We Have Been Nominated for the 2011 Sydney Business Awards!

Win $1,500 in cash – by voting for the Cavalletti Communications team.

Vote & Win at http://bit.ly/jbmoe4, or simply SMS “Words” to 0447 447 070.

Thank you for your support,

Daniela
daniela@cavacom.biz

Good Marketing Doesn’t Need to Break The Bank

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”

Until soon,
Daniela
+61 (0)415 273 272
daniela@cavacom.biz

*** How do YOU achieve big results with limited resources? ***

Life Lessons From An Ad Man

An entertaining TED Talk on perception, intrinsic value – and how good marketing will give your product, service and business a healthy boost.

Presented by Rory Sutherland.

Until soon,
Daniela
+61 (0)415 273 272
daniela@cavacom.biz

“A brand for a company is like a reputation for a person. You earn reputation by trying to do hard things well.”
Jeff Bezos, Amazon.com

Like a person’s reputation, a business’s brand takes consistency, creativity & diligence to build – and is easily damaged or lost if not constantly nourished. How do you communicate with your clientele?

What are you doing to develop & maintain your brand and company’s reputation?

My good friend Seth Godin (ok, so he does not actually know me, but I have read so much of his writing, it feels like he is almost part of the family) has posted a great article on his blog.  It’s close to my heart for a couple of reasons: It’s about the value a good editor can add to your business, but it’s also describing one of my core business principles.

I believe in giving my clients the best possible, professional service and advice when it comes to their brand, message and communications. Most of the time, this means writing engaging business and marketing material for them that gets their brand or product message across to their intended audience and buyers – spot-on, respectfully and easy to understand.

But sometimes that good service might mean a tough call:  advising the client to scrap that brochure or mail-out altogether. Even if that means one less job (and fewer $$) for me, because it just does not add anything to what they want their audience to know. It does not fulfill a need on both sides, just on one.

And in order for sales and happy, satisfied customers to happen simultaneously, both your company and your communications audience need to have at least one need fulfilled. Simple.

Until next time,
Daniela

First there was the Website…

You own a business and have set up your website. It’s informative, it looks fab and it gets a lot of hits.
But does it get you customers, clients – and sales? Hmmm….

So, you start spreading the love, trying to find your potential clients elsewhere and keep in touch with your existing clientele.  These days, your next step is entering the world of social media: you get a facebook page, spruce up your LinkedIn account and you are Twitter-ing away.

But what next? How can you use your social media presence to grow your business, spread your ideas and create a following – all while contributing something valuable? Is it only looks that count, to be seen to “do the social media thing”?

Content is King

Potential clients are people, not just an abstract construct. And people want substance, something useful and not just a sales spiel. Getting your product, brand and marketing message across in a way that is valuable to you as well as your target market gives everyone something to be happy about.

Taking without giving or contributing does not work in 2010. Content, value and sharing is what your target audience – your “tribe” – needs and wants. Write a blog, offer some free resources, share your thoughts. Your readers want substance.

Give it to them

Find 10 tips on website content and social media strategy here.