Hi all,

Welcome to our November Newsletter.

Labour weekend has kicked off the start to Christmas holiday marketing and it's a great time to get your business recognised so I'm talking some more about online marketing strategies. Some popular forms of marketing for this time include SEO, email marketing and Pay per Click. I'm giving you some handy tips for getting started and have also included some SEO tips for those keen to know more, and sites of interest for your perusing pleasure!

Thanks to all who have responded to our What To Do Next Branding Workshop Opportunity! Don't forget the closing date isn't until December 15th - so remember to go to www.whattodonext.co.nz , click on 'newsletter' and enter your details along with this code: OO106. Good Luck !

We would love to hear any questions, comments, or ideas for future articles, just email us at info@optymise.co.nz.

I wish you all a wonderful month.

Happy reading,
Robyn

In this issue:

• » Useful Online Marketing Strategies
• » SEO Tips: How to make your email newsletters festive!
• » Sites of Interest

Pay per click (PPC) is an advertising technique used on websites, advertising networks, and search engines. You bid for "keywords" that you believe your target market (people you think would be interested in your offer) would type in the search bar when they are looking for your type of product or service. For example, if you sell "paint brushes", you would bid on the keyword "paint brushes", hoping a user would type those words in the search bar, see your ad, click on it and buy. These ads are called "sponsored links" or "sponsored ads" and appear next to and sometimes above the natural or organic results on the page. You pay only when the user clicks on your ad.

We covered PPC advertising in last month's newsletter, and are revisiting it again this month because of enquiries we've had about its benefits during the holiday season. Depending on the kind of products or services you sell, gaining grounds within the search engines, and gaining overall traffic to your website will take time with organic SEO. There is no quick fix that will allow you to capitalize on all of the Internet traffic within a particular market.

However all is not lost! For the holiday season when top rankings are more desirable, there are other online marketing and advertising avenues that will allow a website to gain some traffic while waiting for the search engines to index the website. A few of these mediums are called Pay Per Click ( PPC ) Advertising or sponsored ads on such search engines like Overture.com, Google Adwords, Yahoo Sponsored Listings, and more. Like said above, you pay only for the clicks you receive, you can choose your geographical targeting, and can turn your campaign on and turn off at any given time - perfect for seasonal marketing.

If you are considering starting a Google AdWords account or any other PPC campaign, it is during this time that our services are of greatest benefit. As it is at the beginning when most customers, who are not familiar how best to run these campaigns end up spending far too much, paying greater Cost Per Click rates than needed, selecting the wrong or non targeted keywords and overall generate little or no ROI.

This is where we can help to make sure that you initial experience with PPC campaigns, is not a bad one, but more importantly a profitable one. This also applicable for existing PPC users who simply wish to improve on their current results. We provide a complete PPC service that you can rely on for professional services tailored to your needs.

Anyone who's wandered the malls aimlessly searching for last-minute gifts knows: holiday shopping can be stressful, frustrating and unsatisfying. What do you do when the clock's ticking down and you haven't made a dent in your gift list? How do you get cool gifts on a budget? What do you get for the person who has everything? Look at your customers' past purchasing behaviors. Then send an email offer that targets those needs and anticipates the challenge. Solve their problem, time your offer right (just before Christmas), and target your customer's needs.

Email marketing is the perfect medium for seasonal marketing. What are you currently doing with that database of associates and potential customers? How about emailing them with your specials, or informing them of upcoming events or tips?

Optymise offers full tailored email marketing services with everything from template design to sending the mailer. Contact us today to see how we can help.

If you run an email newsletter, why not make it reflect the holiday season too? Here are some handy hints:

1. Not for everyone

Making your email newsletter designs festive will inject some humour into your newsletter and this does not always 'fit' with serious messages and briefings. Make sure your redesign will not cheapen your content and does not detract from your core brand values.

2. It only takes tweaks

Simple tweaks to images within your email newsletters allow you to almost 'gift wrap' your content. This low-cost method has been used by Google for a number of years, simply by dressing their web site, so a simple, effective and consistent theme can be used both on site and in your email.

3. Don't be last

Adding festive messages to your email newsletter after a competitor has done it to theirs will make you look 'me-too' and unoriginal. Get onto it soon!

4. Warn subscribers about editorial breaks

Let subscribers know well in advance if you're planning an editorial break - they will know not to expect new issues-otherwise it looks like you are ignoring them. Also it is a good idea to warn new subscribers otherwise people signing up to your email promotion over the Xmas break will be expecting to receive communications from you when you're not there!

5. Mention the festive break in the editorial

The voice of each newsletter is its personality. Don't be afraid to include mentions of invitations received/ parties attended-after all, in some cases you may need to explain some rather sub-par editorial performances!

6. Another reason to subscribe

Why not suggest to your existing subscribers that they give their colleagues their very own Xmas present-a copy of your newsletter! You could say this is the ultimate in cheeky incentives to drive member-get-member registrations, but as it doesn't cost anything, what it there to lose?

7. Timing

Don't go too early. Ideally your festive messages should start at the beginning of December- it is a bit like supermarket Xmas music- if it starts too early it becomes tired and irritating. Remember, you are trying to reflect the festive mood not lead it.

8. Not everyone celebrates

Remember, not everyone celebrates Xmas as a national holiday. For international organisations, many of your contacts in the Middle East for example will be working hard over Xmas and won't want reminding that you're not working!

9. Don't forget email signatures

Across your teams, they'll be sending hundreds of emails to clients, prospects and partners- encourage them to include a simple and consistent festive message within their email signature, while of course sticking to your core brand values. Not only is it free, but the potential reach is huge.

10. Take it down!

If your company has a break between Xmas and New Year, don't forget to take your Xmas messages down and perhaps replace them with New Year messages. Otherwise, your newsletter will look as stale as a left over turkey sandwich!

Here's some sites we've designed/promoted/loved recently:

• » What To Do Next - Life coaching, team building and training company based in Queenstown


• » Anngow Motors - Anngow Motors has achieved Mazda Motors New Zealand's top performance award for six of the last nine years, sells new and used vehicles and has a comprehensive workshop service department, finance department and a specialised seat belt installation (the largest South of Christchurch).


• » Pelage - The official site for New Zealand's finest pure new merino wool and possum fur blankets, throws, cushions, apparel, childrens wear and teddy's.


• » Cardrona Safaris - Trophy elk, deer, whitetail and chamois hunting vacations in New Zealand's most spectacular private game preserve with professional hunting guides from New Zealand.

CONTACT US today to find out about any of these services, or to fill out a brief outlining your business and website goals. We will assess your needs and be in touch with you with our recommendations.

P.S. Looking for answers to your FAQs? They may be found on our website.