sam101.com|Sales, Advertising and Marketing

There are literally hundreds of ways to get a return on investment from online marketing. What really matters is that you choose the best methods that will work for your specific product or website. The first thing you will want to think about is whether you will be investing your own time or leveraging other people’s time and expertise. Hold up, though. Before you consider either option, remember to set up your tracking.

If you’re not tracking where your sales come from, how do you know which methods of online marketing are working and which ones are not?  When it comes to getting ROI on anything, it is essential to know what investments yield a return. All forms of marketing have a certain element of trial and error. The real mistake comes from repeating these errors as a result of not tracking your success…or lack thereof. Whatever you do, be sure to use tracking URLS and set up your Google Analytics.

Now, for those who do not have a lot of cash to spend but have all the time in the world, consider investing ‘time’ by doing simple forms of SEO work for yourself. Write articles with back links to your website. Participate in relevant forums to your industry with back links. Answer questions on YahooAnswers or AnswerBag – again, be sure to embed your back link. Remember, every back link should be done with tracking URLS.

Tracking URLS such as bit.ly provide customized links that give you the stats on where and how often your links are clicked. Of course, while all of this will eventually yield a return on your time invested, it will take much time and effort before you will see the results. The best way to get ROI from online marketing is to leverage other peoples’ time and expertise.

I’m talking about outsourcing. Outsource the services of those who are good at writing unique, search engine optimized articles. Outsource the services of professional online marketers who know the ins and outs of pay-per-click and pay-per-view advertising. Trying to figure out these methods by yourself will end up costing far more time and money in the long run. Focus instead on leveraging other peoples’ efforts into local online marketing options for your company. When you invest in leveraging other people’s time and expertise while making sure to track what works and what doesn’t, you will undoubtedly get a return on investment.

Contributed by Ryan Chaffin, currently a college student majoring in Business Marketing. He loves anything technology, internet, and social media related along with sports and health & wellness. You can find Ryan on Twitter (@ryanchaffin).

A lot of companies tell you they will price match but when it comes down to the act of doing it, it is impossible to make it happen.

Today’s poor example – Target’s Price Match Policy - happened about 60 minutes ago.

I am currently shopping for a Flip Video Mino HD (2hrs, 8 GB…). So as I always do, I hit the web for some quick research. I found the camera at BrandsMart and Target.

My first stop BrandsMart (3305 Busbee Drive NW) because the Flip Video Mino HD is on sale ($30 off retail). This location was sold-out however; their Gwinnett store had several in stock. I had no intension of driving from Marietta to Gwinnett, the manager, Corey Davis, of the Busbee location immediately offered to have the Gwinnett store move the product to the Busbee location for pickup on Tuesday. Excellent!

I have to admit to you, that when I decided to purchase something I like instant gratification. I want to take it home immediately and start using it, whatever “it” is.

Before going any further, I forgot to mention that at BrandsMart gave me a pickup receipt for the item on Tuesday. The receipt details the item including the sales amount, taxes, and total.

As I drove down Barrett on my way home, I had a flash of brilliance. Target! I remembered that Target has a price matching policy. I love Target. I was about to pass the Barrett Pkwy location (740 Ernest W Barrett Pkwy NW) so, I took a shot at them having the Flip Video Mino HD and stopped. They had it! I was excited and ready to purchase it with my credit card in hand – until I asked about the price match.

Turns out to use Target’s price match policy you must have a print ad with a photo of the item. So, my receipt showing a description of the item including the final cost wasn’t good enough for them. I took the salesman’s canned speech and started to leave. One last attempt, I thought. Target won’t let me down. So as I passed the “customer service” counter and I asked to speak to the store manager. I was told he would speak to me however it turns out he was too busy and another representative (Justin) showed up who had to page the store manager, “I have a customer here with a receipt for an item we sell and is asking for a price match, can we use it?” The store manger gave the same canned speech I had heard in electronics. Target had done something I never thought possible – they let me down!

I know a little about sales and customer service because I have over 25 years of experience with both. I have been a National Trainer for both sales and customer service and work hard in my business to go above and beyond expectations of my clients.

I understand that businesses need policies in place but I also know that nothing is written in stone, and that exceptions happen everyday. Again, my receipt details the item including the sales amount, taxes, and total. It lacks a “photo” but really what would that tell you that the description doesn’t?

Needless to say, Target lost a $210 sell of a Flip Video and another $50 or so on miscellaneous items that I need for upcoming trip. (That’s what the Flip Video is for too.)

On Tuesday, I’ll pick up my new Flip Video Mino HD from BrandsMart and head over to Walmart for the other items I need.

I love Target but this was a kicker for me. It will be a long while before they regain my business. Walmart is closer and cheaper on the items I would purchase from Target anyway.

Price matching policies should be as easy to use as the Flip Video Mino HD – plug and play!

Social Fans More Likely to Buy

Most brand followers report increased purchase intent

Social media marketers looking for an indication that their efforts are helping the bottom line will be encouraged by findings from Chadwick Martin Bailey and iModerate that social friends and followers feel more inclined to purchase from the brands they are fans of.

More than one-half of Facebook fans said they are more likely to make a purchase for at least a few brands, and 67% of Twitter followers reported the same.

[via emarketer.com]

The team over at JESS3, the company which originally designed Social Times, have released a new video with statistics about the internet. Whether it’s the 400 million Facebook users, or the billions of youtube videos streamed every day, the internet is a global phenomenon. As the internet grows, so too do the spectacular statistics about the size of the network.

Check out a video of the stats here.

#askmorequestions for the week of April 19, 2010. Follow me @sam101.

MONDAY
What are some opportunities you missed the first time they presented themselves?
What chance can you take today?
How kind have you been to those around you?
How have you managed your time lately?
What things make your days seem important?
What have you learned most recently through reflection?
Is your dream clear and big enough?

TUESDAY
Are you willing to do whatever it takes to reach your dreams?
What do you expect from today?
What do you expect from this week?
What do you expect from this year?
What do you expect from life?
Will achieving your goals lead you closer to your dreams?
What are you learning today?

WEDNESDAY
How much time do you invest in continuing education?
What are the greatest pleasures in your life?
How often do you encourage the people in my life?
Who can you encourage today?
What do you think about?
What makes me most effective?
How persistent am you?

THURSDAY
What are you capable of that you don’t do?
What would you most like to accomplish today?
What is the most powerful positive thought you’ve had today?
When are you the happiest?
What are your real dreams?
What are you doing about reaching your dreams?

FRIDAY
How much time do you spend trying to improve yourself?
What can you improve about yourself today?
How often do you say “Thank you”?
How will you show your gratitude to others today?
What are your talents?
Are you using your talents?
If you are not using your talents, why not?

Last Friday, I challenged my followers on Twitter “to ask more questions”. Now I want to add value by making them and you think. Follow “#askmorequestions” and tweet your answers.

Here are the first of many questions to come during the event, I have added my answers/tweets in bold:

#askmorequestions In what situations are you the most creative?

• In the evenings, in the shower & at bed time-I keep a pen/pad by the bed at all time-be prepared
• Check out- http://www.thebrain.com/?gclid=CMrayrb0gaECFUqF7QodEHtpvw

#askmorequestions How can you expand your creativity?

• Brainstorms w/o editing-no idea is too stupid-don’t interrupt the creative flow.
• Check out-http://www.copyblogger.com/mental-blocks-creative-thinking/

#askmorequestions What is the most exciting opportunity you have today?

• I have the opportunity to live in the present moment.

#askmorequestions What are your most creative abilities?

• Creative vision-I often see my logos completed before ever starting a design.

#askmorequestions Which creative abilities do you use?

• My ability to conceptualize is my strongest creative quality.

#askmorequestions Which creative abilities do you neglect?

• The “challenge” sometimes I play it safe miss reaching the next level.

#askmorequestions Which do you say more often “yes” or “no”?

• I try to manage both yes and no–to many yeses doesn’t do anyone any flavors-especially me!

Marietta, Georgia (PR) August 11, 2008 – An article posted on the NIH Senior Health site reports that people age 65 and older take more prescription and over-the-counter medicines than any other age group. It is common for these individuals to take multiple drugs daily because they have more long-term, chronic illnesses such as arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

It is also common for one in five people over the age of 65 experiences moderate to severe memory impairment. Making the MedicMinder a perfect companion for tracking their medications. From why they take the medication, in what form they take it (pill, liquid, shot…), the color and shape, the dosage, any special instructions regarding the medication given to them by the subscribing physician and what time a day (am, pm) they take it.

To reduce potential risks and side effects medications must be taken as directed. Organizing medications can be difficult and a struggle for the older population, especially if they take numerous medications each day, at different times, and with different instructions.

The MedicMinder system makes medication management easier and helps to guarantee they are taking medication as directed. The MedicMinder should be kept in a place where it is easy to refer to. Family and caregivers should be made aware that the MedicMinder system is being used and where it is located at all times.

A list of medications is an ideal record to have regardless of whether you need medication reminders or not. The information is important when physicians prescribe new medicine or in any emergency. The MedicMinder is a comprehensive health record-keeping system available at http://www.themedicminder.com. There is a special tabbed section that assists with medication tracking.

Tracking medication is only one part of this dynamic record-keeping system. It is as important to keep track of all health conditions, medications, allergies, past surgeries, financial information, and other items related to health and personal care. The MedicMInder has a tabbed section for all of this and more.

The MedicMinder is a dynamic way to keep track of personal health records. For further information about the MedicMinder, contact us at trust@themedicminder.com or call us at 770-499-0127.

The MedicMinder provides peace of mind – the knowledge that all pertinent medical and drug history is documented in one comprehensive, easy to use system. No second-guessing in an emergency – reach for the MedicMinder and be assured that vital and accurate information is in reach, including contact numbers for doctors, pharmacies, insurance companies, and more.

About The MedicMinder
Simply stated, the MedicMinder is “Trusted by Caring Families.”

Diane Carter, PR Contact, http://www.themedicminder.com, Post Office Box 333, Marietta, Georgia 30061, 770-499-0127

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