Successful Blog

Let SMS Marketing Serve You More Clients

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Pizza Diavola SalamyIf you run your own restaurant (or even something outside the dining industry), then it’s time to start serving up some SMS marketing campaigns.

That’s right; restaurants all across the country are using SMS marketing to better reach their patrons.

Here are a number of restaurants going the SMS route and a few ways your restaurant can do the same:

Restaurants Using SMS

SMS marketing is a great way to reach customers when it counts most: in the moment.

No industry benefits more from this on-the-go marketing platform than the restaurant industry. That’s why a growing number of restaurants/fast food eateries nationwide are already using SMS marketing to their advantage.

Among them:

  • Taco Bell – In order to increase customer outreach, Taco Bell began an SMS campaign that offered free food items with each opt-in. The mobile marketing campaign resulted in more than 13,000 opt-ins within a five-week period.
  • Carl’s Junior – In an attempt to compete with the larger burger chains, Carl’s Junior began an SMS opt-in deal that offered a $6 combo meal for just three bucks. The campaign not only had a 19% redemption rate, it also increased sales and generated a huge following for the fast food chain.
  • Papa Murphy’s – This new take-and-bake pizza chain is in the process of franchising across the country. To increase its visibility, Papa Murphy’s began an SMS campaign that offered five-dollar pizzas to first-time customers. The campaign resulted in a 17% redemption rate and more than 100,000 new mobile subscribers.

Now that you have an idea of how the major restaurant chains are using SMS, here are a few ways your restaurant can take advantage of mobile marketing:

Promoting New Menu Items

Whether your restaurant is new or established, it’s always a good idea to get the word out about new menu items. This is exactly where SMS marketing comes into play.

The article “We’re Open: How to Use SMS Marketing to Give Your New Restaurant a Boost” mentions the importance of engaging customers.

With SMS marketing you can feature new menu items in your campaigns as well as announce exciting menu changes.

Promoting your menu items will put your restaurant on your customers’ radars, which is especially effective when it comes to recipients who are already out and about.

Spreading the Word About Specials

Food specials are the restaurant industry’s bread and butter.

When you take an SMS approach to your restaurant marketing, you can promote your food specials like never before.

Whether it’s a buy-one-get-one deal, a drink special, or a blue plate special, using SMS marketing is a great way to keep your patrons updated on all of your delicious deals.

Gathering Feedback

The key to feeding your patrons the food they love is by gathering feedback on their dining experiences. SMS marketing allows you to send text surveys to your patrons while their meal is still fresh on the mind.

You can send a brief questionnaire, a multiple-choice survey, or you can simply ask patrons to describe their dining experience.

No matter which route you take, SMS surveys make it possible to gather feedback that will help your restaurant thrive.

If you’re ready to get more diners through the door, then satisfy their appetites with SMS marketing.

Photo credit: BigStockPhoto.com

About the Author: Adam Groff is a freelance writer and creator of content. He writes on a variety of topics including the restaurant industry and mobile marketing.

Having the Right Business Mentor Can Make All the Difference

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cross-armed leader looking at camera in working environmentDo you have a business mentor?

When you’re starting out, the chances are you’ve thought of everything from your marketing to your cash flow to finding the right premises. But have you thought about finding a mentor for your business?

A mentor is a big boost for business owners at all stages, but especially those just starting out.

So what can a mentor do for you?

Business Knowledge

When you work with a mentor, you’re working with someone who knows their way around the business world.

Their business knowledge is invaluable for your business. Whether you’re trying to find your way through the maze of taxes, or trying to figure out how to get started with employing people in your business, a mentor can help you.

Even if they don’t have experience in your specific field, they’ll know what it’s like to meet the day to day challenges of running a business, and will pass that knowledge on to you.

Wisdom from Experience

As the article, “Why You Need a Mentor and Where to Find One” says, real life know-how comes with experience. No matter how well educated or trained you are, nothing beats the wisdom you gain from experience.

There’s no short cut for experience and the knowledge it brings. However a mentor is as good as a short cut. A mentor can tell you the things they’ve learned over their time in business.

You’ll be able to learn from their mistakes and triumphs, avoiding the pitfalls that caught them out, and benefiting from the things that worked for them. You can take that knowledge and mold it to fit your own business.

Moral Support

Being in business can be tough, especially when you’re starting out.

From cash flow problems to struggling to get the right customers, there will be days when you wonder if you’re doing the right thing.

A mentor can help you through the rough spots.

They can offer a listening ear and empathy, from someone who has been there and knows exactly what you’re going through.

Your mentor can also give you hope that there is a way through the hard times, and prove to you that with dedication and determination, you can make it.

Fresh Ideas

Sometimes you just need a fresh perspective.

No matter how new or how experienced you are in business, sometimes you’ll hit a problem you just can’t see the way past. That’s where a mentor can help.

Regardless of whether they’re experienced in your specific industry, a mentor brings a fresh perspective to any situation. They’ll spot solutions and new approaches that you might not have noticed, because you don’t have an outside view.

It’s not just about solving specific problems, either.

Sometimes your mentor will spot an even better way of approaching something that seems to be working ok, making your business even better.

Motivation and Accountability

Motivation is key to success in business. You’ll need to keep going through the good times and bad, and keep your goals in mind.

A mentor can help you do just that. By helping you set goals and providing an example of success in business, a mentor will motivate you to keep going.

Working with a mentor also encourages accountability, as you talk to them about previous issues and what you’ve been doing to deal with them.

A good mentor is worth their weight in gold for your business.

You’ll benefit from their experience and wisdom, empowering you to make the best decisions for your business from the outset.

Photo credit: BigStockPhoto.com

About the Author: Tristan Anwyn writes on a variety of topics including social media, how to build customer relationships, content marketing and how to work with a business mentor.

Are Your SEO Needs Being Met?

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handshake isolated on business backgroundIf running a business has you coming and going, what are you doing to make things a little easier on yourself?

For many business owners, the focus is oftentimes lost on how important content marketing is to their success. While there is no doubt hiring the right talent and providing stellar customer service are both critical, so too is properly promoting your brand.

One of the best ways to get your brand front and center in front of countless eyes is by having a content marketing program that properly promotes your brand, leaving no doubt amongst consumers why they should be doing business with you.

With that said, do you do the content marketing or should you farm it out to the pros?

Research Your Options

For those business owners who decided that handling content marketing may be a little beyond their grasp, there is always the option of turning to an outside agency. That agency should not only be able to write eye-catching copy, but they also need to place it in front of as many eyes as possible.

Through search engine optimization (SEO), business owners can get their brand front and center.

But what about finding the right SEO provider to do just that? Can you really afford to just call-out any SEO company to do the work for you? Or do you need to invest time and effort in finding the best SEO agency?

The answer should be obvious, though some business owners oftentimes will simply hope for the best when hiring.

In order for your brand to get the best attention, remember to follow these tidbits in searching for the best SEO provider:

  • Track record – What kind of history does each SEO provider you are reviewing have? Are they all but free of customer complaints? Are they quick to respond to client inquiries or do they leave people on hold? What kind of social network (Twitter, Facebook etc.) do they have? If they have little or no social following, how can they be expected to use social media to help publicize your brand?
  • Read the fine print – Anytime you have someone do work for you; make sure you read the written deal (typically a contract) from start to finish. Those nasty little “hidden fees” can crop up from time to time, leaving you a little lighter in the wallet or purse and a little bit dissatisfied. Some business owners are too busy to read the fine details, meaning they ultimately pay for it in the end.
  • Too many promises? – Another red flag is if an SEO provider promises you the moon. Remember, just as you only promise your customers what you can ultimately deliver, the same should hold true for those doing work for you. Make sure the expectations are clearly defined for both parties. Solid SEO doesn’t happen overnight or at the flick of a switch, so set a clear understanding between your company and your SEO provider of what is needed and expected.
  • Reviews are needed – Finally, it is important that you and your SEO provider sit down and talk about the progress of your site, especially as it relates to link-building, content marketing and social media. What is working? Are there some strategies that seem to be stuck in neutral or even maybe setting your site back as it pertains to Google rankings? Don’t be afraid to voice your opinion; it is your site and money, so speak up when necessary.

In the end, your goal and that of your SEO provider should be to increase your websites traffic and your company’s sales.

When those two come together, your SEO needs can certainly be met.

Photo credit: BigStockPhoto.com

About the Author: Dave Thomas covers a variety of business topics on the web.

Don’t Underestimate the Power of Guest Posting

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Market Segmentation Background Concept GlowingWhether your business is a major one or a one-person show, the importance of spreading the word about your brand can never be taken for granted.

Think about it; more and more consumers are visiting company’s websites and social media initiatives. If your company is not actively pursuing potential business via the Internet, can you really survive over the long haul?

While some companies can keep the revenue door open because they’ve been around forever and/or rely primarily on walk-in business, a much larger number needs some degree of web presence.

One of the ways you can increase your web profile is by guest posting.

Do You Hire SEO Help Along the Way?

For those companies looking to either start with guest posting or ramp up their current efforts, one thing to consider is whether or not you can do the work in-house or will require outside assistance. If you find the right guest posting services provider, your work may become all the more easier.

At the end of the day, it all boils down to properly promoting your brand, with search engine optimization (SEO) playing a key role in that process.

Let’s use the example of a company blog.

If you have a blog, how often are you updating it? If the answer is frequently (and that means with relevant content, images, data, infographics etc.), that’s a good start. If the response is infrequently, then there is work to be done.

With the right SEO plan in place; your content marketing efforts can outdo the competition and then some.

By strategically placing a keyword link in the content, you are much more likely to drive traffic back to the site listed in the link.

If you’re providing guest posting content related to your brand on other sites, by all means push for having a relevant link back to your site added to the article you author. In doing so, you increase the odds of having more visitors pay you a visit online.

So, what are the keys to writing good guest posts that ultimately will bring more traffic your way?

Among them:

  1. Write with a purpose – For starters, make sure you have a purpose behind your writing efforts. If you’re trying to make a sales pitch instead of providing worthwhile content to readers/potential customers, you stand a good chance of losing their interest. The purpose of your content should be giving the reader something valuable, not something they hear from way too many other business;
  2. Don’t be pushy with sales – When you stop and think about it, consumers get all but hit over the head daily with sales pitches, so don’t pile on. You can be rather discreet with your sales initiatives by noting that current or first-time customers could be receiving deals if they do business with you without shoving a sale down their throats. Share with them the benefits that come with being one of your clients. When you do that, you stand a much higher percentage of landing a sale;
  3. Clean and exciting copy – Last but certainly not least, be sure to have content that is not littered with errors, boring or no images at all, and is easy to share amongst consumers. Make sure your keyword links all work and lead to the relevant page/s you want consumers to go to, not an error message. If a consumer has trouble surfing your site, especially if they want to see content they think would be worthwhile to them, don’t hold your breath waiting for them to return.

When it comes to solid content marketing, are you writing copy that will sell itself?

Photo credit: BigStockPhoto.com

About the Author: Dave Thomas writes on a variety of business topics for different websites.

Is the Time Right for Your Business Aspirations?

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Multi-ethnic Superhero Businessmen Confidence Concept

If you’re considering starting a business during what’s left of 2015 or anytime in 2016, there are a number of factors to keep in mind.

From the current health of the economy to the type of business itself, starting a successful business oftentimes boils down to timing.

Here are just a few tips for starting a successful business the first time around in the coming year:

Strike While the Startup Iron is Hot

Although many small and large businesses alike are still recovering from the financial crisis of 2008, all signs point to a recovering economy. This means good news for entrepreneurs looking to start a new business in the coming year.

The U.S. has regained close to nine million jobs in the past year and banks are beginning to lend to business startups again.

Likewise, if you’re trying to start a business without relying on a line of credit from a bank, crowd-funding through sites like Indiegogo and Kickstarter is also at an all-time high.

It’s also important to note that a healthy economy means less competition for industries of all kinds.

Whether you’re starting an online brand or a local business, when the business world struggles less, it gives your business a better opportunity to set up shop without competing with other similar businesses hungry for sales.

Ask for Advice

Regardless of whether you’re starting your business tomorrow or in the New Year, it’s always wise to ask for advice and tips from successful business owners.

As the following article looks at, whether you’re looking for 8 tips for starting a massage therapy business or you just need some help in the marketing department, a little advice goes a long way.

You can reach out to other business owners on sites like LinkedIn and Facebook, read up on business blogs, or meet with business owners in person. You’d be surprised at how willing successful entrepreneurs are to share advice on the startup process.

Timing is Everything

Although the economy is currently ripe for new businesses to take shape, that doesn’t mean you should jump right in to starting your business.

Successfully getting your business off the ground takes a ton of planning and perfect timing.

That’s why it’s so important to choose the right time to get the business ball rolling.

For example, if you’re starting a consumer retail business, consider opening your doors closer to the holidays as opposed to after the New Year.

Starting your business at the right time could give you a much-needed sales boost during those critical beginning stages.

Study the Competition

In the weeks and months leading up to your grand opening, be sure to study the competition closely. Keeping an eye on the success rates of industries and local businesses similar to yours will provide you with valuable insights.

Are similar businesses currently struggling or are they experiencing unprecedented sales numbers?

By studying the competition and asking these questions, you’ll know when the best time is to jump in the business arena.

If you’re trying to decide whether to start your business in the coming year, then keep in mind the helpful tips mentioned above.

Photo credit: BigStockPhoto.com

About the Author: Adam Groff is a freelance writer and creator of content. He writes on a variety of topics including business startups and the economy.

Make Content Marketing a Leading Strategy

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Child scratching head with question mark on blackboard concept fContent marketing has been around for hundreds of years, but only recently has it been getting a lot of attention.

Essentially, content marketing is the process of advertising without advertising. This is to say that content marketing provides valuable content to consumers without overtly advertising, all while slyly incorporating a brand’s products or services.

A good example of this may be where a pest control service provides 10 essential pest control tips on Facebook with the hook that, if these tips fail, contact XYZ Pest Control.

The objective, getting the brand out there, is achieved by providing real-world tips that are valuable to the potential customer.
What Qualifies as “Valuable Content”?

Before you begin a content marketing campaign, stop and think … what would be valuable to me if I were a consumer?

While it’s easy to get lost in the world of industry jargon and technicalities, the consumer will, by and large, not understand what you mean. Therefore, try to think in simplistic terms.

What does the potential customer hope to get out of your company? What are the fears holding them back from doing business? What makes your company unique from the competition while ensuring that you can provide all that the consumer needs?

Consider all of these questions when crafting your business’ content.
Content Marketing is Great at Generating Leads

One of the biggest advantages to using content marketing is that it generates not only web traffic, which can boost search engine ranking, but it also boosts leads. The more valuable the content, the more likely people are to share this content.

In the article, “How to Generate More Leads Than Ever in 2015 With Content Marketing“, it’s pointed out that leads need to be nurtured through content.

Basically, you need an overarching theme to your brand message that transcends the content at hand.

You’ll want to form a full-force brand message about your new or existing product or service that implements value through your company’s website, social media channels, and traditional advertising in order to gain traction.
Don’t Just Throw It All at the Wall

Finally, one of the worst mistakes you can make is to generate content, throw it at the wall and see what sticks.

While it’s true that you need to monitor metrics in order to see what works and what doesn’t, taking a shotgun approach can prove to be disastrous.

Many business owners try to offer up valuable content from across a very wide spectrum of their offerings, only to find out that they lose business as a result.

Instead, plan out a strategy, determine which content marketing channels are the best bets, and then focus on target audiences in order to achieve success.

Valuable content isn’t valuable if you aren’t reaching the right people.

About the Author: Andrew Rusnak is an author who writes on topics that include content marketing and social media.