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: How To Choose The Right Advertising Vehicle

How To Choose The Right Advertising Vehicle

When I think of vehicle I think of cars, trucks, or vans. This is a vehicl wrap, which is an effective way of advertising. One of the best at wrapping your vehicle is Vinylot in Margate, FL.

As I stopped into Vinylot to see Gwen about advertising in The Coconut Creek Life magazine that I represent I started to get all these ideas about how to choose the right advertising vehicle as business have so much to choose from. A vehicle wrap can have a great impact as it is seen by all those on the road. Tee-shirts and ball caps and other promotional items work as well. The you have radio, TV, print advertising and social media. Many times it must feel like you are being bombarded and in many cases overwhelmed. The choices seem endless and they are because everyone seems to have a way to promote your business. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: How To Choose The Right Advertising Vehicle

Advertisement Ideas: How to Integrate Special Interests to Drive Traffic

How To Inegrate Special Interests to Drive Traffic

Define Your Target Audience

When you begin to advertise and market one asect to consider is how do I integrate special interests to drive traffice? When I mention special interests I am not talking about your interests but the interests of the target audience you are attempting to reach. I am very surprised by the number of so called business owners that when asked who their target audience is will say everyone. Wrong answer there is no way your business be it homebased or a brick and mortar structure will reach everyone. The key is to know your business and your best customer so as to crerate a strategic marketing plan that works.

Knowing who the bullseye is the 1st step to integrating special interests to drive traffic. One can not just blindly throw things out there in hopes to reach your target audience. You must define the audience. This is done by:

1 :Knowing who your product or service appeals to. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: How to Integrate Special Interests to Drive Traffic

Advertisement Ideas:10 Lessons Learned From The Superbowl

Advertisement Ideas:10 Lessons Learned From Superbowl

As I watched what I consider to be one of the most exciting Superbowl in recent history, I began to think what lessons did I learn?

1: The economy isn’t that bad when companies are spending $3.5 Million on a 30 second ad. Using the economy as an excuse as to not advertise just limits your chances to attract business.

2: Many people watching this game don’t have a clue about the game. I must have explained why the Brady toss from the end zone was considered grounding and thus resulted in a safety. Lack of knowledge can hurt you not only when watching The Superbowl but when it comes to advertising your business. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas:10 Lessons Learned From The Superbowl

Advertisement Ideas: Return Calls Are They a Thing of The Past

Telephones: A Key Tool to Success

In the last year and a half I have discovered that fewer and fewer people are doing business via the phone they are communicating via email, social media, and other outlets. The phone today is being used as a way to communicate through text rather than conversation. When was the last time you picked up the phone just to say hello to a client/customer and see how they are or what is new in their life. The use of the telephone is a key tool for success. Think about it when your phone rings how do you answer it or if it goes to voice mail what message are you portraying. I called someone the other day and received their voice mail it was hello this is leave a message. My suggestion is if you are using you phone for business then the message should be this is ____________ of ________________ with a little plug about your business so as to leave a great impression with the person calling, especially if that person ois reaching you for the first time. The telephone can become an awesome advertising vehicle as you can change your message on a regular basis and include your promotion/specials. You can have a short testimonial from a client/customer in your message. Another important fact is if you have on hold messages make sure you have information about your company that build credibility such as years in business, people you have worked with, and trends in your industry.

Advertisement Ideas: Return Calls Lead to Success

I have often said that when someone takes the time out to stop by your business and leave a business card or when someone calls your business and leaves a message return contact them as you never know who they may know or how they can help you. I often experience the lack of returned calls and wonder are they a thing of the past. For example I stopped by a school to introduce myself and offer my services as an announcer I left my business card and waited for a call back. After 2 weeks I called the school to be told they weren’t interested in my services and that they weren’t planning to have an announcer at their sporting events. As I hung up the phone I thought wow not a return call, no announcer for sporting events, and they wonder why their enrollment is down and their donations are down. The person who received my card probably didn’t think it was worthwhile to call me and thus lost out on an opportunity to enhance their sporting events and increase their fan base and donors. How many times have you not returned a call or reached out to someone for you didn’t think it was worthwhile? Think of all the times someone came into your business that could have been of service to your business and if you would have taken a moment to call them where it may have led. The person inquiring about working with you may be someone who is connected to others that can benefit from your product or services. For example when someone returns my call and meets with me for 15 minutes they have an ally to help maximize their message as I have a database of 170 media email addresses. Think about the person at the school that didn’t return my call and the benefit they could have had. I may have been someone looking to donate to a local school but since they didn’t call back they will never know.

Retun phone calls and contacting people who leave their business card at your place of business can lead to increbible success as you never know who someone is or what they can do for you until you connect with them. It is when youa re open to receive that you take your business to the next level. Several years ago NASCAR lost the Winston Cup Sponsorship and went looking for another sponsor. A new sales rep at NASCAR decided to reach out to SPRINT and left a message with The Marketing Director. The Marketing Director returned the call and within a few days signed on to be The Title Sponsor on NASCAR. Imagine if the marketing person at SPRINT didn’t return the call how they would have lost out on this opportunity. It may not be NASCAR calling you but it may be a well connected individual in the marketplace or someone known for networking or marketing and media relations calling and by not returning a call you may be missing out on an opportunity to build your brand and increase your revenue.

Advertising Ideas: The Art of Making Connections

When I leave a message on a voice mail it is my goal to get a call back so as to make the connection and be or service and value to the person on the other end. There is a true art to making a connection.

1: Know who you are calling- Do your homework, peel back the onion

2: Give them a reason to call you back- leave a nugget that will entice them to return the call

3: Be short and informative- The more concise you can be the better

4: Ask yourself would I return this call?

We all want to have our calls returned and we would expect that peoplewant to make connections.I was speaking to a leader of a charity and she said I return every call personally because I never know who is on the other end. she told the following to me one day I recived a call from a potential client who was seeking our services and I called to set up an appointment, it turned out he had a cousin who produced commecial videos, which led to me making a contact with the cousin and explaining that we had just helped his cousin and was wondering how much it would cost to do a video he said I’ll do it for free. We now have our video on endless loop and as a result have received more donations and been able to help more people.

The point is the next time you are left a card, a vocie message, or sent an email make the connection as you never know where it may lead.

Advertisement Ideas: Being Prepared!!!

We hear it all the time greatness is achieved when preparation meets opportunity and always be prepared. How many of us cringe at the thought of getting up in front of a crowd and speaking? When I read the other day that the # 1 fear of people in America is Public Speaking and death ranks #2, I thought of a quote I heard that means at a funeral more people would rather be the one in the casket than the one delivering the eulogy. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Being Prepared!!!