Timely
Tidbits from Media II Advertising, Public Relations, Sales
Promotion
Use
Your Web Site to Thrive
If your company
is going to thrive, and even survive, using the web to
enable your business processes isn’t an option. It’s
something you have to do. Why? Because your competitors,
small and large, are using the Internet to streamline
processes, reduce costs, and serve customers better.
They’re
at it right now.
What are they
doing? Here are some examples.
Streamlining
business processes. Companies are using the web to add
functions to enhance their customers’ needs by helping
them find or configure products, check pricing, get CAD
drawings, answer questions, review past orders, enter
orders, confirm orders, and check order status.
Personalization.
The web can be a very impersonal place. Personalization
of a web site can tell a visitor what has been added to
the site since the last visit, display special pricing
or incentives on products they usually buy, or announce
specific news tailored to them. Using live chat, message
boards, video and audio also brings customers closer to
a company.
Information
Resource. Making a web site an essential resource that
customers need and visit often brings the company closer
to its customers and builds solid brand recognition. Adding
calculators, formulas, indexes, links, white papers, application
notes, etc. make the site an information portal that meets
customer information needs.
Collaboration.
New web site software development tools enable the cost-effective
ability to collaborate with colleagues at other locations
or with vendors to respond quickly to customer requests.
It is also being used to enable teams, departments, etc.
to administer and maintain site content on the fly —
all with the appropriate approvals and controls.
Promotion.
The best web site on the web isn’t worth much if
nobody knows it’s there. Smart companies advertise
their site with traditional print ads, special web site
reviews and banner advertising. They also work hard to
get to the top of search engine and directory listings
and develop links with other sites to build traffic.
And
the Winner is…
Congratulations
to John Orecchio on his winning an autographed Bob Feller
baseball in our Swing Into Spring autographed baseball
contest. We will have more drawings for Bob Feller and
Jim Thome autographed baseballs. To enter, simply register here at our web site.
Powerful
Web Development & Maintenance Tool is Easy to Use
If you can
use Microsoft® Word or Excel, you can use a new tool
from MultiWeb Communications to easily update and configure
your web site. It is ideal for any company that needs
to make continuous updates to their site easily and with
a minimum of training.
Using some
sophisticated, yet easy-to-use database technology, MultiWeb
2.1™ includes pre-defined templates that can be developed
to suit your image, brand and graphics requirements. You
simply open a pre-defined template, add the text and graphics
you want, click OK, and you’re done. It’s just
about that simple.
MultiWeb 2.1
includes electronic catalog datasheet templates for technical
data. It also enables Adobe Acrobat PDF, Microsoft Office
and image files to be easily uploaded to your web site.
And since this is a database program, it can handle multilingual
tasking very cost-effectively.
If you would
like to know more about this innovative product, visit
this demo page:
http://www.multiweb.com/MW2a/Demo.html.
Or, we have some CD-ROMs available that show MultiWeb
2.1 in action. They're free, ask for yours.
What
Do You Look Like on the Web?
When you call
on a customer, it’s important to look and act professional.
You need to gain the customer’s confidence to buy
from you by showing them you are a professional and knowledgeable
source.
Now, look at
your web site. Look at your competitors’ web sites.
Which one looks like the best salesman?
Many customers
are going to check out your company on the Internet before
they choose to deal with you. And they are probably going
to hit your competitors’ sites too. You can gain
an edge by making sure your site:
-
Loads quickly.
Keep file sizes to a minimum, and although Flash can
be pretty cool, it’s also annoying. Avoid over
using cutesy twirling graphics.
-
Is easy
to navigate to enable the user to quickly find information,
and return to previously viewed pages.
-
Looks professional,
not home spun. Although home spun is probably cheaper,
is that look really how you would like to position your
business?
-
Has plenty
of information. Put all your catalogs, data sheets,
drawings, news releases, newsletters, FAQs, etc. there.
Add a profile of your company, sales locations, a map
to your facility with driving instructions, key contacts,
tradeshow and training/seminar schedules, etc.
-
Augments
your company’s marketing strategy. Look at your
sales literature, ads, mailers, etc. Are those graphics
and messages the same as those contained in your web
site. They’d better be or you’ll confuse customers.
-
Stays fresh.
Add and remove content frequently. Don’t leave
materials that are dated over a year ago such as a press
release, and make sure all new press releases are added.
-
Integrates
your business processes (See previous article).
Distribute
Sales Materials Less Expensively
Ok, you’ve
got your web site all tuned up, lookin’ good, and
with plenty of information — including all of your
sales promotion materials, technical papers and presentations.
Get more mileage out of your web development efforts by
placing your site on a credit card-sized CD-ROM and handing
it out with your business card. To view, all customers
have to do is open your site up in their browser. They’ll
appreciate it because it will operate faster than over
the Internet, and that is especially important if you
have included many Acrobat PDF files of your documents.
They won’t have to wait as long for files and documents
to open.
And by distributing
your materials electronically, you can reduce printing
costs, especially for data sheets, technical papers, price
lists, catalog pages and other information-packed documents.
Pros
for Hire
We have several
friends that are looking for new positions. If you are
interested in any of the descriptions below, contact us
for a copy of their resume. Or, if you are looking for
a position, let us know and we’ll add you to this
section free.
Marketing
Communications Manager. Experienced in small company
and Fortune 500 company environments managing advertising,
public relations, sales promotion materials, tradeshows,
e-marketing, sales channel promotions and more.
Sales &
Marketing Manager, Electrical Products. Strong sales
channel development and management skills. Proven track
record in Fortune 500 companies and smaller firms.
Sales &
Marketing Manager, Engineered Materials.
Highly experienced in product development, sales, marketing,
and promotion. Excellent strengths in analysis and problem
solving.
Controller/Finance
Manager. Solid background in all areas of finance.
Recognized for forming exceptionally strong relationships,
providing leadership and direction, and developing an
organization focused on results.
Public Relations
Professional. Results-oriented professional with experience
in ad agency and corporate environments. Exceptional writing
skills, strong base of editorial contacts.
Quote
of the Month
"No matter
what happens, somebody will take it too seriously."
— Dave
Barry
The Public
Bath?
In ancient
times, public baths were places that men of learning and
curiosity gathered to exchange ideas. Today those places
no longer exist (unless you count hot tubs), so we've
tried to adapt the bath's open freewheeling tone into
a newsletter. We hope you'll read our Public Bath in just
that spirit.
The Public
Bath is not "first-thing-on-Monday" reading. Rather, it
is more like "fifteen-minutes-till lunch on Friday" or,
"on hold" reading. Some material is amusing, some sociological,
some newsy and we hope ... all thought-provoking.
We also want
to answer your questions and hear your reactions. Have
a topic you would like us to explore? Let us know that
too. After all, public baths are places for both listening
and talking.
If you have
a topic you would like to see us address or if you would
prefer not to receive this newsletter, please let us know.
Email roy@mediaii.com
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