E-mail, Social Media, and Direct Mail

9/20/2011

If you thought direct mail advertising was dead, think again. A survey by Constant Contact and HubSpot reveals that 47% of businesses still promote events through direct mail. The same survey reveals that 76% of businesses promote events through e-mail and 40% do so through social media.

These numbers are not really surprising, but they are telling. E-mail marketing has become a staple of online promotions. Companies not currently using e-mail marketing for event promotion, or any kind of promotion, are missing great opportunities.

Social media is still a little bit complex. While Facebook is the most trafficked website online, not everyone is using it - particularly in Adams County, Pa.

I say use the media that are better suited toward your audience. If you have a product or service that appeals to a younger audience - say, the under-30 crowd - even in Adams County, then you might try promoting it through social media. E-mail promotions will work on any audience. Older people, those above the 50-year-old mark, will probably respond better to direct mailings.

Of course, the most savvy marketers will use all the channels at their disposal. The remember the Rule of 7. Your prospects will have to see your offer 7 times before they respond. If they see it in all available channels, including e-mail, direct mail, and social media, then you'll be a thousand times more effective.

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E-mail, Blogs, Or Social Media?

8/27/2011

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Here in Adams County, there are still small business owners who think that Internet marketing doesn't apply to them. But there are a growing number of small business owners who are taking an interest in online marketing. And they're starting to ask questions.

Which is more important - blogs, e-mail marketing, or social media?

That's a good question, but the answer isn't so simple. All three have their places and to what degree you engage through each channel depends on your own marketing goals, the type of business you own, and where your audience is. In many cases, a good mix of all three is the best approach.

E-mail marketing is a mainstay of online marketing. It was an early channel and is still strong. I highly recommend an e-mail strategy for most businesses - especially retail businesses.

Blogs are good marketing tools for a number of reasons. First, the search engine optimization benefits are incredible. Secondly, there are the huge branding opportunities available for serious business bloggers. Then there are the social benefits involved in having a blog that is highly trafficked and elicits a lot of direct reader feedback.

Finally, social media is good for building relationships and driving traffic back to your own Web properties.

Which of these tools is right for you? Maybe we should talk about it. Give me a call and I'll consult with you on a strategy that makes sense for your business.

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Why E-mail Marketing Is More Effective

8/20/2011

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What's the most effective kind of marketing today? You can bet it's not the Yellow Pages. How about billboards? Newspaper ads? Television? Radio? The answer No, nope, nada, and nil.

The most effective marketing for a small business today is e-mail marketing. And there are several reasons why e-mail marketing takes the prize.

First, e-mail is inexpensive. Twenty years ago, effective marketers swore by direct mail. Now, the best direct mail marketers are using e-mail. It's less expensive than snail mail and more effective. You can send out an e-mail blast to 10,000 recipients for about the same price that you can send one out to 1,000 recipients.
You have permission. Unlike snail mail, you need some kind of permission to send out e-mail communications to people. Once you get permission, they expect to receive e-mail from you.
Higher response rates. Some e-mail marketers report a 50% response rate, or more. That's not to say that they sell to 50% of the people who receive their e-mails. What it means is they can sell to 50% of the people who respond to a link within their e-mails. If you send out 1,000 e-mails, get a 10% click-through rate, and sell to 50 people, would you do it?
Everyone has an e-mail address. Almost. More than 90% of the people today have e-mail. In 10 years, that number will be almost 100%.

E-mail marketing is the most cost-effective marketing on the planet. Find out why you should have an e-mail newsletter.

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E-mail, Social Media, and Direct Mail

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Why E-mail Marketing Is More Effective

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