Custom Chocolate Coins

A pet appliance company was finding it difficult to attract attendee's to their booth. That is when they decided to give away chocolate coins with their logo imprinted on them at their booth. The attendees tend to get tired and hungry from walking around the large exhibit hall. They gladly stopped at the pet appliance company's booth to get a piece of chocolate. The result was that not only did the company have a busier booth, but they had more qualified leads.

Courtesy Chocolate Inn ASI 44900

Custom Chocolate Wrapper Bars

We received a Wrapper Bar order for a furniture distributor. We produced 50,000 chocolate bars and sent 250 to each of his outlets. The inside of 247 wrappers contained coupons for 5% off a purchase, two wrapper bars had a coupon for 10% off, and one wrapper bar had a coupon for 20% off. The furniture distributor advertised that any customers that came in on that given day would not only receive a chocolate bar but, inside was a valuable coupon for a discount on any furniture purchase. All of the stores indicated that they were much busier than usual and reported higher sales on this day than the same day on previous weeks. The client was extremely happy.

A computer company advertised that they were going to be giving away chocolate bars at their trade show booth. If that in itself was not enough to get people to the booth the advertisement indicated that inside one of the wrapper bars was a winning ticket for a free computer. The customer reported much higher traffic at his booth than previous years and he had 30% more qualified leads than the previous year.

Courtesy Chocolate Inn ASI 44900

Chocolate Thank You In Business Card Box

A company had many different salespeople and did not want to spend a lot of money imprinting each salesperson's name on the box but, the company felt it was very important that the salespeople's names be included with the product. We had the perfect answer in our Chocolate Thank You in a Business Card Box. This piece has die cut slits on the inside of the lid to accommodate a business card. The company reported that the salespeople were finding it easier to get in to see the decision makers and get appointments once they gave one of these pieces to the "gatekeeper" for the decision maker.

Courtesy Chocolate Inn ASI 44900

10 Ways to Make Sure Your Website is Caught Up to the 21st Century

Sure, you probably have a website.  Almost everyone does.  have you looked at it lately?  I mean really looked at it.

Many companies will focus their advertising/marketing dollars on popular mainstream media (television, newspapers, etc...).  BUT what happens when someone who sees your great ad on TV decides to visit your website and all they see is an antiquated, lifeless site?  They're not going to view you as the high-tech facility you pride yourself to be.

It is important when branding to make sure you take a look at ALL aspects of your public persona:  TV and newspaper ads; signage at your facility and other events; letterhead and envelopes used by all departments of the facility; promotional products handed out at recruiting events and to employees; and last, but most certainly not least, your website.

Below are 10 ways to clean up and breathe some new life into your old website:

1. Graphics - Make sure images you use are clean and sharp.  High resolution photos of your facility, grounds, staff and even current customers can help give a more personal feeling to your site.
2. Opt-in Box - Use something that will capture the visitor's information to keep them on your mailing list and give you a reason to keep in touch on a regular basis.  This can easily be accomplished with a service like Constant Contact or Swiftpage.  These are both easy-to-use programs with pre-made templates to help the author quickly turn out a very professional piece of literature (like a newsletter) on a regular basis.
3. Offer sufficient information on each page to help your visitor make an informed decision.  Nothing is more frustrating than being directed to a certain page on a website and not being able to find what you're looking for.  Make sure all information listed is current and correct and all links are "live" and go to where they promise.
4. Directions, Physical Address, Email Address, Contact Us - It can be on one page or multiple pages, but make sure it's clear how and where your potential customers can get to you.
5. Home Page - This page will define you, your company and your brand.  Make sure you capture your visitor's attention with the first look.  Better to keep it simple, use high-quality graphics and don't use a lot of text.  visitors want something easy to look at (so don't use yellow color text) and want to be able to find what they're looking for.
6. Easy Navigation - A website that is easily navigated is more user-friendly...so...your visitors will stay longer!
7. Articles - Keep your visitors informed with timely, current articles.  Also include these in your newsletter to hold your target market's interest.  Visitors want information - they thrive on it!  Give them what they want with well-written, well-researched articles.  Also, the spider bots love new content on a regular basis - this is a good way to keep them active.
8. Look Before You Leap - Take a look at your successful competitor's websites.  They are successful for a reason, so don't recreate the wheel, just take a few pointers from them.  I'm not suggesting you copy their site or layout, but take a look at the ease in navigation, the graphics, the home page, and the depth of information they're offering.  They're obviously doing something right.
9. Testimonials from satisfied customers help lend credibility to you and your brand.  What type of advertising works best?  Word of mouth.  By posting testimonials of REAL customers, your visitors will easily identify with them and will be more likely to use your service and/or product.
10. Have a purpose for every web page and make sure that purpose is easily identified!  Don't have full staff bios on the Contact Us page.  That page has a purpose - to show your visitor how to contact you - don't muddy it up with other information that isn't pertinent.  You can always create another page called Meet the Staff.

It's so important in this high-tech culture we live in to make the right impression and give sufficient information to the people who visit your site.  If you don't, they'll find someone who will.

Custom Chocolate Gift Box

A Mortgage Company felt that its gifts were not making the impact they wanted for the Holidays and that the gift was not getting to everyone they intended. That is when they decided to switch to our TR16 and use chocolate houses and dollar signs as the chocolates surrounding their logo. This gift not only made an impact because of the fact that the pieces in it pertained to their industry but, also because there was enough pieces in the box for the entire office to share. Also the gift was not something someone already had received. Everybody enjoyed it, from the President of the company right down to the Administrative Staff.

Courtesy Chocolate Inn ASI 44900

Twister Mug

A call center in Missouri wanted a mug that could be used at the desk by their personnel. They wanted vibrant colors to promote awareness and help to prevent spills onto paperwork and keyboards in the work area.

The #4000 Twister Mug was a great fit. It is unique looking, has a spill-resistant lid, keeps hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold. Also, the square shaped bottom has been found to be less likely to tip over than a round bottom mug.

The mugs were imprinted with the call center’s name, “Try a New Twist” tagline, & company motto.

The employees loved their mugs and the call center even sold the extras on hand to employees who wanted these to use in their vehicles and homes.

Courtesy Evans ASI 52840

Car Advertising

This is an old tried but true way to advertise a local business. Vinyl static cling stickers for windows and car size magnets are very inexpensive and provide a world of potential advertising for your business right in your area.

Make sure you give the lookers the pertinent information. Are you a painter? Make sure the audience knows what it is that you do and how to get a hold of you:

Example: Joe's Interior Painting - we are the best! 804-555-5634

Are you a cleaning service that has a great list of basic services? Don't put all of that on the magnet. Put your phone number and your website so they can go there and find out exactly what you offer for what price:

Example: We Clean 4 U - Outshine our competition every time. 804-555-8888. Visit weclean4u.com for a list of our services and pricing.

Make the phone number and website (whatever information is most important) large and legible from a distance.

Tip of the day: Do you have a business that targets children? Have you seen all of the cars and SUVs riding around with large soccer ball magnets advertising a local soccer association or bumper stickers advertising that their child made the honor roll for a particular school? What better way to get the word out than to use the vehicles of the proud parents of those kids? Think about it, for less than $1.00, your business name, website and phone number can be seen by thousands of people over a few days span. Not a bad return on your investment.

Stay in Front of the Competition - 9 Marketing Strategies to Help Keep You 1 Step Ahead

Competition is tough out there.  With this economic climate, we are all scrounging to beat out fierce competitors for our customer's business.

What are you doing to stay on top?  Haven't given it much thought?  I guarantee that your competitors have!

Below is a strategic roadmap for you to keep one step ahead of the others.

1. Make sure your website is clean, up-to-date and informative. - Make sure your home page is clean and uncluttered.  Your navigational system needs to be easy to use and allow the visitor to find what they're looking for.  Make sure all of the contact information is current and all of your hyperlinks are active.
2. Build a mailing list to keep in contact with customers. - Communication is key!  Monthly newsletters are easier to publish than ever before.  Inexpensive services like Constant Contact or Swiftpage provide easy to use templates.  All you need is a sign-up box on your website (the service builds the code for you) and you're ready to start rolling!
3. Consistently produce press releases. - Get the word out!  Have you hired a new CEO?  Is your new branch opening next month?  Has your Foundation raised more money this year than in the last 3 years combined?  These are all newsworthy items that help keep your name and brand out there.  Develop a list of local media to submit to.  With time and consistency, you will also develop a good rapport with those contacts.
4. Frequent blogging habits - Fresh content on your website keeps the spiders crawling in the search engines!  Blogging 2 to 3 times per week can help keep the traffic up on your website.  Don't blog for the sake of blogging.  Make sure your blogs have information pertaining to your target market.
5. Publish articles (on your website) and in article directories on the internet. - Publishing articles is a way for you to become an expert in your field.  There are many article directories that will accept submissions for free.  This is a great way to help brand your name and company in a positive light.
6. Keep your image clean and consistent. - Whatever your message is, say it often and use it on every piece of collateral material you publish.  Make sure the image is consistent from business cards to brochures to banners at trade shows to all of the promotional items you give away.  Your target market needs a clear, concise message that they are exposed to often.
7. Go the extra mile to recognize your current clients. - It can cost up to five times more to land a new customer as it does to retain a current customer.  With a reduction in marketing funds, you may consider doing something special for your current clients, like sending a Happy Birthday card every year.  It's a small gesture that can really go a long way in building that long-lasting relationship.
8. Offer expanded services. - How late do your competitor's stay open?  Do they have office hours on Saturdays or evenings?  Consider expanding your hours to accommodate your customer's needs.  Take a look at what your customer is asking for and fulfill that need if at all possible.
9. Pay special attention to the customer's overall experience. - Put yourself in your customer's shoes for one moment.  For brick and mortar companies - drive into the parking lot and notice any ruts or holes.  Is the walk to the building lengthy?  Is the staff friendly and willing to help you out?  For web only companies - check the ease of navigation on your website.  Can your customer find what they're looking for easily?  All of the factors involved from beginning to end will build the framework for if this person will return again for your services.  Make sure that you pay attention to these factors and make the overall experience enjoyable.

Remember, it's all about the customer.  If they're not happy with their experience, they won't be back and they'll tell all of their friends, family and co-workers not to go.

The strategies laid out above will help you give the customer what your competitors are not - a pleasant, informative experience.  Follow these guidelines and you'll have the "brand" that all of your competitors will be striving to attain.

Podcast & Internet Radio Advertising/Sponsorship

Don't know what a podcast is? Below is a definition from the internet's largest free encyclopedia - Wikipedia. Note: this is a direct copy, complete with other linked references.

A podcast is a collection of digital media files which is distributed over the Internet, often using syndication feeds, for playback on portable media players and personal computers. The term podcast, like "broadcast", can refer either to the series of content itself or to the method by which it is syndicated; the latter is also termed podcasting. The term podcast should not be used to describe individual files. The host or author of a podcast is often called a podcaster.

Podcasts and Internet Radio can offer a unique way to reach a tight target market - this can give you more than just the visuals of a web advertisement. Costs for this type of advertising are considerably lower than traditional radio advertising, PLUS you normally get a "bundle" package with on site and list advertising (you'll be listed as a sponsor with a link to your website from their website and possibly newsletter or solo emailings to their large lists).

Do your homework! Google your niche market along with the word "podcasts" and start researching. Many of these podcasts are weekly or even daily and can have a large following. If your company name and website info are continually bombarded at these people, they'll take a look!

Tip of the day: Go to iTunes and search podcasts in your target market. Subscribe to and download a few (many of them are free or a low costs to subscribe to). You can even participate live, many ask for callers - they LOVE experts to come online and give their audience some free advice. You can start a following even before you decide to spend any money!

Networking as Advertising?

Networking has been a big buzz word for the last few years. Networking is the ability to make connections with other people in business and build relationships that can help your business grow.

Here are some bullet points to think about when considering using networking in your advertising mix:

• Low-cost - Many networking and referral groups have minimal annual dues. Make sure you shop around though. Get referrals from other people and visit the group (many groups will let you visit a few times to see if you and your business will be a good fit for the group). This minimal outlay of cash can earn you back many more times than you invested!
• Great way to jumpstart your business - Finding people who think and do business the same way you do will help give your business a boost during a down economic time.
• Look for specific networking groups - There are always specific groups to fit your needs like: women's business groups; referral clubs; local and regional chamber of commerce (these are really great to get your business name out locally); only lunchtime and only breakfast time groups. Start asking around or get on the internet and research your local city websites for more information.
• When you join...JOIN - If you make the commitment to join the group, give it 100% effort: Attend the meetings regularly; Participate on a regular basis (which is often required that you provide a 30-60 sec commercial about yourself to the group); and answer questions and get involved in the discussions so as to establish yourself an expert and trusted name in your niche.
• Honesty is the best policy - Don't make up or "pad" your bio. If you're honest, people will trust you and that's what will help your business in the long run.
• LISTEN! - As I always tell my kids, "God gave you 2 ears and 1 mouth - that means you should listen twice as much as you talk." These are definitely words to live by. If you LISTEN and don't interupt or impose your opinion on others, you will learn so much more and be able to give an informed response :)
• Be unique - I have a friend who always wears interesting buttons to meetings. Inevitably someone makes a comment about the button and he gives it to them right then and there. He's the button-man. Some people have a "catch phrase" that they always use when closing their brief commercial. People always remember them when they attend the same meetings. Some people hand out a uniquely shaped business card - something with rounded corners or printed vertically instead of horizontally. Find something that will help people remember you!

Tip of the day: When getting into networking groups, always remember the GOLDEN RULE! Make sure you treat the other members with respect and conduct business the way you want them to conduct business with you. This true business ethic will give back to you a hundred fold!

Advertising with Business Cards

One of the most effective forms of Traditional Advertising is the use of business cards. Business cards can be as simple or as elaborate as you want them to be. No matter what theme, color or style you choose, be sure to include the following list of "must-have" information:

• Name
• Title
• Company Name
• Address (including city, state and zip code)
• email address
• Phone number (include cell phone number if appropriate)
• Fax number
• Website URL

Now that you have designed your card and included all of the pertinent information, you are ready to start giving them out. But HOW?...and WHERE? Here are some ideas to help you get the word out that you are in business:

1. Leave them on tables in public places - Places where people gather are where your cards will be most visible (ex: coffee shops; public meeting rooms; lounges in upscale hotels; restaurants and bars; and libraries). Just lay a couple down on the table as you're leaving; the next person to pick it up might be your next customer!
2. Strategically place them in books in your local libraries and bookstores - Don't just randomly choose books, but take your time and find books that relate to your business. For instance, if you are a personal trainer, place the cards in books that pertain to fitness and weight loss.
3. Hand out at meetings and social events - If you're just starting out, you will probably be attending quite a few networking type functions. Take a stack of cards with you everywhere you go and start handing them out!
4. Put a card in the mail - Literally, put a business card in every piece of mail that leaves your home and office. Someone on the other end of that electric bill is in charge of opening the mail and they are potential customers. You can also recruit your family and friends to put your cards in their outgoing mail...they'll be happy to help you out.

Tip of the Day: If you printed only a one-sided business card, take advantage of the blank backside to jot down a special offer, coupon, or more detailed information about your product or service.

Advertising 101 - Where Do You Begin?

There are many forms of advertising, and even doubly more if you have a website and want to create a presence online! It can all be very overwhelming.

We'll break it down into some broad categories and expand on them over the next several days.

Traditional Forms of Advertising:

• Business Cards
• Car Advertising
• Direct Mail
• Print (Newspapers and Magazines)
• Promotional Products
• Radio
• Television
• Tips Booklet or Cards
• PR (this is a free one that many people don't take advantage of)
• Networking

Online Advertising:

• Building Relationships (Making Friends)
• Ezine Advertising
• Free Website Traffic
• Social Networks, Forums and Groups
• Pay Per Click
• Podcast & Internet Radio Sponsorships
• Website Ads

Tip of the Day: Slow down before you spend that money. Take the time to research your options and make an informed decision!

Recta-schmangles

These are recta-schmangles. I invented this ingenius way of cutting a pb&j sandwich when my daughter was apprehensive about going to preschool and eating lunch.

What does this have to do with marketing? Everything!

I took my target market (in this case my 3-1/2 yr old), saw a need (need to feel secure) and filled it (sent a little piece of home to school with her - trust me, she's the only one in school with recta-schmangles).

Tip of the day: Always be one step ahead. Identify the need in your target market (even if it is the most basic of needs) and fill it. Think of something that they may use every day and put your own little twist on it :)

Publicity 101 - It's Free!

Publicity is one of the toughest things to get, but can be one of the most beneficial to your company. I've always heard that "any publicity is good publicity." BUT, we've all seen in the recent weeks and months how bad publicity can hurt your image and lead to bad word-of-mouth advertising (think Britney Spears).

For you to get some GOOD publicity, you need to work. It may be free, but it will still take some sweat equity on your part to get noticed and stay noticed by the media. Here are some bullet points for you to consider when developing your marketing plan toward publicity:

• Create a good list of media contacts - Start local. Every city and suburb has local newspaper publications. Get to know the editors and you will begin to see some coverage on your business. You can take that coverage and expand to your larger city newspaper and radio media to gain more exposure for your business. The key is to make relationships and keep in touch with these people offering them stories that their readers want to read.
• Know who your target market is and really zero in on what they're interested in (in relation to the media)
• Write GOOD press releases - Make sure this isn't a advertisement, but instead an informational piece about your company. Are you launching a new product? Did you just make a large donation to your favority charity? Have you hired a new CEO? Tell a story that the media and your target market wants to hear.
• Give speeches to groups - Volunteer to speak to groups about a topic of your expertise. This is a great way to build credibility in your local area.
• Become a teacher in your field of expertise - Contact your local community college or university and teach students about your selected field.
• PSAs - Volunteer to deliver Public Service Announcements for your local media. This can include great TV and radio coverage that you would not normally get.

This type of advertising will take some time and work on your part, but it will pay off greatly in the long run!

5 Steps to Starting Your Business

Before you can begin to market your brand new business, you need to make sure that you take care of some things first:

1. Choose the Right Name for Your Business - If you're in the landscaping business, don't choose JOE'S PICNIC TABLES for your business name. That may be a little far fetched, but you get the idea. Our business is called Atlantic LogoWear. We are physically located on the East Coast and we imprint wearables and promotional products with your company logo. Have your business name reflect who you are and what you do.
2. Choose an Effective Tagline - Again, consider who you are and what your business is all about when developing a tagline. With Atlantic LogoWear, our tagline is "We help businesses do more business." This lets people know that we can help them increase their bottom line using an effective marketing program. Once you find the perfect one, stick with it and print it on all of your promotional materials: business cards, letterhead, envelopes, brochures, promotional products...virtually EVERYTHING that leaves your office. This will help you form an image or corporate identity.
3. Determine Your Target (or Niche) Market - Think about who you are really trying to reach with your product or service. Be very specific. Sure, you would like everyone to purchase your product, but that is not very realistic. If you are a pizza joint, you may say your target is everyone in a 2-mile radius of your store. BUT, your real target is someone who owns or rents a house, condo or apartment in the 2-mile radius who earns money and is hungry :) Once you determine this niche market, only then can you really sit down to complete the next step.
4. Develop a Marketing Plan - First, decide your BUDGET for the first year, first quarter, first month. Once you make that decision, then lay out a plan of how you want to market the business. Ask yourself these questions: What forms of advertising will I use?; What's the best way to reach my target market? (if your target is moms with newborns, advertising in the AARP magazine wouldn't be the most efficient way to spend your money); Should I consider spending more during certain seasons of the year? All of these questions are very important for you to consider when designing a marketing plan.
5. Compose a List of Benefits - Your customers will always have in the back of their mind, "What can their product or service do to HELP ME?" Beat them to the punch with a list of benefits regarding your product or service. Keep a bullet list handy so you and your employees can refer to it often. Memorize the list so you can rattle it off the top of your head. Publish it on your brochures that you hand out. Do everything possible to let people know that you care about them and how you can help them solve their problems.

Tip of the day: Research, research and more research. Before you take this gigantic step, make sure you do your homework. Google your intended business name to see if it is, in fact, an original. It would be a shame to do all of the work to only have to redo it based on a name change.

Hiring an Intern? 10 Things to Look For...

Searching for an intern is more difficult than one might imagine. Finding the right one for your business is just as important as carefully selecting your employees. And if you're hiring your intern for a short-term project, it's especially important to find someone who can jump in and get the job done.

Following are some qualities to look for in your interns:

1. Enthusiasm - Interns who are enthusiastic about working with your company are more likely to produce good results than those who are just trying to fulfill their college requirements or gain experience any way they can. Including questions in your interview that pertain to why the candidate wants an internship with your company is a good way to reveal his level of enthusiasm.
2. Willingness to Learn - An intern who already thinks he knows it all probably won't be much of an asset to your business. Although he should have some training that relates to the position, he must be willing to learn the skills he needs to complete his project successfully.
3. Commitment - This one is important for obvious reasons. Hiring an intern, only to have him leave with the job half done, can put a major strain on your business. You need someone who is committed to seeing his internship through.
4. Good Communication Skills - Interns need to be able to communicate well with others in order to facilitate teamwork. They also should be able to effectively let you know when they run into problems. You can get a good feel for a candidate's communication skills through open-ended interview questions.
5. Receptiveness to Constructive Criticism - An intern will not get everything right on the first try, nor should you expect him to. But he should be able to take constructive criticism, and use it to improve his performance.
6. Trustworthiness - This is a very important one, especially if the intern will be dealing with sensitive information or company assets. For these types of positions, it might be worthwhile to utilize personality tests that can reveal potential problems.
7. Ability to Prioritize - Whether your intern is working on a specific project or just helping out around the office, prioritizing tasks is important. You can provide some structure, but it's ultimately up to the intern himself to use his time wisely.
8. Problem Solving Skills - While it's important to be there when your interns need you, there's just not enough time in the day to solve every little problem for them. They should be able to handle minor problems on their own with little guidance once they've been taught the proper procedures.
9. Adaptability - Your intern may or may not be doing exactly what he had hoped to do in an internship, but he should be able to adapt to a variety of tasks. The idea is to gain work experience and skills, not to set himself in one certain position for life. Having an intern who is open to doing various things in your business will make the internship more pleasant and successful for all involved.
10. An Appropriate Energy Level - High-energy candidates are often the most attractive for business owners seeking interns, but they're not always the best choice. High energy works for intense positions, but if your internship opportunity consists of answering phones or making copies all day, high-energy types may become bored quickly. So it's very important to find a candidate that has the right type of energy for the job you need done.

7 Uses for Promotional Products

There are many ways to use promotional products in your business - here are 7 uses for you to consider:

1. Establish Your Company Identity/Brand - Wanting to get your name out there in a certain way? Use promotional products to brand yourself. Always be sure to pick products that fall into your color scheme, theme or target market (don't get hardhat stress balls if you are a daycare provider - use coloring books and crayons instead!).
2. Stimulate Traffic at Trade Shows - Everybody who has attended or exhibited at a trade show knows how fun it is to get freebies. You can be the most popular booth with the coolest giveaway. A couple of tips: 1) Purchase a large amount of an inexpensive item - many people just walk by and grab the freebie; 2) Have a smaller quantity of higher end giveaways available behind the table for that "qualified" person that you are looking for.
3. Inspire Customer Retention & Loyalty - With today's economic situation, it is tough to go out there and snag that new customer. Use your promotional products to make sure you KEEP the customers that you already have.
4. Cultivate Goodwill in the Community - Co-sponsor a walk for a local charity. They normally will print up tee shirts that will allow your logo as a sponsor on the back. Your company will begin to be associated with giving back to the community.
5. Celebrate an Anniversary - Commemorate those special years by giving back to your employees and customers.
6. Increase Repeat Business - They'll keep coming back to you with small incentives like a keytag or maybe a magnet with a discount for their next visit...get creative!
7. Promote Safety Within the Workplace - "1000 Hours Accident Free" - this is a special event! Award those involved with a special logoed shirt or jacket. They will appreciate it and strive for even higher goals.

Finding Your "Niche"

When you are trying to establish your business identity and brand yourself, you will need to determine what your "niche" or "target" market is going to be. This might sound easy, but in actuality, it takes some time and effort on your part to be successful.

Let's begin with a definition:
What is a niche market? A niche - or target - market is composed of individuals and businesses that have similar interests and needs.

How do I find my niche market?

• This should be the FIRST step when creating your business and marketing plan.
• Start with something you are passionate and knowledgeable about.
• Determine the demand and need for the product/service you are offering...is it broad or targeted?
• Find something that makes you stand apart - what is it that makes you the best of the best in your business? This is your USP (Unique Selling Proposition).
• Accent the positive characteristics of whatever your product or service is - what makes it the best and position yourself to be the expert in that field.
• RESEARCH! Talk to people, ask them targeted questions like: Are you interested in my product/service? If so, why? What are the best points about it? What would make you keep coming back? Make sure you talk to outside sources, neutral sources and other people in your same field.
  

5 SMART Ways to Attract Visitors to Your Website

1. Start a blog - You can start a free blog on Blogger.com or Wordpress.com. It is very user-friendly and you can get started with 5-10 minutes.
2. Make a point to add your website information to your email signature - You would be surprised how many people actually look at your email signature and click on the links you provide. It's an easy way to get a lot of exposure.
3. Article Marketing - This is the best way to position yourself as an expert in your field. You write the articles, submit them to directories and then publishers of other websites, newsletters and emagazines can reprint them for free. Many article directories will allow a bio at the end of your article with a couple of links. Be sure to highlight your website and any pertinent info about you. A few of the more popular article directories are Article Dashboard, Go Articles, Article Alley and Lady Pens.
4. Remember to add your website and blog url's to major directories and search engines like Google and Yahoo
5. Take part in forums in your niche market - Just Google keywords in your niche market with "forum" after. That should get you started...

Start Small - Gain Exposure in Your Own Neighborhood

Creating a marketing strategy for a business certainly involves a generous level of both online and "grassroots" marketing. Many businesses find that they prosper with a marketing strategy that includes local exposure.

Local exposure is easier to obtain and often blooms into larger scale publicity. For example, a local news program might feature your product or service on an “about town” segment which is then picked up by the larger networks, blogs, and mainstream press. Additionally, it is always good to be able to say, “As seen on…” on your home page and in your marketing materials.

Local exposure is also good for business. People like to do business with folks they can relate to. Who better to relate to than a business owner who lives down the street?

So you know that local exposure is good for business but how does a company or business owner go about gaining that exposure?

Here are 5 ideas on how to tap into your local market.

1. Host a seminar or workshop for free through your local small business association, chamber of commerce, or community education program. This seminar or workshop will inevitably draw a number of attendees but more importantly it will be a reason to generate local press releases which may be picked up by the networks or local radio stations thus bringing bigger awareness to your company.
2. Partner with a local brick and mortar to cross promote or establish a joint venture. For example a local fitness shoe store could post advertisements, coupons, or business cards for your business as an online nutritionist or fitness coach and likewise you could promote the local fitness store. Giveaways and cross promotion can be publicized with a press release.
3. Post flyers locally. Flyers are a great and economical way to communicate with your neighborhood prospects who may or may not have seen your business online.
4. Sponsor a local team. Sponsorship is fun, it gives back to the community and it is an excellent way to gain local recognition. There’s nothing more fun than seeing a team wearing your company’s name on their team shirts.
5. Donate time, education, or funds to a local charity. Again, not only are you giving back to your community you’re gaining recognition. The charitable acts can also generate a press release for double exposure and awareness.

There are any number of ways to connect with your neighborhood prospects, gain awareness and grow your business. The important thing is to plan for it as part of a larger marketing strategy. Integrate local marketing into your complete plan for maximum results and growth.

Start Ups - 7 Things You Need to Know

Starting a small business can be a hectic process, with a lot of work involved. Pulling everything together in order to make your small business successful takes dedication and planning. Some things that you need or want for your business can be put off, but there are other things that should be in place from day one. Here are a few things that are important to have in place before opening the doors of your small business.

1. Business Plan – A business plan can be like a map, to help you find the right direction to make your business a success. Business plans are also important when seeking funding for your business. Seek the assistance of a professional if you are not sure how to develop a plan properly.
2. Capital – There are very few cases where starting a business is free. Make sure you have enough funding, whether through savings, loans, or investors, to put your business plan into action. Generally, it takes some time for a business to begin to show a profit, so be certain that your fund will cover your expenses for an extended period.
3. Credit Line – Even if you feel you have plenty of money to get started and to sustain your business until it becomes profitable, having a line of credit in place is important. When unplanned expenses come up, you will always have a safety net. Additionally, maintaining a good credit record for your business can help in the future, should you need to obtain loans.
4. Location – Every business needs a physical presence somewhere. Your location might be a brick-and-mortar store or an Internet website. Be sure that there is some physical address that is associated with your business, for licensing purposes.
5. Licensing – Before advertising your business or opening the doors, make sure that you have obtained any licensing and permits that are necessary. You can be subject to fines and penalties if you are caught operating without proper permissions.
6. Insurance – Depending on the type of business you are starting, you may need a variety of insurance services. The most important thing is to be sure that you are protected in cases of loss, damage, or lawsuit. If your business will employ others, consider a health insurance plan for yourself and your employees.
7. Accounting System – Setting up a detailed accounting system is very important for a small business. This can help you to ensure that all bills are kept current and funds are distributed properly. It will also keep the necessary records for tax purposes. Tracking the income and expenses of your business is vital for your success.

Do You Have Your Elevator Speech Ready?

Elevator speech? What's an elevator speech?

It's the idea that you have 20-30 seconds to make an impression on somebody that you meet (possibly on an elevator ride) to tell them who you are and what you do. The opportunity will not always be in an elevator, but at coffee shops, Chamber of Commerce meetings and other networking functions that you will attend as you're trying to get your name and your business recognized. Here are some tips to make YOUR elevator speech the best that it can be:

1. Be clear and succinct - Don't tell someone that you sell imprinted pencils for a living. Instead say, "Hi, my name is Tracy Ebert and I help business do MORE business by developing a clear marketing plan and infusing promotional products and corporate apparel into their current media mix."
2. Smile :)
3. Always have a business card handy - As you are giving your speech, pull out a business card so they can take it with them to remember your name.
4. Develop a tag line - Something will set you apart from everybody who does exactly what you do. Find what it is and advertise it in your elevator speech. You need to make yourself memorable!
5. Practice, Practice, Practice! - in front of a mirror, in front of your spouse, in front of your kids. Get it so you know it by heart and can recite it without sounding rehearsed.

This will take some work, but once you get your elevator speech ready, you can use it everywhere you go. You will meet prospective customers in the craziest of places!

Tip of the day: Make sure you always have fresh breath and nothing in between your teeth. You DON'T want them to remember you for that!