Category: Marketing

Cheap Web Site Advertising

Web site advertising proves to be very effective in enhancing businesses, small and large companies alike. With thousands of people using the Internet everyday to transact business, to search for information and to communicate among others, promoting your products and services through your website is no doubt more beneficial than usual promotional methods.

Among the cheapest ways to promote your site is by means of exchanging links. You do this by looking for a related website where you can place a link directing to your site. In this way, you increase the number of visitors entering your website. In return, you can place their link to your site as well.

What’s good about reciprocal link exchange is that you are most likely to get desired visitors to your site, since these visitors actually chose to click on the link towards your site. How you are going to retain their interest as they enter your website is another advertising challenge for you. This is where high quality content can help.

Providing web site good content that is not only rich with top-ranking keywords but informative and entertaining as well, will keep your visitors coming back and you can expect more sales.

Not only that, good quality content can also attract possible partners who are interested in exchanging links with you. This again would provide an opportunity to increase traffic to your site.

Although you can find linking partners at no cost at all, there’s a greater chance for you to boost traffic to your site and increase your search engine ranking if you avail of paid link exchange programs. In these programs, thousands of web owners are enlisted and you can exchange links with them. Paid link exchange programs cost about $35 to $40, depending on the number of members who receive your link exchange invitations.

Cheap Trade Show Displays

If you want to be cost effective with your trade show exhibitions or if you are preparing for your first trade show, you should choose cheap trade show displays for the best deal. Trade shows are effective sales devices for growing business, and most new enterprises are not financially strong enough to spend a large amount on an elaborate trade show display, so opting for a cheap display is a good idea. Don’t try to produce a do-it-yourself display, instead, look for experts who can produce cost effective trade show displays that fit your budget.

There are many ways to get cheap trade show displays. First, always consider a rollup or banner display, as they are light, inexpensive, and easy to transport. Banners with graphic headlines can easily attract attention. You can use them anywhere and greatly minimize the cost of your booth. Secondly, if you want to use small space, a tabletop display unit would be the perfect because it is small, light, professional looking, and less expensive than a full booth. Thirdly, if buying would be a problem for you, then you should consider getting a rental display for the tradeshow. You can modify a used display and convert it to fit your needs. You can also form a partnership with someone who is participating in the show in order to share expenses.

The growing trend of tradeshows has given birth to many companies specializing in cheap trade show displays. It is hard for new businesses to spend lots of money on tradeshows, but the company must participate in the shows in order to expand. The best option for these companies is to choose a cheap tradeshow display.

Cheap Neon Signs

Neon signs were first invented in the beginning of the twentieth century. This effective medium of advertisement is considered to be cost effective as their electrical cost is comparatively low in spite of being lit from dusk to dawn. They do not have filaments that can be damaged and can be use for an extended period. These factors make them an economic means of advertising.

Neon lights are colorful and vibrant in nature. This visual medium meets local marketing needs and consequently helps increase customers and business. In relation to retail and multi national businesses, wholesale neon light purchases prove to be favorable. When searching for a cheap neon light source, potential customers may search at local and online stores or find locations from yellow pages.

To determine an actual cheap neon lights source, buyers need to indulge in comparison-shopping. This is important because neon lights are not industrially manufactured but are created by skilled craftsmen. For this reason their prices tend to vary. Buyers must compare products, features and prices to find a cheap neon lights source. Neon signs are widely available in more than 150 colors. Since neon light by it self is known to produce a vibrant red shade, manufacturers have tried and tested various combinations to develop new color ranges. Prices vary depending upon how neon lights are created. This includes an arrangement of inert gases, use of fluorescent powders in specific mixes or the use of colored glass. The third type is the most expensive, offering a large range of colors.

Neon signs can be classified as ‘old’ or ‘new’ types. The former uses heavy transformers for support while ‘new’ neon signs are fitted with lightweight compact transformers. They are available at competitive prices but tend to differ depending upon color, design and size variations.

Census Demographics

The term demographics are essentially a short form of what we can call ‘population characteristics’. Demographics include age, per capita income, mobility (in terms of travel time to work or number of vehicles available), educational and academic level of the people, value of ownership (that includes properties and assets like homes, apartments, garden and such others), status of employment and even the location of the region.

Demographics are used in market research, opinion research, political research and assessment of the changing trend of consumer behavior and its patterns. But demographics is best utilized by marketing executives, as the various characteristics of the people reflect their tastes and give an idea of the probability of the sales returns of a launched product in that area.

By census demographics, we mean the collection of data from all possible sources in a population. It can also mean the study of an entire population, such as a government census or studies of production and distribution. However, the fact still remains that the source of all the prime information for demographic information is the US Census. There are a number of online resources that can provide someone with the best census demographics, thereby facilitating a comprehensive comparison over multiple datasets from different time periods. This census data is being offered as a packaged product (also available online) that covers data from multiple time periods.

According to the most recent census demographic reports, the official population of the United States is 281,421,906 (compared to 248,709,873 in 1990). In addition to this report, the Bureau also reapportioned the 435 Congressional seats of the House of Representatives. This was one of the results of census demographics. Apart from this, detailed information about population densities in particular regions and other related reports also constitute a major part of the census demographics.

American Demographics

Considering the vastness of the topic of American demographics, it is convenient to limit discussions on the subject to the demographic field of American population. American demographics give in-depth estimates of all the major trends of the nation, as well as the regions of the country.

These demographic reports, as already mentioned, cover all the statistical data of the nation’s economy, social customs, religion, ethnicity, race, market, consumption modes, food habits, clothing, homes, population, mortality and fertility rates, and other such records. These reports are based on a given time period. According to the recent demographic report, the population of the United States is 288,368,698, and this report is based on the estimation of the Census Bureau.

This report covers the period through July 2002. American demographics, when it provides such data, also help us to acquire other key information and the status of various developments. One can extract other data by simply implementing various statistical tools. For example, from the above population report of the United States, one can draw the general rate of increase until July 2002 from a particular point of time.

In this case, one can conclude that there is a sharp rise in population by 2.47% simply by getting back to the data of July 2000 which showed the population to be 281,421,906.

The ten most populous cities in America, according to the 2000 census, are:

1. New York City, New York 8,017,078

2. Los Angeles, California 3,703,930

3. Chicago, Illinois 2,895,444

4. Houston, Texas 1,958,258

5. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 1,513,684

6. Phoenix, Arizona 1,325,715

7. San Diego, California 1,228,196

8. Dallas, Texas 1,190,334

9. San Antonio, Texas 1,154,897

10. San Jose, California 945,000

Bulk Email Lists

The Internet has made it possible to connect millions of peoples’ names and addresses from around the world. And the number increases as more and more people discover the convenience and the growing necessity of the Internet in today’s fast-paced environment, where business growth largely depends on information technology. This has created many opportunities to encourage below the line marketing strategies.

Enterprising marketers have found the Internet a fertile ground to launch their products and services. They employ what is known as bulk email marketing or sending advertisements and infomercials to email users. In the 1990’s, this method went unchecked and unmonitored. This resulted in the birth of the term spam mail- unsolicited email. And the problem goes on today although measures are being taken to stop spammers.

To ensure the success of bulk email marketing strategies, the sender must have a clean list of targeted email addresses. This wills not only help the company assess the success of their campaigns; it will more importantly curb the risk of breaking the anti-spamming laws. Several US states and countries around the world have already enacted these laws to protect the public against unwanted mail.

Through the use of available software, generating a useful addressee list is fast and easy. Targeted email addresses can be extracted from URL’s and email service providers. Another option is to purchase a ready made list. This list usually comes from email service providers and agencies that conduct surveys.

Although sending out magazines and newsletters to millions of addresses through bulk emailing is free, companies cannot afford to risk the equity of their brands by offending people. Your email address lists should only contain those that signify they want to receive email from you. Otherwise, your unsolicited advertising will be classified as spam mail.

Direct Email Marketing

Today, email marketing is perceived as a key marketing and CRM strategy for most companies. Targeted email is vital to the growth of a business today. But there remains a thin line between email marketing and spamming. The next generation of email marketing is permission-based, and companies need to work harder to make their bulk emails distinct from spam.

There are a variety of email marketing software solutions, like Lyris, available on the Web today, which can help create the ultimate email marketing strategy for your business needs.

Per Email Labs, here are some guidelines for pumping up your email marketing strategy: develop a comprehensive email-marketing plan that demonstrates the value of the marketing program to the company. Work on your emails, laying emphasis on personalized subject lines, offers, products promoted and follow-up emails to responses. Send pre-campaign test messages to smoke out delivery glitches before you actually send your messages to your prospect base, and watch out for ISP blocking, filtering and anti-spam lists. Test different email clients (Outlook, Lotus Notes, AOL, and Web clients like Hotmail, Gmail and Yahoo) and platforms (PC and Macintosh).

It is important to build on the email relationship with the potential customer right at the beginning. The key is to engage the consumer almost immediately, as there is a significant drop in email performance after two months of recipients subscribing to a list.

Permission-based email is the standard that most companies adhere to, to minimize the damage to their brand and loss of customers which unsolicited bulk emailing can cause. It is important to tap dormant subscribers with the right tactics. Email Labs estimates that 30-50 percent of a company’s email list may be inactive. Engaging long-term subscribers in a consistent manner can make all the difference in a marketing strategy.

Direct Mail

Increase your company’s market reach through direct mail advertising. Send the right people the appropriate brochures, newsletters, and flyers about your company or product launches and see how this kind of mileage can increase your sales and customer recall.

Direct mail is a traditional way of communicating with customers or clients. But nowadays, you can facilitate a mailing system that is more effective and practical.

All you need to have is a set of addresses and names to get you started. You may acquire lists from several agencies. Normally, these agencies get this information from surveys they conduct which individuals voluntarily fill out. You can also negotiate with a mailing company to get a special rate for your bulk mail.

There is also software available for sending direct mail in bulk. The software will simplify tasks such as managing your directory, mailing schedules, and even facilitating a feedback system. Get in touch with your customers with a simple click of a mouse.

With direct mail, you can have the capability to establish a more permanent way of reaching out to your public. If you are a non-profit organization that raises funds for several causes and activities, direct mail can aid you in keeping in touch with your benefactors periodically.

And if you do not have the people to take care of this kind of advertising, then hire a direct mail agency that can do the work for you.

Direct Mail Companies

Advertising and marketing activities are not cheap. And in this age of intense competition for customers, you need to harness your resources to get the most out of your investments.

One sure way you can do this is through direct mail communication with your target market base. What’s more, with the aid of full-service companies, this can be done as fast and as often as you need.

Direct mail companies can craft your messages, lay them out for you, print and mail them out to the desired addressees. Or they can email them, without violating any anti-spamming laws.

Envelopes

The envelope is an essential part of home and business communication. It is basically a receptacle for transporting letters, booklets, catalogs, coins, mailers, and invitations, CDs, photos, artwork, magazines and much more.

Envelopes can be divided into two major categories, for business and for personal use. They are found in abundant and attractive shapes, sizes, colors, materials and designs. Shapes are generally square and rectangle, and sometimes triangular. Sizes can range from 3 inches to 36 inches for special items. Sizes are also commonly known by a terminology, such as A2, which indicates 4 3/8 x 5 3/4 sized envelope. Similarly there are #10, A6, 2PAY and other names by which envelopes are categorized.

Colors exist from pale, transparent types to bright, metallic. The texture could be plain or with patterns. Generally envelopes are made from paper. But some are foil, corrugated sheets, plastic, paperboard and bubbled material. Again they could be lined with linen cloth from the inside for extra strength.

For sending CD’s, magnetic cards, medical imaging products and coins, special envelopes are available with regular, pointed, curved or hexed flap, open ended, with clasp, with window, button and string, gummed or with a peel and seal feature. For the environment conscious, envelopes are available in recycled paper with colors like natural tan, manila, white or unbleached.

Addressing and dispatching envelopes has become big business. Often the job is outsourced to companies and individuals. Although automatic insertion machines are also available, they can accommodate only few specific sizes and types of envelopes. Special software is used for printing addresses.

Until 1840 all envelopes were made by hand. But now this worldwide industry of over 400 billion envelopes manufactured by machines.

Envelopes

The envelope is an essential part of home and business communication. It is basically a receptacle for transporting letters, booklets, catalogs, coins, mailers, and invitations, CDs, photos, artwork, magazines and much more.

Envelopes can be divided into two major categories, for business and for personal use. They are found in abundant and attractive shapes, sizes, colors, materials and designs. Shapes are generally square and rectangle, and sometimes triangular. Sizes can range from 3 inches to 36 inches for special items. Sizes are also commonly known by a terminology, such as A2, which indicates 4 3/8 x 5 3/4 sized envelope. Similarly there are #10, A6, 2PAY and other names by which envelopes are categorized.

Colors exist from pale, transparent types to bright, metallic. The texture could be plain or with patterns. Generally envelopes are made from paper. But some are foil, corrugated sheets, plastic, paperboard and bubbled material. Again they could be lined with linen cloth from the inside for extra strength.

For sending CD’s, magnetic cards, medical imaging products and coins, special envelopes are available with regular, pointed, curved or hexed flap, open ended, with clasp, with window, button and string, gummed or with a peel and seal feature. For the environment conscious, envelopes are available in recycled paper with colors like natural tan, manila, white or unbleached.

Addressing and dispatching envelopes has become big business. Often the job is outsourced to companies and individuals. Although automatic insertion machines are also available, they can accommodate only few specific sizes and types of envelopes. Special software is used for printing addresses.

Until 1840 all envelopes were made by hand. But now this worldwide industry of over 400 billion envelopes manufactured by machines.