Using Video in Your Marketing Strategy

27 02 2009

Add to FacebookAdd to NewsvineAdd to DiggAdd to Del.icio.usAdd to StumbleuponAdd to RedditAdd to BlinklistAdd to Ma.gnoliaAdd to TechnoratiAdd to Furl

I was talking with Bill Farquharson the other day about creative marketing tactics for printers. In the conversation Bill brought up a video that a friend of his produced and uploaded to YouTube. As I watched the video, I was impressed by the simplicity, as well as the creativity in getting the message across. It was effective, and it grabbed my interest. I imagine that it did not take very long to produce (since my degree is actually in video production) and if marketed correctly, it can be a cost effective way to get the word out about their product.


With a video camera and $100 (or less) of video editing software, you can do the same. Videos on the internet have the ability of going viral if done right. How many of us have watched laughing babies time and time again, or clips of a bunch of guys imitating David Blaine the magician. Be creative, convey a message and have fun. Here is another video from a printer that I enjoy.


So go out, make a video, and let me know when it is on YouTube so that I can post it on this blog. Happy Friday!





Does SEO Work and Is It For Me?

19 02 2009

Add to FacebookAdd to NewsvineAdd to DiggAdd to Del.icio.usAdd to StumbleuponAdd to RedditAdd to BlinklistAdd to Ma.gnoliaAdd to TechnoratiAdd to Furl

Today’s post is a guest post from Robert Crabtree. Robert is CEO of Distributor Growth Partners, a full service marketing/design firm and print distribution company. Information about DGP can be found at www.distributorgrowthpartners.com

Today in the PSDA (Print Services & Distribution Association) Listserve, there were questions about SEO (Search Engine Optimization) providers, price ect… This turned into a discussion about many things, but most importantly, does it work and is it for me. Here is my take on SEO and SEM (Search Engine Marketing).

I’d say it does matter but it is not for everyone. It very much depends on the nature of your particular business and the level, at which you want to play. SEO and SEM is much more than just one or two initiatives….as I often say, “You Cannot Bake A Cake With One Ingredient.” Real SEO and SEM will combine multiple efforts and strategies based around a solid plan. It’s not just keywords and pagerank.

I run into competitive firms all the time, that typically don’t know alot, they just throw around a few buzzwords and that’s all. There is no silver bullet and many promise just that. They can’t guarentee anything either but they will claim pretty much anything to get your business. If anyone guarantees ranking for you, they are flat out not telling the truth.

Of course no one understand all the intricacies of the Google algorithm — maybe not even any one person at Google. But someone whose core focus is on what helps a site present a “strong signal” to Google can make a big difference. And a fresh set of eyes alone can be extremely valuable.

What a good seo will do is not talk about Search Engines and lists of keyphrases but will work at understanding your business, identifying your uniqueness, studying your target market(s), your competitors, your market position and your website to ensure that you will end up with not only high solid positioning that’s going to work for the long term – but an excellent increase in business. For this…..you can expect to pay a lot. But then that is not your average seo! You might try looking for a real Internet Marketing Consultant that will care about your business as much as you do.

The bottom line, SEO and SEM make the most sense for companies who have a niche product, solution, industry focus, or companies that have an ecommerce website. If you don’t fall into one of these categories, Organic SEO makes much less sense for you. Don’t try to optimize for “Business cards, full service printing, banners….yada yadda….” You’ll get run over, sped too much and not produce the almighty ROI.

You know your business, but if you do not have the marketing skills and time to get that knowledge out of your brain – then their are folks who can do that and make it all happen for you, but make sure you don’t jump into bed with the first smooth talking Keyword Guy.





Adding a Customer Satisfaction Survey to MyOrderDesk

17 02 2009

Add to FacebookAdd to NewsvineAdd to DiggAdd to Del.icio.usAdd to StumbleuponAdd to RedditAdd to BlinklistAdd to Ma.gnoliaAdd to TechnoratiAdd to Furl

Customer satisfaction is key in a slowing economy. But the question that is often asked, is how do I know if my customer is truly satisfied with the work I have produced? Often times customers are leary of giving us true feedback face-to-face, or over the phone. Gathering accurate data is the challenge that is faced in making sure our quality and service are up to the standards our customers demand.

The best way to gather this data is by using the web to your advantage. PollDaddy.com is a free service that allows you to create custom surveys that your clients can complete online. With the flexibility that MyOrderDesk offers you, there are several ways to integrate PollDaddy surveys into your workflow. PagePath has produced a short 5 minute video that instructs you how to add this functionality to your site.





Friday Trivia Answers

11 02 2009

Add to FacebookAdd to NewsvineAdd to DiggAdd to Del.icio.usAdd to StumbleuponAdd to RedditAdd to BlinklistAdd to Ma.gnoliaAdd to TechnoratiAdd to Furl

1. Who played Eliza Doolittle in the original Broadway production of My Fair Lady?

a-Mary Martin, b-Audrey Hepburn, c-Julie Andrews, d-Wendy Hiller.

2. Which composer’s last original Broadway production was Silk Stockings?

a-Cole Porter, b-George Gershwin, c-Eubie Blake, d-Irving Berlin.

3. In 1997, Cats became the longest-running show on Broadway, surpassing the previous record set by what show?

a-A Chorus Line, b-The Fantasticks, c-Oh Calcutta, d-Hair.

4. Which Broadway musical featured the songs “You Can’t Get A Man With A Gun,” “Anything You Can Do” and “Show Business”?

a-Kismet, b-Gypsy, c-Calamity Jane, d-Annie Get Your Gun

5. What Pulitzer-Prize winning play, satirizing big business and the U.S. government, ran for 837 performances on Broadway in the 1930s?

a-Annie, b-You Can’t Take It With You, c-The More the Merrier, d-Of Thee I Sing.

6.Which 1994 Broadway play was the first live stage production by Disney?

a-Aida, b-Aladdin, c-The Lion King, d-Beauty and the Beast.

7. Anthony Rapp, Idina Menzel, Taye Diggs and Adam Pascal were among the original cast members of which Tony-winning Broadway musical?

a-The Producers, b-Rent, c-Gypsy, d-Chicago.

8. Which playwright’s first work to appear on Broadway was Come Blow Your Horn in 1961?

a-Christopher Durang, b-Cole Porter, c-Neil Simon, d-Sid Caesar.

9. Which actress starred on Broadway in the one-woman show I’m Still Here…Damn It!?

a-Lily Tomlin, b-Sandra Bernhard, c-Patti LuPone, d-Elaine Stritch.

10. Who played Willy Loman in the Broadway debut of Death of a Salesman?

a-Humphrey Bogart, b-Lee J. Cobb, c-Marlon Brando, d-E.G. Marshall.





Social Media Marketing for Printers

9 02 2009

Add to FacebookAdd to NewsvineAdd to DiggAdd to Del.icio.usAdd to StumbleuponAdd to RedditAdd to BlinklistAdd to Ma.gnoliaAdd to TechnoratiAdd to Furl

Join us for a Webinar on February 20, 2009

Step up your marketing tactics by using the Internet to direct traffic to your business and website.

Learn how to harness the power of the social mediasphere – blogging, digg, del.icio.us, Twitter, and many others – to get found by more potential customers, develop meaningful relationships with others in your industry, and position yourself as an expert in your field.

This Webinar is intended for print professionals and business owners who wish to learn about leveraging social media marketing for their business. The Webinar will cover:

  • Why use social media channels for marketing.
  • What are inbound links and how do the affect my search engine rankings
  • How to engage and market in social media sites, including digg, blogging, Twitter, and many others.

Title: Social Media Marketing for Printers
Date: Friday, February 20, 2009
Time: 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM CST

After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.

System Requirements
PC-based attendees
Required: Windows® 2000, XP Home, XP Pro, 2003 Server, Vista
Macintosh®-based attendees
Required: Mac OS® X 10.4 (Tiger®) or newer

Space is limited.
Reserve your Webinar seat now at:
https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/814439577

If you have any questions about PagePath Technologies, or the Webinar, please contact Joe Kern at JKern@PagePath.com.





Friday Fun Trivia with PagePath-Broadway

6 02 2009

Add to FacebookAdd to NewsvineAdd to DiggAdd to Del.icio.usAdd to StumbleuponAdd to RedditAdd to BlinklistAdd to Ma.gnoliaAdd to TechnoratiAdd to Furl

1. Who played Eliza Doolittle in the original Broadway production of My Fair Lady?
a-Mary Martin, b-Audrey Hepburn, c-Julie Andrews, d-Wendy Hiller.

2. Which composer’s last original Broadway production was Silk Stockings?
a-Cole Porter, b-George Gershwin, c-Eubie Blake, d-Irving Berlin.

3. In 1997, Cats became the longest-running show on Broadway, surpassing the previous record set by what show?
a-A Chorus Line, b-The Fantasticks, c-Oh Calcutta, d-Hair.

4. Which Broadway musical featured the songs “You Can’t Get A Man With A Gun,” “Anything You Can Do” and “Show Business”?
a-Kismet, b-Gypsy, c-Calamity Jane, d-Annie Get Your Gun

5. What Pulitzer-Prize winning play, satirizing big business and the U.S. government, ran for 837 performances on Broadway in the 1930s?
a-Annie, b-You Can’t Take It With You, c-The More the Merrier, d-Of Thee I Sing.

6.Which 1994 Broadway play was the first live stage production by Disney?
a-Aida, b-Aladdin, c-The Lion King, d-Beauty and the Beast.

7. Anthony Rapp, Idina Menzel, Taye Diggs and Adam Pascal were among the original cast members of which Tony-winning Broadway musical?
a-The Producers, b-Rent, c-Gypsy, d-Chicago.

8. Which playwright’s first work to appear on Broadway was Come Blow Your Horn in 1961?
a-Christopher Durang, b-Cole Porter, c-Neil Simon, d-Sid Caesar.

9. Which actress starred on Broadway in the one-woman show I’m Still Here…Damn It!?
a-Lily Tomlin, b-Sandra Bernhard, c-Patti LuPone, d-Elaine Stritch.

10. Who played Willy Loman in the Broadway debut of Death of a Salesman?
a-Humphrey Bogart, b-Lee J. Cobb, c-Marlon Brando, d-E.G. Marshall.





Five words that resonate with power

3 02 2009

Add to FacebookAdd to NewsvineAdd to DiggAdd to Del.icio.usAdd to StumbleuponAdd to RedditAdd to BlinklistAdd to Ma.gnoliaAdd to TechnoratiAdd to Furl

Business Week’s Frank Lutz says that in his research for a new book, he has discovered the most powerful words that business leaders use today.

The number one word is “consequences.” There can be good consequences and bad ones, but the word instantly personalizes and dramatizes the potential result of an action.

Next comes “impact.” Lutz says it makes people pay attention and causes them to assume they can make a measurable difference. People want results. They aren’t interested in hearing about efforts or solutions. They want to know how well they can execute.

“Reliability” increasingly has great resonance in business, especially with customers. Whether it’s a product or service, reliability is a factor in price. It adds value.

“Mission” and “commitment” should be part of your business vocabulary. The old words, pledges and promises, don’t carry much weight. Leaders now have to put their credibility on the line to achieve a successful outcome.

A mission is a window into the soul of your business. Along with commitment, it shows a desire to be authentic.

These words are positive and proactive. Leaders can only use them if they are speaking candidly and truthfully.





PagePath Technologies Announces TwitterPrint for the Print Industry

2 02 2009

Add to FacebookAdd to NewsvineAdd to DiggAdd to Del.icio.usAdd to StumbleuponAdd to RedditAdd to BlinklistAdd to Ma.gnoliaAdd to TechnoratiAdd to Furl

Plano, IL Janaury 30, 2009: PagePath Technologies, Inc. today announced the creation of #TwitterPrint for the Printing Industry.

It’s no secret that Social Networks are on the rise in 2009. It’s beyond a simple “buzz”, and has now become common place for many professionals seeking new business or connections. To aid printers in embracing Social Media, PagePath has created #TwitterPrint.

#TwitterPrint is a hashtag group posted through Twitter that allows printers to follow and search pertinent content that will assist them in social media, blogging, industry news and marketing tips. Access to this social media tool is as simple as navigating to Search.Twitter.com and typing in #TwitterPrint. With an RSS reader, follows can also subscribe to the feed and receive alerts when a new “tweet” is sent.

Printers, publications and industry leaders can also add content by creating a Twitter account and adding the words #TwitterPrint in their posts.

“We are dedicated to helping the industry in any way we can,” commented Steve Ciesemier, Sales Rep at PagePath. “By creating #TwitterPrint, we can share information with others, connect as an industry and embrace social network as a tool for the future.”

For more information on #TwitterPrint or how PagePath can assist in embracing Social Media, contact Joe Kern at 866-770-7569, JKern@PagePath.com, or follow him on Twitter at @JKern_MOD.

About MyOrderDesk
PagePath’s MyOrderDesk is an eCommerce solution that combines, Web-to-Print, automated proofing, automated pricing, reordering and more. It seamlessly integrates into a printing organization’s existing website or can be used as a standalone site. MyOrderDesk is known throughout the printing industry as the leader in Web-to-Print software.

With MyOrderDesk, a print shop can provide its customers with time savings and convenient 24×7 ordering while the print shop enjoys increased production efficiency, reduced turnaround times, and increased profitability. A demonstration site of MyOrderDesk’s capabilities is available at www.PrintVia.com

About PagePath Technologies
PagePath Technologies, Inc. was founded in 1983 and is headquartered in Plano, Illinois. The firm pioneered the use of the Internet to place orders and transmit documents with an easy to use “point & click” system in 1996. MyOrderDesk was twice named “Product of the Year” by PrintImage International & “Best of Breed” by Xerox.

More information on PagePath’s MyOrderDesk is available at http://www.PagePath.com, or by calling 866-770-7561.

###
Joe Kern
PagePath Technologies
Marketing Manager
jkern@pagepath.com
866-770-7569

Twitter @JKern_MOD







Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.