Advertisement Ideas: How To Build A Fan Base!!!

While I was a senior at Hofstra University in 1987 I had the opportunity to be a public relations and marketing intern with The Long Island Knights of The United States Basketball League. From day 1 I stressed how important it was to build a fan base and create a following for the team. Our arena was located about 100 from a train station across from SUNY Old Westbury. I would take stacks of tickets and simply go to the train station and ask people if they liked basketball if they said yes I would give them two free tickets. I would take this a step further and go business to business asking if people liked basketball and if they said yes I would give them tickets to an upcoming game. I would walk the SUNY Old Westbury campus and give out tickets. I would then begin to call media outlets and share The Long Island Knights with them. As the season progressed the team went from averaging 300 fans a game to over 1000 fans a game. The key was doing promotion to build a fan base.

As I reflected back on my experience with The Long Island Knights I realized that not only in sports is it important to build a fan base but is any business it is imperative to create raving fans. It is important to engage and listen and then prioritize what your fans want so that they will continue to buy your products and services and recommend you to others. We are told all the time have a unique selling proposition (USP) that differentiates you from everyone else in your industry. When I worked with The Long island Knight we had the most unique selling proposition as we had Nancy Lieberman on our team, she was known as Lady Magic and as a result we were able to showcase her in our marketing program. Nancy had many fans who came to see her play and as a result our fan base increased. We also had a great USP in the fact that our games were considered affordable at $10 a ticket. We also flooded the market with free tickets and sold the fans on the idea that they would see competitive basketball. The idea is to make the experience with you memorable and pleasurable so that people will continue to support your business and recommend you to others. Remember it is important to bring the fans in and to make them raving fans. When you can get people talking positively about you this increases your following and thus translates into more fans spending more money resulting in the strengthening of your brand. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: How To Build A Fan Base!!!

Advertisement Ideas: How to Really Effectively Market!!!

Advertisement Ideas: How To Really Effectively Market!!!

Content-Marketing-Strategy tangerine digital As I work with clients I am always asked what is the most effective way to market? I don’t think there is one methodology that is the best way I believe that an integrate approach to marketing is necessary. I think knowing your target audience is very important. It may be true that everyone may be able to utilize your product or services, however it is vital to know who your ideal client is. I have attended many networking events and everyone is busy trying to sell what they have to offer that they never connect on a cellular level and thus are not effectively marketing. One of the most effective ways to market is to listen and then find ways that you will be of service and value to clients/customers. Ask yourself what can I do to add value to the people I am interacting with. I sit in Starbucks and I listen to people and if their conversation relates to anything I am doing I will go over and introduce myself and give them a business card. Some may look at this as a strange way to market, however I can tell you from experience that by being in tune with others and introducing myself I have secured gigs to emcee, conduct a marketing consultation, and to do training. In putting myself out there I have secured donations for The American Cancer Society Relay For Life by simply sharing http://main.acsevents.org/goto/jdogg2 and my reason to relay. In sharing who I am and how I can be of service to others I have created many income producing activities that also help to strengthen my brand.

Sections-Wear-your-brand One of the most effective things you can do to effectively market is to wear your brand. Since I do many things I pick one of my projects to wear each day. if I am promoting Relay For Life I will wear my Relay For Life Apparel and carry marketing material related to Relay. if I choose to promote The South Florida Gold, a professional basketball team I announce for I will wear my Jersey or other apparel related tot he team and have free tickets to give away. Every client I have worked with has provided me with shirts to wear to promote them. As a promoter of many products and services I must decide who to promote and then have a strategy that will be effective in getting results. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: How to Really Effectively Market!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Sell Your Why Not Your What!!!

As we begin to promote ourselves we need to make less of what we are promoting but why we are promoting it. Too many times entrepreneurs and marketing executives get caught up in the what and forget the why. people don’t really care about the what they care more about the why you are doing things. When you engage potential clients/customers don’t tell them what you do tell them why you are doing it. A typical example in when I am asking people for donations for Relay for Life I always tell them why I am collecting using some of the programs that are funded when someone visits http://main.acsevents.org/goto/jdogg2 and makes a donation. I inform them of facts like we want to provide rides to and from treatments and doctor’s appointments for cancer patients through Road To Recovery which provided 380,000 rides to and from medical appointments in 2013 that number is expected to increase by 10% for 2014. The key is to let people know why you are doing something. In business it is when the customer/client buys into your why that you will have the most success with your business endeavors. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Sell Your Why Not Your What!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Get A Frickin Clue!!!

As I was out collecting donations for The American Cancer Society Relay Fir Life Of West Boca Raton as part of GIVING TUESDAY on 12/2/2014 I went into an Army Navy Surplus Store in Boca Raton. I was greeted by an elderly gentleman who has been at the store for some time as I had met him a couple of years ago while again collecting donations. He told me he couldn’t help and that the store was struggling. I kept thinking get a frickin clue man you don’t tell potential customers how bad the store is doing and how you don’t have money. I asked him a few questions as I am in the market for shorts and pants and they sell these items his attitude was oh those are military pants. He then said in a very gruff tone that he would sell me the shorts for $10 each. I may go back despite his attitude because shorts at $10 a pair are a good deal. As I left I kept thinking now I know why this store maybe struggling no advertising as they are relying on being at the same location, poor attitude, and employees coming from a position of lack. I encounter this mentality quite often and I always am left thinking the same thing get a frickin clue.

Oaktree - Spring/Summer 1987 One of my first jobs out of college was working for The Oaktree Men’s Clothing Store in The Boca Town Center Mall. I began working there in February 2008 as a Manager in Training and within 3 weeks I was the #1 sales person in the country for Oaktree. I was doing well setting sales records, building a regular customer base, and using my key contacts as a substitute teacher to promote the store. I remember the one thing that always stood out was the idea of having a positive attitude and fulfilling the customer’s needs. My manager asked me how was I able to outsell him and still do all the tasks of a Manager in Training.I simple told him to sit down and catch a frickin clue as we must have our priorities in order and find efficient ways to meet sales goals and still get the other tasks done. I told him I come in a 1/2 hour before my scheduled shift and punch in so I can set goals for my shift and take care of tasks like putting merchandise out. I gave him this example you go back to the stock room for a shirt for the customer and there are other shirts to put out get the shirt for the customer and while the customer is trying it on stock the other shirts. I left Oaktree and went to work with Merle Harmon’s Fan Far a sports apparel and collectible shop. I was bringing in sales and increasing sales but they decided to keep the manager who was married with kids as they told me I could always get another job. I thought again get a frickin clue I was the one who was doing the work and who was showing loyalty to the company. Well they didn’t get a frickin clue and went out of business. I share this with you so that when you are doing business you get a frickin clue and succeed. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Get A Frickin Clue!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Black Friday – Stop The Madness

Advertising Ideas: If You Only Knew How Black Friday Originated!!!

I do not know for sure if Black Friday had its roots in the slave trade. I checked the dates of some of the historical advertising posters for the buying and selling of slaves and they corresponded to the Friday after Thanksgiving. In the 1870’s they would advertise the sale of slaves, which brought consumers to the slave auction. They made large profits but may have sacrificed their spiritual well-being. Today consumers are targeted for consumer goods on Black Friday and as a result of the TV Ads, the radio ads, the newspaper ads and the social media ads we see that this may be working. During slave trading auctions fights would break out and people would be killed. During Black Friday now fights break out and people are killed. In both cases you are left pondering for what? In both slave trading and today’s Black Friday you are feeding the coffers of the so-called privileged few who have found a way to manipulate you and convince you to stay in a position of lack. Ask yourself am I any better off with the new shiny object than I was before I had it.

Snopes.com states that the term Black Friday does not have anything to do with the slave trade. I wasn’t there so I can only go from the evidence that Slave sales were advertised and many of the dates correspond to the day after Thanksgiving. My point here is that advertising can often be used to manipulate people and keep them in the lack mindset. Regardless of the origins of Black Friday is has created madness that has seen more people hurt than helped. Maybe we should abolish Black Friday as encourage retailers to close on Thursday and then run business as usual and thus not encourage the lawlessness of the few who ruin it for everyone.

You mean to tell me you couldn’t wait for that sexy bra at Victoria’s Secret, or the big screen TV at Walmart, or the New Nike Sneakers at Footlocker. My recommendation is to get your priorities straight and ask yourself how will your life be enhanced by the new bra, the new car, the new TV, or the new sneakers.

Instead of buying into the hype of Black Friday find something productive to do such as donating time or money to a charity. You can start by visiting http://main.acsevents.org/goto/jdogg2 and making a donation. Greed is one of the deadly sins and greedy people will be punished. The only way to stop the madness is not to buy into the hype. As a business you want to create a positive image so people will buy products from you all year round. Having people trampled at your store doesn’t do that.

Remember it is not the materialistic that matters but the spiritualistic. Imagine if you just kept consistent in all you did as a business owner all year round and did not try to manipulate the public the results you might have. Imagine of you as a consumer did not buy into the hype and manipulation the prices you would receive. My message is to stop looking at what you don’t have and be more appreciative of what you do have. When you market and use public relations properly you won’t need the hype of Black Friday or other sales to drive business as people will come to you because they know you, like you, and trust you. It is time to go back to the idea that everyday is a day to be civil to one another and to be of service and value daily. Black Friday may boost your profits but it may not boost your soul. Black Friday may move merchandise but it may jeopardize you image and good will. So think about how you conduct your business.

My message to you is to stop the madness!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Pounding It Hard!!!

In basketball when we say someone is pounding the paint it is a compliment. The mentality to go hard to the basket should translate to you in business as you need to be pounding the paint, your area to cultivate new clients/customers. In basketball we refer to the ball as the rock and when that rock goes in it is a success. Getting the rock in the paint and scoring baskets doesn’t come easy it comes with hard work, dedication, and a commitment to be better every time you take to the court. In business clients/customers just don’t appear you need a plan of action to get them and keep them.

In basketball a slam dunk excites the home crowd and energizes the team. In business sometimes you have to go above the rim and throw down a monstrous dunk to excite your clients/customers and energize your brand. Ask yourself how can I pound it hard and create a slam dunk? One way is to look at your resources like your phone. When was the last time you connected with a past client/customer to see if they needed your product or service or if they knew someone who could benefit from doing business with you. I was recently in a jewelry store and the gentleman behind the counter who identified himself as the owner was complaining how bad things were and how his sales were off. I asked what are you doing to promote your business? His answer nothing. There is your answer you can not score points and garner clients/customers or retain clients/customers if you do nothing. I suggested he take out his phone and every day call 10 clients/customers that he hasn’t seen in a while and ask them if they have gold to sell or know anyone who is looking to sell gold. His answer was I don’t have time for that. I thought wow you just told me your business is off and you don’t have time to build it. I told him my theory about pounding it hard, which is to go out and hit the streets and find the people who are in your target audience and hand them information about who you are, what you, do and why they should be doing business with you. He said no people will come I have been here for 20 years. I said thank you and wished him luck. I went down the street to another jewelry store and the owner who I knew through some of my sales/marketing jobs said to me JDOGG things are doing well I have those calendars you like. I thanked him and asked him what he was doing and he say like you always say pounding it hard, I have my street team out everyday flooding the area with fliers announcing my specials, I have people calling past clients/customers to update records, I am sending out mailers to a target specific audience, I am attending networking events, and supporting charities. I left thinking that is why one business struggles while another thrives. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Pounding It Hard!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Are You F-ing Kidding Me!!!

My phone rings today(11/10/14) and it is a woman I haven’t heard from in a while asking me about my availability for Sunday (11/16/14) as I told her I wasn’t available as I was announcing a basketball game that day I felt like saying are you f-ing kidding me. Here she was calling me 6 days before an event expecting me to be available. Then I when I told her in the future to give me more notice she said that is okay you emcees are a dime a dozen. Again I wanted to ask her are you f-ing kidding me. I am very good at what I do and I command top dollar. She asked if I would do events for what I used to charge her, which was $100. I said no as my rate for a three hour show is $300. She said we don’t pay anyone that amount of money. I told her thank you, which started a whole debate about the way I work. I told her you called me and I don’t think we will be a good fit as when I emcee I like to speak to the vendors and hand them my cards and you don’t allow this. Eventually we ended the conversation and as I hung up the phone I kept thinking are you f-ing kidding me. People if you want a good talent expect to pay them a decent fee. Another thing don’t call someone 6 days ahead of an event and expect them to be available. The reason why you may be stuck in the place where you are is because of your lack of planning. This relates to your advertising and marketing strategy as well don’t wait until the last minute to promote something create a plan and work the plan and you will see better results. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Are You F-ing Kidding Me!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Roll Up The Sleeves And Get To Work!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Roll Up The Sleeves And Get To Work!

In my business consultations I tell my clients all the time it is time to roll up the sleeves and get to work. I believe it doesn’t matter who the governor is, who your mayor and council people are, who you state senator is, who the president is because in the long run they have very little impact on your business. It is you who will determine your level of success. It is you who will find the right people to help with your marketing and media relations. It is you who will build your brand. The decisions will be yours as an entrepreneur. Sure you will delegate your responsibility but when it comes to the success of your business it lies with you and only you. If you choose not to advertise and your business slows down that decision is on you not your competition, not the economy, not your workers, and not any other outside influence. I speak to many entrepreneurs and I hear so many excuses that I say okay which are you going to be the excuse maker or the action taker? The key to have a successful flourishing business is to work on it everyday and make sure that you are creating brand awareness daily. Ask yourself how am I rolling up the sleeves and getting to work? What can I do differently?

In rolling up your sleeves and getting to work you will begin to reap many benefits like a buzz in the community, customer/client loyalty, and of course increased cash flow. I was out collecting donations recently after delivering my All You Have To Do Is Ask Presentation when I came across a jewelry store and the owner said I am not interested things are slow. Granted I look like a salesperson when dressed in a suit and tie but I am also a potential customer who can also refer people business. I said to the gentleman to bad as I could have brought you some people. He argued and said not in this economy I simply asked him when was the last time you called customers you haven’t seen in a while?His answer I don’t do that. I said okay maybe you should consider adding that to your mix instead of complaining, and I left. Think had he rolled up his sleeves and called 10 previous customers and asked for referrals he may have seen a jump in his business. When things are slow that is when you should be making personal contact with people and letting them know you are still here to serve them and asking them if they know 2 people who can benefit from you services. Remember that every encounter you have is a chance to build a stronger customer/client base and to enhance the customer/client experience. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Roll Up The Sleeves And Get To Work!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Overcoming People Who Suck!!!

In the course of doing business and promoting Relay For Life I have come across some people who really suck. These people will be the first to complain about anything and try to debate you. The best thing to do is to ignore them and then sage your car, your home, your office and remove the negative toxins that they brought into your environment. When you encounter these people who suck take a deep breath and then surround yourself with love from GOD and pray that he will guide you toward more positive people. In some cases you have to just make a decision to not interact with those who bring negativity into your life even if this means turning down their business.

The best way to avoid those people who suck is to make a commitment to avoid negativity. When negativity enters into your work place do the best you can to breath and take it as a learning experience. Recently all the political ads have taken on a negative tone so I just change the channel when they come on or I do not watch TV. In not allowing negativity to pervade your life you will find that personally and professionally your life is enhanced. In understanding that many people will find fault with what you are doing because they are unhappy with their life. I run into this all the time as I approach people to appear on my TV Show, The Anything Bucket, which airs on www.wrpbitv.com on Tuesday at 6:30 PM EST. as they will tell me all the reasons they don’t think it will work for them or how they don’t have time to come to the studio or how they can not afford to buy the clip. These excuses breed negativity so I adopt the idea that some will, some won’t, so what, some waiting, next. I have taken the no’s a s a positive to get me closer to a yes. In many cases I have come to the conclusion that many people aren’t aware that they suck and are making money despite this. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Overcoming People Who Suck!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Becoming A Money Magnet!!!

When you choose to advertise your intention of course is to create brand awareness, drive traffic, and increase cash flow. Many times a reason your business is not flourishing is because of of the attitude you have toward money. Instead of looking at advertising as an expense and taking money away from you look at it as an investment and a way of generating more money. I always say that I am a conduit for money as it flows to me and from me easily and effortlessly. I have watched all the so-called wealth experts and they all say what I have been saying for years it all comes down to how you look at money. You can come from a position of lack saying I can’t afford to do that or you can come from a position of abundance saying I will find a way to afford that. Many people in business today will cut advertising when things are slow and say I can’t afford to advertise when that is when you should be advertising. Many people in business today will say it is busy and I don’t need to advertise. Advertising should be used on a consistent basis so that you become a money magnet. The question is how do you become a money magnet?

Advertisement Ideas: Tools To Become A Money Magnet!!!

In this song by ABBA the singer decided that her plan will be to find a rich man. This is not the best plan or tool to use. The first tool you have is you and your mindset. How do you think about money?

One of the best tools we have to become a money magnet is to become a cheerful giver. Be glad that you have the money to give and to invest in advertising. By becoming a cheerful giver you will begin to open channels to receive that will bring you more money. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Becoming A Money Magnet!!!