Search Results for ‘public speaking’
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
Tomorrow (July 20th) is “Get Out of The Doghouse Day®” – a National holiday which my team and I created in 1999 – and one of the things that has become our CLAIM TO FAME. Today got me thinking about some of the strategies we have used to get our name out there to become known in our community and to help others get to know about the products and services my company offers. In 2000 we created a survey to see how people got out of the doghouse (and what put them there in the first place) and in 2001 we created a logo and trademarked the holiday National Get Out of The Doghouse Day®®. We had to create a logo to submit to the United States Patent and Trademark Office – www.uspto.gov.
Speaking of Surveys – did you know that more than 1,000 people actually responded to it? And that was before the advent of online surveys (as we know them today)! In fact, the question I am most often asked is just how we got more than 1,000 people to take the survey. That was the easy part. Since I am and have always been an avid networker, I simply carried my clipboard with the surveys around every where I went. We also asked people when they stopped in my florist, and I even took the surveys on trips and asked people on plane rides, bus rides, at conferences, in waiting areas and let’s not forget the Ladies Rooms! It was such fun meeting so many people. Of course, today would be a lot easier because we could have done this totally online, but the experience would not have been the same for my staff or for me.
And the best part of all is that every year at this time I get dozens of calls from Radio stations around the country asking about the holiday which is the “famous” part. Being interviewed by radio personalities all over the US makes me feel sort of like a celebrity, so I guess you could say “I am famous” for creating this holiday. And yes, it’s still one of my greatest “claims to fame.” In fact, my staff and I have also been quoted in countless newspapers and magazines over the years. So you see, this type of promotion can garner great publicity and you become known for something positive. And the “publicity” could go on for years afterwards.
Webster’s defines famous as: renouned, celebrated, well-known, prominent, legendary.
Each of us fits that definition to some extent. The amount of “fame” each of us achieves however, is only relevant if we use it to our advantage. Here are some ways you fulfill the definition of “famous.”
~ When you write articles and others read them, you are famous.
~ When you have a loyal following of customers, clients and friends, you are famous.
~ When you have written a book, you are famous.
~ When you have volunteered for a fundraiser or some other community service, you are famous.If you’ve ever received an award, you are famous.
~ If you’ve ever done a heroic deed, you are famous.
In what other ways could you be famous?
Actions and deeds that you perform on a personal basis make you famous such as given your heart to a small child or a senior citizen, you are famous. When you’ve mentored someone or helped her or him achieve a goal, you are famous. And countless other ways! And the best part is that you OWN the fame, it is something that can never be taken away from you.
So tell me, what’s your CLAIM TO FAME?
For the REST OF THE STORY, Read the post: MY BEST PROMOTION EVER
Read the article: Women Want Flowers Men Want Sex – Doghouse Survey Says
Have a great story to share? Take the Get Out of the Doghouse survey
Check out the Doghouse Survey Press Release and 2009 Contest
Read Top Ten Ways to Stay out of The Doghouse
Take the Get Out of the Doghouse survey: http://tulipstalk.com/DoghouseSurvey.pdf
Read some of the FUN stories submitted by our survey respondents on the Tulips Talk Blog
And Check out Quirky Marketing ~ 365 Ways to Promote Your Business Using Zany & Non-traditional Holidays!
July 19th, 2009
So you want to start a direct mail campaign for 2009, but you aren’t sure where to begin or what type of campaign to run? Before you do, you should know your options.
Here are Eleven time-tested direct mail options for you to consider:
Package inserts ~ a package insert can be anything from an informational brochure to a postcard to a little business card size document. The purpose of the insert is to get the recipient to take an action such as go to a website, call the company for more information, send in a warranty card, redeem an incentive such as a coupon and gift certificate.
Co-op Mailings ~ A form of trade sales promotion where a marketer offers non-competing companies the opportunity to share the cost of mailing to a particular database or group of customers and prospects.
Postcards ~ an economical way to promote a business or particular product or service less expensively than mailing a letter. Postcards can be very effective because there is no envelope to open and the prospect can see the offer at a glance .
Flyers ~An offer detailed on a single sheet of paper.
Card Decks ~ a package of individual cards wrapped together and mailed to prospects. These decks vary in quantity, and can contain 60 cards or more, each competing for the prospect’s attention.
Sampling Programs ~ A method of encouraging trying products free-of-charge or very inexpensively.
Statement Stuffers ~ Marketing brochure in a customer’s billing or account statement containing an offer or brief sales message along with a call to action mechanism such as a short-form, postcard or toll-free telephone number. Statement stuffers are an inexpensive way to market additional products and special offers to current customers.
Catalogues ~ A publication, such as a book or pamphlet, containing a list or display of products, services and offerings to a specific group of prospects and customers.
Door Hangers ~ door hanger marketing is where you create a small flier (often in mixed in with a few other direct mail pieces that are included in a plastic bag to be hung on the door knobs of prospects. This form of direct mail is often seen in residential areas however has also been effective in large office buildings (provided leaving them is allowed).
Webserts ~ A websert is a text or graphic link that appears after an online purchase is made. Webserts are more cost-efficient, offer more accurate source tracking, and can be dynamically served more easily.
Classifieds ~ Print advertising that is limited to certain classes of goods and services, and usually limited in size and content. Classified ads can appear in print media such as newspapers, magazines and catalogs as well as in digital media such as ezines, online magazines and websites.
In my next post I will be sharing 8 tips to run a successful direct mail campaign.
For a complete list of marketing definitions, visit: Speaking With Spirit and download your FREE copy of the Self-Marketing Dictionary TODAY!
January 8th, 2009
So in honor of Underdog Day, and to thank my readers, here’s a little gift for you:
My good friend, Joan Stewart invited the readers of The Publicity Hound ezine to download and give away her Best of The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the Week from 2008. This free ebook includes 24 of Joan Stewart’s very best publicity tips from her free ezine.
Here’s a sneak peek at what this year’s book includes:
A fast, inexpensive way to catch the attention of journalists in your community.
A clever way to get onto the morning TV talk shows…most people who are pitching aren’t doing this.
A place where you can connect daily with journalists who are looking for sources. And it won’t cost you a penny.
What to do when you’re tempted to strangle a reporter for wasting your time interviewing you, and then leaving your name out of the story.
A news story that appears several times a year in almost every community and is PERFECT for piggybacking onto.
9 ways to use video to pull more traffic to your website, sell more products, generate publicity, and build word-of-mouth publicity about your product, service, cause or issue.
11 ways to use a paid or unpaid assistant to help with publicity-related tasks.
How to make your local Chamber of Commerce one of your biggest promoters.
A free tool that tells you whether your press release gets a passing grade or a big, fat F.
How to use a popular social networking site to snoop on your competitors legally and ethically
What writers can learn from a beloved dog’s obituary.
How to claim the Number 1 spot on Google.
A publicity mistake that most companies make, and it kills their chances of ever getting covered.
61 pages filled with great content and you can get it for FREE when you download it here: Best of Publicity Hound’s Tip of the WEEK 2008
Wishing you a wonderful holiday season and thanks so much for reading Redhead Marketing Blog!
Heidi
Ps. Stay tuned because our brand new marketing calendar for 2009 is due out any day. And it has hundreds of ideas (at least 100 more than the 2008 edition) to help you grow your business. Leave a comment below and you will be the first to know when it launches.
December 19th, 2008
December 1st is Cyber Monday ~ Cyber Monday refers to the Monday immediately following Black Friday, the ceremonial kick-off of the holiday online shopping season in the United States that falls between Thanksgiving Day and Christmas. “Cyber Monday” is meant to encourage consumers to make purchases online they could not make during the previous weekend which started with Black Friday. Cyber Monday sponsored by the National Retail Federation’s Shop.org division, has evolved into a significant marketing event,in which online retailers offer low prices and promotions. (Source: Wikipedia)
In recognition of Cyber Monday, I too have some “special offers” for my readers. They include:
Grow Your Business Audio Program on sale for only $39.95!
Sign up for How to Grow Your Million Dollar Business? Audio program, based upon the Summit which took place September 18-20 and 23rd is available at $97 now only $39.95. The complete audio program now includes 20 interviews, a 90+ page workbook and several bonuses. And over the next few weeks we will also be offering additional sessions on “Attracting Million-dollar clients,” “How to get Million-dollar Publicity” and more. You don’t want to miss these. Here’s what one person had to say about these sessions:- Heidi I was blown away by the huge names that you managed to gather together on the one teleseminar series. Just one of these speakers would have made the entry price a great deal. I have learned so much from these speakers (and how wonderful is it that most of them are female!) I feel that they have opened my eyes to a big new world and I am implementing right now some of the suggestions that I heard. Very inspiring! Now what shall I spend my first million on…? Katherine Reschke, Business and Mindset Coach ~ http://www.passionsthatpay.com
To get your copy of this program and attend the upcoming interviews go to www.GrowaMillionDollarBusiness.com today. Unadvertised BONUS: Purchase this audio program and you will also receive a complete set of your choice of one of our other popular audio programs. Visit: www.WomensSuccessSeries.com for more information
MOVING SALE ~ I have a few copies of Life Compass for Women available – Now thru December 30th, You can get an autographed copy for $4.95 (plus shipping) ~ Regular price is $14.95. This Indispensable Guidebook on Life Management for Busy Women features 16 of the top experts on Life Balance and Management Strategies. Every copy you buy, I will also include a copy of her “What’s Your OccuPlaytion” Motivational Book (value $6.95). This little book makes a great stocking. Need several copies?
Send a message to Heidi@speakingwithspirit.com with Life Management book in subject line. And you will get and additional 25% off four or more copies. For more information and to grab your copy ~ Visit: http://speakingwithspirit.com/books/life-compass-for-women/ (FYI we are moving our offices January 1st and won’t have the space to store them.
December 1st, 2008
Six of a dozen marketing ideas professional speakers shared to gain visibility with our target audience.
To continue the discussion about how I gathered information to create a marketing plan for the Florida Speakers Association, I asked members how they would spread the word about FSA, who they suggest we connect with and contact (sharing their resources) and how they suggested we increase our membership base and meeting attendance. Here’s an exercise to use to spark marketing ideas for your small business: where ever the word member or membership is used, replace it with customer or customers.
Here are six more ideas the members shared with me (will post the final six tomorrow):
1. Web marketing, radio, and other technology related media. Web marketing, even though the web is convoluted with millions of sites, still provides an organization a vehicle for establishing name recognition. This is achieved by placing the right keywords at the right places, as well as paying minimal fees for dominant search placements.
2. Another way to spread the word about FSA would be to advertise in any magazine or publication that has to do with public speaking or presentation skills. Advertising at college campuses is another way especially for Communication Majors. Send a Press Release so that a story can be done about the organization and its benefits. Advertise in “self improvement/health” magazines. These magazines have everything from psychics to regression therapy.
3. We should utilize other “partners” such as all area Toastmaster clubs, MPI, ASTD, Marketing Association, etc. as well as communication departments in local companies and public speaking programs at local colleges and their graduate programs as well. FSA members should have a web link to FSA site on their individual web sites to get moor info on “becoming a world class speaker, trainer, etc.”
4. Also, if the local chapter were to create content segments (audio, visual, and type) and made them available free-of-charge from its website, and then submitted the site to various search engines, this would drum up “awareness”. Awareness of a site that provides good, free content, that is backed by a respectable organization, creates a tipping point via word of mouth advertising, the strongest marketing know to humankind.
5. Radio spots, even though not as effective as they were 50 years ago, still reach thousands of listeners daily (especially during driving times of working professionals that may need a speaker). The right genre station provides many opportunities. If the FSA is a nonprofit or not-for-profit affiliated with any philanthropic initiatives, PSA announcements may be available. A knowledgeable member from FSA could be a guest on a radio program
6. Finally, affiliations with universities and public events, again, drives awareness of a brand, in this case, the FSA. Awareness and being distinctly identifiable from other organizations are two of the key ingredients in any successful marketing initiative.
Stay tuned for the final six tomorrow….
October 17th, 2008
Earlier this month I started a topic about how I gathered information to create a marketing plan for the Florida Speakers Association. I asked members how they would spread the word about FSA, who they suggest we connect with and contact (sharing their resources) and how they suggested we increase our membership base and meeting attendance.
Here are six more responses:
I find that word of mouth is great… and also the encouragement I give to others who are speakers but don’t know it yet. Also a brochure would be nice to hand out.
Contact clubs and hold a contest… have them submit club member names who would like to attend an FSA meeting to see what it is all about in helping them develop leadership and communication skills. Then, we could draw one name per month and COMP that person. This would also increase our notice data base.
We could even have a special annual day focused on local clubs and developing good speakers in clubs. We could even start a different membership category for local club member speakers who do not want to become professional, but do like to hang out with the pros.
TV and radio interviews from some of our top speakers about the FSA and what it has done for them.
Ask CEOs (with their own strong followings) to present — and encourage their own people to be part of our group. Have THEM send out notices to business media. Invite media people to discuss how public speaking skills helped them. Usually THEY will give our group free publicity if it involves them.
Do a charity fund-raiser using some of our speakers to improve skills of the people who GIVE the $$…not just get the benefit of dollars. Improve the image of us being part of an INTERNATIONAL – NOT JUST LOCAL OR NATIONAL – GROUP OF GIVING PEOPLE…THE VOICE OF THE WORLD.
October 15th, 2008
October 5-11 is National Work from Home Week– Working too hard? It’s time to get out of the house and treat yourself. During National Work from Home Week you could reconnect face to face with the public. Go shopping, network, visit clients, get a massage, manicure or pedicure or facial (or all of the above).
Join a forum and chat with other Work from Home Professionals. Find out how they run their businesses while they manage their lives. Check out Yahoo Groups for starters.
Attend an event in your community geared toward the Work at Home Industry. If there isn’t one, why not host a luncheon and invite other Work at Home’rs to attend? Call some companies that would benefit from getting in front of this unique market and ask if they would like to co-sponsor the event or have a “table” to showcase their products and services. It just might be a great opportunity to make some money for your time and efforts.
For more ideas to market your small business, grab your copy of the 2008 Marketing Calendar. It’s FREE!
October 5th, 2008
The “NikePod” Example
Apple took portable music to a whole new level when Nike and Apple teamed up to develop the Nike + iPod Sports Kit. This kit is a media player/sneaker combo that allows runners to track their progress on their computers. However, that isn’t the only benefit this partnership brought.
The buzz around the product launch and deals with online stores at both brands generated “above average” demand according to both companies. Not to mention that both retailers have been able to leverage their partnership to sell and promote the product to a wider audience. And users can download their training details from the Nike Web site, where they can maintain a daily logbook. All this is possible even when the user is listening to her favorite songs on the iPod. This mix of customer experience, media, marketing, and the ability to promote their brands in a variety of ways makes the Nike/Apple duo a perfect model for marketing and product partnerships.
Who could you partner with to bring your customers/clients a better experience?
Want to know how to create those partnering opportunities? Read “It Takes Two – How to Cultivate Profitable, Strategic Alliances To Increase Your Market Share”
September 15th, 2008
Yesterday I started the conversation regarding surveys and one that I did with the Florida Speakers Association (in 1999).
As you will discover when reading these tips, many of the ideas are still very much relevant.
Here’s a recap of the the three questions asked in the survey:
1. Without prior knowledge of how we currently “market” the Florida Speakers Association, what do you think are the most effective ways to spread the word about our organization?
2. Who do you suggest we contact (media) to “spread the word?” Would you be willing to share your media resources of help the Marketing Task Force locate those resources?
3. What marketing/Public Relations program would you suggest to help FSA increase membership and attendance at meetings?
Gayle said:
1. Word of mouth is always best of course, however, we need to get some articles done on us in the local papers, do some community programs (r-tv) and send out press releases with success stories.
2. If a speaker does not have their own resources yet, there should be a list on line that could help us. If not, the reference librarians could point us in the right direction.
3. Each program needs to be marketed with its own USP. What are they really going to get out of it? What benefit will they derive by attending? For example, I am sure there were many people who got more out of “our panel” than many of the speakers at meetings, because we were giving real, practical tips.
And Sally replied:
1. Probably connecting with Toastmasters is the best bet. Next I think we should hook
up with groups of published authors and appropriate writers associations. Another way is to have members go through some kind of training or informational session about how they can appropriately reach the professional and trade associations to which they belong. These are groups that hire speakers on a regular basis.
2. We could keep a scrapbook of copies of articles that were either written about us in newspapers and magazines or in which we were quoted. This book could be available to members at all meetings. In that way, a member could contact as a referral an appropriate newspaper or magazine writer and our marketing people could contact them about FSA. For TV and radio appearances, members could write up a page about their experience and the appropriate contact. We could also offer special workshops and training specifically geared to media people. In that way we could help them and make contact with them at the same time. I would definitely be willing to share my media resources.
3. I think we could increase membership by having one meeting a year devoted to bringing guests. That day the program could be run by members making presentations about how FSA particularly benefited them and their careers. We could have all kinds of membership perks on that day. To increase attendance, I suggest more networking time during each meeting.
Maybe each time we could have a roundtable time set up by area of expertise, location of business, by some kind of speaking skill like openings, closings, stories, etc., by the different aspects of the speaking business, or by speaker resources like photographers, printers, business plans, etc.
Stay tuned for part three tomorrow.
September 12th, 2008
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