Octane Interactive

Women Are More Likely to Click on Facebook Ads

Some interesting research about Facebook use. A new report from SocialCode on Marketwatch.com.

Read the report synopsis here:

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/socialcode-unveils-facebook-advertising-research-younger-facebook-users-have-a-higher-propensity-to-click-like-and-women-are-more-likely-to-click-on-facebook-ads-2011-08-30

Microblogging, Social Networking Still Growing Worldwide

Interesting study by Wave 5 of the GlobalWebIndex by Trendstream about the growth of the worldwide use of Social Media. You can read a summary on marketingprofs.com at  http://www.marketingprofs.com/charts/2011/5891/microblogging-social-networking-still-growing-worldwide.

Forrester: Interactive Spending to Reach $76.6B by 2016

US advertisers are expected to spend nearly $77 billion on interactive marketing by 2016—as much as they now spend on TV—according to a new report by Forrester Research.

 
Read more on Marketingprofs.com: http://www.marketingprofs.com/charts/2011/5820/forrester-interactive-spending-to-reach-766b-by-2016#ixzz1WdeaVK6Q

If I Were The Godfather of the USA…

If I Were The Godfather of the USA I would make Congress and the Senate an offer they couldn’t refuse. I would make them listen to upbeat music before every session including committee meetings. I spent 25 years in the event production business and while people were entering the room we played lively (when the client would allow) music to set the pace and tone.

Upbeat music has the ability to rush blood to the brain of the closed minded and it dissolves the stick many have up their rears. God knows there are plenty of these type people in congress and they need a cure for stickassitis. I can picture it now! John Boehner and Nancy Pelosi “gettin’ jiggy wit it” to Teenage Dream.

Here is the start of my list: If you have some song suggestions please share.

Dynamite – Taio Cruz

For Your Entertainment- Adam Lambert

Dancing in the Dark- Bruce Springsteen

Rock and Roll Music- Chuck Berry

California Gurls- Katy Perry (explicit)

Just Dance- Lady GaGA

Dog Days are Over- Vicci Martinez (From the Voice)

Fun, Fun, Fun- The Beach Boys

Rock That Body- The Black Eyed Peas

I Gotta Feeling- The Black Eyed Peas

Let’s Get it Started- The Black Eyed Peas

Teenage Dream- Katy Perry

La Bamba- Los Lobos (Original by Richie Valance)

Sorry for Party Rocking- LMFAO

 

HH

QR Codes Gaining Acceptance

Looks like QR codes are starting to get some traction for marketing. According to a study by comScore over 14 million Smartphone users scanned a QR code during the month of June 2011.

QR Codes (quick response) can direct a person to a web site, provide a promo code, an address, or other information you might want to use to attract customers.

One unique use includes placing QR code images in specific areas of a city and having a, kind of, scavenger hunt.

Marketing Profs has the details on this research at:

Read more: http://www.marketingprofs.com/charts/2011/5699/14m-americans-scanned-qr-codes-via-smartphone-in-june#ixzz1VNcA9QOW

ThomasNet's Industry Market Barometer: Companies Confident in Growth -- Build on Successful Strategies

According to ThomasNet’s Industry Market Barometer, 45% of companies responding to a recent survey reported growth in the last 6 months of 2010. Nine out of 10 say their Web strategies have been important to their expansion, delivering increased revenue, new sources of business, an ability to compete more aggressively, and improved service.

You can read the full article here http://preview.tinyurl.com/6d8vp2k  .

This is just another indication of how important the Internet has become as a marketing tool. It is important to make online marketing part of your overall marketing strategy so you get the most from your efforts.    

From Marketing Profs "B2B Brands Tap (Social) Content Marketing for Lead Generation"

There is a good synopsis of a research report conducted by Focus.com, titled Marketer's Benchmark Survey June 2011 on Marketingprofs.com.

The survey presents data on the use of various online tools for lead generation for business to business marketers. It also compares B2B to B2C use of these tools. This data supports what I have learned working with both business to business and business to consumer companies.

Read the article: http://www.marketingprofs.com/charts/2011/5387/b2b-brands-tap-social-content-marketing-for-lead-generation#ixzz1RPvaAAVq

 

Measuring Online ROI

I just read a very interesting interview article, with the attention-grabbing title “Leads Schmeads”, in the latest issue of MC2’s e-Connections newsletter. The person interviewed is a long time friend of mine Ed Jones, President of Constellation Communication Corp. MC2 is a well known tradeshow and events production company and Ed Jones is an expert in measuring return on investment for events. If you get a chance read the interview at http://mc2talks.mc-2.com/2011/06/leads-schmeads/ .

One of the questions asked of Ed by EConnections was “What are some of the areas to focus on when measuring ROI for an event?”  Ed’s answers can help you determine the value of your online marketing efforts, especially social media activities.  

He says he places trade show marketing value into four baskets:

1-    The ability to create new sales.

2-    Protecting the business and revenue the company already has.

3-    The ability to save the company money.

4-    Producing brand, message and product impressions.

Here is how I relate these to online and social media marketing.

Creating New Sales

Of course, you want to generate direct sales from your online efforts or at least leads you can get on the sales track. When you do you should be looking at the long term value of this new customer not just a single sale. In this fast paced environment I would use a time period of 12 months. You can use this formula:

Average Size of Purchase times Average Purchases Per Year less Cost of Sale= ROI.

You can use a longer period of time if you want and this works for business to business clients as well as consumes.

 

Protecting Existing Business and Revenue

This is an area where social media, email (e-Newsletters), and other online efforts excel. They are a cost effective way to stay in touch and to provide extra value. Keep in mind acquiring a new customer can cost 5 to 6 times more than retaining an existing customer.

 

The Ability to Save the Company Money

Email is certainly less expensive than the mail we send via the post office, an eNewsletter doesn’t have to be printed and saves money, and social media is a fast and inexpensive way to communicate with customers and prospects. They all can save the company money.

NOTE: I am not one of those Internet Marketing people who say all your marketing efforts should be online. I believe an integrated approach is best. A mix of traditional efforts and online efforts works best.

 

Producing Brand, Message and Product impressions

I have seen the value of branding online firsthand. The more you communicate online and off line helps people remember your name and associate it with your product or service. When they need or want that product or services they will go online and use a search engine to find it. If they remember your company name they will search for you using that name. Or when you come up in the search results or contextual ads they will be familiar with your company name. This leads to web visits which lead to sales.

So all those mentions you get online (I call them digital footprints) not only gets you direct visits to your web site it also helps with better search engine results and recognition of your name.

 Harry Hallman

“Social Networking and Our Lives” A new report from PEW INTERNET

“Social Networking and Our Lives”  A new report from PEW INTERNET.  This is  a must read for marketers. http://tinyurl.com/5uow38o

Harry Hallman

Internet and Social Media Assessment and Consulting

If you are serious about online marketing you will be interested in a program I am offering called Internet and Social Media Assessment. I have found over the years that I have been offering Internet marketing services that many companies do not have a clear picture of their current Internet presence. Without this starting point it is difficult to create a good strategy and implement an effective online effort. The consulting program I offer includes an assessment of the client’s current online status and then suggestions for enhancing that status.

The attached PDF outlines the program in more detail. The cost is reasonable and ideal for mid to small size businesses. If you have an interest in this please let me know.

You can read more by downloading a PDF file at http://octanecorp.com/Portals/19/casestudy/Digitalassessment-e.pdf

Harry Hallman
Octane Interactive
404.664.5664
hhallman@octanecorp.com
www.octanecorp.com
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