lurk to learn: getting started with new social media

lurk to learn: getting started with new social media

The swirling world of social media produces new platforms every day. Even “old” standards – facebook, twitter – are getting facelifts and making changes in user experience that effect the way marketers use social media to connect with interested prospects. On one hand, that means no matter when you decide to take the plunge into social marketing, you’re not that far behind: it all changes so fast, we’re all running just to keep up.

On the other hand, it makes social media look like a marathon you’re not sure how to jump in on. How do you start in something you don’t even understand? We’ve all heard a friend or colleague say “I just don’t get the point of Twitter.”

When you’re not sure where to start in a new platform, lurk to learn…

Let’s take Twitter as an example.

new pic on Flickr: AAFKC’s lunch series

new pic on Flickr: AAFKC’s lunch series

Check out the emfluence Flickr account for pics from yesterday’s MK12 presentation on the work they did for the movie Stranger Than Fiction and for a commercial for Swiss International Airlines.

pay-per-click management: using Google’s full toolset

pay-per-click management: using Google’s full toolset

Ok, so after reviewing some basic AdWords reports, you’ve managed to identify some pain points, make some bid changes, maybe even add and remove some keywords. All these changes are made and should help you on the way to having an effective paid search campaign that will deliver the results you’re looking for.

What else can you do?

Google makes a lot of data available to you within the AdWords interface that can give you additional insight into the true performance of your campaign.

emfluence VP to speak at SMX East in NYC

emfluence VP to speak at SMX East in NYC

The Search Marketing Expo in New York City (SMX – East) has invited emfluence VP of Digital Strategy, Todd Sandoval, to speak on a panel about Mobile Search Advertising in October.

taking it personalized – too much, too little or just the right amount in your email marketing campaigns

taking it personalized – too much, too little or just the right amount in your email marketing campaigns

According to a 2008 ReturnPath study, more than 75% of marketers who use email marketing aren’t taking advantage of personalization at all. Surprising, given that there’s solid evidence that even limited personalization boosts email response rates. And, with technology provided by virtually every Email Service Provider, it’s very easy to implement.

So what’s preventing marketing experts from using personalization in their email marketing campaigns?

even more new Flickr pics: emfluence does 80s night at the Royals

even more new Flickr pics: emfluence does 80s night at the Royals

What else can be said but "80s Night at the K"?  The emfluence team headed out to watch the Royals battle it out with the…

new Flickr pics: on the green

new Flickr pics: on the green

emfluence sponsored the Putting Contest at the Kansas City Direct Marketing Association’s 12th Annual Golf Tournament. The tournament is a fundraiser for KCDMA’s Educational Foundation and emfluence’s sponsorship was part of the contribution. The best part is, Dave not only got to give, he got to golf! Check out all the pics from the green, including the one qualifier for the big bucks, at our flickr account.

choosing the right keywords for website optimization

choosing the right keywords for website optimization

Imagine if your website had more than one doorway, i.e. the home page. What if you could roll out a welcome mat at each page of your site, making it possible for Joe Searcher to come in via the page that is most interesting to him?

Optimize your page well, friends, and it’s possible. So, how do you pick which keywords to target with Search Engine Optimization? How many terms can you optimize a single page or section for?

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what happens when you ask permission

So, you just finished up a rockstar online promotion and gathered thousands of potential prospects… but you didn’t ask them to opt-in to your emails (shame, shame). Or you have an existing transactional email relationship with a certain group of contacts, but they don’t receive your promo emails yet. What’s next?

emfluence takes home AMBITS, honor

emfluence takes home AMBITS, honor

emfluence and our client, Indigo Wild took home not one, but two AMBIT Awards this year and our Marketing Manager, Jessica Best, was named Kansas City’s Young Direct Marketer of the Year.

behind the scenes: emfluence pics on Flickr

We’ve added some long overdue pictures to our Flickr account: Ones & Zeros (aka the biggest bash of 2008) through Marketing Sherpa’s Email Summit in Miami last month with a speckling of around-the-office fun.

new, improved & shiny

emfluence enters the WordPress blogging world! Check back for posts to this new (and improved) blog later this week. In the meantime, you can always visit our website: dev.emfluence.com