Leading Interactive Agency

Please join us on Tues. Sept. 28th from 9am - 12pm for "Navigate the New Economy", a FREE business seminar presented by KKNT AM 960 and Edge Media. 

The seminar includes a panel of five experts who will tackle the tough topics that currently are contributing an evironment for small businesses in Phoenix.   Seminar titles include Healthcare that Doesn't Give You Heartburn, Marketing That Doesn't Break Your Piggy Bank, How NOT to Give ALL Your Money to Uncle Sam, How to Get the Most From Your Bank, and Find a New Way and content covers changes in healthcare, changes in tax law, marketing strategies for business growth, banking, and tax free retirement strategies. 

Presenters include Vickie Isaac,MEd, President/Owner Edge Media, Pat Corcoran, Senior VP, BBVA Compass Bank, Ed Daily, CPA, MBA, President CPA on Wheels, Mike Ford, President, ProFormance Financial, and two time past president of NIAFA, and Nancy Halls, President, Hipes Consulting.

The seminar is free, but preregistration is required as seating is limited.  Light refreshments will be served. To register, go to:  www.navigatetheeconomy.com

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 results for our clients.  Some of our specialties include SMS marketing software that allows for the delivery of bulk SMS services, and  social media interactive agency strategies that make every task deliver at least twenty five times the results.  Our marketing and advertising consultants work smarter and our results prove it.

About News Talk 960 KKNT Intelligent Conservative Talk:  KKNT is located on the AM Dial at 960 AM, a powerhouse signal with a powerhouse lineup of conservative talkers, including Dennis Prager, Hugh Hewitt, and Michael Medved.  For more on KKNT, go to: www.kknt960.com

I just read a great article titled "Go Mobile or Be Dust" by B.L. Ochman of Advertising Age.  She tackled the topic of mobile marketing with humor, and let the knock out punch come from the facts she quoted.  The source of her article is research from Burson-Marsteller and Proof Integrated Communications which presents 53 compelling reasons, backed by data for why organizations must adopt mobile communications strategies or simply be left behind.

The backbone of the research is really all about the consumer... and how and what they are consuming via mobile phones.  As a leading interactive agency, we saw this trend a long way out, which is why we engaged actively in the mobile space almost five years ago before it was really considered a "must have".   We looked at data that illustrated how folks in Europe and Asia use their phones - like a mini-computer - and realized that this was coming to the United States, so we prepared. 

Mobile is not just bulk SMS services, although ChurchLink Communications' SMS marketing software is some of the best in the industry.  Mobile now incorporates search, location based tracking, banking, coupon delivery, and of course... advertising on the IPad (one of my personal favorites...).   And of course, keep in mind how many non-profits have used text messaging strategies very effectively for fundraising - a tool unheard of five years ago!

I have found that as I talk to people about the necessity of "going mobile", there is a certain glaze that starts to cover the eyes of the people I am talking with.  I am often guilty of being a technical geek, delivering too much unnecessary detail (I am certain that is the professor in me that is always lurking waiting to pounce on unwary students-to-be)...   Going mobile does not have to be an eye-glazing experience, and truthfully, can not only be more effective but a less expensive marketing endeavor than numerous other mediums.

At ChurchLink Communications and Edge Media, we have a simple process by which we move our clients gently, mobilely forward... It starts with a mobile website...meaning making a website show up nicely on a mobile phone browser and being mindful of load times for particular items, including flash.  This is not a difficult process and is a must do, as the most conducted activity on a web enabled mobile phone is search.  We will address simply mobile processes in upcoming blog posts along with the rationale for making the changes and additions necessary to not... well... not be left in the dust!

About ChurchLink Communications: ChurchLink Communications is a Christian advertising agency division of Edge Media, a leading interactive advertising agency located in Phoenix AZ specializing in cutting edge technologies that deliver exceptional results for our clients.  ChurchLink Communications is a full service Christian agency, which includes mobile advertising agency and interactive web agency capabilities, with a commitment to incorporate all available marketing and communications tools to create marketing engines that hum for our clients!  Our ChurchLink clients include ministries, non-profits, Christian broadcast, and churches, and our commitment is to give our clients every available tool to deliver their message to the ends of the earth!

Just read a great article titled "Go Mobile or Be Dust" by B.L. Ochman of Advertising Age.  She tackled the topic of mobile marketing with humor, and let the knock out punch come from the facts she quoted.  The source of her article is research from Burson-Marsteller and Proof Integrated Communications which presents 53 compelling reasons, backed by data for why organizations must adopt mobile communications strategies or simply be left behind.

The backbone of the research is really all about the consumer... and how and what they are consuming via mobile phones.  As a leading interactive agency, we saw this trend a long way out, which is why we engaged actively in the mobile space almost five years ago before it was really considered a "must have".   We looked at data that illustrated how folks in Europe and Asia use their phones - like a mini-computer - and realized that this was coming to the United States, so we prepared. 

Mobile is not just bulk SMS services, although our SMS marketing software is some of the best in the industry.  Mobile now incorporates search, location based tracking, banking, coupon delivery, and of course... advertising on the IPad (one of my personal favorites...).  

I have found that as I talk to people about the necessity of "going mobile", there is a certain glaze that starts to cover the eyes of the people I am talking with.  I am often guilty of being a technical geek, delivering too much unnecessary detail (I am certain that is the professor in me that is always lurking waiting to pounce on unwary students-to-be)...   Going mobile does not have to be an eye-glazing experience, and truthfully, can not only be more effective but a less expensive marketing endeavor than numerous other mediums.

At Edge Media, we have a simple process by which we move our clients gently, mobilely forward... It starts with a mobile website...meaning making a website show up nicely on a mobile phone browser and being mindful of load times for particular items, including flash.  This is not a difficult process and is a must do, as the most conducted activity on a web enabled mobile phone is search.  We will address simply mobile processes in upcoming blog posts along with the rationale for making the changes and additions necessary to not... well... not be left in the dust!

About Edge Media: Edge Media is a leading interactive advertising agency located in Phoenix AZ specializing in cutting edge technologies that deliver exceptional results for our clients.  We are a full service agency, which includes mobile advertising agency and interactive web agency capabilities, with a commitment to incorporate all available marketing and communications tools to create marketing engines that hum for our clients!

ChurchLink Communications, a division of Edge Media is pleased to announce Navigate the New Economy, our FREE business seminar is coming to Phoenix on Tues. Sept. 21st.  A panel of five experts will tackle the tough topics that business owners have to wrestle with, including tax changes, healthcare, investment & retirement, how to get the most from your bank, and of course Edge Media is presenting marketing strategies that won't break your piggy bank!

The panel of experts includes Pat Corcoran, VP from Compass Bank; Ed Daily President, CPA,MBA from CPA on Wheels; Mike Ford, President, PFG Planning Group; Nancy Halls, President, Hipes Consulting, and myself, Vickie Isaac, MEd., President of Edge Media.  This group has decades of expertise in their own fields, and business owners will come away with practical strategies to navigate thru these turbulent times.  The practical advice will be great, plus the seminar will include a call to action for small business owners to stick together and support one another's businesses through this difficult economic downturn.

The Edge Media portion of the presentation will tackle ways to actually generate business from social media, simple solutions to increase search engine visibility, and ways to convert visitors to sales on company websites.  We will give you tips that other marketing companies Phoenix reps don't want you to know... real insider stuff... :-)

For more seminar info and to register for the seminar, go to www.navigatetheeconomy.com

About ChurchLink Communications & Edge Media:   ChurchLink Communication is a division of Edge Media that serves ministries, churches, and Christian broadcast.  ChurchLink Communications offers full service Christian advertising agency services.  As a Christian agency, we offer cutting edge technological solutions to help Christian organizations maximize the impact of their message.

Edge Media is a leading interactive agency in Phoenix AZ specializing in cutting edge technologies that deliver exceptional ROI for our clients.   Some of our specialties include SMS marketing software for delivery of bulk SMS services, optimized blogging which is a powerful lead generator, and integrated and linked social media strategies that increase search results and convert to sales.  Our advertising and marketing consultants are experts in analyzing your needs and creating interactive web agency strategies that work five to ten times harder than traditional strategies.  For more about Edge Media, go to www.edgemedia.biz

Edge Media is pleased to announce Navigate the New Economy, our FREE business seminar is coming to Phoenix on Tues. Sept. 21st.  A panel of five experts will tackle the tough topics that business owners have to wrestle with, including tax changes, healthcare, investment & retirement, how to get the most from your bank, and of course Edge Media is presenting marketing strategies that won't break your piggy bank!

The panel of experts includes Pat Corcoran, VP from Compass Bank; Ed Daily President, CPA,MBA from CPA on Wheels; Mike Ford, President, PFG Planning Group; Nancy Halls, President, Hipes Consulting, and myself, Vickie Isaac, MEd., President of Edge Media.  This group has decades of expertise in their own fields, and business owners will come away with practical strategies to navigate thru these turbulent times.  The practical advice will be great, plus the seminar will include a call to action for small business owners to stick together and support one another's businesses through this difficult economic downturn.

The Edge Media portion of the presentation will tackle ways to actually generate business from social media, simple solutions to increase search engine visibility, and ways to convert visitors to sales on company websites.  We will give you tips that other marketing companies Phoenix reps don't want you to know... real insider stuff... :-)

For more seminar info and to register for the seminar, go to www.navigatetheeconomy.com

About Edge Media:  Edge Media is a leading interactive agency in Phoenix AZ specializing in cutting edge technologies that deliver exceptional ROI for our clients.   Some of our specialties include SMS marketing software for delivery of bulk SMS services, optimized blogging which is a powerful lead generator, and integrated and linked social media strategies that increase search results and convert to sales.  Our advertising and marketing consultants are experts in analyzing your needs and creating interactive web agency strategies that work five to ten times harder than traditional strategies.  For more about Edge Media, go to www.edgemedia.biz

There is a concensus among marketers that social media is now a must have in the marketing/communications mix, yet a great deal of uncertainty remains about how to convert the hours/dollars spent on social media into revenue. As a leading Christian agency, we have successfully created multiple social network platforms that not only attract attention on social networking sites, but go on to drive traffic to websites and then convert to increases in revenue for our clients. 

One of the keys to understanding the process comes from understanding the prospect.  Who are you targeting, and what is the end result that you are seeking?  At ChurchLink Communications, before we launch ANY campaigns, we create a roadmap of the steps in the process from initial connection to close of the sale.  Without this process, it is easy for the campaign to go off course.

The next key to pay close attention to is understanding the motivations of those you are reaching out to.  This is a result of comprehensive market research and online listening.  Our marketing and advertising consultants take their time to understand the potential supporters through online listening. 

The third step is to make sure that the Christian interactive web agency strategies that we employ are thorough and measurable.  How do we measure traffic from social media sites to the website, and once they arrive on the website, how do we know if that traffic converts to a sale?  It is important to have the analytics system in place prior to launching the campaign, as the campaign should be an ongoing, ever improving outreach.

Who is ChurchLink Communications?  ChurchLink Communications is a Christian agency, and a division of Edge Media, a leading interactive advertising agency located in Phoenix AZ that uses cutting edge technologies to deliver exceptional results for our clients.  Some of our products/services include SMS marketing software, mobile web, interactive online marketing, market research, media planning, production, and purchase.  For more information on ChurchLink Communications, go to: www.churchlinkcommunications.com  For more information on Edge Media, go to:  www.edgemedia.biz

As a leading interactive agency, we have successfully created multiple social network platforms that not only attract attention on social networking sites, but go on to drive traffic to websites and then convert to increases in revenue for our clients. 

One of the keys to understanding the process comes from understanding the prospect.  Who are you targeting, and what is the end result that you are seeking?  At Edge Media, before we launch ANY campaigns, we create a roadmap of the steps in the process from initial connection to close of the sale.  Without this process, it is easy for the campaign to go off course.

The next key to pay close attention to is understanding the motivations of those you are reaching out to.  This is a result of comprehensive market research and online listening.  Our marketing and advertising consultants take their time to understand the potential customers and the competition through online listening. 

The third step is to make sure that the interactive web agency strategies that we employ are thorough and measurable.  How do we measure traffic from social media sites to the website, and once they arrive on the website, how do we know if that traffic converts to a sale?  It is important to have the analytics system in place prior to launching the campaign, as the campaign should be an ongoing, ever improving outreach.

Who is Edge Media?  Edge Media is a leading interactive advertising agency located in Phoenix AZ that uses cutting edge technologies to deliver exceptional results for our clients.  Some of our products/services include SMS marketing software, mobile web, interactive online marketing, market research, media planning, production, and purchase.  For more information on Edge Media, go to:  www.edgemedia.biz

Over 100 million U.S. cell phones will be web enabled by 2011, almost double from 2 yrs. ago, and experts predict that by 2013 over half of all phones in the U.S. will be web enabled.

Mobile strategy is critical to revelant communication strategy, including mobilizing web sites to make them easier to browse in small screens, and integrating text message based strategy into marketing plans similar to how e-mail is currently being used.  Text message strategy is important because the response time and response rates to text messaging comparing to e-mail on a phone are almost 40% higher than e-mail!  Right now is the time to grab the .mobi domain name - for example: www.edgemedia.mobi  is what we have secured for our agency and are building out our mobile site now.  The .mobi is recognized as short for the mobile web, or websites viewed on mobile devices.  You can visit www.espn.mobi for a good example.  When ESPN launched their mobile site, they increased overall web traffic by over 30%!

Edge Media has long been known as a leading interactive agency, but we are fast becoming a leading mobile advertisng agency as well.  We use our cutting edge SMS marketing software and integrate it into all of our marketing strategies.  As we integrate mobile with online and traditional marketing outreach, we exponentially increase the results for our clients. We can create .mobi sites, create mobile strategy, and integrate SMS into the mix to increase results.  Using media interactive agency strategies can increase results from standard non-integrated strategies one hundred fold. 

For a no-obligation, complimentary business consultation, e-mail us at:  info@edgemedia.biz

About Edge Media: Edge Media is a leading interactive agency located in Phoenix, AZ specializing in cutting edge technologies that deliver exceptional results.  Our technology includes a state of the art SMS marketing software system to deliver bulk SMS services to/for our clients.  We serve local, national, and international clients and have been creating their success for over a decade.

I just read an interesting article from Marketing Sherpa regarding the use of SEO and social media together.  It is something I have believed in and we have practiced at Edge Media for a very long time, but it is the first time I have ever seen it quantified by research data. 

After reviewing Sherpa's marketing benchmark report, Adam Sutton, a reporter for Marketing Sherpa, stated: "Clearly, SEO is more effective at attracting attention and ultimately converting people. However, social media is more likely to increase positive thinking around a product and brand.

This leads me to a hypothesis: marketers who engage in SEO and social media have 58.8% higher conversion rates for organic traffic because their social media work has increased trust in their brands and products."

At Edge Media, we link SEO and social media together by integrating the same keywords into both the SEO and social media content, as well as integrating inbound linking strategies into the social media content as well.  Keep in mind that the search engines index social media content as well as web content, and it is especially helpful with a solid content and linking strategy.

We are believers in integrated marketing strategy!  When creating the marketing strategies, it is critical to think through how many ways each effort can be used, and to maximize each effort.  Another good example of this is linking social media and managing it from one feed, so that consistent data is feeding across numerous sites to boost results, all including keyword enriched content and backlinking. 

As a leading interactive agency, we have seen very substantial results for our clients using this strategy.   One particular success story is that we increased website traffic for a client from 1,100 monthly visitors to 40,000 visitors in just four months using our interactive web agency strategies.  For more information on how to get started in social media, download our "Social Media 101" guide from the Edge site at: http://www.edgemedia.biz/index-7.html

About Edge Media:  Edge Media is a leading interactive advertising agency located in Phoenix AZ serving local, national, and international clients. 
 

The mobile fundraising campaign for Haitian crisis has raised over $40 million dollars in $5 and $10 increments, with over 6 million people responding to the need by using their cell phones to donate.  This is a wonderful illustration of the power and potential of mobile giving.

Non-profits who recognize the value of expanding their donor base and creating channels that are easy to give thru and communicate with will be the non-profits that not only survive but thrive in uncertain economic conditions.   The benefit of micro-donations is not only the lifetime value of the contributor, but the opportunity this type of giving creates in terms of cementing a relationship with a new supporter.

Texting outpaced calling in the United States in the second quarter of 2009. Just as non-profits had to create web based giving options, now is the time for non-profits to create their mobile platform.  Some experts predict that by 2011 smartphones will outnumber computers by three to one, and the fastest growing mobile texting demographic is adults 35 years and older.  Additionally, research also illustrates the fact that as income increases, so does response to mobile marketing.

The Edge Media SMS marketing software and ChurchLink Mobile bulk SMS services create the perfect platform for the creation of a comprehensive mobile strategy.  As a leading interactive web agency, we can build the mobile site, create the communications strategy, and implement the mobile campaigns for our clients.   In addition, our SMS marketing software has numerous capabilities in addition to the fundraising capability to provide enhanced ongoing communications for non-profits, ministries, churches, and non-profit broadcast organizations.

Both Edge Media and ChurchLink Communications (a division of Edge Media) are offering complimentary system set up and a thirty day complimentary subscription to create the opportunity to test the power of the mobile platform.

For more information, go to:
http://www.edgemedia.biz/index-3.html
http://www.churchlinkcommunications.com/offer.html

There are a lot of great looking websites out in cyber space, and there are great looking websites with large numbers of visitors to those sites, and yet despite good traffic numbers, the conversion of visitors to leads, sales, supporters, donors, etc. never really reaches its full potential.

The reason this is the case is that marketing strategy was not included in the original site design.  The question then becomes, “What can be done now to change this and maximize the responses our website generates?”    The good news is that there is plenty that can be done, and fairly inexpensively as well.  Doing some analysis and then taking the necessary steps to improve communication can make a tremendous difference in the success of your online goals.

At Edge Media, our advertising and marketing consultants ask important questions to make sure our clients' websites deliver the results they are looking for.  As a leading interactive agency with over three decades of experience, we have learned how important it is to include strategy in website development.  Here are some points to consider in the marketing strategy:

What are we doing to increase site visits?
Increasing site visitors can be accomplished using search engine optimization, online marketing, optimized blogging, social media, and other media channels that move the conversation from offline to online (ex: radio or television).

When a visitor comes to the site, what step do we want them to take?                         Do you want a sale, a lead, the visitor to take action, a donation?  How is the visitor being incentivized to do that?  Do you have compelling call to action mesaging on the site?

After they take that step, what is the value of ongoing communication with the visitor?
When converting a lead to a sale, donor, supporter, etc., it is important to recognize that in most cases a relationship needs to be formed.  Does your site communicate trustworthiness?  Is personal data going to be safe?  What system is in place to build the ongoing relationship?

Have you planned a communications message flow that educates the visitor about the identity and value of what you have to offer?
How often should you communicate?  How many ways of communicating should you include?  E-mail, texting using SMS marketing software, snail mail, etc. are all communications channels to consider to move visitors into deeper relationship with your organization.

Edge Media & ChurchLink Communications are presenting a complimentary Business Success Seminar in Phoenix September 22nd 9 am - 12 noon. A panel of experts tackle business concerns including growth during recession, tax law changes & planning, health insurance updates & preparation, retirement planning that produces income, & business banking that supports your business...Mark your calendar, more info 2 come!

This is a great opportunity -our leading interactive agency will offer marketing strategies at this seminar, with some "how to" info, strategies growth during a recession, benefits of utilizing mobile advertising agency strategies to increase ROI using SMS marketing software and more!

About Edge Media: Edge Media is a leading interactive agency in Phoenix AZ with cutting edge technology solutions that deliver exceptional results for our clients.  Some of our offerings include SMS marketing software for bulk SMS services delivery, interactive web agency strategy, and experienced advertising and marketing consultants.  For more info on our services, go to: www.edgemedia.biz/index-2.html

About ChurchLink Communications:  ChurchLink is a division of Edge Media focused on serving the needs of the Christian Church.  As a Christian agency, ChurchLink offers the same cutting edge communications tools that Edge Media offers including SMS marketing software which is great for fundraising for ministries, churches, and Christian broadcast.  As a Christian interactive agency we offer social media, online marketing and fundraising solutions, broadcast, syndication, and more.  For more info, go to: www.churchlinkcommunications.com

Categories include: Edge Media, interactive agency, advertising and marketing consultants, interactive web agency, SMS marketing software, Christian agency, Christian advertising agency, bulk SMS services

As a leading interactive agency, one of the best tools in our Edge Media toolkit to increase traffic and leads to client websites is keyword optimized software. It is inexpensive, fast and a great traffic and lead generating tool.

Wondering what a keyword optimized blog is? For example, if we have a 25 keyword blog system, and our client writes a blog and includes ten of those keywords in what he/she is writing, when the blog is published to the internet, there are ten separate blogs created around those individual keywords, thus becoming 10 times more likely to be found and increasing dramatically the likelihood of generating traffic around those terms. Once published, the system pings the search engines that new content is waiting to be indexed.

Why does this work so well? Because search engines like changing, relevant content that is keyword optimized appropriately. The blog system will also inform the blogger when the keywords have been inserted at the appropriate densities to maximize the likelihood of search engine indexing. Additionally, instead of one blog, a 25 keyword blog system is actually 25 blogs that take up important internet real estate, but with the writing work of only one blog. It is really a great tool, effective, time saving, and very inexpensive.

Here's how it works:

1) Edge Media conducts the research to determine which keywords are most important to our clients, then to their potential customer, and then we examine those keywords for "winability" by looking at how much traffic each word generates, how tough the competition around that keyword is, and then how relevant the term is overall.
2) We then build the blog, install the keywords and the blog design, and have our clients up and running inside of three weeks time.

3) Our clients blog or we create a blog team using our marketing and advertising consultants. The blogs are posted, the search engines index them, and traffic and leads are generated as a result!

Call us or e-mail us if you want more info or a demo. info@edgemedia.biz, or 602-943-2030 x 1.   www.edgemedia.biz

Edge Media is a leading interactive agency located in Phoenix AZ.  We specialize in cutting edge strategies that deliver exceptional results for our clients.  Our unique processes and tools sets us apart from all other advertising agencies in Phoenix AZ and on a national level as well including SMS marketing software, interactive web agency strategies, and more!  Call or e-mail today for a free consultation.

Happy blogging!

Lots of folks have great looking websites....that's nice... but what is a great looking website without good traffic to it?  

Lots of folks have good website traffic... that's nice... but what good is good website traffic without conversion to leads, sales, donors, etc.?

Based on my experience, only about 1 in 10 websites really are taking full advantage of the power of internet marketing!  As a leading interactive agency, we believe that your website should be at the very heart of your marketing strategy.  Did you know that 80% of people use search engines prior to making a purchase?   Why would you miss out on all that traffic?

At Edge Media, our advertising and marketing consultants develop strategies that move through the following processes:

1) lead generation to your site
2) data capture on your site
3) development of marketing strategy while visiting
4) development of re-marketing strategy to bring you back to the site

An interactive web agency's job is to strengthen each action that your prospective customer takes in their move towards becoming your customer.  Each strategy listed above creates a substrategy beneath it, and when all of the components are working together, both traffic and sales increase exponentially.

For a complimentary 30 minute consultation on your marketing needs, go to: http://www.edgemedia.biz

E-Mail marketing to an existing, opted in list usually delivers three to seven percent response rates, depending upon the offer.  Research now shows that a text message of the same offer can deliver up to double the response rate to that same message!  Why?   I believe it is because the mobile phone text marketing space HAS TO remain opt-in only, with clear opt-out information that is quick and easy.  You can rent e-mail marketing lists, but you cannot currently rent cell phone lists.  This space remains uncluttered, and you are only communicating with those who want to receive your offer, hence the higher response rates.  

We feel so strongly about respecting the mobile space at Edge Media that our SMS marketing software will automatically deactivate a cell phone number as soon as we get a message into the system to unsubscribe.  That cell number can NOT be marketed to again unless thee cell phone owner activates that number again.  Text message marketing success will depend upon the ability to send bulk SMS services to an OPT IN group, as as a leading interactive agency, we will do our best to keep it that way!

For a free 30 day trial of Edge Media's SMS marketing software, go here: www.edgemedia.biz/index-3.html

About Edge Media:  Edge Media is a leading interactive advertising agency with local, national, and international clients using cutting edge technologies that deliver exceptional results for our clients.  We offer text message marketing, mobile web, mobile apps, social media, interactive internet marketing strategies, marketing research, purchase of media including radio and television, media production services, and web design with marketing strategy integration into the website to increase results. Our philosophy is that the integration of the marketing channels delivers greater results than individual marketing channels working alone, and our client success stories prove this theory over and over again!

Which is better... all of your eggs in one basket, or the same number of eggs in three baskets?  If you guessed three baskets, you are correct!  We recently submitted a marketing proposal to a prospective client using three proverbial baskets.  The client had another proposal on his desk in which all of his eggs were in one basket. For the SAME dollar investment, we created an integrated marketing strategy using radio, public relations, and internet.  The net result of our three basket approach will be to triple the exposure of his message for the same dollar investment.

So, next question... why would ANYONE continue to use the single basket approach if they can get the three baskets for the price of one?   I simply have no answer to that question...  BUT, I can tell you that using media with an interactive agency approach is simply far more effective and cost efficient.

To continue the example, Edge Media, a leading interactive agency, has expert marketing and advertising consultants to who are subject matter experts regarding the basket they oversee.  And so, the story goes on - would you rather have a few experts, or three times the advertising and marketing consultants expertise?   The integrated approach simply multiplies the exposure, expertise, and ultimately the results that we get for our clients.  Why would you want it any other way?

Sorry for the lapse in posting, but my hubby and I got away for a much needed rest to the lovely Caribbean island of St. Martin.  It was fabulous - great scuba diving!

What has happened since I blogged last?  Lots!  Our new division, ChurchLink Communications, is launching today!  We are very excited about it.  Please visit the site at http://www.churchlinkcommunications.com to check it out!  We have long believed that we have some invaluable tools to offer ministries, non-profits, churches, and Christian broadcast.  As a Christian interactive advertising agency with cutting edge SMS marketing software, we offer a unique opportunity to these organizations to create communications strategies that will greatly increase the effectiveness of communications, encouraging supporters to take action, and increasing the revenues from fundraising efforts.

Churches can use the SMS marketing software to mobilize their prayer ministry - a prayer request sent into the system automatically directs out to everyone enrolled.  An "Ask the Pastor" component allows people in the congregation to text in questions during the sermon that then are put on the screen and answered at the end of service.   Church security is instant with the push of a button.  Youth ministry communications is revolutionized, as youth pastors can instantly communicate with youth using the way they most often communicate - text messages!  The application for churches communicating with text messages are endless.   The software is extremely affordable, and ChurchLink is offering a 30-day no obligation trial of the SMS marketing software.   Click here to review the offer: www.churchlinkcommunications.com/offer.html

The next post will discuss the benefits of SMS marketing software for Christian ministries to use for effective communications and fundraising efforts.  Using bulk SMS services dramatically increases response rates for communications efforts, and is proven to be much more effective than e-mail.   Stay tuned for the next post on SMS marketing software.

About Edge Media:  Edge Media is a leading interactive agency located in Phoenix AZ specializing in cutting edge technologies that deliver exceptional results for our clients.  Our advertising and marketing consultants are experienced and focused on our clients' needs. Find out more at: www.edgemedia.biz

About ChurchLink Communications:  ChurchLink Communications is a division of Edge Media.  ChurchLink is a Christian interactive agency dedicated to supporting ministries, churches, non-profits, and Christian broadcast through cutting edge technologies and effective communications strategies.  As a Christian interactive advertising agency, we have three decades of experience in serving the needs of the Church.  Find out more at: www.churchlinkcommunications.com

Note: Few marketing companies Phoenix AZ based offer the interactive solutions that Edge Media or Churchlink Communications provide for our clients.  Partnered with the experience of our  marketing and advertising consultants, we believe we offer exceptional services that deliver superior results.

Edge Media is pleased to announce that the new ChurchLink Communications website will launch next week! The goal of ChurchLink Communications, a division of Edge Media, is to provide new Christian interactive marketing and technology tools to Christian ministries, broadcast, and churches. Christian interactive communications tools include SMS marketing software, mobile web, and optimized blogging software, as well as stand marketing solutions including marketing research, media buying, marketing strategy, internet, and e-mail marketing. All client services currently available to Edge Media clients are available to ChurchLink clients.  

As a Christian advertising agency, it is the goal of ChurchLink, a division to Edge Media, to meet the needs of the Christian community with a focused goal of serving Christian ministries, Christian broadcast, and Christian churches.  The benefit of using a Christian marketing company is of course to have an agency that understands the Christian community, Christian media, and Christian church, and then create Christian interactive marketing strategies to mesh these components into an effective outreach strategy.

Edge Media is a leading interactive agency located in Phoenix AZ that has been serving local, national, and international clients for almost eight years.  Vickie Isaac, President and Owner of Edge Media, has over 25 years of marketing experience, first as the director of a Christian music talent agency, then at the helm of a Christian record company, followed by years in the Christian and general broadcast industry, and finally launching Edge Media in 2002.  Vickie is also an adjunct professor at Grand Canyon University. 

Click here for description of Edge Media's leading interactive agency client services:
http://www.edgemedia.biz/index-2.html

More About Edge Media:  Edge Media is a leading interactive advertising agency that is one of only a few advertising agencies Phoenix AZ that is a mobile advertising agency, having chosen to fully embrace emerging marketing strategies including the mobile web, SMS marketing software that delivers bulk SMS services, has experienced marketing and advertising consultants in the mobile arena.  Our clients are experiencing exceptional results with the mobile advertising agency services, and great ROI with the SMS marketing software.  For more info on Edge Mobile, the SMS marketing software, go here: http://www.edgemedia.biz/index-3.html

The American Marketing Association recently offered a seminar on the topic of interactivity available in social networking.  According to the AMA, "90% of consumers trust recommendations from people they know, 70% trust peer reviews posted online, and only 14% trust traditional advertising. Interactive Marketing is the future, so brands need to encourage a dialog around their products if they wish to compete. Interactive Marketing channels-from social media platforms (like Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Yelp) to the exploding array of mobile applications (like FourSquare)-facilitate communication between consumers and therefore host these brand-related conversations."

It is clear that dialogue between companies and custoers is critical to new customer acquisition and existing customer satisfaction.  Many companies realize this, and have moved forward to set up Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.  Once the accounts are set up, a few tweets posted, nd a special or two offered on Facebook, many companies do not know where to go next.  How do you encourage interaction and build customer relationships?  Many companies neither have the time nor the resources to figure out what to do next.

The marketing and advertising consultants at Edge Media help move our clients forward from stagnation to strategy.  As a leading interactive agency, we believe strongly that research, then strategy, and then implementation are really the right steps in the right order.  In order to have success with social media, it is important to articulate the company's goals, then create the social media roadmap on how to meet those goals.  In other words, fans or followers for the sake of fans or followers just do not get the job done. 

Many advertising agencies Phoenix AZ create the accounts for their clients and then turn over the social media reins to the client to finish the implementation. This may work in some cases but it usually fails as companies, as stated above, neither have the time nor the resources to figure out what to do next.  At Edge Media we ask critical questions about goals, then create social media strategies to meet those goals.  It is important to remember that social media is not "push out" marketing, so as the strategy is created, it must include online listening, gathering research, dialogue, and then offering to the potential customer.  After these steps, it is also important to have a remessaging/remarketing strategy also in place.  Using these interactive web agency strategies can genuinely increase the return on the investment for social media marketing.

For a complimentary "Social Media 101" getting started presentation, and audio presentation regarding social media, go to http://www.edgemedia.biz/index-7.html

About Edge Media:  Edge Media is a leading interactive advertising agency located in Phoenix AZ.  Edge Media is a mobile advertising agency as well, offering Edge Mobile, an advanced SMS marketing software system that delivers bulk SMS services.  Edge Media is a Chrstian advertising agency serving international, national, and local businesses, non-profits, churches, broadcast, and ministry organizations.

Mobile Commerce Daily recently reported that a test program by Sony delivered movie tickets to mobile phones with a 36% opt in rate.  McDonalds just tested the waters with mobile location based strategies.  Customers responded with a 7% click thru rate. 

Mobile marketing is well received by consumers because mobile phones are rapidly becoming the hub of their personal and business communications.  As mobile phones increase capabilities, the necessity of mobile marketing strategies will increase.  Mobile websites, bulk SMS services, mobile ads, and mobile apps are just a few of the mobile interactive web agency strategies that Edge Media is recommending to clients at a very rapid rate.

As a leading interactive agency, our SMS marketing software is no longer a nice addition, it is an absolutely vital marketing channel for our clients.  It is rare now that campaigns do not include some mobile advertising agency strategies. We are telling our clients to grab their dot mobi URL's, to allow us to create a mobile version of their websites as just basic steps to compete on the mobile web playing field.   We are fortunate to have several years of mobile advertising agency experience in this arena already, while other advertising agencies in Phoenix AZ are still trying to figure out what the platform is!  

If you would like to discuss mobile web strategies for your business, call us at 602-943-2030, and also be sure to visit our website for more info on mobile marketing at http://www.edgemedia.biz/index-3.html

About Edge Media:  Edge Media is a leading interactive agency located in Phoenix AZ specializing in cutting edge technological solutions that deliver exceptional results for our clients.   As a Christian advertising agency, we hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards in how we conduct our business, as well as a high standard of excellence with the work that we produce for our clients.  Our Christian marketing company also has a division, ChurchLink Communications that specializes in marketing services for churches, non-profits, ministries, and broadcast organizations.