Coupon Ideas
One idea for a Groupon/coupon that I thought of is offering a limited number of advance purchase opportunities for an individual to join the owners at a craft fair and customize their own piece. Their piece would then be delivered to them once it could be fired.
This would be similar to what people can do at a "Clay and Latte" type storefront, but instead it would be on a hand made piece rather than the mass produced, generic items you can get at the more commercial stores. I think this could be very beneficial because parents could leave their older children at the booth while they continue to shop a the fair or farmers market. This would create a pleasant day for everyone involved.
As far as a new product or service that would increase business would be for the owners to offer ceramic parties, or small group classes. This would be a good way to both generate business and promote the joy of creating.
Sunday, November 23, 2014
Week 12 Using Other Social Media Tools (part 1)
Next Steps...
Finding four additional marketing tools for this business was a bit of a challenge. It is a small business that is not looking to become large or overwhelming. It is more of a hobby business than one that is needed as a primary source of income. With that in mind, I suggest the following tools that may be of use to the business.
I feel that the business would definitely benefit from having a website (they don't have one yet). I really believe that every legitimate business needs a website. It is one of the first resources that people use to find out about any given business.
The next tool that I think would benefit this company would be a Google+ page. I think that would be a good source to connect with others and make announcements. I like the fact that blog posts are automatically linked.
The third tool that I would recommend would be to try Groupon. It may be a challenging sell for a new crafting business, but the Groupon could include a half price, buy one get one, or a custom creation option.
The final tool that could be beneficial would be Linkedin. This is the one resource that I think our company fits into the least, as it is not a particularly "professional" business. However, I think it would be a good resource to connect with professional ceramists.
Finding four additional marketing tools for this business was a bit of a challenge. It is a small business that is not looking to become large or overwhelming. It is more of a hobby business than one that is needed as a primary source of income. With that in mind, I suggest the following tools that may be of use to the business.
I feel that the business would definitely benefit from having a website (they don't have one yet). I really believe that every legitimate business needs a website. It is one of the first resources that people use to find out about any given business.
The next tool that I think would benefit this company would be a Google+ page. I think that would be a good source to connect with others and make announcements. I like the fact that blog posts are automatically linked.
The third tool that I would recommend would be to try Groupon. It may be a challenging sell for a new crafting business, but the Groupon could include a half price, buy one get one, or a custom creation option.
The final tool that could be beneficial would be Linkedin. This is the one resource that I think our company fits into the least, as it is not a particularly "professional" business. However, I think it would be a good resource to connect with professional ceramists.
Sunday, November 16, 2014
Week 11 Online Advertising (part 3)
Advertising on a Shoestring
Advertising without spending money is pretty simple when using social media. However, not everything will be effective. It is important to remember your principles of good design, and to include a call to action.
Your posts should include your signature style, some compelling text, and a beautiful graphic. It is also extremely important that you tell your audience what you want or need them to do by including a clear call to action by using words such as like, share, or visit. This way, you can ensure that your posts will be attractive, effective and engaging. The call to action is the key feature that can turn an ordinary post into an "ad".
Here are a few (fictional) examples of posts (not ads) that incorporate a call to action.
Advertising without spending money is pretty simple when using social media. However, not everything will be effective. It is important to remember your principles of good design, and to include a call to action.
Your posts should include your signature style, some compelling text, and a beautiful graphic. It is also extremely important that you tell your audience what you want or need them to do by including a clear call to action by using words such as like, share, or visit. This way, you can ensure that your posts will be attractive, effective and engaging. The call to action is the key feature that can turn an ordinary post into an "ad".
Here are a few (fictional) examples of posts (not ads) that incorporate a call to action.
Saturday, November 15, 2014
Week 11 Online Advertising (part 2)
Blog Comments
This week I commented on the following classmate's blogs:
This week I commented on the following classmate's blogs:
Thursday, November 13, 2014
Week 11 Online Advertising (part 1)
To Pay or Not to Pay, That is the Question~
There are a surprising number of ways that a business can utilize Facebook ads. You can designate your ad for the Desktop News Feed, the Mobile News Feed, or the Right Column. Facebook has an unbelievable database of demographic information and can allow business to advertise to a broad market, or laser focus an ad to an incredibly narrow audience. A business can target the audience by location, demographics, likes and interests and even through far more personal information such as birthday and relationship status. Facebook Ads can meet many business needs by carefully evaluating the objective of the advertisement. For example, ads can be designed to simply direct people to your website, or to promote a specific action once they get there. They can also be customized to promote page engagement or grow your audience and page likes.
When using ads for social media it is important to remember the principles of good design that we learned about earlier in the semester. Principles such as balance, proportion, repetition, and ease of use are all important to keep the ad relevant and engaging.
Banner ads, while I find them quite annoying, can be effective because they are large, graphic based ads that demand attention. Their main purpose is to drive traffic to the advertised business. In contrast, Twitter advertising is relatively short lived as it shows in an individuals Twitter stream. Twitter ads appear to be most effective when it involves an immediate call to action combined with high value for the customer.
After reading about all the different types of social media advertising, I have come to the conclusion that paid advertising is not appropriate for this business at this time. The business is too young, and too small to justify the expense. I think the best plan for promoting this business is to continue to build followers, and post interesting, and relevant information for other ceramic enthusiasts as well as announce any events they might be showing at. Additionally, we will develop posts with specific calls to action to visit our page, come to the shows and tell their friends. We will attempt to build trust with our customers and encourage sharing the beauty and value of our products through word of mouth.
There are a surprising number of ways that a business can utilize Facebook ads. You can designate your ad for the Desktop News Feed, the Mobile News Feed, or the Right Column. Facebook has an unbelievable database of demographic information and can allow business to advertise to a broad market, or laser focus an ad to an incredibly narrow audience. A business can target the audience by location, demographics, likes and interests and even through far more personal information such as birthday and relationship status. Facebook Ads can meet many business needs by carefully evaluating the objective of the advertisement. For example, ads can be designed to simply direct people to your website, or to promote a specific action once they get there. They can also be customized to promote page engagement or grow your audience and page likes.
When using ads for social media it is important to remember the principles of good design that we learned about earlier in the semester. Principles such as balance, proportion, repetition, and ease of use are all important to keep the ad relevant and engaging.
Banner ads, while I find them quite annoying, can be effective because they are large, graphic based ads that demand attention. Their main purpose is to drive traffic to the advertised business. In contrast, Twitter advertising is relatively short lived as it shows in an individuals Twitter stream. Twitter ads appear to be most effective when it involves an immediate call to action combined with high value for the customer.
After reading about all the different types of social media advertising, I have come to the conclusion that paid advertising is not appropriate for this business at this time. The business is too young, and too small to justify the expense. I think the best plan for promoting this business is to continue to build followers, and post interesting, and relevant information for other ceramic enthusiasts as well as announce any events they might be showing at. Additionally, we will develop posts with specific calls to action to visit our page, come to the shows and tell their friends. We will attempt to build trust with our customers and encourage sharing the beauty and value of our products through word of mouth.
Saturday, November 8, 2014
Week 10: Email Marketing (part 2)
Blog Comments
The classmate blogs that I commented on are:
Donn Austin: http://socalcomputerpro.blogspot.com/
Eric Bateman: http://commonsenseflooring.blogspot.com
Brian Gilb: http://briangilb.blogspot.com/
The classmate blogs that I commented on are:
Donn Austin: http://socalcomputerpro.blogspot.com/
Eric Bateman: http://commonsenseflooring.blogspot.com
Brian Gilb: http://briangilb.blogspot.com/
Thursday, November 6, 2014
Week 10: Email Marketing (part 1)
The Glazed Gazette ~
EXTRA! EXTRA!
When it comes to
newsletters I would lean towards sending them out less frequently, just not so
infrequently that the business gets forgotten about! For this business, I think that would be twice a year for a general
"news" letter plus additional emails announcing events where the
customers could come out and see the pieces. I think the two scheduled newsletters could be an
anniversary update and a mid-year update. Additionally, I could see sending out
a Happy Birthday announcement with a 25% off coupon.
For content, I think the customers would enjoy
hearing about
-
latest projects and collections
-
craft fairs or shows they will be at
-
major ceramic art events
-
local ceramic art events
-
artist spotlights
Sunday, November 2, 2014
Week 9: Blogging for Business (Part 2)
Categories
Categories are an excellent way to stay organized and to help readers find the content they are interested in. For the business I am promoting I would choose to start simple with only a few categories. I would include the following categories: Our Finished Work, Techniques, Art & Inspiration, and Events. I think the categories are clear and concise and would give the reader a simple way of finding relevant information regarding the topic of their interest.
Our Finished Work would showcase specific pieces and collections. We would include photos and information about the materials and glazes used to create the pieces.
Techniques would be used to categorize articles about the various techniques that either we use, or want to share knowledge about.
Art & Inspiration is a category that we could use to showcase the work of others. That may include sharing information about professional ceramic artists, ceramic shows, or sharing the work of other amateurs that we like.
Events would be a category that we could use to tell about events that we participated in or wanted to share with others, such as local art shows or craft fairs where we might be selling.
The classmate blogs I commented on are:
Dianna Trujillo
Bobbi Turman
Stacey Sanders
Categories are an excellent way to stay organized and to help readers find the content they are interested in. For the business I am promoting I would choose to start simple with only a few categories. I would include the following categories: Our Finished Work, Techniques, Art & Inspiration, and Events. I think the categories are clear and concise and would give the reader a simple way of finding relevant information regarding the topic of their interest.
Our Finished Work would showcase specific pieces and collections. We would include photos and information about the materials and glazes used to create the pieces.
Techniques would be used to categorize articles about the various techniques that either we use, or want to share knowledge about.
Art & Inspiration is a category that we could use to showcase the work of others. That may include sharing information about professional ceramic artists, ceramic shows, or sharing the work of other amateurs that we like.
Events would be a category that we could use to tell about events that we participated in or wanted to share with others, such as local art shows or craft fairs where we might be selling.
The classmate blogs I commented on are:
Dianna Trujillo
Bobbi Turman
Stacey Sanders
Week 9: Blogging for Business (Part 1)
TMI or Not Enough?
I think the level of personal information that can be shared on a blog completely depends on the business and the target market of that business. I think a small business looking to create some brand loyalty could certainly add some personal content and show off the personality of the owner or company. It think this is especially true of certain niche markets. This would help to connect the company and the customer on a different level.
I do not think that being personal on a blog for a major corporation would be very appropriate. I think being personal in a blog for a large company could run the risk of it losing credibility with its customers. I have no interest in knowing Wal-Mart or Microsoft on a personal level.
In the blog for the company I am promoting, I would choose not to indulge much personal information because the owners/artists are fairly private, but I would certainly encourage adding personality. I think that it is especially important for a business that is promoting a creative or artistic product. If the owners feel compelled to share their creativity through their art, why not showcase the personality that generated that creativity?
I think the level of personal information that can be shared on a blog completely depends on the business and the target market of that business. I think a small business looking to create some brand loyalty could certainly add some personal content and show off the personality of the owner or company. It think this is especially true of certain niche markets. This would help to connect the company and the customer on a different level.
I do not think that being personal on a blog for a major corporation would be very appropriate. I think being personal in a blog for a large company could run the risk of it losing credibility with its customers. I have no interest in knowing Wal-Mart or Microsoft on a personal level.
In the blog for the company I am promoting, I would choose not to indulge much personal information because the owners/artists are fairly private, but I would certainly encourage adding personality. I think that it is especially important for a business that is promoting a creative or artistic product. If the owners feel compelled to share their creativity through their art, why not showcase the personality that generated that creativity?
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