American companies are tightening their advertising budgets and finding new ways to entice customers amid nationwide economic woes. MarketingSherpa's 2008 "Marketing During an Economic Downturn" survey reports 60-percent of large companies are significantly shrinking traditional type marketing budgets this year.
"What happens is that the current economic crisis puts pressure on advertisers to save money and find more effective marketing channels," said Karsten Weide, program director of Digital Marketplace and New Media at IDC.
While much of what is left of the marketing budget is being filtered into online media, traditional advertising like newspapers are facing the biggest dip in revenue in 50 years according to The Newspaper Association of America (NAA).
This advertising cutback is prompting many businesses to seek out cost-effective alternatives, such as PR, to build their small and mid-sized businesses into larger ones.
Although corporations may understand the power of public relations, many assume that a media-focused PR campaign is beyond their fiscal reach. This comes down to the fact that most traditional public relations firms charge hefty monthly retainers without offering any guaranteed results.
Yet, when it comes to PR the results are all that matter. Executives are demanding more bang out of every buck, with none of them wanting to pay for pitches that don't pan out. At the end of the day, executives and decision makers need to know that their financial investment will be rewarded with a measurable return.
While most PR firms want to be paid for the entire campaign procedure, the philosophy of our firm is to only get paid for the media exposure we obtain. We developed a fee structure based on the delivery of radio and TV appearances, which forces daily focus on the end result instead of the process. Let's face it. In this economy, when it comes to PR, clients are hungry for tangible results.
As said before, the current economic slump is forcing many companies to slash their marketing budget drastically. With a high demand for income, companies are employing new methods to generate quality leads and drive traffic to their websites.
One successful method is online marketing which has become a hotbed of activity in the promotion and sales of products. To survive in this "technology obsessed" marketplace, companies are not only fine tuning their existing websites but are also developing ecommerce sites and blogging to gain online visibility - in addition to using the "old" stand-by of online advertising.
But, with millions of websites in existence and staggering numbers of products being sold over the internet (rather than the brick and mortar stores) promoting your company and products online has become yet another marketing obstacle to overcome.
While search engine optimization (SEO), podcasting, vid-casting, blogging and social media marketing are all great online promotional tools, there is still the challenge of how to drive people directly to your website or to an online retail outlet to purchase your products.
And this is where publicity becomes more valuable than ever before. Publicity is a classic promotional tool that is (and always will be) your direct path to potential consumers. Imagine having live conversations with tens of thousands, and in some cases millions, of people telling them to check out your website and order your products online! What could be better?
A growing number of marketing departments and CEOs across the nation are sitting up and taking notice. In these critical economic times, marketing dollars are a precious commodity and must be invested wisely.
Custom Search
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Monday, September 1, 2008
Google Adwords Pay Per Click Explained by Simon Leung
I'd like to share these with you so to make your marketing more profitable...
You probably know that Simon Leung is the co-creator of Google Adwords-the most famous pay per click company. He gave an awesome presentation at the Master's Seminar in Chicago.
He gave the following strategies for creating Google- Friendly Adword pay per click campaigns:
1. Don't use more than 30% of the same content in the same ad. Make sure at least 70% is unique.
2. Google checks to see if your squeeze or landing page has a legitimate offer on it. It is a myth that they dislike squeeze pages. They don't like unethical pages.
3. Google checks to see if the deal you are offering in the ad is honored and delivered as promised. The delivery method should be clearly stated on the landing page.
4. They like to see ads that pre-qualify prospects. For example, it is acceptable to put the exact price of your product in the ad to discourage those who would never pay the cost of the product, so they will not click. On the other hand, if a prospect sees what he perceives to be a good price point, he will click and possibly buy because he is a targeted user.
5. Google does not mind if you capture email addresses, as long as you specify on your landing page how the information will be used and that you will ensure privacy and protection.
6. Google checks the website. The copy should have natural, relevant out-going links that make it easy for the potential customer to order and complete the sale. They like to see the words, "Click Here To Order." (Joel Comm would like to hear that. That's the title of his newest book. Oh yes, he did. He was at the conference.)
7. Google looks for unique graphics. They should be professional and of high quality.
8. Google checks for the proper use of keywords in your pay per click ads. It uses a relevancy scale of :
*Extremely irrelevant -advertising
*Somewhat irrelevant -online advertising
*General relevancy - adwords advertising
*Somewhat relevant -Google Adwords advertising help
*Extremely relevant -Google Adwords advertising help optimization service
They also check for the proper usage of negative keywords that discourage clicks from non-targeted people.
Each and every keyword in the ad must appear on the landing page. (Did you know that? I didn't.)
Simon suggests that you build out multiple variations of the keywords. Here are a few ways to do that:
*Use as many synonyms for your keywords as possible. That means words that have similar meanings. For example, if you wanted another word for money, you could use cash, moolah, wealth, windfall, capital, bread, boodle, booty, mammon, resources, bankroll, and assets. I didn't strain my brain to think of those. I pulled them up by clicking over to thesaurus.reference.com and I suggest you do the same.
*Use singular and plural for ALL keywords. That would mean that if you had the keyword phrase of webmaster resource, you should also have the plural of webmaster resources.
=Use common misspellings such as webmaster resorces. Some people slept through English and Spelling classes in school, but may be smart enough to want your product anyway.
Another thing that Google wants to see is action-oriented words. Tell people to do something specific such as
order, register, subscribe, etc.
Google checks for correct geographical keywords.
If you are selling globally, it should be obvious to the reader. If you are only selling to a limited area, that should be even more apparent.
Be sure to identify the product or service you are offering. Use the information from your site using clear statements that are grammatically correct.
Your title is vitally important. It should not only be eye-catching, but Simon suggests that it includes one main keyword and asks a question that the reader will identify with immediately. The prospect should be able to reply in agreement. He says Google likes to see titles with question marks at the end that follow this format. So let's use them!
Make sure your ads and landing pages set the correct user expectations. There are several ways to do that...
*State your price. For example, you could say Adwords consultation services for $1000 per hr, registration required, free application online
So, to summarize...
*Create Google friendly pages
*Build multiple highly-relevant
keyword and keyword phrases that pre-qualify people.
*Use highly-converting text
Test, test, test with as low as .01 before throwing your life savings at them.
You have precisely 95 characters to use in your pay per click ad. Use them wisely.
You probably know that Simon Leung is the co-creator of Google Adwords-the most famous pay per click company. He gave an awesome presentation at the Master's Seminar in Chicago.
He gave the following strategies for creating Google- Friendly Adword pay per click campaigns:
1. Don't use more than 30% of the same content in the same ad. Make sure at least 70% is unique.
2. Google checks to see if your squeeze or landing page has a legitimate offer on it. It is a myth that they dislike squeeze pages. They don't like unethical pages.
3. Google checks to see if the deal you are offering in the ad is honored and delivered as promised. The delivery method should be clearly stated on the landing page.
4. They like to see ads that pre-qualify prospects. For example, it is acceptable to put the exact price of your product in the ad to discourage those who would never pay the cost of the product, so they will not click. On the other hand, if a prospect sees what he perceives to be a good price point, he will click and possibly buy because he is a targeted user.
5. Google does not mind if you capture email addresses, as long as you specify on your landing page how the information will be used and that you will ensure privacy and protection.
6. Google checks the website. The copy should have natural, relevant out-going links that make it easy for the potential customer to order and complete the sale. They like to see the words, "Click Here To Order." (Joel Comm would like to hear that. That's the title of his newest book. Oh yes, he did. He was at the conference.)
7. Google looks for unique graphics. They should be professional and of high quality.
8. Google checks for the proper use of keywords in your pay per click ads. It uses a relevancy scale of :
*Extremely irrelevant -advertising
*Somewhat irrelevant -online advertising
*General relevancy - adwords advertising
*Somewhat relevant -Google Adwords advertising help
*Extremely relevant -Google Adwords advertising help optimization service
They also check for the proper usage of negative keywords that discourage clicks from non-targeted people.
Each and every keyword in the ad must appear on the landing page. (Did you know that? I didn't.)
Simon suggests that you build out multiple variations of the keywords. Here are a few ways to do that:
*Use as many synonyms for your keywords as possible. That means words that have similar meanings. For example, if you wanted another word for money, you could use cash, moolah, wealth, windfall, capital, bread, boodle, booty, mammon, resources, bankroll, and assets. I didn't strain my brain to think of those. I pulled them up by clicking over to thesaurus.reference.com and I suggest you do the same.
*Use singular and plural for ALL keywords. That would mean that if you had the keyword phrase of webmaster resource, you should also have the plural of webmaster resources.
=Use common misspellings such as webmaster resorces. Some people slept through English and Spelling classes in school, but may be smart enough to want your product anyway.
Another thing that Google wants to see is action-oriented words. Tell people to do something specific such as
order, register, subscribe, etc.
Google checks for correct geographical keywords.
If you are selling globally, it should be obvious to the reader. If you are only selling to a limited area, that should be even more apparent.
Be sure to identify the product or service you are offering. Use the information from your site using clear statements that are grammatically correct.
Your title is vitally important. It should not only be eye-catching, but Simon suggests that it includes one main keyword and asks a question that the reader will identify with immediately. The prospect should be able to reply in agreement. He says Google likes to see titles with question marks at the end that follow this format. So let's use them!
Make sure your ads and landing pages set the correct user expectations. There are several ways to do that...
*State your price. For example, you could say Adwords consultation services for $1000 per hr, registration required, free application online
So, to summarize...
*Create Google friendly pages
*Build multiple highly-relevant
keyword and keyword phrases that pre-qualify people.
*Use highly-converting text
Test, test, test with as low as .01 before throwing your life savings at them.
You have precisely 95 characters to use in your pay per click ad. Use them wisely.
How to Use Viral Video To Create Leads and Sales
I know, that term Viral sounds quite nasty. It sounds like some sort of computer virus; and we all know the dangers of those, don't we? Companies like Norton Anti-virus have made their fortunes keeping viruses away from our computers. But no, in this case, the term viral is a good thing.
A viral video is the cutting edge of Internet communication. It means that you create a video, send it out via e-mail and postings on sites like YouTube, MySpace, Google Video etc. and thus generate interest in what it is you're trying to sell. Websites like these get literally thousands of hits a day; people viewing the videos.
A well-done video, something that interests people and really catches their eye can spread just like a virus, hence the name. People tell others about it, the video gets more viewings, and can even end up being mentioned on the national news! Think about that level of interest in your firm; think of the potential income it can generate.
If you have a new company or an old one, you always have the same problem getting customers. Even a Fortune 500 firm is always looking to expand and increase revenue. With a viral video, you have the potential to generate a huge amount of interest in you and your company, and do it for very little money.
It doesn't matter if you are trying to get a job, sell your latest novel, get clients for your firm or introduce a new product or service. The point is, today we live in a very visual society. Look at the young people today; they use computer and the Internet like the yellow pages and telephone once dominated the scene.
So, a good first step is to do a search online and see what sorts of companies are out there to a video package. You can get something as simple as one video, and then they'll post it to the various websites. If you can do your own editing, you can save some money. If not, there are plenty of sites that will do that for you.
Or, if you want something bigger, you can get as many as five, ten or even twenty videos created; and the company will take care of all producing, editing, and then submitting it to the websites. A video about your firm could be on forty different sites. Think about the interest that could generate. If several thousand people see your videos and that's being very conservative, and only one percent of them become customers, you'll cover the cost of your investment, and make a little extra.
Of course, then there's the continuing income. Think about it; those videos will be out there, on the Internet, generating more interest in you and your company. Over time, that could amount to a huge boost to your overall sales.
A viral video is the cutting edge of Internet communication. It means that you create a video, send it out via e-mail and postings on sites like YouTube, MySpace, Google Video etc. and thus generate interest in what it is you're trying to sell. Websites like these get literally thousands of hits a day; people viewing the videos.
A well-done video, something that interests people and really catches their eye can spread just like a virus, hence the name. People tell others about it, the video gets more viewings, and can even end up being mentioned on the national news! Think about that level of interest in your firm; think of the potential income it can generate.
If you have a new company or an old one, you always have the same problem getting customers. Even a Fortune 500 firm is always looking to expand and increase revenue. With a viral video, you have the potential to generate a huge amount of interest in you and your company, and do it for very little money.
It doesn't matter if you are trying to get a job, sell your latest novel, get clients for your firm or introduce a new product or service. The point is, today we live in a very visual society. Look at the young people today; they use computer and the Internet like the yellow pages and telephone once dominated the scene.
So, a good first step is to do a search online and see what sorts of companies are out there to a video package. You can get something as simple as one video, and then they'll post it to the various websites. If you can do your own editing, you can save some money. If not, there are plenty of sites that will do that for you.
Or, if you want something bigger, you can get as many as five, ten or even twenty videos created; and the company will take care of all producing, editing, and then submitting it to the websites. A video about your firm could be on forty different sites. Think about the interest that could generate. If several thousand people see your videos and that's being very conservative, and only one percent of them become customers, you'll cover the cost of your investment, and make a little extra.
Of course, then there's the continuing income. Think about it; those videos will be out there, on the Internet, generating more interest in you and your company. Over time, that could amount to a huge boost to your overall sales.
Internet Marketing 101 for Beginners
Internet marketing knowledge is an essential if you want to take your business in the virtual world, and actually succeed at it. Internet marketing, simply put, is the process of advertising online.
You simply take the products and the services that your business offers, and then you create various types of advertisements in order to let the average computer consumer know that you specialize in the areas that you do.
There are a number of internet marketing 101 for beginners courses and websites out there that can help you get started. Here, I will share with you some valuable information regarding marketing online.
The Benefits of Internet Marketing
There are many benefits associated with internet marketing. One of the main advantages is that it is a cost effective solution for all of your marketing needs. Advertising that is conducted in an offline manner is actually quite time consuming and expensive to many businesses.
If you elect to use internet marketing, you can easily change the information as the needs of your business change. Furthermore, you are able to easily add new products and services as you acquire them without having to experience the expense and complication of changing advertisements that are printed.
When you start your marketing campaign, it is quite easy to add value to the customer experience and actually satisfy your customers more appropriately then if you engaged in offline advertising. The marketing that you conduct online can actually link your customers back to various articles, newsletters, advice columns, and more.
All of these things can actually increase the effectiveness of appealing to your customers as an expert in your field. When this occurs, it is quite likely that they will purchase from your business. This means that you will yield higher profits overall.
Internet Marketing As Research
Marketing on the internet can be extremely beneficial when it comes to conducting marketing research. Research for marketing is a very important element to your business. This is the process in which you gather information from various types of audiences in order to determine what consumers need and want to add to the overall quality of life.
This will also provide you with the opportunity to determine what customers think about the goods and services that you currently offer. If you are looking to determine your best seller, internet marketing 101 for beginners strategies can work to assist you in the area of market research.
Conclusion
Online marketing is an essential way to show all those virtual consumers what you have to offer. There are many different ways to market online. You may choose to start an article marketing campaign, or a blog. Many create videos that can be extremely beneficial when it comes to marketing online.
The secret of success when it comes to this type of marketing is to be as innovative as possible, and also to make sure that your strategy is unique and ten times better than the strategies used by your competition. This is the core essential when it comes to internet marketing 101 for beginners.
You simply take the products and the services that your business offers, and then you create various types of advertisements in order to let the average computer consumer know that you specialize in the areas that you do.
There are a number of internet marketing 101 for beginners courses and websites out there that can help you get started. Here, I will share with you some valuable information regarding marketing online.
The Benefits of Internet Marketing
There are many benefits associated with internet marketing. One of the main advantages is that it is a cost effective solution for all of your marketing needs. Advertising that is conducted in an offline manner is actually quite time consuming and expensive to many businesses.
If you elect to use internet marketing, you can easily change the information as the needs of your business change. Furthermore, you are able to easily add new products and services as you acquire them without having to experience the expense and complication of changing advertisements that are printed.
When you start your marketing campaign, it is quite easy to add value to the customer experience and actually satisfy your customers more appropriately then if you engaged in offline advertising. The marketing that you conduct online can actually link your customers back to various articles, newsletters, advice columns, and more.
All of these things can actually increase the effectiveness of appealing to your customers as an expert in your field. When this occurs, it is quite likely that they will purchase from your business. This means that you will yield higher profits overall.
Internet Marketing As Research
Marketing on the internet can be extremely beneficial when it comes to conducting marketing research. Research for marketing is a very important element to your business. This is the process in which you gather information from various types of audiences in order to determine what consumers need and want to add to the overall quality of life.
This will also provide you with the opportunity to determine what customers think about the goods and services that you currently offer. If you are looking to determine your best seller, internet marketing 101 for beginners strategies can work to assist you in the area of market research.
Conclusion
Online marketing is an essential way to show all those virtual consumers what you have to offer. There are many different ways to market online. You may choose to start an article marketing campaign, or a blog. Many create videos that can be extremely beneficial when it comes to marketing online.
The secret of success when it comes to this type of marketing is to be as innovative as possible, and also to make sure that your strategy is unique and ten times better than the strategies used by your competition. This is the core essential when it comes to internet marketing 101 for beginners.
Learning How To Sell Online
When it comes to online selling, two options make up the bulk of online sales: online auctions and online classified ads. Both markets are quite effective for used goods, and most auction sites allow the seller to start an Internet store on the site as well.
Auction or Classified - Which option yields the biggest profit?
This varies depending on the demand of the item itself. Items with a small niche market and only a small demand typically fetch higher profits if they are listed in a classified ad. On the other hand, the highest profits come from high demand items, such as exotic sports cars, listed in an online auction. For those high-demand items, it's important to start the auctions with a low minimum bid, and allow the items to work its way up the ladder. Giving the item time to be seen allows for a larger pool of interested buyers, and hopefully, will lead to a profitable bidding war towards the end of the auction.
Auction or Classified - Which is faster?
Online classifieds are often much faster than auctions. On many popular sites if the price is set low and the demand is high, an item will typically exchange hands within one or two days. If the demand is high enough, a classified listing can sell an item in the same hour it's listed! The most common length of time that an item is listed on an auction site is 7 days. Most auction sites also allow for shorter and longer time frames. Typically, auctions can be as short as 24 hours and as long as 30 days (usually reserved for homes).
Auction or Classified - Which costs less?
This depends on where the item is listed. Craigslist(dot)org offers free classified ads to sellers, while most auction sites charge some kind of fee. If you have set a high price for your item and would like to sell it in an auction, then you may need to list it two or three times before it nets the ideal profit. Most auction sites are aware that it takes more than one attempt for an item to sell, and in turn, they will not charge an additional fee for re-listing and trying again. Classified ads, on the other hand, typically incur cost each time that the item is listed.
What's the best way to sell specialized items?
One of the greatest facets of the Internet is its ability to connect buyers with specific needs to the proper sellers. This is particularly true when it comes to specialized items and the rising popularity of eBay alternatives.
For your specialized item, search the Internet and seek out your buyers. If they are already using a specialized marketplace, then that's the perfect place to list your item. Also consider creating multiple listings to achieve the largest amount of online exposure and test the success of both auctions and classifieds to see which selling avenue will work best for you.
Auction or Classified - Which option yields the biggest profit?
This varies depending on the demand of the item itself. Items with a small niche market and only a small demand typically fetch higher profits if they are listed in a classified ad. On the other hand, the highest profits come from high demand items, such as exotic sports cars, listed in an online auction. For those high-demand items, it's important to start the auctions with a low minimum bid, and allow the items to work its way up the ladder. Giving the item time to be seen allows for a larger pool of interested buyers, and hopefully, will lead to a profitable bidding war towards the end of the auction.
Auction or Classified - Which is faster?
Online classifieds are often much faster than auctions. On many popular sites if the price is set low and the demand is high, an item will typically exchange hands within one or two days. If the demand is high enough, a classified listing can sell an item in the same hour it's listed! The most common length of time that an item is listed on an auction site is 7 days. Most auction sites also allow for shorter and longer time frames. Typically, auctions can be as short as 24 hours and as long as 30 days (usually reserved for homes).
Auction or Classified - Which costs less?
This depends on where the item is listed. Craigslist(dot)org offers free classified ads to sellers, while most auction sites charge some kind of fee. If you have set a high price for your item and would like to sell it in an auction, then you may need to list it two or three times before it nets the ideal profit. Most auction sites are aware that it takes more than one attempt for an item to sell, and in turn, they will not charge an additional fee for re-listing and trying again. Classified ads, on the other hand, typically incur cost each time that the item is listed.
What's the best way to sell specialized items?
One of the greatest facets of the Internet is its ability to connect buyers with specific needs to the proper sellers. This is particularly true when it comes to specialized items and the rising popularity of eBay alternatives.
For your specialized item, search the Internet and seek out your buyers. If they are already using a specialized marketplace, then that's the perfect place to list your item. Also consider creating multiple listings to achieve the largest amount of online exposure and test the success of both auctions and classifieds to see which selling avenue will work best for you.
Why Should Customers Trust Your Online Company? Marketing Tips from Owner Builder Loans
Owner builder construction loans are difficult to market successfully. Even though it's a specialized niche, the nature of the business dictates that an owner builder mortgage company will be structured as an online business, using online marketing to reach its clients.
Owner builder loans require that customers provide large amounts of personal, private information, which makes customers even more skeptical of any business that they can't see in person. How do you build trust when your company is essentially an online business?
There are a few vital things you can do when you design your web site to help demonstrate to your potential customers that you are who you say you are, and that your company really delivers the product or service that you claim to deliver. Take a look at some of these tips and examples from the owner builder construction loan world, and you can apply the same principles to any online business. In fact, if a mortgage company can build trust online in today's market, then you can be sure that these tips will work for you.
1. Owner Builder Testimonials.
If you are selling owner builder construction loans, then your must have as many testimonials as possible from actual owner builder customers who used your services. The same concept applies to any business. If you have a web site, then you need as many testimonials as you can get. In fact, even if your company markets offline, you will need as many testimonials as you can get, but that's a topic for another day.
There is a saying in the marketing world: once you think you have put together enough testimonials for your marketing, double the number. Then, double it again. Nobody speaks better about your business than your previous clients who worked with you or bought from you.
Don't just gather written words for your testimonial. Instead, use as many photographs as possible. Customers will see the photographs as further proof to go along with the words that you customers write. For example, in the case of owner builder loans, you would use as many photographs of the homes that your clients built through your program. Proof of legitimate service builds trust.
In addition, you may also want to consider using audio to go along with the written testimonials. If a customer can visit your web site and actually listen to other customers who liked your product, it will be much more effective for you.
2. Longevity and Consistency.
Customers, whether they are owner builder clients or any customer buying any service or product from any online company, all want to know that you have been in business for a long time. This builds a sense of consistent service, which in turn builds a sense of trust for your customers.
For an online business, the easiest way to establish this consistency is to simply tell the customer how long your company has actually been in business. The best way to do this is to post this information right on your "About Us" page on your web site.
But, another little tip that works well is to put a copyright date at the bottom of every page on the site. If the copyright is dated at the start date of your business, customers will infer automatically that your company has been doing business since that date.
3. Contact Information.
For the example of owner builder construction loans, customers want to know how they can contact your business. Many online companies in this industry tend to force customers to reach them by email only. From the company's point of view, it makes a lot of sense - owner builder loans require a lot of time to qualify potential clients. It is difficult to devote this precious time to answering an incoming phone call from a tire kicker customer.
However, if you have an online business that is service oriented like an owner builder mortgage company, then you need to post a phone number as part of your contact information. Without it, the sensitive nature of the industry will cause many potential clients to look elsewhere. If you prefer that your customers contact you by email, simply tell them that on the web site. Post the phone number, though, to help build trust.
And, just as important, make sure you give a physical address on your web site. By telling customers where your company is physically located, it will put them at ease about the fact that they themselves will never actually walk into your office. They will be comforted by the fact that they could walk into your office if the happened to be in your local area.
Furthermore, don't just list the address. Also include a quick description of the location by mentioning some nearby landmarks. Don't worry if the local landmark won't be known by your online customers. The fact that you mention these landmarks will provide extra evidence that your online business actually has a physical location.
4. Owner Builder Information Request Form.
If you collect information from your customers through an online form, then you will want to tell your customers exactly how this information will be used. In other words, tell them how the information will not be used or shared.
For example, an owner builder customer often has to fill out a lot of information about their finances online. Even though no social security numbers or birthdates are collected through these forms, there is still a lot of personal information that is needed to process the online form. Therefore, they want to know that their privacy will be protected.
All online businesses need to tell their customers that they respect their privacy. If you don't respect the privacy of your customers, you are not going to be in business very long.
In addition to addressing this issue within the web site's online form, you could also have a specific page devoted to your company's privacy policy. Then, you can link to that page from your online form. The privacy policy doesn't have to be a bunch of legalese. Simply spell out how you plan to use the information that you are collecting. And, spell out whether or not you will need to share the information with any other entity.
Overall, owner builder customers are no different from other customers in an online world. If you are an online business, you need to design your website to build trust with those customers. Remember, your web pages will be one of the first impressions that you make on your customer.
Owner builder loans require that customers provide large amounts of personal, private information, which makes customers even more skeptical of any business that they can't see in person. How do you build trust when your company is essentially an online business?
There are a few vital things you can do when you design your web site to help demonstrate to your potential customers that you are who you say you are, and that your company really delivers the product or service that you claim to deliver. Take a look at some of these tips and examples from the owner builder construction loan world, and you can apply the same principles to any online business. In fact, if a mortgage company can build trust online in today's market, then you can be sure that these tips will work for you.
1. Owner Builder Testimonials.
If you are selling owner builder construction loans, then your must have as many testimonials as possible from actual owner builder customers who used your services. The same concept applies to any business. If you have a web site, then you need as many testimonials as you can get. In fact, even if your company markets offline, you will need as many testimonials as you can get, but that's a topic for another day.
There is a saying in the marketing world: once you think you have put together enough testimonials for your marketing, double the number. Then, double it again. Nobody speaks better about your business than your previous clients who worked with you or bought from you.
Don't just gather written words for your testimonial. Instead, use as many photographs as possible. Customers will see the photographs as further proof to go along with the words that you customers write. For example, in the case of owner builder loans, you would use as many photographs of the homes that your clients built through your program. Proof of legitimate service builds trust.
In addition, you may also want to consider using audio to go along with the written testimonials. If a customer can visit your web site and actually listen to other customers who liked your product, it will be much more effective for you.
2. Longevity and Consistency.
Customers, whether they are owner builder clients or any customer buying any service or product from any online company, all want to know that you have been in business for a long time. This builds a sense of consistent service, which in turn builds a sense of trust for your customers.
For an online business, the easiest way to establish this consistency is to simply tell the customer how long your company has actually been in business. The best way to do this is to post this information right on your "About Us" page on your web site.
But, another little tip that works well is to put a copyright date at the bottom of every page on the site. If the copyright is dated at the start date of your business, customers will infer automatically that your company has been doing business since that date.
3. Contact Information.
For the example of owner builder construction loans, customers want to know how they can contact your business. Many online companies in this industry tend to force customers to reach them by email only. From the company's point of view, it makes a lot of sense - owner builder loans require a lot of time to qualify potential clients. It is difficult to devote this precious time to answering an incoming phone call from a tire kicker customer.
However, if you have an online business that is service oriented like an owner builder mortgage company, then you need to post a phone number as part of your contact information. Without it, the sensitive nature of the industry will cause many potential clients to look elsewhere. If you prefer that your customers contact you by email, simply tell them that on the web site. Post the phone number, though, to help build trust.
And, just as important, make sure you give a physical address on your web site. By telling customers where your company is physically located, it will put them at ease about the fact that they themselves will never actually walk into your office. They will be comforted by the fact that they could walk into your office if the happened to be in your local area.
Furthermore, don't just list the address. Also include a quick description of the location by mentioning some nearby landmarks. Don't worry if the local landmark won't be known by your online customers. The fact that you mention these landmarks will provide extra evidence that your online business actually has a physical location.
4. Owner Builder Information Request Form.
If you collect information from your customers through an online form, then you will want to tell your customers exactly how this information will be used. In other words, tell them how the information will not be used or shared.
For example, an owner builder customer often has to fill out a lot of information about their finances online. Even though no social security numbers or birthdates are collected through these forms, there is still a lot of personal information that is needed to process the online form. Therefore, they want to know that their privacy will be protected.
All online businesses need to tell their customers that they respect their privacy. If you don't respect the privacy of your customers, you are not going to be in business very long.
In addition to addressing this issue within the web site's online form, you could also have a specific page devoted to your company's privacy policy. Then, you can link to that page from your online form. The privacy policy doesn't have to be a bunch of legalese. Simply spell out how you plan to use the information that you are collecting. And, spell out whether or not you will need to share the information with any other entity.
Overall, owner builder customers are no different from other customers in an online world. If you are an online business, you need to design your website to build trust with those customers. Remember, your web pages will be one of the first impressions that you make on your customer.
Hollywood Stars As The Brand Promoters
Brand, in the viewpoint of a manufacturer or service provider, is a feature that distinguishes the product or service in a market. A user may define brand as the one that he can recognize and identify as an integral part of his life. In this age of modernization and industrialization, the consumer has emerged as the uncrowned king. He is the monarch of all he surveys. And to attract his attention, organizations are ready to innovate and upgrade the ideas of promoting. The 4P basic idea of Product, Pricing, Promotion and Place has come to evolve mostly around Promotion, as market survey indicates that a consumer likes to buy a brand, not a product or service.
And to showcase promotion, companies are making a beeline for the most saleable of products, that is, the Hollywood stars. A popular proverb says that one can even sell dreams in Hollywood. So it is but natural that when the celebrities, who are the stuff of our dreams, wave to us from the silver screen or stare at us from flashy bill boards endorsing a product, we simply cannot ignore the plea. After all, even for a flitting second, the user will feel that he is sharing something with his favorite idol.
Brand promotion by a Hollywood star not only enhances the longevity of the product, but also its apparent quality and mass appeal. The conveyed image of a successful individual using the product creates a sense of demand and urgency to get hold of it by the consumer. Better still, he begins to identify the product with the star, thus adding immensely to its recall value.
A user only sees a product when it is seen and this observation is triggered by various external factors and internal conditions. Perception of familiarity, trust and contentment are foremost conditions that influence the choice of a particular brand over another. Since the flashy world of entertainment and razzmatazz has easy recall value, the faces we adore and the style we follow compel a consumer to select that particular brand from the bouquet of choicest of products existing in the market. Market analysts have even noticed the trend of shift of consumers from one product to another once their favorite star leaves one company and starts to endorse another.
As Hollywood spawns the magic over almost the entire world, enticing the young and the old, the poor and the rich by its continued tales of fantasies and glory, emotions and intricacies, fervent admirers of the stars follow the fashion and style with bated breath. To some of them, turning down the plea of a star to use his product is akin to sacrilege. It gives a sense of vicarious pleasure to the consumer and awards him a sense of supremacy over his idol, as he feels that he is doing a favor by adopting the product promoted by the star. As the company and the star laugh together all the way to the bank, the consumer is left clutching to his straw of imagination that has been so well played upon by the promotional blitz of a brand by a Hollywood star.
And to showcase promotion, companies are making a beeline for the most saleable of products, that is, the Hollywood stars. A popular proverb says that one can even sell dreams in Hollywood. So it is but natural that when the celebrities, who are the stuff of our dreams, wave to us from the silver screen or stare at us from flashy bill boards endorsing a product, we simply cannot ignore the plea. After all, even for a flitting second, the user will feel that he is sharing something with his favorite idol.
Brand promotion by a Hollywood star not only enhances the longevity of the product, but also its apparent quality and mass appeal. The conveyed image of a successful individual using the product creates a sense of demand and urgency to get hold of it by the consumer. Better still, he begins to identify the product with the star, thus adding immensely to its recall value.
A user only sees a product when it is seen and this observation is triggered by various external factors and internal conditions. Perception of familiarity, trust and contentment are foremost conditions that influence the choice of a particular brand over another. Since the flashy world of entertainment and razzmatazz has easy recall value, the faces we adore and the style we follow compel a consumer to select that particular brand from the bouquet of choicest of products existing in the market. Market analysts have even noticed the trend of shift of consumers from one product to another once their favorite star leaves one company and starts to endorse another.
As Hollywood spawns the magic over almost the entire world, enticing the young and the old, the poor and the rich by its continued tales of fantasies and glory, emotions and intricacies, fervent admirers of the stars follow the fashion and style with bated breath. To some of them, turning down the plea of a star to use his product is akin to sacrilege. It gives a sense of vicarious pleasure to the consumer and awards him a sense of supremacy over his idol, as he feels that he is doing a favor by adopting the product promoted by the star. As the company and the star laugh together all the way to the bank, the consumer is left clutching to his straw of imagination that has been so well played upon by the promotional blitz of a brand by a Hollywood star.
Everybody Talks About The Demise Of Advertising Agencies. But Are We Seeing The Demise Of Brands?
Advertising agencies, especially the big holding companies, are buying up every type of communication companies just to stay in the game. And the name of the game is betting on the future. But it can be a dangerous game.
If you happen to know the way in which it is going, you can safely place your bets. But if you do not, you are in for a very expensive ride. And according to reliable sources, 86% of us will get it wrong. So you do not have to be a palm reader or look into a crystal ball to see which way the business is going.
But brands cannot afford to go through the next several years making mistakes especially in this economy. And it is our job not to make any. Will brands survive into the future? Yes, if we stop looking in all the wrong places. The value of the communication is still in the value of the brand.
Maybe it has not happened yet, but brands and their agencies are likely to follow in the footsteps of the music industry. But agencies will not be the real victims, brands will. Brands now bear the risk of losing power both domestically and globally,which is transitioning from high power brands to low power brands. So what needs to be done to keep brands alive? At the very least, we need to understand how these brands were built and what is happening to them now.
Are consumers falling out of love with their brands? Are they replacing their favorite brands with other resources? With the sudden deluge of content, are brands becoming the parasites of content, feeding off every piece of entertainment that comes streaming across your screen? Have brands simply lost their grip on successful communication?
Remember when commercials were fun? When no one minded that they were sprinkled among your favorite shows? You and the advertiser had a clear understanding: You watch the following program for free if you agree to let us also run commercials. Under those terms, both you and the advertiser benefited. Occasionally, as a sign of gratitude, you were willing to go out and actually buy the product. How nice!
This economic model exited for decades. It is the stuff that held the advertiser, the consumer and the TV stations together. But this model, this wonderful quid pro quo that was built through the power of communication is breaking down. In those days, commercials had a chance of being more enjoyable: 85% were used for brand building and only 15% were used for promotions. Today, it is the exact opposite. And the economy certainly is not helping things.
In fact, according to new WSL Strategic Retail poll, to save money, 48% of consumers have traded down from their usual brands to lower-priced brands. Sixty percent said they are now more likely to wait until something goes on sale rather than buy it at full price. And 33% of the poll's respondents said they now haggle for lower prices in stores. And if that is not enough to dampen the spirits of the most perverse sync, Ford just cut their budget by $200 million.
Advertising, to a large extent, is finding its analogy in the music business. In much the same way Napster has impacted the music business, so are YouTube, Facebook and MySpace impacting brands. Once music was free, consumers felt there was no reason to pay for it. Now that content is free, well, you get the point.
To combat this, new media companies like Google and Yahoo wax eloquent about clicks. But be careful before you join in the euphoria. Take a look at this: when you consider clicks, 50% of the clicks come from 50% of the users, and 80% of the clicks come from 16% of the users. This is for display ads. And of the 16%, the average income is slightly under $30K.
Further, this past March, there were over eleven billion videos viewed by online visitors. How does any brand ever begin to break through this clutter? As you know, clutter on television was always considered a problem. But clutter on the Internet? Did I hear someone just say eleven billion videos? And the wear-out factor is but one exposure.
Today, no one argues with the fact that the consumer is boss. Brands have always been co-created. Smart brands have always known who the boss is. But there are more important issues that are suddenly leading back to the crux of the business: What is the value of the brand? And what is the value of its communication? What meaning are they receiving from its commercials? And what value do they receive when they purchase the brand?
Right now, when it comes to brand communication, consumers seem to have no reciprocal obligation. The brand is making no demands upon them. They have walked away from the communication equation. How they evaluate and respond to brand communication is changing.
It is little wonder that Sergey Brin of Google keeps repeating the point that ads have to get better, and he is right. A new value equation has to be created. A new deal has to be struck with consumers.
Like self-believing merchants hawking their wares on a summer boardwalk, everyone claims to have the answer. As yet, no one has created a new value matrix. Everyone wants to stop talking and start doing. I could not agree more.
I have been exploring new ways to glean brand meaning and new ways to create brand narrative. It is not about storytelling, but it is about finding a new way to define a brand, which is finding the language of cinema as opposed to the language from the printed page. Narrative is meant to be reinvented Godard would be amused.
But brands cannot afford to go through the next several years making mistakes especially in this economy. And it is our job not to make any. Will brands survive into the future? Yes, if we stop looking in all the wrong places. The value of the communication is still in the value of the brand.
If you happen to know the way in which it is going, you can safely place your bets. But if you do not, you are in for a very expensive ride. And according to reliable sources, 86% of us will get it wrong. So you do not have to be a palm reader or look into a crystal ball to see which way the business is going.
But brands cannot afford to go through the next several years making mistakes especially in this economy. And it is our job not to make any. Will brands survive into the future? Yes, if we stop looking in all the wrong places. The value of the communication is still in the value of the brand.
Maybe it has not happened yet, but brands and their agencies are likely to follow in the footsteps of the music industry. But agencies will not be the real victims, brands will. Brands now bear the risk of losing power both domestically and globally,which is transitioning from high power brands to low power brands. So what needs to be done to keep brands alive? At the very least, we need to understand how these brands were built and what is happening to them now.
Are consumers falling out of love with their brands? Are they replacing their favorite brands with other resources? With the sudden deluge of content, are brands becoming the parasites of content, feeding off every piece of entertainment that comes streaming across your screen? Have brands simply lost their grip on successful communication?
Remember when commercials were fun? When no one minded that they were sprinkled among your favorite shows? You and the advertiser had a clear understanding: You watch the following program for free if you agree to let us also run commercials. Under those terms, both you and the advertiser benefited. Occasionally, as a sign of gratitude, you were willing to go out and actually buy the product. How nice!
This economic model exited for decades. It is the stuff that held the advertiser, the consumer and the TV stations together. But this model, this wonderful quid pro quo that was built through the power of communication is breaking down. In those days, commercials had a chance of being more enjoyable: 85% were used for brand building and only 15% were used for promotions. Today, it is the exact opposite. And the economy certainly is not helping things.
In fact, according to new WSL Strategic Retail poll, to save money, 48% of consumers have traded down from their usual brands to lower-priced brands. Sixty percent said they are now more likely to wait until something goes on sale rather than buy it at full price. And 33% of the poll's respondents said they now haggle for lower prices in stores. And if that is not enough to dampen the spirits of the most perverse sync, Ford just cut their budget by $200 million.
Advertising, to a large extent, is finding its analogy in the music business. In much the same way Napster has impacted the music business, so are YouTube, Facebook and MySpace impacting brands. Once music was free, consumers felt there was no reason to pay for it. Now that content is free, well, you get the point.
To combat this, new media companies like Google and Yahoo wax eloquent about clicks. But be careful before you join in the euphoria. Take a look at this: when you consider clicks, 50% of the clicks come from 50% of the users, and 80% of the clicks come from 16% of the users. This is for display ads. And of the 16%, the average income is slightly under $30K.
Further, this past March, there were over eleven billion videos viewed by online visitors. How does any brand ever begin to break through this clutter? As you know, clutter on television was always considered a problem. But clutter on the Internet? Did I hear someone just say eleven billion videos? And the wear-out factor is but one exposure.
Today, no one argues with the fact that the consumer is boss. Brands have always been co-created. Smart brands have always known who the boss is. But there are more important issues that are suddenly leading back to the crux of the business: What is the value of the brand? And what is the value of its communication? What meaning are they receiving from its commercials? And what value do they receive when they purchase the brand?
Right now, when it comes to brand communication, consumers seem to have no reciprocal obligation. The brand is making no demands upon them. They have walked away from the communication equation. How they evaluate and respond to brand communication is changing.
It is little wonder that Sergey Brin of Google keeps repeating the point that ads have to get better, and he is right. A new value equation has to be created. A new deal has to be struck with consumers.
Like self-believing merchants hawking their wares on a summer boardwalk, everyone claims to have the answer. As yet, no one has created a new value matrix. Everyone wants to stop talking and start doing. I could not agree more.
I have been exploring new ways to glean brand meaning and new ways to create brand narrative. It is not about storytelling, but it is about finding a new way to define a brand, which is finding the language of cinema as opposed to the language from the printed page. Narrative is meant to be reinvented Godard would be amused.
But brands cannot afford to go through the next several years making mistakes especially in this economy. And it is our job not to make any. Will brands survive into the future? Yes, if we stop looking in all the wrong places. The value of the communication is still in the value of the brand.
Making the Right Choice to Save Thousands on Your Mortgage
When most homeowners are thinking about refinancing or renewing their mortgage the first thing that comes to many peoples mind is the interest rate. Most people are curious about what the best interest rate is, and although this is an important part of the mortgage it is not the only important element. In this article I will attempt to illustrate a few important factors you should consider when shopping for a mortgage, as well as show homeowners how to avoid some common pitfalls.
As I stated above the interest rate is an important element of your mortgage, however, don't let yourself be fooled by banks that advertise a teaser rate. A teaser rate is when a bank offers an unbelievably low interest rate for only an introductory period and after that period is over the rate goes up dramatically. Many people are fooled by this tactic, because the rate seems so good compared to what most banks offer. You think it is a good deal but without calculating the actual cost using a financial calculator you really don't know for sure. These teaser rate mortgages almost always cost you more money.
It is important to consider your personal needs when shopping for a mortgage, for instance if you are a homeowner and you decide to refinance your home to pay for one of your children to go to school it makes a lot of sense to borrow from your equity. However, what if you have another child who will be leaving for school only one year later and you will need to borrow again. In this situation it would not be wise for you to lock into a five year term, even if the rate is good. You will have to pay penalties to break the mortgage, and that can end up costing you thousands more than an open mortgage with a slightly higher rate that would allow you to break it without a penalty.
Another consideration in a mortgage is the compounding of interest. What compounding means is when the bank charges you interest on your loan they calculate how much interest you owe at different periods of the loan and then they add that amount to your loan, so that you are now paying interest on your interest. This is done at different times and for most banks it is done once every six months (or semi-annually) however, some banks do it every month. If you have two mortgage offers from two different banks and they are both offering the exact same rate but one is compounding the interest semi annually and the other is monthly, the one that is semi annual is actually much cheaper.
The examples that I have mentioned in this article are just a few of the mortgage options that are available, with all of the different alternatives accessible to consumers it can be very confusing. So how do you sort through all of these options? The answer is simple, you don't. It is always in your best interest to consult an independent mortgage professional who can sort through all of your choices and help choose the right mortgage for you. Many people think that a mortgage specialists only goal is to help get you the best rate, and although they do help you find the bank with the best rate it is never the only consideration.
As I stated above the interest rate is an important element of your mortgage, however, don't let yourself be fooled by banks that advertise a teaser rate. A teaser rate is when a bank offers an unbelievably low interest rate for only an introductory period and after that period is over the rate goes up dramatically. Many people are fooled by this tactic, because the rate seems so good compared to what most banks offer. You think it is a good deal but without calculating the actual cost using a financial calculator you really don't know for sure. These teaser rate mortgages almost always cost you more money.
It is important to consider your personal needs when shopping for a mortgage, for instance if you are a homeowner and you decide to refinance your home to pay for one of your children to go to school it makes a lot of sense to borrow from your equity. However, what if you have another child who will be leaving for school only one year later and you will need to borrow again. In this situation it would not be wise for you to lock into a five year term, even if the rate is good. You will have to pay penalties to break the mortgage, and that can end up costing you thousands more than an open mortgage with a slightly higher rate that would allow you to break it without a penalty.
Another consideration in a mortgage is the compounding of interest. What compounding means is when the bank charges you interest on your loan they calculate how much interest you owe at different periods of the loan and then they add that amount to your loan, so that you are now paying interest on your interest. This is done at different times and for most banks it is done once every six months (or semi-annually) however, some banks do it every month. If you have two mortgage offers from two different banks and they are both offering the exact same rate but one is compounding the interest semi annually and the other is monthly, the one that is semi annual is actually much cheaper.
The examples that I have mentioned in this article are just a few of the mortgage options that are available, with all of the different alternatives accessible to consumers it can be very confusing. So how do you sort through all of these options? The answer is simple, you don't. It is always in your best interest to consult an independent mortgage professional who can sort through all of your choices and help choose the right mortgage for you. Many people think that a mortgage specialists only goal is to help get you the best rate, and although they do help you find the bank with the best rate it is never the only consideration.
Grow Your Online Business With These Offline Marketing Tips
Starting an online business is easy, but attracting ever increasing traffic is not! Dont think you are alone in this. The ongoing quest to drive traffic to your site is one that is necessary for all and sundry. The cost incurred in marketing the site with every possible online opportunity can become quite hefty. Sometimes the more traditional offline methods can provide inexpensive and ingenious way is to churn out new marketing initiatives for your online business.
Offline marketing shouldnt be seen as outdated, in fact it is sweeping through the online community. If you are looking for something innovative to add to your marketing mix, then focusing and developing an offline strategy may be the solution you are after. Firstly, know your target audience and then work out on the modes of communication that they remain in touch with, in their daily life. Once you know these modes are available to you for offline marketing, you can develop attractive advertisements and calculate the cost incurred in carrying this out. To consider a few offline marketing modes, read on!
o Radio Shows. Amidst numerous radio channels on air, theres no such thing as information being obscure. The advantage with the radio advertising format is that listeners tune in regularly, while on the go, in shops, their car, at work and so on. The broadcasters are constantly searching for fillers in their shows, hence providing you the opportunity to slot your advertising in. With radio make your ad short and crisp, memorable is the key with this advertising format. Radio is still one of the most effective and relatively inexpensive advertising formats; and there is always space between shows for the advertisers to speak on.
o Print Media. Putting out attractive and creative ads in magazines and newspapers can truly work wonders. The print media reaches out to more people than you might expect. Hence, your message, and in this case your website can be more effectively promoted. When developing print advertising, make the language very target centric, you want to really grab the attention of the target audience. In particular you should look out for publications that are related to your field and the segment of people who read them.
o Mail Packages. Developing a list of people who may find your site interesting is the key to this step. Once you have the crucial element, then the next step is to design an attractive envelope for your mail package, or go for a postcard. Think of exciting offers that may intrigue the receiver to investigate your products and services further, after all these are what will get people to visit your website. Offering easy ways to reach you and learn more about your business is the key here. Let potential customers discover the benefits of going through you and not through your competitors. Create the whole package as consumer centric. This means demonstrate that you understand and know your audience, interesting them and drawing them in so they want to know more of the details on your product and how it benefits them. The cost incurred in the mail campaign may be no more than the cost of printing the materials and the stamps. For this reason the postcard style option has become increasingly popular.
o Event Promotion. Invariably, there is always one event or another taking place in the metropolitan cities at any time. Be on the look out for ways to use these events to your advantage. Be focused and select an event that will attract more of the audience you wish to target. Once you have narrowed down the event you feel is relevant, prepare a marketing strategy that correlates to the event activities. Perhaps you could get leaflets printed with details of your site, in particular, the URL or the link you want them to visit. Get articles like pens, diaries or magnets printed with your website URL on them and distribute these. Human nature is such that people cant resist these things, and they can very quickly put your brand in the mind of the target market, when the person sees the message every time they write or look for a piece of paper and so on.
You should develop a strategy for offline marketing just as you would with online marketing. The elements are more or less the same, lets face it offline marketing is where these elements originated. So take the time to utilize these opportunities and target the potential market you want to get to your online site. Making the effort will pay dividends, and placing your business so that you get more traffic is the whole point of getting your marketing strategy rolling.
Offline marketing shouldnt be seen as outdated, in fact it is sweeping through the online community. If you are looking for something innovative to add to your marketing mix, then focusing and developing an offline strategy may be the solution you are after. Firstly, know your target audience and then work out on the modes of communication that they remain in touch with, in their daily life. Once you know these modes are available to you for offline marketing, you can develop attractive advertisements and calculate the cost incurred in carrying this out. To consider a few offline marketing modes, read on!
o Radio Shows. Amidst numerous radio channels on air, theres no such thing as information being obscure. The advantage with the radio advertising format is that listeners tune in regularly, while on the go, in shops, their car, at work and so on. The broadcasters are constantly searching for fillers in their shows, hence providing you the opportunity to slot your advertising in. With radio make your ad short and crisp, memorable is the key with this advertising format. Radio is still one of the most effective and relatively inexpensive advertising formats; and there is always space between shows for the advertisers to speak on.
o Print Media. Putting out attractive and creative ads in magazines and newspapers can truly work wonders. The print media reaches out to more people than you might expect. Hence, your message, and in this case your website can be more effectively promoted. When developing print advertising, make the language very target centric, you want to really grab the attention of the target audience. In particular you should look out for publications that are related to your field and the segment of people who read them.
o Mail Packages. Developing a list of people who may find your site interesting is the key to this step. Once you have the crucial element, then the next step is to design an attractive envelope for your mail package, or go for a postcard. Think of exciting offers that may intrigue the receiver to investigate your products and services further, after all these are what will get people to visit your website. Offering easy ways to reach you and learn more about your business is the key here. Let potential customers discover the benefits of going through you and not through your competitors. Create the whole package as consumer centric. This means demonstrate that you understand and know your audience, interesting them and drawing them in so they want to know more of the details on your product and how it benefits them. The cost incurred in the mail campaign may be no more than the cost of printing the materials and the stamps. For this reason the postcard style option has become increasingly popular.
o Event Promotion. Invariably, there is always one event or another taking place in the metropolitan cities at any time. Be on the look out for ways to use these events to your advantage. Be focused and select an event that will attract more of the audience you wish to target. Once you have narrowed down the event you feel is relevant, prepare a marketing strategy that correlates to the event activities. Perhaps you could get leaflets printed with details of your site, in particular, the URL or the link you want them to visit. Get articles like pens, diaries or magnets printed with your website URL on them and distribute these. Human nature is such that people cant resist these things, and they can very quickly put your brand in the mind of the target market, when the person sees the message every time they write or look for a piece of paper and so on.
You should develop a strategy for offline marketing just as you would with online marketing. The elements are more or less the same, lets face it offline marketing is where these elements originated. So take the time to utilize these opportunities and target the potential market you want to get to your online site. Making the effort will pay dividends, and placing your business so that you get more traffic is the whole point of getting your marketing strategy rolling.
During Shaky Tmes, Be Careful What You Cut
When a small business cuts back advertising, it is like tossing kerosene on a fire (in this case, faltering sales). If promotion is considered a soft expense many small businesses reduce the size or frequency of their advertising.
Big mistake.
Small businesses should resist cutting back on anything their customers will notice or that will drive them away or fail to bring them in or back.
The No Cut Back List should include:
*Maintain portions at the same price;
*Resist reducing the quality of your products and services;
*Make sure your staff is knowledgeable and caring and
*Provide hassle free returns and adjustments.
Add advertising to your No Cut Back List.
The deeper-pocketed big boxes can and do cut back by indiscriminately reducing payroll, closing under-performing locations, slashing prices, and generally pissing consumers off . . . all of which spell opportunity for the more tightly-niched small businesses.
When the economic light starts blinking RED, the savvy small business owners can make some hay (increase marketing share)by helping customers and prospects understand how their business can do a better job than their competitor down the street.
Word of mouth by itself simply will not cut it in tough times. Effective advertising will.
Four dollar gasoline and two dollar loaves of bread are taking a larger bite out the wallets of all of us . . . but people do and will continue to buy what they want or need . . . especially from businesses that back up their advertising with over-the-top service and quality products and services.
Many consumers have cut back on discretionary items but they are still spending.
In a shaky economy, buyers become more picky about where they shop and more selective about allocating their dollars. Small businesses have to work harder to get their cash.
Curtail and cut out the shotgun ads aimed at no one in particular! When the Ad Circular Monsters (big boxes) are hawking price and closing check out registers at the same time, small business guerillas can move in and build their own customer base. They can if they continue to advertise but not when they pull back or out.
Guerilla marketers often maximize the effects of their print and broadcast ads by reproducing their advertised offerings on quick printed hand-outs (flyers) and on jumbo copies of their ads strategically placed inside their stores and in their windows . . . thereby adding impact and legs to advertised promotions.
Well run small businesses do not furlough good help. Instead they get every member of their team re- focused. Be honest and frank. If sales are down, say so. Cut loose non-performing employees. Redeploy more people to the front lines--sales and marketing. Identify and eliminate busy work. Get out of the office and on the street or the sales floor.
Like advertising, resist cutting employee perks. As tempting as it may be, eliminating free coffee and bagels or holiday parties can make employees feel undervalued and potentially lead to losing them. Small extras tend to be taken personally. Retaining perks maintains employee confidence in your company and may even inspire them to go the extra mile.
Take good care of your loyal clients along with your keeper employees. It costs less to retain a valuable existing customer than to find a new one. On the other hand, fire customers that cost you money. Figure out why customers come into your business in the first place as well as what will keep them coming back.
When the going gets tough, be smart enough to ask for help from others. There is remarkable strength in new and different ideas. Ask your customers--How can we better serve your needs? What additional needs could we serve? While you are at it, ask your employees the same questions.
Stop being busy being busy. Get strategic. Slow down. Think about your own situation and ignore gloom and doom headlines. Break up those lofty longer range game plans into 90-day action plans. See to it that every one of your team members share accountability for implementing the plan at hand. Make it a big deal when the team meets a stated goal.
Buy your outside vendors a cup of coffee to discuss ways that might benefit both of your businesses and cut costs at the same time. Printers, suppliers, media, etc. Brainstorm ideas that will keep your businesses percolating even when coffee is $10 a pound and rising.
When tough times hit, the primary goal of small business owners should be to not only survive but to position themselves to thrive. Cut expenses and reallocate your dollars by daring to invest more in marketing and advertising. Going this route is good business for small business.
Big mistake.
Small businesses should resist cutting back on anything their customers will notice or that will drive them away or fail to bring them in or back.
The No Cut Back List should include:
*Maintain portions at the same price;
*Resist reducing the quality of your products and services;
*Make sure your staff is knowledgeable and caring and
*Provide hassle free returns and adjustments.
Add advertising to your No Cut Back List.
The deeper-pocketed big boxes can and do cut back by indiscriminately reducing payroll, closing under-performing locations, slashing prices, and generally pissing consumers off . . . all of which spell opportunity for the more tightly-niched small businesses.
When the economic light starts blinking RED, the savvy small business owners can make some hay (increase marketing share)by helping customers and prospects understand how their business can do a better job than their competitor down the street.
Word of mouth by itself simply will not cut it in tough times. Effective advertising will.
Four dollar gasoline and two dollar loaves of bread are taking a larger bite out the wallets of all of us . . . but people do and will continue to buy what they want or need . . . especially from businesses that back up their advertising with over-the-top service and quality products and services.
Many consumers have cut back on discretionary items but they are still spending.
In a shaky economy, buyers become more picky about where they shop and more selective about allocating their dollars. Small businesses have to work harder to get their cash.
Curtail and cut out the shotgun ads aimed at no one in particular! When the Ad Circular Monsters (big boxes) are hawking price and closing check out registers at the same time, small business guerillas can move in and build their own customer base. They can if they continue to advertise but not when they pull back or out.
Guerilla marketers often maximize the effects of their print and broadcast ads by reproducing their advertised offerings on quick printed hand-outs (flyers) and on jumbo copies of their ads strategically placed inside their stores and in their windows . . . thereby adding impact and legs to advertised promotions.
Well run small businesses do not furlough good help. Instead they get every member of their team re- focused. Be honest and frank. If sales are down, say so. Cut loose non-performing employees. Redeploy more people to the front lines--sales and marketing. Identify and eliminate busy work. Get out of the office and on the street or the sales floor.
Like advertising, resist cutting employee perks. As tempting as it may be, eliminating free coffee and bagels or holiday parties can make employees feel undervalued and potentially lead to losing them. Small extras tend to be taken personally. Retaining perks maintains employee confidence in your company and may even inspire them to go the extra mile.
Take good care of your loyal clients along with your keeper employees. It costs less to retain a valuable existing customer than to find a new one. On the other hand, fire customers that cost you money. Figure out why customers come into your business in the first place as well as what will keep them coming back.
When the going gets tough, be smart enough to ask for help from others. There is remarkable strength in new and different ideas. Ask your customers--How can we better serve your needs? What additional needs could we serve? While you are at it, ask your employees the same questions.
Stop being busy being busy. Get strategic. Slow down. Think about your own situation and ignore gloom and doom headlines. Break up those lofty longer range game plans into 90-day action plans. See to it that every one of your team members share accountability for implementing the plan at hand. Make it a big deal when the team meets a stated goal.
Buy your outside vendors a cup of coffee to discuss ways that might benefit both of your businesses and cut costs at the same time. Printers, suppliers, media, etc. Brainstorm ideas that will keep your businesses percolating even when coffee is $10 a pound and rising.
When tough times hit, the primary goal of small business owners should be to not only survive but to position themselves to thrive. Cut expenses and reallocate your dollars by daring to invest more in marketing and advertising. Going this route is good business for small business.
Fall Is The Perfect Time To Clean Blips Off Your Marketing Slate
Every time a new selling season approaches, small business owners and managers need to take inventory and spruce up marketing blips that seem to appear and reappear in their daily promotional challenges.
Marketing legend, Zig Ziglar, characterized these blips as stinking thinking (ST) and recommended a regular check up from the neck up. Good advice to follow.
Here are some of the small business mental roadblocks that may need a lube and oil change:
ST: Anyone who can fog a mirror is my designated target market. Deep six this thought once and for all. Aim your advertising at everyone and you will hit no one. Your ads will blow in the wind but you will still have to pay for them.
ST: I have been in business in these parts for XX years. Folks around here know where I am and what I sell. Get real. There is hardly a square mile of our fruited plain where 50% of the residents are not moving in, moving out or moving on. A good many in your market area do not know anymore about your business than they do about your competition.
ST: Customers are more likely to raise their hand and inquire when I leave the prices(s) out of my advertisement. Keep on walking west looking for the sun to rise!
Savvy consumers today do not take the time to play guessing games. What they will do is turn the page or the dial and you and your ad become history.
ST: My business is pretty much the same as most of my competitors. If you believe that, you and your marketing efforts are headed for some serious train wrecks. Get a grip.
Take the time necessary to clearly define what is unique and special about you or your business as opposed to your competitors. Itch your niche. State your case clearly and often: why anyone should buy your offering from you.
ST: If my ad is too specific, I am likely to miss someone who might have responded. Once again now: when you attempt to speak to everyone, you speak to no one and that is exactly who will respond to your ads.
ST: The only reason I ever advertise is to remind people that I carry a wide assortment and offer the best selection of widgets this side of Rotten Porch, Kansas.
If you are wasting your money using phrases like wide assortment or best selection, your trips to the advertising plate will result in consistently striking out. Avoid majoring in minors (meaningless words).
ST: If I list my price(s), my competitors will undercut me. Really! The only people you care about seeing or hearing your ad and taking note of your
price(s) are your target market prospects and customers. No one else matters!
ST: It seems to me that the only thing people in this market care about is price. You know why? Because almost without exception the larger advertisers (grocery chains, vehicle dealers, and big box stores) not only feature but consistently highlight price in bold type encased inside all manner of gaudy clip art. Pray that they never wake up and realize the error of their ways.
Your primary message should focus on what is in it for me (besides just price) to choose your offer over your competitors . . . today . . . or at least soon. Make that case and ad results will follow.
ST: The big boxes cram and jam lots of items and offerings in their ads. That strategy must work or they would not continue to do it. Sorry, wrong again. These companies employ the cram and jam method because they copy what their competition does.
Their ads are put together by people in distant cubicles who do not have the faintest idea how to create effective ads. Some ad agencies actually specialize in this kind of comic book-like advertising drivel.
Do not walk off the same cliff as the cram and jam lemmings. Tell your story straight and use as much space or time as you need to tell it effectively. Feature less and tell more. Be sure to speak to your audience in plain coffee-shop English.
Lose the bullets and features only copy. Clean up your marketing blackboard and concentrate on what is in it for me benefits) and you will start to see what is in it for you.
Marketing legend, Zig Ziglar, characterized these blips as stinking thinking (ST) and recommended a regular check up from the neck up. Good advice to follow.
Here are some of the small business mental roadblocks that may need a lube and oil change:
ST: Anyone who can fog a mirror is my designated target market. Deep six this thought once and for all. Aim your advertising at everyone and you will hit no one. Your ads will blow in the wind but you will still have to pay for them.
ST: I have been in business in these parts for XX years. Folks around here know where I am and what I sell. Get real. There is hardly a square mile of our fruited plain where 50% of the residents are not moving in, moving out or moving on. A good many in your market area do not know anymore about your business than they do about your competition.
ST: Customers are more likely to raise their hand and inquire when I leave the prices(s) out of my advertisement. Keep on walking west looking for the sun to rise!
Savvy consumers today do not take the time to play guessing games. What they will do is turn the page or the dial and you and your ad become history.
ST: My business is pretty much the same as most of my competitors. If you believe that, you and your marketing efforts are headed for some serious train wrecks. Get a grip.
Take the time necessary to clearly define what is unique and special about you or your business as opposed to your competitors. Itch your niche. State your case clearly and often: why anyone should buy your offering from you.
ST: If my ad is too specific, I am likely to miss someone who might have responded. Once again now: when you attempt to speak to everyone, you speak to no one and that is exactly who will respond to your ads.
ST: The only reason I ever advertise is to remind people that I carry a wide assortment and offer the best selection of widgets this side of Rotten Porch, Kansas.
If you are wasting your money using phrases like wide assortment or best selection, your trips to the advertising plate will result in consistently striking out. Avoid majoring in minors (meaningless words).
ST: If I list my price(s), my competitors will undercut me. Really! The only people you care about seeing or hearing your ad and taking note of your
price(s) are your target market prospects and customers. No one else matters!
ST: It seems to me that the only thing people in this market care about is price. You know why? Because almost without exception the larger advertisers (grocery chains, vehicle dealers, and big box stores) not only feature but consistently highlight price in bold type encased inside all manner of gaudy clip art. Pray that they never wake up and realize the error of their ways.
Your primary message should focus on what is in it for me (besides just price) to choose your offer over your competitors . . . today . . . or at least soon. Make that case and ad results will follow.
ST: The big boxes cram and jam lots of items and offerings in their ads. That strategy must work or they would not continue to do it. Sorry, wrong again. These companies employ the cram and jam method because they copy what their competition does.
Their ads are put together by people in distant cubicles who do not have the faintest idea how to create effective ads. Some ad agencies actually specialize in this kind of comic book-like advertising drivel.
Do not walk off the same cliff as the cram and jam lemmings. Tell your story straight and use as much space or time as you need to tell it effectively. Feature less and tell more. Be sure to speak to your audience in plain coffee-shop English.
Lose the bullets and features only copy. Clean up your marketing blackboard and concentrate on what is in it for me benefits) and you will start to see what is in it for you.
Innovative Ways of Attracting More Visitors to Your Trade Show Booth
When operating a trade show booth, you have to do things that will make customers want to look at what you have. That requires you to be very creative, though. If you're not creative, then you're going to be doing the same exact things that everyone else is doing. If that's the case, then you're not exactly going to stand out amongst the rest. You're going to be ignored just like the others who have not used their imaginations.
So what should you do to really make your trade show booth look really interesting? Try doing special things for your customers and dress up your booth to the point it cannot be ignored. That doesn't mean that you need to paint it hot pink with neon green letters on it that say "Come to by booth and see my goodies." You don't want your booth design or even your other ideas to seem desperate. You just want your customers to enjoy what they see and have a great time.
Giveaways
The way to a customer's heart is through giveaways. People like things that are free. You can even go as far as giving away bags of popcorn or items such as pens, pencils, key chains, mugs, and so much more that has your logo on them. If you give them something with your logo, then you are giving them a constant reminder that you exist. To them, they are receiving something free, but when they look at that item they will remember that you have something they need.
Here are some other things that you can do to make yourself stand out and attract more visitors to your trade show booth:
- Play games with your customers. Have a spinning wheel that they can spin to win a price. You can give them gift certificates that they can use toward a purchase at your booth or you can have prizes lined up.
- Have things for the kids. Something as simple as a balloon will make their day. Parents will appreciate anything you give their children to keep the kids pacified. Rent a helium tank, buy some balloons, and you're in business. If you really want to make the balloons work for you, then you can have some printed up with your company logo on them.
- Do a raffle for a particular product that you're displaying at the show. Let the customers know that you're doing it at a certain time and let them know that they have to be present to win. That means they will come back to your booth. If they didn't buy anything the first time, then perhaps they will the second time.
The booth
The booth itself needs to be dressed up for your customers. You have to be really creative with it to make it stand out amongst the many others at the trade show. This means using stage lights to highlight certain items. You may even wish to have special flooring around the booth so that the customers feel like they're walking into an actual store and not just a booth. People who feel like they are in a store environment are more likely to feel comfortable being there. They feel like they are not amongst many people, but that they are free to browse as they please.
You can also use a booth with a curved wall. These types of trade show booths are very unique and they certain gain the attention that you wish to have. Incorporate all of these elements to have a trade show presence that will dominate on every level.
So what should you do to really make your trade show booth look really interesting? Try doing special things for your customers and dress up your booth to the point it cannot be ignored. That doesn't mean that you need to paint it hot pink with neon green letters on it that say "Come to by booth and see my goodies." You don't want your booth design or even your other ideas to seem desperate. You just want your customers to enjoy what they see and have a great time.
Giveaways
The way to a customer's heart is through giveaways. People like things that are free. You can even go as far as giving away bags of popcorn or items such as pens, pencils, key chains, mugs, and so much more that has your logo on them. If you give them something with your logo, then you are giving them a constant reminder that you exist. To them, they are receiving something free, but when they look at that item they will remember that you have something they need.
Here are some other things that you can do to make yourself stand out and attract more visitors to your trade show booth:
- Play games with your customers. Have a spinning wheel that they can spin to win a price. You can give them gift certificates that they can use toward a purchase at your booth or you can have prizes lined up.
- Have things for the kids. Something as simple as a balloon will make their day. Parents will appreciate anything you give their children to keep the kids pacified. Rent a helium tank, buy some balloons, and you're in business. If you really want to make the balloons work for you, then you can have some printed up with your company logo on them.
- Do a raffle for a particular product that you're displaying at the show. Let the customers know that you're doing it at a certain time and let them know that they have to be present to win. That means they will come back to your booth. If they didn't buy anything the first time, then perhaps they will the second time.
The booth
The booth itself needs to be dressed up for your customers. You have to be really creative with it to make it stand out amongst the many others at the trade show. This means using stage lights to highlight certain items. You may even wish to have special flooring around the booth so that the customers feel like they're walking into an actual store and not just a booth. People who feel like they are in a store environment are more likely to feel comfortable being there. They feel like they are not amongst many people, but that they are free to browse as they please.
You can also use a booth with a curved wall. These types of trade show booths are very unique and they certain gain the attention that you wish to have. Incorporate all of these elements to have a trade show presence that will dominate on every level.
Mascots and the Olympics
The first Olympic mascot was introduced in 1972 at the Munich games. These mascots have become a very important element of the Olympics. It is an image that is unique and very popular because it materializes the spirit of the Olympics, promotes the history, and communicates the overall concept. This makes the Olympic mascot a must when it comes to the games. It is a must for children, for the general public, to display the uniqueness of each geographical area, and to relay the culture of the host city.
Waldi, the dachshund was the very first mascot in 1972. This is because the dachshund is a great representation of tenacity, resilience, and agility, which are the key elements an athlete possesses. This explains why he was a great choice as the first Olympic mascot. He was dressed in multiple pastel colors to express the joy and the gaiety of the Olympics. The introduction of the Olympic mascot was perhaps the most memorable mascot moment.
Other memorable mascots
Hidy and Howdy were the mascots for the 1988 Calgary Winter Games, but some never quite understood the concept of brother and sister bears that were inseparable. In some cases, individuals claimed that this was a bit creepy with a bit of cuteness thrown in there. The two were dressed in cowboy and cowgirl clothes, which has a lot to do with the fact that Calgary's nickname is 'Cowtown.' However, Hidy and Howdy were, in fact, polar bears.
Another interesting fact about mascots is the death of Rocky, who was to be the mascot for the 1980 Lake Placid Winter Games. There was a mystery surrounding this mascot because Rocky mysteriously 'passed away' before the Olympics ever began. Rocky was then replaced by Roni, a cartoon raccoon.
However, one of the most elegantly crafted mascots was that created by Walt Disney. Sam the Eagle is probably one of the most famous mascots that the Olympics have ever seen. He was created for the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. He wore the legendary clothes of Uncle Sam. He also held his version of the torch held by the statue of liberty. It was at this point that commercial use of the mascots was permitted. Beforehand, it had not, but Walt Disney's design of Sam the Eagle marked a new precedent when it came to Olympic mascots.
2008 Beijing Summer Olympics
The Beijing Summer Olympics consists of five dolls. Their names are Beibei, Jingjing, Huanhaun, Yingying, and Nini. Each symbolizes something different. An example is that Nini is a symbol of infinite sky. It is a representation of the green Olympic ring. The rest are as follows:
- Beibei - A reflection of the strength in water sports. It is a representation of the blue Olympic ring.
- Jingjing - Shows the strength in athletics. It is a representation of the black Olympic ring.
- Huanhuan - Reflects the excellence in ball games. It is a representation of the red Olympic ring.
- Yingying - Relfects the strength in track and field events. It is a representation of the yellow Olympic ring.
These mascots were designed by Han Meilin. He said it was impossible for a single figure to reflect the magnitude of these Olympic games. That is because China has a very intense and diverse culture that cannot be summed up in just one mascot. This makes the 2008 Summer Olympics the first in which 5 mascots were used. The most before that point was 3 used in the 2000 Sydney Summer Olympics. Those mascots were Olly, Syd, and Millie and were said to have been upstaged by a series of unofficial mascots that were created that year. However you look at it, mascots have certainly created many memories for the Olympics.
Waldi, the dachshund was the very first mascot in 1972. This is because the dachshund is a great representation of tenacity, resilience, and agility, which are the key elements an athlete possesses. This explains why he was a great choice as the first Olympic mascot. He was dressed in multiple pastel colors to express the joy and the gaiety of the Olympics. The introduction of the Olympic mascot was perhaps the most memorable mascot moment.
Other memorable mascots
Hidy and Howdy were the mascots for the 1988 Calgary Winter Games, but some never quite understood the concept of brother and sister bears that were inseparable. In some cases, individuals claimed that this was a bit creepy with a bit of cuteness thrown in there. The two were dressed in cowboy and cowgirl clothes, which has a lot to do with the fact that Calgary's nickname is 'Cowtown.' However, Hidy and Howdy were, in fact, polar bears.
Another interesting fact about mascots is the death of Rocky, who was to be the mascot for the 1980 Lake Placid Winter Games. There was a mystery surrounding this mascot because Rocky mysteriously 'passed away' before the Olympics ever began. Rocky was then replaced by Roni, a cartoon raccoon.
However, one of the most elegantly crafted mascots was that created by Walt Disney. Sam the Eagle is probably one of the most famous mascots that the Olympics have ever seen. He was created for the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. He wore the legendary clothes of Uncle Sam. He also held his version of the torch held by the statue of liberty. It was at this point that commercial use of the mascots was permitted. Beforehand, it had not, but Walt Disney's design of Sam the Eagle marked a new precedent when it came to Olympic mascots.
2008 Beijing Summer Olympics
The Beijing Summer Olympics consists of five dolls. Their names are Beibei, Jingjing, Huanhaun, Yingying, and Nini. Each symbolizes something different. An example is that Nini is a symbol of infinite sky. It is a representation of the green Olympic ring. The rest are as follows:
- Beibei - A reflection of the strength in water sports. It is a representation of the blue Olympic ring.
- Jingjing - Shows the strength in athletics. It is a representation of the black Olympic ring.
- Huanhuan - Reflects the excellence in ball games. It is a representation of the red Olympic ring.
- Yingying - Relfects the strength in track and field events. It is a representation of the yellow Olympic ring.
These mascots were designed by Han Meilin. He said it was impossible for a single figure to reflect the magnitude of these Olympic games. That is because China has a very intense and diverse culture that cannot be summed up in just one mascot. This makes the 2008 Summer Olympics the first in which 5 mascots were used. The most before that point was 3 used in the 2000 Sydney Summer Olympics. Those mascots were Olly, Syd, and Millie and were said to have been upstaged by a series of unofficial mascots that were created that year. However you look at it, mascots have certainly created many memories for the Olympics.
Different Ways of Customizing Trade Show Displays
Your trade show display is going to make you or break you. It is that one thing that customers seem to see once. If your display looks good, then the customer will move onto what type of products you're selling. Because of the fact your trade show display is your main "eye-catching" piece, You need to be creative with it. You need to make sure that it doesn't look like any that anyone else has at the trade show. So how can you customize your trade show display so that it says, "You don't need anything else but what I have to offer."
Customization
There are many options that exist for you when customizing your display. Because the idea is for no two trade show displays to be alike, you have everything you need to make your display unique. Here are things that you can do to make sure your display is as unique as they come:
- Your booth - What are your objectives? Are you selling a product? Are you collecting sales leads? Are you demonstrating a product? What you're going to be doing is going to depend on the type of display that you have. It is from this phase that it will flow naturally. For example: If you're demonstrating, you want a display that hoists you up above those viewing what you're demonstrating. You want the background to be attractive and colorful.
- Signing - It is a good idea to add a hanging sign about your display. Trade shows are usually rather cluttered, so this brings attention to your booth amongst all the mess. In other words, they are going to be able to see your sign from a very far distance and they're going to follow it.
- Flooring - Many individuals use carpeting as their flooring in their display. You also have other options such as interlocking tiles, raised platforms, and wood flooring. You do not have to settle with whatever the flooring is at the trade show location. This is going to look very nice and professional. Basically, this type of move shows that you know what you're doing.
- Graphics - Graphics can be quite beneficial in that they are attractive. You can use graphics to get the attention of the crowd. Yes, you can use popup graphics and you can also have graphics incorporated onto your display anywhere you wish for them to be. Your graphics are most likely going to be customized based on the particular graphic you use for your business or something that you feel conveys the message that your business is trying to relay.
So yes, you can be very creative with your trade show booth. The idea is to make customers say, "Wow! I want what they're offering!" Even if they don't need what you have, they will still desire it because of how you have packaged it.
Other ways to customize
You can also invest in banners, lights, and microphone systems that allow you to talk to the crowd. You can do tabletop displays or place posters on stands for all to see. You can really make your trade show display look great. All you have to do is let loose and let your dreams guide you through the process. Just make sure that you don't rely solely on your product to bring in your business. What if someone is offering something similar? If they are, customers are going to buy from the booth that looks like it has everything together. You look both reliable and like your product is of a higher quality.
Customization
There are many options that exist for you when customizing your display. Because the idea is for no two trade show displays to be alike, you have everything you need to make your display unique. Here are things that you can do to make sure your display is as unique as they come:
- Your booth - What are your objectives? Are you selling a product? Are you collecting sales leads? Are you demonstrating a product? What you're going to be doing is going to depend on the type of display that you have. It is from this phase that it will flow naturally. For example: If you're demonstrating, you want a display that hoists you up above those viewing what you're demonstrating. You want the background to be attractive and colorful.
- Signing - It is a good idea to add a hanging sign about your display. Trade shows are usually rather cluttered, so this brings attention to your booth amongst all the mess. In other words, they are going to be able to see your sign from a very far distance and they're going to follow it.
- Flooring - Many individuals use carpeting as their flooring in their display. You also have other options such as interlocking tiles, raised platforms, and wood flooring. You do not have to settle with whatever the flooring is at the trade show location. This is going to look very nice and professional. Basically, this type of move shows that you know what you're doing.
- Graphics - Graphics can be quite beneficial in that they are attractive. You can use graphics to get the attention of the crowd. Yes, you can use popup graphics and you can also have graphics incorporated onto your display anywhere you wish for them to be. Your graphics are most likely going to be customized based on the particular graphic you use for your business or something that you feel conveys the message that your business is trying to relay.
So yes, you can be very creative with your trade show booth. The idea is to make customers say, "Wow! I want what they're offering!" Even if they don't need what you have, they will still desire it because of how you have packaged it.
Other ways to customize
You can also invest in banners, lights, and microphone systems that allow you to talk to the crowd. You can do tabletop displays or place posters on stands for all to see. You can really make your trade show display look great. All you have to do is let loose and let your dreams guide you through the process. Just make sure that you don't rely solely on your product to bring in your business. What if someone is offering something similar? If they are, customers are going to buy from the booth that looks like it has everything together. You look both reliable and like your product is of a higher quality.
Best Practices for Transporting Trade Show Displays
Transporting your tradeshow display doesn't involve rocket science, but it isn't something you want to skimp on either. It does take a bit of planning and coordination. Why do you need to be so careful? That is because you want to make sure all components of your trade show display needs to arrive at the event on time. This literally means that the shipping and delivery of trade show displays has to be choreographed like it is a ballet.
The major exhibitors will hire companies who specialize in trade show display transport. These companies take care of the packing, the shipping, and even the warehousing of the trade show display. Once the trade show display arrives at the trade show, the company then makes sure that everything is delivered to the booth location at the right time. They'll even take care of assembly, dismantling, and the return shipping.
Hiring a company is a great thing to do, but not every exhibitor is in the position to be able to take on such an investment. Yes, it is convenient, but it takes time to reach the capacity to be able to enjoy such a service. That means the alternative solution is to transport it yourself.
Options
You still have the option to hire a freight carried to ship your display from your storage location to the trade show. If you go this route, you want to hire a freighter that is experienced in shipping trade show displays. You can even check with the trade show to see if they are contracted with a particular shipping company that serves as the event's official carrier. If so, you can check into using that carrier and see what types of discounts they may offer for being the official carrier of the event.
If hiring a freighter is still not an option for you, you can look into companies such as U-Haul to transport your display. You have the ability to choose what size truck you need to get the job done and they are usually not very expensive to rent. This can be a very cost effective solution for you. As long as you have the manpower to take it out of the truck, set it up, and then take it down at the end of the day, you are in business by taking this route. Then again, you can always purchase a vehicle if you believe you'll be paying a lot of money in rental costs. This could be a solution for you that would prove to be less expensive in the long run.
Best practices
As for the best transport practices, you need to ensure that everything is secure in the back of the truck. You do not want anything being loose or the sharpest of turns will cause everything to thrash around. This is what causes displays to become broken during transport.
So what you need to do is invest in straps. When using something such as a moving truck, there are already straps in the truck that allow you to strap items to the walls. You can place smaller items in boxes and strap those down as well. You want to make sure that everything is secure or you're going to arrive at your trade show with a broken display. It would be terrible to arrive to your destination and find that you can't let your display shine to the fullest. That is why you need to be mindful of what vehicle you are transporting your display in and how secure it is when you do.
The major exhibitors will hire companies who specialize in trade show display transport. These companies take care of the packing, the shipping, and even the warehousing of the trade show display. Once the trade show display arrives at the trade show, the company then makes sure that everything is delivered to the booth location at the right time. They'll even take care of assembly, dismantling, and the return shipping.
Hiring a company is a great thing to do, but not every exhibitor is in the position to be able to take on such an investment. Yes, it is convenient, but it takes time to reach the capacity to be able to enjoy such a service. That means the alternative solution is to transport it yourself.
Options
You still have the option to hire a freight carried to ship your display from your storage location to the trade show. If you go this route, you want to hire a freighter that is experienced in shipping trade show displays. You can even check with the trade show to see if they are contracted with a particular shipping company that serves as the event's official carrier. If so, you can check into using that carrier and see what types of discounts they may offer for being the official carrier of the event.
If hiring a freighter is still not an option for you, you can look into companies such as U-Haul to transport your display. You have the ability to choose what size truck you need to get the job done and they are usually not very expensive to rent. This can be a very cost effective solution for you. As long as you have the manpower to take it out of the truck, set it up, and then take it down at the end of the day, you are in business by taking this route. Then again, you can always purchase a vehicle if you believe you'll be paying a lot of money in rental costs. This could be a solution for you that would prove to be less expensive in the long run.
Best practices
As for the best transport practices, you need to ensure that everything is secure in the back of the truck. You do not want anything being loose or the sharpest of turns will cause everything to thrash around. This is what causes displays to become broken during transport.
So what you need to do is invest in straps. When using something such as a moving truck, there are already straps in the truck that allow you to strap items to the walls. You can place smaller items in boxes and strap those down as well. You want to make sure that everything is secure or you're going to arrive at your trade show with a broken display. It would be terrible to arrive to your destination and find that you can't let your display shine to the fullest. That is why you need to be mindful of what vehicle you are transporting your display in and how secure it is when you do.
A Website Can Be An Asset Or A Flop Depending Upon How You Prepare
In order to understand what a website may or may not do for your business, you need to understand why most people surf the Net in the first place.
Last year, the Pew Research Center conducted a study that sheds light on consumer motives for using the Internet:
*Most are goal-oriented in that they generally are trying to either find information or communicate with others; in other words, they are NOT aimlessly surfing in order to discover some kind of cyber-treasure;
*75% seek and read news on demand almost daily with LOCAL news being the most popular and U.S. news the least desired;
*Two out of three cited the fact that the Internet allows them to pick and choose (control!) the news they read as opposed to a media outlet controlling what they see, read or hear;
*66% stated they feel that e-mail brings them closer to family and friends and 91% use e-mail on a regular basis;
*50% go on line to purchase products or services while 75% search for information about purchases they plan to make;
*46% visited travel sites; 62% weather sites; 50% educational; and 54% medicine and health; and
* Only 12% regularly trade stocks on line.
Deciphering the research data points up some conclusions that small business owners or managers should note:
*Glitz and glamour are not the way to go. Splashy screens and special effects will get your entire message bounced more often than not.
*Information is king (queen). Straight-forward data and straight talk are in. Hold on here! Is that not the same stuff we have been told about print and broadcast ads? Yep. Sure is!
* Web Meisters who advise you to entice web surfers with flash and then somehow trick them into paying attention to your message should be shown the door. This is the same philosophy practiced at the Center for Vehicle Advertising! It does not work. Avoid it.
* Consumers who use the Internet are no different than those who read, watch or listen to other media: they want control and are squeamish about any attempts to control them. If your offer is perceived by the consumer to have merit, they will investigate further; if not, color them GONE.
*Repeat customers online are just as important as new customers which means you not only need to provide information for first-time visitors, but also plenty of reasons to return to your site in the future. Once again . . . the same as a bricks and mortar store!
Marketing online will not do any more for you than marketing offline if you just dive in the pool and start splashing around without really knowing how to swim (market).
A business website can be productive if you think of it as an individual conference with your target prospect or customer and not just a glitzy posting attracting no one in particular. Hit me may produce results in Blackjack but rarely in the website biz.
Visualize your website as a display window for your business which is jammed to the rafters with products, services and ideas. Your window display should appeal to your target audience and should be changed often in order to keep them interested and coming back.
Many people who are not your target audience can and will look at your website (hit!) and will keep on walking down the street (surfing!)because you are not offering what they want or need. In the parlance of cyberspace, you want your target prospects or customers to bookmark your site.
Keep your content fresh and exciting. Offer your site visitor a reason to come on in: a free check-up, a worthwhile book, a 24 hour test drive . . . something that stirs action and takes your site beyond just being a brochure.
Final tip: repeat customers can and do bring in more business than any banner ad you purchase with our without razzmatazz.
Last year, the Pew Research Center conducted a study that sheds light on consumer motives for using the Internet:
*Most are goal-oriented in that they generally are trying to either find information or communicate with others; in other words, they are NOT aimlessly surfing in order to discover some kind of cyber-treasure;
*75% seek and read news on demand almost daily with LOCAL news being the most popular and U.S. news the least desired;
*Two out of three cited the fact that the Internet allows them to pick and choose (control!) the news they read as opposed to a media outlet controlling what they see, read or hear;
*66% stated they feel that e-mail brings them closer to family and friends and 91% use e-mail on a regular basis;
*50% go on line to purchase products or services while 75% search for information about purchases they plan to make;
*46% visited travel sites; 62% weather sites; 50% educational; and 54% medicine and health; and
* Only 12% regularly trade stocks on line.
Deciphering the research data points up some conclusions that small business owners or managers should note:
*Glitz and glamour are not the way to go. Splashy screens and special effects will get your entire message bounced more often than not.
*Information is king (queen). Straight-forward data and straight talk are in. Hold on here! Is that not the same stuff we have been told about print and broadcast ads? Yep. Sure is!
* Web Meisters who advise you to entice web surfers with flash and then somehow trick them into paying attention to your message should be shown the door. This is the same philosophy practiced at the Center for Vehicle Advertising! It does not work. Avoid it.
* Consumers who use the Internet are no different than those who read, watch or listen to other media: they want control and are squeamish about any attempts to control them. If your offer is perceived by the consumer to have merit, they will investigate further; if not, color them GONE.
*Repeat customers online are just as important as new customers which means you not only need to provide information for first-time visitors, but also plenty of reasons to return to your site in the future. Once again . . . the same as a bricks and mortar store!
Marketing online will not do any more for you than marketing offline if you just dive in the pool and start splashing around without really knowing how to swim (market).
A business website can be productive if you think of it as an individual conference with your target prospect or customer and not just a glitzy posting attracting no one in particular. Hit me may produce results in Blackjack but rarely in the website biz.
Visualize your website as a display window for your business which is jammed to the rafters with products, services and ideas. Your window display should appeal to your target audience and should be changed often in order to keep them interested and coming back.
Many people who are not your target audience can and will look at your website (hit!) and will keep on walking down the street (surfing!)because you are not offering what they want or need. In the parlance of cyberspace, you want your target prospects or customers to bookmark your site.
Keep your content fresh and exciting. Offer your site visitor a reason to come on in: a free check-up, a worthwhile book, a 24 hour test drive . . . something that stirs action and takes your site beyond just being a brochure.
Final tip: repeat customers can and do bring in more business than any banner ad you purchase with our without razzmatazz.
Are You Looking For A More Affective Way To Advertise?
For those of us trying to promote our business, service, product or whatever else, it's a constant job to advertise. Some of us have found some really superb ways of advertising and some are still dealing with some "trial and error" issues. But when people ask me about a few good ways to advertise one of my suggestions is groups like MSN, Yahoo or Google. These groups allow you to advertise whatever it is your selling, easily, quickly and without stepping over that ever visible spam line. The last thing you want to do when advertising your business or product is to annoy people by sending them spam-worthy emails!
So what can you do on these groups? How does it work exactly? Well most likely you will need to find the category and subcategory of your business or product that you are trying to advertise. By taking the time to do this very first process your lessening your chances of posting spam. If you are selling car seat covers, the last place that needs to be is in the cooking section! Besides dodging spam related acts, you are also targeting your advertising by finding the correct category to post it in. That's what you want! If you can't find the correct category for what your advertising then you're probably not looking in the right place considering these groups have literally thousands of categories and millions of subcategories!
Although posting to groups is a good thing to do, it also can take up a lot of your precious time. So, then what? Well there are actual people that will do this for you!. They allow you to automatically post your ads on these groups, which saves you incredible amounts of time. You can pick when you want it sent out, which groups you want it sent to, pick the category and customize your ad to suit your needs. Sounds pretty easy right? Well it is! These people offer this service to you for a small one time fee. And, from the looks of it, this fee is pretty low considering what they give you! So, it's easy, quick, and cheap? Yes!
Here's a couple packages I found on one site in particular:
Ad Package number one: once a day ad/message submission (ads posted once daily for life). One-time payment of $25
Ad Package number two: twice a day ad submission (ads/messages will be sent two times a day for life) one-time payment of $30
Ad Package number three: three times a day ad/message submission (ads/messages will be sent three times a day for life) one-time payment of $45
Ad Package number four: four times a day ad/message submission (ads/messages will be sent four times a day for life) one-time payment of $50
Ad Package number five: six times a day ad/message submission (ads/messages will be sent six times a day for life) one-time payment of $75
Even if you want to just try the service out they allow you to buy a once a day ad just to see what sorts of results you can get with it. This seems pretty nifty to me. In fact, I am going to go and try this service in particular out, right after I'm done writing this! Again, your ad or message will be sent to over 300+ combined Google, Yahoo, and MSN groups for life. I'm sorry, but this is a fantastic buy and everyone should at least try it out!
So what can you do on these groups? How does it work exactly? Well most likely you will need to find the category and subcategory of your business or product that you are trying to advertise. By taking the time to do this very first process your lessening your chances of posting spam. If you are selling car seat covers, the last place that needs to be is in the cooking section! Besides dodging spam related acts, you are also targeting your advertising by finding the correct category to post it in. That's what you want! If you can't find the correct category for what your advertising then you're probably not looking in the right place considering these groups have literally thousands of categories and millions of subcategories!
Although posting to groups is a good thing to do, it also can take up a lot of your precious time. So, then what? Well there are actual people that will do this for you!. They allow you to automatically post your ads on these groups, which saves you incredible amounts of time. You can pick when you want it sent out, which groups you want it sent to, pick the category and customize your ad to suit your needs. Sounds pretty easy right? Well it is! These people offer this service to you for a small one time fee. And, from the looks of it, this fee is pretty low considering what they give you! So, it's easy, quick, and cheap? Yes!
Here's a couple packages I found on one site in particular:
Ad Package number one: once a day ad/message submission (ads posted once daily for life). One-time payment of $25
Ad Package number two: twice a day ad submission (ads/messages will be sent two times a day for life) one-time payment of $30
Ad Package number three: three times a day ad/message submission (ads/messages will be sent three times a day for life) one-time payment of $45
Ad Package number four: four times a day ad/message submission (ads/messages will be sent four times a day for life) one-time payment of $50
Ad Package number five: six times a day ad/message submission (ads/messages will be sent six times a day for life) one-time payment of $75
Even if you want to just try the service out they allow you to buy a once a day ad just to see what sorts of results you can get with it. This seems pretty nifty to me. In fact, I am going to go and try this service in particular out, right after I'm done writing this! Again, your ad or message will be sent to over 300+ combined Google, Yahoo, and MSN groups for life. I'm sorry, but this is a fantastic buy and everyone should at least try it out!
Search Engine Marketing: How Search Engines Work
Have you ever wondered how exactly search engine marketing works or how search engine optimization can help your business? Search engine marketing relies on the basic principles of search engine optimization. Search engine optimization makes it possible for a search engine's spider to find your web page and add it to the search engine results page whenever someone does a search for a word or phrase that shows up on your website.
Search engine marketing uses search engine optimized content to make your website easier for the spiders to find and for people who are searching the web to find. A search engine uses thousands of little bots called spiders to index the millions of web pages that are on the Internet. These spiders start at the most well known websites and work backwards following links and searching for common words and phrases. Every page that the spiders come across with those particular words on them is indexed and saved. Those pages are the ones that show up in the search engine results page when someone uses Google or another search engine to look for websites on a particular topic.
The place where each site shows up in the search engine results page ranking is based on the content of the site, how many times particular words and phrases appear on the site and the relevance of the site to those search times. That is why search engine marketing depends so heavily on search engine optimization.
If you want your website to show up higher on the search engine results page then you use to use search engine marketing and search engine optimization techniques in order to get the spiders to notice your site and put your site higher on the search engine results page. People who are using a search engine to look for websites will rarely click to the second search engine results page.
It's crucial that your site be on the first page of the search engine results page or people will probably not find your site. Using search engine marketing and search engine optimization is the best way to do that.
The number one rule to remember when you are planning out search engine marketing strategies or trying to figure out how use search engine optimization effectively on your website is that your website should have 100% original content.
The spiders will place your site higher on the search engine results page if the content that is on your site is original. When websites duplicate copy the spiders pick up on the repeated phrases and language and will sometimes not index a site at all if the spider determines that the content is too similar to the content on another site.
Search engine optimization and search engine marketing is more than just taking one word or phrase and repeating it a certain number of times. The content on the site has to be fresh and engaging and also contain the keywords or key phrases that will bring traffic to the website.
Search engine marketing uses search engine optimized content to make your website easier for the spiders to find and for people who are searching the web to find. A search engine uses thousands of little bots called spiders to index the millions of web pages that are on the Internet. These spiders start at the most well known websites and work backwards following links and searching for common words and phrases. Every page that the spiders come across with those particular words on them is indexed and saved. Those pages are the ones that show up in the search engine results page when someone uses Google or another search engine to look for websites on a particular topic.
The place where each site shows up in the search engine results page ranking is based on the content of the site, how many times particular words and phrases appear on the site and the relevance of the site to those search times. That is why search engine marketing depends so heavily on search engine optimization.
If you want your website to show up higher on the search engine results page then you use to use search engine marketing and search engine optimization techniques in order to get the spiders to notice your site and put your site higher on the search engine results page. People who are using a search engine to look for websites will rarely click to the second search engine results page.
It's crucial that your site be on the first page of the search engine results page or people will probably not find your site. Using search engine marketing and search engine optimization is the best way to do that.
The number one rule to remember when you are planning out search engine marketing strategies or trying to figure out how use search engine optimization effectively on your website is that your website should have 100% original content.
The spiders will place your site higher on the search engine results page if the content that is on your site is original. When websites duplicate copy the spiders pick up on the repeated phrases and language and will sometimes not index a site at all if the spider determines that the content is too similar to the content on another site.
Search engine optimization and search engine marketing is more than just taking one word or phrase and repeating it a certain number of times. The content on the site has to be fresh and engaging and also contain the keywords or key phrases that will bring traffic to the website.
An Introduction for Blogging to Help Your Business
A Blog is simply a web site created to regularly add or what is commonly called in the IT world, post your thoughts, reviews, adventures, photos or videos that you would like to share with others. You can just share what you have been doing in your life or at work. It can be much like a journal, but one that your brother or sister does not have to hide under the bed to read! It can be open to anyone on the internet or as on some websites, exclusively accessible by your friends or whoever you chosse to disclose the password too. The content is completely at your discretion and your entries may be as long or as short as you desire.
There are more blogs on the internet than can be counted. Technorati, an internet search engine designed expressly for tracking blogs, claimed to be tracking more than 30 million blogs back in 2006 and blogging has gained in popularity and momentum since then. There is now the new video blogs ("vlogs") taking websites like YouTube by storm, as well as Artlogs, Photoblogs, Sketchblogs, and linklogs. You can even submit a blog from a mobile device, such as a mobile phone or palm pilot, which is called a moblog.
As a sort of social phenomenon, researchers have actually been analyzing the dynamics involved with blog popularity, as well as their social properties and implications. Time Magazine's controversial choice to name "YOU" as the Person of the Year, due to the amount of people using the internet to aid in the advancement of the information age, represents just how significant this trend in personal expression and free speech has become. Quite simply, if one person in the world knows something and posts it on the internet, in theory, everyone can access it and learn from it if they want to, which can have an extraordinary impact on the collective knowledge of the human race! There are many who praise the internet for this capability, and some others (various governments or corporations) who would like to regulate it and control access to information and education.
It is possible to use your blog not only for the spread of information, but also for profit or acclaim. Many bloggers offer advertisement space to other businesses and websites or even use that space to advertise their own businesses. Some bloggers have even become similar to local celebrities in their chosen genre, for their experience, expertise, and insight. A select few have come to be recognized and employed by mainstream media or even progressed to publishing books based on the topics they had addressed in their blogs.
With possibly close to 100 million blogs operating on the internet today, you may be wondering how you can compete with them and attract regular, repeat readers to your own. It is possible! With just a bit of research, a few important tips, and maybe a little patience and determination, you too can create a blog that will satisfy your personal and/or business goals. What you need to do if you have a blog, is regularly add content and good quality content, not just rubbish. If you continue with good quality content, you will get a following and with persistence you will be rewarded. Happy blogging!
There are more blogs on the internet than can be counted. Technorati, an internet search engine designed expressly for tracking blogs, claimed to be tracking more than 30 million blogs back in 2006 and blogging has gained in popularity and momentum since then. There is now the new video blogs ("vlogs") taking websites like YouTube by storm, as well as Artlogs, Photoblogs, Sketchblogs, and linklogs. You can even submit a blog from a mobile device, such as a mobile phone or palm pilot, which is called a moblog.
As a sort of social phenomenon, researchers have actually been analyzing the dynamics involved with blog popularity, as well as their social properties and implications. Time Magazine's controversial choice to name "YOU" as the Person of the Year, due to the amount of people using the internet to aid in the advancement of the information age, represents just how significant this trend in personal expression and free speech has become. Quite simply, if one person in the world knows something and posts it on the internet, in theory, everyone can access it and learn from it if they want to, which can have an extraordinary impact on the collective knowledge of the human race! There are many who praise the internet for this capability, and some others (various governments or corporations) who would like to regulate it and control access to information and education.
It is possible to use your blog not only for the spread of information, but also for profit or acclaim. Many bloggers offer advertisement space to other businesses and websites or even use that space to advertise their own businesses. Some bloggers have even become similar to local celebrities in their chosen genre, for their experience, expertise, and insight. A select few have come to be recognized and employed by mainstream media or even progressed to publishing books based on the topics they had addressed in their blogs.
With possibly close to 100 million blogs operating on the internet today, you may be wondering how you can compete with them and attract regular, repeat readers to your own. It is possible! With just a bit of research, a few important tips, and maybe a little patience and determination, you too can create a blog that will satisfy your personal and/or business goals. What you need to do if you have a blog, is regularly add content and good quality content, not just rubbish. If you continue with good quality content, you will get a following and with persistence you will be rewarded. Happy blogging!
Rising Number of Marital Affairs
Although many people feel alone when they discover their spouse has had an affair, they are not alone in terms of the shear numbers of affairs that are going on.
Below are some statistics that will show how common marital affairs are becoming.
Social Class
Adultery does not know how to distinguish between social classes. It does not care who you are, what your income is, where you live, where you work or any other factor.
Around 60% of adulterers are middle class wage earners, and of those, 40% are women. The most common age bracket of people having affairs are between 25 and 39, which also coincides with the highest demographic of divorcees.
Common Traits of an Affair
Some things that are common are that among cheating spouses, most only knew their spouse for 2 years or less prior to marriage, and they have been married for less than 3 years. This is not to say that it is uncommon to find couples who have been married for more than 25 years to have one spouse having an affair.
Gender Disparity
For some reason, we always assume that men are the cheaters. While the statistics do lean that way, they are much closer than you may think. In fact, 22% of men and 14% of women admit to having an affair. Women are closing the gap on cheating spouses.
Who Knew?
Keep an open eye to your spouse's activity. That is not to say you should focus on your spouses every move or assume that h/she is having an affair, but pay attention to their activities and behaviors.
Your spouse, if they are having an affair, will leave behind many clues they are unaware of. If you can pick up on them, you may be able to catch your spouse cheating!
The importance of paying attention is in the statistics. Of married women, 70% never knew that their husband was cheating. Of married men, 54% never knew their wife was having an affair.
Length of an Affair
Affairs affect 1 in every 3 couples. That's 33%! But how long does an affair last?
* 10% of affairs last 1 day
* 10% last more than 1 day, but less than 1 month
* 50% last more than 1 month, but less than 1 year
* 40% last more than 2 years!
What is most interesting is that the divorce rate for those who marry their lover is 75%! This is because affairs lack the necessary emotion to sustain anything long term. They ignore faults between the two parties which gives off a false feeling of love.
Work Place Affairs
Some studies suggest that 2 out of 3 women and 3 out of 4 men admit they have sexual thoughts about co-workers. While a thought doesn't always lead to an affair, 75% of men and 65% of women admit to having sex with someone they work with.
There are endless statistics to talk about, but these are some of the important ones. Now that you've read them, do you think your spouse is cheating on you?
Below are some statistics that will show how common marital affairs are becoming.
Social Class
Adultery does not know how to distinguish between social classes. It does not care who you are, what your income is, where you live, where you work or any other factor.
Around 60% of adulterers are middle class wage earners, and of those, 40% are women. The most common age bracket of people having affairs are between 25 and 39, which also coincides with the highest demographic of divorcees.
Common Traits of an Affair
Some things that are common are that among cheating spouses, most only knew their spouse for 2 years or less prior to marriage, and they have been married for less than 3 years. This is not to say that it is uncommon to find couples who have been married for more than 25 years to have one spouse having an affair.
Gender Disparity
For some reason, we always assume that men are the cheaters. While the statistics do lean that way, they are much closer than you may think. In fact, 22% of men and 14% of women admit to having an affair. Women are closing the gap on cheating spouses.
Who Knew?
Keep an open eye to your spouse's activity. That is not to say you should focus on your spouses every move or assume that h/she is having an affair, but pay attention to their activities and behaviors.
Your spouse, if they are having an affair, will leave behind many clues they are unaware of. If you can pick up on them, you may be able to catch your spouse cheating!
The importance of paying attention is in the statistics. Of married women, 70% never knew that their husband was cheating. Of married men, 54% never knew their wife was having an affair.
Length of an Affair
Affairs affect 1 in every 3 couples. That's 33%! But how long does an affair last?
* 10% of affairs last 1 day
* 10% last more than 1 day, but less than 1 month
* 50% last more than 1 month, but less than 1 year
* 40% last more than 2 years!
What is most interesting is that the divorce rate for those who marry their lover is 75%! This is because affairs lack the necessary emotion to sustain anything long term. They ignore faults between the two parties which gives off a false feeling of love.
Work Place Affairs
Some studies suggest that 2 out of 3 women and 3 out of 4 men admit they have sexual thoughts about co-workers. While a thought doesn't always lead to an affair, 75% of men and 65% of women admit to having sex with someone they work with.
There are endless statistics to talk about, but these are some of the important ones. Now that you've read them, do you think your spouse is cheating on you?
Get Attention With Custom Made Neon Signs
To have a successful business, it needs to be visible. If folks can not find your place of business, how can they purchase your goods and services? Custom made neon signs will make your store stand out among the crowd and get noticed. Whether it is a large sign on top of your building or just a window sized sign on your storefront, customers will have no trouble at all finding you.
Even when people are not even looking for your business in particular, custom made neon signs may draw them into your store. Have you ever gone down the street in a business district or a downtown area and looked for a place to get a cup of coffee? When you look around at the various shops, you will take notice of the ones with the glowing neon signs before you notice any other. You could even be standing right in front of a coffee house and not know it if it does not stand out to you. However, even from two blocks away, you will still see a neon coffee shop sign, and that is where you will be headed.
Believe it or not, getting a sign custom made are not that expensive, and you will certainly earn your money back many times over with the additional business that they will provide. This type of purchase is an investment that no business should overlook. Studies have indicated that any new sign will increase your business by 15% or more almost right away. You can increase that number if the new sign happens to be neon.
Experts as well as successful business entrepreneurs will tell you to include custom made neon signs in your business plan because they are very important of a business investment. You will be able to show a loan officer or an outside investor your business plan and they will like the fact that you did your research on how to market your business.
These neon signs are one of the least subtle of ways to tell invite potential customers into your store. In fact, a lot of customers will assume that you are closed for business if you do not have a sign or two shining brightly. You have probably done that too.
It does not matter what kind of business you have. Whether it is a nightclub, a gas station, or a fancy art gallery, these glowing signs are the best form of street advertisement you could possibly have. Particularly after dark, neon signs are often the only way to stand out to potential customers.
Even when people are not even looking for your business in particular, custom made neon signs may draw them into your store. Have you ever gone down the street in a business district or a downtown area and looked for a place to get a cup of coffee? When you look around at the various shops, you will take notice of the ones with the glowing neon signs before you notice any other. You could even be standing right in front of a coffee house and not know it if it does not stand out to you. However, even from two blocks away, you will still see a neon coffee shop sign, and that is where you will be headed.
Believe it or not, getting a sign custom made are not that expensive, and you will certainly earn your money back many times over with the additional business that they will provide. This type of purchase is an investment that no business should overlook. Studies have indicated that any new sign will increase your business by 15% or more almost right away. You can increase that number if the new sign happens to be neon.
Experts as well as successful business entrepreneurs will tell you to include custom made neon signs in your business plan because they are very important of a business investment. You will be able to show a loan officer or an outside investor your business plan and they will like the fact that you did your research on how to market your business.
These neon signs are one of the least subtle of ways to tell invite potential customers into your store. In fact, a lot of customers will assume that you are closed for business if you do not have a sign or two shining brightly. You have probably done that too.
It does not matter what kind of business you have. Whether it is a nightclub, a gas station, or a fancy art gallery, these glowing signs are the best form of street advertisement you could possibly have. Particularly after dark, neon signs are often the only way to stand out to potential customers.
Top 10 Ways to Get Quality Inbound Links
If we look at close quarters, we will find that inbound links to websites have made the task of looking for both quality and quantity data much easier, thus saving on our 'most valued' resource time. Inbound links are actually hyperlinks transiting domains. Primarily, they were devised for being used in net navigation but in recent times they have gained importance in search engine optimization (SEO). Moreover, nowadays the amount of quality inbound links on one's website is an important parameter taken into consideration by search engines to rank web pages, mostly in the form of blogging, content writing and article writing. So in order to increase the traffic on your website, creating quality inbound links is a key ingredient and following is listed the top 10 ways by which you can do it, and get more and more people hooked up to you site!!!
Article Writing.
One of the best ways to create links is to write articles and submit them to article directory sites. You just have to use your skill of innovative ideas, and pen down your thoughts for a number of websites that accept it, and thereby help in getting inbound links. Another advantage is that you can send the same article to a number of sites, thus reeling in more links for the same piece of writing. In addition, in case you consider yourself not that good with your linguistic abilities, you can always hire writers who can do in the work for you. But one thing that should be kept in mind while article writing, is that the topic should be related to the material on your website. So when people come across it they click on your URL to get further information that acts as your inbound link. Even content writing is no different from it. One way flow of written content helps in generating inbound links.
Reciprocal Link Exchanges.
Another method of getting inbound links is by establishing a symbiotic relationship with another party.
Herein, you exchange a link with a websiteas in you add a link to their website and they add a link to yours and it becomes all the more easier if the both the sites are related to the same kind of information, thus proving beneficial to either party.
Provide a Service.
This way is actually a very economical and smart tactic for gaining more traffic. If one provides a useful service, not only will the people who want to avail it will visit but the websites who share similar matter will also try to link to your website, thus giving added benefit. It can include article writing, content writing and blogging.
Web Directories.
One of the simplest and the easiest ways by which you can get inbound links is via web directories. There will be ample directories on the internet which contain similar types of information as on your website. So all that you have to do is get yourself in them, so that each time a user visits the directory they get a chance to look at your website as well.
Email Signature File.
Another smart way of getting inbound links is to set up a signature file in the emails you send. In this way, each time you send an email to someone, that person will be able to click on the link and visit your website. Apart from increasing traffic this technique will also help the ones really interested in getting useful information from it.
Webrings.
Yet another system by which one can have more and more users looking at one's website is to use webrings. It is a kind of give and take relationship. Each member of the webring advertises about another relevant site by displaying a small banner on their site, and in return similarly your site is advertised on the other ones in the webring.
Post in Newsgroups.
There are a number of newsgroups working online. These provide information about anything and everything going around. So, including your website's address in one of these groups is a sure shot method to increase traffic on your site.
Social Bookmarking Site.
Social book marketing sites are the latest buzz in getting more traffic. The principle by which these sites work is that they allow you to save bookmarks online but not in the traditional way of storing them in the list of favorites, but specifically categorizing them with key words.
Blogging.
Blogging, in simple terms, is the most direct way to approach your target users. Blogs are nothing but web pages wherein you can deal with your consumers directly by personally writing in your website and updating changes made from time to time, so that they are continuously in touch with what's happening and they get first hand information about the available content and facilities you're offering.
Word of Mouth.
Pulling customers to your website by word of mouth is a fun way of doing it. Apart from this you can write blogs, add 'tell a friend' applications, or write testimonials. By doing this, other people, in order to reply, will obviously log on to your site, and this helps you achieve your target increasing the traffic to your website!!!
Article Writing.
One of the best ways to create links is to write articles and submit them to article directory sites. You just have to use your skill of innovative ideas, and pen down your thoughts for a number of websites that accept it, and thereby help in getting inbound links. Another advantage is that you can send the same article to a number of sites, thus reeling in more links for the same piece of writing. In addition, in case you consider yourself not that good with your linguistic abilities, you can always hire writers who can do in the work for you. But one thing that should be kept in mind while article writing, is that the topic should be related to the material on your website. So when people come across it they click on your URL to get further information that acts as your inbound link. Even content writing is no different from it. One way flow of written content helps in generating inbound links.
Reciprocal Link Exchanges.
Another method of getting inbound links is by establishing a symbiotic relationship with another party.
Herein, you exchange a link with a websiteas in you add a link to their website and they add a link to yours and it becomes all the more easier if the both the sites are related to the same kind of information, thus proving beneficial to either party.
Provide a Service.
This way is actually a very economical and smart tactic for gaining more traffic. If one provides a useful service, not only will the people who want to avail it will visit but the websites who share similar matter will also try to link to your website, thus giving added benefit. It can include article writing, content writing and blogging.
Web Directories.
One of the simplest and the easiest ways by which you can get inbound links is via web directories. There will be ample directories on the internet which contain similar types of information as on your website. So all that you have to do is get yourself in them, so that each time a user visits the directory they get a chance to look at your website as well.
Email Signature File.
Another smart way of getting inbound links is to set up a signature file in the emails you send. In this way, each time you send an email to someone, that person will be able to click on the link and visit your website. Apart from increasing traffic this technique will also help the ones really interested in getting useful information from it.
Webrings.
Yet another system by which one can have more and more users looking at one's website is to use webrings. It is a kind of give and take relationship. Each member of the webring advertises about another relevant site by displaying a small banner on their site, and in return similarly your site is advertised on the other ones in the webring.
Post in Newsgroups.
There are a number of newsgroups working online. These provide information about anything and everything going around. So, including your website's address in one of these groups is a sure shot method to increase traffic on your site.
Social Bookmarking Site.
Social book marketing sites are the latest buzz in getting more traffic. The principle by which these sites work is that they allow you to save bookmarks online but not in the traditional way of storing them in the list of favorites, but specifically categorizing them with key words.
Blogging.
Blogging, in simple terms, is the most direct way to approach your target users. Blogs are nothing but web pages wherein you can deal with your consumers directly by personally writing in your website and updating changes made from time to time, so that they are continuously in touch with what's happening and they get first hand information about the available content and facilities you're offering.
Word of Mouth.
Pulling customers to your website by word of mouth is a fun way of doing it. Apart from this you can write blogs, add 'tell a friend' applications, or write testimonials. By doing this, other people, in order to reply, will obviously log on to your site, and this helps you achieve your target increasing the traffic to your website!!!
How To Generate Traffic With Banner Advertising
When the internet was still growing in popularity, the majority of advertising on websites was done in banner form. Believe it or not, not many people thought about utilizing the internet as an advertising medium until just a few years ago!
Those advertisements that did exist were in the form of flashing banners - the brighter and more garish the better (or so it felt to the casual web surfer). When companies like Google Adwords and Text Link Ads began to surface, banner advertising took a back seat to the less invasive text ads.
Lately, however, banner advertising has become more popular as people have learned how to make different sized banners and have gotten better with flash programming and graphic design. If you would like to know how to generate traffic with banner advertising, here are a few hints to help you out:
1. Just like text-based ads, you need to find advertising services that can target websites in your niche. A banner for a video game subscription service won't get as many click throughs if it is featured on a fashion website.
2. Do your best to get your banner advertising placed on websites that see a lot of traffic every day. It might be cheaper to advertise on websites that aren't yet very popular, but the higher cost will be worth it when you see just how quickly your traffic numbers jump. A banner ad that runs for a single week on an incredibly popular website will be worth more than one hundred banner ads running for three weeks on less popular websites.
3. Make sure that your banner itself is designed well.
This is an advertisement for your company. You want the banner design to reflect your business's brand. Something that flashes and gives people a headache probably won't get as many click throughs as something that is subtle and works well with the background of the site on which it sits.
4. No matter what anybody tells you, banner advertising that involves sounds or videos that play automatically are annoying and will not get clicked on. In fact, these advertisements are often the reason people click away from a website. Just because you know how to make a short video play in your advertising space doesn't mean you should put that knowledge into play.
A few things to consider before you get start on your banner advertising. You'll come across several different references to words such as CPA, CPM, CPC. They are all relevant to your campaign:
CPA - Meaning cost per action. This is a way of tracking a visitor that comes to your website and takes a specific action (such as adding an item to a shopping cart, or checking out, or requesting a quote).
EX: if you sell professional services then one of the actions on your website will be your quote form or your contact form. CPA will allow you to give that action a price. For some websites that action could be worth a few dollars and for some others a few hundred dollars. It depends largely on how many of those actions convert to sales and how much those sales are worth to you in the short term and even in the long term.
CPM - Meaning cost per 1,000 impressions. This means that each time your banner is seen it will be counted as an impression. So if a visitor on another website sees your ad then that's one impression. If they go to another page on that website and see your ad again then that's two impressions. This could also mean that potentially you could have 1,000 people see your ad and even click on your ad.
On average though the amount of people that see your ad and click on it will defer significantly. It depends on where you're advertising, how well your ad performs in getting visitors to click on it and several other factors.
The secret here is to first find out how much each visitor is worth to you. Meaning if 100 visitors came to your website from advertising and 5 of them buy and generate about $500 in revenue for you then you could pay anywhere between 1 penny (99% Return since your cost is so low) and $5(0% Return since your cost is too high) for each visitor ( 100 visitors X $5 ).
CPC - Cost Per Click - This is the most common form of advertising that most businesses are familiar with. This allows you to set prices for how much you will pay for each each click to your website. Using the above example -- on average each visitor to your website is worth $5 so as long as you can generate clicks for less then $5 you should have a profitable campaign.
These are just a few ways to generate traffic with banner advertising. Some simple research and a visit to our website will turn up even more hints to help you drive traffic to your website.
Those advertisements that did exist were in the form of flashing banners - the brighter and more garish the better (or so it felt to the casual web surfer). When companies like Google Adwords and Text Link Ads began to surface, banner advertising took a back seat to the less invasive text ads.
Lately, however, banner advertising has become more popular as people have learned how to make different sized banners and have gotten better with flash programming and graphic design. If you would like to know how to generate traffic with banner advertising, here are a few hints to help you out:
1. Just like text-based ads, you need to find advertising services that can target websites in your niche. A banner for a video game subscription service won't get as many click throughs if it is featured on a fashion website.
2. Do your best to get your banner advertising placed on websites that see a lot of traffic every day. It might be cheaper to advertise on websites that aren't yet very popular, but the higher cost will be worth it when you see just how quickly your traffic numbers jump. A banner ad that runs for a single week on an incredibly popular website will be worth more than one hundred banner ads running for three weeks on less popular websites.
3. Make sure that your banner itself is designed well.
This is an advertisement for your company. You want the banner design to reflect your business's brand. Something that flashes and gives people a headache probably won't get as many click throughs as something that is subtle and works well with the background of the site on which it sits.
4. No matter what anybody tells you, banner advertising that involves sounds or videos that play automatically are annoying and will not get clicked on. In fact, these advertisements are often the reason people click away from a website. Just because you know how to make a short video play in your advertising space doesn't mean you should put that knowledge into play.
A few things to consider before you get start on your banner advertising. You'll come across several different references to words such as CPA, CPM, CPC. They are all relevant to your campaign:
CPA - Meaning cost per action. This is a way of tracking a visitor that comes to your website and takes a specific action (such as adding an item to a shopping cart, or checking out, or requesting a quote).
EX: if you sell professional services then one of the actions on your website will be your quote form or your contact form. CPA will allow you to give that action a price. For some websites that action could be worth a few dollars and for some others a few hundred dollars. It depends largely on how many of those actions convert to sales and how much those sales are worth to you in the short term and even in the long term.
CPM - Meaning cost per 1,000 impressions. This means that each time your banner is seen it will be counted as an impression. So if a visitor on another website sees your ad then that's one impression. If they go to another page on that website and see your ad again then that's two impressions. This could also mean that potentially you could have 1,000 people see your ad and even click on your ad.
On average though the amount of people that see your ad and click on it will defer significantly. It depends on where you're advertising, how well your ad performs in getting visitors to click on it and several other factors.
The secret here is to first find out how much each visitor is worth to you. Meaning if 100 visitors came to your website from advertising and 5 of them buy and generate about $500 in revenue for you then you could pay anywhere between 1 penny (99% Return since your cost is so low) and $5(0% Return since your cost is too high) for each visitor ( 100 visitors X $5 ).
CPC - Cost Per Click - This is the most common form of advertising that most businesses are familiar with. This allows you to set prices for how much you will pay for each each click to your website. Using the above example -- on average each visitor to your website is worth $5 so as long as you can generate clicks for less then $5 you should have a profitable campaign.
These are just a few ways to generate traffic with banner advertising. Some simple research and a visit to our website will turn up even more hints to help you drive traffic to your website.
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