Advertisement Ideas: Stop Making Excuses!!!

This entry was prompted by an interaction I had with someone as I offered to put promotional materials into 25 Swag Bags that I will be giving out during my presentation at The How To Sell Your Genius Tap Into You Seminar on Friday, August 29, at Broward College in Fort Lauderdale. The woman has an herbal and essential oil business who the last time I spoke to her told me how slow business was. Those of you who read this blog on a regular basis know that I believe there is no reason for a business to be slow and thus when people tell me how slow their business is I always look for ways to change that perception. I offered to put her cards and a small sample bottle into The Swag Bags she wrote me back that she was involved in many expos where she had to give gifts and would be passing on my offer. I thought okay her loss because of the 25 people who will receive The Swag Bags 2-3 may have wanted to purchase her oils and herbal supplements if they knew about her. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Stop Making Excuses!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Why You May Be Sucking At Business!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Why You May Be Sucking At Business!

One of the biggest mistakes entrepreneurs and marketing executives make is that they do not research the culture and thus think they have the greatest idea to implement that will bring much success. These 7 examples show you how not understanding the market you are advertising to can adversely affect your brand image and thus decrease your cash flow. There are many examples of this in the market place my favorite example was when Chevy tried to market their NOVA in Latin America. They were unsuccessful because NOVA means doesn’t go in Spanish and thus didn’t sell many of that model. It is imperative to know what your message translates to and how people of different cultures will perceive your message.

Another reason you may be sucking at business is the misuse of grammar and punctuation. This advertisement misused the apostrophe s when it was intended to show these events as plural. I have seen it on numerous occasions where the wording should be we accept major credit cards and it read we except major credit cards. The consumer is going to think twice about doing business with you if you have misspelled advertisements.

Another reason you may be sucking at business is because you do not have advertising material that is effective or That effectively delivers your message. I had decided to launch The FREE HUGS Campaign and I made a hand written sign. That sign was not effective and did not give off a professional image so I went and had a professional banner made and it was more effective. At first I didn’t have advertising materials with me Now I make sure I have my business cards and any promotional material for projects I am involved in to share with people. I have instituted a 3 foot rule so if someone is with on 3 feet of me I will talk to them as you never know who you may meet and how they can assist you or how you can assist them. When I sold advertising space I found it amazing the excuses that I would hear and I would walk away think now I know why you may be sucking at business.

Many people are sucking at doing business because they are turning down opportunities. I host a TV Show, The Anything Bucket, which airs on www.wrpbitv.com on Tuesday at 6:30 PM EDT and I invite people to come to The WRPBiTV Studios to tape a segment for my show. I am always surprised by the amount of people who will say no I am not interested and then when I see them they complain how they are struggling. WRPBiTV offers my guests a chance to buy the clip of their appearance to use in their marketing for $125 and many of my guests turn that down. Again this is why they may be sucking at business. Think about it you have a business and you need positive exposure in the market place and you don’t take advantage of opportunities that someone is presenting to you.

One of the reasons you may be sucking at business is poor customer service. I remember working for Footlocker and the one thing that was stressed was to greet the customer within 5 seconds and make them feel welcome. I would greet the customers and begin to ask questions so that I could better meet their needs. I became so proficient that I had people coming to the store asking for me by name and if I wasn’t working my manager told me that many would leave the store. When I left Footlocker and went to work for Athlete’s Foot word got around and people found me. In addition to delivering good customer service I got to know the sports culture of the community where I worked. When I worked at The Footlocker in Wellington I knew about the Muck Bowl and the fact that the kids liked to buy the Tall Tees and decorate them themselves. I went to The District Manager and asked about ordering an extra gross (144 tall tees) in white to sell for Muck Bowl Week. At first he said no then he approved the order. We sold out of tall tees that week. The reason you may be sucking at business is that you are not delivering what the consumer is after.

You may be sucking at business because you think you know everything and are not listening to others. I remember being out one day soliciting for The American Cancer Society Relay For Life and I asked a Pizza Place for a donation of 10 large pizzas for the pizza lap he said he wasn’t interested. Guess what 6 months later he was closing his doors. The pizza places that did make a donation received great publicity and business from those involved in Relay. The reason you may be sucking at business is because you are not open to receive.

To overcome your sucking at business put people first, advertise, create a good experience when people deal with your business, be creative in your marketing, seek opportunities to maximize your business.

Advertisement Ideas: 10 Ways To Stop Sucking At Business!!!

1: Know who your target audience

2: Know the culture of where your business is

3: Make people feel important

4: Advertise regularly with a consistent message

5: Participate in local events

6: Support charitable causes

7: Create a recognizable brand

8: Attend Networking events and follow-up with the people you meet

9: Always carry your business cards

10: Put people before profits.

Advertisement Ideas: Who Is Walking Through Your Door?

Today’s entry is inspired by some encounters I had while out promoting and collecting for The American Cancer Society Relay For Life and seeking guests for my TV Show, which airs on www.wrpbitv.com at 6:30 PM EDT. The first stop I made was to Best Friends Animal Hospital, where I was greeted by someone who was anything but friendly. I stated I understood that I was catching them at a bad time and asked if I could leave my business card as I am inviting people to be guests on my TV Show. In was told no and to get out of the office. I left and I wondered does this person realize the opportunity that he missed today as I would have written something positive, tweeted out a positive tweet with a link to their site, posted a posted review on Facebook, mentioned them in a positive light in this blog. He probably didn’t understand the idea that a solicitor today may be a customer/client tomorrow. So think about it you never know who is walking through your door and how they can be of service and value to you. Everyone who contacts your business can be of some help or may know people who can use your products and services. I did call The Animal Hospital and left a lengthy message explaining all the ties I have to people with pets and how people trust my recommendations and if he wanted to make amends I would like to speak to him. I don’t anticipate a return call but I know that it is important to walk in your truth and close the book on issues of the day that may have upset you.

The Animal Hospital wasn’t the only one who needs to learn who is walking through the door. I stopped by Thaler’s Printing and was greeted by the owner who said that he couldn’t give today to which I stated sir I am only asking for $1 or $2 to help create a world with less cancer and more birthdays. He said if he did that he would have to close his business. I then said no problem I would like to leave you my business card as I host a TV Show and help businesses to maximize their message. He said he didn’t need my card or need my help. I said wow you just complained how you were struggling and I am giving you a chance to overcome that struggle. he said I just told you that to get you to leave. To which I said so you lied to me and I left. I find it amazing that someone can be in business for 35 years with the attitude of this business owner. The sad part is he missed an opportunity as I need business cards, post cards, banners, and other printed materials and I know many people who could use his services Guess what he loses out and will continue to struggle. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Who Is Walking Through Your Door?

Advertisement Ideas: Street Walking As A Marketing Strategy!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Street Walking As A Marketing Strategy!

In marketing sometimes you have to use the direct approach and be like the street-walker who searches for her clients by putting herself out there. I am not saying to use sex to sell, I am saying use a direct approach to find clients/customers. Many years ago I introduced a philosophy of The 3 Foot Rule, where if someone is with in 3 feet of you talk to them and see if they may be of service and value to you and if you will be able to be of service and value to you. Like the street-walker you must have your package and your price structure in place. The street-walker displays her wares openly and draws attention to her self. This leads me to the question as to how are you directly marketing yourself.

I use street walking as a marketing strategy by always having my business cards with me as you never know when an opportunity to network and share who you are and what you do with others will arise. In talking directly to people you open up new opportunities to cultivate clients/customers. In being sales oriented and always closing you begin to build brand recognition while also creating a buzz about who you are and what you do and why people should be doing business with you. Like the street-walker who is constantly show herself off you should be in the market place showing yourself off. Though a street-walker may have many one time clients/customers she may also have steady clients/customers. The key is to attract steady customers by delivering excellent service and giving added value. The question to ask is how am I going to keep people coming back? Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Street Walking As A Marketing Strategy!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Using Charitable Involvement To Improve Your Bottom Line!!!

Advertisement Ideas:

Using Charitable Involvement To Improve Your Bottom Line!

On April 8, 2014 I had the pleasure of hosting a give back night for The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Boca Raton at Five Guys Famous Burgers and Fries. That evening we raised $66.32 our percentage of sales. This made me think why are more people not approaching businesses to do this and why are more businesses not doing this. I normally would not have gone to Five Guys if it were not for the fundraiser, however that night I received my business. About a week later I was meeting with The owner of The South Florida Gold of The American Basketball Association. Guess where I chose to meet? You guessed it Five Guys. Why because of there involvement with The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Boca Raton. The point is that this is one way you can use your charitable involvement to increase your bottom line. In aligning yourself with a charitable cause and advertising the event you will attract people who may not have ever done business with and have an opportunity to make them regular customers.

After the event you can invite the charity to come and accept the check, take photos of them accepting the check, and then send out a media release to all media outlets about what you did for the charity. People may read the article and as a result want to set up a fundraiser with you or do business with you. In doing this not only do you increase your brand awareness but you also increase your bottom line. The more you promote your charitable giving the more recognition you receive. I am from the old school where I support the businesses that support me.

Dick’s Sporting Goods is a sponsor of The Lauderhill Broncos, a Pop Warner Football Team that I announce for. Guess where I shop when I need sporting goods and sports wear? You got it Dick’s Sporting Goods. In sponsoring local sports teams your business gains exposure in the market place and thus creates a buzz that puts you on the top of the mind of your target audience. As a result of your community involvement you increase your bottom line. Again you can leverage your team sponsorship by taking photos of the plaques on the wall in your location, doing a video, and having a representative at games thus strengthening customer relationships. The Lauderhill Broncos has 8 teams with an average of 26 players per team and each player will need cleats, practice shorts and practice jersey’s so if you are a sporting goods provider like Dick’s it makes sense to become a sponsor. The games are played on Saturday and after the games the players, coaches, and families need a place to eat so if you are a restaurant owner sponsoring the team has the potential to increase your bottom line. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Using Charitable Involvement To Improve Your Bottom Line!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Return The Darn Phone Call!!!

Hello Mr. or Mrs. Business Person,

Do you know what this is? It is a phone and it is an integral tool that can either enhance your business or derail it. How many times have you said oh business is slow and made excuses as to why you are not as successful as you would like to be? One reason is that you may not be returning calls to those who can be of service and value to you. I have that the lack of returning calls is very prevalent in business today.

As I sat at Starbucks today (5/14/14) working on blog entries and Relay For Life one of my colleagues, Vanessa who is building a new home, sat down and told me how hard it has been to find a shower door person and a pool person and how she has called several and none returned her calls. I said this didn’t surprise me as it has become the norm. We then got to talking about how the same people who didn’t return calls are the same people who complain about how their business is struggling. I would recommend to every business owner or organization that they print a sign and put it prominently in their office that reads RETURN THE DAWN CALL!!!! as a reminder that not returning the call can be costing them business and thus they may be leaving money on the table. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Return The Darn Phone Call!!!

Advertisement Ideas: From Conception To Inception!!!!

Advertisement Ideas: From Conception To Inception!!!

Advertising, marketing, public relations, and media relations is much like the cycle of having a child. The child is conceived and grows in the womb and then is delivered into the world. A good marketing, advertising, public relations, or media relations program takes on much of the same process as the idea is conceived and developed then presented then brought out into the world. The key is to be able to go from conception to inception so as t strengthen your brand and create brand awareness. In creating brand awareness much like in creating a baby it takes time for the idea to incubate and develop. Once the idea is put out into the world much like the new-born baby it must be nurtured and guided so that it begins to mature and thus deliver the message that you intend it to deliver. As a baby grows and begins to talk it communicates exactly what it wants. Your advertising, marketing, public relations, and media relations program should do the same.

Advertisement Ideas: From Conception To Inception Consistency Is The Key!!!

In August on 2013 I launched a TV Show, The Anything Bucket, which airs on www.wrpbitv.com on Tuesday at 6:30 PM EDT. The key to the success of the show has been that I have stayed consistent from the inception point until the inception point. There have been a few tweaks along the way as the original intro was changed to reflect the message of the show and that is to be an information source while also being entertaining for the viewers. I have interviewed many guests and have several shows available on demand at www.wrpbitv.com. The show launched with an initial viewers ship of 38,000 and today reaches over 50,000 in 145 countries. In being consistent with my approach I have been able to secure guests. In being consistent in the promotional process I have been able to utilize social media such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter to grow an audience. Having the show information on my business cards has helped to build an audience. After inception adjustment and changes will be made, however if your message is consistent you will continue to have excellent brand recognition and awareness. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: From Conception To Inception!!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Do They Know Who You Are?

Can you identify these 3? Why is that? The answer is because they have kept a high-profile and become noticeable figures in the media. Some exude a positive while others are seen in a negative image. The key is that many people know who they are which leads to the question do those you are seeking to do business with know who you are and what you do? The idea is to build recognition in your industry and amongst your target audience so that when someone sees your photo or your logo they will immediately think of you and connect with you to use your products and services. The question is what are you doing to get yourself known?

This logo is perhaps the most recognizable logo in the world. Would you believe that at one time the company was on the brink of bankruptcy. Then Phil Knight came to the rescue with a strategic marketing plan and a whole lot of venture capital along with the willingness to take risks that others would not. Phil Knight signed Michael Jordan and the company began making The Air Jordan Sneakers. The company put a lot of money into the campaign and it began to pay large dividends as Air Jordan Sneakers quickly became a high demand sneaker. Even today when a new Air Jordan is released it sells in mass quantities. After Jordan the company began to sign more and more athletes to represent it. In 2013 this company had 47% of the global market. Now you may be thinking but I don’t have the budget that this company has. You do not need a budget the size of this company to get people to know you all you have to do is find ways to be creative and proactive ways to get recognized. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Do They Know Who You Are?

Advertisement Ideas: Okay America It Is Time To Wake Up!

This is a call for all Americans to Wake Up especially business owners and non-profit leaders who are making excuses and not thriving. It is time to understand that until you all get together and work toward a common goal nothing will change. I met with a business owner today in a shopping plaza and he said my business is off because of the high price of gas? I recalled the scene from Animal House where Hoover covers his mouth and says B.S. I was tempted to do the same thing as it was just another excuse that business owners like to make. I didn’t I asked when was the last time you did an intensive advertising campaign with a specific strategy geared to not only drive business but to increase revenue? His answer I haven’t I do everything via word of mouth. Hello, time to wake up Mr. business owner. It isn’t the price of gas it is the fact that you don’t have a current advertising campaign. I pointed out that he was in walking distance to the town houses and single family homes around the plaza. His answer so. The point was if he did a targeted campaign to those people and gave them a reason to come to his business he may see an increase in business. Again it is time to stop making excuses and to take action and stop blaming gas prices and other outside issues.

I called on a business this week to invite them to come on my TV Show, The Anything Bucket, which airs on www.wrpbitv.com on Tuesday at 6:30 PM. Their initial response was you are catching us at our busy time of the year. I answered well I thought you might be able to find 30 minutes to come up to the studio and tape an 8 minute segment to make sure you were busy all year round as my show reaches over 50,000 viewers each week of which 77% are in your immediate service area. He then said he might want to come in. I said okay sound great when would you like to come do a taping. His answer I have your number I’ll get back to you. I stated okay. As I hung up the phone I thought wow another business that needs to wake up. Here a business had a chance to be on TV for 8 minutes and they had to think about it? Again another person to wake up.

The reason your business or non-profit isn’t flourishing has nothing to do with the economy, gas prices, competition, or other factors it has everything to do with you and you’re not taking advantage of opportunities. It is time to wake up America and be proactive with your marketing. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Okay America It Is Time To Wake Up!

Advertisement Ideas: Be Interested!!!!

Today’s blog post was inspired by a woman at a law office that I called on to set up a time to have the attorneys from the firm to appear on my TV Show. As soon as I said Hello This is Jonathan JDOGG Lederman from WRPBiTV I was given the worst line you can give anyone if this is about advertising we are not interested. I explained that it was about appearing on my TV Show. She told me to email her the details. I emailed her and hopefully the attorneys will see the value of doing an 8 minute segment on a TV Show that reaches 145 countries with over 50,000 viewers each week of which 77% are in their immediate market. Think about how many times you have said to someone I am not interested only to lose out on an opportunity to promote your business. The key is to show interest in people when they approach your business as you never know where it might lead.

By being open to receive especially when it comes to promoting your business you begin to create relationships that lead to more business. Think about it you do not know me I connect with you and you tell me you are not interested you lose an opportunity to reach my followers who may need your services. It is not about knowing me it is having the ability to tap into the people who I know who can benefit from your services or products. The same lady who said she wasn’t interested and asked for the email called me back as asked why would family attorney want to do my show? I felt like saying hello 8 minutes of TV time is why. She then says I never heard of you until you called us and I replied I never heard of you until I saw your but now we know of each other and I would like to be of service and value to your attorneys. She then proceeded to tell me that our website was no good and that she didn’t think the attorneys would be interested. I now ask you would you use these attorneys services if you needed them. This is the problem of business in America Today, lack of interest. This doesn’t bother me as I subscribe to the belief that some will, some won’t, so what, some waiting next. I have had many people in the studio and many have bought their clips and used them to further market themselves and thus continue to be successful. The key is to be open to receive as you never know who may be on the other end of the phone or walking into your business. By assuming the attitude of gratitude and being committed to be of value and service you will find that you strengthen your brand and increase your cash flow. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Be Interested!!!!