Advertisement Ideas: Stop Making Excuses!!!

This entry was prompted by an interaction I had with someone as I offered to put promotional materials into 25 Swag Bags that I will be giving out during my presentation at The How To Sell Your Genius Tap Into You Seminar on Friday, August 29, at Broward College in Fort Lauderdale. The woman has an herbal and essential oil business who the last time I spoke to her told me how slow business was. Those of you who read this blog on a regular basis know that I believe there is no reason for a business to be slow and thus when people tell me how slow their business is I always look for ways to change that perception. I offered to put her cards and a small sample bottle into The Swag Bags she wrote me back that she was involved in many expos where she had to give gifts and would be passing on my offer. I thought okay her loss because of the 25 people who will receive The Swag Bags 2-3 may have wanted to purchase her oils and herbal supplements if they knew about her. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Stop Making Excuses!!!

Advertisement Ideas: How To Reverse A Negative Trend!!!

As I skimmed the business news today and saw that Darden Restaurants had reported a downward trend in earnings and dividends for The Olive Garden Operations I immediately thought what would I do if I was a marketing director to reverse this trend? The answer came easily step up the marketing and advertising so as to drive traffic and increase the amount of visits a patron will make to the restaurant. This thinking is the opposite of what most companies do and as a result of cutting the marketing and advertising budget the downward earnings trend continues. The key to being successful and making your share holders happy is to constantly be in front of the consumer and give them a reason to patronize your business. It is imperative to look at why your sales are off and why the dividend payouts are dropping. One key factor is inconsistency in the operational process of the business. In a chain like The Olive Garden it is important to empower the General Managers of the individual restaurants to make marketing decisions. A good general manager will know who his customers are where they are coming from and how to get them coming back. I recently had the pleasure of having The Olive Garden in Boca Raton, FL sponsor the survivors/caregiver dinner at The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Boca Raton. The district manager was very supportive and is now sponsoring the survivors/caregivers dinner at many of The Relay For Life Events in South Palm Beach County. As a result of their support this particular Olive Garden is hosting The Relay For Life Wrap-Up Party that is being supported through other sponsorships. This Olive Garden will also see more business as every participant in Relay For Life is being promoted to patronize this Olive Garden. In sponsoring community events you have the chance to reverse a negative trend.

Starbucks recently announced a price increase, which is one way to reverse a negative trend as people will pay for something they desire and perceive to have value. In increasing prices though you risk a loss of customers who may go to a competitor whose price is cheaper. It is very important to keep the perceived value in your product so that you can reverse any negative trends. Starbucks while raising some prices also maintained the perception that it was worth it. Starbucks also is running many special promotions so that the price increases will not be perceived as that bad by their customers. For Example you get a Starbucks Gold Card which allows for $.50 refills on ice tea and coffee so you pay the $.10 more for your first drink but you do a refill so you still save a substantial amount of money. In promoting The Gold Card Starbucks maintains their customer base as Starbucks customers tend to be very loyal to the brand. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: How To Reverse A Negative Trend!!!

Advertisement Ideas: How To Make Current Events Pay Off!!!!

Advertisement Ideas: How To Make Current Events Pay Off!!!

Barbara Walters stepped away from TV today after a 50 year career. She leaves a legacy of excellence and insight in the industry. As she was saying goodbye on The View I put on my business and marketing hat and thought how many businesses will capitalize on this current event and how many others will lose out on an opportunity.

Think about it whatever industry you are in you can capitalize on the fact that Barbara Walters is retiring. If you are creative you will drive business to you. Here are some ideas:

1:You have a restaurant or club you can host a Barbara Walters look a like contest and give out prizes. You could promote this in all your marketing material.

2: You have a brick and mortar business and you can host a chance drawing for Barbara Walters memorabilia.

3: You can do a Tribute to Barbara Walters and offer a special promotion like buy one item get the next item 50% off. If you are a life coach, personal trainer, or other service type business you could run a program in honor of Barbara Walters 1st session $50. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: How To Make Current Events Pay Off!!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Return The Darn Phone Call!!!

Hello Mr. or Mrs. Business Person,

Do you know what this is? It is a phone and it is an integral tool that can either enhance your business or derail it. How many times have you said oh business is slow and made excuses as to why you are not as successful as you would like to be? One reason is that you may not be returning calls to those who can be of service and value to you. I have that the lack of returning calls is very prevalent in business today.

As I sat at Starbucks today (5/14/14) working on blog entries and Relay For Life one of my colleagues, Vanessa who is building a new home, sat down and told me how hard it has been to find a shower door person and a pool person and how she has called several and none returned her calls. I said this didn’t surprise me as it has become the norm. We then got to talking about how the same people who didn’t return calls are the same people who complain about how their business is struggling. I would recommend to every business owner or organization that they print a sign and put it prominently in their office that reads RETURN THE DAWN CALL!!!! as a reminder that not returning the call can be costing them business and thus they may be leaving money on the table. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Return The Darn Phone Call!!!

Advertisement Ideas: From Conception To Inception!!!!

Advertisement Ideas: From Conception To Inception!!!

Advertising, marketing, public relations, and media relations is much like the cycle of having a child. The child is conceived and grows in the womb and then is delivered into the world. A good marketing, advertising, public relations, or media relations program takes on much of the same process as the idea is conceived and developed then presented then brought out into the world. The key is to be able to go from conception to inception so as t strengthen your brand and create brand awareness. In creating brand awareness much like in creating a baby it takes time for the idea to incubate and develop. Once the idea is put out into the world much like the new-born baby it must be nurtured and guided so that it begins to mature and thus deliver the message that you intend it to deliver. As a baby grows and begins to talk it communicates exactly what it wants. Your advertising, marketing, public relations, and media relations program should do the same.

Advertisement Ideas: From Conception To Inception Consistency Is The Key!!!

In August on 2013 I launched a TV Show, The Anything Bucket, which airs on www.wrpbitv.com on Tuesday at 6:30 PM EDT. The key to the success of the show has been that I have stayed consistent from the inception point until the inception point. There have been a few tweaks along the way as the original intro was changed to reflect the message of the show and that is to be an information source while also being entertaining for the viewers. I have interviewed many guests and have several shows available on demand at www.wrpbitv.com. The show launched with an initial viewers ship of 38,000 and today reaches over 50,000 in 145 countries. In being consistent with my approach I have been able to secure guests. In being consistent in the promotional process I have been able to utilize social media such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter to grow an audience. Having the show information on my business cards has helped to build an audience. After inception adjustment and changes will be made, however if your message is consistent you will continue to have excellent brand recognition and awareness. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: From Conception To Inception!!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Do They Know Who You Are?

Can you identify these 3? Why is that? The answer is because they have kept a high-profile and become noticeable figures in the media. Some exude a positive while others are seen in a negative image. The key is that many people know who they are which leads to the question do those you are seeking to do business with know who you are and what you do? The idea is to build recognition in your industry and amongst your target audience so that when someone sees your photo or your logo they will immediately think of you and connect with you to use your products and services. The question is what are you doing to get yourself known?

This logo is perhaps the most recognizable logo in the world. Would you believe that at one time the company was on the brink of bankruptcy. Then Phil Knight came to the rescue with a strategic marketing plan and a whole lot of venture capital along with the willingness to take risks that others would not. Phil Knight signed Michael Jordan and the company began making The Air Jordan Sneakers. The company put a lot of money into the campaign and it began to pay large dividends as Air Jordan Sneakers quickly became a high demand sneaker. Even today when a new Air Jordan is released it sells in mass quantities. After Jordan the company began to sign more and more athletes to represent it. In 2013 this company had 47% of the global market. Now you may be thinking but I don’t have the budget that this company has. You do not need a budget the size of this company to get people to know you all you have to do is find ways to be creative and proactive ways to get recognized. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Do They Know Who You Are?

Advertisement Ideas: Okay America It Is Time To Wake Up!

This is a call for all Americans to Wake Up especially business owners and non-profit leaders who are making excuses and not thriving. It is time to understand that until you all get together and work toward a common goal nothing will change. I met with a business owner today in a shopping plaza and he said my business is off because of the high price of gas? I recalled the scene from Animal House where Hoover covers his mouth and says B.S. I was tempted to do the same thing as it was just another excuse that business owners like to make. I didn’t I asked when was the last time you did an intensive advertising campaign with a specific strategy geared to not only drive business but to increase revenue? His answer I haven’t I do everything via word of mouth. Hello, time to wake up Mr. business owner. It isn’t the price of gas it is the fact that you don’t have a current advertising campaign. I pointed out that he was in walking distance to the town houses and single family homes around the plaza. His answer so. The point was if he did a targeted campaign to those people and gave them a reason to come to his business he may see an increase in business. Again it is time to stop making excuses and to take action and stop blaming gas prices and other outside issues.

I called on a business this week to invite them to come on my TV Show, The Anything Bucket, which airs on www.wrpbitv.com on Tuesday at 6:30 PM. Their initial response was you are catching us at our busy time of the year. I answered well I thought you might be able to find 30 minutes to come up to the studio and tape an 8 minute segment to make sure you were busy all year round as my show reaches over 50,000 viewers each week of which 77% are in your immediate service area. He then said he might want to come in. I said okay sound great when would you like to come do a taping. His answer I have your number I’ll get back to you. I stated okay. As I hung up the phone I thought wow another business that needs to wake up. Here a business had a chance to be on TV for 8 minutes and they had to think about it? Again another person to wake up.

The reason your business or non-profit isn’t flourishing has nothing to do with the economy, gas prices, competition, or other factors it has everything to do with you and you’re not taking advantage of opportunities. It is time to wake up America and be proactive with your marketing. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Okay America It Is Time To Wake Up!

Advertisement Ideas: Be Interested!!!!

Today’s blog post was inspired by a woman at a law office that I called on to set up a time to have the attorneys from the firm to appear on my TV Show. As soon as I said Hello This is Jonathan JDOGG Lederman from WRPBiTV I was given the worst line you can give anyone if this is about advertising we are not interested. I explained that it was about appearing on my TV Show. She told me to email her the details. I emailed her and hopefully the attorneys will see the value of doing an 8 minute segment on a TV Show that reaches 145 countries with over 50,000 viewers each week of which 77% are in their immediate market. Think about how many times you have said to someone I am not interested only to lose out on an opportunity to promote your business. The key is to show interest in people when they approach your business as you never know where it might lead.

By being open to receive especially when it comes to promoting your business you begin to create relationships that lead to more business. Think about it you do not know me I connect with you and you tell me you are not interested you lose an opportunity to reach my followers who may need your services. It is not about knowing me it is having the ability to tap into the people who I know who can benefit from your services or products. The same lady who said she wasn’t interested and asked for the email called me back as asked why would family attorney want to do my show? I felt like saying hello 8 minutes of TV time is why. She then says I never heard of you until you called us and I replied I never heard of you until I saw your but now we know of each other and I would like to be of service and value to your attorneys. She then proceeded to tell me that our website was no good and that she didn’t think the attorneys would be interested. I now ask you would you use these attorneys services if you needed them. This is the problem of business in America Today, lack of interest. This doesn’t bother me as I subscribe to the belief that some will, some won’t, so what, some waiting next. I have had many people in the studio and many have bought their clips and used them to further market themselves and thus continue to be successful. The key is to be open to receive as you never know who may be on the other end of the phone or walking into your business. By assuming the attitude of gratitude and being committed to be of value and service you will find that you strengthen your brand and increase your cash flow. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Be Interested!!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Face And Fix Problems!!!

Sometimes it is in the face of adversity that we can face a huge problem and solve it so that all who are involved are satisfied. As many of you know I recently had a situation with the owner of The Palm Beach Pelicans, a professional basketball team who did not pay me and then instead of making good on his promise to pay kept making excuses. I had the facts and the back up in my favor so I took to Facebook. He did not like this. I told him he had until a certain time to pay and he did not meet the deadline so I took action. Another person from another team decided to intervene when it was not their place to do so. I found out that there was more to the problems with The Palm Beach Pelicans than not paying me. I was told because of my complaint they lost their venue. My reply is you should have faced and fixed the problem and paid me by the deadline given. My advice to anyone who is not directly involved in the situation should stay out of the situation.

My suggestion to anyone who is hiring anyone to do a service make sure you have the money to pay them if you do not have the money then don’t hire the person. My advice to those offering services make sure you get payment upfront. I have learned in South Florida there are many people who don’t share the idea that they need to pay for services. There are those who will make promises and break those promises such as The Miami Spice, who in 2013 hired me to do 4 games. I booked my schedule and agreed that I would do the games. I did the first game was paid. I was prepared to do game 2 when I received a text message that due to financial issues they would no longer be using my services. They did not reply to my response or did they return my phone calls. So the two times I have had issues with teams is from start-up basketball programs who may have had good intentions but unfortunately lacked capital and support to take care of me as an announcer. As a result I now get payment upfront or only work with those who have a proven track record. If you run a business thinking people will just do things for free because of exposure you will fail. I am very good at what I do and I command top dollar. If you are up front with me I will work with you as long as you make good on your promise and pay me. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Face And Fix Problems!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Going The Extra Mile!!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Going The Extra Mile!!!

Last night (2/23/14) on my way home after Announcing The Palm Beach Pelicans Basketball Game I had my right rear tire blow out. I didn’t have any numbers for a tow truck service but I quickly Googled local towing services Boca Raton. I called Westway Towing and they were very nice but had no one available to come help put on the spare but suggested I call The State Farm Road Ranger and I did. The Road Ranger came out and put on the spare tire and helped me put everything back into my trunk. I gave him a tip and I went on my way. I made it home safely and today (3/24/14) I went to Gold Coast Tire and Auto Centers in Tamarac, FL. The staff there were great and they actually came in under their initial quote. As I reflected on the situation I began to think how going the extra mile and being of value and service to everyone who calls or comes into your business is an integral part of the advertising process. Though I no longer have State Farm as my car insurance carrier it was nice to see that they had this Road Ranger Service. In having this service they created good will and showed that advertising in the proper market place pays off. Think about it I now have a good feeling about State Farm and have a number to call if I experience another blow out. Westway receives a big JDOGG Shout Out here on this blog and as a result has some positive public relations. Gold Coast Tire and Auto Centers has now earned my business and will receive good positive recommendations from me as a result. When you are doing business and considering advertising keep in mind the importance of going the extra mile.

When looking at this sign think about ways you can help your clients/customers and promote that in your advertising. Seek charitable alliances that are synergistic with your business. Show compassion to all that call or come into your place of business or interact with you. If you search for what truly puts you above everyone else and promote it accordingly you will start to see an increase in brand awareness and revenue. People like to do business with those they know, like, and trust. Through an effective advertising program you can show your already existing customers/clients why they should continue to use your products or services while at the same time attracting new customers. Think about what problem you solve and then go the extra mile to solve it. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Going The Extra Mile!!!!