By Leonardo Wood
Marketing doesn't have to be expensive, in fact some of the greatest and most powerful forms of marketing cost no money to implement. If you are willing to spend some time working on your marketing it will make a real difference to your business.
When times are hard the phone stops ringing, so what are you going to do about it? Give marketing for free a try before you start sacking people.
Here's a list of ways you can market your business for free:
Call your previous customers - They are the easiest people to sell your products and services to.
Networking - Get out there, meet people and spread the word, if you are quiet you may feel deflated, but you just need to get out there and promote yourself.
Stop Advertising - I don't mean stop advertising altogether I just mean stop advertising in the places where you are not sure if its working or not and spend the money you save on testing other forms of marketing and advertising.
PR - Get in the media talking about what you know best, your trade or business etc. You are an expert on what you do and the media will feature you if you have something of interest to say.
Check out the stories already in the papers etc to see if you can piggy back any of the stories that are already in the news.
The Papers need stories and there is no reason why you can't get your business some free publicity.
Upselling - This is a great FREE way of getting more from your sales, at the exact point that someone buys from you they need to be offered something else which will increase the amount of money they spend with you.
You could offer a more expensive version of the original product or maybe an extra service that compliments the original purchase.
What else can you offer your customers at the point of purchase?
Emails - Are you regularly emailing your previous customers and potential customers? It will help you get more work and it costs nothing to implement.
Testing - You need to test and measure your existing marketing and advertising to see if its working or not, it costs nothing to test and it helps to eliminate ineffective advertising and marketing.
You need to keep track of where your calls come from, how many leads are generated from a particular ad, how many sales are converted and how much profit was made as a direct result of each ad.
If you do not have the answers to these questions how are you going to know whether or not you are throwing your money in the bin.
There is no excuse for not implementing the strategies above. Go for it!
Discover very easy to implement marketing and internet marketing strategies to recession proof your business with this free E-Book from Marketing Man. Marketing Tips for Small Businesses
Marketing Man has hundreds of Marketing Tips to help you recession proof your business. If you run a small business visit his website today to get instant free marketing tips to help you fight the credit crunch. Marketing Man
Monday, January 12, 2009
Promotional Marketing Tips For Tech Companies - Custom Branded Products
By Rob Foglia
Promotional items, intended to present a company's logo to potential customers or current clients in a useful or novel fashion, are one of the largest growing sectors that marketing budgets are being dedicated to since 2000. While some critics argue that promotional items are a waste of precious marketing dollar, due to there often cheap quality and worthless nature, others will tell you spectacular success stories about how their custom branded water spraying fan had people lining up for miles to get one at a tanning convention in Las Vegas. With tech companies attempting to make the most of their own marketing budgets, how is it possible to decide between the myriad custom branded promo products that are offered on and off the web?
While many tech companies at the next big convention or tradeshow will be scorned for giving away pens that bleed or useless keychains, your company could attract the attention of new clients by offering a promotional item that not only fits with your company's image, but also serves a purpose for the recipient.
- Stay away from items that have nothing to do with your brand or that detract from the purpose your company serves. Nobody wants a slinky from a computer chip manufacturer.
- Aim to present your promotional items as an extension of your brand, attempting to enhance company image. Tech companies should be going after cutting-edge custom logo items.
- Try colors commonly associated with technology and the digital age for your custom promo products. Metallic silvers, lustrous blues, and hues of white seem to work well.
- Cheap plastic is out. Make sure anything you want to brand with your logo for giveaways at tradeshows is high-quality and durable. Spend a little extra in order to get the quality and results you want from distributing these items.
Take these tips into consideration next time your tech company is considering ordering promotional products for the big convention. By partnering with right distributor, such as ifoxtechnologies.com, companies can save time and money when purchasing custom branded promo items. The next part in the series will outline some specific items to consider when considering branded items for corporate promotional giveaways.
Robbie Foglia writes for Ciniva Systems, an award winning Virginia web design company and internet marketing agency. Robbie Foglia is an SEO Specialist with Ciniva. Ciniva Systems is in charge of SEO for iFox Technologies.
Promotional items, intended to present a company's logo to potential customers or current clients in a useful or novel fashion, are one of the largest growing sectors that marketing budgets are being dedicated to since 2000. While some critics argue that promotional items are a waste of precious marketing dollar, due to there often cheap quality and worthless nature, others will tell you spectacular success stories about how their custom branded water spraying fan had people lining up for miles to get one at a tanning convention in Las Vegas. With tech companies attempting to make the most of their own marketing budgets, how is it possible to decide between the myriad custom branded promo products that are offered on and off the web?
While many tech companies at the next big convention or tradeshow will be scorned for giving away pens that bleed or useless keychains, your company could attract the attention of new clients by offering a promotional item that not only fits with your company's image, but also serves a purpose for the recipient.
- Stay away from items that have nothing to do with your brand or that detract from the purpose your company serves. Nobody wants a slinky from a computer chip manufacturer.
- Aim to present your promotional items as an extension of your brand, attempting to enhance company image. Tech companies should be going after cutting-edge custom logo items.
- Try colors commonly associated with technology and the digital age for your custom promo products. Metallic silvers, lustrous blues, and hues of white seem to work well.
- Cheap plastic is out. Make sure anything you want to brand with your logo for giveaways at tradeshows is high-quality and durable. Spend a little extra in order to get the quality and results you want from distributing these items.
Take these tips into consideration next time your tech company is considering ordering promotional products for the big convention. By partnering with right distributor, such as ifoxtechnologies.com, companies can save time and money when purchasing custom branded promo items. The next part in the series will outline some specific items to consider when considering branded items for corporate promotional giveaways.
Robbie Foglia writes for Ciniva Systems, an award winning Virginia web design company and internet marketing agency. Robbie Foglia is an SEO Specialist with Ciniva. Ciniva Systems is in charge of SEO for iFox Technologies.
The 3 Major Secrets to Successful Internet Marketing
By Phil Pieraldi
There are thousands of opportunities to make money on the Internet. The legitimate Opportunities are in the business of coaching you and working with you to help you to understand how to make money on the Internet. And it all boils down to Marketing.
But what is "Marketing"? Is it Developing Products and Services, Promoting Products and Services, Affiliate Programs, Researching, Website Development, Networking, Creating Videos, Writing Blogs,?
The correct answer is Yes, It's all of these and much more. For now though I will focus in on the three most important secrets of successful Online Marketing. I believe that these are the most critical to your success.
#1 Be Impressive
Whichever medium you choose to promote and get your point across; you must impress your consumer. I used to pitch my own songs in person to A&R Folks in New York. If they were not immediately impressed by the first 19 seconds of the Track they would move on to the next Track.
Your Consumer will not give you much longer than that. The first minute of your presentation or first couple of lines must be powerful. I recently saw an affiliate's Video where the on screen presenter paused 3 times within the first minute of the presentation and said "Ahhh", "Ahhh". That told me that the person wasn't sure of his product or what to say. I'll address this in more depth in a future article.
#2. Use Psychology
Study and Research the behavior of your potential Consumers. Learn what sector of the population you should target, What will your Consumer expect from your Product/Service and which medium should you use to reach out to your consumers.
For Example; Do your consumers frequent Video Sites or maybe your target audience is more likely to be found on specific subject Websites and placing ads such as Google ad words or PPC will work best.
You will want to understand a. Who Your Consumer is b. Where to Find your Consumer c. How to Promote to your Consumer These points may be easier than you think. A couple of hours of research will give you these answers .
#3. Separate Your Campaign From The Pack
This could be the most important secret to promoting on and off the Internet. Most Product/Services promoted on the Internet have to compete with hundreds and possibly thousands of similar Products/Services.
You must be creative in promoting your Product/Service and in the offer that you deliver to the Consumer. If you can find ways to narrow your pitch to a very specific population such as Geographical area, you will find less competition.
For Example; If you are offering Audio & Video Services predominantly in your Home City; choose keywords that are Geographically specific such as Orange County NJ Video Services.
This restricts your competition greatly and could put you on page one of most Search Engines. Remember that your strategies in Marketing will ultimately determine your success.
Did you find this article to be helpful, If you did then take a look at some more money making strategies plus step by step Video tutorials here. http://www.StepUpToTheMoney.com
There are thousands of opportunities to make money on the Internet. The legitimate Opportunities are in the business of coaching you and working with you to help you to understand how to make money on the Internet. And it all boils down to Marketing.
But what is "Marketing"? Is it Developing Products and Services, Promoting Products and Services, Affiliate Programs, Researching, Website Development, Networking, Creating Videos, Writing Blogs,?
The correct answer is Yes, It's all of these and much more. For now though I will focus in on the three most important secrets of successful Online Marketing. I believe that these are the most critical to your success.
#1 Be Impressive
Whichever medium you choose to promote and get your point across; you must impress your consumer. I used to pitch my own songs in person to A&R Folks in New York. If they were not immediately impressed by the first 19 seconds of the Track they would move on to the next Track.
Your Consumer will not give you much longer than that. The first minute of your presentation or first couple of lines must be powerful. I recently saw an affiliate's Video where the on screen presenter paused 3 times within the first minute of the presentation and said "Ahhh", "Ahhh". That told me that the person wasn't sure of his product or what to say. I'll address this in more depth in a future article.
#2. Use Psychology
Study and Research the behavior of your potential Consumers. Learn what sector of the population you should target, What will your Consumer expect from your Product/Service and which medium should you use to reach out to your consumers.
For Example; Do your consumers frequent Video Sites or maybe your target audience is more likely to be found on specific subject Websites and placing ads such as Google ad words or PPC will work best.
You will want to understand a. Who Your Consumer is b. Where to Find your Consumer c. How to Promote to your Consumer These points may be easier than you think. A couple of hours of research will give you these answers .
#3. Separate Your Campaign From The Pack
This could be the most important secret to promoting on and off the Internet. Most Product/Services promoted on the Internet have to compete with hundreds and possibly thousands of similar Products/Services.
You must be creative in promoting your Product/Service and in the offer that you deliver to the Consumer. If you can find ways to narrow your pitch to a very specific population such as Geographical area, you will find less competition.
For Example; If you are offering Audio & Video Services predominantly in your Home City; choose keywords that are Geographically specific such as Orange County NJ Video Services.
This restricts your competition greatly and could put you on page one of most Search Engines. Remember that your strategies in Marketing will ultimately determine your success.
Did you find this article to be helpful, If you did then take a look at some more money making strategies plus step by step Video tutorials here. http://www.StepUpToTheMoney.com
Business Cards - Your True Blue Best Friend
By Mary Theresa McLean
What would it mean to the profits of your business if your business card became your best friend? You may find that it's possibly one of the smartest and most profitable relationships you'll ever make. If you use your business cards everyday, you already know what I mean.
Like a true friend, business cards love to introduce you to others.
As an example, have you ever made a great new friend and the next thing you know, they're inviting you over to meet their circle of family and friends?
Business cards do the same thing!
By extending your own friendly business card to a new contact or giving away the business card of a colleague or friend, that card is simply saying "meet my friend, Bill" or "Cathy, I want you to get to know Martha - the products in her shop will make your life more fun and by the way, she's been in business for over seven years!" or best of all "I provide a service that can help you and we want to earn your business".
Like a true friend, business cards love to tell others all about your good points.
You may not know this secret, but your friends love to tell others about you! Your "friendly business card" is no different. When you give someone your business card, it gets right down to brass tacks and tells the other person:
Like a true friend, business cards love to talk about the good things you do.
Business cards are just like a best friend. They love to tell people the nice things you do for others, how reliable you are and how just knowing you will make them happier and their life easier.
People everywhere get truly excited when they meet a first class, genuinely nice person who was introduced to them by someone else ( in this case, your trusted business card).
Best of all, people really pay attention to what business cards have to say about you. Often times, they'll ask for a second card and use it to introduce you to another and tell them about your good points. And rave about all the good things you do!
Business cards are downright friendly, wouldn't you agree?
Mary Theresa McLean helps people learn new ideas about business cards by sharing what she has discovered through dedicated research and asking questions. Find out more about how you can make your business cards more effective in your marketing at http://www.BusinessCardGifts.com
What would it mean to the profits of your business if your business card became your best friend? You may find that it's possibly one of the smartest and most profitable relationships you'll ever make. If you use your business cards everyday, you already know what I mean.
Like a true friend, business cards love to introduce you to others.
As an example, have you ever made a great new friend and the next thing you know, they're inviting you over to meet their circle of family and friends?
Business cards do the same thing!
By extending your own friendly business card to a new contact or giving away the business card of a colleague or friend, that card is simply saying "meet my friend, Bill" or "Cathy, I want you to get to know Martha - the products in her shop will make your life more fun and by the way, she's been in business for over seven years!" or best of all "I provide a service that can help you and we want to earn your business".
Like a true friend, business cards love to tell others all about your good points.
You may not know this secret, but your friends love to tell others about you! Your "friendly business card" is no different. When you give someone your business card, it gets right down to brass tacks and tells the other person:
- The fine business you represent
- The great service you'll provide them
- How easy it is to contact you
Like a true friend, business cards love to talk about the good things you do.
Business cards are just like a best friend. They love to tell people the nice things you do for others, how reliable you are and how just knowing you will make them happier and their life easier.
People everywhere get truly excited when they meet a first class, genuinely nice person who was introduced to them by someone else ( in this case, your trusted business card).
Best of all, people really pay attention to what business cards have to say about you. Often times, they'll ask for a second card and use it to introduce you to another and tell them about your good points. And rave about all the good things you do!
Business cards are downright friendly, wouldn't you agree?
Mary Theresa McLean helps people learn new ideas about business cards by sharing what she has discovered through dedicated research and asking questions. Find out more about how you can make your business cards more effective in your marketing at http://www.BusinessCardGifts.com
Promotional Gifts - Advertising to Produce Long-Term Benefits
By Lottie Carrot
Using promotional gifts as an advertising technique to introduce your business to potential clients is now a successful and popular media. While big companies rely solely on expensive television and radio advertising, you can get your company name out there with almost the same result without costing you thousands of pounds.
There are a lot of benefits from advertising with promotional products. The most important are listed below.
Customers get to know your company exists: Branding is getting your company image, product or service out there to make potential buyers aware that your business exists. In short, it introduces your company to the public and makes it easily recognizable. The more people who recognize your company image and know what you are selling, the greater is the possibility that they will approach you should they require your products or services.
Getting your business introduced to a large number of targeted clients is no longer a difficult task. Let them know about your services by using branded giveaways that they will enjoy using regularly.
Customers stay for keeps You may be aware of the fact that acquiring new clients is the lifeblood of your business. Although this may be true, it is the retention of clients that is paramount in the survival of your business. It is important to keep your customers satisfied so they won't stray to other companies. This can be accomplished through branded gifts that express your gratitude for their continued loyalty and patronage of your company.
Affordable advertising with long-term results
Advertising doesn't have to be expensive to be effective. Pound for pound, advertising using this form of media goes a longer way than the traditional and more expensive media spots like TV and newspaper advertisements. Reward your clients with gifts that tell them they are appreciated for choosing your business. They will feel they are wanted and will want to do more business with your company in the future.
In today's competitive business arena, it is important to convey to your present as well as your future clients that your business exists to serve them. Stay way ahead of your competition by rewarding your clients as a sign of appreciation. In doing so, they will be constantly reminded of your company each time they use your "thank you" gift.
Lottie Carrot lives and breathes promotional gifts and promotional products. She works for the successful and innovative leaders in the field; Argon Promotions. Lottie works closely with businesses to help market their products and services. For more details visit our promotional products and promotional gifts blog
Using promotional gifts as an advertising technique to introduce your business to potential clients is now a successful and popular media. While big companies rely solely on expensive television and radio advertising, you can get your company name out there with almost the same result without costing you thousands of pounds.
There are a lot of benefits from advertising with promotional products. The most important are listed below.
Customers get to know your company exists: Branding is getting your company image, product or service out there to make potential buyers aware that your business exists. In short, it introduces your company to the public and makes it easily recognizable. The more people who recognize your company image and know what you are selling, the greater is the possibility that they will approach you should they require your products or services.
Getting your business introduced to a large number of targeted clients is no longer a difficult task. Let them know about your services by using branded giveaways that they will enjoy using regularly.
Customers stay for keeps You may be aware of the fact that acquiring new clients is the lifeblood of your business. Although this may be true, it is the retention of clients that is paramount in the survival of your business. It is important to keep your customers satisfied so they won't stray to other companies. This can be accomplished through branded gifts that express your gratitude for their continued loyalty and patronage of your company.
Affordable advertising with long-term results
Advertising doesn't have to be expensive to be effective. Pound for pound, advertising using this form of media goes a longer way than the traditional and more expensive media spots like TV and newspaper advertisements. Reward your clients with gifts that tell them they are appreciated for choosing your business. They will feel they are wanted and will want to do more business with your company in the future.
In today's competitive business arena, it is important to convey to your present as well as your future clients that your business exists to serve them. Stay way ahead of your competition by rewarding your clients as a sign of appreciation. In doing so, they will be constantly reminded of your company each time they use your "thank you" gift.
Lottie Carrot lives and breathes promotional gifts and promotional products. She works for the successful and innovative leaders in the field; Argon Promotions. Lottie works closely with businesses to help market their products and services. For more details visit our promotional products and promotional gifts blog
Effective Marketing For Your Business
By Charen Smith
Each year, businesses spend much for ad campaigns to make them appealing to their target clients. Big budgets and so much time are dedicated to marketing to generate new leads and solidify old ones. For the holiday season, I'm very sure that many companies made printing greeting cards a staple in their ads and good wishes.
But how come you do this every year but still you lack the return you expect from your investment? You've spent so much but you've barely touched on the results you've set for your marketing campaign?
You need an effective marketing campaign then to change the outcome of your custom greeting cards, for example. Here are a few suggestions to make your ad stick to the minds of your clients, even when the season for printing greeting cards is over and done with.
Irresistible message- If you want to be remembered, you should provide your target clients with a message that is valuable to them. And what kind of message is that? A message in your custom greeting cards that gives them the answer to an issue or a particular concern. Remember that when you give value to your clients, you get something valuable in return. And that is their loyalty to your product or service. Start with your headline and end with a compelling call-to-action. When you give your elements worth, your clients will know that you value them, so much so that you would want to give them only the best of what you have to offer.
Irresistible benefits- Whether you're marketing or selling your product or service in your custom greeting cards, your purpose is to get your target clients to spend time with your ads. The more time to spend, the better it is for your target clients to remember your message. And what better way to make them interested is by offering benefits. Who doesn't want benefits? Provide them when printing greeting cards and you'll surely get your target clients wanting to stick to your ad and read more.
Irresistible color and contrast- Apply brilliant colors and contrast to your custom greeting cards and see how well it works as an attractive strategy to gain new clients for your business.
Irresistible size- Bigger ads often get more attention than small ones. Bigger is generally better. Your clients would have a hard time ignoring you if you create bold and overwhelming designs when printing greeting cards. Even in such as limited space, you can always appear larger than life with designs that are daring.
So for an effective marketing campaign, you need to provide an ad that would be hard for your target clients to resist. Irresistible ads bring forth one thing- more clients you can ever imagine.
For comments and inquiries about the article visit Printing Greeting Cards and Custom Greeting Cards
Charen Smith writes articles about Internet Marketing. She has an extensive knowledge and experience when it comes to business strategies, techniques and business solutions.
Each year, businesses spend much for ad campaigns to make them appealing to their target clients. Big budgets and so much time are dedicated to marketing to generate new leads and solidify old ones. For the holiday season, I'm very sure that many companies made printing greeting cards a staple in their ads and good wishes.
But how come you do this every year but still you lack the return you expect from your investment? You've spent so much but you've barely touched on the results you've set for your marketing campaign?
You need an effective marketing campaign then to change the outcome of your custom greeting cards, for example. Here are a few suggestions to make your ad stick to the minds of your clients, even when the season for printing greeting cards is over and done with.
Irresistible message- If you want to be remembered, you should provide your target clients with a message that is valuable to them. And what kind of message is that? A message in your custom greeting cards that gives them the answer to an issue or a particular concern. Remember that when you give value to your clients, you get something valuable in return. And that is their loyalty to your product or service. Start with your headline and end with a compelling call-to-action. When you give your elements worth, your clients will know that you value them, so much so that you would want to give them only the best of what you have to offer.
Irresistible benefits- Whether you're marketing or selling your product or service in your custom greeting cards, your purpose is to get your target clients to spend time with your ads. The more time to spend, the better it is for your target clients to remember your message. And what better way to make them interested is by offering benefits. Who doesn't want benefits? Provide them when printing greeting cards and you'll surely get your target clients wanting to stick to your ad and read more.
Irresistible color and contrast- Apply brilliant colors and contrast to your custom greeting cards and see how well it works as an attractive strategy to gain new clients for your business.
Irresistible size- Bigger ads often get more attention than small ones. Bigger is generally better. Your clients would have a hard time ignoring you if you create bold and overwhelming designs when printing greeting cards. Even in such as limited space, you can always appear larger than life with designs that are daring.
So for an effective marketing campaign, you need to provide an ad that would be hard for your target clients to resist. Irresistible ads bring forth one thing- more clients you can ever imagine.
For comments and inquiries about the article visit Printing Greeting Cards and Custom Greeting Cards
Charen Smith writes articles about Internet Marketing. She has an extensive knowledge and experience when it comes to business strategies, techniques and business solutions.
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