Tag Archives: Whispers

3 Pitfalls Hiring a Social Marketing Service Will Help You Avoid

Posted on by

You’ve wanted to tap into the marketing potential of the social media empire for some time, but you don’t know where to begin? Do yourself a favor and hire a social marketing service right out of the gate. Internet marketing is wrought with pitfalls and delving into the social media sphere before you’re ready could do more harm than good. Here are 3 big pitfalls that hiring a social marketing service will help you avoid:

Pitfall #1: Spreading yourself too thin

With hundreds of Web 2.0 properties to choose from and dozens of tantalizing opportunities to make some money by creating a big “buzz”, it’s tempting to try to stick your finger in every pot. A social marketing service will help you lay out a strategy customized for your particular niche. That way, you can focus your efforts on the properties that are best suited for your business, and avoid wasting precious time and energy on sites that act as nothing more than resource sink-holes.

Pitfall #2: Sending the wrong message

The power of social media comes in its ability to open a networking gateway between you and your potential customers. That said, the reverse can be true as well – what little positive reputation you may have garnered can be quickly buried under a flurry of bad PR if you make the wrong comment, have an unsatisfied customer, or say, inadvertently portray yourself as an untrustworthy business due to setting up your brokerage profile on a Web 2.0 site known for hosting scams and spam. A social marketing service will help you avoid these pitfalls, guiding you toward the sites where your target audience resides and ensuring that your reputation stays nice and shiny along the way.

Pitfall #3: Letting your sites stagnate

Nothing kills a social marketing campaign faster than sites that are left to stagnate. Every property on which you build your Web presence must be updated regularly with new content, rich media, follow up commentary, and regular monitoring if it’s going to serve your efforts — an endeavor that no one human can do on their own. A social marketing service lends an army of dedicated professionals to your cause, leaving your with more free time to focus on growing other aspects of your business.

In summary, hiring a social marketing service to aid your marketing endeavors just makes sense. Do yourself a favor, and find a company who will provide you with the customized solutions you’re looking for today!

Small Business Marketing Combines Experts With Personal Execution

Posted on by

One of the toughest challenges of marketing is connecting the creative process to techniques that maximize the promotional results. Most smart, passionate small business owners know their businesses better than anyone, but they lack the specific knowledge to channel that energy into marketing success.

The Internet and Web 2.0 are bringing these savvy entrepreneurs all of the tools to execute a world-class marketing plan. Unfortunately, there is still that missing piece–knowledge.

Old school marketing firms and ad agencies are trapped in business models sustained by big retainers, long-term contracts, and little accountability. This is a recipe for good money chasing bad execution, in an economy that can’t afford it.

In contrast there are some emerging options, provided by more innovative marketing firms. Leveraging Internet tools, social marketing, and new mobile techniques these new marketing firms are specializing in strategy and expertise, leaving execution to their clients.

Here are a few hints to save you money and squeeze the most out of your marketing spend:

1. Find Experience

Look for firms with talent and proven experience. Survey their impact on the Internet. Ask associates for referrals and references. An effective Internet marketing firm should be easy to find.

2. Pay for Expertise, Not Execution

Chance are you are heavy on smart people, while light on marketing expertise and budget. So, find a marketing partner that will work with you to balance that mix. Look for specific how-to advice and guided strategy. Then do the heavy lifting yourself.

3. Look for A La Carte Services

Don’t pay for the whole marketing department when you just need a few targeted services. Look for coaching and expertise in copywriting, press releases, and campaign management, not managing your message or “communications.” You probably have better knowledge of your target market any way–and how to get their attention. Ask (and pay) for only what you need to get it done, and nothing more.

4. Discard Retainers for Pay-As-You-Go

Retainers are for multi-national, Fortune 50 companies. Pay only on performance, as you go. This more closely aligns a marketing partner with your goals and objectives, while minimizing your long-term risks.

5. Results are the Final Measure

Bottom-line sales and revenue producing results are the most important objectives of any business, but particularly a small or medium-sized business. This is why you may find great marketing firms willing to let you employee their expertise, while giving you the responsibility and savings for implementation and measurement. This assures that their services are credible and drives immediate value.

Find do-it-yourself marketing options for your next ad or marketing campaign. Hire expertise and retain execution and measurement. You get to lead the marketing charge, giving you more for you marketing dollar.