Advertisement Ideas: Street Walking As A Marketing Strategy!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Street Walking As A Marketing Strategy!

 In marketing sometimes you have to use the direct approach and be like the street-walker who searches for her clients by putting herself out there. I am not saying to use sex to sell, I am saying  use a direct approach to find clients/customers. Many years ago I introduced a philosophy of The 3 Foot Rule, where if someone is with in 3 feet of you talk to them and see if they may be of service and value to you and if you will be able to be of service and value to you. Like the street-walker you must have your package and your price structure in place. The street-walker displays her wares openly  and draws attention to her self. This leads me to the question as to how are you directly marketing yourself.

 I use  street walking as a marketing strategy by always having my business cards with me as you never know when an opportunity to network and share who you are and what you do with others will arise. In talking directly to people you open up new opportunities to cultivate clients/customers. In being sales oriented and always closing you begin to build brand recognition while also creating a buzz about who you are and what you do and why people should be doing business with you.  Like the street-walker who is constantly show herself off you should be in the market place showing yourself off. Though a street-walker may have many one time clients/customers she may also have steady clients/customers. The key is to attract steady customers by delivering excellent service and giving added value.  The question to ask is how am I going to keep people coming back? Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Street Walking As A Marketing Strategy!!!

Advertisement Ideas: How To Use Social Media Effectively!!!!

Advertisement Ideas: How To Use Social Media Effectively!!!

Facebook logoAre you on Facebook and are you using it effectively? This is a question I ask all that I work with as many are just posting and spinning their wheels going in circles. The fact is that your post could be great and very engaging but only 20% of your friends are going to see it. The question is how do you combat this? The answer use the events pages and send invites, direct message those that you want to receive your message, tag as many people in posts as you can.

Advertisement Ideas: A Social Media Success Story!!!

If you are an avid reader of this blog you know that I am passionate about my involvement with Relay For Life. I have tried all types of fundraising and doing general posts on Facebook to no avail. Today (5/21/2014) I decided to use a different approach and I went on my page and began to click on my friends and sent them this message:

I hope this email finds you having a great and prosperous day. I was hoping you could help me with an endeavor I have undertaken to create a world with less cancer and more birthdays. In 16 days I will be participating in and emceeing The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of West Boca Raton. I am walking in memory of my mother, Judith Miller, who GOD called home on July 5, 2012. She passed due to complications of a major heart attack while battling non-operable metastatic lung cancer. Over the years I have lost many friends and relatives to cancer and thus my way to honor them is to collect donations to support research, education, advocacy, and services. I have set up a page at http://main.acsevents.org/goto/jdogg1 where people can make a secure tax-deductible credit card donation. 100% of the monies raised are given to The American Cancer Society to help finish the fight while assisting those affected by cancer. As of today I have raised $1666.32 and sit as The #1 fundraiser for this relay.  I thank you for your support.

It worked as I went from $1662.32 raised to now raising $1797.00. That is a jump of $130.68 simply by using direct messaging. Now direct messaging all 2574 friends would take some time however if I choose to do 50 a day in the course of time I can reach those I desire to reach.

Advertisement Ideas: Using Other Social Media Outlets Effectively!!!!

Navigating the social media maze can become very arduous and time consuming thus it is important to pick the top 4 or 5 platforms that work for you. In social media these are things you should know.

Engage your audience make more about them and less about you.

 Make sure your message is relevant, entertaining, and resonating. The key is to grab your audience, keep your audience, and leave the audience wanting more. If you can give your audience information that relates to your industry to help them in their buying decision that builds credibility and confidence in you and when they are ready to purchase they will come to you before they go to your competitors. If you are involved in a charity you want to have a story that rips at the heart strings so the audience is compelled to take action.

Knowing what you want the audience to do is a big part of using social media effectively. Do you want them to visit a website and give you an email address so you can send them more information. The idea is to have social media interactions lead to a conversion rate. As I stated in the example with Relay For Life if you can engage and directly engage the audience with a strong call to action you will meet with success. It is important to reach people at a cellular level so that they will support your business and your charitable endeavors. People will support those they know, like, and trust so it is important to utilize social media to establish these 3 elements.  For example people know my dedication to Relay For Life and they see that across the social media platforms and they also see the articles that have been written about the event that I was responsible for and thus when they seek a publicity person they connect with me.

 The biggest way to make social media work is to be real. People like to deal with those who they can relate to. Share stories of success and lessons learned. Ask others to share their stories.  In creating a good social media profile and being consistent across all platforms you will effectively use social media. Stay Positive.

 

 

 

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!!!

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: Okay America It Is Time To Wake Up!

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!!!!

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: Creating A Zero Balance!!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Creating A Zero Balance!!!!

 Today was tax day and I filed my taxes through Turbo Tax. I paid the $99.99 for their deluxe package and due to the fact that $15,000 of my income was non-taxable and that id did so many free gigs and donated so much to charitable causes I came out even without having to pay taxes and without receiving a refund. This had me thinking about how is all we do in business it is always great to create a zero balance.  This is so true especially in advertising for you are putting money out to build your brand and you want to at least break even on the campaign. The key is how to take the idea of creating a zero balance to your advertising and then making a profit down the line.

Advertisement Ideas: Ways To Create A Zero Balance!!!

One of the key ways to create a zero balance is to invest in your business by utilizing platforms that will reach your target audience.  WRPBiTV is one avenue you can use to create a zero balance as you can come into the WRPBiTV Studios in Boca Raton, FL on a Tuesday or Thursday to tape a segment for my TV Show, The Anything Bucket, which airs on www.wrpbitv.com on Tuesday at 6;30 PM EDT. The segment is 8 minutes and gives you an opportunity to maximize your message. WRPBiTV offers my guests an opportunity to purchase their clip for $100 which is edited with their logo and contact information. In buying their clip guests have the chance to utilize the clip across all their social media platforms, on their website, and in their emails. Having the clip gives the guest a chance for edification and credibility to be built-in the market place. People like to do business with people they know, like, and trust. Being on TV seems to create the feeling that the viewer knows you and they will like you and as a result the trust factor is increased. Think about the concept you buy the clip for $100 an d you use in your marketing campaign and you bring in $200 in sales thus creating a zero balance as you can take an advertising expense credit on your taxes as well as the cost of goods sold credit plus your expenses for the travel to and from the WRPBiTV Studios. Thus one way to create the zero balance and still turn a profit is to come to The WRPBiTV Studios to tape an interview.

 Another trend to help you create a zero balance is to advertise in the movie theater across the screens prior tot he screenings of the film. This has proven to be an effective way to spend your advertising dollars and think when it is all said and done you can deduct the expense of designing the ad, placing the ad, and all the other expenses associated with this form of advertising. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Creating A Zero Balance!!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Open Your Eyes!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Open Your Eyes!!!

 I was shopping the other day and I stopped into a new dollar store to introduce myself and learn about their business so I could invite them to be a guest on my TV Show, The Anything Bucket, which airs on www.wrpbitv.com on Tuesday at 6:30 PM EDT. In the course of the conversation the owner told me they weren’t familiar with the area. Upon leaving I thought isn’t it important to know what is around the store you are opening so that you can plan an effective marketing strategy?  This prompted me to think about how many businesses & non-profit organizations need to open their eyes.

8x10 Plan Your Work Work Your Plan Print from bellabyte on Etsy.com The  first step to opening your business is to open your eyes and know what is around you. Know what other stores are in the area, where your competition is, what your competition is doing, what the demographics are, what schools are in the area, what organizations are in the area, and what media outlets are available to advertise with. If you are not aware of the area you are in it is imperative to get familiar with the people who know the area. In the case of the dollar store I told the owner that I grew up in the area and I know it very well and if she was open I could help with her marketing strategy. I gave her my card on Wednesday and it is now Friday and no call. The longer she waits to call the longer it will be until she has the brand recognition and consumer awareness necessary to create sustainability in the market place. Open Your Eyes!!!!

 When you vision is clear and your eyes are wide open you will see and create opportunities that you may not have been exposed to before. It is important to be open to receive for you never know when someone will come into your business with an excellent opportunity to enhance your marketing strategy. As an entrepreneurs or marketing executive it is important to open your eyes and look at the big picture for you never know how one unique idea that you didn’t think of brought to you by someone else will increase your brand awareness and potential drive profits up. Open Your Eyes! Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Open Your Eyes!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Customer Service Is The Key!!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Customer Service Is The Key!!!!

 

 As I sit in The Lou Bachrodt Chevrolet dealership in Coconut Creek, FL waiting for the repairs to be completed as a result of receiving recall notices I begin to think about the experience with Lou Bachrodt. When I came in last week I was told they couldn’t get to my car as the repairs required and I would have to come back. Today I arrived at 9:30 AM and waited until nearly 10 AM to be taken in. I told the service person that I only need the recall notices taken care of and his reply okay I guess we are not making any money on you today. If The recall repairs weren’t very necessary I would have left as a result. I am one who believes regardless if you are making money on me or not you should treat me with dignity and respect. This particular service rep is very good at what he does, however he could use some training in dealing with customers. I have always taught smile at the customer, engage the customer, and leave the customer  happy so they will share that good experience with others. As I have stated in the past one oh crap ruins 1000 at a boys. The key is to do as Dale Carnegie says is to win friends and influence people.  The fact that I knew I was going to be at the dealership all day enabled me to plan my work for the day and thus remain productive. I made plans to deliver what I promised and thus began my day at the dealership with an attitude to be of service and value to all those I come in contact with.  As I sit in the waiting area I have seen many of the employees walk by and many seem to be unhappy. This energy does not serve the dealership well an can explain why some of the customers seem unhappy as well.

 One of the employees at the dealership actually made me feel welcome as he interacted me and answered my inquiry about a power source in a very cheerful way. he was someone who gets it. He understood that what he does made a difference. Your employees can be a great form of advertising if they carry a positive attitude and interact positively with your clients.  In advertising your business make it a point to mention your customer satisfaction rate if it is high and how you do your best to make your customers happy.  The key is to deliver outstanding customer service so that when people recognize you brand it creates a buzz where people say I do business with that company and they always deliver. In creating an atmosphere focused on excellent customer service you will begin to create customer loyalty and thus enhance the customer experience. Ask yourself when you awake in the morning how can I be of service and value to those I will come in contact with today. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Customer Service Is The Key!!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Video Killed The Radio Star!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Video Killed The Radio Star!!!

 As I was sitting down to write today’s blog entry I thought of a new buzz word that I heard this week, Digital Footprint. It was at this moment that the song from The Buggles, Video Killed The Radio Star popped into my head. As I listened to the song I began to think of the transition advertising has made over the last few years. People used to look for information in the print media and now the majority of the consumers that may be looking for your products or services are seeking the information via the internet. Radio used to produce great results for musicians now it is video and internet streaming. In today’s market if you do not have videos in your marketing arsenal you will be like the radio star mentioned in this song.

 On August 1, 1981 MTV launched and revolutionized the way music was presented to the world. MTV is definitely leaving a digital imprint on the world as they now celebrate 33 years on the air. MTV took the lead and over the years others have followed suite such as VH1,  and The Country Music Channel. Being a pioneer in your field and leaving a digital important are two important components that will lead to success in your business. The old adage if you are not growing you are dying comes to mind when understanding the importance that video plays in your marketing mix. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Video Killed The Radio Star!!!