Advertising Plus Online

The Power of Social Media

2011-01-25T10:26:00.000-08:00

Social media is more than a tool, it is a powerful venue for establishing and nurturing relationships with your target market, prospects, customers, partners, peers and more.

What can social medial do for you? How about:

1. Enables others to advocate for your business…Creating and sharing compelling content (like in blogs) opens doors for you to expand on your relationships, allows you to educate your connections (network) on what you do and turn them into your ambassadors, spreading YOUR word, YOUR products, YOUR services to THEIR network (connections).

2. Listen then respond…With social media (especially Twitter and Linked In) you follow the discussions and communications in which you’re interested and leverage the strength of communicating back and forth. Instead of pushing your messages into the face of your audience, you’re now listening to what others are saying, joining into the conversations, addressing the challenges, leveraging positive feedback and establishing yourself as a professional to your peers and everyone on their network, too.

3. Social Media is measurable…No guessing as to who saw your message anymore. You launch your campaign, monitor the interaction and the responses. If you like the results, you move forward. If not, you shift your focus and launch a new strategy and campaign.

Social media is the fast track to success for today’s businesses. There are a lot of pluses and minuses – what will work for you and your business? Go to our website @ http://advertising4insurance.com to get more information on social media (online media) versus off line (print, etc.) and decide how you’ll spend your advertising dollars in 2011 and beyond.

Questions? Need Help? Call Myra at 714 992 4383 Ext 4. myra@advertisingplusonline.com

Don't be Anti-Social Media

2011-01-05T10:13:00.000-08:00

We can’t be anti-social media any longer. We’re quickly learning that having a company website alone is no longer enough.

Erik Qualman, editor of “Socialnomics” revealed that as of 2010 Generation Y (those born between 1980 & 2000) outnumber baby boomers and that 96% of them are members of a social network!

One of the largest networks is Facebook which as of Nov. 2010 has over 515 million registered users (70% are outside the USA). In fact, if Facebook were a country, it would be the third largest behind China and India.

That’s pretty amazing when you realized that it took radio 38 years to reach 50 million users. TV took 13 years. The internet reached 50 million in 4 years and the iPod did it in three.

It is estimated that 80% of the companies today use LinkedIn as one of their primary tools to find employees. eHarmony is in 191 countries with 20 million users and is responsible for 236 marriages per day in the United States.

YouTube has 2 billion videos uploaded every day and 24 hours of footage is uploaded every minute. Wikipedia boasts over 16 million articles in 270 languages.

Bottom line. Social media is here to stay so let’s embrace it and discover how we can use it to grow our businesses in 2011 and beyond. Call Advertising Plus to discuss on line and offline marketing strategies for 2011.

Five Social Media Sins

2010-11-29T17:18:00.000-08:00

Companies just entering the wild world of social media must understand that social media is not intended to syndicate your corporate message. Social media is designed to facilitate open and honest dialog with other individuals. When you are using social media tools to promote your business, avoid these five common mistakes:

1. Believing if you build it, they will come. They won’t. Just because you have a Facebook or Linked In page, started a blog, or a Twitter feed, don’t expect people to line up to become fans. It is your responsibility to encourage them to become part of your networks.

2. Not being authentic. Social media should not be used to promote your one-sided message and make sales. Don’t use it as a billboard for your products/services.

3. Thinking you are in control. You’re not. You cannot control negative comments so don’t bother trying.

4. Thinking social media isn’t working for you and your company. It’s almost impossible to measure the effectiveness of how social media impacts your business. Remember - it’s designed to create dialog and engage and converse.

5. Not knowing your audience. You will need to attract fans with similar interests who are passionate and want to engage with you. Not doing so will result in a poor experience for you and your audience.

Social media is all about two-way communication and engagement. Use and enjoy the social media tools out there to further engage with your key audience. Have fun. And refer back to the above five social media sins when you feel it’s not working for you and your firm.

Changes in Marketing for 2011

2010-10-26T16:45:00.000-07:00

There have been so many changes, so many new opportunities, so many different and maybe better ways to reach current and new customers that our heads are spinning. As these resources and opportunites surface, Advertising Plus has been investigating and compiling and here is a list of some of the resources for ONLINE marketing.

ONLINE will NOT replace good old print – advertising in the magazines, newsletters, direct mail, print directories, etc. But you need to include SOME ONLINE marketing in your plan this year.

Take a look at this list and give us a call to answer any questions and review how best to incorporate SEO. Social Media and ONLINE opportunities into 2011 without breaking the bank!

Who Does What Online

Email blasts ONLY
Insuread
National Underwriter/Kirschners

Directory Listings
Ultimate Insurance Links

Email Blasts & Directory Listings
Focal Point & iwebhound
National Underwriter/Kirschners

Online Advertising on Directory Site & SEO
American Agent & Broker
Insurance Journal
MyNewMarkets
Iwebhound/Focal Point
Kirschners
Your Insurance Wholesaler
National Underwriter
Rough Notes/Insurance Marketplace
Complete Markets

Email Blasts & Directory Listings & SEO
Complete Markets
Focal Point & iwebhound

Facebook/LinkedIn/Blog Writing/Management
Complete Markets

For information or pricing on any of the above, please contact
Myra Lookabill 714 992 4383 X 104
myra@advertisingplusonline.com

20% Emails Are Blocked by ISPs

2010-07-27T17:56:00.000-07:00

It is estimated that approximately 20% of the emails marketers send are blocked by ISPs (Internet Service Providers). The ISPs rate your email submission as either “acceptable” and allow it to pass through or as “spam”.

Here are some things to consider if you’re sending out emails from your server:

1) Use an outside service. It’s too easy to jam up your server and be labeled as a “spam” sender. Once you get tagged as sending too much “spam” your regular emails may be blocked and you’re out of business.

2) Get permission. Getting permission from each subscriber ensures deliverability. Email marketing is a reflection of your brand and if you want to engage customers, you need to understand that they are in charge and they should choose to receive your emails.

3) Understand it’s getting harder. Know that it is getting harder to get your emails delivered. As ISPs continue to evolve their fight to hunt down spam – they’re reviewing opens and clicks to ensure the mail being delivered is actually being opened by the recipient.

Changes to frequency and increased relevancy will boost engagement and improved deliverability.

For assistance in email marketing, don’t hesitate to contact us.

5 Ideas for your Next Email Newsletter

2010-07-20T13:31:00.000-07:00

Sending out your newsletter as an email gives you the opportunity to include links to other sites and more information for your clients. You want to keep your customers informed, consider you a resource for information and remind them of additional products and services you have to offer.

1. Event Recommendation

If you have a local business, you can use your email newsletter to advertise local events. The events can be your own or others in the local area that would benefit your readers. For example, a nursery can alert their readers about a local home and garden show. As an insurance agency, any charity walks or runs, sporting events, community events are a nice touch in your newsletter.

2. Testimonials and Case Studies

Make testimonials and case studies part of your message. Testimonials from your clients alert new prospects that your current clients are happy with your products/services. Case studies share information about the great job you did for someone and how you did it. Without giving away too much information, you’re encouraging your readers to challenge you.

3. Answer Questions

Why not include a section in your newsletter that enables your readers to send in questions? Until it gets started consider a Q&A section. Make it easy to read, quick and informative.

4. Humor

Everyone needs to smile now and again. Jokes, anecdotes, slogans, quotes and cartoons are now readily available through the Internet. Just be sure you aren’t “borrowing” without paying. You don’t want to get caught using something unauthorized or that you need to purchase and didn’t.

5. Links to Resources

You want to become a resource to your readers so consider linking to valuable sites that give them more information. If you’re talking about Flood Insurance, find a link on the Internet about cleaning after a flood, or a human-interest story about a flood survivor.

If you need assistance in preparing or sending out email newsletters, give us a call.

What can you do to promote your business in 2010?

2010-06-17T17:41:00.000-07:00

Ads - in trade publications to keep your name in front of current and future clients

Trade Associations – many have smaller periodicals to their members in which you can advertise

Trade Shows – an opportunity to meet and greet many prospects in one location

Press releases – send real news about your company to the media

Specialty Items – small gifts to be passed out when cold calling or visiting clients or trade shows

Cold Calling – telemarketing and mail works when you have a plan of action.

Directories –get on as many as you can afford to keep your name out there – many are free

Banner ads – good solution for internet savvy clients – how many of your clients use which sites?

Email blasts - to current clients reminding them what products you have to offer

Email blasts - to prospects advising them of the products you have to offer

Postcards – mailing to current clients or old clients to remind them what you offer

MultiSensory Response Devices – a gift included in a box or envelope to get attention and guarantee a warmer lead when you call for an appointment

Leave Behinds – Something for their desk or more information about your company

Newsletters – can be print or email blasted or posted on your website with an invite

Cooperative ventures – Can you take advantage of advantage of any co-op programs? What about selling ad space on your newsletter to your vendors or suppliers?

Website Optimization (SEO)– review your current site and see how you can make it more user friendly

Adding benefits and services they want – and get it to the top of the search engines

Website Analysis – what features, services do you need to make your website a favorite in the industry?

Landing pages – one product with a white paper to push your name to the top of Google Search engines

Context Marketing – don’t rely on branding to get your name out – consider context marketing, too.

Social media – Facebook, Twitter, Linked In and Blogs. Again with the optimization on the web

Webinars – promote your company as experts to your clients and prospects

Podcasts – interviews that can be posted on your site and Utube. You’re the expert.

2010-05-05T18:26:00.000-07:00

There’s gold in the sales pipeline

Research shows that over 80% of the leads generated by marketers end up getting lost, ignored or discarded. Don’t struggle to find new leads for your sales team - there is a lot of gold still to be mined in their own company. What may have been a dead or unwanted lead to one person – could be gold to another!

Dig out the sales leads from past and future trade shows. They’re no good collecting dust in someone’s desk. What about proposals that never panned out? What about business cards sitting in your desk – can any of them be converted into prospects? Go back to clients who have dropped off your radar and re-establish contact.

Go for the gold

Meet with your sales team and after you’ve sorted through the leads, renewals and business cards see what information you can capture – Contact names? Email addresses? Mailing addresses? Phone numbers? Then prepare a plan of action that could include any or all of the following:

• Email them a special offer.

• Mail them something nice – a pen with your name to sign their next application.

• Mail them something silly with your brand and phone number on it.

• Give them a call on the phone to reconnect.

• Visit them in person with a nice gift.

What to promote?

• Let them know what’s new at your firm.

• Email or Mail them a series of product postcards reminding them what your firm offers.

• Send them a copy of the ad you recently ran in a trade journal with a quick note to call you.

We’ll bet there is a lot of opportunity when you dig through those old leads! Good luck!

VOICE MAIL POWER

2010-01-14T13:50:00.000-08:00

Voice mail can stretch your time and abilities, but it can only stretch people’s patience if you don’t use it correctly. Here are some tips when leaving a message on voice mail…

• Instead of “please call” leave a detailed message that’s concise but complete.

• Offer a convenient time for the person to call you back, or state when you plan to call again.

• Always provide an option to get out of voice mail and talk to a live person.

• When you leave for lunch or an appointment, forward your calls directly to the phone mail system so that it will answer after only one ring.

• Change your message when you go on vacation or plan to be away from your desk for more than a few hours.

• Call yourself up and listen to your own greeting. Do you sound inviting or monotonous? Practice until your message sounds relaxed and comfortable?

• Follow the “Sundown Rule.” Whenever possible, return calls the same business day.

Bad News for Employers

2009-12-02T16:02:00.000-08:00

Employees, on average, are estimated to spend almost two working days (14.4 hours) shopping online in Nov. & Dec. according to a recent survey for ISACA (Information Systems Audit & Control Association) a trade group for information technology professionals.

In addition to the loss of productivity, there is also the potential security issues of viruses, spam and phishing attacks on your system. This prediction comes at a bad time as employers are asking more of their employees with increasing workloads because of downsizing. The ISACA survey revealed that half of all workers planned to do some shopping online because of either convenience or boredom.

More bad news for employers

Employees who shop online are also likely to do other online activities exposing their firm to potential problems:

• 51% bank online from work

• 40% click on email links redirecting them to shopping links

• 15% click on links to their social networks

There is good news

ISACA has some tips for employers to reduce the risk of spam, viruses and accidental downloading of backdoor agents that can highjack corporate data:

• Use your desktop PC not your mobile device to shop because your browser is likely more secure

• Protect sensitive information (bank accounts, credit card numbers) with password protection

• Keep your anti-virus and anti-malware programs up to date

• Treat social networking sites with caution (they are a growing target for fraudsters and virus writers)

• If it sounds to good to be true – it is. So be cautious of special offers popping up - they may lead to harmful sites.

2009-11-11T19:25:00.000-08:00

H1N1 Flu: Evaluate your Sick Leave and Workplace Policies Before You Need Them

This is not a garden-variety flu season. H1N1 flu (also known as "swine flu") has been declared the first official pandemic in 41 years, and World Health Organization statistics show a continual increase in the number of H1N1 cases rather than the leveling off that was initially expected. The CDC’s October numbers reveal that California has widespread reports of H1N1, including workplaces and schools. Even if the predictions of an influenza season of pandemic proportions don’t occur, advance planning makes good business sense.

You may experience severe absenteeism. Employees may be absent because they are sick or because they must care for sick family members. Schools and daycare centers may close so parents will need to tend their children in the home. Even if daycare centers remain open when schools are closed, daycare centers will not accept potentially infected children from closed schools. Plan for how you will deal with the serious increases in absenteeism you may experience during any contagious disease outbreak. This includes paid and unpaid sick time, possible FMLA/CFRA for longer term leaves for serious health condition and managing the flow of work during periods of high absenteeism.

Given the likelihood that influenza will continue to spread and adversely affect economic activity, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has published new technical guidance reminding employers of their rights and requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act in relation to pandemic planning. The EEOC says:

•Employers may ask employees whether they have symptoms of a cold or the seasonal flu because it is not a disability related inquiry. But note: California’s Fair Employment & Housing Act (FEHA) severely restricts what you can ask (or say) to an employee about chronic medical conditions. When in doubt – seek guidance. And be careful about what you write in email.

•Employers may send employees home if they display influenza-like symptoms. If employees report feeling ill at work or call in sick, employers may ask them if they are experiencing influenza-like symptoms, such as a fever, chills, and cough or a sore throat. Employers must maintain all information about employee illness as a confidential medical record in compliance with the ADA.

• Measuring an employee’s body temperature is a medical examination. Therefore, it must be justified by being job-related and consistent with business necessity. The pandemic influenza symptoms could meet this standard if they become more severe than the seasonal flu or if H1N1 becomes widespread in a community as assessed by state and local health authorities or the CDC.

•BUT: If the pandemic influenza remains similar in severity to seasonal influenza or the 2009 spring/summer H1N1 virus outbreak, employers may not ask employees who do not have symptoms of H1N1 flu to disclose whether they have a medical condition that could make them especially vulnerable to influenza complications.

•EEOC has available an ADA-compliant pre-pandemic employee sample survey that combines medical and non-medical inquiries about employees’ ability to come to work during a pandemic. The objectives are to provide employers with information they need to plan for a pandemic and to shield employers from receiving information about chronic diseases or illnesses that employees might have.

•Employers may require employees to adopt infection control practices in the workplace. Employers generally should consider encouraging, rather than requiring, employees to get the seasonal and H1N1 influenza vaccines. People with religious or disability-related reasons may refuse vaccination.

Preliminary Planning Checklist
1.Sick Days, Unavoidable Time off, Leaves of Absence and Disability Issues

•Determine how you will handle sick days on a paid or unpaid basis.
•Make sure your FMLA/CFRA policies are up to date.
•Consider policies that encourage ill workers to stay home without fear of reprisals.
•Develop procedures for when you may need to send a sick employee home.
•Develop other flexible policies to allow workers to telework (if feasible).
•Consider how you will address absenteeism for employees without child care if schools close.
•Follow appropriate procedures to stay on the right side of ADA/FEHA disability issues.

2.Promote Proactive Wellness

•Provide resources and a work environment that promote hygiene and infection control.
•Provide tissues, no-touch trash cans, hand sanitizer, disinfectants and disposable towels.
•Have workers to clean their work surfaces regularly.
•Provide education and materials available through the CDC and OSHA.

3.Consider in Advance Procedures for Following Local Health Dept. Alerts

•Plan to implement practices to minimize face-to-face contact between workers
•Consider strategies as extended use of e-mail, websites and teleconferences,
•Evaluate flexible work arrangements to reduce the potential for widespread exposure.

You are invited to circulate this article when accompanied with the following credit:

Article courtesy of Stuart Baron & Associates, LLP, a specialized law practice focusing on controlling workers’ compensation claims and preventing related labor/employment law disability discrimination charges against employers. http://www.sbalaw.net offers unique training programs, publications and services aimed at creating the necessary awareness and compliance commitment.

Amplify Your Marketing

2009-10-28T14:59:00.000-07:00

Simple Strategies to Use What You Already Have to Make a Bigger Impact

By Stacey Johnes and Regina Novickis

Each one of you likely has marketing materials already created for your business. They could be in the form of content you have developed for your blog, or perhaps tips that you provided in a newsletter. Have you thought about taking this existing information and making it work harder for you?

For example, if you are a party planner and have great decorating tips for the holidays, there are several easy ways to get that content "out there" and have more people learn about you. If you are already using these tips in a newsletter, take the same information and do the following:

Create a press release outlining these tips and distribute it via PR Web, a low-cost distribution service. Web sites and blogs will likely run your content, and at a minimum, this helps your search engine pickup in the future.

Tweet about your tips, driving new users - and potential customers - to your web site.

Offer to author an article specifically for one publication, web site or blog, using these same tips. Offering someone original and exclusive content is incentive for them to run your information and promote your business.

Hold a teleseminar in which you offer some of the tips to your audience during the call; to drive more people to your web site, offer the remaining tips as a free special report available only by joining your online mailing list.

Using a simple video recorder, demonstrate one decorating tip per day for a week leading up to the holidays; post the videos on your web site and promote new posts each day via Twitter.

With no additional need to create new content, you have now generated a great, buzz-building marketing campaign.

Regina Novickis and Stacey Johnes have nearly 30 years of combined experience helping both emerging and global brands take off and enter the spotlight through public relations. They apply their creativity, strategies and proven know-how to help business owners and experts get their message out to the world. If you’re ready to get your company off the ground and soaring through the incredible power of public relations, get your free tips now at www.PRTakeoff.com.

Are you thinking about social marketing?

2009-08-17T18:50:00.000-07:00

Are you asking yourself how Facebook, Linked-In, Plaxo, Blogging and Twitter became key words in every conversation? Are people telling you to get on the bandwagon and get into social marketing? Unfortunately this "mandate" comes at a time when the economy is in chaos and you and your staff are stretched thin, but here are some things to consider before you make the leap:

Bottom line - the numbers are not there. Few companies can point to an investment in social marketing and show an increase in profit or return on investment. According to a recent WorkPlace Media report, only 25 percent of people polled would recommend a product or service based on their interactions on social networks. Only 18 percent acted upon a recommendation through a social site.

So why invest in it? Future Relationships. The main purpose of these social networks right now is not to drive sales but to facilitate conversations – between companies and their customers and prospective customers and even employees.

These social networks give you reach and awareness – letting your customers know you recognize them. Giving customers that warm, fuzzy feeling that will eventually lead to repeat business.

Building followers and fans of your social marketing efforts increases your reach and may lead to joint marketing efforts with other brands. Your followers know and trust you, you sell some ad space on your site – you purchase space on another social media site with numerous followers. This leads to web optimization and gets your brand out there faster while creating residual income.

You can build customer loyalty through social media by helping your customers solve problems with your products and services. Satisfied customers talk and word of mouth is powerful. All of a sudden you and your brand are in front customers across the world faster than your website ever hoped to achieve. Here is your opportunity to drive potential customers back to your website – all through conversation.

Social marketing can mean employment opportunities, too. Ask anyone under the age of 30 how they found their current job and I’ll bet they’ll answer the internet. Not a job search site, but surfing social networks to see who’s hiring and hear first hand about the company’s corporate culture. When you’re hooked into social marketing – you can check out future employees before they even make it to your HR department.

Use social marketing now to build and further relationships with your customers – current and future and eventually, those efforts will lead to recurring sales and increased bottom lines.

2009-07-22T17:53:00.000-07:00

It’s a New Age of Marketing

With the high cost of advertising, it’s critical that you get your name out there and keep it in front of your clients and prospects. Keeping the cost down is the big issue. Here are some thoughts to consider before you open your wallet for future marketing.

1. It’s all about image.
Keep your name out there. Advertise in the publications that get you the most bang for your ad dollar. Sometimes smaller, more concentrated efforts are better. Don’t leave out some of the newer social network media outlets like Facebook, blogs, LinkedIn, Plaxo and Twitter. These are becoming as important as a company’s contact information, such as a phone number or e-mail address.

2. Keep up with the Jones!
Compare your marketing and business techniques to those of close competitors. Keeping a low profile in a down economy will be detrimental to your growth as the economy improves. People want to associate with winners so keeping up with your competitors is important to your success now and in the future.

3. Great customer service is key.
Everyone says their service is great, but it is important to remind your clients HOW your service is miles ahead of the competition. Do this with value added services - maybe a blog with helpful information, restructuring your website from an online brochure to actual helpful information that saves your clients time, money and aggravation, posting your company on more social network sites, provide marketing tools that your clients can use to promote their business and consider webinars and newsletters to keep your clients informed.

Keeping these tips in mind will give you a head start when you’re ready to begin your 2010 marketing plan.

Call to Action!

2009-06-29T10:16:00.000-07:00

Does your ad contain a “Call to Action”?

Creating buzz and awareness about your company and products is increasingly expensive. When you’re running ads in the various trade publications, you want to make sure you let your reader know:
1) Who you are
2) What you are offering
3) Why your offer is better than the competition
4) How to reach you

Reaching you is critical because you want to give the reader multiple ways to get more information. Depending on the reader and his/her preference, your call to action can be one, two or all of the following:
1) Phoning for more information
2) Visit the website
3) Fax a request or order over
4) Email a specific person
5) Clip out a coupon and mail for more information or free samples
6) Offer a no obligation visit to their office
7) Invite them to stop by and see you

No matter which one(s) you select – make sure you have a "call to action" in your next ad or solicitation.

5 Tips for Successful Conventions

2009-06-11T14:04:00.000-07:00

More Successful Conventions
No matter how small or large, exhibiting at a convention costs money and you want to make certain you and your employees get your money’s worth. Here are 5 tips to increase your success at your next show!

1. Keep Connections Alive. This is a perfect time both socially and professionally to keep in touch with friends and colleagues. Call your clients ahead of time and tell them you’ll be there and invite them to stop by your booth. As new prospects drop by collect their business card and when they walk away, use the back of their cards to write a reminder note about something you discussed when them at the booth. You’ll be many steps ahead of the competition and make a great impression when you talk with them again.

2. Prepare Ahead. Information about exhibitors (competitors) is usually available ahead of time so find out who will be there. Smart exhibitors send out invitations to drop by their booth for a special gift or prize (one more valuable than the little pens and gifts passed out to the masses). Make sure you have plenty of business cards. Consider having special business cards just for shows that list all your products on the card. It makes it easier for the prospect to slip your card into their pocket and when they find it they’ll see what you have to offer. A fold over business card is perfect for conventions and even social events.

3. Trade Show Espionage. Not planning on having a booth? You can still attend and you’ll be freed up to walk around amidst your competitors and see what they’re offering and how they are presenting themselves to your clients and prospects. Wander past the booths that are attracting the most foot traffic and take notes – so you’ll know what to do next time!

4. Do Freebies Work? Yes. Give-aways at booths generate more leads and don’t hurt the quality of the leads. It’s funny to imagine that a yoyo or a pen can influence thousands of purchasing decisions and dollars, but that’s just human nature. The personalized gismos and the unusual give-aways are always attention attractions. Keep in mind it doesn’t have to be a walk away prize– one client had a shoeshine guy at their booth, another client had a caricatures artist at their booth and still another had a slot machine that paid prizes.

5. When it’s over! Sort through your notes and material. . Consider the business cards you’ve collected as gold! Send each of them a thank you for visiting your booth and include information about your firm.

For more information contact us direct at 714 992 4383 X 104. Advertising Plus, Inc.