Using Facebook to Improve Business

A recent Mashable article pointed out (via Bloomberg) the fact that certain large retailers have closed down their Facebook stores recently. With the social media giant cranking at new high volumes everyday, this move is thought provoking, to say the least. If it isn’t driving revenue for J.C. Penney or Nordstrom, should the rest of us take note and pull resources away from it, as well?

Not exactly. For most of us, particularly in the small business community, Facebook remains a useful tool for communicating with the customer/audience. If a larger business expects to be able to replicate their own website and drive traffic through apps amidst the social distractions inherent within Facebook, that business is guilty of poor recognition of what Facebook is. Social media should not be mistaken for shopping media.

So what can you expect to do for business through Facebook? First of all, you can collect customer information that will help you understand your base. Next, you have a platform for communicating with this customer base in a way that humanizes your business, establishes a voice, and sets the tone for how you want customers to perceive your business. Finally, you have the ability to roll out products, announce sales, establish loyalty through giveaways, and generally market to a captive audience, all for an investment of the time it takes to type a message. It’s a big business opportunity if played correctly, and (sooner or later) big business will recognize Facebook for what it is instead of what it isn’t.

Why Wait for Windows 8

If you own a business (large or small) and you rely on computing to some degree in order to run your business effectively, the news of Microsoft releasing a new operating system probably should command your attention.

First of all, anyone who has been slow to upgrade past XP or Vista should hold tight until Windows 8 arrives. While it’s true that Windows 7 definitely outclasses the previous two Microsoft OS offerings, with a new OS so close to release, it makes better financial sense to wait it out and get the new one.

Why is that? Simply put, it will be a bigger leap forward, as Microsoft has embraced what we have all come to love about mobile phone browsing and applied it to an OS that will run on desktops, laptops, and tablets (possibly even on some phones). For the tech enthusiasts, the news that Windows has finally embraced low-powered ARM systems and directly integrated SkyDrive storage is a bonus, as well.

With a fast boot up time and the ability to run legacy systems and more easily troubleshoot current system issues, Windows 8 should be worth the wait. Expect it in stores this fall and (unless your business runs on Macs) plan your next PC moves accordingly.

Simple Content Management

On the web, content is king. And one of the most important decisions before proceeding with your website construction is deciding how to manage future content. For most, a reliable CMS (content management system) is the easiest and most efficient way to go.

Once built and plugged into the CMS (in the case of Trifecta, we often use sparkPLUG, but we also deal with more commonly used CMS products like Drupal, etc.) the website owner has the ability to make content updates on the fly. This is key because most website owners are very busy people with lots of primary responsibilities beyond updating the website. So ease and simplicity matter. Complicated CMS programs inhibit content—the lifeblood of your web presence.

We understand what you need from your CMS, and we always explain how to use it. With user-friendly features and intuitive navigation, the content management system we provide helps keep our clients involved in their website because they don’t feel intimidated about maintaining it. Remember, in order to be found on the web, you need good content and a steady supply of it. Being able to load that content is just as important, and we’re here to help you take care of that.

Maximizing Merch for Small Business

One great reason to add company merch to your product offerings is the potential for generating a supplemental revenue stream. Depending on how well your business is positioned in the community, people are happy and proud to declare their support for your business by wearing hats and t-shirts, as well as using bumper stickers on their cars.

Not only that, the subsequent benefits are obvious. Once sold, the merch equates to free advertising, and every time someone wears a t-shirt or drives a car, your company’s brand is extending into the community in the best sort of way—through a ringing endorsement of one of your customers.

Now that you know the value for good merch, take a step back and plan accordingly. Is your logo updated? Is the font snappy enough? Could the color palette use a little update? Do you have a slogan and is it relevant and fun? Taking care of these issues prior to embarking on a self-promoting merchandise campaign is essential. And at Trifecta, we specialize in all types of merch designs, so let us partner with you on this aspect of your business, as well. It could increase your business’s overall appeal in surprisingly beneficial ways.

Use Video To Set Your Business Apart

Among the myriad of decisions facing a small business owner is whether or not to spend money on video production services. While larger businesses readily absorb these costs as part of basic marketing, startups and small businesses may not even pursue video services, assuming the price is prohibitive.

Well, in the past, when TV was about the only application for video, many businesses frankly were priced out of the market. These days, though, with videos appearing everywhere from YouTube to company websites, a well-made video can have far reaching effects without investing much more than a little time after the finished product has been cut.

Full-service video production doesn’t have to cost a fortune, and an experienced, professional touch lends credibility to the subject matter, no matter what the purpose or industry. We at Trifecta can even make video pre-production and video editing a snap. Your completed video can be used for SEO, marketing, SMO, internal training, advertising, and much more.

Let’s face it—some things are best revealed through video. Effective communication pays for itself through increasing a company’s reach and overall profile.