If your financial institution is anything like the banks in a recent study performed by The Financial Brand, you’ve probably seen your marketing budget grow in recent years. In fact, you’ve probably seen your assets grow as well.
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(To the tune of ‘Twas the Night before Christmas…) On a dark night in early February 2013, not a football player was stirring in New Orleans. It was Super Bowl night, and the power was out; all through Facebook and Twitter, people wondered aloud: “Where is our football game? Why won’t it show?” Until one voice responded: “Hey look, an Oreo!” Oreo’s tweet, now famous—“You can still dunk in the dark”—was a smart, timely way to spread branded snark. But take heed, dear reader, should you try to sell your products and solutions on social media “shelves.” No matter how playful your pop-culture roast, readers may not respond to self-promotional posts. They tune out content that doesn’t engage them on platforms designed just for engagement. If you want to increase brand awareness for real, the nine tactics below can help seal the deal: Ask your existing audience on Facebook and Twitter what problems or obstacles they have to feeling good about their finances. The best way to understand a potential client’s problem is to ask your current audience what issues […]
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We don’t normally like to toot our own horn but when our clients see such great results, we can’t help but spread the word. We’re beyond thrilled that our email newsletters have helped these direct selling clients with their businesses. Thanks Deb and Carrie for celebrating your success with us! Not convinced that email newsletters are the way to go? Our Content Marketing Survey results indicated that 60 percent of marketers think newsletters are their most effective content marketing channel. Visit our website to learn more about our approach to marketing directly to your customer’s inbox every month. You don’t just have to take our word for it! A Nielsen Norman Group study shows that 90 percent of consumers prefer to receive an email newsletter from companies than a message or update on Facebook. Ready to see what email newsletters can do for you? Request a demo today!
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Content marketing isn’t rocket science. However, it can take some marketers out of their comfort zone to put their audience’s needs above a sales objective. As we showed previously, knowing your audience is only half the battle. You also need to know where to send your message to that audience. Note: If you’re new to the Content Marketing 101 series, we recommend you check out the Content Marketing Pyramid (here are parts 1 and 2). Your latest project is helping your niece develop a content marketing strategy for her lemonade stand. She doesn’t know how or where to find the right audience for her different content marketing goals. “You need to know how your audience likes to receive a message, and where they’re likely to consume messages,” you tell her. “We call that ‘finding the right channel’ in the marketing world.” “I guess I need to find batteries for the TV remote,” she says. “Do you think my audience likes the Disney channel or Nickelodeon more?” “Not that kind of channel!” A channel is a tool used to relay information. Content […]
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Small businesses should stop giving into social media What would “Dear Abby” say to someone who spends lots of time and energy on a love interest who doesn’t notice or care? “See what else is out there. Play the field. There are plenty of fish in the sea.” Small and medium businesses need similar “Dear Abby” guidance on their love for social media. A new survey from research firm BIA/Kelsey found that nearly 75 percent of small businesses use social media for business advertising and promotions. They spend more on average on social media than any other media platform. But less than 26 percent think they see “extraordinary” or “excellent” returns on their investment. Social media is attractive and exciting. All of your friends really like social media too. But if social media isn’t making you or your sales team happy, then you need to reevaluate how much love and attention you give it. It’s OK to be wrong about social media. Email understands. And email can help you prompt triple the number of purchases. Email works nearly 40 times […]
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