Six 2016 Advertising Tips For Small Businesses

Change up your marketing plan for 2016

The New Year is here and you are busy closing out the old and ringing up the new, who has time to review?  Newsflash, if you don’t take the time to review, you are doomed to make the same mistakes as last year and possibly toss away some marketing ideas that worked.  While you don’t have time, make time and learn what paid off and what was a waste of your time. Here are 6 2016 Advertising Tips for Small Businesses and Non-Profits.

1. Did you run any online promotions in 2015? If so, did they work or did they flop. More importantly did they get you new customers or more sales from returning customers? Take a minute to review the results which should be easy to do with  online analytics. Email us or download our worksheet from Facebook to help you evaluate your results.
2. How’s your social media stacking up? One of the biggest 2015 time sinks by business owners was spending too much time on social media without anything to show for it. Make sure your social media is planned out and there are goals set and goals achieved.
3. Are you doing any Facebook ads? If so, hopefully you are targeting those facebook users that match your demographic profile for customers, donors, volunteers or employees. Take the time to see if you are reaching the people who are most likely to use your services. Make sure you are keeping them up to date on your industry & services.
4. Are you collecting and using emails for Email marketing and if so are you winning the battle of the inbox? Join my webinar this Wednesday 1/6 or my other January workshops where I will be reviewing tips on how you can win that battle and keep loyal subscribers.
5. Review my marketing checklist for 2016 and fill out your goals, history and set some new challenges to yourself for your marketing plan in 2016. Email me for a copy or download it from my Facebook page.
6. Consider adding one of these media types to your current marketing plans and track your results to see if it should be a permanent add in:
   • Coupon offers in shared mailers like Valpak, Advo or local publishers.
   • Email Newsletters, Events, Webinar or Survey Marketing using Email Connections
   • Promoting your newsletter through online publications & blogs.
   • Online coupon offers and sweepstakes or invites.
   • Video ads on YouTube,  Hulu or Facebook.
   • Radio or cable advertising in select markets (costs less than you think).
   • Ads on Pandora or other subscriber platforms
   • Pay-per-click ads on Google, Bing, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, or promoted posts on Instagram or Pinterest
   • Banner ads on leading, niche sites like local publications or online vertical market platforms.

Liz Harsch, has been helping small and medium sized businesses make the most of their marketing investments since 1988. Her company, Tailor-Made Advertising is an Authorized  Local Marketing Expert presenting Workshops for Constant Contact, SCORE, SBDC, Metropolitan Water District, multiple Chambers of Commerce, The City of Los Angeles and other Organizations.  

For more information about Liz or Tailor-Made Advertising, visit tailormadeadvertising.com. To schedule Liz Harsch as a speaker on Traditional and Online Marketing, Social Media, Analytics or Email Marketing for your organization, email us at tmade.mkt@verizon.net or call us at 310-791-6300.

Use Holiday Hashtags to Expand Your Sale’s Reach

Whether you are having a sale or shopping for something special, hashtags can help you reach more customers and find more deals. So why not learn some that you can use to achieve your goals? Here are some of the more popular hashtags you need to know about to follow the conversation and talk about your specials. To join the conversation, just use the @ symbol in front of the hashtag and share it on facebook and instagram as well. To make the most of your promotion, make sure to facebook, blog and Email your promotion.

Holiday Shopping

#Shopping– A look at how people are shopping

#blackfriday– Black Friday statistics and left-over deals, Friday, Nov. 27

#smallbizsat– Tweets around Small Business Saturday, Sat. after Thanksgiving Nov. 28

#shopsmall– People discussing supporting local businesses during the holidays Sat Nov.29

#blackfridaydeals – Tweets about deals for Black Friday Nov. 29

Holiday Ideas

#diy– For DIYers looking to give homemade presents

#handmade – Crafts for  this holiday season

#CES2015 –2015 Consumer Electronics Show, great gadgets for holiday shopping

Holiday Deals

#holidaysavings– Links for holiday savings

#deals– People Tweeting deals they find as they find them

#blackFriday – Stats on the success of Black Friday (Friday after Thanksgiving)

#cyberMonday – Stats on the success of Cyber Monday (Monday after Thanksgiving

Holiday-Specific Hashtags

#holidays– General excitement around the holiday season

#Christmas– Tweets about Christmas activities

#winterwonderland– Snow talk

#Hannukah– Tweets on the Jewish holiday

#Kwanzaa– Kwanzaa Conversation

#NewYears– Talk about New Year’s resolutions

How can this list help your business: Look at the conversations and see how these hashtags facilitate relationships between brands and consumers. What hashtags can you create or glom onto that will help your brand engage in the holiday conversation? However you plan to utilize social this season, be sure you have an engagement strategy. Email Tmade.mkt@verizon.net for some examples of holiday deals you can emulate.

Liz Harsch, has been helping small and medium sized businesses make the most of their marketing investments since 1988. Her company, Tailor-Made Advertising is an Authorized SCORE workshop presenter and an awarded Constant Contact Email Marketer and Authorized Local Expert presenting Workshops for Constant Contact, SCORE, SBDC, Metropolitan Water District, multiple Chambers of Commerce, The City of Los Angeles and other Organizations. If you are interested in a quote or more information on a mobile website, email us at tmade.mkt@verizon.net.  For more information about Liz or Tailor-Made Advertising, visit tailormadeadvertising.com. To schedule Liz Harsch as a speaker on Traditional and Online Marketing, Social Media, Analytics or Email Marketing for your organization, email us at tmade.mkt@verizon.net or call us at 310-791-6300.

Hashtags for the Holidays-Expand Your Co’s Reach

Whether you are having a sale or shopping for something special, hashtags can help you reach more customers and find more deals. So why not learn some that you can use to achieve your goals? Here are some of the more popular hashtags you need to know about to follow the conversation and talk about your specials. To join the conversation, just use the @ symbol in front of the hashtag and share it on facebook and instagram as well. To make the most of your promotion, make sure to facebook, blog and Email your promotion.

Holiday Shopping

#Shopping– A look at how people are shopping

#blackfriday– Black Friday statistics and left-over deals, Friday, Nov. 29

#smallbizsat– Tweets around Small Business Saturday, Sat. after Thanksgiving Nov. 30

#shopsmall– People discussing supporting local businesses during the holidays

#blackfridaydeals – Tweets about deals for Black Friday

Holiday Ideas

#diy– For DIYers looking to give homemade presents

#handmade – Crafts for  this holiday season

#CES2013 –2013 Consumer Electronics Show, great gadgets for holiday shopping

Holiday Deals

#holidaysavings– Links for holiday savings

#deals– People Tweeting deals they find as they find them

#blackFriday – Stats on the success of Black Friday and remaining online deals

#cyberMonday – Stats on the success of Cyber Monday and remaining online deals

Holiday-Specific Hashtags

#holidays– General excitement around the holiday season

#Christmas– Tweets about Christmas activities

#winterwonderland– Snow talk

#Hannukah– Tweets on the Jewish holiday

#Kwanzaa– Kwanzaa Conversation

#NewYears– Talk about New Year’s resolutions

How can this list help your business: Look at the conversations and see how these hashtags facilitate relationships between brands and consumers. What hashtags can you create or glom onto that will help your brand engage in the holiday conversation? However you plan to utilize social this season, be sure you have an engagement strategy. Email Tmade.mkt@verizon.net for some examples of holiday deals you can emulate.

Liz Harsch, has been helping small and medium sized businesses make the most of their marketing investments since 1988. Her company, Tailor-Made Advertising is an Authorized SCORE workshop presenter and an awarded Constant Contact Email Marketer and Authorized Local Expert presenting Workshops for Constant Contact, SCORE, SBDC, Metropolitan Water District, multiple Chambers of Commerce, The City of Los Angeles and other Organizations. If you are interested in a quote or more information on a mobile website, email us at tmade.mkt@verizon.net.  For more information about Liz or Tailor-Made Advertising, visit tailormadeadvertising.com. To schedule Liz Harsch as a speaker on Traditional and Online Marketing, Social Media, Analytics or Email Marketing for your organization, email us at tmade.mkt@verizon.net or call us at 310-791-6300.

Why Holiday Marketing Matters to Every Business and Organization

What is all the fuss about Holiday Marketing? And why should I care if I am not a retailer? Here are a few reasons why you need a Holiday Marketing strategy no matter what type of business or organization you are running:

1. There is a reason why they call the holidays “Good Cheer”, people are more generous (donors, volunteers) and they spend a lot of money.

Plan your Holiday Campaigns & Marketing Strategy

2. “Goodwill” is when you create a good feeling about your organization by doing something considerate or helpful for your community. A thank you or well wishes will be well reflected by your market providing your company or organization a great reason to reach out and touch your customers and prospects. That action will bring your product, service or organization back to the “top of mind” awareness reminding your prospects and clients alike that you are still there for them. This strategy is known as Branding with a Goodwill Bonus!

3. Your competitors will be out there promoting and talking about their products and services, so your absence will actually hurt you.

4. It is a great time to increase your social media posts with re-posts, replies and connections as everyone has something to say during the holidays.

5. It is one of the most efficient times to grow likes, networks and interactions.

6.  As the New Year approaches there is a buyers remorse for purchases and projects they were going to get done before the New Year,  which makes marketing so much easier if you can tie in to that empathy. Last chance, inventory reduction, deadline for 2013 tax contributions, get ready for holiday company: all of these are great reasons for people to spend money now.

8. The price of media, advertising, cost of goods sold all go down as manufacturers and marketeers make an effort to get as much business into 2013.

9. Employees are looking for a way to maximize their income in 2013 so don’t forget to incentivize  them to help you finish the year with achieving your sales or fundraising goals. They can make all the difference in the world and you can create happier employees at the same time. Win-Win!

10. It is the end of the year for your organization as well. If you made a marketing goal you have not achieved, take steps to achieve it. If you found that you stood in the way due to having ideas but no time to implement them, contact a company like mine and set up a marketing plan to get it done in 2014. Now is the time to plan next year, it is only a month away!

Liz Harsch, has been helping small and medium sized businesses make the most of their marketing investments since 1988. Her company, Tailor-Made Advertising is an Authorized SCORE workshop presenter and an awarded Constant Contact Email Marketer and Authorized Local Expert presenting Workshops for Constant Contact, SCORE, SBDC, Metropolitan Water District, multiple Chambers of Commerce, The City of Los Angeles and other Organizations. If you are interested in a quote or more information on a mobile website, email us at tmade.mkt@verizon.net.  For more information about Liz or Tailor-Made Advertising, visit tailormadeadvertising.com. To schedule Liz Harsch as a speaker on Traditional and Online Marketing, Social Media, Analytics or Email Marketing for your organization, email us at tmade.mkt@verizon.net or call us at 310-791-6300.

Are YELP Reviews hurting your Business?

I get a lot of questions about YELP when I do social media training and also through my own clients. So I recently talked with my YELP provider and pinpointed the questions I am asked about the most. You may agree or disagree on the answers YELP Corporate provided me, however if you have received a negative review the information may be helpful to help you resolve the issue.

Keep in mind however that my best advice to you is to be sure that you are reviewed by satisfied customers on YELP and other review sites at least 3 times a year. I know that can be a challenging goal depending on the age of your target market, however there are some steps you can make to get those reviews:

1) Make a computer available so customers can review you right after their purchase or provide a quick link to your Yelp review page for them to easily know where to post that review.

2) Send out an Email each quarter that is designed to get folks to your review sites quickly with the goal of achieving reviews with easy links to your pages.

3) Make sure you let customers know they can thank you online, it will be faster for them and more helpful for you.

4) Many review sites take into consideration how often the reviewers use the site, so try to determine which of your customers use those review sites regularly.

Here is the corporate answer on my questions customers ask most:

How come my reviews on yelp have been removed?

Our Support team may have removed it because it violates our Terms of Service or Content Guidelines, or a reviewer might remove her own review of her own accord. We also try to showcase on business pages the most helpful and reliable reviews among the millions that are submitted to the site. Not all reviews make the cut, and those that don’t are posted to a separate “Filtered Review” page. Filtered reviews don’t factor into a business’s overall star rating, but users can still read them by clicking on the link at the bottom of the business’s profile page. We address several common questions asked by business owners here: https://biz.yelp.com/support/common_questions

2.    Does advertising on YELP makes a difference to a business’ YELP reviews and results? No effect at all. Please see our myths page that addresses this: http://www.yelp.com/myths

3.    What can I do if I am reviewed poorly by a customer and the review is unfair?: We have an entire section on responding to reviews in our business support that best addresses this question:https://biz.yelp.com/support/responding_to_reviews

4.    What is my recourse with Yelp and who do I contact to expedite a solution? All questionable content is evaluated by Yelp’s User Support team.  They review the content the user has written and compare it to Yelp’s Review Guidelines.  To get the evaluation process started, please follow the steps below:

A. Go to http://www.yelp.com/contact.

B. Select “Questionable Content” from the drop-down menu.

C. Identify your business.

D. Provide commentary as to why you’d like the review evaluated.

Our User Support team should respond to your inquiry within 2-3 business day.

5.     Is there a phone number where I can get help?  Our user support team is email based and can be reached via www.yelp.com/contact. They will respond to your questions within 2-5 business days.

Let me know if these tips work out for you. For more information about my company or a FREE Email or Event Marketing Trial, Contact Liz Harsch.

Liz Harsch, has been helping small and medium sized businesses make the most of their marketing investments since 1988. Her company, Tailor-Made Advertising is an Authorized SCORE workshop presenter and an awarded Constant Contact Email Marketer and Authorized Local Expert presenting Workshops for Constant Contact, SCORE, SBDC, Metropolitan Water District, multiple Chambers of Commerce, the City of Los Angeles and other Organizations. For more information about her company and to learn about her FREE Workshops and Paid laptop bootcamps like facebook (See Liz’s FREE Workshops Schedule) twitter, linkedin and analytics, visit tailormadeadvertsing.com. To schedule Liz as a speaker for your organization, association or department, email her to request a date at tmade.mkt@verizon.net.

Getting Started with Videography & YouTube

Adding videos to your website will enhance the user experience, and hosting videos on a service like YouTube can help drive traffic, since it is one of the largest search engines.

Whether you hire our company or another, keep in mind that there are important questions you should consider before you make and market your videos: Are you trying to get viewers to schedule an appointment? Are you trying to educate your market on what makes your product the best? Are you trying to sell your product with a video? Are you working towards getting more press? Your videos should reinforce your company image. The way you promote your videos is key to the action you want viewers to take once they’ve seen your video.

Our video production will provide a professional look at a reasonable cost. We can help organize your goals before your project begins, saving you money and time. We also consider your online goals before we begin. Then we maximize the clips we take in your shoot time so other elements can be edited later and enhance the finished product. In addition, we can help you promote your videos by creating a YouTube channel that helps you maximize your exposure both online and with established press contacts. This includes optimizing keywords to attract the most viewers.

Whether you need to shoot and plan your video strategy from start to finish, or you just need help editing and/or planning, call me to discuss any specific video projects you have in mind. I am happy to show you some examples and discuss the best way to maximize your marketing efforts. Contact us to get started.

Integrating Video Into Your Website

Adding videos to your website will enhance the user experience, and hosting videos on a service like YouTube can help drive traffic, since it is one of the largest search engines.

Whether you hire our company or another, keep in mind that there are important questions you should consider before you make and market your videos: Are you trying to get viewers to schedule an appointment? Are you trying to educate your market on what makes your product the best? Are you trying to sell your product with a video? Are you working towards getting more press? Your videos should reinforce your company image. The way you promote your videos is key to the action you want viewers to take once they’ve seen your video.

Our video production will provide a professional look at a reasonable cost. We can help organize your goals before your project begins, saving you money and time. We also consider your online goals before we begin. Then we maximize the clips we take in your shoot time so other elements can be edited later and enhance the finished product. In addition, we can help you promote your videos by creating a YouTube channel that helps you maximize your exposure both online and with established press contacts. This includes optimizing keywords to attract the most viewers.

Whether you need to shoot and plan your video strategy from start to finish, or you just need help editing and/or planning, contact us to discuss any specific video projects you have in mind. Or check out our YouTube channel for a few examples of what we’ve done for our clients.