Something tells me there’s value in having a facebook business page.  But how do we make our pitch “re-post worthy”?

We’ve begun an investigation on how businesses are using facebook (as well as other social network sites) to promote their business and develop potential leads.  We’re looking for both good and bad examples and will post everything we find.  If you’d like to contribute your experience in this effort, either good or bad, please let us know.  The more we learn, the more we’ll all benefit.

We already know that your friends will tell you about their plans for the weekend or what they plan to eat for dinner.  They’ll approve of your plans with a “Like” post.  But posting discount coupon for the products or services of your business will do li...

Beg, borrow, or steal, smart businesses today must find a way to log and measure the “medium of choice” for their business customer/prospect to communicate and stay connected.  With the constant bombardment of advertising messages both from vendors and potential vendors, good business practice involves blending and balancing both the introduction and the reminder messages without creating customer bane.

Google search, telemarketing, Google adwords, facebook, LinkedIn, direct mail campaign, banner ad placement, online lead aggregator, press release, conference booth, print space, email campaign, door-to-door, or just drive-by traffic….all have a the possibility of becoming your next great source for leads.  These leads are vital to the growth of your business and to...

Direct Response

It seems SNS (Social Network Site) marketing is “all the craze” lately.  I’m told and read about the various ways a business can add a page, invite fans, point them to the corporate website, and sell products and services.  But when it comes down to the time investment required to launching a SNS campaign, I’m not so confident there’s a potential for profit just yet.

Take my Facebook account as an example.  How many of my fans will visit my page and say, “hey, I didn’t know he was in the direct marketing business and I actually need a mailing list”?  Perhaps one could build an interesting and fun game like the Facebook farm game I see FB newsfeed.  Once the agriculturally inclined mob is playing the game, pop-up ads co...

The Small Business Association reports that 4 out of 5 businesses go out of business within the first 2 years.  During a recession, the mortality rate of a new business is even greater.  The primary deficiency among smaller, newer businesses is that owners simply lack the experience and planning skills necessary to stay solvent.  For many, the only business management experience they possess is their own within those pain first 2 years.  But marketing lessons can be learned from others mistakes.  If you pay attention to the right competition, you’ll grab market share of those businesses wearing blinders.

Take inventory of the competition within your market
Start by making a list of your competition.  Include all the businesses that provide a ...

A must read for small businesses aiming to improve their direct mail effectiveness

Whether your marketing plan has included direct mail marketing in the past and you want to make improvements, or it’s your first time and want to cover all the bases before you begin, this document will help you take notice to the most important elements of a successful direct mail campaign.

Low Ticket / High Ticket Items
Direct mail is not for every business.  Simple math will tell you if you’re product or service will provide a positive return on investment through the use of direct mail.  In general terms, higher ticket items have a greater likelihood of turning a profit, and lower ticket items are less...