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The Marketing Products You've Forgotten About
by Linda Laforge-Koebel, L.A. Designs
"Our brains are only so big"you may say to yourself after reading this list. When in business school or while developing your first business plan you learned all about the many ways there are to get your message out. You've probably become accustomed to using the same old methods, and have come to a point where you find it difficult to reach that next goal post. It may be as simple as going back to the original plan or a list like this to get those fires burning again.
Read this list with an open mind. Think of all of the possibilities, some even quite inexpensive, and redevelop your marketing plan. Utilize all of the most appropriate advertising tools for your business and you are sure to find your visibility has increased and your profits soaring.
Networking Tools
- Business cards
- Brochures/pamphlets/rack cards/flyers
- Post cards
- Newsletters
- Tradeshow displays
- Tradeshow giveaways
Sales Tools
- Websites (should contain all of the following)
- Product information sheets
- Point of sale material (P.O.S.)
- Articles written by you
- Thank you notes
- Birthday/anniversary cards
- Referral programs/cards
- Sales letters
- Presentations/training/seminars for potential clients, made in person and/or filmed
- Interactive CDs (can include website, games, information files, commercials...)
Advertisements
- Magazine/newspaper ads
- Flyers
- Posters
- Signage - building, automobile
- Billboards
- Bathroom billboards
- Transportation billboards - buses, bus stops, city benches...
- Direct mailing offers
- Radio commercials
- TV commercials
Databasing
Databasing your client and contacts help keep you in contact with your clients in a more personalized way, allowing you to remember birthdays, anniversaries and keeping you on their business schedule. This is a priceless advertising and marketing tool when utilized to its fullest.
Keep up to date on Fedaral and Provicial Laws regarding proper practices.
Non-category/promotional items
- Articles, written by you, displaying you as a specialist in your field
- Give-aways - pens, key chains, pads, calendars, desk clocks, mouse pads, gift CDs...
- Apperal - t-shirts, baseball caps, sweaters, jackets...
- act as both a thank you, a saleable product and as an advertisement.
- Write a Book - acts as both a saleable item and gift, making you the specialist. You can self publish a printed book and make it available as a PDF on your website.
Consistency is Key
Overwhelmed by the list? The trick here is to be consistent. The pros always display their logo, their colours and imagery, and their message in exactly the same way. This is what gives them their company image. After people have seen some of your material, without paying special attention, they recognize you more readily without even being conscious of it. This consistency takes advantage of human psychology. The more easily recognizable your business becomes, the more powerful your advertising becomes.
Linda Laforge-Koebel is an advertising
professional dedicated to the business success of her clients. To see
her portfolio and find more resources visit her at: http://www.CreativeEngineer.com or contact her by email at:
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