Plan your Holiday Marketing #Thanksgiving #BlackFriday, #ShopSmall # CyberMonday #GivingTuesday

Are you planning your last push for your company’s sales or your nonprofit fundraising? Remember that whether you are a retailer, non-profit or service company, you can reach more people and enhance your promotion if you tie it in with national deadlines from Thanksgiving to GivingTuesday. Now is the time to plan your marketing emails and promotions. Start with a Thank You to your past customers and contacts, then add a promotions from the list below of national promotions and hashtags below. Join my FREE Marketing Workshops &  Webinars to learn more about promotions and content that can help you be even more successful.

1. #BlackFriday is the Friday after Thanksgiving (when some retail companies sell up to 40% of their annual purchases). Why? Because  consumers are waiting for these promotions and actively planning their shopping around it. Your sale can tie into national ads by using the hashtag #BlackFriday to include your company in the online shopping  search for consumers who follow that conversation on social media.
2. #ShopSmall is Small Business Saturday sponsored by American Express is a national promotion held the Saturday after Thanksgiving. It is a day designated to give small businesses a leg up by nationally promoting the event and allowing small local businesses to set up an event on their national website and use the hashtag #ShopSmall where consumers can find deals and events when clicking local on the #ShopSmall feed. Your offers and check-in offers  get more attention and you can also promote or boost them on Social Media. Get more info at #ShopSmall here.
3. #CyberMonday is the Monday after Thanksgiving and savvy shoppers are used to  putting their gift list next to their computer and taking advantage of the specials offered on that Monday only. It is a well promoted event and you should tie into it if you have any packages or offers you can offer in a one day flash sale. Some companies also use #CyberWeek so they can stretch out the benefits for a week. This is also effective for service businesses who put together packages or recorded programming that is free or discounted on #CyberMonday only.
4. #GivingTuesday is the 1st Tuesday after Thanksgiving and is the launch for nonprofits to challenge themselves to create an event to tie into the hashtag and national promotion that will help them get bigger and more donations than last year. Brainstorm with your team and design a fundraiser that provides incentives and dates to get those donations in the beginning of December, leaving you 1 to 2 months to follow up with slower donors who want to give tax deductible donations. Visit the #GivingTuesday website to learn more here.
5. #FreeShippingSaturday is the second Saturday of December and companies offer Free Shipping and promise that the shipment will be there by December 25th.
6. #SuperSaturday The Saturday before Christmas is the last Saturday with excellent deals for last minute shoppers. Retailers outdo each other as they try to maximize their revenue during the last shopping weekend before Christmas. 

Don’t forget to include the national logos, hashtags and #tags that can help you launch with national organizations’ efforts. See what other merchandisers in your area have done in the past by looking at the #feed. Then get your staff together and brainstorm about what you can do to join the conversation and be represented with your own push during these very social media promotions. For more tips on how to get this done, join my Rock your Holiday Promotions Webinar on 12/2,  If you need help, email us at tmade.mkt@verizon.net and request an appointment for a brainstorming meeting online ($145/hour or packages starting at $290).

For more information on improving your business marketing or your website performance, contact Tailor-Made Advertising to review and improve your efforts. Liz Harsch has been helping business owners maximize their marketing budget since 1988. For more information about Liz or Tailor-Made Advertising, visit tailormadeadvertising.com. Liz is a valued Marketing speaker and trainer for SCORE, SBDC, Constant Contact, Chambers of Commerce and Small Business Groups on Traditional and Online Marketing, Social Media, Analytics or Email Marketing for your organization, email her at tmade.mkt@verizon.net or call 310-791-6300.

Are you planning your last push for sales or fundraising for your nonprofit? Remember that whether you are a retailer, non-profit or service company, you can reach more people and enhance your promotion if you tie it in with national deadlines from Thanksgiving to GivingTuesday. Now is the time to plan your marketing emails and promotions. Start with a Thank You to your past customers and leads and add a promotion or two from the list below of special events and hashtags for your marketing plan: #BlackFriday, #ShopSmall, #CyberMonday and more. Join my Marketing Workshops &  Webinars to learn more about promotions and content that can help you be even more successful.

1. #BlackFriday is the Friday after Thanksgiving when some retail companies sell up to 60% of their annual purchases. Why? Because  consumers are waiting for these promotions and actively planning their shopping around it. Your sale can tie into national ads by using the #BlackFriday to include your company in the online shopping  search for consumers who follow that conversation on social media.
2. #ShopSmall is Small Business Saturday sponsored by American Express is a national promotion held the Saturday after Thanksgiving. It is a day designated to give small businesses a leg up by nationally promoting the event day and allowing small local businesses to set up an event or sale using the hashtag #ShopSmall so consumers can see where a local event is happening by clicking local on the #ShopSmall feed. Since they are out and about, your offer and check-in offers  get more attention and you can also promote or boost them on Social Media for even more reach.
3. #CyberMonday is the Monday after Thanksgiving and savvy shoppers are used to  putting their gift list next to their computer and taking advantage of the specials offered on that Monday only. It is a well promoted event and you should tie into it if you have any packages or offers you can do for a one day sale. This is also effective for service businesses who put together packages or recorded programming that is free or discounted on that day.
4. #GivingTuesday is the 1st Tuesday after Thanksgiving and is the launch for nonprofits to challenge themselves to create an event to tie into the hashtag and national promotion that will help them get bigger and more donations than last year. Brainstorm with your team and design a fundraiser that provides incentives and dates to get those donations in the beginning of December, leaving you 1 to 2 months to follow up with slower donors who want to give tax deductible donations.
5. #SuperSaturday The Saturday before Christmas is the last Saturday with excellent deals for last minute shoppers. Retailers outdo each other as they try to maximize their revenue during the last shopping weekend before Christmas. 

Don’t forget to include the national logos, hashtags and #tags that can help you launch off other organizations efforts. See what other merchandisers in your area have done in the past by looking at the #feed. Then get your staff together and brainstorm about what you can do to join the conversation and be represented with your own push during these very social media promotions. For more tips on how to get this done, join my Rock your Holiday Promotions Webinar on 12/2,  If you need help, email tmade.mkt@verizon.net and request an appointment for a brainstorming meeting online ($145/hour or packages starting at $290).

For more information on improving your business marketing or your website performance, contact Tailor-Made Advertising to review and improve your efforts. Liz Harsch has been helping business owners maximize their marketing budget since 1988. For more information about Liz or Tailor-Made Advertising, visit tailormadeadvertising.com. Liz is a valued Marketing speaker and trainer for SCORE, SBDC, Constant Contact, Chambers of Commerce and Small Business Groups on Traditional and Online Marketing, Social Media, Analytics or Email Marketing for your organization, email her at tmade.mkt@verizon.net or call 310-791-6300.

San Pedro Lunch & Learn 10/24/18. Network & Learn How To Maximize Your Holiday Promotions & Emails

Register Here http://bit.ly/HolidayPromo2018

Join my Holiday Digital Marketing Tips Lunch & Learn with @ConstantContact at The San Pedro Chamber of Commerce Wednesday 10/24. Lunch is catered and only  $15 for member or $20 for Non- Members. Come network and learn how to make the most of your marketing efforts using  National Holidays from #Halloween #Thanksgiving #BlackFriday #ShopSmall #CyberMonday #GivingTuesdays & more. Learn about events, hashtags, social media pages, digital tools  & audiences you can use to enhance email marketing lists.  It’s not too late to pump up your reach and increase your revenue to surpass your 2018 marketing goals. Register here: http://bit.ly/HolidayPromo2018.

If you cannot make the event, you can always email Tailor-Made Advertising with your questions on how to maximize your marketing efforts at liz@adteamla.com or call us at 310-791-6300.  Don’t expect different results from just what you did last year. Mix it up and get better results in today’s hot market.

Liz Harsch is a media planner and trainer for small business owners with Constant Contact, SCORE, SBDC, SBA, Cities and MWD and County outreach partners, APICS plus many Chambers of Commerce since 2008.  She owns Tailor-Made Advertising in Torrance, California and provides marketing,  training and consulting to identify marketing and media alternatives for business owners. She can be reached at her Torrance, CA office at 310-791-6300 or by email at liz@adteamla.com. You can also see her upcoming training workshops calendar at http://adteamla.com/facebook.

Are you ready to rock your 4th Quarter? Join my FREE #WebinarWednesday at 10am on 9/19

Join my #WebinarWednesday on 9/19 at 10am PST on 4th Quarter Marketing Slam Dunk-FREE Marketing Checklist.  You only have 3 months left to reach your 2018 marketing goals, so and let’s rock it! I will share my 4th Quarter Marketing Checklist to use your marketing tools to maximize your sales, promotions, events & fundraising. Register here: Register Here http://bit.ly/4thQtrSlam

How to Segment & Target Email Marketing With Call-To-Action Buttons

Segment & Target Your Email Marketing List Based On Your Customer’s Interest

A targeted promotion always out performs a general one. Here is how to use a Call-to-Action Button on your next Email Marketing Campaign (example is using #ConstantContact) to automatically segment contacts who use that button to be added to a strategic follow-up list and receive an automated campaign customized for those engaged contacts:

Example: In the below example, a landscaper offers three different services in one email. Each button link is segmented so that when a contact clicks on it, they are automatically added to a list for the specific service they clicked on. When the landscaper is ready he can send an email to only his contacts interested in landscape design and email his other contacts at another time. Here is how to do it using #ConstantContact:

1. Create an email and insert a text link, button or clickable link.
2. Click the button, link, or image and click Link to select the type of link you want to insert.
3. Add the link, email address, or select the document you want to link to.
4. Select “Enable Click Segmentation”.
5. Create the list you want to add your contacts to when they click your link or button.
6. Click Insert.
7. Click Done.

When you’re ready to send an email to your segmented list, create a new email and select the list on the schedule page.

Create a Segmented List that Triggers an Auto-responder Email

Click-segmented emails take a little bit of planning. You’ll need content for the email you’re sending and content for the autoresponder email that is automatically triggered when your contact is added to the list. For example, you could reward your most engaged contacts with a coupon when they click on a link to buy an item or view your menu, or you could use it to trigger more detailed informational content for those you know are interested in receiving it:

1. Create a new contact list. Make sure to give it a name you’ll recognize.
   
2. Create an autoresponder series and choose to send to your new list. It’s fine to create a single-email series.
3. Schedule your autoresponder email to send to your contacts after they’re added to your list. Most of the time it’s best to give your contacts a couple of days between emails, but sometimes it’s also fine to send a follow-up email the next day.
4. Set up the follow up emails to go out to the list of interested parties.
5. Determine the action they will take either a download, a link to a webpage or even an Email or link to Get A Quote or Estimate or Schedule Maintenance.
6. Set up your Email so that people will be identified when they click on your button.
7. Enable Click Segmentation so that they will be added to a list which will receive a follow up email or a series of emails.
8. Then create an email and insert a text link, button, or clickable image link.
9. Click the button, link, or image and click Linkto select the type of link you want to insert.
10. Add the link, email address, or select the document you want to link to.
11. Select “Enable Click Segmentation”.
12. Select the new list you created.
13. Click Insert.
14. Click Done.

When you’re ready to send your email, you won’t have to do anything special. Once your contacts start clicking on your links or buttons they’ll automatically be sent the email from your autoresponder series whenever you designated it to go out. If you want to try this on Constant Contact click here to get a FREE Trial.

Liz Harsch is a media planner and trainer for small business owners with Constant Contact, SCORE, SBDC, SBA, Cities and MWD and County outreach partners, APICS plus many Chambers of Commerce since 2008.  She owns Tailor-Made Advertising in Torrance, California and provides marketing,  training and consulting to identify marketing and media alternatives for business owners. She can be reached at 310-791-6300 or by email at liz@adteamla.com. You can also view her workshop schedule here.

Small Business Week Workshops

Join me 5/2 @6pm today at the City of Bellflower for a FREE Automate your Marketing Workshop with @SCOREOC @ConstantContact @SmallBiz @SBA.gov to maximize your online marketing time http://bit.ly/52automate 

 

Jumpstart Your 2017 Marketing Strategy Workshops

Is your marketing working? Strategize your 2017 marketing plan using my planning worksheet to create more effective campaigns. Join my Workshops in Costa Mesa (Tues. 12/6/16), Palmdale (Wed12/7/16) and Online (Wed 12/14/16) to learn to:

• How to target your market and create a cost effective campaign
• Using Free and paid online marketing
• Define your marketing goals and objective for each campaign
• Work with other business owners to brainstorm your strategy
• See examples of how other businesses are using online campaigns to succeed
• Review your business goals and define your marketing goals.
• Identify your target market and how to explore new markets for your Co.
• Use my worksheet to re-defining your marketing plan and online campaigns
• Review social media and online tools that are working today
• Learn how to connect and engage with potential & past customers to succeed

Liz Harsch is a trainer for small businesses with SCORE, SBDC, SBA, Cities and County outreach and MWD, Constant Contact, APICS plus many Chambers of Commerce since 2008.  She owns Tailor-Made Advertising in Torrance, California and can be reached at 310-791-6300 or by email at tmade.mkt@verizon.net.

Join me tomorrow 11/9 online for Holiday Social Media Marketing Tips

11/9 FREE Workshop #WebinarWednesday-Holiday Social Media Marketing -#BlackFriday,#Shopsmall Sat,#CyberMonday.. info http://bit.ly/119social

Join my #Webinar this Wednesday 11/9 at 10am and get valuable tips & guides on using Holiday Social Media Marketing to expand your online reach just in time for #BlackFriday, #Shopsmall Saturday, #CyberMonday, #Giving Tuesday, #Thanksgiving and #Holidays2016.  There are many ways you can increase your reach and help expand the network of people learning about your product or service in time for the holidays. Plus other methods to get top of mind for your customers and leads.  Use these tools whether you are a business to business company or a business-to-consumer products company. or a non-profit. Reach out and connect with more buyers/donors who are like your favorite customers using these strategies.  See actual examples of companies using these tools and other online marketing tools to grow.  Get more info here: info http://bit.ly/119social.

Liz Harsch is a trainer for small businesses with SCORE, SBDC, SBA, Cities and County outreach and MWD, Constant Contact, APICS plus many Chambers of Commerce since 2008.  She owns Tailor-Made Advertising in Torrance, California and can be reached at 310-791-6300 or by email at tmade.mkt@verizon.net.

Are you planning your Small Business Saturday? Why not?

Small Business Saturday is the Saturday following Thanksgiving (November 26 in 2016). Originally sponsored by American Express and promoted in conjunction with the Small Business Association, even President Obama helps promote Shop Small Saturday to help local businesses get more sales that day. But you don’t have to have a sale to benefit and use #ShopSmall to grow your business. You can offer an open house, food, massage, holiday cookies and coffee or other opportunities to wish your customers a happy holiday.

By using the hashtag #shopsmall you can reach beyond your list of past customers and leads to reach consumers who are shopping that weekend or looking for local deals. To help you figure out how to tie in an event or sale, you can download ideas and tips, as well as customize the #shopsmall logo by visiting the website: shopsmall.com. Because that day is promoted by multi-media nationally and any participating small business (retail or otherwise), you will be visible to all their followers.  And you don’t have to take American Express to participate.  Businesses can add their event information to the shopsmall.com website search so their event, promotion or sale can be seen by local shoppers.

The #shopsmall event is nationally promoted by many entities including local chambers of commerce, retail centers, American Express, and neighborhood associations. By tying your promotion or event into the hashtag #shopsmall, people who follow Instagram or Twitter hashtags can easily find the local participants and see your event. In addition to the website, you can also connect with the #shopsmall Facebook and Twitter feed to reach even more folks who follow the event #shopsmall but maybe did not know about your business or sale. And don’t forget to ask  your local small business organization if they are offering anything for their ShopSmall promotions that can include your local deal or event.

To help figure out what type of event  you can do, see shopsmall.com for suggestions on how to expedite a welcome or selfie station, neighborhood scavenger hunt, dining night out, and more. Get creative and brainstorm with your staff to determine how your business can best take advantage of this opportunity to grow your business by reconnecting with your past and potential consumers.

Once you have defined your offer or event, remember to cross promote by using your social media (create a Facebook event page) and a template Email Marketing Campaign to create invitations to join you and to provide online promotions you can use as Facebook ads to reach beyond your past customer list as well.  If you need help with ideas or to learn how to implement these tools to launch and promote your #shopsmall event, contact us at 310-791-6300. Or email us for a free event planning guide at tmade.mkt@verizon.net.

For more information on improving your business marketing or your website performance, contact Tailor-Made Advertising to review and improve your efforts.  Liz Harsch has been helping business owners maximize their marketing budget since 1988.  For more information about Liz or Tailor-Made Advertising, visit tailormadeadvertising.com.  Liz is a valued Marketing speaker and trainer for SCORE, SBDC, Constant Contact, Chambers of Commerce and Small Business Groups on Traditional and Online Marketing, Social Media, Analytics or Email Marketing for your organization, email her at tmade.mkt@verizon.net or call 310-791-6300.

 

10/21 Hollywood Holiday Online Marketing Workshop

Friday 10/21 – Join me and the @HollywoodChamberOfCommerce to learn how to use holiday deadlines and national outreach to grow your sales or donations.  See how #Halloween, #BlackFriday, #Thanksgiving, #ShopSmall, #CyberMonday and #GivingTuesday can work for you: Register Here

Let’s plan your holiday events and promotions to help you end the year with a bang!

 

Wed 9/21-FREE Online Marketing Workshop Hawthorne SBDC

9/21 FREE Online Promotion Workshop in Hawthorne, CA.  Join us to learn how to use online marketing tools to help achieve your business goals now in the 4th quarter. Learn how to promote your business, non-profit or organization and how to structure your offers to get results .  Get details :http://bit.ly/921online

Learn how to use online marketing tools to grow your business