3 Key Points to Know When Using Social Media

Social media marketing is all the rage these days. The barrier to entry is extremely low (no money required–just create a free account!), so it seems like a straightforward win for your company.

Because it’s so easy to get started, few people think through their social media strategy and whether it’s really helping them. Here are three things to know before you start using social media for your business.

1. It’s Hard to Measure
While some highly focused social media campaigns have measurable ROI, the vast majority are investments in relationship building. And when those investments pay off, it will be difficult to draw a line back to social media.

2. It Isn’t Free
While Facebook doesn’t demand any money to create an account, don’t fall into the trap of thinking it doesn’t cost you anything. The time spent maintaining your social media accounts is time that isn’t spent on your other, measurable marketing efforts.

3. It’s About Your Brand
When your competitors’ products are available online with the click of a button, your brand is what differentiates you. If you have a vibrant social media presence where you take the time to interact with your customers, your company will stand out.

At the end of the day, social media is meant to build trust. And while it’s hard to measure, being trusted is the biggest prerequisite to customers buying what you’re selling. So, while social media may not be for all businesses, many companies have found success in putting these tools in their marketing mix.

NJC Printing provides quality digital and offset printing to businesses in St. Louis, Missouri and throughout the Midwest. Please visit our website at www.NJCPrint.com to learn more about us or to Request An Estimate.

On Target With 3 Social Media Improvements!

The great thing about social media is that it’s always evolving, and most of the time it’s for the betterment of your marketing strategy. These changes (some simple, some BIG) will help you reach out to customers in the social media world more effectively.

We’ve got the simple changes, the upgrades and the just plain complicated (in simplified form, just for you). See what’s new in the world of social media that can help you today.

The Complicated—Facebook Home
Let’s start with the complicated. You’re probably thinking, “Facebook, Huh?” It’s okay, we’re wondering the same thing. Is it a phone? Nope. Is it an operating system? Try again. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg says Facebook Home is an application that turns android phones into a Facebook phone.

So what exactly does that mean?

It means people with the application will see Facebook news front and center without ever having to open an application. Facebook’s Chat will always be on so people can communicate with users that way. Plus, notifications from other social media sites will take a backseat to Facebook.

For you, it means your current social media presence should be evaluated. If you don’t have much emphasis on Facebook currently, it may be worth looking into increased emphasis.

The Simple—Facebook Direct Comments
It’s time to get personal—or at least more personal than you’ve been on Facebook. A simple and much needed upgrade to your Facebook profile now allows users to make a direct reply to a fan who has made a comment on your wall, photo or status.

In the past one of your fans could post a question or statement that needs a reply, but tons of people commented after it before you could respond. Now you can simply click ‘reply’ to that particular comment and the person will be notified. Facebook then puts your reply next to the original statement or question.

The change means better customer service and an easier way to connect with fans. Kudos to Facebook for implementing a change to make marketers lives easier.

The Upgrade—LinkedIn Mentions
At last, what Twitter and Facebook have already done we can now do with LinkedIn. The professional networking social media site has included direct mentions in its updates. If you have an article you know one of your clients would love or want them to see your post, simply type your connection’s name and select their profile. They’ll then be notified that you have content or a message just for them.

Use it to make sure you’re targeting the right people with your content, and ensuring that they see it. Again, the upgrade gives you the opportunity seek out specific people and make them feel special.

NJC Printing provides quality digital and offset printing to businesses in St. Louis, Missouri and throughout the Midwest. Please visit our website at www.NJCPrint.com to learn more about us or to Request An Estimate.

Print and Digital Both Have Positive Effects When Used Together!

Don’t listen to those “all or nothing” folks out there. You’ll be hard pressed to find a customer out there who prefers to receive all forms of communication digitally. Heck, maybe you’ll find one—but everyone’s different, and that’s what you need to plan for.

While over the past few years you’ve probably spent less and less money on print and more towards digital—that’s normal, and doesn’t necessarily mean print is being phased out altogether. There are positive effects of having printed materials working with your digital space in your marketing efforts.

A nice benefit of keeping printed materials in your marketing mix is that a physical marketing piece doesn’t change. Something you post on social media will disappear into the abyss, but that printed piece will stay there as a constant reminder. While it’s still important to use social media, you just have to shift your focus a little bit. You can’t expect to use print and digital in similar ways and see results. Acknowledge their unique features in a way that still sends the same message to build your brand.

Be sure to keep personalization at the top of your mind when using print and digital in your messaging. Clients and prospects like it when you take that extra step. Tailor your messages so they cater to the recipient’s preferences. In a digital campaign, pictures and text can be altered to fit your audience. Once you get initial contact with them, you can always follow up with a printed piece that has more information or a special to bring them into closer contact with your business.

Because of print being physical, you have that ‘touch’ aspect that you can’t take lightly. This is a powerful part of your marketing where you shouldn’t take the cheap option. Make sure the right amount of time is spent on design, paper and how it’s printed. Creating a quality printed item will lend more credibility to your business.

Experiment with how your business can use print and digital together in your marketing mix. Leaving one or the other out is a recipe for a marketing disaster.

NJC Printing provides quality digital and offset printing to businesses in St. Louis, Missouri and throughout the Midwest. Please visit our website at www.NJCPrint.com to learn more about us or to Request An Estimate.

Resolutions For Your Business….Make Them Happen!

Today is the best day of the entire year to make your business better. Regardless of when your fiscal year begins or ends,  a new year allows you a chance to renew and refresh your company.

We’ve explained 3 New Year’s resolutions that we predict will be indispensible to your success in 2013.

Be More Responsive
Your responsiveness on social media will be critical in 2013. Resolve to respond to every single comment, good or bad. Treat negative comments as opportunities to show unhappy customers you’re willing to make it right. (Remember that all of your followers and fans are watching, not just the upset party.) Show your graciousness by thanking customers who leave positive comments on social media.

Be More Adaptable
Mobile commerce will be increasingly important in 2013. Even now, most of your clients rely on smartphones to get their work done. So make sure your business can adapt quickly to mobile’s effect. If you were slow to integrate digital tools like PURLs and QR codes on your print marketing pieces, do so now.

Whether it’s mobile technology or some other trend, adapt to it swiftly so it’s not a threat to your business.

Be More Relevant
Nowadays, competing in this environment means clawing your way to the top at any cost. You can’t afford to lose customers to any controllable circumstances. And that includes your product line and especially your marketing.

Make yourself more relevant in 2013. Research your current customers and their business needs—find out which vendors they rely on for services you could provide. Ask them what they wish your business offered, then go after that market. When you integrate services similar to the ones you already offer your customer base will expand with little investment.

In 2013, make sure the changes you integrate in your business plan and your marketing strategy are attuned to the current business climate. By 2014 your business and your client list will be unrecognizable! (In a good way.)

NJC Printing provides quality digital and offset printing to businesses in St. Louis, Missouri and throughout the Midwest. Please visit our website at www.NJCPrint.com to learn more about us or to Request An Estimate.

3 Marketing Trends To Make Your Business More Competitive

While individuals brainstorm their New Year’s Resolutions, we’re dreaming up how to make businesses better in 2013. Perhaps your company has a great product line but little marketing to spread the word. Or maybe you need to work on your relationships with customers.

Whatever changes you sense are due for your business in 2013, the projected marketing trends for the New Year can make you more competitive. Keep reading for a few suggestions on 2013’s top marketing trends and how to make them work for your business.

At Your Service
Your consumers are finally coming into their own. The ability to voice complaints about major brands on social media or price shop online, demonstrates that consumers now have more power than ever. Instead of dealing with minor or major annoyances about the brands they do business with, consumers can simply move on to another provider.

Make sure that customers never abandon you for something your business can control. Customer service is your chance to develop long-term relationships with loyal customers.

Provide extraordinary customer service and your customers will be far less likely to leave you. Treat customer care as an afterthought, however, and you’ll soon be one too.

Pleased and Pandering
You don’t have to pander to your prospects to persuade them with your marketing. But in 2013 developing technologies makes personalized marketing a must instead of a bonus. Set your company apart with marketing materials that show prospects they’re worth the extra investment.

Develop direct mail pieces that take advantage of customer data. Subtly show that your business and your prospects are perfect for one another by using their personalized information and copy that emphasizes what you have in common.

For example, a baker might mail a piece about a “wedding cake” as an anniversary gift. Save money by only sending the piece to households with married couples.

Upward Mobility
Social media drives sales—mostly it gives happy customers a mouthpiece to recommend their favorite brands to friends. We saw that trend play out this past year.

But 2013 will be the year of mobile commerce. The amount of money consumers spend via their smartphones will absolutely skyrocket in 2013. Take advantage with an upwardly mobile marketing plan.

Create marketing materials that reach prospects at multiple points, then drive them to your mobile website. Print QR codes on your mail pieces, any signs where pedestrians will have access to them and even your business cards.

You don’t have to be a trendy business to develop marketing that’s on-trend in 2013. Prep now—before your competitors do—so that 2013 will be as profitable as December is merry.

NJC Printing provides quality digital and offset printing to businesses in St. Louis, Missouri and throughout the Midwest. Please visit our website at www.NJCPrint.com to learn more about us or to Request An Estimate.