Time for a Spring Spruce-up!

Spring has finally sprung and traditionally, it’s a time that many people think of clearing out the clutter in the garage or basement. Why not initiate a spring spruce-up of your business marketing?

The best place to start is by taking an objective look at your existing brand and/or logo. Is your logo old and outdated? Is your marketing material inconsistent? Now may be the time to enlist the help of a graphic designer to create a fresh and new image that clearly enhances the look of your business. 

When was the last time you updated the pictures you have on your social media profiles and web pages? If they are more than six months old, it’s time to post new ones. You may want to consider having your photo taken by a professional photographer.

And while you are at it, why not freshen up your data on all your social media sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter? Your business is constantly evolving and your social media should reflect those changes.

Haven’t taken the plunge into the internet marketing realm yet? Now may be the time to explore your social media options and make the commitment to maintain your internet presence. 

Is your website or blog in need of an overhaul?  If you don’t have a website, landing page or blog, this could be the perfect time to consult with a web designer to explore your options.

What are you doing to drive traffic to your website, blog or other social media sites? Do you send out an e-newsletter on a regular basis with “links” directing your readers to your website or blog?

All of the elements above can be included in a Marketing Strategy. Does your company have such a plan in place? A Marketing Strategy is a living document that changes monthly, weekly, and even daily, as your business evolves and adapts to your business environment. If you are currently without a marketing strategy or business plan, now is the time to create one.

I would be delighted to help you explore any of these options and welcome the opportunity to meet with you face-to-face to discuss new ideas and answer your questions on how to brand and expand your business.
 

Marketing Tip #26 - Think Like a Celebrity!

Are you speaker, trainer, author or anyone who speaks to groups? Stop promoting your events as “speaking engagements” or “training sessions” or “lectures”. That’s what ordinary speakers do. Celebrities promote their “appearances”.  Why not add a tab to your website or blog listing any upcoming appearances you may have, as well as articles, podcasts, and upcoming events you will attend. It will make you look in-demand, an authority in your niche and even a celebrity.

Marketing TIp #24 - Who Owns Your Domain Name?

Last week I heard from a website designer who was closing his business and moving on to a whole new endeavor. And it made me think, who owns my domain name? I discovered that chances are good that the person who created and manages your website has ownership of your domain name as part of the set up process. In order to protect your personalized email address, it is in your best interest to transfer the ownership into your name. Usually, all that is required is to identify the hosting company with the help of your web person, put the account in your own name and then simply pay them the minimal yearly fee directly. You will still need to pay a monthly fee to your web site person for ongoing hosting and maintenance, but you will own your domain name.  If you can’t find out who actually owns your domain name, you can go to http://www.domaintools.com/ and trace the history.

When Your Internet Presence Outlives You

In the past few years, several of my friends and business associates have passed away. From time to time, I get notices from LinkedIn or Facebook that I might know them or it’s their birthday. Although it brings a smile to my face to think of them, it also got me thinking that perhaps they didn’t let people know the necessary information to take their web sites and social media sites down in the unfortunate case of their death.

Today, a huge portion of business is done online, and the business’s web site will live on despite the death of the business owner. Small business owners, being self employed, often don’t have a plan in place for anyone to take over when they’re gone. An obvious problem could arise if part of that business includes generating income online. When they are selling products and use an automated payment option, some orders may be paid for but not filled. This could carry on until the website expires.

It’s a smart idea to create a list with your web site, web host, log-in information, passwords, e-mail accounts, internet services, and social media sites as well as contact information to any vendors or supplier, credit card companies, banks and other pertinent accounts. This information should be kept somewhere safe and a designated person should be able to access it upon your death. This person will then be able to notify the appropriate people, as well as take down your internet presence.

If your business is more complicated and has business heirs, a will and succession plan should be in place to ensure a smooth transition or wrap-up to the business. Any estate planner can give you more information on that.

What does this have to do with marketing? Nothing. It was just on my mind.

Out With the Old and In With the New!

There is no better time than the year end to do an overhaul of the marketing you have in place for your business. Below is a checklist of things you can do to give your business a fresh, new makeover for 2012:

1. A Marketing Strategy is a living document that changes monthly, weekly and even daily as your business evolves and adapts to your business environment. When was the last time you updated your plan? Don’t have a marketing strategy or business plan in place? Now is the time to create one. Remember, if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Marketing expert Sandy Barris discusses the value of creating a marketing plan in an interview from July 2010 at http://tinyurl.com/dx7yu9c.

2. Does your company have a memorable brand or logo? Or is your logo old and outdated? Do you need to enlist the help of a graphic designer to create something fresh and new that reflects your business. Diane Krueger, the Brand Identity Artist at Contagious: Cure for the Common reminds us that a company’s logo is the starting point of the entire corporate image. http://tinyurl.com/c5v7ll7

3. Are your marketing materials consistent? Does your logo or brand carryover onto your business cards, brochures, website, blog, Facebook fan page, etc? Linda Kleist of Identity Graphic Design talks about the importance of consistent branding. http://tinyurl.com/csmcc99.

4. Are your social media sites up-to-date? When was the last time you updated your profiles and contact information on Linkedin, Facebook, etc? Is it time to post a more current photo? Are you getting the most from your social media efforts as you market yourself and your business? Marketing and social media expert, Beverly Cornell, covers the whole gamet of social media’s do and don’ts. http://tinyurl.com/bw8fu62.

5. How long has it been since your website was updated? How many hits are you getting to the site? Not a lot? You might want to have a professional revise the content, adding key words that will get you found on search engines (SEO) such as Google. Kevin Van Dette, President of Affordable Website Specialists, talks about all this and more in his 2010 interview. http://tinyurl.com/d572lny.

6. Do you currently have a blog? Is a blog right for you and your business? Are people reading or listening to your blog? Corey Perlman, author of "eBootCamp", describe blogging in concise and easy to understand language. http://tinyurl.com/ctnc4g8.

7. What are you doing to drive traffic to your website, blog or other social media sites? Do you send out an e-newsletter on a regular basis linking to your website? In a second interview, Corey Perlman gives tips on how to use e-newsletters as an effective marketing tool as well as a means of keeping yourself in front of customers and business associates. http://tinyurl.com/744wrdh

8. How current is the information in your database? Over this past summer, I purged my database of the old and outdated contact information. I was shocked as to the extent of job changes, out of state moves, and businesses that had closed in the past year. You probably will be amazed too.

Have a Happy New Year!

Maurer Marketing Minutes #45-Doug Willett-Luna Tech Designs

Maurer Marketing Minutes -#45-Doug Willett-Luna Tech Designs
Have you ever wondered how 3-D Geo Web Development could benefit your business? Have you ever wondered what the heck that is? Doug Willett, President of Luna Tech Designs, tells why and how real-world viral tours of your business – or city – is becoming the trend in visual web marketing. This technology uses Google products such as Google Earth and Google Mapping and has numerous applications. Recently, Luna Tech Designs was called on by WDIV-TV to illustrate a “before” picture of Frank’s Furniture in Wayne after the terrible explosion and fire. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNPJ530Hzv8 Find out more about 3-D web marketing at www.lunaglobes.com or call Doug at 734-260-1069 or email dwillett@lunaglobes.com

Maurer Marketing Minutes #33-Diane Krueger-Contagious! Cure for the Common

Maurer Marketing Minutes #33-Diane Krueger-Contagious-Cure for the Common

Diane Krueger, the Brand Identity Artist at Contagious: Cure for the Common reminds us that a company’s logo is the starting point of the entire corporate image. The logo should be used with continuity across all your marketing materials and puts your identity in front of your clients and potential customers. She also talks about dressing up your work environment with your logo and company philosophy.

Follow Diane on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Novi-MI/Contagiousa-cure-for-the-common/125874684090303 or contact her at 248-219-5520 or visit her website at www.contagiousllc.com

Direct download: MMM-33-Diane_Krueger-Contagious.mp3 

Maurer Marketing Minutes #31-Linda Kleist-Identity Graphic Design

Maurer Marketing Minutes #31-Linda Kleist-Identity Graphic Design

According to Linda Kleist, Marketing Director at Identity Graphic Design, business owners need to pay close attention to their visual brand. “Brand” is a buzz word and in this case, represents the face of your business. Your logo can help or hinder the business, as it is the first impression that you project out into the world. You can reach Linda at 586-558-9795, email Linda@IdentityGraphicDesign.com or at her website www.IdentityGraphicDesign.com.

Direct download: MMM-31-Linda_Kleist-Marketing_Director-Identity_Graphic_Design.mp3

Maurer Marketing Minutes 23-Mark Besh-Visual Impact

Maurer Marketing Minutes #23-Mark Besh-Visual Impact

Mark Besh, multimedia expert and Principal at Visual Impact agrees with our former guest, Kevin Krason, that video is becoming the most important media to get your company, product or service message noticed and ranked higher on the search engines. Mark talks about the benefits to business owners in using video to reach their customers and how to get the advertisement seen by the virtual community. Mark is happy to hear from you at mbesh@4vis.com or 248-548-7000 or visit his website at www.4vis.com
Direct download: MMM-23-Mark_Besh-Visual_Impact.MP3

Maurer Marketing Minutes #22-Tom Harris-Marketing Coach/Business Motivator

Maurer Marketing Minutes #22-Tom Harris-Marketing Coach-Business Motivator
Why should a business person have a blog? According to Tom Harris, Marketing Coach and Business Motivator, it establishes online credibility and sets you up as an expert in your field. He gives an in-depth explanation on how to position your blog and target your ideal customer. Email him at tom@tomharris.us, call 877-901-9977 or read his blog at www.tomharris.us.
Direct download: MMM-22-Tom_Harris-Speaker-Marketing_Coach-Business_Motivator.mp3

Maurer Marketing Minutes #21-Kevin Krason-BizNet Internet Solutions-2

Maurer Marketing Minutes #21-Kevin Krason-2 BizNet Internet Solutions
In Part Two of our two-part interview, Kevin Krason, Digital Expert and President of Biznet Internet Solutions, makes some predictions on the future of digital marketing. He says the focus will be on the expansion of online video content and portable access to the web from your cell phone. Kevin can be reached by phone at 248-560-9000, email him at kkrason@biznetis.net or visit his website at www.biznetis.net.
Direct download: MMM-21-Kevin_Krason-Biznet_Internet_Solutions-2.mp3

Maurer Marketing Minutes #20-Kevin Krason-BizNet

Maurer Marketing Minutes #20-Kevin Krason-BizNet

The methods of marketing to consumers are being shifted from “outbound” messaging (or interruptive advertising) to “inbound” messaging (or content marketing). In Part One of our two part interview, Kevin Krason, Digital Expert and President of Biznet Internet Solutions, takes us through the rapidly changing trends in digital technology and defines search optimization and content marketing. Kevin can be reached by phone at 248-560-9000, email him at kkrason@biznetis.net or visit his website at www.biznetis.net.
Direct download: MMM-20-Kevin_Krason-BizNetIs-1.MP3

Maurer Marketing Minutes #17-Mike Whelan-Your PC Pitstop

Maurer Marketing Minutes #17-Mike Whelan-Your PC Pitstop

Mike Whelan, of Your PC Pitstop, recently added a new business line and a new website, www.PCbuyersagent.com. As part of a social media campaign to promote the site, he decided to use the Pay-Per-Click ads on Facebook. In our interview, he explains how the process works, how he has targeted the ads to reach specific demographics and the measurable results of this marketing decision. Call Mike at 248-557-1001 or email Mike@YourPCpitstop.com

Direct download: MMM-17-Mike_Whelan-Your_PC_Pit_Stop.MP3

Maurer Marketing Minutes #16-Brandon Vanno-Digital IQ Graphics

Maurer Marketing Minutes #16-Brandon Vanno-Digital IQ Graphics
Branding expert Brandon Vanno, president of Digital IQ Graphics, knows that your company logo should reflect what your business is and does at its core. It is your identity, meant to grab attention and be recognizable at a glance. Most of all, he adds, it helps you to stand out among your competition. Do you have a logo that matches your tag line? Is your logo working for you? See samples of Brandon’s work on his website www.digitaliqgraphics.com or call him at 248-663-1874 or email creative@digitaliqgraphics.com.
Direct download: MMM-16-Brandon_Vanno-Digital_IQ.MP3

Maurer Marketing Minutes #12-Kevin VanDette-Affordable Website Specialists

Maurer Marketing Minutes #12-Kevin VanDette-Affordable Website Specialists
In this interview, Kevin VanDette of Affordable Websites clears up the confusion surrounding the use of a website or a blog – or both – to promote your business. He tells us the differences in the two and how to determine which option would best suit your situation. You can reach Kevin at 248-884-5267, email at info@awspecialists.com or visit his website at www.awspecialists.com.
Direct download: MMM-12-Kevin_VanDette-Affordable_Website_Specialists.mp3