Genreal, Social Media Marketing

Using Twitter as a Marketing Tool

Twitter is a fantastic medium to get through to a wide spectrum of people. While it started off as micro-blogging tool which was to let people stay in touch with each other and let everyone know what they were doing, it has now turned into an excellent marketing tool. Users from all walks of life like politicians, musicians, authors, internet gurus, etc use it to promote themselves.

The important thing to note here is that the smart ones will never ever say “do this because I say so” or “buy my album – it’s great” or any such thing. Twitter marketing is about being subtle. The celebrities are using it simply as a way to keep their name in the top of people’s minds. For example it’s a long time since Soleil Moon Frye did anything big, but she constantly Tweets and therefore people still remember her.

If you want to push your product using Twitter, you have to understand that it is a gradual process that has to be carefully attended to. For example if you are selling Red Roses, you should search with the keywords that are relevant to that matter – like “red roses”, “flowers”, “fresh flowers”, etc. Then pick the people with the largest amount of followers – these are your base accounts. Now start following the people who are following your base accounts.

From this point make your Tweets interesting. Any reference to the fact that you sell flowers should appear somewhere down the line. For now ask questions, post links to interesting plant & flower articles and most importantly reply to other people’s Tweets and engage them. The key thing here is to build relationships.
Now you can slowly start dropping in a Tweet about your business activities. Perhaps one in 5 or more Tweets is the best way to go about it.

For those in need of professional social media marketing services, iClimber offers Twitter Marketing & Promotion services.

Business Services, Genreal

Rates and Fees traps in Merchant Accounts

If you are thinking about getting a Merchant Account, one thing you must know is that the process is not a simple one. Of course the actual submit details-get the account process is relatively simple but the process of identifying the right provider is long and tedious. This is because you have to put a lot of research into the selection process to avoid any hidden clauses or costs.

Start your research online. A good place to start is a representative of the provider. Listen to this person very carefully; don’t take anything they say for granted. This because a representative will always say what they have been trained to say and that is all the good things about the service and the company they work for. What you should do is read between the lines and try to identify the points that they are avoiding talking about.

For example, vendors may advertise processing rates but this could only cover Debit card transactions. For you this would mean an extra cost when Credit cards are used, because processing rates for those would be different and possibly cost more. There is also the fact that different cards have separate calculation methods associated with them as well, so this is another matter you will have to consider as well.

What all of this means, is that you should never be a victim of misinterpretation. Always strive to clarify each and every clause that is in the agreement that the vendor gives you. Don’t jump at the first vendor you find or even the first vendor that appears to have everything that suits you. Shortlist the best ones and do thorough research before you commit to a Merchant Account provider.

Featured, Genreal

Easy Advertising Techniques for Online Businesses

If you start a business you need get the word spread around. If no one knows you’re there, you’re not going to make any money. Online businesses are the same, except that if there is no hyperlink to you then the chances of a person even stumbling across your website is almost non-existent. This is why online businesses utilize expensive SEO and SEM methods to make sure that they appear on the first page of a search engine’s results.

However not everyone can afford to lay down the cash necessary to get an expert to do this for them. Learning how to do it and then putting it into practice is also a long process and may not be an option. So for those types of people, here are some easy ways to get some advertising done.

1. Use a free online classified service. There are plenty out there, just go an list your website on all of them. A websites like Craigslist, which has huge amounts of traffic, will surely get you lots of exposure.

2. Talk to the local media. Try to get the local newspaper to run a story on you and try to get the local radio station to give you some free endorsements. Don’t be afraid to play the sympathy card – “Hey, help a small business out. You know how it’s a struggle” etc.

3. Use the resources you currently own. Plaster your car with material promoting your website, put up signs on your windows, email your friends and tell them about your website, etc.

4. Get your family and friends to help you promote your business. Word of mouth is very strong and everyone can forward your email to everyone they know.

5. Try to find someone who is willing to cross promote your product. If you specialize in doing Flower Arrangements, then talk to the nursery and get them to promote your business. In return you can reciprocate on the web.

6. Attend local networking events and trade shows and network with others and exhibitors. Most cities have Chamber of Commerces, which usually host monthly meetings. Usually the entrance fees for these type of shows are very minimal, between $10-$30.

Featured

E-Commerce Transaction Rates

When operating an ecommerce venture most people concentrate on Search Engine Optimization, Search Engine Marketing, Conversion rates, Traffic and other things. Granted, these are aspects of a business that must be closely looked at. But there is one other thing that is often overlooked and that is E-Commerce Transaction Rates.

Basically this refers to how much you spend to make a sale and how much of a profit you make thereafter. Using a marketing tool which costs $10 to get a customer and selling a product for $15 gives you a profit of only $5. When you factor in your fixed costs you might find that you are actually making a loss. So the first thing to do is to find a marketing tool that is cost effective and the second thing to do is employ some simple techniques, like the ones listed below, to increase your profit margins.

1. Up-selling – Do this without being too intrusive or obvious. The best place to put this method in action is at the point of checkout. For example if your customer bought a DSLR camera, you can offer them UV filters, Camera bags, Photography books, etc so that you stand a chance of making a sale from another area which the customer might not have considered.

2. Packaged offers – Sticking with the Camera example, offer the Camera with a couple of lenses and throw in a Camera bag as well. The whole package will look more appealing and feel like more of a deal for the customer. The end result – you end up selling more items.

3. Minimum amount – Specify a minimum amount to customers which will entitle them to free shipping. This will entice them to make a few more purchases just so that they can qualify. You will be surprised how well the word “free” works in marketing.

Featured, Internet Marketing, Social Media Marketing

Achieving success with Social Media Marketing

Using Social Media to do online marketing is being done on a large scale. You may not even be aware of it, but your are part of the target market for someone and therefore you are being subject to some sort of Social Media Marketing every time you use a Social Network.

The trick is being subtle and using a lot of finesse. Try out these simple tips and see the results for yourself.

1. Hit the right target audience. If you don’t know who your target audience is, then your marketing efforts simply boil down to shooting in the dark. Very few products appeal to every age group. Even in that situation, your marketing efforts should be tailored to suit those age groups. For example if you sell high performance mountain bikes, your target audience is generally between 14-35 years in age. Even this can be broken down in to a 14-19, 20-35 demographic and targeted differently.

2. Add value. Communicate with this target group. Figure out their likes and dislikes of the product, what they want, what they need, etc. Then try to figure out how you can give them what they want. This is what will make you unique when you eventually start selling. In the meantime give them as much information as you can in helpful videos, articles, advice etc. Basically you have to appear as a Guru in the making.

3. Get personal. Have one to one discussions with people from the target group. While this maybe time consuming, the bond you form will help you get a sure sale when the time comes. Once they do become your customers, this bond will prompt them to promote the product for you as well.

If you need professional help, we recommend the social media marketing services by iClimber.