Search Results for ‘business event’
Surfing the WEB for tips to make your company stand out on Black Friday
Think of Black Friday as an opportunity to bring in new customers by offering a few good Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals. Not only will this kick off your holiday season on a positive note (and hopefully add to a healthier bottom line) you can take advantage of the fact that people will be shopping online and therefor traffic will be stronger on these two days.
Since Black Friday is all about promoting your business and selling more, here are several ideas to help you plan a killer selling day (or days).
Be sure to grab your share of sales
The average Black Friday corresponds to around-the-store lines before the sun rises. Now, of course, we seem to be in a recession, but that may make November 28th an even more profitable time for every business that has something to sell.
Insane deals tend to get people moving on Black Friday, and folks who would prefer to get some sleep may join the mobs due to their financial situation. Like major retailers, you can try to draw them in by offering big discounts on a few items, and then see what else they spend while they’re in the store.
Read the rest of the Black Friday Boom Forecast here: http://www.smallbusinessnewz.com/topnews/2008/11/17/black-friday-boom-forecast
Small Business Can Make Big Plays on Black Friday
Black Friday is like the Super Bowl. It’s a huge event that draws millions of people. But only the big boys get to play on the field. People like you and me only get to watch.
At first glance, Rafi Mohammed seems to reinforce that with his advice for retailers to woo customers with steep discounts on Black Friday. He encourages retailers to use loss leaders to welcome people back from discounters.
For anyone tempted to compete with the big boys on price, this is a pretty good reason to abandon that strategy. It also looks like a pretty good reason to stay in bed Friday and let the big retailers deal with all those people.
To read more visit http://mainebusiness.mainetoday.com/blogentry.html?id=16424
Black Friday Bargains for Small Business
Black Friday — and the following Cyber Monday — can also be a great time to go shopping for your small business. Just ask Rhonda Abrams of USA Today. She suggests the following:
Strategies for successful small business Black Friday shopping:
1. Make a list of stuff you really need. Don’t buy just because something’s cheap. It’s tempting, I know.
2. Check to see which version of Windows 7 you need. If you have a server you’ll need at least the Pro or Ultimate edition. Upgrades are very expensive so buy the right one.
Read the rest of the article “Black Friday Bargains for Small Business” at USA Today ~
http://www.usatoday.com/money/smallbusiness/columnist/abrams/2009-11-20-black-friday-bargains-for-small-business_N.htm
Over at online betting zone Bookmaker, they’ve put out their oddsmaking team’s predictions. The majority of the team says between 161 million and 180 million of us will hit the stores and websites on Black Friday, and we’ll spend between $300-$400 per shopper. Second-best odds were for 131 million to 161 million shoppers spending $250-$300 apiece.
To read what else they have to say read Black Friday and Cyber Monday…Will They Rock? on the Entrepreneur.com blog here http://blog.entrepreneur.com/2009/11/black-friday-and-cyber-mondaywill-they-rock.php
And if you happen to be out shopping on Black Friday, here’s a few tips for you:
Make list: In any shopping maneuver, a list can help you plan ahead and shop more efficiently. Look through sales fliers and check out www.black-friday.net for information on which stores are offering what deals. Then you can prioritize the items on your list, and plan out a route according to what is most important to you. Also list any coupons you have that can be used to further reduce the prices of desired items.
Visit the store the day before Thanksgiving: After you know what you are looking for, visit the stores ahead of time. Familiarize yourself where the desired items are located in the store. Make friends with a sales associate to find out if there will be additional discounts, or if you can reserve something ahead of time (for most doorbusters, though, associates aren’t allowed to do this).
Read the rest of Holiday Shopping: Tips for Black Friday and Cyber Monday here: http://www.moolanomy.com/2135/holiday-shopping-tips-for-black-friday-and-cyber-monday-mmarquit01/
While you are at it, read 10 Fascinating Facts about Black Friday http://www.pcworld.com/article/182224/10_fascinating_facts_about_black_friday.html
November 23rd, 2009
The whole point of advertising is to get noticed. With all the noise these days both online and off, it is difficult at best to get seen…
That’s why I recommend publicity over advertising. Do things like createingan event or a stunt that will get you noticed in your niche. Get busy on social networking sites where your customers and clients hang out, including the top 3 Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. Having said that, there are reasons and places to advertise online that will pay off without spending a fortune.
Here are some tips to “advertise”:
List your online business in free directories such as Google (http://www.google.com/local/add), Yahoo (http://www.listings.local.yahoo.com) and Bing (http://ssl.bing.com/listings), DMOZ, The Open Directory Project (http://www.dmoz.org/) and ZoomInfo (http://www.zoominfo.com/). By the way, if you do list your site in these directories be sure and only list once because you could get banned for multiple listings of the same company. You can also show videos and photos which can be added to your listings.
In addition, list your business in LOCAL Directories such as YellowPages http://listings.yellowpages.com, City Search http://myaccount.citiysearch.com, AOL Local Search http://localsearch.aol.com, Local.com at http://register.local.com and Merchant Circle at http://merchantcircle.com.
When you list your business above, use keywords to describe what you do using benefit words (eg. “24 hour turnaround” or “loose weight or you don’t pay”) rather than vanity words (like BEST, AWARD WINNING) – people don’t believe that anymore and they don’t search for businesses that way.
This will take you less than an hour to set up and about 10-15 minutes a month to maintain.
Find sites that sell to your audience that compliment what you do and see if they will either sell you space on their site, list you in their links or if they have a newsletter that goes out to your target audience see if they do ads. Most of the time these ads are innexpensive and you can test for very little money. BTW, one insert is not a test. You need to create a campaign and keep your ad in for a minimum of 5-6 issues to see if it is going to work. Remember that it takes that many impressions before people begin to recongize your company. It also builds credibitly.
And remember to add social networking to your marketing plan. I know so many people who just hang out on SN Sites but don’t really know how to effectively use them to get attention for their businesses. Before you waste a lot time check out what those you admire are doing and model them. Don’t copy them, learn from them. See what they are doing and what is working for them. See how you can adapt to your own situation.
As you can see, I could go on and on about this topic. Let’s just say there are many ways to advertise without breaking the bank and many of them are FREE. The price you pay is TIME which by the way IS NOT FREE. Once its spent you NEVER GET IT BACK. So use it wisely.
September 12th, 2009
August 10th is Lego Day ~ Legos were invented by Godfred Kirk Christiansen (1954) in response to a need for toys that would challenge children to think. Legos comes from the word “Leg godt” which means “play well.”
Over the next 52+ years dozens of organizations have come up with ideas and events to create a world record for using the most legos, creating the largest construction and even the tallest towers. In fact, in 2006 the World record-smashing LEGO tower measures over 96 feet tall beat the former record by only 7 inches. The structure, built by hundreds of children in Vienna, created a whopping tower of LEGO measuring 96.7 feet. In fact, The new tower is so tall, the children assembled the structure in pieces before adults lifted each section to the pinnacle by a crane.
~ Read the whole story here: http://dvice.com/archives/2008/10/world_recordsma.php.
What records have you attempted to “break” in your company, your community, your circle to gain attention of the media and promote your business?
Here’s some great Lego training ideas http://www.squarewheels.com/content/legotrdev.html
And be sure to check out LEGO SERIOUS PLAY ~ an innovative, experiential process
designed to enhance innovation and business performance here: http://www.seriousplay.com/
August 10th, 2009
Tired of spending all your money on advertising and marketing that just doesn’t work? Here are 10 cheap ideas to grow your business without breaking the bank!
1) Market to Former Customers and Clients. It costs less than marketing to new customers. Make them an offer they can’t refuse, such AS $5 off their next purchase.
2) Join Associations, professional organizations, and civic and charitable clubs. Get involved and become a leader. You’ll make great contacts that can lead to future business. Also, thank new members who join your organization by offering them a coupon or sending them a postcard for a discount or something free.
3) Reward Repeat Customers. Offer a frequent-purchase card to track their spending.
4) Use Coupons to enhance your sales. Give them a reason to TRY your business.
5) Follow the Rule of Three:
*Forget cold calls. Make three warm calls a day to prospects whom others have referred to you.
*Collect at least three business cards a day.
*Send at least three notes each day to people thanking them for their business or something they did to help your business grow.
6) Encourage Word of Mouth from Your Family, Friends and Associates. Your best advocates will be those who already know you and like you. Encourage them to tell others about your products and services. Sometimes they just need the nudge to get started. And then reward them for doing so.
7) Send press releases prior to having an event or a contest or write articles for publications in your industry.
8) Create and send a newsletter or e-zine (newsletter sent via e-mail) to your customers to keep your business at the top of their minds. Include tips on flower care, positive news events, specials, discounts and coupons.
9) Give Stellar Service with a 100-percent, no-questions-asked, money-back guarantee. It will give your customers a sense of ease in doing business with you and build their trust.
10) Partner with Other Companies to promote your business. Find companies with similar customer demographics that are not in competition with your business and create ways to joint venture with them either on a one-time, long-term or event-by-event basis.
For more tips like these check out Rose Marketing on a Daisy Budget: How to Grow Your Business Without Spending a Fortune by Heidi Richards Mooney
July 27th, 2009
– Bastille Day is the French national holiday, celebrated on 14 July each year. In France, it is called Fête Nationale (”National Celebration”) the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille fortress-prison was seen as a symbol of the uprising of the modern nation, and of the reconciliation of all the French inside the constitutional monarchy which preceded the First Republic, during the French Revolution. (Source Wikipedia).
Today is Bastille Day
In honor of Bastille Day I thought it would be fun to showcase an event the *American Cancer Society hosts ever year called Jail & Bail.
Jail & Bail is an annual fundraising event that brings together community leaders and ordinary citizens for a common cause… to help fight Cancer!
Jo Walters, David Singer, Sabrina Singer and Marilee Maddox
For many years I was an active participant in Jail & Bail, serving as a Parole Board Member AND a Jailbird!
This year, the American Cancer Society’s annual Jail and Bail event, held recently at the Sheraton Fort Lauderdale Airport Hotel in Dania Beach, raised more than $150,000.
Here’s how it works: The fundraiser has community members “arrested” by local law enforcement officers and brought to the mock jail. While in custody, these “jailbirds” have unlimited use of a telephone to call friends, relatives, co-workers, business associates, etc…, to raise the bail in pledges to the American Cancer Society. The bail is determined by a “judge” at the “jail”. And, all donations are fully tax deductible contributions to the American Cancer Society.
The local ACS sends media releases with Parole board members names and companies and also provides volunteers with their own press release Template to send out to their own media contacts. This is also a great way to stay top of mind in the media when they are looking for a story or resource.
One of my good friends David Singer (an attorney in Hollywood, Florida) has been the local Jail & Bail chairperson for years. And he and his law firm have received prestigious placement in all the major media outlets in the tri-county area including print, radio AND TV. He works tirelessly to recruit Parole Board members who in turn find people to “arrest.”
And it’s a fun event.
What does Jail & Bail have to do with Marketing? It’s called Cause-related marketing. Whenever businesses support a cause that has potential to reach a lot of people in the community, it helps them not only create goodwill in the community, it often will gain incredible media attention. And that’s the kind of attention most businesses want. Because we don’t have to pay for it and we can feel good about giving back. As a “sponsor” you get visibility on marketing materials, mentioned during planning meetings and in media releases and much more. As a participant you get to work closely with other like-minded volunteers AND maybe even see YOUR name in the media.
Here are 5 tips to help you plan and execute a successful Cause-related Marketing Campaign:
1. Find a cause you can get your arms around. Something that feeds your soul AND does good in the community. You will find it more worthwhile and you will be able to relate better to the people who also believe in the cause – the volunteers, staff and supporters. Organizations are also looking for partners with similar agendas, those who can achieve their goals by partnering with the right businesses and individuals in the first place.
2. Set realistic, measurable goals for your program. Like any other marketing plan, you need to know what outcomes you hope to get from your participation. Include how you will achieve those goals.
3. Create a “partnership agreement” that both parties understand and agree to. A clearly defined agreement will include both “partners” obligations, rights and expectations. Remember this is like any other partnership and if you can add a little formality to it, then the chances of success increase and it creates a sense of comfort knowing in black and white what each partners responsibilities include.
4. Be an ambassador for your Cause. Let everyone in your own circle know what and how you are supporting the organization. You will be pleasantly surprised by how many people will give you a thumbs up and also will want to “help you in your cause.”
5. When all is said and done, do a thorough review to make sure the campaign met your goals, your needs and the expectations of all concerned. Remember that while you want to support a cause you believe in, the bottom line is your support should create awareness of, interest in and customers for your company.
So next time you are trying to decide what community event to support, look at your calendar and see what’s going on and find a local charity to align yourself with. And then let me know what you did. Maybe your story will end up in the next edition of Quirky Marketing ~ 365 Ways to Promote Your Business Using Zany and Non-traditional Holidays.
*The American Cancer Society (ACS) is a nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem—by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer— through research, education, advocacy and service.
Grab a FREE copy of my ebook: GET MEDIA SAVVY!– The Ultimate eGuide to Promote Your Products, Services and Ideas to the World at: http://www.womensmediasummit.com/get-media-savvy/
July 14th, 2009
Did you know that on this date in history 1889 Formerly known as Customers’ Afternoon Letters, the Wall Street Journal began publishing under it’s new name? “The Wall Street Journal is a special paper for people in the business and economic communities, yet it goes far beyond that designation in its treatment of the news. The Journal gives precedence to stock market tables and other financial news, but it also prints personality profiles, sociological background articles, and other items on the edges of the “hard” financial news.” (Source: TriviaLibrary.com)
Wall Street Journal Trivia:
Charles Dow, Edward Jones, and Charles Bergstresser founded the Wall Street Journal in 1888 as the Customers’ Afternoon Letters.
Won its 1st Pulitzer Prize in 1947. Since then, it has won several Pulitzer Prizes.
From 1940 to 1970, the paper’s circulation grew from 35,000 to more than a million.
The Journal never prints photographs, only ink dot drawings called hedcuts, introduced in 1979, rather than photographs of people, a practice unique among major newspapers.
The Wall Street Journal Online was launched in 1996 and boasts one of the highest online paid circulations of any journalist media today.
Every Thanksgiving the editorial page publishes two famous articles that have appeared there since 1961. The first is titled “The Desolate Wilderness” (about what the Pilgrims saw when they arrived at the Plymouth Colony). The second is tited “And the Fair Land” written by Vermond C. Royster whose Christmas Article has also appeared in the Wall Street Journal every Christmas Day since 1949.
In 2005 the Journal reported a readership profile of about 60 percent top management, an average income of $191,000, an average household net worth of $2.1 million, and an average age of 55
Sources: Wikipedia and TriviaLibrary.com
Today is also Ziegfeld Follies Day!
Florenz Ziegfeld, one of America greatest theatrical producers created the Ziegfelc Follies and from 1907 until his death in 1932, his Ziegfeld Follies were a highlight of New York entertainment. The Follies were famous for their elaborate staging, big stars of the era such as Fannie Brice, Eddie Cantor, Will Rogers and W.C. Fields. The Follies became best known and loved for the trademarked beautiful chorus line. Before the Rockettes becamed a girls dream job, girls of his day dreamed of being a Ziegfeld girl!
Other notable events on this date include:
1933 Public Works Administration becomes effective
1909 1st pro baseball game, minor league, played under lights
1870 Congress authorizes registration of trademarks
1835 Liberty Bell cracks, again
1796 U.S. State Department issues 1st American passport
Source: Brainyhistory.com
July 8th, 2009
Did you know that June 27th is Sunglass Day?
Or that smoke tinted glasses were invented in China circa the early 1400’s? However, instead of using them to guard against the sun’s rays, Judges wore them in court so nobody could see their eyes. This was to keep people from figuring out what the verdict was before it was declared.
In fact, the military was among the first to commission glasses that would protect pilots from the sun’s glare. And sunglasses didn’t really become used by the public en masse until the 1960s when a sunglass manufacturer and ad agency came up with the “Who’s Behind those Foster Grants?” ad campaign.
In 2002 Sunglass Hut International joined forces with The Weather Channel as marketing partner of Rays Awareness.
Sunglass Hut supported The Weather Channel by sharing its expertise in eye safety and sunglass technology.
Each of Sunglass Hut’s 1,700 stores supported the program sending email notices and updates to consumers.
The Weather Channel featured eye safety tips and co-branded public service announcements and on-air segments promoting Rays Awareness throughout the summer.
In addition, the network shared data and statistics with local schools, civic groups and community boards.
Maybe you could contact your local advertising specialty company and order those cool sunglass clips for cars. Have them custom imprinted with your company logo. Every time your prospect unclips or clips their glasses on in the car, your company name is front and center. These items are a hit with everyone and everyone uses them! Donate a few of them to local business or civic organizations during one of their events.
Or do what Charlotte Russe (the boutique store) is doing. Charlotte Russe is running an exciting promotion with Seventeen Magazine! CR was featured in the table of contents and on the cover of the June issue. From 5/5/09-6/30/09 Seventeen readers can bring in the issue and receive a free pair of sunglasses from Charlotte Russe (while supplies last).
What company could you partner with to create a community service campaign while promoting your product or service?
June 26th, 2009
May 15th is International Virtual Assistants Day - Host a virtual event inviting your circle to meet your virtual assistant. Interview him or her about what types of projects they work on, how they can help small business and more. Post the interview to your blog and promote your VA in your newsletter, on your website and in emails. If you are a virtual assistant, host a virtual conference for VA’s inviting them to share their stories with guests.
VA can help promote the event to their local media and garner some publicity for them and you. In 2008 the Online International Virtual Assistants Conference took place and VA’s from around the globe participated. It was a great way to raise awareness of this emerging profession.
Loral Langemeier, The Millionaire Maker says if you want to build wealth you have to first create a Cash Machine and second become someone else’s cash machine. A Virtual Assistant can take the load off so you can focus on the parts of the business that will make you the most money.
May 15th, 2009
May 3-9 is also National Postcard Week – An excellent time to redo your postcard marketing campaigns. We use SendOutCards to send postcards to our customers, clients and people we meet. In fact, every time I attend a networking event, I upload the information of the people I met into the SendOutCards database and then create a simple,” nice to have met you” campaign.
Every single person I send a card to has either called or emailed me a thank you. I do not sell them anything, just tell them it was nice to meet them and ask “what you can do for them.” I might also offer a link to a special report or other free digital item I know would interest them. Not only is this a great way to stay in touch with prospects, it also is a great way to keep track of where and when I meet someone. You can make notes in the SOC database, create specific campaigns for each event, even customize the cards with a picture or logo (or both).
Excerpt from the book “Quirky Marketing ~ 365 Ways to Promote Your Business Using Zany & Non-traditional Holidays (the original holiday marketing guide) ~ www.QuirkyOffer.com
May 3rd, 2009
April 22nd is also National Jelly Bean Day – On October 15, 1999, the world’s largest jar of jelly beans was unveiled. It weighed 6,050 pounds. Did you know that each year, U.S. manufacturers produce more than 16 billion jelly beans for Easter — that’s enough to completely fill a plastic Easter egg 89 feet high and 60 feet wide (about the height of a nine-story office building.
Time for another “world’s largest jar of jelly beans?
BTW, I am giving a presentation to the American Business Women’s Association called Leveraging Social Networking to Grow Your Business. During the event I am having a “Guess the Jelly Beans” contest and will announce the winner at the end of the program. Someone will go home with a free copy of my Social Networking Formula for Success CD (value $47). And everyone will get a handful of Jelly Beans too!
Read the History of Jelly Beans at Xomba.com
Take this Jelly Bean Quiz
For more great ideas like these, check out Quirky Marketing ~ 365 Ways to Promote Your Business Using Zany and non-traditional Holidays.
April 21st, 2009
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