The Dog Days of Summer Marketing: Blogging
In the heat of August, it’s often easy to get lazy with your marketing. “Eh – we’ll start back up again in the fall!” Instead – why not find ways to try something new this month!

Last week I mentioned that the tradition of “back to school” in the fall is something that seems to resonate across out culture – even if we aren’t going back to school, and if we don’t have kids. As summer comes to a close – people are thinking less about the “freedom” of summer, and about getting back to the grind. This is something to keep in mind as you thinking about blogging.

Post “back to school” specials, or talk about the new fall tv lineup. Talk about fall sports like football – and use the excitement of starting something new to drive the feel of the posts that you write!

The Dog Days of Summer Marketing: Social Marketing

In the heat of August, it’s often easy to get lazy with your marketing. “Eh – we’ll start back up again in the fall!” Instead – why not find ways to try something new this month!

Using social media is really not as complicated as you might think.
I think the key is just looking for natural, organic things to post about. Post pics from around your office. Comment on the weather!  Ask questions. Be inspiring. Think outside of the box.

Don’t just try to sell your product. Your social media is about building a relationship with your readers – not just selling.

My “rule of thumb” – you have four fingers – one thumb. For every one sales-y type post – have four other interesting posts that don’t sell anything at all – but build relationship.

Something to think about – as August comes to a close – people are gearing up for the fall! It’s natural ebb and flow in our culture, thanks to years of “Back to School” – everything from entertainment and sports to school itself is rooted in that “settling in” and “starting up” rhythm.  Plan your marketing accordingly!

Tune in next Monday for our next #MarketingMonday installment: The Dog Days of Summer Marketing: Blogging

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The Dog Days of Summer Marketing: Email Marketing
In the heat of August, it’s often easy to get lazy with your marketing. “Eh – we’ll start back up again in the fall!” Instead – why not find ways to try something new this month!

It’s not hard at all to get into email marketing. Here’s what I would recommend.

1. Set up an account at Mailchimp. Why? it’s easy, it’s free, and it’s versatile. Plus – it has all the right stuff to keep you from getting your web address blacklisted for spam.

2. Build your list.
-Ask every customer for their email, and send them a request to subscribe.
-Make coupons valid only if they provide their email address. (you can put a disclaimer saying that they’ll recieve a message to opt in to your list.)
-. Do a giveaway and collect email addresses for entry. (Great way to build your list!)

3. Make a plan.
You can set up email lists that work on based on your website updates. You can also write a unique email weekly or monthly – and it’s not hard at all to work ahead with these!

Tune in next Monday for our next #MarketingMonday installment: The Dog Days of Summer Marketing: Social Marketing

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The Dog Days of Summer Marketing: Mobile Marketing

In the heat of August, it’s often easy to get lazy with your marketing. “Eh – we’ll start back up again in the fall!” Instead – why not find ways to try something new this month!

Everywhere you go, people are looking down at their cell phones. Church. The Freeway. The Subway. During a date with their sweetheart.

Why not get your stuff on that phone! There’s a zillion ways to take advantage of mobile marketing. I’m only going to list a few things that you can use – some of them you might already be doing without realizing it.

1. Build an App. This can be an expensive prospect – but depending on what your company does – this could be a very profitable way to connect with customers.

2. Mobile Advertising. The easiest way to get in is with Google Adwords. Many app developers allow you to advertise on their apps through the Google ad network. Can be as much or as little as you want to spend.

3. Your Website.  If your website is not responsive to mobile devices yet – it’s time to make it that way. You want people to be able to view and access your site on their phones – if they can’t – then that is lost revenue for you!

4. Facebook/Twitter/Pinterest – Social networking works WELL with mobile.
Keep them updated – because most people are engaging on these networks on their phones, instead of their computers. Keep active – and you’ll see them connect with you.

5. Google Maps/Places – Make sure your business location is on Google Maps/Places. You want to claim your listing and update it to make sure it is optimized, and has links to your website, and all the pertinent information. People using local search will see and can find you, as well as navigate to your location. Make sure your address is correct on the map  and if not contact Google to get it corrected!

Tune in next Monday for our next #MarketingMonday installment: The Dog Days of Summer Marketing: Email Marketing

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The Dog Days of Summer Marketing: Guerrilla Marketing
In the heat of August, it’s often easy to get lazy with your marketing. “Eh – we’ll start back up again in the fall!” Instead – why not find ways to try something new this month!

Guerrilla Marketing is a fun way to engage people. It involves a much smaller budget, but it requires a lot more creativity.

During Tax Season – Liberty Tax pays someone to dress up like the Statue of Liberty, holding a sign on the street corner. What if you rented a costume and paid your teenager to dance around and drum up business for you today?

What if you came up with some zany crazy idea that got people talking?

What if you just closed the shop – and walked around town handing out business cards?
Maybe your restaurant holds a hot pepper eating contest, or you try to break a world record.

Maybe you hand out bottles of cold water to people at the park, while wearing your company T-Shirt.
Think outside the box, do something different. Need some ideas?

http://tweakyourbiz.com/marketing/2012/08/08/100-guerilla-marketing-ideas-grow-sales-with-zero-budget/

Tune in next Monday for our next #MarketingMonday installment: The Dog Days of Summer Marketing: Mobile Marketing

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