Atomic 20 Blogs
ATOMIC 20
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APPARENTLY, ON THE INTERNET, SIZE REALLY DOESN’T MATTER.
We all know how much the Internet has changed our lives, and continues to enrich our existence on a daily basis. But there’s a strange business dynamic that we don’t think anyone has ever really taken notice of…so we’re gonna.
It used to be that a company’s size was pretty apparent from where they advertised, what their brick and mortar locations looked like—right on down the line. But, thanks to the Internet, that’s no longer the case.
Today, any little mom and pop with a web pro and a smart strategy can make themselves appear much bigger than they actually are. The Internet doesn’t have prohibitive barriers ($) to advertising like other mass media outlets do, which levels the playing field…David now can appear to be the same size as Goliath.
Sure, big companies can still distinguish themselves by creating a multitude of touch points across the entire media spectrum, but even that is in flux as, more and more, people are turning to the Internet for news, entertainment, socializing and commerce.
Has your business embraced all the possibilities that the Internet, and more recently, social media have given rise to? If you’re a small business looking to create a professional web presence but you don’t have the budget to hire a professional designer…wordpress.com offers the ultimate in do-it-yourself web templates; professional, clean and easy to use.
Also, as a small business, it never hurts to know what’s coming down the pike in terms of online marketing trends, so check out this article on online marketing trends for 2012 from entrepreneur.com, by clicking here.
BIG MOVIE IMPACT SANS THE BIG MOVIE PRICE. TRY THE MATINEE.
If Alfred Hitchcock hadn’t been cremated, he’d be rolling over in his grave right now. It seems that the propensity to project products on the movie-going public is at an all-time high. Case in point, Transformers: Dark Side of the Moon, or what some are calling two hours of incoherent drivel. Amidst that two hours…68 brands paid to have their products placed. Apple, Nike, Adidas, Starbucks…the list goes on and on.
According to our reputable friends over at Washington University in St. Louis, this isn’t a one-time deal but a way for advertisers to combat shrinking returns on traditional television, radio spots and magazine advertising.
The logic is captivating. Where, more than at a movie, is the attention of the viewing public more wrapped up with what they are seeing? The answer is nowhere. A movie-goer is watching a very large screen with no way of blocking out the placed product or fast-forwarding past it.
Now, obviously, you may not have the financial wherewithal to place your product on the silver screen. In fact, you may not even have something that’s placeable. Still, it is viable for your small business to get on the big screen via advertising that typically runs before the feature.
However, if you’re thinking of making your presence felt at the local theater, we advise caution and offer up this article.
WE’RE BECOMING BOULDERIZED…AND WE LIKE IT.
Is there something in the water up here? It seems that Boulder, Colorado has a way of sinking it’s communal, hippie teeth in to all that call it home. Not only have we opened a communal working area (technically, it’s a co-working space and there is no one sleeping on the floor) but, with the price of gas what it is, and probably destined for the $4 range at some point, the thought of an electric car is just a natural mental leap.
It’s coming people, and maybe it’s time to embrace it. Chevy, Nissan, Mitsubishi and Ford are all launching an electric vehicle in the next year or two. We think that we could rock that look…and help save the planet in the process.
Now the big question is, “where do we plug these cars in?” Well, thanks to Project Get Ready, there will be as many as 40 charging stations in and around Boulder by the end of this year, half of which are earmarked for public use (at a nominal fee of course).
And, you know what really gets us going? According to the guys at Ford Motor Company, which is going to be launching four electric car models in the next two years, you can go somewhere around 100 miles for less than 2 bucks.
Now, since we’re always trying to bring value to small business, we wanted to take a quick minute to get your creative juices flowing with some ideas out there that are tapped in to the evolving green economy. First, check out this blog (click here) about one way Coca-Cola is connecting with those that value our environment.
And, should you want to find ways to reduce your business’ carbon footprint, you might think of joining up with the Green Marketing Coalition, which offers some valuable food for thought and allows you to rub elbows with other likeminded companies.
BEING HIP IS JUST PART OF THE JOB.
Remember back in the day of the brick—the original cell phone? How far we’ve come. If you’re like us, you can’t even imagine going a day without your smartphone. It’s akin to going camping…without the whole relaxation part.
And, if you’re like us, you undoubtedly try to stay on top of the ever-expanding app universe. Around here, the line between gadget guys and tech nerds is getting pretty thin. So, here’s a couple of the cooler apps we’ve run across as of recent.
First off, if you don’t have an iPhone, we’re sorry. Everyone knows about Siri, the incredible virtual assistant on the iPhone 4S. Now, we’d like to tell you about Evi. Evi is Siri for those who don’t have an iPhone 4S. It’s available for both Android and older iPhone models provided you have iOS 4.0 or later.
Funny thing about taking group pictures…can never seem to get everyone looking their best. GroupShot is designed to eliminate that problem. You can select several similar shots, cross out the faces you’re unhappy with in the picture and the app will replace those faces with better face shots from one of the other photos you’ve selected.
We do use our phones for more than playing around. Evernote has been a vital tool, keeping us on top of all of the stuff going on, both on the move and in the office. It allows you to take notes, photos, save ideas and voice memos and then synch it all on your computers or tablet.
Obviously, smartphones have opened up a whole new avenue of engagement for smart marketers as well. If you’re not taking advantage of the mobile channel, you need to be. Start by reading up on what’s new in the mobile arena here. To find out what’s trending in this constantly evolving space, read this enlightening articlewe ran across at Bloomberg Business. They’re taking the stance that moblile marketing is going to be the dominant channel for 2012…and beyond.
Integration of Marketing Services
http://www.fourthsource.com/online-advertising/online-advertising-trends-2012-5159
The whole idea that you don’t have to be a big company to look big time.
Buzz Marketing (review sites and social media)
http://smallbusinessadvertisingstrategies.com/advertising-trends-7-trends-in-advertising-for-2012/
Crowdsourcing
Product placement a growing way to market a product
Socially conscious Boulder and the electric car
Really cool apps (we like to share our knowledge)
http://mashable.com/2012/01/28/apps-roundup/?WT.mc_id=obnetwork