January 22, 2011
Just when I thought everyone in the kitchen and bath industry had a Facebook page, it was THE topic of conversation this past week. So I decide this week I will give you a few more of my thoughts about Facebook for the kitchen and bath professional.
Create a page. This is not an option, it is a command. Be sure it is a page for a Local Business, not a personal page – your link is http://www.facebook.com/pages/create.php
“Why?” you ask.
- It is a great way to keep your name in front of your potential customers. Everytime you post something on your wall, those who are following you will see your post and your name.
- It is unobtrusive. We all HATE getting tons of emails from people trying to sell us something. Your Facebook page is a soft sell. It’s like tapping them on the shoulder and saying “don’t forget me when you are ready to remodel your kitchen or bathroom.”
- It’s their choice. Remember, your Facebook followers are willing participants in your marketing plan… they can stop following you at anytime – give them a reason to stay… and to invite their friends.
- Real-time Updates. How many times do you have to wait for your webmaster to get new images or an announcement uploaded to your website? Facebook is simple to use, provides immediate gratification and is a great way to direct traffic to your website.
- Referrals. A staple of marketing in the kitchen and bath industry since the first caveperson decided put fire inside the cave. Facebook is referral marketing, using the internet as your link between past and future clients.
“OK, I get the why… what do I put on Facebook?”
Think of Facebook as a way to engage your followers; provide offers, information, a glimpse into your professional talents and capabilities. They should be short, sweet and to the point – blogs are for longer diatribes.
Some thoughts…
- Talk about your manufacturers’ new products and link to them
- Link to pertinent YouTube videos – even other kitchen and bath professionals (in other markets)
- Showcase your just finished projects
- Show photos of work in progress
- Create invitations to showroom events
- Develop specials and contests for followers only
Facebook is a marketing tool; it’s a free tool (except for your time to maintain your page), and it should be an extension of you and your business, allowing potential customers to get comfortable with your business. This is not a project to sub out to a third party. No one knows your kitchen and bath business better than you… take the time to develop this marketing tool.
Visit and “Like” (if you haven’t already) www.facebook.com/Zpromotion - see the “Favorite Pages” on the lower end of the left-hand column. Click on some of those pages to get a feel for how your peers are using their Facebook pages as marketing tools.
SEN Design Group members! Wednesday, March 9 at the SEN Conference in New Orleans, I will be conducting a hands-on, in-depth seminar on setting up your Facebook page and Blog. Not a SEN Member, but want to attend? Information is available at http://www.sendesigngroup.com/
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Posted by zpromotion
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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Posted by zpromotion
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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Posted by zpromotion
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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Posted by zpromotion
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 25, 2010
The full article should be included in the next (Fall 2010) issue of NKBA Magazine, but enjoy this preview.
We are living in an economic Rubik’s cube, with each color representing a single economic indicator. Until all six sides are perfectly aligned, the kitchen and bath industry is in for a bumpy ride. With each monthly economic report, you can almost feel that one side of the cube has been aligned, only to find an adjacent side a mess. And each negative report sends us back to try to figure out the cube. You can literally see the reflection in showroom traffic, website hits and phone calls.
Now, let’s look at the Rubik’s Cube again – this time with an eye toward marketing …it’s a much easier puzzle than the economic version.
The completed cube is your fully Integrated Marketing Program, one that includes traditional, as well as new media and technology. No one completed side solves the puzzle on its own; it takes all six to effectively market your kitchen and bath business. Our marketing cube consists of six tactical sides, with each side consisting of potentially unlimited numbers of individual tools to employ at your discretion.
- Advertising
- Outreach (networking, events)
- Relationship Development (direct mail, referrals, newsletters)
- Public Relations
- Social Media
- Online / Mobile
Remember that your overall marketing campaign must have a consistent look and message regardless of your media or delivery system.
Successful marketing means you are delivering the right message, to the right person, at the right time, in the right way, employing the right media.
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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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Posted by zpromotion
August 7, 2010
In preparation for an article I am writing for NKBA Magazine, I ran across some statistics worth a few insights.
According to Nielsen Research, in June (2010) more than 10.2 Billion videos were streamed in the US – a 4% increase over May’s figures. That is 74.9 streams (videos) and 194.6 minutes (3.24 hours) per viewer.
Our viewing habits are definitely moving to the internet; perhaps not at the expense of television, but in addition to it. On that I can only speculate. Regardless, we are accepting online as a viable “TV Channel”
These figures begin to justify the validity that Google TV, upon its acceptance, will change the very face of marketing by allowing individuals to deliver their own content to TV sets around the world. For the kitchen and bath industry this provides each manufacturer, showroom owner and individual designer the opportunity to own a TV network.
I direct you to the Kitchen & Bath Channel. While still in its infancy, the Kitchen and Bath Channel is quickly becoming a destination for viewers, as well as a portal for industry videos. If you have an interest in getting your video on the channel, or need assistance with production – we are here to assist.
Call me at 919-932-4600 or phil@kitchenmarketing.com
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Posted by zpromotion
July 24, 2010
I am very excited about the launch of The Kitchen and Bath Channel, as I believe it is the first step in redefining marketing for the Kitchen and Bath Professional – that includes manufacturers, showroom owners and individual designers.
I contend that the introduction of Google TV will change the way we market, regardless of our product. With your remote or keyboard in hand, you can sit in front of your TV and search for programming – cable, broadcast and now the Internet! Since YouTube is owned by Google, I would venture a guess that YouTube will figure prominently in your search results. Consider the HGTV viewer searching for “kitchen design” – all the broadcast and cable shows appear, along with a myriad of internet videos – prominent among them; The Kitchen and Bath Channel.
The Kitchen and Bath Channel is a destination for consumers looking for great design, excellent designers and innovative products. Established as a free marketing tool to the industry, the greater the participation, the more indispensable it will become to the consumer.
I invite you to visit, submit your current videos (email me), or Z promotion & design is prepared to produce a: 60 high definition video (at a great price) for inclusion – example: Stonehenge Concrete Countertops – again email me to discuss.
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Posted by zpromotion
The Kitchen & Bath Channel – Smart Phone Mobile App
Book: A is for Advertising… B is for Branding…
