BMull Consulting» Marketing Advice http://www.bmullconsulting.com Web Design | E-Commerce | Internet Marketing Thu, 08 Sep 2011 17:41:02 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Smart Internet Marketing with E-mail Signatures http://www.bmullconsulting.com/blog/smart-internet-marketing-with-e-mail-signatures/ http://www.bmullconsulting.com/blog/smart-internet-marketing-with-e-mail-signatures/#comments Tue, 20 Apr 2010 21:22:19 +0000 bryanmull http://www.bmullconsulting.com/?p=666 Business owners in Reading, Pennsylvania read and send e-mail every day. It’s a staple of modern day communication and it’s used to connect not only with the people we do business with, but also family. But did you know that you can use your everyday e-mail as a vehicle to promote your company or organization?

Smart marketers in Berks County are using e-mail signatures. It’s a simple and low cost way to market your business. An e-mail signature is a small paragraph of text placed at the end of outgoing e-mails.Most e-mail signatures include contact information. E-mail programs such as Microsoft Outlook allow you to attach a signature to outgoing e-mails so that you don’t have to manually insert the information every time. Below is an example of my e-mail signature:

E-mail signatures can be a simple line of text or can include HTML code that displays images and links. A properly constructed e-mail signature can be a powerful tool in your marketing arsenal. Let’s take a look at the math. If your company has 20 employees and each employee sends 20 e-mails a day, that equates to 400 e-mails being sent in one day. Multiply that by the number of business days annually (typically 250) and you have over 100,000 impressions a year. And that doesn’t include the number of times others forward your message to someone else.

E-mail signatures take your everyday e-mails and turn them into an important element in your marketing mix. Every time you send an e-mail, you have the opportunity for someone to view your contact information and marketing message. As such, it’s wise to use e-mail signatures and include information that can help people connect with your business.

What should your e-mail signature include? I’d suggest including the following information when creating a basic e-mail signature:

  • Name
  • Company Name
  • Address
  • Web URL
  • Phone Number

If your business has employees, it’s also wise to consider a “standard” e-mail signature that all employees use when sending e-mails. Having your staff use a consistent e-mail signature will help brand consistency and provide recipients with a quick way to distinguish your e-mail from other messages.

Some business owners are taking e-mail signatures to the next level by adding marketing messages, graphics, and links to company web sites – including social media outlets. Most internet marketers suggest keeping your signature to six to eight lines in length. However, you can go longer if you feel the need. My current e-mail signature has 14 lines of text and no one has complained that it is too long.

Another tip I have for Reading, PA web site designers and internet marketers is to use your e-mail signature when writing blog posts, articles, or when posting in discussion forums or LinkedIn. If you write something that is interesting, people will want to learn more about you and what you do and in turn, visit your web site.

Advice for using email signatures? Here are a few tips.

Be sure to verify that your e-mail program (Outlook, Gmail, etc.) includes your signature when replying to e-mail. This will ensure that your signature appears when both sending and replying to mail.

Keep a copy of your e-mail signature in a text or MS Word file for use in discussion forums and blog posting. You may want to consider shortening the length of your signature depending on the style of the forum or blog.

Include a marketing message or free offer in your e-mail signature.

Avoid embedding images into your signature. If using images, upload the image to your web server and link to the image. Be sure to include alt tags for users that have images turned off. I personally avoid embedding images (such as logos) into my e-mail signatures because of spam filtering reasons. I would love to hear how others feel about this (lets hear it IT guys)!

Lastly, if you include links in your signature, I’d suggest implementing a way of tracking how many people click on them. This will provide a quantifiable way of monitoring the success of adding links to your e-mail signature.

BMull Consulting offers e-mail signature creation and setup for business owners in the Greater Reading PA area. If you need help creating, installing or tracking your e-mail signatures, be sure to contact me for an appointment.

Thank you for reading and this concludes my internet marketing tip for April 2010. This article was edited and proofed by Dean Frymoyer Communications.

Bryan Mull
Website Design | Internet Marketing Consulting
Email: bryan@bmullconsulting.com
Phone: (610) 717-3971 ext. 1

Goggle Works Center for Arts
201 Washington St., Studio 545
Reading, PA 19601 (directions)

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Looking to take your Web Site or Internet Marketing project to the next level? Contact us today for a free consultation. (610) 717-3971 or by email at bryan@bmullconsulting.com.

Business owners in Reading, Pennsylvania read and send e-mail every day. It’s a staple of modern day communication and it’s used to connect not only with the people we do business with, but also family. But did you know that you can use your everyday e-mail as a vehicle to promote your company or organization?Smart marketers in Berks County are using e-mail signatures. It’s a simple and low cost way to market your business. An e-mail signature is small paragraph of text placed at the end of outgoing e-mails. Most e-mail signatures include contact information. E-mail programs such as Microsoft Outlook allow you to attach a signature to outgoing e-mails so that you don’t have to manually insert the information every time. Below is an example of my e-mail signature:

E-mail signatures can be a simple line of text or can include HTML code that displays images and links. A properly constructed e-mail signature can be a powerful tool in your marketing arsenal. Let’s take a look at the math. If your company has 20 employees and each employee sends 20 e-mails a day, that equates to 400 e-mails being sent in one day. Multiply that by the number of business days annually (typically 250) and you have over 100,000 impressions a year. And that doesn’t include the number of times others forward your message to someone else.

E-mail signatures take your everyday e-mails and turn them into an important element in your marketing mix. Every time you send an e-mail, you have the opportunity for someone to view your contact information and marketing message. As such, it’s wise to use e-mail signatures and include information that can help people connect with your business.

What should your e-mail signature include? I’d suggest including the following information when creating a basic e-mail signature:

Name
Company Name
Address
Web URL
Phone Number

If your business has employees, it’s also wise to consider a “standard” e-mail signature that all employees use when sending e-mails. Having your staff use a consistent e-mail signature will help brand consistency and provide recipients with a quick way to distinguish your e-mail from other messages.

Some business owners are taking e-mail signatures to the next level by adding marketing messages, graphics, and links to company web sites – including social media outlets. Most internet marketers suggest keeping your signature to six to eight lines in length. However, you can go longer if you feel the need. My current e-mail signature has 14 lines of text and no one has complained that it is too long.

Another tip I have for Reading, PA web site designers and internet marketers is to use your e-mail signature when writing blog posts, articles, or when posting in discussion forums or LinkedIn. If you write something that is interesting, people will want to learn more about you and what you do and in turn, visit your web site.

Advice for using email signatures? Here are a few tips.

Be sure to verify that your e-mail program (Outlook, Gmail, etc.) includes your signature when replying to e-mail. This will ensure that your signature appears when both sending and replying to mail.

Keep a copy of your e-mail signature in a text or MS Word file for use in discussion forums and blog posting. You may want to consider shorterning the length of your signature depending on the style of the forum or blog.

Include a marketing message or free offer in your e-mail signature.

Avoid embedding images into your signature. If using images, upload the image to your web server and link to the image. Be sure to include alt tags for users that have images turned off. I personally avoid embedding images (such as logos) into my e-mail signatures because of spam filtering reasons. I would love to hear how others feel about this (lets hear it IT guys)!

Lastly, if you include links in your signature, I’d suggest implementing a way of tracking how many people click on them. This will provide a quantifiable way of monitoring the success of adding links to your e-mail signature.

BMull Consulting offers e-mail signature creation and setup for business owners in the Greater Reading PA area. If you need help creating, installing or tracking your e-mail signatures, be sure to contact me for an appointment.

Thank you for reading and this concludes my internet marketing tip for April 2010.

]]> http://www.bmullconsulting.com/blog/smart-internet-marketing-with-e-mail-signatures/feed/ 1 Basic Internet Marketing | Part 3 http://www.bmullconsulting.com/blog/internet-marketing-101-content-is-king/ http://www.bmullconsulting.com/blog/internet-marketing-101-content-is-king/#comments Thu, 28 Jan 2010 11:26:49 +0000 bryanmull http://www.bmullconsulting.com/?p=541 “Content is King”  is a phrase often used in the web design world. It’s a fact that people visit business web sites because they want to access information. Content is information and thus the reason why proper content is so crucial to a successful business web site.

Our first suggestion is to update your web site on a regular basis. Search engines love new content. This is why many Internet marketers suggest creating a blog and posting articles of interest on a  regular basis.

So is a blog the all in one answer? Not by a long shot. First and foremost, you want to make sure that all your web site product information is as complete and updated. This includes text, photos, video, testimonials or anything else that is related to your product or service. Video is a great way to keep visitors on your site. Posting videos on YouTube not only attracts a new set of users but also doubles as means of free storage for your online video.

FAQ pages are another opportunity to showcase quality content. Most FAQ pages are full of related keywords which will help with overall SEO efforts of your business web site.

Are you a web site owner in the Reading, PA area that needs to update your business website? Feel free to contact Bryan Mull today at 610-717-3971 or by email at bryan@bmullconsulting.com to schedule a free consultation.

Did you miss the first two Internet Marketing 101 articles? Here is a link to the first article which covers getting listed in local search engine directories. The second article discusses the importance of having proper call-to-actions on your business website.

Bryan Mull
Website Design | Internet Marketing Consulting
Email: bryan@bmullconsulting.com
Phone: (610) 717-3971 ext. 1

Goggle Works Center for Arts
201 Washington St., Studio 545
Reading, PA 19601 (directions)

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BMull Facebook Page: Become a Fan | Like
View My Linked In Profile: Bryan Mull
Follow Me on Twitter: @bmullconsulting

]]> http://www.bmullconsulting.com/blog/internet-marketing-101-content-is-king/feed/ 0 Basic Internet Marketing | Part 2 http://www.bmullconsulting.com/blog/internet-marketing-tips-website-call-to-actions/ http://www.bmullconsulting.com/blog/internet-marketing-tips-website-call-to-actions/#comments Thu, 22 Oct 2009 19:14:06 +0000 bryanmull http://www.bmullconsulting.com/?p=423 Step one in Internet Marketing is to make sure your business is listed in search engine local business directories. Step two in Internet Marketing 101 is to make sure your website has proper “call to actions”. What is a call to action? It’s a graphic or line of text on your website that tells the viewer to do something. Below are a few common call to actions.

  • Buy Now!
  • Sign up for Our Newsletter
  • Request More Information
  • Contact Us Today

Call to actions are important because it prompts the user to do something. Take a look at your website. Does you home page direct the user? Do your product pages encourage someone to order or contact you for more information? Having the right call to actions can often make the difference between someone viewing your page and someone contacting you to do business.

Proper website design planning includes call to actions and where they will be placed within the website. It’s encouraged to place call to actions above the fold. You don’t want your call to actions buried at the bottom of the page. Another word of advice is to concentrate on one primary call to action per page.

There is no need to go over board. Moving images or blinking text is not the way to encourage viewers to move forward. Pop-up boxes are another tactic to avoid.

Use call to actions throughout your website and make sure the message is clear and consistent. Be sure to include a call to action at the end of your blogs or articles. It’s yet another chance to encourage a viewer to become a lead.

Mini contact forms are a great way to compliment a call to action. Small contact forms (shown here) are a great way for web viewers to ask questions about their specific needs.

Not sure if you website has the right call to actions? Contact metoday for a free consultation. I would be glad to take a look at your website to see how it could be improved. Feel free to email me at bryan@bmullconsulting.com or call me at 800-918-4828. That’s my call to action!

Bryan Mull
Website Design | Internet Marketing Consulting
Email: bryan@bmullconsulting.com
Phone: (610) 717-3971 ext. 1

Goggle Works Center for Arts
201 Washington St., Studio 545
Reading, PA 19601 (directions)

Email Newsletter: Sign-Up Today | View Archive
BMull Facebook Page: Become a Fan | Like
View My Linked In Profile: Bryan Mull
Follow Me on Twitter: @bmullconsulting

]]> http://www.bmullconsulting.com/blog/internet-marketing-tips-website-call-to-actions/feed/ 0 Basic Internet Marketing | Part 1 http://www.bmullconsulting.com/blog/internet-marketing-tips-local-search-listings/ http://www.bmullconsulting.com/blog/internet-marketing-tips-local-search-listings/#comments Sat, 22 Aug 2009 17:24:48 +0000 bryanmull http://www.bmullconsulting.com/?p=362 This article is the first in a three part series of “do-it-yourself” internet marketing techniques that will help gain exposure to your business and increase the amount of traffic to your website. As the modern mix of marketing shifts from print to web, business owners know their websites need to be found in order to compete. Studies show that 78% of consumers search the internet before making a purchase offline. This means that 8 out of 10 people are using the internet to search for new products and services.

Step one for internet marketing is to get your business listed in the local directories of search engines. Most major search engines have business directories that are similar to white pages in a phone book. As more people use search engines to find new product and services, local business listings become increasingly important because they provide a direct means of connecting your business to local buyers.

So how do you get your business listed? You first need to identify the top players in online search. Most SEO professionals (including myself) focus on the top three search engines which are Google, Yahoo, and Bing (formerly MSN Live Search). Each of these search engines has local business listings and a means of submitting a new listing.

To make it easy, I have provided direct links for setting up local business listings for Google, Yahoo, and Bing. All you have to do is follow the links and fill out the forms. Each search engine has a method of verifying your business information. Some will send you a postcard in the mail with a confirmation number. Others will have you verify through email or other means.

Google – If you have a Google account, you can sign up for a local listing using your existing a log in and password. Google will send a postcard to verify your address.
https://www.google.com/accounts/ServiceLogin?continue=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Flocal%2Fadd%2Fanalytics%3Fstoreid%3D7941842%26hl%3Den-US%26gl%3DUS&service=lbc&hl=en-US&gl=US

Yahoo – Yahoo has upgraded (paid) business listings but you can still sign up for a free listing.
http://searchmarketing.yahoo.com/local/lbl.php

MSN Live Search (now Bing) – Formerly MSN Live Search, Bing is the newest of the search engines. Bing will send a letter confirming your address.
https://ssl.bing.com/listings/ListingCenter.aspx

Two other popular online directories are Switchboard.com and Yelp. Switchboard.com was one of the first online phone books and Yelp allows people to write reviews of your business.

Switchboard.com – Online phone book that has been around for a number of years.
http://advertising.superpages.com/spportal/landingpages.do?splash=50&campaignId=swbd_addedit&SRC=switchboard&tsrc=SWBD

Yelp – People can write reviews on businesses.
https://www.yelp.com/login?return_url=%2Fwriteareview%2Fnewbiz%3Fsearch_loc%3DPhiladelphia%2C%2520PA

This video provides a great explanation of business listings along with tips on improving your pages and visibility.

If you have questions or concerns about setting up your local business listings, feel free to contact us at (800) 918-4828 or by email at bryan@bmullconsulting.com.

Bryan Mull
Website Design | Internet Marketing Consulting
Email: bryan@bmullconsulting.com
Phone: (610) 717-3971 ext. 1

Goggle Works Center for Arts
201 Washington St., Studio 545
Reading, PA 19601 (directions)

]]> http://www.bmullconsulting.com/blog/internet-marketing-tips-local-search-listings/feed/ 5 Nano Video Marketing Now Available in Reading, PA http://www.bmullconsulting.com/blog/nano-video-marketing-now-available-in-reading-pa/ http://www.bmullconsulting.com/blog/nano-video-marketing-now-available-in-reading-pa/#comments Wed, 29 Jul 2009 23:24:44 +0000 bryanmull http://www.bmullconsulting.com/?p=338 What is nano video marketing? It’s a fancy term used in the Internet marketing world for using small videos to promote your company. Now that bandwidth is no longer an issue, businesses are using Internet based videos to market themselves online.

Small videos can show your customers (or potential customers) how to do something. For example, I am working with an online shelving retailer to create a “how to hang a shelf” video series explaining the basics of properly hanging a shelf in various applications. These videos will help educate customers and draw new customers looking for help hanging a shelf. In the past this could have been accomplished using photos and text, but why not show a video? If a picture is worth a thousand words, imagine the value of a video clip.

Another great use of online video is to show production capabilities. BMull Consulting is working with a steel company to produce several short videos showing their in-house production capabilities. These videos will be used on their website. Online capability videos have been around for years, but it’s yet another way that businesses are using video to enhance their online presence.

Video business cards are an increasingly popular form of online video marketing. These videos are 15-30 seconds in length and have a short dialogue featuring a spokesperson from the company. Video business cards are typically shot using a green screen to allow video editors to remove the background. The end result is an “interactive” business card. Here is a example video business card for BMull Consulting.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vR4hhqE1lBs

If used properly, you can get a lot of mileage out of one video business card. One short video could be used on:

  • Facebook & MySpace pages
  • Embedded video on your website pages
  • YouTube, Flickr, or Vimeo
  • Email signatures – include a link to your video business card
  • TV commercials

A great idea would be for the Reading Berks Chamber to create an online directory of video business cards for Reading Chamber members. Members could view videos of other members to get a feel for their company. Sure enough, I heard something similar is in the works.

Production costs for video business cards start at $695 with many features and upgrades available. Contact Bryan Mull today for more information or to schedule your video business card shoot at our studio in downtown Reading, PA.

By email at bryan@bmullconsulting.com or by phone at (800) 918-4828.

]]> http://www.bmullconsulting.com/blog/nano-video-marketing-now-available-in-reading-pa/feed/ 0 What is Twitter? http://www.bmullconsulting.com/blog/what-is-twitter/ http://www.bmullconsulting.com/blog/what-is-twitter/#comments Tue, 05 May 2009 17:24:17 +0000 bryanmull http://www.bmullconsulting.com/?p=163 Business owners in Reading, Pennsylvania are interested in Twitter. How do I know? Because it comes up in almost every conversation I have regarding internet marketing. People want to know what the hype is all about. More importantly, they want to know if they can use Twitter for their business.

So what is Twitter? Twitter is considered a micro-blogging platform. What’s the difference between a regular blog and a micro-blog? Regular blogs can include many words and pictures. The blog you are reading right now is an example of a regular blog. Micro-blogs (such as Twitter) only allow users to write 140 characters in a post.

Twitter in Plain English Video

At first glance it might appear that Twitter is a complete waste of time. I mean really… why would you care if someone is “picking up dry cleaning” or “forgot how much they loved pickles?” It’s the way people are using Twitter that is changing the landscape of social media marketing on the web. Here are a few ways that smart marketers are using Twitter to their advantage:

- Research: Find out what people are saying about your product or service. Businesses are asking for feedback getting quick responses through Twitter.

- Job Searching: Businesses are posting jobs on Twitter, people are responding.

- Announcing New Products or Services: Yet another way to let people know you have something new to offer.

- Posting Industry Related Articles or Links: Twitter is a great place to find interesting articles and links related to your industry. Posting articles and links helps solidify your role as an industry professional.

- Live Updates on Events or Conferences – If you run large events or conferences, you can use Twitter to post last minute updates and breaking news.

On a personal level, people are using Twitter to stay connected with friends and family. Parents use Twitter to keep updated when their kids are on vacation or a school trip. Press reporters in the Middle East are using Twitter to stay alive. There are stories of press reporters being taken hostage and their only form of contact to their friends and family was a twitter post! And it worked. Friends and family contacted government authorities to inform them their friend was taken hostage. Very cool!

Twitter Links

http://www.livingstonbuzz.com/2009/03/05/a-twitter-use-primer/ – Explanation of Twitter and how businesses are using it.

http://www.toprankblog.com/2007/11/twitter-guide/ – Different ways to use Twitter.

http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/164290/nine_twitter_tips_for_business.html – Tips for using Twitter

]]> http://www.bmullconsulting.com/blog/what-is-twitter/feed/ 1 Top Ten Ways to Use Your Berks Chamber Membership http://www.bmullconsulting.com/blog/top-ten-ways-to-use-your-berks-chamber-membership/ http://www.bmullconsulting.com/blog/top-ten-ways-to-use-your-berks-chamber-membership/#comments Fri, 14 Nov 2008 22:46:08 +0000 bryanmull http://www.bryanmull.com/?p=43 The services I provide through BMull Consulting are primarily focused on internet marketing and website design. More often than not, discussions about internet marketing lead into talks about traditional marketing efforts and how then can be better enhanced.

I live in the Reading Pennsylvania area and I work with local businesses. One of the first initiatives a new (or existing) business does when they want to ramp up marketing is join the Greater Reading Berks Chamber of Commerce. Joining the local chamber of commerce shows that you care about the status of your business and want to be part of the local business community.

Joining (or re-joining) the chamber comes with a few perks that a lot of local members often overlook. Here are my top ten ways to utilize your Greater Berks Chamber of Commerce membership benefits when joining.

1.) Free radio spot on WEEU
WEEU is offers free 15-second spots of radio advertising to new chamber members.

2.) Free print ad in Reading Eagle
Pennsylvania law requires new business owners to run at least one print ad in a business publication. Your free Reading Eagle ad counts as your first official print advertisement in a business publication. Plus it’s free. Why not use it?

3.) Free print ad in Berks Mont
Berks Chamber members also receive one free ad in Berks Mont, La Voz, or other related publications. You have to act quickly on this offer since it expires within a few months of joining the chamber.

4.) Ribbon cutting ceremony
This is a great way to kick off a new office or retail location. The chamber will visit your location and take a photo of you with a large ribbon ready to be cut. They place the photo in the chamber newsletter to announce your new business.

5.) Mention in chamber newsletter
As I mentioned above, your ribbon cutting ceremony photo is placed in the chamber newsletter. From what I recall, the chamber places a text listing of your business when you first join. Once the ribbon cutting ceremony is complete, they they mention your business again when they print the photo.

6.) Free gift certificate for learning seminar
Each new chamber member receives a $50 gift certificate to attend one of the ongoing educational seminars hosted by the Greater Berks Chamber of Commerce. The seminars cover a variety of topics and are held on a regular basis. The schedule can be found on the Berks Chamber website.

7.) Access to the PRP program
In addition to a free learning seminar, the Reading Berks Chamber allows members to take advantage of their Professional Resource Program (PRP). The program provides a free consultation with another member of the chamber that has expertise in the area you are looking for. I myself have met with two companies to answer their questions about redesigning their website so I know there are good consultants available through the program.

8.) Listing on chamber website
The Berks Chamber has an online membership directory that allows members to list their business name and contact information. Every new chamber member should take advantage of this free online listing.

9.) Deals on advertising specials
WEEU, Reading Eagle, and Berks County Living will offer you a deal on advertising when you join the Reading Chamber. This can result in big savings if you planning on doing a local advertising campaign.

10.) Attend networking events
I left this one for last because it’s usually the first benefit people see from joining the chamber. Networking can be a great way to meet new business colleagues. I would definitely recommend attending a minimum of three chamber networking events each year.

If you have any of your own tips for using your Reading Chamber benefit, feel free to post them in the comments section.

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