Commercial Signage |Social Media Tips & Tricks
May 2, 2012
________________________________________________________________________________________
Small business owners in today’s internet environment can benefit from using social media tools such as Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, MySpace and even YouTube, to help market their products and services. The trick is to make sure that these efforts don’t miss the mark. If you are unfamiliar with the various tools be sure to spend some time learning about the various SEO tools by familiarizing yourself with each one. Most social media tools have on-line tutorials so be sure to do your homework.
1. Picking the Right Tool: Understanding which tools are most appropriate to your customers and the differences between business to consumer (B2C) and Business to Business (B2B) marketing is essential. Some tools that are appropriate for personal social media connections with automatic tweets throughout the day might be inappropriate for customers who may not want to hear from you so frequently.
2. Overuse: If you own a business consider blogging and do tweet, Google+ and link the blog to Facebook, but do so only once. This will prevent your customers and followers from viewing your posts as SPAM or outright attacks! Be smart or your posts may soon become unwelcome.
3. Analyze: Be sure to study the metrics and understand which tools are working best. Most of the tools and websites offer an analytics component so you can evaluate how well the tool is working. Also, Google’s algorithms still show that selecting the right keywords and making sure your SEO efforts or blog leverages them in your campaign, is very important.
4. Be Consistent: Make sure your efforts are consistent. Do not start and then stop using SEO tools or your customers may assume that you are no longer in business. Your articles and blog content needs to be timely and relevant.
Use social media to expand your on-line presence and enhance your branding efforts. If you’re unsure exactly how to use the analytics on your website contact your provider and ask them to walk you through the analytics process. It’s important in the long run to understand where most of your requests for information or newsletter subscriptions are coming from. For example, is it Twitter or Facebook that generates the most leads for your company? And, don’t forget to consider opportunities for mobile marketing as well! For more information on this or related topics give us a call at 510-357-2000 or email us at info@signworks.us.com.
Marketing Tips| A Lesson In Referral Marketing
November 30, 2011
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Referral marketing and repeat business is the life’s blood of any successful business and something that should be viewed as an opportunity for business growth! The more you do to create happy customer’s the more likely they will come back to you and refer other opportunities to you.
Several months ago we worked with an Advertising Agency from another state, Switch: Liberate Your Brand, who contracted with us to do a vehicle wrap for an energy drink company in the local San Leandro market. When I as the business owner, went over to pick up the vehicle, a Ford Transit, the Fleet Manager and I got to talking. They had moved from Hayward’s auto row several years before, but the dealership had yet to find a competent fleet graphics vendor in their local market. SignWorks was ready and able to fill the need and earn referral business from this encounter.
At present we are working on two vehicle projects that were both referred to us by our local Ford dealer. And, our work on the HeavyLux vehicles has resulted in a framed Acrylic entry sign for the front of the HeavyLux showroom. Other repeat business includes several other vinyl graphics and a dimensional lettering project for our local mall management company, Madison Marquette.
If you are interested in working with a sign company that you can be confident in referring to other business associates, look no further than SignWorks! Contact us at (510) 357-2000 or by email at info@signworks.us.com.
Marketing Tips|Keeping It Legible, The Right Font and Typography
July 14, 2011
_____________________________________________________________________________________
That super curly gothic style font may appeal to you personally but when translated onto the hood or side panels of your vehicle, it may not be very legible. Those swirly, pointy letters are not effective if other drivers are unable to read them. Pared down non-swirly letters are easier to read so sticking with simple letters and avoiding san serifs will make the text easier on the eyes.
Make sure the letters or text is not crowded together because adequate spacing translates into better legibility. Also, make sure that text included on the hood can be read through a rear view window by making sure to reverse it. Also, keep the size of the text proportional. If it’s too big it will take on a kinder-like quality which will detract from the actual message.
One final note, if possible select a font or type face and color palette that communicates something about you and the type of business you are in. If you need more help, call SignWorks today at (510) 357-2000.
Signage Marketing Tips – 10 Easy Ways to Use QR Codes
May 13, 2011
____________________________________________________________________________
QR codes are becoming more and more prevalent in modern day marketing. When scanned, QR codes can provide a wealth of information to customers and prospects alike. They can be very effective in helping a business to grow. Following are 10 ways to use QR codes to grow your business:
1. Put the code containing your contact information on the back of your company business cards. This way contacts from networking events can easily scan the code and get more detailed contact information about you.
2. Put the QR code in any print advertising pieces or marketing literature so that prospects and customers can get more detailed information about your offer.
3. Create a QR code that directs customers to a specific on-line product information page or website.
4. Put a QR code on the “Contact Us” web page so people can scan it and use the code to get directions to your business location.
5. If you sell products that need to be assembled put the instructions in the form of a QR code (or hyper link) to an on-line instructional video.
6. Create and circulate a flyer with a QR code for items that are on sale or for special promotions that you may be running.
7. Add the QR code to your LinkedIn and Facebook pages so that business contacts can readily find you.
8. Use the QR code in a direct mail postcard so that when the code is scanned more detailed information about the business and the product and service offering is given.
9. Use QR codes on your invoices to up sell and cross sell other items to existing customers.
10. Use the code to direct customers to a Paypal buy link for an item you are promoting.
The partial list above is only a subset of some of the ways that you can use QR codes to create visibility for your business products and services. Also SignWorks can assist you in integrating a QR code into any upcoming signage projects. We can be reached at (510) 357-2000.
****
