Tag Archives: sales

Marketing

9 Effective Email Marketing Tips That’ll Help You Generate More Leads and Revenue

Leads, leads, leads, they are wanted by everybody, and once you have some, you want more. When you do get longer, you want far many better-quality ones. It’s all part of conducting business. When we have done a survey of small business owners earlier this year, 45 percent of them said their biggest challenge is revenue generation.

Getting them is another matter while everybody wants more leads. Lead generation is a whole specialty unto itself. There are lots of strategies. Some are more successful than others, and some are more expensive. Most experienced salespeople enjoy the ways that were proven. The lead generation tactics which don’t cost an arm and a leg do not need a staff of ten and do not expect a degree. Just like useful, that is a humble old email.

In its crux, marketing is about building confidence with your own existing and potential clients. To accomplish that, you may work with a personalized transactional email, a promotional email, free shipping coupons, and anything else that will encourage devotion. Email creates a brief list of approaches for lead creation, but Ascend reminded all of us it is. The email came in as the most effective online tactics for lead production.

Read on if you would like to test out the # 1 technique for lead gen, or if you want some new ideas for how exactly to get your email lead gen better. All these are some of the methods around:

Effective Newsletter

A newsletter is a traditional means of boosting your brand and staying on top-of-the-mind of one’s visitors. However, what Entrepreneurs miss would always be to make them enlightening and relevant to their clients. Most of the newsletters are too self-promotional when they should be quite the opposite.

It’s necessary to continue to keep the viewer and their interests once you craft a message. Build the information of most newsletters based on customers their interests, pain points, frequently asked questions. You may also consult with several eBooks’ newsletters (based on web analytics along with societal networking metrics), that you’ve sent before and design accordingly.

More Cost-Effective than Traditional Marketing.

Email marketing is relatively inexpensive in comparison with other traditional marketing tactics such as direct mail and print press. While these conventional print marketing tactics require you to shell out money on printing and advertisement space, email marketing requires just a small investment of resources and time at developing content. Along with relatively low operational expenses, email marketing additionally offers an attractive return on investment (ROI). According to a report from DBS Data, organizations can expect an average yield of 38 for every $1 they spend on marketing.

Peoples Check their Email Almost Everyday

How often you open your email on the mobile product or your pc? Whether it’s work-related or personal, most people today check their email at least once every day to see what new messages they have received. To make sure, they assess their inbox 20 times each day. And 68.9 percent of those recipients receptive marketing messages using their mobiles 2-3 days each week. It usually means that email marketing provides small businesses the advantage of getting before their audience. The easy fact your customers check their email every day could be the essential benefit.

Automate your Sales Cycle

Email marketing automation allows you to boost your earnings cycle. Your business can utilize email automation tools to develop trickle campaigns, which send email messages to individuals within a group program, helping you make automated touchpoints with clients.

You might set automation attempts up to trigger specific messages when an individual chooses an action on your website. For example, if the customer visits your pricing site but then leaves your site, you can reach out to them via an automatic message to be sure they haven’t any further questions.

Easy to Track and Measure

With email marketing, you can look at how many people reading are starting, and even clicking through your articles. It enables you to see just how much of a return on investment these campaigns are currently offering your business and to decide if your email promotions are successful. Since you make alterations to messaging subject lines and kinds of supplies, you’re able to carry on to track success to find out which strategies are bringing you the most useful results.

Reach an Already Engaged audience

Email marketing is one of that only platform which consumers ask to receive. Messages sent by most organizations using the platform to people individuals who have signed up to get them. It will enable conversions that are higher as a company is targeting.

It is possible to send unsolicited marketing messages. However, this is only likely to frighten consumers and lead to a brand image. As a business that offers email marketing applications, we suggest that you don’t use lists for the email marketing — as the outcomes, you’ll notice from acquiring customers and growing your record will cause results.

People Prefer Email

Customers and your leads are more inclined to see and do it on your marketing emails because lots of these are currently excited about receiving this kind of communication from you. According to Marketing Sherpa, 72 percent of U.S. adults prefer email communications from businesses. That compared to only 17 percent of U.S. adults that prefer communicating through social networking channels.

Content is Shareable

Make your email content sharable. It helps enhance your reach and deliver networking. Add share buttons in your email, which let Making your email marketing content shareable and accessible.

You Can Reach People on Any Device

More and more people are assessing their email from their mobile devices. Based on the most recent figures published, 41.9 percent of email opens using smartphones. What does this mean for your business? You may use email marketing to reach people no matter what sort of device they’re on, improving visibility, or where they are and reach over time. Make sure that your mails are simple to open and read from mobile devices, paying attention to image sizes as well as the total amount of text.

 

Computers, Tech

5 Areas to Manage as a Tech Company Selling Their Flagship Product

A company that is known through its flagship product has a huge responsibility to manage the production and sale of this product efficiently. Companies can expand to offer other products but not without the consistent revenue created by a company’s cash cow of a product. Maximizing revenue from the product should be the primary goal while balancing the product’s quality simultaneously. A company that continually relies on the newest releases of their flagship product for annual revenue need loyal customers. Consumers that have had issues with iPhones could swear them off for the Android equivalent. One mistake or glitch can lead a customer to go elsewhere so quality should never be low priority.

Inventory Management is Imperative

Inventory management needs to be closely monitored as running out of a certain piece of a product can halt production indefinitely until the parts come in. Manufacturers need to have a software that helps with this as it can be easy to overlook a certain part of inventory if numerous parts are needed per product made. Multiple channels to find the same part can be essential especially if one partner runs out of parts unexpectedly on a regular basis. Doing an IC search can help list out parts as well as companies that produce these parts around the world.

Customer Service Needs to be a Focus

Customer retention needs to be as high as possible when it comes to a flagship product. Different generations of a product can span over decades allowing a company to be profitable over considerable amounts of time. John Deere tractors and lawnmowers are a great example of products that are used for a lifetime. Entire families use the same brand lawnmower especially if they live on a large piece of land or a farm. Being able to quell the concerns of an customer that is upset can salvage a relationship that leads to multiple future purchases. Addressing the concerns of the customer will also give the product another chance in their minds if sent a new model. Social media is a platform where people can voice their complaints in a public way so others can see. Failure to respond to these complaints looks like lack of care for the customer. Saving a relationship with a customer by offering a discount or replacement is well-worth the time/new product.

Offers to Purchase The Rights of the Product

A smaller company might be approached by a tech giant to purchase the rights to the product. The Oculus Rift is a great example of a product that helped a small company be absorbed by Facebook for an immense payout. Offers might come pouring in depending on the popularity of the product as well as what kind of patent it may or may not have. Partnerships should not always be rejected as the right partner can take the sales of the product to new heights. Keeping a record of all of these offers as well as expiration dates of the offers need to be handled. The ultimate decision to sell the rights to the could be up to a committee of investors so gathering these offers in an organized way is essential.

Improvements/Updated Versions

Improving a product is going to happen with time as materials improve to become lighter or more eco-friendly. The tough aspect to manager during the improvement of a product is not to change the product too much. Losing the integrity of the original product can lose customers that thought the original product was practical. Slowly rolling changes out over time can help sell more products as everyone wants the best version of a product they use consistently. Feedback from customers can be the perfect way to prioritize updates to the product as this data can easily be gathered from reviews across the internet. Market research over time can be a huge help as well as seeing the way consumers are thinking in terms of a product over time is valuable information. Seeing the trends of consumers can allow a company to update a product in a way to appeal to the current owners and potential buyers.

Client Managers Meeting Face to Face with Large Accounts

A tech product that is sold in retail store across the country truly has expanded its reach into the daily shopping experience. The account manager that deals with large accounts like that of Walmart need to meet with their point of contact face to face a few times a year. A product being on the shelves of this retail giant is far more valuable than visiting this client weekly if need be. Client managers should build rapport with clients as well as take them out to dinner/entertain them. The point of contact for a large client will not leave a business relationship they are happy with as long as it continues to be mutually beneficial. A tech company selling their flagship product in all major retailers is a recipe for success but the competition to do so is intense.

Selling a flagship product needs to be done carefully as tarnishing the name of the company or product can spell doom for a business. Take the time to focus on manageable details to help increase the likelihood for success!

Business, Marketing

5 Great Customer Retention Ideas That Work

An army of loyal customers is every company’s goal. Yet, it’s one that can be quite hard to accomplish. Here are 5 ideas for customer retention that work.

1. Know Your Business

Having your own business means much more than having a job and paying you salary. Your basic roles are in finance, administration, marketing, and the responsibility of personnel. You need to know what you can deal with yourself and which parts you’re going to need help with. One person can rarely succeed in all of these to get the best results.

Many companies are run by people with great business acumen, yet they fail because they don’t have all the information they need to do their job. This includes a clear notion of marketing mix, market segment, customer service, target markets, product selection, promotional activities and pricing tactics. You need a well-devised business plan if you want to succeed. This will help you make the right decisions.

2. Pay for Good Training

Train your employees to always be available. Retail has always been about interacting with shoppers. Yet, staffs are often so busy multitasking that they ignore customers who are obviously looking for help. They need to be trained and taught that no task is more important than paying attention to customers because customers pay their salary.

If you have a larger company, you should train your managers to be the best salespersons. A manager probably won’t recognize, analyze, and give direction when a sale is lost if he or she doesn’t have the background knowledge to begin with. A good manager will know how to make a sale.

Finally, teach your managers how to train their associates. It can be that staffs are promoted to managerial positions not based on skills, but on how long they’ve been working for a company, and the disastrous results soon follow. They need proper retail sales training themselves if they’re to manage effectively. It takes more than criticism or praise. Both approaches can create a lot of damage to your staff that are left adrift.

3. Get a Reliable POS System

A full-scale POS solution like Aloha POS is of paramount importance to customer retention. It will allow you to efficiently manage all your back office activities. Reliable systems are rich in features to optimize inventory management and take the guesswork out of purchasing decisions.

A POS system addresses the needs of businesses in many sectors and industries, including grocery stores, convenience stores, apparel, fashion, and sporting goods, liquor, gift shops, and specialty stores.

Among its advantages are the following:

  • Top-Notch Order Fulfillment
  • Robust Email Marketing
  • eCommerce
  • Inventory Management

You’ll be able to attract more customers by offering better value. You’ll also be able to offer more opportunities to shop at your store. It’s your job to give your customers what they want, because if you don’t, they will stop doing business with you. The products and services you provide should be in tune with customers’ needs and wants.

4. Sustain your Unique Image

To attract more customers and understand them better, develop a unique image. This image is important and is a function of your marketing materials and efforts. Customers create their perceptions of your store from your name, location, web site appearance, products, prices, visual merchandising, displays, signs, business cards, customer service, newsletters, advertising material, and anything else that relates to your business.

Try to think like your customers do; buy, show, sell, and give them interesting information (not only what’s interesting to you). Your success is determined by the customer.

To maximize your online revenue, you need to develop a website where to sell your products. You can build the site yourself if you are familiar with HTML or similar programs and codes. It is essential that you determine the niche of your website. Some niches are less lucrative than others. You have to find a balanced relationship between passion and profit until you start making money.

For many years, many people have been selling private label products through sites like Amazon. The profit potential of the Amazon FBA program is huge. You need to make a product, choose a manufacturer and start selling this product on Amazon. The first step is having the right keywords. To obtain long-term customers, you need to acquire them to begin with, and this isn’t very easy either.

Also ,use multiple channels for customer service. This creates an opportunity to create an omni-channel experience, where the customer’s experience with the brand is consistent across different channels and devices. This brings about loyalty and greater customer satisfaction because it makes your customer service offer user-friendlier, which is exactly what your brand needs when your customers need assurance they will be served well, as always.

5. Market Based on Good Customer Experiences

Share any and all positive customer experiences with your brand with as many other people as possible. Collect customer feedback and share your reviews to inform your customers of the perks that your company can provide. Sharing “success” stories across an omni-channel communication system will be viable because new customers tend to trust old and loyal ones more than advertising. To maximize value, leverage these interactions effectively.

Creating customer loyalty is no easy feat, but know that customers are driven by their goals like all people and they will be loyal to the company that can meet their needs. If your competitor offers them a better deal, their positive experience with your company doesn’t matter. The customer will go for the better deal.

To build customer loyalty, you need to be aware of your customers’ needs very well. A multi-channel service system is one of the best ways to stay connected with your customers, particularly if they need help with something. Your customers will have better access to your service staff, which will generate a higher number of customer interactions. The more often you can interact with your customers, the better your chances of influencing their experience and retaining them.

Marketing

How Augmented Reality Represents A Marketing Bonanza

The mobile augmented reality (AR) market is projected to reach a staggering $79.77 Billion by 2022 and will be one of the fastest growing sectors in upcoming years.

Functionality has already spread far and wide. Emergency responders use AR to help them train to coordinate dangerous situations. In healthcare, an AR scanner called AccuVein projects vein density on a patient’s arm in real time so injections and taking blood can be quick and easy. Another App can even project surgeon’s hands onto another doctor so they can match movements for complex procedures.

AR is prevalent in helping those with disabilities. Recently, Temple University received part of a larger AR related grant to create glasses that would facilitate captioning for live performance for HOH and Deaf patrons. The same tech can be used for ESL or Foreign language speakers.   

However, people probably best recognize AR from games like Pokemon Go — where frenzied players were able to capture their favorite creature avatars in order to gain advancement in the game. Retailers at the time were quick to realize that a Pokemon stop near (or in) their location meant increased foot traffic and tried to capitalize on the phenomenon.  

From there marketers could truly realize the potential for AR tech. Ostensibly there are a few of major avenues where AR intersects with marketing right now.

Wayfinding

Google Glass ended up looking a little goofy, but the technology promised by apps like Google Lens, which gives consumers ways to access businesses easily just by looking at the facade, may revive the glasses wearable. In AR, companies can offer discounts and coupons that entice passersby or using software like wikitude, the app can actually lead a customer to their desired location. Already, Gatwick Airport uses a sophisticated wayfinding AR feature to help people get to their gates quickly and efficiently. It is possible for any business to incorporate this kind of tech too.

AR is usually thought of as a way to add imagery to a screen, but it can also be used as a focusing tool to take away distractions. For example, there is tech being designed to help grocery shoppers get only what they need for a recipe or to see only gluten free options so they don’t pick the wrong items.    

Product Pre-Assessment

Another way AR is being used effectively in retail markets is in product assessment prior to purchase. This is accomplished in a number of innovative ways by smart retailers. Ikea’s virtual catalog has become a standout in the area with the ability to scan your room and digitally place a piece of their furniture in a spot of your choosing so customers can see how they like the look and color of something before purchase.

Other retailers have created variations on this same theme. Warby Parker scans your face and places their glasses on you, so you can avoid going to the store to try on all their styles. L’Oreal has a way to see how their makeup might look if you were to apply it. Clothing retailers also are allowing shoppers to visualize clothing without going to a changing room. And some even make changing room options easier with smart mirrors that allow you to see the garment you are wearing in different styles or colors without having to search around the racks.

In a similar vein, architects, interior designers and the real estate industry has taken up AR for their marketing efforts. Prospective clients can virtually visit their construction projects or look at their current furniture in a planned new house.

Improved Engagement

Other retailers have seen how AR helps with general product engagement. Lego has created AR stimulated kits that “come to life” when seen with their app. Disney has similar functionality with their coloring books. Movie posters also have been using AR to target cinema goers, giving them an additional thrilling glimpse into a film while waiting in line for popcorn.

Is AR Tech Too complicated for me?

The most intriguing part is how AR is becoming more democratic in its use. Applications like Adobe Spark AR and Apple’s ARkit allow anyone to get in on the ground floor with things like Instagram logos and simple AR additions to branding.

The question of how to assess metrics however, is still evolving. How does an AR view compare with a video view, for example? Marketing consultancies like CleverTap provide strategies to connect meaningfully with demographics and to assess ROI — and they also have get to know AR articles and infographics to help marketers get the hang of why and how to use AR for their own products.

See the infographic below for a quick guide to the ins-and-outs of AR tech. The best part, however, is that the applications for AR are still being worked out. Anyone could have the next innovation in AR in the marketing sphere — maybe a floating fish that eats your emotions will be the next big thing. Or maybe you have a good new idea.

Mobile, News, Phones

Apple: 1.7 Million iPhone 4 Devices Sold So Far

The hottest news of the day: Apple is reporting that 1.7 million iphone 4 devices already sold in last three days, since official debut. That’s pretty impressive if you have a moment to think about it. And needless to say, a new world record. Apple’s CEO, Steve Jobs said:

“This is the most successful product launch in Apple’s history. Even so, we apologize to those customers who were turned away because we did not have enough supply.”

Update1: Read the PR after the break.

Update2: At that note, the guys at iSuppli claim that Apple’s iPhone 4 costs somewhere around $188 to make.

Continue reading Apple: 1.7 Million iPhone 4 Devices Sold So Far →

Computers, General, News

Apple Says Over 300,000 iPads Sold On Launch Day (Update: 1,000,000 In First Month)

1 Comment

Whether you do agree with Steve Jobs saying his new tablet machine – The iPad – is “magical” and “revolutionary” or whether you don’t, one thing’s for sure, you can’t argue with numbers – and the numbers, according to Apple itself, are pretty impressive. Apparently, over 300,000 iPads were sold in the US on launch day alone, on April 3rd that is, including both retail sales (Best Buy and Apple Stores)  and pre-ordered deliveries to customers across the States – that’s 30,000 more, compared to iPhone’s 270,000 pieces that Cupertino sold (in first 30 hours). In addition, Apple says that iPad users already downloaded over a million apps from its App Store and over 250,000 e-books were downloaded as well from Apple’s iBook store during first day of launch – that’s an average of…”more than three apps and close to one book within hours of unpacking their new iPad”, says Jobs himself. Can they hold up with those numbers? Time would tell.

Meanwhile, make sure you check out our long list of Free Cool iPad Games.

Update: Now we learn that Apple has sold one million ipads over the past 28 days of existence, with 1.5 million ebooks already been downloaded, joining the 12 million apps that users have snagged. Full PR after the break.

apple-ipad-tablet-images

Continue reading Apple Says Over 300,000 iPads Sold On Launch Day (Update: 1,000,000 In First Month) →