Restaurant branding, marketing and other notes on various design topics » new media

One Magic Media Bullet? No such thing!

Joseph Szala — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:34:53 +0000

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.

The fact is, there is no such thing as a magic media bullet; one media that will skyrocket sales and perform as the end all, be all solution. Sure, you have your new media pundits and your traditional media lobbyists out there. You have every salesperson from television to print to digital and everything in between. They all spin their media as The One.

The bottom line is this: Just because you finally decided you need marketing, doesn’t mean that you can spend $200 bucks a month and see immediate results. Marketing and advertising is a concerted effort that works when multiple medias are orchestrated. 7 tends to be the magic number.

A person needs to hear your message 7 times before the potential of action even occurs. What media delivers your message 7 times for $200 a month? $2000? Not many. That’s why an integrated program is what works.

Here are some steps to make your marketing and media campaign more powerful:

1. Figure out your conversion. What is it? An email subscription? A phone call? What constitutes a “lead” or “sale?”

2. How can you make the conversion as seamless and easy as possible? Online is definitely the answer, but maybe you’re thinking more old school like direct response or a phone call.

3. Pinpoint which medias will drive people toward that conversion. If it’s a website, use a mixture of search engine marketing, banner advertising, and potentially TV and print advertising. Push all call to actions towards the website and conversion method.

4. Measure and monitor constantly. Which medias are working? Which aren’t? Roll with the punches and move the proverbial shells until your campaign is optimized.
You should be looking to spend real money on a marketing campaign. A couple hundred dollars will get you $10 in return. If it were cheap and easy EVERYONE would be doing it, right?

Social Media has taken over… period

Joseph Szala — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 15:15:27 +0000

If there are any doubts about social media’s permeation into everyday life, or if anyone doubts its reach, power and effect on brands, well, this video is for you.

Driving word of mouth traffic

Joseph Szala — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 13:12:55 +0000

Everybody wants more word of mouth business for their company. It’s a need and want that supersedes the B2B and B2C specific interests. However, there is no magic bullet that builds more word of mouth beyond wowing your current customers. Until Blabberbug.com was launched.

Blabberbug.com is a web tool that helps you drive word of mouth via viral coupons. Arooga’s, a sports bar and grille house in Harrisburg, has been leveraging Blabberbug with much success. In fact, in 30 days they saw over 30 people send coupons to over 90 other friends. That’s 120 people all with a coupon in hand ready to come to one of Arooga’s locations. So, how did they do it?

1. They signed up for an account on Blabberbug and set their monthly budget, coupons and store information.

2. They started posting a link at the bottom of their marketing email blasts.

3. They also promoted it throughout their locations on digital screens.

4. Informed the staff of the coupons so there was no confusion.

Now Arooga’s has more traffic from Blabberbug than they’ve gotten with any other media. The best part is, it only cost them a fraction of what other medias cost. Want to know more? Call us!