October 21st, 2009 | by Luis Paez
I came across a great graphic as part of Mary Meeker’s presentation covered on TechCrunch. It shows that according to Morgan Stanley’s regression analysis the United States will see spending on Advertising increase in 2010. This is important in light of the fact that many organizations are still reviewing each and every cost on the balance sheet. While important to up efficiency, it is always important to be mindful of the spending that will drive the economy as a whole back to a healthy state.
For those who care more about the analysis, I’ll dive deeper in: Morgan Stanley’s regression analysis takes into account real GDP and links it to Ad spend, from the years 1986 – 2008. The upshot is that if the real GDP is more than 2% in 2010, then we can expect ad spends to increase as well, if history is any indication. The more pronounced the real GDP percentage, then the more growth we’ll see in Advertising.
This analysis begs the question: what do we think the real GDP will be in 2010? According to the August 2009 Blue Chip Economic Forecast, cited by the State of Hawaii, and other source, indicates that real GDP in 2010 will likely be 2.7% – less than previously projected, but great news when taken into consideration with Morgan Stanley’s analysis. That means that a consensus is forming that the economic “reset” has occurred, and we can look forward to other businesses being generally more optimistic.
It also means that competition in the mailbox may increase in 2010, as businesses across the board get ready to start winning back business they lost over the past few months. Get ready. It’s coming.
October 16th, 2009 | by Cynthia Fedor
A lot of businesses feel like they’re stuck between a rock and a hard place. As social media becomes more popular as a marketing channel, what happens to traditional direct marketing channels? How do businesses effectively use all the channels and tools available to connect with their target audience and grow business?
This recently published whitepaper offers strategies and tactics that businesses can employ to best use both traditional and emerging marketing channels. It’s a great read, has lots of statistics and a few examples of how companies are integrating social into their marketing strategies to benefit their business and their consumers. Better yet… it’s free!
Download the whitepaper here >
Whitepaper Summary:
Social Media & Direct Mail: Join the Conversation & Gain More Leads
Consumers today crave genuine, reciprocal relationships with brands. These consumers want engagement, community and a voice. As a result, savvy marketers are applying new techniques and technologies to traditional direct marketing channels, such as direct mail and email, in order to better engage with existing customers, attract new prospects and motivate open communication.
October 5th, 2009 | by Cynthia Fedor
A common question or hot topic that’s being discussed by real estate professionals today is: “How do I use social media to increase my business?”
For starters, stop flooding your audience’s Twitter and Facebook feeds with nothing but house listings. It’s annoying – especially if your listing announcements are in ALL CAPS – and it doesn’t differentiate you from the other REALTORS® that are marketing real estate via online and social media channels.
People are attracted to social networking sites because it gives them an opportunity to connect with other people; have real conversations that are relevant to their life. They don’t want to have relationships with products or property listings. They’d rather have one with you.
So, instead of acting as a machine pumping out dozens of just-sold and just-listed announcements online, try sharing useful and entertaining information that will get more people to follow you, engage in conversation and refer others to you.
- Feature small businesses located within your farming areas. Record quick video interviews with business owners and post them to your website or on YouTube.
- Share images of a street or neighborhood via Flicker, Twitpic and Facebook. Add comments to the photos that will help describe the character of the area.
- Use your blog or social media sites to highlight subjects that potential sellers and buyers want to learn more about such as: improving curb appeal, retrofitting houses to be more energy efficient, top things to consider when choosing a new neighborhood, local nightlife, etc.
Those are just a few examples of topics to talk about in between listing announcements. The point is, share your personality and the personalities of the neighborhoods in which you do business. Become the local expert and sell YOU as a brand.
For more real estate marketing tips and/or to ask a related question, join @RealEstate_QD on Twitter.
October 2nd, 2009 | by Jamie Matusek
Chantal Todé with DMNews shares about her trip to the Marketing Innovation & Discovery Summit hosted at QuantumDigital.
“What I heard from these representatives [agency executives] is that they were there to learn more about digital print and variable data print with the goal of being able to talk authoritatively about these solutions with their bosses and clients.” Read the full article.
View the Marketing Innovation & Discovery Summit Videos.
Join the Marketing Innovation & Discovery Group on LinkedIn.
This analysis begs the question: what do we think the real GDP will be in 2010? According to the August 2009 Blue Chip Economic Forecast, cited by the State of Hawaii, and other source, indicates that real GDP in 2010 will likely be 2.7% – less than previously projected, but great news when taken into consideration with Morgan Stanley’s analysis. That means that a consensus is forming that the economic “reset” has occurred, and we can look forward to other businesses being generally more optimistic.
