Promotional Software : Desktop Marketing

Desktop Calendar and Planner Software

2007-03-23T10:36:00.000-05:00

Calendar and Planner of the Year!

Desktop calendar software will help you manage appointments, to-do lists, schedules, and more.

Make appointments and set up alarms to remind you of upcoming events, meetings, parties, vacations, birthdays, anniversaries, etc.

It allows you to view all your events in a daily, weekly or monthly overview. You can also print your calendar in day, week or month view.

Using desktop calendar and planner software, you can create single or recurring events and tasks.

You can also color-code different appointment types.

Drag-and-drop feature allows you to easily reschedule an event or change its duration within seconds.

Desktop calendar software presents a different calendar image each month, just as a conventional wall calendar does, but it offers you far more than that. You can customize and have your own monthly photos on it.

Desktop calendar and planner software can be set up to open automatically with Windows so that it is the first program viewed. This means that your calendar is at your fingertips at the start of every day.

Personalized Calendars

2006-05-08T15:30:00.000-05:00

Are you looking for a personalized calendar that is inexpensive, well-designed, and very high in quality? Having trouble finding personalized gifts that are unique and full of personality? Need an eye-catching promotional product to promote your business?

Eshasoft Desktop calendars customized with your photos, logo, text and links.

An impressive business promotional tool
A fun and effective fundraiser
Distribute in any quantity
Makes a great downloadable Christmas gift

Desktop Calendar and Personal Planner 2006

2006-04-08T11:34:00.000-05:00

Eshasoft is pleased to announce the release and immediate availability of Desktop Calendar and Personal Planner version 2006.

Desktop calendar and personal planner will help you manage appointments, to-do lists, schedules, and more.

Make appointments and set up alarms to remind you of upcoming events, meetings, parties, vacations, birthdays, anniversaries, etc. It allows you to view all your events in a daily, weekly or monthly overview. You can also print your calendar in day, week or month view.
Using desktop calendar and personal planner, you can create single or recurring events and tasks.

Drag-and-drop feature allows you to easily reschedule an event or change its duration within seconds.

Tools included are:

Personal Planner with reminder
Supports recurring events like birthdays, anniversaries and holidays
Multiple calendar views: day, week and month
To-do list
Friendly print function with built-in print preview
Calendar photo personalization (ability to add your own photos)
Web-browser with built-in Pop-up blocker
Email program launcher

Desktop calendar presents a different calendar image each month, just as a conventional wall calendar does, but it offers you far more than that. You can customize and have your own monthly photos on it.

Further details and a free trial version are available from: http://www.eshasoft.com/calendar/index.htm

Eshasoft Desktop Calendar and Personal Planner 2006 is fully compatible with Windows 95/98/NT/ME/2000/XP/2003.

Eshasoft -- essential productivity tools at your fingertips
http://www.eshasoft.com/

Direct to Desktop Marketing Software

2006-04-07T14:18:00.000-05:00

Has the response to your e-mail
promotions taken a nose-dive?

... Then you will want to pay
close attention to this article!

If the response to your e-mail marketing promotions has taken a nose-dive recently, hear me out on this:

Every time someone announces that they've just discovered the "next big thing" in online marketing, I'm naturally a little bit skeptical.

So when I heard that world-renowned Internet marketing expert Corey Rudl has a "revolutionary" new product, I wasn't sure what to expect!

But then I read his article -- the one that's included here. And let me just say that I know my marketing techniques will be drastically different from now on!

I strongly suggest that you read this!

From: Corey Rudl
Internet Marketing Center

Over the past few months, a number of my subscribers have been asking me about the latest marketing technology to hit the Internet.

It's called "direct-to-desktop" publishing, and right now, it's the exclusive property of Fortune 500 companies who are paying tens of thousands (even hundreds of thousands!) of dollars to have hotshot developers create custom software that lets them cash in on the new technology.

Direct-to-desktop publishing gives these elite companies the kind of advantages that most Internet marketers can only dream about...

100% guaranteed message delivery

Instant messages that appear in full color and sound, right on a customer's computer desktop

An exclusive, private communication channel with loyal customers and subscribers

... All in a customized, branded window with their company logo at the top.

When you visit one of these companies' web sites (think online music stores, sports fan sites, entertainment sites, and so on), you'll see an offer that says something like "Click this button to receive instant updates direct to your desktop."

Click the button and you'll download a small, customized "reader" application that lets your computer receive messages from the company.

The advantages of 'Direct-to-desktop'

Direct-to-desktop publishing lets you send HTML messages directly to your customers' desktops -- instantly, reliably, and electronically -- without having to wrestle with e-mail filters, bounce backs, or competition.

Once customers sign up, they don't have to check their e-mail or visit your web site to get your latest news or updates. A flashing desktop icon alerts them as soon as they receive a message from you -- and all they have to do is click to read it.

It's brilliant. The system doesn't use e-mail, yet it is 100% opt-in -- subscribers simply turn off the program if they wish to stop receiving messages.

... It's a win-win situation for everyone involved: Subscribers receive messages only from companies they trust. No spam, no pop-ups, no third-party ads... just legitimate messages from a sender they want to hear from. And companies get to deliver their messages without ISPs or e-mail filters getting in the way.

The right technology at the right time

Here's the bottom line: E-mail marketing is getting more and more complicated. While e-mail is still a powerful marketing tool (Proof: I used it to make more than $2.4 million last year, and I'm on track to do the same again this year), these days you need to work harder than ever to keep in touch with your list of customers and subscribers. Here's why:

Subscribers change their e-mail addresses, leaving you without a way to contact them.
Your legitimate messages get wrongfully trashed by overactive junk mail filters.
People's free e-mail accounts fill up quickly, causing your messages to bounce back.
And even when your e-mail makes it into a subscriber's inbox, it can get lost in a sea of newsletters, personal messages, promotions, and spam if you don't know what you're doing.

For these reasons, many marketers are looking for opportunities to use this new direct-to-desktop technology as a "partner" tool that works hand-in-hand with their e-mail and advertising campaigns.

Unfortunately, there are still a few problems with it...

The 'big guys' have cornered the market

Right now, the Fortune 500 companies have cornered the market on direct-to-desktop publishing. And for good reason -- they've been the only ones who could afford it!

These companies have paid huge sums of money to have software developers convert their company materials into compatible content. They've hired professional designers to come up with attractive, customized "reader"applications they can send to their subscribers. And they've put tons of money into developing flashy graphics, streaming audio, and video clips to send out.

There is a tremendous opportunity for marketers to be at the very front of the curve, taking advantage of this red-hot new technology to get secure, direct access to the desktops of your customers... But unfortunately, it's next to impossible for the average person to get set up with direct-to-desktop technology right now.

You need to know a programming language like XML to create your content "feed." And unless you're willing to hire some expensive software developers, your subscribers will have to use a generic "newsreader" application to receive your messages.

Where this new technology is heading

The current situation of direct-to-desktop publishing reminds me of the way things looked on the Internet five years ago, when most companies didn't have web sites yet. Only a few highly funded Internet start-ups (remember the dot-com boom?) had the money, software, and skills to develop a professional site.

Then a few companies started looking at how to make web design accessible to the public -- and now, user-friendly web design software has made it easy for anyone to create a professional-looking e-commerce web site in minutes!

The same thing happened with e-mail marketing. At first, it was just a few entrepreneurs testing the water to see if there was a way to avoid paying postage for direct mail promotions -- and now, thanks to e-mail automation software, it seems like every company is using e-mail to distribute their promotions and newsletters.

And now, the same situation has come up again. This technology will become mainstream in the future, but it's those who get in on it FIRST who will see the biggest profits from it. And at the moment, it's just now affordable for all of us smaller companies that don't make billions of dollars a year.

All the best...

Corey Rudl
Internet Marketing Center

I'll let you in on a 'little secret'...

I know from talking to Corey that he just didn't think it was fair that Fortune 500 companies are the only ones that can afford this technology, while marketers like you and me have to settle for inferior, stop-gap solutions.

And I know that he and his team have been quietly working on a solution to allow "regular" small online business owners start using "direct-to-desktop" technology for a tiny fraction of what those Fortune 500 companies are paying...

Just recently, Corey released his powerful new solution to a select group of his customers and subscribers... complete with customization, branding, and tracking tools BEYOND what these $10,000+ solutions typically offer.

And now YOU have the opportunity gain a HUGE advantage by making sure you reach the market with this FIRST -- long before your competitors even know it exists!

Go to:http://www.marketingtips.com/desktop/t/876621

... but don't delay, because like Corey said, the marketers who use this first will be the ones to see the biggest profits.

I hope this information helps you kick your online marketing into the next generation!

Free Desktop Calendar and Planner : Wildlife Pictures Online

2006-03-16T09:54:00.000-05:00

Branded Desktop Calendar was created by Eshasoft for Wildlife Pictures Online.

A super useful and visually pleasing Desktop Calendar can now be downloaded absolutely free, compliments of Wildlife Pictures Online.

The calendar never expires; it is good forever - so you don't have to replace it each year and you can always check back on your previous planning and appointments.

Time is valuable, so any tool that helps you plan your days more effectively will ensure higher productivity - and less frustration. Now you'll never forget those important birthdays and anniversaries, and that means keeping out of trouble!

The calendar displays a different, eye-catching wildlife or nature photo each month. And if you get bored with these, you can easily customize the calendar by substituting your own photos.

As an added bonus, you can access a page from the calendar - using the built-in browser - that offers a batch of free pictures that can be used for personal or commercial purposes. The pictures are also optimised for using with the calendar should you wish to change the look.

You can find out more about the calendar and download it from HERE.

Promotional Software an Effective online Advertising Scheme

2006-03-02T14:53:00.000-05:00

by: Jinky C. Mesias

Advertising or promotion does not only involve offline schemes in fact more and more web owners are thinking of ways on how to maximize the advertising capabilities of their web sites. And most of them have started off by offering downloadable promotional software. Have any of you ever encountered a web site that has free downloadable software? Just how many times did you try to visit the site just to download the software? –Many times I assume. The free downloadable software is an example of promotional software. The promotional software contains the company’s name or logo. It is an easy, effortless and inexpensive advertising scheme. What makes this scheme so effective is the fact that most customers appreciate free softwares. Another great feature of promotional software is that it can be made in any quantity all containing the company’s name or logo. And the best thing about it? - IT’S FOR FREE!

The downloadable promotional software is also a great way of increasing traffic in your web site. And since it is located on the web its target number of prospective customers is not limited to a certain area, with the web as its base its covered market is the entire world. Promotional software is like handing out flyers without the additional printing cost and even so products still ends up having the same quality as the first original copy. Likewise, promotional software entices customers to visit again your web site.

However, one problem with promotional software is there might be some other web sites that may accidentally offer the same promotional software as you do. To prevent such from happening, just have your promotional software customized so that it will have its distinct “personality” from the rest of its competition. And to further increase the success of your promotional software make sure that you hire the best promotional software provider there is. Bear in mind that your promotional software will represent your company to your customers so better make sure that there would be no problems especially when it comes to the downloading process. And also be sure to make the downloading procedure user friendly to encourage even more customers. Remember that not all of your prospective customers have adept knowledge on software and in using the internet. Likewise, make certain that you regularly upgrade your free downloadable software in order to keep the interest of your customers.

Using Promotional Products to Market Your Small Business

2006-02-27T17:03:00.000-05:00

Source: AllBusiness

In today’s information-intensive world, it’s hard for any business to attract potential customers. But promotional products offer a unique opportunity to get your company's name out to its target market — and keep it there.

The promotional items you pick are limited only by your own creativity. They can range from market-proven goods such as calendars, coffee mugs and baseball caps to innovative items such as candy and nuts, stadium blankets, toy cars and trucks, and first aid kits, all bearing your logo and contact information.

But no matter what route you take or what items you select, be sure you maximize your investment. Here are a few tips to make the most of this time-tested sales and marketing resource:

Set clear goals for your promotion. Think about what you want these products to do for your business. Should they build awareness of your company? Boost sales? Provide a way to thank your customers? Have clear goals in mind from the start so you can purchase items that make sense for your business.

Set a budget and stick to it. Putting your logo on a coffee mug or a mouse pad tells customers that you’ve arrived and you’re in business for the long haul. Avoid overspending: Identify your costs up front, factor them into your overall marketing budget and pricing strategy, and keep careful track of all expenses — especially indirect costs like shipping and handling and storage.

Seek out partnership opportunities. If you'd like to offer gifts at your event, ask one of your suppliers to share the cost. In exchange, recognize them by placing their logo on the gift. Joint promotional efforts strengthen relationships with suppliers and make a statement about your commitment.

Recognize the limited shelf life of most promotional products. Don’t buy more than you need. A lot of businesses have stockrooms full of outdated promotional items.
Promotional items can be a silent salesperson for your products or services. Keeping these tips in mind will help you make the most of your promotional items' potential.

Top 10 Internet Marketing Mistakes

2006-02-17T14:35:00.000-05:00

Source: AllBusiness

Internet marketing can be very powerful, but it needs to be done right to be effective. Many Internet marketing rookies -- and even some veterans -- continue to make the same types of mistakes in their online marketing efforts. Here are a few marketing mistakes to watch out for and avoid.

Making viewers wait. People expect the Internet to be fast. If your server is slow or use graphics that take two minutes to download, you can say goodbye to your potential customers. To market yourself effectively, you need to put your information in front of people quickly. See Three Rules for Building Fast-Loading Web Pages for more information.
Technical arrogance. Do not assume that everyone has the latest version of a program to view your site. Not everyone has Macromedia's Flash installed, for example. Always have plain HTML and text versions at the ready for these users.
Not marketing offline. The goal is driving traffic to your site, but no one is online all the time. To successfully market an Internet site, you need market offline, too.
Not listing your site with search engines. It is surprising how many people use search engines constantly but do not bother to get their sites listed on these very same search engines. You should manually list yourself with each search engine to make sure you are listed where you want to be. Since search engines are different, find out how to move up on their listings. For more information about search engine submission and optimization, see the Search Engine Optimization & Marketing section.
Not remaining timely. Far too many businesses let their Web sites go fallow. You need to stay current if you hope to attract customers. If you’ve got marketing material on your site about a Memorial Day special and it’s June 15th, you’re losing customers.
Poor partnering. Be very careful with whom you align yourself. Some spammers and spyware companies operate co-registration and affiliate programs that violate the CAN-SPAM act and other rules and regulations. Before you sign an agreement with any third party, investigate your potential partner and be sure they are operating above board.
Giving users the third degree. If you are trying to interest customers in signing sign up for a newsletter or make a purchase, do not make them jump through hoops or answer a battery of questions. Each question you ask subscribers, beyond name and email address, will cost you 10 to 15 percent of your potential customers.
Not using viral marketing. Having your customers market for you is very cost effective. From a simple “forward to a friend” link to two for one offers to offline marketing on t-shirts and other accessories that your customers can wear, you can benefit by the use of viral marketing – also known as "word of mouth" marketing in the offline world.
Not collecting email addresses. To market successfully online, you need people to market to. Take every opportunity to collect email addresses from your visitors to create a permissioned list to continue marketing to your target audience.
Spamming. Do not succumb to the temptation of spamming. Market via permissioned lists only. If you have any doubts or you are not sure whether or not you are spamming, do not send your mailing. Even one questionable mailing could be enough for you to get labeled a spammer by ISPs, which will make it difficult, if not impossible, for you to do email marketing in the future.

What is Brandable Software?

2006-02-06T10:45:00.000-05:00

Brandable software is typically software created by one company for the purpose of allowing other companies to obtain resell/redistribution rights to the software, change the Brand associated with it, and sell/give it as if it were their own. It may also be referred to as Private Label software or Rebranded Software.

8 Writing Tips for Your Promotional E-Mail

2006-02-03T10:26:00.000-05:00

Source: Entrepreneur.com

The art of writing e-mail marketing messages is a valuable one. So why haven't you mastered it yet?

E-mail marketing is the hottest ticket today, and mailings to opt-in lists now yield higher results than direct mail, and at a lower cost. Everyone's looking for that magic formula--the perfect message that will electrify opt-in campaigns. But the proliferation of e-mail makes it tough to stand out. Here are eight tips for writing e-mails that produce top results.

Choose a great subject line. Steer clear of misleading or mysterious subject lines. Nothing screams spam louder than "How are you?" An effective subject line includes a benefit and relates directly to your offer, such as "Save 60 percent on tape stock."

Have a solid hook. The first few sentences contain your hook and are the most critical part of your e-mail. The hook is the central message of your mailing. It should be clear and intriguing. Be sure it focuses on what they'll get, not on what you offer.

Tell them what to do. Your e-mail should have two or three paragraphs-no more. Total length should be less than 250 words. The body should support your hook using benefits, then close with a call to action. Tell readers what you want them to do and include hyperlinks such as "Click here to register."

Use clear, direct language. A well-written message uses the active voice and has short, concise sentences. This is crucial because as many as half of your recipients will read just the first few sentences before deciding to continue. If writing isn't your strong suit, consider hiring an e-mail copywriter.

Focus on your offer. Your e-mail should have one subject and one subject only. Resist the temptation to make multiple offers, which may confuse your recipients and dilute your message.

Don't drop the ball. Some e-mail marketing messages fall short because they fail to include all the information customers need. Be sure to include vital data, such as pricing and deadlines. It's unreasonable to expect customers to visit your site to get the information they need to evaluate your e-mail offer.

Include a P.S. While a postscript isn't mandatory, it grabs attention. Often, recipients will read the subject line and the hook, scan key elements and go directly to the P.S. It should restate your hook and highlight your offer. After the P.S., give recipients a way to unsubscribe from your list. This is generally the last link at the bottom of the e-mail.

Make it readable. Even the best copy can't sell if your e-mail looks too dense. Keep paragraphs to three or four lines and double-spaced. Use bullets or stars to emphasize key points, but avoid text in all caps or multiple exclamation points. Set text width at 68 characters or less per line so it displays correctly in e-mail applications. Also, avoid breaking or wrapping URLs into two lines--it may cause technical problems. By eliminating these barriers, it'll be easy for customers to take advantage of your offer and dramatically boost your results.

What do you think of these 8 points?

Promotional Software Gifts

2006-02-02T09:59:00.000-05:00

Putting your logo on pens, mugs, bags, or t-shirts to get your name in front of your customers is not a new concept. Promotional products are designed to increase awareness and business. Branded merchandise is a cost-effective, practical way to round out an intelligent marketing campaign.

Computer age created a need for some more sophisticated promotional tools. With Eshasoft promotional software gifts you can put a logo on users desktop at the same time giving them something of far greater value then a mug or a bag. Give your customers and prospective customers a fully functional software solution for everyday problems (like Windows compatible diary, calendar, planner, address book, browser, pop-up blocker, etc.).

Build customer loyalty and boost your website traffic with your own branded eCalendar! Think about it!

Use Branding to Increase Your Market Share

2006-02-01T02:13:00.000-05:00

By Gauher Chaudhry
http://www.ecomhelp.com/KB/Branding/kb_branding.htm

When you think of branding, the first thing that must come to mind is a farmer taking a hot iron and burning a distinctive mark onto the side of a cow. Farmers do this so that their cows will not be confused with another farmer's cows.

But branding has evolved over the years and has now become a common term used in marketing. Branding is essentially burning your company or web site name or slogan into the minds of potential customers.

Many offline companies have been quite successful in doing this. Kleenex is a brand name for tissue as is Band-Aid for adhesive bandages. These companies have incorporated into the customer's mind to perceive these items by their brand name. Branding is important on the Internet, especially with all the cut-throat competition.

In the real world, it may be just a matter of convenience why some people shop at a closer discount store than going that extra mile to the next discount store. But on the Internet, any web site is just a click away. You need to differentiate yourself from the rest. Branding can create this difference.

One of the most important decisions when it comes to branding is deciding the domain name that you want to use. You want to pick a name that is short and snappy that will "stick" into the minds of visitors and potential customers.

I remember about a year ago, a few Internet marketers were making a huge hoopla about the domain names that allowed you to have 67 characters. This fad has died down because people are not going to remember long names such as:
www.marketing-reports-that-will-make-you-money-fast.com

People find it easy to retain short URL's such as yahoo.com, snap.com or eBay.com. You should pick a name that is short and yet at the same time will give a potential visitor an idea as to what you are all about.

For example, if you pick a name such as www.autolube.com, people will automatically associate your name with automobiles and oil.

Branding can be also used in slogans. I bet you can pick out these companies real quick:

"Quality is Job 1."
"Finger-lickin' good."
"The milk chocolate melts in your mouth - not in your hand."
"Have it your way."
"It keeps going, and going, and going..."

If you guessed Ford, KFC, M & M's, Burger King, and Energizer, then you probably understand the importance of branding.

If you decide to use a slogan for your web site, researchers have suggested that rhymes are easy to remember. For example:

"We are number one, because we like to have fun..."

Okay, that was kind of cheesy. But you get the point. ;)

Another method of branding is with your online classified ads. If you use consistent headlines and words in your ads, then customers will be able to identify the ad to your web site or company very quickly when they see it again.

Statistics indicate that customers need to see an online advertisement at least seven times before they will buy. If you are constantly changing your ads for no valid reason, you may be losing your identity with potential customers.

The Internet has created a level playing field for all competitors. Competitors need to differentiate themselves to win the customer. A good brand name translates into a bigger market share on the Internet. A bigger market share means larger sales and bigger profits.

eCentral, The Next Wave in Direct Marketing Technology, Is a Direct Channel to The Customer

2006-01-31T14:11:00.000-05:00

Robert Lazor Co. announces the release of My eCentral™, a revolutionary marketing and communications brandware that connects companies to customers with their simple "Point-and-Click" process.

"Partnering with a team of IT Professionals (Eshasoft), we have developed My eCentral, a fully customizable, simple to implement productivity tool, that delivers company web sites and content to customer desktops. Just a few of eCentral's productivity features include a browser, a calendar, a planner, an address book, and audio and video modules," says Robert Lazor, Managing Partner of Robert Lazor Co.

My eCentral cuts through the clutter of commercial e-mail, and solves such challenges as:

The CAN-SPAM Act
Sophisticated e-mail filters which block mail
The risks of getting blacklisted

My eCentral uses a proprietary permission-based technology to deliver fresh information to the customer's desktop. It arrives special delivery, outside the clutter of the regular e-mail system, in a clear, concise, and consistent format that is immediately recognizable to the customer.

Jupiter Research reports customer retention e-mail campaigns account for the "greatest share of non-spam e-mail marketing spending, and will continue to do so over the near-term." My eCentral delivers information to consumers more effectively because it is a direct channel right to the customer's desktop.

According to the same Jupiter Research report, during 2003 the average U.S. online consumer received 3,920 unwanted commercial e-mail messages. This number will grow to 6,395 unwanted e- mails per online consumer by the end of 2008. eCentral outpaces the competition by delivering content directly to the customer desktop, which instantly captures customer focus, and greatly reduces the chances of getting lost in the "spam" glut.

Average e-mail open and click-through rates (CTRs) are clearly continuing to decline, as reported by various analysts and e-marketing companies. My eCentral's unique method of spotlighting messages gives companies a competitive edge and a message that is easily recognizable by customers.

"My eCentral can help companies take their direct online marketing efforts to the next level," adds Lazor. "As a branded corporate marketing and communications tool, My eCentral's simple point-and-click process solves many of the challenges direct marketers face today and tomorrow."

Website: http://www.cliq-on.com/eCentralB2C/

Is Branded Software a new Breakthrough for Website Promotion?

2006-01-31T13:46:00.000-05:00

With 8 billion webpages in Google index it has become very hard to promote a business on the Internet. Could the new Branded Software technology, introduced by Eshasoft, be a solution to this problem?

Statistics indicate that customers need to see an advertisement at least seven times before they buy the product/service.

Desktop Marketing and Branding should be an integral part of your Internet Marketing Strategy. An icon (your logo) on your customers' desktop puts you in the driver's seat. There is no better way to maintain a more consistent top of mind awareness.

Think About it...

The Windows desktop is an invaluable real-estate. Microsoft and its competitors believed it to be so valuable that the matter was taken to federal court. If Microsoft and their major competitors think it is so important to be on your customers desktop, you should take advantage of the court's decision and claim your portion of this valuable turf.

AOL creates excellent brand awareness utilizing Desktop Marketing. After installing their software, AOL's logos appear on your desktop. Their customers consider it a convenience.

eCentral offers you the same benefits for pennies a day. Customers love it, and you gain an enviable position on their desktop 24/7.