Maria’s Insightful Solutions. Lasting Results.

I welcome Maria Marsala as a new contributor to our blog. Maria is a Business Strategist, Coach, Speaker and former Wall Street trader. You will find her articles insightful and I urge you to visit her website at www.coachmaria.com.

The One-Hour Marketing Solution
Summary: If you hate the thought of marketing, this article is for you. There are people who have found ways to market with integrity and have lots of fun, too. If this describes you, then skip this article! Other people would rather be doing anything else – even getting a tooth pulled (well almost) – instead of marketing. If that describes you, then start marketing 60-minutes each day.

Now, I’m not talking about creating forms, business cards, etc. Instead, take 1 hour each day and “really” market. First use that time to design a marketing plan (review your business plan for some ideas). Make sure that your plan includes many enjoyable ways to market or ways you think you’d enjoy. Do I hear lunch? Next, spend one hour per day conducting any type of marketing! Or spend the equivalent of that time – 2 afternoons per week or whatever way works for you – as long as it equals 5 hours per week.

Over time, you too will realize that marketing is fun. Without realizing, your marketing time will automatically begin to increase. Remember, if you get stuck… go to the web or your local bookstore and check out all the marketing information. There are rows upon rows of “how to market” books. So, keep in mind, you can market your way, market with integrity, and have fun, too.

Use the books below to investigate fun ways to market:

• “Guerrilla Marketing Handbook” (or any guerrilla book) by Jay Levinson and Seth Godin Lots of inexpensive and great ideas to build a marketing foundation and see what enjoyable methods you can add to your marketing plan.
• “Selling The Invisible: A Field Guide To Modern Marketing” by Harry Beckwith Especially good if you market a service vs. a product.
• “The Portable Coach: 28 Surefire Strategies for Business and Personal Success” by Thomas Leonard Marketing using the 28 principals of attracting people and business to you.
• “Permission Marketing: Turning Strangers Into Friends, and Friends into Customers” by Seth Godin and Don Peppers.
• “Integrity Selling: How to Succeed in Selling in the Competitive Years Ahead” by Ron Willingham.
• Visit our recommended business foundation books, at www.TheResourceQueen.com/books.

Contributor: Maria Marsala
© 2009 Chief Business Collaborator Maria Marsala has been publishing MORE BUSINESS ezine since 1999. If you’re ready to make more money, kick-start your marketing and live a high quality life, get your FREE tips now at www.ElevatingYourBusiness.com.

 

Don’t Let That Green Guy Steal Your Christmas!

During the holiday season, it can be difficult to manage a business, a family, and the annual stresses of the holidays. Throw in a recession, and you have a recipe for a grouchy Christmas. It is important to take a deep breath, relax, and enjoy this time with friends and family. Below are a few tips on handing this time of the year:

1. Control What You Can Control
   There is no sense worrying about things you may not have any control of. You can’t predict what will be the perfect gift for Aunt June, and you certainly can’t predict the direction of the economy. However, you can make informed decisions based on the information you do have. Have confidence in your own decision-making abilities, and execute it based on your best judgment. Both Aunt June and your business will benefit from your conviction.
2. Budget Wisely
   Remember you have financial limits, both at home and at the office. Prepare a budget for your holiday spending much as you would for your business. It is not stressful to spend, but it will be stressful to pay when bills and statements arrive in January. Take a practical approach, and give yourself one less thing to worry about in 2010.
3. Remember, You Are Not Alone
   You are not the only one experiencing stress this time of year. Your relatives, employees, and colleagues are all going through the same stresses, leading to potential holiday squabbles and blow-ups. Take some time to listen to them vent and complain, offer advice and express your own challenges. Ninety percent of the time, an angry or stressed person just wants to be heard, and lending that ear will prevent a Christmas Grinch, and will make you feel better in the process.

Remember, the holidays should be a time for enjoying your family, friends, and something bigger then you and your business. Sit back relax and enjoy the fruits of your labor from 2009.

Contributor: Joe Witte

 

 

What One Business Owner Did To Increase Sales?

The key to promoting any business in hard times isn’t to reduce your marketing but to switch to low-budget or no cost marketing activities.

While driving in my neighborhood last weekend a sign caught my eye. Although small, and seemingly inexpensive, it was a fantastic marketing idea:

 “If your name is Frederick?
Come in to receive your FREE GIFT”

 I was excited because my brother-in-law’s name is Frederick. I told the kids we should tell Fred to stop by for his free gift. This little inexpensive sign made me stop the car and enter the shop to see what was going on inside.  The shop was full of holiday cheer, beautiful flower arrangements and best of all helpful store associates. I made a note to myself that this shop is a must stop next time I am on the block.

A young lady at the register greeted me with a smile and I asked her for the manager.  I then met Christine Price (order coordinator and graphic designer at large). I asked Christine about the sign and this is what she said. “We have been using it for a few years. This was thought up by the owner to get “window shoppers” into the store.  They might not buy anything at the time they come in to get their free prize. Our hope is that they remember what they got and also what they saw while waiting. We have a lot more to offer in the store that they can’t see from the street. So when people come in they can browse around while they anxiously await their prize. Also it’s nice to meet people in the neighborhood. People like to win things; it is a small price to pay for a new customer!”

Are your marketing and promotional ideas stopping customers in their tracks? Share your ideas by leaving a comment below. 

Photo and marketing idea was posted with permission from
Blossom Flower: The Kegan family established its floral business in the Fordham area of the Bronx, NY, in 1925. Now in our fourth generation of continuous family service, we have grown in orderly manner to a central distribution facility in Yonkers, NY (just 15 minutes north of Manhattan) and 1 additional shop in White Plains, NY. Visit our Blog: www.blossomflowerblog.com and Website:  www.blossomflower.com.

 

 

Mt. Vernon Business Owner Gail Lewis Honored

Gail Lewis, founder of Gail’s Graphic Designs, was honored in New York Real Estate Journal’s 7th Annual Women in Real Estate Spotlight issue . In this issue Ms. Lewis answers the question “What impact has social networking had on your success?”

The special issue recognizes women and their achievements. “I am truly grateful to be named amongst the esteemed list of women honored this year,” said Lewis. “This recognition is a great way to end 2009 and start off 2010 as Gail’s Graphic Designs continues on its path towards great success.”
 
Ms. Lewis has more than 15 years of marketing experience, including senior level corporate marketing positions in leading commercial real estate investment and service companies. Ms. Lewis has extensive background in advertising, website management, events & sponsorships, marketing collateral, and email-marketing initiatives

A graduate from Bernard M. Baruch CUNY, Ms. Lewis earned her Bachelor of Arts degree with a focus on Operations Management. She is a member of the American Marketing Association (AMA) as well as the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce, Inc. (CACCI). Ms. Lewis is also a contributing writer to “Mind Your Business” column in Your Money eZine (Jamaica’s premier business and financial eZine).
 
About Gail’s Graphic Designs
Based in New York, Gail’s Graphic Designs offers a broad spectrum of creative design and communication solutions to assist in the marketing of your product or services. Visit Gail’s Graphic Designs at www.gailsdtp.com.

About New York Real Estate Journal
New York Real Estate Journal is the largest weekly commercial investment real estate newspaper in the state of New York covering all aspects of the commercial real estate industry. Learn more at www.nyrej.com.  

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The 4 Types Of Brand Designation Are…

Before you hang your “open for business” sign, get to know the terms below.

1. Brand Name
   A word, letter (number), group of words, or letters (numbers) that can be spoken. Examples are Charmin, Lipton Cup-a-Soup, and IBM.
2. Brand Mark
   A symbol, design, or distinctive coloring or lettering that cannot be spoken. Examples are Prudential’s Rock.
3. Trade Character
   A brand mark that is personified. Examples are Ronald McDonald and Pillsbury Doughboy.
4. Trademark
   A brand name, brand mark, or trade character or combination thereof that is given legal protection. When it is used, a registered trademark is followed by ®. Examples are Scotch®  Brand tape and MasterCard®.