Charles asks…

What percentage of my marketing budget should I allocate for online marketing?

I have a writing and editing services company, and we currently have $4500 of our operating budget. We are planning to do direct mail marketing, advertisements in trade journals, and online marketing (pay-per-click, e-newsletters, etc). How much of my marketing budget should I allocate for online marketing?

Tom & Susan answers:

You can test how well PPC works for you with a very short test, $100-$200.

I recommend going with Google/Yahoo Paid advertising for it’s wider audiences.

Create your most compelling ad copy and target popular keywords in your space.

Implement the conversion tracking code provided by Google / Yahoo on your “thank you” / sales lead page.

You’ll be able to determine the ROI of PPC within a short time, and short spend.

Hope this helps!

John asks…

How do I generate buzz for a college student market ?

I am working for a private tutoring service at a large state university and I have a new service I need to market. Traditional direct mail isn’t working and I need to generate some buzz. What are some cost-effective ways to do that?

I have access to facebook and blogger.

Tom & Susan answers:

Try using social networking sites that target your demographic. Some sites to consider:

www.campusblender.com
www.myspace.com
www.friendster.com

Also, depending on your budget, try some media buying….

Joseph asks…

Would my stimulus payment be Direct deposited If I used turbotax and had them process the fees?

Turbo tax offers a service which allows you to pay the fees do to them by using your actual return. I believe that the return in then deposited in their account and then deposited into my bank account. Does the irs still count this as direct deposit or will I get the payment in the mail? OR Does turbotax still transfer your account number to the irs?

Tom & Susan answers:

—–If you had your refund sent by check, your stimulus refund will be sent by check.
—–If you had your refund direct deposited to your account, your refund will be direct deposited.
—–If you had your refund direct deposited in your account but your TurboTax fees were deducted from the refund by SBB&T, your refund will be sent by check.
—–If you had a balance due, your refund will be sent by check.

Maria asks…

Does anyone know what to charge for marketing freelance work?

I was laid off from my position in marketing and since then I have had several requests to do freelance work. Such work would include: writing press releases, pitching stories, writing (and maybe designing) direct mail pieces, email campaigns, etc.

Does anyone know what to charge for these types of services??? Thanks=)

Tom & Susan answers:

My son does similar work and he charges (and gets) $100 per hour. One company in particular (very well-known) uses him exclusively and, from what he tells me, what they do is pay him by check per job with nothing deducted. He submits his hours and they pay him. He went to a lawyer and he’s all set up as (I believe) a sole proprietorship.
Anyway, it works for him. Two weeks ago the job actually called for him to be on-site for the company in the Bahamas….and the company paid all of his expenses on top of his hourly pay. Sweet deal!

William asks…

Why is Gmail faster and more direct than Yahoo mail?

I am forced to use Yahoo mail, but I used to use Gmail. Press go to mail on Yahoo…it eventually takes one to…”You have 4 e-mails.” Then press once more….from sign in to looking at my mail takes sooooo long. Too many diversions and I pay for my email service. Gmail was free and faster, better and sooo easy to use. Soooo Quick from one place to another. Never asked for things like “do you want to put this person in a folder?” i want to see my emails, not be led around the gardens to see what Yahoo wants one to see. It’s so F…..g annoying. My boss insists that I use it. Are there any others that have used Yahoo e mail and hate it? I want to slit my wrists as I wait to be taken to places other than my e mails by Yahoo’s arcane system. Am I doing something wrong or is it because i used the better system before..gmail. TIME is the difference between where I’ve been before and Yahoo….Time is money.

Tom & Susan answers:

GMail is definitely the best when uploading attachments

Powered by Yahoo! Answers