Why Social Media is Important for Your Mature Biz
By Andrea Baxter

Your business is established within your community. Better yet, maybe you’ve even expanded nationally or internationally. You also have an established customer base that remains loyal to your brand, so why do you need to get on board with social media? Social media isn’t going anywhere, in fact its still growing like wildfire, so if you haven’t hopped on board yet, you need to listen up and hear how it can improve your business – new or old.

While social media has been the platform for many start-up businesses to help with brand exposure, it has also quickly become one of the publics most sought-after platforms for sharing their customer complaints and praises for businesses of all sizes. On any given day if you scroll through the latest feed of tweets, guaranteed you will find at least a couple tweets from unhappy or happy customers. If you don’t see a reason to get on the social media train, you need to at least consider what your customers are saying through social media platforms. (more…)

Expanding the Business: Networking from Vancouver to NYC
By Andrea Baxter

For anyone who knows me well enough, they know my ultimate dream is to move to New York City. Whether it’s for 2 or 10 years, it’s something I have to do.

NYC isn’t for everyone. I know some people hate the city because its way too crowded, congested, loud and obnoxious. For me, it’s the land of opportunities, not to mention where (some) dreams come true. I believe there is something for everyone in NYC. Whether you like art galleries, museums, nightlife, restaurants, sightseeing or fashion, it is a city that never sleeps and will always amaze you. I tell everyone who hasn’t been there that they will love it or hate it, but either way, they have to experience it once in their life to truly get a feel of the city to answer that question. (more…)

The Groupon Phenomenon & Customer Retention: Does It Really Work?
By Andrea Baxter

I’m all for saving money and finding deals. Ever since co-founding the Smart Cookies over 4 years ago, I’ve had to change my way of spending and started living a rather “Smart Cookie Life”. Watching my money and not spending my hard earned cash on frivolous items (sorry Starbucks) was now in the past. So when Groupon hit the Internet and my inbox, I was thrilled to see such a cool marketing concept for couponing that didn’t involve me clipping away at the coupons all while getting my fingertips stained in black newsprint. (more…)

Search Engine Optimization 101
By Olivia Lovenmark

Ever wonder how some companies always end up at the top of a search page when you Google their name? Well, we wanted to share some insider tips on how they do it, why they do it and how you can do it to increase your businesses exposure and hopefully, profits.

In a nutshell, Search Engine Optimization is the process of improving your visibility on the web, and more importantly, Google. When you include keywords or links relevant to your business, services or products, it boosts your “rankibility” in Google or page rank if you must. “Rankability” is creating your own buzz on the web and is not only good for increasing your web presence, but is also good for your SEO. Google views in-bound links as website credibility, therefore prompting your site to be found more easily and towards the top of the page. Think of it as making your website amongst the popular crowd with a little self-publicity mixed in. (more…)

Do You Know Your Target Market?
By Olivia Lovenmark

Recently I met a woman who designs pretty stationery which she sells through a few local boutiques. When we chatted, I asked her who her target market was. She said she designs for young woman, likely between the ages of 18 and 30. This made sense, as her designs are young and feminine and would appeal to such an audience and certainly to me. When I asked her who buys her products, her answer was quite different. She told me that her stationery is mostly purchased by the middle-aged customer who is buying the product for either their daughter or granddaughter. This got me thinking: you may think you know your target market, but you don’t until you do your market research and put a plan into action. This designer is clearly missing out on sales she could be capitalizing on if only she tailored her products to the audience that is buying them. Sure, she should keep her young designs as they obviously sell, but why not create a more mature line suited to her existing, more popular customer? Capitalize on the market that buys your product! (more…)

So here I go again! I am looking for yet another ambitious and creative type to come on board and intern for me. I am searching for a marketing, administrative, PR , web and writing guru to assist in managing and contributing to my fast growing company.

IF YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF A BONDAFIDE BRATFACE AND HAVE ALL OF THE QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS LISTED BELOW, I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

I am looking for:

- A pro at seeking out and locating blogs and publications related to small business, female entrepreneurs and start up companies.

- A smart and dynamic web professional who is knowledgeable at coding and proficient at using WordPress (translation: I need someone way more techy than just posting blogs and uploading photos).

- A creative thinker and engaging when it comes to social media campaigns.

- Someone who is a ball-buster, takes initiative and can call the shots and not be micro-managed.

- Passionate about working hard, who is a self starter and motivated to learn more about marketing and that it encompasses.

- Extremely detailed oriented, organized, on the ball, efficient and excellent at communicating.

- Loves writing and contributing to online blogs and videos

- Someone who has a passion for understanding business, pitching and assisting in the growth of the Bratface Marketing brand and business.

- Someone with PR experience who has experience in pitching to local and national publications

- Must have solid customer service skills and efficient when dealing with customers/clients

- Must have a fairly flexible schedule and available to work approx. 20 hours/week.

This is currently an UNPAID INTERNSHIP with the hopes to turn this into a paid position if the right person is on board, works hard and shows drive and motivation to help the company grow. They have to be ok with working remotely and not in a traditional office atmosphere.

If you or if you know anyone who is interested in applying, please send your resumes to andrea@bratfacemarketing.com

Thank you!

You don’t have to be present in the social mediasphere to recognize that fashion has taken a whole new direction when it comes to marketing their products. But it certainly pays off to drink the Kool Aid because fashion is using social media to market everything, and if you want to keep up with the latest trends, styles & fashion news without paying the newsstand prices, you may want to create a social media profile pronto. I thought I would break down a few areas of change I have noticed when it comes to social media and fashion. I’m no high-end fashion girl myself (I am a Smart Cookie after all) but I am certainly taking notice. Times, they are a changin’!

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Yesterday, I had the opportunity to attend the much anticipated F5 Expo in Vancouver, BC. I had been waiting the 2 months since I bought my ticket to attend because being a marketer and in the digital media space, I was anxious to learn…. a lot! Unfortunately, I didn’t come out with any new information I didn’t already know. And I don’t consider myself an *expert* by any means, but definitely someone who knows the fundamentals of social media/technology.

NOTE: I do realize I may be shooting myself in the foot by writing this blog post, but I know that several others agreed with my feedback and comments so far, so I will take this bullet for us all:) (more…)

Through my years as a marketer, I have never had to do sales, in the traditional sense. I’ve never really pitched business or gone out there to sell something to someone. I guess as marketers, we do sell indirectly at the end of the day. And when I told a former colleague of mine that I hate sales (Tyler Wright), his response was: “You need to hire a cheesy sales guy with a goatie, a golf shirt and a permanent bluetooth!  It’s the only way to go.”

Ummm not sure that really is the best way to go…but thanks for the advice nonetheless.

I don’t like sales, and I don’t pretend to know that I am an expert at sales, because I am not. But in order to grow this business on my own and bring in new business, I have to suck it up and just do it because no one else will. If only we were all as ballsy, provocative and ego-driven as Donald Draper from Mad Men. What is the art of the sell anyway? Sure sales people are good at it but are they really speaking the truth when they sell a product or service? Most people would answer ‘no’ to that question. In my opinion, there is more in a sales pitch then just making a quick buck. (more…)

A few days ago, I met with a young and very ambitious MBA student who is studying at the UBC Sauder School of Business. Elysha Ames was connected to me through another business contact of mine, Heather White.  Elysha is quickly approaching her internship and she wanted to chat with someone in the field of marketing. branding, strategy and communications. This is where I enter the picture.

First question Elysha asked me was “What was it like meeting Oprah and being on her show?”. Honestly, I still don’t get sick of being asked this question, because frankly, I would do the same thing. I love seeing people’s eyes light up when I tell them that the Big O was everything I imagined her to be – humble, chatty, sincere and interested in our story. Sorry ladies, no nasty gossip here to report. (more…)