25May

30 Marketing Ideas to Kick-Start Your Year!

Posted by: IndiVisualCreations Categories: Marketing TIps
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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Holiday Marketing has already begun to make headway and the end of the year is quickly approaching.  Many businesses are beginning to look over their fiscal year. Sometimes changes need to be made, and with advertising taking on both a traditional and non-traditional approach, it can be hard to decipher which works best for your company.

IndiVisual Creations decided to come up with a checklist to help you. We created 30 ideas that we hope will further strengthen your customer relations and gain a greater reach in the new year!

There’s only 2 month and a half left of the year, and now is the perfect time to reflect on last year and start planning ahead.

  • Online Sales:  Value-Driven Call to Action Offers:  This can help promote discounts and specials that catch the eye of your customer and can be very influential to their purchases.
  • Packaging:  Supply something free within a package to help up-sell an event, promotion or product.
  • Promo Codes:  Offer your customers a chance to get discounts for the holidays, or throughout the year. Promo codes help track your advertising and also make the discount only available to those you advertise to.
  •  E-mail Marketing:  Are you utilizing your e-blasts to their fullest extent? You can use more aggressive tactics in e-mail marketing to provide exclusive offers to your opt-in subscribers. This is a great way to stand out from your competitors.
  • Building Databases:  Databases are a great ways to reach specific people and can even build relationships. Customization is key during this process, so be sure to spend the extra time maintaining them. You could even create a database of customers that have been with the company for years and create exclusive discounts and offers to show that you appreciate them.
  • Cross-promote E-mails and Social Media:  This is a great way to get people on your Facebook page. You can offer coupons and discounts that will be given if the customer “likes” your page
  • Social Media Outreach:  When planned and executed well, can be an excellent means of generating leads and demand.
  • ABC’s of Social Media:
    A.) Solid First Impression: Have Clarity, Consistency, Balanced emotion and logic, Usefulness (at least 50% of your posts must be directly useful to your audience)
    B.) Content Promotion: Craft the perfect descriptions (with hashtags to attract your audience), Time you Publishing Right (when the maximum number of your audience members are on the social media platform), Target your content right (through relevant social media groups), Create an emailing List (Share your social media content via email on a regular basis (every week, every two weeks or each month), and use social plug ins for easy sharing.
    C.) Getting Introduced: When implementing a marketing strategy on social platforms, it’s important to give just as much attention to fostering relationships as most businesses generally give to creating and distributing content. Since LinkedIn has a system for introductions, you can leverage that to make the right connections.
  • Connecting on Social Media: People working in the same industry as you are, people in the same company, and people whose job descriptions match yours are the obvious ones.  Based on the audience your business is targeting, you could extend your reach beyond those categories (to your high value target audience).
  • Contests: Facebook contests are a fun way to create some excitement on your Facebook page. Customers can enter into the contest for their chance to win a free pass to your park or a free dinner out with the family. It’s a great way to keep your customers engaged, increase your likes, and put your company in the spotlight.
  • Groupon: Groupon and sites like it provide a unique way to promote a product or service to the community. It provides an extensive reach so you can connect with customers who may not know about your company.
  • Business Partnerships: Mass Distribution Promotional Campaign: This is a great way to spread the word about your business, and can be used to offer promotional discounts. Focusing on partnering with businesses that have multiple units is a good approach, that way you get more out of your partnership. 20 locations x 6000 guests per week x 3 weeks = 360, 000 impressions!
  • Tourism Partnerships: Lodging Facilities: Pitch your product to a lodging community. When visitors come to a new area they want to know what they can do while they stay on vacation. Put your business in the spotlight with this partnership.
  • Media Partnerships: Third Party Promotion or Event: Competitions with winning prizes draw a lot of attention. Publications and radio outlets can give you free ”ad” space in their print issues or online sites in exchange for the value of the actual prize to be won.
  • Community Partnerships: Big Giveaway: This is a great way to build partnerships with other businesses in your community. Each of you can offer a free promotional item, like a free dinner or 2 night stay at a certain location. This creates a lot of excitement for your business and the ones you decide to partner with. It can be a collective effort, and is very beneficial.
  • School Partnerships: Get Involved in Various Programs: Promote your business while also showing your support for education. By partnering with school programs you can offer rewards, prizes, group packaging and help with fundraisers.
  • Fundraising: Hold a Fundraiser at your Location: Designate a day or night at your facility where a portion of the proceeds collected will go back to helping a non-profit in your community.
  • Charity Tie-in: If you have a special event going on you can collect a donation which will go directly to a charity that you partner with. This will give you media exposure, create goodwill and expand your audience.
  • Special Events: Create a Contest: Contests are good to promote a new product or even revive an existing product by creating excitement that revolves around it.
  • Appreciation Based: Show appreciation to different groups in your community by offering an exclusive discount on a specific day. Support your teachers and even your local police, fire fighters, doctors, or military.
  • Employee Appreciation: Show your employees how much you care by providing a specific day where they can receive discounted prices.
  • Character Appearances: Create some excitement at your location with some fun-loving characters. You can hold a breakfast at your facility, where a character will appear and greet guests. This can help promote a new game, and create stronger branding for your company.
  • Create a Holiday: Whether you’re celebrating the anniversary of your company or trying to promote a new product, creating a holiday with discounted prices will create a lot of excitement and further enforce your branding efforts.
  • Create Packages for Existing Holidays: Is an easy opportunity to share specials with your customers on a day that they’re looking for something fun to do on their day off. President’s day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Easter, Memorial Day, and Labor Day are just a few holidays that offer an opportunity to promote special price points. Embrace the 3-day weekend!
  • Holiday Marketing: Cyber Monday: This is the new Black Friday for many shoppers looking for a great deal. Put your specials online, and draw your customers in. T he best part is most of your customers are already looking for great savings, so make your specials stand out from your competitors.
  • Gift-Card Promotions: Gift-cards are a popular present during the holidays, and many businesses offer their customers a discount when they spend money on a gift card. For example, if a customer spends $100 on a gift card they will receive a $25 dollar gift card free.
  • Past Party Participants: Keep in contact with customers who have held a birthday party at your location by reaching out to them through monthly direct mail or through an e-mail campaign.
  • New Potential Partiers: Create an offer to draw in new customers. Give them a free pass on their birthday and make them feel extra special.
  • Party Giveaways: Get in contact with your local radio stations, publications, schools, Facebook fans, and other businesses to promote a free birthday party to one lucky winner. You can also use e-mail blasts to help reach your audience and provide a wider reach.
  • Online Party Reservations: This provides a convenient way for your customers to book a birthday party, and you can list the different types of parties you offer with pricing. This provides an organized way to keep track of your reservations, and paints a picture for your customer. An online reservation system can also be used to help book large group events.
  • Media Kits: Impactful Presentation: Media kits are a great way to create a lasting impression and also highlight what makes your business unique. They can be used for many different promotional opportunities and are a great way to explain what your company offers. You can include your operating schedule, brochure, fun facts, contact information, company overview and previous press releases.

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8Apr

Is Marketing Expensive?

Posted by: IndiVisualCreations Categories: Marketing TIps
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Expensive mistake: Being cheap about marketing

The related myth is that you can rely on social media to build vitality and attract customers for free.  “Social media is not free, to do it properly takes unbelievable amounts of time, and it’ll typically take six months to a year before you’ve got even slight momentum–it’s not fast.”

If you’re not sure how much money to budget for marketing, it’s suggested to aim for 10 to 20 percent of your targeted gross revenue.  

Marketing is what we like to refer to as Image Development. 

  • Logo
  • Branding
  • Advertising
  • Networking
  • Writing
  • Social Media Development
  • Press Kit Creation and Professional Bio.

I recommend always using an experienced marketing professional for this work and remember when getting quotes…if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Experienced design professionals are worth their weight in gold and while it may be costly, you will save money in the long run by not having to pay someone else to “fix” what wasn’t done correctly the first time.

Costs – Marketing
Marketing is not an expense it’s an investment and it’s important to have a clear understanding on where to start investing. If you can get this, you are one step ahead.  Good marketing is critical to the success of any business.

Many companies view marketing as an expense. Truth is when a business understands the importance and the role it plays in growing a business it’s clear on why it should be considered an investment.  Marketing is crucial when it comes to gaining the attention of prospective consumers and clients, developing products or service demand and turning those prospective consumers into customers.  Marketing has an affect on your sales, pricing, promotions and your advertising strategies.  When understand the importance of marketing you can use it to promote the ongoing transition of your services and products to the consumer; this can create success in your small business.

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4Apr

Social Media Makeover in Only 7 Days

Posted by: IndiVisualCreations Categories: Digital & Social Media Marketing
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When’s the last time you updated your social media profiles with your latest company information, making the most of each site’s features?  Not sure where to start?  This simple checklist will help you make over your social media presence in just seven days.

Take stock of all your social media accounts and make sure your overall social media presence is polished, professional, and up to date.

Day 1: Audit Your Current Social Media Presence

  •  Create an Audit Doc:  Create a document with a list of every social media account your company has claimed, including the user name, URL and important information for each site.
  •  Update your Passwords:  While you’re creating your initial audit document, log in to each account you own and update your passwords. Make sure you have a different strong, unique password for each account, and if multiple people need to access your passwords, search for a secure password manager.
  • Create a Task List:  Note on your audit document each of the following that need to be created, revised or updated: descriptions, profile photos, cover photos, logos, videos and product and service descriptions.
  •  Double Check the Facts:  Make sure you spell, punctuate, and abbreviate each word of your business information — such as your phone number, address, web addresses and other business details — consistently on each site you use so that search engines attribute your business with proper citations.
  • Align your Assets:  Request creative support for updates to your logo, profile images, and copy on your sites so you can take the next steps.

Day 2: Google+ Local

  • Refresh your Cover Image:  This image can be up to 2120 x 1192 pixels.
  • Update the About Section:  Select the “About” tab on your profile and navigate to the “Story” module to update your page’s tagline or add an introduction.
  • Check Links:  Make sure these are all working links with up-to-date content, since this profile is associated with Google and helps it know what other accounts are affiliated with your company.
  • Confirm Business Details and Contact Information:  Confirm all your details (phone number, address, email and hours of operation) are optimized and current, because this content feeds into other Google properties such as Maps.

Day 3: Facebook

  • Log in and navigate to your Facebook page where you can directly edit some components.
  • Update your cover photo:  At 851 x 315 pixels, your cover image should be unique and represent your company and its current look. It can be made up of no more than 20 percent text, so focus on a bold and inviting image.
  •  Update your Profile Image/Logo:  Your profile image is 160 x 160 pixels and should be able to stand alone in the news feed where it will display at 90 x 90 pixels.
  •  Arrange and Update Apps and Icons:  Make sure the most relevant apps are showing at the top of your page (you can select three to display).  You can also select new “cover images,” 111 x 74 pixel images, for many apps by selecting the down arrow and the edit pencil.
  •  Update your Page Content:  Under “Edit Page,” you can change various pieces of content affiliated with your page, such as your subcategories, address and short description.
  •  Update Settings:  Under “Edit Page” review exactly how your page is operating, including posting ability, private messaging settings, tagging ability, restrictions, app access, etc. to make sure it’s all optimal and up to date. Remove apps you do not use.

Day 4: Twitter
To update your Twitter account, you need to click the gear icon and select “settings” to edit your profile.  Once there, you can update a number of things under the following sections.
Profile

  •  Update your logo or profile photo: Use a square logo that is recognizable at 90 x 90 pixels.
  •  Update or add a cover photo: This image size works best at 1252 x 626 pixels.
  •  Update your bio section: Remember, you only have 160 characters.
  •  Double check your location
  •  Confirm your website

Design

  •  Refresh your Background:  Experts recommend using an image that’s 1600 x 1200 pixels and under 2 MB in size.
  •  Coordinate Background and Link Colors
  •  Apps:  Revoke access to any apps that you no longer use to keep your account secure.

Day 5: LinkedIn
Log in to your LinkedIn account, hover over your profile image and click “Manage” your company page.  This will take you to a view with several editable tabs — “Home,” “Careers” and “Services.”

Homepage

  •  Page details: Make sure your company type, size, URL, industry and locations are all up to date.
  •  Company description: Can be up to 2,000 characters.
  •  Image: This image needs to be 646 x 220 pixels and can be up to 2 MB in size.
  •  Standard logo: It needs to fit the ratio of 100 x 60 pixels for LinkedIn.
  •  Square logo: This logo version should be 50 x 50 pixels or square.
  • Company specialties: Make sure this is up to date by adding any new services or major product lines and removing those you no longer offer.

Careers Page

  •  Cover image:  This unique careers image should be a minimum of 970 x 240 pixels and can be cropped to fit the space.
  •  Content:  Description, video, slides, images

Testimonials

Services page

  •  Products and Services:  You can customize this page with product logos, images, descriptions, names and even video modules.

Day 6: YouTube
Go to “My Channel” under the dropdown menu, and then select the areas you want to edit and optimize.

  • Channel Art:  YouTube recommends a photo at 2560 x 1440 pixels with a “safe” area within this image for text and logos of 1546 x 423 pixels centered within the image.
  • Channel Icon:  A high-resolution, square image that displays well at smaller sizes, ideally 800 x 800 pixels.
  • Description:  Under the “About,” section, update the description of your company, and optimize this description for search.
  • Links:  You can include links to relevant sites such as your website and social pages.
  • Videos:  Feature your most important videos and make sure uploaded videos are optimized for onsite and offsite search by including important keywords they use to search for your videos.

Day 7: Pinterest

  • Log in, locate your profile icon in the upper right hand, hover, and select “Your Profile & Pins,” then select the pencil under your description and select “Edit Profile.”
  • Account Type:  If you joined Pinterest before it had the option for business pages, you can convert your account type to a business at business.pinterest.com.
  • Profile Image:  A square version of your business logo at 211 x 211 pixels displays best across the site.
    About: 200 characters to describe your business.
  • Boards, Board Covers and Descriptions:  Refresh your Pinterest boards by adjusting board names and descriptions and selecting new cover images for each board and arranging them into a new order on your page.
  • Add Maps:  A new Pinterest feature is the ability to add maps to boards, called Place Pins.
    Get Started!

With this checklist, you can tackle a social media makeover to make sure your business web presence is refreshed, accurate and even more effective. All that you need is to get started! 

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23Nov

Traditional vs. Non-Traditional Media

Posted by: IndiVisualCreations Categories: Marketing TIps
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With the new year upon us, resolutions can be hard to accomplish – especially for businesses. Whatever your resolution may be, changes in your marketing strategies can be a positive step to consider. It can put a fresh spin on gaining more outside interest in your company, and give you the extra push you need to accomplish your goal. In today’s world, there’s a struggle between the choice of using “traditional” and “non-traditional” media.

Whether or not to advertise through a print medium, online advertising, radio advertising, or jump on the band wagon and start posting about your business on Facebook can be a difficult choice.

The question that most people seem to be asking themselves is, “Which is more beneficial?”

Traditional media still reaches the masses while non-traditional has the ability to hone in on your target geographically and behaviorally.

The truth is that both are equally important. There is an emerging trend of businesses using social media and non-traditional media platforms, but traditional media is still valuable, important and resourceful. Combining both options is optimal.

The secret is figuring out which media source reaches your customers specifically.
Each platform serves a different community, so you will need to do some research, and find out what your customers use to receive information.

Due to the variety of platforms available, it’s crucial to understand and acknowledge where they receive their information. Even with this knowledge, marketing can still be daunting and tedious.

At IndiVisual Creations, we’ve had a lot of success for our clients by combining traditional advertising with new media options.  We tailor-make our services to fit each of our clients’ needs, and put our best foot forward to make sure you’re getting the most bang for your buck. We take pride in supplying you with services you can rely on. Give us a call, or visit our website to learn more.

“Traditional vs. Non-Traditional Media”

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25May

Using Social Media as a Tool for Success

Posted by: IndiVisualCreations Categories: Digital & Social Media Marketing
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Social media is similar to starting a new business, and with it comes many obstacles: how to treat your customers, present yourself to the community, and effectively spread the word about what you do and what makes you different from your competitor.

Same as a new business you have to hire a friendly person to work the front counter is a good way to create a welcoming atmosphere.   Your Pages should be just as inviting.  If done correctly, you will begin to build your clients, generate a voice in a online community, and keep your fans coming back.

This might sound easy, but Social Media can be hard to maintain once you get it started.  What to post about and who to build relationships with can be tricky.  Here’s a list of tactics to use to keep your Social Media thriving:

Actively Engage with your Customers:  Don’t post only about your company.  Use interactive ways to promote your business by talking about current events going on in the community, or sharing posts made by others that will generate conversation relevant to your customer”s interests.

Measure your Success:  Track who your followers are, and make sure you are reaching out to the appropriate audience.  Having your message fall on deaf ears is not only frustrating; it’s a waste of time.

Ask for Advice from Others:  Using other people’s strategies to your advantage can really help, and most people are willing to share how they use their Social Media pages.  Getting advice will not only help you, it will let you engage and build stronger relationships in the online community.  After all, social media is a group effort.
Get into a Routine:  Make sure you stay on a schedule.  This gives your fans a time frame for when you will or will not post, which helps keeps things rolling.
At IndiVisual Creations, we provide customized Social Media Packages to fit our customers’ specific needs.

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