I had the pleasure of interviewing Gaspare Marturano on my Blog Talk Radio Show, Get Motivated With Jonathan JDOGG Lederman, which is currently on hiatus and we spoke about the importance of being social not only on-line but off-line. As the interview ended I began to think how many people are missing out on opportunities because they are not interacting with others? I then thought how many are stuck because they are not open to receive? I further thought how many people are not expanding and growing because they are not taking action? I have come to the realization that in our lifetime we will encounter action takers or excuse makers. The question is which category will you fall into?
Years ago AT&T implemented a campaign with the slogan of reach out and touch someone. This slogan still resonates in business today because it is imperative to reach people with your message. Social Media Advertising is great however nothing beats the personal interaction of being able to look someone face to face and showing them how you can be of service and value to them.One great way to reach out and touch people is to get booked to speak at Chamber of Commerce Events, Rotary Clubs, Kiwanis Clubs, Jaycees and other community events where you can deliver a message that will build your brand and put you on the top of the mind of the audience so that when they seek products and services in your industry that they call you first. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Let’s Get Social!!!
Advertisement Ideas: Proactivity Leads To More Cash!!!
Today I received a great email offer for Tropical Serenity Massage and Spa who is offering a great special for every Monday in March and of course calling it March Madness. In sending this email out today they have planted a seed and I am considering going to the spa in a few weeks. In being proactive and implementing a timely marketing strategy such as an email marketing campaign you will be proactive instead of reactive in the market place and as a result increase your cash flow. I have a friend Heidi Richards Mooney who has a book Quirky Marketing Ideas that those who purchase and implement the ideas generally increase their revenue.
The key is to be proactive and have a strategic plan that will build your brand’s recognition and create a buzz about your business. For example look up National Hot Dog Day and revolve a campaign that incorporates that day. If you have a brick and mortar business hire a Hot Dog Cart and give out Free Hot Dogs and promote this is all your advertising. If you are a business coach find a restaurant that specializes in hot dogs and host your workshop there on National Hot Dog Day. The idea is to make a plan and work your plan so that you can increase your cash flow and strengthen your brand. In doing something special on these unique days you enhance the customer’s experience and they will come back and refer business to you.
Advertisement Ideas: Ways To Be Proactive And Increase Cash Flow!!!
Relay for Life is a huge community event that brings people together to help those touched by cancer by raising funds for research, education, advocacy, and services. This is a yearly event in many communities across America. If you visit www.relayforlife.org you can find a local Relay For Life In Your Area and you can form team, become a sponsor, or donate. The Relay For Life that I am The Fund The Mission Lead for is The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of West Boca Raton, FL taking place on May 2, 2015 at Olympic Heights High School from 12 PM – 12 AM. If your business knows about this event now you can plan on doing things to become involved that will give you positive exposure in the market place. People like to do business with those they perceive as being involved in the community. A few years ago Hungry Howie’s Pizza supported my efforts in Relay For Life and as a result when I want pizza I call them. Their donation of 10 large pizzas for a pizza lap paid off as they picked me up as a customer and have had an advocate for them ever since. Think about it you own a business and you support The American Cancer Society Relay For Life and you mention that across your social media platforms, in your print advertising, in your electronic marketing, on all your print literature and all things related to your business. Attending a Relay For Life is a great way to network. By paying it forward and being proactive you will increase your cash flow. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Proactivity Leads To More Cash!!!
Today’s entry was inspired by a conversation I had with a woman today (2/20/2015) who helps to market people’s business as I was seeking support for The American Cancer Society Relay For Life as I have a program where a business can donate $100 and in return have a track marker that would be seen by those participating in Relay for Life for the 12 hours of the event. She told me she only had 3 clients and they were all in Miami and not interested in growing their business. This took me aback because I know if you aren’t growing your business you are dying. She explained to me that she was content with her clients and that working was for her husband as she wants to spend tie with her kids. I admire her wanting to spend time with her kids but don’t tell people you can grow their business when you aren’t growing yours.
While on the phone today (2/20/2015) I encountered a man who told me business was slow and used many lack words in the course of our conversation. I told him when yu say business is slow the business will be slow because you create a self-fulfilling prophecy. When you use words like struggle you create more struggle. In business especially in advertising it is important to utilize the right words. When you are engaging with potential clients or existing clients be aware of the words you are using. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Watch What You Say!!!
This blog entry is inspired by my recent trip to Tijuana Flats in Lauderhill on Commercial Boulevard just west of University Drive for Tijuana Tuesday (Taco Tuesday). I placed my order and then realized I wanted sour cream and queso I offered to pay or it and the manager said don’t worry I’ve got that. I sat down and waited for my order and as I waited one of the waitresses asked me JDOGG how are you doing as she remembered me from a past visit. I thought wow not only do they have good food at a reasonable price but their customer service is amazing. I have been going to Tijuana Flats for a few years now and have hosted a spirit night with their Central Boca Location for The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of West Boca Raton. My experiences with everyone from the cashier to the server to the manager to the accounting department to the marketing director have been great. Tijuana Flats not only created a loyal customer they created an advocate for them in the community. I have often taught people in any business that when you focus on service and give value that you will find success. Tijuana Flats focuses on being of service and value and supports the local communities where they are located. They also have a great foundation to help the less fortunate in The Just In Queso Foundation. In fostering an environment that focuses on service they continue to thrive and grow. Ask yourself how you are focusing on service.
Advertisement Ideas: Customer Service – The Good!!!
It could just be me because I frequent The Springtree Starbucks in Sunrise, FL several times a week but I have found their customer service to be fantastic every time I have visited. They have always been friendly and receptive to me. I am also pleased that they also support community events like Relay For Life and allow me to put up information about the event. They also allow me to put up my FREE Hugs Sign on occasion. In treating me nicely they have created a fan and an advocate. In focusing on service they have created an incredible following and continue to thrive. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Focus On Service!!!
Advertisement Ideas: Lessons Learned From SNL And NBA!
New York truly proved that it was the city that never sleeps as it hosted not only Saturday Night Live 40 and The NBA All-Star Game on Sunday 2/15/15. As I watched both I thought what dies this teach us about the importance of marketing, media relations, and advertising? The answer was plenty as the social media universe was blazing hot as both events dominated twitter feeds and Facebook feeds. Most everywhere one went where there was a TV it was tuned to one of these events. If you were fortunate to be in a place with 2 or more tvs you were likely to be able to watch both. The common factor is that both events showed us what happens when you have a strong recognizable brand that remains relevant, entertaining, and resonating in the market place. Now some of you are saying but I don’t have the budget that an NBC or an NBA has. This maybe true however the lesson learned is that in order to have sustainability in the market place you must set aside a certain amount of money to market so as to build your followers that you can then convert into customers. Imagine what you could have done to drive business and create more awareness and possibly more cash flow in the weeks leading up to SNL 40 and The NBA All-Star Game? If you are a life coach you could have shown how laughter is sometimes necessary to clear blockages that might be holding a client back. You could have promoted a webinar and charged everyone $40 and tied it into SNL 40.If you were a retailer you could have all items end in $.40 in honor of SNL 40. You could have dome some basketball related promotions in your print and electronic advertising. There are so many possibilities that you could have implemented to create a buzz about your business. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Lessons Learned From SNL And NBA!!!
If you as a business leader are truly going to affect change you must get off your ass and do something. So many times I hear business people complain and I ask what are they going to about it and I am met with a blank stare and silence. If you do not have a solution to the problem and aren’t going to get off your ass and do something then keep your mouth closed. Today I saw a story about how Marco Rubio, A State Senator from my state voted against Veteran’s Benefits so I called his office and left a message about how displeased I was. Here is his number 202-224-3041. Instead of complaining get off your ass and do something. Instead of sitting on your ass and making excuses as to why you did not vote get out and vote and encourage others to vote. Imagine if in your ads you say something like Our Company Supports Veterans Do You? Discounts for all service personnel past and present what would happen. If you aren’t advertising it is time to get off your ass and make a plan on how you will drive business to you instead of complaining. If you don’t have an idea on what to advertise or where to advertise enlist the services of someone who has gotten off his/her ass and has assisted businesses with successful marketing programs. If you are not advertising you are not growing and if you are not growing you are dying. I walked an area in Coral Springs, FL recently promoting a professional basketball team I announce for and I noticed many businesses that I had approached to advertise or to appear on my TV Show, The Anything Bucket, which airs on www.wrpbitv.com on Tuesday at 6:30 PM EST were out of business. When I asked these people what they were doing to promote their business they all answered the same thing, we are not in a position to advertise right now, well guess what they don’t need to advertise now because they do not have a business any longer. I wonder what would have happened if they got off their ass and actually promoted the business they may still be in business and thriving.
If you are lacking in brand awareness or brand recognition it is time you got off your ass and created a buzz about your business. I can not tell you how many times I have offered people excellent opportunities to build recognition for their business and they have said oh I don’t need help. Most of these people I see a few months later and their story is the same oh things are tough or I can’t afford that or I don’t think that is a good fit for me. If you are not getting off your ass and taking action you will continue to struggle and it will be no one’s fault but your own. Ask yourself how am I going to get off my ass and promote my business today? What action will you take to build awareness? If you do not have a daily plan it is time to implement one. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Get Off Your Ass!!!
In business or in volunteer work it is important to have the mindset that you will have a kick ass day everyday. It is imperative to make sure that your name is constantly out there in a positive light. One of the key elements to building your brand and increasing cash flow is to have a kick ass attitude and not worry about what other people think because at the end of the day all that will matter is were you impeccable with your word, did you not take anything, personally, did you not make assumptions, and did you do you best? When you get up and you begin to run your business or do your charitable work do you have a plan and are you working that plan making the necessary adjustments?If you do not have a pan you will be going in circles. The idea is to not go in circles by kicking ass and remembering some will some won’t, so what, some waiting, next. One way to kick ass is to always advertise so that people know who you are, what you do, and why they should do business with you. So many times I hear excuses why people are not promoting their businesses on a daily basis and I am reminded that there are action takers and excuse makers. Ask yourself which are you? With a kick ass attitude you are bound to rub a few people the wrong way but that is part of doing business. I have built a reputation as the man who gets things done because he I set my mind to kick ass in all I do. In going out daily and promoting who i am and what I do I have built brand awareness while also creating a buzz. I am always surprised by those who are not doing something daily to promote themselves.
Another way to kick ass is to make videos and share them across social media platforms like You Tube, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, in your blog, and on your website. I am surprised by how many times I mention the idea of having a digital footprint and people say I don’t need video and my answer is oh yes you do. It has been shown that a video will get a 15-20% higher response rate than a static advertisement. So the question is why are you not kicking ass and using video?
Getting featured in magazines and newspapers is another way to kick ass. What is your public relations and media relations strategy? I ask this question many times and I hear oh I don’t have one, I answer how do you expect people to find you? If you are not promoting yourself to the media at least once a week you may be leaving some money on the table because while your competition is advertising and having articles written about them they may be taking away your potential customers. Look for publications that reach your target audience and continue to connect with them about the great things happening in your business or the great things you are doing in your community. The magazine posted here did an article on me and my work with The American Cancer Society Relay For Life. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Wake Up, Kick Ass, Repeat!!!
I was out collecting donations for The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of West Boca Raton and I went into a nail salon to seek donations and a patron said you have a lot of chutzpah. Chutzpah is defined as personal confidence or courage that allows someone to do or say things that may seem shocking to others. I said yes I do. She pulled out a $5 bill and put it in the canister. As I left I started to think who are the most successful people in their respective industries? The answer was easy those who had a bit of Chutzpah. I looked at those who were brash and took risks and saw a pattern while others were making excuses they were taking action. I have learned that having Chutzpah can lead to success and will payoff. A few years ago I heard about The Lingerie Football League coming to my city so I sent an email introducing myself and offering my services as a public address announcer. The league wrote back asking me to call them. I called and did an audition on the phone and I was hired. I have done this on several occasions and each time I have secured paid gigs or secured donations.
In my past entry I spoke about using the phone as a tool to enhance your advertising. I was calling for donations for The American Cancer Society Relay For Life a few Fridays ago and one person said you know it takes a lot of Chutzpah to call and ask for donations. I said yes it does can I send you my link for donations and you can consider donating. The answer was yes. I emailed my link, http://main.acsevents.org/goto/jdogg2 and the person went to the site and made a $10. Sometimes it is just a matter of doing something others have not thought about. We have become so dependent on social media that we have lost the idea of using the phone and having the Chutzpah to ask for the sale or donation. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Chutzpah Pays Off!!!
In today’s market place where the idea of social media has become the main preference of doing business it is important to remember that the best way to reach your potential clients/customers is still by the personalized phone call and the face to face meeting. So many people have gone away from the idea of talking on the phone or meeting face to face that they are leaving a lot of money on the table. I find this especially true with the millennials who think oh I’ll build a website, drive traffic, and have a high conversion rate. This does happen but the point is if people do not know you and do not resonate with your message they are not going to do business with you. One must have a plan on advertising their products and services. One must formulate a plan of action to reach potential customers/clients. I talk to so many people who tell I am going to use social media especially or I have a Facebook Page. I always answer how are you capturing information so you can engage the audience. I like to get phone numbers so that I can make a personal phone call and thus start to build a relationship for people are going to do business with people they know, like, and trust. It is amazing what can happen when you make a contact via the phone especially if you state hello, this is______________________ and I am just following up with you about our previous correspondence or your inquiry via Facebook. If I do not have a phone number for the person I do my best to obtain an email so that I can reach a potential client/customer in this manner.
In using the phone you can be very effective if you have a clear defined purpose of your call. When I was selling advertising for Forum Publishing Group I had this theory that a sale is made on every call either you are selling a prospect on why they should meet with you or they are selling you why they do not want to meet with you. I found myself getting so caught up with trying to overcome objections that I was blocking myself from success so I decided to adopt the philosophy of some will, some won’t, so what, some waiting next. As I set goals to set up appointments and step back from overcoming objections I found myself setting and closing more appointments. It was at that time that I realized that it is important to be impeccable with your word, not to take anything personally, not to make assumptions, and to always do your best. When I am on the phone booking guest for my TV Show, The Anything Bucket, which airs on www.wrpbitv.com on Tuesday at 6:30 PM EST I keep it short and simple not over complicating things. My attitude is either they want to come to do an interview with me or they do not and it is not my job to drag them kicking and screaming to the WRPBiTV Studio. When I am obtaining donors for The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of West Boca Raton I have a purpose of getting a yes however if they say no I say thank you and move on to the next potential donor. The key is to understand that the phone can be a great tool to creating a buzz, brand awareness, and creating action takers. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: What A Tool!!!
Advertisement Ideas: Making Your Own Opportunities!!!
Imagine you are driving and you see this sign, how many of you would take the exit and how many of you would keep going allowing your self-talk to get in the way. So many times in business the opportunities to promote and advertise are staring us right in the face but we are so consumed with why not to advertise that we turn them down. The main key to finding opportunities is to remember you are your brand and to share who you are and what you do with as many people as possible as you never know who can benefit from you being of service and value. Exchanging business cards is a great form of advertising and when used and followed up upon will create opportunities. I remember a day I was sitting in Starbucks with my FREE HUGS Sign and a patron came to inquire about what I was doing and that person needed a speaker for her event and asked what I would charge I gave her my fee and she booked me to come speak to her organization. In sharing who I was and what I did I made my own opportunity.
Opportunities abound all around us and when we begin to seek the opportunities they will be found and we will prosper. The other day I was making phone calls to secure donations for The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of West Boca, an event I am very passionate about and have raised $1844.61 so far to help cancer patients, their friends, and their families. As I asked for a donation the gentleman on the other end started to use words like I am broke, it has been a struggle, and I can’t afford. I pointed out that these were words of scarcity and that is why he may be having a challenging time. He is a mortgage broker and I know how challenging this field can be at times, however I asked have you gone to banks, to homeowner;s associations, or other entities that can benefit from your service. His answer no those are great ideas though. I asked if he had developed informational products like an e-book, a dvd, or audio cd, that could be sold to those in the residential or commercial real estate market. His answer was no. As I hung up the phone I thought if one is to succeed in any business they need to take initiative to find opportunities. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas:Making Your Own Opportunities!!!
Today I received a great email offer for Tropical Serenity Massage and Spa who is offering a great special for every Monday in March and of course calling it March Madness. In sending this email out today they have planted a seed and I am considering going to the spa in a few weeks. In being proactive and implementing a timely marketing strategy such as an email marketing campaign you will be proactive instead of reactive in the market place and as a result increase your cash flow. I have a friend Heidi Richards Mooney who has a book Quirky Marketing Ideas that those who purchase and implement the ideas generally increase their revenue.