Roger Vivier Online, Roger Vivier Outlet Online, Roger Vivier Usa 100% Risk Free- Up to 78% Off, View Roger Vivier Outlet Store Online Sale
Friday, April 26, 2013
Staying safe this festive season
Michael Kors comes to Danbury
How To Cure Athlete's Foot
Shoes and sheets get wired
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Claudia Ciuti Shoes
Pittsburgh Pirates Shoes
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Discount Louis Vuitton Handbags for The Real You
Update What Works and What Doesn't
Here's a report that might help you out. This is
the latest update on what works and what doesn't
in online marketing (Dec. 2000).
I will take you through what doesn't work, first.
1. Blasting your ad to FFAs
Avoid these with extreme prejudice. Nobody ever
visits these anymore. Plus your ad is listed for
only minutes.
2. Classified ads boards.
These don't work either. At least not for Biz Opps
Even in Yahoo! They don't work at all. Waste of
time.
3. Blasting your ad to free opt in lists.
Don't work. You'll get 2 to 3 responses. this wont
guarantee sales. Free opt-in list work only if you
use a particular method described below:
verdeneon/$3_gets_$10/
4. Blasting your ad to paid opt in lists.
Don't work. In order for them to work you must
chose new lists, no older than a month and with
under 500 subscribers. And even then you only
get under 10 responses.
If you're thinking about these "1,000,000 subscriber"
companies, think twice a about paying your $39.95 to
these companies. These are just a bunch of useless
free opt-in lists that everyone else is blasting to and
not really paying to much attention to. Again you only
get10-20 people per blast. It really isn't all they make
it to be. It's all hype and emotional style propaganda.
5. Ezine advertising.
Doesn't work. If you're submitting your classified
ad to ezines, you're a complete fool. You need a top
sponsor ad and you need ezines that have a large loyal
following and increases in subscribers at least 100
per week. If this isn't happening, then you've wasted
your time and money.
You must take in consideration that an ezine is viewed
completely the first few issues, then the subscriber
just scans the issue for any relevant topics, disregarding
the ads completely.
Plus you need your top sponsor ad in several ezines
just to break even. This can be very expensive and there
are no guarantees on the success of your ad campaign
even on large subscriber ezines.
6. Ezine Solo ads.
Don't work. Again, same as above. Veteran subscribers
do not read solo ads. In fact, they are annoyed by them.
Only new subscribers read solo ads, so the ezine must
be increasing in subscribers every week.
7. Banner exchanges.
These don't work. Unless you already have lots of hits
to your site. If you have 1:1 exchange and you have 200
hits a day to your site, then that's just 200 impressions
you get on other sites, but it's not guaranteed hits to
your site. So just forget that idea.
8. Banner Ad campaigns.
Don't work. Some people say they do some say they don't.
I'll tell you that you need a lot of impressions to make
a "good impression" We're talking about 5 million to start
with. This is really expensive. At a $1 CMP (cost per thousand)
that's $5,000. This will guarantee aprox. 20,000 hits
It's pretty good if you have $5000 hanging around.
9. Search Engines and Directories
Don't work. They might have worked 6 months ago or earlier.
I'll tell you why they don't work. URL submission to search
engines is like throwing a basketball from one side of
the court to the other and trying to make it in while there
are a thousand other people trying to make it in as well in
the same basket at the same time. It's ludicrous and useless.
Then once you're in, you have to be sure your listing is in the
top 3 or you lose. It's that simple. So if there is a
submission company that can guarantee top 3 for a popular
keyword or keywords in the 5 major search engines and
directories, then you have a chance to get some extra hits
a day.
Note: All these variable must be there or you lose:
Top 3; the right keywords; 5 major search engines.
Again, taking all the variables plus what I mentioned before,
it's riduculous to even try. Another thing is that it usually
takes week even months to get listed. Forget about it!
10. Ad swaps.
Don't work. Unless you swap strategically and even then
you need to swap with many other websites to get a decent
number of hits. And since you need to put the other site's
ad on your site/ezine, your biz will look like a classified
ad section of the newspaper and no one will want to visit
your site again.
Ok, what works' There's only one thing you need:
100% GUARANTEED TARGETED VISITORS.
Any company that can guarantee a specific number of hits
in a particular time frame is a "winner" in my eyes. This
is crucial for any online business. You have to get results.
You need guaranteed traffic. Once you have that traffic
it's up to you to get the visitors in a confident buying mood.
But I will say from experience that traffic is the key.
The biz with the most targeted visitors wins. That simple.
You can control everything that happens on your site,
from ad copy to delivery. So that is your job; to get
everything on your site working smoothly. You must
now get control of your traffic.
That's the only way to succeed online:
100% GUARANTEED TARGETED VISITORS.
Article Tags: Don't Work
Online Communities - A marketers wildest dream and worse nightmare!
The nightmare for marketers in online communities are the flamers. Flamers are the people who regularly post complaints, and start arguments in the community. Some of them are simply marketers with ads in the electronic signatures on their messages who go around flaming every commercial message. These people do it to get more attention for themselves and their business. Most online communities seem to condone this flaming, and go as far as banning anyone who posts an article which gets significant flaming. Flamers often become top posters in communities and are given "authoritative privileges" to change messages, and sometimes even ban "offenders" from the community. What makes the situation worse for marketers is most of these events are made public. Many moderators brag of their actions as the last post in a thread of messages and lock the topic so no one else can post to it. These message threads can remain online for years and leave permanent damage. Some of these threads show up on search engines for obscure search terms which don't get much attention, but enough to cause alarm. Few marketers would want to see an article they posted get flamed and the entire conversation in top listings on search engines. This is a marketing nightmare!
There is a fine line between "Advertising" and "Corporate news". This line is so small that any marketer in a forum is constantly on the edge of a public relations nightmare. The danger is that these discussions don't go away quickly. They are often archived, staying on the net for years and getting thousands of visitors. This permanent scar can seriously limit a marketers ability to spread important information with others in various industries. eSpirit Communications deals with this problem by providing a classifieds section of the community for pure advertisements. At eSpiritCommunications.Com it is up to the marketer to decide if the information they're posting is an advertisement or news.
A marketers "Dream" is to reach their target audience. Forums have been attracting visitors for years, but these new communities offer a little bit more. They tend to be part of a larger service, have a more general "theme", and more features. eSpirit Communications is a communications and web development company which implemented an online community for businesses, advertisers, and the average consumer. The community has a wide range of topics covering many industries and a fast growing member base. Unlike search engine ranking which can take months to produce web site traffic, these quality posts generate traffic within hours and in some cases, seconds. This is the "Marketers dream", an instant targeted audience for their marketing messages. This makes online communities an important marketing and information resource.
eSpirit Communications is revolutionizing online communities. As more people use their online community the amount of quality information is increasing. The consistent growth in the number of members in the community shows that information and advertisements can stand side-by-side without driving away visitors. As more online communities revise their terms of service to allow advertisements these communities should become much more valuable resources to both businesses and consumers.
Three Ways Flat Rate Conferencing Can Help Grow Your Business
There is no question that teleconferencing is revolutionizing the way that people do business, both on the Internet and offline.
Internet marketers, coaches, consultants, counsellors, major corporations, even Sunday School teachers are using teleconferencing to stay in contact with their staff, clients, potential customers, and classes without having to set up a meeting place.
Teleconferencing has also added a new dimension to the way people can teach and deliver information over the Internet. Seminars and classes can now be held for hundreds of people at the same time without having to leave their homes. With a preset date and time, people can call a number and either learn more information about a topic or participate in a forum of discussion.
Charges for admission to these types of calls can be anywhere from $20 to $30 up to $100's of dollars for typically one hour.
Three Ways To Boost Your Income And Grow Your Business
Teleconferences can lead to an amazing growth in your income, and credibility as an expert on a given situation. You can also ADD more to your conferencing by utilizing flat rate conferencing.
Flat rate teleconferencing is simply setting up an account for unlimited monthly conference calls for a set rate. By doing so, marketers are seeing exponential growth in both their reach of new customers and as a byproduct, their income.
In watching this use of flat rate telenconferencing among individual marketers, corporate executives, coaches, and consultants I have singled out three ways that flat rate conferencing can lead to added growth and income.
1. Talk As Much As You Want.
Typically the average conference call would last for one hour. But, there are times when the conversation, and/or, meeting would take on a whole new life and 60 minutes just isn't enough time. But, either the call is cut off or the host has to pay extra charges.
With flat rate conferencing you can host your call for as long as you want with no worries of extra charges or disonnections. People are more at ease and can have added time to grasp what is being taught or talked about.
2. No reservations needed.
With regular conference calls you need to reserve your bridge in advance. With flat rate calling, there is no need. You can set up calls wihthin a minutes notice if need be.
This works well with telecommuters and for staff meetings.
3. You can set a conferencing budget.
If you can budget something every month you can use it to grow your income. With flat rate teleconferencing you are able to know every month how much you'll be spending on it and know how much you'll be earning with it.
If you're using teleconferencing to hold paid seminars or courses you can hold as many as you want each month for the same price.
People Are Learning More And Enjoying It
Teleconferencing has not only changed the way that people do business online, and added a new income avenue, but it has also helped alot of people get started with their own business, changed the way they learn, has helped coaches and counselors give more attention to their clients, and Sunday School teachers lead a lesson to shut ins and people who were on vacation.
And people are enjoying the new option of attending a seminar or class without leaving thier home.
Flat rate conferencing is going to add a new way for people to experience this more often and give businesses, and teachers, a new tool to reach more people.
Does your Internet Marketing Pull
"Pull Marketing" has always been, and will continue to be the
most effective internet marketing strategy at your disposal.
Allow me to explain. Most marketing efforts can be placed into
one of three categories:
1. "Push Marketing" or advertising basically screams at the
viewer. "Hey Look at ME, Buy My Stuff NOW!" Because we are
exposed to this type of marketing thousands of times a day, we've
learned to tune it out, hate it and even protest against it. Look
at SPAM for instance. People even get arrested for using email
to "Push" their offers in front of us!
With Push Marketing we have no choice in the matter. We get a
sales pitch whether we want it or not. And who doesn't want a
choice in what they see, read or hear'
2. "Permission Marketing" on the other hand aims to seduce us
into allowing others to advertise to us. They offer up promises
of great useful content, special offers and discounts if we sign
up, opt-in or subscribe. It's effective but loosing ground day
by day as we see the content more and more diluted by the ads.
Basically, they ask us if they can advertise to us and we have a
choice whether the content they're offering is valuable enough
to us to put up with the ads.
3. "Pull Marketing" is when people come to you, with a purpose.
If I'm seeking the services of a programmer to develop a script
for a web site I'm working on, the first place I begin my search
is either a search engine or a site where I know programmers can
be found like Elance. I actually visit these sites with a
purpose and seek out the best person for the job.
Maybe I read an article or web based tutorial on designing
scripts for my purpose. Maybe I searched through HotScripts
and couldn't find what I was looking for.
The Point is, I went looking for them. I took the time and energy
to find them and I'm ready to buy now. I'm the most targeted
prospect the programmer could ever hope for.
Now, the key to effective Pull Marketing on the internet is
visibility. If that programmer was not visible when I went
searching he would have lost the sale. He used Pull Marketing to
his advantage and it was to my advantage as well because I
needed his services at the time.
Here are 7 ways to implement "Pull Marketing" into your internet
marketing strategy:
1. Make sure your web site is listed in the major search engines.
Your site needs to be optimized so that it is listed under the
appropriate keywords and phrases, making it visible when your
potential customers and clients are ready to buy.
2. Make your expertise memorable by writing informative articles
relevant to your industry or niche. Make those articles visible
by submitting and syndicating them to sites and ezines for
future publication.
3. Contribute meaningfully to online forums where your potential
customers gather to exchange their views, opinions and talk about
their problems. Leave a subtle keyworded link in each of your
postings. Now that other forum visitors know who you are and what
you know, they'll be more inclined to check out your link.
4. Brand your email with a signature. Every email you send out
should have a short blurb at the end along with your URL. Make
sure the main benefit of your business is stressed and make it
compelling and irresistable. Make it memorable.
5. Provide a content rich web site that pulls visitors into
interacting in some way. They have to come back for the newest
articles, they have to come back to see the results of a poll or
quiz they took part in. Constantly give your web site visitors
a reason to return.
6. Leave your URL and signature on any other related sites that
allow link submissions or link exchanges. Sign guestbooks, send
webmasters testimonials touting what a great source of info their
site has been to you. They may publish it, and your URL right on
their main page.
7. List your site in the appropriate category of every online
directory you can find. Drill down through the categories as if
you were a prospective customer looking for the services you
offer and submit your liating there. Targeted visibility
will do wonders for your marketing pull.
The bottom line is: Visibility is the key to effective "Pull
Marketing". You need to be there when your customers come
looking.
louis vuittonlouis vuitton outlet_2_3
When the great Carthaginian general Hannibal was just a boy, his father forced him to declare his undying hatred for Rome. After his father’s death, Hannibal used that rage to propel him in a lifelong battle with the emerging Roman Empire.
Hannibal crossed the Alps with his army and its elephants. He defeated the Romans in battle after battle. Unfortunately for Carthage, Hannibal was wonderful at winning battles, but incompetent at winning wars.
After Hannibal’s death, Rome took its wrath upon Carthage. The Romans destroyed the city, sold the inhabitants into slavery and sowed the land with salt so that no city could ever rise on that spot again.
The story of Hannibal points out two truths about developing a singular identity.
First, it helps to choose a well-known enemy. Two thousand years after his death, Hannibal still ranks with Alexander, Caesar and Napoleon as one of the most famous generals of all time. (Just as Hannibal had Rome as his enemy, Alexander had Persia, Caesar had Pompey and Napoleon had Wellington.)
Second, it is important to choose the right enemy. By choosing Rome, Hannibal selected an enemy he could not defeat, an enemy he was force to fight on its home turf, and an enemy that was so ruthless that it wiped Carthage from the earth.
So what is the right enemy'
To begin, it’s important to realize there are two kinds of useful enemies.
The first is competition.
If you are anything less that the No.1 brand in your category, then your competitive enemy is whoever is on top. For Pepsi, the enemy is Coke. For Oracle, the enemy is Microsoft. For Reebok, the enemy is Nike.
If you are clearly the No. 1 brand, then your enemy is the No. 2 brand. You can’t declare war on everyone. You must define your enemy to get any use out of your enemy.
Always try to define the battle as No. 1 versus No. 2., and forget everyone else.
The second kind of useful enemy is a public problem. This type of enemy gives you the opportunity to define your identity by seizing an issue.
Declare war on illiteracy, or on disease, or on famine. Take on any significant public problem that appeals to you.
But make sure of three things:
1. Your company has a logical, apparent connection to the cause. Exxon Mobil is contributing funds to help save endangered tigers. This is logical, given the long history of Exxon’s mascot, the Exxon tiger. Yes, it’s tenous. But it’s logical, and that’s what counts.
2. Your company has the resources to make a significant impact on the problem. Don’t take on hunger in Africa if you lack the time, money and resources to actually help alleviate hunger in Africa. You want a cause that is large enough to register with the public, but one that isn’t so large that it straps your company or makes it look foolish.
3. Your company can remained committed to the cause for the long haul. How long' For all practical purposes, forever. The last thing you want is to become known as the company that used to do that very important thing that really helped the community, but quit.
Now you may ask why it’s so important to have an enemy. Because we are defined by our rivals.
In the world of boxing, Joe Frazier was defined by his rivalry with Muhammad Ali. Among airlines, Pan Am was defined by its battle with TWA. Among department stores, Macy’s was defined by its war with Gimbel’s.
David was defined by Goliath.
Churchill was defined by Hitler.
The Hatfields were defined by the McCoys.
If you want to create a singular identity, you must contrast your position with a rival. You need an enemy.
Don’t wait for an enemy to appear through happenstance. Find the right enemy and declare war now.
Copyright 2003 by W.O. Cawley Jr.
Credibility. It's not what you think.
Look up 'Credible' in Websters Dictionary and you'll find: "Capable of being credited or believed; worthy of belief; entitled to confidence; trustworthy."
OK, so no surprise there.
Credibility gives you permission to speak, and gives the person you're speaking to permission to listen.
Regardless of whether you are in the service business or you sell a hard product, everyone needs to establish their credibility, especially with prospective clients. But if you're a consultant, advisor, or coach, then it's harder for your clients to evaluate the value of your advice and recommendations.
For you, credibility is everything. And if you have it, you can move quicker into a more productive discussion about issues and solutions without having to justify everything you say. You can be more relaxed. You can let your guard down a little.
With your credibility clearly established, you can be more confident to ask for the business.
So far, I'm not telling you anything you didn't already know. What you might not know is what credibility really is in a business context beyond the dictionary definition – how people perceive credibility and how you can establish credibility more quickly and easily.
Ask a traditional marketer what's the best way to establish your credibility and he or she will tell you to list your biggest clients or describe one of your most impressive case studies. If you listen to yourself as you speak to new clients, you might hear yourself talking about your credentials as way to establish how smart you are.
It's true that your client list, successes and testimonials all play a role in credibility, but they miss the mark if you hang your hat on them. Here's why. What is probably going on in the head of the person you're talking to is this: "Wow, that sounds great and I have no doubt that you did an excellent job for them, but my situation is different…"
Cost of Entry
Guess what' Excellent credentials, a strong client list, impressive successes with other clients – they're the cost of entry simply to be considered as a possible supplier or partner. They're expected. It would be more surprising to people if you don't have them rather than the fact that you do.
It doesn't even do much to differentiate you from your competition. After all, your competitors are also talking about their excellent credentials, strong client list, impressive successes. And the more talk about the same things, the more you leave your new prospective client with a big 'so what''
Besides, your prospect may have gotten your name from an existing client or they picked up some of your printed literature or went through your website. As a result, they've probably already checked your credentials and might even know some of your clients.
So what should you talk about to establish your credibility'
Nothing. Don't 'talk' about anything.
The absolute best thing you can do when you meet a new prospective client is to ask questions and then listen.
Remember, the only thing that counts in your prospect's mind is how well you understand his or her situation. And the only way you can demonstrate that is by asking questions – a lot of questions. Simple questions, pointed question, questions that rephrase what the person has just told you, questions that allow you to test your hypotheses about challenges and obstacles the person might be facing, leading questions, questions that hint at what you probably already know you'd recommend if your prospect were already a client.
The only thing that counts in your prospect's mind is how well you understand his or her situation.
In fact, the mere act of asking questions forces your prospect along a line of reasoning that demonstrates you really do know what you're talking about. And when you follow up with suggestions and recommendations, you have all the credibility you need. Why' Because you asked all the right questions!
Like A Surgeon
If you're not ready to accept this approach, imagine that you're sitting in a doctor's office because you have a sore back. Would you be impressed if, five minutes into the consultation, he or she recommended back surgery'
Probably not -- so why should your clients and prospects be 'sold' on your solutions before they are totally convinced that you understand the problem'
A good doctor will ask questions to reveal other symptoms. "Does the pain radiate downward'" "Is it accompanied by abdominal pain'" "Oh, and are you also experiencing excessive urination, especially at night'"
If the answer is 'no', then the doctor simply moves on to another line of questioning. If the answer is 'yes', the doctor explains how all these symptoms indicate that nothing's wrong with your back. Instead, you have kidney stones!
Not in a million years would you have linked these different symptoms together. Most importantly, it's his or her ability to paint a complete picture of what was going on that really impresses you.
That's credibility.
And it's more than simply focusing on your client's pain – as you might have heard from other so-called sales experts.
Using the Essential Message approach, the pain is just one of several symptoms. By uncovering other symptoms, and by showing how they all link to the real problem, you are establishing enormous credibility before jumping in with your recommendation.
A Real-Life Example
A very senior, seasoned and successful accountant was sitting in the workshop. His arms were folded across his chest, and his face practically had 'prove it' written across his forehead.
You know the type.
Soon after my introduction, he raised his hand and proceeded to tell me and the other people in the workshop why accountants could not do marketing like other companies. I let him speak. He then explained that he had learned a long time ago that if he wanted people at social functions to talk to him, the last thing he should say was that he was an accountant. He'd tell people he was a movie producer or had some other glamorous career. When he was done, all I asked him was to keep an open mind.
About a half hour later, I was talking about how credibility was rooted in our ability to understand the other person's situation. To prove my point, I picked up an accounting publication that had published one of my articles:
"Do people get all excited when you start talking about your business or about accounting in general' Once people at a party find how that you’re an accountant, does the news travel around the room with lightening speed until suddenly, you find yourself mobbed with pretty young men and women who all want your autograph, or at least display a sincere interest in your career and hang onto your every word'
I didn’t think so."
I stopped reading and put the article down. That was it. He laughed, unfolded his arms, and gave himself permission to listen to what I had to say. To quote Webster's, in that moment he deemed me ' worthy of belief'.
And by the end of that day, he pulled me aside and said, 'I'm going to have to figure out how to get my partner into this workshop.'
So next time you're standing in front of a prospective new client, or sitting across from someone at a boardroom table, resist the urge to prove how smart you are. Hold back and just listen. Then ask a few questions. Then listen. Then ask a few more questions. Then offer a tidbit of a recommendation. Then listen. Then ask a few more questions. Then listen.
Then ask for the business.
Article Tags: Talking About, Client List,, Listen Then, Questions Then
Revitalize Your Business To Increase Your Sales
REVITALIZE YOUR BUSINESS TO INCREASE YOUR SALES
Copyright 2002 Bob Leduc
Is your business going through a period of slow or no
growth' Here are 4 low-cost ways you can revitalize your
business - and increase your sales.
1. PROMOTE A NEW USE FOR YOUR PRODUCT OR SERVICE
Find and promote a new way customers can benefit by using
your product or service. You will immediately attract a new
group of potential customers. You will also capture
customers from your competitors who cannot provide or do
not promote this new benefit.
For example, I recently saw a promotion for a well-known
marketing course normally sold to individuals. The
promotion targeted sales organizations and offered a
special group purchase plan. It stressed how the course
would increase the sales organization's productivity and
income.
2. USE A NEW METHOD OF ADVERTISING
Test some new methods of advertising to attract a fresh
group of prospective customers.
For example, print your best small ad on 4 by 6 inch
postcards and mail them to a list of prospects in your
targeted market. Postcards cost very little to prepare and
send. And your promotions will not be seen by competitors
who see (and copy) them in most other media.
TIP: Continually test new marketing methods - and old ones
you never tried. You can reach more prospects and generate
more sales with a variety of marketing methods than with
just one or two.
3. GENERATE SOME FREE PUBLICITY
Publicity is what you get when someone else promotes (or
you get them to promote) your business. It establishes more
credibility with prospective customers than advertising and
generates sales at a much lower cost.
Look for ways you can generate some free publicity for your
business. For example, contact non-competing businesses
serving customers in your market. Offer to publicize their
products or services to your customers in exchange for
their publicizing your services to their customers.
CAUTION: Do not expect free publicity to replace the
results you get with advertising. Use it to supplement your
advertising. You control where and when your advertising
appears. You cannot control where or when you get publicity
...or whether you get any at all.
4. CONVERT YOUR CUSTOMERS INTO PUBLICITY AGENTS
Satisfied customers can be your most effective publicity
agents. Give them an incentive to tell their associates and
friends about the value of your products or services. An
endorsement from them is much more effective than
advertising - and it is much cheaper.
For example, ask your customers for referrals. Offer to
reward them each time one of their referrals becomes a
customer. Your reward can be as simple as a special
discount on their next order or a special bonus item.
Every business goes through periods of slow or no growth.
When it happens to you, use these 4 low-cost marketing
tactics to revitalize your business - and increase your
sales.
Bob Leduc spent 20 years helping businesses just like yours
find new customers and increase sales. He just released a
New Edition of his manual, How To Build Your Small Business
Fast With Simple Postcards and several other publications to
help small businesses grow and prosper. For more information:
Email: BobLeduc@aol Subject: "Postcards"
Phone: 702-658-1707 After 10 AM Pacific Time/Las Vegas, NV
Warm Up Winter Sales with Promotional Items
The beginning of the year is a great time to woo new business and romance existing customers with special offers and gifts to remind them that you really do love them. If you’re looking for ideas for promotional items and campaigns to keep your business perking away after the holiday, here are some tips that can help you plan.
Start your planning early.The sooner you start your planning, the more firmly you can make your plans. Though you might want to take advantage of the post-holiday sales to actually place your orders for promotional items, getting them planned out ahead of schedule will help you focus on your market and your immediate goals.
Choose a theme for your promotion and fit promotional items to that theme.While winter promotional items are still appropriate, you’ll make a big hit with your customers if you take this time to remind them that winter doesn’t last forever. A summer in January theme could be just the thing to perk up your customers and bring them in to enjoy a beach party sale.
Appeal to good intentions.Seriously. Everyone makes new years resolutions with the best of intentions, but they’re often forgotten by mid-January. Hold a “Good Intentions” promotion that plays off the most commonly sworn resolutions. It’s an especially good time for public service campaigns that emphasize fitness, health and savings, with promotional items that fit any of those goals. You might choose to use pedometers, money boxes for saving or personal planners to help your customers get organized.
Order early, but ask about post holiday discounts.Many suppliers of promotional items hold post-holiday promotions themselves. If you’re planning a sales or promotional event after the holidays, take a few moments to discuss upcoming promotions with a sales representative for your promotional products company.
Offer your customers a vacation from winter with luxury loyalty gifts.If you’re sick of winter already, you can bet that your customers are feeling the same way. Gear your winter promotional items to the little luxuries that make winter living bearable. Luxury items like incense and candle sets, vintage wines with bespoke labels, bath soaps and spa sets make great promotional items for loyalty programmes and gifts for your best customers.
Of course, there are all the usual winter promotional items as well. Fleece jackets and wool hats are always well-received. Your customers will always appreciate ice scrapers and snow brushes to help them deal with the foul weather. A sturdy umbrella is more appreciated in the winter time than at nearly any other time of year. Promotional mugs, pens and notebooks always have their place, and if you choose to go with tradition, no one will fault you. If, on the other hand, you want your customers to sit up and take notice, try promotional items that help warm up their chilly hearts this winter.
Article Tags: Winter Promotional Items, Promotional Items, Winter Promotional
To what extent the smartbox concept might hit the bull's eye in Tourism Marketing
1. Tourism Marketing
1.1. Definition and characteristics
Services marketing have four key characteristics:
Intangibility
A service cannot be seen, touched, held or put on a shelf. Difficulty of ownership
Simultaneity
(Inseparability of production + consumption) Mostly, the production and consumption of the service performance occur simultaneously
Heterogeneity
(Variability)It is hard for a service organization to standardize the quality of its service performance
Perishability
Most services cannot be produced or stored before consumption, they exist only at the time of their production
1.2. Stakes and limits
“7P’s of Services Marketing”
- Product- Services : There are offered by companies and retailers so the realisation is not sure and not under the smart box company power.
- Price : find a good price and compromise with the retailers in order to offer a good relation between the good, quality and the price
- Place: There is different possibilities for SME, join a network of similar companies (such as Logis de France or Best Western) or stay independent but the necessity to work with a distributor is more and more present.
- Promotion : “Techniques used to stimulate the short term demand, improving the rhythm or the purchase level of a product or a service by customers or intermediaries”, (Wendy Spinks, University of the sunshine coast, Australia).
The competition is more and more important so the companies need to differentiate themselves. Due to the crisis, the customer is more and more exigent.
Two different ways can be used:
- Psychological: motivate the client by the promise of specific advantages
- Tangibles/ Materials: give information to the clients thanks to visual and physical supports (flyers, brochures, stickers…)
- People: Employees here are from every distribution channel, retailer and the Smartbox company, that is why it is really hard to be sure about their performance.
- Process :
- Physical Evidence : boxes are giving tangibility and evidence to the goods and services proposed, for that the fact that these boxes are available in the different channel is a good point.
1.3. Evolution and development
According to Philippe Callot, in Tourism there is a continual improvement of what is done and offered. It is important to innovate and bring out new applications to make the most of it and be successful. (“Tourisme et PME” p23, Philippe Callot. Edition Lavoisier, 2006. ESCEM)
Tourism is a sector really important in our society and always moving, however because of the crisis and the fear of people, new tools, goods or services must be developed and bring out in order to push on this market. For instance, the development of the smart box concept is innovative and trying to touch a new market. Moreover, one of the key factor of the success in this market is the loyalty of the customer.
2. Smartbox Concept
2.1. Definition and characteristics
Content
Book or/and DVD
Price
Common price for one box in a given thematic
Themes
Vast: Adventures, gastronomy, discovery, entertainment and well-being
Advantages
Security,
Choice but not too vast, delimited
Do not have to look for information, already given
Strategy
BtoC and BtoB
Short stay, Time of an experience
Stakes
Quality
Availability
Distribution
Market
Numerous competitors
Smartbox against Wonderbox
Coffret Liberty, Happy Box, Weekend Tour, Rêves à la Carte, Smartweekend, Weekendbreak, Coffret infini…
Smartbox is the leader on the « gift box » market in France. The concept is to create thematic boxes offering different performances. Presented as a box which contains a book or DVD, it offers multiple choices concerning a chosen category of services for one common price. This is a revolution concerning the existents gift-token (cannibalisation') The beneficiary can choose the destination, the products, the level of services or the activities within a certain number of available propositions. The offer is larger and larger; adventures, gastronomy, discovery, entertainment and well-being (later on, the emphasize will be on this last point).
They offer services and not anymore only products, on the gift market.
People have more and more free time, they are more and more exigent; they want to have the choice but at the same time they don’t want to have to look for information; they want security, the security to know where they are going (they are leaving only for few days, to relax or have a new experience).
Is it really the perfect gift'
- BtoC versus BtoB
At the beginning, the strategy of gift-box was B to C.
However, more and more companies are buying these boxes for their employees or customers. For example, L’Oréal, Peugeot and Danone are buying them to reward their employees; La Société Générale offers boxes to its customers in exchange of points earned during one year.
- Short stay and Experience
Most of these boxes are offering performances for short periods (new trend because of the actual context). For instance, the stays in hotels are only for one or two nights. These boxes are called “Weekend” and there is no possibilities for longer stays, unless you buy additional nights without the intermediary of a box.
2.2. Stakes and limits
- 3 Stakes : quality, availability & distribution
Quality:
Smartbox has to make an important and relevant selection with their partners and their performances. People who are buying the boxes do not really know the market and want to have the choice of their destination and performances but with the help of “someone”. Thanks to the concept “Smartbox”, they have the choice within a certain number of possibilities already selected by professionals. Moreover, this quality is really important for the word-of-mouth, because unsatisfied customers do not hesitate to express their dissatisfaction to friends but also in Internet.
Those companies use professionals who are working on the field to select their partners, grade their quality and offers. Moreover, in order to know the level of satisfaction of their clients (buyers and users) and improve it, they organise satisfaction survey (the level of clients satisfaction for the users of Wonderbox is 94% and 98% for the buyers; the satisfaction is around 95% for Smartbox.).
Availability:
According to the customers, most of the time, the discontentment is due to the lack of availability. When they want to book for their hotel or service, they do not find any availability. For instance, most of the time the service providers do not accept the owners of these boxes during weekends because they know they do not need these customers, their hotel or restaurant will be full without them.
In order to prevent this problem, companies such as Weekendesk or Wonderbox try to have and keep a very large number of partners and offers. Moreover, every year they provide and find new partners to develop their offer and follow customers’ needs and wishes.
However, 10 to 15% of clients are not satisfied with the availability of Smartboxes and as we can see in forum or websites, customers do not hesitate to show their discontentment.
Distribution:
Most of the distribution of this product is done through internet. For example, Weekendesk has a website dedicated for the Smartboxes, Wonderbox also, etc… Moreover, big supermarkets such as Carrefour, Auchan or Fnac sell boxes; even travel agencies or specialized shops for Weekendesk in Paris. And now, there are also present in BtoB distribution.
- Market, Competitors
The biggest actors in the market of “gift-box” are Weekendesk (with Smartbox) and Wonderbox. Since 2006, new competitors took place in the French market, such as Coffret Liberty, Happy Box, Weekend Tour, Rêves à la Carte, Smartweekend and Weekendbreak.
Smartbox is leader on the European market with a turnover of 242 millions of euros in 2008. But all these companies are trying to differentiate themselves in choosing different targets or original segments. For instance, some companies propose boxes for companies, others offer weekend only in France or specific regions, some are specialized in entertainment offers or wellbeing boxes, etc…
2.3. Evolution and development
Evolution and development
How
Purpose
#Permanent innovation
Propose new boxes with new themes
and new partners (hotels, restaurants, spas…)
Keep being innovating to attract new customers and develop loyalty
Distribution channel in expansion, growing
Be present in every distribution channel: supermarket, travel agencies,
own shops and of course internet
Easy to find, to buy and offer
International development
Develop their product worldwide
They develop their partners and can offer packages abroad for French customers
- Permanent innovation
In order to stay on the leaders, to attract new customers and develop loyalty, companies have to keep being innovating, proposing new boxes with new themes and new partners (hotels, restaurants, spas…) and find a way to differentiate themselves.
- Distribution channel in expansion, growing
A “gift-box” company has to be present in every distribution channel: supermarket, travel agencies, own shops and of course internet (because the purpose of these boxes is to be easy to buy and offer, without spending too much time to choose and let the choice to the person who will receive it; and through internet the box can be directly send to the beneficiary).
- International development
The most important companies on the French market are developing their product worldwide. For example, Smartbox recently opened offices in Canada, USA and already have some in Europe (Spain, Germany, Belgium…). By developing their product internationally, they develop their partners and can offer packages abroad for French customers.
Conclusion
Key characteristics
Smartbox concept
Intangibility
This concept is a way to be more tangible than a service and a gift token. There is a book
Simultaneity
First the client has the good, then he uses the service, the consumption is in two times: consumption of the box and the dvd or book, then the services chosen.
Heterogeneity
When finding new service providers, the company such as Smartbox are trying to standardise them and to assure a certain quality for all of there providers.
Perishability
This is a way to keep the service within a certain amount of time, the beneficiary can use it when he wants. It is a way to « store » them before to use them.
Recommendations
As seen previously, companies producing boxes like the Smartbox concept have strengths and weaknesses. These is a sum up of advices and ideas in order to improve there sales and part of the market.
The most important idea is the loyalty of the customers but also of the services providers. The services providers do not really like these agreements,because of the commissions often high, however these companies are making them big advertisements. This is why they should use this opportunity. Smartbox companies should be really clear among them about the concept, the commissions and their advantages too. Retailers should catch the opportunity to have more and new customers. Smartbox are an other channel to sell their services or goods, they have a new advertisement everywhere in France and in different channels.
Then, if the customers are satisfied there is an « effet boule de neige » because when one person receive a smart box as a gift, if they like it they might buy one for a present to someone else, thinking it was a good idea and experience. And if the first buyer knows that the consumer likes it and was satisfied with it, they will continue to buy this kind of present for other friends. Moreover, because of the variety and the quality of the services available, Smartbox companies have to use this strength to have the opportunity to make loyal their customers. For that, they have to focalise on the evolutions and developments cited before: more precisely on their permanent innovation and their distribution channels.
The smartbox concept well realised is a win-win situation for the 3 parts:
- Good advertisement for the services providers
- Security for the customers
- Good sales for the company
Finally, the Smartbox concept could hit a success even bigger than it already did. The important thing is to develop the points mentioned before and thanks to their experience and long time relation with the retailers and customers. They have to innovate and they will be able to hit the bull’s eye.
Article Tags: Smartbox Concept, Every Distribution, These Boxes
How to Make Your Marketing Simple and Enjoyable
Most solo entrepreneurs have the mistaken idea that getting a logo designed is the equivalent of branding their business. Au contraire, mon ami!
A true brand is about so much more than your logo. It’s a reflection of YOU, as expressed through the elements of your business.
A brand conveys the promise of a certain style of experience your clients can expect.
When you identify your unique brand, it shows up everywhere – in your logo, to be sure, but also in the services you offer, your program names, the fonts you use, even your outgoing voicemail message. There’s an easy congruence that takes place. It’s like your business can breathe a sigh of relief because everything just seems to fit together.
And one of the most marvelous side-effects of having your brand is that it provides structure and clarity to your marketing. Whether you’re engaged in an online launch promotion or a one-on-one “selling conversation,” it allows your marketing to be natural and enjoyable because it’s just you being you!
And that’s very appealing to prospective clients.
There are 3 major barriers to reaping the benefits of a strong, distinctive brand. Let me share them with you here, along with the “antidote,” so you can take steps to avoid them. . .
Brand Barrier #1 – Treating your marketing as separate from your services
The vast majority of contribution-centered entrepreneurs LOVE what they do but HATE having to sell their services. This usually means they pour their heart and soul into developing their program offerings, but give short shrift to anything related to marketing and promotion. There’s a disconnect between the two elements.
Antidote: If you’re not selling, you’re not transforming lives. Adopt the perspective that your marketing system is the first step in the transformation you offer clients. Your True Self has to be integrated into your sales and marketing process just the way you’ve integrated it into your products and programs.
Brand Barrier #2 - Thinking you have to be someone you’re not
Many creative, contribution-centered entrepreneurs (especially women) worry that who they are isn’t good enough, or smart enough, or professional enough to be seen as valuable. So they try to be more like someone other than themselves. It’s not only hard work, it actually puts potential clients off.
Antidote: In the words of the great Dr. Seuss, “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.” The Universe put you here, with your unique gifts and talents, to fulfill a particular purpose. Let your True Self come out to play in your business so that purpose is realized.
Brand Barrier #3 – Not having a process to identify and define your unique brand
When you don’t know how to do it, branding your business can seem like a challenging mystery – “by guess and by gosh” activity. Your brand or business identity is drawn from the unique combination of your gifts, talents and passions. Those are often hard for us to see without some kind of structure for uncovering them.
Antidote: Ask for help. This is a habit that will serve you well in all areas of your business. Leverage the skills and strengths of others to support you in business. (That allows them to fulfill their life purpose and passion!)
Now Your Business Can Breathe a Sigh of Relief
The more you express your True Self in ALL aspects of your business, not just in your services but in your sales and marketing actions as well – the easier it is to do, and the more attractive that is for potential clients.
Done well, your brand is an opportunity to create meaningful, thought-provoking connections with your clients along with focus, intention and energy in your business.
Article Tags: True Self
Certificate Folders In Educational Sector
They help the various under developed and The Third World countries for getting education. A lot of programs in today’s world are being launched and introduced for the under developed and Third World countries for getting education. The UNO and other NGOs especially helps the third world countries for getting education. Children, Young and old people are getting education. Here, cheap certificate folders can fulfill your individual needs.
There are various divisions of education such as formal education and informal education. With getting education; students from schools, colleges and universities need their documents, credentials and papers to be protected. For this purpose, they need certificate folders. Nowadays, schools, colleges and universities are using the products like cheap file folders for their education purpose.
The certificate folders are very much liked. They are well demanded. Students from schools, colleges and universities have their own various choices. Certificate folders are very durable, flexible and very much long-lasting. They demand nowadays has become very much high. Every student want to have and put his or her books, papers, hands out, documents and credentials in the business a4 folders. Further, they are used for presentation use, research purpose and crucial CDs can be saved in them. They are extremely within the pockets of the people. The certificate folders are low-priced. Students could get and obtain every kind of certificate folder.
Certificate folders have their own selection as wanted and required by the school, college and university students. They are available mostly on every book shop where people could get them of various kinds. They are for every use. They are also given as gifts mostly by the one student to the other in schools, colleges and universities. They are designed by latest tools and technologies. Graphic designers use tools like coral draw, dream weaver. Latest colors are used. Printing process CYMK full colors is used.
The certificate folders are created and made according to the demands of the people. They are made within the pocket moneys’ of the people. The use of them is enormous. In the universities; especially the scholars and researchers use the certificate folders enormously. They save their important notes in them. Essentially, cheap presentation folders have various designs as required by the students and people.
Article Tags: Third World Countries, Certificate Folders, Third World, World Countries, Getting Education, Schools, Colleges, Very Much
Inflatable Stage Props The Flexible Choice for Concerts, Theater & TV Shows
Whether you're producing a rock concert, a theatrical performance or a television show, props are major elements in the mix. Coming up with everything needed to make the stage interesting and inviting to your audience can send you running from one corner of the world to another. And when finding a readymade purple dragon wearing a tutu proves insurmountable, you turn to expensive artists who develop something crafted from wood, metal or hard plastic. (A nightmare to ship from city to city.)
That's why inflatable stage props are becoming increasingly popular with stage and production managers. Adding an entirely new dimension to the show, these props (including inflatable scenery) lend unique characteristics that other props lack. While you may have had issues with size, portability or sheer functionality in the past, you'll find inflatable stage props get glowing marks in all these - and other - categories.
"How Much Detail Can I Expect from Inflatable Scenery / Stage Props'"
As much as you'd like. When you work with an inflatable manufacturer that employs a talented crew of artists and designers, you'll get exceptionally lifelike results. Recreating a character from a fairy tale' The inflatable can be exacting. Need to climb the mountains or sail the ocean blue' Inflatable scenery can be very lifelike. From rather generic to immensely precise, the level of detail is all up to you.
"We Travel All Across the Country. Can Inflatable Stage Props Handle the Wear & Tear'"
Just like the other performers in your productions, inflatable stage props must work every time without fail and look good doing it. Thanks to highly durable vinyl and other materials, you'll find inflatables travel better than rigid props in many cases. They don't chip or fade. The corners don't break off if dropped. And they completely deflate and fold up for easy storage and shipping.
"What Other Benefits Do Inflatable Stage Props Offer'"
Many! One of the biggest, however, is fast inflation and the ability to deliver the element of surprise. In the twinkling of an eye, you can bring a prop into view appearing instantly on cue. This makes it enormously easy to have props come in and out between scenes without complicated and clunky setups.
Inflatables use fans that are quiet and fast. If you work with a qualified inflatable manufacturer, they can help you engineer an external and/or internal blower system that gives you the flexibility you need for quick change outs of inflatable scenery and more. Did you see the recent daytime TV show that highlighted favorite Christmas gifts' At the end, a giant, inflatable cruise ship popped out of a jack-in-the-box on cue in about 12 seconds. That - and many other scenarios - really gets viewers involved.
Inflatables can also easily be crafted to meet specific safety regulations for fire, UL and rigging as needed.
Fun and custom-created, inflatable stage props give you the ability to have exaggerated effects, larger-than-life replicas and mood-setting designs that will engage and enthrall your audience.
Article Tags: Inflatable Stage Props, Inflatable Stage, Stage Props
Handing Out Promotional Sticky Notes At The Office
Promotional products should be viewed as small gifts, and so should be useful to your customers and past or potential customers, and should, as much as possible, encourage positive feelings of goodwill toward your company.
Promotional sticky notes are great promotional products, because they are useful to just about anyone, easy to store and distribute because of their compact size and basic shape, and are very easy to pack full with information about your company including the name, address, number, and even a logo and slogan if you wish. They are highly customizable, and allow for a great deal of exposure because their usefulness extends for a certain period of time and because your company information is actually spread wider each time a note is used, whether the customer or potential customer keeps it as a reminder or jots down a note and hands it off to someone else.
There are many ways to distribute these useful promotional products, including through the mail or in person at trade shows, conferences and events. Another way to distribute promotional sticky notes is by handing them out to people right there in your office or store, allowing customers to take a pad or two when they leave to go home or to go back to their own jobs.
Whether those promotional sticky notes end up in pockets, purses, or briefcases, or whether they are taken home or taken to the office, they are still going to be working hard for you. When people carry your promotional sticky notes along with them, for example, the notes will provide the perfect way to communicate phone numbers and other information to people that the meet, sharing your company information along with their own.
When promotional sticky notes are taken home from your office by customers, they are exposing their families to the notes, reminding everyone about your office for the next time that they need the same kind of product or service. They will also likely end up attaching these notes to papers that leave the home for some reason or other, and may be used to jot down information to guests, spreading your company name even further.
For the office, promotional sticky notes have a great potential for exposure. When a customer takes your promotional sticky notes to their office and uses them there, then they are spreading your company name to their coworkers, their clients, and anyone else with whom they have contact as long as that contact occasionally involves sticky notes. This makes promotional sticky notes a great promotional product to distribute from your offices.
You will make your money back quickly in terms of new business when you invest in promotional sticky notes to hand out from your offices. These little scraps of sticky paper are useful to just about anyone, just about anywhere, and can prove as profitable to you as they are useful to the customers.
Article Tags: Promotional Sticky Notes, Promotional Sticky, Sticky Notes, Just About
A Marketing Formula That Works
Marketing is all about helping people get what they
want, and you use marketing vehicles -- ads, flyers,
sales letters, telemarketing, face-to-face sales
presentations, etc. -- to let your prospects and
customers know that they can get what they want
. . . from you.
With that concept as a foundation, here is a simple
formula to help you create powerful and effective
marketing vehicles for your business.
1. HEADLINE:
TELL THEM THEY CAN GET WHAT THEY WANT
People are extremely busy and their lives are hectic.
When they look through their mail, or look through a
newspaper, or listen to a telemarketer or sales
presentation, they are looking and listening for only
one thing -- 'What do you have for me''
If they don't see or hear 'what's in it for them' within
15 seconds, they will respond immediately with, 'Sorry,
not interested!'
They are not going to dig through your sales letter,
or your ad, or your verbal presentation to find out if
you have anything of interest for them. If you don't
tell them immediately and upfront what you have for
them, you will have lost them -- in seconds.
If you are creating an ad, tell them in your headline
at the top of the ad. If you are writing a sales
letter, put it in your headline at the top of your
letter. Yes, sales letters should have a headline just
like an ad.
If you are talking to them in-person or on the phone,
tell them upfront what you have for them. You see,
even a face-to-face or phone contact should have a
headline too.
It's vital to ensure that what you have for them,
and what they want are both the same. If what you have
for them in your headline isn't what they want, then
you've lost before you've begun. That's why it's so
important for you to know exactly what your prospects
and customers want before you begin spending money
on marketing. Test, don't guess.
2. SUB-HEAD:
TELL THEM THEY WILL HAVE TO ACT QUICKLY TO GET IT
We all procrastinate. We put off taking action even
for things we want for a variety of reasons. We get
easily distracted. If you don't get immediate action
from your target group, there is a good chance they
won't come back to your marketing vehicle later. It
will surely get lost or tossed. Out of sight, out
of mind.
It's up to you to help your prospects and customers
overcome their tendency to procrastinate and take
immediate action to get what you are offering. You do
that with what is called a Sense of Urgency. Tell them
the offer ends on a particular date, perhaps in a week
or two. Or tell them that there is a limited supply,
or that they will receive a special bonus if they
act now, but they will miss the bonus if they put
it off.
Like it or not, you need to use a Sense of Urgency if
you have any hope of overcoming the universal human
trait of procrastination. Start looking more closely
at the marketing vehicles you receive every day, and
you'll begin to see that effective marketing always
gives you a reason to act now.
3. BODY COPY:
TELL THEM THE DETAILS OF WHAT THEY WILL GET
You got your targets' attention with your headline, by
telling them that you have what they want. Now it's
time to tell them exactly what they will get if they
respond to your marketing offer.
Tell them exactly what is included. Tell them the
specific features of your offer and how they will
benefit from them. Tell them how others have been
benefited. Provide them with specific numbers if
appropriate.
Use bold sub-heads and bullets to make it easy for
them to skim to the information that is important to
them.
4. CALL TO ACTION:
TELL THEM WHAT THEY MUST DO TO GET IT
Don't assume that your prospects and customers will
figure out how to get what you are offering. They won't
do your work for you.
If they have to call to get it, then tell them to
call. If they have to write or drop a post card in
the mail, or fax something to you, then tell them
clearly.
The point is to make it as easy as possible for your
target to do what you want them to do. People don't
like to do anything that is going to take work on
their part. Make it as easy for them to respond as
possible, or they won't.
5. POSTSCRIPT:
TELL THEM AGAIN WHAT THEY CAN GET, HOW QUICKLY
THEY MUST ACT, AND WHAT THEY MUST DO TO GET IT
If there is room in the marketing vehicle, such as a
sales letter, it is always a good idea to re-cap your
offer in a P.S.
Very often people will skip down to the P.S. right
after reading the headline. By repeating all of the
specifics of your offer there, you stand a much better
chance of ensuring that your prospects will understand
your offer.
Tell them what they will get if they respond by the
deadline, and exactly what they must do.
Here's an example:
P.S. Drop the enclosed post card in the mail by Friday,
March 30th, to receive your Free Information Packet!
See how easy it is to recap everything in just one
short sentence'