My Marketing tips

Archive for May, 2011

Social Media Promotes Your Business

If youve spent much time on the Internet you have probably heard the buzz about social media and social media marketing. Social media marketing is a great opportunity to network promote and advertise your business on a wide level for no cost. If you arent in the social media game youre not in it at all.

Social media outlets like Facebook Twitter Linked In and others offers a great way to network meet new people who can become either colleagues or clients and promote your business. You need to learn how to leverage these social media outlets to take full advantage of the ways they can help you build your business.

The great thing about social media marketing is it offers a place to talk about your business in a new setting that is a lot less threatening than many other types of advertising. Social media is not about the hard sell. Instead it focuses on creating relationships with people. Social media allows business people to share some of their personal lives with others. This helps to overcome any fear or reservations connected to buying from people online.

So How Do You Begin Social Media Marketing?

If youve started a blog for your business you already have your foot in the water. The next logical step is to begin commenting on other blogs related to your business. Spend some time searching for a few blogs that you enjoy and subscribe to them via an RSS feeder to manage your time. This will allow you to follow several blogs without having to go to each one every day. When you find a post you can contribute a useful comment to go to the site and offer your thoughts. Leave a link if you can so the audience can link to your own blog. Make this a part of routine at least three times a week.

Next choose one or two social media communities to join. There are dozens and dozens out there so do not try to become visible everywhere. Two of the most popular social media communities for business networking are Twitter and Facebook. Both of these are effective sites to increase your relationship building skills with prospects. Combine some personal tidbits with some business information until you discover the perfect mix of both. Do not just focus on building big numbers of friends or followers. It isnt all about the numbers. Instead build a little slower and spend your time interacting with the people you meet.

Share Your Business Information Strategically

Obviously you will want to share your business products with the people you meet through social networking. However you need a plan to do so effectively so you dont turn people off. Sharing useful information from your field of expertise develops good relationships. Jumping in and doing the hard sell doesnt. It really is that simple.

Social media marketing is a powerful way to extend your Internet presence without spending money on advertising and marketing. It is changing the way we do business online by connecting people in a very real way. Try it out for yourself and see how this form of free marketing can revolutionize your business.

About the writer:  Dwayne Garrett is the author of several eBooks and popular software applications he also offers a FREE Report that will show you ways to promote your online business for less over at http://www.PennyPinchersReport.com

How To Send Effective Hand Addressed Direct Mail Campaigns

Do you remember the last time you received a hand addressed envelope? If youre like most people that handwritten mailing was the first piece you opened. In our digital age real handwriting has become rare and unexpected. Regardless of your industry whether it is financial sales professional services nonprofit or retail handwritten mailings are an effective way to capture the attention of your customers and have been proven to increase direct mail response rates by 300 or more.

A growing number of marketers are using real handwriting when they send out mailings like holiday greeting cards thank you cards product announcements prospecting letters and fundraising requests for donations. Not only are these handwritten mailings eyecatching but they add a human touch that is absent from most direct mail campaigns.

If you want to improve your direct mail return on investment by using real handwriting here are a few tips to keep in mind while you plan your campaign:

1. Hand Address the Outside Envelope

You can hand write any part of your mailing. However if youre looking for the biggest bang for your buck be sure to hand address the outside envelope. Since this is the first thing your customers will see a hand addressed envelope will greatly increase the chance that your customers will open and read your message. Plus when you hand write someones name you are telling them that they are important to you. This extra personal touch can be very effective.

2. Dont Bother to Handwrite Your Return Address

People like to see their own name and address handwritten. Theyre not so concerned about yours. Save yourself some time and effort and focus on handwriting the mailing address. You can either omit the return address altogether or use a preprinted envelope with your organizations information.

3. Include a Handwritten CalltoAction

So theyve opened your envelope now what? Although youve crossed one of the biggest direct mail hurdles the ultimate goal of your mailing is to receive a response. A handwritten calltoaction is eyecatching and adds an extra personal touch that makes it more enticing for your recipient to respond. Keep this message short and sweet at around ten to twenty words. Clear concise messages are always more effective.

4. Outsource to a Company that Specializes in Handwritten Mail Campaigns

You probably have better things to do with your time than to hand address envelopes. There are companies out there that specialize in handwritten mailings. You simply send them your mailing list and any special mailing materials you wish to use. Theyll address your envelopes insert letters or cards hand write personalized messages and apply a first class stamp.

The next time you want to reach your clients go back to the basics and use real handwriting. With a little planning you can send powerful handwritten mailings that are personal effective and improve your direct mail return on investment.

About the writer:  Kathy Hrach is Cofounder of Write On Results a marketing agency that uses real pens and real writers to hand address their clients’ mailings for improved direct mail response rates. She also writes the monthly Pen Paper Marketing Enewsletter.

Sales Soar At Mcz Centrums The Palms Club And Mirabella

ORLANDO Fla. April 24 2007 MCZ/Centrum Developments Central Florida portfolio has been received with overwhelming response based on outstanding sales results. The Palms Club a 460unit gardenstyle condominium conversion community located at 5584 Metrowest Blvd. in Orlando has sold 300 units since its debut in November 2006. Mirabella a 304unit gated rental community now converted into luxury condominiums at 19927 Villa Square Dr. in Orlando announced sales of 200 units since launching sales in January of this year.

Despite the softening market the fundamentals value and location are in place said Michael Lerner president and founder of MCZ/Centrum. Our properties are quality products and remain attractive commodities for people who want to live in Florida.

MCZ/Centrum Development a Chicagobased joint venture between prolific developers MCZ Development Corp. and Centrum Properties is a partnership which marries the two entitys highly specialized skill and talent developing highquality projects and reigniting neighborhoods into highly desirable residential destinations. The company has successfully developed and converted residential and mixeduse properties around the nation with Florida a primary focus at the present time.

Since entering the Florida market just three years ago the company has amassed a portfolio worth 1.6 billion and completed four condominium conversions including the largest conversion ever in Broward County. MCZ/Centrum currently has six conversion projects under development or for sale including The Palms Club Mirabella and in Orlando; Serenata Sarasota; Flamingo South Beach Tower in Miami Beach; Sian Ocean Residences in Hollywood Beach; and Parc Central East in Aventura.

The Palms Club recently completed a threemonth 1.8 million renovation which included major improvements to the club room business center racquetball court fitness center and landscaping. The community offers one two and threebedroom residences and is located on nearly 33 acres of sprawling green space. Buildings are three stories high with units ranging in size from 714 to 1368 square feet plus garages and storage areas. Prices range from the high 100s to the high 200s.

The Tuscaninspired Mirabella is comprised of elegant threestory buildings set against a backdrop of lush greenery. The wellappointed units range in size from 745 to 1469 square feet. One two and threebedroom layouts offer attached and detached garages. Prices range from the 180s to the low 300s. Private villa entrances gourmet kitchens Roman style tubs ceiling fans and ninefoot ceilings with crown molding are among the features. Each unit also comes with intrusion alarms washer/dryer connections and cable/Internet wiring.

The Palms Club sales are being handled by Elite International. For more information call 4073673394 or visit www.liveatthepalmsclub.com.

Mirabellas sales center is located onsite and is also marketed by Elite International. For more information call 4072396269 or visit www.liveatmirabella.com.

About the writer:nbsp;nbsp;FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:
Kim Ziegler
The Apple Organization
305.937.1581 x 124
Kimberlyappleorg.com