Don’t keep your customers waiting or they may move on. Answering questions asap and follow up is vital and the reply button is key to providing your customers with good service and the potential for sales and returning. Even if you have to send a short note with auto reply to address their question, send it with an inclusion that you will follow up in more detail. You are showing that you are on top of customer service and finding a solution for their problem whether it be a return or an inquiry of your product.
Categotry Archives: Social Marketing
Successful Email Tips – Get Out of Spams Way
Ever wonder how you can send out a bunch of emails and get only a handful of replies? You could be spamming and don’t know it? Spam filters are very good at keeping your email box from being filled with hundreds of spam every day. If your box is protected then more then likely your customers are too. 90%-95% of all emails are spam and if you want your stuff read, try out these tips.
Your First Words
How you present your title will determine if your customers are actually seeing your email or not. Sure everyone wants to have a catchy title, its what catches peoples attentions and want to click to open. Words like “FREE” and symbols like ** and even a percentage % sign can throw your hard work into spam land. I have seen emails going around the FREE word using Fre*e* or FR** in my spam folder. Double dose of trouble getting their email to my inbox. Using quotation marks, dollar signs, exclamation points and capital letters in your title will frequently trigger spam filters.
Make your title to fit exactly what you want to get across. Do you want your customers to know you are having this giant sale over the weekend? Send them an email and tell them “Weekend Sale on all Gold Jewelry” or if you want to be a bit more creative your could put “Grab the Gold This Weekend”. When they click to open your email you could then have a header that may read, “This Weekend Only 50% off all Gold Jewelry” or Buy One Get One Free Necklaces This Weekend Only”. Add pictures of a few pieces and the link could read, “Grab The Gold, Click Here”.
Here are some words that could trigger a spam filter from your subject title:
Give it away, Giving it away, Save up to, Time limited, order now, Offer, One time, one time offer, great offer, While Supplies last, Act Now!, while supplies last.
Talk to Me
Stuck on the letter portion? Email can be tricky when you mean to say one this and its misinterpreted as another. Something may seem funny to you and offensive to others. Speak out your words when you finish your letter and before you hit send. If you could have someone proof read it for you even better. Editing is a part of success when you will be sending out an email from fifty to thousands of customers or potential customers.
Lets Get Personal
Focus on your customer and leave out the “I” in your letter. Replace it with “you” or their name. “Your business is appreciated, or “Jamie you are a valued customer and your comments are appreciated. If you are promoting an item or service it should not be about you, it should be about your customer and getting their interest and trust.
Fonts and Size Does Matter
Ever get an email that is hard to read because the font is small or even in such a script that you have to get closer to your screen, squint your eyes just to read it… this type of email may have hit the inbox, but has the potential for a delete in under 5 seconds. Set your font for easy reading like Ariel and size 12. Speaking about size, try to keep your emails like your title short and to the point. You want to catch attention with the title and move on to the letter with a few lines that will catch their attention and move on to your blog, website or whatever your content is. Be sure to add your links and be sure they work before hitting send.
Email Common Sense
No one likes to be bombarded with emails. Space your emails out to accommodate your email list. If someone is not interested in what you are selling, bombarding them with emails will only make them want to get off your list or block you. Pacing them will get better results and even may get forwarded to a friend.
Before you send your emails, think about what type of emails you like to receive how often you want to receive them and what you want to go to spam.
Too Many Password’s Driving Your Crazy? This can Help
Keeping track of your passwords with all the newest and exciting places to join on line is not always easy. More and more member names and passwords to remember. Sure it is easier to remember just a few passwords and get into places quickly, but if you use the same password for most or all of your blogs, social sites, banking, etc, you chances of invasion of privacy is greater then if you have different passwords for each.
There are on line places to keep your passwords and even the tool that ask “Do you want to remember this password? I worry about this because with security thwarting software hackers can possibly access your account information and you could be compromised.
Keeping track of many passwords is easy if your organized and I prefer the good ole fashioned Address Book, yes the one available before speed dialing and storing phone numbers in our cell phones.
An address book is already in alphabetical order which brings in the organization part. Simply put the name of the website where you would put a friends name. On the next line put the member name you signed up with for that site. On the line under that add the password. Keep it in a safe place and use as needed. No one can hack into it, read your messages, like on a cell phone or a computer.
Why Twitter Hash Tags Are So Powerful for Bloggers
If your on Twitter and have not discovered the hashtag # symbol, and what it can do for you then get ready to open your world to even more Internet marketing perks.
A hash # tag is a great way for people to search for tweets that have a common topic and they are the reason you see trending topics on the right hand side bar of your twitter page if many people use a certain hash tag, like the trend below. When you click on a trend you will be on a page just about that trend and what others are saying about that subject.
Creating Your Own Hash Tag
Create a community of people who will share their love of say blogging. If you have blogging days, and a group that participates, it is like forming a group on twitter with all of them using the same hash tag after every tweet they post for that blogging day. To create your hash tag simply go to twitter and in the search bar put in the hash tag symbol # and what ever name your group is, you can even use just the initials of your group.
For instance, lets say I am in a blogging challenge and the group holding the challenge is called “Blog For Fun” then I would see if that hash tag is being used and if not, then use the hash tag #blogforfun. When your members are ready to tweet the title and include the link to the blog they are using for the blogging day challenge they can add to it to their twitter account with the group hash tag at the end or before the link.
Example would be – How Automated Twitter Feed Makes My Social Networking Easy http://ow.ly/adjjX#blogforfun
Everyone that is posting their links for their blog posts on twitter that day for the blog challenge will be included in the group for #blogforfun. Not only are you making it easy to follow everyone in the group but also to visit, comment and re-tweet their blogs and for them to do the same for you and your group. Another benefit to this is that all their twitter friends will see this and can re-tweet, follow you and bring traffic to the blogs and the group.
If your group is participating on Facebook or a blogging community then you will now get double the exposure using both social marketing sites.
The @ symbol is another way for promotion.
When you do a re-tweet from an automated system and add for instance @magiesmentions on the end of it, the @maagiesmentions will be click-able and take whoever is reading that tweet to MagiesMentions page on Twitter. If people like your content they will follow you and maybe re-tweet something you have written. In turn you could re-tweet something they wrote and bring them followers to.. its all about being social and courteous.
Example:
Food Network Bobby Flay Recipe for Easy Grilled Italian Style Vegetarian Sandwich: http://bit.ly/pVyV3x @lovefoodnetwork
I have given credit to lovefoodnetwork just by adding it at the end with the @lovefoodnetwork tag promoting them and in return they can promote me.
Do you do Follow Friday?
This is another use for marketing and showing appreciation to fellow tweeters who are following you, leaving comments or re-tweeting you. This can bring attention to your page along with theirs.
Here is how is works:
Copy your friends names, group names on twitter with the @ symbol in the front of their name. I open a word pad or doc and paste my friends in a list so I can copy and paste the next time, add new followers or remove ones that are no longer on twitter.
Here is what it looks like:
#ff ♥ @misssweetsugar @jewelrywiz @CrystalSaysSo @DonnasStuffMore @FishyFaceDesign @LoveFoodNetwork @MagiesMentions
Awesome to Follow! #ff ♥ @searedfoodblog @magiesplace @allflinsurance @elegantkb @magiesmentions @kathykeefe
All the names above will be highlighted and click-able to their page.
Notice the #ff ♥ hash tag (I added the heart at the end with a space after the #ff.)
There are a few different versions for this hashtag that will take you to a #followfriday page. I like to use the shorter version and see that is more popular then the #followfriday tag, probably because its less letters on an already limited amount you can use on Twitter.
Not am I only marketing to my twitter followers but also on the #ff page for potential new followers and people that I can follow as well.
Questions? Leave me a comment :}
How Automated Twitter Feed Makes My Social Networking Easy
Twitterfeed is easy to use, and free. If your a blogger and want to automatically send your articles/blogs out to your social networks this is another site to help you out. You can even send out content from your friends or favorite bloggers.
Here is how it works:
Open an account and include your Twitter, Facebook, Statusnet, Hellotxt or Linkedin. They have apps that will easily let you add these to your account.
Grab the link to your RSS feed from your blog or blogs.
Example: Right click on the Orange square if that is the graphic you use like the one on this blog and choose “copy link location”. Go over to your twitterfeed account and Choose “Create New Feed”
Enter a title: I use MagiesMentions to know that this is the feed I am sending out. Enter your RSS feed link. It will run a quick test and the words “Feed parsed OK” will come up with a green check mark and your good to continue.
Next click on Advanced Settings. Here you can set up how often you want the blog to be posted to your social networks. Every 30 minutes, 60 Minutes, 2 Hours, etc. You can use the automatic bitly (makes links small) and if you are sending anything out to your twitter account this is highly recommended.
Show how you want your post displayed, title only, title and description etc.
Check the box if you want it to go to your Facebook with thumbnail pictures.
Post sorting: I choose Pub Date so it will go out the day it is published.
Pre suffix or post suffix is what will be at the beginning of the post or end of the post. This is important especially for twitter. I add @magiesmentions for post suffix so that my twitter profile name is at the end of each post.
Keyword Filter I leave blank, I just want the post to go out and make my life easy. You can read more about the keyword filter at choose what you prefer.
The next page will allow you to set up what social networks you want the feeds to go to and this is where the easy apps come into place. I logged into my twitter and Facebook before proceeding to allow twitterfeed to link up to my social networks, to make it quicker and allow the apps to just pop up and ask if I allowed them to proceed once they went through. Click all done and now your set.
Here is what the feed looks like on my Twitter
Food Network Sunny Anderson Yummy Breakfast Orange Sugar Fried Donut Holes:
In this video, Food N… http://bit.ly/qgSalm @magiesmentions
If you would like to add this blog to your feeds simple copy and paste my RSS feed link http://feeds.feedburner.com/MagiesMentions to create the feed.
Head on over to Twitterfeed.com Right Here
Turning Your Idea’s Into A Successful Home Based Business
Whether your a cake decorator or love fashion, crafts, or carpentry your ideas can be turned into a business if you know how to get started.
Today there are more and more home business popping up and the Internet is lending opportunity for this with such places as eBay, Etsy and others where you can set up shop right in your own home and sell on line.
Keys to your start up will make or break your business. Here are a few tips to get you started.
Map It Out
Put your business plan together by going over a few things from the start.
How will you store your product to make sure it maintains its originality and can not be damaged. Perhaps you have a spare room, that you can set up just for your items and keep that room available for packing and shipping as well.
If you are making crafts, etc… how much can you realistically produce in what span of time. The downfall for sales for many companies is the customer wanting your product and instead seeing the dreaded words “Back Order”. Now with on line shopping, going to another store is just a click away and you have the potential to lose a customer.
What is the Competition Up To
Get on line or open your local newspaper and search your type of product to see if there is a market. Are there other businesses in your area selling the same or similar product? See what other items are selling for, who is buying and what area’s of the world would your product fit into. Do people in Alaska really need air conditioners?
To Market We Go!
Ever since pen went to paper, I bet there was some sort of advertising going on. Before the Internet it could have been, flyer’s, newspaper ads, radio, tv or someone with a sandwich billboard standing in front of a restaurant, some of these which could be quite costly. With the Internet you can now advertise virtually for free. Social Media has opened doors for many to advertise if done correctly on Facebook, Twitter and one of the things highly recommended a Blog or website.
With Social Media, you no longer have the in your face type of selling rule, but instead you let people get to know you and your business. Offer information about your product by blogging about how beneficial or what makes your crafty designs so unique. Offer tips that surround your products, for example if you sell shoes, talk about where they come from, what makes them different or why they will make you feel like you have been walking on clouds all day when wearing them.
Everyone Loves A Bargain
You want to get your product out there and the best way to do this is offer an incentive. Coupons are used and popular with grocery stores and the companies offering these products use this marketing effectively. A new product is coming out in your local grocery store whether it be a new ice cream, or rice, you can bet there will be some sort of coupon to get the word out about this product and entice people to try it. Think about what you could offer a first time buyer to make them a customer that will keep coming back.
Customer Satisfaction
Don’t you just hate when you call a company and get yet another voice mail saying I have stepped away from my desk? These days unless you are really exclusive with your product or services, chances are the word “Next” will be going through your potential customers mind. Making yourself available or having someone answering the phone or email makes a world of difference. On your website or blog even the words “we respond to emails within 24 hours” is helpful.
What is your Return Policy
One of the reasons I love to shop at a certain retail store is that I can return the item I bought with no questions. Yes, I buy clothes sometimes without trying them on. In a hurry or just think that lovely top was going to fit or look good on me, turns out, well, not fitting right or me saying out loud, what was I thinking! I will continue to spend my money at their establishment and actually, when I go to return that top or other item that just did not work for me, I usually turn around with my money and find something else. Money given back and spent in the same place is a good thing.
Cover Your Hard Work
While you are considering or already have an on line or home based business, you may wonder if it’s worth it to purchase Business Insurance. This can be a difficult decision to make on your own.
BudgetBiRite.com in Florida can assist you with determining this and how much coverage to purchase as well. If you are outside of Florida contact your local insurance agency to see how they can help you. Be clear that just because your business is on line that doesn’t mean insurance isn’t needed.
Get Books and More to get more idea’s for your business Click Here!
Photo Tagged on Facebook – This Photo Has Got to Go!
I have seen my name tagged in photo’s on Facebook from friends and some of them I did not even know existed from old friends. I enjoy those photo’s that bring back to mind great memories, like one of me in a class picture from kindergarten.
Some pictures I wish my name was not associated with and those are just plain out spam to promote a product or company I really do not want to promote. Have you relieved a photo with a companies logo or people you do not know in the picture bringing to your attention that they can help you make a zillion dollars overnight with their amazing secret that will only cost you $49.95?
To get your name off any photo or circulating photo you simply can de-tag yourself, (remove your name and association).
To do this go to the photo and click on it. It will open up across your screen with a black background. Under the photo, you will see a few or a list of names tagged in the photo, look for your name and you should also see a (photo’s remove tag) link next to it. Click on that and your are now removed from that photo. Your page should update and the photo will be gone.
