Archive for the ‘Marketing & PR’ Category

Bonnie Raitt was ahead of her time when she sang,

“Let’s give them something to talk about”

In today’s world, PR, Advertising, Marketing and Salespeople are placing a focus on getting their customers to talk about their companies and products.

Below are some great video demonstrations that give customers something to talk about because of entertainment value, but also demonstrate products and reinforce the brand.

Example 1 – Will it Blend?

Example 2 – A Racing Helmet Made out of Sheet Metal

Both of these videos are great! They both take objections off of the table.
No customer is left wondering, will this blender handle my (insert random food item).
No customer is wondering if the CNC software can handle a program a complex part. 

The best part? The sheet metal video was done by one of OPEN MIND Technologies‘ customers, and OPEN MIND partnered with them to show off the helmet at the upcoming IMTS show. It’s a win-win. The customer showcases their ability to produce any part imaginable, and the software company is able to show it can supply a powerful tool for even the most complex geometry. 

The Takeaway

The next time you want to get customers talking, think about something that is:

• Visual or Tangible
• Demonstrates your products in an entertaining or inspiring way
• Easily shareable.

When first venturing into the world of internet marketing, with the overwhelming jargon and rapid speed of change, many people just need a bit of direction and a helpful push to try something new.

That's why I've created a list of 65 things you can do to improve your online marketing for under $65.

They don't require a ton of time, talent or capital. Most of them are free, and anyone in a company can do them. Not just the marketing, PR, advertising types.

Note: You don't have to do them all….today. Pick 2 or 3, and get started.

It's About Creating a System

It's the sum of all these parts that make up an internet marketing system that will help you be successful using the internet for business. Being relevant never hurt either.

Future Plans for This List

I plan to add links to related resources, but I wanted to get the list live, first. You can always Google anything you don't already know about.

The List

1. Research and listen to your customers
2. Conduct a survey of past customers
3. Ask your customers to review your products or services on popular web sites
4. Ask a customer for a testimonial
5. Figure out a new customer is worth.
6. Use SpyFu to check on your competitors
7. Do keyword research with Google Keyword Tool and Traffic Estimator
8. Improve your Web site's Page Titles
9. Improve your Web site's Meta Descriptions
10. Add more lists to your Web site.
11. Get rid of the slow-loading Flash intro and “Enter Site” on your home page
12. Add a form to your Web site. (free trial, request a quote, request information, etc.)
13. Add your office locations to each page of your web site.
14. Create a listing on Google Local Business Center
15. Create a listing on Yahoo Local
16. Create a listing on Bing Local Listing Center
17. Add your Web site to DMOZ
18. Add your Web site to Best of the Web
19. Create a listing on MerchantCircle
20. Create a listing on Yelp
21. Create a listing on YellowPages
22. Create a listing on SuperPages
23. Create a listing on HotFrog
24. Create a listing on iBegin
25. Create a Squidoo Lens
26. Create a listing on InfoUSA
27. Create a listing on MagicYellow
28. Create and Submit an XML Sitemap to Google, Yahoo and Bing
29. Test a new PPC advertising campaign
30. Test a new display advertising campaign
31. Advertise your products on shopping engines
32. Upload photos of your past projects to Flickr
33. Create a Facebook Page for Your Business
34. Create a LinkedIn Profile for Your Business
35. Create a video or slideshow for YouTube
36. Create a Twitter account for customer service, new product announcements, etc.
37. Create a Google Profile
38. Create a MySpace page
39. Tweet the media the a story idea
40. Join HARO
41. Create a Blog or a Blog Post
42. Submit your blog articles to Digg and Delicious
43. Register your Blog on Blog Directories
44. E-mail an industry blogger and ask to write a guest post
45. Create and distribute a podcast
46. Host a webinar
47. Post upcoming offline events to industry sites
48. Create and distribute a Top 10 List
49. Create a free newsletter on MerchantCircle
50. Send out an e-mail newsletter
51. Create a 48-Hour Sale and promote it via e-mail
52. Add your Web site address to your e-mail signature
53. Add a link to sign up for your e-newsletter to your e-mail signature
54. Host a free Q&A session via conference call.
55. Write an article and submit it to article directories
56. Post 5 products for sale on Ebay Store
57. Create a Yahoo! Store with your 5 best-selling products
58. List your 5 best-selling products for sale on Amazon
59. Integrate PayPal on to your Website
60. Create a data feed for Google Base
61. Write a whitepaper
62. Write or record a case study about a past project
63. Donate products or services to a silent auction
64. Answer questions on forums, LinkedIn, MerchantCircle, etc.
65. Ask a complementary business in your area to trade links

Thanks for reading. Now get started. You can do it!

Questions?

Leave a comment, tweet me @Crentmeester, or e-mail me ( craig at relevantemarketing.com ).

My company, Relevante Marketing, recently released a few tools for small business owners.

The tools are free.

They are intended to help you forecast ROI for Pay-Per-Click Advertising or Internet Marketing as a whole. 

Give them a try. Any feedback you have is much appreciated.

Pay-Per-Click ROI Calculator

Internet Marketing ROI Calculator

Want more tools like this?

Subscribe to our Internet Marketing Newsletter to get more frequent updates on these types of tools, as well as other articles and resources.

Writing and distributing press releases is not that hard. Below are some lists that outline places that allow for free and paid press release distribution. Some even tell you the PageRank of the site, the purpose of the site and the costs associated, if applicable.

Press Release Distribution Lists

Press Release Point

List Notes: 62 sites. Informative table that outlines PageRank, Costs, What's Included for Free, Turnaround Times for Distribution.

Mashable – 20+ Free Sites

List Notes: Provides profiles about each Web site.

Arabian Affiliate

List Notes: Big list, but it only provides PageRank about each site.

I Do Web Marketing

List Notes: Big List, but doesn't provide information about each site.

Naked PR

List Notes: Big List, but doesn't provide information about each site.

Productivity Tip – Focus

Focus only on high value sites, such as
general sites that send out to a lot of journalists and have high
PageRanks. Then, focus on niche distribution sites if their available
in your industry.

Productivity Tip #2 – Media Pitching

Don't be afraid to send your press release to a section editor if you know it fits their topic and is timely. 

Most magazines and newspapers have staff directories on their Web site. Often, though, they're buried. They don't want to be inundated with crap.

So, you may have to scroll to the bottom of the page. 

Productivity Tip #3 – Tweet the Media

Look up your local affiliate broadcast station or newspaper on Twitter. Rally some friends to retweet your story.