Mobile technology is revolutionizing the way we do marketing.  Research shows that e-mail marketing will reach close to $30 million in spending in 2009 alone.  That sum is expected to nearly double by 2014.  Briefly said, mobile marketing is the new era.  To get the most out of your mobile marketing campaign, make sure you are following some basic yet essential rules.  The first thing to keep in mind is that the attention span of your readers is extremely limited.  Your message will be seen in a screen of no more than 4 inches, limiting your message to just a few ...

The marketing world has never changed more than in the past five years.  Today's biggest marketing discovery is social media marketing.  Relying on spheres of influence and the viral nature of social media networks, social media marketing has become not just the next "in" thing in marketing but also the new generation of marketing. Social networking sites such as Facebook reach millions of people all over the world on a daily basis enhancing brand awareness, brand loyalty and of course, advertising.  The concept of social media marketing is simple.  Imagine that you stumble upon a great new an exciting ad on ...

As times change and technology advances, the needs and requirements of clients change.  To keep up with technology and the ever-increasingly sophisticated customer, businesses must constantly revise and update their marketing strategies.  Every marketing campaign has one common goal: obtain a response from the target audience.  Not too long ago, the preferred method for marketing campaigns was a mass marketing approach where a specific offer would be sent to as many prospects as possible.  While that may have increased visibility, conversion rates are very low.  Recently, sophisticated technology has made a case for the superiority of a one-to-one marketing approach. ...

Variable Data Printing (VDP) allows marketers to target a highly specified customer base with the use of specialty data and mailing lists.  Business owners can actually imagine "the perfect customer," the one most likely in need of their goods and services, and then systematically target individuals who fall into the target market category according to an almost infinite number of specifications, including income bracket, interests, geographic area, marital status, gender, and many other types of data.  The beauty of VDP is this:  the more data you collect about an individual, by tracking purchasing habits, collecting survey information, email marketing and ...

OneIMS, a full service marketing company in Chicago, IL, provides a comprehensive web-based email marketing suite that can easily be tailored to meet the needs of marketing professionals from many industries.  Today's online business owners require comprehensive, user-friendly email marketing solutions with the wide range of services and flexibility to target their unique goals.  eDirectMail, the web-based email marketing suite offered by OneIMS, was designed specifically for online marketers by seasoned marketing professionals.  eDirectMail tools allow business owners to effortlessly send compelling, high-quality HTML/text emails, e-newsletters, event invitations, online surveys, and email marketing promotions.  The web-based software is easy to use and ...

Variable data printing (VDP) and digital printing technology allows business owners to target customers more specifically with the aid of specialty data and mailing lists.  With VDP, business owners can define a target market based on income, lifestyle choices, interests, marital status, gender, and an almost infinite number of categories.  Business owners are able to actually imagine the "perfect client," the customer most likely in need of their goods and services, and then systematically and specifically target individuals who fit that description in their direct mail marketing campaigns. These highly targeted direct mail marketing campaigns are even more effective when they ...

The emergence of variable data print technology has ushered in a new and improved highly personalized form of direct mail marketing.  Marketers can now opt to contact consumers through a cross-media marketing campaign, directing individuals to access a campaign specific website using a personalized URL (PURL).  An example of Personalized URL would be www.JohnSmith.CampaignName.com. Personalized URLs are gaining popularity in direct mail marketing for three main reasons. 1.     Personalized URLs allow marketers to track responses more accurately - Because each personalized URL is unique to the individual, marketers can track and measure the behavior of an individual client based on his activity on the ...

During a recession, the business owners that survive - and even thrive - are those who take advantage of the unique opportunities of the times.  In a business climate in which many marketers are cutting expenses by slashing marketing budgets, some are using the latest advances in variable data and digital printing to make the most of every marketing dollar spent. In the past, the owner of a brand new neighborhood restaurant may attract customers and increase awareness in the community with a generic direct mail marketing campaign. The business owner might design an attractive and informative postcard inviting customers. He ...

As modern marketing practices become increasingly high-tech and advanced with every innovation in communications technology, you might be surprised to learn that overwhelming research indicates that a standard of the industry, direct mail marketing, continues to be a strong and high-yielding option, especially in today's slowing economy.  Print in the Mix, a  clearinghouse on print media effectiveness, follows marketing data in all areas of print marketing, including direct mail, magazines and catalogs, newspapers, and custom publishing.  According to Print in the Mix, in 2008, direct mail marketing campaigns produced a ROMI (return on marketing investment) of over $15 for every ...

The natural tendency among small businesses during an economic slowdown is to conserve resources as much as possible.  Marketers who begin to see a decrease in sales as a result of troubled economic times may be tempted to cut their advertising budgets in order to make ends meet; however, relevant marketing data reveals that this is the wrong decision in light of research results. Research indicates that businesses that maintain or increase their advertising budgets during a recession experience positive sales growth.  During the 1981-1982 economic slowdown, businesses that maintained or increased their marketing campaigns actually averaged higher growth during the ...

Despite the challenges and concerns brought on by this season of economic slowdown, many small businesses are actually discovering that they are remaining competitive and even seeing unprecedented sales as 2008 draws to a close.  What distinguishes these survivors from the rest?  How can you maximize your profits this year? 1. Exude Confidence. The worst thing you can do during these trying economic times is to communicate to your customers a sense that you are unsure of the value of your products and services. If consumers sense any hesitancy, they'll lose confidence in you and seek out a competitor who is ...

One of the newest marketing strategies in the direct mail or email mail world is the use of PURLs.  While PURLs (Personalized URL) allow you to easily track the effectiveness of your campaign and even obtain new information about your prospective clients, a PURL isn't anything if you don't have a solid campaign behind it.  As with any type of campaign, you have to make sure that you remember the basic rules about what makes a successful campaign.  Going back to Marketing 101, make sure that you've covered the basics.   Make an Irresistible Offer:  For any type of campaign to work, you ...