Tips to Go Direct to Connect with Consumers
Many businesses are bypassing media and P-R campaigns by going straight to consumers via social media, online videos and publishing. There are some tips to remember when creating content to connect with consumers and create word of mouth marketing for your enterprise.
*Create Content Your Customers Care About
It's not about going after the latest social media fad; it's about building a program around a subject important to both you and your customers. Once you've found the common issues that connect your customers, you can start to look at the tools and tactics you'll need to bring these folks together.
*Create Interactive Content
Find ways to get everyone involved-your customers, your potential clients, and your employees. The more people who are involved and have a voice will increase the word of mouth value of your content.
*Skip the Marketing Message
Focus on content to connect with consumers by creating an environment where the topic of conversation is about the things your customers care about, their concerns, and their ideas. If you do it right, your customers will be talking about themselves -- and, ultimately, your content.
Pennsylvania International Week to Help Small & Mid-Sized Businesses
Entrepreneurs interested in selling their goods and services overseas can network with trade representatives to find opportunities overseas during a series of meetings to be held across Pennsylvania during "Pennsylvania International Week".
The meetings, Nov. 9-18, will include nine of Pennsylvania's 24
authorized trade representatives from Brazil, Canada, Chile, Czech
Republic, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Taiwan, and the United
Kingdom.
"Exports from Pennsylvania firms play an increasingly important role in the state's economy," said Governor Rendell. "We help Pennsylvania companies evaluate export readiness, research new markets, locate qualified buyers, and find funding to start or expand in international markets. Pennsylvania International Week helps us introduce small and medium-sized companies to new markets and potential clients, without the time and expense of travel,” Rendell added.
The Department of Community and Economic Development's Regional Export Network is hosting the week. The network is a group of international business development organizations located throughout the state that serve as local points of contact and assistance for Pennsylvania exporters.
The meeting schedule for Pennsylvania International Week includes:
Monday, Nov. 9
11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Junior Achievement of Northeastern Pennsylvania,
1122 Oak St.
Pittston Township
Contact: Michael Horvath, Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance,
570-655-5581 x247
Tuesday, Nov. 10
9 a.m. - noon
Keystone College
612 Main St.
Towanda
Contact: Cynthia Krise, Northern Tier Regional Planning & Development
Commission, 570-265-9103
Wednesday, Nov. 11
8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
The Red Fern Banquet and Conference Center
421 Old Kersey Road
Kersey
Thursday, Nov. 12
8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Regional Enterprise Tower
Conference Center (23rd Floor)
425 Sixth Ave.
Pittsburgh
Contact: Rena Liu-Belshe, Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission,
412-391-5590
Friday, Nov. 13
8 a.m. - noon
The Casino at Lakemont Park
300 Lakemont Park Blvd.
Altoona
Contact: Tina Taylor, Southern Alleghenies Planning & Development
Commission, 814-949-6517
Friday, Nov. 13
1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Celebration Hall
2280 Commercial Blvd.
State College
Contact: Noelle Long, SEDA - Council of Governments, 570-524-4491
Monday, Nov. 16
8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Rauch Business Center
Lehigh University
641 Taylor St.
Bethlehem
Contact: Cora Landis, Lehigh University SBDC, Lehigh Export Network,
610-758-4350
Tuesday, Nov. 17
11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
HACC Gettysburg Campus
731 Old Harrisburg Road
Gettysburg
Contact: Tina Weyant, World Trade Center of Central PA, 717-843-1090
Wednesday, Nov. 18
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Plymouth Country Club
888 Plymouth Road
Plymouth Meeting
Contact: Dino Ramos, World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia,
215-586-4246
For more information about DCED's international business development efforts, visit http://www.newpa.com.
Your Email & Credit Score Research
What does your e-mail say about your credit score? The consumer credit score education company, Credit Karma, ran the numbers and found there is a correlation between credit scores and email service providers.
Consumers with an e-mail address provided by BellSouth had the best average score (694), followed by Comcast (687) and Gmail (681). Following at 4th, 5th and 6th were MSN (665), Hotmail (660) and AOL (660). Dead last on Credit Karma's list, Yahoo (640).
Switching your e-mail address will not increase your credit score, still as Credit Karma says, it is interesting.
