Are you using the right colors to reach your audience?

That’s not a rhetorical question. Research has shown that poor color choices can have a negative impact on your sales and overall reach.

Some thoughts on your palette in today’s Social Media Roundup:

Colors as Influencers

who knew that hyperlink colors mattered! The Best Color for Hyperlinks http://t.co/lKqPDQuheJ #assnchat #marketing #cvent

— Linda Chreno (@LindaChreno) June 14, 2014

Sometimes the right button color makes all the difference in your conversion rates.

So says internet marketing expert Brandon Gaille, who explains that people may decide to make a purchase—or not—simply based on the look of the page they’re reading.

“Almost 93 percent of shoppers confirm that the actual look of any item is the number one most influencing factor over everything else,” he writes. “Many studies also show that the visual look of something can make a tremendous impact on a buyer within 90 seconds. This means that the color of any item can persuade or dissuade a buyer in less than two minutes.”

If you’re not sure what shade works best for you, it might help to do some testing. Indeed, Heinz once did just that with the color of its ketchup—and sales of the green-hued condiment skyrocketed. (ht @LindaChreno)

Simple but Effective

Great suggestion! Tip: Simple inexpensive effective appreciation of your volunteers #assnchat #eventprofs http://t.co/nGyhC5JIXk via @ASegar

— nancyjzavada (@nancyjzavada) June 16, 2014

Don’t be afraid to give a little thanks. After attending a recent conference, event pro Adrian Segar received a poster as a little thank you for his hard work there—signed by attendees. According to Segar, the approach is simple, effective, and easy to replicate.

“Simply print copies of your event’s marketing poster, logo, or website main page on white poster stock,” he writes on his site (which has a visual aid). “Post one copy for each person to be appreciated, matched with a name card, on noticeboards or tables located in a prominent spot in your venue, and provide some pens nearby. Then, publicize the posters a few times throughout the event and ask attendees to write appreciations for the people posted.”

Not a bad way to build engagement on the cheap. (ht @nancyjzavada)

(iStock/Thinkstock)