Advertisement Ideas: Are You Kidding Me?

How many times do you tell a store owner it is all in the message? This sign should have been top and a bottom to be more specific and less offensive.

Would you do business with this guy. They got your attention however not the best tag line they could have used.

After looking at these two signs I started to think about other unique situations that make you ask the question, Are You Kidding Me? One that immediately came to mind was Wendy’s doing a promotion to help those affected by diabetes with this ad on their billboard.

This is like Kentucky Fried Chicken selling the pink buckets for breast cancer awareness their intention is good, however we all know one of the contributing factors to cancer is poor diet.

In October I delivered a mixed message as I did a promo video for Hungry Howie’s. I don’t regret doing it as it was supporting a good cause, however as I reflected back I realized this was not the message as again poor food choices lead to cancer. I use this as an example of my Are You Kidding Me Moment. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Are You Kidding Me?

Advertising Ideas: What Is Your Presence?

Advertising Ideas: What Is Your Presence

As I typed in the search on bing for the definition of presence this is what I found:

pres·ence

[ prézz’nss ]

existence in place: the physical existence or detectability of something in a place at a particular time
attendance: somebody’s attendance at an event or physical existence in a place with other people
area within sight or earshot: the immediate vicinity of somebody or something

I began to think about the question I ask to people all the time what is your presence. I ask this because it is no longer build it and they will come, it is now build it and give them a reason to come. I am currently sitting in Starbuck’s and there is a steady flow of customers I being one of them. Their presence in the marketplace and online is not by accident. People can go anywhere for coffee, however Starbucks has created the idea that their coffee is part of a lifestyle of prosperity. They have positioned themselves as the place where professional go to meet, mingle, use wi-fi, and to enjoy their coffee and other assorted items. When on sees the following logo they know it is Starbucks.

Starbucks has created a presence and an awareness through the consistent use of their logo and creating an identity. What are you doing to create your identity so as to increase your presence? Continue reading Advertising Ideas: What Is Your Presence?

Advertisement Ideas: I’ll Have a Hug and a Donut

This week there were two non traditional days celebrated that could have helped you to build your brand and increase your revenue one was on Friday, it was National Donut Day, the other was on Saturday, it was International Hug Day. I began to think how many businesses that rely on foot traffic knew of these two days and did anything to capitalize on them? I came up with an idea that if these two days are close together in 2013 that you can sponsor a campaign I’ll Have a Hug and a Donut. It could be done very simply by advertising two-three weeks prior to these days that on a certain day to commemorate National Donut Day and International Hug Day that at you place of business the first 150 people to make a purchase will receive a free hug and a donut.

There are many non-traditional holidays that you as a business can capitalize on and many are included in this book:

Introducing the 2012 Edition of Quirky Marketing Calendar The Ultimate Ebook to Promote Your Business 365+ Days a Year!

by Heidi Richards Mooney

The ideas in Quirky Marketing Calendar are TIMELESS! It does not matter when you buy it or where you start because these are holidays that occur every year! You can buy this calendar TODAY (or any day) and use it for the next 12 months (or longer)!

The 6th Edition of Quirky Marketing is AVAILABLE NOW! Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: I’ll Have a Hug and a Donut

Advertisement Ideas: Miyagi Says Focus!!!!

Pat Morita (Mr. Miyagi) teaches Ralph Macchio (Daniel Son) an important life lesson about focusing. The scene that is very poignant is Miyagi says wax on wax off focus.I used to walk around my office sharing this with my fellow staff members so as to motivate them. It worked as a great strategy.

Advertisement Ideas: Miyagi Says Focus!!!!

I was out in the community representing Life Publications today and realized just how many people couldn’t answer the question of who their ideal client was. I began to think if you do not know who your ideal client is then how can you stay focused and build your brand and increase your revenue. One particular business asked me what I was selling I said eventually I would like to put together an advertising program for you but first I wanted to know who your ideal client is so that I can see if my magazine would be a good fit for you. I was told I am not interested to which I replied sorry to hear that because outside of the advertising I believe I could have been of service and value to you. I continued to stay focused and use this approach as I continued to peel back the onion by asking questions of the potential advertisers that I was calling on. I was doing the sales calls cold, which is not something I recommend, however those that I have relationships with are already in the magazine working with other reps. As I finished making the sales calls I began to realize that their must be a focus on marketing so as to create top of the mind awareness with those that are in your ideal client profile.

Advertisement Ideas: Strategic Focus

When was the las time you sat down and did a real introspection of where your focus is and what strategic partnerships I should be focusing on? Have you looked for a strategy focus that will build your brand? Have you sat down with others to get their input on strategies? Have you sought out groups or organizations that are synergistic with your focus? Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Miyagi Says Focus!!!!

ADVERTISEMENT IDEAS: 10 Ways To Drive People to Your Business

Advertisement Ideas: 10 Ways to Drive People to Your Business

I am often asked by people I work with doing promotions and media relations, JDOGG How can I drive more people to my business? I usually answer by being creative and proactive in all your marketing. Look at the photos and you will notice that the website is prominently displayed as well as the location logo. Many times using a good-looking man or woman to promote your product works and drives business and increases sales. The following ways will help you drive people to do business with you.

10: Host a Charity Drive at Your Location– Skyline Chili in Sunrise, FL does many fundraisers for several causes and as a result gets publicity and also sees a peek in their business. This was on their website for an event done in April:

HOURS OF 10 am – 8 pm Located between Sunset Strip and Oakland Park, across from Home Depot. Continue reading ADVERTISEMENT IDEAS: 10 Ways To Drive People to Your Business

Advertisement Ideas: How To Create Multiple Revenue Streams

Advertisement Ideas: Creating Multiple Revenue Streams

I am often asked JDOGG How do you always seem to have enough money for what you want? The answer is simple I have created several ways to generate revenue. In todays economy it is important to have diversify and have many streams that produce revenue. There are several ways to create multiple revenue streams, some of them are:

1: Do a skills inventory coupled with your assets and your passion, then answer the question what problem or challenge can this solve and how can it be monetized. An example of this is an elderly women who was living on her social security check and barely making it each month. She looked inside herself and knew she was an excellent typist, she owned a fairly new computer with an up to date word processing program, she lived near a college and she began to put up fliers Bea’s Typing Service you write I type $5 per page call_______________. After a few months she began to get many clients from the college and was able to supplement her income not to worry about whether or not their would be enough money to make it. During the summer she would approach local professionals to see if they had any typing/word processing needs and would pick up more clients. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: How To Create Multiple Revenue Streams

Advertisement Ideas: Flaunt It If You Got It

What speciality do you have? How are you carry yourself? Do you walk with a swagger? Do you speak with confidence? This has gotten me to think of the adage flaunt it if you got it, not in a mean or condescending way but is a subtly in their face way.

Angie and her FLAUNT Girls attract a lot of attention as they perform at The Full Throttle Saloon during Bike Week in Sturgis South Dakota. They are used in many promotions and as a result attract many male customers to the saloon. Some may say that this is over the top, however it works. Think about it showing off your skills may be just what a potential client/ customer is looking for. By flaunting your skills in a subtle way you will begin to build strength in your brand. A few year ago NIKE Introduced Customizing their sneakers, where consumers could go on-line and design their own sneakers.Knowing they were the #1 athletic footwear in the world they flaunted their position and offered this opportunity and a s a result remain #1. Imagine if you could custom make a few pairs pf sneakers to wear while doing business that effectively represented your company. This would definitely lead to be a flaunter.

These were designed for a Dance Krew, who won MTV’s America’s Best Dance Krew and now the Jabbockeez are a recognizable brand who flaunt their talent.

After NIKE offered this program of customization others followed suit. Someone designed this from Adidas and I immediately thought if I had a burger place I would order these for my employees with the company name on them.

What a great innovative way to market your business.

Wouldn’t these be cute for The Girl Scouts to have during Their Cookie Sale? Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Flaunt It If You Got It

Advertisement Ideas: Strengthening Your Message

11,000,000 Survivors and Counting

Using Statistics to Deliver Your Message

I started to use statistics to illustrate a point to those who were being negative about The American Cancer Society and I began to think how effective the use of statistics is when delivering your message. Being armed with statistics will most likely squash any hesitation that a potential customer may have. It is not about beating them up and telling them they are wrong it is about presenting facts that will turn them into buyers. Over the last several months I have been told that The American cancer Society only lines the pockets of its employees. When hearing this I stated did you know that because of The American Cancer Society in Florida 1,578 patients received support through Reach To Recovery for Breast Cancer, that 3,186 patients were given 40,420 transportation services to and from treatments, 2,111 women restored self-confidence after treatment through Look Good… Feel Better, that 672 patients received free lodging at one of Florida’s Hope Lodges while undergoing treatment. Many time this turns a skeptic into a supporter. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Strengthening Your Message

Advertisement Ideas: Hammering The Message Home

Don’t be afraid to subtly get in someones face to hammer your message home.

Advertisement Ideas: Hammering The Message Home

I am asked all the time JDOGG how do you get people to respond to yoiur message. I always answer by hammering them, reminding them about who I am, what I am doing, and why they shoud be supporting my endeavors. Many ask aren’t you afraid that you may upset some people with this tactic? My answer is I never intend to upset anyone however many times it takes someone to hear and see the message 10 times before they react. Many times you have to put a consistent print ad out in the community over a long period of time until people react. Many times you have to air the same radio commercial for months to build your message. ON many occassions placing the same TV AD over and over will help deliver the message.

Which one are you going to use to hammer home your message. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Hammering The Message Home

Advertisement Ideas: Do You Give Good Or Bad Phone?

Advertisement Ideas: You Give Bad Phone

This blog was inspired by a recent call I made to Arts Alive in Coral Springs to follow up on a voice mail message that I left.I was told I don’t recall, thus I stated why I was calling to set up an appointment to see how I could be of service and value through marketing and advertising. I was told I have A PR Company I answered okay I am not looking to be your PR Company I am looking to maximize your message by showing you what I have to offer through Life Publications. His answer was we aren’t interested. I said no problem can I ask you I was told no you are being pushy and this is the type of call we don’t want. I hung up and laughed because oblivisously this man missed the day they taught phone etiquette.

Attention Business People!!!! This is the phone learn how to use it properly so as to attract business as you never know who is on the other end.

On another call a business owner from The Funky Biscuit stated I do not get involved with the advertising and you will have to email my partner. This always strikes a nerve as we do not have to do anything we have the ability to choose to do things. This was a real turn off. I stated okay I’ll email your partner. A suggestion I have for those answering the phone, be courteous and open to receive and never tell someone they have to do anything instead state tahnk you for inquiring about that we handle all those requests via email or please direct this inquiry to our marketing director at his/her email address. Also think about it you may be speaking to someone who has some influence in the community, like myself who has a blog and decides to share a negative expereince or a positive experience with those that visit. Those visitors may know some people who would have become customers so your one negative encounter can have a rippling effect thus remember the way you act on the phone can impact your business. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Do You Give Good Or Bad Phone?