In the article Mythbusting: Video in Email, author  Lynn Baus explains the advantages of using video in email marketing…

READ THE ARTICLE

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In today’s digital marketing world it’s all about video marketing- and your video. If your company doesn’t have at least one video which markets itself or its products, why not? Video is a rather inexpensive marketing venture overall if you consider the number of times a video will be viewed, the audience reach with social media sharing, and where you can strategically place your video. Video is the “show and tell-all” marketing tool. Video engages, educates, and creates a call-to-action unlike any other medium.

In his article “10 Ways to Boost Your Online Video Marketing”, Andrew Follett gives a start to finish video marketing plan.
He starts with the planning stages and takes you through the steps to creating a targeted marketing campaign.
“One of the biggest video mistakes small business marketers make is jumping in without a plan. Every single video you post about your business should be part of a targeted marketing campaign. You need to ask the same questions you’d ask about any other type of marketing you want to do.

Read the article

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In the article “How to Use Video to Market Your Business”, Gail Goodman discusses six tips for video production, “that can help you create informative clips that also reveal your business’s “human” side.”

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HTML5 is supported natively in the browser. Third party plugins like Adobe Flash and QuickTime will soon be a thing of the past. Adobe has announced plans to stop building Flash for mobile devices. HTML5 is gaining momentum, and allows the perfect application for embedding video to email marketers.

Read more about HTML5 and its future effect on email campaign marketing…

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Everyday Americans use their phones to perform tasks beyond the basic phone call. Hold onto your wallet- it’s about to become obsolete. Some of the largest technology companies are hard at work to give your smartphone the ability to make payments at retail locations. How does the virtual wallet work?

HOW IT WORKS
Near Field Communication or NFC is basically a short-range radio transmission. Devices containing chips with NFC capability send a signal to the other NFC-equipped devices at the distance of an inch or less. This ensures a more secured connection between the devices.

The NFC payment software works just like a built-in smartphone app. You can load the app with multiple debit and credit cards for greater flexibility at the register. Payment information is typically stored in the cloud, and it can be accessed on any device that uses near-field communication for payments.

The stored information must be accessed by passcode by the user at point of purchase. This would make your account information inaccessible if your phone were stolen, since the thieves would need a passcode to use it to make transactions. NFC payments would be far more secure than carrying your credit cards.

When tapped against an NFC-enabled payment receiver at a retail store, your credit or debit information would be transmitted securely. Your virtual wallet with passcode saves you time at the checkout. Payment information is kept online secured by a firewall. That would make it safer than carrying traditional credit or debit cards and cash for payments.

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As we step further into 2013, it’s worthwhile for businesses to look ahead and consider emerging tech trends that could benefit their business. Digital marketing is evolving at an accelerated rate. In the digital marketing evolution, it is the savviest marketers that have already benefited from recognizing their consumers’ needs.  Today’s consumers are eager to share content on social media, they interact with their preferred brands, and they receive rewards for sharing marketing messages.

Here are Five Key Digital Marketing Trends for 2013…

1. Social Media Marketing Goes Mainstream

Social media marketing gained an exceptional amount of steam in 2012, as parties ranging in size from international brands to local businesses jockeyed to start (or grow) their efforts and social presence.  As 2013 looms, social media marketing is set to become a top priority marketing tactic. Businesses recognize that social networks are where their targeted customers are spending huge amounts of time.  With this knowledge, prepare to see marketers shift their dollars to the social arena, in order to best reach new customers and grow existing customer loyalty.

2. Consumers Become the Marketer

With changes in search engine ranking algorithms by Google, and the rise of social media, the shift from SEO link building to online content marketing will grow. Digital marketers have said that “content is king” for what seems like ages, but a new trend is emerging where both king and queen tango — and the queen is consumer engagement multiplication.  Great content is always necessary, but the need and potential of engaging consumer messengers moves to the forefront in the year ahead. Consumer messengers are influencers who have the ability through their social sharing to take content messages to their own networks and to the masses, greatly extending the reach of brand marketing efforts.

3. Gaming Goes Mainstream

The rise of gamification, rewards as part of participating, will become more mainstream. Gaming isn’t new, of course, and it’s been an end in itself where in-game purchases are made of marketed products.  In 2013, though, game strategies will extend further into the everyday marketing sector as a significant strategy, not just within the online game industry. Tools for social networks that have a game component – and that incentivize social sharing as part of the promotions – will be on the rise as research shows consumers respond to them.

4. Cross-Social Network Promotions

Social marketing promotions will reach across platforms, bringing two or more social networks into play during a promotion. Instead of relying just on Facebook, promotions will grow by incorporating additional social networks intertwined in a promotion.  We’re already seeing promotions that are based on a Facebook page, but require a Pinterest, Twitter, or Instagram-integrated component as part of the entry and participation process.

5. Rise of SoLoMo Opportunities

SoLoMo, the intersection of social, local, and mobile marketing efforts, will hit the mainstream.  Tools to offer location-based specials will be widely available.  While in-store, businesses can utilize QR codes and signage to drive users to their social sites for further connection.

Source: Mike Gingerich

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“With the rapid evolution of the mobile marketplace, there is a demand for standards and guidelines to unify the advertising industry. To expand on current industry accepted ad units,the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) and the Mobile Marketing Association (MMA) released “Mobile Phone Creative Guidelines” for public comment, simplifying the development of ad units across the industry.”

“The guidelines provide additional directives necessary to empower creative shops and publishers to use mobile for more dynamic, rich consumer experiences. Additionally, it also aligns across the IAB’s “Display Advertising Guidelines.”

“The “Mobile Phone Creative Guidelines” incorporates input from marketing and media authorities to establish detailed specifications for mobile phone ad units. The guidelines address smartphone and feature phone devices and are relevant for both mobile web and in-app inventory. Additionally, they include ad specifications for both basic and rich media units.”

“Balancing the requirements of both the marketer and the consumer experience, the guidelines address varying factors such as different data connections (WIFI, 3G, 4G, etc.), carrier plans, Z-Index range and even the impact of the reduced processing power inherent in mobile device for file load size and web display.”

Critical elements in the “Mobile Phone Creative Guidelines” include:

• Creative unit name
• Maximum expanded dimensions
• Maximum initial file load size
• Submission lead-time
• Implementation notes and best practice
• Supported creative types

What do you think? Download the guidelines and submit your feedback at  http://www.iab.net/mobileguidelines

Read the Press Release from IAB at http://www.iab.net/about_the_iab/recent_press_releases/press_release_archive/press_release/pr-012513_mobile

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Shukla further explains the concept of a holistic approach to Web design:
“So what goes into a holistic approach in developing a new website: Here’s how we define the elements and explain how they all come together to convert a visitor to a lead or contact. For human visitors on desktops and mobile devices, first impressions are very important. We know from the latest brain research that humans can initiate a response to stimuli before the neocortex can even interpret the stimuli, In other words, we act before we think.”

How important are first impressions?
“So first impressions are critically important, and that hinges on design. The design needs to be appealing, yet no overwhelming, Color choices, layout, fount selections and media such as images and videos all have to come together in harmony. A good design has to…”

Read the rest of the article (on pages 16 &17)

Winter 2012/ Insights in Construction

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Interactive Video Postcards are a versatile, effective tool when incorporated into your overall digital media strategy. It gives the recipient the ability to immediately respond. By clicking on the appropriate link, the recipient is able to sign up for an email list or to simply learn more about your company and its products. For example, perhaps you wish to entice visitors to your trade show booth. By using an Interactive Video Postcard embedded in your email, you can give recipients further access to your website; with a specific landing page describing your booth location and event details. Perhaps you would like to thank buyers for purchasing a specific product by email. Embedded within your “thank you for your purchase” email, you could include an Interactive Video Postcard with instructions on how to use said product, assembly instructions, or include a link to sign up for a warranty. Lastly, you may want to gather response information to an inquiry contained within an email. By using an Interactive Video Postcard in your email you can give clients and customers an opportunity to sign up for your monthly newsletter, verify specific contact information, or leave comments and questions. Interactive Video Postcards are a valuable resource for promoting your business and maintaining your contacts.

The following is an example how one company was able to increase their email campaign viewer response by using Interactive Video Postcards: “Earlier this year Blue Cross Blue Shield decided to give video postcards a shot.  Their main goal was to improve the employee engagement rates for the benefits open enrollment, but also to reduce reliance on printed materials, improve their measurement capabilities and streamline the enrollment and communications process on a whole.  99% of people that viewed the video postcards watched the entire video, and an astounding 152% of those viewers clicked on the links to enroll or learn more.  Those are some exciting numbers!”

Kristen Wilkinson, company blog December 27, 2012

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http://www.kenburbary.com/2011/03/facebook-demographics-revisited-2011-statistics-2/

This article reveals how business professionals use Facebook to grow their businesses and how you can employ these ideas to Facebook’s new page design to achieve success. Facebook can help your business reach new heights. Just think of the possibilities. These Facebook pages are designed with you and the customer in mind. They are visual, interactive, social and practical. They come with all the bells and whistles.

Why do professionals use Facebook?

Once upon a time, Facebook was solely used by bratty, pimple-faced teenagers who were looking for ways to escape their algebra homework. Today, Facebook has become an essential tool in the business world. It offers a platform where business people can network and interact on more comprehensive level. The Facebook page for business people essentially becomes a comprehensive business card, exhibiting data, facts, pictures, affiliates, and more to all viewers. Professional business owners understand the value of Facebook.

http://www.affiliatexfiles.com/facebook-for-business-facts-and-statistics/

What is the new page design?

Facebook is putting on a fresh coat of paint. Beginning March 30^th, Facebook engineers are issuing a new page design for every business with a Facebook account, known as “Facebook Timeline”. (If you don’t have a Facebook account for your business, we would be happy to help you start one! The benefits are numerous!) The new page will contain updated tools, branding capabilities and easy edit buttons. Also, a timeline will be issued, creating an easier-to-read home page for your followers. http://www.facebook.com/about/pages

What are the practical benefits of the new design?

The timeline on your new page will create a visually interesting physical space for your readers. This will create a lot more interaction. Readers will be able to visually pin or bookmark posts and pictures. Your favorite pictures and apps will appear at the top of the page to draw the eye. Milestones and calls-to-action become the focus as your fan based begins to interact with your page’s attractions. You will quickly developed leads and associations. And don’t forget advertising! All in all, the benefits out way the cons. This new design is practical and imaginative. You will be impressed! http://blog.hubspot.com/blog/tabid/6307/bid/31752/9-Excellent-Examples-of-Brands-Using-Facebook-s-New-Page-Design.aspx

Isn’t this a little daunting?

You bet! But it doesn’t have to be that way! MEGAchip has a crackerjack team to help you make the transition. We can format your page to your liking. We can add photos and links and buttons and coupons. The possibilities abound! Talk to one of our stellar web designers or web engineers today for details! Hurry!

http://www.megachiptech.com/

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