by Dustin Cannon
Multi level marketing often gets a bad rap in the business world. Sometimes, that reputation is deserved. Unfortunately, by nature of its structure, multi level marketing lends itself to scams.
Many legitimate multi level organizations exist, but there are also tons of these companies that run pyramid schemes, ponzi schemes and that simply have set up to try and bilk their "reps" out of their hard earned money.
The good news is that a bad multi level marketing scam is relatively easy to spot if you know what to look for.
If you avoid companies whose main source of income is derived from joining fees and encouraging new members to sign up and if you avoid companies that charge their reps such high prices for the products that making a profit is next to impossible, then you can easily navigate your way through all of the multi level marketing scams to find a set up that could actually allow you to make a profit. But once you find that opportunity, is it really the right one for you? How do you know if you will be successful in multi level marketing?
For entrepreneurs like you, multi level marketing is all about sales. You have to be able to go out there and sell, sell, sell.
That often means having the gift of the gab and being comfortable talking to and giving your pitch to all different kinds of people. It also usually means being comfortable in front of a room of people making a pitch, and you have to be confident enough to make cold call sales, where you're often to face a great deal of distrust at first. You need to have a knack in figuring out the best approach for the person you want to sell to, and you need to have the ability to switch between different sales approaches with ease.
Above all else, you need to be able to sell without seeming insincere or aggressive - but you still need to make the sale. Selling in this way is usually an innate talent. Some people can do it and some people can't.
Be honest with yourself about your sales skills. Will you be able to step up to the plate to the extent that you need to close your deals, or is selling not really your strong suit? Your success in multi level marketing will be determined by the answers to these questions.
In addition to selling well, you have to be able to find you own sales opportunities. This can mean marketing yourself and your services and always keeping an ear to the ground for a new opportunity. You'll have to constantly develop new avenues for your sales, which can be tremendous time commitment - time when you're not actually making any money.
If you can manage these tasks, however, multi level marketing can be a very lucrative and rewarding career. Simply honestly evaluate your skills, and you could hit a multi level marketing home run.
Learn more about Dustin Cannon and how you can great money with Success University and start making money in one of the fastest growing teams in the home business industry.
Then check out the advertising co-op that can take you there at Success University Not Affiliated with Success University.
Showing posts with label Work At Home. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Work At Home. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Recognition Makes My Life the Best
Do you know what really makes my life the best?
Winning a contest! I won the "Student Of The Month" for GCFN's contest. Yahoo!!!
The best part is you too can win! The top prize this month is $1000.00. That isn't a typo...there are three zeros there!
The even better part, is you will learn the right ways to market on line such as write press releases, articles, create web sites, write copy, and more....risk free.
You do have to pay a small fee to join because the company wants to make sure you are serious about putting the time and energy in. But after you complete the 14 pt. check list you get it all back!
You are probably wondering... there must be a catch.. well, of course there is. Life always has strings, but this is one you can handle.
The string is: while you are given the tools to learn how to do all the above mentioned things you do it for the GCFN program. You place the ads, articles, press releases, and any referrals you get you make a commission from. (did you catch that head fake?)
Yep, they even teach you how to become a successful affiliate. Marketing someone elses product can be tough so GCFN teach you how to do that too.
And while they are teaching you to market for GCFN. You can apply the same tools for your own business. They show you how to do it all. Check out how I started mine!
*(hint... You are even encouraged to call upon the support team to help you with your own business!!!)
I still can't believe the genius behind this program, because they make money when you refer someone to them and then you make a commission, plus you learn how to do it for your own business.
That truly is the only catch! I stand behind this one hundred percent because this is what GCFN did for me!
Find out more here...it doesn't cost ANYTHING to talk to someone!
Best Wishes!
Winning a contest! I won the "Student Of The Month" for GCFN's contest. Yahoo!!!
The best part is you too can win! The top prize this month is $1000.00. That isn't a typo...there are three zeros there!
The even better part, is you will learn the right ways to market on line such as write press releases, articles, create web sites, write copy, and more....risk free.
You do have to pay a small fee to join because the company wants to make sure you are serious about putting the time and energy in. But after you complete the 14 pt. check list you get it all back!
You are probably wondering... there must be a catch.. well, of course there is. Life always has strings, but this is one you can handle.
The string is: while you are given the tools to learn how to do all the above mentioned things you do it for the GCFN program. You place the ads, articles, press releases, and any referrals you get you make a commission from. (did you catch that head fake?)
Yep, they even teach you how to become a successful affiliate. Marketing someone elses product can be tough so GCFN teach you how to do that too.
And while they are teaching you to market for GCFN. You can apply the same tools for your own business. They show you how to do it all. Check out how I started mine!
*(hint... You are even encouraged to call upon the support team to help you with your own business!!!)
I still can't believe the genius behind this program, because they make money when you refer someone to them and then you make a commission, plus you learn how to do it for your own business.
That truly is the only catch! I stand behind this one hundred percent because this is what GCFN did for me!
Find out more here...it doesn't cost ANYTHING to talk to someone!
Best Wishes!
Monday, September 15, 2008
Work It Mom, Makes My Life Better!
Have you heard of Work It Mom?
It is a great site!! Simple to navigate and easy to use!
There is so much you can do...
1. Blog
2. Tell others about your business
3. Advertise
4. Read and submit articles
5. Find help
6. Get recipes
7. And learn what others are doing.
It is really inspirational!
Plus, there is actually a daily giveaway!
How can you pass on that one!
Check it out and tell me what you think!
A place where working moms connect
It is a great site!! Simple to navigate and easy to use!
There is so much you can do...
1. Blog
2. Tell others about your business
3. Advertise
4. Read and submit articles
5. Find help
6. Get recipes
7. And learn what others are doing.
It is really inspirational!
Plus, there is actually a daily giveaway!
How can you pass on that one!
Check it out and tell me what you think!
Friday, July 25, 2008
Life is Better When You are Organized (Just ask a Self-Described Hazard)
Who doesn't need or want more cash in your pockets? Beside giving voice to our thoughts, and hopfully helping others along the way, isn't that why we are all here?
You may really love what you are doing but the reason why you are sharing your ideas/products/services is because you want to earn extra income. The problem...who has time to "fit-in" a second or rather third or forth job and not feel like your head is going to explode? Assuming your job titles are like mine (Child Care Taker, Home Maker, Entreprenuer with sub catagories like, wife, taxi driver, shopper, volunteer aid in school, etc.)
It's a "given" most people are busy, however there is extra time for all types of home-based extra income producing projects. It may mean giving up or changing a few of your favorite pastimes--such as watching "Lost" or going out to share a drink with friends. However, take note that if you are able to earn extra income and really make it work for you, you will have more time to do what you want while you hire someont to clean your house, go grocery shopping, and walk the dog. I know my first goal is to delegate the house cleaning, especially the laudry and bathrooms!
Efficient time management really is just planning what you are going to do, and then doing it without. Start by making a list of the things you want to do tomorrow, each evening before you go to bed. Schedule your trips to the store or wherever to coincide with the other things you have to do, and with your trips to or from work. Organize your trips to take care of as many things as possible while you're out of the house.
Take stock of the time you spend on the telephone---and eliminate all that isn't necessary. This is really tough because I don't know about you but I am constantly getting side tracked not only by out side influences (like little munchkins who need to tgo to the doctor because a M&M is stuck up his nose) but also from my own "ideas".
So, I decided to do two things: Whatever chores you have to do at home, set aside a specific time to do them, and a specific amount of time to devote to them; and Then ask every fifteen minutes, literally, "Is this helping me to achieve my goals today?" If it is not I write down "my great idea" for tomorrow's To-Do List.
Even if you devoted one hour a day to exercise, you would probably meet your fitness goals fast. Would you really achieve your fitness level and weight-loss goal if you tried to do it only one day a week? Probably not! So, don't do a week's work in one big flurry. Whether it's painting your house, fixing leaky faucets, or mowing your lawn and trimming your shrubs, do a part of it, or one particular job each day, and you'll be amazed at your progress.
Take care of your mail, answere letters, return phone calls, the same day you receive it. Don't let those bills and letters pile up on you. If you're unable to pay a bill immediately, file it in a special place that's visible, and note on the envelope the date you intend to pay it.
Once you start listing and planning what to do, carry out your plans, and you'll find "extra time" for handling your home-based income producing project. Most people do not like routines, but without a plan as to what is supposed to be done, your world is confussed and overwhelmed. Laws, ordinances and regulations are for the purpose of guiding people. We live according to an accepted plan or way of life, and the better we can organize ourselves, the more productive, happy, and free we become.
The real key to all financially, emotionally, and spiritually successful people is not wasting time and organizing. Think about it. Go over your own "normal" day and find where you can take a couple hours to accomplish tasks to achieve your goals.
Do what has to be done immediately. At first I had a really hard time figuring out how long a task would take. Sometimes I would be on target and other times I was way off. Don't let your inexperience stop you from moving forward. I use to use the excuse, "oh, I am just not smart enough to do this right, then" and get down on myself and continue in a downward spiral of feeling overwhelmed and confused. Tell your negative voice to "back-off" And tell your self you are learning. Just like a baby learning to walk... there will be days when you are struggleing.
Back away and start again tomorrow, and soon you will be "running".
When you really become involved in an extra income producing endeavor, plan out on paper what you have to do--what you want to do--and when you are going to do it. Then get right on each project without procrastination. Write out your objectives and don't think about it again, like Nike, "just do It".
Finally, and above all else, when you're organizing your time, make sure to schedule time for relaxation and your partner. Generally, the weakest point of neglect can be your own welfare and time with your spouse. Make time for you and your spouse to be together. don't exclude the love and support form those who matter most to you.
To reiterate: note the time you waste each day and then reorganize your activities. It's a matter of becoming more efficient in the use of your time. When you do become more organized your business will only accomplish more, and you will find greater success in your life (finanacially, physically, and emotionally).
You may really love what you are doing but the reason why you are sharing your ideas/products/services is because you want to earn extra income. The problem...who has time to "fit-in" a second or rather third or forth job and not feel like your head is going to explode? Assuming your job titles are like mine (Child Care Taker, Home Maker, Entreprenuer with sub catagories like, wife, taxi driver, shopper, volunteer aid in school, etc.)
It's a "given" most people are busy, however there is extra time for all types of home-based extra income producing projects. It may mean giving up or changing a few of your favorite pastimes--such as watching "Lost" or going out to share a drink with friends. However, take note that if you are able to earn extra income and really make it work for you, you will have more time to do what you want while you hire someont to clean your house, go grocery shopping, and walk the dog. I know my first goal is to delegate the house cleaning, especially the laudry and bathrooms!
Efficient time management really is just planning what you are going to do, and then doing it without. Start by making a list of the things you want to do tomorrow, each evening before you go to bed. Schedule your trips to the store or wherever to coincide with the other things you have to do, and with your trips to or from work. Organize your trips to take care of as many things as possible while you're out of the house.
Take stock of the time you spend on the telephone---and eliminate all that isn't necessary. This is really tough because I don't know about you but I am constantly getting side tracked not only by out side influences (like little munchkins who need to tgo to the doctor because a M&M is stuck up his nose) but also from my own "ideas".
So, I decided to do two things: Whatever chores you have to do at home, set aside a specific time to do them, and a specific amount of time to devote to them; and Then ask every fifteen minutes, literally, "Is this helping me to achieve my goals today?" If it is not I write down "my great idea" for tomorrow's To-Do List.
Even if you devoted one hour a day to exercise, you would probably meet your fitness goals fast. Would you really achieve your fitness level and weight-loss goal if you tried to do it only one day a week? Probably not! So, don't do a week's work in one big flurry. Whether it's painting your house, fixing leaky faucets, or mowing your lawn and trimming your shrubs, do a part of it, or one particular job each day, and you'll be amazed at your progress.
Take care of your mail, answere letters, return phone calls, the same day you receive it. Don't let those bills and letters pile up on you. If you're unable to pay a bill immediately, file it in a special place that's visible, and note on the envelope the date you intend to pay it.
Once you start listing and planning what to do, carry out your plans, and you'll find "extra time" for handling your home-based income producing project. Most people do not like routines, but without a plan as to what is supposed to be done, your world is confussed and overwhelmed. Laws, ordinances and regulations are for the purpose of guiding people. We live according to an accepted plan or way of life, and the better we can organize ourselves, the more productive, happy, and free we become.
The real key to all financially, emotionally, and spiritually successful people is not wasting time and organizing. Think about it. Go over your own "normal" day and find where you can take a couple hours to accomplish tasks to achieve your goals.
Do what has to be done immediately. At first I had a really hard time figuring out how long a task would take. Sometimes I would be on target and other times I was way off. Don't let your inexperience stop you from moving forward. I use to use the excuse, "oh, I am just not smart enough to do this right, then" and get down on myself and continue in a downward spiral of feeling overwhelmed and confused. Tell your negative voice to "back-off" And tell your self you are learning. Just like a baby learning to walk... there will be days when you are struggleing.
Back away and start again tomorrow, and soon you will be "running".
When you really become involved in an extra income producing endeavor, plan out on paper what you have to do--what you want to do--and when you are going to do it. Then get right on each project without procrastination. Write out your objectives and don't think about it again, like Nike, "just do It".
Finally, and above all else, when you're organizing your time, make sure to schedule time for relaxation and your partner. Generally, the weakest point of neglect can be your own welfare and time with your spouse. Make time for you and your spouse to be together. don't exclude the love and support form those who matter most to you.
To reiterate: note the time you waste each day and then reorganize your activities. It's a matter of becoming more efficient in the use of your time. When you do become more organized your business will only accomplish more, and you will find greater success in your life (finanacially, physically, and emotionally).
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Making Life Easy with Low-Cost Marketing
One of largest expenses of running your business is promotion and advertising, especially for a new or small business. Making your business known in a community at the lowest possible cost can be tricky and time consuming. However, there are many ways a business can do this.
A pet breeder in a large city was struggling for several years-until he came up with a novel idea. He started giving away customized "birth certificates" for the pets he sold. Almost immediately, his sales rose more than 10 percent. Now you even see specialty stuffed animal stores offering "birth certificates" with the purchase of a lovable critter!
The owner of a new home cleaning service was trying to attract clients. She couldn't afford much advertising, so she began offering "home cleaning seminars" to civic groups. After two months of seminars, she was swamped with inquiries and clients. So what may have looked as though the seminar would detract from her business because of 'teaching others to do what she was doing", it did just the opposite!
Promotion often makes the critical difference between business success and failure. Customers or clients always want to know about a business or product line before they'll buy and they must have a reason or justify their emotional reaction to buy.
If you are trying to promote your business now, you can move in one of two directions: 1) You can take the conventional route to promotion and mount an elaborate media campaign, spending a considerable amount of money or 2) You can let your creative juices flow and mount a low-cost promotion effort, using a potpourri of attention-getting gimmicks to bring your message to the buying public.
Please remember, conventional advertising is valuable. If your business is large enough or if you're selling a large product line, you may find that a full-fledged media campaign is the most efficient and cost effective way to promote your business.
However, if money is tight or you're not sure you can afford the hefty cost of a media campaign over a period of time, here is a list of low-cost techniques you can try. (Caution: Do Not try to do them all...some are not appropriate for all types of businesses and it would be too costly to do them all. Find the ones that you think will work the best for you and give them a try.)
1. GIVEAWAYS: People love to receive "free" items, especially items they can use to gain knowledge or improve their lives. You can base an entire promotional campaign on this desire. For instance, if you're running a furniture repair business you could give away a furniture repair brochure, free furniture planning guides, or color swatches. Once you begin giving away authoritative information customers will begin to perceive you as an expert in your field.
2. NEWS CREATION: Want to get names and news from your business in the local newspaper? It may be easier that you think. If you don't have any news to report to the local media, create some. Maybe you've taken on a new associate. Or maybe you're selling an unusual product line. Or maybe you've opened a free advice center for the community. Or maybe you've received an award from a civic or professional group. Local Pennysavers and weekly are often quite interested in business news of this sort and can help you attract the attention of thousands of people.
Also, look what is happening in the news and run on the coat-tails of that. Such as, a new piece of jewelry you created would be perfect for the "grandma who has everything" for Mother's Day. Or say there was a terrible car accident that was caused by a teen who was texting on his cell phone and you invented a piece of software that parents can use to block cell and texting use in a moving car. It is certainly a tragedy, but your product would certainly be more "in demand" by parents!
Just keep your eyes and ears open for opportunities where your product /services could really help your customers. The best product is one that customers are in demand of "right now".
3. EVENTS: You may be able to attract the attention of the media or a crowd by staging a special promotional event. If you run a fitness classes, for instance, you could stage a celebrity instructor day. If you're promoting a new real estate business, you can offer tours of a model home in the area. If you're selling children's products and it's springtime, you can offer lunch with the Easter bunny. Get the idea?
4. CHARITY TIE-INS: Are you launching a new product? Trying to increase visibility among a particular segment of your community? Offer your product to one or more local charities as a raffle prize or for use at a fund raising event such as a silent auction. You'll receive lots of exposure among people who buy tickets or attend the event.
5. CONTESTS: Offer a desirable or unique item-or even several items-as contest prizes. First, find a contest theme that tiers into your business. A caterer might offer a quiche-eating contest. A photographer might offer a young model contest. A mail order craft firm might offer an "Early American" handicrafts contest. Invite contest submissions and offer prizes to the winners. Do contests attract attention? You bet. All it takes is a few signs, a small press announcement or two, and the word will spread throughout the community grapevine.
6. COMMUNITY SERVICE: Nothing brings you to the attention of the people faster-or more favorably-than community service. Ask yourself how your enterprise can be a "good neighbor" to your community. If you're running a lawn care and gardening service, perhaps you can offer one season's services at no charge to a needy charitable organization or nursing home in your area. Hundreds of people will hear about your work in the process. Volunteer for various community causes. If appropriate, you can step in during community emergency, offering products and services to help an organization or individuals in need.
7. COUPONING: Americans are very coupon-conscious. Test the market... what level of coupons will increase the volume of various product or service lines? When you get some tentative answers, start distributing coupons that offer a discount on your services. Distribute them to area newspapers, on store counters, in door-to-door- mail packets (which can often be quite inexpensive), at the public library, at laundromats, at any location where people congregate.
8. BADGES AND NOVELTIES: You can easily and inexpensively produce badges, bumper stickers, book covers, and other novelty items for distribution in your area. You can imprint your business name and the first names of the customers on many of these products at little cost and distribute them for free. Or you can tie your novelty program into a contest: once a month, you can offer a prize to any individual whose car happens to carry one of your bumper stickers or badges with peel-off coupons, redeemable at your place of business.
9. CELEBRITY VISITS: With a bit of persistence, you may be able to arrange to have a local media celebrity, public official, or entertainment personally-even a fictitious cartoon character or clown-visit your service. The celebrity can sign autographs, read stories to children, perform cooking demonstrations, or perform any one of a hundred other traffic-building activities.10. CELEBRATE HOLIDAYS: You'll probably want to celebrate major public holidays with special sales. But celebrate some of theoffbeat holidays as well. Almost every business has a few little-known holidays. Ever hear of National Pickle Day, for instance? Or Cat Lovers Month? Once you find the "right" holiday, you can sponsor a special sale or special product arrange special media coverage of a holiday event.
11. GO WHERE THE PEOPLE ARE: Can you open sales information booths at community fairs and festivals? This promotional technique can work for gift retailers, craftspeople, and personal service firms. If you have the people and the time, can you handle regional fairs or even trade shows?
12. MAILING LISTS: Once you begin establishing a committed clientele, (perhaps you have an "opt-in" box on your site to collect names and emails) gather their names on a mailing list and start emailing! It is free and a great way to remind people of your services and products!) Plus, save the names from your mail orders and telephone inquiries. Eventually, you'll be able to send product circulars or even catalogs to the folks on your list and you'll be able to promise your products by mail. (** the best customer is one who has already purchased something from you!**)
13. SCAVENGER HUNTS: If you want people to buy NOW, offer them an unbeatable deal. If they bring an old product-a small appliance, a book, whatever-to you, you'll give them a worthwhile discount on a comparable new item. Or stage a general purpose scavenger hunt. Customers who bring in three canned goods for your community's food bank will receive a discount on products purchased that day.
14. PARTIES: Everyone loves a party. Why not celebrate the anniversary of your business or some special holiday by offering baked goods and beverages? If you're running a service business, perhaps you can offer an open house or obtain a small banquet room in your community. Besides refreshments, be sure the place is brightly decorated.
15. GREETING CARDS: Do you send out greeting cards to major customers or clients? Holidays, birthdays, and anniversaries make nicegreeting card occasions. Greeting cards create enormous goodwill and keep your name in front of people and associated you with a positive event or good feelings.
16. SEMINARS: In this information hungry age, people love to receive advice, especially about their personal needs and hobbies. If you sell health foods or run fitness classes, perhaps you can offer "wellness" seminars during lunchtime to your area's business community. If you're an interior decorator, perhaps you can offer one-hour decorating workshops to any group of ten people who will gather in someone's home. If you're running a printing business, perhaps you can offer tours and layout seminars at your plant.17. TELESEMINARS: Do you know what can align you with the experts? Interviewing the experts! For very low cost, you can invite an expert in your field to to an interview and record it and then write articles, press releases, etc. Customers automatically align you with experts when you are recorded with them.
18. TESTIMONIES: Has anyone ever given you a testimonial without even asking? Or even if you have asked for feedback about your product or services what your customers say about your product is almost more important to your potential customers than what you have to say.
Testimonials provide social proof and authority to your services and products. If you are looking to increase your targeted traffic or your exposure, increase your publicity efforts.
Advertise in the media if you can or must. But don't neglect your greatest promotional asset-your mind! Ask yourself what products, services, and events you can offer the community and create a promotional strategy around them. You'll have to invest a bit of time and energy in the project, but the payoff will be worth it.
You'll save hundreds-or even thousands-of advertising dollars and, better yet, you'll travel a well-worn shortcut to profit.You know your products and services better than anyone! With a little effort you can make a big stir and start branding who you are and what your product/service stands for.
A pet breeder in a large city was struggling for several years-until he came up with a novel idea. He started giving away customized "birth certificates" for the pets he sold. Almost immediately, his sales rose more than 10 percent. Now you even see specialty stuffed animal stores offering "birth certificates" with the purchase of a lovable critter!
The owner of a new home cleaning service was trying to attract clients. She couldn't afford much advertising, so she began offering "home cleaning seminars" to civic groups. After two months of seminars, she was swamped with inquiries and clients. So what may have looked as though the seminar would detract from her business because of 'teaching others to do what she was doing", it did just the opposite!
Promotion often makes the critical difference between business success and failure. Customers or clients always want to know about a business or product line before they'll buy and they must have a reason or justify their emotional reaction to buy.
If you are trying to promote your business now, you can move in one of two directions: 1) You can take the conventional route to promotion and mount an elaborate media campaign, spending a considerable amount of money or 2) You can let your creative juices flow and mount a low-cost promotion effort, using a potpourri of attention-getting gimmicks to bring your message to the buying public.
Please remember, conventional advertising is valuable. If your business is large enough or if you're selling a large product line, you may find that a full-fledged media campaign is the most efficient and cost effective way to promote your business.
However, if money is tight or you're not sure you can afford the hefty cost of a media campaign over a period of time, here is a list of low-cost techniques you can try. (Caution: Do Not try to do them all...some are not appropriate for all types of businesses and it would be too costly to do them all. Find the ones that you think will work the best for you and give them a try.)
1. GIVEAWAYS: People love to receive "free" items, especially items they can use to gain knowledge or improve their lives. You can base an entire promotional campaign on this desire. For instance, if you're running a furniture repair business you could give away a furniture repair brochure, free furniture planning guides, or color swatches. Once you begin giving away authoritative information customers will begin to perceive you as an expert in your field.
2. NEWS CREATION: Want to get names and news from your business in the local newspaper? It may be easier that you think. If you don't have any news to report to the local media, create some. Maybe you've taken on a new associate. Or maybe you're selling an unusual product line. Or maybe you've opened a free advice center for the community. Or maybe you've received an award from a civic or professional group. Local Pennysavers and weekly are often quite interested in business news of this sort and can help you attract the attention of thousands of people.
Also, look what is happening in the news and run on the coat-tails of that. Such as, a new piece of jewelry you created would be perfect for the "grandma who has everything" for Mother's Day. Or say there was a terrible car accident that was caused by a teen who was texting on his cell phone and you invented a piece of software that parents can use to block cell and texting use in a moving car. It is certainly a tragedy, but your product would certainly be more "in demand" by parents!
Just keep your eyes and ears open for opportunities where your product /services could really help your customers. The best product is one that customers are in demand of "right now".
3. EVENTS: You may be able to attract the attention of the media or a crowd by staging a special promotional event. If you run a fitness classes, for instance, you could stage a celebrity instructor day. If you're promoting a new real estate business, you can offer tours of a model home in the area. If you're selling children's products and it's springtime, you can offer lunch with the Easter bunny. Get the idea?
4. CHARITY TIE-INS: Are you launching a new product? Trying to increase visibility among a particular segment of your community? Offer your product to one or more local charities as a raffle prize or for use at a fund raising event such as a silent auction. You'll receive lots of exposure among people who buy tickets or attend the event.
5. CONTESTS: Offer a desirable or unique item-or even several items-as contest prizes. First, find a contest theme that tiers into your business. A caterer might offer a quiche-eating contest. A photographer might offer a young model contest. A mail order craft firm might offer an "Early American" handicrafts contest. Invite contest submissions and offer prizes to the winners. Do contests attract attention? You bet. All it takes is a few signs, a small press announcement or two, and the word will spread throughout the community grapevine.
6. COMMUNITY SERVICE: Nothing brings you to the attention of the people faster-or more favorably-than community service. Ask yourself how your enterprise can be a "good neighbor" to your community. If you're running a lawn care and gardening service, perhaps you can offer one season's services at no charge to a needy charitable organization or nursing home in your area. Hundreds of people will hear about your work in the process. Volunteer for various community causes. If appropriate, you can step in during community emergency, offering products and services to help an organization or individuals in need.
7. COUPONING: Americans are very coupon-conscious. Test the market... what level of coupons will increase the volume of various product or service lines? When you get some tentative answers, start distributing coupons that offer a discount on your services. Distribute them to area newspapers, on store counters, in door-to-door- mail packets (which can often be quite inexpensive), at the public library, at laundromats, at any location where people congregate.
8. BADGES AND NOVELTIES: You can easily and inexpensively produce badges, bumper stickers, book covers, and other novelty items for distribution in your area. You can imprint your business name and the first names of the customers on many of these products at little cost and distribute them for free. Or you can tie your novelty program into a contest: once a month, you can offer a prize to any individual whose car happens to carry one of your bumper stickers or badges with peel-off coupons, redeemable at your place of business.
9. CELEBRITY VISITS: With a bit of persistence, you may be able to arrange to have a local media celebrity, public official, or entertainment personally-even a fictitious cartoon character or clown-visit your service. The celebrity can sign autographs, read stories to children, perform cooking demonstrations, or perform any one of a hundred other traffic-building activities.10. CELEBRATE HOLIDAYS: You'll probably want to celebrate major public holidays with special sales. But celebrate some of theoffbeat holidays as well. Almost every business has a few little-known holidays. Ever hear of National Pickle Day, for instance? Or Cat Lovers Month? Once you find the "right" holiday, you can sponsor a special sale or special product arrange special media coverage of a holiday event.
11. GO WHERE THE PEOPLE ARE: Can you open sales information booths at community fairs and festivals? This promotional technique can work for gift retailers, craftspeople, and personal service firms. If you have the people and the time, can you handle regional fairs or even trade shows?
12. MAILING LISTS: Once you begin establishing a committed clientele, (perhaps you have an "opt-in" box on your site to collect names and emails) gather their names on a mailing list and start emailing! It is free and a great way to remind people of your services and products!) Plus, save the names from your mail orders and telephone inquiries. Eventually, you'll be able to send product circulars or even catalogs to the folks on your list and you'll be able to promise your products by mail. (** the best customer is one who has already purchased something from you!**)
13. SCAVENGER HUNTS: If you want people to buy NOW, offer them an unbeatable deal. If they bring an old product-a small appliance, a book, whatever-to you, you'll give them a worthwhile discount on a comparable new item. Or stage a general purpose scavenger hunt. Customers who bring in three canned goods for your community's food bank will receive a discount on products purchased that day.
14. PARTIES: Everyone loves a party. Why not celebrate the anniversary of your business or some special holiday by offering baked goods and beverages? If you're running a service business, perhaps you can offer an open house or obtain a small banquet room in your community. Besides refreshments, be sure the place is brightly decorated.
15. GREETING CARDS: Do you send out greeting cards to major customers or clients? Holidays, birthdays, and anniversaries make nicegreeting card occasions. Greeting cards create enormous goodwill and keep your name in front of people and associated you with a positive event or good feelings.
16. SEMINARS: In this information hungry age, people love to receive advice, especially about their personal needs and hobbies. If you sell health foods or run fitness classes, perhaps you can offer "wellness" seminars during lunchtime to your area's business community. If you're an interior decorator, perhaps you can offer one-hour decorating workshops to any group of ten people who will gather in someone's home. If you're running a printing business, perhaps you can offer tours and layout seminars at your plant.17. TELESEMINARS: Do you know what can align you with the experts? Interviewing the experts! For very low cost, you can invite an expert in your field to to an interview and record it and then write articles, press releases, etc. Customers automatically align you with experts when you are recorded with them.
18. TESTIMONIES: Has anyone ever given you a testimonial without even asking? Or even if you have asked for feedback about your product or services what your customers say about your product is almost more important to your potential customers than what you have to say.
Testimonials provide social proof and authority to your services and products. If you are looking to increase your targeted traffic or your exposure, increase your publicity efforts.
Advertise in the media if you can or must. But don't neglect your greatest promotional asset-your mind! Ask yourself what products, services, and events you can offer the community and create a promotional strategy around them. You'll have to invest a bit of time and energy in the project, but the payoff will be worth it.
You'll save hundreds-or even thousands-of advertising dollars and, better yet, you'll travel a well-worn shortcut to profit.You know your products and services better than anyone! With a little effort you can make a big stir and start branding who you are and what your product/service stands for.
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