Marketing on the Edge http://www.mcshome.com/podcasts/marketingontheedge.xml Marketing on the Edge is written and produced by Marketing and Communication Strategies. MCS provides strategic planning, marketing, advertising, graphic design and public relations services. MCS applies a creative consultative approach to make marketing simple, effective and affordable to all businesses. In each episode, MCS will bring you sound advice on how to build customer relationships and strengthen your company’s image. Feeder 1.5.1(364) http://reinventedsoftware.com/feeder/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss en-us Copyright 2006, Marketing and Communication Strategies nancy@mcshome.com (Nancy Garberson) weave@mcshome.com (Chris Weaver) Wed, 20 Feb 2008 12:46:36 -0600 Wed, 20 Feb 2008 12:46:36 -0600 Marketing and Communication Strategies, Inc. Sound advice on marketing and public relations Marketing on the Edge is written and produced by Marketing and Communication Strategies. MCS provides strategic planning, marketing, advertising, graphic design and public relations services. MCS applies a creative consultative approach to make marketing simple, effective and affordable to all businesses. In each episode, MCS will bring you sound advice on how to build customer relationships and strengthen your company’s image. marketing, public relations, PR, graphic design, event planning, media, advertising, promotions no Marketing and Communication Strategies, Inc. eman@mcshome.com no Internal Public Relations http://www.mcshome.com/podcasts/internalpr.mp3 Most organizations understand the benefits of a successful public relations program will include such things as newspaper articles, customer service communications and other strategies that build a positive impression of your business to the public. The concepts and principles of public relations are used to create a climate of mutual trust between a business and the public. Public relations helps build customer loyalty and encourages business growth.

Now, how about employee loyalty and trust? One type of public relations that is sometimes forgotten or formalized is internal public relations. Employees are the first point of contact for a business, product or service; surprisingly, what employees think of the company can either make or break an organization. Employees carry the company branding and services to its customers. Keeping good employees is essential to every business, so why not build internal
public relations?

]]> Wed, 20 Feb 2008 12:46:08 -0600 internal-public-relations Marketing and Communication Strategies, Inc. Ask yourself: Do all your employees know about the great things that are happening in research and design or, perhaps, an award the company received? Do all your employees know your new tagline? What are this year’s company goals? Most organizations understand the benefits of a successful public relations program will include such things as newspaper articles, customer service communications and other strategies that build a positive impression of your business to the public. The concepts and principles of public relations are used to create a climate of mutual trust between a business and the public. Public relations helps build customer loyalty and encourages business growth. Now, how about employee loyalty and trust? One type of public relations that is sometimes forgotten or formalized is internal public relations. Employees are the first point of contact for a business, product or service; surprisingly, what employees think of the company can either make or break an organization. Employees carry the company branding and services to its customers. Keeping good employees is essential to every business, so why not build internal public relations? no The Web Has Changed Everything http://www.mcshome.com/podcasts/web_changed.mp3 Fri, 28 Sep 2007 14:58:24 -0500 the-web-has-changed-everything Marketing and Communication Strategies, Inc. There used to be rules of engagement and rules about how you were able to reach customers via traditional routes. But none of it is true anymore, The Web has transformed everyone’s approach to how they reach their customers. The Web is different – instead of one-way intrusion such as a TV commercial, Web marketing is about delivering useful content at the exact moment a buyer needs it, and the Web has opened opportunities to reach niche customers with targeted messages that are downright cheap. The Web has exploded with social networks, news updates, sports, audio and video, even new words! “Google” is used as a verb now. There used to be rules of engagement and rules about how you were able to reach customers via traditional routes. But none of it is true anymore, The Web has transformed everyone’s approach to how they reach their customers. no Media Relations http://www.mcshome.com/podcasts/media_relations.mp3 Fri, 28 Sep 2007 14:56:45 -0500 media-relations Marketing and Communication Strategies, Inc. The news media can be a very effective way to deliver company, product and branding messages. Media relations is one of many necessary endeavors that can sometimes blur a direct line from effort and expense to return on investment. However, the news media can be a very effective way to deliver company, product and branding messages. To do this, it is important to understand how the media operate, what types of information the media are interested in, and the steps involved in communicating effectively with, and via, the media. Depending on the size of your company and the degree to which you rely on the general public or specific populations to grow your business, media relations will figure in some respect into your company’s public profile, even if it you never engage with the media. This is because a story will be told. no When Scents Make Sense http://www.mcshome.com/podcasts/scents.mp3 Tue, 22 May 2007 10:06:38 -0500 when-scents-make-sense Marketing and Communication Strategies, Inc. Many marketers consider ‘‘scent branding’’ or ‘‘scent marketing’’ an important tactic. The well-executed use of scent branding in a purchasing, exhibit or office environment can positively influence shoppers’ motivation. Many marketers consider ‘‘scent branding’’ or ‘‘scent marketing’’ an important tactic. The well-executed use of scent branding in a purchasing, exhibit or office environment can positively influence shoppers’ motivation. If a scent is pleasurable, people will linger longer and feel better about a buying decision. no Think Relevancy When Planning Marketing Campaigns http://www.mcshome.com/podcasts/relevancy.mp3 Wed, 25 Apr 2007 11:42:48 -0500 think-relevancy Marketing and Communication Strategies, Inc. Reach out to the demographic with the most potential in ingenious ways and you’ll make an impact. Targeting means you can make consumers feel special by appealing to them experientially and relationally, not to the masses. It’s all about relevance. Reach out to the demographic with the most potential in ingenious ways and you’ll make an impact. Targeting means you can make consumers feel special by appealing to them experientially and relationally, not to the masses. It’s all about relevance. no Marketing Predictions for the Future http://www.mcshome.com/podcasts/predictions.mp3 Tue, 20 Mar 2007 12:03:53 -0500 marketing-predictions-for-the-future Marketing and Communication Strategies, Inc. Marketing is a hot topic because you can’t run your business without it! Through marketing you let customers know about your products and services. We all know that – but think about what is going on right now that might affect marketing your business. Marketing is such a hot topic because you can’t run your business without it! Through marketing you let customers know about your products and services. We all know that – but think about what is going on right now that might affect marketing your business. no Online Video Ads Increasing http://www.mcshome.com/podcasts/onlinevideo.mp3 Thu, 18 Jan 2007 17:08:06 -0600 online-video-ads-increasing Marketing and Communication Strategies, Inc. Marketers looking for a new way to publicize their products are turning more and more to online video ads. The tactic, one of the fastest growing online ad segments, is projected to reach $775 million, a new report shows. Marketers looking for a new way to publicize their products are turning more and more to online video ads. The tactic, one of the fastest growing online ad segments, is projected to reach $775 million, a new report shows. no Fuse Marketing http://www.mcshome.com/podcasts/fusemarketing.mp3 Wed, 06 Dec 2006 15:18:21 -0600 fuse-marketing Marketing and Communication Strategies, Inc. If you have not used fuse marketing, give it a shot. You might find the flash you need to grow your sales. Finding new techniques to make sales, reach new customers and reach your business goals without huge acquisition costs is the ongoing dilemma. A shrewd manager’s job is to do all those things without adding large numbers of new employees or continuously creating new products. Sound impossible? It’s not! no Marketing Leadership: Generation Inspiration http://www.mcshome.com/podcasts/marketingleadership.mp3 Tue, 14 Nov 2006 16:34:19 -0600 marketing-leadership-generation-inspiration Marketing and Communication Strategies, Inc. Much of our work today depends on our ability to influence groups of people we lead or work with. A single, specific strategy for influencing teams, and ultimately, clients is tricky but essential. Marketing has changed so drastically over the past few years that anyone who took Marketing 101 in recent times may feel as if they are a duck out of water. So many influences affect that change; those who don’t work in the field daily can’t keep up with evolving developments without involving those who do. We used to talk about how change took place and branding techniques took years to implement; now brand equity can be built or destroyed in a day. Leading your office to make the right decisions at the right time is even more important! no Evolving Social Networks http://www.mcshome.com/podcasts/socialnetworks.mp3 Wed, 18 Oct 2006 11:02:08 -0500 evolving-social-networks Marketing and Communication Strategies, Inc. Social networks are here to stay, and social networks will continue to evolve. How will online social networks affect marketing? More importantly, how will marketing affect online social networks? They’re hot right now: MySpace, Friendster, Facebook, YouTube, online gaming and other new choices every day. Social networks are here to stay, and social networks will continue to evolve. How will online social networks affect marketing? More importantly, how will marketing affect online social networks? no Viral Marketing - Get the Word Out http://www.mcshome.com/podcasts/viralmarketing.mp3 Tue, 12 Sep 2006 13:22:48 -0500 viral-marketing-get-the-word-out Marketing and Communication Strategies, Inc. Viral marketing uses a strategically composed e-mail or Web site that is so interesting, funny or intriguing that receivers are compelled to pass it along to their friends, colleagues or family. Viral marketing uses a strategically composed e-mail or Web site that is so interesting, funny or intriguing that receivers are compelled to pass it along to their friends, colleagues or family. Viral messages can also gain more attention because the message is passed from someone familiar, and thus holds more validity than other e-mail messages. no A Little Fun is Good for Business Success http://www.mcshome.com/podcasts/alittlefun.mp3 Thu, 20 Jul 2006 13:50:40 -0500 a-little-fun-is-good-for-business-success Marketing and Communication Strategies, Inc. Non-traditional marketing—or more specifically, grassroots marketing—is much more personal and reaches far fewer people in the moment. However, (and again seemingly ironically), grassroots marketing almost always creates a great deal of attention. Traditional marketing and advertising reach exponentially greater numbers of people and cost exponentially more money. But ironically, they often garner fewer results. Non-traditional marketing—or more specifically, grassroots marketing—is much more personal and reaches far fewer people in the moment. However, (and again seemingly ironically), grassroots marketing almost always creates a great deal of attention. no Extracurricular Activities http://www.mcshome.com/podcasts/extracurricular.mp3 Thu, 20 Jul 2006 13:46:58 -0500 extracurricular-activities Marketing and Communication Strategies, Inc. In the business world, public relations activities are the equivalent of high school extracurricular activities, and to engage in them produces the same result. In the business world, public relations activities are the equivalent of high school extracurricular activities, and to engage in them produces the same result. You get kudos, recognition and warm, fuzzy, beaming admiration from those of us in the audience—your clients, potential clients, employees and other stakeholders and from the community at large. Looking to improve your PR success? Why not consider a charity partnership, environmental project, event sponsorship or other project to get your business noticed. no Driving Innovation in Marketing http://www.mcshome.com/podcasts/innovation.mp3 Thu, 18 May 2006 08:37:53 -0500 driving-innovation-in-marketing Marketing and Communication Strategies, Inc. It's not just about product innovation anymore, it's also about understanding how to reinvent a marketing program. Where do you spend your money? Where will be most effective? It's not just about product innovation anymore, it's also about understanding how to reinvent a marketing program. Where do you spend your money? Where will be most effective? no Get To Know Clients As People First http://www.mcshome.com/podcasts/clientsarepeople.mp3 Thu, 13 Apr 2006 11:36:48 -0500 get-to-know-clients-as-people-first Marketing and Communication Strategies, Inc. In business to business marketing, relationship-building has become a hot concept. In business to business marketing, relationship-building has become a hot concept. If your business boasts that you are “customer-centric,” “committed to relationships” and “it’s all about the people,” you had better be doing more than providing regular customer service or the usual client relations. Relationship-building is all about the individual. At the other end of every phone call, e-mail, and transaction is a person—a human being whose emotional reaction to the human being that you are and the communications your company extend, matters a great deal. no Customer Retention: Why Does It Matter? http://www.mcshome.com/podcasts/retention.mp3 Thu, 13 Apr 2006 11:33:52 -0500 customer-retention-why-does-it-matter Marketing and Communication Strategies, Inc. Customer retention in today's business world is a necessary part of any marketing department’s job. This is especially true when you remember that 80 percent of your sales come from 20 percent of your customers. Customer retention in today's business world is a necessary part of any marketing department’s job. This is especially true when you remember that 80 percent of your sales come from 20 percent of your customers. New customers are important for business growth, for internal employee challenges and for the excitement needed at any office to move into new markets. Yet with these statistics, shouldn’t we wonder why most marketing and sales campaigns are designed for the new customers? no Marketing is All About Mindset http://www.mcshome.com/podcasts/marketingmindset.mp3 Thu, 09 Feb 2006 12:17:36 -0600 marketing-is-all-about-mindset Marketing and Communication Strategies, Inc. Get in the right mindset—here are some activities you can include in your daily marketing habit. Thinking about marketing all the time—not just quarterly, not just monthly, not just weekly—but every single day is a necessity to keep your brand strong in the marketplace. Really, it's not as hard as it sounds; there are quite a few ways you can incorporate marketing into your daily activities. no Cause Related Marketing http://www.mcshome.com/podcasts/causerelatedmarketing.mp3 Tue, 17 Jan 2006 11:02:25 -0600 cause-related-marketing Marketing and Communication Strategies, Inc. Make customers proud to buy from you Think about giving rather than receiving. Your customers demand a personal connection. Why not make them proud to own your product, shop at your store and know your story? no Media Training, A Marketing Must http://www.mcshome.com/podcasts/mediatraining.mp3 Tue, 06 Dec 2005 16:16:58 -0600 media-training-a-marketing-must Marketing and Communication Strategies, Inc. Part of good public relations includes being prepared to do interviews with the news media. With the success of public relations-driven products such as Red Bull and Southwest Airlines, public relations is a tool that cannot be ignored. It is the outward manifestation of your company to the world, and part of good public relations includes being prepared to do interviews with the news media. Media training can be the next step in achieving a business identity. It makes your organization's message clearer and more compelling when you can communicate your important intent in every interview and along every step. Training a spokesperson is the process of equipping a staff member to interact effectively with journalists, and to present your organization in the best possible way. no Leave Writing to the Pros http://www.mcshome.com/podcasts/writingpros.mp3 Mon, 07 Nov 2005 14:36:37 -0600 leave-writing-to-the-pros Marketing and Communication Strategies, Inc. If you don't have the skills to make your copy exemplary, hire someone skilled to do it. Everything that goes into a marketing piece is important, but the words are absolutely necessary. Writers understand communication on the page and it goes far beyond English 101. no Marketing Plans http://www.mcshome.com nancy@mcshome.com Wed, 05 Oct 2005 10:06:01 -0500 marketing-plans Building a better marketing plan When developing or updating your marketing plan, knowing where to start is often a challenge. Competing for the future may not look anything like the past. Knowing what to keep and knowing when to completely scrap the old plan is the biggest challenge. Not only must the future be imagined but it must be redesigned. no