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: 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: 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!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Get Energized!!!

What is it that excites you? What really turns you on? I get excited when I can share with businesses opportunities to help them maximize their message. I get energized when I am able to help someone or a business to excel. I also get energized when someone or a business is interested in helping me with my mission to create a world with less cancer and more birthdays. I get really excited when I visit http://main.acsevents.org/goto/jdogg2 and see that someone has made a donation to help people touched by cancer through research, education, advocacy, and services. I get energized when I can use my GOD given talents to help people excel. In business it is important to be energized because when you are vibrating at a high positive energy level you attract the people that can help you build and grow your business. look at how you are approaching your day and monitor your thoughts through out the day and see where you are having success and where you are having challenges? Are you so worried about being right instead of doing the right thing that you are sucking energy out of your business and thus leaving money on the table.

If you are not enthusiastic about who yo are and what you do people will not support you be it a business endeavor or a charitable endeavor. Ask yourself how am I approaching the tasks in my business and in my professional life? The old adage of how you do anything is how you do everything is true. If you are angry because you have to work and you have to spend money on advertising this will reflect in your business and personal life and thus hurt your business. Instead of saying I have to advertise say I get to advertise and by advertising I am building my brand and thus increasing my cash flow over time. If you are passionate about what you are doing people will see that and be more apt to do business with you. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Get Energized!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Using Gratitude As A Marketing Strategy!!!

I recently attended an Introduction To Gratitude Training done by Jo Engelesson who is an author and speaker who is a leader in the personal development and spiritual development industry. Her website www.tofa.us allows visitor to purchase tokens of appreciation that they can register and then pass on to those who have positively impacted their day. Jo told her story about how assuming the attitude of gratitude changed her business. I visited the site and bought 5 of the coins and have handed out 4 of them so far. Each time I have given out a token I have seen a great shift in my attitude and as a result have had a successful day. As I gave out one of the tokens of appreciation I began to think how can business owners and marketing directors and those involved in charitable work use the concept of gratitude as a marketing strategy. The answer was simple incorporate gratitude as part of the strategic marketing plan by rewarding existing customers and donors and also when procuring new customers and donors.

One of the greatest thing you can do in business or in your personal life is to express gratitude. People like to feel appreciated. In today’s world where people text, facebook, and email receiving a hand written thank you note goes a long way in making a person remember you. Sometimes the more creative you are with the thank you the better. I remember working for The NY Liberties of Major League Volleyball and asking potential sponsor’s secretaries what their favorite pizza was and then going to the owner of the team, Jerry Saperstein, and asking for a budget to send them pizza with thank you note. He said yes and I sent the pizzas and had the pizza place write a note thank you for speaking with me about The NY Liberty, Jonathan Lederman. This tactic worked and we secured a few sponsors as a result. I then began to use this tactic with reporters. If a reporter did a story about the team I sent a hand written thank you note. The idea is that using gratitude as a marketing strategy works. I would secure people’s addresses who attended games and send them a thank you note and something with The NY Liberties logo on it and tickets. This helped to take the attendance from 300 fans a game to over 1000 fans a game. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Using Gratitude As A Marketing Strategy!!!