the "social coupon craze" realizing they may have not only lost money, but diluted their brand.
...about.com | 30-Jan-2012 00:56
Ten Ways Restaurant and Entertainment Industries Can Use Social Media to Market
Many businesses are trying to figure out how to use social media to grow their business and increase their revenue. The industries of restaurants and entertainment is no different.
I'm always surprised at how many of these businesses are not using social media marketing, but for most, it boils down to the lack of knowledge on how to use this new medium to create commerce in their businesses. Commerce won't come overnight; that I can guarantee you, but by getting involved and adopting social media as a way to engage and interact with your customers and patrons you will find that commerce will come sooner than later.
...about.com | 25-Jan-2012 06:00
Content Marketing - Understand the Why and How
Are you using content to market your business?
Content is king. I know, you've heard it and if you haven't I'm afraid you've had your head in the sand and it's time to dig it out. It's true content is very important when it comes to marketing and I'm going to show you why.
...about.com | 21-Jan-2012 06:00
5 Steps To a Winning Social Media Strategy
Are you frustrated with the results that you are seeing from social media marketing? Did you ever stop to consider that maybe you are doing it wrong?
Over the last few years I've seen companies sign up for a Facebook account, a Twitter account, put their profile on LinkedIn and sign up for Google+ and they can't figure out why the sales are not pouring in.
...about.com | 16-Jan-2012 00:12
What Impact Will Google's "Your World" Have on Search Marketing?
Are you ready for Google to bring Your World to your search results?
I hope so, because that's what they announced today. Your World marks the third major move toward social search. Google's goal is to transform the search engine into a tool that not only understand content, understands people and relationships.
...about.com | 10-Jan-2012 23:21
Marketing Campaign Checklist
There are many things that go into a marketing campaign and it's important to make sure you have done your due diligence to ensure the campaign's success.
That due diligence includes identifying your target, conducting market research, and determining the best way to reach your target. In today's world planning a productive and successful promotional campaign is crucial, especially with the cut in marketing dollars that many of us are experiencing.
...about.com | 08-Jan-2012 06:00
4 Small Business Marketing Steps You Need to Put Into Check
I think the biggest mistake small businesses make in marketing is making everything so difficult for consumers to understand that they don't get it.
Small businesses often make the mistake of trying to compete with the "big dog" companies that have larger marketing budgets. I daily watch small businesses try to market like big companies, when in fact they've missed the core components that will get a person to buy their products or services. My first piece of advice is stop trying to compete with the "big dogs" - find your own niche and your own market and become one of the big dogs.
...about.com | 01-Jan-2012 06:00
Marketing Predictions for the Upcoming Year 2012
I'm not psychic nor do I have a crystal ball, but I've made some marketing predictions I think you will not only find interesting, but you'll want to be aware of. I've been in marketing for the past decade and boy, have we seen some changes. We've gone from having our toe dipped into the interactive world while holding onto our traditional means of marketing with a death grip. I'm happy to say that is starting to change at a rapid pace.
...about.com | 25-Dec-2011 06:00
Why Businesses Should Pay Attention to Google Plus
Google+ - What's the Big Deal?
Use it.
Don't use it.
Dump Facebook for it.
No one is going to use it.
Are these some of the comments you've heard? You are not alone.
...about.com | 18-Dec-2011 23:42
Marketing, Advertising, Sales - Who Does What?
It's so easy for the confusion to begin when you start talking about advertising, marketing and sales. Truth is most individuals don't understand the difference. The good news is there is a difference and each of these components have a part to play in the success of a company. Today, I want to clear up the confusion.
...about.com | 15-Dec-2011 06:00
Small Business Marketing Basics and Tips
I don't have to tell you that there are differences in corporate marketing and small business marketing - you already know that.
There are basic marketing strategies you can put into place to market a small business on a budget. Small businesses go the extra mile in learning to be creative in marketing and in return they are able to grow their small businesses organically without spending thousands of dollars. In doubt? Just take a look at my favorite five no-cost marketing tips.
...about.com | 12-Dec-2011 06:00
7 Steps to Planning a Successful Promotional Campaign
Are you working on developing a promotional campaign? The process is easy, but it takes "planning" time. A promotional campaign generally consists of 3 desired outcomes including:
- Outcome 1: Your promotional message reaches your intended and targeted audience.
- Outcome 2: Your message is understood by your audience.
- Outcome 3: Your message stimulates the recipients and they take action.
about.com | 11-Dec-2011 06:00
So, You Want to Learn More About Marketing?
Did you know that based on the feedback of my readers I develop and create free marketing courses that are available online?
- Developing Your Brand Strategy - 6 Week Course
- Social Media Marketing Crash Course - 7 Day Course
- Twitter Bootcamp - Learn Twitter in 10 Days
- Develop Your Annual Marketing Plan - 6 Day Course
- Public Relations Course -The Basics in 5 Days
about.com | 05-Dec-2011 23:13
Marketing Mistakes: Learn How to Avoid the Top 5
A properly developed marketing campaign can not only connect you with the right prospects, but it gets everyone talking about your company, your product, or your service. However, marketing mistakes can just as easily cost your business thousands of dollars. Learn about the top 5 mistakes commonly made in marketing. Did I miss one you are familiar with? Feel free to add yours in the comments below.
...about.com | 04-Dec-2011 06:00
Cyber Monday: Increase of 33%
Cyber Monday sales increased 33% year over year, according to Ecommerce Times. The increase, which is credited to more traffic and higher average orders, brought in roughly $52.4 billion dollars for online retailers on Monday.
about.com | 30-Nov-2011 06:00
Drafting Your Marketing Calendar for 2012
The year is coming to an end and most of us are working hard to reach our Q4 goals, but have you sat down to develop your marketing calendar for the upcoming year?
about.com | 29-Nov-2011 06:00
Black Friday: How Did We Do?
Good morning and welcome to Cyber Monday! While I can't report on sales today I can share with you recent results from Black Friday.
It was reported by ShopperTrak on Saturday that preliminary sales for Black Friday totaled $11.4 billion. Despite the economic news we've all been bombarded with, estimated sales were up 6.6% from last year. According to ShopperTrak this is the largest year-over-year gain in National Retail Sales Estimate for Black Friday since the 8.3 percent increase we saw between 2007 and 2006. That's great news!
...about.com | 28-Nov-2011 06:00
Marketing Success - 7 Time Saving Tools I Use
This is the time of the year that we start to evaluate what worked and what didn't. I'm no different. This weekend I decided to sit down and make notes of the tools that helped me to be more efficient and effective in not only my own marketing strategies, but the strategies of clients as well.
about.com | 26-Nov-2011 22:27
The Truth About Cyber Monday
Black Friday and Cyber Monday is upon us. Are you ready?
If not, no worries, did you know that Cyber Monday is not when most of the purchases happen online, but rather it serves as an indicator of how the shopping season will be when it comes to online purchases.
...about.com | 24-Nov-2011 06:00
Asking for a Referral is Easy with a Reward Marketing Program
We've seen some changes in the marketing industry in the last decade. We no longer tell consumers what to buy with our marketing efforts, we advise them. Potential customers are more inclined to listen and ask the advice of their peers when it comes to determining their choice of not only what to buy, but where to buy.
about.com | 20-Nov-2011 06:00
Marketing Strategy vs. Marketing Plan - What's the Difference?
What's the difference in a marketing strategy and a marketing plan?
This is a common question and unfortunately many view them as the same thing. They are not. A strategy identifies the goals and objectives, your marketing plan tells you how you are going to get there. Without both of these tools businesses will often find themselves trying to sail upstream without paddles.
...about.com | 15-Nov-2011 22:03
Holiday Marketing - Retailers are Vying for Consumers Using the Top Trends and Strategies
Ecommerce holiday planning takes time and effort and it also means being aware of the latest trends, tools and technologies that consumers are using. You can't just do what you did last year and expect to increase your online sales. We are less than 50 days from Christmas and 12 days from the busiest shopping day of the year.
about.com | 12-Nov-2011 16:45
Marketing You - The Key to Landing A Job
Are you one of the millions looking for a job today? I feel for you. Everyday I hear of someone that has been laid off or lost their job. To be honest, I tried to figure out a way that I could help, so I started talking to those that are job hunting and asked questions. I realized that many don't understand that without marketing themselves, they don't have a chance.
...about.com | 06-Nov-2011 06:00