Creating Results With Email

Did you know that 90% of Americans get at least one permission-based email every day.  These are emails that they have asked to receive and are an effective way for you to reach your customers

• Nearly 50% always open mail from their favorite companies
• 70% said they subscribed to receive a discount
• Half of all consumers said they made a purchase because of an email
• 56% of people age 15-24 sign up for emails looking for deals

Why this matters to you:
Email marketing gives you a great opportunity to engage clients.  You can target current and prospective customers in a highly efficient manner.  Following the correct procedures will ensure that you and your customers maintain a good relationship.  Make sure your email communication is permission based , never SPAM.   Email marketing done poorly is not only ineffective but can cost you a lot of money.  Violations of the CanSpam Act can cost up to $16,000 per occurance.  For more information on how we can help you create efficient and effective email campaigns, please contact your Orlando Sentinel Representative or
Lisa Mercer
Orlando Sentinel Media Group
407.650.6572
llmercer@orlandosentinel.com

Source: Exact Target

Daily Deals Are Anticipated And Requested By Consumers

Consumers not only like a good deal, they search them out.

• 56% of internet users subscribe to at least two “deals”  emails
• At least 60% of the respondents read the “deals” emails at least once a day
• Nearly half were excited enough about to say  they “can’t wait” to see
  the latest deals in the messages
• 45% of respondents say they forward the emails on to friends and family
  at least once a week

 What This Means To You?
If consumers are looking forward to “deals”, subscribing to “deals” emails and forwarding them to friends, shouldn’t you take advantage of “deals” opportunities?  “Deals” are a great way to get your message out there.  But remember, “deals” just get customers in the door.  You need to support your “deals” programs with other marketing efforts to make sure they are just one time visitors.  For more information how we can help you with an easy deals program, please contact your Orlando Sentinel Representative or
 Lisa Mercer
Orlando Sentinel Media Group
407.650.6572
llmercer@orlandosentinel.com

Source: BIA/Kelsey

The Importance of Social Media – “Likes” Beat Reviews

A recent survey from Harris Interactive shows that social media and search can affect your operations.

• Over half of adults under 35 visit more than 2 websites before checking out a business
• Over six in ten visit Google, 24% visit Facebook, 21% visit review sites and 17% clicked the first link on a search page
• 20% of people said they “Like” businesses to show their support, versus just 13% who write reviews
• 40% of people under 40 “Like” businesses they like, that number jumps to nearly half with people age 18-24

 Why Is This Important To You?
First impressions are everything and now those many of those first impressions are made online.
What is your search strategy?
 Is your website and social media offerings a good ambassador for company?
Do you think that the content is engaging?
Have you provided enough value for them to “like” you?
Website and social media presences shouldn’t be an afterthought, nor should the way you market them.
For more information on how to get the most out of your digital capabilities, please contant your Orlando Sentinel representative or
Lisa Mercer
Orlando Sentinel Media Group
407.650.6572
llmercer@orlandosentinel.com

Source: Harris Interactive

Consumers Look to Mobile Devices When Shopping

Mobile devices are rapidly becoming consumer’s go-to tool when shopping.

• 62% of consumers turn to their mobile devices when beginning the shopping process
• 35% of smart phone owners use their device when researching big ticket items
• 58% of smart phone owners use their device to research nearby restaurants
• 36% research local shopping spaces
• 68% of people said mobile applications are their primary avenue for shopping

Why Does This Matter to You?

There are nearly 700,000 smart phone owners and over 950,000 mobile device owners in Central Florida.  These consumers generally have higher household incomes and make great prospective customers for you.  Mobile products and programs are a great way to get your message out and market to this valuable audience.  For more information on how mobile opportunities can bring you better results, please contact your Orlando Sentinel Representative or
Lisa Mercer
Orlando Sentinel Media Group
407.650.6572
llmercer@orlandosentinel.com

Source: Flixster/Lightspeed Research

Why Mobile Should Be A Part Of Your Media Mix.

If you think that just about everyone has a cell phone, you’re right.  According to the Pew Research Center, 85% of adults own a cell phone and 90% of adults live in household with a cell phone.

• One in four adults live in home that is cell phone only
• Over half (51%) of adults 25-29 do not have a landline phone
• Even older adults are mobile – over 80% of adults 57-65 have a cell phone as do nearly 70% of adults 66—74

 What does this mean for you?
For many adults, their mobile phone is more than a phone; it’s how they interact with the world.  With the majority of people and using mobile devices, you are at a disadvantage if you are not harnessing the power of mobile advertising.  From QR Codes to micro-sites, mobile web sites to permission based SMS even apps and mobile “deals” programs, there opportunities all around to monetize the mobile space.  For more information on how you can put your message in the palm of consumers’ hand, contact your Orlando Sentinel sales representative or
Lisa Mercer
Orlando Sentinel Media Group
407.650.6572
llmercer@orlandosentinel.com

Source: Pew Research Center

Local Deals Are The Real Deal

Local Deals are the Real Deal

In today’s economy, everyone is looking to save money and get a good deal.
But did you know that over 70% of the mobile audience nationally has purchased a local deal from places such as Groupon, Living Social or a local deals site?

• 44% of mobile users purchase deals at least once a month
• Adults age 25-44 are most likely to purchase a local deal
• Over 60% of mobile consumers have shared local deals with friends, nearly 70% of adults 25 to 44 share deals

Why is this important to you?
If you are looking to bring in new customers and increase awareness about your business, “Deals” programs are a great answer.  But don’t forget to move beyond just the acquisition stage.  Make sure that you support any deals program with a continuing marketing program to bring those “Deals” users back over and over again.  For more information on how you can get involved in a turnkey deals program, contact your Orlando Sentinel Representative or
Lisa Mercer
Orlando Sentinel Media Group
407.650.6572
llmercer@orlandosentinel.com

Source: Emarketer

Online Video Captures Audience

New research from Emarketer shows that 68% of consumers watch online video, which equals a national audience of over 130 million people.  The online video audience continues to grow. 

• By 2015, it’s estimated that  over three quarters of consumers nationally will watch online video
• In the past year, the number of Metro Orlando adults who watch online video has doubled
• Adults who have visited OrlandoSentinel.com are 15% more likely than Metro Orlando online adults to have watched online video

What Does This Mean To You?

Watching video content online is not a passing fad.  The audience is growing and you should use online video positions to expand your audience and gain a competitive advantage.   For more information on how online video solutions can put your message in front of more people, please contact your Orlando Sentinel representative or
Lisa Mercer
Orlando Sentinel Media Group
407.650.6572
llmercer@orlandosentinel.com

Source:EMarketer

Why Social Media?

The reasons why businesses need to be involved in social media stretch
beyond the more than 500 million active Facebook users.
It starts with reasons why consumers follow a brand or association on Facebook.

• 40% follow to receive a discount or promotion (top reason)
• 36% follow to get a “freebie”
• 33% follow to get updates on future products
• 30% follow to stay informed on future sales

It’s much more than just showing support for brands they like, it’s about actionable consumer behavior.

What Does This Mean To You?
As a business, you need to use social media to your advantage.
Integrate it into your overall marketing strategy. Make sure that your social
media delivers some kind of value to your customers and followers.
Ultimately, you want your social media offerings to create results for your
business.  For more information on how to optimize and monetize your
social media presence, contact your Orlando Sentinel Representative or
Lisa Mercer
Orlando Sentinel Media Group
407.650.6572
llmercer@orlandosentinel.com

Source: Exact Target/CoTweet

Mobile Ads Cause Action

Over 80% of smart phone owners notice ads on their devices and mobile ads lead to actions.

• 49% made a purchase (either offline, online or over the phone)
• 49% looked for more information
• 33% visited a retailer or location
• 27% contacted an advertiser
• Over all 42% of users clicked on an ad and 35% visited a website

What Does This Mean To You?
If you are looking to increase store traffic & expand your revenue streams and have not added mobile components – you need to. People depend on their mobile devices for more than just communication, and if you’re are not taking advantage of mobile opportunities they will be left behind.
For more information on how mobile solutions can help you grow your business, please contact your Orlando Sentinel Representative or
Lisa Mercer
Orlando Sentinel Media Group
407.650.6572
llmercer@orlandosentinel.com

Source: Google/Ipsos

Mobile Bar Code Scanning Becoming Mainstream

Mobile Bar & QR Codes have been popular in Asia for years and until recently scanning apps on phone were considered niche applications, but it seems that mobile bar code scanning is catching on quickly.
In a recent study by Compete, 28% of smart phone users have used bar code scanning applications. Android users have the highest adoption rates (48%) followed by iPhone users (39%) and Blackberry users (14%).

• Over half of the active respondents scanned code while in a store to compare prices
• 23% scanned to learn more about the product
• 13% scanned so they could make a mobile purchase

What does this mean to you:
People are starting to use mobile bar codes not just for information, but to
make purchases.
In Central Florida, there are nearly 700,000 smart phone owners.
QR Codes are a great bridge between print and digital solutions.
They will expand your reach and put your message in the palm of
consumer’s hands.
For more information on QR Code solutions or how we can help you get the results you need, please contact your Orlando Sentinel Representative or
Lisa Mercer
Orlando Sentinel Media Group
407.650.6572
llmercer@orlandosentinel.com

Source: Compete