Have you created your Facebook landing page yet? Why do I need one, you ask? If you're serious about using Facebook to enhance your business, then a landing page can serve many purposes:
Introduce Your Business-
For people who aren't familiar with your business, a landing page can familiarize them with your products and services.
To Make Your Business Unique-
All Facebook pages tend to look very similar unless you take the initiative to customize your page. A landing page allows you to introduce your business to visitors the way you want to!
Reinforce your Brand-
Using a landing page, you can make your company and product brands highly visible. The profile photo just doesn't offer businesses enough to accomplish this but a landing page makes it easy.
Promote Events and Offers-
Change your Facebook Landing page to reflect your current offers or upcoming events.
Encourage the "Like" Button-
A landing page can explain why someone should like your page and what benefits they may receive: discounts, daily tips, links, photos or news. Encourage them with an explicit "like us" directive, similar to the one on my landing page (design by Ruzow Graphics).
For help with your business' Facebook page, call Jocelyn at 203.377.9980.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
CAN SPAM Act- Don't Risk Paying $16,000 per Email in Fines!
If you use email for your business, then you need to be familiar with the CAN-SPAM Act. The US government created this law to give email recipients rights and to provide guidelines that all email marketers must adhere to. Spammers in violation risk having to pay up to $16,000 PER EMAIL in penalties!
Are you complying with the CAN-SPAM Act's requirements? Here's a rundown of the rules:
-Give recipients an "opt out" option that is clear and conspicious. Once recipients opt out you must honor their request within 10 business days. Most email service providers will do this automatically for you.
-Don't use misleading headers or subject lines. Your domain name and email address must tell recipients who you are. No aliases!
Also, deceptive or misleading subject lines are in violation. If you tell recipients one thing in the subject line and something different in your email, you're spamming.
-Include your location. A valid PO Box or street address must be included in your email.
Spamming isn't a good business practice and will only hurt your reputation. Please know that this law isn't just for bulk email. It applies to all commercial email- even for small businesses. Keep your email marketing in compliance with the CAN SPAM act and you'll be on the path to executing successful campaigns.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
How To Manage Negative Feedback on Social Media
Many businesses are delving into social media as an integral part of their marketing. Social media offers customers, prospects and the general public the ability to provide instant feedback, commentary and reviews of your products and services. It's important to monitor what is being said about your business on social media sites and to be prepared to react to any negative comments.
The most important part of your corporate reaction is to stay positive. Try to turn the feedback into an opportunity to acknowledge the point being made, address a problem and provide a solution. Respond promptly to these comments to show the public that you're receptive and making an effort to resolve any issues. Once you publicly acknowledge the issue, feel free to take the problem offline via email or a phone call to work it out at a personal level.
In most situations, simply showing your appreciation for the feedback and making an attempt to resolve any problems goes a long way.
What issue have you addressed on social media and how did you handle them?
The most important part of your corporate reaction is to stay positive. Try to turn the feedback into an opportunity to acknowledge the point being made, address a problem and provide a solution. Respond promptly to these comments to show the public that you're receptive and making an effort to resolve any issues. Once you publicly acknowledge the issue, feel free to take the problem offline via email or a phone call to work it out at a personal level.
In most situations, simply showing your appreciation for the feedback and making an attempt to resolve any problems goes a long way.
What issue have you addressed on social media and how did you handle them?
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Marketing Copy that Informs, Persuades and Sells!
Since my last few projects have included updating or creating marketing-friendly copy for clients, I thought that would be a good topic to blog about!
Whether you're writing web copy, a seminar promotion or a brochure, try to keep the following pointers in mind to maximize the effectiveness of your messages:
-Address your readers' problem, issue or "pain". If they can identify with the experience you're describing, you'll get their attention right away.
-Include the benefits the reader will realize from your product or services instead of just listing features.
-Avoid using industry lingo that might be foreign to your audience.
-Tell a story: try using a true client experience to illustrate your point.
-Provide evidence to back up what you're promoting: research, testimonials, case studies, etc. These solid facts will help to sway your reader.
Try to be informative, persuasive and always put yourself in your reader's shoes when writing and reviewing your copy.
Whether you're writing web copy, a seminar promotion or a brochure, try to keep the following pointers in mind to maximize the effectiveness of your messages:
-Address your readers' problem, issue or "pain". If they can identify with the experience you're describing, you'll get their attention right away.
-Include the benefits the reader will realize from your product or services instead of just listing features.
-Avoid using industry lingo that might be foreign to your audience.
-Tell a story: try using a true client experience to illustrate your point.
-Provide evidence to back up what you're promoting: research, testimonials, case studies, etc. These solid facts will help to sway your reader.
Try to be informative, persuasive and always put yourself in your reader's shoes when writing and reviewing your copy.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Looking for Local Publicity? Check out Patch.com
By now many of you may be getting your local news at Patch.com. Owned by AOL, Patch covers news in almost half the states in the US including Connecticut.
Find out if there's a Patch in your town or in the towns where you do business. They are looking for community news, local events, calendar items and many are soliciting columns written by local residents. They also welcome photos and videos.
Read the news at your Patch site regularly and email your Patch editor when you have information about something going on in your community. Got some exciting business news like the opening of a new store, an upcoming seminar or the launch of a new product? Let your Patch know! Their popularity is growing so much, they're giving the community weeklies and some daily papers a run for their money!
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Localize Your Event Promotions
Are you using local online sources to drive attendance to your seminars, lectures, trade shows or other events? Try these:
-CraigsList.com
-AmericanTowns.com
-Meetup.com
-Upcoming.org
-Your local chamber's stie
-Your local business journal's site
What other sites do you use?
-CraigsList.com
-AmericanTowns.com
-Meetup.com
-Upcoming.org
-Your local chamber's stie
-Your local business journal's site
What other sites do you use?
Friday, April 15, 2011
Landing Pages Can Solidify your Online Marketing
Are you using a landing page on your Web site to capture email addresses or convert prospects to customers?
While your home page should be a key area of focus for your web site, landing pages can be effective in getting measurable results from your online marketing campaigns.
Landing pages are specifically created for visitors who are referred via online marketing. You'll often see one when you click on an online ad. A landing page is intended to drive a particular marketing outcome – to generate a lead or a sale. For instance, companies like Dell Tweet about their promotions that are exclusive to Twitter followers only. Followers are then directed to a landing page where they can take advantage of a special offer.
Typically, landing pages encourage data or email capture where a site visitor fills in an online form in order to receive a coupon, a free product or valuable information (free report, etc.). Other landing pages allow visitors to take advantage of a special offer by making a purchase.
Good landing pages are persuasive and are easy to read/use/fill out. Here are a few examples of landing pages:
Test your landing page to see what headlines, content, offers are working best. As web author Jim Sterne says: Try It! Measure It! Tweak It!
While your home page should be a key area of focus for your web site, landing pages can be effective in getting measurable results from your online marketing campaigns.
Landing pages are specifically created for visitors who are referred via online marketing. You'll often see one when you click on an online ad. A landing page is intended to drive a particular marketing outcome – to generate a lead or a sale. For instance, companies like Dell Tweet about their promotions that are exclusive to Twitter followers only. Followers are then directed to a landing page where they can take advantage of a special offer.
Typically, landing pages encourage data or email capture where a site visitor fills in an online form in order to receive a coupon, a free product or valuable information (free report, etc.). Other landing pages allow visitors to take advantage of a special offer by making a purchase.
Good landing pages are persuasive and are easy to read/use/fill out. Here are a few examples of landing pages:
Test your landing page to see what headlines, content, offers are working best. As web author Jim Sterne says: Try It! Measure It! Tweak It!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Launch Email Marketing for your Business
Are you ready to begin using email as part of your marketing initiatives? Here's the first of give steps to get started.
Step 1: What's the Goal?
You need objectives and a plan in order to implement a successful email marketing campaign. The first step of your plan is to determine what you want your emails to accomplish! Here are some ideas:
· Market
Prompt purchases
Drive traffic to your Web site or store
Register or buy tickets to an event
· Notify
Announce new products/services
Share your knowledge and know-how
Set apart your business fro
Offer customer testimonials
· Interact
Connect with prospects and clients
Offer rewards and incentives
Encourage referrals
Ready to read and implement Steps 2 through 5? Email me at jocelynm@marketing-er.com
Step 1: What's the Goal?
You need objectives and a plan in order to implement a successful email marketing campaign. The first step of your plan is to determine what you want your emails to accomplish! Here are some ideas:
· Market
Prompt purchases
Drive traffic to your Web site or store
Register or buy tickets to an event
· Notify
Announce new products/services
Share your knowledge and know-how
Set apart your business fro
Offer customer testimonials
· Interact
Connect with prospects and clients
Offer rewards and incentives
Encourage referrals
Ready to read and implement Steps 2 through 5? Email me at jocelynm@marketing-er.com
Friday, March 25, 2011
Marketing & Event Resources Named Constant Contact All Star
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Marketing & Event Resources Named One of Constant Contact’s
2010 All Stars
Marketing & Event Reosurces' use of Constant Contact products and services helped increase its overall marketing performance and deepen its engagement with customers
(Stratford, CT)— March 25, 2010 –Marketing & Event Resources LLC, a provider of marketing, public relations, social media and event promotion services has received the 2010 All Star Award from Constant Contact®, Inc., the trusted marketing advisor to more than 400,000 small organizations worldwide. Marketing & Event Resources is one of Constant Contact’s 2010 top performers and most prolific user of its tools, whether within Constant Contact’s email marketing, event marketing, social media marketing, or survey products – or a combination of all four.
"We’re happy to be recognized by Constant Contact for our use of their email marketing tools. Constant Contact has allowed us to help clients build their email lists and easily implement email marketing campaigns to promote their businesses," says Jocelyn Murray, owner.
Constant Contact looked at criteria including the following when selecting this year’s All Stars:
• Frequency of campaigns, events and surveys
• Open, bounce and click through rates
• Usage of social features
• Mailing list sign up tools
• Use of reporting tools
“We work hard to listen to our customers, and we use that feedback to create products and services designed to help them better engage with their customers and prospects,” said Gail Goodman, chairman, president and CEO of Constant Contact. “The Constant Contact All Star Awards are our way of recognizing our customers that have successfully used Constant Contact to market their companies. We have some of the most committed, passionate customers out there and we’re proud we can be a part of their continued success.”
About Constant Contact, Inc.
Constant Contact is revolutionizing the success formula for small organizations through affordable, easy-to-use Engagement Marketing™ tools that help create and grow customer relationships. More than 400,000 small businesses, nonprofit organizations, and member associations worldwide rely on Constant Contact as their engagement hub for starting and driving ongoing customer dialogs through email marketing, social media marketing, event marketing, and online surveys. All Constant Contact products come with unrivaled know how, education and free coaching with a personal touch, including award-winning customer support.
Constant Contact and the Constant Contact Logo are registered trademarks of Constant Contact, Inc. All Constant Contact product names and other brand names mentioned herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of Constant Contact, Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks or service marks of their respective owners.
Media Contact:
Jocelyn Murray
Marketing & Event Resources LLC
203.377.9980
jocelynm@marketing-er.com
###
Marketing & Event Resources Named One of Constant Contact’s
2010 All Stars
Marketing & Event Reosurces' use of Constant Contact products and services helped increase its overall marketing performance and deepen its engagement with customers
(Stratford, CT)— March 25, 2010 –Marketing & Event Resources LLC, a provider of marketing, public relations, social media and event promotion services has received the 2010 All Star Award from Constant Contact®, Inc., the trusted marketing advisor to more than 400,000 small organizations worldwide. Marketing & Event Resources is one of Constant Contact’s 2010 top performers and most prolific user of its tools, whether within Constant Contact’s email marketing, event marketing, social media marketing, or survey products – or a combination of all four.
"We’re happy to be recognized by Constant Contact for our use of their email marketing tools. Constant Contact has allowed us to help clients build their email lists and easily implement email marketing campaigns to promote their businesses," says Jocelyn Murray, owner.
Constant Contact looked at criteria including the following when selecting this year’s All Stars:
• Frequency of campaigns, events and surveys
• Open, bounce and click through rates
• Usage of social features
• Mailing list sign up tools
• Use of reporting tools
“We work hard to listen to our customers, and we use that feedback to create products and services designed to help them better engage with their customers and prospects,” said Gail Goodman, chairman, president and CEO of Constant Contact. “The Constant Contact All Star Awards are our way of recognizing our customers that have successfully used Constant Contact to market their companies. We have some of the most committed, passionate customers out there and we’re proud we can be a part of their continued success.”
About Constant Contact, Inc.
Constant Contact is revolutionizing the success formula for small organizations through affordable, easy-to-use Engagement Marketing™ tools that help create and grow customer relationships. More than 400,000 small businesses, nonprofit organizations, and member associations worldwide rely on Constant Contact as their engagement hub for starting and driving ongoing customer dialogs through email marketing, social media marketing, event marketing, and online surveys. All Constant Contact products come with unrivaled know how, education and free coaching with a personal touch, including award-winning customer support.
Constant Contact and the Constant Contact Logo are registered trademarks of Constant Contact, Inc. All Constant Contact product names and other brand names mentioned herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of Constant Contact, Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks or service marks of their respective owners.
Media Contact:
Jocelyn Murray
Marketing & Event Resources LLC
203.377.9980
jocelynm@marketing-er.com
###
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Social Media Do's and Don'ts!
Social Media Do's
1. Focus on the content - share knowledge
• It’s not about you
• It’s about what you know
2. Trade useful information for attention
• Will your followers look forward to your next communication?
• Will they be inspired to share/tweet/comment on this information?
3. Be the expert
Social Media Don'ts
What NOT to include in your Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc. updates:
• Don’t pitch
• Don’t overtly self-promote
• Don’t offer incentives to get reviews or sharing
• Don’t stray from your areas of business
• Don’t post personal information, politics, sports, religion etc.
Source: Constant Contact
1. Focus on the content - share knowledge
• It’s not about you
• It’s about what you know
2. Trade useful information for attention
• Will your followers look forward to your next communication?
• Will they be inspired to share/tweet/comment on this information?
3. Be the expert
Social Media Don'ts
What NOT to include in your Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc. updates:
• Don’t pitch
• Don’t overtly self-promote
• Don’t offer incentives to get reviews or sharing
• Don’t stray from your areas of business
• Don’t post personal information, politics, sports, religion etc.
Source: Constant Contact
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Ways to Increase Seminar Attendance
1.Communicate the value- Be clear about what attendees will learn, how the information will help them and what the take away will be.
2.What's the hook? Make them an offer they can't resist. Whether it's a free consultation, a white paper or breakfast, let prospects know what's in it for them if they attend.
3.Registration fee- Consider charging a fee for your seminar or workshop. You'll have less no-shows if people know they'll lose money by not attending.
4.Use Social Media- In addition to direct mail and email, use all of your social media tools to promote your seminar/workshop to drive attendance.
5.Email and phone reminders- Call and email your registrants the weeks and days leading up to the event. Continue to restate the benefits of attending.
What other things to you do to fill seats? Let us know!
2.What's the hook? Make them an offer they can't resist. Whether it's a free consultation, a white paper or breakfast, let prospects know what's in it for them if they attend.
3.Registration fee- Consider charging a fee for your seminar or workshop. You'll have less no-shows if people know they'll lose money by not attending.
4.Use Social Media- In addition to direct mail and email, use all of your social media tools to promote your seminar/workshop to drive attendance.
5.Email and phone reminders- Call and email your registrants the weeks and days leading up to the event. Continue to restate the benefits of attending.
What other things to you do to fill seats? Let us know!
Friday, January 14, 2011
Grow your Email List
Building a quality list of opt-in prospect email addresses is more like a marathon than a sprint. It takes time to to assemble addresses of prospects who are truly interested in learning from your professional expertise, or about your products and services.There's no quick fix to building a list, but here are five ways to get started:
1)Ask your email and newsletter subscribers to forward your info to any of their friends or associates who might be interested in receiving it too.
2)Reciprocate. Ask partners and complementary newsletters to promote your newsletter to their lists while you'll do the same.
3)Ask for it. At the end of your sales process or when you're collecting prospect information at a trade show, always ask if s/he would like to receive your valuable monthly newsletter, discount coupons, or emails.
4)Post you opt-in form in a prominent place on your homepage or on any consecutive pages!
5)Incent them! Give your prospects something in exchange for their email address: a discount coupon, entry in a contest, a free e-book, etc.
What other methods are you implementing to build your list?
1)Ask your email and newsletter subscribers to forward your info to any of their friends or associates who might be interested in receiving it too.
2)Reciprocate. Ask partners and complementary newsletters to promote your newsletter to their lists while you'll do the same.
3)Ask for it. At the end of your sales process or when you're collecting prospect information at a trade show, always ask if s/he would like to receive your valuable monthly newsletter, discount coupons, or emails.
4)Post you opt-in form in a prominent place on your homepage or on any consecutive pages!
5)Incent them! Give your prospects something in exchange for their email address: a discount coupon, entry in a contest, a free e-book, etc.
What other methods are you implementing to build your list?
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