RiverTown Multimedia

May 2013 Marketing Newsletter

RiverTown Multimedia — Tue, 14 May 2013 16:32:59 +0000

In this Issue: - Responsive web design (Hint: We’re re-launching our websites!) - Our audience packs a punch!! - Business profile: Bruce Andrews Seamless Gutters - Continuing Excellence with our Award Winning publications - Upcoming advertising opportunities - Digital Tips and Trends from around the web
		Responding to our audience

Technology has made it increasingly easier for people to access the internet using a number of devices. As a result, we continue to find our online viewership growing across the world wide web. Our local news coverage is viewed every day by people across the globe, whether they are using a desktop computer, laptop, smartphone, or tablet. We wanted to give you the above preview and a sneak peak into our re-design plans for our websites. Our website analytics are showing us that between 15-20% of our monthly audience is coming to our website on a wide array of mobile devices. Our job is to ensure that our readers are able to view our website in a consistent format that is optimized for their particular device and that our advertisers messages effectively reach them. So we’re re-designing our website with what is now called “responsive Web Design”. The code of our website will adapt and respond to any device that our website visitors come to our sites on. With our mobile traffic projected to grow to 40-50% of our audience by next year, we are well positioned to ensure our readers are satisfied and our advertisers messages are effective on all platforms.

Our Audience Packs a Punch!!

Did you know?:

Our audience will spend over $153 million at Home & Garden stores in the next 12 months
Our audience will spend over $105 million on Eyewear and Opticians in the next 12 months
Our audience will spend over $461 million going out to eat in the next 12 months.
Our audience will spend over $100 million on their pets in the next 12 months.
Our audience will spend over $313 million on Vacations in the next 12 months.
Our audience will spend over $235 million on College in the next 12 months.
Our audience will spend over $818 million on New and Used Vehicles in the next 12 months.

*Q2 2013 Pulse of America Readership Survey

Business Profile: Bruce Andrews Seamless Gutters

Bruce Andrews Seamless Gutters has partnered with RiverTown Multimedia for over 12 years. Over the years we have brought him and his company many advertising opportunities that have helped him grow his business almost every year. Bruce feels very strongly about the success he has had in his business and attributes a great of his success to the successful marketing efforts he has put into place.

Through Print, Online, and Video advertising Bruce has found a powerful and unique audience that has helped him gain and attract new local customers.We appreciate the partnership Bruce has developed with us over the years and will continue to serve him and all of our customers with the best local advertising solutions in the communities we serve.

Click Here to watch a 2 minute video of Bruce talking about how his business has grown.

Award Winning Publications

Every year our publications enter and win awards from the Minnesota and Wisconsin Newspaper Associations. We are proud of our journalists and the extraordinary work they do as they serve the information needs of our communities. Below are a list of our publications and the awards we received for 2012.

Rosemount (Minn.) Town Pages:- Typography & Design; weeklies 1,501-2,500 circulation; second place.- Editorial Page as a Whole; weeklies 1,501-2,500 circulation; third place.

- General Reporting; weeklies 1,501-2,500 circulation; second place.

- Social Issues Story; weeklies 1,501-2,500 circulation; Emily Zimmer; first place.

Farmington (Minn.) Independent:

- Editorial Page as a Whole; weeklies 1,501-2,500 circulation; first place.

- General Reporting; weeklies 1,501-2,500 circulation; third place.

- Sports Reporting; weeklies 1,501-2,500 circulation; third place.

- Use of Photography as a Whole; weeklies 1,501-2,500 circulation; first place.

- Headline Writing; weeklies 1,501-2,500 circulation; first place.

- General Excellence; weeklies 1,501-2,500 circulation; second place.

Red Wing (Minn.) Republican Eagle:

- Typography & Design; weeklies over 5,000 circulation; second place.

- Sports Reporting; weeklies over 5,000; third place.

- Sports Story; weeklies over 5,000 circulation; Chris Harrell; first place.

- Local Breaking News Coverage; weeklies over 5,000 circulation; Sarah Gorvin, Anne Jacobson, Danielle Nordine, Don Davis, Regan Carstensen; first place.

- Best Use of Video; all weeklies; second place.

Hastings (Minn.) Star Gazette:

- General Reporting; weeklies 2,501-5,000 circulation; second place.

- Use of Photography as a Whole; weeklies 2,501-5,000 circulation; third place.

- Sports Story; weeklies 2,501-5,000 circulation; Chad Richardson; second place.

- News Photo; weeklies 2,501-5,000 circulation; Chad Richardson; second place.

- Photo Story; weeklies 2,501-5,000 circulation; Chad Richardson; second place.

South Washington County Bulletin (Cottage Grove, Minn.):

- Sports Reporting; weeklies 2,501-5,000 circulation; first place.

- Category X (excellence in utilizing public records); all weeklies; first place.

Woodbury (Minn.) Bulletin:

- News Photo; weeklies 2,501-5,000 circulation; Riham Feshir; third place.

Hudson Star Observer

- Best Niche Publication in-paper; weeklies over 3500 circulation; First place

- Best Use of Local Photography; weeklies over 3500 circulation; Second place

- Best Niche Publication out-of-paper; weeklies over 3500 circulation; Second place

- Entertainment Pages; weeklies over 3500 circulation; Second Place

- Best feature photo; weeklies over 3500 circulation; Third place

- Best Advertisement; weeklies over 3500 circulation; Third Place

River Falls Journal

- General Excellence; weeklies over 3500 circulation;Second place

- Best feature story; weeklies over 3500 circulation;Second Place

- Best news coverage; weeklies over 3500 circulation;Second place

New Richmond News

- General Web Excellence; weeklies over 3500 circulation;Second place

- Best Advertising Special Section; weeklies over 3500 circulation;First Place

- Best Special Section; weeklies over 3500 circulation;Second place

- Open Records & Freedom of Information issues; weeklies over 3500 circulation; Second Place

- Special Projects; weeklies over 3500 circulation;Second Place

- Best editorial Page; weeklies over 3500 circulation;Third place

- Best environmental Reporting; weeklies over 3500 circulation;Third place

Pierce County Herald

- Advertisement – Best use of color; weeklies over 3500 circulation;First Place

- Best Advertising Section; weeklies over 3500 circulation;Second place

- Best sports writing and photography; weeklies over 3500 circulation;Third place

- Best page Design; weeklies over 3500 circulation;Third place


		Upcoming Opportunities
Don’t Miss These Upcoming Opportunities to reach our Audience A quick look at upcoming opportunities to reach all or portions of our audience with a targeted local publication (dates subject to change. Contact your Account Executive for more information): Healthy Lifestyle Magazine: Publishes: Week of July 17 Space Reservation Deadline: June 19 Official St. Croix County Fair Section: Publishes: Week of July 7 Space Reservation Deadline: June 20 Official Pierce County Fair Section: Publishes: Week of July 31 Space Reservation Deadline: July 12 Official Dakota County Fair Section: Publishes: Week of August 1 Space Reservation Deadline: July 17 Autumn Home & Garden tabloid: Publishes: Week of September 12 Space Reservation Deadline: August 23 Senior Lifestyle Magazine: Publishes: Week of September 18 Space Reservation Deadline: August 20


		Digital Tips and Trends
What Is a Good Click-Through Rate for PPC?: A commonly asked question in pay-per-click (PPC) advertising is “what is a good click-through rate (CTR)?” There is no easy answer and it can vary greatly depending on channel, targeting, keywords, and more. >>> Read more 50 resources for getting the most out of Google Analytics The resources below will help anyone, from the beginner to those who have been using Google Analytics for some time, learn how to get the most out of this great tool. >>> Read more Your Website and the Importance of a Value Proposition: A website tells a lot about a business. It shows how much thought the business puts into its brand and whether it values having a website. >>> Read more Online Content Discovery Heightens Traditional Shopping: Online marketers may joke that Best Buy and other big-box retailers have become the local showroom for Amazon, Zappos and other online-only etailers, but studies released Thursday suggest that online and offline content could have a greater influence to bring consumers into stores. >>> Read more

January 2013 Marketing Newsletter

RiverTown Multimedia — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 21:12:33 +0000

In this Issue: Introducing Family Lifestyle Magazine Exclusive advertising deals for you Infographic: The state of the mobile web Business Newspaper Subscriptions Special (All 10 Newspapers) Upcoming advertising opportunities Ten Elements of a Winning Print Ad!
		Introducing Family Lifestyle Magazine!!

We are very excited to be publishing our first edition of Family Lifestyle magazine in March. Based on reader and advertiser feedback we have created the latest in our series of Lifestyle magazines to add to the already successful Healthy Lifestyle and Senior Lifestyle magazines which were launched in 2012. This full color glossy magazine will be sent to our entire list of subscribers as well as being available at hundreds of locations throughout the region. The publicantion will also be available as a e-Magazine on all RiverTown newspaper websites. The focus of this magazine will be Family. The content will include stories about health issues, entertainment and activity opportunities, upcoming events, and more. Be part of our premier edition of Family Lifestyle. Call your Account Executive today or call me at 651-319-4510 for more information. Phil Frebault Director of Advertising RiverTown Multimedia

Exclusive Advertising Offers

We appreciate your interest in RiverTown Multimedia and to say ‘Thank You’ we offer exclusive opportunities to you just for being one of our newsletter subscribers.

If you would like to sign up for our newsletter, you can either sign up on the form to the right or by clicking this link:

		The State of the Mobile Web

In Google’s May 2012 report titled “Understanding the Mobile Consumer”, the study finds that smartphone penetration in the United States has risen to 44% of the population. The study also notes that 66% access the Internet every day on their smartphone and most never leave home without it. As a business in this fast paced mobile world, savvy business owners need to keep up to date with the trends and make sure they are marketing themselves to this growing audience. We found an infographic that highlights the current state of the mobile web. Click here to see the infographic.

Business Newspaper Subscription Special

Business Newspaper Subscription Specials

Save $30 off the home subscription price.

For a new subscription delivered to your business. With a 3 year subscription

Call 1-800-284-3402 and mention the Business Subscription special to start your subscription today. Unlimited number of subscriptions delivered to business address per offer.

Upcoming Opportunities

Don’t Miss These Upcoming Opportunities to reach our Audience

A quick look at upcoming opportunities to reach all or portions of our audience with a targeted local publication (dates subject to change. Contact your Account Executive or call 651-319-4510 for more information):

River Valley Bridal Guide
Format: Glossy Full Color Magazine
Publishes: February 11
Space Reservation Deadline: January 11

River Valley Bridal Fair
Event: Bridal Trade Show, Fashion Show, and more
When: Sunday, February 17
Booth Reservation Deadline: February 8

Spring Car Care
Format: Full Color Tabloid
Publishes: March 14
Space Reservation Deadline: February 28
Family Lifestyle
Format: Glossy full color magazine
Publishes:   March 27
Space Reservation Deadline:   February 27
Spring Home & Garden
Format: Full Color Tabloid
Publishes: April 24
Space Reservation Deadline: April 5

Ten Elements of a Winning Print Ad!

1. Border.

How do we separate the ad from the surrounding type?—with a border. Borders should complement the look that you are developing with your ad and should never be the most prominent part of your ad. Straightforward and simple is best.

2. Heading.

Ad legend David Ogilvy stated once that “The headline is a key part of the sales message; no matter how well the ad is presented, it can’t succeed if it is not read. If your headline does not include a selling message, you may be wasting 80 percent of your dollars.” Following the headline, you’ll have subheads that either clarify or amplify the thought in the headline. Subheads should be handled in much the same way as headlines, but are visually weighted somewhere between the body copy and the heading.

3. Illustrations.

A highly effective way to draw the reader’s attention to an ad is with the illustration. Studies have shown that an ad with an illustration that takes up 50 percent or more of the ad space increases readership by as much as 37 percent.

4. Price.

Price is an important (and often dominant) element in a layout. Many local advertisers build their ads around the price. You can accent price in several ways: (1) as part of the heading, (2) the core the ad is built around, (3) preceding the copy, and (4) in the text space.

5. White space.

Use as much white space as you can afford to use. It minimizes distraction and draws attention to what matters most.

6. Body copy.

Body copy expands benefits offered in the headline. The power of well written advertising copy is proven by the billions of dollars of sales directly resulted from great newspaper advertising. Benefits should be written as though you were making friendly, personal conversation.

7. Signature.

The signature is often a logotype. Though often used synonymously with logo, signature means the name of the advertiser in any form, and unlike the logo, may change form from one ad to the next. Remember not to let the signature overpower other important aspects.

8. The one second test.

The one second test is a way of determining whether a reader can tell at a glance what the advertiser is selling. You should be able to look at a layout for a second, then close your eyes and recall its sales message. If you didn’t get the message, you need to improve the layout. Another factor that affects eye appeal is concentration, grouping your selling points into display headings and text masses.

9. Color.

Try to achieve contrast in layout by effective use of different size type, bold type and color. If you can, try to fit color into your advertising budget. Introducing color increases impact.

10. Creativity.

Some ads are more visually appealing than others. The difference is in creativity. The best and most creative ads are simple, have one key focal point, and provide a simple easy-to-grasp sequence of information. But if the artistic presentation isn’t appealing to the eye, readers won’t stop to notice.

September 2012 Marketing Newsletter

RiverTown Multimedia — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 14:30:31 +0000

Audience. Reach. Results

In this Issue of our Marketing Newsletter: Be an orange: Standing out from the crowd Exclusive advertising deals just for our newsletter subscribers Business profile: Kelley Gallery Art & Frame ( Video ) History in the making: Moving a bridge in Hastings, MN Our audience = A winning vote for your campaign Upcoming advertising opportunities Digital Tips and Trends from around the web
		Be an Orange – Stand out form the crowd!

*By: Cidnee Stephen* When a prospective buyer is looking at your product or service, he or she is really comparing you to the competition. So the question is, are they comparing an apple to an apple or an apple to an orange? It is vitally important in marketing that you find a way to be THE orange! In other words, what is it about you that makes you completely DIFFERENT from your competitor? If you can’t find a way to be different, you will constantly find yourself being pressured on price, and small businesses can’t survive on constant price cutting. So how do you differentiate? First understand that these are NOT differences Great Service Great Quality for the Price These are expectations for all businesses! Secondly, just because your product or service is unique doesn’t necessarily mean you are automatically an orange. If others can find another product or service out there that can still give them the same end result then you REALLY aren’t that different! Think about these possibilities: Serving a Niche Different Form of Distribution Our Unique Process Special Offer Guarantee Unique Service If you’re not sure what makes you different, ask your top clients, why they chose you and why they keep coming back. They may start with watered down answers like, “you’re great.” Probe a little deeper. Nine times out of ten, what makes us different is the “little things” we do that we didn’t even know mattered!

Exclusive offers for our newsletter subscribers

We appreciate your interest in RiverTown Multimedia and to say ‘Thank You’ we offer exclusive opportunities to you just for being one of our newsletter subscribers.

If you would like to sign up for our newsletter, you can either sign up on the form to the right or by clicking this link: Sign up for our newsletter

		Business Profile: Kelley Gallery Art & Frame

Today, making your company indispensable is a vital key to marketing success. Clients such as Kelley Gallery Art & Frame have succeeded in adding value and enhancing their brand by partnering with RiverTown Multimedia. As the largest local print and online media resource, RiverTown Multimedia has been able to create customized cost-effective marketing campaigns for Kelley Galleries to help them promote upcoming events, extend special offers, and gain new customers beyond the reach of their existing core clientele. Click on this video to view a first-hand account of true partnership marketing with gallery owner Don Kelley. If your business could equally benefit from the engaged audience we provide, we’d love to partner with you.

History in the making

Starting on September 8, the main span for the new Hastings, MN bridge is going to be moved into place. It will be a couple days in regional history that will be remembered for years. This is just Hastings’ third bridge over the Mississippi River, and the moving in of the main span will mark a significant point in the project. So, as you can imagine, we’ve been busy here trying to figure out how we are going to cover this move.

Here is what is planned:

When the main span is moved from Lock and Dam Road onto a pair of barges on or about Sept. 7, we will have live streaming video on our website.- That move out to the water will take about 24 hours. At any point during the day you can log on to our websites (www.hastingsstargazette.com, www.republican-eagle.com, www.swcbulletin.com, and www.woodburybulletin.com) and see how much progress has been made.

As that move is taking place, we will also be taking time-lapse video. We will have a camera set up that will take a half-second worth of video ever minute.- We can then compress 12 hours of work into a six-minute video.- That video will be posted on our website at the end of each day’s work.

We will also have still photos and stories from the move, and those will be posted as we get them.
The live streaming will continue throughout the move.

Our Audience = A winning vote for your campaign

Whether you are working on winning over the voters this election season or working to win over potential new customers, chances are our audience can help you achieve your goals.:

86% of voters who cast ballots in the last local election read a newspaper in print or online in the past week.
57% of voters rate newspapers – more than any other medium – as reliable, accurate and in-depth for local/civic issues.
51% of voters rate newspaper websites – more than any other type of local websites – as reliable, accurate and in-depth about local political/civic issues.
54% of voters rate local TV political ads as annoying, followed closely by those on network TV. Newspaper ads are rated least annoying.
91% of voters who contributed money to a campaign read a newspaper in print or online in the past week.
79% of voters in the 18 to 34-year-old age group read a newspaper in print or online in the last week.
83% of Republican, 81% of Independent, and 84% of Democratic voters read a newspaper in print or online in the last week.
58% of voters who plan to use mobile devices for news about campaigns and elections use newspaper sources for that news.
62% of voters ages 18 to 34 who plan to use mobile devices to check for campaign/election news rely on newspaper sources.

Source: Moore Information 2012

Upcoming Opportunities

Don’t Miss These Upcoming Opportunities to reach our AudienceA quick look at upcoming opportunities to reach all or portions of our audience with a targeted local publication (dates subject to change. Contact your Account Executive for further details):

Fall Car Care Tabloid
Format: Full color tabloid
Publishes: Week of October 24
Space Reservation Deadline: October 10
The Holiday Guide
Format: Glossy full color magazine
Publishes: Wednesday, November 21
Space Reservation Deadline: October 24
Healthy Lifestyle Magazine:
Format: Glossy full color magazine
Publishes: Week of January 23
Space Reservation Deadline: December 21
RiverTowns.net – Trail Camera Photo Contest
Format: Online only directory
Publishes: Monday Oct. 1st
Space Reservation Deadline: Open
HalloweenHQ
Format: Online only directory, all 11 RT sites
Publishes: Monday Oct. 8th
Space Reservation Deadline: Open

Tips and Trends

Email remains strong branding tool:
Despite the rise of social, email remains a strong channel for brands to engage consumers. In fact, email volume increased 10% from the second quarter of 2011 through the second quarter of 2012, according to new findings from Experian Marketing Services.;
>>> Read more
Smartphone Users are responsive to ads:
A large majority of smartphone owners use their devices to consume digital content, including media and information, according to a new survey titled “A Portrait of Today’s Smartphone User.” A growing number of these people have seen and responded to mobile advertising delivered to their device.
>>> Read more
Beginners guide to web analytics:
It’s nearly impossible to understand why someone does something online. How, then, can we possibly hope to evaluate trends across (potentially) thousands of viewers? As it turns out, it’s not so difficult.
>>> Read more
Multi-platform engagement with newspaper audience:
This 2012 NAA study, conducted by Frank N. Magid Associates Inc., shows that users of newspaper platforms are active and highly engaged with the newspaper platforms they find convenient to use, both for news and advertising content. These consumers also act on the advertising messages presented to them, in digital and print formats.
>>> Read more

Free Interactive Presentations tailored for your business group

RiverTown Multimedia — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 21:17:14 +0000

Turn to your local media consultants to grow your business online!

In light of the number of online advertising options for small and medium-sized businesses, RiverTown Multimedia is offering free seminars to area Chambers of Commerce and local business groups. If you are interested in having the RiverTown Multimedia tailor a presentation to speak at your next event, please contact us below.

Forum Communications and RiverTown Multimedia include 34 newspaper websites, 8 specialty websites and 2 broadcast websites across WI, MN and The Dakota’s. Let us be your interactive resource for putting your business where your customers are – online

Roger Sievers is the Multimedia Producer for River Town Multimedia, part of Forum Communications. He develops and produces online content, ads, video, and web sites as well as maintaining the daily operation of all RiverTown newspaper sites.

Greg Strauss is the Interactive Marketing Manager for RiverTown Multimedia, part of Forum Communications. He helps small and medium-sized businesses find, cultivate, grow and benchmark their success in promoting their business online.

Please contact us by clicking here or contact either:

Greg Strauss at 888-425-1041 ext. 239 or Roger Sievers at 651-301-7821.

June 2012 Newsletter

RiverTown Multimedia — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 15:54:37 +0000

Audience. Reach. Results

Dear Advertiser, You’re busy. I’m busy. So let’s keep this short. Welcome to the debut issue of our quarterly advertising and marketing newsletter, a free service to our valued advertisers. Once a quarter, this email newsletter will provide you with “information bites” designed to improve your exposure in the marketplace: surveys, statistics, programs, success stories, and much more.We promise it will be a quick read full of fast facts – an email charged with great ideas to energize your business. Sit back and enjoy. In this Issue: Introducing RiverTown Multimedia Upcoming Opportunities 6 Summer Marketing Tips Interesting Statistics About Our Readers
		Introducing RiverTown Multimedia

RiverTown Multimedia? What is that? What happened to RiverTown Newspaper Group? We are still here, better than ever. Our organization, however, has taken on a new identity.I am excited to answer questions like these because it is an opportunity to talk about all the great new solutions we are working on. As the media world is changing we are changing too. While we still are proud to say that we produce the leading community newspapers in the region, we have become more than just a newspaper. The growing list of marketing solutions includes our eleven local news websites, which have over 325,000 unique visitors per month. Our auto search engine, www.carsHQ.com has over 80,000 page views per month with over 17,000 vehicles to browse from over 60 regional auto dealers. We are also proud to say that over 180,000 unique visitors use our leading local job site, www.jobsHQ.com to assist in their job searches. In addition, www.apartmentsHQ.com has over 243,000 page views and 24,000 unique visitors per month. The best news is that as a part of the Forum Communications Digital network we can offer a total digital audience of over 1.7 million monthly unique visitors with over 415,000 coming from the Twin Cities region. Along with our growing list of digital marketing brands and solutions, we have also launched several other solutions of note in the past year. We have four niche publications that reach different audiences on a regular basis. *Home & Garden* publishes twice per year and reaches over 268,000 readers in the region. *dining & destinations, our guide to summer dining, travel, and events is read by over 75,000 people and, most recently, published in the middle of May. Healthy Lifestyle/Senior Lifestyle* magazines publish quarterly and reach a total audience of over 100,000 readers. Last, but not least, is our much anticipated *Holiday Guide* magazine which publishes the day before Thanksgiving each year to an audience of over 268,000 readers. Each of these niche publications are also published electronically via our network of websites. While we have continued to grow our overall audience and regional presence with our web sites and niche publications we continue to be entrenched in each community that we cover. Our ten award-winning weekly community newspapers continue to grow local readership at a time when the metro dailies are losing readers. We pride ourselves in being the number one local news source in our communities. In addition to our weekly news coverage of local government, crime, schools, sports and more we continue to publish our full library of local special sections and niche publications. Graduation sections, Community Guides & Maps, Community Event publications and much more are produced in each of our markets to meet the need of our readers and advertisers to connect to their local communities. As you can see we are more than just a newspaper. I hope you will give us an opportunity to show you how one or more of our solutions can meet your marketing and business needs. I am confident you will not be disappointed with the power and effectiveness that RiverTown Multimedia can bring to your business. Phil Frebault Director of Advertising RiverTown Multimedia pfrebault@rivertowns.net

Upcoming Advertising Opportunities

Don’t Miss These Upcoming Opportunities to reach our Audience!

A quick look at upcoming opportunities to reach all or portions of our audience with a targeted local publication (dates subject to change. Contact your Account Executive for further details):

Healthy Lifestyle Magazine:
Publishes: Week of July 16
Space Reservation Deadline: June 22

Official Woodbury Days Preview Section:
Publishes: Week of August 22
Space Reservation Deadline: August 10

Official St. Croix County Fair Section:
Publishes: Week of July 9
Space Reservation Deadline: June 29

Official Pierce County Fair Section:
Publishes: Week of July 16
Space Reservation Deadline: July 6

Official Dakota County Fair Section:
Publishes: Week of July 30
Space Reservation Deadline: July 20

Autumn Home & Garden tabloid:
Publishes: Week of September 10
Space Reservation Deadline: August 24

Senior Lifestyle Magazine:
Publishes: Week of September 17
Space Reservation Deadline: August 17

6 Summer Marketing Tips

It’s warm and sunny, the beach calls. You ask yourself “Why shouldn’t I just give in and go? Marketing is a waste of time at this time of year.”

Summer with its delicious distractions tempts you to decide that nothing is going to happen in your business so why not just enjoy the season.
If you decide to make that choice you will be joining much of your competition in thinking summer time is play time.
With the competition out of the game, now is the time to get out and get serious about your business as they lie on the beach.
Give yourself a break from the everyday pressure of marketing and sales by working on future business NOW!
Going into the fall with business on the books before you start the season is not only a great feeling; it changes your perspective when a prospect that may not be a good fit comes along.
Having core business gives you time to explore and investigate other opportunities that come along. Those other opportunities sometimes form the basis for innovation in how you do business, the way you market and what the primary focus of your business is.Put the power and control of your future back in your own hands.

>> Implement these summer marketing tips starting today:

• Summer is a slower time of year for some media which means you can negotiate a better deal and extend the buy into the higher priced fall by planning and booking now.

• Send a Press Release while media staff is reduced by the holiday season and pressure to produce is on fewer numbers of media writers with less time to look for stories.

• Do take some additional time to read some new marketing books, write some new articles and learn a new marketing skill i.e. blogging or social marketing

• Hold an annual or semi-annual sale with clear parameters of what, when, and how to ensure it doesn’t creep into the busy fall.

• Offer a free seminar, put on a picnic, sponsor a high profile summer time event, and/or hire a student to distribute a coupon. Do something different to capitalize on the opportunity created by large gatherings at special events and more people out on the street in the summer.

• Make a special offer to your current customers to introduce them to another product or service they haven’t yet bought.

If you need to see the possibilities before you put an effort into summer marketing try the following exercise:

• Draw a circle on a piece of paper representing the market size of your industry. Mark your pie shaped share of the market, no matter how small.

• Draw a larger circle around the same central point and extend the sides of your piece of the pie to the new perimeter.

• See what happens to your piece of the pie when people return to their fall routines and the prospects you spoke to and those who decided to do business with you told their friends?

That increase is your customer base growing exponentially from the marketing work you did while others were relaxing in the sun.

“Some people forget to plant in the spring, idle away the summer hours and then expect to reap in the fall.”
-Grant M. Bright

There is still time to give attention to your summer marketing and reap the benefits this fall and into 2013.

Source: www.notabenemarketing.com

Our Audience = Your Potential Customers

Whatever product or services you sell, chances are good your customers are getting their news and information from our newspapers and websites. Are the people you want to see walking through your door listed below?

PERCENTAGE OF READERS WHO:

• Intend on using a Car Wash 75.5%
• Plan of shopping for Women’s Clothing 67%
• Intend on an Oil Change 66.9%
• Plan on shopping at a Liquor Store 49.9%
• Exercised 12+ times at a Health Club last year 40.4%
• Ate at a restaurant 4+ times in the past 2 weeks 65%
• Plan on buying a vehicle in the next year 12.1%
• Intend on Buying or Renting a New Home 5.8%
• Plan on visiting a Butcher Shop 34%
• Plan on travelling to a lake in the region 46.8%
• Will shop at a Hardware Store 36.2%

Source: Q2 Pulse of America regional survey of consumer shopping habits

Jobs HQ Testimonials

RiverTown Multimedia — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 22:01:37 +0000

JobsHQ is an online recruitment resource covering North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin and South Dakota.

JobsHQ is the regions largest job site with 34 media websites from ND, SD, MN and WI contributing to it’s job offerings. This network of media sites across 4 states has over 1.5 million people visiting it every 30 days with multiple options to access JobsHQ.

JobsHQ has over 100,000 job seekers searching for employment every 30 days
75% of job seekers will find their next job online
94% of college graduates search online

Here is what some of our advertisers have to say about JobsHQ

Thanks for all your help. Your new zone format should work great for our needs in that area, I appreciate the info!
-Tierra, Big Stone Therapies

Thanks for checking, Bev. We’ve had excellent response, with several hopeful candidates.
-Joelene Baker, Parish Administrator, Bethel Lutheran Church

Thank you. We have had a big response to the Library Aide ad. A lot of people saw it in the Hudson paper. Thanks for your help!
-Kristi, City of River Falls

Thanks Bev! We have been conducting several interviews with many great candidates. I do not believe we will need to re-post the ad. It has been nice working with you. You are very prompt and helpful!
Kylee Jungbauer, MSVR, CRC
Employment Coordinator
Community Employment Services
BRIDGE for Youth & Adults with Disabilities

Wow Bev! 876 times online?? We have a lot of applications so we’ll see if we have a possible hire in the group. Thank you!
Pat Zik, HR Coordinator
Erickson Oil Products

We had an excellent turn out from the ads and we will not need to run anymore at this time.
Thank You, Tim
ECM Distribution