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Marketing Ideas to Help Your Burger Joint Stand Out

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
Marketing Ideas to Help Your Burger Joint Stand Out by Our Town America QSR Magazine

QSR Magazine — Local burger joints hold a special place in the community; they’re the perfect place to gather to watch the big game or an easy, quick dinner option when the customer doesn’t want to cook. IBISWorld finds that there are nearly 92,000 burger joints in the country. So, it’s vital that your restaurant uses the best of the best QSR Marketing ideas in order to influence customers to choose them over the other option down the street from them. Direct Mailers These campaigns are a powerful tool for burger restaurants to reach potential customers in their local market. Eye-catching mailers that showcase enticing food visuals and irresistible offers pique the interest of potential customers and encourage them to visit the restaurant. Personalization is key. Segmenting the mailing list based on demographics and preferences ensures the message resonates with the right audience. New Mover Mailers Similar to direct mailers, New Mover Mailers are a great tool to put your restaurant’s name in front of potential new customers. New Mover Mailers provide a unique opportunity to introduce your burger joint to individuals who have recently moved to your area before they check out any of your competition. These people are actively searching for new places to dine and explore, making them receptive to local restaurant suggestions and mailers. By offering a warm welcome and an attractive introductory offer through targeted mailers, you can effectively capture the attention of these potential customers and convert them into loyal customers. Our Town America mails new residents a welcome package filled with one-time-use housewarming offers, such as a gift certificate to a local burger joint. The gift certificate gets them in through your doors. Then, with exceptional customer service, you can earn their repeat business. Lastly, to encourage continued interest, the program sends a follow-up postcard mailer to get them back through your doors. Loyalty Programs Loyalty programs can be a game-changer for your burger joint. As humans, we love that personal connection. By offering rewards, exclusive discounts, and personalized experiences to repeat customers, you build a bond with them that makes them feel connected and appreciated. First, offer a deal when they sign up for the loyalty program or app, so it’s worth their time and effort to sign up. Then, encourage customers to spread positive commentary on your restaurant and incentivize referrals with the loyalty program. Leverage mobile apps or physical loyalty cards to make the program accessible and user-friendly. The mobile app gives you another advertising channel. You can send push notifications to keep you in front of loyal customers. Social Media, Digital Ads and Google Review Engagement In today’s world, it’s crucial for QSRs to meet their customers where they spend their free time — social media. Use location-based digital advertising on Facebook and Instagram to target local customers. Then, engaging with your target audience through platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, you can share mouth-watering images of your burgers, interact with customers in real-time, and build a community around your brand. You can encourage customers to post content of them enjoying your restaurant by offering them deals or chances to win something.  BrightLocal reports that 87% of people checked Google reviews to evaluate local businesses last year. That means a majority of your potential customers will look at what people are saying on Google. Responding to those reviews in a quick, positive manner shows potential customers that you care. To increase the number of your quality reviews, encourage people to leave reviews while they’re at your burger joint.  In the crowded QSR and burger restaurant markets, standing out is essential for your business to thrive. By employing effective QSR marketing ideas, such as direct mailer campaigns, new mover mailers, loyalty programs, digital advertising, and social media engagement, you can carve your niche and attract a loyal customer base. Embrace and show off your brand. Make it authentic and build that relationship with your community. From there, you’ll watch your restaurant become the go-to destination on burger night for locals. Contact us today to reach new customers! 1-800-497-8360 Brittany N. JohnsonBrittany is the head of Our Town America’s corporate marketing department. She specializes in digital and print media, social media, and public relations. […]

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Restaurants Build a Loyal Customer Base by Offering Freebies

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
Restaurants Build a Loyal Customer Base Modern Restaurant Management Our Town America Marketing

Modern Restaurant Management — A 10-percent discount for a local restaurant is of course appreciated, but when looking to grab the attention of new customers – offering free food via direct mail has proven to be a more effective strategy. Benefits of Restaurant Freebies Everyone enjoys getting things for free. Whether it’s a side of fries, a bread basket, or a birthday dinner, the psychology of freebies is innate. Free food leverages the principle of reciprocity: when someone gives you something, you usually feel obligated to provide a benefit in return. A free meal helps create lifelong customers. Nearly 65 percent of a company’s business comes from existing customers, and 43 percent of customers spend more money at businesses they frequent regularly. Discounts can briefly generate an increase in sales, but they generally attract bargain hunters who will turn to another brand at the first sign of a better deal. Offering strategic freebies helps form relationships and delivers real value. A freebie is an easy way to improve customer service and form a loyal relationship with a customer. It’s also a great tool to highlight new menu items and products. Customers expect great customer service; retention is significantly less expensive than having to continuously add new customers. At least 88% of customers have higher customer service expectations than in the past, according to a survey conducted by Hubspot. Direct Mail Freebies Reach Targets Sending free offers via direct mail is an efficient way to reach your customer demographic. You can blanket a zip code or send the message straight to existing customers. Many companies rely on email to reach existing customers. While email can be effective, it often gets lost in the shuffle. In 2023, experts predict 347.3 billion emails will be sent and received each day, according to Statista. The average American worker spends 28 percent of their time managing their email inbox, McKinsey & Company reports. When you combine email with other electronic forms of communication, such as texting and instant messaging, it’s no wonder Americans are suffering from communication overload. Postcards are a tangible token people still appreciate in our digital world. New Mover Marketing Relies on Freebies New mover marketing relies on reciprocity to help small businesses add loyal customers by using direct mail to reach new households before they form relationships with competitors. Nearly 27.1 million people moved in 2021, and trends indicate a growing number of people are making long-distance moves. The National Association of Realtors tracks migration. They revealed people are leaving California, New York and Illinois for warmer climates, such as Florida, Texas and the Carolinas. Amidst the chaos of unpacking boxes and turning their new houses into homes, they must form new routines and try out local businesses. New residents are crunched for time and searching for ways to lighten the load as they adjust to their new location. A direct mail gift certificate is a welcome gesture they won’t forget. Loyalty Programs Add Value Provide a solid customer service experience and deliver a great product to drive repeat visits. To help generate repeat business, restaurants should consider offering a loyalty program for valued customers. Loyalty programs vary, depending on the type of food you serve. A coffee shop may offer free coffee after six visits. A pizza delivery location might add a medium one-topping pizza for free if you opt for carryout. Some upscale eateries gift a free birthday meal to regular customers so they can be part of someone’s special day. You even have the option of running a supplemental digital marketing campaign to both the new movers in your list as well as additional consumers in your desired geographical region. Take steps to create a marketing strategy that includes offering freebies. It will help you add new customers and ensure the goodwill of your regular diners. Brittany N. JohnsonBrittany is the head of Our Town America’s corporate marketing department. She specializes in digital and print media, social media, and public relations. […]

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Offer a Free Dental Cleaning to Attract New Movers

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
Offer a Free Cleaning to New Movers Our Town America Marketing

Dentistry Today Magazine — New movers can be a huge asset to dentists. Welcoming them to the neighborhood by offering a free cleaning as part of a new mover marketing program can help get them in the door and introduce them to your practice. Competing with the hefty marketing budgets of large dental chains can be challenging for local practices. Small dental offices can capitalize on new movers to tap into a potential customer base in transition. In the United States, more than 27.1 million people move each year. The top three reasons people pack up and make a move are to improve their quality of life, lower cost of living, and live in a larger home, according to a survey conducted by Home Bay, an online moving and real estate resource. In fact, 25% of Americans who relocated in 2022 left city life and moved to the suburbs. BENEFITS OF A FREE GIFT The hallmark of a new mover marketing program is offering free gifts. Providing new movers with a free cleaning can go a long way to endearing you to potential patients. Remember the last time you got a gift in the mail or a surprise flower delivery? Receiving a gift makes people feel good, and the thoughtfulness of the gesture is appreciated. A free gift offers many perks and pays for itself in the long run. Let’s explore some of the benefits of a free gift. Increase patient satisfaction. At least 48% of people dread going to the dentist, and only 5% of people go to the dentist each year. Receiving a free dental cleaning can spur people to schedule an appointment they’ve been putting off. As you’re aware, avoiding the dentist can lead to gum disease and increase the chances of developing heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer. Securing your preferred dental office shortly after a move will ensure cleanings remain on schedule. A free gift can engage customers and make them regular visitors. Once you attract them to your business by offering a free gift, turn them into loyal customers by providing a positive customer service experience. Raise brand awareness. Raising brand awareness builds trust and is a necessary step to building a loyal customer base. Ramping up brand awareness is particularly important for dental practices as they do not typically have overly-pronounced street signage or television advertising. A free gift can help showcase your brand’s philosophy and is a useful tool to welcome new patients to your practice. Differentiate your brand. A free cleaning can help differentiate your brand and enable you to stand out from the competition. As the amount of chain dental practices grows, local establishments need to double down on marketing to continue to add new patients. Generate positive reviews. Positive word-of-mouth references are also an important tool. Positive reviews help generate new business. At least 9 out of 10 customers read online reviews, and others get recommendations from family and friends before visiting a new business. Word-of-mouth marketing can increase sales and build a loyal customer base. Valuable reminder. Many customers put off scheduling a dental appointment because they are concerned about cost. A free cleaning shows that you appreciate your prospective customer’s time, and serves as a trial run for your business. USE FREE GIFTS TO TARGET NEW CUSTOMERS New residents need to build routines and establish a relationship with businesses in their new community, including finding doctors and dentists. Moving is pricey, and many new homeowners are searching for ways to cut costs as they fork out cash to turn their houses into homes. One in three Americans went over budget on their move, Home Bay reports. Treating new residents to a free cleaning can be a welcome relief and be the motivation that prompts them to pick up the phone and schedule a cleaning. New mover marketing offers a tangible, tactile tool for treating new residents to a free cleaning; it adds a personal touch that is useful. Our Town America has introduced new residents to businesses in their local community for more than 50 years. Our new mover direct mail marketing programs rely on carefully curated, up-to-date lists to make sure your message reaches potential customers. Our program starts by sending a first-class Welcome Package to new residents before they form loyalties with your competitors. The proven offers are free gifts, not discounts. Once a person redeems a free cleaning, our technology can automatically trigger a ‘thank you’ offer to keep your practice top-of-mind. The TruTrak® app lets you easily keep track of redemptions at the point of sale or at your convenience on a mobile device. You also have the option to run a supplemental digital marketing campaign to both the new movers in your list, as well as additional consumers in your desired geographical region. Targeting new residents with a free cleaning is a cost-effective marketing strategy with a high return on investment. Brittany N. JohnsonBrittany is the head of Our Town America’s corporate marketing department. She specializes in digital and print media, social media, and public relations. […]

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2023 Marketing Trends You Should Be Paying Attention To

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
2023 Marketing Trends You Should Be Paying Attention To by Our Town America

Forbes Technology Council — It’s been said that if you are standing still, you are moving backward. This is especially true today. Consumers are more informed and often make purchases based on their values. Plus, the constantly evolving digital age has ushered in a whole new way to reach consumers. If you aren’t considering recent trends and new technologies, you risk losing customers to your competitors. As you plan your marketing strategy for 2023, it is worth thinking about innovative approaches and how adding new tools to your marketing toolbox might impact business. Here’s a look at some of the hottest marketing trends right now and how incorporating one or more of them may help you get the attention you’re looking for. Influencer culture continues to rise. Social media is here to stay, and those businesses that can harness its power can potentially get an edge on their competitors. One way to do this is by using influencers—people who have a large following on sites like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or TikTok—to use your products or services and build a buzz about them. You don’t have to partner with a big-name celebrity for your efforts to pay off. Influencers with a smaller reach are often more valuable to a business if they reach the types of consumers likely to buy your products or service. A reel is worth a thousand words. The increasing popularity of Instagram, YouTube and TikTok shows that the best way to get consumers’ attention is to give them something to look at. Facebook Reels in particular grew by 220 million users between July and October of 2022, and TikTok’s 732 million users are expected to continue growing. People may ignore large blocks of text, but they will pause to watch a video. You can provide more information in less time by using moving graphics or short videos in your social media posts and on your website. Take advantage of user-generated content. When a customer posts an online review of your business or shares something you’ve posted on social media, that’s user-generated content. When someone outside your business praises it, it can carry more weight with customers as opposed to you blowing your own horn. Take advantage of this trend by suggesting customers post pictures of themselves enjoying your product/service on their social media feeds and then link to your business’s own social media. Also, encourage satisfied customers to review your business on sites like Google or Yelp. Email is still an efficient engagement method. Just because it’s been around for a while doesn’t mean that email is not an important part of your digital marketing toolbox. According to research by marketing software developer HubSpot, the average return on investment for email marketing is $36 for every dollar spent. Projections show that by 2025, there will be 4.6 billion daily email users. An email is a way to connect directly to current customers. By personalizing the email based on their past purchases, you have an even better chance of keeping them engaged. Direct mail continues to make an impact. Your 2023 plan shouldn’t rely totally on digital marketing. One of the earliest forms of business-to-consumer marketing, direct mail, will continue to make an impact in 2023. The latest data from the United States Postal Service show that 73% of all households read their mail daily. This tried-and-true method of reaching consumers where they live is even more valuable when combined with the technology available today. It allows you to target specific consumers who are likely to patronize your business. For instance, if you run a school or day care, you can target families with children. Local businesses have been very successful using new-mover marketing campaigns to encourage new residents to become their customers. Combine strategies for an omnichannel approach. Whatever strategies you decide on for your 2023 marketing plan, remember that they need to all work together to present a consistent brand. The first step to this is making sure your branding, audience and goals are clearly defined. Companies that try to be all things to all people sometimes fail to make an impact. Next, communicate the specifics to your marketing team. They must understand exactly what you are trying to do so they can in turn get your message out to the public. When you are laying out your marketing plan, don’t compartmentalize it. If it’s to work properly, it needs to be represented by a circular flow. For instance, your emails and direct mail should send recipients to your social media sites where you’ve shared user-generated content. This way, each campaign reinforces the next, increasing the likelihood that consumers will remember you when it’s time to decide which business to patronize. The bottom line is that your marketing strategy needs to be reviewed regularly to make sure it is growing and changing along with your business. By staying abreast of the latest trends, you will best position your company to catch the attention of the consumers who may one day become your customers. Article by Forbes Technology Council Member and President/CEO/CTO of Our Town America, Michael Plummer Jr. Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives.  Brittany N. JohnsonBrittany is the head of Our Town America’s corporate marketing department. She specializes in digital and print media, social media, and public relations. […]

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Former Parkland Teacher, Now Atlanta Resident, Wins $3K | FOX

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
Atlanta New Mover wins $3K from Our Town America Survey

FOX 5 Atlanta — A former Parkland, Florida teacher, who recently moved to Atlanta is this year’s national winner of the Our Town America New Mover Survey contest. Amy Kleinman-Kenny was randomly chosen from thousands of surveyors to win a $3,000 check. Kleinman-Kenny was teaching at Marjory Stoneman Douglas (MSD) High School on the day of the tragic mass shooting in 2018. Unfortunately, she lost friends and students in the horrible tragedy that killed 17 people. Following the shooting, Kleinman-Kenny quickly became a leader in the community by offering her yoga expertise to the victims. She started the nonprofit ‘Yoga 4 MSD’ to help people heal. Once the Freshman class of MSD graduated, she moved to the Atlanta area to start a new life and continue her path forward after that horrific day. Shortly after moving into her Woodstock, GA home, Amy received the Our Town America (OTA) New Mover Welcome Package loaded with free welcome gifts from local businesses and a letter from the local franchisee, Chris Beer. Woodstock Furniture & Mattress Outlet, Vingenzos & Vintage Barrel, Woodstock Car Wash, and Buffalo’s Cafe were among the many local businesses to extend housewarming offers within the OTA package. “I was really excited to try all the new places! There was so much money to be saved from this package!,” Kleinman-Kenny said. OTA has been welcoming new movers and helping businesses find new, loyal customers for over 50 years. “We love the sense of community our program helps facilitate,” said Beer, the Atlanta OTA franchise owner. “Not only do we offer free one-time offers within our new mover package, we now also give businesses the option to welcome customers in via digital advertising as well – further extending the invite and strengthening these B2C relationships”. Woodstock Furniture & Mattress Outlet has been advertising via Our Town America’s New Mover Welcome Package for 24 years and counting — gaining new customers monthly. FOX Atlanta met Kleinman-Kenny and Beer at Woodstock Furniture Outlet to hear more about this heartwarming and inspiring story. Amy was presented with her $3,000 prize. Kleinman-Kenny is currently teaching part-time at Woodstock Middle School, continuing to inspire students through yoga and plans to allocate some of her winnings to her non-profit. Press play below for full FOX News interview. Our Town America supports small businesses across the nation 365 days per year. Local Atlanta area businesses looking to gain new customers via direct mail or digital advertising, please contact Chris Beer, our Atlanta franchise owner, at 800-887-9364. If your business is outside the Atlanta area, contact Our Town America corporate at 1-800-497-8360 to be connected with your local representative.       Brittany N. JohnsonBrittany is the head of Our Town America’s corporate marketing department. She specializes in digital and print media, social media, and public relations. […]

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Personalized Direct Mail Combined with Powerful Digital Marketing

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
Personalized Direct Mail Combined with Powerful Digital Marketing Our Town America

WFLA Tampa Bay  — Michael Avallone of Our Town America of Tampa Bay sat down with Farron Hipp to discuss the powerful impact digital marketing has when combined with the personalization of direct mail. Our Town America has been helping businesses gain new, loyal customers for over 50 years. Their services include New Mover Marketing, Postcard Marketing and Our Town Digital. Campaign results have demonstrated that combining a direct mail campaign with digital marketing enhances the effectiveness of the campaigns. Typically, your digital ads will run before, during and after your direct mail campaign, but they can be ran alone as well.  Our Town America is a turnkey, full-service program including graphic design, printing and mailing which are all managed in-house. Business owners even have the ability to track their campaigns through 2D barcodes, QR Codes, and/or Call Tracking. The personalization of direct mail and the power of digital ads sets this combination apart from a simple digital ad campaign. As Avallone mentions in the below TV interview, wedding invitations are sent via U.S. mail to let the recipient know that they’ve been specially chosen to receive your invite. It allows them to touch and feel the message – leaving a lasting impact and unavoidable decision to follow through on the piece or quite literally throw it away. Direct mail marketing messages are no different; they are just now more powerful when supplemented by a digital ad. To learn more, press Play below. Tampa Bay area businesses: Call Michael Avallone at 614-378-2977, or submit a Contact Form. Businesses outside Tampa Bay, FL: Contact Our Town America corporate at 1-800-497-8360 to be connected with your local representative, or submit a Contact Form. Brittany N. JohnsonBrittany is the head of Our Town America’s corporate marketing department. She specializes in digital and print media, social media, and public relations. […]

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Our Town America Digital Ads Gain Traction | FOX 40 Sacramento

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
Digital Advertising Sacramento

FOX 40 Sacramento  — David Frisch of Our Town America of Sacramento sat down with Gary Gelfand and Scott Moak of FOX 40 to discuss Our Town America’s new marketing service – Digital Advertising. While Our Town America has been helping businesses gain new, loyal customers for 51 years through their New Mover Marketing program, they’ve recently rolled out Our Town Digital to further enhance the effectiveness of campaigns. Typically, the Digital Ads will run before, during and after a direct mail campaign – whether it be a New Mover Marketing campaign or a Postcard Marketing campaign. Depending on business needs, a Digital Ad campaign can also run alone. Between handling daily tasks, managing employees, inventory, etc., business owners have enough on their plate. Our Town America is here to take the stress out of marketing. As a turnkey, full-service program, graphic design, printing and mailing are handled in-house. Business owners even have the ability to track their campaigns through 2D barcodes, QR Codes, and/or Call Tracking. To learn more, press Play below and read up on Our Town Digital. If your Sacramento area business is looking to gain new customers, contact David Frisch at 916-474-1494 or submit a Contact Form.‬ If your business is located outside Sacramento, CA contact the Our Town America corporate office at 1-800-497-8360 to be connected with your local representative. Brittany N. JohnsonBrittany is the head of Our Town America’s corporate marketing department. She specializes in digital and print media, social media, and public relations. […]

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The Importance Of Becoming A Disruptor In 2023

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
Forbes - The Importance of Being a Disruptor

Forbes Technology Council — You’ve most likely heard the following expression: Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Think for a minute about how this applies to your small business marketing. Relying on the strategies that have served you in the past is not the way to build your business in the future. To stand out from the competition, you shake up the way you do things. In other words, you need to become a disruptor. What is a disruptor? The concept of “disruptive innovation” was introduced in 1997 by Harvard Business School professor Clayton Christensen. It describes a creative product or idea, usually by an up-and-coming company with fewer resources, that disrupts an existing market, sometimes even taking it over. Disruptors are most often associated with the fast-moving tech industry. For instance, consider Netflix. It started in the late 1990s as a service that allowed customers to rent DVDs by mail. It was so successful that brick-and-mortar video rental stores couldn’t compete; it eventually put Blockbuster, the largest of them, out of business. Then, Netflix pivoted again; in 2007, it forever changed the way we watched movies when it added a streaming service. Wikipedia is another good example of a disruptor. Dismissed as unreliable when it first started 20 years ago, it has grown into a trusted source, replacing encyclopedias as the go-to research tool. And after more than 200 years in business, Encyclopedia Britannica stopped publishing those heavy volumes. Now, it, too, can be found online. Disruptors focus on solutions, not problems. To create a disruptive mindset, you and your team need to start thinking differently. Instead of focusing on a problem, disruptors brainstorm solutions. Their ideas are likely unconventional—the ones that work often set precedents. Disruptors look at their existing products in a new way. While your company may not have the next big thing that’s going to take the world by storm, you can still disrupt the market by using what you have and presenting it differently. The pandemic has changed consumers’ needs and buying habits and created supply chain issues, forcing some companies to think outside the box. For instance, many fine dining restaurants started offering take-out or delivery for customers who stopped eating in restaurants during the pandemic. And some hotels rented out rooms to remote workers seeking a quiet place to conduct business. Disruptors don’t compare themselves to the competition. Like a jockey on a winning racehorse, you don’t want to keep pace with your competitors; you want to pull out ahead. Yet by consistently measuring yourself against them, you can’t help but wind up with a similar marketing strategy. If you want to be an industry leader, don’t worry about the competition; worry about the customers and find what they really value. Disruptors create new markets for their products. Your potential customer base is most likely much larger than the number of people served by your business combined with those served by your competitors. Instead of fighting for a bigger share of the pie, it’s time to bake a larger pie. To do this, you need to identify potential customers and find ways to meet their needs. New technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning can provide you with valuable data about consumer needs. This will help you identify segments of the market that are ripe for disruption. Disruptors are continually evolving all aspects of their company. To truly be considered a disruptor, it’s not enough to adopt a new mindset. You must also adapt your business model and your company culture. To do this, you need to create an atmosphere where creative, outside-the-box thinkers can thrive. The right people can make all the difference, whether they are new hires or current employees who’ve been trained in this new way of thinking. If you continue to challenge your employees to keep your company ahead of the curve, you will set the pace for the market, and your competitors will be working to keep up with you. Article by Forbes Technology Council Member and President/CEO/CTO of Our Town America, Michael Plummer Jr. Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives.  Brittany N. JohnsonBrittany is the head of Our Town America’s corporate marketing department. She specializes in digital and print media, social media, and public relations. […]

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How to Reach New Movers In The First Three Months

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
How to Reach New Movers In The First Three Months - Our Town America in Forbes

Forbes Technology Council — Customers can be very loyal to businesses they’ve been patronizing for a long time. That’s great news if they’re your customers but not if they’re your competitor’s customers. Because it requires more marketing efforts to get people to change their habits, it’s essential to target consumers who are not yet anyone’s customers—otherwise known as new movers. Marketing to new movers is designed to target people who have recently moved—people who have yet to become customers of the businesses in their new town. According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, 8.4% of Americans (or roughly 27 million people), moved from state to state in 2021. They all needed to find a new dentist, new hair salon, new auto mechanic and so on. They also needed to find new restaurants they liked. To stand out from the competition, you need to make sure these potential new customers are familiar with your business name as soon as possible, optimally within the first three months. One of the simplest and most effective ways to reach new movers is through direct mail. American businesses have been successfully using direct mail to reach customers for over 100 years. Sending them an offer to your business increases the likelihood they will patronize it. Mass mailings were once thought to bring in the best results. The wider the net, the more fish caught. Now, with the technology available to us, direct mail lists can be targeted to reach a specific demographic best suited for a particular business. Using targeted data allows organizations to identify the people in a certain neighborhood most likely to use their services. For instance, if you run a tutoring service or daycare, you want to target families with children. And if you own a chimney cleaning and repair business, it wouldn’t make sense to send coupons to homes without fireplaces. But direct mail, even highly-targeted direct mail, should be only a part of your new mover marketing strategy. Direct mail targeted to new movers produces a great redemption rate but is even more effective in conjunction with targeted digital ads. Mailings can encourage potential customers to visit your website. They can even use QR codes for the recipient to scan, both giving them more info about your business and giving you an idea of who is engaging with your message by use of QR code tracking capabilities. Another technology that may help draw attention to your mailing is USPS’s Informed Delivery service. This enables residents to get a digital preview of the direct mail in their email inbox before it arrives in their physical mailbox. Social media, once considered something people did for fun, is now being embraced as an important marketing tool. According to a recent report from the Pew Research Center, 70% of Americans use social media, especially Facebook and Instagram, to connect with each other, get their news and share information. If these users get an offer in the mail, then see your business name on social media or their search engine, they are more likely to recognize your business and try it out. As technology continues to evolve, so will new mover marketing, providing businesses with higher-targeted data, allowing them to cut marketing costs by better reaching their intended customers. Article by Forbes Technology Council Member and President/CEO/CTO of Our Town America, Michael Plummer Jr. Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives.  Brittany N. JohnsonBrittany is the head of Our Town America’s corporate marketing department. She specializes in digital and print media, social media, and public relations. […]

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Out-of-the-box Marketing to Increase Revenue & Help Locals

Written by Brittany N. Johnson
Out-of-the-box Marketing to Increase Revenue & Help Locals Our Town America

CBS Atlanta — With the holidays around the corner, many people will be spending a large portion of their hard-earned money on gifts while attempting to save the rest for bills. Our Town America, a national marketing franchise, wants your local business to know you can lend a hand during these trying times while simultaneously increasing your revenue. Our Town America connects people who have recently moved with established local businesses looking to increase their foot traffic. We provide one-time housewarming gift certificates from partnered local businesses enabling new residents to try various businesses at lower cost (or cost-free!) upon move-in to their new home. Our Town America of Atlanta owner, Chris Beer, has been helping local businesses gain new customers for 23 years and says the concept has never worked better. “As we talk about inflation, stress and needing direction — our package really helps, because right at the new movers fingertips is a reason to visit a pizza restaurant, get a car wash, and hopefully develop a real positive relationship with these local businesses,” says Beer. Beer sat down with CBS Atlanta to divulge just how this unique marketing strategy works. Press Play for full CBS interview. — Our Town America supports small businesses across the nation 365 days per year. If your North Georgia business is looking to gain new customers, contact Chris Beer at 1-800-887-9364 or complete a Contact Form.‬ If your business is located outside North Georgia, please contact the Our Town America corporate office at 1-800-497-8360 to be connected with your local representative. Brittany N. JohnsonBrittany is the head of Our Town America’s corporate marketing department. She specializes in digital and print media, social media, and public relations. […]

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