Posts Tagged ‘Marketing Strategy’
January 24th, 2012 | by: Catalpha Advertising & Design
- The Corporate Art Of Nickel And Diming
As various companies start the new year by increasing their monthly rates, adding new fees and surcharges, how many will ignore the lesson of Netflix and Bank Of America and endure the wrath of their customers?
- Path: The New Anti-Facebook Social Platform
Facebook growth is slowing down and some are turning to other alternatives. Path (Path.com) is a new anti-Facebook social networking platform launched last year that’s growing in popularity. Rather than concentrating on the number of friends you have, Path encourages quality relationships, allowing you to have only a maximum of 50 friends.
- Will Companies Change Their Social Media Strategies?
Many businesses will examine their P&L’s and take a hard look at the dollars and time allocated to their social media efforts this past year and make critical adjustments based on sales, new business opportunities generated, connections with influencers and brand name awareness. Next month’s Super Bowl will give us a good idea on how far major advertisers will go to cross promote their promotions with their various social media platforms.
- Re-Connect With Your Facebook Fans And Their Expectations
After “liking” your company on Facebook, your fans may have high expectations of what they want to get back from you, and not fulfilling those expectations can lead to disappointment. According to a report by ExactTarget, 51 percent of consumers expect companies to send them marketing messages after “liking” the brand on Facebook. We recommend that you take this month to re-connect with your fans and exceed their expectations. (ExactTarget.com)
- Google Sparring With Travel Industry Giants, Expedia and Orbitz
Watch this month as Expedia and Orbitz fight it out with Google, complaining that Google’s new flight search tool is dramatically hurting their business. The Wall Street Journal reports that searches like “NY to LA” now produce a Google chart of airfares with links directly to airlines. The travel sites accuse Google of abusing its power in an effort to grab itself a big piece of the $110 billion online travel market.
December 8th, 2011 | by: Catalpha Advertising & Design
- Focus On Selling High Profit Products And Services
Don’t be deceived by success in percentages. Focus on selling products and services that have a high profit return in dollars, as opposed to a profit return in percentages.
- Focus On Your Team
Build a championship team that’s going to survive and win despite this economy. Weed out the dissenters otherwise you risk losing loyal customers.
- Communicate A Compelling Competitive Advantage
Do you have a competitive advantage – a position that makes your company’s product or service distinct and recognizable in your marketplace?
- Be The Personality Of Your Company
Get in front of people and be the face and personality of your company. Networking and speaking in front of 100 people is worth more than you can imagine.
- Love Your Customers
Your customers are the sole reason your business exists today. Make them feel important. Ask for feedback. Once a year, invite your key customers to a special event to thank them for their business.
- Be Remarkable
Everything you do and everything your customer or client sees about your company from the inside on out – every sensory touch point – must be remarkable. If not, you’re just another average business and there’s no customer loyalty when you’re average.
- Understand The Power Of Trust As A Marketing Tool
The number one way to grow your business is through trust. Trust is the only reason your customers continue to purchase your products and services from you. Without trust, your advertising simply won’t work.
- Invest In “Search” – The Focal Point For Online Success
Your website is the center of your online success. Aim for a first page presence on Google for keyword phrases used by your customers. If your business isn’t listed on the first page, there’s a chance you’re losing thousands and thousands of dollars each day.
- Be Creative, Innovative And Take Risks
Creativity, innovation and the ability to take risks can move your business forward, otherwise it stands still. Take a look at your products and services. Can you “supersize” or downsize them? Can you develop product extensions with new markets?
- Get Familiar With The Shift To Digital And Mobile
Next year will be the big year for digital and mobile marketing. While an integrated marketing approach is still important, the emphasis will be on increasing awareness and sales through various digital and mobile marketing channels. Don’t get left behind on this.
How To Have An Incredible 2012
As we wish everyone a happy and healthy holiday season, we’re aware of a number of challenges that can easily stop your journey to profitability. There’s still a war going on, a volatile economy, unstable gas prices, high unemployment and an election coming up.
We trust that you’ll face these issues head-on, letting your employees, customers and clients know that you stand for nothing short of delivering excellence in everything you do. If you do that, you’ll have an incredible 2012.
Want to know more about having an outrageous and incredible 2012? Want to know more about how to jump beyond your competitors with memorable, cutting-edge marketing? Contact us. We can help you get there … faster than ever.
November 22nd, 2011 | by: Catalpha Advertising & Design
Is Google Trying To Buy Yahoo?
There are initial rumblings that Google is interested in purchasing Yahoo. While the US government may try to block such a sale, some say this is Google’s ploy to drive up Yahoo’s stock to make it more expensive for Microsoft, who has long been rumored to be interested in buying Yahoo.
Herman Cain Selling A Tax Plan Like Pizza:
If nothing else, Herman Cain will be remembered for 9-9-9 and reminding us of the importance of having a memorable slogan and that the most attractive pricing for all products ends in a nine, not a five.
Netflix Underestimates The Fury Of The Consumer:
Subscribers lashed out at Netflix’s 60 percent price hike and a series of bungled marketing attempts to spin off its DVD division. The fury has resulted in over 800,000 subscriber cancellations with more expected. Netflix CEO Reed Hastings said, “We became a symbol of the evil, greedy corporation.”
Buy 100 Shares of Groupon: Half Off Within The Next 24 Hours:
Groupon’s widely publicized IPO was introduced at a valuation price much lower than originally planned. One could say they are discounting the price in order for people to buy it.
Will Anyone Miss The NBA?
With parts of the schedule already cancelled, is the complete season in peril? The toll on the local restaurant, hospitality and retail sectors already hurting in this economy, are disastrous. Like other professional sports leagues that have experienced similar lockouts, all will eventually be resolved and the loving relationship between the team and its fans will return to normal – like nothing ever happened.
July 13th, 2011 | by: Catalpha Advertising & Design
This month marks the halfway point of 2011, a year projected to have a positive economic rebound for most companies. But one thing seems to remain the same: out of a need to increase profits, many companies are still actively seeking the magic answer by jumping online for the next big thing, hoping for easier ways to profit.
While many great online tools are available, the most successful companies are well grounded in traditional marketing. These businesses understand that to win the game, a company must excel inside before it can excel outside. Companies such as Nordstrom have followed this template perfectly for years.
With six months to go, where is your company focusing its efforts? On the hopes that a social media miracle will supply instant profits or on pushing the internal operations of your company up a notch?
January 6th, 2011 | by: Catalpha Advertising & Design
60 Second Articles:
1. Think Differently About Your Business. What Would Steve Jobs Do?
2. Is Your Participation In Social Media Worth The Investment?
3. The 60 Second Close: January Is The Start Over Month
1. Think Differently About Your Business. What Would Steve Jobs Do?
With no guarantee that the next 12 months will be a smooth drive along Business Avenue, one thing is for sure – innovation and creativity will continue to be your keys to success in 2011.
Many actionable concepts can help your company set itself apart and leap from good to great – initiatives that can propel your product or service beyond your competition and turn your customers into loyal life-long fans.
The most effective starting point to initiate change and innovation is simply by asking, “What would Apple co-founder and CEO, the master of thinking differently, Steve Jobs do?”
While you may not invent high-tech products that revolutionize the electronics world, just thinking differently and questioning the status quo can make a huge impact on your company and your customers. Make 2011 your year to think differently.
2. Is Your Participation In Social Media Worth The Investment?
Business executives are asking, “What’s the return on investment from social media?” While this transformational way of communicating continues to unravel, there may not be a solid answer for you just yet – especially if you’re seeking a monetary return.
The best return on your investment right now is the realization that you’re building a solid relationship with your customers online, much in the same way you do offline.
Social media has its place. Knowing your customers and budget will help determine weather it has a place in your marketing plan.
3. The 60 Second Close: January Is The Start Over Month
January is the only month that seems a perfect time to fix what’s broken, implement new ideas or just start over. The month carries a freshness about it that says you have permission to change, to innovate and reinvent.
The most profitable ideas might be the small ideas – subtle concepts about your product or your service that illicit a “wow” response from your customers – concepts as simple as sending out handwritten thank-you cards or birthday greetings.
Winning the war of business is about doing little things for your customers that they would never expect. It’s called thinking differently.
If you’re ready to start thinking differently with small ideas or huge initiatives, then call us. We can get you there … faster than ever.
