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Augmented Reality (AR) is an exciting frontier with great possibilities for incorporation into your Marketing Strategy. 

The first most wide-spread application of this new technology has been recently offered by Niantic and their augmented reality game – Pokemon Go.
I’ve tried it – have you?  I've seen kid and adults all over pursuing the virtual creatures.  It can be a good way to get out, get moving and even play as family activity.  
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​But what does this mean for small business marketing?  
It could be the start of a new trend.  According to Larry Kim, CTO and Founder of  WordStream:
“What this means for marketers is that the next time those adults are asked to interact with an augmented-reality interface on their mobile device, it's no longer a foreign concept to them.  They're growing comfortable with it. They even enjoy it. That's super important, because pushing new marketing technology on consumers before they're ready typically spells instant rejection of the concept.
Virtual and augmented-reality devices are expected to become a $4 billion market by 2018. Pokémon Go just ramped up adoption in a massive way, helping pave the way for businesses that will use this technology in the future to connect with consumers.”

This technology as a new marketing tool could be growing exponentially over the next few years and even months, so now is the time to learn, experiment and analyze how it might or might not fit in with your organization’s marketing efforts. 

If you are a consumer-oriented business that relies on foot traffic, Pokémon Go might be a great way for your business to “Lure” in potential customers. You could take advantage of being close to Pokemon “Stops” and “Gyms” by enhancing your advertising and signage with a Pokemon theme.  
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​7 possible ways to use Pokemon Go in your local marketing campaign: 

1. Play the game -- Give game tips and show your participation
2. Reward players  -- For example, message on your social media channels that customers that have achieved level 5 or over get 10% off their lunch or a coupon good on a return visit.
3. Lure ‘em in - Purchase Lures (within the app), but plan ahead -- they are good for 30 minutes.  Post on social media when the lure is active to attract people when it would be most favorable to your business.
4. Host Gym Battles
5. Offer Charging Stations
6. Advertise which rare pokemon can be found in your area
7. Combine several of the above and ask for social shares. Reward players attracted by your other efforts who share their experience and mention or check in at your location.

But while you’re having fun with Pickachu and friends, keep your branding in mind and develop your messages accordingly. For example, if you were a home security firm, you could focus on safety -- remind Pokemon players to keep their eyes on the road when driving or to not venture into dark areas alone. 

Not for everyone?
But Pokémon Go isn’t an opportunity for everyone.  While a family resturant or new business might enjoy the extra traffic and exposure, business and insitutions that have secured areas or security policies might want to opt out of having any of the virtual creatures on their premises.
For example, hospitals, like the Carolinas HealthCare System, are beginning to see new visitors in unlikely places.  Game players may emulate suspicious behaviors, like walking around randomly taking pictures or looking at ways to enter facilities or get in the way of emergency entrances. 

The Academic Medical Centre (AMC) in Amsterdam voiced their request in a clever way on social media:
"There is indeed a sick Pokémon at AMC, but we'll look after him well. Please don't visit him," the Dutch medical center stated in a Tweet that included a picture of Pokémon character Pikachu surrounded by tissues.

To request removal of a PokéStop from the app, organizations can contact Niantic, the developer, and complete a form.  (Select “submit a request,” in the upper right corner and “report an issue with a Gym or PokéStop” in the menu.)

 
But for the majority of organizations, there are opportunites in the growing area of AR. So jump in to learn, experiment and apply augmented reality opportunities like Pokémon Go, keeping your target market and security in mind.   
For example, if you use Google Drive/gmail, as many smaller businesses do, and register to participate in Pokemon Go, you give Niantic access to your entire Google account.  What we did at Broad Reach Marketing Services is use a separate Gmail account for experimenting with Pokémon Go.  Easy solution, but you must be cognizant of safety implications of signing onto Apps and games with your business addresses.

As augmented reality interface options become available for your marketing efforts, remember they are just another tactic – and as with any tactic, consider how the offering aligns with your customer base, branding and service offerings. 
Have fun while you learn about this exciting new marketing development! 

Thanks for reading, 

​Nancy MacCreery

Are you getting frustrated with your organization’s social media efforts? ….  Perhaps you’re just not getting the followers or engagement you expected ?
 
Try these super six tips:
 
1.  First of all, insert questions and quizzes where you can.  There is definitely something intriguing about taking a quiz or voicing an opinion. Make it short and to the point. Incorporating an instant feedback mechanism for the participants will also engage readers.  
 
​A great way to generate questions is to take a few minutes and think about:

• What comments or feedback have customers have mentioned recently
• Customer perceptions you are curious about
• What customers may value most
• Big news items related to your business
• Or something that’s just amusing related to the services or products you offer

 
 Examples:

• "Do you have any problems scheduling appointments?”  and follow up with something like: “Which would make it more convenient for you to visit us?

                A)  Expanding our hours to late once or twice a week
                B)  Remaining open between noon and one
                C)  Offering hours on the weekends
 

• “What would you most likely use a personal drone for?”                

                A)  Spying on your neighbor
                B)  Chasing squirrels out of your yard
                C)  Checking out the drive thru line at your favorite fast food joint
               D)  Monitoring your son / daughter when they are sitting outside on the drive after a date


2. Post FAQs, facts and educational tips.  Leverage any frequently asked questions, tips or facts about your products or services by sharing them in short, ‘snackable’ posts.
To make this easier, keep a running list of facts or questions as they come up so you can reference them easily.  Educational tips are engaging to current and potential customers and can show your expertise or concern for the customer. Offer informational insights specific to your industry, business products or services with links to more detailed information.
 
Examples:

• Educational Tip - “This new toothbrush will help your kids brush the right way from the start.”           Check out our weekly newsletter for more tips on getting your kids to brush. (You can link this to your newsletter sign up)
• Health Fact –  In hot hot weather, your body needs more water.  Be sure to drink plenty of water during the day, especially if you are outdoors.

 
3.  Just like in the theaters, people enjoy behind the scenes glimpses, vignettes and outtakes. 
​It feels like your getting a sneak peak at privileged information while also learning a little about how things are done.  This is a great opportunity to use live video  -- add a little humor and you can’t miss!
 
Example:
Do you have a big event coming up? Either trade show, company picnic or public service project - share behind the scenes pictures / videos that tell the story about your preparations while creating interest in the event.  (Remember to link to the event landing page, hashtag and/or website description for more information.)

Broad Reach Marketing Services vision is to improve the viability, growth and success of small and growing organizations. The name , Broad Reach, comes from a sailing term. When a boat is on a broad reach, it moves swiftly and efficiently. That’s how we work with our clients, listening to their goals and helping them to achieve then quickly and effectively. 
Our partners and associates can leverage experience gained from building small business as well as working for larger business. Since marketing is changing quickly, we are continually learning and sharpening the tools in our marketing toolbox.
Since founding the company, I’ve been privileged to meet so many genuine, helpful people. Some of these people are very visionary, leveraging their retirement savings to start their businesses, so we keep value and ROI in mind when offering solutions.   
In the small business world, relationships and service is key. While a giant company may be able to get away with less than excellent customer response, a small business that acts that way won’t last long. LinkedIn is a great way to keep in contact and augment those relationships. It also is a great database for contacts that updates when connections update their profiles. In addition, I recommend that my clients have a LinkedIn page to increase awareness and credibility.
LinkedIn ProFinder can also help – on one side, it helps new and growing firms find the services it needs, and on the other, it provides a way for small firms and freelancer find leads.