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Published on Tuesday 31st of January 2012

Making An Impact In Your Market has Never Been More Important, Or Easier

I believe our age will be called the Internet age. Over the past decade and a half, and especially in most recent times, we have seen revolution after revolution change the political and economic spheres in which we live. Political power has become more horizontally integrated with the advent of social media, and it has been as effective in toppling longstanding military regimes (i.e., the Arab Spring) as well as defeating unpopular legislature (i.e., the US SOPA & PIPA postponement). In each of these cases, the momentum came and was sustained not from powerful committees and the elite, but from ordinary citizens like you and me.

More and more, individuals have the power to influence the course of events, and marketing is no different. But just because influence is readily available to anyone, doesn’t mean it can be mastered by everyone. To be influential, you must be engaged; like in the past, you must have your network of people or companies. If you like something, whether it’s a product or service or just a piece of writing, don’t be afraid to share it and tell other people about it. If you like what someone else has shared, tell your network about it. This is an ever-growing part of communication, and in the future it will only be more dominant.

Most large companies have already taken notice of the social trend, and increasingly they are monitoring and measuring their social interactions. They recognize that it is you who will ultimately make or break them. Search engines like Google take into consideration the behaviour of their users when ranking web sites for search queries. It is you who they are trying to satisfy, and therefore they verify click rates for their top results.

Because an individual voice can have such a powerful influence on a product’s success, companies have started to do what they thought inconceivable only a few years ago; they now tailor their products and services to the individual client. Personalized web sites are a must these days, but Amazon and Dell have gone further and change the position, elements, and functionality based on how it tests with users. The ads we see are likewise made to be as relevant to us as possible, and with the advent of mobile marketing, we will see even more personalization with location-specific ads.

Now is the time to begin your social and personalized marketing efforts. Go to Direct Objective site or blog and if you like it, have an impact and press on the +1 on the top right of the page. Speak out and people will take notice!

CATEGORIES:

Social Media Marketing    

Published on Tuesday 22nd of November 2011

How To Measure Whether Your Website is Effective?

Today, your website is often the first place where your potential client finds you; it is your first impression. This means that you must ensure that your website is effective. So how could you know whether your site is effective or not? Here are some criteria you can use when assessing your website’s performance:

• Are you receiving enough inquiries? Whether they come through the traditional contact form on your site, or through other online marketing tactics, the real question is does the amount of online inquiries satisfies your sales pipeline? Assuming that you receive a hefty amount of traffic to your website, do you manage to convert them to prospects or they move on to the next site?
• Of the inquiries that do originate online, are they serious and relevant prospects? The content and design of your website attracts a specific audience. Are they the potential clients that you are looking for? or are those inquiries a waste of time for your salespeople?
• Do you know who visits your site and where they’re clicking? Most companies settle for anonymous web traffic. But what if you were able to identify a potential client in real-time, track their Web activity, and start a dialog to better understand their level of interest?

Phases to improve your Website Effectiveness:

1. Collect information regarding visits to your website (requires installation of web analytic tools that would collect specific information)
2. Analyze the data and deduct what elements in your website drive the most potential clients
3. Optimize your Website SEO and usability

Optimization and website usability are often thought of as two independent facets of a website, but in reality this is never the case; a well-planned online strategy takes both into account together, and makes sure that one supports the other. It is true that search engine optimization plays a greater role in getting potential clients to a site, while usability is more focused on keeping them there—but this is changing. Google is constantly updating its ranking algorithm, and more recently one of the important aspects that Google takes into consideration is what your visitors think about your site. What is counted as important? What brings value to the visitor? In order to learn this, Google uses web analytics information to help define the ranking of your website. Thus, it is no longer enough to place a few keywords here and there, expecting your Web site will be ranked high. You need to invest in your website’s usability.

For more information on how content can affect your business’s image and exposure, read our more detailed website content development section. If you would like to understand the benefits of good Web design, and just how it can help you find clients, look at our website design resource.

Contact Direct Objective today to see how we can assist you in adjusting your website to effectively draw more potential clients. Our vast experience in website usability and optimization will allow you to bolster your online presence and create an effective website.

CATEGORIES:

Measure ROI    Website Content    SEO    

Published on Wednesday 19th of October 2011

A Comprehensive B2B Marketing Resource

It has been almost 20 years that I’ve worked in the international marketing arena, and I have learned a lot since I first began. Some things I learned from other marketing experts with whom I had worked and other things simply by trial and error. The first thing I learned was that the marketing industry moves quickly, and that one must constantly change one’s strategies and techniques to attain positive results.

For some time now, I had wanted to put all of my experience in a book so I could share it with other people who are facing International marketing challenges. But today, a lot of marketing happens online, and because the internet is turning more and more into the resource for up-to-date and relevant information, I have decided to revise our Web site to serve as a marketing portal—a comprehensive resource for B2B marketing. I have created it specifically as a destination where people would be able to educate themselves on how proper marketing should be done. All the techniques and strategies are covered, meaning that we address all the major marketing practices for B2B companies.

As much as our website is already comprehensive, it can never be complete. I envision it as a long journey where you, our visitor, will take on an important role. Tell us what you think about our new concept. Let us know what subject you would like us to cover and together we can create a better and greater repository about marketing.

To start this journey, we have placed a Google +1 button on our site (at the top-right of every page). Click the Google +1 button on pages that you value and enjoy. This will give us extra feedback about the type of information you find useful. If you have not yet signed-up to Google+, please do so and add me to your circle.

In light of the Moon Harvest Festival and the Jewish New Year celebrated last month, I hope you harvest the fruits of our effort and embark on a successful business year with the assistance of our website or our services. Again, do not hesitate to contact us if you have any further questions.

CATEGORIES:

Marketing Resources    Website Content    Website Design    

Published on Wednesday 28th of September 2011

Do you really know your prospective clients?

Recently, a friend of mine returned from her summer vacation in Provence (France), and having become enchanted with the place, she recommended I read Peter Mayle’s “Encore Provence”. The book, written by a British author who made his home in Provence, is most intriguing when he describes the cultural differences of the region. Through his anecdotes we come to appreciate that the differences are real, and that though they are experience immediately, they can only be understood with time and after many personal encounters.

When I started reading, I was guilty much as you probably are of assuming that the only prominent cultural differences would come from an Anglophone living in a Francophone environment, but this was not the case. Peter Mayle elaborates on the beauty of Provence by contrasting its people’s ways with the Parisian way, with the British way, and with the American way. He even touches on the differences between Marseille and Avignon, both in Provence—and how the ways of doing business in one does not apply to the other.

Thus, when you consider entering a new market, or you are about to launch a new product to a target market you are unfamiliar with, it is instrumental you verify that:

1. Your have identified the prospective market that would most benefit from your solution
2. You target market can afford your solution
3. You understand how your target market operates and how your prospects expect to do business with you
4. Your solution features are highlighted in a way that fits like a lock and key, so you can open the door to your prospects

All the above is a result of:

1. A well-thought marketing strategy
2. Fine custom of your branding to the market that you are after
3. Creative marketing campaigns that attract the attention of your specific target market
4. Constant evaluation of your marketing results to ensure that you really address your prospects’ needs

If you are looking to turn more of your prospects into paying clients, please do not hesitate to contact us. We offer suggestions and solutions to make sure you have the right market approach with your products or services.

CATEGORIES:

Business Marketing Planning    Business Development Strategy    B2B Marketing Strategies    

Published on Wednesday 17th of August 2011

What's Special This Coming September?

If this September is anything like the last one, a lot of organizations are going to be ramping up their B2B marketing efforts. Last year, when the end of summer came around, the search volume for business-to-business marketing in the United States started to increase, reaching its apex near the end of September. In Canada, we observed similar results, as you can see in the charts.

The summer months, in comparison, are much more relaxed. Many people take their vacations and put off major B2B marketing projects until the fall. This means the competition is lower at that time. But when this September comes around, what are you going to do to stay ahead?

The Slowdown and Marketing Strategy

The economy has experienced another slowdown this summer. Is it time to halt your B2B marketing? Make no mistake, this time it will be most challenging for the companies that target federal clients. Private businesses have mostly recovered since the last economic crisis. A good indication of this is a recently released report by Gartner: Quarterly IT Spending Forecast July 2011 that claims that dispite of the economic climate worldwide, IT spending forecast has been revised up from 5.6% to 7.1% quarter over quarter. That means no cutting back on B2B marketing and instead adopting an aggressive marketing strategy to get ahead.

A report published a few years ago by BMO Financial Group investigated how Canadian businesses were affected by the global economic recession. It indicated that the most successful and least impacted organizations all had few things in common: they were always seeking to expand into new markets and unknown markets; they were refocusing their customer bases and getting rid of non-core business; and they were not afraid to forego the familiar and embrace the risks that can ultimately lead to further success.

Therefore, use these times to go on the offensive. Ramp up your B2B marketing, introduce new products, and spend a lot of effort making sure they’re in your customers’ minds. By taking a weaker economy head on, not only can you plow through the tough times, but you are ideally poised for rapid growth the moment there is an upswing.

This coming September, your competitors might be considering all of the above. Don’t fall behind, call Direct Objective to grow your customer base and expand into less familiar B2B marketing tactics or strategies.

CATEGORIES:

B2B Marketing    Market Slowdown    Marketing Action Plan    B2B Marketing Strategies    

Published on Monday 18th of July 2011

What Google +1 Means for Effective SEO and the Future of the Internet

“Relevance is about relationships.” That quote from the Google blog represents the idea behind their new ‘+1’ feature, an answer to “Like” and “Share” from Facebook and Twitter. When people searching Google find something they want to recommend, they can hit the “+1” button in the search results or on the actual page to share their recommendations with their Google contacts. The short video below from Google’s blog gives a quick overview of how everything works.

However, B2B business marketers who have spent considerable resources increasing their page rank suddenly are learning that +1 revolutionizes search results. Google is developing an algorithm to account not only for search engine optimization factors like keyword patterns and incoming links, but from the point of view of social networks as well. A result that your friend +1’ed (for the record, +1’s, +1’ed, and +1’ing are the accepted spelling) could be elevated above other results for various search strings and appear higher in the search results. Not only that: +1’s will show up on both search results and AdWords. This may have major impact on your online advertising as well.

So What Do I Do Now?

First, there is no need for panic! Google’s algorithms will always place most emphasis relevancy, not exclusively on relationships. Not everyone will let the Google +1 button determine their clicks, or even enable a Google account that has a broad contact list. Top spots on the search result pages will still be highly valued. Second, and perhaps most importantly, the +1 feature will likely have far greater an impact on B2C business than B2B for now. Buying a coffeemaker because a couple of your friends recommended it is a vastly different decision process than choosing the right software solution to mesh with your IT infrastructure. There are more factors to consider when making a major purchasing decision for your company’s future than “what does my roommate from college think?” Effective SEO will still increase your company’s page rank to the level where major potential clients will take notice.

That said, it is important to be prepared for the possibility of Google +1 becoming an important marketing tool in the future. The simplest way? Think traditional: start creating engaging, original content, design your website with aesthetics and usability in mind, and keep your company on the first page of search results with carefully targeted SEO. Talk with Direct Objective today about your options in the imminent Google +1 online world.

CATEGORIES:

Search Engine Optimization    B2B Social Media    

Published on Monday 11th of April 2011

How Does Marketing Content Development Drive Business?

Before we examine why marketing content development is so crucial, let’s first define what original content means. Professional copywriting isn’t just filler built around a sales pitch: it should be original, enlightening, and written in a sophisticated way. Prospects who read it shouldn’t feel like they’re being marketed to. It should try to capture an idea, a thought, or a piece of advice that your target market will find informative and helpful for their business. It can often be the toughest kind of selling: marketing without appearing to market. It’s not just a wolf in sheep’s clothing: it’s a sheep in wolf’s clothing, wearing a sheep costume.

Marketing content development has become especially powerful due to its direct impact on your online and offline industry reputation. Using professional content writing services to generate well-written content in your sales marketing materials can land you a prime place in respected industry magazines and draw attention to your company or solution.

Today, however, content development has become king due to its importance online. Due to the overwhelming quantity of website content development, search engines are playing an important role to find the right information before you buy a solution; utilizing Search Engine Optimization (SEO) when writing original and authentic Web content enables your webpage to rank higher on search results. But professional copywriting is not only for the Web. Email marketing campaigns should have an attractive subject line, so that your prospects are enticed to open them, while the copywriting content in the body of the marketing campaign should entice you to click. Social media marketing should feature original content development that will add value and engage your followers. Both online and offline advertisements should feature attractive content and clear call-for-actions.

Ultimately, these procedures will allow you to drive more business, and create new opportunities for your salespeople. Every time you can spark client interest though new original marketing content, your salespeople will be able to more easily close deals and drive new clients to your business.

Marketing content development is a delicate balance between information, selling points, and wordplay. If you’ve got any questions or comments, don’t hesitate to contact us for content writing services, or to discuss how marketing content development can leave its mark on your future clients.

CATEGORIES:

Content Development Marketing    Copywriting    Content Development    Content Development Services    Content Writing Services    

Published on Tuesday 15th of March 2011

Website Conversion Optimization: Are You Converting Your Web Visitors Into Clients?

So you’ve invested a ton of money and resources into a professional-looking website. You brought in top designers, spent hours creating original and engaging content, hired a professional to customize it for search engines, and finally were able to launch a new online image for your company. You’ve checked the analytics, and your traffic is stronger than ever.

So what next?

As arduous a process as creating a website is, it’s only the first step of investment. Measuring traffic is one thing, but are you converting your visitors into sales? Who exactly is visiting your site? Have you considered innovative ways to convert the traffic that you already getting into paying clients?

The first step to website conversion optimization is to determine what your website goals are. Is your site just a product showcase or online brochure? Or is it a method of receiving information about prospective leads? Next, you have to evaluate the effectiveness and performance of your website to achieve those goals. You may need to customize sections of content and design to appeal to particular targets. Finally, you need to have the capacity to analyze and understand the behaviour of your visitors, and determine how best to convert casual visitors into regular customers.

So how does a casual web visitor become a paying customer? The most important aspect of successful conversion is timing. While your visitors are still on your Web site, you still have their full and undivided attention, but once they move on with their search, they are already focused on the next issue. Therefore, prospects are far more likely to respond to immediate calls for action then a delayed email communication. One recent research initiative by a CRM management firm tested website conversion optimization strategy by tracking website traffic and responding to certain visitor scenarios with personalized approaches. The result? They increased their visitor conversion by 296% in just 6 months.

There are many methods of website conversion optimization, and not all of them are suitable for the needs of your website. Talk with Direct Objective today about your options, or leave a comment below about your own experiences with converting Web visitors.

CATEGORIES:

Website Conversion    Website Conversion Optimization    

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