The Internet Marketing List. 59 things you should be doing, but probably are not.

When rebuilding Synergy's website, these tips were a go to guide, and I have to give a big thanks to Ian at ConversionMarketing.com for this info packed post.

Internet marketing is about lots of little things, not one big one. This list is half-list, half-procedure. If you go down these items in order it might give you a decent internet marketing plan for the next few months. If you have others, post ’em as comments:

1. If you have a Flash introduction on your web site, delete it. If you don’t agree, try this: Shove your head into a bucket of water. Stay in there, not breathing, for 10 seconds longer than is comfortable. That’s what you’re doing to your customers. Delete it, please.
2. Check the load speed of every page on your site. If any load in more than 10 seconds, fix it (2-6 seconds is far better). If your developer says they can’t, and it’s not your own network causing the problem, fire them. Here’s a good page load tester.
3. Check your site for broken links. You can use a tool like Xenu. Fix those links. Do not pass this step until you’re done. If it takes your developer more than a week to do this step, again with the firing thing.

19 Ways to Make Yourself a Direct Mail Super Star

Even the best direct mail campaigns lose momentum after a while. The audience becomes saturated, or the market changes, or one of a million other reasons interfere with your awesome marketing message reaching its intended audience.

Fortunately for you, we have a few tried and true tactics proven to send response rates soaring skyward. doubtful? Try one, or try them all and watch your direct mail campaign gain back the attention of your audience.

The Outer Envelope:

Rotate your Envelopes: By the second or third time a prospect sees an envelope, they already know what is inside of it. By taking a control piece and switching the envelope regularly, you will keep people guessing. 

Use a live Stamp: A live stamp gives the feeling of a smaller mailing, rather than a bulk sales message or worse.... bills. Putting a live stamp on the envelope gives the impression that someone sat down and addressed that envelope just for them, a nice personal touch. 

Test the Next Size Up: An ordinary #10 envelope can get lost in the hoards of mail flooding out of our mail boxes. By swapping a #10 envelope for a 9x12 we have seen response rates jump up more than 300%

Test a Vellum or Plastic Envelope: Sometimes being able to see the contents of an envelope is enough to entice the reader to open it. Along the same lines, try using a larger window on a regular #10 envelope. Having the first line visible to the recipient can grab their attention. 

"Bulk" it up: Anything to keep the envelope from looking flat will encourage recipients to open it. We have tested sending out pieces in a UPS envelope and got a 99% open rate.

Read!

We love bloggers around here, and we couldn't resist sharing these juicy blogs.

Finding Your Way Through the Analytics Mire

By: Dominique Ellis

QR codes, PURLs, direct mail, print ads, PPC ads, banner ads, Facebook shares, tweets; the ever-growing list of innovative ways to reach new customers is enough to make any marketer scream.

Cross-channel marketing is quickly becoming the norm in the industry. It’s no longer enough to send out an email blast and expect results. Brands and businesses are doubling and tripling up on marketing mediums used in a single campaign. While it’s important to touch customers on multiple fronts, let’s not forget the most important part of any cross-channel marketing campaign — the analytics. Read More...

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How To Use Mobile QR Codes to Drive Engagement

by Matt Krautstrunk on May 6, 2011 · 7 comments

in Marketing

QR codes are one of the hottest topics in mobile. They are becoming more popular with marketers, and in turn, consumers are catching on. According to a survey from MGH, mobile consumers are responding to the influx of popularity with QR codes, “32% of smartphone users say they have used a QR code and 70% say they would be interested to do so, either for the first time or again.”  Currently marketers are using QR Codes to offer promotional discounts (53%) and enter sweepstakes (33%), however QR codes have a place in social to drive engagement. Read More...

The anatomy of a perfect landing page.

We love a good infographic. Especially when they are full of useful design tips. Even if your not a landing page lover, the list of colors and the response they illicit is ever so handy. Double click to expand the image in your browser. 

The Consumer Science Behind Social Sharing

Consumer behavior plays a strong role in why some offers generate response, why some offers are spread, and how they are ultimately redeemed. Synergy Vx software is designed to capitalize on known consumer behaviors, particularly peoples strong tendency - genetic compulsion in fact- to imitate others.  

Synergy Vx Platform acts as an accelerator, using social networks to spread offers amongst prospective customers with similar demographics to current customers. How? Viral Social Sharing. 

And while it sounds complicated, the software embellishes the value of traditional marketing exponentially with the simple addition of a Smart PURL or Social URL. 

<www.synergyvxpromotions.com/JohnDoe>   www.synergyvxpromotions.com

Marketing: Bests and Worsts

Pretty in love with this Infographic from MarketingDegree.com. Thanks!

Infographic by