Consider the following:

• Mobile is expected to surpass PCs as the most popular way to go online within the next 5 years
• Global downloads of mobile apps are expected to reach over 76.9 billion by 2014
• US mobile-commerce revenues are expected to hit 31 billion by 2016

Research predicts that companies will increasingly shift their marketing budgets to the mobile channel, and begin using cutting-edge apps to capture marketing and sales opportunities they may currently be leaving on the table. This growth in mobile app technology is not only within lifestyle applications, but within the business world as well. From mobile payments to location-based services, these new apps are now making it possible for even the smallest businesses to enjoy the advantages mobile technology has to offer. And as technology evolves it becomes continuously easier to market specifically to your prospects using apps.

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Ready to jump in but not sure what a custom business app can do for your company? Here are some ideas to get you started:

• A custom demo app could help sales pros easily share different product demos on the go.
• Customers may appreciate an app that gives them a useful way to tap into your expertise no matter where they are.
• Business professionals could save time with an app that tracks business travel and related expenses automatically.
• Road warriors may get more accomplished if there was a mobile app to find good prospects that happened to be en route to their current sales calls.
• Field technicians may get more done with an app to get key information, directions, maps, or forms while they are on the road.

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The uses for apps in business are limited only by imagination. So, whether you are looking to stand out from your competitors, enhance your brand image, strengthen customer loyalty, or all of the above – there could be an app for that… with your name on it!

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If you’ve got an idea for an app of your own, give us a call at 1-630-832-4828 x 7 to get started today.

But, in today’s marketing arena there are so many new opportunities to reach your customers and new marketing channels to choose from, how do you decide which will be best for your business? How do you decide which resolutions to make?

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Here are some ideas to consider for your list of 2012 Marketing Resolutions:

RESOLUTION #1: Measure ROI.
This one is at the top of the list for good reason. As marketing trends continue to evolve at the speed of light, it may be tempting to jump on the bandwagons without pause. But before embarking on any new marketing initiative, it always pays off to get the key benchmarks, define your success and return-on-investment goals, and then plan the measurement methods to keep it all on track. This applies equally to both traditional marketing and new marketing techniques alike.

RESOLUTION #2: Get Mobile.
It’s the fastest growing marketing segment. It’s the new way for your customers and prospects to get immediate information and take immediate action. Leverage this technology now. Take advantage of the on-demand, impulse-driven consumer mentality. Build mobile sites and landing pages. Think smaller, streamline; tie in QR Codes.

RESOLUTION #3: Make Social Media Count.
It can make all the difference to your bottom line OR it can become a black hole, eating up endless time and money, depending on your approach. A social media campaign should not be taken lightly. Starting a successful social media initiative means preparing a comprehensive plan, making a commitment to be vigilant, and dedicating the necessary resources to make it all happen the right way.

RESOLUTION #4: Refine your website.
As technology evolves and search-engine algorithms change the way they perform, customers and prospects also change the way they prefer to access information. This results in the ongoing need to refine your website to reflect today’s marketing arena and avoid appearing dated. Now is a good time to revisit your site to make sure it is still on the leading edge and working hard to bring you those qualified leads on a consistent basis.

RESOLUTION #5: Sharpen your landing pages, test, and repeat.
The best landing pages are those that are an immediate and clear payoff to the leading link. Landing pages bridge the gap between, “I’m a shopper” and “I’m a buyer.” They can perform several functions but it all comes down to the right information (and only the right information) to compel action at the right time.

RESOLUTION #6: Cross-sell/up-sell. Always.
Don’t leave opportunities “on the table” due to the lack of simple cross-sell or up-sell techniques. One of the most effective catalog tools around is the dynamic “you might also like…” phrase. Each marketing channel today comes with an abundance of cross-sell opportunities. Don’t forget to add those into your consistent marketing message(s).

RESOLUTION #7: Tie it all together.
Ahhh, the power of integrated marketing squared. An effective website is essential. A blog and e-newsletter is key. An integrated Social Media program is great. But, tying them together… well, that ‘s where the magic happens. Rankings, lead generation, customer acquisition, increased market share. It all starts by integrating all your marketing efforts in a comprehensive way to get the results you’re counting on.

RESOLUTION #8: Try something new.
With all that today’s new way of marketing has to offer, now may be just the time to commit to trying something new. An online social media sweepstakes may be a great way to engage your customers and prospects. Or how about using QR codes or “check-ins” to reward your best customers with special deals. Test out some of these techniques to find out how viable they are for your business.

RESOLUTION #9: Try something old.
Hand-written letters or notes are at the top of the list for communicating in a special and personal way that will help you stand out from the crowd.

RESOLUTION #10: Remember the basics.
With all the new marketing channels – with all the groups, fans, and followers – it may be easy to get distracted or worse… to fragment your brand or your message. That’s where having a comprehensive marketing plan up front can help to keep all initiatives on strategy and in focus.

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These 10 Marketing Resolutions will get you started on the right track for a strong 2012. However, with any list of Resolutions, the tough part is always sticking to them with discipline and consistency. And your marketing Resolutions are no exception to that challenge. But the payoff is well worth the effort!

And, if you need a little help along the way, don’t forget to call us at 630-832-4828.

Happy New Year!

Download the free Colorology App here:

Colors have a psychology all their own. Did you ever wonder what the colors you choose are really communicating to the world around you?

With Colorology you’ll know up front if certain colors are the right choices for the purpose you have in mind… or not! Whether it’s for a company logo, a website, an ad design, or any number of high-­impact purposes, Colorology will guide you to the best color choices that lead to the best results.

Colorology Features:
• Learn the psychology at work behind each color.
• Master how to use colors for maximum impact.
• Find out which colors are safe choices to use.
• Discover each color’s attributes/characteristics.
• Quickly find the RGB breakdowns of each color.
• Share color choices with friends or colleagues.

Launch is set for early 2012.

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Here are 3 ways to make holiday marketing work for you:

1. Use Social Networks to Help Celebrate and Inspire Customer Loyalty Through the Holidays and Beyond

This year on Black Friday, mobile shoppers referred from social networks generated more online sales than ever before – led by Facebook with 75% of all social network traffic. That means including an integrated social media holiday marketing program is now a must. Pull out all the stops by combining social media with your website, blogs, and online press releases to get on-going benefits as well. Reward your Facebook fans with special promotions offered only to them. Make it easy for them to share with others to spread the word. Use Twitter to help your followers find the best places to park in a crowded lot. Offer Foursquare coupons to those who “check-in” at your location. Whether you are in retail or a service business, using social media is a great way to market seasonal products and services, special holiday offers, seasons greetings, and more.

2. Holiday QR Codes Take On A New Flavor this Season

Try sending your holiday offers or greetings directly to your clients’ and prospects’ smart phones this holiday season. With the success of mobile and QR Code marketing, the opportunities are endless. You can use a special holiday set of QR Codes to share seasons greetings, favorite holiday recipes, videos, web pages, songs, gifts, coupons and specials, and more.

3. Business Holiday Greetings With That Personal Touch

One of the most unique 2011 tech news stories on CNN was about the “Snail Mail My Email” campaign. One insightful guy decided to offer his services for one month to convert impersonal emails and posts into hand-written mailed letters, adding a few personal touches like stickers, doodles, flower petals, or a lipstick kiss. The idea took off like wildfire and proved that modern society may just be starved for the written word. (Direct mailers have known this for years!) So, this holiday season, while social media and QR marketing may be all the rage, there’s always room for the personal hand-written message. Get back to basics by sending out hand-written holiday cards sharing genuine sentiments in your own words. And a lipstick kiss might seal the deal.

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If you are interested in more ideas about how to integrate holiday marketing with your company’s brand marketing initiatives call LHA/World at 630-832-4828 x7.

www.jobpack.com

Elgin IL-based JobPack Inc. reached out to LHA/World to design and develop their new software solutions website. The challenge was to effectively communicate their their full range of products in a quick, concise, and engaging way while driving traffic to their online demo and 2-minute analysis form.

By using a series of strong customer-focused photo-montages emphasizing the large-scale manufacturing sector, and then breaking the software product offerings into three main categories on the home page, visitors can immediately self-qualify, and quickly choose their area(s) of interest. An Online Demo and a “2-minute Analysis” were added to enable prospects who are unsure of their need an easy way to assist in making that determination. And finally, by adding the “action links” in the center of the page the user can easily take control and enjoy immediate access to several key features.

All these elements, along with a comprehensive SEO package will allow JobPack to capture relevant web traffic while streamlining their sales process and strengthening their conversion rates.