Week 12: Using Other Social Media

Using review sites, like Yelp, can have a good turnout for emerging businesses. One of the things I like is being able to read real reviews and experience with a company. Since my company will be new and has not established as much of a loyal customer following having a few great reviews would be a great way to let people know that our products are worth giving as try. Using an incentive to review our business on Yelp, such as a discount on future purchase could be a good way to get people to review us. I think the most important thing though is to keep customers satisfied with their purchases, at all times, because Yelp can be a good thing or a bad thing in some cases.

Groupon is a site I may also consider using with the business as it gives customers an incentive to try a new product or service. Personally I use Groupon often and have found many great places through the site. Again, here it is very important to make sure your company is providing service that is exceptional enough to make the customer want to return; even without future incentives.

Week 11: Email Marketing

Given information in the lecture I believe sending out a monthly newsletter would be ideal

for my business. I think monthly is just enough to allow for customers, and potential customers, to not feel bombarded but still feel connected. Some information I would include is any upcoming events that would be of interest to the pet owners community. This could include non profit volunteer events, adoption events, as well as other local events that may support our brand. I would, possibly, include a small section with pet care advice in which the recipient would have an option to “read more” in depth on the subject. I would also include any price promotions or deals we have going on as well as coupon incentive for our newer and existing customers.

Week 7: Engaging Your Customers - FaceBook Strategy (Part 2)

I feel that these posts engage the audience because they are down to earth and relatable. They are something, as a pet owner, I would find funny and it would draw me to a page to see posts like this. They also promote product so it is a good way to attract potential customers.

Week 7: Engaging Your Customers - FaceBook Strategy (Part 1)

Some of the businesses I chose to "like" are:

• Dogster Magazine
• Modern Dog Magazine
• Humane Society
• Helen Woodward Animal Center
• ASPCA
• Animal Planet
• Animal Lovers
• Petco
• Forever Dogs

The reasoning behind liking these specific pages are that they are all centered around animal care and news. By reaching pages that advocate the health and well being of animals it will be beneficial in reaching people who will, potentially, be interested in our product. This Facebook feature is important for business development and exposure because it allows us to connect to a broader  audience of potential customers.

Week 5: Defining Your Target Market (Part 2)

My target market for Pawsibly Purrfect Pets will be pet owners, and animal lovers, between the ages of 30-70. I use this range of age because the products are quality and custom, meaning that the prices will be on the higher end.

Psychographics:

• Men and women
• Ages 30-70

Demographics:

• Pet owners
• Animal lovers
• Individuals who appreciate quality product and are interested in purchasing homemade custom products

Week 5: Defining Your Target Market (Part 1)

Subway takes an approach towards advertising their product as a healthy, and balanced, nutritional meal. The feel of their website is that it is targeted towards a younger crowd but also directed towards kids and middle aged adults. They use vibrant colors, light hearted attitude, and witty phrases which signifies that they are geared towards a young, "hip" crowd; who would find these things attractive when making a decision on where to buy their food.
Some psychographic descriptions I would use, for Subway, would be:

• Men and women
• Ages: 13-45

Some demographics I would us, for Subway, would be:

• Individuals interested in health and nutrition.
• Individuals trying to lose weight.
• Individuals who are interested in saving money and earning rewards.

Additionally, Subway adamantly promotes a healthy lifestyle and is involved in helping the community. They include separate sections to call attention to the policies and commitments that they implement into their everyday operations. They also offer a rewards program to appeal to people who are interested in earning extras and saving on their products.

Hungry Bear is a smaller scale deli than subway and adamantly focuses on the quality and taste of their product; as opposed to nutrition. They focus on letting the customer know that they use generous portions. Instead of using tactics like savings and rewards, they want their customers to know that they are getting what they pay for; in terms of portion and quality.

Some psychographic descriptions I would use, for Hungry Bear, would be: 

• Men (I would say this is the most accurate because I feel men tend to eat a little more than women), but also women as well.
• Ages 25-50 (I use these ages because the sandwiches tend to be a little higher in price; the younger the less likely you are to have disposable income for eating out...and the older you are the less likely you are willing to spend $10 on a sandwich)

Some demographics I would us, for Hungry Bear, would be:

• Individuals who are not as concerned with nutritional facts but more concerned with taste and flavor.
• Income not a factor when choosing a place to eat.
• Foodies 

Hungry Bear has a less vibrant feel and more of a call for attention by promoting the quality and deliciousness of their food. They do offer salads which gives options for those trying to eat healthy. There is not focus on community or social responsibility but I believe that is in part to the fact that it is a one location, smaller scale shop.

Both restaurants aim to attract customers by quality of their food, in different ways. Subway with nutritional facts and Hungry Bear with food quantity and quality(always fresh, never frozen).

Week 4: Aesthetics, Design, and Branding (Part 2)

I do a lot of online shopping and one of my favorite shoe brands is Puma. At www.puma.com I see another example of less is more, as with Apple and Toyota. The website is well contrasted in colors that are simple but effective. The logo appears in the right spot and on every page allowing for maximum brand exposure and allowing for ease of navigation.

The header stays fixed at the top of each different page so that the viewer always knows how to return to the home page. I come back for the product because I like it bt I am comfortable with the online shopping process because it is simple and visually appealing. When I am looking for a certain style or line, on the website, it is easy to find exactly where it is.

Another site that I use fairly often is www.amazon.com . Despite the fact that they sell and advertise a vast amount of products, I feel that they make them easy to find. They provide great tools to navigate the website, with specificity. This is another example of simple design and, in this case, the emphasis is on the display of products.

The various search options makes it convenient. Even with all the product picture displays on the front page, they still categorize items for simplicity. They tend to place things of relevance, at the moment, higher on the hierarchy scale and those are the first things you see when visiting the site.