Do you know the value of your business’s brand assets?  They are one of the most valuable marketing tools in your kit, don’t waste them!  Many business owners let them ‘happen’ instead of being proactive and evaluating what brand assets they want in their toolbox. What are brand assets? Brand assets are elements aside from your brand name that evoke a memory of your product.  Examples of brand assets include logos, slogans, jingles, spokespeople, mascots and even specific colors and shapes. When Facebook created its infamous thumbs-up ‘Like’ button, it effectively made the image a valuable part of its brand …more

Do you want your website to stand out from the competition and be found by people searching online?  If the answer to that question is a resounding ‘yes!’ then you should be asking yourself how to get your website on the first page of Google.  If your website can’t be found by search engines, you’re missing the opportunity to connect with potential customers.  Those customers will turn to your competitors, those who are easier to find on Google and other search engines. 1) Master the Basics The first thing you need to do is to make sure you get the …more

When you’re growing your business, broadcast media is a great asset in your marketing mix.  It may seem that the market is shifting to alternate advertising, but broadcast media should still be an integral part of your advertising budget.  As an expanding business, it may seem out of reach but with a media agency on your side it’s not as overwhelming as you might think. What is broadcast media and why should I consider it for my business? Broadcast media is the distribution of video or audio content to a large audience.  Traditionally it has been used to describe television …more

Have you ever visited a website only to find that the content hadn’t been updated since your last visit?  Did you feel let down?  Google feels the same way.  If you want your website to be important to Google and other search engines you have to regularly update the content. What does content development mean? Content marketing (also called content development) is the process of consistently adding value to your website by sharing information that your visitors, customers (and website search engines) will find interesting.  More than just updating your specials or switching some text, effective content marketing means expanding your website …more

Video content is vital in today’s marketing environment.  As more consumers choose video as their preferred method of online information consumption, businesses that don’t provide it will be overlooked.  Video marketing is no longer an option, it’s a necessity. Why Should I Use Video to Market My Business? 52% of consumers say that watching video makes them more confident in their purchasing decision.  While images, great content and a well-executed website all impact buying choices, video provides an opportunity to cultivate personal connections that no other medium can match. First contact with your potential customers often happens digitally.  One way …more

Why do your customers come to you?  Why should they choose you over your competition?  How can you see better results from your marketing? These questions can be easily answered when you arm yourself with competitive intelligence. Using the information you find, you can create a competitive analysis and develop an effective marketing strategy for your business based on the results. There are more ways to compete than on price alone.  By taking time to do a competitive analysis you’ll clearly show consumers why they should choose you over your competition.  It rarely has to do with pricing alone. What Is …more

Once you’re happy with your company website, it’s unlikely the first thing you’re thinking about is making changes.  What if you knew that making small changes would make you money?  If you knew that you could improve sales by 27% (like this mobile phone retailer) the idea would be too appealing to walk away from! A great website is the backbone of your online presence. Optimizing your website for maximum conversion is the way to make it work for you.  Often, what a majority of visitors find appealing is very different than a business owner’s personal preference. Determining which minor …more

85% of customers expect businesses to be available on social media.  When you’re marketing your business in Austin it can be an overwhelming prospect.  Every day there are new opportunities competing for your attention.  Social media marketing should be one part of your marketing plan, without it you’ll be missing opportunities to connect with your customers which will impact your bottom line. Why is social media marketing important for my business? As a business owner you want your business to be exposed to as many people as possible.  An active social media presence will provide opportunities to engage with your target …more

Did you know that Facebook has over 1 billion active monthly users?  Yes, that’s billion.  With a ‘b’.  If your business isn’t leveraging social media marketing, you’re pushing customers right to your competitor’s door. Most business owners understand that social media is an important part of digital marketing, but many are overwhelmed by the idea. The good news is that social media marketing isn’t as hard as you think.  By answering three basic questions, you’ll have a good idea where to start. “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” – Lau Tzu (Click to Tweet) 3 …more

Austin, Texas marketing directors know that if you’re not analyzing your competition, you’re at a disadvantage.  Chances are they’re watching you.  To level the playing field you have to return the favor by performing a competitor analysis. Why Do I Need to Perform a Competitor Analysis? Many businesses are content to settle for second place, copying ideas from their competitors because it’s easier than doing the legwork required to be on top.  Since you’re here, that’s obviously not you! “While most are dreaming of success, winners wake-up and work hard to achieve it.” – Unknown Click to Tweet To be …more