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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Blogging, Integrated Marketing, kitchen and bath dealer, kitchen and bath integrated marketing, Kitchen and Bath Professionals, kitchen design marketing, Marketing, YouTube for Kitchen and Bath | Tagged: blogging, blogs, facebook, improved business, Integrated Marketing, Kitchen and Bath Industry, kitchen and bath marketing, Kitchen and Bath Professionals, kitchen and bath social media campaign, kitchen dealers, kitchen design sales, kitchen marketing, kitchen website marketing, showroom marketing, social media, video marketing, youtube, youtube marketing | 
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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
July 17, 2010
I recommend that everyone create a blog – make it free-standing site linked back to your website. In theory, I never get an argument… in reality, [almost] everyone says “I don’t know what to write about” and the blog remains empty.
As a kitchen and bath professional, you are an expert in your field – no less so than a 7-figure lawyer, a brain surgeon or a mathematician. Lawyers, doctors, and professors come to you to design, install and otherwise guide them through a kitchen or bath renovation – from start to finish they need your knowledge and expertise!
A blog is all about flaunting your expertise to the world. Think you have nothing to write about? Talk about the things you do every day – discuss the differences in cabinetry – stock versus custom; what are the benefits? What kind of lighting is best for my kitchen? What is the difference between Silestone, Caesarstone, and Granite… and what about concrete – is that really an option for my kitchen countertop?
Step back from what you do every day – consider that “oh, everyone knows that” is not a true statement… YOU know that because YOU are the expert!
I recommend you carve out time each week for self-marketing. This is your time to write your blog postings, take care of your Facebook page, update your website and otherwise indulge in marketing your business.
As always, if you want to discuss in greater detail call me – 919-932-4600 or shoot an email to info@KitchenMarketing.com.
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Posted by zpromotion
June 26, 2010
It seems the whole world is turning to online social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn at the expense of a traditional marketing plan and traditional media. That’s not a bad thing, but it is short-sighted.
Online social networking should be part of a complete, well thought-out, integrated marketing plan. One of the most successful Kitchen and Bath Industry Facebook pages Artisan Kitchens and Baths of Buffalo, NY incorporates its social media with an aggressive TV schedule, radio and print ads – each advertisement leading the potential client to their website (with a link to the Facebook page) or directly to their Facebook page. It has resulted in over 1000 fans and a number of sales attributed directly to the social networking site.
Every Kitchen and Bath professional should still put together a full marketing plan considering the same criteria as always; budget, demographics, geography, message, brand, etc. The difference in 2010 and into 2011 planning is that you have another medium to utilize – online social networking.
Z promotion & design offers some guidance at KitchenMarketing.com – and we are available to discuss the specifics of your showroom(s) with a call or email to our office in Chapel Hill (919-932-4600).
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Posted by zpromotion
June 12, 2010
I may be late to the game, but I recently downloaded Skype. Despite the disadvantage of forgetting to place it on “do not disturb” and getting some annoying phone calls while trying to work, I think this something kitchen and bath professionals should explore.
Skype allows you to share your desktop in real-time, in the same manner as “Go to Meeting”. Imagine the benefits of calling your client – either via the computer or Alex Bell’s technological wonder – to review layouts, design concepts, products, colors (to a certain extent – be careful, as screen colors can vary tremendously) or even budgets.
This is a free service, available as a mobile app and from what I have seen so far, the quality is excellent for those times you need to meet, but just can’t physically get together.
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On another note: Heading to Alabama next week to talk Social Networking with the NKBA Chapter… I am happy to attend any NKBA or NARI chapter meeting to try to allay your fears and take some of the mystery out of the buzzwords… visit www.KitchenMarketing.com for more information.
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Posted by zpromotion
May 22, 2010
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Posted by zpromotion
March 27, 2010
I have been neglecting my blog for the last two weeks due to travels – last week with the NKBA for Officers Training in New Orleans and the previous week with the SEN Design Group in St. Augustine for the annual spring conference.
I return to Chapel Hill with a few things to report.
The kitchen and bath industry is feeling optimistic. Not to put the kybosh on any national economic recovery, but dealers are reporting more showroom traffic That means if you have not implemented your marketing strategy to get the resurgence of buyers into YOUR showroom – you better get started. Of course we can assist you in your efforts.
Facebook is all anyone wants to discuss. Yes, Facebook is a great way to network with your customers and all kitchen and bath professionals should have a presence. BUT, your Facebook page should be one part of your integrated marketing plan – not the whole thing! And, you want to set up a business page, NOT a personal page in the guise of your business. Follow this link to set up your business page: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/pages/create.php
The last thing I want to talk about is in my opinion the most important – that is Social Networking – the old fashioned way. Meeting people face to face, making new friends, bonding with old friends, all without the aid of your computer.
Whether you are member of the SEN Design Group, BKBG, NKBA, NARI, KCMA or any of the other alphabets in our industry, the strength of each organization is the people. If you have not yet experienced the benefits of networking within these organizations [on a regional or national level] consider…
- The ability to discuss your business – your problems and your successes with a peer from another part of the country who is not a competitor. Local chapter meetings, not so much.
- Getting the “inside story” on vendors – new innovations, available deals, customer service, etc.
- Sharing marketing ideas – from new technology to tried and true measures, what are your peers doing successfully.
- Creating bonds that could prove to be beneficial in the future. People change jobs, people grow, people move so perhaps you can help one another at another time.
- I am sure there are more – post your ideas to this blog.
I have been with SEN since 2001 and a chapter officer in NKBA since 2004 – the relationships I have developed and the friends I have made are among the best from a personal, as well as a professional level. Not all are clients, some will never be, other may eventually be – but regardless all contribute to my knowledge and understanding of the “unique and exciting” world of kitchen and bath professionals – thank you.
Now… who reading this will help me get to 200 fans on Facebook?
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Posted by zpromotion
The Kitchen & Bath Channel – Smart Phone Mobile App
Book: A is for Advertising… B is for Branding…
