Author Archive: Lee

Marketing Makes Good Scents

May 6, 2010

Research has shown that scent enhances consumer product memories. According to the website Lets Get Scented, “Scent marketing is becoming an incredible tool as brands discover the role scent plays in connecting with customers on an emotional level. It is most effective when combined with other sensory triggers, such as sight, sound and textures to create a unique customer experience. Scent can trigger a memory or desire that influences a purchase decision. Across industries, businesses are using scent as part of multi-sensory marketing strategies to enhance customers’ experiences of a location and its products or services.”

The promotional products industry has been expanding into scented products. One of my favorites are these new Good Scents Pens.  They’re available in several wonderful scents including chocolate chips, mocha latte, strawberry fields, vanilla dream (my favorite), green meadow, lemon zest and orange crush (available soon).

Good Scents Pens

And better yet, these pens are made in the USA with 50% renewable plastic. Eco-friendly and USA made make these pens a Scentsational promotion.

Eco-Friendly Products, Product Spotlight, Sales and Marketing

Social Media 101 for Small Business — An Introduction to Web 2.0

May 5, 2010

I'm a Social Media SpecialistSometimes just getting started with something new can be intimidating. Social media sounds a little scary. And many small businesses are still trying to discover how they can implement social media into their marketing plans. It’s really not that difficult. And it doesn’t have to be that time consuming. But it does take a little understanding and planning.

Web 2.0
You’ve probably heard of Web 2.0, but have wondered what it means. It simply signifies the second generation of usage of the Internet to convey information to clients. If you think of Web 1.0 as simple websites — basically brochures online — then Web 2.0 is the next step of actual interaction online with your customers. Today we’ll cover some of the basics of the most commonly used systems for interacting with your customers online: blogs, Facebook and Twitter.

Blogs
Blogs have been around so long that people tend to forget about them as part of Web 2.0, but they’re an important element of your online marketing plans. For years we’ve instructed companies to find ways to make their website informative and useful. Ways to keep the content fresh and up-to-date. And ways to keep visitors returning to your website. A blog is an excellent vehicle to do just that. Though we’ll discuss next time more in-depth ways to develop content for a blog, think about what type of information would  be useful to your clients and prospective customers. Think about how you can position yourself as an expert with valuable knowledge.

There are a number of ways to create a blog. There are online services such as WordPress and Blogspot that make it quite easy to start a blog. But the best method is to add a blog directly to your website. There are a number of benefits to adding the blog to your site. In particular, it allows you greater control of the look and feel of the blog, and the search engines will like your site more if the blog is part of your site. I suggest the blog to go somewhere like: www.YourSite.com/blog/. You can check with your hosting company to see if adding the blog to your current website is possible. With many of the national hosting companies, adding a blog to your site is as simple as a few clicks.

I’d give you a link to our blog, but you’re already on it!

Facebook
I have to admit that I’d been a bit slow to embrace Facebook. But now that I have, I’ve certainly found it to be enjoyable. It’s allowed me to re-connect with plenty of old friends. And it has opened up doors to plenty of potential customers.

You want to make sure you setup what Facebook calls a “fan” page, and not a personal page, often referred to as a profile. With a fan page, anybody can view the content on the page. And anybody with a personal Facebook profile can “like” your page. Once a person “likes” your page, which for them as as easy as a mouse click, when you post something on your fan page, it places the comment on your fans’ news feed.

You can view our Facebook page here.

Facebook made a recent change to how customers interact with your fan page. In the past, they used to refer to this as “become a fan”, but now it’s just a “like” button on your fan page.

Twitter
As far as I’m concerned, the jury is still out on the effectiveness of Twitter for a small business. Though I would still implement this as part of your Web 2.0 marketing plan. Twitter is a way to quickly and easily convey small bits of information to your followers. People with Twitter accounts decide to “follow” people and businesses. And when the people and businesses they follow tweet, post a comment on their Twitter account, the tweet shows up in the follower’s Twitter feed.

The drawback is that unless most of your customers are college students, they’re probably not using Twitter. But many businesses are beginning to use Twitter, and it’s better to be on the front of this curve than behind it.

You can view our Twitter account here.

Next Time
Integrating Web 2.0 into your company’s marketing plans is smart business. Learning how to develop content is the next step in utilizing social media for a small business. Next time we’ll talk about how to develop content, and how to efficiently and effectively utilize that content across your different applications. So until then, happy marketing!

Cartoon from Gapingvoid.

Business Development, Sales and Marketing

Delicious Picture Cookies

April 30, 2010

3M Post-it NotesWant to create come buzz with your next promotion? How about imprinting your logo directly on to some delicious chocolate or vanilla cookies? Custom imprinted with edible inks in vibrant full color, these 3″ cookies are as tasty as they are beautiful. Each cookie is individually wrapped and can ship standard ground even in warm weather. They are certified Star-D kosher, and are proudly made in the USA.

But wait, there’s more! Regularly priced beginning at $1.79, these cookies are on sale through the end of  July for $.99 each.

My mom always understood that the quickest way to my heart was with a plate of cookies. Now you can utilize promotional cookies to get to the heart of your top prospects! Call us for details.

Note: Minimum order of one case required (180 cookies) and must be ordered in case increments. Prices do not include setups, S&H or applicable taxes.

Product Spotlight

Using Brands to Build Brand Awareness

April 20, 2010

Utilizing promotional products is a great way to build brand awareness for your organization. There are thousands of products available at virtually every price point imaginable. So where do you start? How about leaning on somebody else’s brand to help build your own brand awareness. When a name brand product is used as part of your promotional campaign, the good will of the name brand will help support your own brand. And a name brand product typically provides for a higher perceived value than other promotional gifts. Here are a few of my favorite brands available through promotional marketing.

3M Post-it Notes3M
This is a company with a great history of innovation beginning in 1902.  3M invented a number of interesting products from waterproof sandpaper in the early ’20s to Post-it Notes in 1980. You know that a product has achieved a great level of success when the name of the product is ingrained into our consciousness like Post-it Notes. We offer some less expensive alternatives such as BIC Sticky Notes, but in our opinion, 3M’s Post-it Notes are still the best adhesive notes on the market today. They come in all shapes and sizes, and can be imprinted with your company information.

Nalgene and Camelbak Water BottlesNalgene and Camelbak
Two of the most recognizable brand names in drinkware, Nalgene and Camelbak produce the best water bottles available.  They’re nearly indestructible and are now made from BPA-free materials. Durable water bottles are also eco-friendly. Did you know that 8 in every 10 plastic water bottles end up in a landfill? And that we use more than 1.5 million barrels of oil annually to make these water bottles? Just imagine if we all started using refillable water bottles instead. And then imagine if everyone had a refillable water bottle with your logo on it.

Buck Knives and Swiss Army KnivesBuck Knives and Swiss Army Knives
There are a number of name brands available, but when it comes to knives, give me a Buck or a Swiss Army every time. Buck makes a great assortment of hunting knives and folding pocket knives that can be engraved with your logo. And haven’t we all had a Swiss Army Knife at some point in our lives? Their multi-function knives make awesome gifts. I’ve got a couple of them. They are still among the most popular knives in the industry.

Fossil WatchesFossil Watches
Another name brand I have a personal fondness for is Fossil. I wear a Fossil watch, as does my wife. At my last business, we used to give Fossil Watches to our employees on their fifth anniversary with the company. They offer a nice variety of high-quality watches. Most brands of watches including Timex and Callaway are available and can be decorated with your organization’s logo.

Coleman CoolersColeman
Yes, that Coleman. The makers of Coleman coolers! Coleman was founded more than 100 years ago in Wichita, Kansas. Originally a manufacturer of lanterns, Coleman expanded into leisure and camping products when they introduced a galvanized steel cooler in 1954. By the ’60s, Coleman had become the biggest name in the camping business. A great and trusted brand. And a great promotional gift that can be imprinted with your brand.

Nike Promotional ProductsNike
In our book, Nike is a winner all the way. The brand carries more oomph than virtually any other brand on the market today. The Nike swoosh is possibly the most recognizable logo ever created. And there are a number of Nike products available to the promotional products industry including apparel, golf balls, golf bags, sunglasses, golf shoes and golf clubs.

M&MsM&Ms
Edibles are often overlooked as promotional gifts, but there’s typically no faster way to a client’s heart than through their stomach. And it doesn’t stop with the M&Ms. We’ve got Skittles, Jelly Belly, LifeSavers and much more. Yum. Great packaging and decoration ideas. All you’ve got to do is ask.

All of this is just the beginning. We’ve got Alicia Klein, Baden, BIC, Case Logic, Cutter & Buck, FootJoy, Jockey, Munsingwear, Pinnacle, Prang, RCC Koozie, Sharpie, Slinky, Tervis Tumbler, Thermos, Titleist, uni-ball, Wilson, Zippo and much more. Utilizing a name brand will help you build your own brand awareness.

Eco-Friendly Products, Sales and Marketing

Recommended Reading: First, Break All The Rules

April 16, 2010

First, Break All The RulesLike many people, I’ve continued to look for ways for self-improvement. As a small business owner and entrepreneur, much of what I have learned about business has come from experience. Learning on the job. And a lot of trial and error. A few years ago I was faced with running a business that had rapidly grown from a staff of five to more than 40 full-time employees in a few short years. My duties and responsibilities changed significantly. And I quickly realized how little I knew about managing people. I was glad to have found First, Break All The Rules, What The World’s Greatest Managers Do Differently by Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman.

While I enjoy reading about business, leadership and motivation, I’m particularly drawn to books that have a legitimate methodology to their process and conclusions. First, Break All The Rules does this as well as any book I’ve ever read. This book is based on data from ongoing surveys conducted by the Gallup Organization over a 25 year period. They’ve interviewed more than 80,000 mangers across many industries trying to determine what makes a great manager. And some of the results will certainly surprise you. It did me.

What rules do these great managers break? “Before they do anything else, they first break all the rules of conventional wisdom. They do not believe that a person can achieve anything he sets his mind to. They do not try to help a person overcome his weaknesses. They consistently disregard the Golden Rule. And, yes, they even play favorites.”

Are you a great manager? Would you like to be a better manager? Understanding what creates a satisfied and productive staff is a great place to start. Find out what really motivates employees. Whether you’re a small business owner with a handful of employees, or a corporate executive at a Fortune 500 company, I highly recommend First, Break All The Rules.

Business Development

Gotta Love Flying Monkeys!

April 9, 2010

My Flying Marketing MonkeyI used to work with a programmer who whenever the conversation turned to marketing would say “There just aren’t enough monkeys in advertising”. When one of our suppliers gave me my own Flying Monkey, I immediately thought of Randy and named my monkey the Marketing Monkey. He still sits on my desk. (The monkey, not Randy.) I take him to all of my marketing meetings. And I occasionally shoot him across the room just to hear him scream his monkey sounds.

My children have often attempted to steal my monkey.

The Flying Flingshot Monkey wears a cape that can be custom imprinted with your logo and promotional message. It includes a sound chip that when activated makes monkey sounds. And it’s stretchy arms allows it to be shot like a slingshot. It’s a great gift. Just ask me!

Click here to open the full sales literature (145kb PDF).

Product Spotlight

Eco-Friendly Promotional Item Promotes Water Conservation

March 26, 2010

The Eco Water Saver™ Shower Timer is a fun way to promote water conservation. This eco-friendly product is a twist-action five-minute shower timer with suction mount. Perfect for hotels, water districts, cities, schools, plumbers and conservationists. Made from a shatter-resistant timer and 70% recycled plastic body.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-QcDGfVClQ[/youtube]

Eco-Friendly Products, Product Spotlight

Snuggies Available with Your Logo

March 25, 2010

Snuggies Available with Your LogoQ. What looks like a blanket, has sleeves, keeps you warm from head to toe, and has sold more than four million units worldwide?

A. The Snuggie.

And now you can order the Snuggie decorated with your logo. A fun gift for your employees and favorite clients. It certainly will get them talking.

If your budget doesn’t work for the Snuggie, remember to ask us about the Hugme and the Couch Cozie!

Product Spotlight

Promotional Products Increase Trade Show Traffic

March 23, 2010

According to PPAI (Promotional Products Association International):

• 72% of trade show attendees who received a promotional product remembered the name of the company that gave them the product.

• 76% of attendees had a favorable attitude toward the company that gave them the product.

• Including a promotional product with a pre-show mailing increases the likelihood of an attendee stopping by the booth.

• As a rule, promotional products of greater value generate more sales leads than products of lower value.

Sales and Marketing

Take Time to Listen

March 22, 2010

Just Shut Up and ListenWhat is the number one complaint customers make about salespeople? According to a survey conducted by the Purchasing Manager’s Association of America, it’s that salespeople talk too much and listen too little.

Poor salespeople dominate the talking. Top sales people dominate the listening.

Here are some tips for active listening:

1. Avoid distractions. Listening is best done in a quiet and relaxed atmosphere.

2. Interact through body language. Stay alert and interested in the conversation.

3. Don’t interrupt. Sounds easy. It’s not.

4. Don’t be afraid of silence. If you ask a question, wait for the answer. Don’t feel as if you have to fill every void in the conversation.

5. Make sure that you understand what the customer is saying. Paraphrase and repeat what the customer has said to make sure that you’re both on the same page.

6. Ask pertinent questions, and don’t be afraid to clarify.

7. Avoid arguing and stay focused.

8. Summarize points that have been made at key moments.

Your customers want to feel like they are the most important thing in your world. They deserve your undivided attention, even if it’s only for a few minutes.

Sales and Marketing