by Nicole Ouellette | Jun 22, 2010 | Marketing Monday
The Chinah Dine-ah has an email list of hundreds of people and a Facebook page with thousands of fans, which is not obvious when you look at their site. The reason? They’ve come up with a systematic way of asking people to keep in touch and consistently produce a little piece of Maine people can follow online.
Diners, upon receiving their check, also get a little card to fill out if they want to keep in touch via email. Because it’s easy, many people do.
The owners of the restaurant send out weekly updates not only about their specials but about staff, area events, and other news. They also have a weekly drawing for a gift certificate to the restaurant. And every week, owner Norm includes his ‘column’ called From The Corner Booth.
by Nicole Ouellette | Jun 8, 2010 | Marketing Monday
Every Monday, the Breaking Even blog profiles a person, business, or organization doing cool things online. Have a nomination? Let me know about it!
My friend Paul set up a Facebook page for Finn’s Irish Pub, a restaurant in downtown Ellsworth. Since Paul owns the building (in his working life he is one of a food distributor for independent restaurants), he has a vested interest in making the restaurant work and decided to set up a Facebook page to help promote it.
With over 500 fans, Finn’s regularly updates their page, posts photos of their food, and let’s people know about local events.
What I really liked, however, was an interaction a couple weeks ago centering around the question: Should Finn’s make a separate kids’ menu?
by Nicole Ouellette | Jun 1, 2010 | Marketing Monday
I’ve had a tough sell recently and I thought I’d take it to the Breaking Even Blog readers.
A local small business counselor who sees a lot of people come through his office told me he is skeptical about social media/online marketing working for small businesses in rural Maine.
I highlight examples of businesses doing this well every week with the Marketing Monday feature on this blog. That said, I could use some small businesses, particularly in rural areas, using blogging, email newsletters, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Flickr, Youtube, and other online promotion techniques to communicate with customers and increase sales. Bonus points if the business is in Maine.
Please share your idea(s) below! Thanks for your help and ideas!
by Nicole Ouellette | May 25, 2010 | Marketing Monday
Every Monday, I talk about an individual, group, or business doing something neat marketing online. Have an internet marketing idea you’d like me to write about? Let me know!
You know you haven’t been your usual blogging self when you are only posting twice a week (three times if you include a regular guest post at another blog). I have been busy business-wise (more on that this Thursday) which means that all my creative energy has gone into ideas for other people and at the end of the day, I’m reduced to a heap of Peep-eating, reality show watching woman.
My friend Sarah A., as if my blog idea angel, sent me a great email idea this morning for Marketing Monday.
Matt Holt is “Walking for Art,” through-hiking the Appalachian Trail to raise awareness and funds (through trail sponsorships) for New Sense Studios, an art program for at-risk youth in Raleigh, NC that is completely volunteer-run. The Will Walk for Art website is http://walkingforart.wordpress.com/.
by Nicole Ouellette | May 17, 2010 | Marketing Monday
Every Monday, we check out a cool new marketing technique used by an individual, business, or group. Want to be featured? Contact the BE Blog.
1. Do you have the special shoes with your Nike+ or do you just clip it on?
2. How long have you been using the Nike+? Do you feel this device has improved your workouts?
I got the device as a birthday gift (at my request!) from my husband in March 2008. I started using it the very next day! Before that, I never exercised… let alone RUN! As I went on my runs and saw some progress (faster pace, longer distances but same duration, etc…), it really got me hooked! I can honestly say without a doubt that this tiny device is what got me started as a Runner! I’ve used it fairly consistently ever since, except for breaks I would need to take because of injuries (bleh!!).
Not ONLY did it turn me into a Runner, but I even trained for my very first 1/2 Marathon that first year!! My friends in Quebec convinced me that I should train, even though I’d never run before (except for a 5K race I did like 15 years ago – and even *that* was a very short-lived period of running). I trained and trained, but didn’t end up racing, since I ended up with an injury (not related to running). But I did run my first 10K race in Boston, though!
3. What are your favorite workout songs to get you pumped to keep going?
I’m a Rock chick at heart, so I always go for the Hard Rock and Metal “screaming” songs. LOL!! Nothing whips your butt into shape like some metal rocker yelling in your ear! But I do mix it up a bit. I have a “Cardio Mix” playlist on my iPod, which is what I use to run. It includes Rock, Country, and even some Dance tunes. But still, my all-time favorite song that really gets me going is “Lose Yourself, by Eminem.
4. I see that you share your results on Facebook in addition to on the Nike site. Has this further motivated you? Do you think doing so has motivated others to get running?
Knowing others are “watching” me, so to speak, definitely helps. It doesn’t stop me from slacking off every once in a while, but seeing the comments and “Likes” after a run really make me feel good. It usually sets the tone for the rest of my day 🙂
As for motivating others, I can’t tell you how many times I get asked “So hey, what’s that Nike+ thing I keep seeing on your Wall”? After I tell them all about it, they’re all gung-ho and get one for themselves. I know at least 3 people for sure that bought one because of my direct recommendation!
5. Have you met other people from sharing the results on Nike’s website? (I’m always interested in how interactions in a specific arena like this translate into other interactions, online or in real life).
This, to me, is the best part of the Nike+ system!! It’s allowed me to meet so many folks online who share my passion for running!! A few of them have become Facebook friends too now… and in fact, I’m meeting one of my “Nike+ friends” in person NEXT WEEK for the first time!! I’m headed to Toronto to visit my family, and we’ll be getting together for lunch since she lives there too! We’re both really excited!
by Nicole Ouellette | May 11, 2010 | Marketing Monday
Every Monday, we discuss a cool marketing idea happening online and off. If you have an idea, contact the BE Blog. You’ll get the credit, promise.
Note: The Maine Grind is a client of Breaking Even Communications.
The Maine Grind is a coffee shop in Ellsworth Maine that markets itself as ‘Ellsworth’s living room’. They are in a three story historic building (yes, I include the basement) on Main Street with lots of different kinds of spaces. They host a monthly poetry meeting, dance classes, workshops, craft sales, dances, parties, and all kinds of other events in the community. For the Grind, it can be a challenge to decide which events to publicize and how to publicize them to the right people when they have limited bulletin boards, newspaper space, and radio ad time.