Markets Cheer Chinese GDP Growth

Global markets were higher overnight and higher this morning after China's GDP came in slightly above expectations at +8.9% in Q4. This is one of the slower readings since 2009, but I guess folks are happy it wasn't worse. There is also chatter that Chinese officials don't want it to slow more, and will be looking to take the foot off the brake that has recently been applied to cool inflation.

In earnings news, Citi (C) is down 5% right now after disappointing earnings. Wells Fargo (WFC) was in-line, but the stock is higher. And Check Point Software (CHKP) is nicely higher after beating earnings and revenue estimates.

The euro is also higher today, despite a wave of sovereign downgrades from Standard & Poors. The biggest was to France, which got downgraded from AAA to AA+. Italy, Spain, and Portugal also got downgraded a notch. For now it looks like these downgrades were priced in and bonds are not being sold off as a reaction.

The lower dollar here is helping commodities. Gold prices are up to $1658, and silver and copper prices are higher as well. Oil prices are also higher, but not able to stay above the $100 level.

The 10-year yield is flat at the low level of 1.85%. I find this somewhat perplexing, as most other markets are rallying on good economic news, but the bond market here is pricing things as if the economy is going to slow more.

As for the VIX, I would have expected it to be down on today's rally but it is actually slightly higher to 21.0. It is still early, but the fact that the VIX hasn't budged would make me a little nervous about chasing this early market strength.

Trading comment: The market continues this stair-step higher pattern that we have seen before. I think we saw something similar in the early part of 2011. Pullbacks are brief affairs and have to be bought quickly if you want to continue to participate in the rally. The October high for the SPX was 1292. This area has been providing some resistance for the last 4 days, but today looks to be convincingly broken to the upside. A close above 1292 would be another bullish datapoint for the market. Earnings season really heats up this week, so get ready.

KAM Advisors and/or clients are long CHKP, GLD

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Is Pinterest Right for Your Business, or Should You 'Put a Pin' in It?

The phase, “let’s put a pin in this” means that something may be a good idea or suggestion, but that you are going to pin it to a bulletin board (really or symbolically) for further study. But since early adopters generally get the most ROI from being among the first to really understand and utilize new communications, you might not want to “stick a pin” in Pinterest, which landed among the top 10 social media sites with nearly as much traffic as Google+ according to dreamgrow.com.

Instead, you might want to start pinning on Pinterest on behalf of your business sooner, rather than later. Now that I’ve spent a few weeks sleuthing through the site pinning interests of my own at http://www.pinterest.com/beinpulse; here are my current suggestions for Pinterest as far as business use goes:

Is Pinterest even for business?

Strictly speaking, no. No one who has set up an account and taken time to check the site out for any length of time would think that Pinterest is a social media site meant for business. And since it is still in Beta mode, and open to users by invitation only (to get an invitation, check with your friends or contacts on Facebook, it’s likely that someone will be able to send you an invitation), it will be interesting to see where its developers take the site.

That said, you can use it to build brand awareness and even to feature products and services, but my advice would be to use it sparingly and judiciously for those purposes, and participate on it as an individual if it is something that interests you, first and foremost.

To know whether Pinterest is right for you or your business, you need to know what it’s being used for and who is using it. 

Who is using Pinterest?

Again, a short foray into Pinterest itself will quickly reveal to you that it’s users are mainly (overwhelmingly) female. The site is used by individuals who share their own or other people’s handcrafted decorations and décor, home decorating styles, personal fashion styles, wedding ideas, party ideas, recipes and food presentation, kids crafts and rooms, quotes, graphics, DIY (do-it-yourself) how-to and other inspirations.

If you don’t see your business’s target markets or your own interests represented in those categories, then it’s unlikely that Pinterest is right for you, at least not right now.

If you do find members of your ideal client types represented by those types of interests, though, here are some guidelines to help you get started with this social media site: 

1. Get your own account (as a person) first. Put in at least 10-12 hours of personal research (believe me, this will happen more quickly than you might think). Learn how to find and follow other users. See if you can identify some of the influential ‘pinners’ relative to your business type.
   
2. Begin using your account to highlight a few aspects of your business that you believe would be of greatest interest to other individuals on Pinterest. Don’t post pictures of products or copies of your advertisements. Do post how-to tutorials for achieving looks, style, fashion, décor or decorating that would interest the individuals participating most on Pinterest.
   
3. Revisit Pinterest at least three times per week. Make your activity a combination of pinning your own interests, your own how-to or tutorials and re-pinning things others have pinned that you also appreciate.
   
4. Create one or two boards committed to your business. These might be boards which feature your work, how-to, tutorials, etc., blogs or books which inspire you (personally as well as professionally), a board which features quality head shots of your key staff along with interesting personal information or quotes about each – in other words; go light on business content and heavy on human interest content.
   
5. Pinterest allows you to cross-post pins simultaneously to Facebook and Twitter; do so, but be aware that every time you cross post you are putting another post from your Facebook page onto the stream of your friends and fans. One, they will see what you are posting so the same rules that govern your Facebook posting should apply (no profanity, no religious or political controversy, etc.) as well as frequency of posting. If you pin or repin 20+ items to Facebook, you could quickly lose followers there, so be judicious and cross post only those items which would be of interest or inspiration to your Facebook or Twitter fans and followers. 
6. To use Pinterest for business, you need original content and images by way of your own website, blog, or multimedia sites. Particularly when it comes to featuring your own work or how-to tutorials in pictures, utilize your own blog or website to post your text and images, then 'pin' to Pinterest. Sorry -- Pinterest doesn't allow you to post from Facebook (another reminder that Facebook is not a replacement for having your own website or blog!)
   
7. Watch as this social media site evolves for more opportunities. 

Want more? Likeable.com's article on how to curate your brand on Pinterest [here] suggests that you 'pin' contests and giveaways (great idea!), create an online catalog by way of its pin boards and pin relevant how-to and special interest content. 

***

Elizabeth Kraus, author of 365 Days of Marketing and the 2012 Small Business Marketing Calendar: Little White Marketing Lies.

Dispel all the little white marketing lies that might be holding your business back - check out the 2012 Small Business Marketing Calendar: Little White Marketing Lies on amazon.com.  With hundreds of marketing ideas laid out for 2012, you'll get into a marketing groove and build a bigger role for your business in the lives of your clients!

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Bond Auctions Improve In Spain and Italy

The market was poised to move higher at the open after improved sentiment in Europe helped push their markets and the euro higher. Spain and Italy both held successful bond auctions where yields were well lower than they had been at previous auctions.

But some early economic data in the U.S. took the wind out of the market's sails. Retail sales came in weaker than expected at 0.1% (vs. 0.4% consensus), and retail sales ex-autos actually fell 0.2% in December. Also, weekly jobless claims were higher than expected.

Back to the ECB, President Draghi held the benchmark rate at 1.00%, but said that substantial downside risks to economic activity in Europe remain.

Asian markets were mostly lower overnight after some Chinese inflation data came in higher than expected. This calls into question just how easy China will become with monetary policy given that inflation is still a problem there.

The dollar is down which is helping commodities. Oil prices are higher near $102.25. Gold prices are also up to $1635. Copper and silver prices are higher as well.

The 10-year yield is getting a small bounce to 1.92%. But the overall low levels on the 10-year do not bode particularly well for an immediate pickup in economic activity.

As for the VIX, it is up 4% in early trading to 21.87. The recent downtrend in the VIX remains intact, despite the ongoing possibility for a move higher in the near-term.

Trading comment: The market continues to put together constructive price/volume action. Pullbacks have been contained well. There is talk about Greece having difficulty making its upcoming debt payments. This could cause the whole Euro debt issue to flare up again, as we know it hasn't been solved by any means. The market seems to be calm right now with those issues, perceiving that the 'kick the can' policies are effective. But at some point I expect the whole thing to flare up again. That may not be today's agenda, but it is something to keep in mind as investor adjust their asset allocations. We still have some hedges on just in case.

KAM Advisors and/or clients are long GLD, SCO, SH

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Are We Starting To Decouple From The Euro?

The markets are mixed this morning, but still doing better than I would have thought given that the euro is lower on the day. I have harped on the fact that whenever the euro was down over the last year you could pretty much bet our markets were down also.

So far this year we are starting to see a little decoupling from that relationship. I know its still early in the year, but so far the euro is down -2.0% since the start of the year while the S&P 500 has gained +2.5%. Hey, it's a start right??

European markets are lower this morning ahead of the ECB meeting tomorrow. Asian markets were mostly higher overnight, except for China which pulled back -0.4% after that 2 day surge.

Energy stocks (XLE) are down the most this morning, as oil pulls back near the $100.50 level. Gold prices are higher to $1643. Silver prices are higher also, while copper looks flat right now.

There isn't much in the way of market moving data this morning. Economic reports are light, and earnings season doesn't really kick into high gear until next week.

Trading comment: Recently I commented on the S&P holding solidly above its 200-day average. The two indexes that had yet to retake their 200-days were the S&P 400 Midcap and the Russell 2000 small-cap. But yesterday both of those indexes joined the senior indexes and now all of the major indexes are above their respective 200-day averages. The longer the S&P 500 stays around these levels the closer we get to its 50-day average crossing back above its 200-day average. Traders call this a "golden cross", and it would be another bullish sign for the market.

KAM Advisors and clients are long GLD, SCO

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Why People Hate Marketing.

 

It's not marketing of course. It's an amalgamation of ideas that have been knocking around for the past few years bundled together with nonsensical jargon and a ripped-off presentation style.

The thinking isn't bad, but the most impressive thing is being able to say "Liquid linkage to big fat fertile spaces" with a straight face.

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Show Customers You Care - 10 Valentines Day Marketing Ideas for Small Business

Now that you’ve taken down the snowflakes, lights and tinsel, you’re probably looking for Valentine’s Day decorating and marketing ideas for your small business. These Valentine’s Day marketing ideas are more than window dressing, and that’s the point, because people won't care about your business until they know how much you care about them!

Here are 10 marketing ideas for Valentine’s Day to help you build business, show customers you care and cultivate customer love and loyalty:

1. Use Facebook and Twitter to send 29 messages of affection to your customers.
Every day in February (and it’s a Leap Year, so there will be 29 days in the month) put blog and Facebook posts and Tweets out into the social media universe that conveys some measure of your affection for customers, a customer service promise or another customer care oriented message. And create a special Valentine’s Day email to send to your contacts on February 14th. That's 30 ways to say "I love you" to your customers!

2. Create your own Valentine’s Day love themed set of coupons.
You know how couples often create Valentines Day IOUs for back rubs and date nights? Create your own Valentine's Day IOUs in the form of bounce back offers distributed at the point of sale, via email and social media redeemable for a gift with purchase, discount or add on the next time they buy from your business.

3. Hold a 14 Days of Valentines contest or give away.
Every day from February 1-14, hold a contest or drawing to give away an inexpensive but desirable product, service, add on or even a branded coffee, water or travel mug, t-shirt or another branded tchotchke. Put together a grand prize for the February 14th drawing (such as a gift basket, collection with one of each of the items given away previously, larger ticket item, etc.)

4. Don’t forget the singles!
Obviously, everyone doesn’t have a significant other. The singles among your client base may well be sick of all the talk of love and romance. Cater to them by way of a romance-free shopping event or go the other direction and hold singles shopping hour mixers. Include a few love-cynical quotes on Facebook and Twitter. Or celebrate with special offers on February 15th, which is “Call in Single Day.”

5. Take time for introspection and show some love to your employees.
Study after study (not to mention common sense) tells us that engaged employees – employees who see themselves as aligned and connected with the brand and culture of the business where they work – are happier, more likely to deliver exceptional customer service and more likely to proactively resolve customer’s problems (or even go out of their way to prevent them). Your customers are much more likely to feel ‘loved’ by your business when your employees do, too! During February, send Valentines or notes of appreciation to your staff noting personal traits and talents you appreciate. Post customer raves on social media and in employee break and lunch areas. Hold a Valentine’s Day luncheon or send chocolates or flowers to each at home.

6. Put Cupid to work in your business.
Literally, put Cupid to work in your business. Solicit a staff volunteer to dress as Cupid and stand inside or outside of your business, distributing business cards, special offers, branded pens or promotional items, etc. Or hold a Cupid-hosted Valentine’s Day open house, extended shopping hours for VIP or loyalty club customers or another special event.

7. Send Valentines to people who need and deserve them.
Collect or create Valentines to be given to soldiers, seniors, cancer patients or another deserving group. Ask customers to bring signed Valentines or hold a DIY Valentine craft workshop for kids (of all ages). Feature the project in a press release and in stories on your website, social media, email newsletter and blog.

8. Live out the spirit of Valentine’s Day.
Donate a portion of proceeds or proceeds from the sales of specific products or services to a local deserving charity, or hold an a-thon type of event with proceeds and solicited donations going to charity. And don’t forget to tell people about the good works that you do for charity or in your community in communications via your website, blog, in email newsletters and on social media.

9. Get closer to your customers and prospects.
Do a customer service survey. Solicit customer comments, raves, reviews and other feedback. Form a focus group from among your most loyal customers to discuss one or more aspects of the customer experience which could be improved. Use customer or child-created Valentine arts and crafts to decorate within your business and feature them in photos on your website, email newsletter, social media and your blog.

10. Reward your best customers.
Double loyalty points or rewards for all purchases, your most loyal customers, club members or double up rewards or points when customers purchase specific products or services in February. Extend a special offer such as a free or reduced-price add on, gift with purchase or another incentive to your best customers or loyalty reward members. Send a Valentine to your most loyal customers by mail or email.

11. BONUS:  Looking for Valentine’s Day decorating ideas for your business?
Last month I found Pinterest and became immediately immersed (or, more accurately, addicted) as it appeals to my own A.D.D. approach to the internet. It’s an especially great resource for finding holiday craft and decorating ideas, including ideas for how to decorate your business for Valentine’s Day. You'll find some of my favorites here, but I highly recommend that you visit www.pinterest.com and take a look around, yourself. My next email newsletter will include this article about using Pinterest for business.

Merely decorating the windows, walls and displays in your business for Valentine’s Day is not enough. For customers to believe you care, your efforts must come out of authenticity. Remember the Law of Reflection? The principle included in my Top 10 Small Business Marketing Ideas at position #5 was this: No one— not your customers, employees, vendors or investors— no one is going to put more into the relationship they have with your business than you do. Your investment (the extent to which you go to show customers that you really care about them) will be reflected in their ‘love’ for and loyalty to your business. The return is never going to be more than your investment!

***


Elizabeth Kraus is the author of 365 Days of Marketing.

If you want to build a business which provides the maximum when it comes to customer and employee satisfaction and loyalty as well as profitability, change the way that you  understand and use marketing.  365 Days of Marketing is available on amazon.com or save $5 off the list price when you use the Code USH9VPJG and purchase on my site at 12monthsofmarketing.net.

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China Rallies Hard For 2nd Straight Day

The markets are nicely higher in early trading, taking their cues from overseas markets which were up sharply overnight. Asian markets were up across the board, led by another 2.7% gain in China where expectations for easier monetary policy appear to be the catalyst.

In Europe, analysts at Fitch indicated that France and Germany are likely to maintain their top credit ratings in 2012. A lot of folks have been expected France to get downgraded, so this news emboldened the bulls and Europe's markets rallied hard.

The strong 2-day rally in China has helped economically-sensitive materials stocks (XLB), which are leading the early action. Financials (XLF) are strong too, while defensive consumer staples (XLP) stocks are lagging so far.

The dollar is only down slightly, but commodities have caught a bid as well. Gold prices are up near $1635, silver prices are higher, and copper is higher as well. Oil prices are back to $102.50.

The 10-year yield is only up slightly to 1.98%, still unable to get above that 2.0% level. And the VIX is down -4.7% today to nearly a 6-month low near the psychologically important 20 level. This is a good sign for the bulls, although I still feel like a short-term spike in the VIX could be coming if we get a sharp pullback in the market.

Trading comment: The market continues to power higher. Leadership is not as broad as it often is during market advances. The list of new highs is more littered with defensive type names rather than traditional quality growth stocks. That is another reason why I feel that not everyone has embraced this rally. I know that the sentiment surveys are growing more bullish on the one hand, but on the other hand it still feels like a market climbing the proverbial wall of worry.

-jordan kahn

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