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3 High-Impact Fixes For Your Marketing Woes
Copyright © 2005 Cutts Group, llc
3 High-Impact Fixes For Your Marketing Woes
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Start Your Internet Marketing on FULL THROTTLE.
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Also, did you know a domestic Jet from takeoff runs full
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Top Ten Email Marketing Mistakes made by Small Businesses
Top Ten Email Marketing Mistakes made by Small Businesses
Email marketing isn't complex or new. Yet we see the same mistakes being made over and over by the marketing executives, sales professionals and owners of small businesses.
If done...
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Imprinted Promotional Items - Their Many Marketing Applications
There are many uses for promotional items. This means that they are just not used as freebies for a grand opening special. Knowing all the uses for these nifty items, often called "swag," will open up many opportunities for your place of business.
Advertising Specialties
Look around you. You can probably count on two hands the number of items in your office or home that are etched, engraved or printed with someone's name- magnets, key chains, coffee mugs, calendars, rulers and note cubes. Oh, and how could we forget the pen or stress ball? These items were most likely given to you at no cost at a business you frequent, or perhaps were even sent to you. These are often given out at trade shows, seminars and other events open to the public. Even the businesses that have booths at the county fair have these types of giveaways. And, some businesses just have them out in their reception area. Others, like schools, may hand out pens, folders and lanyards at orientations and open houses. This marketing tool not only builds recognition but also is a way to gain your repeat business.
Business Gifts
Many of the above type of items are also used as business/corporate gifts. Items under this category sometimes also fall under higher price ranges too such as insulated travel mugs, clocks, messenger bags, polo shirts, fleece blankets, paper weights and more. These are generally sent to clients and vendors of a business to show their appreciation. They can be sent around the holidays, given out at receptions or just sent around an event specific to the company sending them. According to a Baylor University study, over half of the companies in America take part in this practice, and 68% of them find them to be very effective in helping achieve their business objectives. Some more reasons for business gifts: thanking customers, developing business and recognizing employees.
Premiums
Sometimes promotional items aren't free. But, the customer is not exactly paying for them either. Welcome to the world of premiums! If you sign up for this, you'll get this for free! And, this gimmick works! Have you ever donated to a charitable organization (like the Sierra Club) for a free newsletter subscription and t-shirt? Have you ever applied for a credit card to get an umbrella? Have you ever pledged to your local PBS station during a membership campaign for a Sesame Street plush toy? Or, have you ever switched banks to get a free beach blanket, or signed up for a health club for a free gym
bag? These are just an inkling of ways companies use premiums to win your business. Premiums are basically promotional products used as an incentive to gain your business. Many times, the item is not given until an obligation us fulfilled. So, if your company is seeking membership, subscriptions or even sales, attaching a premium is a smart way to attract new business!
Recognition Awards
Sometimes promotional items are created solely for inside purposes, such as the case with recognition awards. These can range from plaques and pins to jackets and messenger bags, and many other types of gifts. These can be used for reaching and exceeding goals, perfect attendance, leadership qualities, promotions, inside contests and much more. Unlike ad specialties and premiums, which cater to the public, these cater to employees to motivate and boost morale within the place they work. While the recognition may mean more than the actual item, it serves as a reminder of accomplishments. When others see someone with an award, their own performance may increase. In a way, a recognition award is sort of like a premium after all- there is an incentive to earn one.
Other Uses
Sometimes promotional items are given out to customers as prizes as events. This is similar to recognition awards, only these are usually smaller ticket items given to random customers. An example would be a special sale or promotion where people can enter to win at the store, perhaps there is a grand prize of a big-ticket item and runner-ups will be selected to win imprinted prizes donning your logo. Also, items like inflatables (balloons and other shapes) will draw attention to a business and are indeed considered promotional items. Also, everybody has seen items with logos up for sale in gift shops- think tourist attraction, or gift shops at the end of a company tour (Hershey, Crayola factory, etc). These are still promotional items, but are considered souvenirs and are bought my consumers. Shot glasses, pint glasses, mugs, license plate frames, bumper stickers, salt and pepper shakers and more can fall in to this category!
Cindy Carrera is a freelance creative author who's written numerous articles about PR including: business promotional items, custom promotional products and wholesale promotional items.
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Advertising, Marketing, Media and PR News - Brand Republic |
Find the latest Advertising, Marketing, Media and PR news from Brand Republic, the online resource for up to the minute advertising and marketing news and ... |
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Online Behavioral Contextual Advertising and Marketing. |
Promote your business with today's most effective online advertising technology, contextual advertising at a cost effective metric of CPC, PPC, CPM or CPV. |
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Sales Jobs / Marketing Jobs / Advertising Jobs - MarketingJobs.com |
Employment site for marketing and sales professionals. |
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The Chartered Institute of Marketing |
The Chartered Institute of Marketing is the world's largest international marketing professional body and helps with career support and information ... |
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Marketing: See what people are saying right now on Technorati |
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Marketing knowhow from professionals. Newsletter, articles and how-to's. |
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Guerrilla Marketing Online - The Official Site |
Guerrilla Marketing Online is anonline magazine for small business, entrepreneurs, sales people and marketers of all kinds. |
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Business Marketing - Small Business Marketing |
Business marketing - Read everything your need to know about small business marketing. |
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All About Marketing |
Adapted from Field Guide to Nonprofit Program Design, Marketing and Evaluation ... Inbound Marketing Includes Market Research to Find Out: ... |
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ClickZ Internet Marketing Solutions for Marketers |
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Direct Marketing Association: Telephone, Mail & Internet Marketing |
Trade association for users and suppliers in the direct, database and interactive marketing fields, offering seminars and resources, and lobbying for ... |
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