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During my day, I talk with many business people about business, and invariably, the conversation  turns to how  business has slowed down, due to the economy.  I know firsthand how business has slowed down, because I provide services to the business sector.

In today's competitive market, we are all competing to get that small portion of disposable income.  With fewer dollars being spent on what are considered "luxuries", such as meals eaten out, we have to become more aggressive in our marketing and promotion efforts to bring enough customers and clients to remain in business.

Your competition is facing the same problems you are, and they have probably curtailed their efforts as well.  If you have an established business, you have to advertise and promote your business more aggressively.  And to do so, you'll have to increase your advertising budget.

In today’s competitive market, you have to be creative and unique in your promotion and advertising.  That  should included investment into non traditional advertising.  One such example would be making sure your employees and family wear apparel with you business information on the back.  This makes them walking billboards for your company.  How many people will see them at the store or bank, and make an imprint on them.

Advertise on your vehicle.  Again, this is a one time expense, and can result in thousands of impression each day.  Rule of thumb on vehicles, "bigger is better".  Make sure your internet address is prominently displayed.  If you don't have an internet site, make it a priority to get one.  More people are using the internet these days to locate information about those they want to do business with.  Fewer people are using traditional media such as the "Real Yellow Pages".  List your business on as many free business directories as possible.

For more information, or a personal consultation on how you can better promote your business, give me a call.  We offer web page design and hosting services. Among the services we provide are custom apparel  services.

Every so often, I come across a business card that someone got from one of the "free business card" sites, where all you have to pay is the shipping and handling.  These template based cards are easy to spot, and of course, when you hand them out, the back encourages the recipients to order their own "free" cards.  In effect you, you are promoting them each time you dispense one of your business cards.

But really, what does such a card say about you and your business?  Personally, it makes me think that the giver is to cheap to order more expensive, personalized cards.   If a business is going to cut corners, or pinch pennies at this stage of the game, they will do the same with my job or project.

Another reason to be wary of the "free business card" scam is a practice known as cramming.  These companies sell your information, including payment information to other companies, who in turn place you in a negative option scheme by placing unwanted and unauthorized charges on you credit card.  It is then up to you to cancel the enrollment, and, of course, they make it difficult to obtain a refund.   Here are a couple of links filled with consumer complaints:


 Free?  I don't think so.  If you need business cards, call us, for a cost effective solution.

Michael

Several years ago, Nike has a slogan that went "IMAGE IS EVERYTHING".  While that may not be 100% true, Image can make or break a business or individual.

When I talk with people about image, I often use the example of 2 painters.  Imagine, if you will, that you are going to have your house repainted, and you call a couple of painters for a free estimate.  At the appointed time, your first potential painter, Bob shows up, in an old beat up station wagon, in a pair of overalls, with his ladders tied to the top of his roof, and the rear loaded with paint buckets, tarps and brushes.  He looks around, gives you a quote, and goes on his way.  You, of course are not very impressed with his image, and wonder what kind of a job he would do.

Shortly thereafter, Max The House Painter arrives his new panel truck which is lettered with his business name, phone number and business slogan.  Impressed?  You bet you are.  Since he looks successful, he MUST be successful you tell yourself.  Even though his price quote is a bit higher than Bob's, his image has swayed your opinion in his favor and you've awarded him the job and paid him a deposit.

What you failed to ask, was about their respective experience.  Bob has been painting his entire adult life, is efficient, honest, and quick.  Max is new, just in business, because he thinks it's easy money.  He'll tell you he'll be there, but then you are plagued with one excuse after another, about why he can show up that day.

Image isn't everything, but it sure makes a good impression.

So, what kind of impression are you making with your business?

Over the years, I''ve learned that traditional advertising is a crap shoot, at best, and If you plan on your campaign being effective, you better have a large budget. Those "gurus" with the large agencies will be quick to tell you that it takes about 6 impressions before your potential customer will remember your company or offer. At that rate, you might as well kiss your money goodbye on your initial efforts. 

If you are using television or radio, your money is gone the second the ad is over, and you can expect to never, ever reach the channel surfers with this method. Newspapers may produce for a couple of days, but when the paper hit the trash, or the next day's comes out, that investment is gone as well. 

By far, the best advertising is one that is reasonable priced and you pay for only once. It keeps working for you, 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There are several ways to accomplish this, and one could cost you as little as thirteen cents a day.  Every one that has a vehicle and owns a business should utilize magnetic signs or vehicle graphics for the reasons listed above. Magnetic signs are available in many colors, and can be printed with almost anything on them. The only limitation is the space. Notice, the magnet below has all the pertinent information, includes a logo, in is done in 3 colors and has a border to increase interest, visibility and retention.

How many people see your vehicle every day? How many impressions are you losing?

Check out this unsolicited testimonial we received just the other day, about the power and effectiveness of vehicle advertising.

Any questions? Interested in a set? Call me, and let us put your advertising dollars to work for you.  Have a wonderful day,

Michael


DATE:  August 10, 2007
FROM:  Jamie and Carla Flynn

Hi again,

I had to e-mail you about this...  less than 10 minutes after I left your shop I pulled into the parking lot of Southern Outfitters on the corner of Star and 231...  as I exited the truck a man looks up at the rear window and asks about the veterinary services...  I talked with him a few minutes , hand him a card and he heads into the store telling me he is going to give us a call because he needs several animals seen to...

Then as I'm leaving the store a man getting out of his truck looks at mine and asks pretty much the same thing... he has goats, needs several seen to and calls the doc while we are standing there.  His call paid for the ad on the window... we are currently discussing what we need on the trailer and the other windows.... 

Thanks!!!!!

Jamie and Carla

Several days ago, while out and about, I saw a neat pile of business cards on a counter in a local business.   I saw one that interested me, and took it home for a follow up call.

Imagine my surprise, upon dialing the number to be told that I had the wrong number.   O.K., I thought to myself and dialed again, with the same results.  The same lady answered the phone and told me she had never heard of the business.

What a shame.  Someone put out time and money to start the business, and have cards printed.  They had a potential customer (me) but, it was all in vain.  I often wonder how many other sales they lost, and how long it took them to figure out why the phone was not ringing.

Your business card is usually one of the first things a potential client or customer sees of you and your business.  One of the worst things you can do is line out a number and replace it with another one, or use a "generic" card.  Business cards are a low cost promotional item, and should always be up to date and making a good impression.

So, what does your business card say about you?  Have you taken more than a cursory glance at them when you picked them up?  Is all the information up to date?  Does it convey the image you would like it to?

For 13 tips on how to make your business card advertising memorable, click on the READ MORE link in this box

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