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Thursday, April 12, 2012

Sweet (New) Home Chicago

Perrine Knight - Realtor - Website - BTS Designs
If you live in the Chicagoland area and are looking to buy, sell or rent a home, check out one of our newest clients, Perrine Knight.

We just launched a new website for her, we you can search for homes and find tips and information on the area and the buying-and-selling process.

Plus, you can follow Perrine on the blog and Facebook page she set up on her own, for personal insights on great places and events in Chicago.

Saturday, March 31, 2012

The Google Is Falling, The Google Is Falling!

Today’s CNN front-page editorial, An asteroid for the Google dinosaur?, written by Andrew Keen, who is deemed a professional skeptic, left me, well skeptical.

In short, Keen lets us know there has been a “dramatic shift” in how we find content on the web:  from Google to Facebook.  

In an attempt to enhance this “drama,” and perpetuate the inevitable demise of Google, Keen includes stats from the London Guardian.  

The paper’s director for digital development describes a “seismic shift” in their site’s top referral-traffic source during the last 18 months, from Google (previously 40%, current referral percentage not provided) to Facebook (previously 2%, now more than 30%). 

So, the sky is falling for Google.

Or is it?

If you are marketing effectively, you are converting website visitors into social networks followers and direct email subscribers:  enabling you to continually drive them to your frequently-updated, compelling content.

This is something marketers have understood for years, which is why, despite Keene's claim of a “dramatic shift,” Facebook surpassed Google as a leading-traffic source for major media sites more than two years ago.
 
However, this is not an inherent condemnation of Google. 

I reviewed the traffic sources for our “non-social” clients, those that do not have direct email or social network programs – their choice, not ours. 

In January 2011, Google referred 26% of their traffic, and in January 2012, Google referred 28% of their traffic. 

Hmm, where’s the drama? 

For “social” clients, those that have ongoing Facebook and direct-email initiatives, in January 2011, Google referred 60% of their traffic, and in January 2012, Google referred 42% of their traffic. 

There we go, using the same type of analysis; I was able to see the light…Google’s googled, if ya know what I mean.

Except… there was a 5% increase in traffic from Google for “social” clients in the 2012 compared to 2011.

Overall, social clients, through their consistent engagement of their audiences and compelling content, increased traffic between 2011 and 2012 by 50%. 

The leading source for this traffic increase, you guessed it, social networks and direct email, which directed 210% more traffic in 2012 than in 2011. 


So, Facebook might have killed Google according to Keen, but don’t tell our clients that, because they are working quite nicely together for them.

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Exclusive eReport: 5 Simple Tips For Creating Winning Contests!

BTS Designs eReport Contest Tips
Contests are a great way to grow your audience and develop stronger relationships with current customers.

Discover 5 simple tips that will help to make sure you and your customers are get the most from your contests.

Get your free eReport now!

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

For All Your Private Jet Needs - OK Maybe A Private Jet Is Not A "Need"

BTS Designs Apollo Jets Direct Email Website
Launched a new site and direct email campaign for Ron Goldstein at Apollo Jets (http://www.ronapollojets.com/). 


If you need to charter a private jet, contact Ron and he will help you out. He currently has specials on the charters to the 2012 Masters and the Kentucky Derby, plus you will get free car service to and from your flight.

Plus, sign-up for his newsletter and be entered to win $100!

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Struggling To Create Online Content…Let Your Customers Help

After we launch a site for a client, they quickly come to realize a significant challenge:  developing content for consistent updates.

How can you keep your site current and engage your customers through compelling content, without significant time or money spent?

Get your customers involved!

In many cases, your customers can be your best sales people.

A great way to reinforce that role and develop website content is to engage them.

Have them submit questions for you to answer, photos of them using your products and testimonials.

You will have even better ideas than we can suggest if you just consider the type of information clients offer you.

Take typical offline communications and bring them online; the compliments, inquiries and requests you hear daily.

So, if you set up a structure and incentives for customers to take part in these activities, you will have new and compelling content for your website every month.

Thursday, March 15, 2012

We're A Marketing "All-Star"

BTS Designs Direct Email Constant Contact All StarBTS Designs has been named "2011 All Star" by Constant Contact, beating out almost 500,000 other marketing professional and firms.

BTS Designs has helped a number of clients create and publish direct emails that have achieved as high as 75% open and click through rates: outperforming their industry averages by more than 300%.

Plus, we have grown their email lists by more than 100,000 contacts.

Thank you to our clients that have trusted BTS Designs with creating and distirbuting emails for them, including: Vince Flynn, Jodi Picoult, Michael Prell (Underdogma), Aurora Waldorf School, Buffalo Spine & Sports Institute, Springville Area Chamber Commerce, Buffalostyle, John Daly, Allen Mitchum, Breathe the Sea and Sterile Pause.

Just In Time For Allergy Season...

Breathe-the-Sea-BTS-Designs-Facebook-Website-Direct-Email
It's that time, when almost everywhere you go people are sniffling and bemoaning the fact they have fallen victim to allergies once again.

If you are among these allergy victims or tend to suffer other sinus issues, you will want to check out Breathe the Sea.

They will be launching a new, all-natural nasal spray to help relieve nasal irritations and improve daily sinus health.

You can sign up for their newsletter at the new website we launched for them or follow them on the Facebook page we created to receive notification when their product will be available for purchase, and special discounts.

Monday, March 12, 2012

Another New York Times Best Seller

Jodi Picoult BTS Designs Facebook Direct Email
Congratulations to BTS Designs' client, Jodi Picoult! (Facebook management and direct email)

Her latest novel, Lone Wolf debuted at #1 on the New York Times Best Sellers List.

Sign up for her newsletter, for a chance to win a signed edition of Lone Wolf.

Jodi Picoult is the bestselling author of 19 novels: Songs of the Humpback Whale (1992), Harvesting the Heart (1994), Picture Perfect (1995),Mercy (1996), The Pact (1998), Keeping Faith (1999), Plain Truth (2000), Salem Falls (2001), Perfect Match (2002), Second Glance (2003), My Sister's Keeper(2004), Vanishing Acts (2005), The Tenth Circle (2006) Nineteen Minutes (2007), Change of Heart (2008), Handle With Care (2009), House Rules (2010), and Sing You Home (2011) and Lone Wolf (2012).

This summer, Jodi will be publishing, Between the Lines, a YA novel written with her daughter.  Read a sneak preview.

Friday, February 17, 2012

BTS Designs Client Sets eBook Sales Record

Vince Flynn BTS Designs Website Direct Email FacebookCongratulations to BTS Designs’ client Vince Flynn! (website, Facebook, direct email)

His latest novel, Kill Shot will debut at #1 in all four possible categories on the New York Times Best Sellers List in their February 26th issue.

On top of that, he set the Simon and Schuster all-time record for most ebooks sold in the first week of publication!

Sign up for Vince's monthly newsletter for updates on his upcoming books and movie, plus a chance to win a signed edition of Kill Shot.