February 6, 2011
One of things I truly love about blogs is that fact that one can shamelessly self-promote and blather on about anything and everything. Well this sunny, warm(ish) Sunday February morning in North Carolina is going to be just that – shameless self promotion.
Within the next week or two, my partner Max Isley, CMKD and I are scheduled to officially launch the Kitchen & Bath Channel Smart Phone Mobile Apps. These are [unabashedly] the greatest marketing tools to hit the kitchen and bath industry since the advent of direct mail, if not ever!
These apps are free to the consumer. They include a database of over 15,000 kitchen & bath and remodeling professionals. When your customer launches the app (on the iPhone, Android or Blackberry), the phones’ geo positioning locates the closest kitchen and bath professionals on a map. From that map they are able to access each professional’s profile. In addition, the consumer can search for a kitchen and bath professional through a number of queries including, city, state, room they want to renovate, profession of the remodeler, accreditation, products and more!
So, as a professional, how do you stand out from the crowd? You take top priority among your 15,000 peers through “Gold” or “Platinum” annual subscriptions.
- With a free, standard listing you are placed in alphabetical order, with a contact name, phone number and address.
- An upgrade to Gold moves you to the top of the list, gives you a link to auto dial, an interactive map for directions, your website on the phone’s browser, a link to send an email and the ability to be linked to the user’s contact file.
- If you upgrade to Platinum, you receive everything a Gold subscriber does PLUS the ability to include up to 5 photos and 5 videos of your choosing and you appear above the Gold Subscribers in the list of results. Click here for more information.
In addition to the apps for the customers “on the go” – the website KitchenBathChannel.com is a database of professionals where your customers begin their research!
I’ll post again when the apps are ready for download – but in the meantime, if you are a kitchen and bath professional become a subscriber BEFORE the apps are launched and SAVE 25%!
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January 1, 2011
As we welcome 2011, the media is filled with lists from 2010…
We can take a look back at newsmakers, quotable quotes, funniest moments, celebrity sleaze, images, notable deaths and technology – to name a few.
CNN gave us these technology trends
- A year ago we had never heard of an iPad…
- Were you on Facebook? Did your showroom have its own page?
- Had you even considered “watching the web” from your TV set?
- You always bought software, owned the disc and loaded it on your computer… what the hell is an app, anyway?!?
My advice moving into 2011… watch the technology trends and with every new “toy” you hear about, think to yourself – “How can I use that to increase my kitchen and bath showroom traffic?”
Here are a couple of 2010 innovations for the Kitchen & Bath Industry’s marketing efforts moving forward.
Follow this blog for 2011 advancements!
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December 26, 2010
I observed something during this snowy (for much of the country, it not the world) holiday weekend. It seems the kitchen and bath industry, along with the rest of the world took advantage of some down time to reconnect and do some online exploring.
The Z promotion & design Facebook page added close to a dozen new fans, and my personal page became a few friends richer, as well. My Twitter account found followers and the Kitchen & Bath Channel on YouTube got viewers as if we were showing “It’s a Wonderful Life” – and Christmas Day was among the busiest this blog has seen in weeks.
What’s the lesson to be learned? Simply that your online presence should be all-encompassing – a website, a [business] Facebook page, Twitter account, a blog, YouTube – create a presence on any social networking site you are comfortable maintaining. The key is maintaining – even when you are closed, you’re open. Be sure your information is up to date, accurate and compelling.
A reminder that the Kitchen & Bath Mobile App is almost ready to launch, with marketing to the consumer becoming finalized. We are still offering our pre-launch specials, allowing you to save 25% on your annual Platinum or Gold subscription. This is the kitchen and bath industry’s first ever marketing tool that will drive customers to your front door WHILE they are out shopping. Don’t miss out on the incredible pre-launch special!
Click to join the Kitchen & Bath Channel
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November 13, 2010
The Kitchen & Bath Channel Smart Phone App
The Kitchen & Bath Channel Smart Phone Apps are almost ready for distribution to the public. To get ready for the launch, we are having a Pre-Launch Sale for Gold and Platinum subscriptions.
What is the Kitchen & Bath Channel Smart Phone App?
It is a free app (for iPhone, Android and Blackberry) to the consumer that contains a database of you, and over 13,000 of your competitors. Everyone can get a free listing consisting of your name, your business name, address and phone number. Gold and Platinum Subscribers received higher listings, hyperlinks to Google Maps, as well as web and email links and the ability to present photo and videos of your work directly to the smart phone. Click for more information about the Kitchen & Bath Channel Mobile App.
How does it work?
Consider the following scenario… a couple just walked out of a competitor’s showroom. They were all set to buy, but got cold feet – perhaps they didn’t “click” with the designer; maybe the cost was beyond their budget, it could be a myriad of reasons… but what do they do next? They are ready to buy and not sure where to turn. With the Kitchen & Bath Channel Smart Phone App, they launch the app, the phone’s GPS locates them and lists ALL area kitchen and bath professionals. If you’re a Platinum subscriber, you’re at the top, followed by Gold subscribers, and then the free listings. The consumer can even sort by room, product, even accreditation… Click for more information about how the Kitchen & Bath Channel works.
Check out the Kitchen & Bath Channel website to learn more. Subscribe today – before the apps are launched in mid-December, you can save 25% on any annual subscription.
Questions… email me
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October 30, 2010
It is hard to believe that October is quickly becoming November, but the calendar doesn’t lie – or I’d still be a lot younger… So, in addition to raking leaves, bringing in the plants and breaking the sweaters out of mothballs, your autumn checklist should include your 2011 Integrated Marketing Plan.
Let’s hope the remainder of the year shows continued growth, but traditionally the kitchen and bath industry slows down this time of year, giving you time to consider your marketing plans for the following year.
Integrate your message across media. If you think you can get by with just an online campaign – think again. You need to reach your customers often and in places they frequent. Always bear in mind that effective marketing is reaching the right person at the right time with the right message in the right way using the right media.
The media you choose should be determined by your target market, rather than your budget. The 20-somethings use “different message delivery systems” (media) than 50-somethings. Media varies by income bracket, as well.
As you look to 2011, determine your competitive advantage, (re)define your target market, craft your message, set your budget, find the right media and develop your integrated marketing plan. Now is the time to be sure you are ready to greet 2011 and the traffic it can bring to your showroom… if your customers know you’re out there.
Housekeeping:
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October 16, 2010
When I first heard about Goggle TV, I was “psyched” – maybe it’s the dozen or so years I spent in broadcast TV, maybe because I am the consummate sitcom watcher, or maybe it’s the marketer in me. Regardless, I have been saying that Google TV has the potential to change the way we market ourselves, because it has the potential to change the way we watch TV. > See my May 22, 2010 entry.
With remotes or keyboards in hand, consumers will search for “Kitchen Design”, “Kitchen Remodel “or “Kitchen Design Ideas” and those in the industry taking advantage of online video can be discovered, viewed and reviewed from the comfort of their customers’ living rooms! You no longer need to hope and pray for a shot on HGTV – today, you only need to create your own program!
In preparation for the rollout of Google TV, I established The Kitchen & Bath Channel on YouTube. We currently have 19 videos, and would love to add more. The more we can include, the more popular a destination this will be. Our viewership grows by about 200 people a week… are you missing out on potential customers.
If you need additional information or a video created email me.
Some articles of interest about Google TV and related concepts:
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October 9, 2010
It always seems that I find a blog topic at the 11th hour– this week I want to talk about blog postings themselves. Yesterday a wonderful client asked me to review a blog posting they had prepared. It was a five paragraph sales piece touting the benefits of two cabinet manufacturers’ rebate and sales incentives, and very little about the benefits of the client themselves. That got me thinking… is there a simple “rule of thumb” for what to post. Yes. Read on.
Blogs – this is an opportunity to talk about yourself, your company, the art of kitchen and bath design, the intricacies of the process, etc. Make it educational, informative and yes, self-serving.
Read the postings on this blog (www.TheKitchenBlog.com). I try to provide information regarding all aspects of marketing your kitchen and bath showroom, while attempting to show that you would clearly benefit from the services provided by Z promotion & design. I also toss in links to my various websites (such as www.KitchenMarketing.com) to help with SEO and overtly invite you to visit to get a better look at who we are and what we do.
As a kitchen and bath professional, you are the expert – flaunt that on your blog. Post your sales incentives and specials to your website, your Facebook page and Twitter.
++++
YouTube’s Kitchen & Bath Channel is growing everyday! Visit. Subscribe. Email me to participate.
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October 3, 2010
I just returned from the SEN Design Group’s Fall Conference in Minneapolis. There is an upbeat feeling among most of the design professionals I spoke with… and everyone is talking about marketing. But it seems very few are doing anything about it!
Let me stress that marketing your kitchen and bath showroom requires action on your part. Whether you work with a local marketing firm, or chose to contact Z promotion & design for our industry expertise – get your marketing plan in order! Your peers who have been marketing and advertising throughout the “great recession” are doing OK.
+++++++
The YouTube Kitchen & Bath Channel is gaining traction… visits are increasing by 5% or more daily! Have you been yet? Have you subscribed? If you want to learn more about it or become a part of the channel… email me.
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Posted by zpromotion
September 19, 2010
Kudos to Kitchen & Bath Design News – they picked up my press release. In case you missed it – here is the link and turn to page 19 – it is about the Kitchen & Bath Channel on YouTube. In just a few days the visits increased by more than 1000 and the views were up by the dozens. And that doesn’t account for the calls and emails to my office – very impressive.
Thank you KBDN!
But the point of this posting, in addition to the blatant self-promotion, is to help illustrate the power of a well placed, interesting press release that touches your audience. It can turn into sales – or at least inquiries.
A now-retired kitchen and bath professional in the Chicago area loved to relate her story to me. It seems she had a professionally written press release sent to a community newspaper upon opening her business. It was picked up by the newspaper, then by the other area newspapers and finally The Chicago Tribune (if I am not mistaken). Much to my chagrin, she proudly boasted that was the only marketing she had ever done – all her business for years and years could be traced to a single, well placed press release.
Times have changed and delivery systems have changed – but press releases and stories about your project remain as meaningful to the reader (and browser and viewers) as ever. Work with a professional to plan an effective Public Relations Program for your showroom.
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Posted by zpromotion
August 21, 2010
It’s been about month since I launched the Kitchen and Bath Channel on YouTube and I want to revisit the concept with the specific intention of gaining additional subscribers and a larger selection of videos. So, if you are in the kitchen and bath industry, or know consumers who love watching HGTV, DIY and the Food Network please pass the blog along to them – let’s test the viral capabilities of the Internet!
Since July 24, the Kitchen & Bath Channel has received a total of 769 visits with 442 videos viewed; that’s just over 27 visits and almost 16 views each day… not too shabby, but we can do better. We have 13 videos from 7 different companies, and are being found primarily through links to the page and YouTube searches.
The Concept: The Kitchen & Bath Channel is a destination for consumers looking for designers, ideas, innovations, new products and more. The intent of the Kitchen & Bath Channel on YouTube is to collect an array of kitchen and bath industry related videos – from showrooms, designers, manufacturers, and more to “whet the appetite” of the consumer. The more videos we have, the easier we will be found! As the Kitchen & Bath Channel gains popularity, all participants will benefit.
…enter Google TV… as Google TV takes hold in the coming months, The Kitchen & Bath Channel will be live in living rooms throughout the US, Canada and the world! Wouldn’t you like to be part of that?
Visit The Kitchen & Bath Channel to subscribe. If you have a video to add, contact me directly (phil@kitchenmarketing.com). If you need some assistance producing a video for the channel, Z promotion & design can work with you on that too – email or call me (919-932-4600).
But most importantly, pass this information along to your friends… I’ll give you updates in coming weeks.
Also… join us on Facebook
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The Kitchen & Bath Channel – Smart Phone Mobile App
Book: A is for Advertising… B is for Branding…
