QR (Quick Response) Codes are simply smart phone readable bar codes that can store phone numbers, URL’s, email addresses and pretty much any other alphanumeric data. Think of QR codes as a "print-based hyperlinks" and you’ll start to get the idea.

What can you do with QR codes?
The answer is LOTS. Especially for marketing. They provide your customers with INSTANT information & the best part – you get to track it.

QR Codes provide you with the opportunity to send:
Plain Text – offer more information on a product or service
Website URL – drive recipients to your website
Email Message – follow up, introduce, sell . .
Contact Details (VCARD) – yes, eliminate the need for paper business cards
Event (VCALENDAR) – no more "I’ll pencil you in", these invites stick!
Google Maps Location – more assistance for the directionally challenged
Paypal Buy Now Link – yup, buy it RIGHT NOW!
Social Media – connect to all sites with one scan
iTunes Link – when you’ve simply got to hear this
YouTube Video – when you’ve really got to see this
& More!

Who can use QR Codes?
Anyone who would like to provide information (FAST) to their clients and customers!  for example:

Realtors | Artists | Designers | Retailers | Contractors | Restaurants | Lawyers | Travel Agents | Publishers | Web Professionals | Sales Representatives . . . .

Interested in QR Codes for your business?
Would you like start including QR codes on your print, advertising, web site & email marketing materials? No problem. QR Codes are free to generate, however they do require some fine tuning to ensure they work properly. Give me a call. 203.433.8072

BRANFORD, CT — June 23, 2010- SB Cre8tive, an independent marketing and graphic design consultancy, announced that it received a 2009 All-Star Award from Constant Contact^®, Inc., a leading provider of email marketing, event marketing, and online survey tools for small organizations. SB Cre8tive was selected for meeting Constant Contact’s best-practice standards for the use of email marketing throughout 2009.

“I’m honored to be recognized by my favorite email marketing provider,” said Shannon Beth (SB) Engravalle, owner of SB Cre8tive. “Working together with Constant Contact has helped me to exceed my clients’ marketing goals as well as my own.”

SB Cre8tive received a 2009 Constant Contact All-Star Award for demonstrating best practices in the effective use of Constant Contact Email Marketing in frequency of campaigns, open rates, bounce rates and click through rates. This is the second year in a row SB Cre8tive has been honored.

“Our customers work hard to build strong relationships with their customers through email marketing and some, such as SB Cre8tive, truly excel in this effort,” said Gail Goodman, CEO, Constant Contact. “We created our All-Star Awards to highlight those customers who are passionately committed to following our best practices as they work to improve their customer communications. We’re proud of the role we play in helping SB Cre8tive be successful and we look forward to continuing to assist the company with its marketing efforts.”

About SB Cre8tive
With over 50 client’s nationwide, SB Cre8tive offers a one-stop, personalized marketing and graphic design solution for small businesses, entrepreneurs and corporate marketing departments. From planning to execution, SB Cre8tive specializes in strategies that result in the highest return on both time and financial investments. Shannon Beth “SB” Engravalle has a wide spectrum of marketing experience that includes over 14 years of corporate, agency and grassroots marketing results. To learn more about SB Cre8tive services, please visit www.sbcre8tive.com.

About Constant Contact, Inc.
With more than 350,000 customers, Constant Contact, Inc. is a leading provider of email marketing, event marketing, and online surveys for small businesses, nonprofits, and member associations. Founded in 1995, Constant Contact helps small organizations grow stronger customer relationships by delivering professional, low cost, easy-to-use online tools backed with award-winning support, education and personal coaching. Constant Contact is a publicly traded company (Nasdaq: CTCT) with offices located in Waltham, Mass.; Loveland, Colo.; and Delray, Fla. To learn more, please visit www.ConstantContact.com or call 781-472-8100.

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Media Contact

Shannon Beth Engravalle, Owner of SB Cre8tive
203.433.8072 | sb@sbcre8tive.com

Here are 3 easy tips for all you "Marketeers" who want to maximize the holiday season.

THINK DATABASE

Whenever possible (or appropriate) collect business cards, names and email addresses. Keep a small address book handy or simply use the contact database in your phone. Remember, just because you have someone’s contact information, doesn’t mean you have their permission to send emails or marketing materials. After the holidays, send a quick follow-up email and ask for or request their OPT-IN permission.

ASK FOR REFERRALS

If Word of Mouth (WOM) is the most power marketing tool, than Referral Marketing is a close second. 

Don’t be afraid to ask for referrals. Especially from those who know you best. Share what an ideal referral is for you or your business and don’t forget to include the best way for people to contact you.

PREPARE A FEW TALKING POINTS

Get others excited about your business by sharing what’s new or up and coming for 2010.  EXAMPLES: a special sale or VIP discount, new product or service offerings, enhanced technology, events or contests.

Remember, if you are excited about your business, others will be too

“Everybody’s doing it.”

Growing up in Rhode Island, I remember my mother saying “if everyone was jumping off the Jamestown Bridge, would you jump too?”  I find her wisdom applies to this most recent craze of “social networking”.

The term SOCIAL right away does not make you think “good for my business”; however for some industries, networks like Twitter, Facebook, Linked-In and others could very well be an excellent complimentary marketing strategy for increased exposure.

For example, if your target customers are teens or women ages 30-50, than an inviting FaceBook page could be a no-brainer for starting a conversation with your customers.  Or if you are a business or organization with a loyal fan base, time-sensitive TWEETS are a great way to create buzz while reaching large groups fast.

How do you know what “network” is right for you?

• Start by asking your top customers what networks they frequent, and why?
• Consider what your competition is doing. (or not doing)
• Evaluate your marketing goals: Are you looking to have a stronger web-presence, grow your customer database or drive traffic to your website? Maybe you’re looking to distribute messages quickly and cost effectively?
• Don’t forget to ask yourself if you actually have time to commit to these strategies.  The more sites you join, the more updates you need to add to your to-do list.

Regardless of which network you choose, the same marketing etiquette applies.

• GET PERMISSION – only communicate with those who have signed up, joined or requested this information from you.

• DO NOT TWEET WOLF – only communicate when you have information that is of value to your customers.

• BE APPROPRIATE – although these are social networking sites, the messages about your business must remain professional.

• BE CONSISTENT – like all marketing strategies, consistency WORKS. If you join these sites, you are making a commitment to refresh information often.

Do you have a social networking site success story?  Please share it.