Anderson Marketing Blog

It seems like every month there’s a new story about Google releasing yet another algorithm update that alters search engine rankings. If you don’t follow Search Engine Optimization (SEO) closely, it can be especially confusing when you hear code words like Penguin and Panda, Pirate and Payday thrown out to describe any of these changes.

1. Be a trendsetter, not a follower.

As direct marketers, we’re on a constant quest for reliable intel to help make each new campaign more effective than the last.  Response rates.  Offer.   Mailer format.  Contact frequency.   These are just a few of the many reporting elements we slice, dice and obsess over to try and move the proverbial needle.

Even the best marketing creative geniuses need a roadmap to point them in the right direction. In order to develop the most effective marketing materials that are spot on for your audience, your creative team needs the proper direction.

As we all know, lists, targeting, segmentation, modeling, etc. are one of the most important components of a direct marketing program.  Through years (OK, decades) of testing, I’ve come to realize that in nearly every client program there is a significant opportunity to improve results through the use of multiple data sources.  The roots of this strategy trace back to the nonprofit industry, where organizations regularly rent multiple third-party lists for donation appeals in addition to their house file of past donors.  These third-party lists are closely analyzed based on number of donations, average donation amount and total amount of donations.  Underperforming lists are quickly eliminated from the campaign and new lists are constantly tested against the best performing list.

The basic rule in business is that keeping customers is far less expensive than finding and cultivating new ones. While the burden of that isn’t wholly on Sales and Marketing, it is extra important to make sure your marketing communications are as engaging, personal and relevant as possible.

This year’s DMA is coming up quickly, and will be held right here in San Diego—not far from Anderson HQ in Poway—October 25-30, at the San Diego Convention Center.

If you’re lucky enough to have a strong control, in any medium, by all means keep using it. You may be tired of it—but as long as it delivers great results, don’t mess with a winner

I've actively worked in direct marketing for more than 30 years, and never before has it been this easy to be a great marketer. The Internet now provides access to virtually unlimited free information on marketing best practices through blogs, webinars and more.

SXSW Follow-Up: Pondering the Perils of Social Media Analytics