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Posts Tagged ‘james george’

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Use Social Marketing to Your Business Advantage

Tuesday, April 13th, 2010

Note from James George of Halogen Designs: Today we have a great treat for you. Kenneth Rudich from http://marketing-strategy-management.com/ will be sharing some insight for our readers about Using Social Marketing to Your Business Advantage. Kenneth will respond to any comments left on the blog. You can also reach him through his website.

By Kenneth Rudich

What is Social Marketing?

Social marketing, not to be confused with social media marketing, is the formal application of marketing concepts to support a social good. Campaigns like don’t pollute, don’t litter, save the children, and wear your seatbelt stand among some of the more typical examples. They tend to market causes that promote a societal good, as opposed to seeking a financial gain.

Opt In Marketing

When a commercial marketing enterprise (a for-profit business) engages in social marketing, it’s usually for the purpose of garnering goodwill. In accounting terms, a company’s goodwill is considered a tangible asset. In marketing terms, it can stir a warm-fuzzy feeling between you and your current and prospective customers. It adds value from a psychological standpoint.

Think about it. If you’re evaluating two comparable products, where the only difference between them is that one seller does the social good of planting trees in local parks while the other doesn’t do anything similarly like it, which is more likely to get your nod when the purchase decision is made?

You might even be willing to pay a slightly higher price for the product with the social good attached to it, having convinced yourself that the extra profit margin will go towards a worthy cause. Especially if the seller gives seed to this idea in their marketing promotions. Something like, five percent of each sale goes to [insert charity here] is the equivalent of saying, “buy our product, and we can all join hands together in this communal act of goodness.”
Amid today’s unfortunately abundant crop of social, economic, and environmental concerns, it only makes good business sense to outwardly show support for a societal good of your choice (better yet, something your customers might champion). It puts a human face on your brand, demonstrates you’re a caring and contributing member of the community, and draws valuable attention to your product or service – which, as we all know, is that all important prelude to arousing interest and motivating the purchase action.

Don't Be a Litterbug sign

Make your campaign known to your users

You Can’t Lose

It can be one of the most economically sound investments you’ll ever make in your business, provided you leverage it to full promotional advantage.
Nothing too outrageous or overt, mind you, but make sure every piece of marketing material lets people know you support this worthy cause, in both your offline and online marketing. Look at everything — signs, web pages, social media, everything — and ask if this kind of noble message is either missing, too understated, or too overstated. The best balance is between understated and overstated, humble yet earnest. It should subtly blend in with the rest of your marketing message, not overshadow it.

The Unexpected ROI

In the end, you may even discover an unexpectedly nice byproduct: knowing in your heart that you’re doing something for the greater good.

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Posted in General Business, Miscellaneous | 1 Comment »

Is Facebook actually relevant to my business?

Monday, April 5th, 2010

facebook1 300x300 Is Facebook actually relevant to my business?

The short answer, Yes! I challenge you to come up with an industry that could not directly benefit from some type of Facebook campaign. This quick post will outline why Facebook is relevant to all businesses and will describe the types of campaigns available.

My business partner, @Alex Shaffer, came across the Facebook statistics page Easter morning (happy easter by the way!). Some of the statistics were really startling, but all of them pointed to Facebook being a powerful tool to reach people: This includes your business reaching people too.

According to Facebook they have 400 million active users. Active means they login at least once a month. Of these users, 50% of them login every day. The average user writes 25 comments each month. User’s upload 5 billion photos each month. So the answer is YES, Facebook is relevant to your business.

Now we can look at the real question… How do I leverage Facebook for my business? You are at the right place to find these answers.

The first place most companies should start is creating a Facebook page. It is free and easy to setup/manage. Navigate over to the Facebook advertising page to create one now.

What to focus on when setting up your page

  • First, Update the info tab. Let people know what you do in a 30 second or less read
  • Photos: Upload a few photo albums. Include pictures of your location, employees, and products. Industry photos are appropriate as well. Example: If you are in the business of selling racing memorabilia perhaps you could have an album dedicated to famous Indy 500 crashes.
  • Do you have a blog? The website Networked Blogs runs a Facebook app that automatically syndicates your posts. This lets you get the ideas you are dying to share with the world… out to the world!  The important thing to remember is that different people like to access their content in different ways.  Example: Books.  With the help of technology some prefer to read their books as ‘e-books’ online or even on a portable reader such as the Kindle or Ipad.  Others prefer hard back books or large print books.  Doesn’t it make sense to give your users the option to choose how they get their content (and its free for you!)?
  • Publish your Facebook page. So you have finished setting up your Facebook page and it looks pretty darn good. Its time to share it with the world. Don’t forget to use the suggest to friends link. We have found including a personal message such as, “Please subscribe to help support my company’s page” significantly increases conversion rates.
  • Respond to comments! When people interact with your page be sure to respond. People like to talk, but people LOVE to talk when they know someone is listening. Responding can be as simple as letting them know you are here and you will keep their suggestions in mind

Ok so you now have a page and a few followers that interact with your page on a regular basis. Great! You are on the right track. You’re now ready to jump into the Facebook advertising game.

Facebook advertising is a great platform. It is affordable, effective, and manageable; however, where it really ads value is its state of the art targeting system. Before we delve into the details lets catch everyone up to speed on how Facebook advertising works. Facebook advertising is similar to other PPC (pay per click) services such as Google Adwords. The process is simple, you select a demographic you are targeting, create an ad, and select a payment type. You can either Pay Per Click (.10-2.00 per click, usually 20-50 cents depending on demographic and ad type) or per 1000 impressions (dependent on demographic).facebook2 300x225 Is Facebook actually relevant to my business?

Where Facebook really ads value is its targeting system. It really is state of the art and offers advertisers a powerful platform to serve their ads. Understanding the system is dependent upon understanding the information users provide to Facebook. Users provide their age, residence, interests, political views, relationships (romantically and family), religions, gender, sexual orientation, work history… the list goes on.

So what does this mean for advertisers? It means we can accurately target ads to an unprecedented level. Let me offer an example from my profile. Lets say an advertiser is working for a client who is releasing a slightly popular conspiracy novel (I’m thinking conspiracy novels like Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code). The advertiser knows that straight males, aged 18-55, with at least some college are most prone to buy his book. There are over 5,000,000 people, just in the USA, who fit these demographics.

Our advertiser does not have the budget to advertise to millions of people. He needs to make every penny count. If we target those demographics + only people with Dan Brown as an interest we are down to a more realistic 16,800. The best part of all: everyone of those people have expressed interest in conspiracy novel books.

Facebook advertising can become a very hands on process. Finding a reputable company with experience and expertise in Facebook advertising could ease your process. You should expect straight forward explanations, like I have given above, that show HOW Facebook will help your business. Generally you should expect to receive weekly, monthly, or quarterly reports about your advertising campaigns.

Are you interested in hearing more about Facebook in business or Facebook advertising? Let us know by leaving a comment or by using our private contact us form to request more information about our processes for social network management and advertising.

For further reading check out another practical application for using Facebook in business.

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Posted in Online Marketing, Social Networking in Business | No Comments »

Consistent Brand Can Build Up Strong Brand Recognition

Thursday, February 11th, 2010

Brands have been intentionally used as tools for distinguishing one producer’s goods from others. They act as a major reason for the sale of a particular product. Therefore it has been increasing in its popularity over the years to divert huge traffic on one’s own productions, even on World Wide Web.

branding1 300x227 Consistent Brand Can Build Up Strong Brand RecognitionThe story of brand building and recognition is very straight and simple for companies like that of Coca-Cola because they have developed up a very good image in the eyes of the customers across the seven skies and seas. But for the companies you have to incept their business on web from a scratch, the endeavour can be quite challenging and demanding. But the entire work load can be relieved to a great extent if the following brand building ideas and strategies are utilized for personal benefits:

1 – Choose the keyword wisely:

The punch line for any product or brand has to be quite appropriate but distinct as well; the type which is though quite common but is written or made up in a different pattern or style which makes it new and distinguished. They need not be too generic but at least they must deliver the main idea the instant they are looked upon.

Secondly they must be of the origin and kind that they can be easily reached by the search engines thus making your brand popular and accessible. It ensures a consistent return or sale of your brand.

2 – Consistent and a great story can be supportive:

The success of your brand lies in the user experience gained from your webpage. If the user is highly facilitated by your site, then you have achieved the expected outcome and popularity for your brand efficiently.

Consistency in your brand means that the official platform of your brand, the webpage in our case, is as simple and approachable as it can possibly be. There are lesser diversions, surprises, confusing navigations, broken lines, 404s, slow load times etc, as these can destroy the user’s expectations, experience and waste their time which directly affects the question of brand recognition and popularity negatively.

Furthermore, by the mentioning of a great story we mean short crisp tales that attract the users towards the brand by explaining their significance and compatibility in disguise. They may not be “great” but at least they must portray your honesty and real worth. In this way you have a greater chance of attracting more and more traffic towards your brand.

3 – User’s experience and brand partnership:

The architecture of your site and its usability are also the crucial aspects of branding along with its designing and layouts. To shorten up the user experience is basically your brand. Hence, your webpage should be as simple, convenient and uncluttered as much possible. Brand recognition can only be possible and successful if your users can easily access the information that they require without much confusion and hence gain a very pleasant experience from visiting your webpage.

Besides, if you initiate your plan whilst having partnership with an experienced entrepreneur who already has his/her brand well developed on the World Wide Web then you stand a better chance of success and recognition for your brand which is otherwise very difficult to obtain.

4 – Role of Clarity and Reputation in Brand Recognition:

Until and unless you clearly deliver the advantages and benefits of your brand to the audience, your brand isn’t going to be popular and successful at all. It is very essential to completely introduce yourself before persuading the customers for buying and promoting your brand.

Therefore, if you want to make your brand widely recognizable, then you require putting in enough effort for stating and defining the brand to the target audience.

5 – Advertising:

Your brand should have the potential that it facilitates rather encourages the consumers to promote it themselves and let their friends also try it and use it. If this happens, then it will be a big success for your corporation. Many websites like Facebook, Flickr also have been following this strategy. They twisted their brands so that the audience will engage themselves with it and ask others to get twisted in them as well.

Useful information on the above topic can also be achieved by following the below links. They contain enough information and guidance that may be felt as complete even for a new comer.branding2 Consistent Brand Can Build Up Strong Brand Recognition

http://www.seobook.com/brand-building-tips-budget

http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/developing-brand-recognition.html

All these strategies and small tips help in making a very normal and regular brand a huge success and the new consumer demand. Also they help in keeping the reputation of the brand for longer time period and making it up a consistent audience-catcher in the global market.

Posted By: James George

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Posted in Importance of branding, Use of Design | No Comments »

20 Reasons Why People Leave Organizations

Saturday, January 30th, 2010

quits 150x150 20 Reasons Why People Leave OrganizationsI Quit! Easier said than done – what brings a person to such a state of mind from where he/she says these 2 words, marking an end to a career with an organization? The reasons are unlimited, varying from person to person, depending on each person’s preferences, needs, wants, aspirations and much more.

There are many who are in a habit of job hopping, while there are some who would hate the idea of switching from one place to the other and leaving their comfort zone for the sake of mere excitement of what lies ahead.

For most having families it becomes a graver question whether to leave a well settled job or not, the justification for quitting, the pros and cons, the root cause analysis for making a switch, the viability of plucking a well established professional relationship with an employer are a few noted ones.

Clearly making such a decision is not an easy one, rather quite daunting for most. Why do people leave organizations? Why it is difficult to stick to a single job for most part of one’s career – after conducting a closed group research with professionals from different age groups, different professions and at varying stages of their careers we have been able to extrapolate the following 20 common reasons for quitting a job:

1 – Bad Boss

2 – Low pay scales

3 – Job Relocation

4 – Long Commute

5 – Company Politics

6 – No Career Growth

7 – Unfair Pay Scales

8 – Monotonous Job

9 – Incompetent Team

10 – Independent Setup

11 – Long Working Hours

12 – Low Motivation Level

13 – Bad Repute of the Company

14 – Unhealthy Peer Competition

15 – Uncertain Company Prospects

16 – Not Getting along with Team Members

17 – No Room for Innovation and Experimentation

18 – Biases (Gender, Racial, Cultural, Ethnic, Religious)

19 – Better Opportunity in terms of Remuneration and Perquisites

20 – Misalignment of Professional Goals and Objectives with that of the Organization

Please note that the above list is not exhaustive. But I am sure at least every one of us can relate to many of them. Where most of the reasons for quitting may be genuine some may be created or coaxed without rationale.

Many a times proper evaluation of the scenario, proper reasoning and most importantly unbiased opinion and views of the situation can give you clarity of mind to decide which course of action to take when caught up in such situations, how to react if you are faced with one of the above mentioned causes for quitting and how to manage such scenarios?

Studying ground realities become imperative when coupled with detailed analysis of facts and figures to make an informed decision about ones career; which may have repercussions for ones professional career growth in future.

Proper counseling, guidance and instilling confidence in ones team can help cultivate better professionals. In our next post as a continuation of this one we shall write about how effective teams are made for better performance.

Don’t forget to visit our facebook pages – your valued opinions and participation would help us provide better services to you:-

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Indianapolis-IN/Halogen-Designs/187397613340

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Peoples-Burn-Foundation/141716824133

Posted By: James George

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Posted in General Business | No Comments »

Linkedin in Business

Sunday, December 20th, 2009

linkedin Linkedin in BusinessIn today’s world networking has become the need for every individual, business and company. Without connections and contacts business can virtually cease to exist. The internet boom has made it possible for everyone to keep in touch with each other. First it was emails then social networking forums and now professional forums where serious professionals can seek better opportunities for surviving in the competitive world.

http://www.linkedin.com/business

One of the forums for professional networking is ‘Linkedin’. Born in 2003 Linkedin has grown tremendously over the years in bringing professionals together sharing and seeking business and mutual interest for expanding experiences and expertise across the globe. Linkedin has also become a serious network for professionals holding credibility in the industry. To understand how it integrates with individuals and businesses we should ask very basic yet powerful questions like:

1 – Why Linkedin?

2 – What are the Benefits?

3 – Effective ways for using Linkedin?

4 – How to integrate it with your Business?

5 – How to grow your Business using Linkedin?

Also, since the world of internet is flooded with networking forums so you might end up thinking why would you want to opt for Linkedin and not something else; what is so unique about Linkedin which makes it stand out from the rest? Well, to understand and answer the above questions you should look at the following recommended ways and means for benefitting from this tool.network 300x187 Linkedin in Business

1. Credibility and Acceptance

Having over 50 million users and growing rapidly Linkedin has gained the popularity and respect in the professional world to be THE platform for professional networking. The checks and balances set at the site for non-serious users are very clear in their terms and conditions. Any malicious activities are tracked and dealt with seriously at times suspending accounts for users. Privacy and confidentiality makes it a secured channel for sharing ones credentials over the net. Also, over the years the flow of professionals into this forum has given it the respect for standing out as thorough professional network.

2. Professional Connections

Linkedin may not be perfect but it provides a lot of opportunities to get in touch with new people not only for personal promotion but to promote small businesses as well. If you get to know the key decision makers and network with them, it may open different avenues for progressing in the future. You can always post a snapshot of your profile or your business, on your personal and/or professional website and blog linking it with Linkedin which would help people find you based on your experience mutual interests. The right contacts can help you grow your business.

http://webworkerdaily.com/2009/07/13/33-ways-to-use-linkedin-for-business/

http://60secondmarketer.com/blog/2009/11/18/how-to-use-linkedin-for-business/

3. Better Prospects through Valued Connections

Increasing your networking with professionals throughout the world means increasing your opportunities and prospects for seeking new and better career opportunities. In addition to this having a complete and up-to-date CV always adds value. Stay connected with your valued connections – you have spent time and effort in making all the connections, don’t lose them rather know all your contacts either in person or online – this can be achieved by remembering them through their profile pictures. You may also hire professionals, freelancers and contractors making use of your contact list.

4. Effective Discussion Forums

Try to join your relevant groups as much as possible. Also, it is advised to participate actively in the discussions. Staying active brings you in limelight and intelligent answers, personal experiences can help you get recognition – even one can flash their services in the answers for those seeking assistance for a particular query. Knowledge sharing is one of the benefits which one can make use of – you may create groups and start a healthy discussion, exchange of ideas and even for creating new ideas for a potential business can help you excel. You can either be a subject matter expert while participating in these forums for discussions or can be the one with queries – rest assured to receive answers and guidance from multiple sources of collective wisdom for resolution.linkedin logo Linkedin in Business

5. Recommendations and Testimonials

One of the positives of Linkedin is writing testimonials and getting recommendations from people you have worked with. The more the recommendations the more probability for you to appear in regular search – the more people would get in touch with you hence increasing your network. Good ratings and comments help you enhance your professional standing amongst your peers. Referrals can also help you find better prospects for future investments and in expanding your business. Whenever your client is happy with your work request that particular client to leave a recommendation for you on Linkedin – the same you can flash on your website with a potential of attracting more customers and more traffic in future.

6. Exploring New Markets

Increased networking enhances the possibility of not only knowing what is happening in your market and related industries but also keeps you up to date about the latest happenings in other industries as well. The market trends, new technologies help in evaluating your current and future prospects. Linkedin is a valued platform for increasing your market scope beyond the physical boundaries thus increasing the possibilities of growing your business.

http://blog.linkedin.com/tag/linkedin-small-business/

http://learn.linkedin.com/business-development/

7. Complete and Effective Profiling

One of the most important features to make use of at Linkedin is having a complete and effective profile. Try making use of all the entries in the form and fill in all the sections properly so that you have a comprehensive profile. Use professional language and rich text which would help find your profile in searches. Customize and personalize your profile link and add it on your CV – making your profile public and sending your profile link is an easier way for getting introduced to new contacts. You can adjust your Linkedin settings to notify your contacts whenever you make any changes to your profile. Using different widgets on Linkedin and on your official website can help your contacts know you better.

8. Increased Visibility

You can link your professional website and your blogs to your Linkedin profile hence increasing your visibility and also improving and strengthening your profile. Whenever you wish to add a contact to your network the preferred way to do it would be to send a formal letter of introduction through email summarizing your experience, strength and professional achievements. This would increase and improve your professional relations. It is advised not to send random emails to people you do not know because Linkedin has a build in feature for tracking such requests and your account could be suspended after that.

9. Market Research and Brand Building

Linkedin is one of the easiest way for conducting surveys and market research. This cost effective way can help you find solutions without investing anything other than your time. Getting views, reviews from seasoned professionals and entrepreneurs is a powerful experience. Try flashing you brand name with your profile which would attract all the audience in your network hence reinforcing your company and expertise – all this done at no cost.

10. Networking with Decision Makers

The best way to get in touch with the influencers and decision makers in your industry is by preparing a list of them ahead of time. Then search them on Linkedin and send a formal letter of introduction to add them. This can also be done by sending them an invite to connect to you and briefly adding the summarization of your professional career. Another approach to the same can be to find an existing connection in the company and getting in through a known connection/referral – add the particular individual in your existing list of contacts and then search for the decision maker and/or other related connections from your contacts list and invite them accordingly – but always remember to send a formal invite. Make sure to move with your contacts – meaning when they leave a company you move with them and through them get an introduction to a whole new arena of new contacts and connections.

LinkedIn logo 300x97 Linkedin in BusinessLinkedin is a powerful tool for making connections, generating leads and expanding your business. All you need is to understand how to utilize it the most to your advantage. The techniques discussed above are a brief summarization to put you on the right track for making the most of this free vehicle opening avenues for growth and success.

Posted by: James George

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Posted in Social Networking in Business | No Comments »

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