October 2007
You are currently browsing the articles from Advertise My Business written in the month of October 2007.
One of the best ways to get free advertising is to simply write articles and give them away. Its a foreign concept to those new to online business, but youll really be impressed with the results.
1. Why Should You Write Articles?
Newsletter and website owners are desperate for content. As someone who owns a website and publishes a newsletter, I can vouch for this. Every day, I search article lists, looking for quality information that will help my readers. And, every article I use from these resources gets published with the authors information and a link to their site.
2. Why Give The Articles Away?
How much would you pay to include your ad in a newsletter or popular website? Anywhere from $5 to $80. Wouldnt you prefer to have your ad placed for free? Its easy to see the financial reward. Look at the bottom of this article. Right there, plain as day, you can see a resource box with my website included, so you have proof that this method works.
3. How do you write an article?
Take another look at the article that youre reading right now. Its short. Its simple. Im not a Literary Genius. Im just being me.
Start by picking something you know about, or a problem that you can solve, and start writing. Personally, I enjoy shorter articles more than longer ones, so dont feel you have to write a novel in order to get noticed. Some of the best articles are Top 10 or ? Ways to Just do it!
If you have difficulties writing, try recording yourself talking about a topic. Then, transcribe the conversation.
4. What should you include in the Author Bio?
This can be the hardest part of writing articles. Spend time on your resource box. Make it catchy. Show your personality or expertise.
Things to include:
Your Name - this shouldnt be too hard.
Something interesting about you or your business - what is unique or special about your service or products?
Your website link - Dont forget this one!
Special offer - Mention a freebie or special offer if you have one.
Dont use this area for the *hard sell*. Just grab interest so theyll come to your site or sign up for your newsletter.
5. Who Wants Your Article?
After youve proof-read your article several times and spell-checked it, submit it to some of the great places online wholl spread the word about your article. Some of my favorites are www.ezinearticles.com, www.isnare.com and http://www.freereprintarticlesonline.com .
May you have lots and lots of free advertising!
Nicole Dean is the mostly-sane Mom behind http://www.showmomthemoney.com ?a fun resource helping WAHMs Succeed. If you want to be a successful and mostly-sane work at home mom, too, dont miss Nicoles free tutorial at http://www.showmomthemoney.com/free-tutorial.htm
Advertising-The Best Marketing TipThe best marketing tip you will ever hear is to advertise your product or business. In fact, any marketing tip you hear or see will be related to some form of advertising. In this article, we will go over several marketing tips and the reason you should use them.One great marketing tip is […]
Banner Stand ExhibitsBanner Stands are a high impact, inexpensive and attractive medium of advertisement. They are usually found at exhibitions, trade shows, retail stores ?just about anywhere the potential customer can be attracted by high wattage graphics.The attractive thing about banner stands is that they are portable, flexible and easy to set up. There are different kinds […]
Advertising Made Easy, and Cost EffectiveAdvertising made easy, and your wallet will love it too!In today’s market, anyone in business knows that advertising is the backbone to the success, and without it, you are “dead in the water”. Even with the greatest product on the planet, a product that you know everyone needs and wants. Without advertising, it’s just […]
Why Should You Use Google Ads on Your Website?If you are interested in earning income from your website, should you consider using the Google AdSense program to place targeted ads on your web pages? When I first considered this idea, I wasnt sure if it was right for me. You see, I have a number of websites that promote affiliate links […]
50 Surefire Business Card TipsBusiness cards are one of the most powerful and inexpensive marketing tools you can use. Here are 50 surefire tips to make the most out of your business cards:Your business card must communicate more than just your contact information. Make sure that your card includes a tag line that explains what you or […]
Written by info on October 31st, 2007 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on Advertise My Business.
No Teletrack Payday Loans
Your marketing and advertising won’t be effective if your potential customers don’t believe the claims you make. So how can you prove your that you can do what you say you can?
Tone it down. Even if it is possible, your claim that dieters can lose 50 pounds in a month probably won’t be believed. Make it more realistic and representative of typical results.
Get customer testimonials. Let them see that others have had great results. Testimonials should be specific and include the customer’s real name for the most credibility.
Get endorsements from experts. Respected authorities who say that your product or service is good make you look good.
Positive media coverage will make you a star. Media coverage provides an implied endorsement from a respected source.
Show a track record. Have you been in business for 20 years? Customers are more comfortable doing business with someone they believe will be around if there is a problem after the sale.
Make yourself accessible. Give a phone number or e-mail address where customers can contact you (or support staff) directly with questions. Phone numbers are especially valuable in creating the awareness that you are approachable by clients. Add live chat at your web site to resolve support issues.
Cite statistics from a reputable source to back up your claims. There is a joke that 67.8% of all statistics are made up on the spot. When you use statistics, tell where they came from.
And, never make claims that aren’t true. If you are caught in a lie, it can be difficult or impossible to reclaim the trust of your customers.
Copyright Cathy Stucker. As the Idea Lady, Cathy Stucker can help you attract customers and make yourself famous with creative strategies that help your business excel. Get free marketing tips and discover what she can do for you at http://www.IdeaLady.com/.
Where Should you Spend your Advertising Dollars?One of the most common questions people ask me is: Where should I spend my advertising dollars?? Their experience can typically be summed up as follows:I recently opened my business as an interior designer. I was so excited. But now ?two months later ?Im getting frustrated. I believe that my services […]
Generate Millions of Advertising Impressions and Drive Your Business Forward!What does your vehicle say about your business? You drive to work, commute through traffic, stop at the shop for refreshments, park up outside your business, take care of deliveries and run some errands during the day, finally, you drive home in the evening. How many people did you pass or meet today? All potential […]
Building Business With Free Online Classified AdsOne time sellers and long term sellers can cash in on the advantages of free online classifieds. Despite the service is given to you free of cost, free online classifieds ad websites offer great service in helping you sell your products.Free online classifieds websites generally are of two kinds ?some have an option for upgrading […]
Advertising InsertsOne of the best and easiest ways to advertise without having to worry about shelf life of those who would most likely use your services or buy the products from your small business is to use inserts in your local newspaper. A marketing piece might also be to insert our flyers in the daily newspaper. […]
50 Surefire Business Card TipsBusiness cards are one of the most powerful and inexpensive marketing tools you can use. Here are 50 surefire tips to make the most out of your business cards:Your business card must communicate more than just your contact information. Make sure that your card includes a tag line that explains what you or […]
Written by info on October 29th, 2007 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on Advertise My Business.
No Teletrack Payday Loans
This is a fascinating principle about optimising your white space ?and you can take that as metaphorical or as practical as you like.
The other day, I was having dinner at a roadside caf?and I noticed that the little sugar bags that came with my coffee had ADVERTISEMENTS on them.
Thats your classic use of white space? So, you make sugar in little paper bags, millions of them, and your company logo is on the front ?and the back of it is EMPTY.
These little sugar bags are handled by MILLIONS, likewise, who are sitting down to relax and have very little else to do whilst they are waiting for their food, or for a meeting, or to rest than to LOOK AT THE AD.
Being little sugar bags, as they are, they also make the perfect mini calling card that you can put in your pocket or in your wallet ?and take the ad, the phone number, the web site with you.
How cool is that?
Im just wondering how much extra business and extra money that generated for the broker, the sugar company and the advertisers ?all from a little square of white space the size of a postage stamp.
White spaces are everywhere.
They are on your web pages, at the bottom of your emails, on the back of your sales letters, on the back of your business cards, on the side of your catalogue, over the door of your building, on the T-shirts of your employees, on the boot of your car (and probably metaphorically in your mind as well!).
You can USE these white spaces to sell to others, or to advertise your own stuff ?highlight more benefits, add testimonials, inform or educate your customers, make them aware of special offers. You can trade your white space with others to gain access to their markets ?its pretty endless, really!
So today, lets think up ONE white space that readily springs to mind which you have and you can USE to get more profit, right away and without any further ado.
Your 60 seconds starts ?right now!
——————————————–
The article “White Space, Profit Space” is just ONE of the 365 daily exercises in rich thinking from Silvia Hartmann’s FREE “60 Second Wealth Boosters” course - available now from http://MindMillion.com
Advertising-The Best Marketing TipThe best marketing tip you will ever hear is to advertise your product or business. In fact, any marketing tip you hear or see will be related to some form of advertising. In this article, we will go over several marketing tips and the reason you should use them.One great marketing tip is […]
Where Should you Spend your Advertising Dollars?One of the most common questions people ask me is: Where should I spend my advertising dollars?? Their experience can typically be summed up as follows:I recently opened my business as an interior designer. I was so excited. But now ?two months later ?Im getting frustrated. I believe that my services […]
Why Should You Use Google Ads on Your Website?If you are interested in earning income from your website, should you consider using the Google AdSense program to place targeted ads on your web pages? When I first considered this idea, I wasnt sure if it was right for me. You see, I have a number of websites that promote affiliate links […]
50 Surefire Business Card TipsBusiness cards are one of the most powerful and inexpensive marketing tools you can use. Here are 50 surefire tips to make the most out of your business cards:Your business card must communicate more than just your contact information. Make sure that your card includes a tag line that explains what you or […]
Advertising InsertsOne of the best and easiest ways to advertise without having to worry about shelf life of those who would most likely use your services or buy the products from your small business is to use inserts in your local newspaper. A marketing piece might also be to insert our flyers in the daily newspaper. […]
Written by info on October 29th, 2007 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on Advertise My Business.
What Is The Difference Between Advertising and PR?
Advertising and PR are two different functions, however, many business do not know the difference. Since spending your advertising budget and your PR budget effectively is crucial, how can you expect to accomplish this important goal unless you understand the difference?
When thinking of advertising, billboards, glossy spreads, quarter-page newspaper advertisements and other forms of highly visible promotional material comes to mind. This is clearly advertising. Branding or creating a well-recognized presence for your company is a clear example of effective advertising. Business cards with pizzazz are a form of advertising.
What, then, is PR? Public relations are those things that must be accomplished to let the world know who you are and what your company offers. Press releases, news conferences, professional networking and exhibitions or trade shows are examples of PR work. PR is not as flashy as advertising but it is every bit as important.
Effective Advertising and PR
In today’s competitive marketplace, it is crucial to spend every bit of your advertising and PR budget strategically. Public relations can provide a mix that uses advertising but also enhances the efforts of your advertising dollar.
It has long been a “supposed fact” in business that word of mouth is the best advertising. This is not necessarily true. It is an unfortunate fact that a customer who has an exceptional experience dealing with your business will tell one or two people about their experience. A customer who has a bad experience will tell at least a dozen people and your business gets negative advertising.
Word of mouth is, however, one of the most effective PR tools available. Offering school tours, sponsoring science fairs or children’s’ sports teams, volunteering for public speaking opportunities, attending trade shows or presenting at conferences are rather inexpensive ways to build a wealth of good will and put your name out front.
Have you noticed that television commercials for a product often run a 15 to 30 second advertisement of a really great advertisement and within a few weeks shorten the advertisement to the most important 5 to 10 seconds? The reason is that the initial advertising is meant to brand the product or service and associate the advertisement and the product or service in your mind. It works very well - provided you have really memorable advertisements.
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Advertising Made Easy, and Cost EffectiveAdvertising made easy, and your wallet will love it too!In today’s market, anyone in business knows that advertising is the backbone to the success, and without it, you are “dead in the water”. Even with the greatest product on the planet, a product that you know everyone needs and wants. Without advertising, it’s just […]
Where Should you Spend your Advertising Dollars?One of the most common questions people ask me is: Where should I spend my advertising dollars?? Their experience can typically be summed up as follows:I recently opened my business as an interior designer. I was so excited. But now ?two months later ?Im getting frustrated. I believe that my services […]
Advertising-The Best Marketing TipThe best marketing tip you will ever hear is to advertise your product or business. In fact, any marketing tip you hear or see will be related to some form of advertising. In this article, we will go over several marketing tips and the reason you should use them.One great marketing tip is […]
Generate Millions of Advertising Impressions and Drive Your Business Forward!What does your vehicle say about your business? You drive to work, commute through traffic, stop at the shop for refreshments, park up outside your business, take care of deliveries and run some errands during the day, finally, you drive home in the evening. How many people did you pass or meet today? All potential […]
Building Business With Free Online Classified AdsOne time sellers and long term sellers can cash in on the advantages of free online classifieds. Despite the service is given to you free of cost, free online classifieds ad websites offer great service in helping you sell your products.Free online classifieds websites generally are of two kinds ?some have an option for upgrading […]
Written by info on October 29th, 2007 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on Advertise My Business.
Classified ads do not have the big market appeal that a full color display ad has, but they are still one of the most economical ways to get your business into the public eye. And, because classifieds do not demand expensive eye-catching designs or ingenious wording that you often see in direct-mail campaigns, they are a perfect marketing avenue for even new entrepreneurs. Here are some tips to help you write ads that will make the difference between mediocre ads to great ads that get good or even exceptional results.
Keep It Short
Ads that are short and precise have better results. Use white space to make your classified ad stand out from the rest of the listings. Look at the local classifieds and you will see that this works especially well for newspapers. With a little care you can apply the same concept to online ads,
Place just a few words in each line with: 1) the first line listing a benefit the reader will receive; 2) the second line containing the name of your company; 3) the third line your address or email. This results in a striking, centered ad surrounded by white space.
If you are placing an online classified ad and do not have the capability to insert line breaks or center the text, then you will need to keep the text short and use key words to attract the reader to your ad.
Goal of Placing Your Ad
The goal of placing your ad should only be to get the customer to click through to your site for more information. If your listing does not elicit that response, then you should rework it until it does.
Action Words
Use action words that will prompt a response from the reader. For example, words such as: amazing, attractive, confidential, etc., are all words that compel the reader to do something. There are a many resources available; one that I found to be particularly useful is Words That Sell, by Richard Bayan.
Unique Appeal
You want to make your product or service appear unique to all other products or services on the market (if any). Spend a few minutes to identify what is unique about your product or service or solicit feedback from friends or family about what would appeal to them should they need a product or service such as yours. Use this uniqueness to appeal to the market in the ad.
Do Not Try to Sell Your Reader
Whatever you do, do not try to sell your reader on your ad. What you DO want to do is evoke a response using action words. The ad is meant to entice them and evoke an action from them to return to your site and then prompt a sale(s) of your product(s).
Spark Interest and Curiosity
Using a combination of the title and the text or body of the ad you want to spark an interest or curiosity in your ad or product. Use the title to grab the interest and attention of the reader and the ad, or text body, to spark curiosity. You want to generate enough curiosity to have them act in response to your ad.
Avoid Saturated Ads and Products
If your product is already over-marketed on the Internet or your ad is one that is canned?or pre-prepared you are less likely to achieve good results. Develop your ad so that it is unique, draws the attention of the reader and then guides them to your site or product that is also unique and fresh.
This does not mean that you should not sell information products, for example, which are in overabundance on the Internet market. Instead, think of one type of e-book or information product you can develop that will stand out from the others and meet some need that has prompted the reader to start searching.
Avoid Hype
Nothing is appealing about an advertiser that resorts to hype, threats, or false innuendo about their product. Avoid hype or false representation at all costs. I cannot emphasize this enough. Internet users have grown up and have become savvy, intelligent buyers and are not interested in purchasing products that are hyped. Just state the real facts and use some sound business principles and marketing methods to get the job done well.
Be Organized
Do not underestimate the power behind having a schedule for posting your ads. Post the same ads every 5-7 days. No more. No less. This will keep your ads in front of the readers and you will avoid being black-listed for spamming. Spamming is an incredible annoyance that is truly deterring good customers from Internet buying. Simply do not send SPAM!
Lets Wrap This Up
These simple and easy-to-use tips can make the difference between ads that deliver mediocre results or those that deliver eye-boggling, heart-pounding results. You will need to develop your own style for writing your ads and then practice, practice, practice. Few of us were born with the ability to write a super?ad right away. Most of us have had to practice, watch for results and then tweak the ad to get the results we have wanted. Do not be discouraged if you find yourself in this group too, youll be a part of a much bigger group of entrepreneurs. What is important is that you learn from each ad and campaign that you send out. If you can infuse these simple steps into your advertising campaigns you will be well on your way to posting classified ads that get results!
REPRINTS AND PERMISSION
You have permission to reprint or use this article in your eZine or newsletter with the agreement that it will not be modified in any way, reprinted exactly as shown here, and links back to the author site (see Author Bio box) are displayed. Please send courtesy email indicating your intent to use this article to mw@RegistryAds.com.
Michele Webb is living proof that an ordinary?person can be a successful Netpreneur who successfully launched a classified advertising website in a highly specialized niche market. Visit her website at http://RegistryAds.com or send email to mw@RegistryAds.com
Advertising-The Best Marketing TipThe best marketing tip you will ever hear is to advertise your product or business. In fact, any marketing tip you hear or see will be related to some form of advertising. In this article, we will go over several marketing tips and the reason you should use them.One great marketing tip is […]
Generate Millions of Advertising Impressions and Drive Your Business Forward!What does your vehicle say about your business? You drive to work, commute through traffic, stop at the shop for refreshments, park up outside your business, take care of deliveries and run some errands during the day, finally, you drive home in the evening. How many people did you pass or meet today? All potential […]
Banner Stand ExhibitsBanner Stands are a high impact, inexpensive and attractive medium of advertisement. They are usually found at exhibitions, trade shows, retail stores ?just about anywhere the potential customer can be attracted by high wattage graphics.The attractive thing about banner stands is that they are portable, flexible and easy to set up. There are different kinds […]
Promote yourself on radio for freeUnless you have become extremely popular in your personal or business name, you likely need all of the marketing and promotion you can get. Now, you may say, of course, I’m aware of this, but who has the money? This a good and fair question. It may surprise you, though, when I […]
50 Surefire Business Card TipsBusiness cards are one of the most powerful and inexpensive marketing tools you can use. Here are 50 surefire tips to make the most out of your business cards:Your business card must communicate more than just your contact information. Make sure that your card includes a tag line that explains what you or […]
Written by info on October 28th, 2007 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on Advertise My Business.
The great Claude Hopkins (Author of Scientific Advertising) once said, Platitudes and generalities roll off the human understanding like water from a duck. They leave no impression whatever.?
To say, “Best in the world,” “Lowest price in existence,” etc. are at best simply claiming the expected. But superlatives of that sort are usually damaging. They suggest looseness of expression, a tendency to exaggerate, a careless truth. They lead readers to discount all the statements that you make.
— A Dog & Pony Show
Its true that people accept a certain license in sales talk.?A person may say, “Highest quality” without seeming a liar, although you realise other brands are just as good. We expect a sales person to sell?and we excuse some enthusiastic exaggeration. Its for that reason general statements count for very little. And a person inclined to grand statements and superlatives must expect their claims to meet a healthy dose of scepticism.
However, someone making a specific claim is either telling the truth lying. We know advertisers cannot lie in the best mediums, so a definite statement is usually accepted. Actual figures are not generally discounted. Specific facts, when stated, have their full weight and effect.
— Just The Facts Maam
This is very important to consider in written or personal salesmanship. The weight of an argument may often be multiplied by making it specific. Say that one brand of light bulb gives more light than another and you leave some doubt. Say it gives 354% more light and people realize that you have made tests and comparisons.
A dealer may say, “Our prices have been reduced” without creating any marked impression. But when he says, “Our prices have been reduced 27 per cent” they get the full value of their announcement.
— The Pre-emptive Advantage & Specificity
In the old days all beers were advertised as “Pure.” The claim made no impression. The bigger the type used, the bigger the folly. After millions had been spent to impress a platitude, one brewer pictured a plate glass where beer was cooled in filtered air. They pictured a filter of white wood pulp through which every drop was cleared. They told how bottles were washed four times by machinery. They he went down 4,000 feet for pure water. How 1,018 experiments had been made to attain a yeast to give beer that matchless flavour. And how all the yeast was forever made from that adopted mother cell.
Now dont misunderstand ?any brewer might have easily made these claims. They were mere essentials in ordinary brewing. But this one company was the first to tell everyone about them, while the others simply kept repeating the worn out statement “pure beer.” This one brewer made the greatest success that was ever made in beer advertising.
— The Art of Leverage
Remember, one advertising statement may take as much room as another, yet a definite statement is many times more effective. The difference is vast. If a claim is worth making, make it in the most impressive way you possibly can.
All these effects must be studied. Salesmanship-in-print?can be very expensive. A salespersons loose talk matters little when its simply one-on-one. However, when you are talking?to many at great cost, the weight of your advertising claims is important.
Remember, no generality has any weight whatever. Its like saying, “How do you do?”, when you have no intention of inquiring about one’s health. And specific claims when made in print are taken at their value.
So the next time you are dreaming up adverts and offers for your business ?BE SPECIFIC!
Author: http://www.JamesBurchill.com - James is a freelance writer and consultant
Why Should You Use Google Ads on Your Website?If you are interested in earning income from your website, should you consider using the Google AdSense program to place targeted ads on your web pages? When I first considered this idea, I wasnt sure if it was right for me. You see, I have a number of websites that promote affiliate links […]
Generate Millions of Advertising Impressions and Drive Your Business Forward!What does your vehicle say about your business? You drive to work, commute through traffic, stop at the shop for refreshments, park up outside your business, take care of deliveries and run some errands during the day, finally, you drive home in the evening. How many people did you pass or meet today? All potential […]
50 Surefire Business Card TipsBusiness cards are one of the most powerful and inexpensive marketing tools you can use. Here are 50 surefire tips to make the most out of your business cards:Your business card must communicate more than just your contact information. Make sure that your card includes a tag line that explains what you or […]
Advertising Made Easy, and Cost EffectiveAdvertising made easy, and your wallet will love it too!In today’s market, anyone in business knows that advertising is the backbone to the success, and without it, you are “dead in the water”. Even with the greatest product on the planet, a product that you know everyone needs and wants. Without advertising, it’s just […]
Promote yourself on radio for freeUnless you have become extremely popular in your personal or business name, you likely need all of the marketing and promotion you can get. Now, you may say, of course, I’m aware of this, but who has the money? This a good and fair question. It may surprise you, though, when I […]
Written by info on October 28th, 2007 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on Advertise My Business.
Last Monday I met with a new client ?a representative of a local university. She was a very cheerful lady but had no marketing background, and was completely in the dark about what promo item to choose. At the top of her list were custom magnets ?she wanted refrigerator magnets with her university logo, and she wanted the enrollment and inquiry trunk line imprinted, too.
I could see where she was coming from. Magnets are, after all, among the cheapest promo items, and at roughly $0.56 each, they fall right within her budget. But when I asked her what exactly she wishes to accomplish with these magnets, she answered, to promote ourselves to high school seniors so that they would consider us for college.
RED ALERT. The common mistake people make when choosing promo items is choosing in terms of price. The cheapest is not always the most effective. In this case, for example, the magnets will only stay in the student refrigerators at home (if it even makes it there), where they can sit idle with no promotional leverage. These magnets will fail miserably at spreading the word among other students.
It took me a while to determine the best policy with her, but eventually I ended up talking get into buying rulers and pens instead.
For few more cents, she could really promote the school. Students can use their pens and rulers in class and tell their friends, This school is where Im going to for college.
Now that is efficient promotion for less than $1 each.
Nick Friedel is the PR manager with rushIMPRINT, Internets fastest provider of custom corporate business gifts and promotional items. Since it was established, rushIMPRINT has provided millions of unique, creative and highly customized promotional products to businesses across the USA and Canada, grown in value by over 1000% and occupied high search engine rankings for all major industry keywords.
Why Should You Use Google Ads on Your Website?If you are interested in earning income from your website, should you consider using the Google AdSense program to place targeted ads on your web pages? When I first considered this idea, I wasnt sure if it was right for me. You see, I have a number of websites that promote affiliate links […]
Advertising-The Best Marketing TipThe best marketing tip you will ever hear is to advertise your product or business. In fact, any marketing tip you hear or see will be related to some form of advertising. In this article, we will go over several marketing tips and the reason you should use them.One great marketing tip is […]
Advertising InsertsOne of the best and easiest ways to advertise without having to worry about shelf life of those who would most likely use your services or buy the products from your small business is to use inserts in your local newspaper. A marketing piece might also be to insert our flyers in the daily newspaper. […]
Generate Millions of Advertising Impressions and Drive Your Business Forward!What does your vehicle say about your business? You drive to work, commute through traffic, stop at the shop for refreshments, park up outside your business, take care of deliveries and run some errands during the day, finally, you drive home in the evening. How many people did you pass or meet today? All potential […]
Promote yourself on radio for freeUnless you have become extremely popular in your personal or business name, you likely need all of the marketing and promotion you can get. Now, you may say, of course, I’m aware of this, but who has the money? This a good and fair question. It may surprise you, though, when I […]
Written by info on October 28th, 2007 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on Advertise My Business.
Big businesses get instant credibility with their well-known
company name or brand name. But small companies have to
create their own credibility. One of most powerful tools you
can use for this is customer testimonials.
Here are 5 tips to help you get persuasive testimonials
…and use them to convert prospects into buyers.
1. Continuously Collect Testimonials
Start by setting up a file to store the positive comments
you get from customers. Many good testimonials are hidden in
the casual comments customers make during normal
communications.
Don’t overlook the positive comments you get by phone or in
person. Write them down and add them to your file.
Next, look for some ways you can stimulate customers to give
you testimonials. For example, send a postcard or email
message to recent customers asking what they liked best
about your product or service. You’ll be surprised at some
of the glowing comments you get.
You don’t need a lot of testimonials before you can start
using them. Three is normally enough unless your sales
message is unusually long.
2. Try to Get Varied Testimonials
All of your prospects and customers are not exactly the
same. Different aspects of your products and services are
likely to appeal to different prospects.
Try to get testimonials that mention a variety of results
achieved by your customers. The more benefits you can reveal
with customer testimonials, the more business they will
generate for you.
3. Some Testimonials Are Better Than Others
Avoid using testimonials that are not specific. For example,
“I really liked your service a lot”, is nice for you to
know. But it won’t stimulate many prospects to buy.
Instead, look for testimonials that describe specific
results. For example, “In just 2 weeks I lost 9 pounds, feel
years younger and still continue to enjoy my favorite
foods.” That testimonial will motivate anybody who wants to
lose weight to get your program fast.
4. Get Permission to Use Testimonials
Always get your customer’s permission before using their
testimonial. And tell them how they will be identified with
the testimonial. For example, I usually include at least my
customer’s name, city and state (or country).
If you sell to businesses instead of to individuals you may
want to include some other things about each customer with
their testimonial. For example, your customer’s title, the
company name, the type of industry or anything else that
would appeal to other customers like them.
5. Highlight Testimonials When You Use Them
You can group all testimonials together in your sales letter
or web page …especially if the message is short. Or you
can scatter them strategically throughout your message
…especially if the message is long. But always highlight
testimonials so they stand out from the rest of your
message.
For example, display them in italic letters enclosed in
quote marks. On web pages you can further highlight them in
yellow or some other color that contrasts with the
background color of the page.
The 5 tips in this article revealed how you can get
persuasive testimonials - and use them with maximum impact.
Start applying these tips now in your business and you will
quickly start converting more prospects into buyers.
(c) 2004 Bob Leduc?http://BobLeduc.com
Bob Leduc spent 20 years helping businesses like yours find
new customers and increase sales. He just released a New
Edition of his manual, How To Build Your Small Business Fast
With Simple Postcards …and launched *BizTips from Bob*, a
newsletter to help small businesses grow and prosper. You’ll
find his low-cost marketing methods at: http://BobLeduc.com
or call: 702-658-1707 After 10 AM Pacific Time/Las Vegas, NV
Advertising Made Easy, and Cost EffectiveAdvertising made easy, and your wallet will love it too!In today’s market, anyone in business knows that advertising is the backbone to the success, and without it, you are “dead in the water”. Even with the greatest product on the planet, a product that you know everyone needs and wants. Without advertising, it’s just […]
Generate Millions of Advertising Impressions and Drive Your Business Forward!What does your vehicle say about your business? You drive to work, commute through traffic, stop at the shop for refreshments, park up outside your business, take care of deliveries and run some errands during the day, finally, you drive home in the evening. How many people did you pass or meet today? All potential […]
Building Business With Free Online Classified AdsOne time sellers and long term sellers can cash in on the advantages of free online classifieds. Despite the service is given to you free of cost, free online classifieds ad websites offer great service in helping you sell your products.Free online classifieds websites generally are of two kinds ?some have an option for upgrading […]
Promote yourself on radio for freeUnless you have become extremely popular in your personal or business name, you likely need all of the marketing and promotion you can get. Now, you may say, of course, I’m aware of this, but who has the money? This a good and fair question. It may surprise you, though, when I […]
50 Surefire Business Card TipsBusiness cards are one of the most powerful and inexpensive marketing tools you can use. Here are 50 surefire tips to make the most out of your business cards:Your business card must communicate more than just your contact information. Make sure that your card includes a tag line that explains what you or […]
Written by info on October 27th, 2007 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on Advertise My Business.
When you spend money on an advertisement you want to get the best return possible. To do that you need to get people to STOP and LOOK at your ad.
After all, the purpose of your marketing is to deliver your message. And you can’t deliver your marketing message if nobody pays attention to your marketing or advertising.
Remember, people are busy and they’re bombarded with thousands of commercial messages every day. So the odds of them giving your ad much attention are very small unless you give them a good reason to look.
The tool you can use to get people to look is called a disruptor. It disrupts what the reader is doing so they stop and look at your ad. It’s not complicated but it is critical if you want the best results from your ads.
What can you use as a disruptor?
In print advertising the ad headline and graphic are the primary disruptors.
The key is to put something in your ad that stands out, either visually or because of the meaning the words convey.
For example, graphics that have people in them or that show activity are good for this. People’s eyes are drawn to people and activity.
To make your headline stand out you might make it clever, funny or shocking. Or you might make an offer that people find attractive. Offer something better than the competition does and youll get people to stop and look at your ad.
As you plan your marketing material remember this idea. Put a disruptor in your visual marketing pieces and you’ll get better results without spending more money.
—————————-
More customers! More revenue! More profits!
That’s what Kevin Stirtz helps companies create. Kevin is a business growth expert who helps people improve their companies. He has developed a unique program called “Build a Better Business” that does just that. It helps you build a better business, on your terms and according to your goals.
Get a free copy of Kevin’s latest book, “Marketing for Smart People” by going to his website at: http://www.StirtzGroup.com
You can call Kevin directly at 952-212-4681.
Advertising Made Easy, and Cost EffectiveAdvertising made easy, and your wallet will love it too!In today’s market, anyone in business knows that advertising is the backbone to the success, and without it, you are “dead in the water”. Even with the greatest product on the planet, a product that you know everyone needs and wants. Without advertising, it’s just […]
Generate Millions of Advertising Impressions and Drive Your Business Forward!What does your vehicle say about your business? You drive to work, commute through traffic, stop at the shop for refreshments, park up outside your business, take care of deliveries and run some errands during the day, finally, you drive home in the evening. How many people did you pass or meet today? All potential […]
Building Business With Free Online Classified AdsOne time sellers and long term sellers can cash in on the advantages of free online classifieds. Despite the service is given to you free of cost, free online classifieds ad websites offer great service in helping you sell your products.Free online classifieds websites generally are of two kinds ?some have an option for upgrading […]
Promote yourself on radio for freeUnless you have become extremely popular in your personal or business name, you likely need all of the marketing and promotion you can get. Now, you may say, of course, I’m aware of this, but who has the money? This a good and fair question. It may surprise you, though, when I […]
50 Surefire Business Card TipsBusiness cards are one of the most powerful and inexpensive marketing tools you can use. Here are 50 surefire tips to make the most out of your business cards:Your business card must communicate more than just your contact information. Make sure that your card includes a tag line that explains what you or […]
Written by info on October 27th, 2007 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on Advertise My Business.
As I was searching through a kitchen drawer the other day, I found dozens of pens, pencils, letter openers, sticky-note pads, oversized paper clips, rulers, dental floss, calendars, magnets, whatsits and thing-a-ma-bobs, each with the name of a business on the front. In looking through my “collection” I discovered some things I love and use and others that I can’t imagine why I picked them up. Some, I’m not even sure what they are!
They are all advertising specialties. You know, those giveaways that are going to bring customers swarming to your door. Advertising specialties can put your name in front of prospective customers and keep it there. That way, your name will be on their minds and in front of their faces when they decide to buy. But too often, they don’t work the way you expected them to.
The trick to using advertising specialties effectively is to understand who your customers are, what they value, how they will use your giveaway, and where they will be when they make a buy decision.
Pizza delivery restaurants give out lots of refrigerator magnets. Where are you when you decide to order a pizza? You probably just looked in the fridge for something to fix for dinner, didn’t find anything and are closing the door. At that moment, you spot a magnet and say, “Pizza!” Some of the magnets even come with detachable coupons.
Where will your customers be when they make a buy decision? At home, at the office, in their cars, on the phone, at the computer . . .use a specialty that will be in front of them there.
Or maybe you just want something that they will use a lot to keep your name in their minds. A mug. Or something like a wall calendar where your name will be in front of them 365 days. (366 in a leap year!)
However you hope to influence your customers, make sure you choose an item they will actually use. Will they want another ball point pen, pocket calendar, or stress ball? How many wall calendars do they get from other sources? Will yours be one they are willing to put up on the wall? Does your item look or feel “cheap” or of poor quality? If so it won’t give a good impression of your business.
If you use advertising specialties, choose something that is unique, doesn’t look cheap, will be used by your customers, and will be nearby when they make a buy decision. That doesn’t mean you have to give away expensive items. A couple of my favorites are ball point pens. One, from British Airways, has a clip that folds out to look like wings on a plane. It’s not great to write with, but it’s really cute. Will the pen cause me to fly British Airways? Probably not, but it is one more positive impression I have of their airline.
Want to try something a little different? Why not get tote bags, t-shirts, sports bottles, or other items made up and sell them. If you have a clever logo or slogan, people might be willing to pay. For example, the National Museum of Funeral History in Houston (yes, a museum about funerals) sells mugs and more with their slogan, “Any day above ground is a good one.” If you are actively creating a brand people respond to, you might be able to start a whole new product line. One source for image products is http://www.cafepress.com/.
Oh, one last thing about using advertising specialties. You have to actually give them out. Buying them and leaving the box in the closet won’t bring you a single customer.
Copyright Cathy Stucker. As the Idea Lady, Cathy Stucker can help you attract customers and make yourself famous with inexpensive and free marketing ideas. Get free tips, articles and more at http://www.IdeaLady.com/.
50 Surefire Business Card TipsBusiness cards are one of the most powerful and inexpensive marketing tools you can use. Here are 50 surefire tips to make the most out of your business cards:Your business card must communicate more than just your contact information. Make sure that your card includes a tag line that explains what you or […]
Why Should You Use Google Ads on Your Website?If you are interested in earning income from your website, should you consider using the Google AdSense program to place targeted ads on your web pages? When I first considered this idea, I wasnt sure if it was right for me. You see, I have a number of websites that promote affiliate links […]
Banner Stand ExhibitsBanner Stands are a high impact, inexpensive and attractive medium of advertisement. They are usually found at exhibitions, trade shows, retail stores ?just about anywhere the potential customer can be attracted by high wattage graphics.The attractive thing about banner stands is that they are portable, flexible and easy to set up. There are different kinds […]
Advertising InsertsOne of the best and easiest ways to advertise without having to worry about shelf life of those who would most likely use your services or buy the products from your small business is to use inserts in your local newspaper. A marketing piece might also be to insert our flyers in the daily newspaper. […]
Promote yourself on radio for freeUnless you have become extremely popular in your personal or business name, you likely need all of the marketing and promotion you can get. Now, you may say, of course, I’m aware of this, but who has the money? This a good and fair question. It may surprise you, though, when I […]
Written by info on October 25th, 2007 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on Advertise My Business.
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