Welcome to the Fortune Friday Free Marketing Tips Featured Article!
November 17, 2011
Why Your Business Shouldn’t Advertise Like McDonald’s
See, with a multi- million – or even billion – dollar marketing budget you can buy the “know, like and trust” needed to make your business work. Human psychology is a funny thing… the more we hear or see something, the more we begin to trust in it (as long as what we hear and see isn’t negative); regardless of what our common sense tells us.
Why Infomercials Work
Think about how you’ve responded or reacted to certain product / brand messages over time. Those annoying 
infomercials are a great example of how constant bombardment of messaging can work. The first time you see one you think “what a crock, who would buy such a thing?”, or “that could never work”. Then, the 15th or 16th time you catch a glimpse of the extra fancy schmancy all-in-one fried chicken, quiche, and Bundt cake maker you’re intrigued.. “Hmmm. What does this do, really? Maybe I’ve been a little too hard on this extra fancy schmancy all-in-one fried chicken, quiche, and Bundt cake maker”.
Before you know it, you doubt your original impression of the product. Then, by the 50th or 60th time you see it, your brain starts telling you you might actually need one! (Come on, admit it, I know that’s happened to you too!).You may even have half a bottle of that “amazing, scientifically proven weight loss formula” in your medicine cabinet. Or that super-duper, extra cool tomato slicer stuffed away in a drawer somewhere. Or how many times have you been going about your day, minding your own business when you see an ad or a billboard for a Big Mac? And then suddenly, maybe without even realizing it, you’re craving McDonalds…???
Ok- so, yes, this type of advertising can “work”… depending on how you define “work”. But can you spend millions of dollars to be in front of everyone 24/7? Of course not! So then why are you trying to? Wouldn’t it make sense to find a marketing strategy that works for a company like yours; not like the McDonalds’ and Toyotas of the world?
Things you need to consider before trying to advertise like McDonald’s:
- Can you afford to invest in “awareness” advertising? There are a couple of different ways to advertise: there is direct response advertising (an offer) and “awareness” advertising (some people call it “top of mind”). Awareness advertising is about putting your name out there to raise awareness. If you aren’t’ doing this constantly and consistently it’s a waste of time and money.
- Do you have the budget to advertise consistently over time? A person will need to see an ad at least 3 times before remembering seeing it- and another 10 or so times before she starts to believe in the legitimacy of the company, product or service. If you don’t have the money to invest in a long-term consistent advertising campaign, you are throwing money out the window. One ad here and there isn’t going to do anything for you.
- Do you have realistic expectations about what the ad can do for you? Ok, so you have a few hundred bucks burning a hole in your pocket and want to place an ad. So you put a coupon in the paper for 10% off your product or service, turn on the “Open” sign and wait for the crowds to line up around the block…. And you wait… and wait… Nothing happens. As stated in #1 and #2, advertising is a process and must be done consistently and repetitively. Don’t expect to place one ad and have the products fly off the shelf and the phone to ring off the hook. Unless you are using the 2 Step advertising approach you probably won’t get the response you expect.
For more information about Marketing and how to make it most effective visit: http://FortuneMarketingCompany.com
It’s Marketing, Horn Tooting is Allowed!
November 14, 2011
How often do you remind your customers of all the little extras you provide that they most likely take for granted as just a routine part of doing business with you? If you’re like most of us, probably not often enough. Marketing is as much about reminding our existing customers of our value as it is attracting new customers. So how do you gently remind your customers of all the value you bring to them every day?
Here are a couple of ways I saw businesses do it this week that I think we can all learn from:
At the Vet
My vet’s office has a notice on their counter, nicely printed and in a decorative frame that reads,
“Dear Customers, We realize that times are tough for many these days and your pets are very important parts of your lives. That’s why we haven’t raised our rates in over 3 years. We want to make sure your best friend stays a happy healthy part of your family for years to come.”
This is brilliant on so many levels – I stood there just staring and re-reading in some kind of marketing-envy trance while my dog Capone tugged on the leash wanting to get the heck out of harm’s way.
Why is this so brilliant? What marketing purpose does this simple notice serve? For one, it tells their customers they care and they are looking out for our needs and interests – every customer wants to know a business cares, right?
WOW… again, brilliant! Really? Your job, not mine? These days I feel guilty just standing at the cash register staring at the cashier if there’s no bagger and these guys are telling me I don’t even have to unload my groceries , much less feel guilty about bagging my own? Ok, that’s worth the extra 5 cents for a box of cheerios!
With this simple sign Raley’s is marketing to existing customers; setting themselves apart from the other grocery stores and reminding me of why I shop there. It’s an excellent testimonial to the value they bring their customers every day. What this sign really says is, “Other grocery stores make you do their work for them… not here! We’re different. You’re the customer – relax and let us do our job, that’s what you pay us (a little extra) for! “
Do You Toot Your Own Horn?
So, what sets you apart and what are you doing to remind your customers? Do you offer free delivery? Do you perform complimentary audits or inspections? Do you offer longer payment terms than your competition? Have you not raised rates? What are the little – or not so little – things that you – and your customers take for granted?
Or did you win an award, donate, volunteer, fund-raise, or get mentioned in the news? Did a customer rant and rave about you? All of these things are toot-worthy! Put a notice on your invoices, website, or your next ad. Or include it in a Thank You, Birthday, or Holiday cards. Don’t be afraid to announce these things on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, your newsletter, – or even a special email to clients! It’s Marketing, horn-tooting is allowed!
By the way, if you liked this post, I’d really appreciate your Retweet!!! Thank you. 
Is Your Business Competing with SPAM?
August 23, 2011
We’re all familiar with the “who-actually-falls-for-this-stuff” SPAM and we all know its complete bogus.
For example: RE: I await to hear from you urgently Please I am seeking for your help (sic) From Google: Google winning notification Or the ones that actually warn you they’re SPAM in the subject line, what is up with that? Is their honesty and up-frontedness supposed to catch me off guard and mak
e me want to open it?
I think you get the point. Hilarious, right?!?
But what about the SPAM that isn’t so obvious? The emails from people we handed a business card to at a Chamber mixer (and did not give permission to be added to their list) or who friended us on Facebook or emailed us through the Contact page on our website? What about those SPAMMERS? They’re a little more insidious – but are you competing with them? I would hope not.
Here’s the thing. I get hundreds of SPAM emails a week some are of the hilarious type and some are from people who actually want my business and think that SPAMMING me is the way to get it. And what strikes me hilarious is that for each SPAM email I get, I probably know at least 5 businesses personally – or even virtually for that matter, that I would turn to if I were looking to hire that particular product or service. Why would I hire a complete stranger – and a SPAMMER at that?
So here’s my point: When I am working with small business owners to develop marketing systems for their businesses one of the key elements of that process is figuring how they are different so they can stand out in a crowd. One way you can be different is to NOT spam, another is to actually get out there – either off- or on- line and meet people. The more people who know you, the better your chances of being thought of when they are ready to buy what you have to offer. The whole goal here is to you’re your business known in your niche so that your target market never has to turn to a stranger!
Here are 4 things you can do so you don’t have to compete with SPAMMERS (or anyone else!):
- Network – This is a great way to meet potential clients and expand our sphere of influence. Join a networking group or two – and whatever you do, make sure the networking group, association or organization is full of people who fit your target market profile – or at least can introduce you to them. If your target market is women between the ages of 25 and 35, Rotary is probably not the best networking group for you.
- Engage in Social Media – I know thousands of people online. Some I’ve met face-to-face, some I haven’t yet, some I probably never will. But in today’s world, none of that matters. I have formed real professional relationships with people I may never meet face to face – and I’ve received and referred business to them! Social media is not about merely blasting ‘salesy’ stuff; it’s about educating, informing, and engaging an audience. This is a great way to stand out from the crowd and build some top of mind awareness for your brand.
- Blog– Blogging is a great way to promote your brand and build a reputation and credibility. Writing relevant, informative posts/articles will help you stand out from your competition (and certainly SPAMMERS). And blogging isn’t just about writing a few words and posting it to your blog site; you must become diligent about repurposing your blog posts and submitting them to sites that our target market reads to expand your reach.
- Be a giver - I was in sales and marketing for 17 years when I worked for other people and it wasn’t until I became a business owner that I realized the power of being a giver. I had always approached networking and relationship building with a “what’s in it for me” attitude. I now approach it with a “how can I help you attitude”. And the more people I meet the more I am able to refer and make introductions that can help other people. I enjoy this aspect of it much better than the old way! Being a giver instead of a taker, makes it that much more fun! When is the last time a SPAMMER gave you anything?
It boils down to this: our goal as business owners is to help our target market Know, Like, and Trust us so that when they are ready to buy, they buy from us (a John Jantsch, founder of Duct Tape Marketing saying). What are you doing each and every day to work toward that goal? If you don’t have an answer, your target market could be encouraging those SPAMMERS!
What do you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts on this!! Leave your comments here.
By the way, if you liked this post, I’d really appreciate your Retweet!!! Thank you.
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+Carolyn Higgins, President of Fortune Marketing Company
- Carolyn Higgins, President of Fortune Marketing Company specializes in helping small to medium sized businesses get the customers they need to sell more, increase profits and achieve all of their business and personal goals. We do this by implementing and managing marketing systems based on data and strategy - there is no guess work. For more information visit us at: FortuneMarketingCompany.com. We'd be glad to help!
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