What a Scary Thought!

Your company’s website URL was misspelled in an e-blast sent to current and prospective clients.

Your print advertisement missed the mark and confused your target audience.

Your products brochure doesn’t include photos of your new product line.

Your whitepaper report doesn’t link to the correct URL to download the report.

These nightmare scenarios show you a glimpse into what can happen when you skimp on marketing talent. Before you opt for the inexperienced “cheaper option,” consider the impression you’re leaving on your current and prospective customers. You might just end up scaring them off for good!

In honor of Halloween, CMA wanted to share with you the worst marketing blunders of all time. 

What marketing nightmare is keeping you up at night? Use the comment box to let us know. Fret not! CMA specializes in marketing—let us lighten your load by handling your next brochure, e-blast or advertisement.Give us a call today at (609) 297-2235.

2011 ASTRA Awards Launched!

CMA firmly believes in the benefits of participating in industry associations, having maintained our involvement in regional events and volunteering our time in leadership roles for over 20 years. This year, CMA is playing a major role in the New Jersey Communications, Advertising, and Marketing Association (NJ CAMA)’s Annual ASTRA Awards program. Each year, the ASTRAs honor New Jersey's top marketing, advertising and PR professionals who give their best every day to meet and transcend strategic and creative challenges. The CMA design studio lent its time and talent to create the awards Call for Entries (see cover above). CMA’s Director of Marketing Services, Erin Higgins, is also serving as co-chair of the event, leading the planning committee in selecting a theme, venue and other important details.

If you’re interested in participating, you can view the entry form here. Entries are due by Fri., March 21, 2011. Good luck to all entrants!

Six Marketing Don’ts for 2011

Make it your New Year’s resolution to follow this simple list of marketing don’ts for 2011.

Don’t make the same mistakes you made last year. You’ve spent the time reviewing last year’s marketing plan (link to last post). Make sure you apply the lessons learned to next year’s strategy.

Don’t just tweak last year’s plan. Changing the dates to 2011 isn’t enough. The market has changed. Your potential clients might have changed. Taking a fresh approach and building on last year’s success is the key to continued growth in the New Year.

Don’t plan in a vacuum. Spend time talking with current clients and even prospective clients. Find out what their 2011 plans are so you can better communicate how your company can meet their needs.

Don’t get caught with a website that screams 1995. Just having an “online presence” is no longer good enough. Your company’s website is a reflection of your overall company image. A modern, up-to-date website lets your customers know your company is moving forward and growing.

Don’t forget to get social. With the three social media leaders, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn, continuing to grow and more niche industry sites establishing themselves, chances are your target market is active online. Now is the time to learn how to use these tools to establish a two-way conversation with your prospects.

Don’t send mixed messages. Is your website copy and direct mail messages in sync? Has your newsletter gone and developed its own brand identity? Chances are overtime your branding has gotten off course as marketing was treated as a project, not a long term strategy. Get everything back in line and moving in the right direction.

What are your marketing do’s for 2011?

Jeffrey Barnhart
President and CEO
jbarnhart@cmasolutions.com