PB&J Marketing

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It’s easy to see why peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are a nationwide favorite. After all, PB&J offers creamy, sweet, smooth (or crunchy) goodness that is fruity, satisfying, filling, inexpensive, and fairly good for you to boot. Sure, peanut butter is delicious by itself (as is jelly), but when they are joined together, they create a flavor-packed, winning combination that can’t be beat.

When it comes to marketing, a blend of print and electronic media can easily be compared to peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. While they can both function effectively on their own, they pack a more powerful punch when joined together.

For example, print promotions — such as postcards, newsletters, flyers, or brochures — are a great way to grab attention, increase awareness, and encourage readers to visit your website for in-depth information, product ordering, survey completion, webinar and event registration, and more.

When it comes to combining print with electronic media, the options are endless. If you’re in need of unique print ideas to supplement your electronic marketing, give us a call today. You just may think some of our creative ideas are the greatest thing since sliced bread.

Encourage the Customer Voice

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One of the best ways to promote your business is to get your customers talking about you, whether on the streets, via social media, or in product reviews. Here are a few ways to encourage customers to voice their opinions:

  • Create a message board, chat forum, or guest book where customers can create an online community and share their opinions and feedback.
  • Ask key customers to participate in a “customer spotlight” section of your newsletter. Use this feature to help customers promote their business and elaborate on their relationship with your company.
  • Add product review capabilities to your website that allow customers to rank and review your products or services. Send customers a link to an online opinion survey they can take shortly after making a purchase.
  • Start a blog and encourage feedback, questions, suggestions, and sharing of your posts.
  • Offer valuable incentives (coupon, discount, free gift, etc.) as a reason to fill out a survey, and keep surveys short and sweet. This will encourage customers to complete your entire survey… and to answer future surveys when you ask them to.
  • Encourage customers to contact you any time they have questions, comments, or suggestions — and make it easy for them to do so. Include your contact details in your email signature, post your phone number prominently on every page of your website, and send a business card with every letter or mailing.
  • Engage with customers every chance you get. Ask them about their experience, seek their opinion on industry-related topics, and garner their feedback and suggestions regarding your business.
  • Don’t discourage negative customer comments. Negative feedback provides credibility and tells customers the business is confident enough to show a range of customer opinions. Honest feedback and suggestions can also help improve your business.

Plant a Seed with Catalogs, and Watch Your Business Grow

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While online ordering is a must-have for many businesses, a printed catalog can provide a great supplemental marketing tool for your website. Many people still prefer perusing catalogs at their leisure without being connected to a computer. For these customers, a printed catalog provides increased exposure to a wider variety of products. In addition, catalogs can be easily shared with others and offer staying power…with a message that can be seen again and again.

Here are a few tips for creating a printed catalog that will do the selling for you:

  • Include a mix of customer testimonials that give readers a more consumer-centric look at your products.
  • “Tell your story” by including background information about your business and the history of your products.
  • Cross-sell complementary products through suggestions in the product copy, call-outs, or the placement of companion products together.
  • Feature best-selling products in the upper right-hand corner, where the eye is naturally drawn when flipping through a catalog.
  • Think small. If you have a frequently changing product line, consider a mini catalog booklet that offers a brief overview of your product line with colorful product photos to pique interest. Refer readers to your website for an extended product line or more in-depth information.
  • Include an order form. While few customers mail in their order, many will use it to organize their orders before ordering online or calling.
  • Include seasonal inserts that can be easily updated for relevant sales and offers.

Remember, the more information customers have about your products, the more confident and satisfied they’ll feel with their purchasing decisions.

Tips to Wow Prospects at Trade Shows

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Trade shows are a proven way to showcase your company’s products and services, but it can be challenging to stand apart in what can seem like a never-ending sea of booths. Here are a few tips to ensure your company gets noticed before, during, and after the event:

  • Send teaser pre-show mailers that encourage prospects to visit your booth. Include a raffle ticket for a giveaway, promote a prize drawing, or encourage recipients to stop by your booth for a free giveaway item.
  • Consider a theme for your booth, such as a Hawaiian theme, coffee shop theme, or sports-related theme. If you don’t want to go the theme route, simply wear attire that is appropriate for the products you’re selling. For example, if you sell ski equipment, you could dress in ski apparel and offer visitors hot cocoa and free demos.
  • Attract visitors with a delicious treat they can’t resist, such as homemade cookies, cupcakes, ice cream bars, cinnamon rolls, or even full-size candy bars wrapped with your marketing message.
  • In addition to having a widescreen display that offers engaging, informative content, videos, and product highlights, remember that print materials (including business cards, brochures, and flyers) are a must for ensuring visitors will remember you after they walk away.
  • Use a spotlight to draw attention to a new item or promote a “show special” or “best seller” item. Consider offering a significant discount for placing an order during or within a few days of the event, and have promotional flyers ready to pass out detailing any exclusive offers you provide.
  • Be on the ball when mailing follow-up information. If you’re on the road, email someone at the office daily with requests to send info packets immediately.
  • Consider sending a lumpy mailer shortly after the event that includes a thank you card or flyer featuring a photo of you and/or your booth (to spark memory), a small promotional item, and a sample or trial offer of your product. You may also wish to promote an extension to any exclusive offers you marketed at the event.

Let us know if we can help you create stunning marketing materials that will not only spread the word but also help turn prospects into customers!

Help Sales Soar with Flyers

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Flyers are a very flexible, cost-effective, and efficient way to spread the word about your company, promote or introduce your products, announce special price promotions and events, or simply educate your audience. Here are a few ways to increase sales by maximizing the use of marketing flyers:

  • Add a flyer to every mailing that leaves your office. Include them with bills, information requests, and marketing campaigns.
  • Fold your flyer, affix a label or seal, and send it as a self-mailer to your marketing database.
  • Hand flyers out at trade shows, promotional events, and other industry-related affairs, not only at your booth, but also while walking around and visiting.
  • Post a flyer on community bulletin boards, such as those found at laundromats, gyms, apartment complexes, senior centers, public libraries, local schools or college campuses, grocery stores, and the like.
  • Check with local newspapers or magazines to learn their policy and costs for including flyers as a marketing insert.
  • Ask other local businesses such as cafes, auto body shops, salons, clinics, and bookstores if you can leave some flyers in their waiting/reading area.
  • Consider hiring high school students to pass them out door to door or to local businesses.

If you’d like help creating eye-catching flyers that get noticed and produce results, drop us a line.

Educated Customers Are Your Best Customers

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One of the biggest marketing mistakes many businesses make is failing to educate buyers about the unique advantages of their products and services, as well as their industry in general. Educated customers are not only more satisfied with their purchasing choices, but they are also more likely to share their wealth of information and tips with other information-savvy buyers. Here are a few ways to increase sales by educating your audience:

  • Educate about pricing. If you’re offering a special discounted price because you purchased in volume, let your customers know, so they understand why your prices aren’t always so low. The same is true if your prices are higher than the competition — explain that your products are of a higher quality, that your warranty is longer, or whatever other reasons you might have.
  • Offer information on industry trends, developments, and new products via newsletters, blogs, social media posts, and the like. Provide webcasts, seminars, and guest speaking engagements at area events. Recommend helpful industry resources, such as books, magazines, and blogs.
  • Use your background or experience to become involved in industry forums, where you can share your enthusiasm and knowledge. Offer valuable contributions, such as useful answers or tips that demonstrate your expertise. Back up your information with trusted sources.
  • Provide reasons why you do business with select manufacturers or vendors, such as if they provide unbeatable quality, industry-leading warranties, or have been a dependable partner for several years.
  • Offer a comparative analysis of your products versus the competition. Define the differences between your company and the competition with factual, credible information. Back it up with customer testimonials and references.
  • Consider using on-hold messaging to educate and inform callers while they wait on the phone. This brief time slot offers a perfect opportunity to tell your audience something they may not know.
  • Include educational content on your website, such as a “tips” section, an archive of blogs, e-newsletters, a glossary of industry terms, or other types of industry resources.

The more you can teach someone something they don’t already know, the more they will trust you and gravitate toward you as an expert in your field. If you’d like help creating marketing materials that will not only impress but also educate your audience, give us a call.

Six Tips for Strengthening Your Value Proposition

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Anyone who’s spent time in sales knows that the buying process often boils down to one or two key questions: Why should I buy what you’re selling? And why should I buy it from you? A well-conceived value proposition will go a long way toward answering those questions.

But what is a value proposition? Simply stated, a value proposition is a brief statement that clearly outlines the benefits customers get from using your products and doing business with your company. It cuts through all the noise and focuses squarely on the customer and their needs.

So how can you create an effective value proposition? Here are six tips to get you started.

Get to know your customers. What makes them tick? What principles do they value? What challenges do they face? And how can your product or service help them reach their goals?

Study the competition. Start with their website, product line, and marketing literature. Visit their facility, meet their staff, and talk to their customers. Learn how they’re positioning themselves and what you can do to counteract their claims.

Discover what makes you different. Take some time to assess your own company. Look at your culture, values, and product line. Ask your top customers why they buy from you. Get input from your employees, too. Find out what’s unique about your company — and how those qualities can benefit your customers.

Focus on benefits instead of features. Benefits tend to be more customer-focused, while features can seem self-absorbed. If your value proposition doesn’t tell your customers what’s in it for them, keep trying.

Be specific. Avoid the temptation to talk in generalities. Consider Geico’s “15 minutes could save you 15% or more on car insurance” versus a more generic “we’ll save you time and money.” Both may be true, but the first is far more specific.

Make it tangible. What real-world results can people expect from your products or services? Will they save time? Cut expenses? Improve efficiency? Increase revenues? Include the answers in your value proposition.

There you have it: six tips for strengthening your value proposition. Can you think of any others? Or maybe you’d like to share a favorite value proposition (your own, perhaps?). Whatever the case, we’d love to hear your thoughts and ideas in the comments below.

First Impressions – Tips For Awesome Business Card

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The adage “First impression matters” is not in vain. In all spheres of life, business included first impressions matters. It will determine whether you will be able to close that deal you have been eyeing for some time now. In the business world, business cards aren’t just used to pass contact details, but promote your business idea.

When searching for means through which you can endorse your products and services (i.e. business establishment), you need to consider a business card. While it may seem like just another piece of paper, it plays a huge role in business transactions. To your business partners, your business card is an extension of your business.

Discussed herein, are tips and guidelines on how to create an awesome business card:

1. The first things you need to consider while making a business card are your business name and personal name. You need to know how you are going to place your name as well as business name. Normally, the business name is given a larger font than the individual’s name. Nevertheless, this may differ hinging on the kind of business that you are doing. If you are a sales representative, then you need to make the names of your business more conspicuous than your personal names. However, if you are an author or an artist, you need to make sure that your names are more conspicuous than the business name.

2. The center of the business card is usually the focus of a business card. The most important details such as business name and contact details are usually included in the focal point. A logo is important when creating a business card because it is a sign of professionalism.

3. To draw the attention of the reader, you can utilize designs alongside images. In case your business has a unique logo, then you can use as the center of attraction in your business card. If you are considering using logos on your business card, make certain that it is a simple logo so as not to overshadow everything else on the card. But, do not make it so simple that it will bore the reader to death. The objective here is to draw the attention of the person you are passing the business card to so that they can see what you have to provide.

4. When designing a business card, it is important for you to list the products and services that you are offering. This is particularly important if your business name is not fully describing your line of business. For example, in case your business name is XYZ Products Inc. and is selling computers and accessories, it is crucial that you include a statement which clarifies the nature of your business, for instance, a slogan or the kinds of computers and accessories that you are selling. Do not include each and everything that you do in your business. What you need to do is to bring out the nature of your business with as much clarity as possible using fewer words.

Does Your Marketing Need a Workout?

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A successful marketing strategy often resembles the five steps of an exercise plan. And just like exercising, finding the motivation to get started is often the hardest part. Here are a few tips to help you give your marketing plan a workout:

  1. Follow a regular schedule. Remember that erratic actions will not bring results. Just as an occasional jog will not make you fit, marketing requires a regular, ongoing schedule.
  2. Exercise all your muscle groups. Like fitness plans which incorporate several variables, including diet, aerobic exercise, and strength training, successful marketing plans should also include several well-balanced strategies working together. Just as everyone’s body is different, every company should have a customized combination of print marketing, social media, online/web marketing, e-newsletters, and the like to meet their specific needs.
  3. 3.Don’t overdo it in the beginning! Too much exercise can exhaust you and cause your muscles pain, making it hard to think about exercising again. An overkill on marketing can have the same result. Start slow, then build momentum and strength gradually as you develop your plan of attack.
  4. Maintenance is key. Don’t let your firm’s marketing efforts turn flabby with a lack of follow-up actions. Regardless how popular your brand becomes, ongoing marketing is essential to keep your name at the top.
  5. Look to professionals if help is needed. Our creative team is available and eager to help you develop marketing materials your customers are sure to love. Give us a call today!

Create a SWOT Marketing Campaign

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It’s important to understand how your business compares to your competition, especially when marketing your products or services. By creating a SWOT analysis, you can gain helpful insight to your business success.

A SWOT analysis focuses on your company’s internal strengths and weaknesses, as well as external opportunities and threats that may impact your business. By recognizing both positive and negative factors that affect your business, you can take an objective look at your business and use the results to improve your marketing messages. Here are a few guidelines to keep in mind when creating your SWOT analysis:

  • Strengths refer to what your company does well. List all positive attributes and advantages you have over your competition, such as an industry-leading warranty, in-house support staff, outstanding reputation, or established customer base.
  • Weaknesses include areas you need to improve in order to better compete. Examples might include high pricing, inferior products, limited resources, poor location, and so forth. An outside viewpoint of your company’s weaknesses can be very valuable, since company perceptions lack the customer perspective.
  • Opportunities refer to external chances for your business to grow and prosper. Opportunities typically occur when markets grow, demand for products increases, or you’re able to provide new solutions to a common problem.
  • Threats include external factors beyond your control, such as consumer trends, technological developments, business mergers, government regulations, political decisions, economic downturns, the like. While many things could threaten your business, give most consideration to items with a greater probability of occurring.

After completing your SWOT analysis, you should not only make a plan to reduce your weaknesses (either by minimizing the risk they represent or making changes to overcome them), but you should also ensure your marketing materials highlight your strengths to their full potential. If you need help upgrading your print materials, give our creative team a call today.