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Why Small Businesses Should Have A Mobile App

August 26, 2018Business, Business Tips, Mobile, Web Design 0

If you think that only the giant retailers bother to create their own business apps, there are a few facts which you should consider that might affect your thinking. For instance, approximately 85% of the time that users spend on their mobile phones is dedicated to operating a mobile app. That fact alone should make you reconsider, but there are other compelling reasons listed below. Don’t dismiss the idea simply because you lack the expertise in-house – a great San Diego web design agency like MySMN can provide you with the perfect app for your business.

You can be constantly visible to your customers

When your app is downloaded to users’ phones, it’s always there on the screen, even if the individual doesn’t intend to use it right at that moment. The fact of its presence on-screen causes it to be etched into the memory of the person for later recall and usage.

Availability of useful information

Any information posted on your mobile website is instantly available to users who have your app on their phones. Whatever information that you’d like your customers to know is right at their fingertips, ready for immediate retrieval. You’ll have a constant line of communication open to your customers and potential customers.

Convenience breeds loyalty

The more convenient you make it for your customers to interact with your business, the more loyal they will become. One example is in collecting and redeeming rewards or discounts that you offer. By providing customers with more reasons to do business with you, their loyalty should increase toward your company.

Building your brand is easier

Your own mobile app provides the perfect vehicle for conveying the kind of image and message that you want your company to project. You basically have a blank palette which you can populate with the core values and philosophy important to your business.

Increase brand recognition

Building on the ease of branding, you can increase the recognition factor of your brand by getting more users engaged with your brand, and on a more frequent basis. And of course, along with that frequency of engagement, you can expect increased sales and customer loyalty.

Better overall customer engagement

Since most customers would rather text a company than talk to a representative, having some kind of messaging platform will give them a method of contacting you which most of them prefer. It can improve your customer service, and defuse any issues before they develop into a negative.

Get a leg up on the competition

Since most small businesses don’t yet have their own apps, this would be one very beneficial way for you to get ahead of the game, by providing users with your own app. It will lend credibility to your company, and make you look more professional and modern.

Increasing customer loyalty

Probably the most critical reason to build your own app is to establish and improve on customer loyalty. There is such a flood of new marketing and advertising being used these days, that maintaining contact with your customer base has become a real challenge. That makes it more important than ever to make a real connection with customers, and mobile apps will help you do that by keeping your business right at your customers’ fingertips.

Want to learn more? Contact mobile app specialists, like MySMN, that will create a mobile app which fully embodies visual appeal, relevant content, rock-solid functionality, and your company’s critical branding message. Contact us today, and start increasing your mobile presence through a customized business app!

Posted by Patrick

2017: A Year in Review

December 21, 2017Applications, Business, Marketing Campaigns, Mobile, SEO, Social Media Marketing, Strategy, Technology, Trends, Web Design

As 2017 ends, you may be looking at what’s working and not working for your marketing plan.

How engaged were you in social media efforts, and did they pay off? Where are your ad dollars being spent and where should they be spent in the future?

Ultimately, the question is: what should we keep and what should we let go?

To help you in this review of marketing effectiveness, here are some trends for 2017 along with some predictions for 2018.

Social Media Remains and Continues to Evolve

Third-party platforms are ones that you both have to keep up with but also be wary of due to their “here today, gone tomorrow” nature.

Either way, you should be considering what has been working for your company, but also new opportunities, such as using Instagram, which has a reported 800 million users per month. Their one-year-old addition, Instagram Stories, has now overtaken popularity from Snapchat.

LinkedIn may become a reliable B2B marketing tool as it continues to improve its platform.

And with influencers, 95 percent of marketers say they have found them effective for their marketing needs.

Facebook and Twitter, relatively old to the game of social media, are finding their challenges, so it may be Instagram’s time to shine in 2018.

Nearly Two Thirds of Digital Ad Spending Linked to Only Two Companies

Though Facebook may be looking at a decline, what’s interesting is how much digital ad spending they’re involved in. Along with Google, this duopoly owns a hefty 63 percent of that market. Google Shopping and Facebook’s Shop Section take gathered data and create a targeted ad experience.

Mobile Use Is Up and Will Remain So

An increasing number of people rely on their smartphones for so many tasks, so it’s telling that a sizable amount of Google and Facebook dominance in digital ads comes from mobile ads.

Magna reported that 55 percent of digital come from clicks and impressions on mobile devices used globally. As phones because more and more integral to our everyday lives, you can expect an increase in mobile use and ads targeting mobile users.

AI: Always Here to Help

Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a notable tool in marketing, specifically with the use of chat bots on websites. These bots never tire and can be there for your prospects and clients, even when you’re asleep.

Other AI methods, such as Streak, can help with inbound marketing and sales funnels—specifically moving prospects down sales funnels, converting them into clients.

In 2018, you can expect to see more brands using AI and its algorithms to create customized experiences based on user data on social media platforms and web searches.

Video: Go Live

Probably one of the most popular tools in marketing lately has been video, where most marketers have reported that it has the best ROI. Successful videos seem to effortlessly blend entertainment with useful information, all within a small snippet of a video.

Live video, through platforms such as Facebook Live and Instagram Stories, is one key way to leverage video in 2018. If you have some events or announcements in the coming year, consider hopping on Facebook Live to make it. Embracing this even now will help you stay on the cutting edge of digital marketing.

Digital Marketing Trends To Prepare For In 2018

Posted by Patrick

Digital Marketing Trends To Prepare For In 2018

November 18, 2017Advertising, Adwords, Email Marketing, Local SEO, Marketing Campaigns, Mobile, SEO, SEO, Social Media, Social Media Marketing, Strategy, Technology, Twitter

As you’re probably aware, the digital marketing strategies that worked for you in 2010, or even 2015 may not be working for you now in 2017. And, what may be working for you now may not work in 2018.

So whether you’re new to marketing or have been in this field for many years, you’ve learned one valuable lesson—change is a constant. Being a marketer means you’ve got to be agile and adapt quickly, but even if the methods of marketing are in flux, the goals are still the same—having a coherent message for your sales funnels; establishing and raising loyalty and brand awareness; boosting customer engagement, driving traffic, and making those conversions and sales.

Here are three major trends that you should prepare for right now and into 2018.

Mind (and Fill) the Gap

Marketing has been around a lot longer than social media, but in the haste of trying to find the newest, latest, and greatest tools and gimmicks, fundamental marketing has been left behind, leaving a large talent gap. Wedged in this gap are failed campaigns, wasteful budgets, and misunderstood data.

So how do you mind and fill the gap? Bring some knowledgeable marketers who have proven track records and training while helping businesses to rise above the fray while learning new digital marketing skills. Going the other way, younger marketers can learn marketing basics which can give them a stronger foundation to with their innovative and creative efforts.

More companies will be looking for both marketing generalists and specialists while boosting training efforts for both. A few areas that marketers could use additional training include analytics, content marketing, SEO, and social marketing. Besides having training occur in-house, there are online website that provide certifications in digital marketing. Additionally, to fill this talent gap, HR departments will need to start to attract and reward talent who have a high ROI for their marketing efforts.

The Social Network—Yes, Facebook (and More)

Yes, internet marketing does require some social media component. It costs little but can bring high returns. One trend that seems to be profitable is promoting stories on Facebook. This puts you on a more direct path to your customers, avoiding publishers to get exposure.

Another idea—don’t discount the discount. For social media users, extending them unique offers can be a great way to promote your company’s services and products. It could be simple as taking a picture with your product, or putting up a short video about why your service is great.

Pivot to Video—Wisely

So throwing up a video on your website just because everyone else is doing it is not going to help your brand grow. You need marketers who understand why people watch the videos they do and what makes them go viral. It’s a key skill that is missing in digital marketing, especially in analytics, content marketing, mobile, and social media.

Bring Marketing Back Home

There’s something to be said for a successful marketing campaign that happens in a brick-and-mortar store. It’s not just physically be there. It still involves digital marketing along with classic marketing. Take for example, digital coupons, or mobile in-store updates that inform shoppers of what’s on sale. The latter will keep customers in the store longer.

Looking for a San Diego marketing agency that can provide your digital marketing needs? Contact us today to start a conversation about how we can support and grow your brand’s awareness.

Posted by Patrick

3 New Year’s Marketing Resolutions for 2017

May 19, 2017Advertising, Content Marketing, Email Marketing, Facebook, Google+, Instagram, LinkedIn, Marketing Campaigns, Mobile, Pinterest, ROI in Social Media, SEO, Social Good, Social Media 0

We’re nearly two weeks into 2017, and that means it’s still time to start making and working on some new year’s resolutions that are really going to stick and turn your life around for the better this year. The same can be said for your small business. There are so many new technologies and programs available today when it comes to marketing and promoting yourself, that it may seem overwhelming to know where to start. But nevertheless, if you aren’t marketing your small business in 2017 in new and exciting ways, how do you expect your business to grow? That’s why we’ve come up with a handy dandy list of new year’s marketing resolutions for your small business in 2017.

Revamp Your Website

January is the perfect time to take a look at your website and decide which pages and graphics, messages, etc. need to be updated, and which things can completely go. Giving your website a fresh new look in 2017 is a great way to attract more leads and potential customers. Be sure to hire the right San Diego website design firm who will take the time and attention it takes to ensure that every detail of your website is psychologically designed in a way that will attract more viewers, and bring them into your storefront or office.

Search Engine Optimization

The Internet is changing all of the time, and if you’re not keeping up with SEO, you may not even be visible in the vast digital jungle that is the web. Be sure to hire a professional search engine optimization firm that will not only help you reach the top of Google search pages, but also optimize your SEO in San Diego so you’re targeting customers nearby. Local search optimization is just as, if not more, important than overall SEO–depending upon your business and industry.

Boost Your Social Media Efforts

It’s always a good idea to make sure your social media content is current and up-to-date. If you want to grow a social following, be sure you’re posting relevant content your followers want to see on a consistent basis. Third party articles from companies you’d like to strategically align with are helpful. You may also want to refresh your profile and background images. Be sure to post content that is behind the scenes, without being too personal, and to mix in a bit of fun with your business-related information. Custom graphics, infographics, links to your website, videos and blogs are essential for social media, and not just on Facebook. LinkedIn is great for B2B marketing, while Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat and YouTube are growing fast. If you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed with navigating the ever-changing social media world, we are here to help. We offer social media management services that are sure to save you time, while increasing your following and overall profits. We can even create ads for your own personal Facebook and Instagram campaigns.

In this new digital age, it’s essential for small and large businesses alike to jump on the social media bandwagon. Whether you enjoy social media or not, there are billions of people around the globe who do, and it’s taking over the way that marketing and advertising is conducted moving forward. Therefore, we are here for you, and would love a chance to help make 2017 the best year yet for your San Diego business. For more information, or a detailed quote, call (619) 291-8181 or fill out our contact form. We look forward to hearing from you.

Posted by Patrick

Hottest Social Media Trends for Summer 2016

May 19, 2017Business Tips, Marketing Campaigns, Mobile, Social Good, Social Media, Social Media for Consumer Products, Social Media for Hospitality, Social Media for Party Planners, Social Media for Restaurants, Social Media For Retail Businesses, Social Media predictions, Socially Connected, Strategic Planning, Strategy 0

Summer has arrived, and warm temps don’t mean that it’s time to take a break from your marketing campaign. Quite the opposite. As more and more folks take some much-needed time off from work, you can bet that they’ll be sharing their joy on social media. This is where you want to be as well. Here are the latest trends in the social media universe that you can leverage for your business marketing efforts this summer.

Not Your Grandma’s Video

We’ve been told for years that video is essential for marketing. Now with over a billion users worldwide, YouTube has revolutionized video marketing to the masses. Yet, a new phenomenon is sweeping the planet and is pushing internet surfers and marketers alike to up their video game, so to speak: live video streaming. We’re no longer satisfied with simply watching recorded videos but crave the authentic live experience that is broadcast through Apps like Periscope and Meerkat – one of the hottest social media trends today. Periscope, owned by Twitter, is now broadcasting over 40 years worth of video daily. Before you start ambushing customers and live streaming, you may wish to strategize with some social media experts.

Snapchat for Business

Snapchat, as much as you want it to be, is no longer just for teenagers. However, if your customer base is on the younger side, this is a marketing channel to example closely. According to Snapchat stats, 71% of users are under the age of 34, and there are over 100 million active users of the App. This is an App that can be leveraged for video marketing and short messages to reach untapped markets, particularly if your target market fits these demographics.

Social Commerce

Consumers are becoming less and less patient, and would prefer not to click through three separate screens to buy your product if it’s appealing. Fortunately, many of the social media platforms have heard the call, and various commerce-focused features have been implemented to allow the consumer to hit that “Buy” button sooner, rather than later. Facebook and Pinterest introduced these features in 2015, Twitter has been testing a “buy” button, and Instagram is expected to follow suit shortly.

Influencer Marketing

What used to be called word-of-mouth marketing is now termed “influencer marketing.” Same thing. Not only has the name changed, but its importance has gone through the roof. In fact, Nielson estimates that over 90% of consumers trust recommendations of friends and family over an advertising message. So, not only do those Yelp reviews and social media comments about your company matter, but your immediate response to them and prompt resolution of issues matters just as much.

Mobile Rules

It’s no longer “a plus” that your website, blog, and social media buttons are mobile friendly. Today, this is a must if you wish to survive in business. In 2016, it’s estimated that 2 billion consumers worldwide own smartphones, and mobile traffic overtook desktop traffic over a year ago. As content on a website is generally linked to social media, be sure that all of your web properties are mobile-friendly.

Social media platforms and their popularity change frequently and often those changes don’t make sense on the surface. Yet, social media marketing and staying on top of social media trends, is an essential element of connecting with customers and reaching untapped markets. Contact us if you’d like to learn more about social media trends and how My Social Marketing Network’s specialized marketing services can help your business get noticed.

Posted by Patrick

5 Ways Google Adwords Could Work for Your Business

May 19, 2017Advertising, Adwords, Google+, Mobile, SEO, Social Media, Uncategorized

As a business owner the first question you want to ask is “are my prospects searching for me?” YES? Ok, now that we have that squared away, read on to learn more about Google AdWords and why they will work for your business.

#1) We all know that customers have plenty of choices when it comes to buying goods or services. So how can you stand out when they are searching online? You could have a business where your goods or services are very similar to another business in the same town (a drycleaner), state (a vintage Porsche dealer) or country (a clothing brand), but your business probably differs somewhat. How might it differ? It could be anything from the specific items you sell, the service or warranty you provide. The way in which you differ is where you will use targeted keywords to lure people in when they search. The more targeted your keywords (and keyword phrases), the better Google will rank your ad. You will also reach more of the right customers who truly need what you offer.

#2) When you use targeted keywords and phrases you can also use location targeting and geo-target your prospective customers. Example? Say you sell cowboy boots in Austin, Texas. You could target only people within the state of Texas or just in the city of Austin. AdWords also allows you to use radius targeting where ads will only show to people within a certain distance to your business and you can also exclude locations as well in your proximity targeting.

#3) You can target people on the go. AdWords provides many options to target users on their mobile phones with text and image ads. Mobile ads work well for so many businesses from neighborhood shops to online retail. Mobile AdWords ads are especially key to local businesses as people rely more on their smartphones to search for products or services as they need them. Instead of looking up a business on a desktop at home or at the office, people know they can save time by searching on their phones while out and about.
#4) The other geo-based demographic targeting option you have is to serve ads only to people based on income level. So if you sell high-end household items, luxury cars, or sell coastal estates, you can target the top 10% income earners in the specific location you choose.

#5) Have you ever spent some time looking at photos online of clothing, a watch or maybe a set of golf clubs only to find the same photos pop up on another website? That is retargeting and it’s working very well for several businesses. This is how it works with Adwords: if Lisa has visited your website, she gets what is called a “cookie” which is a small, often encrypted text file, located in browser directories. This cookie comes from a code that you have put on the backend of your site. When Lisa decides to leave your site and browse elsewhere, you can target your ads to follow her on the Google Display Networks, or Google search. I can tell you personally I have bought items online because of retargeted ads – those ads were a great reminder to the items I needed/wanted and by clicking on the ads, I am dropped right back into the website to select my purchase and move on to the shopping cart. Yes it’s genius. 

Not sure where to start on your next Google AdWords campaign? We can help, contact us: info@mysmn.com or 877.576.9766

Posted by Patrick

Why You Need A Well Executed Mobile Marketing Strategy

May 19, 2017Advertising, Email Marketing, Mobile, Strategic Planning, Strategy, Uncategorized

According to Nielsen’s U.S. Consumer Usage Report back in 2012, smartphone owners officially made up “the majority of mobile subscribers, as 56 percent owned a smartphone as of Q3 2012.” And according to new research from the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project (2013), 61 percent of Americans own a smartphone. Pew’s research also states that twenty-eight percent of all cell owners are Android users, while iPhone owners represent 25 percent of the cell-owner population. As well-known digital marketing blogger Jay Baer puts it “the majority of adult Americans will have, in their pants, access to most of the world’s knowledge, at all times.” Thanks Jay, so that means if your business is online, you can get into your customers pants? Wow, I never knew marketing would come to this!

On a more dignified note, let’s get back to creating a mobile marketing strategy. What does your business need in its tool bucket?

First, a mobile friendly website. If you are thinking about re-designing your website or you are starting from scratch, think about designing for mobile first. Why? Because more and more people are accessing your website for the first time from their mobile phone. You’ll want to make it convenient for them to purchase or take other actions.

Second, analytics. Are you keeping an eye on your website’s mobile traffic? It’s an important metric for your overall analytics efforts. You will want to see how much traffic is coming from mobile users and which devices make up most of that traffic. Knowing what types of devices most of your customers use will help ensure your mobile design is easy for them to access and appropriate for the way they are viewing content. You can then also create mobile ad campaigns targeting users with those specific devices.

You will also want to get clearer insight into consumer behavior. Which videos are they watching from their mobile phone? Which pages are they spending the most time viewing? What is the average time spent overall on your website? By understanding those metrics you can change up or tailor new content to smartphone and tablet users.

Third, videos. If you do your research you will see various reports, like this one from Business Insider that “about 50 million people in the U.S. now watch video on their mobile phones. Fifteen percent of all online video hours globally are viewed on tablets and smartphones” and “40% of YouTube’s traffic now comes from mobile.” Set your business up with a YouTube channel and start creating videos to highlight your customer testimonials, products, services, staff, mission and culture and the benefits and solutions you provide.

Fourth, advertising. As mentioned above, by understanding mobile devise use, you can create better advertising campaigns. You can also use targeting parameters in Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and other social networks to drive specific target demographics to your mobile friendly website or to a landing page. Just make sure you do not lose any leads with a cluttered website that has small links, difficult navigation or tiny “purchase now” buttons. It’s such a let down when a brand has advertised some shiny new device or some life-altering service, and has made the rest of the purchasing process difficult. If you spent all that time creating an eye-catching Facebook ad, make sure you convert that lead into a new sale and a new loyal customer.

Fifth, Social Traffic. Are most of your likes coming from mobile users? Make sure photos posts are 620 pixels wide by 412 pixels high. Good new for retail: According to ComScore, “Nearly half (48 percent) of time spent in the Retail category occurred on mobile devices, with smartphones (34 percent) outpacing tablets (14 percent).” If you are in the business of retail create photos posts that also offer web-based coupons and promotion codes within your photo posts. If your customers are using Twitter and Instagram, they are very visual-mobile beings as well – another great opportunity to share coupons and promos.

Sixth, Email Marketing. Are all of your email newsletters or promotions optimized for mobile users? They should be! Here are some quick stats:

45% of decision makers reading their email from their mobile phones
Daily we spend 9 minutes on email via a mobile device, that is 7,6% of the total 119 minutes we use our phone per day. O2 – “Mobile life report” UK (2013)
More email is read Mobile than on a desktop email client. Stats say 49% of email is now opened on a mobile device Litmus –”Email Analytics” (Jan 2014)
52% of cell phone users use their phones to send or receive email (Pew)

Good luck on your mobile strategy and check back for future posts where we will cover this topic again.

Posted by Patrick

5 Important Functions To Build An Optimal Website

May 19, 2017Advertising, Applications, Mobile, Social Media, Uncategorized

1) Which Pages Do I Need?

Before you sit down with a website developer, you’ll want to map out the pages you want on your website. This saves time and money before you start the clock with a designer, and makes for a more organized representation of your brand and messaging. These are the five pages you’ll need to start with:

a. Home — Add a prominent call-to-action, and make it clear the way in which you’d prefer visitors to contact you.
b. About Us — This is where you can establish trust and a sense of community with your brand. It’s where you can create a relationship and connect on a more personal level. Share short bios of your staff and include something interesting about each staff member. Have a law firm? You might share that one staff member enjoys skiing on the weekends with family. Own a cupcake company? Be a bit more playful and tell us why Lisa loves watching Downton Abbey and having a bit too many chocolate chip cookies!
c. Products/Services — Start working up a list to share with your designer and include detailed descriptions, images, pricing, any warranties or return policies.
d. Customer Testimonials — Prospective customers are looking for solutions or lifestyle benefits – how can you give your visitors the opportunity to understand why you are different and how you have helped others? Display reviews for products or testimonials for services. It’s a quick and easy way to showcase your customers’ opinions. After all, most people are influenced by the buying behavior of others, whether strangers or friends and family. You can copy positive reviews from Yelp and link them back to the original review so viewers know it’s the real deal.
e. Contact Us — Make it very easy for people to access phone numbers, email addresses, your hours of operation, location and a Google map so it’s easy for anyone to pull up on their mobile phone for quick directions.

2) What About Design? Simple & Clean!

Quite often I see businesses cramming too much information into websites, which causes much confusion and leads to higher bounce rates and lower conversions. You want to make the most of those first couple of seconds when a user lands on your website. Make sure you know your target consumers, and then attract them with the right imagery, colors and verbiage (short and sweet) that speaks to them, compelling them to stay and take action. Look at other websites you personally view often, what elements of design do you like most and why? Are there other similar businesses to you that have an awesome design? Share it with your designer to aid in the design phase.

3) What Does “Take Action” Mean?

When you acquire a visitor, you want them to take action. That could mean calling for an appointment, buying something, using a code for a future purchase, signing up for your mailing list or a promotion. Your goal is to generate sales and capture future customers. Don’t be afraid to spell out exactly what you want customers to do, like: “Order Now!” or “Call Us for a Quote” or “Sign Up for VIP Discounts!” or “Get Expert Advice Now!” If you offer something of value in return for their information, they will be more likely to move on your words.

4) Everyone Needs to Get Social!

Ever stumble across a website with way too many social media share buttons? What is way too many? In my personal opinion, six or more buttons is too much. In order to decide which social media share buttons to put on your website, you will need to know who your target demographic is and then which of your social media networks are receiving the most interactions. Social media buttons are great because they can generate free advertising as more and more people share your content. After you have placed the buttons on your site you should test them and monitor how they convert for your site.

5) Mobile Friendly

Did you know that one in every five billion people in the world own a smartphone? And smartphone use goes beyond time spent while waiting in line, sitting in traffic, shopping; it also takes place while in public restrooms, in bed, while spending time with family and friends, on a date or even places of worship. It’s sad to say, but what does this mean for businesses? Your ability to capture more eyeballs is greater than ever before. So make sure your website is mobile friendly! Ask your website designer to explain options for a responsive design or separate mobile site design.

Have questions about your new website? Looking for expert advice? Give us a call, tell us about your business and we’ll be happy to discuss your options.

Posted by Patrick

5 Benefits of Email Marketing Vs. Social Media

May 19, 2017Email Marketing, Mobile, Social Media, Strategy

54% of small businesses surveyed rated e-mail as the top online promotion to drive site visitors and customers to their web sites and storefronts. (Source: DMA Interactive). Where does your business fit into this picture? If you have a website and sell products or services, you have customers and those customers have email addresses. An email address paired with a name, a profile, past browsing and buying behavior is an incredibly powerful thing for any business owner to have.

Most businesses can benefit from a mixture of social media marketing and email marketing, but between the two, the benefits of email marketing are one of the top tactics for lead generation, sales and maintaining customer relationships.

It’s Targeted – Email Marketing is more personal and it can be tailored (segmented) to very specific audiences –

If a customer is not ready to buy yet, you can share content that will help them during various stages of the buying cycle
Email customers that live in specific cities, states, regions
Had a successful year or event? Call out your top customers and thank them for their business
Email customers before their birthdays and offer them discounts
Email by gender, generation or cross different cultures
Based on what you know about your customers’ behavior while they have been on your site, you can retarget by reminding them about the items they clicked on or left in their carts.

It’s Business-Minded – When it comes to running a business, making lasting connections is more “grown-up” via email marketing rather than with most social networks. Think of it as a one-to-one conversation that’s landed in your customer’s very private email box – your message is not so private on social networks. Instead of speaking to thousands of people, your message is directed at each person by first name, and can again be tailored to that specific relationship.

It’s Mobile – More and more people have smartphones and they are checking email messages constantly along with their social networks and apps. Hubspot reports that forty percent of all emails are now viewed on smartphones, which means your emails, need to look exceptional on mobile devices.

It’s Permission Based – Your customers have given you the go ahead to communicate with them. It’s not like Twitter where it’s more of a mating dance – listening and promoting others comes first before engagement (sharing, promoting, selling) and new followers (people who sign up for email have a higher likelihood to become real customers if they haven’t already).

It’s Selling – Customers are expecting deals or discounts when they sign up for email newsletters and you can take advantage of this by telling your customers what to expect and give them exclusive deals only if they sign up. It’s an intimate level of exclusivity not similar to social networks. Social networks are better for engagement, brand loyalty, brand awareness and contests.

And speaking of deals and discounts, according to eMarketer, 92.5 million people in the U.S. redeemed digital coupons in 2012. By 2014, U.S. digital coupon users will exceed 100 million. There are many people who access coupons via desktop computers, but coupon users with smartphones are aiding in overall growth. Think of valuable discounts you can give your customers with digital coupons in your next email blast.

Good luck on your email marketing campaign and while you’re at it, subscribe to our email newsletter to receive tips on digital marketing!

Posted by Patrick

Top Apps to Improve your Work Life

May 19, 2017Applications, Mobile, Uncategorized

Apps have become one of the mainstreams for smartphones as people all over the world are doing their best to not only make the use of smartphones and tablets easier, but life as well. There are numerous apps out there that are made specifically to improve your business on the go. Many business owners do not have much time at the office and are constantly moving throughout the day.

1. Office Mobile-Although this app may be a little high in price, it is well worth it based on the quality experience you will receive from using it, especially if you know you will be spending a large amount of time on Microsoft Office. This awesome app makes creating and editing your word documents with your mobile device simple. This app offers Microsoft Word, Excel and even PowerPoint and allows you to create charts and graphics

2. TripIt- Mobile Travel Organizer- This app is a must have if you travel a lot for your business and will make it simple to keep your travel plans organized. By forwarding confirmation emails from agencies you’re booked with to plans@tripit.com it will recognize your reservations and keep them booked for you. Keeping your travel plans organized will help you to not be late or forget anything important.

3. Square Register- If you are on the go and need to be able to manage your business wherever you are then this app will be great for you, especially if you handle transactions on the go. You can accept credit cards with the free credit card reader and it comes with free POS (point of sale) tools. This app was created by Jack Dorsey who also created Twitter. For the use of all major credit cards, 2.75%is taken from each transaction.

4. Cisco WebEx Meetings- Are you on the go all the time, but need to have meetings wherever you are? If so, then this app is for you. It allows you to begin or join any web conference using 2 way video. The coolest part of this app is the fact that you can attach files, including presentations with a spreadsheet. This is the ultimate on the go meetings app. They have a free version which can support up to 3 people in a meeting.

5. Billminder- This convenient app serves as a bill reminder and organizer that can help you track your expenses with graphs and reports. It allows you to set alerts and even sync other devices.

Mobile

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