Internet Marketing Archives - Steerpoint Marketing
Infographic
March 1st, 2013 By - John Slimak
From an SEO standpoint, the use of Infographics is a great visualization tool to be used with social media – they can be liked, shared, e-mailed to others, etc. – which can be linked back to a company’s website. Many of our clients request to have them specifically placed on their websites. They have been around now for about a year or so. Right now, they seem to be the “in thing” – but, are they really here to stay?
An Infographic is a unique way to convey an idea or explain steps in a process and/or timeline. But, if it looks like it’s too much work for the reader, does it really convey a message or just get ignored? SteerPoint Marketing has seen very good examples of Infographics yet some that are unattractive, ineffective and, therefore, we believe some, quite frankly, are just getting overlooked. Some tend to be too colorful, busy and the key informational message gets lost.
There are 3 different types of learning styles: visual, auditory and kinesthetic. According to the Visual Teaching Alliance, 65% of the population is categorized as visual learners. So, if you aren’t a visual learner, graphic information isn’t for you! Our advice would be to also reach out to the other 35% whom may receive your business marketing message in a better manner.
So in order to have a successful Infographic, one word of advice: simplicity. The goal is to get a message across – easily understandable.
Infographics, we feel, might be at their peak – will they decline in popularity?
Facebook’s Graph Search an Angie’s List Killer
January 23rd, 2013 By - John Slimak
With the announcement of Facebook’s new graph search, (and continuing my most recent SteerPoint Marketing blog post) I would like to pose one very obvious question:
What is the future viability of pay-for-referral business models – likeAngie’s List?
In review,Facebook announced last week their new “graph search” aka “social-search” feature (Zuckerberg stressed that it’s not a web search) will allow users to explore connections between people, their profile information and their interests on Facebook – who they know, what they do and what they like (businesses).
Basically, users will be able to search for recommendations for doctors, businesses, products, TV shows or bands from their known peers…and, peers of your peers!
What is Angie’s List? While businesses do not pay to be on Angie’s List, consumers must pay a subscription fee for membership and access to referrals. According to their Facebook “About” page, over 1.5 million households check Angie’s List before they hire roofers, plumbers, house cleaners, carpenters – and, lately even dentists and doctors.
Their mission states: “Angie’s List takes the ‘ask-your-neighbor’ approach to a higher level to provide reliable, unbiased ratings and reviews on local services…where more than 1.5 million households across the U.S. share their ratings and reviews on local home, yard, auto, pet and health care providers.”
Sure – that may be a reliable pool of satisfied consumers willing to go on the records about their consuming experiences. However, as of this writing, Facebook metrics claim 138.9 million monthly unique users in the US. And, we all know how Facebook users love to give their opinions.
SteerPoint Marketing doesn’t see a promising future for paid services like Angie’s List once Facebook finally rolls out the fully tested version of their “Graph Search”. If a consumer wants to search for one of these services, why not just go ask their Facebook friends to recommend hiring someone – for no cost?
It reminds us of an information technology quote we read years ago – we dated it back to Steve Wozniak as far back as 1984:
“Information wants to be Free. Information also wants to be expensive….That tension will not go away”
Thus far, researchers and analysts haven’t been too impressed with Facebook’s graph search. However, if they develop it to its full potential, it’s our position that Angie’s List might just get a run for their money on this one!
