Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur or a large corporation social media marketing strategies will boost your marketing efforts.

YOU KEEP HEARING THE BUZZWORDS… blogs, RSS, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, social media, Flickr, Linkedin, DIGG, Vimeo…  and the list goes on. But what does it all mean? Can well-developed social media strategies have application in your business marketing efforts? In a word, YES!

Come enjoy a fast-paced, 90-minute, visually engaging, multi-media overview about the growth of Social Media Marketing in business.

See examples of different, creative ways businesses are using Social Media Marketing—including ways we’ve helped companies engage their audiences and support their marketing efforts. And most importantly, you’ll learn how these strategies can maximize your marketing dollars, support your traditional marketing efforts, and help your business grow. It doesn’t need to be overwhelming, difficult or expensive.

Here’s what a recent attendee had to say:

 Join us!  Seating is limited to 8 people per session to allow for helpful Q&A.

Dates: Overviews Are Held EVERY WEDNESDAY

Time: Noon to 2pm

Cost: $15 (includes a delicious lunch from PF CHANG’S and all printed, take-away materials!)

Location: Cowork Utah in Orem (map here, www.coworkutah.com/location)

YOU MUST RSVP: call Jack at 801-225-8900

ABOUT THE PRESENTER:   Jack Hadley, ClarityWorx’s founder, has 20 years’ experience as an award-winning copywriter, branding consultant and agency creative director. But more often he’s referred to as a messaging strategist, corporate storyteller, and epiphany catalyst. ClarityWorx helps companies clarify their message and tell compelling stories that nail business objectives. Jack also has extensive experience working with businesses to execute Social Media Marketing strategies and coaching them through their learning curve. He currently co-teaches a Social Media Marketing lecture series at Brigham Young University.

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The Challenge:

Over the last couple of years, cosmetic dentistry has experienced explosive growth—fueled in part by television shows like ABC’s Extreme Makeover. Dental labs (smile “builders”) work hand-in-hand with dentists (smile “architects”) to create beautiful, functional veneers. Utah Valley Dental Lab is one of the most reputable labs in the world.

But top North American labs—including Utah Valley Dental Lab—are facing serious challenges. Low-quality offshore labs are offering inferior products at lower cost. And since consumers know little or nothing about the role dental labs play in dentistry, profit-centric dentists are bringing in offshore restorations—often resulting in big problems for consumers. To make matters worse, there are few government regulations to monitor the problem.

Recently, NADL (the National Association of Dental Labs) was contacted by a dental patient in Ohio who has documentation of lead contamination in her dental restoration. The affected patient, a senior citizen, received a three-unit dental bridge from a dentist in Ohio. After having an adverse reaction to her dental work, and having it removed, the dentist disclosed that the prescription was sent to an offshore dental laboratory and disclosed to the patient that the restoration was made in China. The patient then had the restoration sent to a chemical laboratory for analysis. The documentation of the dental material analysis of this patient’s restoration showed unsafe levels of lead in the porcelain on the restoration.

The problem has left big questions in the minds of dental lab owners and dentists. Where’s the future headed? Will North American dental labs be replaced by offshore labs? Will dental labs ultimately be replaced by technology that commonly resides one day in every dental practice?

The Solution:

This social media marketing solution began with some serious message development. Working with the lab owners we conducted forums, surveys and discussion groups to learn more about how dentists view lab relationships—and came up with one conclusion…  It was time to elevate lab/dentist relationships. It was time for dentists to expect more from their lab.

We assumed the position that competition no longer comes from other dental labs. UVDL’s competition comes from companies like Nordstrom, Starbucks, Southwest Airlines, and Costco. Why? Because they’ve raised the bar on service expectations. We also determined that providing unequaled VALUE to dentists isn’t JUST about service. It’s also about RELEVANCE—connecting to the things that quality dentists consider important. Innovative solutions, in and of themselves, have no inherent value until they’re RELEVANT to what dental practices want, need, value, and expect.

Taking this message to the dental community using social media marketing strategies was immediately determined to be a great fit. To begin with, UVDL would be the first one to take a leadership position in this space. Working closely with dentists to educate them through dynamic case studies would build trust, and also help dentists solve their own complex dental restoration cases. UVDL would also monitor and distill industry news to keep dentists current on new materials and techniques.

The Tactics:

First, the new brand needed to be developed. Here are a few examples of the new messaging that was created, and some of the printed materials that were produced for the new brand:

Next, the lab’s traditional legacy website needed to be replaced with a dynamic blogsite that would allow them to interact with dentists, and also provide the tools they need to post current case studies, to feature timely testimonials, and to establish themselves as a lab-topic information clearing house for dentists.

The blogsite was just launched in April 2009. Visit the site HERE.

We are currently working with UVDL to establish a stronger relationship foothold with dentists through social networking strategies.

The Challenge:

Graduating from college during a down economy necessitates differentiating oneself from the competition. Traditional portfolios, and the traditional portfolio sites that feature them, are a dime a dozen. How does a new art director looking for work demonstrate original forward thinking when it comes to using social media marketing—and, an understanding of web 2.0 technology and its value?

The Solution:

Sure, every college student uses facebook. But very few graduating college students (even in advertising and communications) really have a grasp on social media marketing strategies. By utilizing these leading-edge strategies, Blake could set himself apart—not only as a great designer and adman, but also as a valuable strategic thinker.

The Tactics:

A dynamic blogsite was the first step. Building a cool portfolio on a blog framework (and not making it look like a typical, goofy blog) shows innovative thinking. It also gives Blake the opportunity to control his blogsite without having to enlist a programmer’s help. Plus, the blog’s two-way communication allows other people (including potential employers and freelance clients) to comment on Blake’s work.

Blake is also tapping social networks like facebook and LinkedIN, and microblogging (Twitter) in new ways that are designed to drive traffic to his blogsite.

Visit Blake’s blogsite >HERE

The Challenge:

Tough economic times have hit every business—including banks. However, conditions vary greatly from region to region, state to state, and community to community. While many people continue to be spoon fed doom and gloom watching CNN, Western Community Bank saw an opportunity to specifically address local issues from a local bank’s perspective.

The Solution:

The management team at Western Community Bank is a savvy bunch. They’ve always looked to the leading edge when branding their three-branch community bank. So, implementing a social media marketing strategy was simply par for the course.

Their premise was simple—we get enough national doom and gloom watching CNN. What people would really appreciate is insight into the economic downturn… FROM THEIR LOCAL BANKER’S PERSPECTIVE.

During the bank’s new blogsite development, a number of social media specific articles appeared in industry publications.

Western Community Bank was already one step ahead.

The Tactics:

Adam Weight, Western Community Bank’s VP of Marketing and Technology, understands the subtleties of social media marketing. He knows that you can’t buy a set of walkie-talkies, then use them like a bullhorn! Simply posting “ads” for bank services, and disguising them as posts, wasn’t his vision. He continues to spend a great deal of time researching topics that provide value to readers—topics that not only help customers with everyday banking questions, but also lend local perspective to tough economic times.

In addition, Western Community Bank’s strategy has been designed to provide online “one-on-one” type experiences—not only for their customers, but for perspective new customers in Utah County.

Adam has been adamant about throwing a little financial humor now and then as well.

The blogsite has already proven to be a great idea. Customer comments have included, “It’s nice to understand the LOCAL implications of a down economy on MY money, MY mortgage, MY investments, and MY family.” 

Currently, we are working with Western Community Bank to develop other innovative and unexpected social networking programs that engage audiences and drive increased traffic to their blogsite.

Visit Western Community Bank’s blogsite, Smart Banking Tips, by clicking >HERE.

The Challenge:

Innovative Garage’s challenge became very apparent during the owners’ earliest research. Their market was a VERY crowded space—full of traditional online business models that sold a variety of car parts “at rock bottom prices”. How could InnovativeGarage.com possibly stand out from all the clutter?

The Solution:

InnovativeGarage.com needed to begin building a community. Social media was a great place to start for two reasons. First, their budget was very limited. Second, their target audience consisted completely of existing groups, clubs, teams, and gangs. The viral potential within these already well-developed communities is enormous.

The Tactics:

While traditional ecommerce websites ONLY sell products, Innovative Garage has taken a conversational approach and interlaced it with products. This gives them the power to sell AND to socialize with customers in blog conversations that revolve around racing and the features of various products. Although the blogsite just launched, they’re already developing deeper additional content that’s designed to suggest solutions to racing problems and to feature more in-depth product reviews.

Visit the blogsite by clicking >HERE

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TO SEE THE DETAILS OF THIS PROJECT, CLICK >HERE

CLICK >HERE FOR DETAILS ON THIS PROJECT