by tradespeopleinsights | Dec 22, 2010 | Uncategorized
As the year comes to a close, I thought I’d share the Top 10 Posts from the Tradesman Insights blog for 2010.
Social Media: Who Uses It and Why?
Made in America: It Still Matters!
Social Media: Here’s a Manufacturer That’s Getting it Right
Social Media: Don’t Forget the Human Side
LinkedIn: 5 Ways to Make the Most out of Your Connections
50 Power Twitter Tips to Help B-to-B Marketers
Generate Qualified Leads Using LinkedIn Answers
Reps vs. Factory Direct: The Debate Continues…
Enjoy your Holidays with Family and Friends.
by tradespeopleinsights | Dec 21, 2010 | Marketing Tips, Social Marketing, Traditional Marketing
Maybe you should!
In the good old days when you wanted to tell a customer about a new product, you had limited delivery methods, among them a personal visit, snail mail or you gave them a call (before there was such a thing as voicemail).
Today, the list of options on disseminating info is almost endless, and the preferred method of delivery to each individual could vary by age, type of job they have, industry they are in or several other options. The point being is when was the last time you asked your customers how they would like to receive information? And better, if you have asked, did you respect their wishes?
It stands to reason, at least in my mind, that if I say I want all new product info via e-mail, and copies of invoices on paper with a copy to accounting and an electronic copy for my files, then you should try to respect their wishes.
If I deliver info the way customers want it, you stand a better chance of them doing something with it and at the same time, you’re making it easy for them to business with you (a novel idea).
That’s why I’m suggesting if you haven’t done a survey to customers, you should. It could be a part of a bigger customer service survey so you can get more valuable info on your clients’ profile. The results may surprise you. E-mail programs like Emma and Constant Contact have survey modules built in. This info should be put into your CRM program so you are able to deliver by their preferred method.
I’m curious how many of you have done customer surveys on a regular basis to collect data like this?
by tradespeopleinsights | Dec 16, 2010 | Uncategorized
Social media marketing is important in its own right, but efforts in the area can boost more online channels according to an article in eMarketer.com.
According to the data from B2B magazine and Business.com, marketer’s No. 2 goal for social media after brand building was increasing traffic to websites. Search ranking increased with increased social activity. If you generate more traffic, a logical conclusion is that you’ll generate more leads.
Are you utilizing social media to improve your search as part of your overall strategy?
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.
