Are you using mobile technology to market your business?
If not, reconsider – because up to 44% of your competitors may well be.
Right now.
Adobe have released the findings from their Scene 7 2011 survey, entitled “Digital Marketing in the Next Decade”. 1,941 businesses around the world were asked to pinpoint the tactics they currently deploy – or plan to deploy – in a number of areas including web analyitics, digital advertising, mobile, and social media.
Web analytics, social media and online merchandising are currently the most widely used tactics, while the development of mobile applications is among the most widely planned for 2011 and beyond. This is the first time, since 2007 when the survey began, that mobile has topped the list of planned deployments and is most likely a commercial response to the massive growth in the use of smart phones over the past year and a half.
Of course, mobile isn’t just about straight-up, personalised advertising. Of the top six most-effective features for improving customer experience, four were found to be related to mobile. Social media marketing fanatics have been raving for years about the importance of integrating online marketing strategy with offline and in-store promotions. With mobile, this couldn’t be any easier.
If you haven’t already, you should consider some of these strategies:
Providing downloadable, bar-coded coupons
Allowing customers to check inventory stock through an app
Inviting customers to get information by scanning an item’s barcode on their phone
Product comparisons on mobile devices
Or, the old fun-favorite: location-based social networking. IE. Foursquare!
International marketing tactics are adapting at a furious rate to meet their audiences on new technological platforms. Where will this ‘digital revolution’ take us next, I wonder?
And where will you take your business with mobile?
Devin Anderson is a Digital Marketing Consultant at our talented branding-expertise affiliate, The Brand Factory.
The American Club
Level 14, 131 Macquarie Street
Sydney
ce:
FREE
Keywords:
social networking drinks
Organization:
Business Networking Academy
We invite you to join us for drinks to celebrate the month that was and to catch up on all your news! Feel free to invite friends and colleagues too.
RSVP on Linkedin – that way we all know who we will be socialising with. Please also add to your diary now as we know you get lots of emails so won’t send a reminder:)
Remember there are no games, no awkward moments, just great conversations overlooking a great view, sipping cocktails.
Drop by between 5.30-7.30pm to Level 14, 131 Macquarie Street Sydney
The event is FREE to attend
Contribute $5 each and we will get platters of nibbles to share. Drinks have been heavily discounted for the function with International beers $6, Wine by the glass $7 + all cocktails $10!
July had a great Buzz! Thanks to all that attended.
At the Oxford Art Factory on Tuesday, 11th October.
Registrations will open soon, but for now please save the date in your diaries.
They want to hear from you
Right now they’re taking presentation proposals. You can talk about anything you like, as long as it’s interesting and you can tell in 20 slides and 5 minutes.
Much has been written about what to do when starting your own business -
and much valuable advice has been given.
One of my favourite books is “The Ten Truths for Raising a Healthy Bouncy Business” by Roland Hanekroot (www.thetentruths.com.au). It’s straightforward talk, no tome, yet gives many great insights, resources and examples. In short, it’s extremely useful. In places, Roland touches on the human element which often is a no-no in a society where not being busy is poo-pooed.
But without taking the needs of the small business owner as a human being into consideration, new starters and old hands alike are prone to exhaustion, lack of creativity and even overall business failure.
So, here are my own tips for small business owners, anyone employed – and any other hard working people.
From a perspective of the owner/worker as a human being.
1. Balance:
Look after yourself – if you are mentally and physically exhausted you cannot function, and get overwhelmed or frustrated too easily. And being a new business owner may suddenly seem too daunting. Good food, rest, exercise and, very importantly, regularly connecting with what you love (a hobby, the outdoors, etc.) and people close to you, as well making new contacts, is important. You will feel less pressured and isolated.
2. Flexibility / Openness:
If you started out with one idea, but it does not work out as you hoped or you are not happy with it in the real world – that’s ok. No need for guilt or feeling of failure. Business, as life, is constantly evolving and changing. Be agile, adapt, and you will grow that way (your business and personally). Too many new starters (and long term owners) have battled with one fixed idea, trying to make it work against all instincts and odds, to the detriment of the new business. Only flexibility, and the will and ability to adapt, be creative and to trust your gut will keep you going as a happy business owner in the long run.
3. Networking:
Getting out there to network serves many a purpose, and is good for both the owner and the business: You can exchange ideas, get referrals, find affiliates, grow your knowledge, stimulate the mind with new impressions, develop new angles and ideas, evolve your “elevator pitch” short description of what you do, how, and – most importantly – why. People buy the emotive “why” of your service, your passion and your conviction that you are offering something unique and worth having. For more on this topic check out http://thetentruths.com.au/resources/purpose/, especially the Simon Sinek video on “why”.
What are your 3 Tips to a successful and healthy relationship with your work?
Leave your comment below – looking forward to reading your ideas!
How many regular or one-off networking functions have you been to this year?
And how many of those have led to referrals, leads – and additional sales?
Connecting, building trust and relationships with other professionals, industry contacts and other referral sources – not to mention direct potential clients – is the backbone of any business. Especially sole traders and small to medium businesses.
Making it Worth Your While – Return on Investment
To get the best return for your time spent business networking, you have to create a few new habits and bolster your existing networking strengths. It is important to be able to get your “elevator pitch” – a succinct, easy to remember description of what you and your business stand for – down pat. It can vary with the person you talk to, of course. But be clear about your identity, about the voice and vision of your company.
Here are the tongue-in-cheek named “Ten Commandments” aka 10 Top Tips to successful networking.
Armed with them, you will be ready to go, and get amongst it in the networking jungle!
“The Ten Commandments of Networking” *
Thou shalt drop the “what is in it for me?”.
Thou shalt listen.
Thou shalt build a relationship.
Thou shalt give the first referral.
Thou shalt not tell others of the referral you require; thou shalt “show them” with a story.
Thou shalt be specific of the type of referral.
Thou shalt reciprocate when appropriate.
Thou shalt participate in the network executive, functions, and network time.
Thou shalt thank the person who gave a referral.
Thou shalt follow up on the referral within 24 hours.
1. Blog – A blog (a shortening of the term “web log”) is an easy-to-use type of website that also offers social and SEO benefits. Blogs are usually a series of more or less regular entries of commentary, news items, and other material such as videos. As most blogs are interactive, you can easily use this medium to interact and engage with your customers, existing and potential.
2. Newsletters & Email Marketing– Email newsletters are great ways to connect directly with prospective customers and stay connected to current customers. Newsletters provide a way to offer useful and targeted information to nurture leads and provide opportunities to find out more on products and services.
3. Media Coverage & Contributed Articles- Word of mouth is priceless for all businesses, especially small businesses. Getting mentioned in the local business media and trade publications can boost awareness, credibility and directly generate new business.
4. Resource Center - One way small businesses are often beating their larger competitors in search and in building authority, is to be more personable and quicker to react. And they are perceived to be a better resource for customers through useful content. Common formats for helpful information about buying, using and related information on products and services can include articles, videos and podcasts.
5. Social Networks & Media – In the way that customers expect a toll free number, website and blog, they’re beginning to expect the brands they buy from to be social. That means having a presence in the social networks that are most relevant to customers. A small amount of time consistently spent on interaction and relationship building can go a long way at developing a community.
6. Events– Networking for small businesses is as old as word of mouth marketing itself. Events are a great way to connect with prospective customers, marketing partners, new employees and influentials in your industry.
Based on an article by Lee Odden
“How Small Business Can Get BIG Online with Content Marketing”
Now where did 2010 disappear to so fast, hm? With another new year upon us (in the best possible sense), many of us take a look back at all the good, challenging, rewarding and inspiring things we encountered over the past 12 months. And many are planning ahead, making new year resolutions. So what will be happening here at Cavalletti Communications? And what does 2011 have in store for you and me as small business owners out there, I wonder?
2010 was an eventful year on all fronts
Cavalletti Communications celebrated its 1st official birthday, our team of talented experts has been growing steadily, friendships and collaborations have been formed across the net and at networking events. I have had the honour of meeting many business owners and thought leaders who shared their expertise and knowledge. You, my clients and connections have been kind and generous in passing on referrals to me, and thus help my business grow. Thank you!
Running an expanding business has also thrown challenges my way, of course: How do you do it all in only so many hours in the day? When do I find the time to put all those fantastic (I think) ideas into practice? Surely I can do that myself? We have to learn the hard way at times, and so have I here and there.
On a personal note, 2010 saw me getting married and meet the huge gaggle of what is now my new, significantly larger (but equally lovingly boisterous and fun) family. So, 2010 certainly held a lot of changes for me, on all fronts.
Starting off a successful 2011
So far so good: January of this new year is already over, and has been a good month for most of us. Like many of you, I have made plans and set goals on various fronts. On where, how and when to grow my business. And personal ones (hello, fitness & balance!).
2010 will see a new range of Cavalletti Communications writing & marketing services developed. I am already in exciting conversations with a number of very talented people regarding affiliations and working with us. And Cavalletti Communications will get another boost via our about-to-be-signed-off membership at the Artisans chapter of BNI.
But as business owners we also are people. And as people we need personal challenges – and time to relax. I was lucky to be able to combine the two on a recent camping trip in the beautiful Snowy River and Snowy Mountains regions. If you like a glimpse of the stunning view from Australia’s highest peak, Mt Kosciuszko, below is a little video for you. I scaled my first mountain for 2011. : )
So, what are your challenges and inspirations for 2011?
Looking forward to reading your take on the new year!
bargain |ˈbärgən|
noun
a thing bought or offered for sale more cheaply than is usual or expected: the boat tickets were a real bargain!
I took this photo at Sydney’s Museum Station recently and loved the old-style advertising and copywriting. Not to mention the bargain price of a ticket back to Europe! I had just paid a couple of thousand dollars for a flight back home to Germany, so the bargain advertised gave a tiny sting with the entertainment value. Ah, well….
Welcome Back to “The Meaning of…” I started this personal project a few weeks ago on my blog. I have taken hundreds of photographs that I love and keep going back to. They evoke memories, feelings and always associated words. As a copywriter, I love words and the many subtle ways their use can convey so many different meanings. A photograph can have even a wider range of individual meanings – and scores of emotions – attached to it than copywriting (which is and has to be more precise) can create.
Born was “The Meaning of…” hHis project reflects my tastes and sensibilities, and is by its very nature a very personal and subjective view on the meaning and significance of certain words, which I captured in photographs I have taken.
