Engage Customers in Conversation With Social Media

Some may call it a fad, others may call it a trend, but social media sites are the current buzz in the business world, and will gain popularity in 2011. Just as fads come and go, the way people do business has changed from traditional business practices to the use of the Internet to sell and engage customers. Instead of the customer relying on businesses to provide them with information about products, with the help of social media sites, and the Internet, they are now able to (a) research products, (b) make a decision on what they are going to buy, and (c) know the price they are willing to pay for the product before even talking to anyone. This is why it is important for businesses to get a presence on social media sites and position themselves as experts in their industry. Social media sites offer businesses endless tools to complement their selling efforts and engage their customers. Social media sites are the new way of doing business, those that do not jump on the bandwagon now will spend lots of time catching up to those that beat them there.

Best selling author Bob Burg once said, “The successful networkers I know, the ones receiving tons of referrals and feeling truly happy about themselves, continually put the other person's needs ahead of their own.” Social networking is one of the keys to a business’s future success. Those who chose not to engage in social networking will find themselves losing customers as well as credibility to their competitors. Businesses must use social networking sites as a way to (a) build trust and credibility, (b) profile customers, (c) generate leads, and (d) make connections.  According to market research firm IDC, “more than half of U.S. consumers with Internet access use social networking services.” It is apparent that in the future, almost everyone who is online will be using social networking sites. If businesses give social networking sites a chance, they will see a significant return on investment. 

Source: “How to turn,” 2009

Item of the Week

Business Cards = Making a Professional Impression

With all of the technological advances in recent years, you may
be asking yourself if you still need to have business cards. The
answer is YES!

Why? The top three most important reasons that you need
business cards are as follows:

   1 - You have something tangible to give a person during your
   first meeting.

   2 - If you are at a conference or a meeting with hundreds of
   people, your business card will help others remember your
   name. In addition, they also have instant access to all of
   your contact information.

         a - A trick that I use, is to take notes on the back of a
         persons business card, about things you discussed with
         them. This will help trigger your memory when you are
         looking through the stack of business cards you have
         collected during a show.

   3 - Having a well-designed and professional looking business
    card will help you give off a professional impression.

Business cards are available in a variety of styles, stocks, colors,
and finishes, combined in a way that will best promote your
business!

What to Cook, Bake, or in General to Make Wednesdays

We thought it would be fun to post some of our favorite recipes once a week, this post happens to fall on Wednesdays.  For our first recipe post, Joanna was asked to give up her "Creamy White Chili" recipe, which she got out of the "Nebraska Kitchens Cookbook, Vol. 2".  This is a tried and true recipe, as she tried it out on us at our Christmas party and we truly loved it!

Creamy White Chili

• 1Tbsp Vegetable oil

• 1 Medium onion, chopped

• 1 15 oz. can Garbanzo beans, drained

• 2 15 oz. cans Great Northern beans, drained

• 1 15 oz. can Lima beans, drained

• 1 15 oz. can Corn

• 1 14 oz. can Chicken broth

• 1lb Grilled or boiled chicken

• 1 4 oz. can Green chilies

• 1 tsp Cumin

• 1 tsp Salt

• 1 tsp Pepper

• 1 1/2 cup Sour cream

• 1 cup Half and half

In a large pan, heat the oil and saute onion.  Add beans, cooked chicken, broth, corn, chilies, salt, pepper and cumin.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes uncovered.  Remove from heat and stir in sour cream and half and half.  Return to heat on low, stirring constantly until reheated.  Serves 10-12.

Got Pictures or Logos to Send?

More often than not, you will want some pictures or your company logo to go onto your stationary, brochure, business card, or anything else you might want printed. If you have your own pictures or your own logo, here are some guidelines as to what is usable:

Photographs/Graphics

• High resolution (300 dpi or higher)
• Not from the Internet.  Most of the images you will find online will be 72 dpi, which is much too small for high-resolution copiers and press equipment, and it will come out blurry.
• .jpg, .tip, .eps, .psd
• If you don't have any photos, print shops have some stock photos on file, or they can purchase stock photos from an outside source.

Tune in next week for the second half of this post which will address logos and emblems!

Welcome to the Big Red Printing Spotlight Blog!

If you are interested in printing, marketing, design and social media ideas, tips and tricks, then the Big Red Printing Spotlight Blog will be a great resource for you! Stay tuned and look for our first blog next week!