|
Training for Book Authors
|
|
|
Other Resources for Book Authors & Publishers
|
|
|
Please Support Our Advertisers
|
|
|
|
|
|
Out-of-the-Box Marketing
Copyright (c) 2006-2023 Kim Roach, All Rights Reserved
(See This Article in its Original Format.)
Have you heard the news? Interruption marketing is going down hill and many innovative companies are looking for new strategies. Wal-Mart is a prime example. Starting in late 2005, they started working directly with bloggers, feeding them exclusive nuggets of news, suggesting topics for them to post, and even inviting them to visit their corporate headquarters.
Ingenious PR stunt? I certainly think so. Ethical? The verdict is still out.
Wal-Mart has definitely gone away from mainstream media and into the extremely powerful word-of-mouth marketing.
In fact, many large companies are now starting to take advantage of blog marketing. Here is a small sample of other companies who have joined the blogging trend: Google/, Intel, Microsoft, and Yahoo.
Companies large and small are using blogs to brand themselves, interact with customers, and increase their credibility.
However, this is not the only technique being used by smart online marketers. Another internet marketing technique that is rarely discussed is postcard marketing.
Postcard Marketing
Postcards can drive huge amounts of traffic to your web site and produce a surge of business activity. Yet, they are still very affordable.
With an eye-catching giant postcard, you can grab the attention of your prospective customers faster than an email, ad or sales letter. A 6" x 9" full color postcard stands out from the stack of white envelopes in today's mail.
You can use postcards to brand your business in ways that most marketing materials cannot. All the while, your competitors will never even know you are marketing and therefore, cannot track your marketing strategy and copy your techniques.
If you are an online marketer looking for ways to combine the power of online and offline marketing, here is a simple three-step strategy:
1. Send an email out to your prospects informing them to expect a gift you have just mailed. This will be referring to the postcard, but don't tell them exactly what the gift is, keep their curiosity going.
2. Mail them a postcard with details on how they can access their free digital gift. Use a bright, colorful design to catch their attention.
Keep Your Message Brief
Don't try to close the sale with a postcard. Your postcard message should be used simply to generate leads.
To do this, briefly state the major benefits you are offering your reader and then focus on motivating them to get more detailed information on your web site. Then, on your web site, you can close the sale.
One of the most important things to remember when mailing a postcard is to make it personal. Nobody wants to receive an ad in the mail. That type of mail goes straight to the trash. Instead, make your postcard a personal message that looks like a brief message from a friend. Customize each postcard with your prospect's first name within the letter. You can even place their name in the headline or in the P.S. This will generate much more response than an ad.
3. Send a follow-up email asking if they received their gift. Reference specific information within the digital gift. For example, you could ask, "Did you read about my biggest marketing secret on page 32?" This type of follow-up email will increase your response rates. Within your follow-up email, be sure to include an additional link to their free gift.
This combination of online and offline contact creates phenomenal conversion rates.
The next marketing technique is one that is gaining extraordinary growth on the Internet. Many online marketers are not taking advantage of international marketing . Read on to find out how to translate your business into multiple languages and put yourself one step ahead of your competition.
International Marketing
Are you marketing in just one language? If so, you are missing out on 64.8% of your marketing potential. This portion of the world is surfing the Internet in a language other than English. By becoming a multilingual marketer, you immediately open up a stream of new markets. Google alone crawls web pages in 35 different languages.
One of the best ways to attract worldwide traffic is to translate your site and register with both English and foreign-language search engines and directories. Not to mention, the competition in foreign search engines is much less cutthroat than the search engines in the United States.
There are two ways to translate your web site into other languages. First, you must translate each page into a specific language. Once you have all of your pages translated, you will then need to link them all together from your home page.
However, the best way to translate your site is by creating a completely new site for each translation.
Doing this offers a variety of benefits. One of the biggest benefits is being able to register a country-specific domain for each of your web site translations.
For example, if you currently own www.companyname.com and you are translating into French, it would be appropriate to use www.companyname.fr. This country-specific domain lets the search engines know that you are a French web site.
By setting up a new web site for each language, you will also be entitled to additional directory listings in the country specific Yahoo! Directory, DMOZ, and other high–profile web site directories in that language.
Creating multiple sites is also beneficial for your linking campaign. People will be more likely to link to you if your website is entirely in their language. Because link popularity is such a crucial ranking factor within the search engines, creating separate web sites would be in your best interest.
Step three in your multilingual strategy is to submit your newly translated site to the foreign search engines.
You can find a complete list of the top foreign language search engines.
Another opportunity that is opened up by multilingual markets is that of pay-per-click search engines.
Using pay-per-click search engines is one of the fastest ways to start funneling targeted traffic to your website. While many of the pay-per-click engines in the United States have been flooded with competition, many of the foreign pay-per-click search engines have untapped opportunities.
English language search terms can often be five-times the cost of Spanish language bids. For example, the keyword phrase "internet marketing" cost $2.09 for the number one position in the English version of Overture. If you place an ad in the Spanish version, it would only cost you 50 cents for the very same position.
You can research Spanish keywords using the Overture keyword suggestion tool.
Keep It Personal
Keep in mind that many web surfers located in countries other than the United States and Canada do not trust web sites as much as Americans and Canadians do. This is largely because the internet was first introduced in English.
Because of this, visitors from other countries will want your online business to have a personal touch. You can do this by providing local contact information and an address in the footer of each of your pages. Your visitors need to know that you are a real person that can be trusted.
If you decide to translate your web site, do not take this task lightly. There are many considerations that must be taken into account. It is important to steer clear from automated tools to translate your site. Instead, use local translators who fully understand how business works in their country and make sure you have a local sales staff to support each of your customers.
Your online presence is just as important as that of an offline business. You need a customer support staff that will be available to your customers at all times. You are not just translating your business, you are establishing an online business in that language and a local presence in the country you are targeting.
Now that you know some of the latest marketing trends, I urge you to take action on at least one of these strategies. Take advantage of these trends now while the other online marketers struggle to keep up.
VOTE ON THIS ARTICLE
Needs Work >>
0 -
1 -
2 -
3 -
4 -
5
<< Excellent Article
Tell our authors what you think about their article.
|
Top-Level Category: Business Offline Articles || Related Categories: Business Online Articles
10 Most Recent Articles Written by Kim Roach
Google Gets Personalized
Written by: Kim Roach |
Distributed: 2006-12-08 |
Word Count: 942 |
Page Views: 3814
| Votes: 13 |
Rating: 1.77
Traditional algorithmic search engines have reached their peak.
Personalized search is a natural and necessary progression for
Google and other search engines as well.
7 Online Marketing Tools for the Smart Webmaster
Written by: Kim Roach |
Distributed: 2006-12-06 |
Word Count: 1144 |
Page Views: 4509
| Votes: 14 |
Rating: 2.36
As an online marketer, it's hard to wade through all of the
misleading information that is running rampant on the Internet.
Who do you trust? Where do you go for the very best information
in online marketing? Well, this article was written to answer
those very questions.
Going Broke on Google Adwords?
Written by: Kim Roach |
Distributed: 2006-12-05 |
Word Count: 1229 |
Page Views: 8197
| Votes: 12 |
Rating: 2.08
You've heard the stories. Click fraud has run rampant on Google,
Yahoo, and MSN. This is evidenced by the numerous law suits that
have been filed.
Creating Your Own Online Radio Station
Written by: Kim Roach |
Distributed: 2006-11-27 |
Word Count: 1138 |
Page Views: 6700
| Votes: 23 |
Rating: 1.91
Podcasting has leveled the playing field for people around the
world. With just a few tools, you can quickly and easily set up
your own talk show on the topic of your choice. All you need is a
computer, a microphone, and a passion to share your knowledge
with others.
Smart Webmasters are Wasting Online Real Estate
Written by: Kim Roach |
Distributed: 2006-11-24 |
Word Count: 1307 |
Page Views: 4125
| Votes: 14 |
Rating: 1.93
Many webmasters are not using their websites' traffic to full
potential. The Web is full of wasted advertising space. Chances
are that even your website has some virtual wasteland. These are
areas that often go unnoticed by even the most experienced
marketers, resulting in the loss of thousands of dollars of
potential revenue.
Hidden Market Research on Ebay, Amazon, and Others
Written by: Kim Roach |
Distributed: 2006-10-12 |
Word Count: 1489 |
Page Views: 8814
| Votes: 28 |
Rating: 1.93
Are you looking to provide interesting content to your visitors?
How about popular in-demand products? Do you know what your
target customer is really searching for online? No worries. You
are about to discover that there are literally thousands of
untapped markets just waiting at your fingertips. To get started,
let's go on a little virtual journey.
Unique Marketing Strategies
Written by: Kim Roach |
Distributed: 2006-10-11 |
Word Count: 1629 |
Page Views: 7458
| Votes: 22 |
Rating: 1.77
As an online marketer I have learned a variety of techniques for
attracting traffic. However, sometimes I stumble upon marketing
strategies that are truly unique. I urge you to read on.
Web Marketing 2.0
Written by: Kim Roach |
Distributed: 2006-10-10 |
Word Count: 1645 |
Page Views: 6975
| Votes: 16 |
Rating: 2.50
If you're like me, then you are probably tired of hearing the
word Web 2.0 passed around the net like a buzz word on steroids.
Google alone currently shows 126,000,000 results for the search
term "web 2.0" at the time of this writing. However, although
this term may be overblown, it does have significant influence on
the current changes taking place on the Internet. Most
importantly, it has many implications for the online marketer.
Franchising Your Online Business
Written by: Kim Roach |
Distributed: 2006-09-29 |
Word Count: 1833 |
Page Views: 4381
| Votes: 22 |
Rating: 2.41
Franchises have proven to be much more successful than the
traditional small business. Almost 80% of new business start-ups
fail each year. Franchising, on the other hand, allows an
entrepreneur to open up a new business based upon a proven brand
and business model.
Essential Programs For Your Virtual Toolbox
Written by: Kim Roach |
Distributed: 2006-09-28 |
Word Count: 947 |
Page Views: 5347
| Votes: 18 |
Rating: 2.28
As an online marketer and webmaster, there are a number of tools
that you will want in your virtual toolbox. To get you started, I
have scoured the net to find some of the best programs to help
webmasters improve their sites, their rankings, and their
productivity. Best of all, each one of these tools is free.
All of Author's Articles on this site: Kim Roach Articles
Most Recent "Business Offline" Articles
How To Build a Strong and Powerful Business During a Recession
Written by: Trey McMartin |
Distributed: 2011-11-10 |
Word Count: 987 |
Page Views: 6717
| Votes: 6 |
Rating: 0.83
During a recession, most business owners pull the reins on
advertising budgets, fearful of what tomorrow might bring...
Those who remain fearful have forgotten what made them the
success they are today... They have forgotten that they have
a God-given talent to overcome the incredible obstacles in
their paths.
SEO Lessons from Local Businesses
Written by: Trey McMartin |
Distributed: 2011-11-09 |
Word Count: 945 |
Page Views: 6800
| Votes: 5 |
Rating: 0.40
More than once in the six years that I have been providing
SEO services for websites, I have had the opportunity to
discuss with individual business owners their search engine
optimization needs. Now and again, I run across an
individual business owner who is quick to say that SEO is
absolutely worthless. When confronted with such an absolute
statement, I like to press for details. It has been my
experience that people who speak in negative absolutes will
have a horror story to share.
Where Will FDA Target Next? What IVD Manufacturers Should Know Before Their Next FDA Audit
Written by: Norm Howe |
Distributed: 2011-09-12 |
Word Count: 706 |
Page Views: 537
Medical device manufacturers are always interested in knowing
what FDA's next area of focus will be. Well, if you're an In
Vitro Diagnostic manufacturer you might review your measurement
systems.
Online Fax - 10 Reasons To Get An Online Fax Service
Written by: Titus Hoskins |
Distributed: 2011-09-12 |
Word Count: 560 |
Page Views: 542
Online faxing is the new more modern way to fax. If you or your
company is not using an online fax service, here are 10 good
reasons why you should get it.
Best Effort Essential for the Job Interview
Written by: Barbara Wulf MS, ACC, CPCC |
Distributed: 2011-07-30 |
Word Count: 676 |
Page Views: 632
Interviewing will determine if you are the right person for the
job. These tips will help you make the job interview a success.
Go Green With Your Career Search
Written by: Barbara Wulf MS, ACC, CPCC |
Distributed: 2011-07-28 |
Word Count: 636 |
Page Views: 5575
| Votes: 4 |
Rating: 0.50
Many of the qualities of green living, like recycling and
sustainability, can apply to a career search, even if the
career is not directly associated with green industries.
ReCareer in the Second-half of Life
Written by: Barbara Wulf MS, ACC, CPCC |
Distributed: 2011-07-26 |
Word Count: 525 |
Page Views: 5566
| Votes: 5 |
Rating: 1.20
Many of us worked the first half of our life to "fit" the
job description. ReCareering is about finding the right fit,
being selective, being creative, being fulfilled and being
intentional about how you spend your time.
Up in the Air
Written by: Barbara Wulf MS, ACC, CPCC |
Distributed: 2011-07-24 |
Word Count: 678 |
Page Views: 598
When looking for work or changing careers, go beyond researching
on the internet and reading articles. Find out how you can learn
from the art of listening and having a conversation.
Salon and Spa Owners: Which Monk Are You?
Written by: Dan Lok |
Distributed: 2011-07-05 |
Word Count: 477 |
Page Views: 6365
| Votes: 7 |
Rating: 1.00
Too many salon and spa owners are carrying around a lot
hurts, regrets, guilt, past failures and fears about the
future. But no one is forcing you to carry these emotional
rocks, so put that sack down!
The Single Most Profitable Day You Spend on Your Spa or Salon!
Written by: Dan Lok |
Distributed: 2011-06-30 |
Word Count: 470 |
Page Views: 6682
| Votes: 5 |
Rating: 0.20
Salon and spa owners need to combine their marketing plan
with marketing systems. A marketing calendar plans out
strategies for a year, and is instrumental to the success of
your spa or salon.
Most Viewed "Business Offline" Articles
How To Write A 300 Page Book In Four Months
Written by: Mark Silver |
Distributed: 2008-07-15 |
Word Count: 821 |
Page Views: 40174
| Votes: 8 |
Rating: 1.38
There's a lot of hoopla about becoming an author of your very
own business book. The promise of fame and fortune is very
alluring. Yet your book remains perpetually 'about to be'
written. Meanwhile your business has ground to a halt. Hmmm...
might there be a better way to get a book written?
The Best Marketing Book I've Ever Read (You'll Be Surprised)
Written by: Judy Murdoch |
Distributed: 2007-05-09 |
Word Count: 1522 |
Page Views: 37316
| Votes: 17 |
Rating: 3.18
From time to time someone asks me to recommend marketing books.
Here's one of my favorite marketing books that always surprises
people. Curious? Read on.
The Bizarre History Of The HOLLYWOOD Sign
Written by: Morris Timlen |
Distributed: 2008-11-05 |
Word Count: 1211 |
Page Views: 34880
| Votes: 30 |
Rating: 2.70
The most famous sign in the history of mankind is the one that
graces the side of the hill above Hollywood, California. As
famous a landmark as the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio De
Janeiro, the Eiffel Tower in Paris France, the Great Pyramid of
Giza in Egypt, The Church of the Savior on Blood in Saint
Petersburg Russia, and the Statue Of Liberty in New York City,
the Hollywood sign is known around the world as the symbol of the
American movie industry.
What Does It Take To Be A Successful Salesman?
Written by: Casey Moher |
Distributed: 2008-08-05 |
Word Count: 930 |
Page Views: 27514
| Votes: 84 |
Rating: 3.17
In the course of my average workweek, I meet people who tell me
that they have no sales experience, and very literally, many
will tell me that they could not sell if their lives depended on
it. Do you fit into this mold? Do you seriously believe that you
can sell me on the idea that you cannot sell things?
The Future of the Office Photocopier Industry
Written by: Jennifer Robinson |
Distributed: 2010-07-29 |
Word Count: 635 |
Page Views: 15904
| Votes: 39 |
Rating: 2.00
Since Xerox first invented and sold the first commercial
photocopy machine companies and organisations have paid for
use of the machine on a cost per copy basis. This has
traditionally included full maintainance and toner supplied
under a service agreement. In-fact the office photocopier is
unique in the fact its one of the only pieces of equipment
that comes without a warranty from new. But photocopier
expert Online Connect UK claim all that is about to change.
Never Write A 'Thank You' Letter Again
Written by: Perry Maisin |
Distributed: 2008-08-12 |
Word Count: 971 |
Page Views: 14948
| Votes: 22 |
Rating: 2.09
When I was in graduate school, I had a friend who interviewed at
fortune 500 companies and succeeded at landing a great job. One
day, I saw him sitting in the student union with a stack of
cards. The cards said 'thank you'. He opened each card and
signed his name. The inside of the card was blank. I asked him
what he was doing and he told me that it was important to send a
'thank you' to every person you interviewed with. He believed
that that was the difference between getting the job and being
passed over.
Selecting Between a 401(k) And 403(b) For a Nonprofit
Written by: Daniel Lamaute |
Distributed: 2007-10-11 |
Word Count: 333 |
Page Views: 14620
| Votes: 22 |
Rating: 2.27
Newly released IRS regulations impose several new requirements
and fiduciary responsibilities on employers with 403(b) plans.
While the regulations generally don't take effect until January
1, 2009, there are some provisions that apply sooner.
Conducting Effective Career Aspiration Discussions with Employees
Written by: Andria L. Corso |
Distributed: 2010-03-10 |
Word Count: 690 |
Page Views: 13644
| Votes: 12 |
Rating: 1.33
Enhance your talent management and development programs
through conducting career aspiration discussions with your
employees. Find out where they want to grow their career to
determine if it matches your business needs. This will
enable you to differentiate your employee development to
grow the future leaders of your company.
Top Ten Personal Habits
Written by: Laurel Vespi |
Distributed: 2009-09-08 |
Word Count: 427 |
Page Views: 13356
| Votes: 12 |
Rating: 2.08
Successful people have a regular routine of daily or weekly
habits that reinforce the things that are most important to
them. By practicing a set of personal success habits, they
maintain a positive outlook, keep focused on their
priorities, have more energy, and a greater sense of
satisfaction with life.
Pitch A No-Hitter With Baseball-Themed Flower Gifts
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF |
Distributed: 2007-12-25 |
Word Count: 413 |
Page Views: 11860
| Votes: 27 |
Rating: 1.74
Want to send a gift to the baseball fan in your life that's sure
to knock one out of the park? Send flowers with a baseball
theme! Everyone loves flowers and when you personalize them to
include the recipient's favorite hobbies, like baseball,
they're sure to make an even greater impression.
Highest Ranked "Business Offline" Articles
Equal Opportunity Pizza Ordering
Written by: Rudy Vener |
Distributed: 2007-10-19 |
Word Count: 629 |
Page Views: 5379
| Votes: 10 |
Rating: 3.60
With online ordering, your menu and restaurant suddenly become
accessible to both the deaf and blind customers in your
community.
Lone Wolf --- Lead Wolf: The Evolution of Leadership
Written by: Rick Johnson |
Distributed: 2006-07-20 |
Word Count: 1826 |
Page Views: 4463
| Votes: 19 |
Rating: 3.47
Family owned organizations, both small and large, with succession
issues, family preparation and second and third generation
leadership issues have been subjected to the evolution of
leadership. These organizations are often founded by an
aggressive, highly talented entrepreneur. Many of the principles
of leadership that helped build the success that the organization
enjoyed in the past is not the type of leadership that will
maintain that success through generations of ownership.
Get the Balance Right
Written by: Rich Thawley |
Distributed: 2009-01-28 |
Word Count: 638 |
Page Views: 4008
| Votes: 15 |
Rating: 3.33
Do you build your business around your family or your family
around your business? The choice is yours.
Delegate Or Die: 6 Steps For Business Growth
Written by: Rick Sloboda |
Distributed: 2007-05-08 |
Word Count: 366 |
Page Views: 3719
| Votes: 24 |
Rating: 3.29
To achieve business growth, you need to focus on your strengths
and hire others to take care of the rest. Unfortunately,
entrepreneurs often fail to employ this fundamental business
growth strategy. Here are six steps to help you delegate
successfully.
Whose Restaurant Can You Find Online?
Written by: Rudy Vener |
Distributed: 2007-07-09 |
Word Count: 640 |
Page Views: 5101
| Votes: 7 |
Rating: 3.29
What is so significant about Pizza Hut's latest TV commercial?
Why Businesses Need Receivable Factoring In Cash Flow Management
Written by: Toby Seibert |
Distributed: 2007-08-08 |
Word Count: 866 |
Page Views: 7481
| Votes: 7 |
Rating: 3.29
In today's business environment, many businesses need to
fine-tune the process of getting paid on invoices, in order to
improve their cash on hand. Improving cash flow can be an ongoing
challenge for businesses of all sizes, and it is an issue that
must be addressed to ensure the long-term viability of the
business.
Boost Retention And Referrals In Your Insurance Agency
Written by: Stephanie Cunningham |
Distributed: 2007-10-23 |
Word Count: 707 |
Page Views: 2684
| Votes: 7 |
Rating: 3.29
If you have ever stayed at a nice hotel, then you have probably
seen the hotel's Concierge. The role of the Concierge is to
assist guests with information and service to enhance their stay.
What would happen if you took the idea of the Concierge and
applied it to the way you service your agency clients?
Business School for Non-Business Minds: Got a NAICS Number?
Written by: Melissa Mashtonio |
Distributed: 2008-04-15 |
Word Count: 423 |
Page Views: 5209
| Votes: 7 |
Rating: 3.29
I’m a journalist. I spent a lot of my career in the news
business. As my career has progressed, I’ve spent time at small
and large companies, and I have sat through dozens of business
meetings wondering what the heck the “money” people are talking
about. They used acronyms as if they were a foreign language.
The Problem With Swiping Sales Copy
Written by: Scott Bywater |
Distributed: 2009-12-03 |
Word Count: 480 |
Page Views: 5198
| Votes: 7 |
Rating: 3.29
This is what people miss when they try to simply "swipe"
sales copy from another advertisement.
Why 'Closing' Is Not The Most Important Part Of Making A Sale
Written by: Scott Bywater |
Distributed: 2006-08-29 |
Word Count: 553 |
Page Views: 6420
| Votes: 31 |
Rating: 3.26
If you ever thought that 'closing' was the single most
important key to sales success, then pay close attention, because
what I'm about to share may surprise you. Let me explain:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Article Reprint Rights
|
This work is
licensed under a
Creative Commons
License
You are not required to show the creative commons license notice when you reprint this work.
|
|
Article Statistics
|
Word Count: 1344
Total Views: 4185
Article Rating: 1.89 of 5
Votes Cast: 19
More Articles By Author:
Articles On This Website
Last Distribution Date:
2006-06-28 11:00:00
Internal ID: #3079
|
|
|
Home