Direct-Response Digital

Every now and then, we hear at the Hand-Raiser Marketing offices get our dander up about something. Right now, I’m feeling like direct response has gotten a bad rap online. I’m going on a mission to either dispel or prove the theory that brand building isn’t the only type of advertising that is accepted in digital – by the average consumer. I believe this is a bunch of hippie crap but I will dive deep into the archives to see... [Read More...]

Facebook Fans

If you regularly check the tech blogosphere, then you’ll notice that there has been an increased focus on the value of Facebook Fans to businesses. The catalyst to much of this discussion is a report from Syncapse, entitled “Value of a Facebook Fan.” I’m intrigued by the dollar value study of a tool that should be used mainly for PR purposes, so I delved into the 18 page report and scrutinized it for you. The fundamental question... [Read More...]

IMC: Put Together

Like any good outfit (as John Witherspoon saying, “Cooo-rdinate” in ‘Boomerang’ leaps in my head) an Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) Campaign should be a coordinated effort to use the variant business communication tools to further one big message. Regardless of whether or not your brown belt is your favorite, you likely don’t want to wear it with your red shirt and black shoes. That is NOT put together.  There... [Read More...]

Podcasting?

Recently, I was lucky enough to be able to speak about my views on “The Value Equation” for businesses in digital marketing. I had never done a podcast before, but found that I really enjoyed being a part of it. In the podcast, on Portage Digital Media, we discussed the changes on Facebook, matching messages to an emotional connection, and the pitfalls of the “freemium” model. Central to the conversation was, “why do... [Read More...]

Measuring Cost Per Lead

The Case for Inbound Marketing Convention tells us that trade shows, cold calling and direct mail will elicit results. Truth is, they do and have for quite a while.  The problem is we rarely measure the cost per lead and conversion of those activities. There are no financial or accounting tricks to doing so, but the regular blocking and tackling fundamentals sometimes fall through (as one of my former coaches used to say). [Read More...]  Read More →

Future so Bright the Midwest Needs Shades

This past weekend saw a conference of epic proportions. Typically I’m underwhelmed by conferences; they promise these mind-blowing, motivation inspiring experiences that rarely metastasize into realization of the guarantee. This was not to be the fate of the Future Midwest Conference (#FMW10 on Twitter), held in Royal Oak, Michigan. [Read More...]  Read More →

Do More Than ‘Net Work & Network

I love social media. I have met many wonderful people that have become colleagues, friends, associates, and partners. No matter how often we speak online through our various networks, the power of face-to-face old school networking is still very relevant.  I see some businesses trying to go the easy route by focusing too much on making the ‘net work that they forget to network.  More important, they forget (or were never taught) how to effectively... [Read More...]

Good Things are Coming

Last week, I was at the Mid America Truck Show.  I noticed a distinct difference in the general rhetoric I have recently heard from my cohorts in the transportation industry. The last couple of years have been arduous for anyone looking to increase their business. This is especially true in an industry that has seen a 40% decline in business. Yet, I was reminded of the optimism of this great country, because I heard almost everyone utter the sentiment... [Read More...]

Consulting

Therran Oliphant, the Chief Communication Strategist of Hand-Raiser Marketing is available for Integrated Marketing Communications Strategy consultation. Therran promotes strategies that create hand-raisers for your brand. Whether the methods are (re)branding, social media strategy, print strategy, media planning, public relations, message development or word of mouth marketing, Hand-Raiser can help you develop ideas that will generate ideas to help... [Read More...]