Brand New Buzz

The Hard Sell Vs. Soft Sell

Alicia — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 17:09:04 +0000

In an online culture, it’s been necessary to reconsider the marketing techniques that worked for the last generation. That’s not news to anyone who’s followed marketing trends over the years, and even decades. The post-war generation was exposed to a lot of aggressive sales techniques that were perfected from the Depression era just before them. It was a different time, one where desperate times called for desperate measures. Even though there are economic shifts and fluctuations lately that suggest this current era is not one that knows the surplus that our parents did, the sales techniques of their generation tend to rub today’s consumer’s the wrong way.

In an online environment, then, one is likely to look for the daily necessities in many different places. Going into the auto store to replace a dead battery is an act whose outcome probably won’t change much if the clerk uses a hard sell or not. But when it comes to looking for something like kumho tires, that’s a different kind of item. Chances are more than likely that the buyer is looking for something of quality, an investment in their vehicle’s future. Buyers are much more likely to look online for these if they are looking for a soft-sell approach, because they like to have the most information and make the smartest choices. A pushy salesperson isn’t likely to help move things along in those kinds of situations.

In terms of hard selling and soft selling, then, today’s buyers do seem to have a preference for the soft-sell approach. This is where they already have a pretty clear idea of what they’re looking for before even setting foot in the store, or opening up the laptop. Even though they might know what they want, there are still some variables that make the marketing team work a little harder. The customer might know, for example, that they want trailer tires, but are looking to find out exactly what is available. The benefits of shopping online mean they can spend a little time researching the possibilities, and making their best judgments. Here, the copy writers and designers have the opportunity to use their skills in an online setting. By taking care to make a very attractive layout, with all the right information, they can sway a customer using the basic principles of soft-selling. Offering the right information at the right time is the key, and online sales is the perfect forum to perfect this sales technique.

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The Hard Sell Vs. Soft Sell

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3D: Go or No Go?

Alicia — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 23:00:25 +0000

First seen in the 1920s (yes, that long ago), and now seeing a huge uptick in “trendiness”, 3-D technology seems almost as sought after as the next Web 3.0 technology. Movies and Cinemas alike are welcoming the surge in 3-D sales, given that it provides such a comfortable boost to their profit margins. Now the film industry isn’t the only one who can play this game; TV providers, video game, and mobile phone manufacturers are all looking to incorporate this newest advance in technology.

But as 3-D aims to get inside every family room, game room, and cell phone in America, one has to wonder: “Before I shell out a premium for this new technology, is going 3-D even worth it?”

The Pros.

Fun.

3-D may not be for everyone, but for anyone who enjoys watching any kind of screen, it’s hard to argue against the screen doing more for the audience. Viewers spend their whole lives ‘going to the movies’ or ‘watching’ TV, and now the movies and TVs are finally reciprocating. 3-D technology makes it possible for a 3rd person viewer to become a first-person PARTICIPANT in the event. On top of everything else going on, the viewer is engaged, and that is exciting.

Cutting Edge of Technology.

Whether it’s a car, a house, or a pair of shoes, some people just love to display their status, and owning the newest, most leading edge technology does just that: It conveys status….in 3 dimensional bliss.

Technological Advancement Means Technologically Better.

Just as Toto from The Wizard of Oz went from black-and-white to the color black, there’s no denying the obvious quality improvement of analog TV to digital, High Definition TV. And 3-D is the next logical extension of HD. If seeing each blade of grass during a football game improved the experience, imagine watching the star running back dive through the living room for the first down.

The Cons.

Health Concerns.

3-D technology derives from stereoscopy, a method of showing 2 distinct images to the left and right eyes, thus creating the illusion of depth. Some people however, about 1 million in the United States, have stereo blindness. Their eyes cannot combine the 2 separate images and so 3-D viewing is impossible for them. Add to those others who suffer from epilepsy, vertigo and a host of other problems and one can see how health concerns might nullify the benefits of going 3-D.

Cost.

Companies are still introducing 3-D technology to the marketplace, and at the same time trying to figure out the most cost effective ways of delivering 3-D content. Until they do, however, prices for 3-D ready devices will likely remain high. That premium price alone may induce some to hold off until the technology becomes more widely integrated.

Availability.

Currently there is a limited amount of 3-D content available, and that alone could be enough to push off the purchase date for a 3-D capable device. But as more and more studios, game developers, and manufacturers embrace it, this won’t be an issue for long.

3-D technology is on the rise, but its staying power is yet to be seen. The cost and the limited availability may be holding it back for now, but the day when it is readily and easily available is not far off. Can movie-goers, sports fans, and gamers pass altogether on seeing their favorite content up close and in their face? Time will tell.

What do you think about the latest 3D technology and the future trends?

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3D: Go or No Go?

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Reaching Out to Customers

Alicia — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 11:45:22 +0000

Building a brand is about two things: creating an identity for a company, product, service or person and then communicating that identity to the public until the association is automatic. Marketing departments throughout corporate America know that getting the word out to the media and the public in general is a great way to establish and maintain a brand identity . What many newer and smaller companies forget is that it is just as important to communicate with new and returning customers.

The instant a consumer becomes a customer — or even during the process when they are shopping a company’s store or website — their view and experience of a brand changes. They are no longer simply being informed or entertained. They expect to receive value and whatever tangible or intangible benefit is promised by said brand. Failure to deliver during every step of the purchase, delivery, and use process is the fastest way to ensure that the customer never returns. It’s also a good way to generate bad word of mouth about the brand. Something that should be avoided at all costs. Therefore it is vital that companies of any size make sure that they have quality products, service, shipping — in short, that they deliver what they promise. And this applies doubly to companies that rely on outsource firms like Marlabs to handle billing, customer service, IT, or other work. Every employee is a brand representative.

Assuming a company has put sufficient time into developing all their services, products, and trained their employees to excel, there are other things they can do to keep customers engaged with and excited about their brand. Continual engagement is the key to not only repeat business, but to turning a returning customer into a loyal advocate for the brand who spreads the word about the product or service and recruits new customers to the fold.

One of the best ways to maintain communication with customers is by sharing company news on a regular basis. This news may be announcements of sales, new products, or special events. It may offer a look “behind the scenes” of the company or profiles of corporate officers or activities. Depending on the medium, it could include tips and information about using products or getting the most from specific services or it could be sharing fun and funny stories and factoids.

Company information like this was traditionally limited to press releases and mailed newsletters or fliers. In the digital age, companies can make use of websites, blogs , podcasts, and online video and photo sharing. They may maintain a twitter account or facebook page that allows fans and followers to contribute to the conversation or set up their own forum or wiki. Other companies are exploring the use of special apps that serve a multitude of functions. The key is figuring out what technology will work best for both the message and for reaching the desired customers.

photo courtesy narcosislabs with Creative Commons License.

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Reaching Out to Customers

Starting a Business and Advertising

Alicia — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0000

It is always difficult to start a new business , and it’s even more difficult to sustain one after it’s up and running and create an ongoing success with it. And with the economy in such a troubled state as is the current one, it can be an even more daunting task to consider starting anything. However, the possibilities are there, and now more than ever it’s important to generate new businesses that will promote the social stability of cities and towns as well as contribute to their economic growth. That’s a lot of responsibility to tack onto a project when all you wanted to do was open up a bicycle repair show and play with a few bikes. Meanwhile, and regardless of the type or size of business you intend to create, one of the fundamental aspects of not only starting a company but also maintaining the ongoing success with one is the amount of money and effort, as well as the type of effort, you put into advertisement.

Along with the importance of advertising for any business, excellent customer service is essential as well. This is true for financial services, short term or pay day loans, as well as it is for restaurants and retail. There is no business that escapes the need for excellent customer service regardless of how it manifests, or how frequently one might come face to face with the actual consumer. It’s even true for essential services such as utilities or health care. And while they are essential to the public, they too are indebted to the value of a quality ad campaign.

Generally speaking, a good advertising campaign should be incorporated into your ongoing budget. Different companies can place between one and forty percent of their budget in this direction, which is a pretty broad spectrum, and it can be difficult to determine what your specific needs are going to be. In addition, the amount of advertising you need to have can change throughout the year with various seasons and social circumstances. If you have a product or service that is essential to surviving a summer, such as a air conditioning repair service, than you will definitely want to increase your budget during these times. The same logic extends to other seasons and businesses. And it is even practical to take short term loans from Money Mutual or other quality services if the advertising is essential to a particular event, immediate context or even season. There are a number of things to consider when starting a new business, never let yourself be crippled by neglecting the basics of your success.

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Starting a Business and Advertising

Coffee and Caf © Racing

Alicia — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0000

It’s not something that everyone sees at every coffee shop in the states, but eventually the avid espresso-lovers start to notice that there are a lot of interesting motorcycles lately. One of the most exciting things about the rebirth of 60s nostalgia is the reclamation of forgotten and stylish trends. In the biker community, the caf © racers are not in a rebirth, because there was never any absence. But the style is one that’s starting to have a much wider appeal. Black leather jackets with white pinstripes are in stock at the nicer department stores, and old motorcycle logos are finding their way to mass-produced t-shirts. It’s the coffee shops, however, where the fashion gets to come out and play.

The caf © racer scene is one that comes out of London, where bikers on stripped-down bikes would gather at places like Ace Caf © . In the early 1960s, the social unrest that would characterize the decade was already making underground tremors, and for youth culture, the anthems of the generation were strictly rock and roll. The cafes were the only places one could hear the music originally, having been banned from radio airplay. Motorcyclists would meet and socialize, and after a little while the game was on to challenge each other. They would pick a destination to race to, and wager that they could get there and back to the caf © in between songs on the juke box. That’s the essence of the caf © racing tradition.

Today it plays itself out a little differently. Geographically, too, because in the states, the idea of a caf © is very different than Europe. The spirit of the neighborhood coffee shop might be similar to the traditional caf ©, but it’s not typical to find the same kinds of fare. In the U.S., there are some spots that will serve alcohol along with coffee and tea, and some with fuller menus, but it’s rare. What is the same, however, is that there is a kind of independent, creative spirit that can only be found among communities who don’t do labor during the usual work hours. What’s entirely the same is that spirit among the motorcyclists, who have a deep passion for the combination of speed and style that their stripped down vehicles offer.

They do drive gorgeous bikes, too. Some have maintained classic Nortons over the years, and others have taken great liberties with bikes that were never imagined with low handlebars. A retro paint job and some custom motorcycle rims , and the world suddenly feels like another time. It’s almost as if there’s an attempt to turn back the calendar in between songs, and an understanding that style never went out of style.

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Coffee and Caf © Racing

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Importance of an Online Presence for Business

Alicia — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 06:20:27 +0000

Starting a small business is a major challenge, regardless of who you are, the economic time period in which you’re beginning, and the amount of resources you have available to you. With that in mind, there are numerous ways to increase your chances of not only surviving but creating a business that can thrive in any social atmosphere. Considering the amount of work, dedication and commitment it takes to run a business, it is only logical to use every resource available to you. This is one area that technology is greatly impacting businesses of all kinds, and it’s specific to the Internet that this blog is focused on.

There are numerous ways to benefit, and sometimes even to conduct, your business online. Of course creating and running an online store is one of the more obvious, though this can only pertain to certain sales oriented businesses. Or can it? There are different ways to conduct your business online, and this means certain consultation services, entertainment options, or any type of information gathering, such as market research. In addition, if you run a restaurant, offering the ability to place reservations or even take out and delivery orders online can greatly increase your traffic. This is commonly known as web traffic for its similarity to traditional street traffic draw. And the amount of web traffic you can attract is millions of times greater than your average ‘real world’ street. Regardless of what your business is, there are ways to either adapt it to the Internet, or at least further your goals and success plan by using the Internet.

By Train Chartering and Private Rail Cars

Social networking is one of the most popular reasons individuals get online everyday. In the early days of the Internet, this was limited to emails. When the world wide web first hit mainstream culture, having an email address and checking it everyday was not only a thrilling new way to keep in touch, but also indicated you were keeping up with the times. Today, individuals are frequently involved with numerous social networking and gaming sites. And one of the reasons this is relevant to this writing, is that some Internet based social activities are similar and sometimes even parallel. Regardless of the type of business you have, or whether or not you will be actually conducting all or part of your business online, having a strong online presence can have a tremendous impact on your growth and success. Because the nature of the Internet is constantly changing and possibilities are evolving, there is a field specific to maintaining a strong online presence. You have enough to worry about just running your business, let the pros handle your Internet presence. ILOG Elixir Interactive demo demonstrates the power of a solid online reputation an presence .

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Importance of an Online Presence for Business

Start Up Considerations for New Businesses

Alicia — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 13:04:45 +0000

If you are planning to open a nightclub, coffee shop or even a theatre company, there are some aspects of your business decision that you will need to keep in mind. One of the obvious, and most important, is your choice of locations and the building in which you will establish yourself. There are a number of lease options that are suitable to new businesses of every variety. Commercial tenants are highly recommended to establish a relationship with a realtor to help negotiate the specifics of the contract. The commercial leases are quite different from those of the residential basis and it’s important to be sure of all the terms and conditions they contain and how they relate to your establishment.

In addition to the lease conditions in establishing a location for your business, you will also want to look into the specific zoning laws of an area. This is generally not going to affect your business if you are in a commercial zone unless you have certain aspects that might be restricted. You will definitely want to refer to zoning laws in your area, though a standard coffee shop or theatre is pretty clear. Nightclubs might run into different issues depending on where you intend to start up. These are some of the more technical aspects of your business, and while they are extremely important, they generally take an interest back seat to your actual service offerings. They also relate to the financial structure of the business. Meanwhile, the reason you likely went into the business in the first place is the performance type and line up you have in mind. This will vary a great deal depending on what type of establishment you are planning on operating. Obviously an open mic in a coffee shop has much different considerations than establishing a production season for a theatre company. However, each of these is essential to the success of their specific business genre.

By Nate Steiner

Referring back to the importance of the financial side of your business’ structure it’s important to keep in mind that the advertisement needs can sometimes amount to twenty percent of your production expenses. Regardless of whether you’re running a theatre, a night club, coffee shop with an open mic night, or any other performance based business, you will definitely want to establish your name in the community and keep your performances known. Of course that’s part of the external battle. Creating the right atmosphere in the perfect building will be one of your top priorities. And this relates to the question of the importance of location. Is it best to focus on finding the best possible location for your establishment or will offering the best service or product available ensure your audience or consumer base regardless of how prime the Transglobe property location is. This is one marketing and business debate that tends to remain ongoing.

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Start Up Considerations for New Businesses

Good Website Hosting for Businesses

Marketing Homes – Where Do You Stand?

Alicia — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 22:11:11 +0000

Buying a new home can be an exciting time. It can also be a stressful time as you prepare to search for a house and then put on offer in on it. Your often inundated with information from realtors marketing their homes. For most of us it is the largest purchase we will ever undertake. While you are looking for a house and figuring out what is out there and what you can afford its handy to have a mortgage calculator so that you can figure out your monthly payment and the various differences in payment options.

How do you determine your mortgage payment? There is some information you will need. Obviously you will need to know the price of the property you are interested in. There will be three parts associated with this – the total purchase price, the down payment and the loan amount. (To figure these out you will need to know the percentage of down payment you will be paying).

You will also need to know the term of the mortgage – that is the length of time you will make payments for to pay the loan off. The common loan length is 30 years. After 30 years the loan will be paid off and the home will be yours free and clear.

You will also need the current interest rate. This may vary from area to area. Your credit history may affect this rate.

The projected closing date will also be useful. This is the date when the funds for your load will be distributed and you will commence paying interest on the loan.

Other useful information needed for mortgage calculators include the property tax associated with the property you are interested in.

The annual insurance rate is also necessary to determine the payment.

You payment will also include a fee for private mortgage insurance also known as the PMI. The national average for this is around $80 on a home priced at around $160,000.

When these pieces of information are imputed into the mortgage calculator it will immediately calculate an accurate monthly payment amount that you can expect to pay. This means that you don’t have to get involved with tricky mathematical equations and amortization schedules.

You can use mortgage calculators to determine the difference in payment amounts for different loan terms. You can also look at the amount that extra payments will cut down on the term of your mortgage and the amount of interest that you will be paying.

All in all mortgage calculators are a very useful tool for you if you are considering buying a home. It will also help you if you are considering refinancing your existing property.

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Marketing Homes – Where Do You Stand?

Blog Marketing Journal Launches by Internet Marketing Firm Brick Marketing and Online Marketing Expert Nick Stamoulis

In Tough Economic Times Companies Utilize New Marketing Tactics

Alicia — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 16:37:43 +0000

In tough economic times, companies have been forced to alter their marketing tactics or become creative in implementing the new ones. Many companies are utilizing the internet, promotions and social media to get their name out there and gain recognition. All of these tools have been proven to be effective in a struggling economy and companies are beginning to realize that traditional forms of marketing just aren’t going to cut it.

The internet is one of the best tools for a company to promote its name and to gain customers. Today, it is very common for people to go online and check out a company’s website before they choose to patronize it. There are a couple of reasons for this, one being that people want to know who they are dealing with and what kind of company they are dealing with as well. Another reason, although shallow, is that people make judgments about a business based upon the look and ease of use of the website. It is very similar to the idea that people make judgments about a store based on how organized it is, how it is decorated and how easy it is to find what they need. The internet is an easy way to advertise and it is clear that many businesses are beginning to utilize it, for example, Next Day Blinds advertisements can be found on the internet as well as many other business’ advertisements. Companies that had average websites are finally starting to update their sites to create more traffic and customers.

Promotions and deals have become extremely common with the struggling economy, as people are less willing to spend money and are working hard to save as much money as possible. Although people are becoming stingy with their pocketbook, they are willing to spend money if they believe they are getting a deal. Many businesses are issuing coupons, such as, Next Day Blinds coupons, which can be found online and with the popularity of the show, Extreme Couponing, people are beginning to clip their coupons from the newspaper as well as magazines.

Social media is one of the most powerful tools in today’s technological age. Social media is not only effective but it is extremely inexpensive. The only real investment a company is making with social media is the time it takes someone to update and maintain the site or profile. The vast majority of people are connected into some form of social media, whether it be facebook, twitter, blogging, youtube or linked in but the fact of the matter is that it is crucial for a company to utilize its resources. By using social media, businesses are not only promoting their name but they are reaching an audience that will pay attention.

Although the state of the economy is grim, it has forced businesses to become creative and resourceful with the way they view marketing and advertising.

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In Tough Economic Times Companies Utilize New Marketing Tactics

The Internet and Marketing

Alicia — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 19:46:20 +0000

When starting a company, one of the main facets that must be addressed is marketing. No business will survive without a marketing plan and strategy. In the past, businesses have always used traditional forms of marketing such as print, television and radio. With new technology, the marketing industry is shifting and new forms of marketing are coming into use.

People use the internet every single day to check news, investigate places they want to go, and to communicate. The internet is the main tool of communication in today’s day and age. To have a successful marketing plan, the internet must be utilized.

Search engines, like Google, are the most commonly used websites, they allow people to browse and find exactly what they are looking for. Search engine optimization is very important for a business for a multitude of reasons, people want to find what they are looking for and companies want people to frequent their website. If a company’s website is not ranking high on the search engines then it will not get as much traffic. More traffic equals more business. There are companies now such as, Elixir Interactive that will work to boost your search rankings and optimize your website to attract traffic.

Social media is also critical to a marketing strategy. People are busier than ever and even though they want all their information, they do not want to search all over the web for it, they want it in one place. Social media sites such as Facebook, Linked In, and Twitter offer a place for people to communicate with friends but also to keep updated on businesses.

As technology is ever changing, so is the marketing industry. New forms of communication open up new forms of marketing and new ways to reach customers.

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The Internet and Marketing