How to engage your prospects and customers…One simple tactic!
maria gudelis | July 19, 2010Powerful marketing and branding…One of the biggest benefits of using FREE social media sites…
Is that it provides a platform for you to engage with your prospects and customers…
"Old school advertising" such as TV ads, Radio ads, yellow page ads etc does not allow that because 'old school' is a 'one-way' conversation.
Though there are appropriate times to include 'old school' advertising in your marketing channel mix…I'd like to share with you ONE SIMPLE TACTIC to use with your social media assets (blogs, Facebook page, Linkedin, Youtube channel,) that really gets your brand/service/company engaged.
An Online survey with Freebie for filling out.
You should use this FREE tool for creating an online survey and allowing you to COLLABORATE with your virtual team. Period.
Click Play Below for SIMPLE FREE HOW TO ENGAGE TOOL so you can start right away:
BENEFITS of using a simple online survey tool:
- By encouraging your customers and prospects to complete an online survey, you show interest in what they think and want!
- You get instant market research for improving your product, creating new products and services.
- Show you care = priceless!
- Google docs allows online collaboration with your 'virtual team' as more and more companies are using staff 'virtually' in other states, countries.
- Provides one master document for data storage and YOU don't foot the bill of the servers/hosting – a true "cloud computing collaborative environment"
There are more I"m sure and would love to read your comment below on what you think!
Do you use Google docs for surveys or do you use other survey tools such as Survey Monkey, Instant Form Pro etc.?
To your success, Maria Gudelis
Twitter: needahouse
says:
Maria, thanks for so much great info! When you teach, its enlightening, creative ideas and solutions form.
Twitter: mariagudelis
says:
Thanks Jeanie!
Thanks for this, Maria. I’m not a heavy Google Docs user, so I wasn’t even aware of this feature.
Maria, Interesting tips. Actually there are also several survey sites available which helps to easily create surveys. I'd prefer them rather than Google docs. Using wordpress plugin is also good idea. Showing care is damn important and best way for mouth to mouth makreting. Thanks for cool tips.
Twitter: mariagudelis
says:
Thanks Joel! Yes – I’ve used survey monkey and own Instant form pro…but love Google for easy collaboration with partners virtually to share the results!
Hi Maria,
Really nice video Maria, easy to follow, and looks easy to use. Thanks for sharing this tool
Johan
Well – there you go again! Just delivering another great idea that we can use immediately!
Here is my attempt:
http://www.metaltigermarketing.com.au
What do you think Maestro?
Twitter: mariagudelis
says:
Hey there – well anyone calling me “Maestro” deserves a FREE CONSULT!! LOL
Here’s my quick looksie at your site and video and advice:
1. For SEO purposes – check your “permalink” structure (you find that under ‘Settings’ in your wordpress editor) and set it for “Custom” with the permalink structure:
Why – because right now your current post – the url for it is: http://metaltigermarketing.com.au/2010/07/hello-world/ – so it is by date, and by your old title
2. Your categories can be keyword optimized – e.g. ‘name of local city’ real estate so that shows up in your urls
3. Video comments:
Love the concept – BRAVO for getting a video done my friend!
What I’d consider for your next video:
(and ps – I know it depends on time you have to invest in this and marketing budget)
‘shoestring bootstrap’m up budget’:
1. Put in more NLP or embedded commands in the video – Call Paul Now to Get your dream home ….etc. with perhaps more benefits of living in the area…
2. Put more ‘benefits’ of living in the area- using more ‘imagination’ to invoke the “theater of your mind” so the real estate prospect really can imagine what it is like to live there – “Imagine sharing a beautiful picnic in the lush green backyard whilst the warm gentle winds caress your skin and you realize…you and your family deserve this!” (now I don’t the typical target market for this home – is it a family? – just match the scene to the target market’s dream
3. Is there any potential deal on the home or some sort of time / deadline you can put in the video to enhance a real estate home buyer to call?
**** now for your video marketing services call to action at the end
LOVE the embedded opt in / lead generation form there!!!
1. The headline “For a Unique video to display your business” – is mediocre – try putting a ‘benefit’ into the headline
2. Put in an “embedded” command into the end so the prospect knows what to do.
The example ending of the video could be like this:
Who else wants to get more buyers to call on your property listing like bees are attracted to honey? A custom online video can get your phone ringing now – fill out the form below to see if you qualify for our custom VIP Video club
Hope that helps! Cheers, Maria Gudelis
Twitter: midasmarketingservices
says:
Hi Maria,
Now that's what I call a "real gem" of a P R masterstroke. It's very clear that you've taken the time to thoroughly look over http://www.metaltigermarketing.com.au/ to be able to offer such a in-depth "free" critique service.
Kudos to you Maria. You deserve all the success that comes your way and more for being the expert who cares about honest delivery.
You're a marketing genius!
Alan
Local Internet Marketing Specialist
Hi Maria,
Great video! I used to use Google Documents and have gotten away from it for the past year or so. I'm starting again today
Cheryl
It should be interactive, we're using computers after all and it was always meant to be that way. To be able to interact with one another in one vast community anywhere in the world. TV is so one way, so old school. Thanks for this info! =D
All this time I have been using Google Docs, yet never knew about this – thank you.
Is there a way to put this into an email, using Gmail. Instead of sending just a link that goes to the survey form, could the entire form be embedded into an email sent using Gmail.
Again – I love your videos. Maria Mekus
Twitter: mariagudelis
says:
HEY MARIA! great name by the way! LOL
Yes – you can embed into an email very easy – you will see that function by
1. get into the doc you created a form / survey with
2. From the menu path click on Form ==> Send Form
3. You will now be able to enter the email userid and put in a subject of the email and check the box that says ‘include form’
4. The really cool thing is the ability to select from your gmail contacts as well!
Cheers, Maria
Thanks Maria for this great tip on using google docs. I never knew you could do surveys with them. That gives me some ideas.
Many thanks
Tony
Twitter: mariagudelis
says:
You Bet Tony! cheers, M
Hey Maria,
I just love opening your emails, they're like little presents w/ very valuable gifts inside. Not only do I learn from these little gifts, but they are valuable in the real world as well. If I haven't said "thank you" lately, well…..
Thank you
Twitter: mariagudelis
says:
Thanks Kimberly – a very positive message to me makes my day!! Cheers, M
Maria,
Those are great tips! Survey Monkey is a good tool to use for surveys and polls. Looking forward to more tips and any videos you produce as a follow-up to this tip/post.
Twitter: rcwebmedia
says:
Great video Maria, You are a natural teacher! I will find many uses for this tool and love all the ideas from everyone above… Cheers, Rosemarie
I didn't know we could do this with Google Docs. One less thing to download/install etc.
Easy too to collaborate with a business CLIENT (not just VAs)
Thanks!
Twitter: suziecheel
says:
Thanks Maria,
What a simple way to make a survey. I have a way to use that in setting up a new program i plan to have and will engage people more than just asking a question
At the cutting edge as usual:)
Twitter: getrightmktg
says:
I created a survey right along with you. Couldn't put it off til later. Its for stakeholder prospects with relevant free report I created with case studies and stakeholder buy-in points. Now to publish and market.
Thanks for sharing, Maria
Maria,
Thank you for the mind expansion again. I did not realize how easy this process would be. Another dose of, the more I learn, the more I realize I have a lot to learn.
BTW, the beach is sunny in the Islands. Come on down!
aloha,
Steven
Twitter: mariagudelis
says:
Oh Steven – continually teasing me about the Islands….are you also seeing whales there now too or is that seasonal? Cheers Maria
The whales visit from October to April, but the dolphins, turtles and smaller swimmers are here year round.
Thank you again Maria for all that you do>
Twitter: bostonappraiser
says:
Maria,
Thanks for the great tip, I can use this to generate feedback after I have completed a job.
Bill
Twitter: mariagudelis
says:
Hey Bill that is a great idea!! to use for feedback!
Twitter: janelmjohnson
says:
Maria,
I can use this functionality with all of the realtors in my office, thanks for the great tip!
Janel
Twitter: mariagudelis
says:
Great Janel to hear!!!
Great tool. Thank you for the info. I'm a bit green to this internet stuff, so would you be so kind as to show me how to invite people to take the survey? Do they click on a link or something? Or do you send it out in an email?
Twitter: mariagudelis
says:
Hey Mike – I’ll make a second video on that – that is a great question!
YOu can do both – you can send to a ‘survey squeeze page’ or include survey in the actual email! cheers, M
Twitter: innerworkscs
says:
Maria,
I always enjoy your posts, thanks for another great one!
Arne
Twitter: mariagudelis
says:
Thanks Arne!
Twitter: innerworkscs
says:
Maria,
I always enjoy your updates, thanks for another great one!
Arne
Twitter: peterdjohnson
says:
I added a Gravatar, thanks for the reminder Maria!
Twitter: mariagudelis
says:
Cool beans Peter – you look SEXY! LOL!
Hi Maria –
Never considered using Google Docs for this. Goodbye Monkey! You left out a step.
6. Offer an incentive for filling it out. Maybe a download that costs you nothing but adds value to them. Another touch point.
David
Twitter: mariagudelis
says:
Thanks David for your response!
Absolutely – my conversions for people filling out the survey goes up over 400% when you give them an incentive/freebie!
Cheers, Maria
Twitter: MCSGMarketing
says:
Thanks for putting this how to video together. Everyone will benefit who uses it!
Take care
Mary
Twitter: mariagudelis
says:
Thanks Mary – and yes – I owe you that phone call don’t I from Friday!!! I ‘blanked’ off on FRiday after 3 pm est and didn’t touch a internet connection til Monday! It was an i-detox!
Twitter: peterdjohnson
says:
Maria,
Great tip! I knew that Google Docs had a lot of functionality I was not using and this is definitely one I will start using today. I can see clients using this to survey their blog readers for topics they want to see more content on. Thanks.
Twitter: mariagudelis
says:
Thanks Peter – how was your trip to the beach last week!!
Twitter: peterdjohnson
says:
Maria,
The beach vaca was too short! Its been 90+ degrees here every day for the past 2 weeks, hated to leave!
Peter
Twitter: mariagudelis
says:
90+ degrees – oh…the breezy beach winds to live for!!
Twitter: mariagudelis
says:
p.s. Peter – you heed to get a ‘gravatar’ associated with the email you use for WP blog comments – that way we get to see your picture!
just go to
http://www.gravatar.com
to get that
and to anyone else with a ‘blank’ avatar – go get one sexy picture up for yourself!!! LOL
Maria, you continue to impress me with your knowledge. You are definitely my favorite Canadian Guru!
Twitter: mariagudelis
says:
Hey John! thanks a bunch for that ‘Canadian Guru’ knighthood!
Maria,
As usual you have delivered some very powerful information to put to use. Personally I had not known of this process with Google Docs. We will be implementing it this week. Keep up the excellent work!
Ken
Twitter: mariagudelis
says:
Thanks Ken! I love the look and feel of your new site
http://www.localvideomarketingsells.com
straight and to the point! look forward to see what type of widgets you are going to have on right hand column – I imagine it’ll be nice type of graphic with a free offer/call to action!
hmmm…you could coin a new term ‘free video profit analysis’ or something!!
Cheers, Maria
Twitter: loracvs
says:
Really good video Maria, easy to follow, easy to use and I really like the fact that it's free. Thanks so much.
Twitter: mariagudelis
says:
Thanks Carol Ann!
Twitter: nicktako
says:
Maria,
Thanks for sharing this tool with us. This will be highly beneficial to everyone and now I look forward to developing my own analysis and reports based on the responses. This could be an additional revenue stream for people's local business clients. Generate the survey, analyze the findings, and compile a report to present to the client. This will blow away most clients as you gather the results.
Thanks again!
Nick
@NickTako
Twitter: mariagudelis
says:
Hey Nick -you are right – and hire someone over at fiverr.com or tenbux.com to convert the data into super special sweetilicous graphics that knocks the socks off of your clients! (how’s that for non-corporate speak eh?)
Maria,
Thanks for sharing another cool resource
James…
Twitter: mariagudelis
says:
Your welcome James – thanks for commenting on my blog!
Wow! That is soooo simple to use, Maria! You built the survey, posted it, tested it and shared it in under 12 minutes.
The power of using surveys is really great. I can see where surveys could be a regularly scheduled task to be performed for consulting clients, to help 'stay tuned in' to the clients' customers wants and needs. That's just one example of how surveys could be used…. I'm sure I could think of more.
Thanks for letting us know about this tool! =o)
Twitter: mariagudelis
says:
YOu bet Suzette – I’m a psychic – I”m seeing you creating a survey of ALL the vineyards in B.C. , compiling the survey into a ‘Vineyard Whitepaper’ and using that as your leading ‘hook’ , informative valuable report to your clients in the wine industry niche you have!
LOL
Hey Maria!
Thanks for laying this out for us. I had heard quite a bit of praise for Google Docs, but hadn't really explored the features of it yet. I didn't even know you could do surveys with it.
And the timing was perfect, since I have a new client questionnaire I was intending to email in a Word doc, but was concerned about version compatibility issues.
Now I'll just use G-Docs and everyone's life will be easier.
Good stuff!
Twitter: mariagudelis
says:
Hey Russ – How the heck are you? Great to see you have an immediate use for it!!! Cheers, M
Dear Maria,
Thanks for creating this video and sharing!
Great stuff, as always.
Thanks,
Christopher
Twitter: mariagudelis
says:
Psst…leave a comment below and YOU just might WIN a MYSTERY PRIZE!!