Over this past year, you’ve read post after post and tweet after tweet about what you should be doing to better your marketing efforts. Well, 2012 is just around the corner (crazy, right?), and it’s time to actually take action on beefing up your marketing for the upcoming year. While planning your marketing for 2012, here are a few ideas to incorporate into your plan.

You’ve probably encountered one already. Maybe you’ve even tried to snap a photo of one with your mobile phone. We’re talking about those square matrix QR (Quick Response) Codes that have become recently ubiquitous. Sure, you can stick them in your windows, on your direct mail or even your business cards, but it’s important to know where your prospects are going once they take the time to act.

Having a QR Code is one thing, but having a proper landing page to where your code directs is another. A landing page is a unique page on your website that typically has a single purpose, like capturing an e-mail address or selling a product. In the case of a prospect scanning a QR Code, the landing page should be associated with the marketing you’re doing where your prospect discovered your QR Code. Take a look at how to get the most of your QR Codes by creating great landing pages that go with them.

Keep it Simple
Your initial reaction is going to want to fit as much information on this page as you can, but too much information can be overwhelming. It’s important to keep it as simple as you can while still getting your point across. Remember, you want to keep your marketing focused to the campaign you’re running.

Make it Engaging
You only have a few seconds to get your visitors’ attention. Consider making a video or place a striking image of the product you’re trying to sell. Keep the copy simple and interesting. Make sure the visitor understands specifically what they should do while they’re on your landing page.

Call for One Call-to-Action
You got a visitor to your landing page; you want them to act on a specific promotion. Stick to one central call-to-action on your landing page, especially if you’re directing them there from a QR Code. You’ll want to make it a simple a form, with as little work for the visitor as possible to capture your lead. Make sure the button you want the prospect to click is of high contrast to the rest of the elements on the site so it stands out. Having more than one call-to-action can confuse your visitors and cause them to leave your website.

Now what? It’s possible you’re having a giveaway, trying to get registrations for an event or just trying to build awareness for your organization. With a good landing page you’ve given your visitors a reason to act on the marketing you’re doing. Having these visitors to your page means you ended up obtaining information about your prospects. So, now it’s time for you to act.

A brave soul once said you should never mix business with pleasure. Obviously the art of tailgating never crossed his mind while creating this age-old proverb.

This fall, throw tailgating into your mix of how to build a better relationship with your prospects in hopes of getting new business.

Play Ball
Let’s face it—Fall is a major time of the year for athletics. College and professional football are in full swing and thousands of people are glued to their seats—in front of and not in front of the television. If they’re already watching the game, you might as well give them a great atmosphere to do so.

To Grill or Not to Grill
When hosting your prospects and clients, you should realize that not all tailgating has to be done outside. Consider renting out a nice space fairly close to where the game is being held. Having a bar and a catered meal or assortment of appetizers can go a long way.

Have a sweet spot near the stadium? Great. Take advantage of that and enjoy the great outdoors. Depending on your seasons, you might want to keep an eye on the winter months and hosting outside with the elements.

It’s Not All About the Pigskin
Obviously, different sports will reign supreme depending on your location and time of the year. Be open to hosting events for different sports—baseball, soccer and basketball could be good alternatives for your business. Get a feel for what your prospects prefer and try to cater to them.

Meet and Greet
Hosting a tailgating event on behalf of your business is a great way for your prospects to get a feel for your company’s culture and how your employees interact. Remember that your prospects and employees aren’t the only ones that should be showing up to these events. Be sure to invite your current customers to show them how much you appreciate their business.

These tailgate events give you a new way to get business, keep your current customers and all in all have a good time.

Alright, sports fans. Go out there and have fun with the people that make running your company possible.

Every day you go to your mailbox to see it you have mail. As you hover over the trashcan to sort, how do you decide what piece you’ll read and what piece will fall through your hands to its demise? While direct mail is an effective tool in your marketing campaign, there are some easy ways to foil your efforts. Here are a few tips to keep your mail out of the recycle bin.

Wrong Audience
First, you must understand your target audience. Second, you must find a way to obtain their mailing address. If you’re planning to purchase a list, look to your current customers as a source for demographic and psychographic information. Current customers are also more likely to respond to direct mail, so consider a campaign for repeat business.

No Call To Action
The whole purpose of direct mail is to get people to do something. For businesses, that usually means purchasing something from you. It’s important that you have a clear call to action and that the offer is compelling. Make an offer they can’t refuse and the response rate will raise.

Poor Design
The quickest way to get a person to look at your direct mail is by having a clean design. Conversely, the quickest way to get them to toss it is to have a design with no purpose. Here is where you want to call in the professionals who can create the perfect piece for your needs.

Tracking Results
How will you know whether your direct mail campaign was successful unless you include a way to track it? Include a special promotional code or make customers bring in the direct mail piece. It is important to know if you got a good ROI to determine if you want to mail again or make adjustments.

 

They say that you can find happiness in simplicity. Well, when you take a trip through our small community, you will experience a crash course in why happiness comes so easy to those who dwell here. Welcome to the simplicity of nature.

After your tires roll past the Westphal's home, you will soon find yourself walking on the water--well almost. A few miles down the road from us lies the Horicon Marsh. At just over 33,000 acres, this marsh is the largest freshwater cattail marsh in the United States! Now, for those of you who aren't environmental junkies like ourselves, give us a minute to explain the importance.

This marsh is home to over 290 different kinds of birds, but mainly known for its migrant flocks of Canadian Geese. Because the marsh is home to such a diverse array of wildlife, the marsh has been labeled a "Wetland of International Importance", as well as "Globally Important Bird Area."

When continuing on Hwy 49, your car will split the waters in half, giving you a 360 degree view of the wondrous wildlife. Please note, that while fellow drivers are likely to experience some sort of ADD while passing through, it is imperative to keep those eyes ahead. Efforts of keeping a low roadkill count are critical round' these parts. If you have the time, stop by the wildlife center, take a rest at a viewpoint or grab your hiking stick and trek the trails. But don't worry, there is no need to carry a huge knapsack; binoculars are provided.