Augmented Reality and On Demand Coupons

Today Valpak announced its coupons will be available on the junaio app.  This will allow customers to access coupons for nearby businesses.  GPS enabled smartphones trigger the app providing the geo-targeted coupon. 

The app launches the camera and overlays icons on the screen promoting offers for businesses from 5 feet to 20 miles away.  The coupons could be for local services or for national brands.   I downloaded the Valpak app and performed a search in my area.  The usual suspects appeared pizza places, tire stores, chinese restuarants and insurance agents.  I saw no business which had the ability to scan a coupon from my iPhone (like Starbucks).  There was disclaimer that businesses may refuse mobile coupons.  Definitely a step towards getting customers what they need when (or in this case where) they need it.

This is not the first augmented reality I have seen Macys has a in store program which uses QR code which send shoppers to videos which offer fashion advice.  I've also tinkered with Layar.  I think adoption of this technology will be slow, but it is becoming more popular all the time.     

Tracking the Impact of an Interactive Press Release

I am convinced a press release is very effective method of Social SEO.  I recently tracked a press release for a stuffed hamburger maker named Stufz.  I chose this product due to the ease of tracking a unique name in addition to a love of stuffed sandwiches.  The release was multi-media with embedded links on the brand terms.  

I monitored Google results pages looking for brand mentions in blogs, tweets and just about any where else Google could find them.  The day the PR was release it moved to the top of the SERP for searches for the brand as expected.  The press release was syndicated by PR Web, a well-known service.  The press release was syndicated on the business pages of newspapers such as San Fransisco Chronicle.  It was also syndicated to a variety of other news blogs such as Thrillist and Break.com.  These outlets posted the blog some with and without links, images and video.  Niche blogs such as Tastydays and SmokingMeatsForum also posted the press release.  Tasydays and SmokingMeatForum supplemented the PR, its images and video with some unique content.

Tweets also appeared...less than an hour after Google indexed the release the tweets began.  The first was a blogger, then retweets including comments surrounding the original tweet.

Longtail results were also positive.  "Stuffed Hamburger Press" is no doubt a highly contested word, and for at least the short term Stufz earned a top spot over the likes of Amazon, William Sonoma and ebay.  The dominance of the top spot held for several days before reliquishing it to these internet powerhouses.

I would estimate the PR release was around $200 and I would conclude that Stufz was satisfied with the results.

You've Got Mail!

I have had the great experience to work with companies who believe in email marketing. When used correctly, this form of customer contact is very effective. Keep in mind, however, that you need to know your analytics to determine what is successful in your campaigns. 

I recently read this short piece about email marketing, and thought you'd find it helpful. Good luck!

Google changes Product Search Requirements

Google has made some changes to help customers accurately compare prices.  Starting May 3, Google will requires Unique Product Identifiers for most categories.  Starting June 6, Shipping price must also be included for each product.  Also on June 6, tax information must be included.  Tax information may be at the account level are as a 'tax' attribute.  Sale price attributes are also recommended with 'sale price' and 'sale price effective date".  This is to help ensure sale pricing is received by all shoppers.

Shipping price and tax information are required and the UPI will be required for all categories except apparel and one-of-a-kind items.  Sale price attributes are are not required.  Products without UPI my not be listed in Google Product Search, though the feed may not be disapproved.  Feeds without the tax or shipping information may be disapproved.

Speaking in Code!

QR codes are big in the marketing world. The penetration in your respective marketing may vary, but know this...they're coming and they're effective!

In the days of smart phones and mobile applications, QR codes now allow you, the marketer, to reach clients who can make instant buying decisions wherever they are!

I found this article which explains things quite well. I'm a big fan of this technology...get to know it.

A change in the Algorithm

Google has finally addressed a long standing complaint of search engine users.  Sites which increase their natural rank by leveraging black hat tactics such as link buying and content farms.  Hitwise data shows that searchers consider 82% of their searches in the US successful.  The data also shows that only a 66% success rate for Google searches.

Google wrote that only about 12% of searches queries will be impacted.  I've read that Yahoo's Associated Content, AOL's Seed and Demand Media's eHow and Answerbag are considered content farms and links from these sits will all cause a hit to you ranking and traffic.  If you've ever read any of the content on these sites you can easily understand how they are thought to be content farms.  

Are you involved in any of these tactics?  If you are I would recommend you stop immediately.  So, what can you do?  Get back to basics.  Leveage press releases, create programs to generate user comments and reviews, reach out to suppliers and resellers to generate valuable links and most improtantly generate new content.  New content can be Top 10 lists, new points of view, product demos,  contests and games.  Generating content is an opportunity to seperate yourself from the crowd. 

Success...How Social Media Can make You a Winner

I read the article below, and really believe it to be true when engaging customers via social media in the business world. And even better yet, I practice these ideas daily when thinking about my clients. Check it out!

Social Media Success - Secrets!