What exactly is integrated marketing and the benefits of its practice

What exactly is integrated marketing?

These days, there are many different ways to reach both potential and existing customers. Some various avenues include mobile phones, PCs, websites, and traditional advertising, such as billboards and newspapers. Integrated marketing combines all the various ways of marketing together into one seamless approach to promote one unified vision of the brand or company. It is a combination of advertising, sales promotion, public relations, and direct marketing, all working together to reach out to connect a company with its customers.

What are the benefits of integrated marketing?

There are many advantages to applying an integrated marketing approach to a business. When social media gives one message about a company, but the website presents a very different image of the company, customers can feel confused. That is why the same approach needs to be used by all media that the company uses.

Having an integrated marketing approach means that a company has a clear and seamless vision of who they are, what they have to offer and what their customers want from them. This vision is specific and easy to communicate across a broad range of media platforms. This helps the company realize their own goals, who their target customer is, and how best to reach them. At the other end of the spectrum, the client feels that their needs are being met.

During an advertising campaign, having a combination of interactive social media and more traditional advertising can lead to higher customer interaction, satisfaction with the products or services, and increased sales. Customers increasingly enjoy interacting with a company through social media, and companies that employ this approach increase brand loyalty. There are many great ways that integrated marketing can help a business.

Connect with your customers with on social media

A social media usage survey by Washington, D.C.-based Pew Research Center found that social media usage has grown to 65% of adults in 2015. Social media includes such platforms as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and LinkedIn. Interesting about the study was the fact that usage among seniors has tripled to 35% between 2002-2015 and women are more likely (68%) to use social media than men (62%).

You may use social media personally. If you have not thought about connecting with your customers via social media, you may be leaving potential business on the table, and missing opportunities to promote your brand and increase your customer base.

Create your social media plan

Connecting with your customers through the various social media platforms starts with a plan or strategy. This plan, at a minimum, sets forth the goals you have for reaching your customers on social media. It should also take a critical look at the way you currently use social media and outline a strategy for the type of content that will most appeal to your customer base.

Implementing your social media plan

Once you establish a plan for your business, it is important to not only implement the plan but also create a process for measuring its progress through the use of analytics. The social media tools available for your business provides you with a way to track the number of unique visitors versus those repeat customers and give you insight on the parts of your social media content that is appealing and attracting customer attention. Analytics are important because they provide you with a way to make necessary course changes, as they arise, in order to maintain relevancy and meet the goals you set for your social media strategy.

It is important to understand how best to make social media work for your business. Enlisting the aid of an expert in this area may provide you with a useful template for success and a way to employ those best practices that can help you grow your business and increase your customer loyalty through social media.

Tools for the Printing Industry

The printing industry is a diverse place. Printing ability ranges widely, and quality can also vary. There are tools everyone in the printing industry needs. These tools are necessary no matter what client you’re serving or what type of jobs you’re doing. They include a digital printer, a printer for large jobs, and a variety of tools called die cut tools.

Digital Printer

Using a digital printer is faster, less expensive, and produces better results. There are no plates to swap out. A digital printer can run much more independently than other printing styles. Digital printing has made capabilities like print-on-demand practical. It’s also enabled the use of different designs across the same print job.

Large Printer

Most printing jobs are the same size or smaller than a standard letter or legal size. Posters, flyers, banners, and other products need a printer that can handle applying ink to a large sheet of paper. Without a large printer, it’s not practical to create large posters or banners. You can print them out in pieces and assemble them. Using this method doesn’t produce a result that looks professional.

Variety of Die Tools

Die tools are necessary to make a lot of attractive designs. Die cut tools are used to create custom edges like rounded corners on a business card. Embossing uses die tools. If you want your business card to have a metallic rim, that may be done by embossing. Without these tools, your printing abilities limit to traditional paper sizes and textures.

Tools are essential for the printing industry. Die tools, a digital printer, and printer for large jobs are necessary for a professional printer. If you’re missing any of these essentials look into picking them up soonest. You’ll be glad you did.

Your Online Marketing Cheat Sheet

If you have an online business, online marketing is no doubt very important these days. There are many things that you should keep in mind in order to maximize the effectiveness of your online marketing campaign, and the following are some tips that can help you a great deal.

You should make sure to include the target keywords in your advertisement, in both the text and the headline. They should closely be related to the keywords you bed so that your ad will show up in the relevant list of search results. Additionally, you should make sure that you write a strong call to action. Or consumers should know what you want them to do, whether you want them to download a coupon or pick up a phone and call you for a free estimate or consultation. If they know what to do, they will be more willing to click to your site and find out more information.

Make sure that you do not include the name of your business in the headline of the ad. Headlines have limited character space, so you should not waste whatever characters you have on your business name. You can include it in the optimized URL instead. Make sure that your website is updated at all times, as the internet is constantly changing. You should make sure you remain in the game as far as web standards and best practices go, so that you can always create the best and most effective website possible for your consumers. Your website should also be mobile-friendly, because most people actually access the internet through their mobile devices nowadays rather than through their computers.

The aforementioned tips are just a few of the things that you should do in order to make sure that your website is as effective as possible. Online marketing is very important, and you absolutely should not skimp on your efforts in this regard.

Direct Mail Myths Debunked

Many businesses out there are missing out on reaching a large number of potential customers because they believe direct mail marketing is not effective. The truth is direct mail marketing remains a powerful tool to reach new customers. Below are few myths about direct mail marketing debunked.

 

  1. The Younger Generations Do Not Respond.

This is one of the biggest myths out there. The truth of the matter is that 76% of younger people who grew up in the digital have made a purchase as a result of email marketing. The reason driving this number is that the younger generation is so inundated by digital information that mail marketing seems new to them and grabs their attention.

 

2. Direct Mail Is Too Expensive.

All advertising needs to be looked at as an investment for attracting new business. And yes, while direct mail is more expensive than digital advertising it has also shown to have a higher return on your investment. In fact the Harvard Business Reviewreports that direct mail has a 1.1 to 1.4 response rate while email and internet displays offered a .03 and .04 percent response rate respectively. If cost is an issue, you can test different mailers in smaller groups to figure out the most effective campaign before sending to a wider audience.

 

3. People Just Throw Away Direct Mail.

False. This is one of the leading misconceptions in fact, studies have shown close to 80% of of households scan or read direct mails. In addition 92% of people prefer direct mail when making a purchasing decision.

 

Whether you are a brand new technology company or an 50 year old real estate firm if you are not using direct mail marketing as part of your overall marketing campaign you are missing out on new business.

Can Mobile Marketing Work in the Retail Industry?

The answer to this question is an unequivocal “yes”!

In fact, mobile marketing should be a fundamental component of any marketing campaign. According to Global Web Index, “the world’s largest study on the digital consumer”, over 80% of internet users own a smartphone. These users are on the go and are constantly checking text messages, email, and chatting on social media. The retail industry has a vast well of marketing potential in mobile devices. By having customers opt-in to SMS, Email, or a store-specific app, retail stores can connect with their customers consistently, promote deals, and increase revenue.

SMS-Based Marketing

Most likely at the check out counter of a savvy retail store, you will see flyers that encourage customers to text a keyword to a number to “be the first to know” about new arrivals and hot sales. These texts offer fabulous savings and insider deals which lure customers back to use an exclusive mobile coupon or to take advantage of an end of season sale. SMS messages are easy to access and quick to read, making them an effective marketing tool.

App-Based Marketing

Another tool that works for retailers is creating a store app. One of the most compelling examples of a successful app-based marketing campaign is Target’s Cartwheel app, which offers great deals exclusive to app holders. Notices to download the app are everywhere in the store and heavily promoted by the cashiers. Being a member of the Cartwheel “club” tightens customer loyalty and keeps customers coming back.

Email Marketing

Just as customers can sign up for text alerts, they can also sign up for a mailing list.  Though these are less in-your-face than SMS messages, email messages can contain more fleshed out images and detailed information about the store’s latest deals and coupons. Email marketing is also a good way to send customers your store’s informative blog, which keeps your brand’s name fresh on their mind, even when they are not buying your product.

Why You Need a Reliable Printing Company

For any company that strives to gain new customers or meet the needs of its clients, a reliable printing company is an essential asset. Some printing companies may promote their rock-bottom prices, but when it comes to professional printing needs, cutting corners to save in the short term can bring disastrous results in quality and on time delivery. Other companies promise a long list of esoteric printing features that few clients will ever use, but execute few of them perfectly, or on schedule. Whether printing promotional material, mass mailings, signs, posters, calendars or brochures, the two factors that set a reliable printing company apart are consistency and on time delivery.

Consistency

Color is a key part of brand image and can have a subtle yet significant impact in advertising campaigns. Imagine a company – let’s call them the Red Rockets Space Travel –  whose logo on their first order is a vibrant fire-engine red, but in the next batch of of posters and fliers it comes out more of a flamingo pink. Now inconsistent printing has introduced a layer of distrust with the brand and though it may be subconscious, a the belief in clients that the brand is cheap, or possibility not even legitimate. When you pay for printing, you pay for consistent image precision. The first image should be identical to the millionth for any company that matters.

On Time Delivery

In the business world, the great majority of printing is time sensitive. An advertising campaign is slated to run in a specific time frame, a portfolio or brochure needs to be in the hands of clients before a certain date and a poster is needed two weeks before the big event. An important print job delivered a week late can be worse than one that isn’t delivered at all and no company should have to doubt the on time delivery of their orders. Excuses such as machine failures or material shortages won’t matter to the end client and any reputable print company that wants to stay in business will take steps to guarantee on time orders, no matter what, because they know that timing is everything in the print world.

Tips for Your Call to Action on Direct Mail Campaigns

Direct mail campaigns can be terrific marketing tools. While e-mail marketing can be mistaken for spam or deleted without opening by busy recipients, direct mail offers an opportunity to stand out.

One of the best ways to get a response is to craft a strong Call to Action (CTA) with every message. Here are three tips on the best ways to maximize the impact of your CTA.

  1. Offer an incentive. You want people to respond to your CTA. In e-mail marketing, responders often get something (a newsletter, a free e-book) to incentivize the all-important clicks. You need to incentivize your customers as well. Offer them a discount or a two-for-one sale with specific ending date. Tell them the first consultation is free. Make sure you offer these incentives only in connection with the direct mail campaign, or they’ll lose the incentive value.
  2. Know your audience. What does your audience want? What drives them? There’s no substitute for knowing them. Do you sell pizza, and Big Game Night is on television? Make sure they get a discount direct mail from you! Do you sell or rent formal wear? Start your direct mail campaign several months before prom and weddings roll around in May and June. Offer free viewings and consultations. Do you sell tax services? Contact your audience before tax time rolls around, when they get their W-2s.
  3. Make it easy to respond. Their response should be simplicity itself. If it takes too much time or effort, they are unlikely to do it. Make sure they can phone, e-mail, text, or drop a response postcard in the mail. If by phone, have an 800 number and make sure it’s clearly visible.

How Much Is Too Much Blogging?

 

·    How Much Is Too Much Blogging?

For most businesses and personal blogs-posting once a week is the norm. But blogging frequency will not be the same for all. There are a few areas that you will need to investigate before you can decide on the perfect number of postings for your blog.

·    Blogging Goals

Ask yourself this question-What am I striving to accomplish with a blog? And then set yourself up for success by setting blogging goals that run parallel with your overall business objectives. Or on a personal note- are you just having fun or want to help others with your wisdom? Give the best of yourself by setting a blogging schedule and be consistent. People will show up and respect you for not wasting their time.

·    Readers

Blogging is not just about you. Who is your audience of readers? Are you making connection with them-or overwhelming them? Posting too much may chase your readers away because they can’t keep up. Give your readers informative and delightful content-but don’t overdo-keep them in a bit of suspense and always wanting more. Make sure your reader has time to absorb and enjoy what you have created-they don’t want to be rushed.

·    Quality vs. Frequency

Fresh insight and wisdom needs a moment of incubation time before release. Frequency of posts does not automatically promote quality content. If the quality of your content is slipping-it’s just a matter of time before your readers slip away. Don’t breed familiarity- keep ahead of your clients and friends and let them chase you in anticipation.

·    Too Much Blogging…

If your blog is just words on the screen and not accomplishing your goals-too much blogging.

If your readers are overwhelmed and leaving-too much blogging.

If your posts are many and void of quality content-too much blogging.

 

The Importance of Multi-Channel Marketing in 2016

If there is one thing customer’s love, it’s the ability to choose. Multi-channel marketing provides customers with choices and, in turn, provides your company with increased profits. It’s 2016, and yet still some businesses aren’t taking advantage of all of the benefits that multi-channel marketing has to offer. In fact, some don’t even know what it is. If you need clarification on what multi-channel marketing is and how it can benefit your business, keep reading.

Multi-Channel Marketing: What Is It?

Multi-marketing strategies provide customers with choices, but how? This is done by using various platforms to allow customers to purchase your product or service while maintaining communication with them.

  • Communication Channels: Communication is maintained through email, catalogs, stores, or mail.
  •  Action Response: Consumers can purchase products after initial communication is made in one of the above channels.

Why You Need It

In short, single-channel marketing customers don’t spend as much as multi-channel marketing customers do. Multi-channel marketing allows you to be where the customer is at all times, constantly putting your product or ideas into their hands or mind. By maintaining contact and allowing customers to choose how they purchase a product, your revenue increases along with customer satisfaction. With the average multi-channel customer spending three times more than the single-channel customer, the numbers speak for themselves. Forgoing multi-channel marketing is, essentially, forgoing profit opportunity.

What You Need

Coming up with a multi-channel marketing campaign is crucial. You need to be able to adequately combine a choreographed campaign, marketing response attribution, and a clear message to your customer.

In this day and age, customers are gaining more and more control and options over how they spend. Multi-channel marketing strategies play into this ability and keep customers happy by giving them the option to choose how they spend their money.