Posted by: Suzi Senna

Social media: Here to stay or something that will blow away with the sands of time? As much as I don’t want to admit it—it’s definitely here for the long haul. This world’s next generation will only know a world where tweeting is a second language, where Facebook status determines how liked you are, and where the number of YouTube views sets the bar for success. I know what you’re thinking:

Hey grandma! Why don’t you get with the times? Embrace these key social influencers as forward progress and shut the hell up!

You’re right. For the most part. Social media is truly an amazing mode of communication. News and information can spread like wildfire within a little less than a few minutes—that is, of course, if the right people are sparking those flames. Well—sure—you assume celebrities and celebrity wannabes can quickly diffuse information to public and have it catch on, but not people like you or me, right? There’s couldn’t actually be a way to measure the influence someone has in the realm of social media—right?

Leave it to me to StumbleUpon something “new” that’s actually been around for  years. Something that seems completely unnecessary, yet relevant; borderline ridiculous but yet makes absolute sense. I’m talking about Klout—the online measure of your social media worth. The site claims that everyone has influence. Even grandmas like me.

Previously, people relied almost entirely on radio announcers, TV hosts, and traditional media to shape their opinions. Today, you can drive the conversation, voice your opinion, and connect with people all over the world using social media. Social media has democratized influence. -Klout

 

The gist of how it works is you go to their site, log on to your various social media outlets, and then it spits a number back out at your between 1 and 100 that measures how big you are in the social media sack. Having a life goal of constantly being judged, especially by technology, I subject myself to the test. The thirty-seven in the top left corner is the result. Did I just fail social media 101? Apparently not. The site claims the average score is about a 20. Wait!? WHAT!? All I have to my social media name is my barely-used Facebook account and my less-than-barely-used LinkedIn account. Apparently I’ve done enough to be classified as a “Socializer.”

You are the hub of social scenes and people count on you to find out what’s happening. You are quick to connect people and readily share your social savvy. Your followers appreciate your network and generosity.

Come on? A hub? Either this website knows something about me that I don’t or it’s just trying to get in my pants. Either way, I’ll take my 37 and stop asking questions.

Who’s the grandma now, sonny?

But seriously now, what does this all mean? Does your social media habits have any consequence? Or better yet—does it have any rewards?

Image a world where businesses care what people are saying about them and their brand (I know—pretty tough task). And now imagine these same businesses being able to look up your Klout score. Being able to tell who the social media hot shots are versus the social media losers. Would there be certain actions taken to accommodate the hot shots? Would customer service issues resolve quicker in hopes of a 140 character compliment? Would you get a better price break if they thought you would “Like” them? Can we seriously be dealing with an outspread of social media discrimination in the near future? It may sound like I’m talking crazy, but I may not be too far from the truth as you might think. Part of the Klout site gimmick is offering what they call “perks” to those individuals who score high enough.

Klout Perks are exclusive products or experiences that you earn based on your influence. Influencers have earned sweet Perks like laptops and airline tickets. -Klout

I am apparently not one of those lucky individuals as I’ve had zero perks offered to me. Does that make me want to run out and sign up on every social media website ever? No. But I’m sure it will make some people think about it.

So hot shot—what’s your score?

Drinkware is not something I usually get excited about. How many innovations are there regarding water bottles?  Then I saw the new 16 oz h2go omega, a beautifully styled water bottle that filters your water as you drink. Wow! The omega uses a 3-stage activated coconut filter which reduces 99.99% of contaminants. Each filter is good for 25 gallons or 200 uses before needing to be replaced.  Watch the short video below to see how the omega works. Available in 10 colors, the omega complements any logo (clear, fuchsia, red, apple, green, tangerine, aqua, blue, purple and graphite). With a 1-color imprint, the omegas are priced as low as $14.99. Call Bullpen today for more info!

With Earth Day and Arbor Day both taking place this week, it’s hard to ignore the impact we have on the environment around us. We at Bullpen Marketing try to conduct business in a socially responsible way through our recycling program, the use of energy saving products and of course, by offering “green” promotional products. I mean, come ‘on… We are a full-service marketing agency!

While our team strives to minimize our carbon footprint, we’re not satisfied with stopping there. Ultimately, we hope to inspire those around us- employees, clients, vendors, etc., to do the same. That’s why we’re providing you, our friends, with a list of 5 easy tips to help you both save the environment and possibly even some money in the long run!

1) Use fluorescent light bulbs instead of conventional light bulbs.

If every home in America replaced just one light bulb, we would save enough energy to light 3 million homes a year. In addition, fluorescent light bulbs use about 75% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and last up to 6x longer, thus, saving you $40 over its lifetime.

2) eCycle old electronics

Best Buy is now accepting everything from used DVDs and video games, to cell phones, to old TVs and VCRs. Recycling and reusing materials like copper, gold, lead, etc. helps preserve our natural resources and helps reduce land, air and water pollution. Click here for a complete list of items that Best Buy accepts for recycling as well as, a list of appliances they’ll haul away from your home for FREE!

3) Use reusable bags instead of paper or plastic

Buy a couple of reusable bags (they’re usually $2 or less in stores) and keep them by your back door or in your trunk so they’re readily available when you buy groceries or visit other retailers. Replacing plastic/paper bags with reusable ones helps prevent pollution, overcrowded landfills, and excessive oil consumption, amongst other things.

4) Don’t top off your gas tank during the upcoming hot summer days

Gas is stored underground where it’s cool. When you top off, there’s a chance that gas will spill out of your tank as it warms up. Even the smallest fuel spill evaporates and adds to air pollution. We suggest refueling your vehicle in the morning or early evening when it’s cool.

5) Plant a tree

Although this might seem a little cliché, I think most people forget the many benefits of trees to the environment. For instance, trees filter the air, recycle water, provide homes for wildlife, produce food for us to eat, etc. Plus, with all the trees we cut down for paper and other products, the least we could do is plant new ones in their place.

Read Bullpen’s Green Promise.

Although executives around the nation spend countless hours making sure their companies are running smoothly, it’s their employees that truly are the cornerstones of their success. This week, businesses both big and small, are celebrating Administrative Professionals Week all around the world. This popular workplace observance highlights the important role of administrative professionals in all sectors of the business world.

Employee appreciation doesn’t have to happen just once a year, so keep Bullpen Marketing in mind next time you’re thinking about honoring some of your best employees. Remember, they work hard for you all year long and the last thing you would want to do is give them a gift that is not thought through or that is completely useless. No matter what your budget, our team will brainstorm the perfect gift for your most valued employees. From edible treats to booming beats- we’ve got you covered with employee appreciation gifts all year round!

Call us today to learn more about products and pricing!

For 15 years, we have served our community and we’ve enjoyed every minute of it. Thank you for the best 15 years of our lives.

When most people think of identity theft they assume it occurs by imputing credit card and social security information into online order forms or when thieves steal physical cards from our possession. Much to the public’s surprise, more and more theft is taking place right in front of our very eyes and most of the time we don’t even realize it until it’s too late.

Nowadays, personal information such as credit card numbers and passport identification is being stolen left and right with portable card readers, also known as “credit card skimmers.” Today, thieves are using these devices to tap into the radio frequency identification sector. Radio frequency identification (RFID) is the electronic method of capturing and transmitting the identity of an object, card or person wirelessly, using radio waves. RFID technology is present all around us and does not require contact or line of sight for communication. The scary part? The RFID data on credit cards and passports can be read through the human body, clothing and non-metallic materials.

Thieves are going as far as attaching these “skimmers” into bank ATMs and gas pumps, as well as, carrying them in their pockets to read and extract information from the magnetic strips on nearby cards. It only takes a matter of minutes for thieves to extract the information, which they then put on fake credit cards and easily use in stores around the country.

Since criminals are physically planting the card readers inside machines, it’s hard for us to be sure which ATMs or gas pumps are actually safe. Thus, the only real way to protect ourselves in these cases is to make it a point to physically withdraw cash from the bank and to pay with cash for almost all of our transactions. While the “cash basis” seems like an unlikely outcome for most people, there is still a way for us to protect our information (from RFID hijacking) even when we are not at the ATM or gas pumps.

Bullpen Marketing is excited to present a durable and waterproof Data Protection Sleeve which can be used to protect important cards inside our wallets as well as passports when traveling or simply walking through the local mall. Data Protection Sleeves are the perfect way to show both your clients and your employees how much you care about their wellbeing. So contact us to see how you can get your company’s logo on a Data Protection Sleeve and start protecting your closest colleagues today!

Posted by: Colin Hageney

USB flash drives have become a staple of data storage for businesses and consumers on the go. Once, it was good enough just to have a few gigs of capacity in your pocket, purse or on your keychain. Now, we want our flash drives to look as good as our smart phones and tablets. We want a “cool” factor; a fashion upgrade for our memory.

“Turn regular into remarkable.”
Carrying around breathtaking pictures, stunning video or a tailored proposal demands a flash drive that is as compelling as the content. Bullpen is excited to introduce a new drive with more marketing real estate. It’s also easier to tote around and undeniably cool. The new ultra-thin credit card drive is a marketer’s dream. This drive makes a strong branding statement every time your client or employee opens their wallet. Contact Bullpen today and let us create the perfect drive for your company.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYjucb9x1IU

CSI: BULLPEN is a series of investigative reporting behind the scenes of creative sales ideas.

CASE # 021512
Melts in Your Mouth

The sweets (pictured on the right) were given out during the AMA February luncheon in 2011 prior to Valentine’s Day. The candy bars had a custom full color wrap. The design played off the Valentine theme and had our company’s brand just about everywhere (even on the cup that the little girl was holding). Knowing that the chocolate itself wouldn’t be around for too long, we took the opportunity to extend the branding shelf life by adding a coupon to the design of the wrapper. We offered a free setup charge for a limited time only on any promotional product order (so that people held on to the wrapper after the chocolate was gone). We also took this promo idea one step further and created a custom chocolate mold beneath the foil. The mold was a design of hearts with our tagline, “Brand Your Love. Love Your Brand.” Why did we go the extra mile? Well, first off it shows the recipient that we in fact went that extra mile. Second, it created an unexpected surprise. Third, it increased the perceived value to what’s an otherwise relatively inexpensive item.

Would you like something that can last longer than a chocolate bar? Well, all edible goods (if they taste good enough) will be eaten. But that doesn’t mean their containers will be thrown away. Take for example mints or cookies in a nicely reusable tin container. These containers can last a long time and they can be refilled with snacks or other items such as paper clips, coins, keys, etc. The trick is being creative so someone will want to keep the container. You could also include a QR code that’s linked to a monthly special for your clients. Or you could link the QR code to a calendar of events that is kept up to date — the possibilities are endless.

Bullpen Marketing offers a wide range of creative sales ideas that are targeted to your audience, event, and budget. Please give us a call today or fill out this online form.

So it’s the Monday after Super Bowl XLVI and of course the hottest topics of conversation in advertising and marketing agencies across the nation have been the game, and even more importantly, the commercials. While the quality and entertainment of this year’s commercials are still up for debate, the level of online fan engagement was at an all-time high.

Four years ago the “Brand Bowl,” which takes place on the popular social media site, Twitter, was started to gauge public reaction to the advertising that takes place during the Super Bowl. Monitoring trends and tweets per minute makes it easier for judges to measure the audience’s opinions and rank the participating brands accordingly. Scores are affected by positive tweets, neutral tweets, negative tweets and total number of tweets about the brand itself. The brand with the top “Brand Bowl score” at the end of Sunday night walks away the winner of the Brand Bowl for that year. The top spot in this year’s contest went to Dorito’s, with their baby slingshot commercial.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=es3ScrYyHP8

So what was so different about this year’s ads? While not every brand has taken advantage of the virtually free publicity that comes with the use of hashtags (#) on Twitter, a handful of them incorporated and encouraged the social media practice in their Super Bowl commercials this year. Five brands that looked to Twitter for help in their Super Bowl ad campaigns were Best Buy (#betterway), Budlight (#makeitplatnium), General Electric (#whatworks), H&M (#beckhamforhm) and Hulu (#mushymush).

To advertisers and marketers’ dismay, it seemed as though more brands were staying away from promoted hashtags and phrases than the number of those who actually used them. While many viewers took to Twitter on Super Bowl Sunday to tout the participating brands, there were also many instances in which the phrases that brands were hoping would be used to express positive sentiment and customer experiences, were actually used against them (much like the McDonalds faux pas a few weeks ago). Could this be why so many brands chose not to incorporate a hashtag in their ads? Possibly.

So what can brands do to prevent possible backfires on Twitter?

1. Choose phrases wisely
2. Incorporate positive wording into promoted phrases
3. Prepare for possible negative feedback and respond to it in a receptive manner

Just because brands can’t control everything the public says about them on Twitter, or any other social media platform for that matter, doesn’t mean they should stay away from them completely. This just means there should be more effort exerted by a brand’s marketing team to carefully choose phrases they use to promote their brands, to monitor the feedback even more carefully than before and to take the time to respond to the comments that demand the most attention from the brand. In the end, these brands, specifically their marketing and social media teams, are simply being asked to take their existing customer service practices and incorporate them into the digital realm- whether it’s directly thanking someone for their positive tweet or asking how the brand can make up for a negative user experience, none of which should be rocket science.

It’s tradeshow season – time to rehearse because, after all, you and your company are on stage. We know that your plate is overflowing with 2012 priorities and we’d like to help you in any way that we can. Here are 5 tips that will help ensure that your tradeshow season is a success:

1. Size Matters
It’s important for your booth to be the right size for your company.  If your company is new to tradeshow marketing, you’ll want to start out with an inline 10’ x 10’ or 10’ x 20’ booth.  Get a feel for the pros and cons of these booths shelling out the big bucks for an island exhibit.  Generally, smaller booths get less traffic than larger ones – for three reasons – location, location, location.  Bigger exhibits are usually closer to the main entrance, centrally located and along the main aisles.  The biggest advantage of the larger (island) exhibits is square footage and height.  Some island exhibits are two stories, can include meeting rooms, have multiple kiosks, presentation areas and floor to ceiling graphics.  Smaller inline displays only allow for you to do so much.

More than likely, you exhibit at more than one trade show a year with the importance of some outweighing others.  At your main show, you’ll want a bigger presence while at others, you may only need a table top display.

The general rule of thumb is that you need to be at the trade shows your competition attends and that you need to be as big in presence—if not bigger.  More importantly, it’s important to determine what your goals are for the show and what you need to do to exceed those goals.

2. Cluttered Graphics
Less is more and while some people think the booth needs to tell the complete story, it doesn’t.  That’s why you have people staffing the booth.  The purpose of the graphics is to identify the company and draw in traffic with simple, clean visuals.  Exhibit booths are a lot like billboards – you have only a few seconds to attract the interest of your target market.  That doesn’t mean your graphics can’t be colorful and creative.  You just don’t want there to be sensory overload when someone is trying to learn about your company.

3. Giveaways Just Because…
Don’t hand out giveaways just because everyone else is doing it.  Sure, everyone likes logoed items, but if your items don’t have a purpose, you’re just giving stuff away—and inevitably wasting money. If the recipients of your giveaways pick it up only to throw it out—or worse—aren’t even interested enough to throw it in their goodie bag, your brand and message aren’t being seen. We recommend have three levels of giveaway items at a tradeshow:

• Something for scoopers – this is an item that costs less than a dollar for the people that just come by the booth to get stuff.  This item should not only have your logo but it should have a web address for them to go to learn more about your company.  Bonus:  If it has a special web address specifically for the show that gives them the opportunity to learn more about your purpose at the show.  i.e. Introduction of a new product or service.

• Something for qualified prospects – depending on your budget, this could range from $2-5.  The people who receive these items are ones who would be a good fit for your product or service.  Perhaps they attended a presentation or demonstration.  The product you’re giving them should reinforce your company’s brand and offering.

• Something for clients – often times you’ll have clients visit you at a tradeshow booth.  You’ll want to reinforce your relationship with a gift.  Depending on the value of a client to your business, these can be $5-50.  Often times, nice golf shirts are given to clients so they can be walking brand disciples for your company.

No matter the item, make sure it’s relevant to your tradeshow audience.

4. Booth Staff Not Trained
Staff training is an often overlooked area that makes or breaks a trade show.  Just because you have sale reps in the booth doesn’t mean they know how to work a show.  Training before the show and before the show each day ensures that everyone is singing from the same songbook.  Each person who walks into your booth is deciding whether or not to purchase your product or service. A knowledgeable staff member can be the key to closing a sale or getting a prospective client interested enough to pick up the phone and call your company.

And don’t forget—details matter. Make sure everyone at the tradeshow is on the same page. Is everyone wearing what they should be wearing on a given day?  Is eating allowed in the booth?  Can booth staff be on the phone or answering email while in the booth?  These are just a few of the questions that need to be answered when you train your staff.  It’s a big investment to be at a show; everyone should be on top of their game.

5. Poor Follow Up on Leads
To echo what was said in #4 – it’s a big investment to be at a show; everyone should be on top of their game.  Your post show marketing plan is just as important as your pre-show plan to attract people to come to your booth.  Leads should be handled within 48 hours after you get back to the office.  Carefully tracking leads after a show determines the ROI for a show and if it is worth attending the next year.