Sunday 31 July 2016

Five things to share about your business

There is a franchise nearby which sells ready made cheesecakes.  It’s a nice clean shop with the cheesecakes beautifully laid out in brightly lit display cabinets.  You carefully peruse the selection,  make your choice, then they take it out the back behind closed doors.  Moments later they return with the boxed cheesecake, lifting the lid to show you.  I want to know what did out there!  Why won’t they let me see out the back?  Is it really the cheesecake I chose?



Today we all like to look behind the scenes; Chefs work in open kitchens, people work in open plan office spaces, I also hear Reality TV is very popular.  So what is it that we love about “looking out back”, perhaps we are just plain nosy?   I think the answer lays in people, we all want to know who we are dealing with.  If we are comfortable with the people we meet, we are more likely to do business.

Tuesday 26 July 2016

Social Media Content Ideas August

If you've done a bit of Social Media Marketing, you will know the frustration of noticing a trend when it's all too late and thinking "Damn, why didn't I know about that!"

Don't despair, I've made it easier for you!  Here's a list of events which may be relevant to your business, so hop to it and start planning your content today.


August is:


1st August
World Wide Web Day
Girlfriend’s Day

1st - 7th August
Homeless Prevention Week
Dental Health Week
Local Government Week
World Breastfeeding Week

4th August
Absolutely Fabulous The Movie in cinemas
National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day
Assistance Dog Day

5th August
Cafe Smart
Olympic Games commence
International Beer Day
Work Like a Dog Day
Jeans for Genes Day

6th August
Wiggle your toes Day

7th August
Sisters Day
Friendship Day
Doll Day





Thursday 14 July 2016

Six quick tips for kickstart your Small Business Marketing

Are you persevering with your old marketing methods but not getting anywhere?  Here's a few tips to kick start your business, create more interest and increase sales:



Social Media Marketing
Correct use of Social Media can be highly effective both in the short and long term, but which platform is best for your business?  The answer to that depends on a few factors, firstly who are you marketing towards, is it business to business or to consumer?  Another major factor is the industry in which your service is related to, for example technical and Engineering type fields do well on Twitter where as service related tend to be more effective on Facebook.  Keep in mind the other major platforms like Linkedin, Youtube, Pinterest and Instagram, these all have their place within for business marketing. The main objective of using Social Media is to engage and inform your prospective client, the key being to demonstrate that you are interested in them and would like to help.  To be successful at Social Media Marketing, you need to find the right platform and followers, then be consistent with your posting while networking and helping others.

Online Advertising
Have you ever Googled something then found relevant ads appearing for the next week or so? Creepy isn't it, how do they know what your are thinking?  Don't worry Google isn't reading your mind but it is tracking what you are searching for, thus likely to purchase soon.  This advertising is highly effective when done properly as it targets those who are already looking for your type of product/service and keeps your name in their minds eye, hopefully until they make their purchase.

Email Marketing and Newsletter Campaigns
Contrary to popular belief, this method is certainly not dead.  Done correctly and legally, email marketing can be extremely effective.  There are several platforms which can help you compile relevant lists, allow for unsubscribers, create attractive designs and provide analytics.  Similar to Social Media marketing, email marketing must inform and engage your potential client, not just sell to them, genuinely give them a reason to open and keep reading your newsletter.

Exhibiting
Having a booth at a Tradeshow, which is a good fit for your business and staffed with the right people can provide you with excellent exposure and networking opportunities.  Look for the type of event that your potential clients are likely to visit, then plan accordingly to target this market.

Internal Events 
Think about ways that you can connect with and inform potential clients in person.   Depending on your type of business, a free open day with fun activities, information and discounts could be an option.  Open Days are ideal for bringing people in who can then talk to your staff and look at what you do in a relaxed, no pressure setting.   See what this client achieved at their Open Day.  

Revisit your Website
How long has it been since you had a good look at your website?  Have you viewed it on a mobile phone?  The web has changed dramatically in the last few years with 50% of visits now coming from a mobile device. Visitors expect the information to be up to date, easily found and to book or purchase on the spot while they are keen.  Sorry, a simple email enquiry form is no longer enough :(, while they are waiting for your reply they may have purchased from your competition or lost interest completely.   Giving visitors an easy way to share your material through "share buttons" is also a great way to encourage others spread the word for you.  To assist with SEO, we suggest your site is Mobile Friendly and kept fresh with integrated feeds from your Social Media channels.

You may also enjoy:
Having an online presence without a website
Can your customers find you on a mobile device?
How to waste $10000 on a tradeshow booth


We hope this has given you a few ideas to kick start your new marketing plan.  Where will you start?










Sue Whittaker
Eclectic mix of Bookeeper and Social Media Marketer
iManage Professionals


Need a little help with your Social Media Marketing?
Please feel free to drop by iManage Professionals












Sunday 3 July 2016

Social Media Ideas for July

If you've done a bit of Social Media Marketing, you will know the frustration of noticing a trend when it's all too late and thinking "Damn, why didn't I know about that!"

Don't despair, I've made it easier for you!  Here's a list of events which may be relevant to your business, so hop to it and start planning your content today.



Social Media Marketing Tip:  Post at a time that most of your audience is likely to be online on that platform rather than when is convenient to you.