Holiday Gifts and Cards Strengthen Relationships
Yesterday, a Christmas card catalog arrived by mail, and the day before, I received a catalog with fruit and nut collections to send to customers as appreciation gifts.
As solo marketers, we’re charged not only with making everyday decisions to keep the revenue growing but also selecting items that thank clients for choosing us.
In 2005, I reported on an American Express survey that revealed that 19 percent of responders planned to send their clients nothing, not even a greeting card. I haven’t read any updates to the survey, which included a list of popular gifts.
Cards are selected for some of my customers, and I’m waiting for additional items to arrive from a local manufacturer. Some clients will also receive business card-sized coupons for complimentary services throughout 2008.
It’s a smart move to make contact, in whatever form, with clients anytime between Thanksgiving and New Year. That’s what keeps them motivated to buy from you and refer your business to others.
Technorati Tags: gift list, greeting cards, holiday gifts, business gifts, small business marketing, solo business marketing, solo entrepreneur
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Five Reasons to Stop Worrying About Spam Mail Complaints
Now there are numerous complications to getting your message delivered. That’s why the article, How Marketers Can Prevent Spam Complaints, commanded my attention in DMNews‘ Essential Guide to Email Marketing.
Ben Chestnut of MailChimp.com explains in this article how marketers’ actions can send their Emails to spam folders, even if it’s legitimate, and ways to stop (or at least lessen) spam abuse reports.
Like you, I concentrate on increasing Web site traffic, and that also increases the number of subscribers to my online newsletters. That can also increase the number of people who report abuse rather than press the unsubscribe button. It’s happening to me more often, and I’m concerned to a point. Are you also in this position?
Here are five reasons to not let the problem overshadow your success. Read more
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How to Market with Online Images
“Use simple, content-descriptive photo names and keyword-rich captions.”
That’s the advice given in “Optimizing Images Delivers Online,” an article in the October 15th edition of DMNews.
Why is this important? Business participants interviewed for this article believe that when optimized, “images can compete with Web pages, video clips and news photos in search results.”
For example, I could add keywords for the image shown here as “thank you” or “microwave popcorn,” but to focus on the marketing aspect of this site, the keywords are “add incentive products to your marketing plan,” which you see when mousing over the picture.
Has image optimization been part of your marketing? I must admit it’s not been part of mine. According to the article, I have lots of work to do as I review all photos on my sites, but the project is worth the time if it elevates my online exposure.
Have you experienced results that prove this type of optimization works, or are you like me, planning to ensure that your photos are optimized for maximum Web traffic?
Technorati Tags: small business marketing, solo business marketing, image optimization, increase Web traffic
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Timelines Strengthen Your Market Position
Conde Nast Portfolio Magazine’s November issue includes an article entitled Welcome to the Future, which discusses how you’ll soon be able to map your DNA online.
The article is fascinating, but what I found of interest to marketing is the timeline included with the article, which skirts the bottom of two pages.
Timelines tell the story of how you started business, its milestones, and how you’re positioning the enterprise for future success.
In 2000, I used Microsoft Publisher software to create my first timeline documenting the rise of a small business industry niche. Since then I’ve not considered creating others, but this reminder gives me an idea to create a timeline for my business and the industry in which I participate.
Creating your own timeline may prove beneficial for you, too.
Technorati Tags: small business marketing, solo business marketing, solo entrepreneur, create a timeline
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Shirley George Frazier - Solo Business Expert, Author, College Mentor
When you hire me to speak at your conference, college or special event, attendees will thank you for a great program. Media interviews also welcomed. Call or Email me. 973-279-2799 or shirley@shirleyspeaks.com.
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