In the time of fedoras, steel-framed muscle cars and Elvis Presley marketing consisted of a writer, artist and someone to get the piece to the media. Like tinkering underneath the hood of a ’59 El Camino things seemed… simpler. Time marches on and today the right kind of marketing is more like trying to fix a hybrid electric engine than changing spark plugs on a classic; but before nostalgia overtakes us let’s consider the opportunity this complexity affords businesses of all sizes.
It’s to sell of course, whether you want customers to order right from your site, call you for an appointment or walk through your storefront, at the end of the day you want as many people as possible to “buy” whatever you’re selling.
What do your customers want though? A lot of business owners and even web designers are surprised. More than flashy banners, a beautiful design and a clever tagline, in surveys 76% of web users said they wanted a site that was SIMPLE.
Consider this: 80% of U.S. adults are online, and naturally this number is growing as the next generation grows into adulthood. Not only are they online, they are spending more and more time online. 33% of consumers spend more than 3 hours online.
Even more telling, in between updating Facebook and looking up videos of cute pets on Youtube, they are researching products they plan on buying. 80% of internet users research products online before buying.
Steve:
– Thanks for listening to the Business support on WSDI, my name is Steve!
Today my guest is Melissa from 411 Locals. First let me tell you a little bit about 411 Locals. They are a full-cervice internet advertising agency. Plus 411 Locals designed the WSDI’s website.
The site is easy to update and we’ve been really pleased with all the services they offer including being at the top up Google searches.
But we are not here to talk about the WSDI, the eye although i’d like to.
We are here to talk about 411 Locals. Let me introduce to you Melissa:
Melissa:
– Thank you for inviting me Steve. It’s a lot fun working with your staff and we’re glad we’ve been able to help you out. This year you’re going to see even better results from our services. Basically 411 Locals is an expert in online marketing. Our online marketing expertise includes web site, mobile website, youtube video, social media, and ofcourse search engine optimization. Which today maybe is the most important element. We help small and mid-size businesses compete without braking the bank. We provide our clients a team with marketers who work and monitor their account every week. You can say we’re there in-house internet marketing department. Our clients get her expert services, a competitive rates.
Steve:
– So basically your company’s marketing department without the cost. But you are local? Right? 411 Locals doesn’t really provide national marketing?
Melissa:
– Thats right! So if you are small or mid-size business your clients are in your neighbourhood. Sure you make sales from across the country but our focus is on being a local marketing firm. Let me give you an example. Say you’re a plumber in the suburbs of Chicago or even Los Angeles. Providing services, your website is listed and search coming from saint louis or Dallas. Thats not very helpful. We work that hard to get your business’s name out to the world when your customers are next door. We provide a guarantee to our customers that your website will appear on the first page of Google Business listings in your local area within the first 90 days. Everyone uses Google to find services. With our guarantee and our competitive prices, you can’t go wrong.
Steve:
– Wait! So what happens if you can’t get someone on the firs page of Search?
Melissa:
– I’m actually glad you brought that up! We work pretty hard for our customers. We have a very large team of talented techs, and SEO experts. We are committed to live up our agreements with our clients. We’ve done it for 25 000 Business. Here’s the thing thought: we’re aware that every online marketer hold themselves to that standard. Most don’t have the team we have. It’s usually just a couple people work on the stuff part time. In fact how many times have you heard a friend say “hey my kid or friend’s kid might be able to help you here he just graduated”. We are experts in the field. Why take a chance with your business.
SteveL
– I know that WSDI did want to take a chance with their website
Melissa:
– We are so confident in our ability to deliver. We don’t ask customers to sign a long-term contract. We are more interested in building a strong customer loyalty. You wont see 6, 12 or even 24 month agreement like our competitors. We have the highest retention rate in the industry. Our customers are always in control. We are confident our service offering and our great teams. You can count on 411Locals.
Steve:
– I know there had to be at least 12 companies present the services here. In the end WSDI made the right choice. Every time had a question, or needed some type of assistance 411 Locals was there.
Melissa:
– Media outlets like WSDI radio need a creative and easy to maintain website. Our approach is always the same. In the end it’s about the customers and the results they are looking for. And I think we’ve done that for WSDI. It’s been pleasure working with your staff.
Steve:
– We need your expertise to not only help us grow our listeners ship, but help us grow our brand.
Melissa:
– It’s a pretty good deal. Especially for you. Really for any business. It’s a huge return on a small investment month after month and thats why businesses like you stay with us.
Steve:
– That sounds grate, and I’m glad I had a chance to talk to you today Melissa. Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Melissa:
– Thank you Steve! We’re happy to be here. I just like to add that any small and mid-size businesses are looking cost effective way to find more customers to please call 411 Locals for a free estimate.
Steve:
– Call 411 Locals right now at 866 530 1325 or you could visit them at 411locals.com Thank you again Melissa for be mu guest on the business support.
Or any ad for social media.
When was the last time you clicked on an ad you saw on a social media site? If you said a long time ago, or never, don’t be discouraged because people are clicking and people are buying. If you said recently then what did the ad look like? What drew you in? Did you buy, or give them your email, or call? Maybe you didn’t but you remember them.
Here’s the math of advertising, it’s not hard. You spend X amount hoping those pennies and dollars will result in a net gain, eventually. You measure it over time. If it does end in a gain, spend more and see if you gain even more business, and so on until you hit some saturation point where more $ no longer equals more sales. If advertising isn’t working it’s not the concept of advertising in general which is failing most likely, but your messaging, your target, or your product. It works. Ask AT&T, GM, Disney, McDonalds, Walmart, American Express, etc.
How is advertising on social media different?
Another interesting way you may be able to track customers in the future.All mediums throughout history have had the exact same problem; how do you know a television commercial is working? A radio spot? A print ad?—businesses hold the internet to an even higher standard when it comes to proving effectiveness.
The truth is you can track the effectiveness of online marketing to a greater extent than any other type of marketing, but Google and a few other companies are trying to offer even more.
Introducing Estimated Total Conversion.
