In The News
Transaction Trends - October 22, 2020
Do's and Don'ts for Marketing in a Pandemic
As the COVID-19 pandemic persists, it’s important not only to protect and run your business today, but to figure out how to emerge from this crisis even stronger. Here’s some marketing do’s and don’ts to help your company find the way forward and recover more quickly.
Alacriti - April 2, 2020
Faster Payments: Are You Ready?
In today’s increasingly mobile and digital economy, Americans are demanding ways they can safely and securely pay anyone, anywhere, at any time, and with near-immediate funds availability rather than using archaic and slow batch processes.
Alacriti - March 27 , 2020
The Value of Well Architected Framework Reviews
The The AWS Well-Architected Framework facilitates review and improvement of cloud-based architectures and creates a better understanding of the business impact of design decisions. The Framework addresses general design principles, as well as specific best practices and guidance in five conceptual areas.
Alacriti - February 25, 2020
Offering More Payment Channels Improves the Customer Experience
The more payment channels and methods you offer, the more likely your customers will pay their next bill, and the next, and the next, increasing their loyalty, satisfaction, and lifetime value to your business.
Alacriti - January 6, 2020
Increasing Autopay Adoption and the Remarkable Results of Repetition
Unbridled technology change, the rise of cloud computing, unified commerce, frictionless data-rich customer experiences, the rise of real-time payments and
Alacriti - January 6, 2020
Six Payments Trends to Watch in 2020
Unbridled technology change, the rise of cloud computing, unified commerce, frictionless data-rich customer experiences, the rise of real-time payments and increasing data security and privacy regulation top the list of payments trends to watch in 2020.
ATM Marketplace - February 21, 2018
Town Hall Touches on ATM Industry Pain Points, Future Plans
Withdraw Cash Wednesday campaign promotes consumer cash use.
ATMIA - August 8, 2017
Olson Honored with ATM Industry's Exceptional Achievement Award
Award bestowed at ATMIA's 2018 U.S. Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The Green Sheet - August 28, 2017
Savvy Competitor Square Adds Showroom
Square Inc. opens a retail store in New York City Called Showroom.
ATMIA - August 8, 2017
Strategic Marketing's Olson Named ATM Industry Champion
Honor bestowed by ATMIA for promoting freedom of payment choice and Withdraw Cash Wednesday campaign efforts.
Transaction Trends - February 9, 2017
Payments in the Stores of Tomorrow
This year, Amazon will launch a brick-and-mortar grocery store with no check out. Could this offer a glimpse into how consumers will be shopping in the near or no-so near future? Experts think so.
The Green Sheet - November 28, 2016 - Issue 16:11:02
Money20/20, held in October, in Las Vegas, is known as the world's largest payments and fintech event of the year and 2016 appears to have been the year for biometric authentication.
The Green Sheet - June 8, 2015 - Issue 15:06:01
EMV Merchant Preparedness Prepackaged and Just-In-Time
EMV Marketing-in-a-Box enables the industry's feet on the street to launch a professional multimedia marketing campaign that employs print, mail, social media and online communications to answer frequently asked questions and demystify much of the EMV process.
PAAY - January 22, 2015
Five Trends with the Potential to Transform Mobile Payments
Until fairly recently, the adoption of mobile payments by merchants and consumers alike has been a slow and tedious process. But now, with Apple Pay leading the charge that's igniting the entire payments ecosystem, mobile payments have the opportunity to rapidly scale.
PR Web - January 12, 2015
Women's Payments Group W.net Elects 2015 Board of Directors
Strategic Marketing's Peggy Bekavac Olson continues service as W.net director.
The Green Sheet - December 8, 2014 - Issue 14:12:01
Money20/20 Insights and Reflections
Money20/20 is a worldwide gathering of innovators in the evolution of commerce and the concurrent ongoing digitization of money. The event turned out to be a great place to hear what's new in payments around the globe, as well as to gather views and perspectives from industry executives and innovators.
Electronic Transactions Association (ETA) News - April 1, 2014
ETA Announces Nominees for 2014 Star Awards and Distinguished Payments Professional
Peggy Bekavac Olson, founder and principal of Strategic Marketing, nominated for ETA Member of the Year award.
PYMNTS.com - December 20, 2013
W.net Names 2014 Board of Directors
Strategic Marketing founder and principal Peggy Bekavac Olson begins a new term.
The Green Sheet - November 13, 2013 - Issue 13:11:01
Money2020 and the Fast-Changing Payments World
Money2020 provided a glimpse of the future. Those who embrace change and innovation will position themselves well, and those who don't may face extinction.
The Green Sheet - September 9, 2013 - Issue 13:09:01
The New Age of Cross-Channel Prospecting
Many businesses are exploring a new mix of channels to reach and engage potential customers to remain competitive in an increasingly competitive multichannel world.
Discover Network News - April 17, 2013
The Electronic Transactions Association (ETA) Announces Star Award Nominees
Strategic Marketing's Peggy Bekavac Olson nominated for ETA Member of the Year award.
The Green Sheet - March 11, 2013 - Issue 13:03:01
15 Tips to Boost Merchant-Level Sales
Here's a straightforward list of 15 things to employ to promote yourself and your business to make more sales.
The Green Sheet - January 14, 2013 - Issue 13:01:01
Take Stock with a Brand and Marketing Audit
For companies seeking to improve their marketing efforts, it makes sense to take a step back from the daily hustle and bustle of business to conduct a thorough brand and marketing audit.
ResidualMarketplace.com - January 10, 2013
W.net Appoints 2013 Board of Directors
TSYS' Bengston leads organization as president. Strategic Marketing's Olson serves as director.
The Green Sheet - December 10, 2012 - Issue 12:12:01
Marketing your Business in 2013: Do you Have a Plan?
With a new year approaching, it's time to start thinking about your marketing strategy for 2013. This entails defining specific business goals and objectives you want to achieve in the coming year. It's a step-by-step process that takes patience, forethought and execution.
The Green Sheet - November 26, 2012 - Issue 12:11:02
Trade Association News - Shawn Taylor Zelman Named W.net Executive Director
W.net Mentoring Program pairs mentors to proteges through an application matching process.
The Green Sheet - September 10, 2012 - Issue 12:09:01
Ignite Revenue with a Sales Incentive Program
Keeping salespeople motivated is the eternal challenge of sales managers. One way to spur sales is by instituting incentive programs. With today's technology, sellers can be rewarded instantly for meeting quotas and closing deals. But to do this effectively, determine what you want from your salespeople and what your salespeople want from you.
The Green Sheet - August 13, 2012 - Issue 12:08:01
The Best Prospects are in your Portfolio
Familiarity does not breed contempt in merchant services - quite the opposite. Merchants who trust you and are already in your portfolio are much more likely to more business with you than prospective new merchants. The types of cross-selling and up-selling opportunities include merchant cash advance, prepaid card programs, remote deposit capture and more.
The Green Sheet - July, 12, 2012 - Issue 12:07:01
Be Positively Different to Make your Business Stand Out
In an era where merchants are constantly bombarded by solicitations for processing services with pitches that tend to all sound the same, being different can help you win more new business, increase merchant stickiness and reduce attrition, as well as combat the downward spiral of price compression for what the market has come to view as a commodity service.
The Green Sheet - June 11, 2012 - Issue 05:12:01
Marketing your Business with YouTube
YouTube, the world's most popular video sharing site, is a great tool for businesses, both large and small: it's free, easy to use and has broad market reach and appeal. It's only natural to think about leveraging YouTube for business success. So get out that video camera!
The Green Sheet - May 14, 2012 - Issue 05:12:01
Experts Reveal Social Media Strategies
At the ETA annual expo, a panel convened on the hot topic of how payment businesses can leverage social media. Industry experts said venues like Twitter, Facebook and YouTube can help businesses segment consumers and promote brand awareness. The trick is to marry your company to the right platform to deliver your message.
The Green Sheet - April 9, 2012 - Issue 04:12:01
Working with Outside Marketing Experts
The job of a marketing partner is to provide rich outsider perspective, fill gaps in capabilities and expertise, and strengthen your overall marketing efforts. The end result should propel your business forward in a very positive and effective way, helping you do more with less.
ISO & Agent - March 28, 2012
Merchants Attracted to Surcharge-Free ATMs
It's an appeal that translates into increased store traffic and increased sales.
The Green Sheet - March 12, 2012 - Issue 03:12:01
Differentiation, the Pricing-Squeeze Terminator
Selling on price is a tight squeeze today. With competitors undercutting you on price, reducing your own prices to stay competitive is a faulty strategy. The solution is to differentiate yourself in other ways, such as by offering superior customer service, becoming a subject-matter expert who specializes in solving merchants' problems.
ISO & Agent - February 17, 2012
CSR Relieves Merchants from Burden of Data Breach Notification
After a data breach, merchants are required by law to notify a host of authorities and agencies, a daunting task that presents an opportunity for ISOs and agents.
The Green Sheet - February 13, 2012 - Issue 02:12:01
Are your Marketing Materials Compliant?
The card brands not only have rules that govern interchange and data security, but they also regulate how merchant service providers market services, too. It is incumbent on sellers to adhere to these regulations, right down to the wording on company letterhead and business cards. The alternative means potential audits, penalties and fines.
January 30, 2012
Women's Network in Electronic Transactions Announces 2012 President and Board
Electronic Payments Veteran, Marla Knutson, to Serve as 2012 President. Peggy Olson, Strategic Marketing Named Director.
The Green Sheet - January 9, 2012 - Issue 01:12:01
Kick off 2012 with a Plan for Success
It's not to late to consider a list of top 10 marketing tips to give your business a real boost. In fact, there's no better time than now to put these tips into action. This article explains what the actions are and why they are essential to an effective marketing strategy.
The Green Sheet - December 12, 2011 - Issue 12:11:01
Discipline and Persistence Pay Off
Research has shown that 48 percent of salespeople never follow up with prospects; 25 percent make a second contact and then stop. Yet 80 percent of sales are made on the fifth to twelfth contact. If you want your career to soar, you must learn how to make repeated contacts and persist until you meet your goals.
The Green Sheet - November 14, 2011 - Issue 11:11:01
PR and Press Release Basics
The press release is a powerful marketing tool. But in order for a press release to be effective, basic formatting rules should be followed. Once the elements are in place, where and how a release is distributed make a big difference, as all wire services are not created equal. Also keep in mind that in all types of marketing, repetition is integral to success.
The Green Sheet - October 10, 2011 - Issue 11:10:01
Inspiration for Women in Payments
The Women's Network in Electronic Payments (W.net) held its annual summit at the Hyatt Regency in Atlanta. Over 150 women attended the event focused on encouraging and supporting female professionals in payments. The industry is changing, and opportunities beckon for women with talent, ambition and moxie.
ISO & Agent eNewsletter - September 29, 2011, p.9
Keep Social Media Personal
To turn online social media into business tools, ISOs should give their communications a personal spin on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+, transforming what begins as a business-to-business communication into a person-to-person relationship.
Green Sheet - September 6, 2011
WSAA Conference Draws Key Speakers, Sponsors and Exhibitors
Strategic Marketing's Peggy Olson featured.
Western States Acquirers Association (WSAA) - September 22, 2011
6 Ways to Grow your Business with Social Media
Panel presentation given at WSAA's Annual Meeting at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport in Burlingame, California with Jason Putnam, vice president of strategic partner sales for First American Payment Systems, and Kevin Jones, president of SignaPay.
Green Sheet - September 12, 2011 - Issue 11:09:01
The Remarkable Results of Repetition, Repetition
The Rule of Seven recognizes that it takes at least seven attempts to reach prospects through marketing until they take action. Only with repeated marketing impressions can you hope to imprint your message on prospects and get them to make decisions in your favor.
Digital Transactions - September 1, 2011
The Age of Offers
Startups and established companies alike are betting that consumers obsessed with daily deals could jump-start mobile payments.
Transaction Trends - August 2011
The ABCs of Online Marketing
Proper SEO and SERMA practices help ISOs maintain their digital presence and competitive edge.
The Green Sheet - August 8, 2011 - Issue 11:08:01
Look Like a Leader: Seven Essential Steps
An important tenet in business is that to look like a leader you have to act like a leader. There are steps you can take to level the payment leaders' playing field and elevate your stature. This article defines seven manageable steps for becoming the payments industry leader you were meant to be.
The Green Sheet - July 11, 2011 - Issue 11:07:01
Social Media: Putting Your Company's Best Face Forward
The secret to taking advantage of social media is having patience and a plan.
The Green Sheet - June 13, 2011 - Issue 11:06:01
How to Use Email Marketing to Boost Leads
Have you thought about email marketing but don't know where to begin? This primer provides email marketing best practices and guidelines for getting started.
ISO & Agent - May 24, 2011 - May/June 2011, p. 33
Adding Value Can Increase Sales and Prolong Relationships
Providing more than just payment acceptance may help retain merchant business in a market that has moved beyond price competition.
Digital Transactions Online - May 12, 2011
Social Networking Moves to the POS, Bringing with it New Interest in Deals
Marketing via social-network tools is rapidly moving to the physical point of sale as merchants seek new ways to generate sales and independent sales organizations look for ways to differentiate themselves.
The Green Sheet - May 9, 2011 - Issue 11:05:01
How to Use Direct Mail to Build your Business
Direct mail marketing campaigns are an effective sales tactic, but they involve detailed planning, dedication and repetition.
The Green Sheet - April 11, 2011 - Issue 11:04:01
Leads, Leads, Leads - Part 3: Lead Nurturing
Once you have a system for generating and managing leads, then what? The final stage involves nurturing leads in a way that won't alienate prospects, because not everyone is prepared to buy on the spot.
The Green Sheet - March 14, 2011 - Issue 11:03:01
Leads, Leads, Leads - Part 2: Lead Management
This second in a three-part series covers the essential tools for developing a lead management program that yields results.
The Green Sheet - February 14, 2011 - Issue 11:02:01
Leads, Leads, Leads - Part 1: Lead Generation
Sales leads play a crucial role in every payments industry business. Without leads, you can't make sales, and without revenue, your business can't thrive.
The Green Sheet - January 10, 2011 - Issue 11:01:01
Marketing Resolutions for the New Year
Start the year off right and propel your business. These resolutions encompass some of the basic building blocks of marketing.
The Green Sheet - December 13, 2010 - Issue 10:12:01
Ensuring Sales and Marketing Success in 2011
The fourth quarter is typically when companies develop business plans and budgets for the coming year. But for many businesses, sales and marketing planning is difficult. This article provides key best practices and other tips to help foster positive results.
The Green Sheet - November 8, 2010 - Issue 10:11:01
Content Marketing Delivers by Engaging Prospects
Content marketing is based on the art of communicating without selling. It is the creation and sharing of valuable information, insight and advice on the issues your customers and prospects care about - for the purpose of promoting your business.
Western States Acquirers Association (WSAA) - October 14, 2010
Starting an ISO? Laying the Foundation for your Business
The Green Sheet - October 11, 2010 - Issue 10:10:01
Brand Messaging and Corporate Identity
The most important marketing initiative a business should undertake is to get brand messaging and corporate identity solidly in place and then create guidelines for your marketing team, employees, freelancers and agencies so they can deliver a consistent image and message across all marketing channels and tactics.
The Green Sheet - September 10, 2011 - Issue 10:09:01
Social Media and the MWAA
The recent Midwest Acquirers Association's annual conference addressed social media. This article reports on what was said about this powerful way of communicating and provides tips on how to use social media to your advantage.
The Green Sheet - August 8, 2010 - Issue 10:08:01
Best Practices for Crisis Communications
When a crisis occurs, companies can be transformed almost overnight from being flagship brands to fighting for survival. Are you ready just in case?
The Green Sheet - July 12, 2010 - Issue 10:07:01
Digital Reputation Management
Having a strong and positive digital reputation is vital. You are defined by what appears in search engines, social media sites and more.
The Green Sheet - June 14, 2010 - Issue 10:06:01
The Art of Cross-Marketing: How to Maximize Existing Client Relationships and Boost Sales
Cross-selling value-added products and services provides an easy and realistic means of increasing revenue from your merchant base.
The Green Sheet - May 10, 2010 - Issue 10:05:01
Sales and Marketing: Allies, Not Foes
When sales and marketing are properly aligned around business and revenue goals, they can produce dramatic improvements in sales productivity, marketing return on investment (ROI) and most importantly, revenue growth.
The Green Sheet - April 12, 2010 - Issue 10:04:01
Good Marketing Collateral Helps Advance the Sales Process
Marketing collateral prepares prospects, which makes the sales process easier and more effective.
The Green Sheet - March 8, 2010 - Issue 10:03:01
Developing a Relevant, Compelling Value Proposition
Having a relevant and compelling value proposition is especially important in the payment processing business, as it can elevate your company from the sea of competitors offering what is often perceived as a commodity service.
The Green Sheet - February 22, 2010 - Issue 10:02:02
Marketing: Are You In or Out?
Are your marketing efforts generating enthusiasm among prospective customers, or is it time to seek outside help?
The Green Sheet - February 8, 2010 - Issue 10:02:01
Clarify Your Brand and Use It
What is brand? Many companies are confused on the subject of branding. Some think it's their name, logo, color scheme or corporate style. If your company believes the answer is one of these, you're probably missing the boat.
The Green Sheet - January 11, 2010 - Issue 10:01:01
Effective Tradeshow Marketing
Tradeshows can drive sales and build market share in an efficient, effective manner while building brand equity.
The Green Sheet - January 11, 2010 - Issue 10:01:01
A New Era in Digital Marketing
A big challenge for the payments industry will be to market its services using a broad spectrum of media in creative and resourceful ways.
The Green Sheet - December 14, 2009 - Issue 09:12:01
The Annual Marketing and Communications Plan
An integrated approach with an essential checklist and a valuable process.
The Green Sheet - November 23, 2009 - Issue 09:11:02
Taking Top Strategies to Market
Business Wire - October 20, 2009
Industry Veteran Launches Financial Services and Electronic Payments Marketing Firm
Combines Industry Acumen and Marketing Savvy to Provide Expert Consulting and Tactical Services.