Archive for the ‘strategy’ Category

AJ Ross Presents Facebook Webinar

Jan

06

2012

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On Tuesday, January 10 th at 12 p.m., AJ Ross Creative Media will proudly presents “Marketing through Social Media: How to Use Facebook to Grow Your Business”, a webinar brought to you by the Orange County Chamber of Commerce.

The webinar, which welcomes the beginner Facebook users to the very experienced, will explain the value of Facebook to businesses, how to use it to your advantage and even allow for live audience questions at the end.  Topics like viral marketing, custom domains, how to engage your audience and custom applications will be discussed.  It’s a great way to get your business started with Facebook and a great way to give existing business pages the boost they need.

This important and informative webinar is completely free and is open to anyone, whether they have a Facebook page yet or not.  To take advantage of this, go to www.orangeny.com .

Customized Facebook Apps

Jun

15

2011

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Social Media, specifically Facebook, has clearly surpassed the phase of just being a trend and has become a business standard. Having a Facebook page validates your Brand and allows you to communicate with huge audiences on a daily basis. But simply creating a Facebook account will only get you so far. You want to grab your audience’s attention, and get them to share what they’ve found with the millions of others on Facebook by getting them to “like” you. Accumulating “likes” is one of the main goals of having a business Facebook page, so we use a customized application to entice every visitor to click that button.

Not sure why “likes” are so important? They represent Brand support, and are visable to countless amount of people.  Each “like” means you are reaching and exposing the company to a new person and their list of Facebook friends.  All of these people will then be directed to your site, which will produce more “likes” and create a contact list that will continue to build upon itself.  In other words, it has the ability to go viral, which means reaching a limitless amount of people for free .

 

Using the AJ Ross Facebook, we can explain just how custom apps work.  The initial page that a newcomer will see is the key in maintaining interest.  Now that you’ve established the goal is to gain “likes”, we have to give a reason to click the button.  Using a masking feature to blur the contents of the page underneath allows the page visitor to see what they could be experiencing.  All they have to do to have access to the page below is click the “like” button:  a small and easy gesture for them, but a success in the eyes of the business.

 

 

Once you attain the “like” then you have to make it worth their while.  A professionally and properly put together page will keep visual interest, and having business relevant links will prove that your Facebook page offers much more than just a wall to view.  Still using the AJ Ross Facebook app as an example, you can see that we offer a variety of Marketing and Advertising related links to not only show what the company is about, but also to offer experience and knowledge so the page visitor knows there is something in it for them.

 

 

Once the Facebook user clicks on one of the different options, another technique used in the app is the light box feature.  This allows the user to view what they chose, but without directing them away from the business page.  They get a brief overview of what the topic is, and have the option to download more or to visit our site.  Other than the company Website, you don’t want the visitor to be guided outside of the app and Facebook page, so using this feature is a way of having all roads lead back to your business.

 

 

This is just one example of the many types of custom Facebook Apps we can create. The possibilities are endless with what can be created, and the more unique, the more attention it will get. Having a Facebook App allows your business to reach an unlimited audience and keep them interested enough to return to the page. Remember, anyone can have a Facebook account, so staying ahead of the curve with a custom app will give your business a sense of validity and be sure to improve its growth.  Start taking advantage of all the great advertising benefits of social media, and contact us to find out what kind of custom app makes sense for your business.

 

Competitive Marketing

Jun

03

2011

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Something crucial to remember when creating a marketing plan is anticipating your competitor’s strategy.  You could be doing everything right: providing the best goods with the best services and prices, and yet your competitor could be outshining your business.  It’s because they are doing one other major thing right, which is properly advertising.  Being the best at what you do is key in gaining a reliable reputation, but it means nothing if no one knows about it.  Having knowledge of what advertising techniques similar businesses are using will help you be a step ahead of them, and possibly allow you to use their marketing to benefit your own.  Below is a playful example of how you take your competition’s marketing and advertising and spin it to positively effect your business:

 

A retailer was dismayed when a competitor selling the same type of product opened next-door to him, displaying a large sign proclaiming “Best Deals”.

Not long after he was horrified to find yet another competitor move in next-door, on the other side if his store. Its large sign was even more disturbing- “Lowest Prices”.

After his initial panic, and concern that he would be driven out of business, he looked for a way to turn the situation to his marketing advantage. Finally, an idea came to him. Next day, he proudly unveiled a new and huge sign over his front door. It read, “Main Entrance”!

 

Although this is a great example of competitive marketing, there are other steps that should be taken before you throw up a sign.  First, objectively analyzing your own business and all it entails: the goods, service, prices and/or whatever else you are offering to consumers, and compare yourself to the competitors.  Before you start advertising ‘the best’ of something, make sure you can back it up, and be prepared to explain why what you’re offering is the better choice.

 

It is also necessary to understand who your target audience is, and make sure you are gearing your advertising to how they would want to receive it.  Different ethnicities, cultures, genders and ages all respond to things in different ways, so it is important to speak to your key demographic(s).  Other tools would be to note what your competitors did during peak and low sale periods, and use their triumphs and failures as guides.  Another extremely important tactic is pushing through when the market is bad in order to maintain your business’ credibility.  Staying afloat during hard economic times builds Brand assurance, and you’ll gain more exposure while your competitors sink.  In addition, taking advantage of new and changing advertising methods will benefit your business.  You don’t have to fear social media, phone applications, and advanced websites because they are extremely useful marketing tools.  They not only expose your business, but they gain validity with consumers regardless of the product or generation.  If your product is a cutting edge gadget, then an advanced Facebook page will speak to your technology savvy customer.  If you are an established company with more of a traditional product or service, then a user friendly Website can be creatively designed to help portray your business as distinguished while maintaining its values.

 

Every business will have a competitor at some point.  Whether you are the number 1 in your field and you are looking to maintain your current status, or you are lost in the mix and want recognition in the industry, competitive marketing and advertising can make the difference between the two levels of success.  Like the retailer did in the joke, know your competition, look for a way to turn the situation around and don’t be afraid to ‘put up the sign’.

 

Professional Networking – Help your company’s bottom line

Feb

07

2011

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I hear the groans already… I hate networking. I’m uncomfortable talking with strangers. Well guess what, networking is probably one of the best ways to grow your business. The heart of any business is the connection it has with other businesses and individuals that it can call upon to help meet its needs. Networking enables businesses that do not compete with each other to refer, share leads and find creative ways to partner. Networking events help you advance professionally.

No matter what type of business you have, it is all about relationships and how people perceive your talents. Your fellow business people are a vast resource. Focus on the quality, not quantity, of your connections at networking events. You’ll get better results by making a few good connections then by handing out dozens of business cards indiscriminately.

Most networking veterans agree that it’s hard to beat a face-to-face meeting to make the best contacts. The best lead generator is a handshake — the human touch.

Networking may sometimes seem insincere pretentious or even manipulative. There are always going to be people that judge someone by their position or image but there are many people who really want to build a true and mutually beneficial relationship.

You might consider yourself shy or self-conscious to go out and meet people. Networking does require a degree of boldness. The more you do it the easier it becomes and you will enjoy the adventure. The key is to smile and take interest in other people’s interest. Listen to what they have to say. Listen and learn.

Some pointers about networking:

Go with a goal. Have a firm reason to be at the event and know what you want out of it. Are you looking to acquire new prospects, meet colleagues for possible collaborations, and create name recognition for you and your business.

When someone asks you what you do make sure you can communicate not only your business, but also its benefits, in a clear, concise manner in 15 seconds or less. Is your message crisp and to the point? Is it compelling? This is not the time to give a dull, dry description. This is the time knock people’s socks off and rally make your company shine

Leave the resumes and sales pitches at home. Networking is networking. Sales is sales. These are social events. If you are there to sell yourself, most likely you will fail. Nobody wants to be sold when the environment doesn’t call for it. Be genuine and sincere.

Remember networking is a good thing. It’s about building relationships. As easy as networking sounds—and it really is pretty straightforward—it takes time build and it takes time to be good at it but it’s worth the time and energy. It will help build your client base and you might even find some new friends.

When size really does matter…

Jan

20

2011

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Hi this is Allan Ross from AJ Ross Creative Media, Today I would like to talk about
When size really does matter… How to look and act bigger to increase business and grow.

We all know the infamous account of David and Goliath, where a young little boy defends himself and wins over the renowned giant. It’s the classic ‘underdog wins story’ and emphasizes the importance of using one’s knowledge over one’s physical size.

While that may work most of the time–there still is that new business pitch or new venture when you realize–size really does matter.

Here are some tips on how to look and act bigger than you are to land that new business and help your business grow, all without giving up what you went into business for in the first place–your expertise.

First, you need to surround yourself with professionals who think and work like you. I call this the “type wow” personality, and I mean it in a good sense. Owning your own business is fast paced and there is no room for an unmotivated staff. The key is to nurture talent and keep them. Your image is portrayed not only by you, but also by all who work for, and with you.

Image is everything. So, how does a small to mid-sized company compete with the designer, high-end New York City executives? “Stay on top of your game,” is the best way to put it.  Project an image of confidence and assurance, but be sure to back it with experience, examples and referrals. Know your field, know your client’s needs and cater to your client as if he or she is the only one that exists. Larger companies tend to lose sight of client needs, and quickly, once they get the account.

You may have to tweak who you are on occasion. If your office looks more like a storage bin than a workplace, rent space for that big meeting. Bring in the caterer if necessary. Even hire temporary staff. Show that you are interested in entertaining your new client.

Re-think your marketing materials–from your letterhead to your brochure to your web site.  Do you present a mom-and-pop image or a new, trend-setting company ready to produce that award-winning widget or provide that phenomenal service? Yes, image. And yes, it’s important to have a polished, professional and integrated package to explain who you are and what you do.  You need more than just a logo and some ads in the local newspaper. You need a professional marketing company. Make the investment. Hire a company who knows what they are doing, who has experience and a track record. Remember, you get what you pay for. A lot of companies try to save money and hire designers who have no marketing or Branding experience. You should also use Public Relations, which is a tried-and-true approach that should be an integral part of any marketing program. Have the agency write and place announcements of your firms’ achievements, new business and new hires, feature articles, and even speaking and seminar engagements.

So, with tape measure in hand, or at least a fresh look at your company and what you do–it’s time to move forward. Use your talents, seek advice, outsource, revise your image by hiring the right Brand professionals, tell everyone and… succeed.