by tradespeopleinsights | Dec 15, 2010 | Marketing Tips, Marketing Trends, Traditional Marketing
Aylie Fifer, Relationship Architect here at Sonnhalter, has put together some information on Augmented Reality.
Augmented reality is a new technology that is starting to take flight in many different ways. Think of a flight simulator – the pilot goes into a “cockpit” and can use the actual controls of an airplane, but the visual is a non-real place – a video or computer generated environment to simulate the environment of a real world situation. In essence, this is very much like Augmented Reality.
Augmented reality:
- combines real and virtual data – meaning it uses real time video and integrates with computer generated data to create an “Augmented Reality” experience
- is interactive in real time
- is registered in 3D
Sometimes QR codes are used to launch an Augmented Reality site or game. The QR code just redirects to the URL or information coded in the 2D QR code and the Augmented Reality site utilizes information that the phone/computer is receiving (either by camera, video, or GPS) to incorporate a virtual reality with the real reality and allowing you to interact in real time. Essentially, it layers a “virtual world” into your actual reality world.
Examples:
http://www.digitalbuzzblog.com/top-10-augmented-reality-examples/top-10-augmented-reality-examples/
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/big-idea/14/augmented-reality
In the National Geographic article, you will see that the Air Force is using Augmented Reality as a means to train mechanics. Augmented reality is already being used with video games as well. It is a matter of time before this technology enters into other areas of our life. What I am excited to see is how marketers will use this new media to promote their products.
Photo courtesy of National Geographic.
by tradespeopleinsights | Dec 14, 2010 | Marketing Tips, Social Marketing
I hate to exercise, and mentally every morning, I use every excuse not to get out of bed. They’re all lame excuses, but that doesn’t stop my brain from trying to convince my body to stay put.
Social media for some, even though they may not hate it (some don’t really know what it is and how it can help them), is one of those things that you keep making excuses why you’re not jumping on board.
I recently read a post by Jay Baer, Destroying the Myths of B2B Social Media that I suggest you read and pass it onto your associates who are always making excuses. He dispels all the excuses. Here are some of the myths he responds to:
- My customers don’t use social media.
- Social media isn’t worth the trouble.
- If nobody is tweeting about my company, I don’t need social media.
Hopefully some of the naysayers will change their minds after reading this.
Share with someone who is always making excuses. It’s time to get on the bus!
by tradespeopleinsights | Dec 9, 2010 | Marketing Tools, Social Marketing
While blogs have been around for over a decade, it hasn’t been until the last few years that traditional media (journalists) have embraced the tool. Companies similarily were slow to adopt, but now blogging has become an important marketing tool for both large and small companies alike.
eMarketer estimates that 34% of US companies will be using blogs in 2010, and they estimate that it will continue to grow to 43% by 2012.
The main reasons companies are starting to blog are:
- Develop thought leadership
- Develop leads
- Brand building
- Full control over content
- Searchable database of information
- Key word searchable
These reasons coupled with the fact that when journalists are looking for sources and info, guess where they go? Search engines, and if you do your homework, they will be calling you instead of the competition.
If your company hasn’t started blogging, maybe this will help you make the move.
If you like this post, please pass it on to a friend.
by tradespeopleinsights | Dec 8, 2010 | Marketing Trends, Social Marketing, Traditional Marketing
It’s that time of year again for our annual spend survey (8 questions). We’ll be happy to share the results with you and compare them to what you said in 2010. You can take the survey here.
by tradespeopleinsights | Dec 7, 2010 | Marketing Tips, Social Marketing
I know it’s hard to believe, but not everyone has bought into the social media scene. Some are just disbelievers (we can’t worry about them), while others are intimidated by it. Well, if you’re one of those people who are apprehensive, or you know someone who is, please pass this post on to them.
I don’t normally do book reviews, but I came across an easy read that will take the stress out of getting started. The name of the book is, “the zen of social media marketing” by Shama Hyder Kabani of the Zen Marketing agency.
She gives you an overview and basic steps to get set up on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. She helps you understand where social media fits into the bigger picture and how to use these together to maximize your efforts. What’s neat about this is there is an online version of the book that has continous updates which are really helpful. So in essence, the book never goes out of date.
If you’re in marketing, whether it be for a small local company or a large international one, this book will make you look like a hero (only in social media). You can get it on Amazon. I read it in one night and it would make a great gift for someone.
by tradespeopleinsights | Dec 2, 2010 | Traditional Marketing
Most of our clients have trade show schedules and are reluctant to give them up. The costs for most shows are in the tens of thousands per show which doesn’t include your sales people time.
According to the trade show bureau, it takes 3.6 touches to make an average B2B sales from a trade show lead rather than 6.7 touches from other leads.
So are trade show leads better than other leads you pass on to your sales team? I’d like to get your input.
