Mary's Marketing Madness!

Saturday, June 18 · 11:30am - 2:30pm

At Calistoga Bakery Cafe

Gulf Coast Town Center

Mary Hernandez will be presenting ideas and ways that you can create unique marketing materials for your small business including an informational brainstorming session from 11:30-12:30pm and Q&A from 12:30-2:30. We will be discussing marketing tools for your business, the use of PowerPoint in your marketing efforts including webinars. Please feel free to invite anyone you know who would like some new, fresh ideas, enjoy some great food and spend some time with others!  Space is limited to 10 people, please rsvp 239-633-7487 to ensure your space!

 If you will be unable to attend, but would like to know more, please contact Mary and she can make arrangements for a meeting.

  Her website is www.mycmsite.com/mlhernandez or www.mhernandezadministraivesols.weebly.com for virtual administrative ideas. You can also connect with her on facebook page Mary Hernandez, Photo Solutions Specialist.

Mary is looking forward to sharing her ideas with you on Saturday!

HOW TO HAVE A GREAT EXHIBIT: Pre-Show Planning and Preparation

Are you considering doing a tradeshow or a display table at one of The Bridge Networking Events this year? Maybe you have already participated and won't do it again because you didn't get any new sales or leads – at least not enough to cover the cost! Remember even if you didn't get an immediate sale or "good" leads, you still got great exposure! It's not always instant gratification.

You're meeting face-to-face with potential new buyers, establishing new and old relationships and building quality databases. Remember, when you book a space you are buying an audience. Here are some tips on how to have a "Great Show" and maximize your marketing dollars.

Pre-show planning is very important. The three steps to a successful exhibit are: Plan, Execute and Follow-Up. Ask yourself three questions: Why am I doing this? Who am I targeting and will they attend? What do I expect to accomplish?

Here are 7 steps to follow when planning your exhibit. Know what your objectives are and how you're going to reach them.

·         Generating sales

·         Introducing new products

·         Selling to existing customers

·         Learning/teaching

·         Increasing name/product awareness

·         Obtaining sales leads

·         Market research

·         Enhance existing customer relationships

·         Establish a presence

·         Reach new markets

What message are you trying to convey?

·         key points (develop each with details)

·         Use understandable and clear language

·         Use words that "paint" a picture

Have a Theme to Remember.

·         Be creative

·         Have coordinating colors

·         Use balloons as decorations

·         Make sure your booth is gender balanced

·         Design a booth that projects what and who your company will be like in the future (customers like progressive businesses)

    

Order literature and giveaways and give plenty of time for shipping.

·         Preferably, low cost promotional tools.

·         Self-adhesive stickers (with "where" and "when" information to put on invoices, catalogs and other correspondence mail)

·         Order literature for approximately a third of anticipated attendees (only if in your budget)

·         Remember, if you want only those that are truly interested in your product/service to pickup your info or giveaway, put your table in the back of your booth instead of up front

Finalize your pre-show promotions. Target your buyers-  existing customers, hot prospects, prospects called on but not closed and prospects you haven't called on. Take control – PROMOTE PROMOTE PROMOTE

·         Use your own printed invitations, postcards, letters, emails, newsletters.

·         Use colored envelopes instead of manila or white and hand write or type the address on the envelope. Don't use a label – it looks like                          junk mail.

·         Add a tag line to all existing advertising/correspondence with

        booth number (if you have one) and an invitation  

        

§  Mail personal invitations 2 weeks before the show and setup on-site appointments. Mail out cards redeemable for a gift from visiting the booth.

§   Use a banner in your ads or your newsletter – "See us in booth 1301 at ABC Show."

§  Issue press releases announcing new services, key people in the event and special show promotions.

§  Invite the press and send your press release kit to all invited press.

§  Make telephone calls to your key prospects just prior to the show with an invite.

§  Provide complimentary passes to your clients and prospects.

Develop attention getting devices and be creative

§  Contest

§  Giveaways

            

 Select your booth staff

·         Good attitude/sales oriented

·         Creates the "right" impression

·         Warm and friendly

·         Good product knowledge

·         Get a commitment from each staffer

With your pre-show planning, be sure your booth staffers understand their assignments and objectives. Print your brochures and other materials well in advance. Create

customizable cover letters to mail with materials.

Practice with any tech devices so you can work fluidly on the floor the day of the exhibit. Follow-up is very important and a three-part process: before, during and after the show.

Most important, remember to have fun!

Jodie Andre, Personal Marketing Consultant

Marketing Dazzle

239-590-5089

www.marketingdazzle.com

                 

Money Saving Marketing

By Jodie Andre

Marketing Dazzel

To save money marketing, always stay focused. No "Shotgun Marketing" because it's a big mistake for small businesses. If you sell a product/service used by people over 50, make sure if you buy TV or radio time that your spots are aired when that age group will be watching or listening. Know your targeted marketing age group.
 
Focus on your customer - not you. Show how your product/service can help your customer. If you moved, don't say come see us - stress what a time saver and convenience it will be for your customer. What's in it for your customer to do business with you? Make them feel important and special.

If you have employees, don't forget your most precious possession is not your financial assets but those people you have working for you, their knowledge and their ability to work together. They represent your business/service and sell to your customer. Without good employees, all the marketing in the world will not make you money.

Have fresh/creative marketing ideas and get the maximum benefit with the minimum amount of marketing dollars invested. There are lots of free or inexpensive publicity opportunities. Take advantage of these opportunities. Look for things to make a "big deal" about - like a promotion, a new product/service or a completion of a training class. Press releases are a great way to get the word out and get noticed. If you don't know where to start, ask a marketing consultant.

Sometimes when in doubt, it pays to go back to the basics. Think back to when you first opened your business and remember the excitement. Take that excitement, your expertise and dig out your business marketing plan and pretend it's your first day. It's fun to tweak it now that you are an expert. If you don't have a marketing plan, start one. If you don't know where to start, get professional marketing help. There are lots of inexpensive marketing companies in SW Florida.
 
Look into the networking groups you attend and find out what marketing promotions they have available. Take time to write down the marketing opportunities and weigh out the cost vs. the exposure you will receive for your marketing dollars. Often they have a lot to offer at no cost or very reasonable costs. Many have directories where supporters of the group go to find products/services they need from people they know and trust. BlogTalkRadio is free and a great marketing tool also.

Think out of the box, be creative, think of fresh ideas and try something different but always STAY FOCUSED.

Just make sure you track your marketing so you know where your marketing money is best spent.

Most important, make marketing fun.
http://www.marketingdazzle.com/

Marketing, PR, Advertising, Branding... What’s The Difference????

 by Jodie Andre

Marketing Dazzle

www.marketingdazzle.com

A lot of companies want to do Marketing, PR, Advertising and Branding but very few know the difference. Here's a simplified example of each:

I am a great cook! – Marketing

Trust me. She's a great cook! – Public Relations

I'm a great cook. I'm a great cook. I'm a great cook! – Advertising

I understand you're a great cook! – Branding

Sounds so simple, right? It can be confusing to many. Advertising is a short-term exercise and Marketing is a long-term endeavor. It's much more effective when other people talk about you in a positive manner compared to self-promotion.

Remember, you don't want to market yourself as well as advertise yourself because you don't want to seem desperate.

5 TIPS TO GETTING YOU NOTICED!

By Monica Garcia Saenz

 In today's competitive market – Good isn't enough anymore. You need great marketing techniques in order to stay on top of the game. Great ideas are a must have in reaching that goal of getting noticed by your potential customers and growing your business. Here are 5 quick and easy marketing tips to help get you noticed!

#1 Target your Market – It's all about the Customer!

In order to reach your customer, you have to know who your customer is – get to know your market and try to put yourself in their shoes – See It from their point of view. The opinion of your boss, your printer, your marketing agent or your mom isn't as important as what your customer is going to think of your new Logo, your Website or your company image. You could have a wonderful product or service at a great price but if your customers don't notice you… what good is it? Make sure you are getting your message across to the right person – your customer

#2 Remember the Three Second Rule!

You have all of THREE SECONDS to grab the attention of your reader before they move on to the next item or page. Most People have a short attention span because they are used to quickly moving on to the next item at hand - so be sure to use those three seconds wisely and to your advantage – Grab'em, Hold On & Don't Let Go! The way you do this is with SMART, CREATIVE and METHODICAL strategies that will help you stand out in the crowd and get noticed in three seconds.

#3 Your Favorite Marketing 101 Acronym UMBB

 UMMB – UNIQUE, MEANINGFUL, MEMORABLE and BELIEVABLE.

Unique is making it yours – owning it, having it represent you and creating something that is different from what everyone else out there has. Unique is something that isn't going to get confused with the next ad out there. Meaningful is making sure that your message speaks to the customer. Does it have value in their eyes? Can they see themselves using it or owning it? Does it mean something to the reader? If it doesn't mean anything to them, most likely they won't spend money on it. Memorable – will they remember it once they flip the page or walk away? Did it stay with them? Will they think of your name or logo next time they need your services or will they just flip through the yellow pages again? Will you be remembered? Make sure your message is one that will be remembered. Believable – Is it REAL? Will the really buy your story or does it look like you borrowed it from Fairy Tale land? Do unicorns have anything to do with your product? IF not – Don't use it! Make them Believe it!

# 4 Keep it Simple!

It is very easy to overwhelm your customers with too much information or something that is too busy or too bright. You want to grab them, not scare them so remember that sometimes Less is More in getting yourself noticed by your customers. Make sure that your message is clean, clear, concise, simple and to the point in order to really be effective in getting your message across to your customers.

 # 5 Be Consistent!

Once you find a good, unique logo or look that works for you – make sure that it stays consistent always. Picture McDonalds over the years - they have had many marketing campaigns but the Golden Arches have always remained the same. Close your eyes and think of Target and you will automatically see the Red Bulls Eye no matter what. Each time you see their Image it is the same color, same size, same basic look – because they are CONSISTENT. Remember to be true to your marketing look by remaining consistent always. Know your colors so that you can always have the exact same shade you used the first time. Be sure to have your logo in an email format that you can easily send to your printer, graphic designer or marketing consultant so that your look is always consistent. Don't be afraid to ask for a soft copy of whatever is created for you – once you pay for it – it's YOURS and you should be able to keep it for future use with whomever you choose to use in the future for your marketing needs. Protect your image by making sure it is always the SAME.

I hope these Tips to Getting Noticed have helped you get an idea of what you need to do in your journey towards SUCCESS. Monica Garcia is a published author, marketing consultant, graphic designer and web designer. You can reach Monica Garcia at (239) 673-7052 or via email at mgsdesignz@gmail.com via the web at www.mgsdesignz.com.

Marketing Tips from Marketing Dazzle

Are You Keeping Your Company A Secret? Shh...

By Jodie Andre

It doesn't matter if you're the best artist or writer in the world, if no one knows about you or what you do. You may never be able to make a living at what you do best. We all want to sell more and work less but if people don't know who you are that will never happen.
 
That's where networking comes in to your life. What is networking? Definition: Networking a

supportive system of sharing information and services  among individuals and groups having a common interest. All it really means is people are getting to know who you are and what you do. Don't be afraid of the word "networking."


People like to do business with people they know and recommend people they trust. Getting to know people and being known by them is a deep subconscious need that's filled by networking. It opens doors of opportunities and fulfills a need for social interaction. It gives you a feeling of being in control of your career.


When you network, you will learn about new products/services, new ideas and ways to do business. You will learn about your competitors and how to excel from talking with other business owners and professionals.

It takes time - Rome wasn't built in a day - neither is your company. As time passes and your contacts grow, so does your business. Always be prepared to network with everyone you meet. You never know how many people will become your best customer, your best cheerleader or your best friend. It's imperative that people know who you are. If you don't have time to network, hire someone to do it for you! Don't keep your business a secret any longer. Give people a chance to purchase your product or service.
 
The most important thing to remember about networking is to make it FUN!