What is the Affinity Marketing?

Companies and their ways of reaching customers are constantly changing. In recent years there has been an increase in respect of creation of elements for customer loyalty as a way to establish beneficial relationships for both parties and furthermore, long lasting. But there is an evolution of that concept, which we call the Affinity Marketing.

The Affinity Marketing is not all about offering the customer what he wants, but to make him see that both Companies and Customer share the same interests and desires, and that this relationship of equality may bring mutual benefits. Another definition that would be appropriate, is that with the Affinity Marketing thinks about people, instead of thinking about Customers/Consumers.

So, we can say that the rules of affinity between Customers and Companies have changed. And, these changes made the Companies adapt to the Consumer's needs, usually being a win-win situation for both parties.

Sales Obstacles

Today we leave with this picture.
Are you overcoming the obstacles?

Social Media: 9 Questions You Should Ask Before Posting

Using the social media can be tricky, especially if you are running a business. But there are certain rules that apply to both personal and business messages.

Here are 9 questions you should ask yourself before posting/tweeting:

1. Is the message appropriate for a social media network?

2. Should I address the message to a specific audience?

3. Will someone else care for this message besides me?

4. Am I offending someone?

5. Will I feel fine after publishing this message?

6. Is it a vague post? Will everyone understand what I mean?

7. Am I using the social media to unburden? If yes, is this bad for me?

8. Do I look like a teenager? Do I use many abreviations?

9. Do I really want to publish this message?

6 tips to use Twitter in a strategic way

We are fans of lists. We are sure it's helpful and it's very informative, and we hope you can agree with us.
Since Twitter is on the verge of becoming the most used social media network, learn how to use it strategically with only six short  - like a tweet - tips:

1. Create lists. We told you this was important. This way you can aggregate competition, customers and opportunities.

2. Post tweets frequently. If you are not committed to post a few tweets per day, you won't get results.

3. Use your own #hastags. You can use general hashtags, but don't forget to use yours, and better promote your brand.

4. Personalize your content. Be sure that your content is right for your target audience.

5. Explore the RT's. Try to RT strategically during the day. RT is the short-term for "ReTweet" which means to replicate something that was written before by someone else. RT on Twitter means that the person copied, repeated the text, but showing the credits.

6. Personalize some URL's. But only those who take the visitor/customer to the company's website.

The Modern Marketer: Part Artist. Part Scientist

A Marketer has to be multi-faceted, today more than ever. Following our previous post What is the Neuromarketing?, it's every day clearer that a Marketer has to know a little bit about Science.

Today we present you an Infographic that shows you whose areas should a Marketer add to his knowledge and curriculum vitae.

8 Things That Can Hurt Your Brand

Your Brand is your most valuable asset when it comes to business. If you want to know what is jeopardizing your image check the following list:

1. Lack of planning

2. Inconsistent Brand image

3. Producing low quality content

4. Breaking Brand promisses

5. Underestimating online marketing opportunities

6. Not listening to your audience

7. A badly designed and hard to navigate website

8. Crossing the line between what's considered different and offensive.

Dedicate some time to analyse the above-mentioned gaps, and correct what needs to be corrected, improve what needs to be improved. A Brand can be in continuous improvement and growth.

What is the Neuromarketing?

Sometimes we feel that brands are reading our minds when they launch new products. Well, there's some truth to it.

The Neuromarketing is a new approach to Marketing research that makes use of the advanced technology of the investigative behavioral neuroscience. Neuroscientific tools enable, objectively and with scientific rigor, a new dimension of understanding the implicit motives of consumer behavior. Through neuro-psycho-physiological indicators, such as electrical and metabolic activity of the brain, activation of facial muscles, heart rate, sweating skin, among others, the research in neuromarketing can detect the real effects caused by products , advertisements, logos, packaging, etc.

But are we helping brands and companies  to manipulate and control our minds?
According to Martin Lindstrom, it's just not that simple:

"...by better understanding our own seemingly irrational behaviour - whether it's why we buy a designer shirtor how we assess a job candidate - we actually gain more control, not less. Because the more we know about why we fall prey to the tricks and tactics of advertisers, the better we can defend ourselves against them. And the more companies know about our subconcious needs and desires, the more useful, meaningful products they will bring to the market. (...) brain-scanning, used ethically will end up benefiting us all." in, Buyology by Martin Lindstrom

Online Marketing: What are the User Opt-Ins?

Nowadays we live in a global market. Having to define your goals as well as your target audience is always part of your Marketing Strategy, but there are certain steps in Online Marketing that you have to pay attention closely if you want to make your business grow.

The Internet has brought many unique benefits to Marketing. Some of the unique qualities of this channel are:

• The lower costs for the distribution of information to a global audience;
• The interactive nature of Internet Marketing, both in terms of providing instant response as well as to provide help.

The methodology of Online Marketing covers a wide range of strategies and the user Opt-in is a Marketing technique that allows to lower spam complaints. The Double Opt-in is the process in which the user must explicitly confirm that he wants to receive messages (newsletters and offers of services or products).

Prevent your business to be seen as Spam is one of the most important things to achieve in Online Marketing.

What does GRP Stands For?

GRP means Gross Rating Points. Advertisers and Marketers use GRP to measure the impact of given advertisements.

Actually, GRPs measure the total of all Rating Points during an advertising campaign. A Rating Point is one percent of the potential Audience.

Media planners calculate total Reach, average Frequency, and GRPs as part of the planning of a campaign. The goal is to obtain the highest possible GRPs at the lowest possible cost, while remaining focused on the target Market.

But, be aware: it doesn't mean that everyone you counted even saw your message. So, the impact of GRP on a Marketing campaign isn't very trustful. A high GRP may indicate that a large number of consumers are viewing a company's advertisements, but these views don't necessarily make an advertising campaign successful.

The Struggle for Originality

All of us, at some point, had a blank moment. When nothing new, original or useful came to mind. Isn't that terrible?
In areas like Sales and Marketing, Branding and Communication originality is the key. No one will pay attention if you are talking about the gunpowder discovery. But they will listen if you point out a completely different use for it, even if it sounds crazy at first. Crazy will draw attention to you.

There are some ways of avoiding those blank moments and be able to create useful and original content for whatever your strategy is:

1. Be curious. Even Einstein needed to be curious in order to pursue his biggest achievements.
2. Let your mind wander. Daydreamers are synonym of an active and well equipped-brain. And, like J.R.R. Tolkien wrote:

Not all those who wander are lost.

    3. Pay attention to coincidences. But don't forget that if it's too much of a coincidence, it's because it's not. And, you will make surprising connections.
    4. Look closely at contradictions. Whereas curiosity makes us wonder, contradiction causes us to doubt, and this can lead to powerful insights because we spent some time thinking about it.
    5. Act on your insights. Look at things that you would otherwise ignore. Ignoring the knowledge that you somehow have achieved, is not a smart move.

And no more blank moments will occur.

Unique Selling Proposition

A Unique Selling Proposition (USP) also known as Uniqueness Statement is the opportunity to make the emotional bond between you and what you represent (your product or service) and the target market, by approaching the qualities and values that you stand for, highlighting the benefits that the potential client will receive by acquiring your products/services.
It will increase your confidence when speaking about your product/service, in a professional and polished way, it will build credibility and differentiate you from the rest of the pack.

Branding

Marketing tip of the day:
Before creating your business tagline, try to define your business in 3 words. Try to introduce your business to prospective clients in just 3 words. Focus on what you want your consumers to know about your brand and product. For example, Younique: beauty, mineral, cosmetics.

Why Fit When You Can Stand Out

This is one serious question when it comes to direct sales. If everyone related to direct sales you know and/or worship are all doing the same, same techniques, same speech, same method, would it be an actual good idea for you to follow their footsteps?
Consider this: sometimes it can be positive to copy the masters of the trade, but why not stepping out of your comfort zone and do something different? Why fit in the same system when you can actually be different, creative and stand out?
Be bold, take risks. It might be profitable in the long run!

How To Promote Your Business

• Take advantage of the Internet:

The internet is a low cost medium of advertisement, especially with the rise of social media. If before you needed to spend a lot of money on outdoors or radio/tv spots to get your product to the audience, these days internet gets to pretty much everyone,

•  Highlight Available Promotions

 Make sure your audience knows about the available promotions you have on your products. Make sure they're highlighted on your social profiles, blog or websites.

•  Be creative

Use your creativity to promote your business. Get out of your comfort zone, create your own style, your own mailing list and sms list as well: clients tend to read more the promo text messages than the promo emails that often land on the spam box.

Tip of The Day: Engage In Your Local Community

Are you engaged in your local community's activities? Volunteer groups, activities, junior summer camps, scouts, church groups, choir groups, there are plenty of opportunities for you to engage and potentially grow your client list. Networking is one of the oldest sales techniques there is, and while many people think that networking it is done online only, the truth is getting out and meet people in person really exponentiates the seller-client contact and sale.

Leadership tips

• Learn to motivate others;
• Take initiative;
• Adapt to change (whether it's a change in your team, the market or economy). Make sure you're always on the top of your game;
• Be a good communicator;
• Act confident and inspiring to others and yourself as well;
• Stand still under pressure. Take one step at the time and don't crack down, it will only make you lose focus and time.

How to Prevent Cancellations

No matter how good of a seller you are, and how professionally you deal with clients, sometimes they just cancel the order, and it can be very upsetting. So here's some tips on how to deal with it and not lose the client at all:

• Communicate: perhaps it's not a bad idea to create a .pdf with your business rules up front, this way your clients will take you and your business a bit more seriously;
• According to the order volume, you can ask for a percentage up front, to secure the order. 10% to 20% is acceptable ;
• Create a policy agreement and publish it in your website, blog or social networks. If a client bails on you, address him directly and copy & paste the link where your business policy is written;
• If a client constantly cancels the order, don't hesitate to stop receiving any more order from him. The energy you spend chasing him and dealing with these issues can certainly be used in making new contacts and potential (and better) clients.

How to organize a workshop

A workshop doesn't usually last longer than 3 hours, and it can be divided into various workshops that are conducted in different blocks, separated by no less than 20 minutes each, so that participants can relax, talk and drink something in between activities.

The big difference with events such as conferences, seminars or symposia is that they are prepared precisely in order to assistants to participate actively coordinated by an expert or representative of the theme that connects them. The role of the coordinator is essential in the workshop as he will be in charge all the participants interactions, the products and the techniques used.

The organization of a workshop can be set to make demonstrations of products and their use supporting the theoretical presentation in order to enable participants to experience the products and usage in a real context, being also able to ask questions to the coordinator.

The 10 Commandments of Sales

1. Think - The sale is in your mind;
2. Believe - Develop a belief system that can't be penetrated;
3. Get Involved - Develop compatibility and personal involvement before starting the sale;
4. Find out - People buy for their own reasons, not for yours. Discover their motives first;
5. Ask - If you ask the wrong questions, you will get the wrong answers;
6. Observe - your ability to observe must be as powerful as your ability to sell and your ability to listen;
7. Dare - Dare to take risks;
8. Assume - Know who is to blame when the sale is made;
9. Deserve - Sell for the relationship, not for the commission;
10. Prove - A testimony is worth a hundred sales presentations;

You don't become a great salesman in just one day. But you can become an excellent salesman day by day.

Close your deal faster

Working with sales requires that the seller has many skills, such as communication, charisma, understanding, patience and persuasiveness. 

There are some sales techniques that help the seller to make a satisfactory commercial representation and make their exports more quickly:

• Anticipate

The sooner you start planning your method of sale, the more success you will have. It is very important to consider how you approach your customer .

• Create a bond with the customer

The proximity will now help you in the sales process and increase your chances of business to be successful, because by trusting you, the client also trusts the product you represent.

• Be understanding

Understand what your customer is willing and offer him exactly what he looks for in good condition for payment.

• Collaborate

If the client isn't satisfied with the conditions, give him some other alternatives .

• Learn to listen

Listen to what your customer has to say. It is important that everyone agrees with the decision to be made for the sale to be closed in the most transparent way possible .

• Inspire confidence

If the client is in doubt, give as much information as possible to make him feel safe. Introduce him actual results of other successful sales and customer satisfaction surveys .

• Provide clear and objective responses

Demonstrate safety when responding to customer inquiries. An unsecured vendor demonstrates a lack of training and distrust. If you show that you know deeply what is selling, the customer will also have confidence in you and the product you offer .

The representative who is prepared and prepare an effective plan of sales can make all the difference at the time of sale.