eMarketing Map

AAA Carolina’s Christine Talbert shared her knowledge as an online marketer with those who attended the Columbia Panel of Peers Workshop (Friday, January 18.) Here’s a recap some of the key things she covered:

1. Always look at your numbers: Christine showed a summary of her newsletter and the click troughs associated with each article. Interestingly, location of the offer wasn't as important, it was all about the interest in the offer. Remarkably, one email campaign even had a last minute link thrown at the bottom; this link earned the highest click through.

2. The power of connection: Don't make assumptions about your segments, including the older population segment; they’re just as likely to click through on useful information. Christine talked about her list, member demographics and how important some of these communiqués were to her older segments. She also asked people to test things out themselves rather than blindly accepting industry data.

3. Revise, Review and Recreate: Christine talked about testing your communiqués over and over until you get it right. Why waste the opportunities in the online channel, you can keep on creating until you get the perfect campaign.

4. Stay in Touch: During the holiday season, Christine put on her holiday hat and started looking for things to offer members. She learned that her own company’s offer of discount passes to some theme parks was better than what the theme park offered. Quickly, she put together a short campaign telling her members of these deals and reminding them of the benefits brought by her organization.

I’ve had the privilege of working with Christine for over five years; I appreciate the energy and commitment she brings to work. Her ideas are great and she is always looking for the next big trend.

Web2.0
Reagan led the discussion around the relevance and necessity of leveraging Web2.0 channels into your core marketing mix. A number of case studies were discussed showing how some companies are doing this successfully. We quickly applied this learning into practical ways of how attendees could apply these techniques to their organizations.

Social media is going to define the future of eMarketing – try to leverage YouTube, Blogs, Twitter, Flickr or MySpace into your core marketing mix. Don't forget, you need an email as an address into someone's online world; keep on collecting and interact often... you’ll achieve that M2.0 nirvana (leveraging Web2.0 techniques) soon enough.

The next Columbia Panel of Peers will be in April – until then, be sure to participate in our monthly call, the next one is February 22.

Many SCIMA Thanks

A special thank you for our Friend Jeff Greene who spoke at last evening’s SCIMA meeting at The Colonial Center. His presentation focused on five top-secret eMarketing tips that keep members engaged and talking.

We also need to thank Kim Curnutt at The Colonial Center for hosting us. If you would like to attend the October SCIMA meeting, drop us a line or RSVP on the SCIMA site – www.MySCIMA.com.

MySCIMA Meeting - Today

Today from at The Colonial Center (map it!) from 4:00 - 5:45 p.m. is our next MySCIMA meeting. We'll hear the topic "Membership Marketing" presented by guest speaker Jeff Greene, Director Marketing & Communications Coastal Federal Credit Union

Come on out!

Do you SCIMA?

Thanks again to everyone who joined last evening’s SCIMA meeting – the Yogi played in his home stadium to a nice turnout. Be sure to check here or on the SCIMA site for information regarding the September meeting.

SCIMA Today

Looking to launch an email marketing initiative or sharpen your current campaigns? Our Email Absolutes can help you harness the interactive features of this low cost, high-speed, personalized medium while maintaining your whitelisting status.

Today’s SCIMA meeting will be lead by our own Email Yogi and hosted at the NCR office (3325 Platt Springs Road). We’re beginning at 4:00 – visit the SCIMA site for more information.

Reminder - MySCIMA Meeting today!

Just another reminder that today's MySCIMA meeting will be today at 4pm at the SC State Museum. Today's meeting will be about how to get started with your very own blog. If you're in the South Carolina or North Carolina area, please come by - it's absolutely free!

Also, check out the new MySCIMA Blog!

Ode to SCIMA Speaker

Our Tuesday SCIMA meeting will feature Philip Looney – AKA Phil the Cable Guy, AKA Chief Yogi Blogger.

I met Philip three years ago, when he was an online marketing manager at Time Warner Cable. I found him to be very attentive and analytical; we often brainstormed about where the web was headed. One such conversation included Phil’s idea to kick off a blog – Phil the Cable Guy – a site that has become the defacto blog in cable; with many others coping his style.

I invited Philip to join a team of marketers (Panel of Peers) and then ultimately join our team. Today, Phil mentors others about the importance of blogs and how this medium is an interesting way to get their message out; he has even helped many companies and individuals get their blogs started.

Here are some of his tips with my own Yogi-spin:

1. Keep it personal – anecdotes can go a long way in relaying your message
2. Set a regular schedule (if possible keep it going more than once a day)
3. Create a sense of awareness about your blog
4. Short bursts of information can be as beneficial as longer articles
5. Make it an interactive conversation – keep asking for feedback; you can create new articles based on the type of feedback received.

Have a blog you want to improve, want help getting your blog started or simply want to learn more? Join us tomorrow for our July SCIMA Meeting at the State Museum; we begin at 4:00.

MySCIMA - July 24!

Just a heads up to all locals; the next MySCIMA meeting will be on Tuesday July 24 from 4 - 5:30pm. This month's meeting will be held at the SC State Museum.

This month's topic will be "How to get Blogging", and will be presented by yours truly. We hope you can make it out!

For more details, click here.

AND - Check out these photos from last month's event!

Upcoming Tour Dates

Need more than the blog and our monthly calls? We have a solution; we’re conducting a series of local workshops across the county. Here are some of our upcoming “tour dates” –additional information (and sign-ups) will be added to the Service In Action site!

101 Ways to Improve Your Email Marketing
Want to shake up your eMarketing, it could be as simple as returning to the basics. This single-day workshop provides real examples of companies embracing change, seeking employee buy-in and excellence in customer service.
July 12 in Quechee, VT (Exact facility TBD)
Charlotte, NC – date TBD
Atlanta, GA – date TBD
Orlando, FL – date TBD

Regional Panel of Peers
We love Vermont! We’re planning to host a regional version of our Panel of Peers; we’re still finalizing the exact location and curriculum (will likely build upon our 101 Seminar).
August 23-24 in Vermont/ New Hampshire (Exact facility TBD)

Additional Workshops
We conduct monthly workshops through the South Carolina Interactive Marketer’s Association (SCIMA).

The BIG Show – the 2008 Panel of Peers conference will be held in Las Vegas next March. Details are being finalized…

SCIMA, SCIMA, SCIMA…

I’ve been involved in a number of professional organizations throughout my career – maybe I’m biased, but last evening’s inaugural SCIMA meeting was by far the least pressure, most open and collaborative organizational meeting I’ve ever attended.

The relaxed approach attracted a number of industry peers – ad/ marketing firms, retailers and government agencies. Based on those I spoke with after the presentation, it seemed that everyone walked away with a greater appreciation of the alternative channels available to us as marketers.

Laura did an amazing job sharing her knowledge of Creating Interactive Conversations, sharing examples from YouTube and setting the stage for the Web 2.0 vehicles that are already part of the customer experience.

Want to be a part of this free organization? Visit the SCIMA website for information on our next meeting.

DON'T FORGET - mySCIMA Meeting Tonight!

Don't forget tonight is the first meeting of the South Carolina Interactive Marketing Association. If you're in the Columbia area, please come out! Details here.