Insight on Business - September 15, 2011

Insight on Business News Hour with Michael Libbie is our look at a host of things dealing with  advertising, marketing and consumer trends.  Our goal is to help your business increase your marketing footprint and then sell more of your products/services by having you learn what works...and what may need more work.  Our thanks to NatraTurf and Bindery One for their continued support of this project.  Let's go:

Consumers & Organic/Natural Products

We've covered much of this in the past...most recently a discussion about food and food choices and how the trend continues to grow for organic/natural products and/or lifestyle.  While doing some work for an agricultural client I came across this piece from Iowa Farmer Today which details some numbers and consumer trends for organics.  Well worth a read...  Your take-a-way is our continued urging for you to create and/or market products which meet consumer demand.  This, we believe, will continue to be a growth segment of our economy.

Speaking of Farming...

Last week we spent some time in Southern Iowa at the corn, soybean and cattle farm of Wayne and Jory Hunerdosse.  Here's some of the FLIP footage of our trip...and an apology, in advance, for the lame "Field of Dreams" shot.  But...we just couldn't help ourselves...

 

Nice job guys, and thanks Wayne and Jory for your time.

So Does Twitter...Work for Business?

For several years part of my job has been to convince business owners (small and large) of the value Twitter brings to the market.  Before technology we called this "Word of Mouth" marketing...one of what many call the best way to sell products and services.  It's still the same only now social network users can influence thousands vs. one or ten.  Often folks want more...proof.  OK, here you go:  Here's a piece from our friends at AllTwitter "The Unofficial Twitter Resource"on how Twitter influences more consumers than...Facebook.  The study was done by Kantar Media Complete and well worth a read.  Your tip: Get busy and engage consumers using a host of social networking tools.  We believe the order of importance is:  1)  A Business Blog, 2) Twitter and 3) Facebook.  Get busy...K?

Does E-Mail Marketing...WORK?

Another nod to our friends at Kantar Media Complete with this tidbit about email marketing.  According to their recent study 89% of the respondents for the Online Shopper Intelligence Study say they "occasionally click through to a retail site or visit a retail site immediately after reading an email.  Your Tip:  Look, we've come a very long way from the old Fax Blasts and Email Blasts.  If you had a lousy experience long ago...perhaps it's time to ramp up your email marketing.  But, you must be ready with a mobile version of your site and have something to offer the consumer.  One other thing...89% ain't bad even if it is "occasionally".

Thanks and Let's Connect

Thanks for coming by for a quick read and if you want to leave a comment, feel free.  We can also connect on Twitter @MIchaelLibbie (personal) or @InsightADV (business) and here is our advertising agency Facebook Page.  Have a great Thursday! - Michael

Comments

[Matthew Engquist]

Social media is a great tool in connecting with people. It greatly boosts the relationship marketing strategies of companies. Businesses should take a hold of every opportunity technology offers to them!

[Michael Libbie]

Matthew - So correct! It is amazing how many business owners and managers just don't seem to understand how powerful relationships are.. Thanks for reading and for the comment! - Michael