Ok, you receive less mail each day.  What better way to get your message to the targeted audience you want ot reach.  Marketing Week  just did a poll that found 56% of marketers still plan to use direct mail as one of the ways to get their message out.

It’s has to be part of your resources for marketing your business.

Many times I hear: “We have tried to implement a CRM/Sales Automation program here at ACE Widget but they just don’t work for us.”

Well, as I have explained in the past and John King who wrote an article “Who to Blame When CRM Fails” points out that companies need to look within themselves.  It’s not always the technolgy that’s to blame.  CRM technology can work the way you do business.

Companies  have to determine where the failure or stop gap is within their own organization.  Many times it’s a combination of not getting the stakeholders involved, training and buy-in by all that will use it.

Great article.  You can read more here.

So you’ve been wondering if this social media stuff is really popular.  Can it really influence my business?

Take a look at the new word for 2009 from the Oxford Dictionary.  

http://blog.oup.com/2009/11/unfriend/

It’s time to start thinking how can you take advantage of social media as one of your sources for marketing your business.

If you’ve been trying to figure out:

How do I keep track of all my contacts?
How do I keep in touch wilth my prospects, leads and customers?
How can I automate a drip marketing campaign?
How can I keep up to date on each contact’s LinkedIn and other social media activities?

Then you should seriously consider attending our seminar:

Date: October 22, 2009
Time: 8am to 12 pm
Location:

LivingWaters conference Center
15 John L. Dietsch Blvd
North Attleborough, MA

Here is a link to review to learn more and register:

Recently, I’ve been posting about Twitter and I also have been active in other social media networks.  The BIG question remains to be answered and is asked of me several times:  Is Social Media a time waster or can you grow your business using it.

Well, it does depend on who is your target audience.  I know that is vague but let me try to take a stab at it here to explain it.

Previously, I wrote about an article in The Boston Globe of a new restaurant (B2C) that was trying to create buzz about themselves before they opened.  They posted items about building the restaurant, the menu offerings and built up an anticipation about the grand opening.  They had a successful opening week.

I have also observed where a company that sells B2B uses Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn to let everyone know of their new products they developed and are now selling.

So what is the right mix for your business?

Read the rest of this entry »

I want to pass along a story today from the Boston Globe ‘Tweets’ on the menu are a sweet deal about restaurants using Twitter to increase business.  In the story a restaurant used Twitter to let everyone know of their progress of building and opening a new restaurant.  On opening night the place was packed and at least half the patrons from Twitter.

Since my last post I have received emails from followers doubting social networking can help to inprove their business.  Take a look at this article and leave me a comment on your thoughts about LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.   Tell me how you use them or why you don’t feel they are effective to market your business.

I know you’ve heard about this internet thing called:

1. It’s a way to stay connected with your customers. 
2. It’s a way to meet new contacts that may become customers.
3. It’s inexpensive.

So is it worth it?

In the last couple of months we have been using social media to reach out to other potential customers from outside our immediate market.  We have seen an increase in activity and interest in our services and products.  Using social media is becoming the new way for prospects 
that are looking for information on products and services you offer.  

It should be one of your tools in your sales tool box.

If you would like to learn more about social media give us a call to discuss how you can grow your business through social media at 508-226-4565. 

Follow me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/JoeNorcott

Recently it came to my attention that Hyundai had a new ad for its vehicles. But it was different than the regular ads you see on television. You know: the get cash back now and employee discount ads. Take a look here:

Rethink Your Marketing!! Read the rest of this entry »

I know it’s been a while since I last wrote. 

February is a short month in days and it just

seems to have flown by with the sales
and marketing automation projects I have
been working on using ACT! by Sage and Infusionsoft.

However, I had time to read a book on nurture marketing.  This book got me to thinking about how we all try new things in marketing but sometimes the tried and true still work the best today. 

We sometimes lose our way when trying to get out the word about our product and services.  In this world we want the sale now not five days from now. We go for the easy sale and leave the others behind. 

As the sub-title states “A Step-by-Step Process for Growing Clients by Design”, we forget that there are steps to marketing and selling and nurturing is the core to doing it successfully. Read the rest of this entry »

This week I spoke to the owner of a lawncare business about the upcoming season.   He was concerned that some of the commercial and retail properties would be cutting back on lawncare services.  Residential customers were cutting back as well and telling him they are going to do it themselves. 

We started talking about his plans for marketing this year.  Like every year he’s going to send out about 5,000 post cards a few times and figures to pick up new customers from it.  

We discussed connecting with his existing customers.  I was surprised that basically he didn’t agree on spending money on them since they already pay for his services. 

So every year he goes after new accounts and ignores his existing customers.  It’s not the economy that is the main reason for losing customers it’s his marketing and sales process.

Here’s 5 Ways to Retain Your Customers.
Read the rest of this entry »