2014 Interactive Marketing Budget Forecast

Change is here—the ways in which your audience view and process information from standard media sources has changed. Technology has empowered the consumer to access information as they read and surf across offline and online media. My children (I am guilty of it as well) are engaged in watching TV, chatting with friends on Facebook and surfing the Internet to research a movie/song/gadget/concert all at the same time.

Small, medium and big companies are paying attention to the digital culture. Forrester Research provides a peek at the interactive marketing budget of US companies. The interactive marketing spending as a percentage of all advertising spending will grow from 13% in 2010 to 21% in 2014. The two top choices for interactive marketing investing are search marketing and display advertising. See chart below.

Source: American Marketing Association, Forrester Research’s US Interactive Marketing Forecast 2009-2014; Cambridge, Mass.

6 Ways To Stay In Touch With Your Clients

Staying in touch is an effective marketing tool because it keeps you at the top of the list with your clients and prospects.  Here are six simple low cost ways you can stay in touch with your clients or customers:

1. Create an eNewsletters
   Build on your relationship by sharing industry news, special offers, or invitations to events. Importantly, eNewsletters contain links to drive traffic back to your website. This means people will see more of your brand image, and can read about your products and services.
2. Sponsor Events In Your Community
   If the opportunity presents itself, sponsor your community church, school or sports team. Your contribution does not have to be monetary.  Give of yourself—give your time.
3. Use Postcards For Announcements
   Postcards are not used for coupons or sales only.  Send a birthday wish or boast about an industry award. There are an infinite number of things to share with your customers using the postcard.
4. Share Articles
   You can stay in touch with your clients by reading newspapers and magazines. Be aware of your clients’ interests to occasionally clip an article or a quote that might interest them. Don’t forget to forward pertinent Internet stories (no jokes or chain letters please).
5. Send A Hand Written Note
   Never underestimate the power of a simple thank-you note, remembering a date or a place that’s important to a client, or a note of congratulations.
6. Take Your Client To Lunch Just Because
   No sales pitch, no pressure—have lunch (or breakfast or coffee) just to shoot the breeze. Catch up on new interests, problems, additions to the family, etc. Then follow up with a note saying “it was fantastic to catch up with you today, here is an article on preparing your child for college…”