Marketing Your Business
“MIXING IT UP” – NOV 2011
November 29, 2011
“MIXING IT UP” – NOV 2011
Just published our November issue of “Mixing It Up”, created to provide marketing and design strategies to keep your business competitive. ENJOY Reading What Is Included In This Issue:
- Increase Awareness With A Local SEO Strategy
- Case Study: Driving Social Media Interaction for Grooms Insurance
- Mindful Pointers: Facebook and Twitter and Now Google+ Oh My!
- Mix of the Month: Peppermint Mocha Coffee
- Board of Director Appointments
- Upcoming Dates to Note
Our Inaugural Issue of “Mixing It Up”
October 15, 2011
READ “MIXING IT UP – OCT 2011″ NOW
Just published our inaugural issue of “Mixing It Up”, created to provide marketing and design strategies to keep your business competitive. ENJOY Reading What Is Included In This Issue:
- Inbound vs. Outbound Marketing
- Case Study: Inspiring Student Entreprenuers
- Mindful Pointers: Branding Your Twitter Background & Twitter Etiquette
- Mix of the Month
- A Group You Should Know
- Who’s That Intern?
Advantages of E-Mail Marketing
January 6, 2011
There are many reasons to launch an e-mail marketing campaign. Here are five to think about:
- Drive your web site traffic overall
- Don’t just settle for linking your web site generally. Be strategic…Use the e-mail to drive visitors to links such as events, special offers, white papers, forms, shopping carts, etc.
- Build awareness of social media sites and increase “friends”, RSS subscribers, etc.
- Set-up e-mail messages which can be triggered based on online activity such as purchases. If a purchase is made an e-mail can be sent sending a complimentary offer or coupon. Or, an abandoned shopping cart can trigger a series of messages with special offers increasing appeal to the visitor.
- E-mail is often thought of as a replacement to direct mail, but can certainly act as a compliment. I am always impressed when I receive a branded direct mail piece (which includes an offer) and then within a week following I receive the same branded offer in my e-mail box. Again, these offers can be for upcoming events, special offers/coupons, a request to complete a form or survey, or simply a request to “Like Us” on Facebook or another social media site. I have received three of these since the end of the year from large companies such as H2O, Kohl’s and Ann Taylor Loft. The ability for e-mails to deliver targeted relevant content allows companies to build strong relationships with recipients.
If you do employ an e-mail or direct mail marketing campaign…BE PATIENT! The first “send” may not generate anything. But, make sure your plan includes at least three “sends”. If you are investing in printing for a direct mail piece, purchase enough for at least three mailings. Think about the “junk mail” you receive. If you receive it once you likely throw it right into the garbage. If you receive it twice, you recall seeing it before and may give it more than a glance, but you still likely pitch it in the garbage. If you receive it three times, you will likely make a decision on whether the offer is appealing or not, thus spending more time considering the offer and the business that is sending it. Whether you make a purchase or not, that company is probably at the top of your mind when you need their product or service. Thus, the job of the e-mail or direct mail campaign has served its purpose! Good Luck! Call Mindful Mix if you need help planning your next campaign.
Teaching YEA! Students
November 23, 2010
WOW is what I say about YEA! A big thank you to the The Lake Zurich Chamber of Commerce for bringing the Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) to District 95 for the third year in a row. I am pleased to be the lead instructor for the first trimester of the 2010/2011 class. I am teaching 11 bright students, in grades 6-12, who have signed up to be a part of this groundbreaking program that takes them through the entire process of starting and running real businesses over the course of the full academic year. In this first trimester, we discuss business ideas vs. opportunities, idea generation, the anatomy of a business plan, SWOT analysis, naming your business, strategy and implementation (the four P’s), and business financials, among other topics. The students are doing extensive research on their business ideas and beginning to write their business plan. Their goal is to make a pitch to potential investors in the community, obtain funding, register with governmental agencies, and actually launch their own company. The founder and CEO, Gayle Jagel, quoted, “Young people with drive, passion and creativity can accomplish anything. YEA! just helps them see this.” This has been so evident in the absolutely astounding ideas that have come from these students. Quite frankly, much more than I was thinking about when I was in high school.
Coincidently I am reading, “Waiting for Superman” by Karl Weber, which is based on the movie by Davis Guggenheim that discusses the American education system and its shortcomings. The statistics and stories in this book are eye-opening to say the least. But the quote on the front of the book speaks volumes. “The fate of our country won’t be decided on a battlefield, it will be determined in a classroom.” I am embarking on my own journey through the public school system having two children just starting school. This book is a participant guide so it suggests ways that you and I can help to save America’s Failing Public Schools. Teaching YEA! students is, in my opinion, an amazing first step! I welcome your suggestions and comments on ways you have helped foster a higher standard for education in public schools.
Open Enrollment: Marketing Accountability 2011
November 23, 2010
I am very excited to announce that Marketing Accountability 2011 is now open for enrollment. For many years I have been passionate about REALLY helping business owners and executives within an organization who are responsible for building a book of business, make a difference to their bottom line. I love seeing the change and the happiness that comes with it from those I work with. The function of marketing within a business is so powerful. Doing it right can mean great strides for a business. Doing it wrong can mean a stagnant volume of business coming through the door all while perhaps doing the same amount of work promoting the business.
This program, that really does last through the entire year of 2011, might seem like a long time but because your marketing projects tend to get pushed to the end of your to-do list, you will benefit by setting aside a dedicated amount of time to accomplish your marketing goals all while receiving expert advice for a nominal fee. This program is essentially a great place to receive marketing tips, tricks and tools applicable to your business. In addition to learning how to maximize social media, e-mail campaigns, public relations, and event planning, there will also be guest speakers during the quarterly workshops who will provide advice regarding writing your communications and improving your presentation skills, among other topics. Also during the workshops we will roll up our sleeves and get your marketing projects off the ground whether it be test marketing your campaign on other participants (whom will become your very own focus group) or actually beginning the design of a campaign (with the help of myself and/or another Mindful Mix graphic designer). The monthly calls will hold you accountable and keep you on track with the milestones you set for yourself at the start of the workshop. The advice and feedback you will receive during these calls will be invaluable.
Sign up by December 13th to receive 10% off the program cost. And remember, the program cost is a deductible business expense. I look forward to hearing from you and welcome any questions you have about the program.