Advertisement Ideas: No One Is To Blame!!!

As I was discussing some issues of the day I realized just how quick people are to blame others for their problems instead of taking responsibility and being accountable for their actions. How many times have we heard oh it is Bush’s Fault from Obama and his supporters or oh outsourcing is hurting our country or it is the economy? How many excuses will people make and how many others will they blame until they realize it is them and their actions that determine whether they will thrive or will they struggle. I wrote a piece a while back titled it is not the economy it is you to show that those who were willing to adapt and overcome were continuing to have success while those making excuses and pointing blame were struggling. I have seen people play the blame game instead of taking responsibility only to see it led to their demise. It is not the competition, it is not the government, it is not the community, it is you. Maybe you wanted to advertise but you came from a position of lack and thought you couldn’t afford to and your competitor put out fliers and went out into the community and supported charitable causes while you found reasons not to invest in your marketing. Maybe you chose to go into a magazine or a mailer without doing your due diligence while your competitor found publications and other media sources that reach his audience. Maybe you didn’t do a video and didn’t utilize social media like Facebook and your competitor did. Maybe you judged the guy who came into your business offering assistance with marketing and public relations while your competitor spent $100 on a session and received a ready-made press release, a video testimonial, and shout out across his social media platforms. Perhaps you said not to being on a TV Show and your competitor went on a TV Show. Perhaps you did the show but didn’t buy the clip for $175 but your competitor did and put it on Facebook and other social media and picked up some new clients/customers. Maybe you used someones services and tried to get out of paying and your competitor used that person’s services and paid promptly. The key is to look at how you are conducting business and stop playing the blame game.

The key is to stop playing the blame game and to break away from the norms by building brand awareness and recognition by creating a buzz about your products or services. Think about what pain do you take away.If you are a restaurant you take away the pain of hunger, if you are a dry cleaner you take away the pain of looking good and making a good impression, if you are a massage therapist you take away physical pain that may be stopping someone from reaching their full potential. Look at what pain you take away and then formulate a marketing campaign that will express this and cultivate clients/and customers. Instead of blaming the competition for taking your customers look at ways you can breakaway and get them back or cultivate new ones. If it was price that drove them away then finds ways to show the value you they are getting for your price. Find out why they went elsewhere and if you can fix that reason and bring them back. The # 1 reason people do not do business with someone is a bad experience. Think of ways you can avoid bad experiences. I remember one day at Starbucks they didn’t make my drink for about 20 minutes and I went to ask about it the manager made my drink and gave me a coupon for a FREE one the next time I came in. In acknowledging the problem and doing something about it Starbucks kept my business. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: No One Is To Blame!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Compassion, Caring, And The Bottom Line!!!

As I was going through Facebook a story was posted about a customer who fell at The Boys Farmers Market and subsequently died as a result of the fall.It was sated that this person was a long time customer and when another customer asked about them sending a platter for Shiva( a Jewish ritual of gathering to honor the deceased) the answer was we don’t do that. The poster stated their friend left the groceries he was going to purchase and was no longer going to shop at The Boys and others stated the same. This got me to thinking someone falls in your parking lot due to a medical issue and you don’t go out to check on them and knowing they were a regular customer you don’t follow the case and when they pass you don’t show compassion or caring wow you take money from the community and you don’t give back to those who are supporting you. I have never shopped at The Boys and I most likely never will hearing what I heard not only from the Facebook post but from those that know the owners. One person said all they care about is the money. My thought was wow they must be making it in spite of their attitude.

I started to think about how many encounters I have had where compassion and caring were lacking and how it is affecting the bottom line of these businesses. Sometimes business owners do not understand the value of caring and compassion or getting to know their customers. It can be a challenge for large brick and mortar operations as they serve so many people daily. Though it could be challenging think how much more income and revenue you could make by getting to know who is doing business with you. Imagine knowing the majority of people walking into your business and learning about them and how thus can increase your bottom line. I remember the Publix Manager, Jim, who got to know my family and when my mom was pregnant with my brother went out of his way to help her. The funny thing is that 15 years late my brother went to work for Jim. Jim got to know his customers and as a result he increased his sales volume as people who lived closer to the other Publix in the neighborhood would got the extra few miles to see Jim and his staff. Jim would make it a point to support charities, schools, youth sports teams, and anything that would benefit the community. As a result many of us continued to shop at his Publix. Jim is now in The Coral Springs area still working for Publix and when I am in the area I stop by to get a sandwich and drink and to say hello. In being caring and compassionate Jim created a relationship with his customers to this day which reaps many rewards. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Compassion, Caring, And The Bottom Line!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Why Community Involvement Works?

Since I was 11 years old I have been involved in some aspect of community service be it raising funds for The Muscular Dystrophy Association or today raising funds for The American Cancer Society Relay For Life. In my years of doing community service I have found that businesses that place an emphasis on supporting the community tend to out perform those who do not? Why is this? It is because the average consumer likes to do business with those they perceive as giving back to the community. A great example of why community involvement works was witnessed by me when I approached The Skyline Chili in Sunrise, Fl. The proprietors Tony and Jenny were very open to the idea of doing give back nights for The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Sunrise, FL . I had never eaten at Skyline Chili until the night of our first give back night and since that time I have eaten there on several occasions. They have seen an increase in their business as a result of doing these give back nights as they support many charitable causes and have gained a reputation as an establishment that supports the community. In supporting the community you receive positive advertising that you could not buy. In the case of Skyline Chili they received positive promotion on the radio show I hosted, mentions in videos done at the fundraiser, and mentions in my blog and across my social media. In helping me and my cause they gained a customer and an advocate.

I had the privilege of doing a fundraiser with Tijuana Flats recently as part of their spirit night program. The spirit night is a night where a charity receives 20% of the sales during a certain time for their organization. This gives Tijuana Flats great exposure and brings in people who may normally not have Tijuana Flats on the top of their mind. As a result of doing the fundraiser I learned about Taco Tuesday and now I am a regular customer. My spirit night raised $149 for The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of West Boca Raton. I spend an average of $11 as I get desert and sides with my Taco Tuesday Order. Do the math just from me alone they will get the money donated back. It was interesting The GM said to me that night “JDOGG I either give it to you or I give it to Uncle Sam I would rather give it to you,” I thought for a minute and it hit me by doing a give back night not only does he get positive exposure in the marketplace he also gets a nice charitable write-off that allows him to make a profit and as a result stay open and employ more people from the community. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Why Community Involvement Works?

Advertisement Ideas: Be Consistent!!!

It is said that how you do anything is how you do everything. I find this to be true especially when it comes to marketing and media relations. In December I attended a Relay For Life Leadership Summit and I soaked up a lot of information and then I implemented 2 ideas that are leading to the success of The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of West Boca Raton. The ideas were to do a Mission Monday Video and a Fundraising Friday Video each week and post them across Social Media. In using the videos I have been able to be consistent and plant the seed for people to look for the videos on Monday and Friday, In being consistent with the videos and using hashtags like #relay2015 and tagging different groups and pages I have been able to reach a larger audience and garner support for the effort to help those touched by cancer. As of 1 PM today The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of West Boca Raton has raised $16,913 with 45 teams and 215 participants. In posting comments updating the fundraising efforts I have been able to be on the top of the mind of the participants and they have been able to spread the message about what they are doing to help those touched by cancer. In having a consistent plan I have been able to garner results which have enabled me to engage people and let them know about other things that I do.

In advertising, marketing, and media relations the keys to success are frequency and consistency. In all that you do when you make an advertising choice you want to be consistent as a one time advertisement anywhere may not garner the results you want as it normally takes 8 touches to get someone to take action. This is why you see so many Facebook posts from me encouraging people to donate to The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of West Boca Raton.I generally post http://main.acsevents.org/goto/jdogg2 with a reason for someone to give.I also go out into the community on a consistent basis with a plan to secure donations and as a result I have personally raised $2526.90 so far. By being consistent and including the fundraising site on my business card and also wearing Relay For Life Gear out in public I have been able to share Relay with others and open the door to further conversation about what else I do. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Be Consistent!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Make It A Positive Experience!!!

I have noticed more and more businesses bashing their competition instead of building themselves up when I see this type of marketing I usually look for another option when I need the product or service that is being offered. I have also seen a trend in brick and mortar businesses where the interaction is far from positive and when I have a bad experience with a business I generally don’t go back and I let others know so they can avoid the same experience. In today’s ever more competitive world it is imperative to make every experience a positive one. When you are dealing with the general public their will be interruptions of your daily routine which to you may seem ridiculous but to the person walking into your business or calling you on the phone it is important. If you can take the time to be courteous to all those who you come in contact with and create a positive experience you will see an increase in your sales and a strengthening of your brand. Every aspect of your business should reflect positivity from your voice mail to your advertising to your human interaction. The idea is to be positive in everything that you do so that the end-user thinks positive of you and comes to you when they seek your product or service.

There are certain businesses I frequent just because I get a positive vibe from the moment I enter until the time I leave. I also frequent businesses where they have taken the effort to get to know me. I have a big advantage as I am generally positive and thus am met with positive responses. I had someone ask me JDOGG how do you make each interaction positive? My answer was I look for the good that comes from it, for example the guy at Pucinnis Pizza in Boca Raton was not receptive to my Relay For Life. At first I was upset as I though everyone would come forward to help this great project and then I realized you know what it saves me a phone call and creates an opportunity to find people who will support the cause. Had the man been open and receptive he could have had a more positive outcome because he would have had an ally in the marketplace speaking positively about him and recommending his business. I have had people give me some excuses and I simply do my best to overcome the excuses and then if that doesn’t work I thank them for their time and wish them luck. The key is to help as many people you can through your business so that your business is seen in a positive light and so that customers and potential customers have a positive interaction with you.

The greatest thing that a business can do is to find ways to establish goodwill in the community. A local Pizza Restaurant at Boca green Plaza, Davito’s, sponsored a track marker for The American Cancer Society Relay For Life Of West Boca Raton and I have personally been there for lunch on 2 occasions and have given him shout out on Facebook and promoted him at committee meetings as a result of his creating a positive interaction he has gained me as a customer and I represent about $8 each time I come in. Think If I come in 40 times in the year he makes a small profit all because he spent $100 on a track marker sponsorship. I come from the tradition of supporting those who support me. I think there is enough to go around for a business to support many charities. If your business is not supporting the local community there is a strong chance that you will go out of business. If you are struggling in business look at all the areas where you interact with people and what your attitude is. I remember walking into a business years ago when I worked for Forum Publishing Group selling advertising and they said I am not interested I don’t need to advertise. I said okay and I left. There were many times I was in the neighborhood and needed their services but I didn’t use them I went to their competitor because the competitor gave me the time of day and listened to me and though did not buy an ad asked me to check back with them on a regular basis. Guess what the negative interaction business is out of business no longer selling his subs and the positive interaction business is still in business and thriving. Ask yourself which one are you going to be the positive or the negative business? Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Make It A Positive Experience!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Shut The Front Door!!!

I have lived through The McDuffie Riots in Miami, witnessed The Ferguson Riots, and now I am witnessing The Baltimore Riots!!! In all these cases people were upset with injustices but decided to burn down and loot their own neighborhoods hurting their own communities leaving me to exclaim shut the front door!!! People spend their whole lives to build a business and then a few thugs and people seeking excuses to loot tear it down. I ask what does destroying a police car do to help strengthen a business or improve your community. Now the city council will vote to increase the millage rate so as to pay for the damages of these so-called disenfranchised people. Now businesses will move out of the area thus increasing unemployment. Businesses will think twice before coming to your community and thus you don not increase your tax base. So shut the front door and come up with a better way to solve the issues of the day. I believe it is tragic when anyone’s life is taken unnecessarily at the hand of another human being. If you do not like the way things are going then get involved in a civil manner and change things. You don’t like the way the city council is doing things than run for city council, you don’t like the way the police are doing things then become a police officer and rise up the ranks and change things. In most cases the bad things that are happening are being brought on by yourselves.

Wake up and start taking some responsibility for your actions and stop blaming others. If you dropped out of school that is on you. If you chose thug life instead of working hard that is on you. If every other word out of your mouth is F*** or Mother F***** don’t blame others why you do not have a job. If you are out on the corner slinging drugs and you get busted that is on you. If you run from the police or do not comply that is on you. Unfortunately in life we can not legislate stupidity or morality.

... have been out driving, I noticed this bumper that says “COEXIST The solution is for us to do our best to coexist for everyone has a stake in making the community a safe place. The thug mentality is doing nothing to enhance the economy. The sense of entitlement is doing nothing to help the situations in our community. Our country and our system is broken and we need to take steps to fix it. The first step is to shut the front door. Then it is necessary to get back to basics and dialogue with one another.

us the jaycee creed united states jaycees site international jaycees ... One of the solutions is to have everyone take a look at this philosophy and start to realize that we are more alike than we are different. The are always civil solutions to issues. If our business is slow because our community is in turmoil we must look at ways that we can shut the front door and work together for the betterment of the community so our business will thrive and our community will flourish.

Advertisement Ideas: Shut The Front Door And Stop The Finger Pointing!!!

typographic wall decor with a clear message: Shut the front door . If you do not want bad elements in the community hurting your business then you better literally shut the front door and screen who you are doing business with. It is time to get your priorities straight instead of glorifying thugs start edifying successful business people and start to give back to the community. Instead of putting people down for doing the right thing start doing the right thing. I was told that when you point a finger at someone there are four pointing back at you. I have come to realize that in many cases my trials and tribulations are no one’s fault but my own. Throwing rocks at police officers is not going to bring the dead man back, burning down a community business is not going to improve anything it is only going to make things worse, looting the CVC is only going to force them to close and then where are you going to get your medical supplies. Think of your actions and the adverse affects they are having on your community.

It’s not YOU its THEM! Stop playing the blame game and take responsibility for your actions. If you truly want to change things you must do it is a civil systematic way and understand the only way to change the system is to be part of the system. Instead of calling someone a sell out support them and join them as they are affecting change. If you have a business it is time to take action and se how you can be part of the solution.

I am writing things to make you think like hey no one told you to go out and have 5 babies with 3 different men that was your choice, no one forced you to rob a house and then run from the police that was your choice, no one told you to do a drive by shooting and kill an innocent 2-year-old that was your choice. You can continue to blame others or you can shut the front door and be proactive and positive becoming the change you want to see in this world. if you dress and act like a thug you will be seen and treated like a thug. Wake up people and take responsibility for your own actions.

Take that chip off your shoulder and start to take advantage of the many opportunities you have to make a change. I believe in looking far beyond what someone looks like on the outside and looking on the inside. If you are going to act like an a-hole you will treated like an a-hole. If you don’t change what you doing you will continue to get the same results. It is high time for people to stop with the knee jerk reactions and start to come up with viable solutions.

Advertisement Ideas: Get It Up!!!

Some of the best advertising ideas and marketing lessons that I have learned have come from a desire to raise the fundraising thermometer for Relay For Life. I have coined the phrase Get It Up as a way to increase donations. The phrase normally conjures up so interesting looks when one says will you help us to get it up and pause and then say our fundraising thermometer that is. The lesson learned here that translates into business is to grab the audience’s attention and then explain what you are doing.

Another important lesson that I have learned through Relay For Life is that you must cultivate and nurture people so as to get the fundraising thermometer up. This applies in business as you work to build your brand and to increase your cash flow. If people do not see your logo on a consistent basis they will most likely support your competitor who has his logo everywhere. Think about where you are advertising, what you are advertising, and how you are advertising. I find it hard to believe that after 30 years as fundraising project there are still people who haven’t heard about Relay For Life when there have been massive initiatives to build The Relay Brand. The lesson here is that you need to be out in the community constantly building brand awareness because there will be people who will not hear about you. I have learned you can wear your brand but if you do not share it people will not know who you are or what you do so it is important to have a strategy where you are doing brand awareness on a daily basis. The one thing I learned through my involvement in Relay that correlates to business is to share your information by getting out of the office and meeting people. Get out there and engage people. Remember the worst thing will be they will tell you they aren’t interested. It the get it up philosophy you it is important to check the fear of talking to people and what they might think at the door. I have learned that not everyone will resonate with your message but it is important to continue to share the message. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Get It Up!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Earn Shout Outs!!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Earn Shout Outs!!!

One of the best things a business can do is to create a following of raving fans who when given an opportunity will give you positive shout outs. Remember that the person walking into your business or calling you on the phone can be someone with a large platform to put you in a positive light with shout outs. The best form of advertising is positive word of mouth. In my workshops I teach people to be smart when interacting with everyone and earn positive shout outs because you never know when a potential customer will share their experience with their followers. I have had many great experiences with people while out promoting and soliciting donations for The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of West Boca Raton and would like to recognize Fashion Scoop located in The Boca Ale House Plaza on Glades Road and Lyons Road in Boca Raton for supporting my effort to create a world with less cancer and more birthdays by making a $20 donation. If you would like to earn a shout visit http://main.acsevents.org/goto/jdogg2 and make a donation. Then there is Maria at www.giftbasketsrus.com who donated an amazing basket for the chance drawing who now gets mentioned in a positive light and who I will recommend to anyone needing a basket for events. There is David at Jet’s Pizza in The Somerset Plaza in Boca Raton who is helping by sponsoring The Pizza Lap along with Stella’s Pizza, Domino’s, and Mama Mia. WALMART and Jeanne have raised $1755.25 and have gotten business from relay participants as a result. The list of those that have helped in someway is amazing and because of their support they will see a return on their investment in the community.

Creating opportunities to earn a shout out should become part of your everyday marketing strategy as it will create brand recognition and awareness so that when the end-user is ready to use your product or service you will be on the top of the mind of the consumer. IN creating shout outs for your business you also create a buzz about your business as people start to speak about you in a positive light and patronize your establishment. There is an Italian Restaurant in Lauderhill, Goodfellas, who will make you a pizza you can’t refuse who understands the importance of community engagement. The owner recently sponsored The S.A.K.E. Awards and as a result picked up some business as I have become a regular along with several other member of the community who are involved with youth sports. By engaging the community you will earn shout outs and strengthen your business. People like to do business with those they perceive to be supporting the community so when the opportunity arises to be involved in events like Relay For Life, National Night Out Against Crime, Cultural Festivals, or other community events make an effort to have a presence at these events. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Earn Shout Outs!!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Avoid The You Suck List!!!

Many businesses wonder why their business is not doing well and why they are making The You Suck List. It is quite easy they have not made customer service or enhancing the customer experience a priority. They have done things to alienate the existing customer who tells a potential customer when asked about the business and thus the business loses two customers. How many times have you called a large company only to be read a script and no solution to your problem is obtained so you don’t do business with that company and then you use your various platforms to educate other consumers so as to help them avoid the same issues. Sometimes I think that many companies just do not understand that getting on the you suck list hurts their business.

Advertisement Ideas: JDOGG’S You Suck List!!!

Hey AT&T I am well aware of the money that I owe you for home phone services I don’t need reminder phone calls or letters. The only reason I still have your overpriced home phone service is because I still have dial-up on my home computer as my area doesn’t have high-speed internet available. I am in the process of weighing my options and possibly cancelling my service with you. This isn’t a large amount of money at about $40 per month. I understand your mentality is that my businesses is replaceable, however think about the reach of my platform and who I won’t be recommending your service to in the future.

After what I read today about the person whose Aunt died and Citibank was trying to collect late fees and membership fees. The balance was zero but because the nephew never officially closed the account they stated the charges still apply. What part of my Aunt is dead did they not understand? They will spend more money on mailing to try to collect from a deceased person and not realize that they are never going to see their money? Come on people there has to be some common sense that these people understand. If the known address is a cemetery the chances are the person is dead so simply close the account and move on.

Hello Chase Bank you make the you suck list because of your constant berrating of your customers who fully acknowledge that I owe you money for credit card purchases. Though the account was closed and the card is not being used you still charge interest. Then you call and write letter harassing the debtor when the debtor has been making every effort to make payments. Think about all the paper and the money wasted to collect a debt that has been acknowledged and agreed to be paid. Look at the records and see that payments have been made in a timely manner.

My local franchise group makes the you suck list for not returning phone calls. I called about an event that could have really helped their franchises in The West Boca Raton Area as it is attracting many high school kids, which is one of the primary markets to tap into as they patronage Subway. I personally like Subway but when I call you and have an opportunity for you and you do not return the call you go on the you suck list. You may say but JDOGG they get many calls and can not possibly return everyone. I call bullshit on that excuse you should hire people to just return inquiries so that you have a good rapport with the person as they usually have a platform that can either help your business or hurt your business. Think about it I am participating in an event that has 175 participants signed up mostly your desired target audience and you don’t return a phone call and then you wonder why your business is off . The answer is because you are not making the right contacts and not engaging people who can be advocates for your business.

You+suck.jpg The reason you make the you suck list is your lack of compassion and caring, your lack of customer service, your lack of marketing skills, your lack of support for the community. The key is to avoid this list by being appreciative of your customers, using common sense, returning phone calls, working with civic organizations to help them promote their events. If you truly want to avoid this list stop the nonsense and remember that one oh shit will ruin 1000 of at a boys.

To be fair and balanced look for an article on businesses that truly get it and don’t suck!!! Avoid The You Suck List!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Get Loud!!!

As you sit down to plan out your marketing strategy you can take a lesson from Jennifer Lopez and get loud. It is often said that the squeakiest wheel gets the grease well in advertising and marketing it is often the company that makes the most noise that gets the clients/customers. In a day and age where everyone is looking for ways to differentiate themselves from their competition it is important to focus on letting the end-user know the benefits of your product or service so you are heard over the competition. This could mean doing business in a public place like a Panera Bread, which is what I did last night (4/16/2015) as I ran the committee meeting for The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of West Boca Raton. After the meeting I was making a call about Relay For Life and a patron over heard the call and came over and made a $5 donation which opened the door for me to share with her what I was doing with Relay for Life and to give her my business card. By being a bit loud I drew attention to myself and made a new contact. In being outgoing and a bit loud you just may meet the contact who can help you to exceed your goals. Getting loud can mean putting out a bigger print advertisement in targeted publications that reach your desired target audience. In many cases sending a media release to these publications about what you are doing in the community and any new developments in the business will garner you a FREE article which if put on your website and included in your social media will give you credibility and edification in the market place.

Advertisement Ideas: More Ways To Get Loud!!!

One of the best lessons I learned about promotions was from KISS who encouraged us to shout it out loud!!! In a marketplace that is full of noise you must shout your message at times just to get noticed. The end-user for your product or service is being bombarded by advertising campaigns and have become numb to most forms of advertising. As a result to gain a competitive edge in the market place you must get loud. You must also be places where your competition is not. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Get Loud!!!