Archive for the ‘Marketing’ Category

Will Email Be Replaced By Social Media?

By Amanda Bala

In today’s fast-paced, technology driven world, there is no doubt that we rely on our email, texts and social media to keep in constant communication with our friends, family and business associates. However, there is a serious debate going on about whether email will eventually be replaced by the social media giants.

When we look at this debate, there are many reasons why people are looking more and more to social media rather than email. Generation Z is the first group that really seems to regard email as being too formal and time consuming. There is a general consensus that it is more effective getting on a social media site and seeing everyone’s current status than taking the time to log into an email account and send out individual emails inquiring what a friend is up to. Many individuals also feel that it is easier when sharing video, pictures, etc. to simply post them on their social media page where those that want to view the content can.

There are also reasons why larger companies are shifting towards social media in their daily operations. There is a definite advantage to real time communications when utilizing social media. A simple company status update can keep everyone apprised of meetings, corporate events, etc. Also, this can effectively stop the, “I never received the email” excuse that virtually everyone has used or been given at some point in their career. It is estimated that by 2014, over 20% of business users will be using social media over email due to increased number of people on social media sites, changes in business firewalls and changing demographics.

The flip side to the coin, however, are the numerous reasons why email will still be in use well into the future. First, email is universal, while social media sites are not. Virtually every person that uses the internet has an email address. However, not everyone partakes in the social media phenomenon. There are many individuals that for personal, security or reputation reasons refuse to utilize social media networking. For these persons, email will always be a preferred method of communication.

There is also the issue that many companies do not allow their staff to even access social media sites while on the clock. They view the usage of these sites as a violation of company time and resources for personal applications. Large companies often run into issues when trying to convert to social media sites. They often do not know which sites to be on or they fail to master the particular features of the sites they are using.

Lastly, even social media sites recognize the importance of email. Most of the sites require an email address to even sign up. Many of the sites offers and notifications take place via personal email. Furthermore, though the social media giants offer messaging thru their sites, it is deemed more professional to email thru ones personal email account.

As we move forward in the age of technology, there is no doubt that many things will change and that social media will put an end to some of the things we have used in the past. In this writer’s opinion, email will not be one of them.

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Avoiding Marketing Mistakes

By Amanda Bala

Are you a small business owner? If the answer is yes, are you doing everything you can to make sure that your marketing dollars are working for you? Running a small business can be a risky endeavor, but when it comes to marketing strategies and tactics, you can rest easy knowing that by avoiding a few simple mistakes, you can stretch those invested dollars and make them work for you!

According to The Reach Group’s Free Agent Formula—created by Cheri Hanson, Lisa Johnson and Cassie Pruett—here are 4 top mistakes that entrepreneurs make.

Mistake #1 – Get Passionate. Often times businesses are created solely on making money instead of following your strengths. If you simply set up your business to make money, it is not likely to thrive. Unless you have a passion for your product or service, you are already starting at a disadvantage. With a true passion comes a deeper understanding of a product or service therefore putting you ahead of the competition.

Mistake #2 – Be Different. This often made mistake is matching your competitors instead of differentiating and finding your niche. A person will see a company that is doing good business and try to mold their company to be exactly the same. What they fail to realize is that people do not want the same. People are looking for new and innovative. There is something to be said about surprising people with a fun new product or service. Find your niche and go with it!

Mistake #3 – It’s not About You. Another big mistake that business owners make is packaging products from your perspective, not that of your customers. When selling your product or service, it’s not about you or your company; it’s about your customers and how you can benefit them. If you don’t know what your customers are looking for, then ask them. Create a survey or ask around. Make sure all of your marketing appeals to them… not you.

Mistake #4 – Don’t Wait to be Found. Rather then waiting for established media to discover and cover you, go out and create your own buzz. Things like blogging, writing articles, using social media sites and keeping your website updated and fresh all help. Offer resource guides, podcasts, photos or video clips. These are all ways to market your business rather than wait to be discovered by someone else.

Every business wants to succeed. Every business owner wants to know that they are doing all they can to make this happen. One great way to do this is to learn by others mistakes and avoid the traps and pitfalls that they have fallen into.

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Free Your Mind… And the Rest Will Follow!

By Amanda Bala

So you have been in a slump lately with your writing, your business, maybe your life? Often we find that they day to day drudgery of our schedules can get us down. A simple pick me up that takes little time and can really help to inspire and recharge your batteries is free writing! Maybe you need some inspiration, maybe you have a great idea, but you need to fine tune it. Free writing is a great way to quickly get your thoughts and ideas down on paper and give yourself a jump start.

Experts agree that a free writing session might be the best way to get your thoughts on the page and get moving in a new, creative direction. According to Mark Levy at the Compelling blog, “Free writing helps people to create a strategic direction for their company, brainstorm ideas for a personal branding campaign, plan a product launch, think through employee engagement problems, rehearse ways of handling a negotiation, write books and blog posts.”

The key is to find a quite place, set up tools and let you mind go. Free writing can be done in whatever manner you find easiest. Some people enjoy pounding away on the keyboard whatever topics cross their mind. Others enjoy the age old tradition of the written word. A paper and a pencil can take you places you never dreamed! The objective, however you do it, it to write down whatever comes to mind. There is no right or wrong. By doing this, you are able to filter out the usual constraints that keep us from coming up with come really great, risky, fun ideas. Usually we are so worried about how our writing sounds, looks and feels that we take too much time actually writing the sentences and all those quirky, daring, original and usually effective ideas are lost.

The best free writing sessions are those that are not forced, but are limited. You can go for a few minutes or for longer periods of time, but the key is, when the ideas stop flowing, stop writing. You can always come back and do more at a later time. If you get stuck and have nothing to say, write about that. Even if the thoughts you are writing seem off the wall, keep going. Some of the best and most interesting topics might come to you in the midst of all that chaos.

By taking time out of your busy, every day schedule to do a bit of free writing, you can give yourself a new outlook on so many different aspects of your life and business. Thoughts and ideas you may not have ordinarily had will come to you. This could be the key to taking you in a new and exciting direction both in your career and your life! Even if that is not the case, it is a fun way to relieve a bit of stress from your every day existence!

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