In an effort to help users better manage email, gmail introduced a new tool for prioritizing email in the inbox - called Priority Inbox. Similar to the category tool that Outlook offers, you can now specify which emails are important, which are starred and then everything else.

As an email marketer, this means that you need to work even harder to ensure that you develop content that your readers value.

For more information on gmail's email tool, check out this post:

http://gmailblog.blogspot.com/2010/08/email-overload-try-priority-inbox.html

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While I am embarrassed to even admit I know that song, its title rang true to me this weekend at my daughter’s taekwondo belt test. Upon earning her first-degree black belt, she was presented with a rose. The flower symbolized beauty combined with strength, and her instructor reminded them that while taekwondo is still male-dominated, more females are participating and that it is ok to be pretty and powerful.

Taking it from the personal to professional (the connection is here somewhere, I promise), that statement applies to our online business generation opportunities as well. You have a good-looking website, designed beautifully with rich imagery and photos. So it’s pretty, but is it powerful? Is it doing what you need it to do or just sitting around waiting for someone to notice it?

The good news is that it can be both. And at OnMark, we can help you develop a knockout website that delivers a kick.

As I ask myself every month as I’m paying the tuition at the martial arts school: is it still working? Are they getting what they need? Is this still the school for us? The answer was as clear as the smile on my daughter’s face as she accepted the fruit of four years of hard labor and realized that it is indeed possible to balance being a 9-year-old girl with the ability to achieve the rigid requirements her martial art demands.

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OnMark and cars – What’s the connection?

The OnMark team took a break in July for a bit of summer fun…the convertible kind of course. (Big smile!)

Thanks to all of our loyal customers and supports over the years, we’ve been successfully growing. We thank you for your business! We look forward to continuing to develop online marketing tactics that help your business grow.

Your Friends,

Kristy Amy, Anne Hassel, Kim Kelly, Wendy Leetch and Chris Rich

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Facebook trials “Facebook Questions”

At the end of July, Facebook introduced a new feature called Facebook Questions.  Using this new feature, Facebook users can pose a question to the entire Facebook community and receive a broader set of answers as well as learn valuable information on a wide range of topics.   

This feature will allow users to upload a picture and post a poll.  You will also have the ability to pose the question to a specific group of users. For example if you have a question on what type of camera you should buy, you can tag it with “Photography” allowing the most relevant people to answer your questions. 

Right now it is only available to a limited number of people, but Facebook is aiming to bring this to the general Facebook community in the near future. 

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Ford breaks the marketing mold and goes social for new car debut

If you are a car enthusiast, you might have noticed something missing from this year’s auto show: the unveiling of the 2011 Ford Explorer. Instead, on July 26, 2010 Ford opted to use Facebook to showcase the new vehicle. In addition, it featured a sweepstakes where one lucky Facebook fan will win a 2011 Ford Explorer. This is the first time a major car company used social media for a new product launch.

While Ford has always enjoyed high visibility on the web, its use of social media, such as the Explorer Facebook sweepstakes, is also leading to print and TV coverage. This is a great example of building a communication strategy around the goals of a campaign (e.g., increase brand awareness, engage with customers, be creative, etc.) versus simply using every social media tool out there just for the sake of using them.

Our team at OnMark Solutions prides itself on thoroughly and comprehensively evaluating your e-strategy. We recommend using social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, if it makes sense to your business and is aligned with your company’s communication goals. There are many other online ways to communicate with your customers and prospects. They all should work together to achieve the maximum ROI on your marketing dollars.

So whether you’re in the driver’s seat or you’re a passenger, ask yourself the following 5 questions when you’re deciding if social media is right for your company:

What are your customers talking about and how are they talking about it?

Do you have the staff to support ongoing updates and monitor messages about your company?

Do you have a clear understanding of your objectives and how you want your company’s brand to be positioned?

How will you measure the performance of the social media tools?

How will social media be integrated with your other communication vehicles, both online and print?

If you need help determining the answers to the above questions and evaluating what e-strategies fit your business goals, give us a call. We’ve been told we add high value at a reasonable cost, simplify seemingly complicated online tools and get things done. How can we help you drive your online presence? To read more about  the Ford Explorer Facebook campaign, click here.

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On the go water solutions

The next time you reach for bottled water, think about purchasing a reusable water bottle that you carry with you. Plastic water bottles create a tremendous amount of waste when you can use a more durable option that you can refill for free from the tap. Try one of these OnMark favorites:

Stainless steel with twist top
Kids sized water bottle
Pet Water Bottle - Great for walking or hiking with your pet, a water bottle like this allows them to stay hydrated anywhere.
Swiggies - A fun hands free water bottle

Meeting or party water solutions

Before breaking open the case of bottled water at your next meeting or party, consider filling a pitcher with water and providing cups for people to use. It's a great way to save a few dollars and to cut down on waste.

Clear water dispenser (Perfect for lemonade too!)
Dual beverage dispensers

There are lots of great ideas for reusable beverage containers. The important thing to remember is to put one in your bag the next time you walk out the door or hop in the car.

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With stamp prices on the rise, what’s in your marketing mix?

Beginning in January 2011, the price of first-class stamps is expected to increase by 2 cents to 46 cents. The rate increase also affects advertising and postage costs. In addition, the postal service is considering reducing the mail delivery frequency (eliminating Saturdays).

As traditional “snail mail” costs increase, and its opportunities to reach your customers and prospects in a timely manner decrease, how will this affect your marketing strategy? Have you examined your marketing tactics to determine if the mix is right? Now is a great time to maximize on the benefits of email marketing over direct mail. Here are just a few reasons:

• Email campaigns can reach your intended recipients anywhere, at any time. With the click of a button, your messages are delivered instantly, even internationally.
• Email has a greater return on investment. Stamps, envelopes, printing services, etc. need not apply!
• Email produces immediate results. You know exactly who opened and clicked on it and when. This provides a great opportunity to conduct a follow-up sales call or other targeted communication!
• Email saves trees and the environment. No paper and no transportation required!
• Email makes it easier to solicit feedback and interaction from your recipients. You can ask product- or service-related questions and it’s easy for people to respond.

OnMark Solutions can help you determine if your marketing mix is operating at its best. Call us today!

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Our new blog is now online. Check back soon for regular updates!

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