The Marketing Edge

Edge Media is pleased to introduce the Scottsdale Preferred Marketing System.  It is unique in its' integrated approach, harnessing the power of radio, the internet, social media, e-mail, and text messaging together to create a powerful and prestigious lead generator for businesses. 

Benefits to advertisers include the sheer reach at over 500,000 Scottsdale shoppers monthly, including exposure on high traffic website Scottsdale.com, and commercials on premier stations like KOOL and KTAR.  The tremendous exposure on the advertising system  is offered at one-tenth of the cost of purchasing each component separately, making high powered integrated marketing very affordable for local business. The system offers businesses recognition, with 24/7/365 customer voting online to determine top Preferred businesses in each category. Winning businesses are honored as the Scottsdale Preferred business in their category.  The reach of over half a million people monthly across multiple marketing channels for pennies on the dollar and the prestige of being Preferred is all turnkey for the business, leaving the business free to focus on serving the new customer.
 
The Scottsdale Preferred system was created as advertising veteran Jim Seemiller interacted with many locally owned businesses who experimented with a wide variety of advertising strategies to market their businesses and many experienced the  frustration and disappointment as hard earned dollars spent on expensive ad campaigns did not yield the hoped for return on investment.   Seemiller, VP of Business Development at locally owned Edge Media,  teamed up with Becky Kelley, Executive Director of the high traffic volume site Scottsdale.com to launch the Scottsdale Preferred marketing system, a veritable interactive marketing engine for local businesses.
 
Jim Seemiller noted the tremendous success of the Preferred system in other Arizona cities in helping to grow business for companies using this increased value added marketing plan. Seemiller states, "We fully expect that Scottsdale Preferred will bring even bigger results for participating companies as they look to grow their business. With partners like Scottsdale.com, the elite website for Scottsdale businesses and our radio partners, we think that we even have more to offer. I have not seen another advertising plan that delivers the results, the amount of ad value as Scottsdale Preferred does."
 
Becky Kelley is optimistic that the advertising system will help Scottsdale businesses grow, "We are excited to be working on a campaign of this caliber with Jim Seemiller and Edge Media.  Scottsdale.com was built as a community website and this Scottsdale Preferred marketing campaign is a perfect complement.  We are coupling an already popular local Scottsdale website with a proven, successful and innovative marketing system that is designed to grow Scottsdale merchant's business."
 
For more information about Scottsdale Preferred, contact Jim Seemiller, VP of Business Development at Edge Media.  Jim can be reached at 602-943-2030 x 5, and by e-mail at jim@edgemedia.biz.  Advertiser information is available at http://www.scottsdalepreferred.com.  
 
About Edge Media: Edge Media is a leading interactive advertising agency dedicated to providing its clients with cutting edge technology and innovative marketing strategies through a wide range of services that include consultation, market research, media planning/purchasing/creation, graphic and web design, SEO, internet advertising, public relations, organizational support, social media, and mobile marketing thru SMS marketing software that provides bulk SMS services. Our advertising and marketing consultants are experienced, creative marketers that help our clients' business to grow. Edge Media has offices in Phoenix, AZ and is reachable online at http://www.edgemedia.biz and 602-943-2030.

About Scottsdale.com: Scottsdale.com is the number one resource for both local residents and discriminating individuals who wish to visit the City of Scottsdale. Scottsdale.com is the ultimate destination website for visitors, but also a site that locals rely on for information on a daily basis. Scottsdale.com has offices in Scottsdale, AZ and is reachable online at http://www.scottsdale.com and info@scottsdale.com.

Many online marketing experts say that content is king when it comes to online influence.  How do you get content onto the web that attracts visitors and positively impacts website visitors and ultimately your bottom line?  There are a number of steps to take that can accomplish this goal.  This next educational series will tackle the steps to take to become a publisher of online content that has an impact.

At Edge Media and ChurchLink Communications, our FASTEST and most EFFICIENT tool is called keyword optimized blogging.  We use software to accomplish this and it is inexpensive and highly effective. You can do this without this software, it just won't be as effective or easy... Contact us for more info on this, as the software is as low as $360.00 per month.

The steps outlined are the same whether using software or not, so we will outline the steps here.  As a leading interactive agency, one of our first steps is ALWAYS to identify the keywords and phrases that are most important to our clients' products and services.  We then analyze them and choose keywords that we can WIN on, measuring competition and traffic on each keyword/phrase.  Once the keywords are chosen, interactive web agency strategy always includes integrating  keywords into content at appropriate densities on the primary website and into meta/data tags on the site to impact search engine results.

The next step is to set up the blog.  At Edge Media and ChurchLink Communications, we set up the design and install keyword optimized blogs for our clients.  If you are not using a keyword optimized blog, you can set up blogs on places like Blogger and WordPress.  The design should mirror the website as closely as possible, and also have links to/from the website.  It can also be added to primary navigation in the website.

After the blog is set up, it is time to craft the content.  We will take up content generation on the next blog, as there are important strategies in that regard.

About Edge Media and ChurchLink Communications: ChurchLink Communications is a leading Christian interactive agency located in Phoenix AZ serving local and national clients for over a decade.  As an Christian interactive agency, we specialize in cutting edge technologies that deliver exceptional results for our clients, the mobile web, mobile apps, social media, text messaging, and keyword optimized blogging. We also produce and buy radio and television as a Christian marketing company.

  Many online marketing experts say that content is king when it comes to online influence.  How do you get content onto the web that attracts visitors and positively impacts website visitors and ultimately your bottom line?  There are a number of steps to take that can accomplish this goal.  This next educational series will tackle the steps to take to become a publisher of online content that has an impact.

At Edge Media, our FASTEST and most EFFICIENT tool is called keyword optimized blogging.  We use software to accomplish this and it is inexpensive and highly effective. You can do this without this software, it just won't be as effective or easy... Contact us for more info on this, as the software is as low as $360.00 per month.

The steps outlined are the same whether using software or not, so we will outline the steps here.  As a leading interactive agency, one of our first steps is ALWAYS to identify the keywords and phrases that are most important to our clients' products and services.  We then analyze them and choose keywords that we can WIN on, measuring competition and traffic on each keyword/phrase.  Once the keywords are chosen,
interactive web agency strategy always includes integrating  keywords into content at appropriate densities on the primary website and into meta/data tags on the site to impact search engine results.

The next step is to set up the blog.  At Edge Media, we set up the design and install keyword optimized blogs for our clients.  If you are not using a keyword optimized blog, you can set up blogs on places like Blogger and WordPress.  The design should mirror the website as closely as possible, and also have links to/from the website.  It can also be added to primary navigation in the website.

After the blog is set up, it is time to craft the content.  We will take up content generation on the next blog, as there are important strategies in that regard.

About Edge Media: Edge Media is a leading interactive agency located in Phoenix AZ serving local and national clients for over a decade.  As an interactive web agency, we specialize in cutting edge technologies that deliver exceptional results for our clients, including SMS marketing software that has bulk SMS services capabilities, social media, and keyword optimized blogging. We also produce and buy radio and television as a media interactive agency.  Our marketing and advertising consultants are experienced industry leaders among marketing companies in Phoenix and advertising agencies in Phoenix AZ.

If you have been following this blog and taking the steps I have outlined, you have put some significant social media tools in your marketing toolbox.  It's time to optimize your communications impact.   

Every account you have created is valuable and every visitor to every account is valuable. Maximize the opportunity created by the visit. Solicit visitor reviews, and make it easy for them to post their reviews. Remember:   A consumer survey by the JC Williams Group ranked consumer content as the #1 aid to a buying decision, cited by 91% of respondents (JC Williams Group, 2006). 

Reward visitors for giving you their time and support with special offers, then create incentives for visitors to tell their friends so that their influence regarding your ministry grows.

Also use your social media accounts to LISTEN.  Ask questions, find out what matters most to the folks who take the time to visit your sites.  Be responsive and proactive to any comments posted.  Never be afraid of negative comments, let the way you handle a complaint say something positive about your commitment to serving people.

Make sure content is fresh and relevant.  Next week we will discuss simple, easy ways to update content and also impact search engine results so be sure to check back!

About Edge Media:  Edge Media is a full service agency located in Phoenix AZ serving local and national clients. 

About ChurchLink Communications: ChurchLink Communications is an affiliate of Edge Media that specializes in innovative marketing strategies for ministries and churches, using cutting edge technology to deliver exceptional results for our clients.  ChurchLink Communications is a full service  Christian interactive advertising agency with mobile app development capability and SMS marketing software systems.  ChurchLink strategies harness the power of multiple marketing channels together to deliver greater results than any single stand alone marketing channel for our Christian agency clients.  For more info, visit us at http://churchlinkcommunications.com and info@churchlinkcommunications.com.  Don't forget to take advantage of our complimentary marketing consultation offer with one of our experienced marketing consultants!

If you have been following this blog and taking the steps I have outlined, you have put some significant social media tools in your marketing toolbox.  It's time to optimize your success.   

Every account you have created is valuable and every visitor to every account is valuable. Maximize the opportunity created by the visit. Solicit customer reviews, and make it easy for customers to post their reviews. Remember:   A consumer survey by the JC Williams Group ranked consumer content as the #1 aid to a buying decision, cited by 91% of respondents (JC Williams Group, 2006). 

Reward visitors for giving you their time and support with special offers, then create incentives for visitors to tell their friends so that their influence regarding your product grows.

Also use your social media accounts to LISTEN.  Ask questions, find out what matters most to the folks who take the time to visit your sites.  Be responsive and proactive to any comments posted.  Never be afraid of negative comments, let the way you handle a complaint say something positive about your commitment to serve your customer.

Make sure content is fresh and relevant.  Next week we will discuss simple, easy ways to update content and also impact search engine results so be sure to check back!

About Edge Media:  Edge Media is a full service, leading interactive agency located in Phoenix AZ serving local and national clients.  Edge Media specializes in innovative marketing strategies using cutting edge technology to deliver exceptional results for our clients.  Edge Media is a mobile advertising agency as well, with mobile app development capability and SMS marketing software systems to deliver bulk SMS  services in our campaigns.  Edge Media interactive agency strategies harness the power of multiple marketing channels together to deliver greater results than any single stand alone marketing channel.  For more info, visit us at http://www.edgemedia.biz and info@edgemedia.biz.  Don't forget to take advantage of our complimentary marketing consultation offer with one of our experienced marketing and advertising consultants!

Ministries & churches should have pages and groups, not profiles.  It is necessary to have a profile to set up a page, and profiles are individuals who administer the pages.  Just because someone can see your page or group does not mean they can see your profile.  Nevertheless, it is important to note that anything you post online that is questionable can hypothetically be found and come back to haunt you.  Use the "Mom" test - if my mom saw this, what would she say?

Set up your profile, then set up your page.  Upload your logo, contact info, and always link back to your  website.  Use your identified keywords in the descriptions to help impact your search results.

Once the account is set up, you need to implement strategy.  What is the goal of social media usage for your business?  Is it exposure?  Interaction?  Traffic generation for your website?   As I have said many times, tweeting to hear yourself chirp does not grow your business.  Our advertising and marketing consultants at ChurchLink Communications actually design a social media roadmap, which details goals, steps to achieve the goals, and how to measure the goals.  As a leading Christian interactive advertising agency, we believe that efforts must generate results for the clients we serve.

Consider some of these strategies that could help accomplish your goals:

• Give something of value.  Why should someone visit your page, group, or website again?  
• Offer something unique: audio clips, video clips, e-cards, downloads, forums, etc.  It needs to be something that they can’t get anywhere else.  
• Create engaging content, and encourage interactivity.  You want folks to be engaged and take ownership.
• Ask questions, solicit opinions, and make it easy for supporters to post their info.   Reward them for giving you their time and support.  Remember that one of the keys to social media is that listening is important.  We are way past the time when simply pushing out information is effective.
• Remember to provide CONTENT VALUE.  A consumer survey by the JC Williams Group ranked consumer content as the #1 aid to a buying decision, cited by 91% of respondents (JC Williams Group, 2006).

Next week we will tackle the benefits of blogging.  In the meantime, craft your strategy or call one of our marketing and advertising consultants!

About ChurchLink Communications and Edge Media: ChurchLink Communications is a division of Edge Media committed to equipping the Church with every available and effective communications tool. Edge Media is a Christian interactive agency located in Phoenix AZ specializing in cutting edge solutions and technologies that give our clients significant return on their advertising investment.  Our Christian interactive goals and strategies are innovative, rapidly increasing traffic to our clients' websites, and then converting from leads to sales as a result ofour Christian marketing company expertise in the online arena.  We are a full service Christian advertising agency serving local and national clients and delivering exceptional results.

Businesses should have pages, not profiles.  It is necessary to have a profile to set up a page, and profiles are individuals who administer the pages.  Just because someone can see your business  page does not mean they can see your profile.  Nevertheless, it is important to note that anything you post online that is questionable can hypothetically be found and come back to haunt you.  Use the "Mom" test - if my mom saw this, what would she say?

Set up your profile, then set up your business page.  Upload your logo, contact info, and always link back to your  corporate website.  Use your identified keywords in the descriptions to help impact your search results.

Once the account is set up, you need to implement strategy.  What is the goal of social media usage for your business?  Is it exposure?  Interaction?  Traffic generation for your website?   As I have said many times, tweeting to hear yourself chirp does not grow your business.  Our advertising and marketing consultants at Edge Media actually design a social media roadmap, which details goals, steps to achieve the goals, and how to measure the goals.  As a leading interactive agency, we believe that efforts must generate results for our clients!

Consider some of these strategies that could help accomplish your goals:

• Give something of value.  Why should someone visit your page, group, or website again?  
• Offer something unique: audio clips, video clips, e-cards, downloads, forums, etc.  It needs to be something that they can’t get anywhere else.  
• Make offers.  Create promotions.  Upload a coupon.   Keep these offers fresh to encourage return visitors.
• Solicit customer reviews, and make it easy for customers to post their reviews.   Reward them for giving you their time and support.  Remember that one of the keys to social media is that listening is important.  We are way past the time when simply pushing out information is effective.
• Remember to provide something of VALUE.  A consumer survey by the JC Williams Group ranked consumer content as the #1 aid to a buying decision, cited by 91% of respondents (JC Williams Group, 2006).

Next week we will tackle the benefits of blogging.  In the meantime, craft your strategy or call one of our marketing and advertising consultants!

About Edge Media: Edge Media is a leading interactive agency located in Phoenix AZ specializing in cutting edge solutions and technologies that give our clients significant return on their advertising investment, including our SMS marketing software for bulk SMS services delivery.  Our interactive web agency strategies are innovative as well, rapidly increasing traffic to our clients' websites, and then converting from leads to sales as a result of interactive web agency expertise.  We are a full service advertising agency serving local and national clients and delivering exceptional results.

Social media, mobile media, donations by text, search engine optimization - there is so much you can do to connect with people who want to know about your ministry!  Figuring out how to use these emerging technologies is often quite confusing and time consuming.  We want to be a part of the solution!

The mission of ChurchLink Communications is to equip the Church with every available communications tool!   Please join our ongoing discussions on our Facebook page in the discussion forum!  If you have a "how to" or "why should we" question, this is the perfect forum to ask those questions.  Additionally, weekly we add content that will give you practical information on how to increase communications effectiveness using these platforms.   Here is the link - please join!

www.facebook.com/pages/#!/pages/ChurchLink-Communications/246702415307

About ChurchLink Communications:  ChurchLink is a division of Edge Media.  ChurchLink Communications is a full service Christian interactive advertising agency located in Phoenix, AZ serving local and national churches, ministries, and Christian broadcast.  Our mission as a Christian agency is to equip the Church with every communications tool possible to effectively communicate the Gospel.  Our technology includes cutting edge internet and mobile solutions, radio, television, and much more!

Most businesses are familiar with social media, and many have made forays into the communications platform.  Recent research indicates that an understanding of "we should do this" exists, but understanding appropriate social media goals and how to achieve those goals still eludes small to medium sized businesses today.

One of the most difficult tasks is to step outside of the actual day to day tasks of business and into the shoes of those that use their goods or services.   In short, communications have to be crafted towards the target audience by understanding who they are and what is important to them.  This is where social media is most important because it is a dialogue communications platform, not a broadcast channel.  Interaction and listening should occur regularly in this communications channel to understand priorities, preferences, needs, and concerns.

The next important fact to consider is the impact that social media can have from a viral perspective.  Consider the following statistics:

• Online social network users were three times more likely to trust peers’ opinions over advertising when making purchase decisions (Jupiter Research).
• According to a global Nielsen survey of 26,486 Internet users in 47 markets, consumer recommendations are the most credible form of advertising among 78% of the study’s respondents.
• Consumers trust friends above experts when it comes to product recommendations (65% trust friends, 27% trust experts, 8% trust celebrities) (Yankelovich).

Interaction on social media platforms creates a relationship, and the viral power of that relationship is tremendous.  Strategy, content, interaction, and viral outreach should all be pillars of social media for all businesses.

As we interact with our clients, we find that many do not have the time or staff to manage this type of outreach.  Edge Media, our leading interactive agency, can step in and create the publishing platforms for our clients and then train them in how to efficiently manage these platforms, or we can manage them for our clients. 

Our next blog will discuss ways to get started in social media, or if already involved, how to correct potential errors that may have been made to date, and then to launch with realistic goals and effective strategies.

About Edge Media: The mission of Edge Media is to empower organizations to utilize every technological tool to effectively communicate their message.  As a leading interactive agency, we are confident that we can put all of the pieces together to deliver exceptional results for our clients, including broadcast television and radio, search engine optimization, social media, internet marketing, bulk SMS services, and more.  We truly are unaware of any other marketing companies Phoenix based providing all of these resources in one place with the level of expertise we bring to the table.  Our advertising and marketing consultants have over sixty years of combined experience in broadcast, internet, and mobile advertising agency solutions. 

Most ministries and non-profit organizations are familiar with social media, and many have made forays into the communications platform.  Recent research indicates that an understanding of "we should do this" exists, but understanding appropriate social media goals and how to achieve those goals still eludes most NPO's today.

One of the most difficult tasks is to step outside of the actual day to day tasks of ministry and into the shoes of those that they communicate with.  Additionally, the people that ministries serve are not always the same group of people that ministries communicate with to raise the funds that facilitate ministry.  In short, communications have to be crafted towards the target audience by understanding who they are and what is important to them.  This is where social media is most important because it is a dialogue communications platform, not a broadcast channel.  Interaction and listening should occur regularly in this communications channel to understand priorities, needs, and concerns.

The next important fact to consider is the impact that social media can have from a viral perspective.  Consider the following statistics:

• Online social network users were three times more likely to trust peers’ opinions over advertising when making purchase decisions (Jupiter Research).
• According to a global Nielsen survey of 26,486 Internet users in 47 markets, consumer recommendations are the most credible form of advertising among 78% of the study’s respondents.
• Consumers trust friends above experts when it comes to product recommendations (65% trust friends, 27% trust experts, 8% trust celebrities) (Yankelovich).

Interaction on social media platforms creates a relationship, and the viral power of that relationship is tremendous.  Strategy, content, interaction, and viral outreach should all be pillars of social media for non-profit organizations.

As we interact with our Christian ministry and non-profit clients, we find that many do not have the time or staff to manage this type of outreach.  ChurchLink Communications, our Christian advertising agency, can step in and create the publishing platforms for our clients and then train them in how to efficiently manage these platforms, or we can manage them for our clients. 

Our next blog will discuss ways to get started in social media, or if already involved, how to correct potential errors that may have been made to date, and then to launch with realistic goals and effective strategies.

About ChurchLink Communications: The mission of ChurchLink is to empower Christian organizations to utilize every technological tool to proclaim the message of the Gospel.  As a leading Christian interactive agency, we are confident that we can put all of the pieces together to deliver exceptional results for our clients, including broadcast television and radio, search engine optimization, social media, internet marketing, and more.  We truly are unaware of any other Christian marketing company providing all of these resources in one place with the level of expertise we bring to the table.  Our Christian agency has over sixty years of combined experience in broadcast, internet, and mobile marketing. 

1) As discussed in the first blog, from your research, define the keywords that people use to find your business.  You can get keyword ideas from Google Adwords.  Make sure these keywords are in the content of your website.

2) Build accounts in local sites like AOL Local, Google Local,Yahoo Local, Bing Local, Live Search Maps, Kudzu, Merchant Circle, etc.

3) Always link back to your website, and use your defined keywords in your descriptions.

Each account should include your business logo, a description that is keyword optimized, and where possible, encourage existing customers/supporters to write reviews for you.  Reviews are considered the most credible form of marketing.  This will take some time to accomplish, but you will see the fruit of your efforts.  Numerous local sites like Merchant Circle also allow for updates, offers, blogging, etc., so take advantage of these as you are able.

The next discussion will be the inclusion of social media in your online search strategy so be sure to check back!

About Edge Media: Edge Media is a leading interactive advertising agency specializing in cutting edge technologies that give our clients significant return on their marketing investments.  Some of our tools include SMS marketing software to deliver bulk SMS  services  (text messages), mobile web, mobile apps, optimized blogging, search engine optimization, and more!  Check out our client services listed on our site www.edgemedia.biz/index-2.html

Part Two in growing outreach online is the process of local linking.  This is a powerful strategy even if you are a national organization.  "Winning" on a local level is easier and faster than winning in natural search  on a national level.  If you are a national or international organization, maximizing your local presence in numerous markets will significantly impact your national results.   For example Edge Media and Church Link Communications do business locally, nationally, and international.  One of our keywords is interactive Christian advertising agency (national & international) where we hold the number one and two Google search positions.  Another keyword is Christian advertising agency Phoenix AZ where we win locally with the number one and two positions for this term. Below are the steps to get this done:


1) As discussed in the first blog, from your research, define the keywords that people use to find your organization.  You can get keyword ideas from Google Adwords.  Make sure these keywords are in the content of your website.

2) Build accounts in local sites like AOL Local, Google Local,Yahoo Local, Bing Local, Live Search Maps, Kudzu, Merchant Circle, etc.

3) Always link back to your website, and use your defined keywords in your descriptions.

Each account should include your business logo, a description that is keyword optimized, and where possible, encourage existing customers/supporters to write reviews for you.  Reviews are considered the most credible form of marketing.  This will take some time to accomplish, but you will see the fruit of your efforts.  Numerous local sites like Merchant Circle also allow for updates, offers, blogging, etc., so take advantage of these as you are able.

The next discussion will be the inclusion of social media in your online search strategy so be sure to check back!

About ChurchLink Communications:  ChurchLink Communications is a Christian advertising agency operating as a division of Edge Media offering all of the expertise and full service that Edge Media has gained in over a decade of serving clients.  As a Christian agency, the goal of ChurchLink Communications is to equip the Church with every available communications tool to effectively preach the Gospel.   Christian interactive agencies are critical to the expansion of ministry, as the internet and the mobile web have exploded. As a Christian agency, we bring all of these tools to the table for our clients, including search engine optimization, social media, text message marketing, mobile web, mobile apps, and so much more!

At our recent Navigating the New Business Economy Seminar, I presented a strong case for growing outreach through natural search and social media.  I also offered some very practical "how to" tips for the attendees.  I will outline those tips in a series of blog posts to help those new to online strategies get started.

First, let's start with the compelling evidence for why you MUST recognize the power of online marketing and why you SHOULD take advantage of it to grow your business...

So... Why Start Online?

• 80 - 90% of consumers use a search engine prior to purchase  (ComScore).

• Showing up on page one of search listings gets your organization in front of people who already know they need your product/service so you start with a warm lead, as compared to many other media channels.

• A click through to your website should be just as welcoming as walking through the doors of your brick and mortar business.

Other Reasons to Start Online...

• You need to OWN your industry’s online space (It’s better for you to get the web traffic than your competitor).

• You need to CONTROL your reputation (Your reputation is important, it is the perceived value of your organization).

• You need MORE website traffic to GROW your organization.

• You need to talk to your supporters.   Interactive marketing is very effective.

Right now, you need to go do your homework.   Go to Google Adwords and let it analyze your site to suggest keywords for the next steps we will take.  Stay tuned for next steps in the next blog titled Local Linking.

About Edge Media - Edge Media is a leading interactive advertising agency located in Phoenix AZ and specializing in cutting edge technologies that produce exceptional results for our clients.  As a mobile advertising agency we offer mobile websites, mobile apps, and SMS marketing software for our clients.  As an interactive web agency, we offer integrated strategic solutions to grow traffic using optimized blogging, social media, and linking strategies.

About ChurchLink Communications - ChurchLink is a division of Edge Media dedicated to serving the needs of ministries, non-profits, and churches.  As a full service Christian advertising agency, ChurchLink offers all of the expertise that Edge Media offers.  Our Christian interactive agency offers SMS marketing software so that churches, ministries, and non-profits can use our SMS marketing software (bulk text message services) for fundraising, action alerts, devotionals, and more!  The focus of our Christian agency is to equip our clients with every technological tool possible to effectively communicate the message of the Gospel!

At our recent Navigating the New Business Economy Seminar, I presented a strong case for growing business through natural search and social media.  I also offered some very practical "how to" tips for the attendees.  I will outline those tips in a series of blog posts to help those new to online strategies get started.

First, let's start with the compelling evidence for why you MUST recognize the power of online marketing and why you SHOULD absolutely take advantage of it to grow your business...

So... Why Start Online?

• 80 - 90% of consumers use a search engine prior to purchase  (ComScore).

• Showing up on page one of search listings gets your business in front of customers who already know they need your product/service so you start with a warm lead, as compared to many other media channels.

• A click through to your website should be just as welcoming as walking through the doors of your brick and mortar business.

Other Reasons to Start Online...

• You need to OWN your industry’s online space (It’s better for you to get the business than your competitor).

• You need to CONTROL your reputation (Your reputation is important, it is the perceived value of your business).

• You need MORE website traffic to GROW your business (Making money is nice).

• You need to talk to your customers.   Interactive marketing is very effective.

Right now, you need to go do your homework.   Go to Google Adwords and let it analyze your site to suggest keywords for the next steps we will take.  Stay tuned for next steps in the next blog titled Local Linking.

About Edge Media - Edge Media is a leading interactive advertising agency located in Phoenix AZ and specializing in cutting edge technologies that produce exceptional results for our clients.  As a mobile advertising agency we offer mobile websites, mobile apps, and SMS marketing software for our cients.  As an interactive web agency, we offer integrated strategic solutions to grow traffic using optimized blogging, social media, and linking strategies.

We are very pleased to offer Digital Force, a new product for broadcasters! The Digital Force product creates a unique, interactive, and turnkey technological solution that  meets several crucial needs for broadcasters including:

     1)  Creation of new revenue streams including the addition of text message ads and website sales.  Mobile messaging revenue is currently over $150 billion, and will reach $233 billion by 2014 (Portio Research, Feb. 2010).Total U.S. online retail sales are expected to grow at an average annual rate of 10% over the next four years, rising from $155 billion in 2009 to $250 billion in 2014, according to a Forrester Research study.

     2)  Increased audience interactivity through text messaging, social media, and blogging.  Over 80% of Americans have cell phones, text volume exceeded call volume in Q2 2009, and 50% will have web enabled phones by Q3 2011 (Source: Mobile Marketing Assoc.).  Social media main sites now boast over 600 million users, with 50% logging in daily, connecting to over 80 pages, groups, events, brands, and companies (Sources: Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter), and over 126 million blogs on the Internet currently. B2B blogging increases leads by an average of 67% (Source: Inbound Marketing Lead Generation Report).

3)   Increased website traffic as a result of social linking, social media, optimized blogging, and mobile phone apps.  Over 41% of businesses using social media have acquired new customers through those channels (Source: Inbound Marketing Lead Generation Report).

4)   Adoption of emerging communications platforms are absolutely necessary to retain relevancy.  Mobile use is growing much more quickly than PCs or Internet services did Burson, 2010).

5)  Provides turnkey solution for broadcasters, including ease of use from a single platform, negating the need to hire additional staff.  We have developed an online content aggregator system that integrates text messaging, social media, and blogging sites with content update from one location.

    About Edge Media: Edge Media is a full service leading interactive advertising agency located in Phoenix AZ specializing in cutting edge technologies that deliver exceptional ROI for our clients. Our cutting edge technologies include SMS marketing software that allow our clients to deliver bulk SMS services that few marketing companies Phoenix is home to can offer. In addition to our text SMS messaging software, our mobile advertising agency offers mobile websites, mobile apps, and mobile internet advertising.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Vickie Isaac
Edge Media
602-943-2030 x 1
vickie@edgemedia.biz
http://www.edgemedia.biz

Phoenix, AZ September 9, 2010  Phoenix, AZ

Edge Media is pleased to announce the upcoming Navigating the New Business Economy Success Seminar.   News Talk 960  AM Intelligent Conservative Talk Radio and a panel of five experts team up to offer a free seminar to Phoenix area business owners and decision makers, offering strategy and solutions for business growth in a downturned and uncertain economic environment.   

WHAT:  The free Navigating the New Business Economy seminar includes five topics from five individual content experts, including: “How to Get the Most From Your Bank”, presented by Pat Corcoran, VP, BBVA Compass Bank; “Effective Marketing Doesn’t Have to Break Your Piggy Bank”, presented by Vickie Isaac, MEd., President, Edge Media, LLC and Adjunct Professor, Grand Canyon University;  “How NOT to Give ALL of Your Money to Uncle Sam”, Ed Daily, CPA, MBA, Owner, CPA on Wheels; “Find a New Way”, Mike Ford, President PFG Group; and “Healthcare Strategy that Doesn’t Give You Heartburn” presented by Nancy Halls, President, Hipes Consulting.

WHEN: Tuesday, September 28, 2010 from 9am - 12pm.  Seating is limited, online event registration is required at http://www.navigatetheeconomy.com

WHERE: 3003 N. Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ, 85012.  Parking is complimentary, courtesy of BBVA Compass Bank.  Complimentary light refreshments will be available.

WHY:   News Talk 960 Intelligent Conservative Talk Radio and the collaborative team of experts presenting the Navigating the New Business Economy Success Seminar believe that local businesses can still forge ahead, despite the economic environment armed with accurate information, smart strategy, and effective tools.   The seminar team consists of businesses whose primary business it is to help other businesses grow who have committed themselves to providing valuable information to the local business community at no cost.  Additionally, the team believes that if Phoenix businesses will support local Phoenix businesses who are committed to giving back to their communities, it creates a winning environment for businessses and the city we live in.

About Navigating the New Business Economy: More information and registration for the upcoming seminar is available at  http://www.navigatetheeconomy.com.


About Edge Media: Edge Media is a leading interactive advertising agency specializing in cutting  edge technology and innovative marketing strategies that deliver exceptional results.  Edge Media has offices in Phoenix, AZ and is reachable online at http://www.edgemedia.biz and 602-943-2030.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Vickie Isaac
ChurchLink Communications/Edge Media
602-943-2030 x 1
info@churchlinkcommunications.com
http://www.churchlinkcommunications.com


Phoenix, AZ September 16, 2010  Phoenix, AZ  





70% of Teenagers Walk Away From Their Faith Between High School and College;
Shepherding Your Teen Conference Addresses Parents to Discuss Causes and Solutions

 
Shepherding Your Teen is a practical and biblical parenting conference presented by the Youth Transition Network and the organization’s president, Jeff Schadt, MBL. The event will be held Friday October 8st from 6pm to 9 pm and continued on Saturday October 9th from 9am until 12 noon at Heights Church located at 2121 Larry Caldwell Dr. in Prescott, AZ.   Tickets can be purchased online at www.shepherdingyourteen.com or at the door the day of the event, with discounts available for advance purchase and groups of ten or more.
 
Parents of teenagers are invited to attend to find out why teenagers leave their faith during the transition between high school and college, and receive practical advice on how to strengthen the relationship with their teen, increase parental influence with their teen, fully prepare their teen for college/adult life, and monumentally increase the likelihood of their teen staying in Christian fellowship. Parent testimonials are strong evidence of the effectiveness of the seminar, including one from Val Norbye, mother of a teenager that attended the seminar, “The content of Shepherding Your Teen impacted me greatly.  Every parent who wants to see their teen succeed socially, academically, and spiritually...should attend Shepherding Your Teen.”

Mr. Schadt holds his Masters’ Degree in Biblical Leadership, and is an author who recently released “Going, Going, Gone” through NavPress.  The book includes a very strong endorsement from noted author and teen expert Josh McDowell, who stated, “Going, Going, Gone will help you assess your approach to your teenagers and help establish a course that will build a relationship and foundation that will set your student up to succeed, just as Jesus set up His disciples to succeed as He prepared to exit their lives.

For more information about the upcoming seminar, visit www.shepherdingyourteen.com or call 970-259-6518.

About the Youth Transition Network: The Youth Transition Network (YTN) is an organization committed to helping parents and churches address the loss of youth by conducting research, executing training, providing resources, and helping connect high school teenagers to Christian ministries before they leave home.  YTN is reachable online at www.ytn.org and 970-259-6518.



About ChurchLink Communications and Edge Media: ChurchLink Communications is the Christian interactive advertising agency operating as a division of Edge Media,  specializing in cutting edge technology and innovative marketing strategies that deliver exceptional results.  ChurchLink Communications, a Christian agency,  and Edge Media, have offices in Phoenix, AZ and are reachable online at http://www.churchlinkcommunications.com and  http://www.edgemedia.biz and 602-943-2030.

Technology is changing at a dizzying pace.  So rapidly in fact, that some days I don't want to read about the next technological breakthrough that has been adopted by marketers as a communications tool.  It is quite frankly just hard to keep up sometimes, and the rapid mobile evolution some days makes me feel like rearranged pond scum trying to get my head around it.  Other days I'm pretty excited about it, like today, where I recognize the incredible potential for effective communications!
 
Relevant communication methods are critical.  80% of Americans have mobile phones, and 50% will have smartphones by Q3 2011, continuing the rapid evolution in communication and media consumption. Mobile is way more than text message marketing.  Mobile channels include mobile websites, mobile social media,  apps, mobile listening and viewing, mobile advertising, mobile giving,  and more. 

Many businesses and non-profits are aware of changes in technology and wondering what to use and how to use it, but concerned about costs and manpower.  It is very understandable, as the processes of communication should not be the focus.  Therefore, the channels must be effective, efficient, and affordable.  How do you move from being overwhelmed to updated communications that work?

As a leading interactive advertising agency, we believe that it starts by understanding each different mobile channel, its individual value, and then the value of the sum of the parts working together, as well as an understanding of how they can work together in order to evaluate effectiveness of various channels, and effectively integrate mobile media into communications strategies.  Edge Media's  focus is to link the parts together so that as an  mobile advertising agency we are able to create connected communications systems so that our clients can quickly and  easily update information that flows across a variety of platforms, including mobile websites, blog sites, social media, and more.  Our system also creates the interactivity between text messaging and the mobile web, so we can instantaneously send out alerts, prayer requests, action items, and more from the touch of a mobile phone.   It is really exciting!

In my last Edge Media blog, I shared a social media tip.  Today, the tip is about the mobile web. For example, Google reports its mobile search volume has increased FIVE FOLD over the last two years!  When ESPN launched their mobile site, their overall visitors increased over 30%.  The plain truth is that more people are on the web on their web-enabled phones, and it is important to have a mobile website to make your site easier to view on the much smaller screens of a phone.  So, the mobile tip is to secure the .mobi (short for mobile) of your domain name - for example: www.edgemedia.mobi instead of .com.   There are free tools out there to convert a standard website to a mobile site without programming help.  Here is a link to a helpful site: http://www.tothepc.com/archives/5-ways-to-create-or-convert-into-mobile-phone-website/

I encourage you to mobilize your website to take advantage of the search volume of folks who are browsing using their mobile phone, but who won't stay on your site long if it it is hard to navigate.   More on mobile channels in the next blog!

About Edge Media:  Edge Media is a full service leading interactive agency that specializes in cutting edge technologies that deliver exceptional results for our clients.  Our cutting edge technologies include SMS marketing software to allow our clients to deliver bulk SMS services in their communications, and as a mobile advertising agency, create mobile websites, mobile apps, and integrate mobile with social media - all very exciting stuff!  If you want to talk about it, send us an e-mail at info@edgemedia.biz or call the offices at 602-943-2030.  Also, be sure to follow us:

               

Technology is changing at a dizzying pace.  So rapidly in fact, that some days I don't want to read about the next technological breakthrough that has been adopted by marketers as a communications tool.  It is quite frankly just hard to keep up sometimes, and the rapid mobile evolution some days makes me feel like rearranged pond scum.  Other days I'm pretty excited about it, like today, where I recognize the incredible potential for using technology to preach the Gospel, because I, for one, really know the truth - that the Creator brings much more order and creativity than evolution and pond scum ever could.  But I digress...

As messengers of the Gospel, relevant communication methods are critical.  80% of Americans have mobile phones, and 50% will have smartphones by Q3 2011, continuing the rapid evolution in communication and media consumption. Mobile is way more than text message marketing.  Mobile channels include mobile websites, mobile social media,  apps, mobile listening and viewing, mobile advertising, mobile giving,  and more. 

Many ministries, broadcasters, and churches are aware of changes in technology and wondering what to use and how to use it, but concerned about costs and manpower.  It is very understandable, as the focus of Christian ministry should be on communicating the Gospel, and the processes of communication should not be the focus.  Therefore, the channels must be effective, efficient, and affordable.  How do you move from being overwhelmed to updated communications that work?

As a Christian advertising agency, we believe that it starts by understanding each different mobile channel, its individual value, and then the value of the sum of the parts working together, as well as an understanding of how they can work together in order to evaluate effectiveness of various channels, and effectively integrate mobile media into communications strategies.  ChurchLink Communications's  focus is to link the parts together so that as a Christian interactive advertising agency we are able to create connected communications systems so that our clients can quickly and  easily update information that flows across a variety of platforms, including mobile websites, blog sites, social media, and more.  Our system also creates the interactivity between text messaging and the mobile web, so we can instantaneously send out alerts, prayer requests, action items, and more from the touch of a mobile phone.   It is really exciting!

In my last ChurchLink Communications blog, I shared a social media tip.  Today, the tip is about the mobile web. For example, Google reports its mobile search volume has increased FIVE FOLD over the last two years!  When ESPN launched their mobile site, their overall visitors increased over 30%.  The plain truth is that more people are on the web on their web-enabled phones, and it is important to have a mobile website to make your site easier to view on the much smaller screens of a phone.  So, the mobile tip is to secure the .mobi (short for mobile) of your domain name - for example: www.churchlinkcommunications.mobi instead of .com.   There are free tools out there to convert a standard website to a mobile site without programming help.  Here is a link to a helpful site: http://www.tothepc.com/archives/5-ways-to-create-or-convert-into-mobile-phone-website/
I encourage you to mobilize your website to take advantage of the search volume of folks who are browsing using their mobile phone, but who won't stay on your site long if it it is hard to navigate.   More on mobile channels in the next blog!

About ChurchLink Communications:  ChurchLink Communications is a division of Edge Media, a full service interactive advertising agency.  ChurchLink Communication's mission is to equip the Church with every technological tool available to effectively communicate the Gospel message.   Send us an e-mail at info@churchlinkcommunications.com or call the offices at 602-943-2030.  Also, be sure to follow us: