Wellington City Libraries' Business Blog » marketing

Search engine marketing

marilyn — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:13:48 +0000

The U.K.’s Internet Advertising Bureau have produced a great resource which “contains best practice information for all basic and advanced search marketing techniques. Explanations of the key similarities between search engine policies are also included for trademarks, copyright, privacy, invalid clicks and intellectual property in campaigns”. Some of the topics covered are campaign research, demographic targeting and bid management techniques.

Thanks to Internet Resources Newsletter and Resourceshelf

three quick hints on how to get new customers

marilyn — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 20:31:24 +0000

Apologies for repeating word for word. These hints come direct from Seth Godin’s blog and summarise very succinctly the key points for getting new customers .

“1. A group of possible customers you can identify and reach.
2. A group with a problem they want to solve using your solution.
3. A group with the desire and ability to spend money to solve that problem.”

He goes on to say that the first one is critical, but also that it is all too common for new businesses not to have any of the above.

Consumers are choosing online

marilyn — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 21:56:11 +0000

Findings from a recent Australian survey by Research International has elicited that one third of consumers started looking for product information via a search engine. The survey also found that there must be an integrated approach with both online and offline marketing for companies to have an effective and efficient marketing campaign.

Thanks to Resourceshelf

Secrets of marketing in a Web 2.0 world

marilyn — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 21:57:37 +0000

An article in today’s Wall Street Journal discusses in easy to understand terms, how best to reach customers in the new web 2.0 world. The authors interviewed executives from over 30 companies to see how they were adapting to marketing within the new technology.

There are also links to MIT Sloan Management articles on the same topic.

Thanks to Resourceshelf

Jigsaw: a free site for company intelligence

marilyn — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 03:19:50 +0000

Jigsaw, a business information provider has released “Research Tab” a free business resource which uses Web 2.0 tools. You can search companies around the world for contact, financial details, news etc, but to get the full information you have to firstly sign up though (free). It has over 600 New Zealand organisations and companies listed. This site is seen as ideally suited for b-b companies.

First found in Information today’s weekly news digest.

How can your business tap into online communities

marilyn — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 20:38:52 +0000

This very recent report entitled Online communities and their impact on business: ignore at your peril by Rubicon Consulting came out of a survey they undertook to see how people in the U.S. used the web. The major implication for companies was the need to understand the role the web played in their industry.

Thanks to Resourceshelf

Tips for small businesses on marketing to customers

marilyn — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 04:27:19 +0000

These links will take you through to the Business Source Complete database, one of our online databases. You will be prompted first for your library card details before viewing the articles.

Fanbook
Coster, Helen
Forbes 28 January 2008 p 62

This article looks at how small businesses can use social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook to connect with customers and potential customers.

Keys to Direct Marketing Success
Bayham, Alan
Home Business Magazine May/June 2008 pp 42-45

The writer offers advice on the use of direct marketing strategies for home-based businesses to to attract customers, and generating growth in the long-term. The advice includes how to develop loyal customers.

Making Inspiration routine
Lafley, A.G. & Charan, Ram
Inc June 2008, pp 98-101

Discusses market segmentation and looking for the underserved market. Gives tips on how to generate important new ideas and design processes, by hiring creative people.

SMBS feed on social networking input to grow
Schwartz, Karen D
eWeek 21 January 2008 p43

Another article discussing the importance on the use of social networking sites for anyone involved in business. The results were based on a study by the Institute for Corporate Productivity. The use of these sites in business-to-business connections is stressed, as is the use (47%) use of these sites to connect with potential clients.

Universal search is coming
Melburg, Caroline
Home Business Magazine May/June 2008 p 66

Another article from this useful magazine giving an overview of how search engines work, so you know the importance of keywords and phrases as well as meta tags when formulating your website. The article also suggests the usefulness of a blog in “search engine optimization”. Sounds like the article is well worth reading.

A 360-degree view of your customers
Bland, Vikki
New Zealand Business March 2008, pp 58-62

This recent NZ article looks at the growth of customer relationship management (CRM). The importance of the need to integrate CRM with a company’s online networks is stressed.

How a Fortune-500 process can help your firm reduce errors
Sherman, Peter and Sherman,
Peggy Journal of Financial Planning July 2007 suppl pp 10-12

Although Six Sigma management tool is often more closely associated with large Fortune 500 companies, this article discusses how beneficial it could be for small and medium-sized companies.

Social networking for business

marilyn — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 22:16:53 +0000

From 4th March, 2008 issue of Computerworld via Resourceshelf comes an examination of two social networking systems Facebook and Linked-in and their usefulness for people in business.

Seth Godin blog

marilyn — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 20:59:39 +0000

This is a simple informative blog with no adverts apart from from links to his books. Take a look, especially if you are seeking new marketing ideas, or interested in his take on the world.