Powertech Interiors

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Google is at the social game again with the recent unveiling of Google+, a big bet for the company and an effort to show that it can keep up with Facebook in this increasingly important space.

However, it’s important to recognize that the launch of Google+ is not just a run at Facebook — it’s a reflection of the increasing importance the company places on social signals in how it indexes, ranks and presents information to consumers. And despite some well-publicized failures in the past, Google has already had some significant success in social that has eluded the media spotlight.

Google has long been the first choice of consumers who are looking for information online, and it has monetized its search offering well (32% revenue growth to $9 billion-plus in Q2). But more recently, Google is on the path to becoming the consumer’s choice when she is shopping for everything from a refrigerator to a hotel room. What’s significant is that this path is fueled by social. “How so?” you ask.

Consider this:

• Social media, by definition, is the creation and exchange of user-generated content (UGC). Consumers have consistently indicated that the UGC with the greatest impact on their buying behavior is customer reviews. Google values keyword-rich, publicly available UGC and incorporates it into search engine results and into Google properties like Shopping and Hotel Finder.
• Google constantly innovates the user experience, and incorporated the UGC (a.k.a. social content) consumers rely on to make a purchase decision more than a year ago.
• Google’s Search Engine Results Page (SERP) has changed radically, as have the company’s other properties, which are now fueled by UGC/social.

It’s worth looking at the evolution of SERP in more detail to better understand this.

Let’s first examine the Google results for Samsonite Luggage in January 2010, which had no social media integration. (Apologies for the somewhat blurry image.)

In April 2010, Google incorporated customer reviews in many places.

Let’s look at a current Google search result for “refrigerator.”

The results:

Within a year of Google taking in e-tailers’ reviews, that UGC is fully integrated across Google and impacts search results in a very noticeable way.

Twenty-nine percent of consumers now use Google to read product reviews, or “social UGC,” according to Internet Retailer.

How Does This Affect Your Business?

So what’s the bottom line? Google has found success in social by incorporating it into the elements of its business for which it is the market leader: search and web browsing. The experience that hundreds of millions of people have with Google every day is in fact social – UGC drives the search and browsing experience, and the experience on Google properties like Shopping and Hotel Finder. Google relies on businesses to generate this social content from their customers, which in turn benefits those businesses in the form of traffic to their sites. There are a few important steps that businesses can take in order to continue receiving traffic from Google:

• Execute better than anyone on the fundamentals. Consumers are looking for the right product at the right price, an easy-to-navigate user experience, with a pain-free checkout and fast delivery. Google is not in the retail business, but it is monetizing the way people will find yours. As a result, sites that execute on the fundamentals will have an advantage over those who don’t.
• Increase the quantity and quality of customer reviews. This user-generated content matters now more than ever, including that which is generated via mobile while consumers are in your brick-and-mortar location. Organize reviews into the mobile experience so that they’re easy to find and browse, with at-a-glance summaries highlighting pros, cons, and best uses of a product, in addition to average rating.

Search and social used to be two separate spheres, but those worlds are quickly colliding. While Google is doing all it can to catch up with Facebook, you would be wise to try to catch up with Google as well.

Contact us at Spikerush Media today:

Glenn Remler
Spikerush Media
561.488.8742
glenn@spikerushmedia.com

If your going to be a leader, than begin by marketing you!

After starting my own company 2 years ago, it begins with my own confidence and ability to deliver and exceed our clients expectations.
By having the determination and the confidence to share my own perspective, I have created a visible position in the marketplace. This has helped me launch a successful business and attract clients for my services.

Some thoughts about being a business owner:

1. Starts with you! Be yourself. Don’t let others in the industry intimidate you.
2. Gather your clients ideas, but share your own. Whether your ideas are being used, at least give your perspective and reasoning (Clients respect that!)
3. Stick to your guns! Once you set standards within your company, make sure everyone stands by them. Even if the decision doesn’t go in your favor, they will for the next opportunity.
4. Don’t be a “Yes Man (Or Woman)” all the time. Kissing butt won’t help you get ahead. Have ideas, thoughts, and creativity of your own.

Show your industry who you are and success will come!

There are additional ways of communication with your customers through social media and smart phones that have caused a reduction, but are they a replacement? My opinion is email marketing will never totally go away, but the role may change. Those consumers and business executives who read email are seeking brands that are familiar, or content that will draw their attention. Strong messages or promotional offers are necessary to draw the conversions.

As everything else involving the Internet, email marketing will evolve. The only thing you can count on when it comes to marketing in today’s technology is change. When it comes to marketing, the best strategy is to use your expertise with multi-channel marketing approach.

Glenn Remler
President
Spikerush Media
glenn@spikerushmedia.com
Twitter: @spikerushmedia
Facebook: SpikerushMedia

The emergence of smart phones and tablets has thrown another wrench for companies to consider outlets for advertising. Social Media allows an additional new reaction to engage customers. Search marketing can provide immediate response to content from the search engines. New Media delivers interaction where the content was once only seen on TV. Online marketing has changed the platform of communication whether for prospecting, branding, or a loyalty connection.

What is the best media channel to use for your company? Lets use the crystal ball to go back about 10+ years ago when email marketing became a new option for advertising. Those in the catalog industry such as Sears or JC Pennys would probably have told you, consumers want their catalogs from the mail to visually see the products. Many of the online shoppers became intrigued with the ability to buy online and have items mailed to their home. So during that time, they were both important. The cost of printing and mail have caused many catalog companies switching from printing catalogs to online versions, but added search marketing to their ammo of new media.

From the hospitality side, traditionally Hotels, Resorts, & Timeshares utilize TV & Print to show-off their properties, rooms, renovations, or amenities to attract guest. When the discounted websites such as the Orbitz, Priceline, Hotwire came around it was beneficial for these properties to offer rooms at discounted prices to fill occupancy. Over the years, the major brands such as Starwood, Hyatt, or Hilton have started to wrap their arms around social media by creating Facebook followers or twitter offers to increase occupancy. By utilizing their own marketing efforts, many properties have save about 30% revenue back by communicating directly with potential guest.

What are your options?
• TV
• Radio
• Print (Newspapers, etc…)
• Billboards
• Direct Marketing (Email, Direct mail, Telemarketing)
• Display Advertising (Website banners & links)
• Loyalty Marketing
• Search Marketing
• New Media (Hulu, Netflix)
• Mobile Marketing
• Social Media (Facebook, Twitter)

Is there “One Way” better for marketers than others? No, but the need to rely on multiple media channels is significant for the success in this new age of marketing and advertising. Testing, tracking, retesting, and not giving up early will help the growth of your company in these emerging new media platforms. If done right, you can spend less money to generate more sale revenues.

Glenn Remler
President
Spikerush Media
glenn@spikerushmedia.com
Twitter: @spikerushmedia
Facebook: SpikerushMedia

Some common or natural colors:

• White: Highly used color for achieving simple, clean, and bright to a web page.
• Black: A curiosity or enclosed feel to a page. Commonly used to center the focus toward the center of the website.
• Blue: Blue is a common relaxed, pure color. You will see this color used in the hospitality industry for the serenity of the ocean or sky, also in the medical field for doctors, or hospitals.
• Green: Has become the standard for Eco-Friendly usage. Mild and relaxing plus used more for the content.
• Yellow: Relax and positive mood. It also can be difficult to view over a period of time, so blended in the website will help achieve a positive effect on the website.
• Pink: More about ease and beauty. Many used for infant websites or fashion industries.

Contrast (Rock Star) Colors:

These colors are your attention getters – act now!

• Red: Red is commonly used for attention (Buttons or important website content information). It’s going to draw you, so its recommend to use sparingly within the website.
• Orange: The past several years, Orange has been used on websites, newsletters, marketing promotions, for taking action. It has become very popular with websites and blogs.

Too many colors on a website, newsletter, print or email campaign will put your head into a spin (And the viewers). Focus on 3 – 4 colors, which you can then focus on different shades.

The key to a successful website design (or marketing campaign) are the ability to keep color control, yet action areas need to stand out. Working with the client for the best color schemes, which will help plan for a successful website launch. Contact us at Spikerush Media for your website design, hosting, and Search Engine Optimization needs.

Glenn Remler
President
Spikerush Media
glenn@spikerushmedia.com
Twitter: @spikerushmedia
Facebook: SpikerushMedia

What really got my attention about the article, was not the battle of Apple VS Financial Times but what subscribers are using to view their news:

” The FT has approximately 210,000 subscribers who pay £250 or more for annual access to the publication’s website and apps — a hefty number, given that its print circulation hovers at about 400,000. Digital revenues, which grew by 56% last year, now make up 40% of the FT Group’s sales. Mobile is playing an increasingly important role, Grimshaw says. In a recent survey of 2,500 registered users, 45% said they regularly accessed FT content via smartphone and tablet devices.”

Rob Grimshaw, managing director of the Financial Times‘s flagship website, ft.com, told Reuters.

The fact from the survey of 45% access through a smart phone or tablet is very significant. If your business is going to survive in this fast-pace technology boom, then your company needs a mobile application! Whether its for sales, information, entertainment, etc…, a mobile application has to be in your marketing budget.

Click here to read the article from the Mashable: Mashable Article

For more information on Mobile Applications, contact us at Spikerush Media Today!

Glenn Remler
President
Spikerush Media
glenn@spikerushmedia.com