Archive for the ‘marketing’ category

Reach Busy Brides On the Go with Mobile Social Media! [video]

July 19th, 2011

I gave a presentation for the Central Coast Wedding Professionals on July 13th.  The whole presentation is below as a 9.5 minute video if you want to watch it.  If you don’t have time right now to watch the video check out these stats about smart phones and mobile social media usage:

  • 99.6 million smart phones were sold in the first quarter of this year. If you’re a Math whiz you can figure out what percentage that would be for the Central Coast.
  • Facebook added 45 million mobile users in six months. If Facebook were a country it would be the world’s 3rd largest country.
  • 65 million Facebook users already update their profile and community from mobile devices, and spend as much time on Facebook as computer users do
  • Twitter handles 200 million tweets daily, compared with 50 million a day a year ago.
  • Foursquare reported 380 million check-ins in 2010.

Elizabeth Ruiz – Direct Marketing Rx from CCWP on Vimeo.

Need to Rustle Up More Marketing Ideas for July?

June 28th, 2011

If you are looking for non-food related days for marketing themes here are a few. I’ ve had a few requests so I found these days courtesy of Giftypedia.

I think you can do a lot with July 26th – National Cowboy Day! Giddy Yup into audacious marketing promotions.  Have a western themed sale. Maybe even have a horse shoe pitching contest. Make sure its safe!

July 13th Embrace Your Geekness Day sounds fun. Have a Geek costume contest and post the entries in your business and on your Facebook Fan Page. Have customers vote for the best costume and give a prize to the winner.

July 9th is Rock N Roll day. Have a rocker theme going on in your store and send out promotional materials with guitars and other rock images. Have a live rock band playing for the day. Free concert for your customers.

Sponsor a pet adoption event for a local shelter on July 31st, Mutt’s Day. Give away a basket of pet care items for people who adopt a mutt who needs a happy home.

1st Week:

July 1st – International Joke Day – Make sure they are clean jokes!
July 2nd – I Forgot Day – Umm, what was I supposed to buy? Send out sales flyers!
July 2nd – World UFO Day – Have an Area 51 theme going on!
July 3rd – Stay Out of the Sun Day – Hand out sunscreen, hats or beach umbrellas.

2nd Week:

July 4th – Country Music Day
July 4th – Sidewalk Egg Frying Day – I picture an egg frying contest for kids.
July 5th – Workaholics Day – Hmm, spa day needed for these people. Gift certificates.
July 6th – Take Your Webmaster to Lunch Day
July 7th – Father Daughter Take a Walk Together Day – Create sweet memories.
July 7th – International Cherry Pit Spitting Day – Another customer contest opportunity.
July 8th – Video Games Day [Pacman tune running through my head!]
July 9th – Rock N Roll Day – Great day for 50′s Diners and nightclubs

3rd Week

July 10th – Don’t Step on a Bee Day [I did this as a child during a family BBQ at the lake. Ruined my day.]
July 10th – Teddy Bear Picnic Day – Toy stores can do a promotion for kids!
July 11th – Cheer Up the Lonely Day
July 12th – Simplicity Day
July 13th – Embrace Your Geekness Day
July 13th – Barbershop Music Appreciation Day
July 15th – Be a Dork Day
July 15th - I Love Horses Day – Are they still called Dude Ranches?
July 16th – National Personal Chef’s Day
July 16th – International Juggling Day – Gift for customers juggling set
July 16th – Toss Away the “Could Haves” and “Should Haves” Day (third Saturday in July)

4th Week:

July 18th – Chrysanthemum Day
July 18th – National Get Out of the Dog House Day (third Monday in July)
July 18th – National Hug Your Kids Day (third Monday in July)
July 20th – Ugly Truck Day - Have a photo contest. Like that ugly dog contest.
July 22nd – Hammock Day
July 23rd – Gorgeous Grandma Day
July 23rd – Hot Enough For Ya Day – Invite customers in to cool off and browse!
July 24th – National Drive-Thru Day
July 24th – National Tell an Old Joke Day – Have a contest for your customers.

5th Week:

July 25th – Day Out of Time Day
July 25th – Threading the Needle Day
July 25th – Culinarians Day
July 26th – National Cowboy Day [Song in my head “I want to be a cowboy and you can be my cowgirl...]
July 26th – All or Nothing Day
July 27th – Walk on Stilts Day – Hire a professional to walk on stilts outside your business!
July 28th – Accountants Day
July 28th – Beatrix Potter Day
July 31st – Mutt’s Day – Sponsor a pet adoption from a local shelter.
July 31st - International Dance Day – for Dance instructors!
July 31st – National Underwear Day – Make sure its clean!

If you like the non-food days for your marketing promotions leave a comment and I’ll do it again for the next month. Otherwise I’m sticking to food holidays. I love food.

Battle of the Smartphones [Infographic]

June 26th, 2011

Smart Phones are changing social media as it goes mobile. Check out the following statistics:

  • 99.6 million smart phones were sold in the first quarter of this year.
  • Facebook added 45 million mobile users in six months.
  • Foursquare reported 380 million check-ins in 2010.

 

If you want to find out more interesting statics check out the infographic I found on Social Media Explorer about Android vs iPhone:


Mobile Marketing Infographic

31 Days of Marketing Ideas for July!

June 23rd, 2011

Looking for outrageous marketing themes for July to keep your customers engaged and buying? You’ve come to the right place. Below are a list of food and drink National Days to give your marketing a sparkling flare!

I like July 31st – National Cotton Candy Day. It just so happens its during the local County Fair in my area! I have lots of happy childhood memories attached to Cotton Candy.

Rent a cotton candy machine for your business and invite your customers to come in with their families for free cotton candy. You can create an event on Facebook, tweet about it and set up a Foursquare promotion related to National Cotton Candy Day. And if you hurry you can even drop a cotton candy themed postcard in the mail to your customer list. Invite your guests to post photos of their cotton candy fun on your Facebook wall.

National Junk Food Day on July 21st sounds like lots of fun! Get your customers talking about their favorite Junk Food and have them post photos on your Facebook Wall.

Want a tropical theme for your marketing promotion? National Pina Colada Day on July 10th should work just fine. If you are a non-food service business you can have non alcoholic Pina Coladas available for customers to enjoy/

If you want to get fancy and deal with a luxury market send your best clients caviar on July 18th National Caviar Day.

1st Week:

July 1 – National Gingersnap Day
July 1 – National Creative Ice Cream Flavor Day – Have a contest and have people submit recipes.
July 2 – National Anisette Day – Its an Anise flavored liqueur.
July 3 – National Chocolate Wafer Day
July 3 – National Eat Beans Day [Make sure you use this for an out door event! LOL]

2nd Week:

July 4 – National Barbecue Day
July 4 – National Barbecued Spareribs Day
July 4 – National Caesar Salad Day
July 5 – National Apple Turnover Day
July 6 – National Fried Chicken Day – My Grandma fried the best chicken!
July 7 – National Strawberry Sundae Day
July 7 – National Macaroni Day
July 8 – National Milk Chocolate with Almonds Day
July 9 – National Sugar Cookie Day
July 9 – National Don’t Put all your Eggs in One Omelet Day
July 10 – National Pina Colada Day – Have a tropical theme with special offer on Pina Coladas!

3rd Week:

July 11 – National Blueberry Muffin Day -  Bakeries, coffee shops and even diners can use this day.
July 12 – National Pecan Pie Day
July 13 – National French Fries Day [Oh, there goes my diet! Love fries!]
July 13 – National Bean ‘n Franks Day
July 14 – National Grand Marnier Day
July 14 – National Pick Blueberries Day
July 15 – National Tapioca Pudding Day
July 16 – National Corn Fritters Day
July 17 – National Peach Ice Cream Day

4th Week:

July 18 – National Caviar Day – Luxury market! Send out jars to your top clients.
July 19 - National Daiquiri Day – Have non-alcoholic ones in your store for customers on a hot day.
July 19 – National Ice Cream Day
July 20 – National Lollipop Day – Hand out to your customers children when they stop by.
July 20 – National Fortune Cookie Day – Have ones with motivational quotes and use in mailers.
July 21 – National Crème Brulee Day
July 21 – National Junk Food Day – Why am I thinking competitive eating contest?
July 22 – National Penuche Fudge Day [Made from brown sugar]
July 23 – National Vanilla Ice Cream Day
July 24 – National Tequila Day – Bars, Nightclubs and Mexican restaurants can do a themed promo.

5th Week:

July 25 – National Hot Fudge Sundae Day
July 26 – National Bagelfest – Bakeries pay attention!
July 26 – National Coffee Milkshake Day – Coffee shops can use this for a special promo.
July 27 – National Crème Brulee Day
July 27 – National Scotch Day – Bars, Pubs and Nightclubs can use this for a promotion.
July 28 – National Milk Chocolate Day
July 28 – National Hamburger Day
July 29 – National Lasagna Day
July 30 – National Cheesecake Day
July 31 – National Raspberry Cake Day
July 31 – National Cotton Candy Day  – Rent a machine for your business and invite customers for a treat.
July 31 - National Jump for Jelly Beans Day – Send out mailers with jelly beans packages attached.

For those of you looking for non food related marketing themes for July I’ll be posting a list soon. Let me know which days you use for a promotion and the response you get.

Piece of Cake Marketing Ideas for June!

May 30th, 2011

 

June has several cake awareness days that will make for some delicious marketing promotions. June 1st is National Hazelnut Cake Day, June 6th is National Applesauce Cake Day, June 11th is National German Chocolate Cake Day and June 14th is National Strawberry ShortCAKE Day.

I’m thinking wineries could also use National Cheese Day on June 4th to encourage wine tasters to visit. And stores selling kitchen items can have a special promotion for people who feel less skilled in the kitchen with National Kitchen Klutzes of America on June 13th.

If you want a family orientated theme how about International Picnic Day on June 18th. Or there is June 17th National Eat Your Veggies Day to encourage families to eat healthy.

What can you come up with for your June Marketing promotions?

First Week:

June 1: National Hazelnut Cake Day

June 2: National Rocky Road Day

June 3: National Chocolate Macaroon Day

June 4: National Cheese Day

June 4: National Cognac Day

June 5: National Gingerbread Day

Second Week:

June 6: National Applesauce Cake Day

June 6: National Frozen Yogurt Day

June 7: National Chocolate Ice Cream Day

June 8: National Jelly-filled Doughnut Day

June 9: National Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie Day

June 10: National Herbs & Spices Day

June 10: National Black Cow Day

June 11: National German Chocolate Cake Day

June 12: Peanut Butter Cookie Day

Third Week:

June 13: National Kitchen Klutzes of America Day

June 14: National Strawberry Shortcake Day

June 15: National Lobster Day – Seafood restaurants do something fun!

June 16: National Fudge Day

June 17: National Apple Strudel Day

June 17: National Eat All Your Veggies Day – Nutritionists, chefs, restaurants!

June 18: National Cherry Tart Day

June 18: International Picnic Day

June 19: National Dry Martini Day – Have a 007 contest!

Fourth Week:

June 20: National Vanilla Milkshake Day – Have a retro 50′s theme sale!

June 21: National Peaches & Cream Day

June 22: National Chocolate Eclair Day – Delicious!

June 22: National Onion Rings Day

June 23: National Pecan Sandies Day

June 24: National Pralines Day

June 25: National Strawberry Parfait Day

June 25: National Catfish Day

June 26: National Chocolate Pudding Day

Fifth Week:

June 27: National Orange Blossom Day

June 28: National Tapioca Day

June 29: National Almond Buttercrunch Day

June 30: National Ice Cream Soda Day – Lots of fun for summer time!

Let me know if you use June 25th National Catfish Day in a Marketing promotion. I think it could work for the right business.

Shape Up Your Marketing Promotions for May!

April 25th, 2011

Are you straining your brain for promotional themes for May? No need for a mental muscle pull. Here are some fun ideas to kick start your May sales.

I’m really liking May 6th as “National No Diet Day”. Might be a little outrageous but Athletic Clubs could use this as a get fit promotion. Celebrate No Diet Day then come in and start your fitness routine to maintain a healthy lifestyle not just and endless series of failed diets.

May 11th as “National Eat What You Want Day” can work for restaurants, candy shops, bakeries, ice cream parlors and even grocery stores.

May 23rd is “National Taffy Day”. Watching those taffy pulling machines is fun. Maybe you can rent one and have it in your store for a special sales promotion. Get the summer season started of with “National Grape Popsicle Day” on May 27th.

Check below for even more marketing ideas for the entire month of May.

First Week of May:

May 1 – National Chocolate Parfait Day
May 2 – National Truffle Day
May 3 – National Raspberry Tart Day
May 3 – National Chocolate Custard Day
May 4 – National Candied Orange Peel Day
May 4 – National Orange Juice Day
May 5 – National Chocolate Custard Day
May 5 – National Hoagie Day
May 5 – National Oyster Day [Seafood restaurants need to use this day.]
May 6 – National Crepe Suzette Day
May 6 – National No Diet Day [Yippee! Have a party for your clients.]
May 7 – National Roast Leg of Lamb Day

Second Week of May:

May 8 – National Coconut Cream Pie Day
May 8 – National Empanada Day
May 9 – National Butterscotch Brownie Day
May 10 – National Shrimp Day
May 11 – National Eat What You Want Day [Love this day!]
May 12 – National Nutty Fudge Day
May 13 – National Apple Pie Day
May 13 – National Fruit Cocktail Day
May 14 – National Buttermilk Biscuit Day

Third Week of May:

May 15 – National Chocolate Chip Day
May 16 – National Coquilles St. Jacques Day
May 17 – National Cherry Cobbler Day
May 18 – National Cheese Souffle Day
May 19 – National Devil’s Food Cake Day
May 20 – National Quiche Lorraine Day
May 20 – National Pick Strawberries Day [Make it a family event.]
May 21 – National Strawberries and Cream Day

Fourth Week of May:

May 22 – National Vanilla Pudding Day
May 23 – National Taffy Day
May 24 – National Escargot Day
May 25 – National Brown-Bag-It Day [Good for lunch presentations.]
May 25 – National Wine Day
May 26 – National Blueberry Cheesecake Day
May 26 – National Cherry Dessert Day
May 27 – National Grape Popsicle Day
May 28 – National Brisket Day

Fifth Week of May:

May 29 – National Coq Au Vin Day
May 30 – National Mint Julep Day
May 31 – National Macaroon Day

Be sure to leave a comment about which days you plan to use in your marketing promotions.

The Psychology of Social Media Marketing

March 15th, 2011

Solve Your Customers Problems with Your Services.

Do you want to know the best way to reach your customers with Social Media? I found an article from memeburn describing “6 Psychology Findings for Social Media Marketing”. What I took from the article:

• People love multiple ways to learn .Audio and visual so add videos and audios to your social media not just text content.

• Niche marketing is good for business. Solve a specific problem for a specific set of customers.

• Give people choices but not so many they get overwhelmed and can’t make a decision. Options A, B, and C not A thru Z.

• People will be more inclined to like us if we share valuable information on a regular basis. We start off as an acquaintance and become someone they enjoy seeing and trust.

• People like a story that connects with them on an emotional level. Share examples of how your products or services will enhance their lives.

• People love advice. A 2008 study showed that 50% of people consulted a blog before making a buying decision. You can influence you customers in a positive way by sharing the features and benefits of your services. Use reviews and testimonials.

If you want to read the details of the article you can read it here: 6 Psychology Findings for Social Media Marketing.

April Is A Marketing Picnic Of Ideas!

March 14th, 2011

April 23rd is National Picnic Day. Have a picnic themed promotion for your business. Send out Picnic baskets full of goodies to you top clients. Or have a picnic at your store if you cater to families and encourage them to bring their children.

April 1st has three different theme ideas to match any business. I like National Cherry Cheesecake Day…invite me to a tasting at your event.

There is even a healthy day for vegetarians: April 20th is National Lima Bean Respect Day. I loved them in my vegetable soup when I was a child.  Hmm, National Zucchini Bread day sounds like a tasty treat for you customers.

All of April has some really good days for marketing themes. Check out the rest below for five weeks full of outrageous advertising ideas. Use them in your Social Media, Direct Mail and Print and TV advertising promotions

Week 1 –

April 1 – April Fool’s Day – This sale is no joke…prices that can’t be beat.

April 1 – National Sourdough Bread Day

April 1 – International Edible Book Day – There’s even an International Edible Book Festival.

April 2 – National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day – Its peanut butter, jelly time!

April 3 – National Chocolate Mousse Day – Ummm, delicious.

Week 2 –

April 4 – National Cordon Bleu Day

April 5 – National Raisin & Spice Bar Day

April 6 – National Caramel Popcorn Day

April 7 – National Coffee Cake Day – Coffee shops can offer a special offer with a beverage.

April 8 – National Empanada Day

April 9 – National Chinese Almond Cookie Day

April 10 – National Cinnamon Crescent Day – Bakeries can do a promotion to bring in customers.

Week 3 –

April 11 – National Cheese Fondue Day

April 12 – National Licorice Day

April 13 – National Peach Cobbler Day – Have fans post recipes on your Fan Page wall.

April 14 – National Pecan Day

April 14 – National Hot Cross Bun Day

April 15 – National Glazed Spiral Ham Day

April 16 – National Eggs Benedict Day

April 16 – National Baked Ham with Pineapple Day

April 16 – National Day of the Mushroom

April 17 – National Cheeseball Day

Week 4 –

April 18 – National Animal Crackers Day – Monkeys and rabbits Loop the Loop

April 19 – National Garlic Day

April 19 – National Amaretto Day

April 20 – National Pineapple Upside-down Cake Day

April 20 – National Lima Bean Respect Day

April 21 – National Chocolate-Covered Cashews Day

April 22 – National Jelly Bean Day – Mail out jelly beans in a mailer.

April 23 – National Cherry Cheesecake Day

April 23 – National Picnic Day – Picnic themed sale for families.

April 24 – National Pigs-in-a-Blanket Day

Week 5 –

April 25 – National Zucchini Bread Day

April 26 – National Pretzel Day – Offer customers big, warm pretzels. Yum!

April 27 – National Prime Rib Day

April 28 – National Blueberry Pie Day – Recipe contest for your customers.

April 29 – National Shrimp Scampi Day – Seafood restaurants, think up a promotion!

April 30 – National Oatmeal Cookie Day

April 30 – National Raisin Day

 

Do You Doubt You Can Find Your Customers On Facebook?

February 24th, 2011

Still wondering why you should bother having a Business Page on Facebook? Consider this 1 out of every 13 people in the world are on Facebook. Out of people in the U.S. connected to the internet, 72% have a profile on Facebook.

Think of how many people you could educate about your business. And the people who find you on Facebook will share your Page with others if they find it interesting. Word of mouth marketing done online because you made the time to interact with your customers on Facebook.

Check out this short video by Alex Trimpe to get more information on the power of Facebook in people’s lives and think about why you aren’t marketing your business on Facebook yet:

The World Is Obsessed With Facebook from Alex Trimpe on Vimeo.

 

It’s amazing, how in a few short years Facebook has grown and is a part of daily life for millions of people. People communicate with family and friends, search for information, places to go, companies to do business with all inside Facebook.

Direct Marketing Rx can help you get started. Contact us today and start reaching out to the half a billion people on Facebook. Don’t just think local, think global for your business.

Is Being Relevant Only a Fantasy for Your Business?

February 12th, 2011

Dilbert.com

Have you made your business irrelevant online? Astonishingly enough I still hear on a daily basis, at least one business person say they are not interested in Facebook or other social media to promote their business online.  Apparently those business people want to stay invisible and irrelevant on a media platform that can brand their business on a global scale.

An associate mentioned to me that some people currently view social media for marketing and advertising like people back in the 1950’s viewed radio some new fad that wasn’t worth their making room in for in their marketing budget. Savvy business people who saw the value of radio back in the 1950’s used it too make their businesses more successful. Today savvy business people can use social media, especially Facebook to enhance awareness about their business to their target market on a huge scale for much less money than a radio ad in today’s media.  Social media is the present and the future.

Social media in unexplored territory for many and businesses need to know how to use social networking to promote their business.  Social media allows you to expand your online presence, build a social media fan base, interact with your customers and increase sales with social networks like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube and Blogs.

You can use it to tell your customers about your business, future products and services, promotional events, special sales and educational seminars. You can also build your business reputation as a leader in your field by sharing your expertise which helps to create loyal customers who turn into fans and tell their friends about your business.

Don’t just fantasize about being relevant get your social media marketing started today. Direct Marketing Rx is a social media management firm dedicated to marketing your business through social networks. If you need help we are here to meet your social media marketing needs. To keep in touch with customers and build brand awareness you need to get involved in social media. Contact us today we can help you.

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