Interactive branding, marketing and advertising blog

Small Businesses grow with social media strategies

eMarketer just posted some great stats showing plans to grow small business with social media’s proliferation.

“36% of small businesses look to step up with Twitter and Facebook

Small businesses are confident about their ability to weather the recession, with more than one-half saying they have either fully recovered or will do so by the end of 2010, and nearly three-quarters claiming they will drive recovery in the overall economy, according to the “Third Annual FedEx Office Signs of the Times Small Business Survey” from FedEx Office and Ketchum.

To that end, almost two in five small-business owners reported they would be growing their businesses with social media sites such as Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. That was up from less than one-quarter who planned to up their game with social in 2009 and made social media the only tactic to increase in importance since last year.”

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Foursquare For Businesses

Social media has been an increasingly effective part in the marketing strategies of many big and local businesses. The main question when Foursquare came around with their innovative geolocation sharing network was; How do we use this to benefit our brand or business? But the Foursquare team has added a few cool features with their network, bringing the game focus to the site, while continuing to build on their own marketing and professional relationships. Today we have some unique ways in which Foursquare has become an effective business marketing tool for more. Read the rest of this entry »

Twitter Trends & Locations for Business

We’ve all heard how awesome Twitter is, but there is always that initial question when getting started; how do I get people to follow me? Well thankfully Twitter offers some original and new features that can direct users in the right way to joining the discussions they’re interested in.

With Twitter trends users can search a specific topic to see which people are tweeting about what. Simply type a topic in the search bar on the right panel. You will then be directed to all the people who’ve mentioned that topic within a tweet, updated in real-time. Connect with these other users by responding to their tweets with worthwhile information from your area of expertise.

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Business & Restaurant Dont’s on Facebook

So we all agree Facebook is as necessary as a website if you’re going to make any kind of traction with online marketing, right? Good. Now that we have that cleared up, let’s talk about some ways NOT to use Facebook for your business.

Facebook has given businesses a way to connect directly to consumers on the consumers’ terms. It’s the epitome of why online marketing works. Facebook’s tools give businesses a way to engage them, bring them in and let them experience their brands. However, they can be used negatively without the restaurant or brand even knowing. Obviously this is detrimental as abusing a consumer’s acceptance of you will result in ejection and a bad reputation to their friends. Not good. So, let’s stave off some common pratfalls by other brands….

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EMARKETER: How Effective Are Corporate Social Media Policies?

Banning usage may not be best choice

Many IT professionals are down on social media usage in the workplace, both because they believe it hinders productivity and might compromise security. As companies adopt usage policies, employees continue to check out Facebook and other potentially forbidden sites.

According to a survey by security solutions provider nCircle, about three-fifths of US security and IT professionals say their company has a social media policy, and two-fifths ban all usage of social media on the job.

Read the rest of the article here.

Make a REAL Impact With Social Media

Social Media can be quite confusing coming from different markets, leaving many businesses confused on how to develop their online marketing campaigns. The main question always tends to be this; Which online networks do I utilize first to gain effective results? At Vigor, the we answer this dilemma with three simple words: ALL OF THEM!

It makes no sense to try sites out individual and wait for results before moving onto the next one. Start with all of the sites and learn from your mistakes quickly and learn which sites are least effective. This is a better and quicker way of getting rid of “the bad apples.” You want your content to be everywhere from Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Youtube, and even photo sharing sites to spread your company brand. Many different tools are offered today to help manage all of this content from one site. Ping.fm allows you to maintain blogs along with any social networking site with the ability to post to any or all networks with a single click. Of course there is a lot of time put into the development of these accounts, but maintaining the content with frequent updates and business-to-consumer information has become much more efficient thanks to tools such as ping.

By: Mark G. Valente | Online Marketing Director | Vigor Interactive Branding

Optimize Your Facebook Page with FBML

Want to really customize your company or band’s fan page? With the use of the FBML (Facebook Markup Language) application you open a new window of possibilities for sharing your information. Build fully customizable pages where users can interact with your companies site right from Facebook. Don’t force people in a certain direction; be where they already are.

The Static FBML application enables users to render HTML and FBML for a more enhanced page customization. Many bands and corporations are utilizing this app to promote and sell their products while still keeping the user on facebook for direct contact with your consumers. These are just a small list of some of the companies:

Best-Buy

Honda

Now you see the list of possibilities opened up to you with FBML. Do some research and bring a NEW look to your Facebook Page.

By: Mark G. Valente | Online Marketing Director | Vigor Interactive Branding

Linkedin Adds a Twist

Linkedin has been an increasingly successful business network of over 65 million users, connecting them to exchange information, ideas, and potential business opportunities. This network allows users to connect with other professionals within three degrees of separation (a friends, friends, friend). This gives those who don’t know you the ability to see some of your posts, activity, or ask you questions.

Today Linkedin launched their, Facebook-like, sharing features. Now, posted links in your status box will have a drop-down with a photo from the link along with an article excerpt. You also have the ability to set who sees each post with the option to edit and/or delete. Each post can be automatically sent to your twitter account, which is why they will be launching a url shortener today as well.

The main things everyone is wondering now is: Will business professionals share articles with the Linkedin network along with Fcebook and Twitter? Could link sharing and these Facebook-like features take away from the business sharing aspect of the site? The last thing we want to see are people spamming an idea-sharing network to sell their professional brand or product. This may weaken Linkedin but it is, as always, up to the users to determine the success of this controversial feature.

By: Mark G. Valente | Online Marketing Director | Vigor Interactive Branding

What is the right email marketing service for you?

Every business should be engaging in some form of email marketing or another. Whether frequent or infrequent, staying in front of your customers is marketing 101. There are hundreds of email marketing service providers out there and that can be overwhelming. Who do you use? What’s a good deal? What features should they provide? Let’s dig a little deeper as we outline what the right ESP is for your restaurant and/or company.

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One Magic Media Bullet? No such thing!

We are, obviously, approached constantly by potential clients looking to build their business. One thing we come across frequently is the notion that one or two things will create the desired effect. It’s hard to change people’s minds when they are dead set on a belief, but I have to wonder where this notion is derived. Read the rest of this entry »