If I “Get” Social Media, Why Don’t I “Get”…..

September 28, 2010 By Diane Meyer Leave a Comment
Why do that to an Ice Cream Cone?

"I thought I asked for an ice cream cone!"

 

 

Every once in awhile it is good to take stock in what we believe we understand or as we say today “GET” and what still puzzles us.

I thought since I seem to GET Social Media, I must now have developed my mind so much so that I am no longer puzzled by the following.  Well I am here to tell you that I still DO NOT GET…

 

 

  1. Why don’t they raise the basketball hoop?
  2. What happened to the jump rope?
  3. What came first…the chicken or the egg?
  4. Why are snowplow drivers so mean?
  5. Ball and Jacks….is that gone too?
  6. Children not outside on a beautiful day?
  7. Where are the honey bees?
  8. Why families are not sitting down together at dinner?
  9.  You never forget how to ride a bike?

Others that I am perplexed about are:

  • Employee health reward…parking spot closest to the door!
  • Someone advising that “You are taking it personally!”
  • Silver Christmas Trees?
  • Speeding up to a red light!
  • Why aren’t there any predators for stink bugs?
  • Cutting back on Marketing/PR/Advertising during economic downturn?

    •  

    As you can see, I have a lot of questions that perhaps some of you can help me GET and if I in turn can help you get Social Media, I definitely would like to try and also introduce you to my friends at Harrisburg Social Media Club.

    Filed Under Branding, Inbound Marketing, Marketing, Social Media Tagged With Branding, Marketing, Social Media

    Retention… Benefit of Attention

    September 24, 2010 By Diane Meyer Leave a Comment
    Standout from the Rest

    Standout From The Rest

    We all know, don’t we, that our clients crave our attention and it is our full intention of giving them the attention they deserve.  However, intentions don’t always result in attention which in turn affects retention.

    Every client is different and requires a certain amount of nourishing to keep your relationship flourishing.  In order for us to prosper and succeed, we have to value all the experts out there that guide us regarding the importance of retention of clients/customers and what we absolutely must do to achieve this all important goal.

    There are some very simple basic guidelines that are worth reviewing:

    1. Truly listen to your clients’ needs
    2. Follow up with them in a timely manner (make sure you understand what their expectations are)
    3. Remember you work for them
    4. Understand their decision-making process
    5. Vary your contact with them; i.e. email, phone, in-person

    I would like to address telephone calls separately because I have read some articles that advocate that you could save time and not answer the telephone.  This is so you can call people back on YOUR OWN time.  I view that is very selfish.  My clients time is just as valuable as mine and if we all did that, we would not connect at all.  The problem with that as well is people pick up on that very quickly and you have now jeopardized retention.  You may just stand out if you are accessible and respectful thereby giving your client the attention they deserve.

    Businesses built around the philosophy that the customer is worthy of “whatever it takes” also builds an in-house respect for quality service and these companies, even in times of economic downturn, continue to grow.  There is a business culture established that we are in this together.  I’ve seen it!!

    Re-examine your marketing strategy to see if you are implementing at least the basics for retention of your clients.  It is so much more costly to seek new clients and build relationships instead of nourishing those that you have at hand.

    What are some of the key elements of retention you would like to share?

    Filed Under Branding, Inbound Marketing, Marketing, ROI Tagged With Branding, Marketing, Retention

    Afternoon “T”ea With Twitter

    July 2, 2010 By Diane Meyer Leave a Comment
            

    Twitter Presentation

    www.twitter.com/MarketingbyDM

    The goal for this upcoming session will be to “elevate Social Media, in particular Twitter, from a ‘neat’ toy to a serious business tool.”  (Quote via/ @CEB_MLC)

     

    This presentation is geared toward the Twitter 101 individual.

    • Hear from a business professional who is successfully engaged on Twitter
    • Learn from a Small Business Leader who has benefited from Social Media
    • Leave with practical applications & step-by-step guidelines on how to apply Twitter

    YOU ARE INVITED TO “T”EA with TWITTER

    Presented by   DIANE MEYER   (@MarketingbyDM)

    Date:  Tuesday, August 24th, 2010

    Time:  3:00 pm – 4:30 pm

    Place:  Perfect Settings  (@Perfect Settings)

    Address:  200 Locust St., Columbia, PA  17512

    Parking:  Private Parking Lot just steps away

    Refreshments:  Tea  and Tastykakes (@TastyBakingCo)

    FOCUS:  TWITTER

    Cost:  $40.00

    Preferred Attendance:  Maximum 40   (Register Early)

    Registration Deadline:  Wednesday, August 11th, 2010 by email Diane@marketingbyDM.com

    • Follow-up session (optional) will be offered Tuesday, October 26th, 2010, same time/same place for a cost of $30.00 so that questions can be answered and next steps discussed.  
    • All attendees will receive materials at the presentation that will assist them with refreshing subject matter discussed, guide to applications, terms to know and general information to be  helpful in the learning process.

     

    Filed Under Inbound Marketing, News & Events, Social Media Tagged With Social Media, Twitter

    Go Green Can Be Confusing When It Comes To Cotton

    May 3, 2010 By Diane Meyer Leave a Comment

    This poor gentleman is so confused. 

    All he wanted to do was get some #Green polos for a Golf Tournament!

    Organic Cotton Polo ~ Go Green

    Go Green with Organic Cotton Polo

    Did he want Certified Organic Cotton, Recycled Cotton, or the very Eco-Friendly Natural Bamboo.

    We are going to give you some simple definitions here to help when you are in the decision-making process. 

    Certified Organic Cotton  This is 100% cotton wovens which are grown without the use of pesticides or synthetic fertilizers.  They contain no chemical bleaches and/or dyes which in turn reduces the amount of pollutants in the environment.

    Recycled Cotton  Made from clippings.  Textile waste or clippings are collected from pre-consumer venues: new cotton-knit cuttings, upholstery and trim fabric, yarn waste and industrial fibers.  Cippings re sorted by color and chopped into fine linty material called “Shoddy”.  Shoddy is then spun into a yarn that is used to produce product.  This information provided by AnvilRecycled Tees.

    Eco-Friend Natural Bamboo  Without the use of pesticides, bamboo grows faster than any other plant on earth making it one of the earth’s most renewable resources.  Fabrics made from bamboo offer a luxurious feel (I can attest to that….so very soft and cool on your skin).  It has inherent performance characteristics like UV protection and moisture wicking properties.

    This summary information is shared with you from information provided by www.vantageapparel.com, one of the best apparel vendors in the industry along with their amazing award-winning decoration choices.

    A Twitter friend of mine inspired this blog when he went to buy a suit and was showed a suit made of Bamboo. 

    Next week we will review moisture wicking, breathability, moisture management, and climate control.  All terms that need some clarity.

    Filed Under Advertising Specialties, Branding, Inbound Marketing, Marketing, Promotions

    Twitter is the Cashew

    April 25, 2010 By Diane Meyer 2 Comments

        

    Cashew and entire fruit

    Twitter is the Cashew and Social Media is the Entire Fruit

    This is the last of my 5th Anniversary posts.  I will discuss here my 4th and 5th lessons I have learned throughout my five years in business.

    4th Lesson:  Always be open to change.  Your Business Plan must be in the NOW. 

    5th Lesson:  Position yourself around positive, energetic, enthusiastic business leaders that are going to give you motivational feedback. 

    Both these lessons lead me to Social Media and Twitter which is my “cashew”.  Don’t get me wrong.  The entire plant is ALL GOOD but you have to decide which of the Social Media platforms are best for your business.  However, do not discard any of them because just like the Cashew plant here…..whoever may like the nut, would be making a huge mistake not to try the remainder of the delicious plant.

    Last year, if I would have listened to most in the Promotional Product industry, who saw no value at all in Twitter, I would have denied myself the pleasure of  connecting with some of the most professional, knowledgeable, sharing, caring, intelligent, authentic business leaders in the Nation.  We must get past the hard sell, what is the immediate ROI in dollars, what’s in it for me in dollar compensation. 

    Relationships create an energy that can’t be obtained more effectively than from each other.  Information sharing on Twitter cannot be matched by any other medium out there.  As an example, just recently @SocialNetDaily shared the following on blogging… http://ow.ly/1CB15.  This is packed with valuable information.   Just by this example should we understand what an impact Social Media can have on our business.

    I am glad I didn’t get stuck in the 90′s and fortunate that I surrounded myself with leaders who understood the importance of adapting to the fast changing technology world.  Let’s help some of our clients, business colleagues, and entreprenneurs who are still hesitant about getting a taste of Social Media or at least taking a bite of the Cashew.

    Have you had some resistance by executives?  What are some of their issues?

    Filed Under Inbound Marketing, Marketing, Promotions, ROI, Social Media

    Name Awareness Is Serious Business

    February 23, 2010 By Diane Meyer Leave a Comment

    I’m so shiny and Red….pick me, pick me!!

    Choose me please…don’t ask why!

    Have you said this… “I/We need a pen” or “I/We need a mug” or how about “I/We need a notepad…maybe sticky notes”?   Now, you may very well like to have these for various reasons but there are so many questions to be answered before you invest in these promotional products….and how many!!

    There are over 85,000 promotional products and all too often business executives are not working with a marketing consultant or promotions director when they are in the decision-making process.  No matter what your budget is, there are products that will represent your business more specifically, will have “hang around” time, and will successfully meet your branding goals…..and not just because it is the color of your logo.

    Even if it is a tradeshow and you want to spend $.30/piece, a pen is NOT the only answer.   It could be if you are an accountant and you found a nice, smooth writing fine point or a real estate agent and it is a pen with several imprint areas or a corporate law attorney where many documents are signed.  Well you get the picture.  Questions to ask yourself:

    • Where are you giving these out
    • To  whom are you giving them
    • What value do you expect in return
    • Did you look at this promotion from a marketing perspective

    In this economy, it is tempting to eliminate name awareness opportunities.  The dictionary says “…..tempt ~ draw into a foolish or wrong course of action“.   Well no one I know is foolish and positive that with the correct guidance would not make a wrong decision.  Consult with a marketing professional with promotions expertise so that you get the direction you need.  A recommendation would be cut-back but don’t cut-out either marketing, PR or promotions…..have to add Social Media as well.   By the way, I have a pen and a mug for retention and leave behind gifts…..very different than give-aways no matter what the event.

    Filed Under Branding, Featured, Inbound Marketing, Marketing, Promotions, ROI

    Competition sharpens our skills

    February 20, 2010 By Diane Meyer Leave a Comment

    Why hate me....I'm just being me!!

    Competition is a good thing…right?

    Motivates us to be the best we can be, helps to keep us up-to-date with what’s happening in our industry, teaches us to be more responsive to change, sharpens our skills, tests our values.

    With all of these positive responses set forth above, why do many view the competitor as the “enemy”.  It takes far more energy to study and complain about what someone else is doing or not doing, rather than developing our own strengths, deepest values, passions, and commitments so that what we are competent at is NOT JUST A JOB.

    Keep in mind…somewhere down the line, that competitor may be a potential client and no door should ever be closed.  Respect for the way a person does business should be across the board.  Author Dr. Henry Cloud, “Integrity”, encourages us to be aware of the “wake” we leave behind us as we go through life and interact both with our personal and business relationships.  Smooth or very little waves are good!!

    Focusing in on your own worth and value to your client is a whole lot more beneficial to them than comments about what your competitor is or is not doing.  Approach all with respect and it will come back to you ten-fold.

    “I have been up against tough competition all my life.  I wouldn’t know how to get along without it.” ~ Walt Disney

    Filed Under Advertising Specialties, Branding, Inbound Marketing, Promotions

    Marketing under the big tent: 5 things we can learn from the circus

    February 16, 2010 By Diane Meyer Leave a Comment

    Marketing under the big tent….

    “… if the circus is coming to town and you paint a sign saying ‘Circus Coming to the Fairground Saturday’, that’s advertising. If you put the sign on the back of an elephant and walk it into town, that’s promotion. If the elephant walks through the mayor’s flower bed, that’s publicity. And if you get the mayor to laugh about it, that’s public relations.” If the town’s citizens go the circus, you show them the many entertainment booths, explain how much fun they’ll have spending money at the booths, answer their questions and ultimately, they spend a lot at the circus, that’s sales.

     

    MARKETING:

    Strategize getting value in return.

    ADVERTISING:

    Bring brand to the attention of potential and/or current customers

    PROMOTIONS:

    Keeps brand in the minds of customer which in turn stimulates demand

    PR:

    Helps public to understand company/product

    What would you cut-out…..hopefully nothing!!

    Filed Under Advertising, Branding, Featured, Inbound Marketing, Marketing