Advertisements Ideas: Find Your Why?

Advertisement Ideas: Find Your Why?

As you open up your business today ask yourself what is your why? If you are doing charitable work and cause marketing ask yourself why? When you advertise ask yourself why? It is when you find your why that your impact is increased. There are two great days in a person’s life the day they are born and the day they find out why. It is when you have purpose in what you are doing that you can increase your level of success. In all my years of working with entrepreneurs and non-profit leaders I have witnessed on thing about the successful leaders and that is they are driven by their why and have a defined purpose. Once you find your why you can develop your marketing strategy around that so as to attract new customers/clients.

The most difficult thing you have to do as a business leader or a non-profit volunteer is to find your why. What drives you to do what you do? Once you find that why you can create programs that will impact your what. How many times during the course of the day are you asked what you do? How do you answer that question? Do you tap into your why and say I help people to excel because I want them to have a better personal and professional life or do you simply say I help people to excel? Many times it is not what we say but how we say it that impacts our results. I have found when people know your why they are more apt to do business with you or to support your cause. When all you do is tied back to your why you will see the level of your results change for the better. In working with clients I hear it all the time JDOGG I want to make a lot of money. I always counter why do you want to male a lot of money? When they give me the reasons I have them write those reason down so that when they open their business or go to work in their non-profit position that they are driven by their why.

Advertisements Ideas: Finding Your Why: A Case Study!!!

If you have read this blog frequently you have read about my commitment to Relay For Life. 2017 marks 18 years that I am doing Relay For Life and this year I am asking everyone to donate $18 at www.relayforlife.org/sunrisefl by clicking on donate to a participant and typing in my name, Jonathan Lederman. Why I am asking for $18 is that in Hebrew 18 is represented by Chai which translates into life. Why I am relaying is to honor the memories of all those that I have lost to cancer especially the memory of my mother.

This is my mother, Judith Miller, who was called home to GOD on July 5, 2012 after suffering a massive heart attack while battling non-operable metastatic lung cancer. She has become my why I relay story. Each time I share my story I generate donations. Over the last 4 years that she has been gone it is estimated that I have raised over $10,000. Prior to those years I had many people to Relay for as my Grandfather Leo was lost to prostate cancer, my cousin Jill to Breast Cancer, my Uncle Morty to Breast Cancer (yes men get breast cancer), my uncle Alan to Prostate Cancer, my friend Gary Pancreatic Cancer, my friend Fran to Breast Cancer, and many others. 2017 marks my 18th year of doing Relay and by being driven by my why I set a goal of raising $2500.

When you find your why you will be able to make a larger impact in your business and your non-profit work. It is when you tap into your why that your impact is greater. When you get a moment today sit down and discover your why and then take action with your advertising and solicitation for your business and non-profit work. Remember it is the facts that tell but is the stories that sell. Share your why and take note of what happens when you begin to share your why. So when someone asks what you do answer them with wat you do but also why you do it.

Advertisement Ideas: Jump To It!!!

The key in business is to make your customer’s experience so good that when they see you are doing a special campaign or project that they jump to it and come to you every time they seek the type of product or service that you offer. It is important that each time they see your name in an advertisement that they think oh I need to get to that business or I plan to attend that event. The idea is to create such an awesome experience that they become customers for life. Advertising is a great way to enhance their experience by offering specials that you can track and rewarding existing customers for their business. Remember you spent time and money to acquire the customer now you must do what you can to retain the customer. If you are going to continue to build your customer base you need to have great brand awareness and recognition while also creating a buzz about your business giving people a reason to continue to shop with you. In all my retail experience I have made it a point to create good relationships with customers realizing that one oh shit will ruin one thousand at a boys so you must avoid the oh shit moments. Many times it is all about finding ways to enhance the customer experience so as to create customer loyalty. When I was working for a sports apparel, accessories, and memorabilia store I greeted the customer and asked questions so that I could facilitate a sale so that when they came back or we had a item from their team I could show them and build rapport.

Advertisement Ideas: Getting High!!!

If you want to get high in business you must commit to working hard and maximizing your message. If you want high revenue and high brand recognition you must have a strategic plan that defines what type of business you are going to have, who your target audience is going to be, and how you are going to cultivate that target audience. In today’s business world the sole-proprietor is the underdog and thus has to work that much higher having a definitive vision for their business so as to get a percentage of the niche market that will create sustainability. As you continue to open the doors to your sole proprietorship it is important that you are listening to those you have hired as some of those people may have ideas that increase sales and also increase brand recognition. It is important to check your EGO at the door and realize that you may not know everything and the day you think you know everything is the day you lose everything. Make sure you know the demographics of the area you decide to do business in so that you can have the merchandise that they desire. Make sure you know the competition that is around you so that you can create your own unique selling proposition to attract and keep customers.

When I was a member of The Jaycees (Junior Chamber of Commerce) we had what we called a Chairman’s Planning Guide which was really a small business plan that served as a road map so you could have a successful project.It asked what the primary purpose of the project was, what the goals and objectives were, who was responsible for certain tasks, the budget, and the items needed to bring the project to fruition. It also asked questions as to things that could have been done differently and what changes you would make. Many people used the CPG to secure small business loans and continued to plan their work and work their plan making adjustments that they now have thriving businesses. It is imperative to plan your work and work your plan. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Getting High!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Being Open To Change!!!

In the business environment that is ever evolving we as business leaders must be open to change. As we all know the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. In my 40 years of working on special events, helping business owners to excel, and fundraising I have recognized so many people who were not willing to make changes or listen to alternatives. These people kept struggling and many went out of business. I have witnessed many a successful entrepreneur or marketing executive gather input from employees and put some of the ideas into action and as a result they have had success as their revenue went up and their brand recognition increased. I have come to realize that when someone is not willing to make changes or listen to ideas that have their best interest in mind you simply have to let go and let GOD knowing you did the best you could to improve their business. In recognizing that changes must be made to create a viable business you will grow your business.

Sometimes in order to make a positive change you must look at the person in the mirror and realize that you may be part of the problem. The first step to solving a problem is recognizing that you have one. In recognizing the flaws that have created the issues you can work on eliminating the flaws and thus grow your business. I have stated it many times that the day you think you know everything is the day you start to lose everything. If you continue to point fingers and blame everyone else eventually your business will be so flawed that you either close it or change your ways and improve it. When evaluating your business you must look at problem areas and make a change. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Being Open To Change!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Time To Wake The F Up!!!

Do you know just how many times I wanted to scream this at entrepreneurs that I have worked with? I often have an experience where the entrepreneur thinks they know everything and refuses to listen to the employee that is working in the business on a regular business. The entrepreneur needs to wake the f up and understand that maybe they don’t know everything and that despite the fact that the employee doesn’t have a fancy car or live in an expensive home or doesn’t live lavishly they just might have a working knowledge to help the entrepreneur exceed their revenue goals. I was working with someone and asked what are your revenue goals. I was told none of your business. This entrepreneur ending up closing the business dissolving the corporation and then reopening in another location under a new name. He still hasn’t set up a website or done any advertising. he didn’t even update his Facebook Page. Then this entrepreneur wonders why his business struggles. The answer is because you don’t have a strategic plan to market and thus exceed your revenue goals. When I worked for Footlocker we had daily goals and the corporate marketing people had plans in place to drive people to the store and once they were in the store it was my job to make the sales. I remember how bad I wanted to tell the DM to wake the f up when he told me you can’t put the new Jordan release sneakers aside for people they are on a first come first serve basis. I called bullshit on that one and explained I have a customer who buys a size 8, a size, 11, and a size 13 in adults and a size 3 and 6 in kids plus matching socks and jerseys when the new Jordan’s are released which meant about $1000 in business. I asked the DM if you have a guaranteed sale of $1000 each time the Jordan’s are released why wouldn’t you put them aside. Well I left Footlocker and guess what I found out when I left and the store would put the Jordan’s aside for this customer he stopped doing business with the store. This is why those in power need to wake the f up. Look at the way you are doing business and ask yourself what can I do to wake the f up and make changes that will strengthen my brand and increase my revenue. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Time To Wake The F Up!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Action, Action, We Want Action!!!

If you are going to succeed in any business especially in the retail business you must commit to becoming an action taker. Over the years I have approached many new business owners as well as experienced business owners who are opening a new location to ask them about their strategic marketing and advertising plans as I have become quite astute at promoting local businesses. I am always surprised by the response of I haven’t set up a budget for that or I spent so much on the build out and opening that I don’t have money to advertise. My look on my face usually says it all when I hear this as it shows a wow you got to be kidding me look. In today’s day ad age I am bewildered by how many so-called business people lack the basic principles to build and grow a business. When I work with entrepreneurs I am brutally honest and I peel back the onion so as to see where we can overcome the blockages that are keeping them in the lack mode instead of the abundance mode. Most times I find it that it is their lack of organization and inability to take proper action as they have an attitude as I am the owner and I am doing my way and I know what I am doing. When in reality they have put up the money but had no realistic plan to market to attract and keep customers. I have witnessed many tines a business owner fly by the seat of their pants only to lose those pants. If you open a business and you do not have a daily, weekly, or monthly action plan you are destined to struggle. If you open a business and do not take input from your employees who have experience you will continue to struggle. The key is to be an action taker and understand that the day you think you know everything is the day you begin to lose everything.

Every action you take should be guided by the concept of positively affecting your business. The first action you need to take is getting to know who your customer base will be and then marketing to that customer base. The next action you need to take especially with a retail store is what you will be known for as a business.Previously I wrote about having a unique selling proposition and this concept is very important to the success of your business as you must ask what is it that I want to be known for when attracting new business and retaining old business. It is great to have a diverse product offering but make sure you are too diverse. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Action, Action, We Want Action!!!

Advertisement Ideas: The View Only Changes For The Lead Dog!!!

Have you noticed that business is much like a dogsled as the scenery only changes for the lead dog? Think about it in business you have three choices you can lead, you can follow, or you can get out of the way. If you are truly going to be successful with your advertising campaigns and build your brand while increasing your revenue you must become the lead dog. How do you become the lead dog you may ask. The answer is simple by being ahead of the trends and setting your own trends, buy having unique selling propositions that attract your desired target audience, by being where your competitors aren’t. When you sit down to open your business in the morning you should have a way in place to drive sales and exceed revenue goals. You should know what is happening in the market place and find ways to attract people in the market to come and shop with you.

One of the biggest flaws that I have seen from entrepreneurs is that they do not lead they dictate and expect their employees to follow. This is not how you become the lead dog. The lead dog will work hard and show how the hard work pays off. The lead dog is given a plan and the trainer in this case the entrepreneur works the dog properly so as to utilize the skill set of the lead dog. One of the biggest mistakes I have witnessed from entrepreneurs that struggle is that they have a tendency to think they know everything forgetting that the day you think you know everything is the day you begin to lose everything. In many cases you may have an employee who knows what is selling and what is being demanded because they are in the store on a regular basis. A successful entrepreneur takes the input from the employee and begins to implement it thus become a lead dog in their respective industry. JC Penny once stated show me a janitor with vision and I will show you a VP of our company show me a VP with no vision and I will show you a janitor. The key to being a lead dog is to engage your employees, implement their concepts see if they work and the ones that work and the one that do not either scrap or find a way to improve them. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: The View Only Changes For The Lead Dog!!!

Advertisement Ideas: The Power Of Goodwill!!!

In business there is a very intangible component that is hard to measure called goodwill. It is a simple act of making your customer happy or serving the community. It is hard to measure as some goodwill is done without fan fare and you never know the power of goodwill until it someone mentions that they heard about what you did for a charity or how you went out of your way for a customer. The power of goodwill is amazing and can lead to increased brand awareness and revenue. In sacrificing a profit today by doing goodwill you will increase future profits.

The other day I had a customer come into Sinbad Sports located at 2164 S. University Drive in The Tower Shops next to Best Buy in Davie, FL and they asked about The Nike Vapor Knit Gloves as their son needed gloves to match his school uniform. I told them they are normally $100 but I could sell them to them for $75. They came back the next day and bought the gloves. The following day one of the players teammates came to the store and bought a pair. I gave him the same deal. Now word is getting around and I anticipate selling The Seahawks gloves out. In giving a little I was able to move a product that had been stagnant. It is in extended goodwill and extending excellent customer service that you drive sales. Remember people will forget what you said or did but they will remember how you made them feel. In extending goodwill to all you create customers who will share their positive experience and thus you will exceed your revenue goals.

Recently Sinbad Sports hosted Reshad Jones, Safety of The Miami Dolphins. As a result we had a few footballs to give away. One was presented to the winner of a contest we sponsored on WQAM and another was given to The Divas For The Cure of The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Pembroke Pines to use in a fundraiser. As a result of this goodwill we received some publicity that drove people to come to the store to shop. In doing goodwill the word gets a round and people begin to support your business. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: The Power Of Goodwill!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Spending Your Money Wisely!!!

On of the things I have noticed from entrepreneurs while working in The Sports Apparel and Memorabilia Industry is how ineffectively they tend to spend money. I have seen this happen in many businesses as the entrepreneur will buy items that he or she likes thinking they will sell and they do not leaving them with what I call dead merchandise. I witnessed one entrepreneur buy a Dolphins Pool Table and then tell employees he didn’t have funds for items that customers were requesting. I thought wow here you have a pool table that is going to be hard to sell when you could have bought items that were being sought after and turned then into cash flow quickly and turned a profit that would have been frequent and consistent. I witnessed one entrepreneur who refused to put up a website with his memorabilia and then stopped paying rent and as a result was forced to dissolve his business and settle with the landlord and then change names and relocate. This same owner still doesn’t have a website and guess what isn’t making the sales as he should be. I have always said the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Spending Your Money Wisely!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Do You DWYP?

Over the years I have taught about the concept of deliver on what you promise (DWYP), which is a key aspect to having a successful and thriving business. So many times over the years I have dealt with people who have forgotten this principle and a s a result have struggled in their businesses. The key factor is to know what you can do and then to deliver on what you promised. I recently had someone make a spelling mistake on a custom jersey that I ordered and told me they would send another one this was done in June. Several calls have been made and I have been told it is being sent and that they sent me a free jersey that was spelled right. They made the decision to send a free jersey with the one I ordered I didn’t ask for a free jersey. I still haven’t received the corrected jersey. What do you think happened when I wanted another jersey? I went to a business that has always delivered what they promised and guess what? My order was filled with the correct spelling and an excellent quality jersey. I tell this story to remind you of the importance of delivering what you promised. It is important to make sure that all your customers are happy and that you do the right thing.

Remember in life there is no try so when you make a commitment honor that commitment and if you can not honor the commitment then find a solution. So many ties people will try to cut corners and a s a result will find themselves without a way out thus making it impossible to deliver on what they promised. I recently had a situation where a business owner was hosting an event and one of the people who was supposed to come and sign autographs was a no-show leaving a customer without items signed. The business owner cashed the check and thought they would get the person to sign and then send the customer the signed items. This was in May and the person who was supposed to sign still haven’t signed the items. I suggested to the business owner that he simply write a refund check and send the items back and in the future wait for the event to be over and of someone doesn’t show simply repack the items with the payment or if the customer paid by credit or debit card simply do a refund. It is important to honor your commitments and if there are other parties involved don’t make promises. In another instance a business owner was given a custom framing order and misplaced the item to be framed and finally located the item and will be able to complete the order but it took 3 months and needless to say the customer is unhappy. When you do business with people you need to ask yourself am I delivering what I promised?