Show Your Customers Some “Love” With These 2017 Online Marketing Trends

Show your clients and customers some extra love this Valentine’s Day month by utilizing these up-and-coming 2017 social media trends! Here are some new ways to engage with your target market online that will improve customer service and reach potential leads online.

Your customers can “like” you online and they can now even “love” your Facebook posts. When was the last time you used social media to show them a little love back? As marketers, we are excited about new trends and features that social media brings in 2017. Here are a few ways you can use these features to stay in touch with your current customers and reach potential new ones:

1.     Social Messaging

It is predicted that the ability for customers to message businesses is on the rise. Your business may already be experiencing this trend, where customers will ask questions on your business’s public Facebook page, or send a private message to your Facebook page to get in contact with a representative. In 2017, having someone who monitors and responds to these messages in real-time will be the new standard in customer service.

SMS messaging and messenger app marketing will also become popular in 2017. According to Forbes, 62 percent of millennials are more loyal to brands that engage them via text messaging channels, and it is estimated that two billion users will be messaging through messenger apps by 2018. Whether someone on staff is responsible for this type of communications, or you outsource this service to a customer service chatbot, it is important for you to be reachable in this space.

2.     Digital Marketing

Digital marketing is a cost-effective advertising medium that is not going away anytime soon! In 2017, paid content will become even more prevalent on websites and social media. More and more new options are becoming available for targeting your customers online on the websites, apps and social networks where they work and play.

Trending now is the opportunity to create editorial content to publish on popular news and lifestyle websites and blogs. Other than a small disclaimer that says “paid content” or “sponsored,” the article will read like any other article published on their site, but will lead to your personal website. You can reach new customers by sharing value-added knowledge or information with them that will lead them to further contacting you to learn more.

3.     Live Videos

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat all have the ability to cast live streams of video that followers can tune into in real-time. Going “live” sends a notification to all followers letting them know that you are currently recording a video. This tactic is great for publicizing events or sharing updates about important news or new products.

This life, authentic content is marketing gold, especially if you are targeting millennials. The generation loves video content and were the most active video viewers of any age group in the U.S. in 2016, and they are not likely to slow down in 2017! Show your followers some love by using this tactic to share specials just to viewers or give them exclusive company/product news first!

Your digital presence should help your customers get to know your company better, and make it easy for them to do business with you!

For more new and trendy tactics to use to better connect with your customers (and potential customers) in 2017? Contact TRIO today! We can design a digital campaign focused towards your specific target market, reaching them where they get their news and speaking to them in a way that will make them want your product or service! 

DOGS OF TRIO

Ever wondered what your dog was thinking? Us too! So this week we finally decided to sit down and just ask them. Keep reading on to see TRIO dogs answer the important questions in life! 

Dog: Kacie Abigail

Owner: Alyssa Gipper, Marketing Assistant

Q: Hi Kacie! So excited to sit down and finally talk to you. I know you’re a busy dog, so first question, how would you describe yourself?

A: hey my name is Kacie Abigail. For sum reason, my family calls me Kacie Boogers. they’re all a buncha weirdooos, believe me, im the normal one. My human sistr, Alyssa, told me that im adopted. I cried. When I asked my mom about it she told me it was true, that I came from the Amish. my family loves me so much tho, like a 'smother to death' kind of love. if i had to describe myself in two words they would be adorable n fantastic. I’m a pretty low key girl n don’t get excited about much. I’ve learned if I just lay around and be cute, my family comes to me, i never have to get up or move from my nappin spot. livin the dream.

Q: That sounds like a beautiful family. Kind of going off of that, do you have a name for your human and why?

A: i live in the country with my mom n dad, but my human sistr comes to visit me all the time. Sometimes i miss her, but then she comes home and lays on me n smothers me and gets really annoying really quick. On those days, i call her “that annoying blonde girl” 

Q: Your sister, the annoying blonde girl, is the marketing assistant here at TRIO. If you had a job, what would it be?

A: i heard theres a job out there where you just get to taste food all day. Is that a reall thing? I like food... human food, treats, but my favorite is the dead animalls i find in the timber or in the yard. a good deer leg? mmmmm mmmm

Q: Your passion inspires us all. Next question, why are you so excited to eat the same food day after day for years?

A: i have to share food with a bunch of cats that live in my dog condo wit me. The cats go bonkers every mornin when my dad fills our food dish. i usually let them eat first and snack on my dead animal i saved from the day before 

Q: Wonderful, wonderful. Finally Kacie, what is your purpose in life?

A: (“mom, what does purpose mean?” …. “oh ok”) my purpose in life is to make my family happy by being there for them. i know my mom and dad miss my 5 human siblings alot, sometimes my mom gets sad, so we hug alot and i do weird goofy stuff to make her laugh. “that annoying blonde girl” calls alot too and we talk on the phone, she’s okay i guess

Thank you so much for your time, Kacie! That was very insightful, and we hope you have a good life!

Dog: Drake 

Owner: Emily Perry, Account Supervisor 

Q: Hello Drake! So excited to finally get to know you as an individual. How would you describe yourself?

A: Mom would describe me as naughty... but I would say I am helpful! I help pick things up off the floor for her (like socks, gloves, papers, etc.) and run around until she gives me a treat. I am a very friendly, outgoing dog who enjoys meeting new people and making new dog friends!

Q: Wow, your owner must be so grateful for your help around the house. Do you have a name for your humans, and why?

A: Mommy and Daddy, because they baby me and spoil me constantly.

Q: Absolutely precious. Your mom, Emily Perry, is the Account Supervisor here at TRIO. If you had a job, what would it be?

A: I would be a model! My big smile and symmetrical markings make me very photogenic. Mom keeps saying it's about time for me to start contributing to the family... keep an eye out for me on stock photo websites!

Q: We definitely will be watching out for those stock photos! Next question, why are you so excited to eat the same food day after day for years?

A: I’m not, and recently I've been rebelling! Here's the secret... if you pretend to be disinterested in your food, your mom might put some parmesan cheese on it to make it tastier! 

Q: I’m sure dogs all over the world are really going to appreciate that tip. Last question, what is your purpose in life?

A: To entertain my parents and provide them with kisses and cuddles at their demand! Also, to be a world champion tennis ball-fetcher! 

Thank you for answering our questions, Drake! Good luck in all your future endeavors! 

Dog: Gunner

Owner: Renee Schneider, President

Q: Hi Gunner! Now that you get to share your thoughts with the world, how would you describe yourself?

A: Sassy and free-spirited. I tend to talk to my family a lot (hey, I have a lot to say!) but sometimes it comes across like I am telling them off! Whoops!

Q: Hey freedom of speech, am I right? If you had a job, what would it be?

A: A hunter. Duh! I'd hunt anything really. Of course, my family has been in the pheasant hunting biz for generations, but I have been known to chase fish that I see swimming in the lake and I can track down deer antlers from miles around!

Q: Speaking of family, what is your name for your humans and why?

A: hmmm. I never really thought about it. Mom and Dad, I guess!

Q: Short and sweet, I like it. Next question, how are you so excited to eat the same food day after day for years?

A: My parents have taught me to eat a healthy balanced diet to maintain my slender figure. I don't really mind eating the same thing everyday because I often find snacks on the floor to crave my sweet tooth.

Q: Don’t we all. Finally, what is your purpose in life?

A: My purpose? It's to keep Lily's bed warm while she's at school and terrorize the chickens in the backyard. I live a simple, but fulfilling life.

Thank you for your time and for letting us into your beautiful brain, Gunner! 

Dog: Rowdy

Owner: EJ Whitmer, Account Manager

Q: Hello, Rowdy! You’re definitely one of the strangest dogs we’ve met and we’re very anxious to finally find out why. How would you describe yourself?

A: Incredibly handsome, obviously. Humble, definitely. Energetic. Happy. Much smarter than the cat. Much cooler than the cat. Much prettier than the cat.

Q: Your mom EJ is the Account Manager here at TRIO. If you had a job, what would it be?

A: Is cuddling a job? Can I do that? Or … A competitive eater! Or … a tooth model. Because snaggle teeth and underbites are all the rage.

Q: What is your name for your human, and why?

A: Mommy! Because she loves me and holds me and feeds me and dresses me up and when Daddy works nights, she lets me sleep in bed with her and sets her alarm for ten minutes before Daddy gets home so she can send me to my kennel before we get caught!

Q: Why are you so excited to eat the same food day after day for years?

A:  I had never known anything different. Kibble is bae. But then Mommy had a baby and what he steals from me in attention is returned to me in table scraps thrown from his high chair. Last night I had half a banana, tater tots, string cheese and alfredo noodles!

Q: Finally, what is your purpose in life?

A: Well, my Mommy hasn’t had to sweep her kitchen floors in months. That’s my job. Is it my purpose? Possibly. That combined with keeping laps warm and faces bathed in my slobber.

Thank you, Rowdy, for your time and strangeness. May you live long and prosper. 

Dog: Cosmo

Owner: Julia Anderson, Account Coordinator

Q: Hey, Cosmo. You’re so quiet we sometimes forget you’re in the office. Now that you have a chance to voice up, would you like to describe yourself?

A: I’m a rather poised dog. I remain calm in all situations so the humans don't worry. You could call me the solid foundation of the Brownie family. 

Q: What a noble calling. If you had a job, what would it be?

A: I do have a job. I take care of my human. She tends to forget about me but I mean who would supervise her eating and restroom habits if I weren't around. Lately, she's been rather selfish with her share of the bed, we are working on her training with that. 

Q: Humans are rather stubborn creatures. What is your name for your human, and why?

A: People call my human Julia. I find that rather offensive as when I decided to guide her home that fateful day in the shelter I named her Brownie. Brownie not only sounds delicious, matches her appearance, but she eats a lot of them. 

Q: Speaking of brownies, why are you so excited to eat the same food day after day for years?

A: Brownie mixes my food up monthly. Fish flavor, Beef flavor, Veggie flavor, it goes on. Wait are you saying dogs eat the same food EVERYDAY, those sad beings.

Q: Food is a privilege, isn’t it? Finally, what is your purpose in life?

My purpose, well let's ponder this a while.... Sleep, my purpose is to sleep, so she can sleep. I take care of her...Brownie that is.

Alright, Cosmo. Thank you so much for your nuggets of wisdom. 

Online Reviews: How to get them and can you have too many?

The most public online forum, and the most important elements of your online reputation is Google. We all know how important customer reviews are (the good and the bad) and we know that your business needs them. But how do we get them? What if you have them, but may have too many reviews…is there such a thing? Click here to find out how to boost your Google+ review plan.

Google owns the world and has been the go-to search engine for years. Now, it has become a top resource for individuals who do their research before buying a product or service. Through Google’s social media component, Google+, consumers can rate and review businesses that will appear on the search engine. Though this platform is consumer-driven, business owners should not feel helpless over what is posted. Instead, direct your consumers to Google as a public display of customer satisfaction.

How to get Google Reviews?

Ask! – There is no shame in directing your customers to a public outlet to share their experience with your company. Similar to hosting a customer satisfaction survey, Google Reviews act as a medium for your customers to give honest feedback. By conducting your customer reviews on a public forum, you are sharing complete transparency, and taking the “bull by its horns” with the uncensored experiences that many business owners dread. If this notion scares you, it may be time to revisit your customer service. Place a Google+ Reviews button on your website so customers can easily find your Google Page!

Incentivize! – We live in a day of age where we rarely go out of our way unless there is something in it for us. This is where incentives come into play! Like a traditional customer service survey, consumers are often prompted to call a number or visit a website with the chance to win a grand prize. This age-old tactic works with Google Reviews as well. We have a client who offers $5 to anyone who writes a review – good or bad. Other companies have monthly drawings for a larger dollar amount, offer a gift card to their store, or give reviewers a chance to win a trip! Google Reviews are too often anonymous, leaving customer service representatives with few options to follow up with their customer. Incentives will drive them to put their contact info on the review, something invaluable when it comes to solving customer service concerns.

Respond! – People are more apt to write Google Reviews on companies that manage their online reputation because they know their voice is being heard. Yes, even respond to the nastiest, ugliest, hairiest post that a reviewer has shared. People are voicing their experience on the Internet because they want to be noticed by both your company and the public. When addressing a negative review, be sure to thank the reviewer for sharing their input and let them know that you are proactively working to correct the problem. Depending on the situation, it may also help to offer them a refund on their current purchase or a coupon on a future visit. In many cases, after the issue is addressed, the reviewer would then respond on their negative post or write a new positive one praising the company for its customer service.

How NOT to get Google Reviews?

Write Them Yourself! – Both Google and your consumers can sniff out “fake glowing testimonies.” Google sees IP addresses. If someone from your place of business writes a review about your company, it will not be shown on the search engine. Google can also see when multiple accounts from the same IP address post. This is a technique that many online reputation management companies use. Consumers also can tell when reviews are fabricated. You know when you see a review that is too good. Indicators include the use of flowery language, calling people by their first and last name, or looks like someone took more than 15 minutes to write. These reviews are detrimental to your company. One phony good review devalues every organic good review your company has gained.

Share Reviews From Other Sources! – If you are new to Google Reviews, you may be tempted to share the stockpile of paper or digital feedback you have received from your customers over the years. Similar to writing them yourselves, if you post multiple Google Review for the same company from the same IP address (especially the IP address that is linked to your company) they will not be approved, and will lower your search engine optimization with Google.

How many is too many?

There is no such thing as “too many” reviews, as long as they are received in a genuine way. As a business owner, you may think that steering people to rate your business online and having an influx of reviews will get you flagged by Big Brother Google or appear like they were obtained in an unethical way. This is not the case.

Like stated above, Google knows how your reviews were received. They track who your reviewer is, what they searched to get to your Google page, and what they wrote (it’s not creepy at all). Therefore, they know who is a genuine reviewer. Don’t be afraid to rack up as many reviews as you can! You have worked hard and deserve them. Your potential consumer who does their research will appreciate the honest feedback that your brand has to offer, and enjoy knowing exactly what they’ll get with the product or service as well as customer service.

Go forth and accrue reviews without fear!

TRIO now has an interactive platform that can help you increase your customer reviews with text and email messaging! Contact TRIO today to find out how you can improve your business’ online reputation with a click of a button!

Color in Branding

Does the color of your company’s logo really play a role in consumers’ purchasing decisions? How much research goes into finding the perfect colors to convey your brand’s message? Read more to learn the importance of choosing your brand’s colors and how to narrow down the choices.

Think back on your most recent purchase. Any purchase. What made you choose that specific item? Did you research brands? Did you go with a gut feeling? Were you persuaded by the name or by interesting graphics on the packaging? According to a study performed by Satyendra Singh with the University of Winnepeg, up to 90% of snap decisions related to purchasing a product are based on color alone. So while some people may argue that a specific color doesn’t affect people the same way across the board, it certainly can influence someone’s decision making process.

Hundreds of studies have been performed to try to link certain colors to specific emotions. Blue, for example, is supposed to portray trustworthiness and loyalty. So why don’t all businesses have a blue logo? Aren’t they all supposed to be trustworthy? Similarly, if yellow is supposed to be a happy color, why don’t all logos incorporate the color yellow? Doesn’t everyone want to do business with a happy company?

The truth is, a single color isn’t going to have the same effect on every single person. You can’t expect color alone to influence someone’s emotions. Perceptions of color can vary based on personal preferences, cultural norms, past experiences and more. However, that doesn’t mean that picking your company’s color isn’t important. It just means you probably shouldn’t choose your color based on what an article tells you people should feel when they see that color.

For example, let’s say you’re starting a tool company. According to Leonhard Willrich, Co-founder and COO of Buffer, pinks and purples invoke feelings of creativity and being wise. That sounds great, right? People who use tools often have to be creative and wise. However, does pink or purple really “match” the brand identity you’re striving for? What is your target market? For a tool company, you’re probably marketing to mostly men between the ages of 25 and 65. Do you think adult men would identify with pink or purple tools? (There are exceptions, of course. But think of the majority of the men in your target market.) Perhaps darker, more “rough and tough” colors are in order, like blacks, browns and navy blues.

It’s important to consider what image you’re trying to portray through your products. Does this mean that traditionally female products always need to be pink? Absolutely not. Ask BIC about their latest fiasco with their “For Her” line of pens. What it does mean is that when considering a color to use in your company’s logo and branding, instead of focusing on how colors may or may not affect emotions, pay attention to who your target market is and what image you want your brand to portray. Is it fun and innovative? Perhaps choose a bright, fun color. Is it calming and serene? Pick a pastel. If your product is able to be used by both men and women, steer clear of colors that will pigeonhole your product into a gender specific category. When in doubt, ask friends and family for their opinions!

If you are considering giving your brand a facelift, contact TRIO today! We offer a free consultation to help you create a new vision for your brand and offer various branding packages to help you seamlessly transform your company image.

References:http://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/abs/10.1108/00251740610673332http://www.huffingtonpost.com/leonhard-widrich/why-is-facebook-blue-the-science-of-colors-in-marketing_b_4611907.html

Improve Upon Your Customer Experience Through Marketing

Is your business’s customer experience better than your competitors? Are your customers leaving you for a company that is easier to do business with? Read more to learn about how valuable the customer experience is and how you can improve upon yours through marketing.

While planning your marketing for 2017, put the customer at the forefront of your strategy. Instead of focusing on selling customers on your product/service’s features and benefits, shift your mindset to that of your customers – Why do they want to engage with your company? Why are they reading or viewing your marketing material? How can you make it easier for them?

Gone are the days of treating every customer like a number. In today’s digital age, customers expect more. They want an experience that is consistent across all marketing channels. They want companies to use the information the customer gives them to provide more value and offer a personalized experience. Customer experience can set you apart from your competitors and can make or break a sale.

How can you make your customer experience smoother and easier? Here are some questions to ask yourself:

1. Are you easy to do business with? How can I make it easier?Your customers have options, and they will take their business to companies that are easy to do business with. How can you better provide a superior and low-effort experience across their customer journey, such as customer onboarding, account changes and problem-solutions? The less effort it takes for consumers to accomplish their goal when they contact you, the more loyal they become.
   
   In Customers 2020 report it was predicted that by 2020, customer experience will overtake price and product as the key brand differentiator. In this upcoming year, work toward making your customer experience seamless. Marketing can help take the legwork out of your customer’s initial product or service research by reaching them when them right when they identify they have a need. Marketing can also provide new avenues of support for your customers, such as answering customer service requests on Twitter and Facebook.
2. Is your business’s web presence helping or hindering your customer experience?In today’s age, your web presence is as important, if not more important than your actual storefront.
   If your website is not optimized for mobile, that should be your #1 goal for 2017. According to Google’s SEO algorithms, the search engine severely docks your website for not being mobile responsive. Therefore, you are hurting your chances for your website to be found.
   Also, check your website, social media, and online listings to make sure no key information is missing. If your address, phone number or store hours are incorrect, you could be misleading your customers and losing potential business.
   Consider running a digital marketing campaign, such as Search Ads or Display Ads, to better connect your target market to your website. Digital marketing can hone in on your target market’s specific demographic and serve them an ad based on their needs that link directly to your website. From there, your website should clench the sale by directing them to the information or product they were looking for with an easy way to access it (whether it be an online cart or directing them to contact information on how to find your business).
3. What are some common themes in the feedback you have received from your customers?Listening to your customer’s feedback on their user experience is key for improving upon your current customer experience. Whether you solicit feedback from you customers specifically, or they voluntarily leave reviews of your business online, it is important to listen to their complaints and praises to learn how to make your customer experience better. Find common themes, such as “easy checkout process” or “could improve on customer service,” and take them to heart when planning your marketing for 2017.
   
   If you check out process is easy, how can you make it easier? Does your online cart save your shopper’s information so they don’t have to keep typing in their credit card number every time they buy? Would having a mobile app that individuals can access a one-click buying process benefit your customers even more? How can you make your in-store checkout process as easy as your online buying one?
   If you receive feedback on the need to improve upon customer service, how can you easily do this through marketing? Maybe it involves addressing customer concerns through social media? You could also increase your communication with your customers through regular e-newsletters or SMS marketing. When looking for ways to improve your customer’s experience, be sure there are many avenues for them to express their issues and concerns that are heard and responded to in a timely manner.

How your customers interact with your brand is growing in importance over time. Use 2017 to try new ways to make your company more accessible and convenient to your customers, and hammer out the hiccups as they arrive. They are looking for a seamless marketing experience that leads them through the product research stage, the purchasing stage, and the product feedback stage. For tips on how to better your customer experience through marketing, contact TRIO today!

So… What’s the plan?

The kids are back to school, the leaves are beginning to turn pretty colors, fourth quarter is right around the corner, and it is time to start thinking strategically about your marketing in 2017! Use September as the month to truly evaluate your current marketing strategies to understand what is working, what isn’t, and what you would like to try differently beginning January 1st.

As an organized, strategic business owner, you can make 2017 the BEST year yet because you have planned it to be! Taking your most successful marketing tactics of 2016 and building upon them in the upcoming year is a surefire way to continue to grow your profit and build upon your customer base. Now is the time to write a marketing plan that lays out what objectives you have for your business in 2017, and define marketing strategies and tactics to help you get there.

To start the planning process, take an afternoon to complete these few easy steps:

1. Reflect back on what you did in 2016 that worked in your marketing.
2. What didn’t work?
3. What was your overall ROI in regards to marketing?
4. PLAN – do more of what worked…and less of what didn’t

A “looking in the rear view mirror” review of your marketing can be a daunting task if you haven’t kept up with your goals, but it is important to analyze the past results to understand what progress needs to be made. That way, you have a better grasp of where you’re going in 2017 and what changes need to happen to get you where you want to be.

With a proper marketing plan in place, you will outline where you want to GO in your business, steps in how to GET there and ways to MEASURE the success of your plan. With the future mapped out, you will (no doubt) be ready to tackle 2017 like a pro.

Need help reflecting, planning and executing your marketing? Contact TRIO anytime for a free marketing brainstorming session!

TRUTH: 5 Reasons Why Your Advertising is Failing

So, you have started an advertising campaign and it’s not working. Why? What can you do about it now, since you have already started? Can you “jump ship?” Should you? Let’s examine the Top 5 Reasons Why Your Advertising Could be Failing!

1.) Targeting the wrong people, or too general of an audience

Before you started your campaign, did you really sit down and decide who to target your message to? Did you dive in deep enough to really narrow it down? Let’s look at an example: If you are a new car dealership targeting Business-to-Consumer (B2C) customers, you can narrow your target market by age, income, current car make and model, home ownership, home value, home location, hobbies and special interests, just to name a few! You must weed out those consumers who are not-as-likely-to-buy because you SIMPLY can’t afford to talk to “everyone who drives a car!” Use your current customers as a starting point to develop your Ideal Customer Profile!

McDonald’s, the leading Quick Service Restaurant in the world, narrows their target audience down by menu item! Does your company have more than one target market, based on your products and services?

2.) Your media schedule is spread too thin

Perhaps you aren’t putting enough “weight” behind your advertising campaign. Simply put…Don’t be cheap! Unless you have enough money to invest in a solid marketing program that will penetrate your target audience with enough Reach and Frequency, don’t do it! Listen to your media sales reps when they tell you “this schedule isn’t really heavy enough to work.” They aren’t just trying to sell you more (probably). They truly do care about your business!

My #1 pet peeve is working with clients who want to “test the waters” and “try” out a new medium. That is the worst idea you could have, because you won’t break through the clutter and make an impression on your target audience. You are better off taking your advertising investment and buying a scratch-off lottery ticket at the gas station! At least then you have some odds of seeing a return on your investment!

3.) Bad Creative

Sometimes you are targeting the right audience AND have invested the right amount of money in an ad campaign, and it is STILL not working. Maybe you’re not telling your customers the right thing! Do you have a strong Call to Action in your message? Are you talking your customers’ language, or are you using words that they don’t connect with? It’s time to examine your ad creative and see what can be changed!

To give you an extreme example of making sure you are “speaking your customers’ language,” an American T-shirt maker in Miami printed shirts for the Spanish market which promoted the Pope’s visit. Instead of “I saw the Pope” (el Papa), the shirts read “I saw the potato” (la papa). Ha! Just a good reminder to double and triple check that you are advertising what you WANT to advertise!

4.) Internal weakness within your business – Signage, location, sales-force, product, service, etc.

One reason why companies fail miserably with their advertising campaigns is because they are terrible about following up on leads when they come in, or aren’t properly tracking where the leads are coming from! Every organization has a little of this going on, but now is the time to take a look at your internal procedures and make sure you are testing, measuring and tracking your leads properly and following up on each and every customer inquiry! This will ensure that you will only invest in advertising that gives you a good ROI in the future.

If you are tracking your conversion rate from a lead to a paying customer, you might also uncover some other weaknesses in your business. Perhaps your location is hard to find, or not clearly identifiable, or your product or customer service does not meet consumer expectations.

All of these things can make you believe your advertising is failing, when in fact…the advertising is working just fine – you just need to fine tune your processes!

5.) Your expectations aren’t realistic

Are you expecting a 1000% return on your investment? Do you think that if you drop a direct mail campaign that your phone will be ringing off the hook for months? Well, probably not. If you haven’t already done so, take a look at national response rate statistics for the mediums in which you are advertising. There are websites from organizations for every possible advertising medium. A simple Google search can help you find them, and they are chocked full of statistics to ensure you have realistic expectations for your advertising!

Did you know that the average national response rate for direct mail is 1%? So, if you mail 2,500 postcards, 25 people will respond. Now, depending on your conversion rate (national average is around 30%) that will be 7.5 new customers! Great job. Just make sure those 7.5 customers have a high enough average ticket sale and profit margin to give you a good return on your direct mail investment.

So, there you have it. Have you found the missing link to why your advertising is failing? If not, we can help! Call TRIO today at 515-259-0577 or email at Renee@TRIOagency.com. We can help analyze your current marketing program and recommend ways for you to become more efficient in your approach to earning more customers!