Free lunch every month at our Lunch n' Learns

Hello and good afternoon fellow marketers!

There is such a thing as a FREE LUNCH! Read on . . .

Here at ISJ Media we spend a lot of time doing a lot of research on the latest and greatest digital marketing tools and trends. It's what WE do.

"But how does that affect me and my business?" Glad you asked.

We do the research so you don't have to. But how do we pass that valuable information on to you, the business owner? With our free monthly Lunch and Learns! Did I mention it was free? Oh, and we've got your lunch covered too.

The next Lunch and Learn will be held on Tuesday, March 14. We offer a session at 7:45 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. to accommodate different schedules.

Previous topics have included:

• Getting your page to rank higher on Google search results
• The importance of having a responsive website
• Why Facebook is NOT the same as having a website
• Advertising on Facebook: Is it effective and tips for getting the most bang for your buck
• How to capitalize on "micro moments," those spur of the moment things that cue an online search for a product or service. 

This is NOT a sales pitch. Really. No-one will pressure you to buy anything. We want you, the local business owner, to succeed. Interested? Want more information? Contact Jenny Hopkins at jhopkins@journalnet.com or 208-239-3532. RSVP by March 9. 

See you there! 

Why Facebook is not a substitute for a business website

By Jenny Hopkins

ISJ Media

jhopkins@journalnet.com

208-239-3532

Surprisingly, many small businesses do not have a website. These business owners say, “I have a Facebook page so I don't need a website.” Facebook is a great tool for small businesses because it is free and pretty much everybody uses it.

But there are some things that Facebook just can't do for your business. Here are a few advantages to having a company website:

• You don't have ownership. Yes, it is your business page, but ultimately it is still owned by Facebook. Your page may get hacked or spammed, and if it accidentally gets deleted or shut down for some reason you have to start over. Also, you have to follow Facebook's rules and guidelines when it comes to promotions, but on your own website you make the rules.

Brand admiration and how you can achieve it — FREE download

Marketing is not just about planning, creativity, good communication skills and organization — it’s also psychology. Think about the best experiences you’ve had with brands — quick responses to your questions, courtesy, professional, fun and interesting and makes a person feel good about his or herself. Brand admiration is building a brand that customers love and respect.

Brand admiration is important for several reasons. First, customers will want to remain loyal to your brand. They’ll tell their friends and family about the great experience they had with you, and they’ll tend to be more forgiving if you make a mistake. Having great brand admiration increases employee morale, increases profits, reduces competition and provides opportunity for brand extensions.

Sounds great, right? But how do you get there?

Let’s take a look at one of the world’s most beloved brands — Nike. Nike’s television ads are inspiring and relatable. Nike ads have depicted a young child practicing a sport, being encouraged by mom and then growing up to be an Olympian. Or someone deciding to start running every morning because they want to change his or her life and get healthier. Who could not be inspired by those things? And the mom encouraging the child to keep trying really tugs at the heart strings. It’s comforting, it connects on an emotional and personal level, and they really do make you feel like anyone and everyone is an athlete. Their slogan “Just Do It” is short and simple, catchy and embodies the brand.