Advertising For Small Businesses Blog

Kodak and Celebrity Apprentice: Lessons Learned?

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 03:22:39 GMT

I don't know if you watch Celebrity Apprentice on TV, but a recent show featured the two teams trying to come up with a campaign to promote Kodak's new printers. This article tells what happened and gives a viewpoint different from the outcome of the winning team. I agree with this writer. Yes, the mighty Kodak (who we know is "re-filming" itself) chose the wrong winner. "Gene Simmons Knows Best"

The assumption is that the Kodak people making the choice had a clear idea of their immediate objective. If they were choosing "immediate" results, maybe they made an "ok" selection. Personally, I would have voted for the Simmons team. In my experience, as well as here, the real conflict comes when someone's immediate sales goals don't quite align with the larger overall company strategy. And Gene is an overall concept kind of guy who also has the demonstrated ability to nail down the details. He is the kind of concept guy who makes you really think about what you are doing. I'm really glad this article reminded me to ask some basic questions first. Quite a lesson! Have a comment? Click here to have your say!

Super Bowl Advertising Dreams for small businesses

Sat, 26 Jan 2008 22:48:08 GMT

As a small business owner, you might look to the advertising on the Super Bowl XLII Feb. 3, 2008 as guidance for your own advertising efforts. "Just How Super is the Super Bowl?" gives you an insider viewpoint - brand by brand - on what kinds of return the 27 advertisers expect to get. You'll find the telling analysis about the difference between "being noticed" and "being chosen" in the last paragraph of the article. Wouldn't it be amazing if we small business marketers could play in this arena? While none of us have that kind of money, it's still fun to dream. How would you handle that kind of advertising challenge for your small business? And how can you apply these examples to tell your story? Have a comment? Click here to have your say!

A comment about online privacy and tracking

Thu, 01 Nov 2007 20:57:57 GMT

An excellent article about online privacy and tracking in today's New York Times Technology section headlined F.T.C. to Review Online Ads and Privacy prompted over 140 comments by 4 pm today on this sensitive issue.

By tracking which sites people visit online, advertisers figure those site visits constitute someone's area of interest. Then they can send more relevant targeted ads onto that particular screen.

Yet, when you go to the supermarket, no one really knows if the purchases are for you, a family member, a friend, as a gift, etc. So even your supermarket discount card isn't completely accurate. But it is better than nothing.

Advertisers are willing to risk offending their audience in order to get their message across. And if the intense comments posted to the article are any indication, they have succeeded.

The real point is that the advertisers are closer to hitting their target than they would be by advertising the item or service to a much more general market. And, from the advertiser's point of view, a "good guess" easily beats "random" time after time.

Our web page has some ideas on marketing research for your small business. Click here.

Want to make a comment? Click here.

A creative advertising idea for promoting yourself
at trade shows and other events

Sat, 27 Oct 2007 01:44:13 GMT

A small business owner we know came up with a wonderfully creative advertising idea for promoting her company. She goes to lots of trade shows and got tired of advertising other companies who give out those big "literature collection" tote bags that always have a business logo on them. So she, along with everyone else, wound up walking around the show advertising the sponsoring company. In a flash of creative innovation, she figured why not advertise her own company and small business logo embroidered onto her own bag she could carry around? After all, the people at the shows were related to her field of endeavor. Enough was enough and this trade show attendee went to get her own bag made, embroidered with the small business logo of her own company. What a great idea, she thought. But she found it was difficult to find someone to create just one bag, since most companies that do that sort of thing all had minimum quantities of 50 or more. After an exhaustive search, she did discover a custom embroidery supplier who would apply her own logo onto just one single tote bag for about $20.00 additional. While she hasn't gotten any direct business just yet, it has turned out to be a fabulous conversation starter. But most of all, she feels great about advertising her own business instead of someone else's. And that's a big confidence builder for her small business in today's environment where people willingly and openly advertise major brands on t-shirts, jackets, caps and other promotional items. So why not promote your own small business logo, especially at trade fairs where people of similar interests gather and are in a receptive mood as they consider doing business with others. This savvy woman is right on target with her creative advertising idea for small business.

Want to comment? Click here.

resources and links to advertising sites

Thu, 25 Oct 2007 00:38:28 GMT

useful resources and links to advertising for small businesses.

Newsletter and e-course 11 Key Ways To Step Up Your Ads

Sun, 21 Oct 2007 23:38:27 GMT

11 Key Ways To Step Up Your Ads e-course and AFSB Newsletter Sign-up

Newspaper circulation - why it is down and up!

Sun, 14 Oct 2007 03:03:11 GMT

Even though the print circulation of newspapers is reported to be on a general decline, that doesn't mean they have relinquished their local impact.

Actually, it has become even greater because most newspapers have expanded their influence as they re-purpose their written material on their new web sites.

This means readers could see your message twice - once in print, and the other on the web site. Especially if you have a good public relations story.

Most readers who have abandoned the print version have turned to the web version.

It's all part of the trend to more on-line information as people's readership habits change.

Yet there is only so much online reading the human eye can tolerate.

My prediction is print publications will keep on going - perhaps in a more concentrated form - despite a forecast at a conference this week that all media will be electronic in 10 years. That's certainly an overly optimistic statement.

What's your viewpoint? Click here.

newspaper advertising idea

Sun, 14 Oct 2007 02:34:00 GMT

Get creative when looking for your newspaper advertising idea

marketing definition

Thu, 11 Oct 2007 02:50:40 GMT

Find the right marketing definition for your business

creative advertising tips

Thu, 11 Oct 2007 02:42:04 GMT

Here are some great creative advertising tips for small business

practical advertising for small businesses

Thu, 11 Oct 2007 02:21:17 GMT

How to do practical advertising for small businesses

advertising definition

Mon, 08 Oct 2007 04:15:19 GMT

advertising definition for today

creative advertising

Mon, 08 Oct 2007 03:42:17 GMT

How much creative advertising does your small business need?

On Word of Mouth Marketing, The NY Mets and Mustaches

Tue, 02 Oct 2007 03:37:51 GMT

You see it over and over again in advice to small business advertisers.... profitable advertising happens when you can use two or three basic techniques in the right combination. There are a few places you can count on for great examples. One is the "In Advertising" column by Stuart Elliott who writes for the New York Times. The lead story is always fascinating because it examines an unusual advertising problem / solution. The thinking behind the advertising strategies and techniques the professionals utilize can get your creative juices flowing. Just consider what would you do if you were faced with solving that particular question. Today's insight combined word of mouth marketing, the NY Mets baseball team and mustaches. Click here to read the column. What a buzz!

Comments? Click here.

post card advertising

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 20:42:00 GMT

Reveals post card advertising secrets

advertising promotion

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 20:14:32 GMT

Defines advertising promotion and gives some examples

Finding your advertising business small strategy

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 20:05:31 GMT

Essential components to have in your advertising business small strategy

How small business marketing is different

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 20:01:58 GMT

Small business marketing is not like the "big boys"

direct marketing

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 22:04:48 GMT

How Direct Marketing is used in small business advertising

Want to touch?

Sat, 22 Sep 2007 03:25:16 GMT

That is, want to touch your customers? To make effective customer impressions and contacts, you'll want to use as many "touchpoints" or the more current "layering" term as is practical for you. So what forms of communicating with your customer works best? Recently, I talked about this issue with a business owner who services the construction trade. His solution is to use whatever communication medium the customer habitually uses. And each customer prefers different avenues. That means the business has to staff an in-store parts counter, a phone ordering department, e-mail, fax, and a web site. Your bottom line answer is to choose the two or three that work best for your target market. It could be a combination of web site, e-mails, newspaper ads, direct mail and a fax campaign. Or anything else that matches how you determine that your market pays attention and buys. In my experience, most clients have real trouble asking their customers what brought them in, or what caused them to call. That's because most folks really can't consciously identify what prompted them to call in the first place. It's something that most customers don't remember, even though you, the small business owner certainly should. After all, in one form or another, you planned it, executed it and paid for the ad or communication. The takeaway: Figure out which media each individual client prefers and use whichever combination that makes it easiest for the customer to respond to your "touchpoints".

Comments? Click here.

Marketing Research Definition for Small Business

Mon, 17 Sep 2007 03:35:22 GMT

marketing research definition for small business

How To Begin Marketing Research?

Sat, 08 Sep 2007 23:49:17 GMT

Doesn't practically every advertising site say, "get to know your audience"? Do they really tell you exactly what steps to follow? Wouldn't it be great to have your own handy e-book with plenty of guidance on how to do your own interviews, conduct surveys and more! With essential worksheets and forms included. If you are looking for marketing research, I just discovered this special Step-by-Step Marketing Research Guide!

Now, you'll be able to make your own marketing research data reports easily, quickly and for free. This little gem is not to be missed, especially if you need to do your own basic marketing research into what makes your customers tick!

Click to see more details ... Step-by-Step Marketing Research Guide.

Comments?

"It's about farming, not harvesting"

Fri, 17 Aug 2007 03:56:46 GMT

I first heard that phrase several years ago at a seminar on networking, advertising and developing your business. Today, everyone wants a quick fix to their problems. But some things take time. Here's a great example: I met a man who was excited about being two weeks into his new job in sports marketing. Turns out he had sent hundreds of letters over the preceding year, sowing seed. His qualifications caused the new employer to set the application letter aside - for six months - until a vacany developed and the job interview process could begin. Farming, like advertising, has its own growing cycles. And a fruitful harvest takes time to cultivate.

about your referrals

Sat, 04 Aug 2007 16:37:07 GMT

Getting referrals, creating a buzz

Two new creative uses of postcards

Fri, 03 Aug 2007 20:13:49 GMT

Direct mail has always been known as delivering the strongest ROI for customer acquisition, with e-mail coming on as a strong second. Today some catalog mailer businesses are turning to postcards for two creative reasons:
1. to ask their list if they want to continue receiving catalogs, and
2. to advertise one of their popular products. It certainly makes sense because catalogs now cost more than ever to mail. Look forward to seeing some new formats this fall. With the holiday buying season almost upon us, now is certainly the right time for list cleaning. Small businesses can use the same kind of thinking to validate their lists and sell product on the same postcard to finance the mailing. In spite of the convenience of e-mail, there is nothing quite like a postcard for active consideration by the recipient.

The Value of Repeating Your Advertising Message - Part Two

Mon, 30 Jul 2007 02:03:14 GMT

Repeat advertising, especially on a TV or radio show, is a fallout of good marketers trying to hit their target market as closely as possible. Supposedly the advertiser has targeted viewers of a particular program as potential customers. The repeat advertising is a little easier to take in newspapers, magazines or the mail. You can always skim over the print ad or discard the direct mailing. The advertisers know it takes multiple exposures to make an impression. Salesmen report six to eight customer contacts are needed before a purchase is made. Internet marketers say it takes about 15 interactions to make a sale. And recent surveys show shoppers who do web research before visiting a retail store can spend up to 10 more. There's an old saying, "If the ad doesn't appeal to you, the ad is not for you". So I guess I can still be irritated at seeing the same commercial over and over again... until I need the product or service.

Comments? Click here.

product life cycle

Fri, 27 Jul 2007 23:37:53 GMT

Creating ads for small businesses? Remember to analyze the product life cycle and the customer buying habits.

The Value of Repeating Your Advertising Message - Part One

Sat, 14 Jul 2007 17:32:18 GMT

Like many of you, I get irritated watching the same commercial during the same program on TV. When I keep seeing the same ad in the daily newspaper or other publication, the irritation is less because I can visually skim over the ad even though I know it is there. But I realize in order to penetrate minds and make a long lasting impact, the advertiser has to keep the message going. And continuing to print or broadcast the same ad creates a familiarity factor for the business. The folks who sell advertising know that. In the direct marketing field, repeat advertising means sending the same mailing piece over and over again. Response to multiple mailings does increase at first, then subsides over a period of time. What caught my eye was a new survey by the Direct Marketing Association that showed two big reasons why people don't buy products or services through direct marketing channels, as reported in DM News. "Not the right time" to make the offer accounted for 24.4 percent of non-response. "Not relevant to me" was listed at 23.6 percent in the latest DM Consumer Response Study. Those two reasons alone represent 48 percent of non-response. Various other individual categories were significantly less. Advertisers know that hitting their intended consumer target is a tough challenge and "wasted" advertising impressions are part of the business. Good marketers seek to hit their intended targets as much as possible. (to be continued)

Comments? Click here. P.S. Here is the link to the DM News article. http://www.dmnews.com/cms/dm-news/direct-mail/41688.html

Changes to Word of Mouth Secrets

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 17:57:47 GMT

For a couple of years now, we've been offering a free 5-part mini course on Word of Mouth Advertising Secrets.

Right now, when you click onto the free course link, you will be taken directly to a page that better explains how word of mouth advertising can work for your business.

This is because the free link has expired.(sorry)

But your opportunity to profit from this amazing word of mouth advertising technique is still there.

Yes, you owe it to yourself to discover how the information in the e-book can help you spread the word easily and dramatically.

Of course, only you can decide and certainly there is no harm in looking at the information.

Don't miss out. Just go the referrals page on the website and click on the link to word of mouth advertising secrets.

Thanks!

advertising idea

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 22:39:19 GMT

How does the creative advertising idea get started?

links

Thu, 05 Apr 2007 18:11:21 GMT

links to more resources

Try to be patient

Sun, 25 Feb 2007 18:44:49 GMT

With today's "instant communication" by e-mail, cell phone, etc., it is so easy to become impatient. Just because each of us can send out a message when we want to, it's really hard to imagine the recipient isn't waiting to jump up and respond right then and there. And when we don't hear back in a few hours, it is easy to become frustrated. Recently I had to make a business call on someone who wanted to see me. Since this person was always unavailable by phone, we wound up scheduling our visit by e-mail. Over the years, I've learned different people tend to favor various methods of contact. Some prefer the phone, others like e-mail, and so on. In this case, the gentleman worked in a demanding environment and is frequently interrupted. By working online, he was able to field my request in HIS time frame. I see the same pattern with advertisers who run a few ads (outgoing messages) and wonder why more people don't respond immediately. Those readers, viewers or listeners have to be ready to respond to fulfill their needs or desires. And if they don't have a need or desire for your services or merchandise when they see your ad, they have no reason to respond. But seeing or hearing your ad, especially if they do not go by your store during their normal travel pattern, is a gentle reminder that you are still around for when they really do need you. It may take them a while to develop that need. People like to deal with familiar businesses. So it is best to keep repeating your message.

about us

Fri, 12 Jan 2007 03:03:50 GMT

about us

site map

Wed, 29 Nov 2006 14:33:10 GMT

Find every article on our site map page right here.

SBC yellow pages advertising

Tue, 28 Nov 2006 17:32:28 GMT

Talk about SBC yellow pages advertising

local political advertising

Sun, 29 Oct 2006 23:14:19 GMT

local political advertising and small business advertising

How Local Politicial Advertising Relates To Your Small Business Advertising

Tue, 17 Oct 2006 22:05:14 GMT

Elections are a great chance for small business owners like you to see how advertising works in a rather short time frame. With three weeks to go before elections here across the USA, you have the opportunity to observe local and state political races. Consider the candidate "the product" and his / her campaign advertising and public relations campaigns. As you try to predict the winners, it's a great opportunity to observe how various politicians communicate their messages to specific groups of voters. Compare this to your own small business advertising. Of course, candidates have been working their audiences throughout the campaign, but what media they use and how is worth watching in these final weeks. Sure, there will be upsets and predictable wins and everything in between. You'll be able to observe whether or not those "dirty campaign tactics" worked or not on election eve. (P.S. most don't!) Using combinations of different media makes the candidate appear to be everywhere, You'll find each politician strives to stimulate personal referrals, debates / forums (you use seminars to educate), and different media such as direct mail pieces, newspaper ads, lawn signs, radio, tv as the budget allows. The political advertising season once again hammers home the need for advertising to repeat, repeat, repeat. Studies show it can take from 6 to 9 impressions before your ad gets the attention of your potential customers (i.e. the voter). The repetition factor came to mind one recent weekend here in Connecticut when all of a sudden almost overnight, literally yard signs appeared for a new candidate for State Senate, running for his very first time. Not only did he have a difficult to recognize last name, but he was pretty much unknown in some of his district towns. But this was no amateur effort. It seemed as if suddenly the distinctive yard signs appeared. You could see them from one yard to the next as you drove down some of the main streets, Very hard to miss. Not one sign here and there. It was repetition of lawn signs superbly orchestrated. Some people love to watch the politicians battle it out and pay fairly close attention. At the other end of the specrtum, some voters sort of listen and make vague emotional judgements. Just goes to show how different people often react differently to the same message. So whatever your political persuasion, remember you still need to promote your small business with advertising. Learn from what you see happening in political campaigns in your town or city during these last few weeks.

small business web site design

Thu, 14 Sep 2006 18:18:22 GMT

What is good small business web site design?

direct marketing trends

Sun, 03 Sep 2006 16:34:20 GMT

Direct marketing trends for small business advertising

advertising design

Fri, 11 Aug 2006 00:47:05 GMT

advertising design

Lieberman-Lamont Advertising and how it relates to small businesses

Wed, 09 Aug 2006 03:34:55 GMT

Connecticut, 7 pm, August 8 --- When Ned Lamont first sought to challenge 3-term U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman in today's Democratic primary, almost no one thought this political neophyte had any chance. Sitting on my back porch here in Connecticut, it's an hour before the polls close in this political duel between the well estabished, well-known brand (Lieberman) and the new, unknown brand (Lamont). The unknown (Lamont) has succeeded in making his alternative into a viable choice on a $4 million budget, compared to Lieberman's $6 million. Just running for office is a big business. Many of my clients would be happy with that kind of gross revenue! And so, with an incredible voter turnout of 43 (in August "vacation" month!) both sides are saying it looks good for them. We'll know soon enough. Both have used TV and radio and direct phone calls. We even got an oversize postcard from Lieberman here at home. Lamont has attracted attention in his TV commercials being surrounded by mostly younger people who want change. Lieberman tends to show more mid-age supporters and continues his well publicized visits to roadside diners to keep in touch. It's like the 60's again --- an increasingly unpopular war and dissidents. But this time, the dissident is in the form of a telecom multi-millionaire from one of America's richest towns --Greenwich, Connecticut -- who came out of political nowhere to challenge a political big guy. Did he think, "I'm rich and I think I'll run for the U.S. Senate"? I suppose Lieberman's reaction could be compared to the feelings the hometown hardware store might have felt when Home Depot or Walmart came to town. Big money comes in and disrupts a long relationship. It's not all about money. Sure, Lamont has the personal money to get his message across. But look at how he has expressed his emotional anti-war message. One really has to respect his campaign committee and ad agency for keeping his message consistent across all the media he is using. Some questions to ask yourself as a small business: 1. Is your "high quality" brand getting stale with your customers? 2. How can you tell them you are still as "fresh" as you were when they first discovered you? 8:30 pm --- The polls have been closed for a half hour now, with 2 reporting, Lamont is leading 60 to 40. Emotions, rather than competent past experience, have taken the lead. Observe: Consumers are a fickle bunch. Pay attention to the emotions of yours! 11:15 pm --- 96 of the vote is now in. The Lamont (unknown brand) is still ahead 52 to 48. The pundits are already having a field day.

business card advertising

Thu, 03 Aug 2006 16:52:48 GMT

13 tips for better business card advertising

How web site marketing works for small businesses

Fri, 30 Jun 2006 17:24:40 GMT

How web site marketing works for small businesses

Are they listening as well as you think?

Sat, 24 Jun 2006 00:26:09 GMT

Lately, it seems to me that reality shows on tv have been including more plot summaries during their broadcasts. Apparently more of the audience needs more help just to follow the plot line. For instance, in the last Survivor series (Panama Exile Island), characters quite often restated, in simple terms, what the viewer had just seen. Maybe the audience didn't understand enough of what was happening. Or perhaps they weren't giving the show their full attention. In any case, I'll guess the producers (like those of many other shows) took heed of audience surveys and discovered viewers were losing interest because the plot or events needed to be simpler and clearer. My hunch goes back to the "how to give a speech" outline I remember from school days 1. Tell me what you're going to tell me. 2. Tell me. 3. Tell me what you just told me. (TV translation: Tell me what you just showed me!) Convert this principle into advertising terms and you conclude, "repeat, repeat, repeat". Today's multi-tasking diversions makes it harder than ever for the viewer / reader to concentrate on one thought at a time. So why not add a few more choruses of "repeat, repeat, repeat" to your ads! Comments?

A nifty referral program for you!

Fri, 16 Jun 2006 03:02:19 GMT

I've just come across a very powerful referral program that lets you advertise your business in the easiest and cheapest way imaginable.

It starts with an absolutely free introductory 5-part "Word of Mouth Secrets" mini-course. I think you'll really like this one! Let me know if you agree.

Best wishes, Jon Sinish

P.S. If you have any questions, simply e-mail me and I'll do my best to answer them.

direct marketing to consumer

Tue, 13 Jun 2006 22:17:12 GMT

direct marketing to consumer hits the target

promotional product advertising

Thu, 08 Jun 2006 00:04:36 GMT

How to choose your promotional product advertising item

direct mail advertising post card use

Sun, 04 Jun 2006 16:10:39 GMT

How to use a direct mail advertising post card

Selecting your business advertising item

Sat, 03 Jun 2006 18:24:00 GMT

Selecting your business advertising item

small businesses advertising

Thu, 01 Jun 2006 20:27:09 GMT

How to get results from your small businesses advertising

Advertising For Small Businesses Blog

Kodak and Celebrity Apprentice: Lessons Learned?

Super Bowl Advertising Dreams for small businesses

A comment about online privacy and tracking

A creative advertising idea for promoting yourselfat trade shows and other events

resources and links to advertising sites

Newsletter and e-course 11 Key Ways To Step Up Your Ads

Newspaper circulation - why it is down and up!

newspaper advertising idea

marketing definition

creative advertising tips

practical advertising for small businesses

advertising definition

creative advertising

On Word of Mouth Marketing, The NY Mets and Mustaches

post card advertising

advertising promotion

Finding your advertising business small strategy

How small business marketing is different

direct marketing

Want to touch?

Marketing Research Definition for Small Business

How To Begin Marketing Research?

"It's about farming, not harvesting"

about your referrals

Two new creative uses of postcards

The Value of Repeating Your Advertising Message - Part Two

product life cycle

The Value of Repeating Your Advertising Message - Part One

Changes to Word of Mouth Secrets

advertising idea

links

Try to be patient

about us

site map

SBC yellow pages advertising

local political advertising

How Local Politicial Advertising Relates To Your Small Business Advertising

small business web site design

direct marketing trends

advertising design

Lieberman-Lamont Advertising and how it relates to small businesses

business card advertising

How web site marketing works for small businesses

Are they listening as well as you think?

A nifty referral program for you!

direct marketing to consumer

promotional product advertising

direct mail advertising post card use

Selecting your business advertising item

small businesses advertising

A creative advertising idea for promoting yourself
at trade shows and other events