Insight

February 2014

Over 20 years ago email was introduced into our lives. Since then it has evolved into a critical avenue for communication both personally and professionally. It has weathered all types of threats to its existence, yet it remains totally relevant; dare we say imperative for conducting business. How so? Find out in the lead story in this issue of IB Media Insight. Also in this issue we will discuss the proper way to ask for a connection on LinkedIn. We'll show you how to increase your chances for success! Scroll down to our LinkedIn Tips and find out how. Have a great February. Spring's just around the corner. Stay Positive!

65% Of All Email Gets Opened First On A Mobile Device

While composing email on mobile phones is still a tricky mire of text prediction and flawed virtual keyboards, email reading is quickly shifting away from the desktop. According to data from the US Consumer Device Preference Report: Q4 2013 from Movable Ink, way more than half of all email — a full 65 percent — is now being accessed via mobile devices in the U.S. That’s up relatively steeply from just 61 percent for the third quarter of 2013. Of the 65 percent of email that gets opened on mobile gadgets, smartphones take home the lion’s share of messages. Around 16 percent of messages get opened on tablets — up one percent quarter over quarter. These messages don’t get more than a few seconds of readers’ attention, but if your intended

recipient is using an iPhone, your chances are a bit better. About 38 percent of iPhone users spent 15 seconds or more viewing each message, with 35 percent of Android smartphone owners reporting spending 15 seconds or longer on each message. “This quarter’s report shows that we are in the midst of a mobile takeover,” said Movable Ink cofounder and CEO Vivek Sharma in a statement on the news. “In the new year, we expect marketers to continue to place high priority on mobile optimization, which will allow them to better engage consumers who are on-the-go with relevant, real-time offers.” Indeed, email open rates for commercial email have surged since email-reading began shifting toward mobile devices. Thinking mobile-first for email, especially for brands, agencies, and marketers, is absolutely essential. “As more people access email on the go, there is a higher probability that marketers will reach them,” said Appboy marketing director Cezary Pietrzak in a recent op-ed on VentureBeat. ”Despite its lack of novelty, email is still massively effective. … It’s the only non-native messaging format that can bring an audience back into a mobile app. This is a big selling point for mobile marketers, who typically lose 76 percent of their users after three months.” All this adds up to an email marketing renaissance. “The day when more people open and respond to email in the palm of their hand than while at their desks is rapidly approaching and represents nothing less than a sea change for email marketers,” reads an IBM whitepaper on the subject. ”Email marketers have a huge opportunity to reach consumers anywhere, any time, on their mobile devices.” Source: VentureBeat, J. O'Dell, January 22, 2014

Tip of the Month

Connection Etiquette

How many of you have received or sent an invitation to connect on LinkedIn with the default "personal" note, "I'd like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn"? We would guess 80-90% of the time. Listen closely. A request from you to connect with someone should not be taken lightly. The proper etiquette for connecting on LinkedIn is to exhibit a sincere interest in the person you are attempting to connect with. Show them you have researched their profile for common areas of interest and cite why they should accept your request. This will incrementally increase your chances for connection acceptance. When we receive the default message, we think the connector is plain lazy or worse, ignorant about business etiquette. Be smart. Be clever. You get one shot at asking for a connection request. Make the most of it.

 

IB Media LinkedIn or LeftOut Workshops

The success of IB Media directly correlates with our use of LinkedIn. Let us show you how you can grow your business network and make those important connections. In addition to conducting LinkedIn or LeftOut Workshops for the public, we are available for your company, conference, association, university or group. We customize each 90 minute workshop to the specific needs of your audience. Marketing yourself and your organization via LinkedIn is imperative in today's business landscape. Let IB Media teach you the ins and outs of how to use this constantly changing tool to grow your business.

Upcoming Workshops Wedding Insiders Group, Taste of LinkedIn, February 18, 6:30-7:30pm Regus Tenants LinkedIn or LeftOut Workshop, February 19, 11:30-1pm VizPress LinkedIn or LeftOut Workshop, February 26, 1:30-3pm Open to the Public! An Evening of Social Media, IB Media and Social Ape, Dilworth Neighborhood Grille, February 26, 6-9:30pm. Register here. International Coaches Federation Charlotte Chapter LinkedIn or LeftOut Workshop, February 27, 5:30-7:30pm

IB Media LinkedIn Individual Training

If you'd like personal 2 hour LinkedIn training where we show you how to optimize your profile, market yourself by sharing content, connect with prospects and enhance your personal brand, we are here to help. Contact us today and we'll get you started on the road to maximizing your LinkedIn experience. Contact Linda or Ira Bass LindaBass@IBMedia.biz, 704.577.0888 IraBass@IBMedia.biz, 704.989.3790

We believe in providing you with relevant and compelling content. You can receive updates by joining our LinkedIn Group, follow our company on LinkedIn, catch our tweets at @IBMedia & liking us on Facebook. We're IB Media, Your Virtual Media Director. As your outsourced media department, we are proficient in all forms of media planning and placement including traditional, digital and social media platforms. As Media Consultants our goal is to maximize your advertising budget, and determine whether your agency's media recommendations are efficient and effective. As LinkedIn Experts we are here to help propel you and your business forward. Stay Positive, Linda and Ira Bass

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