See... Del Starrett Knows

"Sherryl,
Thank you for meeting with us to converse about "Social Media Marketing"
and how it could be a part of our business. It is pretty clear to me
that having what I will call an omnipresence on the internet will
certainly be a base line requirement to support any kind of business in
the future. Looking forward to meeting again to see how we can put it
into practice.
Del Starrett"

Thank you Del !
- Sherryl

Mapping "Your Story" in the World Wide Web

 

This is the illustration we use with our clients to map out the links for their social media presence.

Working with it is a little like playing the old Chutes and Ladders game.

Without a map participating in the Social Network can feel a lot like falling down the rabbit hole.

The New Economy and Social Media Marketing

The laws of physics have not been replaced or repealed and yet in the business world times have changed.

In late 2007 we started to experience a global “financial crisis” that resulted in the bailout of the banking system by our national government and a down turn in the stock market. The current economic meltdown has reduced the American consumer’s wealth by hundreds of billions of dollars.

A recent Pew study reports that “more than half of the adults in US … have experienced some work-related hardship. … the wealth of the average

American household has shrunk by an estimated 20%.”

Financial times have changed and consumers have changed their lifestyles as a result. The current recession has forced an increased frugality. There is less discretionary spending for many segments of the population. The days of frivolous spending and buying on credit are gone.

Simply The News

The new frugality has changed our spending habits and the changes have impacted the hospitality industry. “Americans have changed their lifestyles … as a result of the economic melt down “57% have cut back or canceled their vacation plans” – John Zogby of Forbes.

That is simply the news. Times have changed. As you know times are always changing. Businesses that survive and remain profitable are the businesses that effectively adjust to current events – the news good or the bad news.

As business owners you have to:

1) Make some changes in the way you do business.

2) Find new markets.

3) Learn new marketing skills.

If you don’t change the way you do business you will find your business is left behind by your competition, and you’ll be less visible in the marketplace.

Good News

So what is the good news for your business?

The good news is:

1) As a business owner you already have the skill set required to adapt and expand into new and changing markets.

2) The current frugal lifestyle highly values experience, family time and recreation over buying more “stuff” – all good values the hospitality industry provide[s].

3) There are useful marketing and analytical innovations in web technology that didn’t exist 5 years ago.

The Importance Of Marketing

You know the importance of marketing. A considerable amount of your overhead is dedicated to making sure you are visible and well represented in the marketplace. You know that your niche market is learning about you through traditional media; newspapers, radio, television. You are learning that more of your clients and potential clients are finding you through social media; facebook, twitter and yelp.

If you are currently represented on facebook, twitter, a blog and your website, that’s great. Big business is heavily represented on social media and so is your successful competition. They know that social media marketing generates tons of good buzz and drive.

If you’re not using the current technology to drive qualified prospects to your door your opportunities are self-limiting. Your current clients and future clients are looking for you in the social media network right now. Will they find you there?

Web 2.0

You need to be familiar with Web 2.0.

Web 2.0 isn’t a technology it’s a term used to describe the use of the web as a collaborative medium. Imagine the World Wide Web as a place where we can all have a conversation.

Traditional media, books, newspapers, magazines, radio and television are passive mediums. “Consumers” sit passively and consume the content that they are served by a “provider.” That means you don’t control what you hear on the radio unless you pay for your content to be broadcast.

Social media is a direct result of web technology development based on Web 2.0 theory. The new electronic social media is a free sharing of information or simply the opportunity to have a conversation with anyone and everyone on the web.

Marketing with Social Media

How does the Social Media Network impact your marketing?

1) You are in conversation with your clients and potential clients on a public media increasing visibility and transparency.

2) You have access to 500 million people to find your niche market.

3) There is an electronic trail created that can follow your client from initial interest to purchase on the web.

4) The cost to broadcast your content on the web is $ 0.00 zero dollars.

5) You can “crowd source” or test consumer interest in your business idea on the Social Network before you produce an event or product.

6) If your content is entertaining or informative it can go “viral” being distributed through the web by “friends” that love your posts.

7) Social Media can be used to drive people to your website, blog and electronic sales tools.

Participating In the Social Network

It is easier now, more than ever for your business to change the way you promote and market your services through the Web and Social Media.

If you’ve never done it before you’re going to need a little help. That’s what

we’re here for. We provide just the right amount of help. We don’t do it for you, we can’t. No matter what any social media guru tells you, no one can do it all for you. You and your key employees will have to participate and you will enjoy participating in your Social Network presence.

You Want To Learn

We make sure you are not using time-consuming trial and error management methods to develop business. All the tools are on the web for you to develop more business. We will show you how to use the existing Social Media tools. We’ll be your mentors and coaches.

You will learn how to:

1) Improve your returns on promotion investment.

2) Keep your marketing costs in control.

3) Eliminate middlemen, through “Assisted Self-Marketing” efforts.

You Were Wondering What We Do?

What we do:

1) Help create your business story. We know that everyone loves a story so we interview you. Together we create a story of you and your business that people will find entertaining and informative. That story is the basis for you and your business’ presence the Social Network.

2) Work with you and your marketing budget. We’ll help you decide which media venues best reach your target audience at the best value.

3) Meet with you to audit your website and integrated social media presence.

4) Create an overall marketing strategy catered to your business with you and your key people.

5) Establish goals and benchmarks for measuring the success of your new marketing efforts.

7) Drive potential clients to your door through the World Wide Web using a Web 2.0 approach.

8) Give you the confidence, skill and tools you need to increase your presence in the community that appreciates, needs and buys the services and products you create.

Where Have The Clients Gone?

We understand the hospitality industry has taken a big hit in recent years due to the “financial crisis” and the resulting recession You can sit still, pull the covers over your head, and hope times get better in the near future. If you only pay attention to the traditional media you are rubbing your eyes and wondering, “where have all my client gone?”

Visibility Buzz & Sales

There are 500 million people on Facebook alone and Twitter has over 190 million users. You will find your clients already on the Social Network.

You know you need to be proactive and make the changes necessary to meet the needs of the new marketplace. When you make the decision to change the way you market your business for the new economy and the changing American lifestyle, we’re here to help. We’ll help you integrate your existing marketing efforts into new Social Media venues so you can enjoy the visibility, buzz and sales your business deserves.