When consulting with businesses on where they should allocate their ad dollars today, my most common response is, "Start online, measure everything, and spend as much online as you can justify. Then look at other options." It sounds like Wine Library's Gary Vaynerchuk takes a similar approach for his own business, as he explains here:
What do you think? Are you aware of any forms of offline advertising that measurably beat what can be done online today?
It's true. Our clients come from a variety of sources and some come from our companies club membership. Our work speaks for itself but there are few marketing strategies that compare to the personal relationships we have with our clients.
Our clients are also learning the value of those relationships. They are consistently asking for new tools that will help them engage their customers online. It's not only sales that are benefiting from these tools but it's also Human Resources. We recently did a HR site re-design for a large power company to attract a more "techno-savvy" crowd and they've seen their contacts grow by 600%.
Of course, transitioning those relationships offline is where the real success is shown. Having a firm commitment to your web presence as a company will always yield results as long as you follow through offline.
2. Posted by: Mari Smith on October 9, 2008 2:26 PM:
Very well said, Ed. Online is where it's at!! I'm a raving fan of Gary Vee and his incredibly successful integration of new media! With a combo of Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and your own blog, for example, it's possible to create massive results!!! Love that.
It depends on who you are, what your goals are, and who your customers are...
I love blogging... but I don't get many leads from there. I got much more name recognition, reputation, and leads by publishing a book. Trade magazine publications are excellent as well. Giving speeches and presentations at trade shows and conferences almost always generates business.
1. Posted by: Minneapolis Web Design on October 8, 2008 9:25 PM:
There is only one... a golf club membership.
It's true. Our clients come from a variety of sources and some come from our companies club membership. Our work speaks for itself but there are few marketing strategies that compare to the personal relationships we have with our clients.
Our clients are also learning the value of those relationships. They are consistently asking for new tools that will help them engage their customers online. It's not only sales that are benefiting from these tools but it's also Human Resources. We recently did a HR site re-design for a large power company to attract a more "techno-savvy" crowd and they've seen their contacts grow by 600%.
Of course, transitioning those relationships offline is where the real success is shown. Having a firm commitment to your web presence as a company will always yield results as long as you follow through offline.