Bullhead City Area Marketing Blog

This blog closed...

2009-08-11T23:22:00.000-07:00

Go to my website at www.nikkireagan.com for my blog and information about marketing and advertising on a budget!

Social Media Newspaper Article

2009-06-09T09:21:00.001-07:00

This is an article that appeared in today's Mohave Daily News. Dan Callahan interviewed Evan Fuchs from Bullhead Laughlin Realty and myself regarding Social Media Networking and Online Marketing.

Hitting ‘send' for fun, profit
Tuesday, June 9, 2009 12:02 AM CDT

Local businesses take advantage of social networking on Web

By DANIEL CALLAHAN/The Daily News

BULLHEAD CITY - Ten years ago, if a company wanted to get more exposure, it would print flyers, make some phone calls and maybe even have a sign spinner on the sidewalk.

Today, the nature of marketing has changed. What once was a tangible medium now is an Internet-based model that relies on the use of social media. The utilization of Web-based social networking sites such as Twitter, MySpace and Facebook has opened doors between businesses and clients, allowing for a greater flow of information.

For local business people like Evan Fuchs and Nikki Reagan, business means communication and transactions in real time, online.

The spread of information, says Evan Fuchs of Bullhead/Laughlin Realty, in an integral part of the real estate business. With national reports daily about the dire state of the mortgage scene and rising foreclosures, Fuchs found himself in a different position.

“There's so much bad information out there,” mainly because, he said, real estate markets differ quite a bit regionally. National averages are not always indicative of the reality in specific locations. “Locally, our market is very different.”

Fuchs says Bullhead City is on the rebound, with the numbers indicating a possible balancing of supply and demand for homes in the city. And he decided to do something about it.

“I kind of look at it as my job to get what I know out there without spin,” said Fuchs. “Sometimes it's better, sometimes it's worse but it's the truth and I think that's what people want to see.

“I've got a little bit of techie going through me,” he said, noting that his fascination with technology helps him more easily spread information via the Internet.

First came the Web site. Then the blog. Then the podcast.

“Social media opens a lot of doors,” said Fuchs.

From its inception 10 years ago, Bullhead/Laughlin Realty's Web site has seen considerable monthly traffic and brings in “a ton” of business. “I've definitely found business through my blog,” he said.

Through the development and integration of the regional multiple listing service (MLS) - a database of home listings in the area - Fuchs met fellow Tri-state Realtor Todd Tarson of Kingman. After a few months of comparing notes via their individual blogs, Fuchs and Tarson realized the next step was podcasting.

“We talk about real estate and we do market updates, that sort of thing, but we also just kind of chat,” said Fuchs, of their now weekly Internet broadcast. “It's real casual.”

The co-hosts of Mohave Real Talk connect via Skype, an online phone system, record the show and post it for free download on the Web site.

Fuchs says he favors Social media because it simply gives his audience what they're looking for without pressure or hassles, which helps build trust.

“Our thing really - and this is what the Web site, podcast, blogging are all about - is to be a source of information for people,” he said. “I don't like things getting crammed down my throat, so I try not to cram things down people's throats. ... We just put information out there and just hope that people find it useful.”

Maybe technology isn't for everyone at first, but “everybody loves it because they're hearing about it; but a lot of people don't know where to get started.”

That's why Fuchs has started offering what he likes to call Tech Tuesdays, where people interested in learning more about online tools can learn how to market themselves and their businesses.

Real estate agents aren't the only ones who have found a place in the Internet marketing scene.

Local graphic designer and marketing professional Nikki Reagan is well-versed in the world of social media. She has written two books on the subject, along with assisting several local businesses in their efforts to develop a competitive Web presence.

A seasoned Web site designer, Reagan spent a considerable amount of time on the Internet and discovered businesses putting themselves out there in new ways.

“I started doing real estate marketing,” said Reagan, “and I started watching certain Realtors ... using MySpace and marketing themselves.” As someone whose business is online marketing, Reagan saw it was a chance to expand.

“I have a habit of taking on too much,” said Reagan, but when the opportunity presented itself, she began to integrate social media with the Web work she already was doing. She used new tools such as Twitter, a Web site where subscribers can post short messages in a blog-type format. The local businesses she was working with wanted a way to quickly and easily update their Web sites.

“As business owners, they don't have a lot of time ... so they're not going to play with it a whole lot,” she said. It was natural to embed Twitter feeds on Web sites so the businesses could easily upload coupons and keep customers abreast of recent news.

“I've kind of gone on a Twitter campaign,” said Reagan. “With Web sites like Twitter, you have up-to-the-minute, up-to-the-second information and an immediate response time.”

Reagan runs Web sites for multiple local businesses - from Dominos Pizza to Cork 'N' Beans Coffee and Wine Bistro - and maintains screen names, or handles, for additional businesses and causes. Reagan has written two e-books, books that appear only online, on marketing real estate and computer businesses via the Web.

Reagan also runs OurLocalScene.com, which has been dedicated to the local music scene since 2001.

Originally, Reagan and a friend planned to put together a print publication about local music. Printing costs were prohibitive, so Reagan thought the Internet would be a better idea.

Eight years later, there are pages on the site for local bands to post bios, upcoming gigs and other information.

Reagan has seen some opposition to the online marketplace, and not all the local businesses she works with have wanted to take on things such as Twitter.

“People are afraid of new things, especially if they've never heard of it before,” she said, noting that many people become interested initially but eventually fail to update their information, which slows traffic to their Web sites.

Still, she thinks online marketing is where businesses are going to have to go to stay competitive.

“You have people who, when they need a phone number, they look online for it,” said Reagan. The Internet has, in her words, “become a way of life.”

New E-Book for local real estate agents...

2009-05-04T03:23:00.000-07:00

I finally finished the E-Book that I've been working on. I had to cut myself off otherwise it would have been 200 pages. Not quite ready for that.

What it is: A quick guide to websites for agents to post listings or links, create profiles, etc. I also discuss email marketing, blogging and how to drive traffic AWAY from your website (you don't want to do that).

The E-Book is still a work in progress, but I think it's a good start.

Want a copy? Email me at nikkireagan@gmail.com

Just put in a new order for business cards...

2009-05-03T15:21:00.000-07:00

Just placed orders for business cards for two local real estate agents, a local automotive repair shop and an online magazine. If you need your business cards redesigned and printed, give me a call at 928-444-6234.

Cards run $75 for 1000 high quality, 2 sided, full color cards on thick, glossy stock. Run your card in our upcoming Business Card Directory and save $20!

81 One Line Marketing Ideas

2009-04-27T23:31:00.000-07:00

Networking with Airplane stranger
Postcard mailing
Sale or name that leveraged popular theme
Creative business card
Bundling, packaging, cluster marketing
Classified Ads
Speeches, Training, Education
Market to employers, through employers, employee newsletter
Networking, socializing
Sell spin-off products
Bartering*
Publish a fact-filled booklet
Target start-ups
Affinity marketing through clubs, associations, organizations
Events, contests, sweepstakes
Motivating Sales Reps through personal contact
Send two copies of flyer/business card
Promotional partner
Raise prices and reposition product
Remind existing clients of all your capabilities
Hand address envelope
Welcome kit to new clients
Create an advisory board
Install a toll-free number
Put advertising on your car (banner, magnet sign, vanity plate)
Swap mailing lists, do co-op and joint mailings with non-competitors
Ask for referrals
Give extra brochures to clients
Exchange referrals with colleagues
Create a tag line that describes where you are
Include your business card when paying bills
Offer free samples
Donate your product to auction, raffles, etc.
Create your own awards
Celebrate your businesses birthday
Host a special occasion for best customers, influencers
Give free samples to influencers
Give customers an incentive to refer business to you
Send a newsletter to customers
Create a 30- to 60-second explanation of your business
Mail an article of interest to a customer
Send a coupon to a client on his/her birthday
Get written testimonials from satisfied customers
Be included in your community's Welcome Wagon kit
Add personal notes or post-its to letters and brochures
Consider using "teaser copy" on the front of the envelope
Include a P.S. at the end of your letter
Exchange services for advertising
Insert promotional pieces in others' mailings
Promote on restaurant placemats, grocery/ATM receipts
Advertise in Entertainment books (free)
Pre-invite prospects to your booth for something special
Share your business with strategic co-exhibitors at a trade show
Share booth space with a non-competitor
Include premiums or coupons in trade show registration packets
Wear company logo apparel or button
Advertise in the church bulletin
Sell at flea markets and local mini-fairs
Advertise on movie theater screens
Picket your own business with positive signage
Become premium for other businesses--a coupon for their disgruntled customers
Reward employees for prospecting
Advertise in defunct competitor's empty store window
Start a frequent buyer program
Accept competitors' coupons
Join a networking group, chamber of commerce, local organization
Sponsor local teams
Start an e-mail broadcast list or newsletter
Tap colleges for free marketing help
Take advantage of free sales aids through suppliers
Advertise on your voice mail
Put a daily sign up of specials for when you're open and closed
Send direct mail using real stamps
Send thank you notes and up-sell or cross sell existing customers
Create audio cassette, video or CD "brochures"
Post flyers to local bulletin boards
Put coupons in car windshields and door hangers
Ask magazines and newspapers for remnant space
Ask "How did you hear about us?" from every customer
Use fax-broadcasting to send new product or sale announcements
Answer questions on newsgroups and e-mail discussion lists mentioning your business

List from Ideas4Rent Marketing.

Business Card Directory

2009-04-19T03:12:00.000-07:00

We are currently working at launching a new product into the Bullhead City market to help local businesses advertise and market their businesses without having to spend a small fortune.

The Business Card Directory will feature advertising from local businesses in the Bullhead, Laughlin, Needles areas. Each directory will also be found online allowing local businesses to reach the online marketplace as well.

Ads start at $150 for a business card ad, full color for 6 months. For more information on distribution and pricing, see our site at http://shopbhc.com/business_card_directory.shtml

Mobile SMS Business Cards

2009-03-15T22:00:00.000-07:00

If you know me, you know that since finding Twitter, I've become a Twitter fanatic. And through one of my contacts on Twitter (@mashable), I was referred to a site devoted to SMS business cards.

An SMS Business Card is a text message containing contact information for you or your company. I just tried it out, and it's fantastic! Let's just assume you're out and about without business cards (gasp!), and you run into someone who could use your service. Take out your cell phone, type in "Send" and their phone number to 50500 and it automatically shoots your contact information to your potential customer in a text message!

They can even request your information by sending your username to 50500. You'll get a request to ok the text, and after you say yes (you can turn that feature off), your contact gets your information!

Wanna try it out? In a text, send "Nikki", without the quotes to 50500. You'll get a text message in about 5 minutes containing my contact info!

Sign up for this service at www.Contxts.com

Marketing Tip: Capitalization

2009-03-11T11:08:00.001-07:00

The most important feature of any ad, website, business card, etc is the typeface and style of the lettering. I'm not saying you have to have a specific font, just that it should be readable. Of course you know that!

But what you might not know, is that while yes, capitalizing every letter of your headline makes it stand out a little, it also makes it hard to read. If a prospect can't read what you're selling, he's not going to be buying. It is better to get a bold faced, thick typeface, and capitalize the first letter of each word of a title, or just the first word if your headline is a full sentence.

The rule goes for having all lower case letters as well, especially in your website address. If you print your website address (www.yourname.com), your prospect's brain doesn't immediately see that as 2 words, but if you write it as www.YourName.com, your web address is easier to read and easier to remember!

Check back for more marketing and advertising tips to grow your business without spending a fortune!

~Nikki Reagan (928) 444-6234

Cork and Beans Signage is Up

2009-02-06T18:45:00.000-08:00

Cork and Beans signage is up. The Weekly Bulletin designed both the logo on the tan building and advertising mark found on the orange building. The coffee and wine bistro should be opening sometime this month. You can see the website at www.CorkNBeans.biz

OneDollarDub.com

2009-01-14T23:45:00.000-08:00

We just completed the website for OneDollarDub.com, a division of Sparefoot Productions in Fort Mohave, AZ. The company offers CD/DVD replication for a dollar each with a catalog of add-ons to customize your order. Check it out at www.OneDollarDub.com

Cork and Beans Website

2009-01-02T12:17:00.001-08:00

New website up for Cork and Beans, a new Coffee and Wine Bistro slated to open in Bullhead City, AZ late this month. Check it out! www.CorknBeans.biz

Be sure to check out the photo gallery to watch their progress as they build their restaurant, bar and wine shoppe!

FREE Marketing Idea: Using Bulletin Boards

2008-11-25T21:08:00.000-08:00

I've always had a passion for advertising and marketing and being a small business owner myself, I am more than aware of the cost of doing business - particularly marketing a business. I am not however a believer that you have to break the bank in order to market your business effectively, which of course is what spurred me to begin my company in the first place.

There are many ways to market a business using low cost, possibly free, methods which I will be discussing in the coming blogs. This particular blog will deal with marketing your business using Bulletin Boards.

I'm going to break this subject into two parts. Part one will discuss marketing your business using the cork type bulletin boards found in many local businesses. Part two will discuss marketing your business online using message boards and other types of online bulletin boards.

My husband runs a local mobile computer shop in the Bullhead/Ft. Mohave area and he recently had a phone call from a woman who had picked up his business card inside of the laundromat near the Bullhead City Safeway. They have a large corkboard that is usually covered with flyers and note cards selling cars, giving away pets and advertising garage sales. Why not include your flyer as well?

What kind of marketing materials can you leave on a corkboard?

Almost anything made out of paper can be tacked to a bulletin board. Flyers, brochures, business cards, etc.

If you are going to use a flyer, I would recommend creating a flyer for the sole purpose of bulletin board marketing. Use a flyer with tear off tabs to get more mileage out of it. Multiple people can take a piece of the flyer with your contact information, leaving it available for more people to see instead of just one person removing the flyer. Until you replace it, nobody else will see it.

If you're going to leave brochures, I would tack multiple brochures to the board. Same with business cards, although I found a nifty little product called Card Cues that hold multiple cards and can be tacked to a bulletin board without taking alot of space or effort.

Where can I find local Bullhead City area Bulletin Boards?

Landromats
Best Buy Market in Mohave Valley
Dockside Market in Bullhead City
Firehouse Coffee
Libraries
Hastings Books and Music
Quick Lube on Miracle Mile

If you know of other places, let me know and I'll include them in this list - or - if you are a business who would like to host a bulletin board, please let me know. I have several extra boards that I would be happy to share.

Don't forget to carry extra flyers, business cards, etc in the event you find a bulletin board you weren't expecting and be sure to bring extra push pins!

Be sure to check back soon for Part 2 of this blog series about Bulletin Board marketing. Part 2 will focus on internet related Bulletin Boards and information you should include in your posts to get the most attention for your marketing message.

Blatent Self Promotion

If your business is interested in marketing materials to post on bulletin boards, my company specializes in low cost printing and design including flyers, brochures, business cards, etc. Give me a call at 928-763-4888 or email me at nikkireagan@gmail.com. We also have a distribution route every Thursday and would be happy to post your flyers or other materials along our route.

Twittering Over Twitter

2008-11-24T08:30:00.000-08:00

Ok, I must admit it. I'm completely hooked on Twitter. I just wish there were more local business people using it. It's absolutely fabulous. You type in a quick 140 character message, and it shoots to everyone on your list. Some of the people on your list may even be getting their twitter updates right on their phone!

I know my twitter updates go to my phone and feed to both of my MySpace accounts as well as our company website. I can update Twitter from the internet at whatever computer I happen to be sitting at, or if I'm near a computer I can send an update straight from my phone.

You can send out updates on sales information, property listings, product info, events, open houses - pretty much anything. Special twitter only coupons.. it could get crazy! Of course, you could also update people on personal stuff too, but what's the fun in that?!

So, check it out! Go to www.Twitter.com - it's free and easy to setup and use. And don't forget to follow me at www.twitter.com/NikkiReagan

$5 Pancake Breakfast to benefit Coats for Kids

2008-11-20T13:56:00.000-08:00

On Saturday, December 6, Keller Williams Realty and the Bullhead City Morning Kiwanis Club will host a $5 Pancake Breakfast to raise funds for the Coats for Kids Foundation. The breakfast will be held at the Keller Williams office at 2440 Adobe Road, Suite 106, Bullhead City, AZ.

Keller Williams Realty has partnered with the Coats for Kids Foundation to provide new coats for 200 kids in the Bullhead City community. If you cannot make the Pancake Breakfast and would still like to help, you can drop off a new coat for a child through December 6th at Keller Williams Realty, Home Depot or Mad Dog Fitness. Monetary donations are also accepted. The cost of a new coat through the Coats for Kids Foundation is $15 each. All net proceeds go towards the purchase of the jackets.

The Coats for Kids Foundation was established in January 2004 as a public, charitable foundation by Paul and Cheryl Darby of Alexandria, VA. It received IRS recognition as a 501(c)(3) in March 2004. The Coats for Kids Foundation mission is “to ensure that every child who needs a winter coat receives a new one.” Giving a child a new coat positively impacts that child’s self-esteem and self-worth. Coats For Kids believes, and school principals, nurses, and social workers agree, that the impact on kids that receive coats from Coats For Kids is dramatic, as evidenced by heads held high, smiles, and fewer missed days of school because of illness. Most kids that receive a coat from Coats For Kids either have never had a winter coat or, at best, have had a hand-me-down from a parent, sibling, or clothing box.

For more information about Keller Williams and how they are helping the community, visit them online at www.RiverCitiesCares.com or for more information about Coats for Kids, please see their website at http://www.coats-for-kids.org