Great marketing ideas are born from listening to the market.  Simple tools like Google Alerts or Social Mention can keep you up to date on what people are saying about your brand, your location, and your products.  

Internet listening posts like Google Alerts and Social Mention work in the same way. You enter search terms, and get the latest web and news items related to your topic(s) sent right to your inbox.  Get started by entering your brand name as the first search term, and then both your brand name and your location as a second search term.  This will keep you current on market trends and industry activities that affect you and your business.  Want to take it to the next level?  Enter the names of your local competitors.  See what is being said both by and about them.  As you hear what your target market’s interests and concerns are, the ideas for great marketing initiatives will start to flow.