How does Groupon Work?

The  Groupon is the biggest “Deal-of-the-day” website in the United States. The first market for Groupon was started in Chicago in 2008 and markets have multiplied to 40 markets in most major cities across the country.

How does Groupon Work?

The company offers one “Groupon” per day in each market. The Groupon is an discounted offer for something to eat, do or support in that area. The catch is, a minimum number of people have to click to buy the offer before the deal is released and everyone can actually purchase it. If the minimum number is not reached, no one gets the deal that day. In other words consumers have nothing to lose, but everything to gain. This collective buying system is fostered by social media – when people really want to buy on offer, they can promote it on their personal Facebook page, Twitter handle and blog to encourage others to purchase and help unlock the deal. (http://www.grouponworks.com/)

Would it benefit your business?

Retailers do not have to pay any physical amount to Groupon because they take a portion of the sales you make from people purchasing the deal. This means they only get paid if you earn a return on your offer.When a group or business is interested in doing a Groupon offer, all they have to do is contact Groupon and they will be connected with a personal service representative. They will explain the deal they are interested in promoting and one of 12 Groupon writers will be assigned to write a unique script to feature that company and their offer. Currently, 97% of businesses that have run a Groupon offer want to repeat the service.

Check it out!

The main purpose behind Groupon is to encourage group action to promote through social change. Groupon has been found to be most popular among young adult female professionals. It is also popular among web-saavy, city-dwellers who like to go out and socialize two or more times per week. Have you checked out the Groupon market for Salt Lake City?

In an age when nonprofit organizations are struggling harder than ever to have their messages heard, the value of branding and design has become increasingly essential to their survival.  Today, a first-of-its-kind book, Designing for the Greater 

In an age when nonprofit organizations are struggling harder than ever to have their messages heard, the value of branding and design has become increasingly essential to their survival.  Today, a first-of-its-kind book, Designing for the Greater Good, was released to offer readers insights into great nonprofit branding campaigns in 24 inspiring case studies and hundreds of illustrated examples.  Fluid Studio was among the firms whose outstanding campaigns were selected for inclusion in this prestigious collection. Highlighted in the book were two campaigns that Fluid Studio completed for Bonneville Communications of Salt Lake City, Utah.

Created as a comprehensive resource for designers, creative professionals, marketers, corporate communications departments and nonprofit leaders, Designing for the Greater Good is based on authors Peleg Top and Jonathan Cleveland’s nearly 40 years of combined experience working with nonprofits and corporate communications departments across the country.

“After nearly a decade of studying cause marketing campaigns, I know that strong design is absolutely critical to success,” commented David Hessekiel, president, Cause Marketing Forum.  “As a unique showcase of campaigns that stand out from the crowd, Designing for the Greater Good is a valuable addition to the cause marketing literature.  This collection of work, often created in spite of low budgets and organizational impediments, should be an inspiration to creatives, nonprofit and corporate marketers alike.”

More on Designing for the Greater Good

Whether branding an identity for a nonprofit, designing invitations for fundraisers, pitching slogans effectively or creating print or online marketing material, it is essential that the graphic design of cause-related organizations attract attention to their goals, events and campaigns.

“Successful design for nonprofit organizations relies on a true partnership, where the designer is connected to the cause and the organization has accurately portrayed its culture and clientele.  When these elements come together, a powerful brand connection is made,” said author Jonathan Cleveland.  “Designing for the Greater Good was created as a first-of-its-kind resource for both designers and cause-related organizations seeking inspiration and direction from past successful campaigns.”

“Most designers and creative agencies, no matter their industry niche, will do some nonprofit or cause-related work at some stage of their career,” says author Peleg Top. “This work helps us create a sense of purpose that is bigger than us. It connects us to our community, helps us leave a legacy and be part of something bigger than our own work.”

Designing for the Greater Good (Harper Design, an imprint of Harper Collins) is available to the public starting January 26, 2010.  Its retail list price is $50.00.

http://designingforthegreatergood.com/index.html

Here’s an article about “Thank You” from Go-To-Market Strategies:

When did you last say “Thank You” to a Customer?

“When you  Sincere gratitude- have you expressed it? Wanna make people like you? Wanna see clients gravitate to you? Try it.

Here’s an article about “Thank You” from Go-To-Market Strategies:

When did you last say “Thank You” to a Customer?

“When you are grateful, fear disappears and abundance appears” ~ Tony Robbins

It shocks us how many companies do not thank their customers. When is the last time you’ve been personally thanked by someone you’ve given your business to? When’s the last time you officially thanked someone whose done business with you?

To be clear, we are talking about a genuine, heartfelt, official thank you. Not a quick thank you in passing!

Saying “Thank You” is very important! Particularly with how far a simply “thank you” can take you! A thank you shows appreciation. A thank you shows respect. A thank you puts you “top of mind.” A thank you sets you apart.

• Look for opportunities to express your gratitude. Obviously when someone books business with you, a thank you is in order. Also look for other opportunities such as for referrals or time given to hear your pitch, watch a demo, etc.
• Make it personal. You should hand write it. We know…UGH. That’s a lot of work. You may be tempted to email your thank you…and maybe you should do that too. BUT, a handwritten, old fashioned thank you note, will take you farther. Why? Because NO ONE else is doing it in today’s business world. Also, be as specific about what you are thanking them for, as that makes it much more relevant and genuine. But do not ask for anything in your “thank you.” Just be thankful!
• Take it one step further. The person who sells the product/service should say thanks. The person who delivers the product/service should say thanks. And the executive of the company should say thanks! You may want to stair step how the thank you is handled. Maybe one verbally, one by email, and the final by mail. Mix it up and hit them from several angles, but make sure the thank you comes as quickly after the action you’re thanking as possible.

Saying thank you is powerful. But you have to make it a habit. Again, since no one is taking the time to say thank you, you WILL stand out!

http://www.gtms-inc.com/tip_thankyou.htm

Pantone collaboration with Gap flagship store in New York. The store is entirely dedicated to Pantone and their swatches. Pretty Cool.

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In this down economy, many enterprises are looking for the “silver bullet” to help them with the marketing/advertising quandary they find themselves in—”how can we get noticed and stay front of mind but reduce/eliminate our current promotional budget?”

The 

In this down economy, many enterprises are looking for the “silver bullet” to help them with the marketing/advertising quandary they find themselves in—”how can we get noticed and stay front of mind but reduce/eliminate our current promotional budget?”

The short answer? There is no silver bullet.

The bit longer answer? Things can be done, using social media, to help broadcast your message, but it complements (doesn’t replace) traditional marketing and advertising objectives. Social media is just one tool in the marketing/advertising toolbox, and when strategically used, can be very effective in gaining awareness and marketshare.

I recently read a great article on SOCIAL MEDIA HEADHUNTER that seems to agree with my assessment—you can read it HERE. Let me know your thoughts and comments—drop me a comment.

How familiar are you with social media?

Have you ever felt left out of a conversation or didn’t even know about the conversation because you haven’t been able to wrap your brain around where to start with social media? 

How familiar are you with social media?

Have you ever felt left out of a conversation or didn’t even know about the conversation because you haven’t been able to wrap your brain around where to start with social media?

Does hearing about Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, MySpace, Digg, blogs, and other social networking sites make you want to crawl into a hole because you don’t know what’s going on?

If so, this seminar is for you!

Fluid Studio is excited to offer a Social Media Educational Series for Utah and help you become orientated in the ever-changing and exciting world of social media!

The first 90-minute class in the series will be on Thursday, March 26th at 6:30 pm in the Salt Lake City Library (210 E. 400 S.).

Businesses or groups that wish to maximizes their marketing dollars and not get left behind in social media, Fluid is only charging a nominal fee of $29/person for the education series. If you sign up now, we are offering a discounted rate of $19! Click HERE to register.

Why are we doing this?

Because we believe social media is such an effective marketing tool for you and your business with its cost, reach, and return on investment (ROI):

• Cost—compared to traditional marketing, social media is relatively inexpensive and can be created and deployed quickly and efficiently.

• Reach—social media has the ability to directly reach target audiences and demographics down to their specific current interests and past experience.

• Analytics and Return on Investment (ROI)—Using social media tools, you can create, distribute, and track web, video, e-mail, and other social media marketing tools immediately.

About the Presenter:

John Dye, President of Fluid Studio, has been a longtime participant in social media realms and has helped numerous companies effectively incorporate social media into their overall marketing strategy. John will help businesses first understand the basics of social media before moving on to some of the more advanced features of social networking.

“The man who stops advertising to save money is like the man who stops the clock to save time.”
- Thomas Jefferson

In these difficult economic times, it is important to keep your economic engine running 

“The man who stops advertising to save money is like the man who stops the clock to save time.”
- Thomas Jefferson

In these difficult economic times, it is important to keep your economic engine running by continuing to plan for and carry out effective integrated marketing and advertising strategies.

Many companies are cutting back; most do not realize advertising has a cumulative effect, with each medium and campaign building on the previous and creating a stronger foundation for the next.

Do not be tempted to trim the fat and end up accidentally cutting into the muscle of your organization’s branding and awareness efforts. Keep your campaigns and programs consistent, steady, and strong, and you will weather this rough storm of economic uncertainty.

1. Take a current client’s product and think of a joint/co-promotion with other companies compatible products (generally a

  “Cross Ruff” is a simple technique based on leverage.  Here are the steps to “Cross Ruff” that many agencies have found effective.

1. Take a current client’s product and think of a joint/co-promotion with other companies compatible products (generally a company that is not currently your client).
2. Put the co-promotion in rough form.
3. Call the other companies in the co-promotion.
4. Introduce yourself as the agency of record for your client and present the rough idea of what you have in mind for the joint promotion.

Most companies you call will already have an agency of record, however, studies show that one third of companies who are currently working with agencies are unhappy and open to discussions with other agencies.  Companies who have used this technique of “Cross Ruff” have found that most of the phone calls they make turn into face-to-face meetings and companies are very impressed with the co-promotion opportunity offered by the agency.

So, get with your creative department and concept a “Cross Ruff” promotion.  Hey, it definitely beats cold calls

Two most common types of formal requests received

· RFP – Request for Proposal

· RFQ – Request for Quotation

o Formal Bid Conferences

Four 

Two most common types of formal requests received

· RFP – Request for Proposal

· RFQ – Request for Quotation

o Formal Bid Conferences

Four Basic Parts to a Bid

· Capabilities Statement

o Your design firm’s qualifications, and why it is best suited for this particular project.

· Project Overview

o A. Background – your interpretation of the background of the project and your goals/purpose of the project

o B. Work Requirement – Complete description of the project, including any special design elements that you want to highlight.

· Technical Proposal

o Description of the scope of work from your point of view and your insights on how you can improve the process.

§ Customers want a custom job, not a cookie cutter approach.

· Cost Proposal

o This area should contain ONLY the cost of work and expenses spelled out in the client’s “Statement of Work and Requirements.”

§ Most companies use cost as a parameter, not as a specific criteria in proposal evaluation.

o BE SPECIFIC – make sure you list proofing cycles, how it will be presented number of copies to be printed.

Other items to add to the proposal

· Time-line Management

· Project Staff Profiles

· Client List

· Graphic Design Trade Customs (terms your company uses to conduct business)

Don’t be afraid to ask how much a client paid for this service the year before.

The Exit

· If you don’t get the project, call the client and request a critique of your proposal. Write a letter telling the client that your company is available if things don’t work out with your competitor.