Do you feel like you are stuck with the same unproductive cold calling techniques? Do you feel like you waste time with agents that are not productive, and find it almost impossible to get into see productive ones?
What if you could come up with a technique that would allow you to consistently talk with high-producing agents, without the fear of rejection or high-pressure sales tactics?
One way to this would be to contact several real estate agents, it does not matter if you know them or not. The only purpose of the call is to find out as much about the agent as you can. Introduce yourself to the them and do a simple, short, telephone survey.
Some of the questions you should ask them are:
How long have they been working as a real estate agent?
Do they typically represent buyers or sellers?
What are their typical activities on a daily basis?
What are their short term and long term goals?
Do they feel like they are on the track to accomplishing the goals?
What are some of the obstacles that are keeping them from meeting their goals?
What causes them the most stress in their business?
What do they need to fix it?
Notice that none of the questions are anything other than real estate related. Do not ask any questions related to mortgages or mortgage clients. You will find that instead of having to pry the information from the agents, you will not be able to get them to stop talking.
Most people have one favorite topic of conversation, themselves. There is nothing they like better than to talk about themselves and the problems their facing. Fortunately, most people never run out of problems to talk about.
Ultimately, you will receive several positive comments from the agents:
The agents will say how much they enjoyed having someone listen to them.
When the agent realizes it is not a sales call, which was stated from the beginning of the call, they will immediately open up.
Almost every survey call will end with the real estate agent asking the loan officer for more information about their mortgage services.
The survey technique is a great strategy for several reasons. It allows you to determine which real estate agents are producing at the level you require. You will gain access to the agent in a non-confrontational, non-selling situation. And it gives you an opportunity to lay the foundation for future sales presentations. Save your sales pitch for your second call. On the second call you can show them how you can solve their problems.
Does the idea of cold-calling agents, even for a survey, intimidate you? Consider approaching the agents with the survey through email. Surprisingly, you will get some response from agents.
Develop the survey into a paper-based form and give to buyer agents at closing. You will be amazed at how many agents take time to complete the survey.
When agents take the time to complete the survey, whether over the phone, through email or in person, you know which agents are receptive to you and are interested in establishing a relationship. Your simple survey will open doors, now and for a future relationship.
Source: Free Articles
Sales Tips - "How Do I Combat Price Objections?"
Salesmanship skills are extremely important in every given situation. What I want to talk to you about this week, are the benefits for those of you that are either in business for themselves, or are thinking about going into business for themselves. Whether that?s a true bricks and mortar business or becoming a commission based salesperson, it doesn?t matter, it?s all the same.
"Sell your products or services, not the price!?
See! All the smaller thinking guys will always put themselves in the bottom end of the market without even knowing it. Because they usually have a fear of one on one selling or negotiation situations. This means they?ve got to win their business on price only. Because they don?t have the ability to promote themselves as a person that?s totally believable and can instead put themselves across to people in a way that says "I?m offering you the very best price in the market place and that?s all that matters?. Rather than, "you should deal with me because I am someone you can trust, someone that you will enjoy doing business with and someone that will always supply you with the back up and support you deserve?.
The cheapest price in the marketplace, as most people are now aware, does not guarantee you value for money. To give you an example, say I pay $60 for a cheap no name DVD player which at the time seems like a bargain, right! What about if I told you that DVD player will break down after a thousand hours of use. What about the DVD player that has a great reputation, is well known for it?s high quality support and cost $90 instead of $60 and could give you 2000 hours of usage before it broke down. Which one do you think is the better deal?
This brings up a great point, and that is, you have to sell! You have to give the client all the facts and not just the figures, because that is what selling is all about. Can you now see why price is not the only factor and how it is your job to educate the buyer through salesmanship? Price really becomes irrelevant. Your selling the idea, your selling so many things, and don?t forget you?re also selling yourself.
So the better you are at selling and negotiating, the better the prices you will be able to command.
The point of this newsletter comes back to our motto of "Success Through Failure?, which stands for you not being afraid to go out there and give it a go. Make some mistakes, build your confidence up, enhance your selling and negotiation skills, and build a successful business. If you don?t, you will have to rely on winning on price alone, and that will be a long, painful journey.
Your mission for this week:
1. Find out everything that your product or service has that the competition doesn?t have.
2. Then, ask your existing customers what it is about your product or service that is appealing and what initially attracted them to you.
3. Find a way to promote your product or service in a way that makes it impossible for your competitors to compare it to, and this will help eliminate price comparisons.
4. Highlight all these facts to your potential customers.
5. Go and make lots of sales this week.
Source: Free Articles
"Sell your products or services, not the price!?
See! All the smaller thinking guys will always put themselves in the bottom end of the market without even knowing it. Because they usually have a fear of one on one selling or negotiation situations. This means they?ve got to win their business on price only. Because they don?t have the ability to promote themselves as a person that?s totally believable and can instead put themselves across to people in a way that says "I?m offering you the very best price in the market place and that?s all that matters?. Rather than, "you should deal with me because I am someone you can trust, someone that you will enjoy doing business with and someone that will always supply you with the back up and support you deserve?.
The cheapest price in the marketplace, as most people are now aware, does not guarantee you value for money. To give you an example, say I pay $60 for a cheap no name DVD player which at the time seems like a bargain, right! What about if I told you that DVD player will break down after a thousand hours of use. What about the DVD player that has a great reputation, is well known for it?s high quality support and cost $90 instead of $60 and could give you 2000 hours of usage before it broke down. Which one do you think is the better deal?
This brings up a great point, and that is, you have to sell! You have to give the client all the facts and not just the figures, because that is what selling is all about. Can you now see why price is not the only factor and how it is your job to educate the buyer through salesmanship? Price really becomes irrelevant. Your selling the idea, your selling so many things, and don?t forget you?re also selling yourself.
So the better you are at selling and negotiating, the better the prices you will be able to command.
The point of this newsletter comes back to our motto of "Success Through Failure?, which stands for you not being afraid to go out there and give it a go. Make some mistakes, build your confidence up, enhance your selling and negotiation skills, and build a successful business. If you don?t, you will have to rely on winning on price alone, and that will be a long, painful journey.
Your mission for this week:
1. Find out everything that your product or service has that the competition doesn?t have.
2. Then, ask your existing customers what it is about your product or service that is appealing and what initially attracted them to you.
3. Find a way to promote your product or service in a way that makes it impossible for your competitors to compare it to, and this will help eliminate price comparisons.
4. Highlight all these facts to your potential customers.
5. Go and make lots of sales this week.
Source: Free Articles
How To Reduce Your Competition at Trade Shows and Expos
There is an easy and fast way to get more new customers and increase your profits by participating in Trade Shows, Expos, Fairs, Festivals, Seminars, Exhibitions, Conventions, Conferences and Swap Meets. Unlike chasing down over used cold call leads, all of these events bring your target market directly to you. These people are already interested in your products and services. You just have to do your part to close the sale.
You can even reduce your competition. Just like in Baseball, you have three bases to cover. If you are willing to step up to the plate and do it right, you can hit a Home Run. Here is the line up:
1st Base - You need a high number of people attending the event.
2nd Base - You need to Brand your business for success.
3rd Base - You need indirect cross over interest.
Here are the details for each one.
1st Base - All you have to do is find out the number of people who attended this same event in the past. You should look for established, creditable events with a few thousand people attending. If attendance is too low, the whole thing may end up being a complete waste of your time, money and effort.
2nd Base - It is very important that you Brand your business for success so that people will remember your company over your competition. The good thing about branding your business is that there are some branding techniques that do not cost you one penny more than what you are already investing in your business.
3rd Base - Some Expos are for all businesses in general. The good part is everybody is allowed to participate. Nothing is censored. The problem is that many of the people who attend may not be your target market.
Other Expos have specific themes and are targeted to one particular industry. The good part is you will be in direct contact with interested people who are your target market coming up to you. The problem is that numerous other companies selling the same products and services as you will be there also competing with you.
There is a solution. Your first and primary concern should be if the event that is targeting a specific industry will allow a business like yours to participate. Once you get past that, as an Exhibitor you should think in terms of indirect cross over interest. This will reduce or possibly eliminate your competition, but at the same time you will still have the advantage of doing business with your target market.
You have to be willing to position yourself half way between the obvious and the inappropriate. The reason this will work for you is because some businesses, including many of you own competitors, would rather lose money than to be in an uncomfortable atmosphere.
Examples of the Obvious Expos include:
Travel - with Travel Agents, Airlines, Hotel, Rental Car Companies
Real Estate - with Brokers, Banks, Appraisers, Mortgage Companies
Technology - with Computers, Software, Internet Services
Car Show - with Dealers, Car Accessories, Polish, Wax, Wheels etc.
Examples of Inappropriate Expos include:
Art - with Gardening Products
Sewing and Needle Point - with Fishing Gear
Boat Show - with Infant Toys and Clothes
Health and Fitness - with a Bakery and Ice Cream Parlor
To find the half way point, you just have to know when to expand your possibilities and where to draw the line. It is reasonable to expect a significant number of people in your target market attend events when you already know in advance that certain industries at the Expos want, need and use your products and services. People may use things for their business or for their personal lives.
Here are some examples:
Computer Store owners and Web Designers do not have to limit themselves to only Technology Shows because almost all businesses and individuals use computers, software, get upgrades, need repairs and want internet services.
Travel Agents and Luggage Companies do not have to limit themselves to only Travel Shows because many people have both businesses and personal Travel needs.
There are many other business that sell products and services with general interest that most companies and individuals want, need and use. Other examples include Office Supplies and Equipment Stores, Communications, Transportation, Insurance, Legal, Tax, Accounting, Printing Shops and Secretarial Services. Of course these are just a few. There are many more. If your business is in any of these categories then most of the time your business will appropriately fit into just about any Expo or Trade Show.
Home Run - It looks like you made it around all three of the bases. The results are you get more new customers, less competition, people will remember your products and services over your competitors and you will make more money.
Source: Free Articles
You can even reduce your competition. Just like in Baseball, you have three bases to cover. If you are willing to step up to the plate and do it right, you can hit a Home Run. Here is the line up:
1st Base - You need a high number of people attending the event.
2nd Base - You need to Brand your business for success.
3rd Base - You need indirect cross over interest.
Here are the details for each one.
1st Base - All you have to do is find out the number of people who attended this same event in the past. You should look for established, creditable events with a few thousand people attending. If attendance is too low, the whole thing may end up being a complete waste of your time, money and effort.
2nd Base - It is very important that you Brand your business for success so that people will remember your company over your competition. The good thing about branding your business is that there are some branding techniques that do not cost you one penny more than what you are already investing in your business.
3rd Base - Some Expos are for all businesses in general. The good part is everybody is allowed to participate. Nothing is censored. The problem is that many of the people who attend may not be your target market.
Other Expos have specific themes and are targeted to one particular industry. The good part is you will be in direct contact with interested people who are your target market coming up to you. The problem is that numerous other companies selling the same products and services as you will be there also competing with you.
There is a solution. Your first and primary concern should be if the event that is targeting a specific industry will allow a business like yours to participate. Once you get past that, as an Exhibitor you should think in terms of indirect cross over interest. This will reduce or possibly eliminate your competition, but at the same time you will still have the advantage of doing business with your target market.
You have to be willing to position yourself half way between the obvious and the inappropriate. The reason this will work for you is because some businesses, including many of you own competitors, would rather lose money than to be in an uncomfortable atmosphere.
Examples of the Obvious Expos include:
Travel - with Travel Agents, Airlines, Hotel, Rental Car Companies
Real Estate - with Brokers, Banks, Appraisers, Mortgage Companies
Technology - with Computers, Software, Internet Services
Car Show - with Dealers, Car Accessories, Polish, Wax, Wheels etc.
Examples of Inappropriate Expos include:
Art - with Gardening Products
Sewing and Needle Point - with Fishing Gear
Boat Show - with Infant Toys and Clothes
Health and Fitness - with a Bakery and Ice Cream Parlor
To find the half way point, you just have to know when to expand your possibilities and where to draw the line. It is reasonable to expect a significant number of people in your target market attend events when you already know in advance that certain industries at the Expos want, need and use your products and services. People may use things for their business or for their personal lives.
Here are some examples:
Computer Store owners and Web Designers do not have to limit themselves to only Technology Shows because almost all businesses and individuals use computers, software, get upgrades, need repairs and want internet services.
Travel Agents and Luggage Companies do not have to limit themselves to only Travel Shows because many people have both businesses and personal Travel needs.
There are many other business that sell products and services with general interest that most companies and individuals want, need and use. Other examples include Office Supplies and Equipment Stores, Communications, Transportation, Insurance, Legal, Tax, Accounting, Printing Shops and Secretarial Services. Of course these are just a few. There are many more. If your business is in any of these categories then most of the time your business will appropriately fit into just about any Expo or Trade Show.
Home Run - It looks like you made it around all three of the bases. The results are you get more new customers, less competition, people will remember your products and services over your competitors and you will make more money.
Source: Free Articles
How To Avoid Burning Money On Advertising
Advertising. Curse? Money hole? Or powerful venue?
It seems so obvious: where else, for a few hundred dollars, could you get in front of thousands of people? And it's true that many of them are really wanting what you're offering.
Unfortunately, the vast majority of advertising ends up being good to wrap fish in, and not much else. People cry up "But it's getting me exposure," and that's true, to a point. However, is it really increasing sales? Is it really getting people the help they need?
Every time I look through a newspaper, especially the alternative papers, I see so many ads, and my heart feels a little sad. Because I know behind most of those ads there is a jewel of a human being, really wanting to help. But the ad isn't making the connection at all.
Let's think about it for a minute before you rush to get your hard-earned money in before the publication deadline. What's going on for the person reading the newspaper?
First: they've seen it all before. Second: your offer is probably between the 100th and 1000th (literally) that they've seen today. Third: even if they are an ideal prospect for you, they are probably thinking about something other than your business.
Because of this overwhelm, most advertisers try to keep turning the volume up higher and higher. I just opened up an alternative magazine randomly to a two page spread of ads. Out of 16 ads, 12 of them have some "special offer" of one sort or another. And 14 of them are making a direct pitch to have you "schedule an appointment" or otherwise buy something now. Of the other two, one is a restaurant, and the other doesn't make any kind of offer at all.
Does it work? No, it doesn't work. I've called people to find out how their ads were working for them, and they told me: "I get a couple of calls from it, maybe."
Remember that people only buy when they feel safe enough- when the relationship has built to the point where they can trust their initial attraction.
Here's the foundation you need to make your ad effective:
Know the Three Journeys.
The First Journey is when a stranger becomes interested in your business, and chooses to become a prospect. A prospect who is looking for gold in your business.
The Second Journey is when that prospect spends time in direct relationship with your business, and when they see enough gold, they become a customer.
The Third Journey is when they've had an ecstatic experience as a customer, and want to help other people find the gold, so they become a raving fan.
Advertising is First Journey marketing. Your only goal in advertising should be to show enough gold to get them to want to be a prospect. Forget about selling them anything.
How do you show them the gold??
Keys to Effective Advertising
Talk to one person, and call their name.
On a crowded Manhattan street, elbow-to-elbow with a sea of people, I still heard someone speak in a conversational voice- "Mark." I turned my head around. Of course they were talking to someone else, but it still caught my attention.
Your ad needs to speak to one person, and call their name. In marketing, the next best thing to a personal name is your Who and What. "Golfers"=who "is knee pain affecting your swing?"= what.
Educate them in a helpful way.
If you have room, take the time to maybe explain one point that will be helpful for them in the problem they are facing. For smaller ads you can just point them towards a web page where you want to educate them about something helpful.
For instance: "Most pain is actually caused by stress. Stopping the stress means decreasing or stopping the pain. Right now, just notice your knee pain. See if you can notice where your legs and hips feel tense, and breathe into the tension. As it relaxes, see how the pain feels." If you have more space, you can go into more detail.
Offer a trade: their contact information for something valuable.
Of course, your knee pain isn't gone completely. This is just a clue. If you'd like a free article, with illustrations, on how to decrease knee pain and help your swing, just go to (place link to golf knee pain web site here). And, we'll give you an additional golf swing tip every week."
Finally, don't ignore design.
Keep it simple. In a loud, overcrowded world, simplicity and straightforwardness have the best chance of being noticed. Use plenty of white space. Easy-to-read fonts, avoid cursive or fancy fonts, and avoid complicated patterns.
Try Robin Williams (not THAT Robin Williams) book, The Non-Designer's Design Book.
Have fun with your advertising.
Source: Free Articles
It seems so obvious: where else, for a few hundred dollars, could you get in front of thousands of people? And it's true that many of them are really wanting what you're offering.
Unfortunately, the vast majority of advertising ends up being good to wrap fish in, and not much else. People cry up "But it's getting me exposure," and that's true, to a point. However, is it really increasing sales? Is it really getting people the help they need?
Every time I look through a newspaper, especially the alternative papers, I see so many ads, and my heart feels a little sad. Because I know behind most of those ads there is a jewel of a human being, really wanting to help. But the ad isn't making the connection at all.
Let's think about it for a minute before you rush to get your hard-earned money in before the publication deadline. What's going on for the person reading the newspaper?
First: they've seen it all before. Second: your offer is probably between the 100th and 1000th (literally) that they've seen today. Third: even if they are an ideal prospect for you, they are probably thinking about something other than your business.
Because of this overwhelm, most advertisers try to keep turning the volume up higher and higher. I just opened up an alternative magazine randomly to a two page spread of ads. Out of 16 ads, 12 of them have some "special offer" of one sort or another. And 14 of them are making a direct pitch to have you "schedule an appointment" or otherwise buy something now. Of the other two, one is a restaurant, and the other doesn't make any kind of offer at all.
Does it work? No, it doesn't work. I've called people to find out how their ads were working for them, and they told me: "I get a couple of calls from it, maybe."
Remember that people only buy when they feel safe enough- when the relationship has built to the point where they can trust their initial attraction.
Here's the foundation you need to make your ad effective:
Know the Three Journeys.
The First Journey is when a stranger becomes interested in your business, and chooses to become a prospect. A prospect who is looking for gold in your business.
The Second Journey is when that prospect spends time in direct relationship with your business, and when they see enough gold, they become a customer.
The Third Journey is when they've had an ecstatic experience as a customer, and want to help other people find the gold, so they become a raving fan.
Advertising is First Journey marketing. Your only goal in advertising should be to show enough gold to get them to want to be a prospect. Forget about selling them anything.
How do you show them the gold??
Keys to Effective Advertising
Talk to one person, and call their name.
On a crowded Manhattan street, elbow-to-elbow with a sea of people, I still heard someone speak in a conversational voice- "Mark." I turned my head around. Of course they were talking to someone else, but it still caught my attention.
Your ad needs to speak to one person, and call their name. In marketing, the next best thing to a personal name is your Who and What. "Golfers"=who "is knee pain affecting your swing?"= what.
Educate them in a helpful way.
If you have room, take the time to maybe explain one point that will be helpful for them in the problem they are facing. For smaller ads you can just point them towards a web page where you want to educate them about something helpful.
For instance: "Most pain is actually caused by stress. Stopping the stress means decreasing or stopping the pain. Right now, just notice your knee pain. See if you can notice where your legs and hips feel tense, and breathe into the tension. As it relaxes, see how the pain feels." If you have more space, you can go into more detail.
Offer a trade: their contact information for something valuable.
Of course, your knee pain isn't gone completely. This is just a clue. If you'd like a free article, with illustrations, on how to decrease knee pain and help your swing, just go to (place link to golf knee pain web site here). And, we'll give you an additional golf swing tip every week."
Finally, don't ignore design.
Keep it simple. In a loud, overcrowded world, simplicity and straightforwardness have the best chance of being noticed. Use plenty of white space. Easy-to-read fonts, avoid cursive or fancy fonts, and avoid complicated patterns.
Try Robin Williams (not THAT Robin Williams) book, The Non-Designer's Design Book.
Have fun with your advertising.
Source: Free Articles
Understanding The "Green" Movement in Your Marketing Efforts
Companies, cities and individuals are getting involved in the green movement. They are doing there part to keep the environment healthier by reducing humans' impact on the land, using recycled metals and nontoxic substances, organic gardening, adding more green space, building using environmentally friendly materials and more.
An increasing number of businesses are beginning to see it as a market advantage, especially when you consider organic foods is one of the fastest growing markets.
Here are some reasons that organizations and businesses have moved in that direction:
* Employees care
o According to a recent survey by progressive community network Care2, 48 percent of employees say they would work for less pay, if they could work for a socially responsible company. And they would work hard; according to the survey 40 percent of employees would be willing to work longer hours for a job at a socially responsible company.
* Research dictates they need to be concerned
o Turner Construction company conducted a study that revealed more than 70% of executives believe that green buildings enhance student performance.
* Environmental groups are forcing companies to become more responsible
* Due to pressure from environmental groups, now the top 30 banks have stopped funding environmentally and socially irresponsible corporations and have become more "green."
* Competition from other environmental activities pressures companies to change their marketing initiatives
* Levi's is introducing its 100% organic jeans this fall.
* Nike is making organic sportswear and talking about becoming a responsible citizen.
* A growing number of retailers are experimenting with more environmentally sensitive and energy efficient stores.
* McDonald's started serving Fair Trade Certified(tm) coffee in 658 of its restaurants in New England and Albany, NY. These locations switched 100 percent of their coffee products over to Fair Trade Certified(tm) organic coffee from Newman's Own Organics, roasted by Green Mountain Coffee Roasters. They started this as a regional launch and with a goal of expanding it across the country.
Even more so, companies are starting to recognize that they need to be concerned with the triple bottom line-how they make decisions based upon the economic, environmental and social impact.
Unfortunately, the majority of people believe that green marketing refers solely to the promotion or advertising of products with environmental characteristics. This is only part of the equation. Green marketing incorporates a broad range of activities, including product modification, changes to the production process, packaging changes, as well as modifying advertising.
Here are some of the things you can do to incorporate the green movement into your marketing efforts:
* When manufacturing your products - consider using recycled materials for packaging and incorporating organic fibers or other materials. Once you have changed the way you manufacture, then make sure to make people aware that your product packaging or materials are made using natural materials that do not harm the environment.
* When renovating or building new - consider choosing alternative, environmentally sound building materials and using more insulation to minimize energy use. Make people aware that you're a company who practices socially responsibility.
* Designate a place to recycle for both your internal and external employees as Staples does. They promote recycling programs at its stores for printer cartridges and consumer electronics.
* Identify local and global causes where your company and employees can get involved and make a difference in the environment. o Consider the efforts of Clif Bar Co., which was aware of scientific predictions of global warming and how it would diminish the snowpack by up to 70 percent in western U.S. coastal mountains over the next 50 years. Last winter, it launched a campaign to help ski resorts, skiers and snowboarders combat global warming. Research dictate consumers care about the environment. Even in the Midwest, consumers feel the same-eight-four percent of general consumer population indicate they care about protecting the environment, according to the Ohio Health and Wellness Research Report(c), a research report by The Marketing Insider found in its August 2005 survey of 1,100 consumers in Ohio. They want to know that companies care as well and the only way they can know is if you tell your story.
Source: Free Articles
An increasing number of businesses are beginning to see it as a market advantage, especially when you consider organic foods is one of the fastest growing markets.
Here are some reasons that organizations and businesses have moved in that direction:
* Employees care
o According to a recent survey by progressive community network Care2, 48 percent of employees say they would work for less pay, if they could work for a socially responsible company. And they would work hard; according to the survey 40 percent of employees would be willing to work longer hours for a job at a socially responsible company.
* Research dictates they need to be concerned
o Turner Construction company conducted a study that revealed more than 70% of executives believe that green buildings enhance student performance.
* Environmental groups are forcing companies to become more responsible
* Due to pressure from environmental groups, now the top 30 banks have stopped funding environmentally and socially irresponsible corporations and have become more "green."
* Competition from other environmental activities pressures companies to change their marketing initiatives
* Levi's is introducing its 100% organic jeans this fall.
* Nike is making organic sportswear and talking about becoming a responsible citizen.
* A growing number of retailers are experimenting with more environmentally sensitive and energy efficient stores.
* McDonald's started serving Fair Trade Certified(tm) coffee in 658 of its restaurants in New England and Albany, NY. These locations switched 100 percent of their coffee products over to Fair Trade Certified(tm) organic coffee from Newman's Own Organics, roasted by Green Mountain Coffee Roasters. They started this as a regional launch and with a goal of expanding it across the country.
Even more so, companies are starting to recognize that they need to be concerned with the triple bottom line-how they make decisions based upon the economic, environmental and social impact.
Unfortunately, the majority of people believe that green marketing refers solely to the promotion or advertising of products with environmental characteristics. This is only part of the equation. Green marketing incorporates a broad range of activities, including product modification, changes to the production process, packaging changes, as well as modifying advertising.
Here are some of the things you can do to incorporate the green movement into your marketing efforts:
* When manufacturing your products - consider using recycled materials for packaging and incorporating organic fibers or other materials. Once you have changed the way you manufacture, then make sure to make people aware that your product packaging or materials are made using natural materials that do not harm the environment.
* When renovating or building new - consider choosing alternative, environmentally sound building materials and using more insulation to minimize energy use. Make people aware that you're a company who practices socially responsibility.
* Designate a place to recycle for both your internal and external employees as Staples does. They promote recycling programs at its stores for printer cartridges and consumer electronics.
* Identify local and global causes where your company and employees can get involved and make a difference in the environment. o Consider the efforts of Clif Bar Co., which was aware of scientific predictions of global warming and how it would diminish the snowpack by up to 70 percent in western U.S. coastal mountains over the next 50 years. Last winter, it launched a campaign to help ski resorts, skiers and snowboarders combat global warming. Research dictate consumers care about the environment. Even in the Midwest, consumers feel the same-eight-four percent of general consumer population indicate they care about protecting the environment, according to the Ohio Health and Wellness Research Report(c), a research report by The Marketing Insider found in its August 2005 survey of 1,100 consumers in Ohio. They want to know that companies care as well and the only way they can know is if you tell your story.
Source: Free Articles
Loan Officer Marketing: Standing Out From the Competition
Do you have the same services as other mortgage companies? Chances are, if your mortgage services are the same, your marketing tools probably look just like every other mortgage company.
If you expect your mortgage business to stand out from the competition, you need to stop marketing the same way your competition does. Unless you figure out a way to differentiate your services there's no way the client will be able to tell the difference between you and every other mortgage company.
When you look the same as your competition, you run the risk of:
? Paralyzing the client. When it's not possible to differentiate, the client tends to procrastinate making a decision. There are just too many choices and not enough information to help make the decision.
? Forcing a decision based on price. When all things look equal, most clients will fall back on pricing alone to make their decision. You don't want to get in a bidding war with another company - there's always someone willing to go lower in price.
So, how exactly do you go about separating yourself from the rest of the pack? Shine the spotlight on how you are different.
? What's your daily special? Does your marketing sink under its own weight? If you are offering everything but the kitchen sink, you probably have too much on the menu. Look at the advertisements that appeal to you - are they simple ads with few words and lots of images? That's what will appeal to your clients - they want clear, uncluttered messages that can be quickly read. Give them one single message and keep changing it.
? What's your value? Why should the client want to talk with you? Give them something of value, like a free report. Something as simple as "5 Steps To Saving For a Home." The report may be in part an advertising report for your business, but it's also informative and helps the client make decisions.
? Use side-by-side comparisons. When you talk about your products, show different options for the products - for instance, show three different examples of an Interest Only loan. Show how the product varies with different scenarios, how cash flow is affected, the difference in 1, 3 and 5-year return on investment, etc.
? Develop an infomercial. Infomercials may at times seem unbelievable, but they reel us in with their personal story. Create your personal story to show why your services are the premiere choice. Use testimonials, show how you solved problems, and get happy feedback from satisfied clients.
Once you make the effort to show clients how you solve problems and are different from the rest of the competition, you'll find you have an opening in a very crowded and competitive industry. You're not like every other guy in the mortgage industry, and it's time to show the client just how different you are.
Source: Free Articles
If you expect your mortgage business to stand out from the competition, you need to stop marketing the same way your competition does. Unless you figure out a way to differentiate your services there's no way the client will be able to tell the difference between you and every other mortgage company.
When you look the same as your competition, you run the risk of:
? Paralyzing the client. When it's not possible to differentiate, the client tends to procrastinate making a decision. There are just too many choices and not enough information to help make the decision.
? Forcing a decision based on price. When all things look equal, most clients will fall back on pricing alone to make their decision. You don't want to get in a bidding war with another company - there's always someone willing to go lower in price.
So, how exactly do you go about separating yourself from the rest of the pack? Shine the spotlight on how you are different.
? What's your daily special? Does your marketing sink under its own weight? If you are offering everything but the kitchen sink, you probably have too much on the menu. Look at the advertisements that appeal to you - are they simple ads with few words and lots of images? That's what will appeal to your clients - they want clear, uncluttered messages that can be quickly read. Give them one single message and keep changing it.
? What's your value? Why should the client want to talk with you? Give them something of value, like a free report. Something as simple as "5 Steps To Saving For a Home." The report may be in part an advertising report for your business, but it's also informative and helps the client make decisions.
? Use side-by-side comparisons. When you talk about your products, show different options for the products - for instance, show three different examples of an Interest Only loan. Show how the product varies with different scenarios, how cash flow is affected, the difference in 1, 3 and 5-year return on investment, etc.
? Develop an infomercial. Infomercials may at times seem unbelievable, but they reel us in with their personal story. Create your personal story to show why your services are the premiere choice. Use testimonials, show how you solved problems, and get happy feedback from satisfied clients.
Once you make the effort to show clients how you solve problems and are different from the rest of the competition, you'll find you have an opening in a very crowded and competitive industry. You're not like every other guy in the mortgage industry, and it's time to show the client just how different you are.
Source: Free Articles
Trade Show Handouts that Stick Around After the Show
When planning your trade show marketing program, one of the important things to consider is the series of handouts you will make available to your booth visitors. Full color printed materials are by far your best bet when it comes to trade show handouts. But how do you maximize the impact of such a traditional item?
You've spent significant money on staff training, beautiful graphics, and a professionally designed display. The traffic is pouring through your booth. But will they still remember you tomorrow?
Let's face it, you only have two chances to make your message stick with your booth visitors: your follow-up strategy, and your handouts. Will your handouts make it past the waste basket? Are they an integral part of your follow-up strategy?
Let's be clear here. We're not talking about handing out sexy things like cds, yoyos, ball caps, t-shirts, or beer mugs. Those things have their place, but this is not it. Right now we're talking about getting a piece of product literature into the hands of your prospects and hoping it doesn't get chucked into the garbage can just outside the exhibition hall.
** Why product literature?
Product literature is always the "go to" handout because printed pieces of paper or card stock are cheap. And done correctly they can be more effective, have more staying power, and certainly communicate more about your actual product than things like hats or pens.
So what makes a memorable piece of product literature -- one that a prospective customer will keep? Here are a few suggestions.
** Don't be cheap when it comes to graphic design
A cheap one colour flier may save you money in the short run, but it is much more likely to be pitched into the waste basket. On the other hand, you probably don't need an expensive multi-page brochure. The first one is "underkill", and the second is "overkill". Do an attractive, simple advertising piece that has catchy graphics and a clear statement of "the pitch".
** Use full colour and use striking photographs
Create a striking headline and don't just do a description of the product. Create a "benefit-rich" statement that focuses on some significant customer-oriented benefit of your product.
For example, you can create a headline that says "Powerful Front End Loaders from Mega Loaders", or you can say, "Get the Job Done in Record Time for Half the Price." Which one would you look at?
** Content matters - make a substantial offer
By content we mean the pitch...the offer. Create an offer they cannot discard or ignore. Give something substantial away if they fill in an inquiry form. Or tie your offer in with your website. Create a valuable special offer they can only access online. Put it in the form of a "valuable coupon", something like this:
"Get $40 off your next purchase when your register on line."
This encourages your prospects to keep the handout, and also encourages them to respond by going to your website and having another close look at your special offer. What could be better? An automatic followup strategy.
** Give them something they will keep
Often a business card is the best. Everybody keeps business cards. Often we keep them long after the person has left the company or the company has ceased to exist. Most of us have a little (or big) pile of business cards. And some of us have a drawer full of them. A few of us even have them carefully sorted in a Rolodex.
Make your business card stand out from the crowd. Spend a little extra and do it in full color. Put a photo of your product on it, or use a striking photo that illustrates the benefits of your product. This says "credibility" -- "this company is for real".
In other words, business cards -- especially full color cards -- are good. You might even consider a "double whammy" full color perforated post card / business card combination. The 3.5" x 6" (or whatever) postcard contains a coupon type offer, and the attached (perforated) business card can be neatly torn off and kept in your pile, drawer, or Rolodex.
Remember to make your printed handouts memorable, creative, and substantial and enough people will keep them to pay you back many times over for the bit of extra cost involved.
Source: Free Articles
You've spent significant money on staff training, beautiful graphics, and a professionally designed display. The traffic is pouring through your booth. But will they still remember you tomorrow?
Let's face it, you only have two chances to make your message stick with your booth visitors: your follow-up strategy, and your handouts. Will your handouts make it past the waste basket? Are they an integral part of your follow-up strategy?
Let's be clear here. We're not talking about handing out sexy things like cds, yoyos, ball caps, t-shirts, or beer mugs. Those things have their place, but this is not it. Right now we're talking about getting a piece of product literature into the hands of your prospects and hoping it doesn't get chucked into the garbage can just outside the exhibition hall.
** Why product literature?
Product literature is always the "go to" handout because printed pieces of paper or card stock are cheap. And done correctly they can be more effective, have more staying power, and certainly communicate more about your actual product than things like hats or pens.
So what makes a memorable piece of product literature -- one that a prospective customer will keep? Here are a few suggestions.
** Don't be cheap when it comes to graphic design
A cheap one colour flier may save you money in the short run, but it is much more likely to be pitched into the waste basket. On the other hand, you probably don't need an expensive multi-page brochure. The first one is "underkill", and the second is "overkill". Do an attractive, simple advertising piece that has catchy graphics and a clear statement of "the pitch".
** Use full colour and use striking photographs
Create a striking headline and don't just do a description of the product. Create a "benefit-rich" statement that focuses on some significant customer-oriented benefit of your product.
For example, you can create a headline that says "Powerful Front End Loaders from Mega Loaders", or you can say, "Get the Job Done in Record Time for Half the Price." Which one would you look at?
** Content matters - make a substantial offer
By content we mean the pitch...the offer. Create an offer they cannot discard or ignore. Give something substantial away if they fill in an inquiry form. Or tie your offer in with your website. Create a valuable special offer they can only access online. Put it in the form of a "valuable coupon", something like this:
"Get $40 off your next purchase when your register on line."
This encourages your prospects to keep the handout, and also encourages them to respond by going to your website and having another close look at your special offer. What could be better? An automatic followup strategy.
** Give them something they will keep
Often a business card is the best. Everybody keeps business cards. Often we keep them long after the person has left the company or the company has ceased to exist. Most of us have a little (or big) pile of business cards. And some of us have a drawer full of them. A few of us even have them carefully sorted in a Rolodex.
Make your business card stand out from the crowd. Spend a little extra and do it in full color. Put a photo of your product on it, or use a striking photo that illustrates the benefits of your product. This says "credibility" -- "this company is for real".
In other words, business cards -- especially full color cards -- are good. You might even consider a "double whammy" full color perforated post card / business card combination. The 3.5" x 6" (or whatever) postcard contains a coupon type offer, and the attached (perforated) business card can be neatly torn off and kept in your pile, drawer, or Rolodex.
Remember to make your printed handouts memorable, creative, and substantial and enough people will keep them to pay you back many times over for the bit of extra cost involved.
Source: Free Articles
Marketing Your Work At Home Business Idea
You have a great home business idea and you have decided to jump in with both feet. You have already set up your computer, signed up with a reseller or the company who will provide you some leads and you have even come up with an innovative plan to get the kids and the rest of the family involved. Everyone is excited about your new work at home business but one thing is still missing, a viable marketing plan. Oh sure, the product is a surefire winner but if nobody knows that you have it, how will they come and buy from you? Here are some tips and tricks to get you started with your marketing on a shoestring budget.
Have business cards printed up. Do not fall for the business cards you can get for free that have someone elses logo printed on the back or that limit you when it comes to what kinds of graphics you can display. Instead, choose to go ahead and purchase a software program that will allow you to design and print cards from your own computer or simply pay someone else to do it. It is a small expense that can reap great rewards.
Do not be shy when handing out your business cards. Leave them at places where you do business, leave them on the table in the restaurant with the tip, pin them up on bulletin boards at the local grocery store and ask other businesses if they will permit you to display them.
Be sure to network. If you are running a business that might tie in to another business, for example if you are running a nail salon out of your home and down the street you have a friend who is running a hair salon, you might be able to network. Have ads for your nail salon displayed there, while displaying ads for the hair salon at your site of business.
Get the kids involved. Nobody can resist a cute kid and if you can have your little ones help to market your product, what a great opportunity. For example, if you are selling a honey based product line, maybe edible honey or honey based cosmetics, why not dress your little one up in a bee costume and hand out some fliers on the way to the grocery store? This will provide for a great conversation starter, get the kids involved, let them play and dressed up in public on a day other than Halloween and surely they will get the name of your business out there.
As you can see, there are a number of ways that you can easily market your work at home business idea without having to rip a big hole into your budget. So go ahead and have some fun with it.
Source: Free Articles
Have business cards printed up. Do not fall for the business cards you can get for free that have someone elses logo printed on the back or that limit you when it comes to what kinds of graphics you can display. Instead, choose to go ahead and purchase a software program that will allow you to design and print cards from your own computer or simply pay someone else to do it. It is a small expense that can reap great rewards.
Do not be shy when handing out your business cards. Leave them at places where you do business, leave them on the table in the restaurant with the tip, pin them up on bulletin boards at the local grocery store and ask other businesses if they will permit you to display them.
Be sure to network. If you are running a business that might tie in to another business, for example if you are running a nail salon out of your home and down the street you have a friend who is running a hair salon, you might be able to network. Have ads for your nail salon displayed there, while displaying ads for the hair salon at your site of business.
Get the kids involved. Nobody can resist a cute kid and if you can have your little ones help to market your product, what a great opportunity. For example, if you are selling a honey based product line, maybe edible honey or honey based cosmetics, why not dress your little one up in a bee costume and hand out some fliers on the way to the grocery store? This will provide for a great conversation starter, get the kids involved, let them play and dressed up in public on a day other than Halloween and surely they will get the name of your business out there.
As you can see, there are a number of ways that you can easily market your work at home business idea without having to rip a big hole into your budget. So go ahead and have some fun with it.
Source: Free Articles
TV,Radio and Newspaper Advertising Analysed
If you sell a product or service, and want to be successful quickly, you must tell people about it through advertising and marketing.
TV, radio and newspaper are still considered the major media for effective marketing off-line.
However, a lot has changed with these top three marketing vehicles in the past 15 years.
In this article some critical changes are revealed that have occurred and how you can get the maximum impact for your advertising dollar.
Television is primarily an entertainment medium. Research shows the average person spends more time with television than with radio and newspaper combined. For many years, TV was considered the most powerful advertising choice because of the huge audience it provided. Even today, nearly everyone watches some TV every day.
There are three things you must consider before spending money on TV advertising - limited lifespan of your ad, audience fragmentation, and ad avoidance.
Keep in mind that once your ad has aired, it is gone for good. There is no way your potential customer can refer back to it. This fact makes it imperative that you run your ad many times to embed your message in the mind of the viewer. Frequency is important with any advertising, but especially broadcast.
Audience fragmentation is one of the major problems local broadcast television faces today.
At one time, a huge TV audience was split over only a few local channels. Community businesses could reach a large majority of their potential customers very quickly. Large national companies, such as Coke, only had to choose from the three major networks - ABC, CBS or NBC - to reach over 80% of the population.
Today, with cable and satellite TV, this same audience is now fragmented over 200 or more channels. The percentage of viewers on local TV has dropped dramatically. Yes you can run ads on cable and they will spread them out over ten or more channels. This shotgun advertising has not worked well for small businesses because many of these stations have only a half percent or less of the total viewers. And, what are the odds that they will be watching during the 15 or 30 seconds that your ad is presented?
Ad avoidance is also a very rapidly growing problem for TV today.
Because the public watches TV primarily for entertainment, they see advertising as an unwelcome interruption - not unlike the hated telemarketing. This was true 30 years ago but there was nothing a person could do about it except channel surf or leave the room. As you know this was, and still is, often done. Today, with TIVO, pay-per-view, public broadcast stations, and the multitude of satellite and cable channels, the public has shown a willingness to pay for reduced interruption from advertising.
Radio has similar problems. It is also primarily an entertainment medium. As such, advertising is also considered an interruption. Satellite radio is one of the fastest growing industries today primarily because people, again, are willing to pay to avoid commercials. In fact, most new cars have satellite radio built in.
Additionally, radio has evolved into an entertainment source for primarily driving, and background noise at work. If you buy any radio advertising, it should only be aired during drive time.
At home, radio use drops off. People can play CD's or listen to satellite radio. This way they can choose exactly the music or programming they prefer without commercial interruption. The radio industry understands that folks do not want to be interrupted with advertising. Many times radio stations promote themselves by offering "more music, less commercials".
Newspaperes have had their ups and downs, but have steadily maintained their local readership base and strength for local marketing. Even when radio, then TV, came on the scene, people still were loyal in reading their local newspaper.
Unlike TV and radio, advertising in a newspaper is not viewed as an interruption. In fact, one of the reasons people buy newspapers is for the advertisement content. Surveys have shown among 15% and 23% of those buying a newspaper do so primarily for the advertising.
You see, people do want to see and read advertisements. They do want to - and need to - buy products and services. They just want the ads on their terms.
TV's best day of the year is Superbowl Sunday, delivering nearly 40% of U.S. households. In striking contrast, newspapers consistently deliver well over 50% of your community households. They do it every day, 365 days a year. Now that is some serious marketing power.
Another advantage over broadcast that only newspapers can deliver is engagement of the consumer at the moment they are making a buying decision. When a person is reading your ad, it is because they choose to. At that time you have their full and focused attention. And the working life of your newspaper ad is enormous because it is physical and static. Your potential customer can refer back to it anytime they wish, or even cut it out.
You may have heard on TV or radio that newspaper subscriptions and readership are dropping. This is true. But it is not to the degree they would like you to believe.
What they do not tell you is newspaper on line versions are growing much faster than the 7% or so losses in subscriptions. In fact, you will find newspaper web sites are usually the busiest web sites in any community. Be sure you take advantage of this.
Now you can see why today's trend among business people who are in-the-know is away from broadcast and back into the old, reliable newspaper. Most all the major stores are getting back to the basics and finding the print advertising to be the best return on investment. So will you.
Newspapers, of course, should not be your only advertising medium, but it is the solid foundation on which you build an effective marketing plan in today's environment.
Source: Free Articles
TV, radio and newspaper are still considered the major media for effective marketing off-line.
However, a lot has changed with these top three marketing vehicles in the past 15 years.
In this article some critical changes are revealed that have occurred and how you can get the maximum impact for your advertising dollar.
Television is primarily an entertainment medium. Research shows the average person spends more time with television than with radio and newspaper combined. For many years, TV was considered the most powerful advertising choice because of the huge audience it provided. Even today, nearly everyone watches some TV every day.
There are three things you must consider before spending money on TV advertising - limited lifespan of your ad, audience fragmentation, and ad avoidance.
Keep in mind that once your ad has aired, it is gone for good. There is no way your potential customer can refer back to it. This fact makes it imperative that you run your ad many times to embed your message in the mind of the viewer. Frequency is important with any advertising, but especially broadcast.
Audience fragmentation is one of the major problems local broadcast television faces today.
At one time, a huge TV audience was split over only a few local channels. Community businesses could reach a large majority of their potential customers very quickly. Large national companies, such as Coke, only had to choose from the three major networks - ABC, CBS or NBC - to reach over 80% of the population.
Today, with cable and satellite TV, this same audience is now fragmented over 200 or more channels. The percentage of viewers on local TV has dropped dramatically. Yes you can run ads on cable and they will spread them out over ten or more channels. This shotgun advertising has not worked well for small businesses because many of these stations have only a half percent or less of the total viewers. And, what are the odds that they will be watching during the 15 or 30 seconds that your ad is presented?
Ad avoidance is also a very rapidly growing problem for TV today.
Because the public watches TV primarily for entertainment, they see advertising as an unwelcome interruption - not unlike the hated telemarketing. This was true 30 years ago but there was nothing a person could do about it except channel surf or leave the room. As you know this was, and still is, often done. Today, with TIVO, pay-per-view, public broadcast stations, and the multitude of satellite and cable channels, the public has shown a willingness to pay for reduced interruption from advertising.
Radio has similar problems. It is also primarily an entertainment medium. As such, advertising is also considered an interruption. Satellite radio is one of the fastest growing industries today primarily because people, again, are willing to pay to avoid commercials. In fact, most new cars have satellite radio built in.
Additionally, radio has evolved into an entertainment source for primarily driving, and background noise at work. If you buy any radio advertising, it should only be aired during drive time.
At home, radio use drops off. People can play CD's or listen to satellite radio. This way they can choose exactly the music or programming they prefer without commercial interruption. The radio industry understands that folks do not want to be interrupted with advertising. Many times radio stations promote themselves by offering "more music, less commercials".
Newspaperes have had their ups and downs, but have steadily maintained their local readership base and strength for local marketing. Even when radio, then TV, came on the scene, people still were loyal in reading their local newspaper.
Unlike TV and radio, advertising in a newspaper is not viewed as an interruption. In fact, one of the reasons people buy newspapers is for the advertisement content. Surveys have shown among 15% and 23% of those buying a newspaper do so primarily for the advertising.
You see, people do want to see and read advertisements. They do want to - and need to - buy products and services. They just want the ads on their terms.
TV's best day of the year is Superbowl Sunday, delivering nearly 40% of U.S. households. In striking contrast, newspapers consistently deliver well over 50% of your community households. They do it every day, 365 days a year. Now that is some serious marketing power.
Another advantage over broadcast that only newspapers can deliver is engagement of the consumer at the moment they are making a buying decision. When a person is reading your ad, it is because they choose to. At that time you have their full and focused attention. And the working life of your newspaper ad is enormous because it is physical and static. Your potential customer can refer back to it anytime they wish, or even cut it out.
You may have heard on TV or radio that newspaper subscriptions and readership are dropping. This is true. But it is not to the degree they would like you to believe.
What they do not tell you is newspaper on line versions are growing much faster than the 7% or so losses in subscriptions. In fact, you will find newspaper web sites are usually the busiest web sites in any community. Be sure you take advantage of this.
Now you can see why today's trend among business people who are in-the-know is away from broadcast and back into the old, reliable newspaper. Most all the major stores are getting back to the basics and finding the print advertising to be the best return on investment. So will you.
Newspapers, of course, should not be your only advertising medium, but it is the solid foundation on which you build an effective marketing plan in today's environment.
Source: Free Articles
How Can RSS Feeds Help Your Online Business?
So why should anyone use RSS Feeds? After all, how can rss feeds help with your online business?
Here's five powerful reasons why any online business owner should consider using rss feeds in their marketing efforts.
1. RSS Feeds allow you to deliver your newsletter/message directly to the desktop of your subscribers and readers, BYPASSING email.
As you might have read or heard, email is not getting through to a lot of people, especially now with CAN SPAM law in place, ISPs are filtering a lot of emails with certain subjectlines in them.
Imagine if you have a 10,000 list and 20% of your emails doesn't get through.
That means 2,000 mails are not being delivered. How much sales are you losing from this alone?
It is also costly to hire services that help you do the monitoring and ensure your autoresponders/emails get through.
Your readers and subscribers themselves are getting numb to the constant bombardment of emails from other parties, bear in mind they are not just subscribing to your newsletter.
With RSS Feeds, you can get your readers to subscribe to your news feed using a newsreader software or online web service for reading rss feeds).
This way you can bypass all the email SPAM and reach 100% your readers.
And with some good headlines, you can bet your message gets read.
2. Get your site listed by YAHOO within 24 hours and save $299
With RSS Feeds, you can get your site listed in Yahoo within 24 hours and save $299. Yahoo is currently building an RSS directory and as such has inadvertently opened a "back door", allowing people to list their website with RSS feeds.
This secret is revealed in my multimedia ebook, with video tutorials showing you how to do it. Each day more people are discovering this secret, and I'm not sure when Yahoo will pull the plug.
3. Dominate niche market with RSS feeds.
You can create multiple RSS feeds centered around targeted keywords and submit them to RSS directories.
There are people who are actually looking for good content online and wants to read and subscribe to news feeds.
They might be searching for news on the keyword "cooking" for example. When someone performs a keyword search and you have your feeds built around that keyword, it will turn up and you get to have more subscribers when they subscribe to your news feeds.
4. More subscribers, more leads, more sales.
RSS feeds give you a wider reach and gain more subscribers you otherwise would not have gotten.
More subscribers mean more leads, and more sales!
RSS allows your newsletter, messages, ads to be syndicated all over the web, giving you a wider reach you otherwise would not have.
Imagine a giant octopus with unlimited tentacles stretching all over the sea searching, looking...well, with RSS feeds, basically you're doint the same thing.
You have to submit your rss feeds though, to the relevant directories, otherwise noboby knows about it.
5. Podcasting
Podcast is the latest application of RSS feeds. Have you heard of webcast?
With Webcast, you have to go to the website where the audio file (mp3 file) is stored.
Podcast take it one step further.
It allows you to syndicate your mp3 audio files (such as a web cast or tele-seminar) all over the web and even allows you to download to Apple Ipod.
Your potential customer and readers can listen to your message even without being at the PC. Isn't that fantastic?
Source: Free Articles
Here's five powerful reasons why any online business owner should consider using rss feeds in their marketing efforts.
1. RSS Feeds allow you to deliver your newsletter/message directly to the desktop of your subscribers and readers, BYPASSING email.
As you might have read or heard, email is not getting through to a lot of people, especially now with CAN SPAM law in place, ISPs are filtering a lot of emails with certain subjectlines in them.
Imagine if you have a 10,000 list and 20% of your emails doesn't get through.
That means 2,000 mails are not being delivered. How much sales are you losing from this alone?
It is also costly to hire services that help you do the monitoring and ensure your autoresponders/emails get through.
Your readers and subscribers themselves are getting numb to the constant bombardment of emails from other parties, bear in mind they are not just subscribing to your newsletter.
With RSS Feeds, you can get your readers to subscribe to your news feed using a newsreader software or online web service for reading rss feeds).
This way you can bypass all the email SPAM and reach 100% your readers.
And with some good headlines, you can bet your message gets read.
2. Get your site listed by YAHOO within 24 hours and save $299
With RSS Feeds, you can get your site listed in Yahoo within 24 hours and save $299. Yahoo is currently building an RSS directory and as such has inadvertently opened a "back door", allowing people to list their website with RSS feeds.
This secret is revealed in my multimedia ebook, with video tutorials showing you how to do it. Each day more people are discovering this secret, and I'm not sure when Yahoo will pull the plug.
3. Dominate niche market with RSS feeds.
You can create multiple RSS feeds centered around targeted keywords and submit them to RSS directories.
There are people who are actually looking for good content online and wants to read and subscribe to news feeds.
They might be searching for news on the keyword "cooking" for example. When someone performs a keyword search and you have your feeds built around that keyword, it will turn up and you get to have more subscribers when they subscribe to your news feeds.
4. More subscribers, more leads, more sales.
RSS feeds give you a wider reach and gain more subscribers you otherwise would not have gotten.
More subscribers mean more leads, and more sales!
RSS allows your newsletter, messages, ads to be syndicated all over the web, giving you a wider reach you otherwise would not have.
Imagine a giant octopus with unlimited tentacles stretching all over the sea searching, looking...well, with RSS feeds, basically you're doint the same thing.
You have to submit your rss feeds though, to the relevant directories, otherwise noboby knows about it.
5. Podcasting
Podcast is the latest application of RSS feeds. Have you heard of webcast?
With Webcast, you have to go to the website where the audio file (mp3 file) is stored.
Podcast take it one step further.
It allows you to syndicate your mp3 audio files (such as a web cast or tele-seminar) all over the web and even allows you to download to Apple Ipod.
Your potential customer and readers can listen to your message even without being at the PC. Isn't that fantastic?
Source: Free Articles
What Influences Your Prosepects Decision to Buy?
"One of the concerns I had about calling on key decision-makers was determining what I was going to say. My experience had been selling much lower in the organization and I considered myself pretty effective at the standard features and benefits presentation. I knew that this wasn't going to be enough if I was fortunate to get the attention of the top person.
Over time (and more than a few botched attempts) I was able to determine what was important to these senior level executives. Although it varied somewhat depending on who I was talking with, the key areas of concern included; increased efficiencies, growing market share, reducing expenses and increasing shareholder satisfaction. Once I figured this out, I was able to align the benefits of my products and services with what was top of mind with the senior executive. It was a subtle rather than dramatic shift in how I sold. I truly think it made me more effective. If nothing else, it raised my confidence level that I was communicating on the same level as the person I was talking with. This made me, at least in my own mind, equal in stature to the top person." Tim Lang, Professional Services
The more you know about the individuals on your account the more effective you'll be at managing the account as a whole. The more knowledgeable you are about this particular account the more you'll be able to make accurate judgements about the issues that affect other companies in the same industry. For example, if managing supply chain relationships is an issue for your client, it's possible or even likely that this may be an issue for other companies in the same industry. If nothing else, it will give you a bona fide reason for calling other companies to determine if they are facing the same issues. Having assisted one company in an industry goes a long way towards establishing your credibility with others in similar fields.
Although your long-term strategy should be to become an industry expert, it's important to remember that sales is an intensely personal process. Companies don't really buy from companies as much as people buy from other people. The client really isn't Citibank; it's Nancy who's a senior executive in the finance department. Thus, it's very important that you have a deep understanding of what motivates your decision-maker.
Business success and personal achievement are usually intertwined. This is important to keep in mind during the sales process, since individuals usually will not agree to a business decision unless they feel that it's both in their own personal interests and in the best interests of their company. As an extreme example, getting a prospect to buy a product that could result in the elimination of his job is a highly difficult sale. Prospects are most likely to buy products and services if, 1) it helps their company achieve its goals, and, 2) helps them as individuals achieve a personal goal. We refer to the first as business results and the second as personal wins. We need to discover what constitutes results and wins for everyone who has influence on our account.
What might a result be for the decision-maker? It could be increased efficiency, greater market share or an increased percentage of repeat customers. Other results might include greater employee utilization, reducing the cost of sales, or lowering expenses. These are all business results that are of importance to decision-makers.
The more you can tailor your communications to the specific needs of your audience, the more effective you'll be. For example, if you discuss technical specifications and ease of training with a senior level decision-maker, she probably won't particularly care. Conversely, if you talk about how your product fits into the broad business objectives of the organization, a lower level manager might find the discussion to be intellectually interesting, but it won't relate to the specific reasons for why he should buy your products. Successful communication of results depends upon tailoring what you say to meet the business interests of the person you're speaking with.
Source: Free Articles
Over time (and more than a few botched attempts) I was able to determine what was important to these senior level executives. Although it varied somewhat depending on who I was talking with, the key areas of concern included; increased efficiencies, growing market share, reducing expenses and increasing shareholder satisfaction. Once I figured this out, I was able to align the benefits of my products and services with what was top of mind with the senior executive. It was a subtle rather than dramatic shift in how I sold. I truly think it made me more effective. If nothing else, it raised my confidence level that I was communicating on the same level as the person I was talking with. This made me, at least in my own mind, equal in stature to the top person." Tim Lang, Professional Services
The more you know about the individuals on your account the more effective you'll be at managing the account as a whole. The more knowledgeable you are about this particular account the more you'll be able to make accurate judgements about the issues that affect other companies in the same industry. For example, if managing supply chain relationships is an issue for your client, it's possible or even likely that this may be an issue for other companies in the same industry. If nothing else, it will give you a bona fide reason for calling other companies to determine if they are facing the same issues. Having assisted one company in an industry goes a long way towards establishing your credibility with others in similar fields.
Although your long-term strategy should be to become an industry expert, it's important to remember that sales is an intensely personal process. Companies don't really buy from companies as much as people buy from other people. The client really isn't Citibank; it's Nancy who's a senior executive in the finance department. Thus, it's very important that you have a deep understanding of what motivates your decision-maker.
Business success and personal achievement are usually intertwined. This is important to keep in mind during the sales process, since individuals usually will not agree to a business decision unless they feel that it's both in their own personal interests and in the best interests of their company. As an extreme example, getting a prospect to buy a product that could result in the elimination of his job is a highly difficult sale. Prospects are most likely to buy products and services if, 1) it helps their company achieve its goals, and, 2) helps them as individuals achieve a personal goal. We refer to the first as business results and the second as personal wins. We need to discover what constitutes results and wins for everyone who has influence on our account.
What might a result be for the decision-maker? It could be increased efficiency, greater market share or an increased percentage of repeat customers. Other results might include greater employee utilization, reducing the cost of sales, or lowering expenses. These are all business results that are of importance to decision-makers.
The more you can tailor your communications to the specific needs of your audience, the more effective you'll be. For example, if you discuss technical specifications and ease of training with a senior level decision-maker, she probably won't particularly care. Conversely, if you talk about how your product fits into the broad business objectives of the organization, a lower level manager might find the discussion to be intellectually interesting, but it won't relate to the specific reasons for why he should buy your products. Successful communication of results depends upon tailoring what you say to meet the business interests of the person you're speaking with.
Source: Free Articles
How to Explode Your Small Business Marketing and Fatten Your Wallet!
Small businesses are popping up everywhere. However, one of the biggest problems they face is small business marketing. To understand this lets first take a look at why.
Today more than ever, people are jumping on the small business band wagon like the traffic that arrives at a 60% off sales at a major clothing store.
There are all kinds of people starting their own plumbing business, contracting business and whatever else you can think of.
Part of the reason for this is there is no job security anymore and unions seem to be a thing of the past. The days are long gone where people stayed at the same job for 25 years or more.
Corporations have downsized more than ever in today's changing world. People seem to be laid off for just about any reason you can think of anymore. One thing is for sure, the economy has changed.
Many people think we are doomed as a society but, are they failing to realize that things have just only changed.
It's kind of like the auto worker who was laid off because he was replaced by the mechanical robot arm that now makes cars. However that worker took notice and went back to school and learned to repair those robots.
His future is now bright again because he was able to see the change he needed to make.
In marketing, the same change takes place all the time. Marketing is a never ending battle to get the word about your products or services.
If one thing doesn't work you should try something else until you land upon a winning combination. And then create a small business marketing plan.
Don't get caught up in the mindset of you tried something once and it didn't work for you so therefore it doesn't work at all.
Marketing takes many years of skill and practice to be able to perform it like a red belt karate master.
But let's look at that karate master just a little closer for a second. In some forms of martial arts, a black belt has to learn only 5 to 10 moves to become a black belt.
So they practice those moves over and over until they know them like a pup knows its own mother.
The point here is many people are looking for the quick fix all the time. They continue to search out many sources of marketing information without taking any action at all.
Learning is a very positive thing and should be performed all the time.
However, one of the greatest tricks of marketing is finding that one thing that you know you can do and works very well for you.
And then repeat it over and over until you know it like the karate master.
Then and only then can you move on to other things in the marketing mix to help make your business more money.
Again, do not get caught up in thinking you have to learn and do everything at one. Your business marketing will take time to learn.
Make it a process and enjoy it. Continue to read books and other marketing strategies materials that help you learn more.
If you find yourself in a bind and already own a business that needs help with marketing. Here are five small steps to help you until you learn the bigger picture.
1. Hire an expert. Many marketing experts do consult for thousands of dollars at a time. However, maybe you have a friend that owns a business. Jump up off the couch and see what they do for their marketing.
2. Get the word out. Listen you are going to make mistakes. But, doing nothing is a total loss. Get out there and do something today to make it happen. You could try to make a flayer and hand it out to people.
3. Tell your friends and family. Friend and family are there to help when you need it. So don't be shy. Ask them for help. You could ask them if they might know anyone interested in your business or if they know anyone who could help you.
4. Start a company web site. A website is a great way to get the word out about your business. The trick here is learning about web marketing. One way could be a logo on your car.
5. Joint partnerships with other businesses. Whatever business you own there are similar businesses that you could pair up with. You could recommend each others products or services to the others customers. Just make sure they are in line with your target market.
These are small ways to leverage your business over your competition.
Just remember to learn all you can and if you do nothing else take action to make it happen.
You will stumble along the way, that is a given. But, if you do nothing you have no business.
Source: Free Articles
Today more than ever, people are jumping on the small business band wagon like the traffic that arrives at a 60% off sales at a major clothing store.
There are all kinds of people starting their own plumbing business, contracting business and whatever else you can think of.
Part of the reason for this is there is no job security anymore and unions seem to be a thing of the past. The days are long gone where people stayed at the same job for 25 years or more.
Corporations have downsized more than ever in today's changing world. People seem to be laid off for just about any reason you can think of anymore. One thing is for sure, the economy has changed.
Many people think we are doomed as a society but, are they failing to realize that things have just only changed.
It's kind of like the auto worker who was laid off because he was replaced by the mechanical robot arm that now makes cars. However that worker took notice and went back to school and learned to repair those robots.
His future is now bright again because he was able to see the change he needed to make.
In marketing, the same change takes place all the time. Marketing is a never ending battle to get the word about your products or services.
If one thing doesn't work you should try something else until you land upon a winning combination. And then create a small business marketing plan.
Don't get caught up in the mindset of you tried something once and it didn't work for you so therefore it doesn't work at all.
Marketing takes many years of skill and practice to be able to perform it like a red belt karate master.
But let's look at that karate master just a little closer for a second. In some forms of martial arts, a black belt has to learn only 5 to 10 moves to become a black belt.
So they practice those moves over and over until they know them like a pup knows its own mother.
The point here is many people are looking for the quick fix all the time. They continue to search out many sources of marketing information without taking any action at all.
Learning is a very positive thing and should be performed all the time.
However, one of the greatest tricks of marketing is finding that one thing that you know you can do and works very well for you.
And then repeat it over and over until you know it like the karate master.
Then and only then can you move on to other things in the marketing mix to help make your business more money.
Again, do not get caught up in thinking you have to learn and do everything at one. Your business marketing will take time to learn.
Make it a process and enjoy it. Continue to read books and other marketing strategies materials that help you learn more.
If you find yourself in a bind and already own a business that needs help with marketing. Here are five small steps to help you until you learn the bigger picture.
1. Hire an expert. Many marketing experts do consult for thousands of dollars at a time. However, maybe you have a friend that owns a business. Jump up off the couch and see what they do for their marketing.
2. Get the word out. Listen you are going to make mistakes. But, doing nothing is a total loss. Get out there and do something today to make it happen. You could try to make a flayer and hand it out to people.
3. Tell your friends and family. Friend and family are there to help when you need it. So don't be shy. Ask them for help. You could ask them if they might know anyone interested in your business or if they know anyone who could help you.
4. Start a company web site. A website is a great way to get the word out about your business. The trick here is learning about web marketing. One way could be a logo on your car.
5. Joint partnerships with other businesses. Whatever business you own there are similar businesses that you could pair up with. You could recommend each others products or services to the others customers. Just make sure they are in line with your target market.
These are small ways to leverage your business over your competition.
Just remember to learn all you can and if you do nothing else take action to make it happen.
You will stumble along the way, that is a given. But, if you do nothing you have no business.
Source: Free Articles
Are Your Products Getting The Proper Distribution?
The distributor agreement sets out the terms and conditions when a manufacturer wishes to appoint a distributor for its goods and services for resale in the marketplace. The Distributor Agreement may specify an initial fixed period that may subsequently be renewed. The distributor is not an Agent and sells the goods on his own account and not for the manufacturer. Thus, this distributor agreement will ensure that the distributor obtains from the manufacturer all relevant information and literature pertaining to the product. In addition, the distributor should also have enough manpower to handle sales and after sales maintenance work.
The distributor agreement acts as a binding contract between the manufacturer and the distributor. The distributor agreement may span countries as well as states. The distributor may sell one or more products of the manufacturer and across as much territory as possible. Products to be sold should be strictly defined. The manufacturer may like to appoint various distributors for a variety of his products.
Appointing a distributor may, according to the distributor agreement, be on an exclusive basis and will commence from a distribution agreement specified therein. The exact details regarding how much volume the distributor purchases and other ordering requirements need to be specified. Each sale is equivalent to a fresh order.
The distributor agreement should also specify the prices that are paid by the distributor to the manufacturer and also whether the former is eligible for any discount. A list price of the manufacturer should act as a guide in this respect. Payments to the manufacturer by the distributor should be made within a specified time as stated in the distributor agreement, at the outset. The currency of payment (for international agreements) will be set forth in the distributor agreement and all custom duties and charges will be borne by the distributor. This is a part of the obligations of the distributor.
The manufacturer's obligation is to furnish marketing literature, training and technical support. To prevent infringements of Intellectual Rights and Patents, the distributor agreement shall have a clause to protect the manufacturer in this regard. The information exchanged between the two parties is also to be kept confidential. In addition, the distributor agreement will also set out the terms for setting aside the agreement.
The distributor agreement should also give clarifications regarding assignment, sub-contracting, notices, languages, entire agreement, resolution of disputes and laws that govern it. Finally, the agreement should be signed by a Director or other authorised signatory in the presence of witnesses.
The distributor agreement is a document that binds the Manufacturer to the distributor and forms the basis of all dealings between the two for future dealings. This document assures that there is agreement as to the terms and conditions and that the parties to it have agreed as to how they view the business arrangement and are agreed to adhere to the various clauses therein.
Source: Free Articles
The distributor agreement acts as a binding contract between the manufacturer and the distributor. The distributor agreement may span countries as well as states. The distributor may sell one or more products of the manufacturer and across as much territory as possible. Products to be sold should be strictly defined. The manufacturer may like to appoint various distributors for a variety of his products.
Appointing a distributor may, according to the distributor agreement, be on an exclusive basis and will commence from a distribution agreement specified therein. The exact details regarding how much volume the distributor purchases and other ordering requirements need to be specified. Each sale is equivalent to a fresh order.
The distributor agreement should also specify the prices that are paid by the distributor to the manufacturer and also whether the former is eligible for any discount. A list price of the manufacturer should act as a guide in this respect. Payments to the manufacturer by the distributor should be made within a specified time as stated in the distributor agreement, at the outset. The currency of payment (for international agreements) will be set forth in the distributor agreement and all custom duties and charges will be borne by the distributor. This is a part of the obligations of the distributor.
The manufacturer's obligation is to furnish marketing literature, training and technical support. To prevent infringements of Intellectual Rights and Patents, the distributor agreement shall have a clause to protect the manufacturer in this regard. The information exchanged between the two parties is also to be kept confidential. In addition, the distributor agreement will also set out the terms for setting aside the agreement.
The distributor agreement should also give clarifications regarding assignment, sub-contracting, notices, languages, entire agreement, resolution of disputes and laws that govern it. Finally, the agreement should be signed by a Director or other authorised signatory in the presence of witnesses.
The distributor agreement is a document that binds the Manufacturer to the distributor and forms the basis of all dealings between the two for future dealings. This document assures that there is agreement as to the terms and conditions and that the parties to it have agreed as to how they view the business arrangement and are agreed to adhere to the various clauses therein.
Source: Free Articles
Blogs - A Powerful Home Business Marketing Tool
One of the best home business marketing tool is a business blog. What makes a business blog one of the top notch marketing idea for a home business is that its easy to create, inexpensive to build and its so casual and conversational that the owner can draw consumers in a non threatening way.
Trust is the key to successful home business marketing and blogs build trust. The approach is non confrontational, subtle and encourages two way conversations. Trust comes in the openness of the blog. Its a fact that people buy people, they dont buy products. Consumers have to trust and like the entrepreneur or they dont buy the product. Blogs build this relationship that brings in the sales.
So, what makes a blog one of the best marketing weapon is that it drives a lot more traffic to the business Web site, it generates more business sales and it creates a secondary income stream and offers personable, efficient and timely customer service.
To create a great blog and use it successful as a marketing tool for the home business, the owner must become a talented blogger. There are three things she or he must accomplish to achieve great blogging status. The first is a distinct blog voice. A blog should have the tone of a forum, a place where the ideas of the blogger and others can flourish and where topics totally unrelated (or seemingly unrelated) can be discussed and debated without disparagement of others opinions. It doesnt take an Ernest Hemingway to write a great blog. It just takes an interest in and devotion to the subject matter.
The content must be relevant to the audience, however, so while it doesnt have to be exactly on the topic, it does need to have some relevance. In other words, a landscaper might have a blog that discusses various lawn care ideas and the forum postings might segue over to neighborhood eyesores and what to do about them and thats okay. Because the blogger may add some suggestions which will present him or her as an expert on how to create a beautiful front yard from a garbage heap. What wouldnt be very useful is to let the discussion get around to the price of auto insurance. What help is that going to be to ideas about marketing the home landscape business.
Regular blog updates are great marketing ideas and the key to bringing people back often to the home business site. To not update regularly would be to invite people to stay away. After all, who wants to read yesterdays news especially if they already read it yesterday.
Source: Free Articles
Trust is the key to successful home business marketing and blogs build trust. The approach is non confrontational, subtle and encourages two way conversations. Trust comes in the openness of the blog. Its a fact that people buy people, they dont buy products. Consumers have to trust and like the entrepreneur or they dont buy the product. Blogs build this relationship that brings in the sales.
So, what makes a blog one of the best marketing weapon is that it drives a lot more traffic to the business Web site, it generates more business sales and it creates a secondary income stream and offers personable, efficient and timely customer service.
To create a great blog and use it successful as a marketing tool for the home business, the owner must become a talented blogger. There are three things she or he must accomplish to achieve great blogging status. The first is a distinct blog voice. A blog should have the tone of a forum, a place where the ideas of the blogger and others can flourish and where topics totally unrelated (or seemingly unrelated) can be discussed and debated without disparagement of others opinions. It doesnt take an Ernest Hemingway to write a great blog. It just takes an interest in and devotion to the subject matter.
The content must be relevant to the audience, however, so while it doesnt have to be exactly on the topic, it does need to have some relevance. In other words, a landscaper might have a blog that discusses various lawn care ideas and the forum postings might segue over to neighborhood eyesores and what to do about them and thats okay. Because the blogger may add some suggestions which will present him or her as an expert on how to create a beautiful front yard from a garbage heap. What wouldnt be very useful is to let the discussion get around to the price of auto insurance. What help is that going to be to ideas about marketing the home landscape business.
Regular blog updates are great marketing ideas and the key to bringing people back often to the home business site. To not update regularly would be to invite people to stay away. After all, who wants to read yesterdays news especially if they already read it yesterday.
Source: Free Articles
A Patient Education Brochure Is Important for Healthcare
Many people each year choose to have some type of aesthetic surgery either to improve the appearance of their looks, or for health reasons. When someone has aesthetic surgery for whatever reason, it is a good idea to get as much information on the surgery as possible. Offering patient education brochures to your patients is the best way to introduce them to the type of aesthetic surgery that they are interested in. Patient education brochures will be able to inform the patient of information regarding the surgery topic that they are having. Patient education brochures are an imperative part of the aesthetic surgery decision making progress.
Thousands and thousands of people each year have aesthetic surgery to make themselves look the way they want to look or feel better about themselves. Many people agonize over the decision to have aesthetic or cosmetic surgery to make themselves look the way that they want. It can be a very traumatic time for people who want to have cosmetic surgery but are afraid and unsure of exactly what will be happening to them and what the surgery entails exactly. The best way for them to useful information that can enlighten them to help them make the best possible decision is for doctors to give their patients a patient education brochure. A patient education brochure can be the useful tool that your patients need to make the decision that could affect their life forever. This is a huge decision and your patient will appreciate the informative patient education brochure that you give them.
Aesthetic surgery is an important topic that people should give a lot of consideration to if they are interested in getting it done. For thousands of people it could risk their health if they do not have it done, but there could also be risks involved in having the surgery. There may be some information about the surgery that the patient is not aware of. As a doctor or health care provider you should get your patient that is considering aesthetic surgery a patient education brochure. A patient education brochure can be offered in the waiting room or you as the doctor or health care provider can give them out according to your discretion. Your patients will appreciate that you cared enough to give them a patient education brochure.
Doctors sometimes recommend that their patients have different types of aesthetic surgery to decrease the risk to certain illnesses or diseases. Everyone should know the pros and cons regarding the surgery that they are contemplating having. The best way for a patient to be well informed is to give them a patient education brochure. Patients should always be offered patient education brochures to help them make a knowledgeable, well-read decision.
Source: Free Articles
Thousands and thousands of people each year have aesthetic surgery to make themselves look the way they want to look or feel better about themselves. Many people agonize over the decision to have aesthetic or cosmetic surgery to make themselves look the way that they want. It can be a very traumatic time for people who want to have cosmetic surgery but are afraid and unsure of exactly what will be happening to them and what the surgery entails exactly. The best way for them to useful information that can enlighten them to help them make the best possible decision is for doctors to give their patients a patient education brochure. A patient education brochure can be the useful tool that your patients need to make the decision that could affect their life forever. This is a huge decision and your patient will appreciate the informative patient education brochure that you give them.
Aesthetic surgery is an important topic that people should give a lot of consideration to if they are interested in getting it done. For thousands of people it could risk their health if they do not have it done, but there could also be risks involved in having the surgery. There may be some information about the surgery that the patient is not aware of. As a doctor or health care provider you should get your patient that is considering aesthetic surgery a patient education brochure. A patient education brochure can be offered in the waiting room or you as the doctor or health care provider can give them out according to your discretion. Your patients will appreciate that you cared enough to give them a patient education brochure.
Doctors sometimes recommend that their patients have different types of aesthetic surgery to decrease the risk to certain illnesses or diseases. Everyone should know the pros and cons regarding the surgery that they are contemplating having. The best way for a patient to be well informed is to give them a patient education brochure. Patients should always be offered patient education brochures to help them make a knowledgeable, well-read decision.
Source: Free Articles
Knowledge is Wealth, Selling Information Nets Big Money
Selling products or services isn't the only way to make money online. What you know can earn you a nice income. People are always looking for information to help with a problem, to educate them, or to entertain them. There is big money in information products on the Internet. The potential for huge profits are great because you have low startup costs and no inventory.
The most common information product is an eBook. An eBook is simply information in an electronic rather than paper format. Other information products include:
streaming video viewed on a web page
audio files on tape or CD
pod casts
access to web pages where info is stored
printed books, CDs, DVDs sent to buyers.
Computer + Topic = Information Product
Big money in information products happens because the process is very easy to create. Choose an interesting topic, put fingers to keyboard and in a little while you've created an info product. If the topic is really hot, you may start earning income hours later. Internet technology provides 24/7 sales and delivery of product. Automate your site so you can sell the product, process the payment, deliver the item via email, and follow up with the buyer later to check on customer satisfaction (and sell more stuff!).
What makes a good information product?
Practically any subject can net big money in information products. How to start a business, self-improvement techniques, career advice - if you can think of a topic, there are probably people willing to buy the information product you put together.
Use your interests and expertise for subject ideas. Search online forums to locate people who might be interested in your information product. Offer to send them a free copy of your info product. This will spark sales and lead to referrals for you.
No writing experience needed.
You don't have to be Pulitzer Prize material to create information products. There are millions of works in the public domain that you can republish and sell. These include non written items such as art, photos, old films, and historical speeches. You can even hook up with a talented writer to help you create an information product and pay him a flat fee or percentage of the profits.
You could make a video of yourself or another person demonstrating a skill (cooking, crafts). Budding musicians can record their songs and sell them as an mp3 download. There's even a guy who records himself reading nursery rhymes and sells the CD to parents with small children.
Product Promotion
A lot of fledgling book authors and musicians sell their books and CDs from the back of their car trunk. For online information products, your web site is your car trunk. Create a site specifically for selling your information products. Participate in affiliate programs to increase site traffic and sales for your items.
Sources
"The Best Product to Sell Online," (entrepreneur.com)
"Selling a Product on the Internet," (2createawebsite.com)
"What is The Perfect eBay Product???," (skipmcgrath.com)
Source: Free Articles
The most common information product is an eBook. An eBook is simply information in an electronic rather than paper format. Other information products include:
streaming video viewed on a web page
audio files on tape or CD
pod casts
access to web pages where info is stored
printed books, CDs, DVDs sent to buyers.
Computer + Topic = Information Product
Big money in information products happens because the process is very easy to create. Choose an interesting topic, put fingers to keyboard and in a little while you've created an info product. If the topic is really hot, you may start earning income hours later. Internet technology provides 24/7 sales and delivery of product. Automate your site so you can sell the product, process the payment, deliver the item via email, and follow up with the buyer later to check on customer satisfaction (and sell more stuff!).
What makes a good information product?
Practically any subject can net big money in information products. How to start a business, self-improvement techniques, career advice - if you can think of a topic, there are probably people willing to buy the information product you put together.
Use your interests and expertise for subject ideas. Search online forums to locate people who might be interested in your information product. Offer to send them a free copy of your info product. This will spark sales and lead to referrals for you.
No writing experience needed.
You don't have to be Pulitzer Prize material to create information products. There are millions of works in the public domain that you can republish and sell. These include non written items such as art, photos, old films, and historical speeches. You can even hook up with a talented writer to help you create an information product and pay him a flat fee or percentage of the profits.
You could make a video of yourself or another person demonstrating a skill (cooking, crafts). Budding musicians can record their songs and sell them as an mp3 download. There's even a guy who records himself reading nursery rhymes and sells the CD to parents with small children.
Product Promotion
A lot of fledgling book authors and musicians sell their books and CDs from the back of their car trunk. For online information products, your web site is your car trunk. Create a site specifically for selling your information products. Participate in affiliate programs to increase site traffic and sales for your items.
Sources
"The Best Product to Sell Online," (entrepreneur.com)
"Selling a Product on the Internet," (2createawebsite.com)
"What is The Perfect eBay Product???," (skipmcgrath.com)
Source: Free Articles
The Benefits of Marketing in Trade Shows and Expos
There are numerous options to market and promote your products and services. Some of your options include:
telemarketing, classified and display ads, signs, door-to-door, newspapers, magazines, internet, brochures, phone books, television, radio, bill boards, direct mail, flyers, post cards and many more.
Participating in Trade Shows, Expos, Festivals, Seminars, Exhibitions, Conventions, Conferences, Fairs and Swap Meets is one of the best ways to expose your business. You can call it whatever you want. Any event that allows you to have the opportunity to display and showcase your products and services face-to-face with potential new customers in your target market gives you numerous benefits and advantages.
Instead of chasing down cold leads, you now have a large number of people in your target market coming up to you. You are not chasing behind them. You will be able to start building friendly relationships with people when they come up to you to ask questions, get your marketing literature, exchange business cards, watch you demonstrate your items and/or let them try samples.
As you look at this list, you will see that most of these options involve one form or the other of cold calling. Eventually you may be able to close a deal from cold leads, but it is much easier to follow up on warm and hot leads from the people you either met at an Expo or people you were referred to by somebody you talked to at the event.
You have to find the right kind of Trade Show or Expo for your business that has a large enough attendance record so you are not wasting your time, money or effort. There should be at least a few thousand attendees. You must confirm that the people expected to attend are in your target market.
These people made an effort to come to the event. Most charge some type of an entrance or admission fee and usually a parking fee. So you have people who willingly and voluntarily paid good money to attend. In many cases they gave up their entire day, or their evening, or morning or possibly their whole weekend because they want to be there.
People walk in the door already very interested in your products and services. This is your very rare chance to be face-to-face with the decision makers. They could be the president, vice-president, CEO, executives of a corporation, or it could be the two spouses in a family.
You will also get high quality referrals. If you meet some people at your booth in the expo that have no need for your products or services, they will still refer you to their friends, relatives and business associates who they think would be interested. They might even recommend you. It is more likely that these people will be willing to do business with your company through a friend's referral than you trying to cold call them.
When you give attendees your marketing materials at an Expo, there is a better chance that they will actually read it, or at least spend some time looking it over, unlike them getting junk mail and standing over the trash can immediately throwing it away.
Every company should have some type of an idea what their competition is doing and the prices they are charging for the same or similar products and services being offered. It is a good way for you to check out your competition and other exhibitors. Take advantage of the networking opportunity. There may be a way for you and other exhibitors to mutually benefit like exchanging links on each others websites.
Participating in an Expo is fun and a relaxing atmosphere. The high energy generated on the Exhibit Floor among the other exhibitor and the attendees contributes to your motivation and success.
Source: Free Articles
telemarketing, classified and display ads, signs, door-to-door, newspapers, magazines, internet, brochures, phone books, television, radio, bill boards, direct mail, flyers, post cards and many more.
Participating in Trade Shows, Expos, Festivals, Seminars, Exhibitions, Conventions, Conferences, Fairs and Swap Meets is one of the best ways to expose your business. You can call it whatever you want. Any event that allows you to have the opportunity to display and showcase your products and services face-to-face with potential new customers in your target market gives you numerous benefits and advantages.
Instead of chasing down cold leads, you now have a large number of people in your target market coming up to you. You are not chasing behind them. You will be able to start building friendly relationships with people when they come up to you to ask questions, get your marketing literature, exchange business cards, watch you demonstrate your items and/or let them try samples.
As you look at this list, you will see that most of these options involve one form or the other of cold calling. Eventually you may be able to close a deal from cold leads, but it is much easier to follow up on warm and hot leads from the people you either met at an Expo or people you were referred to by somebody you talked to at the event.
You have to find the right kind of Trade Show or Expo for your business that has a large enough attendance record so you are not wasting your time, money or effort. There should be at least a few thousand attendees. You must confirm that the people expected to attend are in your target market.
These people made an effort to come to the event. Most charge some type of an entrance or admission fee and usually a parking fee. So you have people who willingly and voluntarily paid good money to attend. In many cases they gave up their entire day, or their evening, or morning or possibly their whole weekend because they want to be there.
People walk in the door already very interested in your products and services. This is your very rare chance to be face-to-face with the decision makers. They could be the president, vice-president, CEO, executives of a corporation, or it could be the two spouses in a family.
You will also get high quality referrals. If you meet some people at your booth in the expo that have no need for your products or services, they will still refer you to their friends, relatives and business associates who they think would be interested. They might even recommend you. It is more likely that these people will be willing to do business with your company through a friend's referral than you trying to cold call them.
When you give attendees your marketing materials at an Expo, there is a better chance that they will actually read it, or at least spend some time looking it over, unlike them getting junk mail and standing over the trash can immediately throwing it away.
Every company should have some type of an idea what their competition is doing and the prices they are charging for the same or similar products and services being offered. It is a good way for you to check out your competition and other exhibitors. Take advantage of the networking opportunity. There may be a way for you and other exhibitors to mutually benefit like exchanging links on each others websites.
Participating in an Expo is fun and a relaxing atmosphere. The high energy generated on the Exhibit Floor among the other exhibitor and the attendees contributes to your motivation and success.
Source: Free Articles
Avoid Chasing Cold Call Leads To Get New Customers
It should be very frustrating chasing down over used cold call leads to end up getting disappointing results. We all know the most common rejection lines you hear are: "I'm not interested." and "I don't have the money". You might get a few sales, but it would be much more profitable for you to follow up with hot, fresh, qualified leads instead.
These are leads of people that are already interested in your product or service. They want it, they need it and they have the money to buy it. They have not gone through the sales drill and the mental gymnastics by other companies that got to them before you.
Anybody can sell you a worn down over used marketing list and tell you that the names on it are all good and within your particular target market. Face it; you really do not know what you are getting. The best way for you to be sure of what you are getting is to obtain the leads yourself as an Exhibitor in a Trade Show, Expo, Exhibition, Fair, Festival, Convention, Seminar, Conference or Swap Meet.
Obviously the people who come to these types of events are interested because most of the time they paid good money just to be there. They also gave up their entire morning or evening or day or sometimes their whole weekend to attend.
Before you decide to participate, confirm that the people attending are your target market. You will be able to showcase and promote your business in front of a large crowd of people that you know for sure are ready to buy your products and services. They come up to you instead of you chasing behind them.
The first thing you should do before you decide to participate in any event, is to find out how many people attended in the past and how many they are reasonably expecting this time. Make sure that there will be at least a few thousand people attending. If the attendance is too low, it could result in being a waste of your time, money and effort and you will not get the profits you want.
After you find an event that has a significant number of people in your target market that are attending, sales are not automatic. You still have to do your part because many of your competitors will be at the same event. Competition should not be a problem for you if you Brand your business for success. That way the people will remember you over your competition.
If you decide to participate, during the event you should start building friendly relationships with your potential new customers. Answer their questions. It is very important that you find out any problems, complains and concerns they have in general about your particular industry. Convince them that your product or service will solve their specific problem.
Exchange contact information. Ask them for their business cards. Give them your marketing materials and your business card.
After the Expo, it is absolutely critical for you to follow up with them a few days later. Many Exhibitors neglect to do this. Do not wait for them to call you. The good part is that now you have an enormous advantage because you are working with good, hot, fresh, qualified leads. You also know personally for a fact that these people are interested.
Source: Free Articles
These are leads of people that are already interested in your product or service. They want it, they need it and they have the money to buy it. They have not gone through the sales drill and the mental gymnastics by other companies that got to them before you.
Anybody can sell you a worn down over used marketing list and tell you that the names on it are all good and within your particular target market. Face it; you really do not know what you are getting. The best way for you to be sure of what you are getting is to obtain the leads yourself as an Exhibitor in a Trade Show, Expo, Exhibition, Fair, Festival, Convention, Seminar, Conference or Swap Meet.
Obviously the people who come to these types of events are interested because most of the time they paid good money just to be there. They also gave up their entire morning or evening or day or sometimes their whole weekend to attend.
Before you decide to participate, confirm that the people attending are your target market. You will be able to showcase and promote your business in front of a large crowd of people that you know for sure are ready to buy your products and services. They come up to you instead of you chasing behind them.
The first thing you should do before you decide to participate in any event, is to find out how many people attended in the past and how many they are reasonably expecting this time. Make sure that there will be at least a few thousand people attending. If the attendance is too low, it could result in being a waste of your time, money and effort and you will not get the profits you want.
After you find an event that has a significant number of people in your target market that are attending, sales are not automatic. You still have to do your part because many of your competitors will be at the same event. Competition should not be a problem for you if you Brand your business for success. That way the people will remember you over your competition.
If you decide to participate, during the event you should start building friendly relationships with your potential new customers. Answer their questions. It is very important that you find out any problems, complains and concerns they have in general about your particular industry. Convince them that your product or service will solve their specific problem.
Exchange contact information. Ask them for their business cards. Give them your marketing materials and your business card.
After the Expo, it is absolutely critical for you to follow up with them a few days later. Many Exhibitors neglect to do this. Do not wait for them to call you. The good part is that now you have an enormous advantage because you are working with good, hot, fresh, qualified leads. You also know personally for a fact that these people are interested.
Source: Free Articles
Explode Your Website Traffic and Gain a Truckload of Visitors To Your Website!
Many people these days are looking to explode their website traffic. They ask the ultimate question, can it be done? The answer is yes it can.
But, before we cover the how and why's, lets cover why most people quit after some time when trying to gain traffic. The number one reason why most people quit is because they were expecting things to happen overnight.
Oh yes, we have all seen the ads. Get thousands of visitors overnight to your website, and for the most part some of those ads are true. However, what you don't know is that most of it is not targeted or real people.
Stay away from fast solutions because they do not work. Instead understand that things take time. Just as an athlete prepares for a season you need to prepare for traffic. Sure there are some great sports players who make it all look easy, but it took them many years to get where they are now.
You need to understand this if you want to succeed in getting traffic to your website. If you are looking for a quick fix then just walk away now because most of the time it does not happen. You see anything can take time and if you are willing to take the time and do a little work along the way you to can get traffic to your website and lots of it.
You also have to be smart about it. By that I mean you need a plan, something you can follow everyday to make things happen. Once you start to work your plan it will build upon it's self and compound over time. What you want to happen is a viral traffic pattern that will deliver traffic to your website for years to come. What you want is to cover every section of the net where your target market is.
So many people just jump at many ways to get traffic at once, and then they walk away frustrated and fed up. But by understanding that things need to be done in a certain order you will have a much better chance. Now if your time is limited, then you may not see results for a year or more. Yes, it could be less but count on more and you will not get as frustrated.
So, how do you gain traffic and how do you do it for free? Well listen, there are things that have worked for the last six years and are still working today. The thing you have to do is study what works.
Pick one or two things and study them in depth. You need to understand it before you can move on. So, make sure you take the time to learn the first thing you pick.
Below I list the ways that work best today and in the order you should perform them. Once you see them go to a search engine and start to study them. Remember there is much more to this than you will find on the first page of search results.
So what are the ways?
1. Writing articles. Success with articles comes from understanding how to write killer headlines and very informative articles. Articles should never be an ad. You have to remember the internet is the information super highway and that is what people are looking for. So above all try to help people and they will trust you more.
2. Link exchanges and one way links. Exchanging links with other websites can bring you more traffic if done correctly. Remember to always keep it relevant and in line with your business. That way you can please the search engines. Also keep in mind that the search engines are placing less importance on reciprocal links now. So, read all you can about what they are up to. But remember you can gain lots of new traffic this way.
3. Viral strategies. While the two ways listed above can be viral, there are many other ways to gain visitors with viral marketing. Once such way is to prepare a special report and encourage people to pass it on to others.
So in summary, each one of these ways can unlock your stale website and get traffic moving to your site. Just make sure you pick one to start with and study it until you become the expert on it. Learn everything about it. That you can and you will unleash a load of new visitors to your website over time.
Source: Free Articles
But, before we cover the how and why's, lets cover why most people quit after some time when trying to gain traffic. The number one reason why most people quit is because they were expecting things to happen overnight.
Oh yes, we have all seen the ads. Get thousands of visitors overnight to your website, and for the most part some of those ads are true. However, what you don't know is that most of it is not targeted or real people.
Stay away from fast solutions because they do not work. Instead understand that things take time. Just as an athlete prepares for a season you need to prepare for traffic. Sure there are some great sports players who make it all look easy, but it took them many years to get where they are now.
You need to understand this if you want to succeed in getting traffic to your website. If you are looking for a quick fix then just walk away now because most of the time it does not happen. You see anything can take time and if you are willing to take the time and do a little work along the way you to can get traffic to your website and lots of it.
You also have to be smart about it. By that I mean you need a plan, something you can follow everyday to make things happen. Once you start to work your plan it will build upon it's self and compound over time. What you want to happen is a viral traffic pattern that will deliver traffic to your website for years to come. What you want is to cover every section of the net where your target market is.
So many people just jump at many ways to get traffic at once, and then they walk away frustrated and fed up. But by understanding that things need to be done in a certain order you will have a much better chance. Now if your time is limited, then you may not see results for a year or more. Yes, it could be less but count on more and you will not get as frustrated.
So, how do you gain traffic and how do you do it for free? Well listen, there are things that have worked for the last six years and are still working today. The thing you have to do is study what works.
Pick one or two things and study them in depth. You need to understand it before you can move on. So, make sure you take the time to learn the first thing you pick.
Below I list the ways that work best today and in the order you should perform them. Once you see them go to a search engine and start to study them. Remember there is much more to this than you will find on the first page of search results.
So what are the ways?
1. Writing articles. Success with articles comes from understanding how to write killer headlines and very informative articles. Articles should never be an ad. You have to remember the internet is the information super highway and that is what people are looking for. So above all try to help people and they will trust you more.
2. Link exchanges and one way links. Exchanging links with other websites can bring you more traffic if done correctly. Remember to always keep it relevant and in line with your business. That way you can please the search engines. Also keep in mind that the search engines are placing less importance on reciprocal links now. So, read all you can about what they are up to. But remember you can gain lots of new traffic this way.
3. Viral strategies. While the two ways listed above can be viral, there are many other ways to gain visitors with viral marketing. Once such way is to prepare a special report and encourage people to pass it on to others.
So in summary, each one of these ways can unlock your stale website and get traffic moving to your site. Just make sure you pick one to start with and study it until you become the expert on it. Learn everything about it. That you can and you will unleash a load of new visitors to your website over time.
Source: Free Articles
Achieving Sustainability For You and Your Business
By definition, to sustain means to give support or relief. So it's no surprise that sustainable businesses support or improve the current and future quality of people's lives. Many architects, builders, interior designers, and others are frequently asked to use natural products that protect and improve the environment. And in many industries, special designations exist for recognizing these certified companies.
Cleveland is one of the few cities in Ohio that is taking strong strides to make a difference in the U.S. Delicious Living Magazine voted Cleveland as one of the top five most impressive cities in the U.S. for this reason. Yet, according to the recent Ohio Health and Wellness Report produced by The Marketing Insider, Ohio still has some catching up to do. Mindset is where it needs to be in regard to an overall understanding of sustainability, yet this is not translating enough into action for both businesses and consumers.
Although sustainable businesses represent only a small percentage of the business community, it is a fast-growing part of the marketplace. It is expanding at a healthy pace and is projected to reach $1 trillion annually by 2020. Over 27 large U.S. corporations, including Nike, Estee Lauder, 3M, and Hewlett-Packard, accounting for over one billion dollars of the annual U.S. market for paper, pulp, and packaging, have made a commitment to stop selling products or using packaging made from old-growth trees, and to influence their suppliers to do the same.
The sustainable economy is one of the five main LOHAS (Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability) markets. It includes:
1. Alternative transportation
2. Green building and goods
3. Renewable energy
4. Resource-efficient products
5. Socially responsible investing
6. Environmental management
LOHAS is a $230 billion (and growing) U.S. marketplace for goods and services that appeal to consumers who value health, the environment, social justice, personal development and sustainable living. Of this $230 billion, $76.5 billion is comprised of sustainable economy.
Understanding overall sustainability is one thing, but doing something to be a part of it is yet another. It's important that you use this information to empower you toward action-to effect change. The Sustainable Style Foundation of Seattle, Washington, puts it succinctly, "look fabulous, live well and do good." Many of us recycle, something that may seem commonplace, yet is one step toward helping to protect the environment.
From a business standpoint, business owners can use this information to become sustainable and provide a better place for people to work and live. Companies can be sustainable even through their internal marketing and communications efforts. By using electronic formats to deliver collateral material and presentations to their internal and external audiences, they can minimize waste. In addition, professionally printed materials can be created on recycled paper with natural inks. Many companies that use catalogs to sell their products use print-on-demand to print only necessary pages, and use a searchable online catalog as their main catalog. Other companies, such as Interface Flooring Systems, offer users the opportunity to order samples directly from their website and return them in a prepaid package when they're finished.
Sustainability extends much further than the physical environment. It encompasses the social sphere as well. Many companies choose to be sustainable by effecting social change. Sometimes it's as simple as getting many groups to work together toward a common goal or effort that will impact the community. It allows everyone to make a difference.
Ben and Jerry's is a well-known company that promotes a variety of causes, including rainforest protection, world peace, and community economic development. The company established a foundation that donates a percentage of its profits to charities all over the world. In addition, ingredients for its ice cream are purchased from companies that employ homeless people, recovering alcoholics, and drug addicts, as well as from developing countries.
By making a commitment to honest and accessible public relations, a company can be sustainable. Many manufacturers have established toll-free numbers to sell merchandise and respond to customer inquiries. When staffed by courteous and knowledgeable associates, these companies are able to fulfill their commitment to being accessible with the right information that will help the consumer successfully use or safely dispose of a product. A company new to an area, or one that has developed an innovative solution to help solve an environmental problem, should consider an open-house policy to build support and trust in the company. Consumers and communities need to be given a reason to feel proud about companies. The founder of Body Shop International did just that when she opened their new Canadian headquarters in 1993. She generated favorable press by explaining to invited guests that the building was the most environmentally sound in Toronto. This naturally boosted sales and created customer loyalty.
Sustainability will only be achieved by a cohesive effort among individuals, companies and communities. Through this cohesive effort, companies of all sizes can truly practice sustainable business and instill trust and loyalty in both its employees and the consumers it serves.
Source: Free Articles
Cleveland is one of the few cities in Ohio that is taking strong strides to make a difference in the U.S. Delicious Living Magazine voted Cleveland as one of the top five most impressive cities in the U.S. for this reason. Yet, according to the recent Ohio Health and Wellness Report produced by The Marketing Insider, Ohio still has some catching up to do. Mindset is where it needs to be in regard to an overall understanding of sustainability, yet this is not translating enough into action for both businesses and consumers.
Although sustainable businesses represent only a small percentage of the business community, it is a fast-growing part of the marketplace. It is expanding at a healthy pace and is projected to reach $1 trillion annually by 2020. Over 27 large U.S. corporations, including Nike, Estee Lauder, 3M, and Hewlett-Packard, accounting for over one billion dollars of the annual U.S. market for paper, pulp, and packaging, have made a commitment to stop selling products or using packaging made from old-growth trees, and to influence their suppliers to do the same.
The sustainable economy is one of the five main LOHAS (Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability) markets. It includes:
1. Alternative transportation
2. Green building and goods
3. Renewable energy
4. Resource-efficient products
5. Socially responsible investing
6. Environmental management
LOHAS is a $230 billion (and growing) U.S. marketplace for goods and services that appeal to consumers who value health, the environment, social justice, personal development and sustainable living. Of this $230 billion, $76.5 billion is comprised of sustainable economy.
Understanding overall sustainability is one thing, but doing something to be a part of it is yet another. It's important that you use this information to empower you toward action-to effect change. The Sustainable Style Foundation of Seattle, Washington, puts it succinctly, "look fabulous, live well and do good." Many of us recycle, something that may seem commonplace, yet is one step toward helping to protect the environment.
From a business standpoint, business owners can use this information to become sustainable and provide a better place for people to work and live. Companies can be sustainable even through their internal marketing and communications efforts. By using electronic formats to deliver collateral material and presentations to their internal and external audiences, they can minimize waste. In addition, professionally printed materials can be created on recycled paper with natural inks. Many companies that use catalogs to sell their products use print-on-demand to print only necessary pages, and use a searchable online catalog as their main catalog. Other companies, such as Interface Flooring Systems, offer users the opportunity to order samples directly from their website and return them in a prepaid package when they're finished.
Sustainability extends much further than the physical environment. It encompasses the social sphere as well. Many companies choose to be sustainable by effecting social change. Sometimes it's as simple as getting many groups to work together toward a common goal or effort that will impact the community. It allows everyone to make a difference.
Ben and Jerry's is a well-known company that promotes a variety of causes, including rainforest protection, world peace, and community economic development. The company established a foundation that donates a percentage of its profits to charities all over the world. In addition, ingredients for its ice cream are purchased from companies that employ homeless people, recovering alcoholics, and drug addicts, as well as from developing countries.
By making a commitment to honest and accessible public relations, a company can be sustainable. Many manufacturers have established toll-free numbers to sell merchandise and respond to customer inquiries. When staffed by courteous and knowledgeable associates, these companies are able to fulfill their commitment to being accessible with the right information that will help the consumer successfully use or safely dispose of a product. A company new to an area, or one that has developed an innovative solution to help solve an environmental problem, should consider an open-house policy to build support and trust in the company. Consumers and communities need to be given a reason to feel proud about companies. The founder of Body Shop International did just that when she opened their new Canadian headquarters in 1993. She generated favorable press by explaining to invited guests that the building was the most environmentally sound in Toronto. This naturally boosted sales and created customer loyalty.
Sustainability will only be achieved by a cohesive effort among individuals, companies and communities. Through this cohesive effort, companies of all sizes can truly practice sustainable business and instill trust and loyalty in both its employees and the consumers it serves.
Source: Free Articles
How You Can Become a Marketing "Genius"
Effective marketing is vitally important no matter what business you're in. Consider what marketing expert Jay Abraham said about a vital key to marketing success: "Anyone can become a virtual marketing genius equivalent by doing one simple thing: testing."
In other words, learn how to test various elements of your marketing to find which of them really work - and which don't - and you can learn how to market effectively.
Notice that Jay did not say that by testing anyone would BECOME a marketing genius. He said "marketing genius EQUIVALENT." In other words, if you're willing to do what most marketers don't do - test, and adjust accordingly - the results can be the same.
Yes, by testing, you can generate the same results as a marketing genius, without having to be one.
Despite the dramatic increases in response that can be gained through scientific testing, most marketers and copywriters today still don't take advantage of it. Still others either don't test enough, or don't test properly.
One reason many don't test is that by focusing on "institutional advertising," they don't have to be held accountable for the results (or more likely, the lack of results) of their marketing.
Their view of an ad's success is, more often than not, whether it "looks good," "makes people laugh," or "wins advertising awards." Not whether it produces bottom line results.
On the other hand, virtually all true marketing experts preach about the importance of testing your advertising and marketing. Yes, marketing "geniuses" are usually very big on testing! Why?
Because even professional marketers often find it very hard - if not impossible - to predict how prospects will react in a given marketing situation. So even if you have some marketing savvy, testing can show you how to boost response that much further.
You don't have to be able to write a perfect sales letter on the first draft, or the second, or third. You don't have to instinctively know what the most profitable price is for your new product or service. You don't have to guess which of your potential headlines will pull the most response.
By scientific ad testing, the true value of all theories, opinions and educated guesses are laid bare. If they truly contribute toward marketing success, testing will prove it. If they don't, testing will prove that, too.
In short, you don't have to be a literal marketing genius to generate better conversion rates from your online or offline marketing efforts. Nor should you always listen to the marketing advice of others, which may be inaccurate and unprofitable, though well meaning.
Your prospects and customers can show you exactly which marketing approaches are truly most profitable in the above areas, and many more, if you only test.
Source: Free Articles
In other words, learn how to test various elements of your marketing to find which of them really work - and which don't - and you can learn how to market effectively.
Notice that Jay did not say that by testing anyone would BECOME a marketing genius. He said "marketing genius EQUIVALENT." In other words, if you're willing to do what most marketers don't do - test, and adjust accordingly - the results can be the same.
Yes, by testing, you can generate the same results as a marketing genius, without having to be one.
Despite the dramatic increases in response that can be gained through scientific testing, most marketers and copywriters today still don't take advantage of it. Still others either don't test enough, or don't test properly.
One reason many don't test is that by focusing on "institutional advertising," they don't have to be held accountable for the results (or more likely, the lack of results) of their marketing.
Their view of an ad's success is, more often than not, whether it "looks good," "makes people laugh," or "wins advertising awards." Not whether it produces bottom line results.
On the other hand, virtually all true marketing experts preach about the importance of testing your advertising and marketing. Yes, marketing "geniuses" are usually very big on testing! Why?
Because even professional marketers often find it very hard - if not impossible - to predict how prospects will react in a given marketing situation. So even if you have some marketing savvy, testing can show you how to boost response that much further.
You don't have to be able to write a perfect sales letter on the first draft, or the second, or third. You don't have to instinctively know what the most profitable price is for your new product or service. You don't have to guess which of your potential headlines will pull the most response.
By scientific ad testing, the true value of all theories, opinions and educated guesses are laid bare. If they truly contribute toward marketing success, testing will prove it. If they don't, testing will prove that, too.
In short, you don't have to be a literal marketing genius to generate better conversion rates from your online or offline marketing efforts. Nor should you always listen to the marketing advice of others, which may be inaccurate and unprofitable, though well meaning.
Your prospects and customers can show you exactly which marketing approaches are truly most profitable in the above areas, and many more, if you only test.
Source: Free Articles
How To Evaluate Trade Shows and Expos Before You Participate
Participating in a Trade Show or Expo for your industry is a great way to market and promote your products and services so you can get new customers. Just make sure that the event meets at least the minimum standards, otherwise your involvement could end in being a waste of your time, money, effort and even worse, result in your failure.
The first priority is to make sure that you are participating in an Expo that has a large enough number of attendees who are in your target market. You have to make sure that the people attending would be interested in buying your products or services.
You have to get the statistics from the past Expos. The number of attendees must be sufficient for you to make a profit. Find out if in the past expos they had hundreds, thousands, several thousands or if they just had a few dozen people scattered around the place. Focus on expos that have at least a few thousand people attend.
If it is the first time the company is sponsoring the expo, you would need to find out if the company is well known for other things and if they have been successful. If a large well known Fortune 500 company sponsors an expo for the first time, it would not be as big of a risk for you as some company that is unknown to the general public.
No matter what type of company is sponsoring the expo, you always need to find out their plans and the type of budget they are investing for advertising and promotion of the expo.
Ask for testimonials from both past attendees and other past exhibitors. Many expos take a survey to determine the attendees' ages, gender and household income levels.
This information is important because you do not just want people who are interested, but who are also financially qualified, and they can afford your products and services for you to close the sale.
Having a celebrity or several big name celebrities will not automatically guarantee you success, but it is a good positive sign because most celebrities will not want to ruin their good name or their reputation fooling around with an expo that is not legitimate or a scam. You will still have to do your homework, but chances are that the celebrities have already done the background research or they probably would not be there themselves. Celebrities draw large crowds. These crowds can translate into new customers and more money for you.
In summary, you may never get any new customers if: 1. the Expo attendance is too low, or 2. the people who attend are not your target or niche market, or 3. they are not financially qualified and cannot afford your products and services. However, if you stay on top of things and know ahead of time what you are getting into and be prepared, it could be a very fun, successful and profitable experience for you.
Source: Free Articles
The first priority is to make sure that you are participating in an Expo that has a large enough number of attendees who are in your target market. You have to make sure that the people attending would be interested in buying your products or services.
You have to get the statistics from the past Expos. The number of attendees must be sufficient for you to make a profit. Find out if in the past expos they had hundreds, thousands, several thousands or if they just had a few dozen people scattered around the place. Focus on expos that have at least a few thousand people attend.
If it is the first time the company is sponsoring the expo, you would need to find out if the company is well known for other things and if they have been successful. If a large well known Fortune 500 company sponsors an expo for the first time, it would not be as big of a risk for you as some company that is unknown to the general public.
No matter what type of company is sponsoring the expo, you always need to find out their plans and the type of budget they are investing for advertising and promotion of the expo.
Ask for testimonials from both past attendees and other past exhibitors. Many expos take a survey to determine the attendees' ages, gender and household income levels.
This information is important because you do not just want people who are interested, but who are also financially qualified, and they can afford your products and services for you to close the sale.
Having a celebrity or several big name celebrities will not automatically guarantee you success, but it is a good positive sign because most celebrities will not want to ruin their good name or their reputation fooling around with an expo that is not legitimate or a scam. You will still have to do your homework, but chances are that the celebrities have already done the background research or they probably would not be there themselves. Celebrities draw large crowds. These crowds can translate into new customers and more money for you.
In summary, you may never get any new customers if: 1. the Expo attendance is too low, or 2. the people who attend are not your target or niche market, or 3. they are not financially qualified and cannot afford your products and services. However, if you stay on top of things and know ahead of time what you are getting into and be prepared, it could be a very fun, successful and profitable experience for you.
Source: Free Articles
Ideas For Kids To Make Money Online
One would seldom think of looking in the print media for ways that kids can make money. Since the mid 1990s the print media has tended to focus on ways that children can become better readers. Some even has a special "Reading by 9" page. In May of 2006, however, the they did provide details about one of the newest ideas for kids to make money.
That article was about local boys who made a habit of chasing exotic cars. They used their cell phones to catch video of those exotic cars. When those boys got their first videos, then they discovered one of the newest ideas for kids to make money. They found that they could make money be selling their videos to various websites, sites where the viewers wanted to look at exotic cars.
More recently, after many months of selling those videos, these same boys have begun pursuing another of the ideas for kids to make money. They have started to design their own website. The boys are going to post all of their video on that website. Then they can get some money from the ads they place on that website.
Of course these boys realize that ads on a website represent just one of many ideas for kids to make money online. They are well aware of the fact that great video might encourage other website marketers to put a link on the kids' website. The kids would of course get money for such a link.
So these young boys could continue to make money simply by filming all of the local exotic cars they could find. Right now these boys know exactly where to go to find exotic cars. They know that they do not have to go far. There are many exotic cars all most on every coner of a big city.
These boys would probably have little trouble marketing their new website. These boys became famous overnight. A famous news media used one of their videos when reporting about the mystery surrounding a wrecked Ferrari. The boys had gotten pictures of the car and owner before the car accident.
These boys were provided with an even greater ability to make money online. Selling video to the news media is not one of the standard ideas for kids to make money. Yet now that this one group of boys has used them as buyers, maybe other kids will try to do the same thing. Maybe another group of kids could create a website with a special type of video. They would, however, encounter a challenge. They would find it hard to create a name as clever as that of their website.
To Your Success
Source: Free Articles
That article was about local boys who made a habit of chasing exotic cars. They used their cell phones to catch video of those exotic cars. When those boys got their first videos, then they discovered one of the newest ideas for kids to make money. They found that they could make money be selling their videos to various websites, sites where the viewers wanted to look at exotic cars.
More recently, after many months of selling those videos, these same boys have begun pursuing another of the ideas for kids to make money. They have started to design their own website. The boys are going to post all of their video on that website. Then they can get some money from the ads they place on that website.
Of course these boys realize that ads on a website represent just one of many ideas for kids to make money online. They are well aware of the fact that great video might encourage other website marketers to put a link on the kids' website. The kids would of course get money for such a link.
So these young boys could continue to make money simply by filming all of the local exotic cars they could find. Right now these boys know exactly where to go to find exotic cars. They know that they do not have to go far. There are many exotic cars all most on every coner of a big city.
These boys would probably have little trouble marketing their new website. These boys became famous overnight. A famous news media used one of their videos when reporting about the mystery surrounding a wrecked Ferrari. The boys had gotten pictures of the car and owner before the car accident.
These boys were provided with an even greater ability to make money online. Selling video to the news media is not one of the standard ideas for kids to make money. Yet now that this one group of boys has used them as buyers, maybe other kids will try to do the same thing. Maybe another group of kids could create a website with a special type of video. They would, however, encounter a challenge. They would find it hard to create a name as clever as that of their website.
To Your Success
Source: Free Articles
Considerations in Choosing a Realtor
A good realestate agent will help you find your dream property. Remember when you make your first appointment with a real estate agent their goal is to learn as much as possible about you. Your goal should be to learn as much as possible about them.
A realestate agent will most likely have tools available to show you the most current listings. It might be a special software. It might be a tool that quickly calculates your possible payment rates with accompanying easy to understand clarifications of all the portions of your payment.
The important common thread to all these tools is that they are all designed to sell. Sales is essentially the same for real estate as it is for cars, diamond rings, or furniture etc. If you listen closely you will detect the common thread of "looking for a yes".
Basically most realtors are bright, well trained, capable individuals. They come equipped with all the tools their real estate broker can provide them. So what is the skill set that a realtor should possess that would set them apart from all the rest?
That skill set is almost certainly well developed listening skills. If you find your real estate agent talking more than you maybe that person doesn't have listening skills. How do you know for sure your real estate agent is a good listener and why is that so important?
The quickest way to determine your realtor's listening skills is with a test. Sometimes if you are looking for listening skills you will know right away that a particular person does not listen well. Anyway the test is to carefully identify a few specific items you find important in a home. Those might be a large master, quiet neighborhoods, a south facing view etc. It doesn't have to be a long list because just like the salesperson may be sorting customers, you should be sorting realtors.
Give a list to a prospective realtor. Have them email you 4-5 homes that may fit your needs. If your prospective realtor has good listening skills the homes presented will meet your list of features. If some of the homes do not closely fit than your prospective realtor is more of a salesperson than a listener. This person strives to convince you that a house will work for you. This real estate agent is normally very smooth at this. That is why it is important for you to understand you need a real estate agent with good listening skills or you will be convinced by that person what to buy rather than buying what you started out to buy.
This may seem obvious but in reality by not shopping for a real estate agent with this all important skill in mind, often times the sales oriented real estate agent exercises too strong of influences on what one actually ends up buying.
Source: Free Articles
A realestate agent will most likely have tools available to show you the most current listings. It might be a special software. It might be a tool that quickly calculates your possible payment rates with accompanying easy to understand clarifications of all the portions of your payment.
The important common thread to all these tools is that they are all designed to sell. Sales is essentially the same for real estate as it is for cars, diamond rings, or furniture etc. If you listen closely you will detect the common thread of "looking for a yes".
Basically most realtors are bright, well trained, capable individuals. They come equipped with all the tools their real estate broker can provide them. So what is the skill set that a realtor should possess that would set them apart from all the rest?
That skill set is almost certainly well developed listening skills. If you find your real estate agent talking more than you maybe that person doesn't have listening skills. How do you know for sure your real estate agent is a good listener and why is that so important?
The quickest way to determine your realtor's listening skills is with a test. Sometimes if you are looking for listening skills you will know right away that a particular person does not listen well. Anyway the test is to carefully identify a few specific items you find important in a home. Those might be a large master, quiet neighborhoods, a south facing view etc. It doesn't have to be a long list because just like the salesperson may be sorting customers, you should be sorting realtors.
Give a list to a prospective realtor. Have them email you 4-5 homes that may fit your needs. If your prospective realtor has good listening skills the homes presented will meet your list of features. If some of the homes do not closely fit than your prospective realtor is more of a salesperson than a listener. This person strives to convince you that a house will work for you. This real estate agent is normally very smooth at this. That is why it is important for you to understand you need a real estate agent with good listening skills or you will be convinced by that person what to buy rather than buying what you started out to buy.
This may seem obvious but in reality by not shopping for a real estate agent with this all important skill in mind, often times the sales oriented real estate agent exercises too strong of influences on what one actually ends up buying.
Source: Free Articles
6 Ways You Can Advertise Your New Business
Advertising is an essential part of your overall marketing. Without reaching out to new customers you are limiting your potential market. The best marketing is creative and innovative - something that will make your customers remember your name and, thus, think of you again when they require your products or services. Also, as you might expect, advertising is expensive. You have to be absoultely sure that you will get a return on your investment (ROI) from the advertising you are paying for, or at least that some objectives are being met.
1. Newspaper Advertising
One of the most inexpensive forms of advertising is an ad in the local paper. With even a small advertisement, you can reach a large number of people. If the paper caters to a particular geographic region you can further target your advertising just to that region. The larger the ad, the more expensive it becomes. Most people respond to a small colurful ad rather than a full-page black and white ad.
2. Mailbox Stuffing
By investing in newspaper advertising or television advertising one must assume that the advertisement only reaches a segment of the total population. After all, not everyone watches television or reads the paper. To get the largest slice of the pie that you can, go directly to your population and fill their mailboxes with your advertisements or offers.
3. Offer Brochures
A brochure can explain much more about your company, products or services than a single newspaper ad. If your customers need detailed information in order to choose your business over your competition, consider using a brochure. It's good to have brochures handy at trade shows or stocked at the reception desk of your business.
4. Yellow Pages
Still one of the oldest ways of finding businesses is the yellow page directory. Every person with a telephone has a copy of their local phone book with business Yellow Pages. Directories are one of the most widely used forms of advertising. The telephone company advertising staff will give you help in designing an ad that will present your business in an effective manner. Be aware that directories are published at various times of the year. Call the phone company to determine the publication deadlines. A home-based business may wish to omit the address from the ad. Phone calls can be screened and clients can be scheduled so the neighborhood is not disrupted by an increased flow of traffic.
5. Business Cards
Another inexpensive way to communicate with your customers are business cards. Always keep a few handy to give out during shows, at meetings, and after a job well done. Think of it as a miniature billboard for your business. It needs to contain essential information such as the name of your business, your name, and essential contact information such as, at the very minimum, your address and phone number. Many people like to add a slogan or logo to their card as well.
6. Others
Pens, keychains, balloons, t-shirts, you name it. These are marketing materials that fall under this category. Usually inexpensive promotional gimmicks, most people find that useful items like pens are more effective than items with no purpose other than to carry your logo (ex. balloons).
Source: Free Articles
1. Newspaper Advertising
One of the most inexpensive forms of advertising is an ad in the local paper. With even a small advertisement, you can reach a large number of people. If the paper caters to a particular geographic region you can further target your advertising just to that region. The larger the ad, the more expensive it becomes. Most people respond to a small colurful ad rather than a full-page black and white ad.
2. Mailbox Stuffing
By investing in newspaper advertising or television advertising one must assume that the advertisement only reaches a segment of the total population. After all, not everyone watches television or reads the paper. To get the largest slice of the pie that you can, go directly to your population and fill their mailboxes with your advertisements or offers.
3. Offer Brochures
A brochure can explain much more about your company, products or services than a single newspaper ad. If your customers need detailed information in order to choose your business over your competition, consider using a brochure. It's good to have brochures handy at trade shows or stocked at the reception desk of your business.
4. Yellow Pages
Still one of the oldest ways of finding businesses is the yellow page directory. Every person with a telephone has a copy of their local phone book with business Yellow Pages. Directories are one of the most widely used forms of advertising. The telephone company advertising staff will give you help in designing an ad that will present your business in an effective manner. Be aware that directories are published at various times of the year. Call the phone company to determine the publication deadlines. A home-based business may wish to omit the address from the ad. Phone calls can be screened and clients can be scheduled so the neighborhood is not disrupted by an increased flow of traffic.
5. Business Cards
Another inexpensive way to communicate with your customers are business cards. Always keep a few handy to give out during shows, at meetings, and after a job well done. Think of it as a miniature billboard for your business. It needs to contain essential information such as the name of your business, your name, and essential contact information such as, at the very minimum, your address and phone number. Many people like to add a slogan or logo to their card as well.
6. Others
Pens, keychains, balloons, t-shirts, you name it. These are marketing materials that fall under this category. Usually inexpensive promotional gimmicks, most people find that useful items like pens are more effective than items with no purpose other than to carry your logo (ex. balloons).
Source: Free Articles
4 Tips For Writing Advertisements That Gets Results
What do you think are the best advertisements? Are What do you think are the best advertisements? Are they funny? Do they use clever word play to catch someone's attention? Maybe, they have beautiful graphics? (With just a little bit of copy to fill in the reader on what the product is)
It seems that nothing is more misunderstood than the topic of advertising. People have a lot of foggy notions on what gets someone to respond to an advertisement. There are a whole lot of people who think that advertising is about eye catching graphics and that an ads success depends on the quality of the graphics.
Then there are people who believe that advertising is meant to entertain, usually humor is the medium they consider. They think that entertaining the reader will somehow lead to a response.
Direct response marketers know the answer to these questions. They know what works and what doesn't work because they test everything. They care only about responses and they know what gets the best response.
If you are advertising and you want to generate leads or make sales you can learn from the direct response marketers. Here are some very useful insights.
Rule #1 Know your advertising objective
Start with the end in mind. What do you want the reader to do? Do you want them to call you? Do you want the reader to send an application in? Do you want them to buy something? Once you know your objective that everything in your ad should be designed to accomplish that objective.
A lot of people think that what they want is exposure to as many people as possible. If you have lots of money to spend then that could be a good idea. But, if you are concerned about your budget and you want to minimize your cost per sale then I suggest you are better off with an ad that is geared toward creating a response.
Rule #2 Get Their Attention
Prospects get inundated with marketing messages everyday, over 2000 on average. If you want to stand out from the crowd you will need to craft a headline that will grab them by the eyeballs.
Before you start thinking about all sorts of whacky ways to get peoples attention you need to know that getting attention for attentions sake will not increase your response. You need to get their attention but it also needs to be relevant to your product or service and be truthful.
Good headlines generally fall into three basic categories. The first type of headline, which some regard as the best type of headline, is called a self interest headline. This type of headline spells out a benefit that the buyer will receive.
An example of this type of headline would be -- "Look Young At Any Age". This clearly shows the reader that there is a benefit, looking young.
The second category is referred to as a news headline because it promises the reader something newsworthy. "New Car Wax Keeps A Shine For Over A Year". The news in this headline is that there is a new car wax that is much improved over the last version.
The third category is a curiosity headline. These headlines are designed to make a reader want to continue to the body copy in order to learn more. An example of this would be "How A High School Drop Out Made Millions On the Internet".
The above headline also has an element of self interest to it as well, since most people would think that if the high school drop out could make millions then they could, too
Rule #3 Use Plain English
You want your writing to sound conversational. But, bear in mind that there are subtle differences in how people speak. If you are targeting CEO's of the Fortune 500 you would talk differently to them than you would an expectant mother.
However, for the general market you want to write like you speak, but eliminate big words with lots of syllables and technical jargon because too many people will not be able understand you.
Rule #4 Write About The Benefits
Features describe and benefits sell. Don't make the mistake of writing only about the features of your product.
An easy way to make sure that you are capturing the benefits of your product is to do this simple exercise. On a piece of paper draw three columns. In the first column list all the features of your product or service. In the second column write down all the benefits that each of the features provides your customer.
Then in the last column answer the question "So That...?" for every benefit. This will make sure that you are capturing the real benefit to the customer.
So, for example lets say we are writing about a dog collar. The feature is a new easy to use clasp; the benefit would be that the dog owner can get the collar on quickly.
Now, if we ask the question "So that" we would get another layer of benefits such as this: The dog owner can get the collar on quickly (benefit) so that when their dog is resisting they can get the collar on without having to fumble around with the collar and the dog at the same time (the second layer benefit).
These tips represent some of the basic elements that should be in any ad that wants to produce results. Use these elements and you should see increased response from your advertising.
Source: Free Articles
It seems that nothing is more misunderstood than the topic of advertising. People have a lot of foggy notions on what gets someone to respond to an advertisement. There are a whole lot of people who think that advertising is about eye catching graphics and that an ads success depends on the quality of the graphics.
Then there are people who believe that advertising is meant to entertain, usually humor is the medium they consider. They think that entertaining the reader will somehow lead to a response.
Direct response marketers know the answer to these questions. They know what works and what doesn't work because they test everything. They care only about responses and they know what gets the best response.
If you are advertising and you want to generate leads or make sales you can learn from the direct response marketers. Here are some very useful insights.
Rule #1 Know your advertising objective
Start with the end in mind. What do you want the reader to do? Do you want them to call you? Do you want the reader to send an application in? Do you want them to buy something? Once you know your objective that everything in your ad should be designed to accomplish that objective.
A lot of people think that what they want is exposure to as many people as possible. If you have lots of money to spend then that could be a good idea. But, if you are concerned about your budget and you want to minimize your cost per sale then I suggest you are better off with an ad that is geared toward creating a response.
Rule #2 Get Their Attention
Prospects get inundated with marketing messages everyday, over 2000 on average. If you want to stand out from the crowd you will need to craft a headline that will grab them by the eyeballs.
Before you start thinking about all sorts of whacky ways to get peoples attention you need to know that getting attention for attentions sake will not increase your response. You need to get their attention but it also needs to be relevant to your product or service and be truthful.
Good headlines generally fall into three basic categories. The first type of headline, which some regard as the best type of headline, is called a self interest headline. This type of headline spells out a benefit that the buyer will receive.
An example of this type of headline would be -- "Look Young At Any Age". This clearly shows the reader that there is a benefit, looking young.
The second category is referred to as a news headline because it promises the reader something newsworthy. "New Car Wax Keeps A Shine For Over A Year". The news in this headline is that there is a new car wax that is much improved over the last version.
The third category is a curiosity headline. These headlines are designed to make a reader want to continue to the body copy in order to learn more. An example of this would be "How A High School Drop Out Made Millions On the Internet".
The above headline also has an element of self interest to it as well, since most people would think that if the high school drop out could make millions then they could, too
Rule #3 Use Plain English
You want your writing to sound conversational. But, bear in mind that there are subtle differences in how people speak. If you are targeting CEO's of the Fortune 500 you would talk differently to them than you would an expectant mother.
However, for the general market you want to write like you speak, but eliminate big words with lots of syllables and technical jargon because too many people will not be able understand you.
Rule #4 Write About The Benefits
Features describe and benefits sell. Don't make the mistake of writing only about the features of your product.
An easy way to make sure that you are capturing the benefits of your product is to do this simple exercise. On a piece of paper draw three columns. In the first column list all the features of your product or service. In the second column write down all the benefits that each of the features provides your customer.
Then in the last column answer the question "So That...?" for every benefit. This will make sure that you are capturing the real benefit to the customer.
So, for example lets say we are writing about a dog collar. The feature is a new easy to use clasp; the benefit would be that the dog owner can get the collar on quickly.
Now, if we ask the question "So that" we would get another layer of benefits such as this: The dog owner can get the collar on quickly (benefit) so that when their dog is resisting they can get the collar on without having to fumble around with the collar and the dog at the same time (the second layer benefit).
These tips represent some of the basic elements that should be in any ad that wants to produce results. Use these elements and you should see increased response from your advertising.
Source: Free Articles
Neglect Marketing A Business At Your Own Risk
Getting new clients and repeat business is definitely one of the very first things to do when starting off a new business. Most people have no problem acquiring the necessary skills to survive in the business they have chosen. When the clients are acquired, the business begins and the work continues until the money comes in. And the cycle continues till the business finds new clients or the clients themselves find new places to take care of their business needs.
However, many business people have made the mistake of neglecting this part of the business process. Very few, if at all, have ever concentrated on marketing a business.
Not many businessmen realize this, but marketing a business is probably one of the most important things they can do to grow their business. A lot of people see getting new clients as marketing a business. Nothing could be further from the truth. Getting new clients is one of the aspects of marketing a business. But marketing a business involves a whole lot more than merely getting hold of clients. Branding is a part of marketing a business. Sales too are part of it. Why, even something as backend oriented as accounting and book keeping is also an integral part of marketing a business.
In fact, marketing a business is all about creating a brand for the business. And branding is serious business. Once a business, any business has a brand, it will begin to gather a reputation. And once it manages to gather a sufficiently large reputation, then clients will flock to it. So why waste time trying to get the clients to come to you when you can play all your cards right, concentrate on your core competency and the clients in turn come to you!
But before one presumes or assumes that marketing is easy work, one must realize that nothing again could be further from the truth. Not only is any marketing serious and a back breaking work; this is especially so in the case of any business. Marketing a business is no easy task. It takes years of assiduous application, a whole lot of patience and constant, consistent and dedicated skill before one can even begin to build a reputation. And the troubles don't end when a reputation has been built. It needs to be sustained. Only then can anyone reap the benefits.
So the next time you entertain the thought of starting your own business, seriously draw up a plan for marketing. I assure you, you will need to think through this important process.
Source: Free Articles
However, many business people have made the mistake of neglecting this part of the business process. Very few, if at all, have ever concentrated on marketing a business.
Not many businessmen realize this, but marketing a business is probably one of the most important things they can do to grow their business. A lot of people see getting new clients as marketing a business. Nothing could be further from the truth. Getting new clients is one of the aspects of marketing a business. But marketing a business involves a whole lot more than merely getting hold of clients. Branding is a part of marketing a business. Sales too are part of it. Why, even something as backend oriented as accounting and book keeping is also an integral part of marketing a business.
In fact, marketing a business is all about creating a brand for the business. And branding is serious business. Once a business, any business has a brand, it will begin to gather a reputation. And once it manages to gather a sufficiently large reputation, then clients will flock to it. So why waste time trying to get the clients to come to you when you can play all your cards right, concentrate on your core competency and the clients in turn come to you!
But before one presumes or assumes that marketing is easy work, one must realize that nothing again could be further from the truth. Not only is any marketing serious and a back breaking work; this is especially so in the case of any business. Marketing a business is no easy task. It takes years of assiduous application, a whole lot of patience and constant, consistent and dedicated skill before one can even begin to build a reputation. And the troubles don't end when a reputation has been built. It needs to be sustained. Only then can anyone reap the benefits.
So the next time you entertain the thought of starting your own business, seriously draw up a plan for marketing. I assure you, you will need to think through this important process.
Source: Free Articles
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