Webinar Resources

Produced by Webinar Resources

 

I opened my Flipboard app on my iPad Friday morning and was greeted with my most recent Facebook post, the iPad2 order announcement and a blog from our "best of blend" partners Brainshark and Compendium.   It was like opening my diary and reading about our recent multi-channel marketing activities.

Compendium featured Webinar Resources and our use of QR Codes and I posted a QR code to their blog on our Facebook site.   Our Mobile Replay on demand presentation made it to the semi-finals for this year's Brainshark Sharkie awards.  

It was also interesting to see the iPad2 announcement as we are researching how the front facing camera could be used to scan QR Codes.   Stay tuned for more information on how you can launch our optimized mobile-ready content on the iPad2.

Create and share your own stories with the social media community and they will come back to you when you least expect them.

A new survey of 20,000 adults by BIGresearch shows that 13.2% own a BlackBerry device, 11.3% own an iPhone, 9.3% own a device running Android and 5.2% own an iPad. Among other things, these devices enable consumers to browse the web, view multimedia content, scan bar codes and QR codes, compare prices at the point of sale, download coupons and share information with their social networks. These are all intriguing possibilities for a business to explore as part of the multi channel marketing mix. But are the number of users of smartphones and tablet computers large enough to make the effort to cater to them worthwhile? At first glance those don't sound like terribly high percentages of users.

There is other data in the survey to consider. Perhaps not surprisingly, mobile device users are more likely than the general population to shop online. They are more inclined to research products online before making a purchase. And according to Gary Drenik, president and CEO of BIGresearch, "...mobile device owners are more likely than average consumers to give and seek advice on products and services."

The findings of this research lead me to conclude that campaigns designed to woo mobile users are likely to have a very good return on investment, and therefore are very much worth the effort! For example I've recently made a mobile-optimized version of my design portfolio. At Webinar Resources, we are developing a line of mobile-ready applications to support lead generation, multimedia content delivery, personalization and cross-channel communication. Here are a couple of examples of our mobile mix Mobile Replay and url shortener and QR code generator. We invite you to keep in touch with us via Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, or our newsletter to stay updated about our latest mobile offerings.

Your customer acquisition efforts may not be performing to their full potential if social media is not part of your multi channel mix!  A great many companies and organizations both small and large have a social media presence now, but there are still some of you out there who are not on board yet. Here are some reasons why I think you should consider getting involved now.

Social media is definitely a good broadcasting tool. It's also a good listening tool. If you want to know what people are really interested in, you have to pay attention to what they're talking about and sharing in social media as well as other channels. If I'm stuck for ideas on what to write about in this blog for example, sometimes I'll check what the hot topics are for Webinar Resources Twitter followers. It's also good to know what people are saying about your company specifically. If negative information is being spread, you want to know as soon as possible so you can begin damage control before the bad publicity gets too entrenched. Also, as individual potential customers prefer different channels of communication, it never hurts to give them as many options to interact with you as possible.

Sharing and retweeting are key activities enjoyed by social media users. Create something cool and you could mobilize a willing army of people helping to get your message out.  For example we recently increased our Facebook fans with a Valentine QR Gram. Participants were invited to become a fan of Webinar Resources by requesting a QR code linked to a QR Gram (four selections of music genres) that they could share on their Facebook page.   Once posted on the requestor's Facebook site, friends could scan the QR code and play a musical, mobile QR Gram.

You can participate in social media for no cost other than your time. Take the opportunity to use your creativity and not your big budget (which you might not have) to create a campaign that could go viral and get you lots of exposure.

Webinar Resources invites you to send a QR Gram to your Facebook friends.   All you need to do is "Like" our new Webinar Resources Fan page and you can send a QR Gram with a personal message to your Facebook Friends.   Visit http://mobex.me/likewr to select the music genre and message you wish to send.   This is a great application that we built using our great partner solutions from Brainshark and ExactTarget.

QR codes are popping up everywhere and are being used in all kinds of media.  I was recently in Stamford, CT., last week and saw a QR code commercial while pumping gas.   The commercial played over and over again so you could prepare your smartphone to scan the QR code.




You can read more about QR codes in our post at http://www.compendiumblog.com/app/render/post?PostId=cf4dc112-6ff7-4f92-b4c9-88f2465a001d or scan the QR code to the left and view a mobile presentation or visit http://mobex.me/now

Exciting news for iPhone and iPad users, our partner Brainshark, just announced an iTunes app for viewing Brainshark presentations on your iPhones and iPads.   Scan the QR code or enter the http://mobex.me/now link our your iPhone/iPad and you will find a link to download the app.

Request a QR Gram today!

I've been a passionate advocate of and participant in content marketing for many years, but I know why it can seem like a  daunting strategy to a small businesses. You the small business owner already have a lot of hats to wear - now you have to be a publisher too? Here are some reasons why you might consider doing just that.

Large companies have an advantage in many areas of advertising, such as television, print, and big trade shows because those channels require significant investments of money. However in many ways, small businesses can compete with big ones when it comes to content marketing. How is this possible?

I watched the Compendium webinar replay "Content & Social Search Strategies" and learned some very interesting things. For one thing, to get the most out of content marketing, you have to get your SEO, Social, Content, Email Marketing and PR people to communicate with each other. In many large companies this does not happen. But in a small business, these people may be on the same team or may even be the same person, so it's much easier to come up with a strategy that makes sense and can be implemented quickly.

Many companies spend more on distributing their content than they do on creating content. This is not necessary because of all the free or low-cost online options available. Distribute your content via blog and social media in your multi channel mix and cut distribution costs drastically. Put your resources into creating good content instead - if you publish it in the right places, people will find it.

That is where search comes in. A lot of money is spent on pay-per-click advertising. Well, if you don't have a lot of money to spend on PPC, take heart - according to the webinar replay, 88% of clicks are on organic search results, and organic search results are very dependent on content. And when potential customers search, it's usually for a product, not for a retailer. Why not let the big companies create demand for a product with expensive ads and then win the sale yourself by winning the search? Yes it's very difficult to rank high on short search terms but guess what? Long search terms that are very much in your reach have the best results anyway - the more specific the search, the better the conversion rate. It's nice to be the one with the advantage in the customer acquisition process now and then, isn't it?

In the late 1970s, one year for Christmas we got a new stereo with a cassette tape player. We were very excited, because it's a lot easier to tape songs you like from the radio and play them back over and over with a cassette player than with our old 8-track. Mom taped "One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer" by George Thorogood which we all loved. I taped selections from the disco station, and since I was in that awkward phase where I wasn't really a child and not a teenager either, I turned the stereo into an intergalactic nightclub for Micronaught action figures. My brother Larry taped "Won't Get Fooled Again" by the Who and played it over and over over and over. Whether motivated by the white chocolate Christmas lollipops that Mom made that we were gorging ourselves on or by sheer exuberance or both, Larry removed the carpet from the hallway to expose the shiny wood floor. Every time "Won't Get Fooled Again" got to the scream part, he'd hurl himself onto the floor on his stomach and slide down the hallway. I can't hear that song without smiling thinking about that! We must have driven Mom crazy being trapped with us in the house over Christmas break!

Name: Carolyn Hasenfratz
City: Brentwood
State: MO
email: carolyn@riceresources.com

There's still time to order "Santa Claus and the Lost Dog" and help stray dogs. The clock is ticking and we have been delivering wonderful web storybooks and magic tickets to children around the country.   Don't miss out.

Bella needs to be found to save Christmas.  How will she save Christmas?   Visit http://www.mychristmasbook.com and order the web storybook for only $5.95.   One dollar goes to support Stray Rescue of St. Louis.

This is a great stocking stuffer and the elves are standing by to personalize your child's (downloadable) post card and magic ticket from Santa.   Watch the trailer about Santa Claus and the Lost Dog.

The elves at Webinar Resources have been busy sending post cards from Santa with the magic ticket (QR Code) with the cooperation of the "official branch of the United States government that provides authoritative proof that there is a Santa Claus" (U.S. Post Office).

As days get closer to Santa's arrival, we are now providing a down-loadable, personalized Holiday Card from Santa with the magic QR Code ticket and secret code that plays our web storybook, "Santa Claus and the Lost Dog".   You can download a sample copy of the magic holiday card and ticket here or select the image to the right.   Just print, fold at the dotted line and you have a sample card you can try out to share the adventure of the web storybook.

Please pass it on to your friends and order a personalized holiday card and magic ticket from Santa.  You can order this magic message from Santa throughout the holiday season that you celebrate.   Of course, the magic is in finding the personalized holiday card in a stocking, but we understand there are late arrivals of gifts during the holidays.

Don't miss out on this great holiday gift that your child will enjoy for hours during the holiday season.   If you are lucky enough to receive grownup smartphone toys under your tree, you can carry the web storybook (without personalization) on your holiday travels.  Play the web storybook on your iPad, iPhone, Droids or any mobile device that supports streaming media.

Share the magic of the holidays and the adventure of "Santa Claus and the Lost Dog" with a child in your life.  Order Now at http://www.mychristmasbook.com

Santa Claus and the Lost Dog

Time is running out to order a personalized post card from Santa.   If you have a child or know of a child, then they will love receiving a personalized post card from Santa with a magic ticket to our web storybook "Santa Claus and the Lost Dog".

Please order today if you wish to send a child the post card via US Mail.   After Thursday, 12/16/10, you can still order the magic ticket and post card and download it from your computer.    This is a great stocking stuffer and will entertain your child for hours during the holiday season.

As featured in today's ExactTarget Partner webinar, the magic ticket from Santa contains a QR code (quick response code).  Smartphones equipped with free 2D bar code readers can immediately scan and play the web storybook.  

The magic ticket also includes a personalized URL to play the web storybook on the web or on the iPad, Samsung Galaxy, CherryPad and Playbook.   So grownups can share those grownup toys they will receive under the Christmas tree.  What a great way to share a holiday adventure.    You also will be supporting the rescue of stray dogs as $1.00 is donated to the Stray Rescue program in St. Louis for every storybook purchase you make.

Please select the Share button and share this post with friends and family.   Take your child on an adventure this holiday season.   Visit http://www.mychristmasbook.com for more information.

 

One year for Christmas, all I requested was a new stereo. The one I had was small, and I was hoping for a new one that would play CD's like all of my friends. When Christmas morning came, I searched under the tree, but no packages resembled a large stereo. After opening all the gifts, I found it was true... There was no stereo under the tree! Finally, after everything was finished my Dad pointed out one very small box way in the back addressed to me. Sure enough - I opened it up and it was a clue! I was led on a search throughout the house and eventually found it... My dream stereo! I'll always remember that Christmas because it was so much fun.



Name: Allison Bowen
City: Indianapolis
State: IN
email: abowen@compendium.com

Years ago I worked at a medium correctional prison. As the prison was 60 miles from home, I carpooled with some of the employees. One of my fellow drivers and I decided we would cut down a tree on the way home and I would bring it home to my 2 yr old son to enjoy. I can't remember if we found a Christmas tree farm or if we just spotted a great evergreen on a hill. All I remember is that I had a saw and we trudged up a steep hill to cut down the tree. It was even more difficult as we dragged the tree down the hill and tossed it on top of my Honda Civic wagon. When I got the tree to my house, it did not fit through the door. We topped off the tree and finally planted it in our family room for my son to see. He was fascinated by the tree after we decorated. It was really his first Christmas tree and I captured this picture that I will always remember.

Submitted by: Mark Rice

We have written a lot about personalized marketing campaigns, mobile Brainshark presentations and social media, but this week I have witnessed the real power of "Community".   As we have been promoting our web storybook, "Santa Claus and the Lost Dog" through a blended multi-channel mix, the jolly old elf himself has started following us on our Twitter account - @webinarresource.

It was quite a surprise to see Santa join the mix of conversations about lost dogs, QR codes, magic tickets and of course Santa.   I think this is the legal evidence and credibility that was needed in the great Christmas classic, "Miracle on 34th Street", to prove the existence of Santa Claus.  If that movie were produced today, the evidence that Santa exists would clearly be a Tweet from the North Pole on everyone's mobile phone.

So Santa, we are pleased and privileged to have you follow us.   Now, let's all get together and help Santa find Bella, the Lost Dog and order a child the web storybook at http://www.mychristmasbook.com.   To hear a special message from Santa, text Santa to 88769.

This holiday season, get ready for a splash of funny looking bar codes that will be cropping up everywhere.   From Best Buy store ads, wrapping paper and even post cards from Santa, QR codes (quick response codes) are on the nice list and may be as prominent as smartphones and tablet pads underneath the Christmas Tree.

Santa's elves and Webinar Resources have gone hi-tech and hi-touch and are helping Santa send out post cards with QR codes and short URLs.

Got an iPhone, Android or Blackberry?   Then you can download a free QR bar code reader app, scan our QR code on the magic ticket (illustrated to the left) and launch our web storybook.

Yes, even grown up toys will play our "Santa Claus and the Lost Dog" mobile video.   We have seen many toddlers sliding their fingers across iPhones and advancing photos and launching videos.  This a great way to entertain a child for hours over the busy holiday season.  

You can help your child join in the adventure to help Santa find the Lost Dog and support the worthy work of Stray Rescue, a not-for-profit that provides medical attention, food, love and a foster home until a forever home is available.  

This holiday season, take your child on an adventure, play together with new technology and help homeless dogs.   Learn more at: http://www.mychristmasbook.com.