We don't often talk about mobile directories. People sometimes confuse this function with an extension of your standard old-time directory services, such as taking your old paper yellow pages to an online form or making them an app on your phone. While mobile directories is a unique module of our own platform (see SignalMind Mobile Directories), it doesn't seem to be the most glamorous one in the group.
More...
Just posted a new SignalMind Overview video for 2014 - it's the quickest way possible to introduce the four main modules of the SignalMind platform for mobile engagement: Mobile CMS, Coupon Management, Mobile Directory and Customer Loyalty Programs.
Watch the new under-2-minute SignalMind Overview (2014) video here on YouTube:
Alternately, there is a Vimeo.com SignalMind demo version posted here.
If you like this stuff, embed or share it in your own feed! Your comments appreciated.
We recently attended Dallas Digital Summit 2013 in the boxy but cool Irving Convention Center. Despite terribly icy roads, a good mix of agency, corporate marketing people, startup specialists and freelancers were on hand for this first-timer in our home town. Follow our Twitter feed @signalmind and the event tag #DDSum13 for updates posted Dec. 10-11 during the show.
We were looking for discussions on how mobility will affect digital marketing strategies for the next couple years. Indeed, mobile delivery was touched on in many of the talks, albeit a distant third to social and search marketing. Particularly interesting was Wednesday morning's "Next-Gen Mobile Apps" in which the next generation of "apps" was clearly demonstrated to be anything but apps -- the next generation of apps is simply the mobile web.
More...
Now that nearly everybody has a smart phone, it’s more urgent than ever to be conscientious about integrating online and offline marketing. Cyberspace and the real world converge in the hands of your customers, so if you want to succeed and build your brand, you need to understand how to target your customers and create a cohesive message that spans the virtual world and the real world.
Two approaches in particular benefit from integrating online and offline marketing: relationship marketing and event marketing. Standard promotions also benefit from using them together to build your brand.
More...
In a battle of accounting software, the stakes are high. Small business owners are more particular than ever, and have grown tired of dealing with bugs and complexities. Business owners may find themselves wondering about QuickBooks vs FreshBooks.
Until the last few years, there has been one dominating force in the accounting software world: Intuit.
However, like any business, the competition is bound to catch up. No giant is unchallenged in a world where competition reigns supreme; hence, we have FreshBooks vs QuickBooks.
More...
Your business can reap the benefits of social media in the workplace, which include ease of communication, collaboration, and customer engagement. One way to decide whether there is a place for social media in the workplace is to understand the differences between the major networks, then consider how social media and employees might benefit your business. After you understand what might work, you can develop an effective social media employee policy.
With clear guidelines and expectations, you can stop potential problems with social media in the workplace before they start. Involving your team will create buy-in and help to ensure a policy that protects the interests of all involved.
More...
Guerrilla marketing ideas just start flowing once you get in the headspace – each idea blossoms into another, and many of them can work in harmony. That is why we have decided to do another post about guerrilla marketing strategies and tactics. Our previous post, 3 Guerrilla Marketing Tactics That Work in 2013, shared some ideas to generate buzz and get people talking about you without traditional advertising. We cannot stop coming up with ideas, so here are three more:
4. Do Something Ridiculous to Get Media Attention
Publicity stunts are one of the oldest guerrilla marketing tactics in the book, but they still work. Celebrities know that there is no such thing as bad publicity, which is why publicity stunts are one of the gold standards. The thing to keep in mind with publicity stunts is that the buzz may or may not be positive, so prepare yourself for any response. Before you put your plan into action, be sure that you do not mind being known as “the person that did______” for the next decade or so. Here are some guerrilla marketing ideas that involve publicity stunts:
More...
Are you looking for new ideas on how to hire good employees? Are you are getting tired of canned responses to your job postings, or coming to the realization that your hiring techniques are not effective anymore? If so, then it is time to rethink your processes and try some new ways of drawing in qualified candidates.
Rethink the Job Posting
When job postings offer a dry job description, you get dry responses. It can mean sorting through hundreds of dull cover letters and resumes, filled with colloquialisms and tired old catchphrases. Is that actually how to hire the right person? Absolutely not!
More...
Expert Tips on How to Hire the Right Person
Quality employees are precious gems. With the right employees on the team, a business practically runs itself. For most employers, finding good employees begins as a focus on hiring the right person, rather than filling a position.
Building a team begins with strong recruitment practices as well as knowing what attributes are needed for the company and position. Employers should focus on what makes a good employee for their business and look for the desired traits when recruiting. Most businesses have similar needs. Tips to assess them are outlined in this post.
More...
Sales is about more than making money or increasing market share. Fundamentally, it is about meeting the needs of the customer in a way that benefits both sides. Good sales questions define the difference between mediocre and record-breaking results.
Most salespeople are able to pique interest, but may experience challenges when qualifying the customer or closing the sale. Once the other party expresses interest, the types of questions posed will make the difference between closing the deal and walking away empty-handed.
More...