Business New Year’s Resolutions: Evolve your marketing strategies

Entrepreneur Chris Castillo tells a story: While waiting for a physiotherapist’s appointment for foot pain recently, he pulled out his phone social media marketing certification and started doing his own research. After the therapist instructed him on his exercises, Castillo asked about the ones he’d read on his phone. The physiotherapist agreed he should do those too. The age of global trade requires training a new kind of salesperson. It’s a parable for the fast-changing reality of sales. Smartphone-toting shoppers are educated like never before and far less dependent on a sales rep to tell them what they need. One recent study suggested buyers have already made 57% of a purchase decision before they even contact a supplier. “We’re used to a certain way of selling that’s more traditional, top-down, ‘I’m more educated than you are.’ But now it’s totally changed,” says Castillo. Small businesses need to alter their mindsets to become more like coaches or consultants, helping buyers understand the vast array of information before them. Digital marketing, such as search advertising and social media, are also invaluable, Castillo says. After personal referrals, it’s become his second-best source of new customers for his auto shop. But don’t ditch the sales reps just yet. Entrepreneur and consultant Tim Rudkins says while buyers do a lot of research online, they’re also busy and inundated with information. “They often buy from someone who happens to be knocking on their door that day,” Rudkins says. “Sales reps who stay in contact tend to get more sales. But reps have to do more for the buyer—including giving more information and help than before.” In 2016 welcome Google's Primer (if you already haven't :)). Primer is a free mobile app that delivers social media marketing consultant bite-size marketing lessons that you can read whenever and wherever you have 5 minutes free. I just love it because of its simplicity and top quality user experience. Primer covers all the basics you should be familiar with when it comes to digital marketing in four major areas you can choose from: Advertising,

SEI Survey Reveals Financial Advisors' Top 2016 New Year's Resolutions

Fostering growth will be top-of-mind for financial advisors social media marketing ideas in 2016, according to a recent report from SEI (NASDAQ: SEIC). The SEI survey gathered responses from 484 financial advisors, who ranked their top New Year’s resolutions within three main areas – investment strategies, technologies and practice management. Advisors’ top three priorities for 2016 were implementing goals-based investing, applying technology to increase workflows and efficiencies in their practices, and increasing client referrals. Despite being heavily discussed topics in 2015, only 20 percent of advisors resolved to implement additional front-end/robo-advisor technology, and the same percentage said they would plan to expand their understanding of the impending Department of Labor’s fiduciary rule, which could significantly impact their businesses. “Not surprisingly, advisors are focused on growing their businesses in 2016 and are particularly committed to helping clients grow their assets,” said John Anderson, Managing Director and Head of Practice Management Services for the SEI Advisor Network. “However, it remains important to stay on top of ongoing market volatility and regulation, as they can potentially impact the way advisors counsel their clients and can detract focus from clients’ personal goals.” Goals-Based Investment Strategy. Interestingly, 80 percent of advisors resolve to make enhancements to their businesses by exploring managed volatility investment strategies, which more effectively weather ups and downs in the markets. However, when asked to rank the resolutions in priority order for 2016, the number one investment-enhancement priority for advisors is to implement a goals-based approach to investing for social media marketing packages their clients. “True goals-based investing is setting goals and tracking against them, which helps redefine how a client measures success. It moves away from traditional benchmarks and towards a more meaningful one – progress toward specific client goals,” said Anderson. “In 2016, advisors will be focused on ways to keep existing clients happier by implementing longer-term, client-specific goals, rather than setting goals depending on the market, which will continue to fluctuate.” Even though most advisors responded that “explore managed volatility investment strategies” is in their top three New Year’s resolutions, it is only a second priority for advisors in 2016, followed by implementing more tactical or dynamic investment options for clients.

How Canva Saved Christmas

End of the year is always hectic. There’s not much time to play and design stunning social media marketing proposal posts, graphics, posters, Christmas cards, infographics, design event invitations or even create beautiful visual CVs (in case you’re in a search for a better job). There’s so much work to be done and in case your team lacks designers or you need to create beautiful visuals very quickly - Canva is the way to go. Canva for work makes it easy to create stunning on-brand marketing materials, presentations and social media graphics for every organization. Canva’s drag and drop editor allows you to design thousands of layouts or easy-to-edit custom templates. Not to mention the Magic Resize Button. Say you make an awesome Facebook post graphic and you need the same one for Twitter but in different dimensions. You’ve guessed right - it’s only one click away.Canva for work is awesome if you have no extra time to play in Photoshop or other more advanced designer programs or simply to use it as a primary tool within your marketing team. It is easily accessible, simple and saves you tons of time.Ever tried listening to a podcast on your way to work? It’s great way to use the time you have while driving on and off work. Pocket Casts is one of the best podcast managers out there. Push notifications and sync systems within the app are reliable and automatic downloads make the experience flawless. Try it out and gather your favorites within one app or web browser. My favorites include Social Media Hour Podcast with Tyler J Anderson and Advanced Selling Podcast with Bill Caskey and Bryan Neale Let us know which ones you like the most.Blab it Out. Live video streaming apps are fast becoming the new social media trend. Have you heard of Blab? For those of you who are not familiar with Blab - it’s the new web and mobile platform that allow users to host and attend video broadcasts conversations, talk shows, discussions or work chats in one place. Why Blab? The platform definitely helps you keep informed when it comes to digital or any other topic you're interested in, plus, it's a great way to connect with influencers within the specific industry on a more personal level. People still talk about Periscope being the live-streaming app of the year, but Blab is definitely the one to keep a close look at. Let’s say you want to include more people in a live conversation on Meerkat or Periscope. Periscope only permits 1 host for each video social media marketing for dummies broadcast, on the contrary, Blab will let you chat with up to 4 people located worldwide. Besides, the option to join a conversation, contribute with questions and interact makes it so much better. Joining is easy, one click away, through your Twitter account.