Category: Paying It Forward

Advertisement Ideas: How to Build Your Customer/Client Base!!!!!

Advertisement Ideas: How To Build Your Customer/Client Base!!!!

It doesn’t matter if you have a brick and mortar business, and internet based business, or  work from your home in each case there is a common thread needed to insure for your success. That common thread is customers/clients. When I worked for Forum Publishing Company as an Advertising Consultant I was always conscious of the # of clients I had because the more clients I had the more money I made based on the fact that the position was a commission only position. I always made every effort to have  a few smaller accounts, a few medium-sized accounts, and a few big accounts. I treated each account as an important part of my business. In selling of the advertising I became someone who would give my clients ideas because in many cases having someone like myself on the outside looking in can be a major asset as I am not so married to the business. Those that chose to listen and implement the ideas did well while those who were set in their ways seemed to struggle week in and week out. In the 2 1/2 years that I worked at Forum Publishing Group I learned a lot about the business people in my territory, which was Margate and Coconut Creek, Florida. In my initial consultation with a potential advertiser I would always ask how are you building your client/customer base? I usually knew where they were already advertising but I would ask anyway. One thing I learned was to never put down the other publications but to build up the reason they should be in my publications. In building a solid customer/client base you have to be aware of what the potential client wants.

 By finding out what your potential clients/customers want you will be able to effectively do a needs analysis and deliver what they are seeking.  I was in a recent meeting of commercial property owners and I asked them what is it they think is keeping their properties from being fully occupied. I heard answers like price, location, the economy, the banks, lack of interest. I asked when was the last time they did an interest intake evaluation? They all looked at me like I was speaking a foreign language. I explained that they all needed to ask their current tenants why they chose to rent or buy property from them, then asked what characteristics they look for when seeking office, warehouse, or retail space? I then used a case study from Jacky Smith’s Book Relevant Selling where she found out that it wasn’t price at all that led to the decision of where to lease or buy property but rather it was security as people wanted to feel they were safe when coming to the location. One landlord implemented a daily security concerns hotline where security issues were addressed as they came up.  As a result of meeting the desires of current and future tenants this developer now has 95% of all his properties full with a renewal rate of 89%. The lesson here is to find out what your target audience wants and then give it to them. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: How to Build Your Customer/Client Base!!!!!

Advertisement Ideas: How Deep Is Your Network?

Advertisement Ideas: How Deep Is Your Network?

 With the passing of Nelson Mandela yesterday I began to think about how many lives he touched for standing up for what he believed. I began to think how deep was Nelson Mandela’s network? Then I began to think of a question that many business owners must ask and that is how deep is my network. Nelson Mandela was able to touch many lives as he built a network of people who believed in what he represented. The obstacles he faced were tremendous and he rose above them. he gave up 27 years of his life as he spent those years in jail. Part of his network was his wife Winnie who kept the movement going while Nelson Mandela was in jail. Together Nelson and Winnie Mandela were a formidable couple who used the power of their network to affect change in the world. Nelson Mandela lived his philosophies and beliefs daily and if he were a brand was as well-recognized as NIKE. Mandela created a buzz because he built a network of followers who knew him, liked him and trusted him. Mandela leaves a legacy for with many lessons for us to follow. One lesson is to build a network.

Advertisement Ideas: Building Your Network!!!!

 I first learned the concept of networking as a member of The Jaycees, an organization of young men and women aged 18-40 dedicated to providing leadership training through community service to its members.  The Jaycees network was made up of  members, who made up chapters, districts, regions, state organizations, national organizations, and Junior Chamber International. These groups created a network for good. In building the network the one thing that was stressed was to share the organization with others and get them to join the organization. After they joined the idea was to provide them with services that would enhance their personal and professional lives. In building the membership I began to understand the power of building a network as each person who came into the organization had something to offer. The key to my success in the organization was my ability to share the organization with others. I learned the following that I hope will help you to build your network: Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: How Deep Is Your Network?

Advertisement Ideas: Are You Playing At Business Or Doing Business???

Advertisement Ideas; Are You Playing At Business Or Doing Business??

 I ask this question today as I have  realized that there are talkers and there are doers when it comes to business. I recently had a life coach who was teaching marketing skills to his clients in the wrpbitv studios for an interview for my Internet TV Show, the Anything Bucket, which airs on Wednesday Night at 8:00 PM EDT at www.wrpbitv.com. I offered the opportunity for him to purchase a fully edited clip with his contact information for $100 and he said he couldn’t afford to do it at this time. I chalked this up to another chump professing to know marketing and fooling those who believe his shtick. If someone is supposed to be teaching marketing and doesn’t market themselves  how good can they truly be? I asked the man are you playing at business or are you serious about doing business? He proceeded to make every excuse why he wasn’t going to buy the clip. It was at that point that I determined that I am only going to seek qualified people who are serious about maximizing their message and who understand the value of having a clip and realize that when you spend money you make money. If you are under capitalized think of a way to find capital and then invest it wisely.

 It is all about The Benjamins as with more money you can do more things like give back to the community and thus build your brand by gaining a reputation for being a civic advocate. Each year I seek donations for The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of West Boca Raton and I support those who donate products, services. and money to the cause. If you are serious about doing business you should visit http://main.acsevents.org/goto/jdogg1 and make a donation or call 954-254-8227 to donate a product or service. The publicity you receive from this type of support will strengthen your brand and in the long run help you to create additional revenue. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Are You Playing At Business Or Doing Business???

Advertisement Ideas: How To Shift From Lack To Abundance Thinking!!!!

Advertisement Ideas: How To Shift From Lack To Abundance Thinking!!!!!

 

 Today I heard it again when I approached someone about being on my TV Show, The Anything Bucket, which airs on Wednesday at 8:00 PM EDT at www.wrpbitv.com, I can not afford it. I made it a point to explain to them that there is no fee to appear on my show and that by appearing on the show they are reaching an audience of over 48,000 viewers. I did explain that I offer people an opportunity to buy their clip for $100 and the clip is fully edited with contact information, however they are not obligated to purchase the clip.  I was following up on lead and heard I don’t have the time and I though okay people you are coming from a position of lack and this is holding you back. It was after my last encounter when I hear I tried Internet before and it didn’t work that I was motivated to write this article to help all business owners and all those involved in marketing to go from a lack mindset to an abundance mindset.  Ask yourself what opportunities have I turned down and made excuses why not to invest in my business?

 Changing your mindset from lack to abundance will help to market yourself and you will begin to attract the people that are meant to do business with you. I went into a business yesterday to ask them about being on my  Internet TV Show and I asked the gentleman who is ideal client was and he said every women who wants clothes. My mind immediately went to wrong answer if you don’t know your target audience you will not succeed. I always do my best to peel back the onion so that I can frame an interview around the business person so they can tell their story and resonate with their desired target audience. Again the idea is to shift from a lack mentality to a mindset of abundance. In  knowing who your target audience is and understanding that this audience is abundant and you can reach them through various platforms you will begin to experience abundance in your business. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: How To Shift From Lack To Abundance Thinking!!!!

Advertisement Ideas: How To Choose The Correct Opportunity!!!!!

Advertisement Ideas: How To Choose The Correct Opportunity!

 How many times have you used the phrase I am not interested? How many times has your lack of interest cost you business? How many opportunities have you let slipped past you in the last 6 months that could have made a difference in your business? Each day we are bombarded by opportunities and each day we as business people must decide which is the correct opportunity? In many instances we may not have time to look at  or listen an unsolicited proposal so we blow it off and lose out on what could have been a great opportunity. Instead of blowing people off I would suggest stating to someone I would like to talk to you about this however I work on appointments to go over opportunities I have an opening in my schedule on___________ would you be able to speak to me then. A good person will answer yes I can or I have other appointments however  will leave you the information and follow-up with you.  The idea is to be open to receive information as you never know how someone can be of value and service to you. In many cases the people struggling in business are those who do not look at opportunities or seek opportunities.

 In his book Soul Currency  Ernest Chu states he asks all that he works with if they are open to receive. He asks this question as he knows that when you are open to receive more opportunities that make sense will be presented to you.  The question remains how do I choose the correct opportunity? The first factor is to see if the opportunity serves you in a positive way. The second factor is does this opportunity put me in front of my desired customer/client? The third factor is doe it make sense financially? By using these 3 factors you can choose the correct opportunity. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: How To Choose The Correct Opportunity!!!!!