Search Engine Optimization: Top Priority for Construction Marketers

(CMA FOCUS SERIES: SEO) As construction marketers implement next-generation websites that feature enhanced functions, many companies have not yet taken advantage of even the most basic Search Engine Optimization (SEO) techniques. In most industries, SEO can be critical to achieving improved search results for websites—thereby increasing website traffic, and quite possibly sales and market share. SEO relates to website programming,…
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The Newest Rules of PR: Distribution Options

(CMA FOCUS SERIES: PUBLICITY:  PART 2 of 2) Per the prior post, the popularity and use of free publicity historically increases when the economy tanks. In the midst of this seemingly extended downturn, PR is certainly gaining priority in the construction marketing mix. At the same time, PR is changing significantly. So how can you refine your PR to realize greater…
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PR Has Changed. Have You Changed Your PR?

(CMA FOCUS SERIES: PUBLICITY:  PART 1 of 2) The popularity and use of free publicity historically increases when the economy tanks. In the midst of this seemingly extended downturn, PR is certainly gaining priority in the construction marketing mix. At the same time, PR is changing significantly. So how can you refine your PR to realize greater results? PART 1…
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Social Media Best Practices for Construction – Webcast Panel Discussion – September 15, 2010

Naperville, IL—July 19, 2010 The Construction Marketing Association (CMA) announces a Webcast Panel Discussion: Social Media Best Practices for Construction on September 15, 2010 at 12 pm CST. The free webcast will feature panelists from such leading construction brands as Caterpillar, USG and Emerson Electric. Panelists will share how their construction brands utilize social media, how social media integrates with…
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Quick Market Testing and Key Marketing Measurements Using Pay-Per-Click Search

by Eric Gagnon Print direct mail is a powerful means for market-testing sales copy, promotions, pricing, and other critical aspects of your marketing program. Online pay-per-click (PPC) advertising programs, such as Google AdWords, can also be used as a powerful, effective, and very fast method for testing many aspects of your marketing program’s sales copy, benefits, headlines, pricing and other…
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Construction Marketing Secret: Architecture Billings a Leading Indicator of Construction

by Kermit Baker and Diego Saltes Analysis of the Relationship Between A Billings Index and Construction Spending. Due to the size and cyclicality of construction, a premium is placed on accurately predicting nonresidential construction trends, particularly at turning points in the construction cycle. Given that construction decisions are made by hundreds of thousands of businesses, nonprofit institutions, and government organizations,…
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Share Your Construction Marketing Secrets and Win a Free iPad!

Share your secrets for effective construction marketing with our monthly blog column. We will publish with credit and make you famous! Share ideas and approaches of some of your best marketing programs. No you don’t have to include proprietary results, just some good descriptions! The best secret of the year will win a FREE iPad! And a complimentary Construction Marketing Association…
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Construction Marketing Training Programs Available

The Construction Marketing Association offers a number of marketing training programs to association member companies, each developed by  experts from our Construction Marketing Institute.  The programs are  delivered on-site, at your offices. Choose from our popular programs below, customized to your company. Or request a (free, no-obligation) consultation to determine a customized training program that addresses your unique requirements. For more…
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Success with Google AdWords: Developing Killer Content for Effective B2B Lead Generation Programs

by Eric Gagnon Online advertising, particularly methods like Google AdWords keyword search advertising, give advertisers the immediate response and measurability they need to run accountable B2B marketing programs, with a speed and precision not found in print trade advertising or other, more traditional parts of your marketing program. The vast majority of successful AdWords lead-generation programs in business-to-business markets use…
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New Product Launch Checklist

Improving the effectiveness of a new product launch is of critical importance to most companies and brands as new product development costs can be stratospheric, coupled with extremely high failure rates. Some estimates of new product failure as high as 90%! Certainly the new product development process is complex and multi-functional—not just marketing—but typically involving many departments such as engineering,…
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