Marketing Wisdom / Strategy

5 Often-Missed Marketing Opportunities You Should Learn About Today [Podcast] 5 Often-Missed Marketing Opportunities You Should Learn About Today [Podcast] Click to listen to the podcast: Marketers get pulled in many directions: writing blogs, exploring new social media sites, updating websites, optimizing for search engines, crafting awesome subject lines for emails...and much more.

A lot of these activities take up valuable time. But there are also marketing opportunities you probably haven't thought of, and some of them are the easiest steps you can take to support your other marketing initiatives. Don't Miss These Marketing Opportunities Writing better press releases. The Audio Marketing Lesson Don't be afraid to look to traditional technology, like phone systems, email signatures, or business cards as tools that can help you promote your other content. How to Prepare Your Marketing for the Holidays.

How to Prepare Your Marketing for the Holidays The time has come...the pre-holiday season is upon us!

Well, maybe it's not so "pre" anymore. I walked through a home improvement store the other day (It was not yet the first of October), and there was a large display of Christmas Trees already set up...WOW. For me, the message was clear: "Ready or Not, the Holidays are coming! " If you don't already have all of your holiday marketing mapped out, don't panic. Managing and Announcing Healthcare Mergers and Acquisitions. Managing and Announcing Healthcare Mergers and Acquisitions There is one constant in the healthcare industry: change.

New rules and regulations, changing technology, additional facilities...very little stays the same for very long. Today, as "Hospitals" become "Medical Centers" that are part of "Healthcare Systems", paying attention to patient communications is crucial. As you move through a merger, acquisition, or renaming effort, here are some crucial communication points to keep in mind: Your Phone System Although online communications are growing, your phone system remains a crucial contact point and information source for patients, families, and employees. Make sure the phone is always answered correctly. 6 Factors that Determine the Cost of a Video Production.

6 Factors that Determine the Cost of a Video Production "How Much Does a Video Production Cost?

" seems like a simple question... but it has a complicated answer. 4 Killer Examples of Website Audio Done Right. 4 Killer Examples of Website Audio Done Right Website audio has gotten a bad rap.

Many people think sound has no place on the internet, that web browsing should be a silent experience. Then again, YouTube is one of the most popular search engines - and websites - out there, and audio is a key component of successful video. So where's the disconnect? Why is video championed and audio shunned, when they are so similar? The only logical explanation is that too many websites have spent too many years doing audio wrong. Spring Into Your Next Message On Hold Update. We might still be dealing with winter snow, but now is the time to give your Message On Hold program a thorough spring cleaning.

Since a seasonally-relevant on hold marketing program is the most appealing to callers, you should freshen up your messages throughout the year. What can you do right now? Switch your music to a more light-hearted theme. (Click Here for Samples)Start promoting your springtime eventsInclude upcoming hours of operation. Why Real Estate Professionals Need To Include Virtual Tours With Listings.

Why Real Estate Professionals Need To Include Virtual Tours With Listings Attention Real Estate Agents: Your clients want to shop for homes online.

According to the National Association of Realtors, 88% of people in the market for a new home searched properties online. 63% went to see a house in person because they saw it online. Because so many prospects are searching homes online before visiting properties in person, two things have happened: Buyers look at fewer properties before making a purchasing decision.Prospects who find you via social media are more qualified and know what they want. Buyers no longer rely on real estate agents to find properties all the time, instead, they will look at properties online at their own convenience.

The Benefits of a Virtual Tour. Defining Message On Hold Objectives. The key to creating well-optimized on hold marketing programs is starting with well defined objectives.

How can you write a great script and great content if you don't know what your goals are? Here are some common Message On Hold programming objectives and how to structure your content to achieve them: Entertain. Do you want to make hold time fun, interesting, and entertaining? How To Avoid Jargon In On Hold Marketing. How To Avoid Jargon In On Hold Marketing Jargon, or “Special words or expressions that are used by a particular profession or group and are difficult for others to understand,” is often a deal-breaker when developing effective marketing programs. On hold, marketing messages are heard, not seen or read, so it’s especially important to avoid unclear terminology.

Why? Unknown, technical language confuses listeners and distracts them from your messages. If you want your Message On Hold program to reach your callers effectively, you need to avoid jargon in your marketing. Happy 2012! ...How do voice over talent say that? Happy New Year!

And what year is it? 2012, of course… but is that “twenty twelve” or “two thousand twelve”? As we transitioned from the 1990s into the 2000s, people stopped saying the first two digits together (i.e. “nineteen”) and switched to saying the whole number (e.g. “two thousand”, “two thousand five”). 10 Must-Read Public Relations And Marketing Books. Audio Marketing Script Tip: Brainstorm Correctly. Did you learn how to brainstorm when you were in school?

Our teachers taught us how to work in groups and the right ways to resolve conflicts, but brainstorming techniques were rarely part of the curriculum. So what is brainstorming? Wikipedia says that Brainstorming is a group creativity technique by which a group tries to find a solution for a specific problem by gathering a list of ideas spontaneously contributed by its members. The term was popularized by Alex Faickney Osborn in 1953 through the book Applied Imagination. In the book, Osborn not only proposed the brainstorming method but also established effective rules for hosting brainstorming sessions. Brainstorming has become a popular group technique and has aroused attention in academia. Message On Hold Program Length. The average caller expects to be on hold for only a few minutes, according to a recent study. 21% of those surveyed admit that they will stay on hold for less than a minute before giving up, but 65% reported that they would wait on hold from 1 to 3 minutes.

Only 14% would wait on hold for more than 3 minutes. When callers reach their hold time threshold, they often hang up. You might have lost a sale and have definitely upset your customer. What does this mean for the length of your Message On Hold program? 11 Tips for Writing Your Own On Hold Marketing Program. 3 Things Marketers Should Keep in Mind This Columbus Day. Around this time 519 years ago, Christopher Columbus discovered America. Our elementary education (or, in my case, the Alvin and the Chipmunks episode where Theodore is failing his history class) taught us about how Columbus wanted to embark on a journey to search for this new world. Regardless of where you first heard the story, your educators had yet to discover the hidden lessons this tale would have in store for the modern marketing world. Here are three things inbound marketers should keep in mind this Columbus Day. 1.

4 Content Creation Lessons Marketers Can Learn From Journalists. Because content creation is core to inbound marketing, part of being a marketer now means being some form of a journalist. Therefore, to find success in inbound marketing, marketers must now master the art of marketalism. Marketing + Journalism = Marketalism. Marketalism [mar-keht-uh-liz-em] noun, verb:1. the merge between the rudiments of traditional journalism and using content for marketing2. to create content that is relevant and timely for professionals in a specified industry Still not convinced? Here are 4 lessons marketers can learn from journalists. 1. Just about every successful inbound marketer has embraced the fact that blogging can consistently generate traffic and leads for their business. First, marketers need to publish content that is timely. Second, like journalists, marketers should publish content that teaches. 2. 3.

A news outlet's success is partially attributed to the existence of its beat reporters. Marketers should follow this same theory. 4. Log in to SlideShare. Creative Simple Logos With Double Meanings. I never truly appreciated what goes into creating a logo until I became a writer here at Bit Rebels. Richard has written a lot of articles about logos and logo design, and with each one I learn a little more about them, and their evolution.

For example, have you ever seen the progression of the Warner Bros. logo in the Harry Potter movies? It’s freaky to say the least. There are also those trippy logos that aren’t real, but still mess with your head. An example of that would be these Brandversations. Should You Appeal to Your Audience's Right Brain or Left Brain? [Video] Part I of III: How to Leverage Audio Marketing for Your Healthcare Facility.

6 Rs for Professional Voicemail Greetings [Slide Presentation] Why Use Audio in Marketing Strategies? It seems that marketing and communication are becoming increasingly visual. Advertisements, social media updates, and websites are meant to be seen, and they bombard that one sense with information. Using audio is a way to break through the clutter of the visual-cent ric world and reach people on another, perhaps deeper, level. According to Julian Treasure, sound affects us 4 ways: Physiologically, psychologically, cognitively, and behaviorally. Sound affects our bodies, thoughts, and actions.

Slideshare. Updating your Messages On Hold for Autumn (and after) Ummer officially ended on September 23, but people have started feeling especially autumnal since Labor Day. The Painful Truth About Outbound Marketing Kittens [Humor] Kittens are so darn cute and fluffy, so it's not hard to understand how they could convince people do stupid things. Outbound marketing is one of them. Audio Marketing for Hospitality Free Download. 5 Message on Hold Proofreading Tips. Roofreading is an essential step of writing for business applications, and one that often times gets less than the attention it deserves. From publishing a blog, Tweet, or newsletter article to sending an important email to a key client, proofreading more often than not consists of a quick scan and clicking Send or Publish.

Considering the consequences of an incorrect or awkward piece of writing, it's worthwhile to take proofreading just as seriously as creating content. The 6 Most Important Online Marketing Metrics Ever. A guest post by Jim Sterne of the Web Analytics Association. Message On Wheels-Audio In Motion for Hospitality. 6 Rs fo Professional Voicemail Greetings. Message On Hold - How Many Words Per Minute? Sonic Branding. Why is it important to have a brand “sound” that matches your brand “image?” Some food for thought: People can always shut their eyes, but they can’t stop listening. Press play, close your eyes and listen to the following sound clip. Listen Up! Real Listening and How To Practice It - Free Article.

Audio Marketing Script Tip: Write for the Ear. Irregular Verbs : Grammar Girl. The Ultimate Cheat Sheet for Expert Twitter Marketing. Voice Production to Grow Your Business. 3 Commandments for the Next Online Content Leaders. 5 Secret Social Media Marketing Trends. 5 Obvious Ways to Grow an Email List That You’re Ignoring. IVR Announcements can be Interactive Marketing Tools. 9 Amazing Mobile Marketing Statistics Every Marketer Should Know. Syfy Show Haven To Unfold on Twitter & On Air. Geico App Makes Cavemen Photobomb Your Pics. 5 Big Mistakes To Avoid in Your QR Code Marketing Campaign. Creative Audio Impacts Your Business. Domino's Pizza Runs Unfiltered Customer Comments on Times Square Billboard. The Evolution of the Mercedes Benz Logo (9 pics) How Journalists Are Using Facebook to Share the News. Vitaminwater Bus Station Ads Can Charge Your Phone. 7 Twitter Marketing Campaigns to Learn From.

Effective Listening – Train Others To Always Hear What You Are Saying. 25 Funny 'n Creative Examples Of Clever Advertising & Marketing Campaigns. 15 Books All Internet Marketing Should Read. Vanity Numbers. Call Center Representative or Professional Voice? Down the Funnel: Optimizing Message on Hold. Offline to Online Conversion - MOH. Lend Me Your Lobes for Message on Hold.

Pareto's Principle for your Call Center. Client Relations Meets eMarketing With Message on Hold. Sales Talk - Selling Message On Hold Without It. Hold Time Optimization. Devil is in the Details (and maybe On Hold) What Google Instant Preview and Message On Hold Share. Marketing Goals and Your Real Story.