Measurability of Social Media

With any marketing initiative, the ability to monitor and track effectiveness is critical. The emergence of social media channels has given marketers some new tools to work with which is very exciting. It's tempting to just go for it and get out there! Hold on - just for a minute. These tools are cool and it's fun to participate in this new channel, however you can spend a lot of time (time = money) to the detriment of your marketing and business objectives. So, my message today? Social media channels have a place in your marketing plan - but the basics of marketing still apply.

Start with your objectives - Realistic, understandable, measurable, beyond normal, achievable and time bound. Ex: Increase awareness levels for XYZ brand by 20% over the course of ABC marketing campaign by December 31, 2009.

From here, build you strategies and assign tactics that fit and will achieve your objectives. Great.

Now comes the challenge - measuring the impact and effectiveness of your social media tactics. Here are a few thoughts:

• Track the increase in fans, followers, comments etc. This is pretty straight forward and can be effective to measure things like "awareness" or "engagement". It can also be valuable for future initiatives since you are increasing your audience.
• Be bold. Implement an offer, promotion, contest exclusively through one of more social media channels. You obviously need an audience for this to be effective, but you will know really quickly if your offer is compelling and resonates with your customers.
• Use one of the new tracking tools that are available such as Viral Heat, an analytics tool to track and measure your efforts in the social media space. http://mashable.com/2009/07/07/viralheat/

So, add social media channels to your marketing toolbox. Ensure that they fit with your objectives and determine how you will measure and track your success.

Everyday Pearls Launches New Website!

www.everydaypearls.net is now live!

The launch of www.everydaypearls.net is the culmination of months of work with Borgi Rayen, jewelry designer and creator of Everyday Pearls. A client since February 2009, Betsy Linnell Marketing Management developed a Strategic Marketing Plan for Everyday Pearls to expand distribution, grow the business and increase profits. The development of a new e-commerce website for the business is just one of the tactics that will be implemented over the next few months.

Developed by Chantal McCulloch of www.inkdesign.ca the site's clean design is a perfect backdrop to let the jewelry take centre stage. The site features a gallery to act as a showcase for the unique, handcrafted pieces that are designed in Whistler, BC using freshwater pearls, sterling silver, semi-precious stones and Swarovski crystals. The website is the foundation of the marketing strategy that will see Everyday Pearls selling online directly to consumers as well as wholesale to retail partners.

Today marks the "soft launch" of the site with the e-store scheduled to open for business July 1, 2009. Stay tuned for the opening so that you too can "Liven up your everyday."