Tees In A Pod: companies

Showing posts with label companies. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Social Media + Businesses = A Two Way Street

Social media has certainly changed the way companies relate to their customers, but what about those who have yet to feel that Social Media is relevant to their business?

Prior to the creation of Facebook, YouTube, StumbleUpon, and Twitter, businesses used the way in which they reached customers as a "One Way Street," because it was the only option available to them. Billboards, Commercials, and Newspaper Ads, were what companies used to communicate their products and services. There wasn't a way, publicly, that a customer could react, share, and express their thoughts about being a customer, without feeling that they hadn't been heard.

Many people are not wanting their questions answered by an automated system, customer service center, or by a clerk working in a store, anymore. They want to have the ability for their voices to be heard by the company itself. People want to know what their friends or what other people have experienced from a company. They want to be referred to a business, by their family members or online communities. The reasons being, is that they have built relationships with them and feel comfortable enough with their judgment. How do they do this? Through using Social Media sites.

Customers can share their thoughts and opinions about companies with millions, if not billions of other customers or potential customers. It's as simple as turning on a computer, signing into an account and updating a status or making a 140 character tweet. Consumers can create a video review or a blog post about an experience with a business, they can upload a photo of a product they purchased to a social media site and state how well or not so well that product has proven to be.

Now-a-days, with the ability to use Social Media, businesses have been given a second option in which to reach their customers, by allowing "A Two Way Street." Having your business become apart of Social Media, will not only help in relating to customers, it can also allow for you to keep in contact with what is being said about your business online. You can react in a timely manner, help customers quickly and promptly, as well as, let your customers know what makes your company unique and stand out from your competitors. It also allows customers to feel empowered and able to feel confident in expressing their true feelings, with an outlet they had not yet been given by your business before. This can all be created without spending thousands of dollars. It's important to note, that customers never really cared about how much your business spent on banner ads or billboards, but what they do care about, is how much time you spend getting to know what they want and need from your business.

Unfortunately, if your business has not yet taken the steps to become apart of Social Media, then it is still on a "One Way Street". The difference is, this time, it's your voice not being heard, but that of your consumers. No matter how much you share your billboards, commercials, and ads, your business' voice is being drowned out by that of your customers on Social Media Sites. Becoming apart of Social Media, allows your business and customers, both have voices and the chance to be heard.

In knowing that Social Media changes the way companies communicate, interact, and engage with customers, there are still some who feel that Social Media isn't relevant to their business. Do you think businesses should only use Social Media if it is relevant to their business or do you feel that businesses need to use Social Media in order to be relevant?

Written By: Amanda Ryan, Creature Creations, Personalized Photo Gifts

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Being Professional Online: No Suit, No Tie, Oh My!

Professionalism? What does it really mean? Most of us may have a suit and tie come to mind at the mere mention of the word. However, what if you have an online business where most of your work, selling, and promoting is done; where wearing a suit and tie just won't cut it? How can you make sure that you and your business are still viewed as professional when your business is reliant mostly and/or solely on your online presence?

Most businesses, online and off, have created websites, Facebook Pages and Twitter accounts, to become more connected with their customers via their online presence on such sites. It can sometimes be difficult to gain people's loyalty, trust, and to build a relationship, when businesses don't make the time to put thought into what they want their online presence to be. Nobody will take what you have to say OR sell seriously, if you don't make sure that your business is one that exudes professionalism.

A business is defined by the way in which it conducts itself online and offline, so it matters what you say and do, while you are in the presence of your customer. Keep in mind, that when you are Online you are ALWAYS in the presence of your customer or that of a potential one, so what you Tweet, post on Facebook, or share on other Social Media sites, is being seen by those who will be using the information you put out to decide whether to purchase a product from you or not.

The first and most important part of being professional, is to be genuine. People can tell if one is being fake or trying to impress. It is important that your business has character, personality, and matches what it is that the business is selling. Focus on the fact that it isn't always the brand that people are buying, it can be (more often then not) the people behind the brand that actually sell the products. Don't get me wrong, there are some brands that by just seeing the logo, can make a person want to purchase it, but remember that it's usually their connection to it, via taste, touch, smell, etc. that truly creates the sale. With this in mind, people need a connection to be loyal to a specific business and that is where the person/people behind the brand come in. Be thoughtful and do your best to create true relationships with those you come in contact with, online and off.

Communicate on a daily basis via your website and/or on your social media sites. Make sure it's not just to pitch what you are selling or to talk about a discount you're business is providing. This can be looked at as annoying and disrespectful due to the lack of engagement which will reflect poorly on your business and can be unintentionally seen as unprofessional. Talk with people about what you did during the day, how you felt about a particular movie, and/or to offer free tutorials based on how they can properly use, build, or up-keep your product and their accessories. Example: A Tutorial about how to properly and safely hang picture frames, would be great to offer, if your business sold photographs. Be helpful and educational to build a relationship with those who are watching you online (which is pretty much everyone.)

As much as you try, there will always be someone who is unhappy with your products and services and because you are engaging online, they too will engage with you and it might be in a not so positive way. Your first reaction is probably going to be to delete the comment, but again, people are watching and are now waiting for your response. This is another way people are going to judge how professional you can remain, even under pressure. Of course, if there are inappropriate words within the comment that may offend other visitors/readers, then deleting it, is a must. If the comment is that of just an angry customer venting their frustration and dissatisfaction, but isn't being offensive, then this is a perfect opportunity to express just how professional your business is. Be courteous and show true feeling towards what your unhappy customer is expressing. Your business is not perfect, but can and should be open to rectifying any issue that it may have overlooked and to do it's best to retain the customer by showing how important that customer is. Every person able to read how you respond, will be putting themselves in that angry customers shoes, so how you handle the situation can influence how they judge and perceive your business.

In the end, Professionalism comes down to how you act and react towards each and every customer. Although you may not be able to impress people with a suit and tie, you do have the ability to impress them with the power of WORDS. Businesses' online presence, is developed, maintained, and sustained, by what you say, how you say it, and what it is you are actually saying. Always remember it's not the suit or tie that makes a business professional, it's the one who's wearing it that does.

Written By: Amanda Ryan, Creature Creations, Personalized Photo Gifts

Monday, September 20, 2010

What If Selling Tees, Isn't For Me?

More and more, people are creating online stores filled with t-shirts displaying their artwork, as a way to earn (extra) income. This could be due to the fact that more people are becoming web savvy or because people have found that online shopping is more convenient. Whatever the reason, money is being made online as displayed in this graph by comSource, Inc. found at Mashable.com . The graph below, clearly displays the growth of sales by comparing sales made during the Holiday seasons in 2008 and 2009.

Remember, the dollar signs and percentages shown in the above graph, are that of holidays only, which in total, crosses the $27 billion dollars threshold. It does not include other money made during the rest of the year, so to say the very least, money can be made by becoming an online store owner.

Some of you reading this may already be an online store owner, while others might be contemplating becoming one. The big question is... What if your interest isn't in T-shirts, but you want to display your talents and still want to take part in the money being made online?

5 places online where you can express your creativity and sell your work:
Besides the obvious Print On Demand shops like, Zazzle and Cafepress, where you have the choice of selling t shirts only, merchandise only, or both; There are many other places online where you can sell your artwork that you may not be aware of. Here is a list of 5 places you might find useful to display and/or sell your work: (This list was created in no particular order)

Lulu.com - Provides self-publishing services for writers, musicians, film makers, and photographers. At Lulu.com you are able to create hard and soft cover books, CD's, DVD's, etc. Lulu helps you to sell your work at places like Amazon.com and provides useful tools to help with promoting your creation(s) on social media sites.

CreateSpace.com - Provides services for film makers, writers, and musicians. Here, you can create print on demand books, CD's, and DVD's and because it is owned by Amazon.com, your work is automatically included in the Amazon Catalog.

TheGameCrafter.com - Make your creative game idea(s) a reality through this website. Upload your artwork and game rules, state if dice, etc. need to be included and your game is now ready for sale.

4. Tastebook.com - Create recipe books that hold up to 100 recipes. Not only can you choose to use your very own recipe, but you also are able to use recipes from third party providers.

5. Spoonflower.com - Use your artwork, designs, and graphics to create print on demand fabric on either quilting or upholstery weight cotton or organic cotton sateen, with prices ranging from $18 – $32 per yard.

*(Be sure to always read the terms and services before trying an online service)*

There are many places online that can provide an outlet to those who want to become a part of the online selling community which are not listed here. These are just a few websites to help those who may not want to sell t shirts online, but are wanting to express their creativity while making money.
This list may also be found useful to those who are already an online store owner, who IS selling t-shirts, for they too can be used as another way to display your creative artwork on other products or may be a way to showcase your other talents while earning some extra cash.

Written By: Amanda Ryan, Creature Creations, Personalized Photo Gifts

Thursday, August 12, 2010

4 Ways Of Internet Marketing

Businesses are always striving to rank higher in Google, to build stronger relationships with customers, and to stay profitable, to name just a few. One way businesses have chosen to achieve these goals and challenges is by marketing online. For some of us, understanding the way in which internet marketing works, is not always clear and can end up hurting our company rather then boosting it's online exposure. The first step, is in knowing what internet marketing is and why it is important for your business.

Internet Marketing: What is it all about?
Internet Marketing is where your business can reach a global audience to bring exposure, awareness, and attention to products and services your company offers. A couple of the unique features Internet Marketing offers, due to it being an interactive medium, is in providing instant responses to customers and in getting instant responses from customers. Internet marketing is mostly free and can bring traffic to your website that may not have been possible without it.
Internet Marketing: How to use it?
Here are 4 ways in which your business can use internet marketing to reach potential customers. Included below, is list of some Tees In A Pod Blog posts you might find useful in understanding and sustaining these 4 ways of Internet Marketing:

1. Search Engine Marketing - is in promoting your business' website to greater it's visibility on Search Engine Result Pages (also known as SERP's) when potential customers put keywords in the search engine. So when promoting your site be sure to use targeted and specific keywords that you think customers would put into search engines for your website to appear on the search engine results page.

How To Market Your Brand - 9 Marketing Tips and Ideas

2. Search Engine Optimization - is by promoting your website or webpage to rank higher in search engines through organic or unpaid search results.

What Does SMO and SEO Really Mean?

Finding High Page Rank Sites For Backlinks

Follow The Linker: Backlinks

6 Onsite SEO Tips That Can Improve Your Rank!

3. Web Banners OR Banner Ads - is by placing an ad on a webpage to bring traffic to a website by linking the ad to the advertising site. One way is to use Social Media Sites such as Facebook to create ads and to gain a large amount of exposure.

Facebook Ad Tips

4. Email Marketing - is a way of direct marketing in communicating commercial services, etc. by sending electronic mail to a specific audience.

Be careful when using this tactic for too many emails can be considered spamming.

10 Ways For Businesses To Promote Without Spamming

Most of the tools used through Internet Marketing is free and is mostly about understanding the way in which to design a website, interacting with customers, creating links, placing ads on proper sites, and by knowing more about the expectations of search engines in order to improve your websites ranking. One great way to figure out if your business is already using these 4 internet marketing ways, is by creating a checklist to see what you may or may not need to do, to bring more traffic to your site and to create online exposure.

Let Tees In A Pod know if there is a specific topic and/or information you'd like us to cover, be it, more details regarding Internet Marketing or any other! We always love to hear from YOU!!

Written By: Amanda Ryan, Creature Creations, Personalized Photo Gifts

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

10 Tips On How To Make Facebook Work For Your Business

There are over 400 Million active users on Facebook, in which 50% log on each day, as given in the 2010 Facebook Statistics. From the 400 Million, 160 Million users are actively involved in pages, groups, and events during their daily activities. Knowing these facts, helps in recognizing the importance of using Facebook for your business. Some companies may already have a "fan/business page" on Facebook, but are not using it to its full potential. While others may be contemplating using it, but just don't know where to start.

Here are 10 ways to use Facebook for your business:

1. Take advantage of filling out your page's profile (also known as "Info" tab). Let users have the ability to get to know your business better through your Facebook page. Within the write up about your business and within the products section, be sure to include keywords relative to your company, which will make your page easier to find when users are searching Facebook using those specific keywords. Also, be sure to add not only your website link in the section provided on the profile page, but other links (like Twitter, Blog, etc) where fans/likers can find you.

2. Make a Facebook "Vanity" URL so that users can find your business' page easier. Usually, Facebook pages are made up of long url's that are very difficult to remember. Once your page reaches 10 or more fans/likers, you can create a Vanity URL which shortens your pages link and makes it easier to remember and share.

3. Share company activities on your business' Facebook Wall. Using your status updates as a way to connect with those on your page helps in building relationships between your fans/likers and your business. Ex: ABC Business is helping in creating a logo for 123 Business, etc. Also, post what your business is doing. Ex: ABC Business is doing a Webinar on 03/05/2005 and invite people to join in. Update your status on a regular basis, 2-3 posts a day at the most is best.

4. Use Facebook with other social networking sites, like Twitter. Ex: A Follower Tweets a question regarding your business. Write up an answer within a blog post then post it on your Facebook page, and tweet out that the answer can be found here with a link to your Facebook Page. This helps in connecting those on Twitter (or other social networking sites) to Facebook and to explore other places your business can be found online and follow you there too.

5. Search for and join other business pages and groups that are related to your business. If you run a T-shirt store, join other T-shirt/merchandise business pages to connect with those who may have fans/likers that could also be interested in what you're selling.

6. If just starting out on Facebook for your business, be careful in what you name your Business Page. Once you've chosen the name for your page, it cannot be changed. Make sure the name you want to use, is the name you are willing to keep. Otherwise, you would have to delete that page and start from the beginning which can make things a lot more difficult for your fans/likers and in establishing your business on Facebook.

7. Post discounts, promotions, and sales to your Business Facebook wall. This will allow your fans/likers to be aware of the deals happening within your business and it keeps them in the loop. This will also help in creating possible sales through marketing your products on Facebook. Your business may also want to post sales that have happened to let fans/likers also be included in your successes.

8. Post relevant photos that are business related to your Facebook Page. Showing customers photos of "Employee of the Month", "Casual Fridays" or other types of company photos, helps in building relationships and allowing customers to get to know the people behind the business better.

9. Integrate and use applications that are useful to your business on your Facebook Page. Add a Twitter feed or blog feed, etc. to let users see what's happening on other sites your business uses. (Be careful not to add too much content for it can become overwhelming to your fans/likers if there is too much to look at on your Facebook Page.)

10. If you have a personal Facebook Page, it may be important for you to keep your personal information private by using the Facebook Privacy Settings. If there is something you don't want your fans/likers or other companies to see or get a hold of, correct/change the settings to reflect this.

Using Facebook as a place where customers can connect with you, learn more about your business and about the products it offers; strengthens your relationships with customers as well as build new ones. Use these 10 tips as a way to make Facebook work for your business!

Let us, Tees In A Pod know how you use Facebook for your business! Will or have you used any of these tips listed here? Leave us a comment on our blog or visit our Facebook Page and let us know.

Written By: Amanda Ryan, Creature Creations, Personalized Photo Gifts

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

The One Service Businesses Should Never Stop: Customer Service

The success of any business depends on how well customers are treated. No business is successful without customers who care about it, so it is highly important that you care about them. Lets delve right into the one service businesses should never stop, Customer Service.

Businesses may use sales, promotions, and/or contests to drive traffic to their site or store, but without great customer service, the longevity of that business will be little to none. Every business needs new customers to continue it's growth, but returning customers is what keeps businesses running longer.
Customer Service is important in how people judge your business and also in how customers talk about it. Word of mouth, will let others (potential customers) know about your business and the main goal is to have what customers say, be positive. Great Customer Service, not only will help in keeping customers, but will also save your business time and money.

6 Ways To Provide Great Customer Service:
Here are 6 tips on how to keep your customers happy and your business being successful.

Keep Promises Made To Customers: When you tell a customer you are going to ship out their order by a certain date or you're going to have a sale on a certain product within your store, etc., make sure you stick to it. Customers rely on your words to be followed up by actions. If for any reason you cannot stick to what you say, then don't say it. Think before you commit!

Communicate With Customers: If your business is changing, moving, or going to be doing something different with the way it does it's business, be sure to communicate it to your customers. Treat every customer with importance and show it. Customers will only be loyal to those who are loyal to them, so it is crucial that you keep the communication open and on-going. This way, customers feel included in your business and will want to continue being a part of it, even through-out the changes.

Listen To What Your Customers Are Saying: Customers will tell you how they feel about a certain product, service, etc. Be sure your business is not just hearing them, but listening to them. Ignoring what your customers are saying, will not only frustrate them, but will eventually make them leave your business. Take time to address what your customers are saying. Give them options in how problems can be solved and let them know you want to help them in every way possible. It is always important that you take the time to respond!

Respond/Reply To Customers: When customers reach out to your business via phone, email, etc. to ask questions and/or to find out additional information, answer them. Most people are not satisfied with an automated service. Customers want to speak with an actual person who is more than willing to help. With that said, if your business does use an answering machine or email service, call customers back and/or respond via email in a timely manner. Customers are expecting a response and are usually not happy until one is received. Making customers wait for an answer, will not only irritate them, but can even make them irate. Every message, customer, and question matters!

Deal With Customer Complaints: Complaints can be hard to deal with and it is impossible to please everyone, but not dealing with them, is more harmful to your business. Evaluate each complaint to see if anything can be done to change the way in which that specific customer feels. Try not to become defensive when addressing possible solutions in helping that customer with his or her complaint. Customers feelings need to be recognized and addressed. However, sometimes customers may not hear the answer they were hoping for, but your business can always try to continue making customers feel important by offering something extra. If you can't find a solution to a problem, creating one might be the only viable option (Example: Customer is complaining that their purchase shipped out late and didn't arrive when it was suppose to and your business finds that this information is correct, try to rectify it). Give your customer a discount on their next purchase, a coupon, etc. Letting the customer know you've listened, tried, and still care can go a long way!

Treat Employees and Co-Workers Well: Take time to thank those you work with and/or who works for you. It is important to not only make sure that those who work for you are fully educated about your business, but are treated well too. With these two combined, employees will be loyal to your business and will have the drive to want it to succeed. Everyone likes to know they are appreciated for their work efforts and to be recognized for it. This inevitably boosts the business' morale, which is always good for business!

The key factor in sustaining any business, is to show customers they are important. In keeping promises, communicating, responding, and in showing appreciation, will help in keeping customers happy and coming back for more. Treat your customers well and they will do the same for your business.

Written By: Amanda Ryan, Creature Creations, Personalized Photo Gifts

Friday, June 4, 2010

Before You Divorce Social Media, You Need To Be "Engaged"

Some people flirt with social media sites while others are fully committed. Then there are those who wish to never hear the words "I'm tweeting" ever again. Before signing those divorce papers and doing away with social media forever, keep in mind, that it is YOUR potential customers who are using these sites on a daily basis.
Some businesses feel it is essential to use social media sites, such as, Twitter and Facebook, as a part of their marketing strategies, but why? In understanding Social Media and how to use it properly, will help in clarifying it's importance when trying to market your brand online, so lets put those divorce papers away and start from the beginning.

The Date: Getting To Kn

ow Social Media
Searching "Dating" several social media sites can be helpful in how successful your business will be online and off. Don't be afraid of trying out, researching, and/or learning more about each Social Media site, for it is extremely important that you find "the one" your business will stick with.
When the best site is found, it is like entering into a "relationship," which means, you need to get to know it better. Explore what the site offers and feel free to see how other businesses are using it.

For a long time, most people's "type" for finding out "late breaking news," has been television and radio, so it is understandable that in changing what you are use to, can be hard to do. However, customers want to become a part of those businesses that are up-to-date and "with the times". They also want to be involved in those businesses that want to be involved with them. It use to be that customers always came to where the businesses were, but now-a-days, customers want companies to come to where they are, which is most likely on a social media site.
Social media sites, are used to build communities and to connect with people who have similar interests and to share news either about the happenings in our daily lives or about what is happening in the world around us. To be a part of "what's happening," it is wise for your business to be a part of social media. Lets use this blog post as an example, If the decision was made to never have this article posted, then you wouldn't have been given the chance to think about it or the ability to respond to it. Each reader now is able to share their opinions, express their thoughts, ask questions and even expand on this topic. This allows for a discussion to begin, not only with who created the blog post, but with other readers. Think now of your business. If you don't give your customers the opportunity to talk with you, via social media sites, think about all of what you could be possibly missing out on.
It can be difficult to find where to start, since their are many social media sites to choose from. A couple to begin with would be Facebook, for their pages and YouTube, for their traffic. Every business will have their own likes and dislikes while trying to find the social media site they want to use, but should continue in trying to find the one that best suits them. Once you have found the site that works best, you can now start learning the most useful ways to use them; which begins the "Engagement" process.

The Engagement: How To Use Social Media

Every social media site has someone selling something, however, it's the ones who are paying attention and not sitting idly by, that get noticed. When talking to a person, rather then at them, they tend to respond more positively and feel like they are listened to. To break it down, the way in which you communicate will either drive people towards you or away. As a business, it is of high importance that you "engage" with customers by talking with them. This is also a huge change, but effective in getting people interested in your business.
Before social media began, it was about coming up with commercials, banners, and/or ads where you had to talk "at" the customer, but times they are a changing. Although including some of these as part of your marketing strategies, is not necessarily a bad thing, it shouldn't be the only thing your business uses. Customers now expect businesses to talk with them, engage in conversations, to ask for their opinions, and so on. It's not just about listing off what you are selling anymore, it's about getting to know those who you are selling to. In asking questions that customers can relate to, will encourage a response and result in a higher "engagement." Some examples to use may be:

"Pie or Cake?"
"Scary or Funny Movies?"
"What is your favorite color?"
"Which season is your favorite?"

Although some of these may not be related to what you are selling, it will trigger a new way of communicating with your customers and will get your business noticed, which should always be the first goal.
Most people will build up a loyalty to those who want to spend time in getting to know them better. Finding what interests your customers have, can not only help you in deciding on what you need to promote within your business, but will also build a new kind of relationship with whom you are selling to.
Try not to get stuck in a box. Feel free to post fun quotes, thought provoking questions, and reach out to your customers to ask their opinion about what you are selling or other various topics. In having your customers feel like they are a part of your business will keep them coming back to your business. Through engaging with customers and finding more out about them, will make them want to find out more about you, "the company."

Now that you've got your customers attention, you can share with them promotional sales, top selling items, and company news, while still incorporating social interaction. Doing this, helps in reaching the main goal which is to create more sales for your business while keeping your customers happy. Engaging, sharing, and listening to what your customers are saying will make your business stand out more then if you were just pumping out sale pitch. after sale pitch, after sale pitch.
"Engaging" with those who are following, liking, and showing interest in your business is a must! Once you have taken this step, it is time to commit.

The Marriage

: Committing To Social Media
As simple as it sounds, committing to using social media sites may not always be that easy. It is key that when you start talking, engaging, and conversing with your customers, that you continue doing so. In just setting up an account and leaving it, is the wrong way of thinking. When people like your page, follow you, etc. they now want you to take the time to engage with them on an on-going basis. This is where you should start thinking of ways to keep people interested in your business. Creativity, innovation, and hard work is key in keeping anybody happy, including your customers.

Social Media has the word "social" in it for a reason, so try to always continue socializing with those that have connected with you. Update the social media site your business has chosen, on a regular basis. It is very easy to set up an account, engage with those on that site for a couple months and then drop off. Customers will forget about you if you don't "commit" to remembering them.
One great part of this "commitment" is that it is usually FREE, so be sure to incorporate using these sites into your marketing strategies every month. Most of us think, "to make money, you have to spend money", which holds some truth, but sometimes just taking the time to show you care about your customers will incur an even bigger reward.
As with any relationship, expressing patience, determination, passion, and in using communication, keeps it healthy and strong, in committing to giving these to your customers, will have them commit to your business.

As time goes on, even newer social media sites will rear their heads and so it seems, social media is here to stay. Using social media sites properly can help in understanding why they should be used and in how beneficial they truly can be to your business. So, before divorcing social media, allow your business to look into using it as a part of your marketing strategies. Become a part of a "new age" by engaging with customers before signing on that dotted line. In time, your views may change, the relationships with your customers will change, and so will the profits for your business!

It's time now we engage with you! Do you use social media sites to market your business? If no, do you think you will start? Let Teesinapod know by leaving a comment on this post or by visiting us at our Facebook Page. We'd love to know how social media works for you!

Written By: Amanda Ryan, Creature Creations, Personalized Photo Gifts