I found this link to a web site that has Adsense blended in quite nicely with the main content. I feel that Adsense is also a resource so I think it's fine.
http://studentloansource.info/
Utilizing adsense or some other contextual advertising effort can be a good way for a small business to recover some of its advertising and marketing costs.
I thought about this a few months back when I helped a client boost his organic rankings in Google and I enlarged the number of keywords visitors used to find him by as much as 30%.
I felt he could use some type of advertising program on his site and it would pay for some of his costs.
When designing a site, blog or some other web property, always ask if the site content and layout will meet the needs of the people coming to visit.
Do you know the needs of your target market and how well do you offer them a benefit?
This site on student loans where I provide the link earlier in the post seems to do just that.
It was designed by @eperception whom you can find on Twitter.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Marketing with Social Media: Start-Up Biz Case Study
Marketing with social media requires participation.
Participation means starting a meaningful conversation to build relationships.
Use marketing with social media as a way to say hello, gain followers and then introduce them to your company products and services over time.
Whitworth Photography is an example of a start-up business using social media effectively.
Samuel Whitworth is a 20-year-old photographer who has a MySpace page, Facebook page and a Twitter account. I advised him to send out about 5 - 8 "tweets" per day, say hello to people and then follow those in the greater Pasadena area to focus in on his geographical market of Pasadena, California and then the larger Southern California market.
Sam did this but he took it one step further. He created a simple flyer and messaged it to his MySpace followers and Facebook followers. He also used a picture from a recent shoot to attract attention. His web site hits started climbing steadily with more than 50 visits immediately after sending the announcement on his current rates and specials.
Then he went on Twitter and began saying "hi" to followers and beginning a conversation in a way that was interesting to them.
Do you see the universal principle at work here: if you walk in to a room full of crowded people and immediately start talking about yourself how do you think your listeners will feel?
Do you think they'll feel compelled to listen? Or will they feel more compelled to walk away?
Sam successfully started gaining new followers and then started "tweeting" his specials, photos of Pasadena, a wedding and other shots. He gained followers and at least two or three new shoots in a week.
Social media does work for marketing but it requires consistent participation and starting conversations that interest prospective followers and customers.
Participation means starting a meaningful conversation to build relationships.
Use marketing with social media as a way to say hello, gain followers and then introduce them to your company products and services over time.
Whitworth Photography is an example of a start-up business using social media effectively.
Samuel Whitworth is a 20-year-old photographer who has a MySpace page, Facebook page and a Twitter account. I advised him to send out about 5 - 8 "tweets" per day, say hello to people and then follow those in the greater Pasadena area to focus in on his geographical market of Pasadena, California and then the larger Southern California market.
Sam did this but he took it one step further. He created a simple flyer and messaged it to his MySpace followers and Facebook followers. He also used a picture from a recent shoot to attract attention. His web site hits started climbing steadily with more than 50 visits immediately after sending the announcement on his current rates and specials.
Then he went on Twitter and began saying "hi" to followers and beginning a conversation in a way that was interesting to them.
Do you see the universal principle at work here: if you walk in to a room full of crowded people and immediately start talking about yourself how do you think your listeners will feel?
Do you think they'll feel compelled to listen? Or will they feel more compelled to walk away?
Sam successfully started gaining new followers and then started "tweeting" his specials, photos of Pasadena, a wedding and other shots. He gained followers and at least two or three new shoots in a week.
Social media does work for marketing but it requires consistent participation and starting conversations that interest prospective followers and customers.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Free Marketing Tips: Make Your Message Clear
Make a marketing message clear even if it means sacrificing some creativity. People have little time to think and ponder.
Here's a marketing case study worth a closer look. See if you agree if you're from Southern California, otherwise, perhaps there's a similar case in your area.
Forest Lawn Mortuary has done a magnificent job of marketing a subject that people don't want to discuss. After all, Southern California is about glitz and glamor, right? Even when one of the biggest stars of pop . . . oh, well . . .
I was driving in North Hollywood today when I noticed a billboard on Lankershim showing an older woman (70+) with the slogan "Former NFL Linebacker" and below "don't have someone else's funeral."
Okay. Then I remembered another Forest Lawn billboard I saw on the 605 South near the 60 freeway east of Los Angeles with a heavy set bearded man and the notation "Served under Regan" and below "Don't have someone else's funeral."
When I saw that one I thought, "huh?" and the same with the woman.
While thinking about it all day today, I then thought about the focus of the marketing message: you're also important, it's your celebration. Hmm, but I don't know.
I feel that Forest Lawn is mixing elements for the marketing message on the billboard.
I've thought about it . . . and thought about it. Maybe I'll try to call them and do a brief interview with them. I certainly have respect for their marketing efforts.
Here's my free marketing tip: creativity is strongest when the elements blend together well in support of a clear message. Does what you're saying seem too simple? Hey, that may be acceptable.
In my opinion, a clear marketing message is created when a benefit to the target audience is clearly stated.
Here's a marketing case study worth a closer look. See if you agree if you're from Southern California, otherwise, perhaps there's a similar case in your area.
Forest Lawn Mortuary has done a magnificent job of marketing a subject that people don't want to discuss. After all, Southern California is about glitz and glamor, right? Even when one of the biggest stars of pop . . . oh, well . . .
I was driving in North Hollywood today when I noticed a billboard on Lankershim showing an older woman (70+) with the slogan "Former NFL Linebacker" and below "don't have someone else's funeral."
Okay. Then I remembered another Forest Lawn billboard I saw on the 605 South near the 60 freeway east of Los Angeles with a heavy set bearded man and the notation "Served under Regan" and below "Don't have someone else's funeral."
When I saw that one I thought, "huh?" and the same with the woman.
While thinking about it all day today, I then thought about the focus of the marketing message: you're also important, it's your celebration. Hmm, but I don't know.
I feel that Forest Lawn is mixing elements for the marketing message on the billboard.
I've thought about it . . . and thought about it. Maybe I'll try to call them and do a brief interview with them. I certainly have respect for their marketing efforts.
Here's my free marketing tip: creativity is strongest when the elements blend together well in support of a clear message. Does what you're saying seem too simple? Hey, that may be acceptable.
In my opinion, a clear marketing message is created when a benefit to the target audience is clearly stated.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Marketing Tip: Know Your Target Audience
I'm passing on this free marketing tip after attending a conference on doing business in India. Know your target audience and get involved with them.
The keynote speaker at the conference, sponsored in part by Quanta Consulting, Southern California Edison and the Port of Los Angeles, was Ed Fuller of Marriot International. He spoke about the travel industry and the growth of the middle class presenting opportunities for Marriot in India. But he also spoke about taking time with people to know them on their terms and earn the right to do business with them.
For companies to succeed in business with India, they must understand the country, the background, history and driving forces. India is also made up of separate regions that are totally different.
"We spent time working in each market and developing relationships in each market," Fuller remarked.
He said building relationships takes time.
"A relationship come with time and patience," he said. "After 20 dinners and visiting homes a close relationship may still not exist."
Yet business results come from relationships that develop.
This means it's important to take time to build relationships and have a long term view of the marketing effort and sales effort.
Many companies want the sales --- NOW!
Consultants who market their services want sales --- NOW!
So many businesses look to today for their business success -- and aren't patient enough to understand the value of building for the long term.
Even if your company is domestic only, take to heart the need to build long-term relationships for business success and future sales. Doing business with people who are trusted is a universal marketing truth.
Know your target audience, be patient in developing the relationship and then position your product or service to meet their needs.
The keynote speaker at the conference, sponsored in part by Quanta Consulting, Southern California Edison and the Port of Los Angeles, was Ed Fuller of Marriot International. He spoke about the travel industry and the growth of the middle class presenting opportunities for Marriot in India. But he also spoke about taking time with people to know them on their terms and earn the right to do business with them.
For companies to succeed in business with India, they must understand the country, the background, history and driving forces. India is also made up of separate regions that are totally different.
"We spent time working in each market and developing relationships in each market," Fuller remarked.
He said building relationships takes time.
"A relationship come with time and patience," he said. "After 20 dinners and visiting homes a close relationship may still not exist."
Yet business results come from relationships that develop.
This means it's important to take time to build relationships and have a long term view of the marketing effort and sales effort.
Many companies want the sales --- NOW!
Consultants who market their services want sales --- NOW!
So many businesses look to today for their business success -- and aren't patient enough to understand the value of building for the long term.
Even if your company is domestic only, take to heart the need to build long-term relationships for business success and future sales. Doing business with people who are trusted is a universal marketing truth.
Know your target audience, be patient in developing the relationship and then position your product or service to meet their needs.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)