The Trusted team strives to keep up with the innovations in marketing and advertising as they happen.. we 'WALK the WALK and TALK the TALK' . Trusted is  super active ( and effective) on our many  (SM's) social media platforms, we blog consistently and we have a fantastic new Trusted App.

' New media ' is constantly changing and it is important as a business owner and / or marketing person to take the time to keep yourself informed (and on track) with new developments, so you can see how they may influence and affect your businesses bottom line now and in the future.

When we find great information we share it with our partners and friends here on the Trusted Canada blog and in person, after all, that's what being social is all about.

The Trusted Directories mandate is to make consumers life easier by promoting and supporting GREAT local SMB's ( Small Medium Businesses) because we realize without them in a marketplace offering great service and local accountability we would all suffer...they are the true life blood of the economy, the worms in the dirt, and it's important that they are supported and that they are encouraged to make time to keep up with consumer trends and habits.       

Canadian connectivity and mobile trends...why it's important to have an online AND mobile presence in business today

( and if not plan for it soon!)

FACTS FIRST:

• Canadian consumers are WAY ahead of the rest of the World when it comes to Online and mobile usage- spending on average 17.5hous a week online!   
• Over 80% of the population has internet access, and more and more Canucks are signing up daily and embracing social media via smartphones. 
• Canadian watch more videos online each month than any other nation on Earth.
• The average Canadian consumer is plugged-in everywhere!

In the average Canadian home it is not uncommon to have 10 + points of internet access ( multiple smart phones, desktops, tablets, laptops, ipods, smart TVs, online gaming system's like Play Stations, Digital Media receivers like Boxee's or Apple TV's) . Canadians access the internet on the go, at work, while watching TV, and while shopping ( who hasn't check a bottle of win on an App or done a quick internet scan to price check on an item you are considering buying? ). So it really doesn't make ANY sense that Canadian businesses are still lagging when it comes to integrating ecommerce and mobile marketing into their marketing strategy. If they want to engage with the constantly increasing online Canadian consumers, businesses must take action to increase their online activity to have a chance of ' getting the sale' .

Marketing experts have been telling us for 2+ years now that “mobile is the next big thing.” ..and guess what it is HERE! 

Local SMB's need to Adapt and Grow ..or they will SUCK, because if they aren't where their customers are looking for them,  they will lose the sale to someone that is! Chances are that someone is a BIG BOX that has been waiting for the opportunity to take the business, with a department of marketers who are in step with what's been happening and who have everything already in place to make the experience as smooth as possible for customers to switch their business over or new customers to choose them.

Here is a great Infographic from 6SMarketing that does a great job of laying out EXACTLY where Canadian connectivity was at in 2012..and it isn't decreasing that's for sure! Some truly startling stats ( from GOOGLE ) that really do prove our point!

So what do we know for sure?  

This ' interweb thingy'  isn't going away,  social is vital for business success NOW (and in the future) and mobile IS an important factor and SHOULD be an important consideration in any SMB's marketing strategy (especially in their website design).

Even if you personally don't feel like you and your social group of peers are as connected as the stats we have shared, even if you don't personally like to be online so much, even if it 's not how YOU do business....take heed of this great saying that we use all the time to prospective clients who struggle with our concept and way of doing things..

"The Fisherman doesn't have to eat the worm ..it's not MEANT for him!"

If you want to know more about Trusted and what we do-  connect with us ..you'll find us on Facebook in Saskatoon, Facebook in Regina , on Twitter @Trustedcanada on You Tube , on Blogger on Pintrest , on LinkedIn or just Contact us through the website

The Trusted directories were set up based upon the principals of good business, and the foundation of good business is integrity. Simply put, if you don't care about your customers needs as a business then you will never be trusted.

When Sara the Trusted founder came up with the ' Trusted directories concept '  she wanted to have clear, simple guildlines or ' guarantees' laid out for all to see , and she knew it was important for the Trusted partners to sign contracts to uphold those guarantees (and for the partners to be held to them by Trusted).  

The Trusted Guarantees

1.Provide the service and quality promised.

2.Complete the job on time.

3.Charge the price quoted with NO surprises.

4.Communicate honestly and be responsive to customer needs.

5.Resolve any issues with customer satisfaction in mind.

All 5 of these guarantees are important ..but the one that can raise a business from average to exceptional is number 5 ...you see it's easy to do business when everything go's to plan ..it's when something go's wrong that a business can truly shine ( or not)...who they deal with upset or angry customers shows how much they are invested in providing the best customer service...especially if the problem was not caused by anything they did! 

We received the following un solicited comment through the the Saskatoon directory recently, from a customer of TRX RV a Trusted Saskatoon RV dealer  and it really proves their worthiness as a Trusted saskatoon business, and we wanted to share it with you!

" We purchased a trailer in 2011 from TRX and while we liked it we found it did not fit our needs. We went back to TRX in 2012 (after researching a multitude of trailers and dealers) and decided to go with a larger version of the same trailer. To our dismay this particular trailer seemed to be plagued with a multitude of major issues, which in spite of the best efforts of the TRX team, were not resolved. We dealt with Tom regarding our frustrations and were pleased with the approach he took with us, and on our behalf, with the manufacturer. While the manufacturer didn’t offer TRX the help or resolution they needed Tom resolved our problems with a satisfactory and equitable solution. Throughout this process, TRX (Tom and his staff) went above and beyond to help us out. We would like to thank the TRX team for their excellent customer service and highly recommend TRX. "

Kudos to the TRX RV Team for the way they handled this issue and thumbs up from the Trusted team! 

Original post by Saskatoon Directory Trusted saskatoon.com

Being TRUSTED is a unique branding and sales tool for businesses, because the Trusted directories offer quality focused local businesses a unique way to differentiate themselves from their competition, attract new customers, build loyalty with existing customers and also increase their visibility in their home city.

Once we meet with businesses, most agree that its a great concept and a fabulous marketing idea.....but does it ' WORK' ..will it provide a return on their investment?

Sara Wheelwright S & E Trusted online directories founder explains what ' being trusted'  is all about in this video, also you will hear from many of the Trusted Saskatoon.com and Trusted Regina.com directories businesses as they share their real results, 'what else' they get from trusted and how they feel about being TRUSTED!

If you run a locally accountable business and lead the way when it comes to customer service , and want to grow and evolve your business then applying to join Trusted really is the SMART and SIMPLE choice.

Social media is the NOW and it is the future.  

Trusted IS Social- Trusted is LOCAL ..thats what we do and who we are!  

Check out how:

-Trusted Saskatoon.com on FACEBOOK

-Trusted Regina.com on FACEBOOK

-The Trusted Channel on YOU TUBE

-@Trustedcanada on TWITTER

-Trusted on Pinterest

For more details and to see the data for yourself:

Call Sara on (306) 2915303

or email sara@trustedcanada.com

S & E Trusted Online Directories founder shares a business tip with small businesses in Saskatoon and beyond. How to do advertising effectively and why to advertise period!

S & E Trusted Online Directories was a  finalist for Marketing for the prestigious Saskatchewan Chamber of commerce ABEX Awards 2012, and it was their innovative marketing strategies they use to advertise www.trustedsaskatoon.com and www.trustedregina.com  that saw them recognized across the province after less than 18months in business.  

The Trusted group of  local directories www.trustedsaskatoon.com and www.trustedregina.com really are the smart and simple choice.

So what is Sara Wheelwrights, our founders background?

Here she shares some of her story and some big goals!  

" I've been immersed in the wonderful world of marketing, advertising and business since 1992. I persuaded business owners to buy Yellow pages, Internet, Pharmaceuticals and Radio over the years, very succesfully, before I decided to take the leap and start my own marketing/ advertising company. I founded S & E Trusted Online Directories in 2011 after thinking about the idea for years.

At Trusted we ONLY promote and do business with trustworthy locally accountable businesses. I am confident that before I created the Trusted concept, that these wonderful local businesses had no where to turn to in the advertising world that really understood how great they are, and truly valued the really important qualities of honesty amd integrity above the endless quest for MORE SALES and advertising revenue.

My primary goal is to ensure that all the Trusted partners are well represented by my Trusted team, and that the public in the cities we service are informed about and directed to Trusted businesses as the preferred choice! My company communicates daily to the public via many platforms and we help them understand why and how the TRUSTED businesses stand apart from their local competition by being Trusted. We commit to always assisting the public in the cities we serve, by providing quick and easy access to great retail and service providers.

I aim to take Trusted nationwide within 3 years, I never think small it would be a disservice to my 3 children, my supporters, my clients and to the concept of  'being' Trusted  "

Sara Wheelwright

S & E Trusted Onlines Directories commitment to community support & involvement

S & E Trusted Online Directories -the parent company that owns the online directory websites  www.trustedsaskatoon.com and www.trustedregina.com believes firmly in giving back to the communities we serve.

Since we launched www.trustedsaskatoon.com on May 31st 2011 we have had a consistent presence in community charities/ non profits and events in both of the Trusted cities we service..

Here is a list of community involvement since May 30th 2011: Totalling over $23,500 in just 18months

We are proud to partner, support and GIVE the Thumbs up to local charities, non profits and community events.   

• Child Find Saskatchewan – sponsored and helped promote an event through social media at Broadway Theatre.- $600
• We now sponsor them ongoing and promote them on www.trustedregina.com and www.trustedsaskatoon.com - $3000
• Campbell Homes Pink House for the Breast Health Centre- Sponsors- $5000 
• The Little Red Dress Club- Host Sponsor of the Scarlet Soiree benefitting Pink House Campaign- $400
• Sponsored a local first nations youngster to go to Leadership camp at YMCA -$150
• MS Society $250 donation from a Facebook contest Incentive
• C95 Radio Marathon for Breast cancer $250 Donation from a Facebook Contest Incentive
• Habitat for Humanity Regina Woman’s Build  Sponsor 2011 and confirmed for 2012 - $2000
• Silver Sponsor of Saskatchewan Seniors Mechanism Celebrating Senior Volunteer awards 2011 &  Bronze sponsor 2012 -$3500
• Tourism Saskatoon Golf Tournament Hole Sponsor 2011. $250
• CFCR- $350 donation to the community Radio station.
• Hole Sponsor of Synergy 8-Decora homes –Saskatoon Crisis nursery initiative 2012 -$3000
• Several donations to silent auctions/ steak night fundraisers - $400
• Focus Mortages Kid Sport Regina Golf tournament Hole sponsor- $250
• YWCA Womens of Distinction Awards donation  - $3000
• MS Walk Saskatoon $350 donation
• Kidsport Regina Charity Race Silver Sponsor $250
• Canadian Cancer Society Jail n Bail - $100  
• New Hope Dog Rescue - Red Dress Pub Crawl - $250
• Relay For Life - Facebook Incentive - $176 
• Helping Regina boy Harrison to get to hospital - $100
• Childrens Wish Saskatoon though Facebook Contest $250

Here is a letter we received today at Trusted HQ in saskatoon from the Saskatoon YWCA ...this truly shows what these donations big and small add up to ..and what they mean to the people who are the beneficiaries! 

We are proud to be the only local Directories that work for you ..but we don't do it alone ..TOGETHER WE ARE TRUSTED! 

Our Trusted community of locally Trusted businesses are growing by the month, and collectively we raise $1000's and $1000's each month for our local community - giving back is the way to go and we give all our partners the Thumbs up for their amazing fundraising efforts and their individual donations and we will always support their efforts through donations and by sharing their events and iniciatives through our blogs, and via our social media platforms where we now have over 13,000 fans and followers!!