Marketing Plan Execution

Part of your integrated marketing plan is a well-defined set of marketing programs that effectively reach all of your key audiences - your customers, partners, press and analysts. Marketing programs can include events, direct mail and email campaigns, advertising, press and analyst relations, word of mouth or viral marketing, and channel development. Each of these program types can be effective at reaching your prospects and partners if they are planned and executed effectively.

Direct mail or email marketing campaign - Need to generate qualified leads? We can help you develop a creative direct marketing campaign that gets the attention of your ideal customer. We will manage the campaign, ensuring the copy is written, the direct mail piece is created, the email is developed, the direct response action is supported on your Web site, and tracking of the results occurs.
Internet Marketing - Direct marketing becomes more affordable by using the Internet. Drive prospects to your web site with a well-planned Internet marketing campaign. We offer complete Search Engine Marketing services, including keyword development, Web site submission to search engines and your Internet advertising campaigns using Yahoo Search™ or Google AdWords™ and listing your site in other appropriate directories. more>>
Advertising - Advertising may not be for all businesses, but when traditional media advertising is essential, let us do your advertising design, media buy and manage your campaign. Our experts can ensure you only place your ads in the appropriate magazines, newspapers and trade journals.
Public Relations - Your PR initiatives can cost-effectively communicate your message to prospects and partners, but you need to develop a well-integrated PR plan to achieve this goal. Let us help you develop the plan, select the PR expert, and work with them to get you the coverage you need to build awareness and visibility in the market.
Events - Even in this age of Internet communications, events, such as trade shows and seminars, are still valuable marketing programs because they give you the opportunity to connect with prospects face-to-face. Our event planning and execution service helps you plan and execute any type of marketing event that will get you in front of your key prospects cost-effectively. more>
Strategic Alliances - Alliances can be created to increase your sales channels, extend your consulting organization, or provide key technologies that enhance and extend your product offering. Before you dive into recruiting partners, you need to understand which partners will result in the best relationships for your company. We help you develop an alliance strategy and plan that will identify your key partners, how to recruit them, and what they need to be successful.

Let us help you define and execute a creative marketing plan that attracts your ideal prospects and achieves broad awareness of your company and products. Contact us today to discuss your requirements.

The Most Valuable List for Direct Marketing

By Debra Murphy, Vista Consulting

It always amazes me how many companies ignore their customers from a marketing perspective. They offer great customer service and respond to all of their questions and needs, but when it comes to marketing, most businesses put them at the bottom of the to do list.

It is not a secret that it is cheaper to keep a customer than get new customers. So why do so many companies hesitate to spend a little money on keeping their customers coming back for more. If you are considering a marketing campaign, I suggest you look at your current customer base and start marketing to them. Some ideas include:

Create a hardcopy newsletter. Make it informative, offering suggestions, tips and advice. This technique is good for most consumer service businesses where you do need to remind customers to get your oil changed, check your heating and air conditioning systems before you need them, new ideas for investing your money, or come in for a massage, chiropractic visit or facial special. Although the cost of printing and mailing these newsletters can be pricey, if you get former customers to come back often, this program will pay for itself over time.
If a newsletter is too much for your budget, a shorter letter may be more cost-effective. Writing a letter with an offer can be done easily in word. If you have a decent printer that can run quality copies and a high school intern to stuff the envelopes, you can send out these at a relatively lower cost than the full newsletter. You can also use the letter to drive them to your web site where there is more information and maybe a special offer on a customer-only landing page.
For business to business companies, you most likely have their email addresses. Send a quarterly online newsletter that keeps them informed of updates to your products and services, ideas to make their use of your products more effective, or other types of information that can help your customer remain your customer.