Your customers or members form a range of opinions and perceptions about your products, services, pricing and more. It used to be they told a friend or a couple of associates when they were unhappy. Now, they can instantly tell thousands (even millions), thanks to the Internet. Customer surveys can help you uncover valuable information [...]
Great customer relationships don’t happen overnight. It takes your steady, consistent delivery of a quality product, service and experience that drives long-term trust – and purchasing. For today’s skittish spenders, minimizing the risk associated with a new business partnership is paramount. Anything you can do to bolster con dence among prospects early on is more [...]
Marketing strategies in 2011 will need to address the diversity of consumers’ recession experiences to be successful, according to a recent study by Decitica Marketing Strategy & Research. The study concludes that many have accepted the creation of a new “normal” in the marketplace, rather than just a cyclical phenomenon. CONSUMER INSIGHTS The research identifies four distinct consumer segments emerging from the recession: [...]
Here are a few marketing terms you’ll want to know that will have you sounding like a pro: 4 Ps – Stands for product, price, place (i.e. distribution) and promotion. Creative Strategy Brief – An outline used to guide graphic artists and copywriters in reaching creative solutions that meet campaign goals in terms of messaging, style and tone. Integrated marketing – All [...]
Incentive and reward programs that have measurable criteria for achievement will eliminate any misperceptions about favoritism. You can build popular employee incentive/reward programs to recognize the following: Creative thinking (Who named a new product/service or came up with the best cost-saving solution?) Sales or productivity targets and service milestones Health- or safety-related goals Community service [...]
Before you can lay out a marketing communications plan for next year, first take inventory and analyze the results of your past efforts. What worked? What didn’t? Defining strengths and weaknesses will help refine your strategies. Let’s take a look at your potential “hot” spots: Customer retention – Your customers are your most important asset. Plan a satisfaction survey to collect valuable feedback [...]
The success of any direct mail program depends most heavily on the quality of your list (you need to reach the right audience) and your offer. The offer or call to action should be quickly understood and have a high perceived value to the prospect. It may not cost you much to give, but your target needs to think it’s valuable. Now, [...]
Direct mail remains one of the most effective marketing methods. A recent study revealed*: 72% of adults said they have replied to direct mail pieces that contained a “buy one, get one free” offer. 63% of people have responded to direct mail that offered a percentage discount on a purchase. 85% of women age 25-44 read direct mail. [...]
Today’s conscientious printer quickly dispels any myths about print communication’s role in environmental misuse. Many “green” practices can be incorporated into everyone’s daily work routines, whatever the industry. Here are a few ideas for around your office: 1. RECYCLE Identify all of the material that is potentially recyclable. Then, target the highest volume of materials that would be [...]
Every second counts, they say. Thankfully in most business environments, evaluating success or failure by a single moment is the exception and not the rule. When it comes to your print communications, there are ways for you to save time without cutting corners. A SINGLE SOURCE Missed deadlines. No accountability. Details overlooked. All tend to go hand in [...]