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Folds of Communication

Июль 24th, 2010

Folds of Communication

It’s hard to communicate to a multitude. You may not know whether the message has reached them or not. You have no idea whether communication is a success or not.

Keywords:
brochures printing

It’s hard to communicate to a multitude. You may not know whether the message has reached them or not. You have no idea whether communication is a success or not.

When you are talking about your business, the process, tool and message must be effective enough to capture the audiences or readers. One way to do it is by means of effectual communication tools such as brochures.

Brochures are folded printed promotional materials which are distributed for the purpose of information dissemination. It is commonly used by savvy businessmen to promote their products and services.

In order to attract the target market, brochure printing uses eye-catching illustrations. With regards to its functionality, brochures usually provide a brief and succinct description about the company and its line of business.

The texts used are also made compact. It means that in every fold, new and interesting information can be had. The images must also be used for easy relaying of the message. Product information must be whole and satisfying. These folds of communication will not only make the readers informed but it will create a bond that will eventually result to a craving that in the future time they can resort to your business as an ultimate solution to their needs.

Brochure printing companies, usually suggest utilizing more colors in printing. Black and white is classy, but when it comes to brochure, it might bore the readers and will not elicit attraction. This is the reason why, most of the businesses use full color printing in their brochures. There are also a few that uses more than four colors to ensure that colors are comprehensive enough to cater to their illustrations.

Brochure may come in several folds. In fact, it can go as far as eight folds far from the usual which is three. Glossy papers, coatings, cut and design may also vary depending on the customer’s specifications as well as the trend in the printing industry.

You can choose brochure printing companies either online or through a friend’s recommendation. One thing that you must make certain is that the printer must be reliable so you will not worry about your printing job the moment you leave them in the printer’s custody.

Also, make certain that all your specifications and demands are clear with the printer so as to yield professional and outstanding results. It will be worry-free on your part that your printing job or your communication folds are in good hands!

Six Sigma Deployment In Smaller Organizations

Июль 24th, 2010

Six Sigma Deployment In Smaller Organizations

Six Sigma is not just for large multinational corporations. While there are difficulties inherent in implementing Six Sigma in a small company rather than a large business they can be overcome. Six Sigma can work in any size business because the nature of Six Sigma is dependent upon characteristics inherent in any business, not on the size of a business. Smaller organizations frequently are short on resources and expertise in change initiatives. However, they also have more f…

Keywords:
Six,Sigma,Deployment,Smaller,Organizations,inherent,process,correctly,limit,infrastructure,method,

Six Sigma is not just for large multinational corporations. While there are difficulties inherent in implementing Six Sigma in a small company rather than a large business they can be overcome. Six Sigma can work in any size business because the nature of Six Sigma is dependent upon characteristics inherent in any business, not on the size of a business. Smaller organizations frequently are short on resources and expertise in change initiatives. However, they also have more flexible process flows, a shorter decision-making chain, and higher visibility of senior management. Smaller organizations can actually effectively establish Six Sigma faster than large businesses if deployment scope is correctly managed.

Scope of Deployment

Six Sigma is designed for all-inclusive deployment across an organization. However, s maller organizations do have constraints that limit their ability to initiate a large scale Six Sigma implementation. If your organization does not have the resources to create an infrastructure for organization-wide Six Sigma deployment then start with a pilot program.

One of the beauties of Six Sigma is that its central methodology is scalable. Six Sigma, emphasizes intensive training and extensive analysis—qualitative characteristics that work regardless of the size of the organization. Likewise, Six Sigma DMAIC (design, measure, analyze, improve, and control) discipline s work no matter the size of the organization or even the size of the Six Sigma project. Even a small Six Sigma project can yield significant results. Breakthrough improvements in processes and bottom-line profitability come not from quantity of resources, but the quality and the intelligence with which they are employed.

Small and medium-sized organizations may not have the resources of larger companies; however, in most cases, smaller organizations can be more nimble, flexible, and focused on results. Approaching initial implementation of Six Sigma through a pilot program will yield tangible results without overwhelming your resources from a small “quick-hit” project. These results can then be replicated throughout the organization, in many cases even faster than in a large organization.

Issues Critical to Smaller Organizations

When deploying a pilot Six Sigma project there are several important issues to consider inherent to smaller organizations. First, the choice of a project is critical. The pilot project will set the tone for Six Sigma deployment, so it should be a good one that can show significant and visible results in a reasonably short period of time. The project must clearly address one or more business goals thereby contributing to one or more core enterprise measures. Each project must also be completable within three to four months, so careful upfront scoping is essential. Projects must be continually tracked and updated for line management during existing business reviews.

Another issue is training. In smaller organizations, training budgets and especially time available to devote personnel for training is limited. Thus, it is not always practical for personnel to be absent from their day-to-day duties to attend months of training. Fortunately, there are some Six Sigma consultants who can deliver required Six Sigma training in an accelerated format and even onsite. Thus, smaller organizations can give their people the needed training with less disruption to their normal business, improving internal synergy while providing greater organizational flexibility.

Six Sigma implementation teams can encounter critical resource restrictions, often due to a personnel limitation where people are available for project functions only on a part-time basis. It is essential at project inception that the right people are involved, doing the right things. A small but committed force of the right people with proper training, given the proper authority will go far in getting things started. Good and fluid communication is also critical.

Upon successful completion of the Six Sigma pilot, the scale of the deployment is then expanded to other areas of the organization, incorporating the lessons learned from the pilot project. Just as it is much harder for a large ship to turn than a small ship, smaller organizations can change and adapt more quickly than large organizations. That does not mean that small organizations will automatically be successful when deploying Six Sigma, but making change take place and getting buy in to the changes are easier.

Earn Cash by Reading Internet Marketing Articles

Июль 24th, 2010

Earn Cash by Reading Internet Marketing Articles

Making Money in the Internet Marketing Business Is not as hard as you may think. There are a few good websites that have all the information you need to succeed. All you have to do is read.

Keywords:
Internet Marketing, Home Business, Search Engines, Email Marketing, Site Promotion, Investing

The internet and technology has made it very easy for anyone to suceed online. The problem is people don’t know how to take advantage of all the technology and free tools that are available.

Let me give you an example. I read an article about how to post artcles to free article repositories. Then I did some searches on Google to find articles on what were the best Repositories. I also searched for articles on the best automatic article submission software. As You can see I am using tools I find on the internet to improve my internet marketing business. When you do a search for an article or you use automated software to submit articles to hundred of article directories, you are leveraging new technology to promote your online business.

Keep in mind the internet, search technology and all the different software that is out there are relatively new. It became mainstream during our lifetime and there will be many improvements in the future. It would be a shame not to use this technology to find articles and free tools that will improve your internet marketing business, but people are already taking this technology for granted.

My number one rule is to Google everything. You can learn just about anything reading articles on the internet. After reading an article and doing a search on Google from the information I read, I found free article submission software. It is a great free tool that I use to promote my business.

You don’t have to spend a lot of money to promote your business. Take advantage of all of the free articles and free tools to promote your business. If you look hard enough, read all the free niches articles and take advantage by doing a search on everything, you will reap the financial rewards that I have. Read free articles and do searches on the information you read. You will be amazed at the results.

One of the most popular sites you can go to for articles is http://www.internet-marketing-mall.net . When you go to this site you can read about, internet marketing, online promotion, search engines, home business, network marketing, site promotion, web development, email marketing, web design, web hosting, domain names, investing, stocks, and and many other topics. These aticles are updated on a regular basis. The site also has live Google rss news feeds on each article topic, at the bottom of the page. You can’t get more current articles on niche topics from any other site.

Other sites that have good articles on niche topics are http://www.adsense101.net. This site has pleanty of current articles on how to make money with Google Adsense.

If you are interested in search engine optimization I reccomend reading articles at http://www.seo-101-info.net or http://www.search-engine-optimization-101.net

If you are interested in investing opportunities you can read free articles at http://www.investing-101.net

When you go to these sites you will see so many articles on niche topics you won’t know where to start. Make sure you take advantage of it.

Good Luck.

Going for Poster Printing Software Application

Июль 24th, 2010

Going for Poster Printing Software Application

Advertising is the flesh and blood of every business. It is within this means that businesses are able to introduce their latest products and newest update about their services. Mainly because of this medium businesses are able to keep in touch with their business associates and as well as their customers. One good thing of having this form of communication is that it bridges the gap among advertisers, businesses, customers and associates.

Keywords:
poster printing software

Advertising have different forms – its can be classified under the print media and communications media. Communication media covers the television and radio; on the other hand print media covers prints ads such as posters, magazines, brochures, catalogs and many more.

In regards with the print media, posters are among the most widely used form of advertising. This is because it is characterized to have a huge size that makes them visible even from a distance. Commonly this tool is hanged on places where mostly people are seen.

Essentially poster prints are produced utilizing high quality print materials and groundbreaking printing equipments. Mainly the development process also applies the utilization of the poster printing software. This tool is essentially the hidden tool that creatively works out to develop your poster prints.

There is lots of poster printing software that can be idyllically applied for your poster printing projects. You can opt to use:

• Windows XP – this software entails a photo printing wizard that facilitates you to print a variety of photos in common layouts. Accordingly the windows operate to spin and gather the pictures fitted for the chosen layout.

• Windows software – this printing software is significantly used for digital image printing. This contains features that allow you to perform multiple printing and as well as performing custom lay out prints. Additionally can be utilized for photo augmentation and for sophisticated photo printing.

• Window shareware programs – for the most part this printing software works on to produce huge poster prints, signs, banners, murals and as well as poster prints ranging from sizes of 100 x 100 feet. Thus this poster printing software poster creates poster prints with the best features of graphics, word processing and desktop publishing.

Thus with the poster printing software mentioned above for sure you will be able to come up with attractive and appealing poster prints based on your purpose and target audience.

Sequentially to make your poster materials more striking and attention grabbing you can have them printed in full color prints and have them mounted, framed and laminated.

What more can you ask for having the right poster printing software and right printing application for sure you will be able to come up with a print that will stand out and will remark a good name for your company.

What to Consider When Availing of POD Publishing

Июль 24th, 2010

What to Consider When Availing of POD Publishing

Print on demand publishers have to print only a single copy of book when the order arises rather than produce it in mass copies. Authors have to understand that when they choose POD publishing their books would never be available in bookstores.

Keywords:
print on demand, printing, short run

Until recently, printing a single copy of book was unlikely. Publishers, in the past, have to publish their books in hundreds or even thousands of copies to avail of the best price possible. After printing the books are then sent to bookstores. Those books that were not sold are stocked in warehouses perhaps waiting to be shipped when orders come in. But if no orders come, this can be a big loss to the publisher as these unsold books are part of their investment. This is probably why many publishers are careful in admitting new authors and experimenting with their formats. They would always want to be sure to get the value of their investment and not waste it.

Print on demand, on the other hand, uses a different process. As the name implies publishers have to print only a single copy of book when the order arises rather than produce it in mass copies. Authors have to understand though that when they choose POD publishing their books would never be available in bookstores. Additionally, authors have to do the marketing themselves and can expect that some book critics would never consider their books as true publishing credits.

However, regardless of the downsides of POD publishing there are still individuals who think that POD is right for them. If you would avail of this publishing technique there are several factors you need to consider such as the cover cost, set up cost, royalty payments, distribution and control among others. Keep in mind that since POD publishing involves printing one copy of book at a time naturally printing cost would cost more than mass printing. There are POD companies, however, that can allow you to have lower cover price. But this could also mean lower book royalty so be wary when making arrangement with a POD company.

Additionally, most companies also have set up fees to publish your book. If you opt for a lower set up cost, understand carefully the arrangement as lower set up cost means higher cover prices and lower royalties on average. So before you sign a contract with the POD company see to it that the publisher explains to you thoroughly how much it cost to print a copy of your book and how much you will receive per sale of the book. Also, thoroughly read the website of the publisher that you are considering and ask them to send you a copy of the contract before getting that print job started. When you have taken note of this few considerations its time to start hunting for the right POD publisher and getting your book distributed as soon as possible.

Wouldn’t It Be Nice If You Could Custom Tailor Your MLM Leads Any Way You Want?

Июль 23rd, 2010

Wouldn’t It Be Nice If You Could Custom Tailor Your MLM Leads Any Way You Want?

In order to succeed in MLM, you are going to need a steady supply of fresh-targeted MLM leads that are anxious to get started in this business opportunity. MLM lead vendors know this little fact too and they can see you coming a mile away.

This can pose a problem for all but the super savvy network marketers and people with extra-ordinary telephone skills.

Here are 5 of the most popular reasons you may want to consider generating your own MLM marketing leads.

1. Qual…

Keywords:

In order to succeed in MLM, you are going to need a steady supply of fresh-targeted MLM leads that are anxious to get started in this business opportunity. MLM lead vendors know this little fact too and they can see you coming a mile away.

This can pose a problem for all but the super savvy network marketers and people with extra-ordinary telephone skills.

Here are 5 of the most popular reasons you may want to consider generating your own MLM marketing leads.

1. Quality. When you purchase MLM leads from a leads vendor, you are buying a list of names and contact details that have been generated in a very generic way to maximize the response rate of the lead generators advertising campaign. These MLM leads are not necessarily generated from the most targeted means of advertising.

These leads are not selling them on any specific type of business. When you are using this type of lead you really don’t know what type of business they may be interested in. In the end, you are left to sorting and this can be a time consuming procedure. Generating your own MLM leads with a website you have control over changes all this.

2. Responsive. MLM leads that you have generated on your own are usually much more responsive than leads that you would have purchased from a leads vendor.
Most probably they have not been contacted by several different network marketers and their name has not been sold over and over again by some of the leads vendors out there.

Leads that you generate are as fresh as you can get and they are exclusive to you only

3. Real-Time Leads. One of the most popular reasons for a network marketer to generate their own MLM leads is that you can receive them in real-time.

This is especially powerful for people who are in the higher ticket business opportunities and they need the highest quality lead they can get. Nothing beats having company specific real-time leads in your inbox waiting to be contacted about your product or opportunity.

4. Custom Surveys. When you are the lead generator you have full control over the questions you want to ask your prospects. You can simply qualify or disqualify leads based on the questions they have answered on your lead capture page.

It is a wise idea to always run a “Comments or Questions” or “Tell Me about You” space on your lead capture page.

Not every single prospect will fill these fields out but when they do it will be the most valuable piece of information you receive next to their name and number. Anything a prospect is willing to share with you before the initial contact is like an icebreaker.

5. Cost. Generating your own MLM leads can actually save you a lot of money if you spend the time to setup some solid advertising campaigns.

Like many leads companies on the web you would not have the high cost of employees either. Your cost to generate your own leads will be your advertising costs and any other tools you may be using such as lead capture pages and auto responders.

These are just a few reasons you may want to consider generating your own MLM leads for your specific product or opportunity. It could make a difference in how effectively you market your program.

What Marketing Can’t Do For You

Июль 23rd, 2010

What Marketing Can’t Do For You

While there’s no question a solid marketing program can increase your business, it can’t fix everything. Below are 5 things marketing can’t do for you:

Keywords:
Marketing, creative marketing, marketing ideas, marketing success, marketing strategies

I thought I would clear up some misconceptions about marketing in this two-part series: What Marketing Can Do For You and What Marketing Can’t Do For You. This issue is about what marketing can’t do.

While there’s no question a solid marketing program can increase your business, it can’t fix everything. Below are 5 things marketing can’t do for you:

1. Marketing can’t make you an overnight success. Just because you start a marketing program doesn’t mean you’re immediately going to see your business explode. Marketing is about getting your name in front of your target market on a regular basis until they finally decide to give you a try.

On that note, if you’re in trouble right now – sales are down, a new business isn’t getting off the ground like you planned – depending on how bad the trouble is a marketing program may not be enough to save you. A successful marketing program needs time to work and more likely than not, a little money as well. If you’re panicked about one (or more likely both) you may need to start looking at other options.

2. Marketing is not about doing something once and forgetting about it. The very best marketers test. And test. And test.

For instance, maybe your Web site isn’t converting visitors to customers as well as it should be. You could hire a copywriter to tweak it for you. You could test the different elements to see what raises your conversion level. That’s one way to use testing. You can also test different headlines, different offers, etc.

3. Marketing can’t fix a bad experience. This is a big one. If your customers have a lousy experience with your products or services or with your customer service reps or sales people, etc., that’s it. Worse yet, not only have you lost a customer for good, that customer will probably tell others about their bad experience. So now you’ve lost more potential customers as well.

Marketing can get people in the door, but it can’t ensure they’ll have an experience they’ll want to repeat. Before assuming more marketing is what you need, take a moment and make sure your current customers are truly satisfied with your business.

4. Marketing can’t fix a flawed business. Much like tip number 3, marketing can’t fix cash flow issues or staff problems.

Okay, I can hear all of you saying “Of course, marketing can’t fix cash flow problems. Do you think we’re stupid?” My answer is no, I don’t think you’re stupid at all. I think what happens is sometimes you get so caught up in the day-to-day challenges of running a business you can’t see the forest for the trees.

Let me explain. Let’s say you have a business that’s struggling with cash flow. The first thing that springs to mind may be revving up marketing. After all, the idea behind marketing is to increase revenue. On the surface that makes sense. However, if you look a little closer, what you might find are expenses that are out of whack or not getting invoices out in a timely manner. So what you should be fixing is your accounting problems rather than changing your marketing.

5. Marketing can’t make people buy things they either don’t want or can’t afford. It doesn’t matter how great your product or service is, if you’re selling to people who either don’t have the interest or the means to buy it, then your marketing is going to fail no matter how brilliant it may be.

So basically it all boils down to this, before you decide you need more marketing, take a few moments and make sure marketing is really the right solution for your business.

Creativity Exercise – Reality Check

Before you launch into a new marketing program, take some time to analyze what’s really happening in your business. Do you really need a marketing program or is your problem:

* You aren’t able to close the leads you have
* You aren’t invoicing in a timely manner or following up with unpaid accounts
* Your customers aren’t happy with the product or service
* Your customers are having a bad experience with technical support or something else in the process isn’t working
* Your target market isn’t right
* You aren’t passionate about what you’re doing anymore
* Your business has way too many expenses

And so on. Basically I just want you to make sure marketing really is your problem before you start fiddling with it.

If you want to grow your business, then you should be consistently marketing your business. But if you’re using marketing as a bandaid for some other problem, then you could be headed for trouble.

How To Make Money From Freebie Seekers

Июль 23rd, 2010

How To Make Money From Freebie Seekers

There’s a common misconception that people who search for free stuff online are not good prospects as customers. While that may be true in many cases, that doesn’t mean they can’t help you make money.

We’re going to discuss how you can make money from these freebie seekers by not selling them any products.

You’re going to send these people to companies which will pay you for each lead you send them.

These pay per lead companies will pay you each time you send them a …

Keywords:
pay per lead programs,freebie seekers,make money online,adsense

There’s a common misconception that people who search for free stuff online are not good prospects as customers. While that may be true in many cases, that doesn’t mean they can’t help you make money.

We’re going to discuss how you can make money from these freebie seekers by not selling them any products.

You’re going to send these people to companies which will pay you for each lead you send them.

These pay per lead companies will pay you each time you send them a visitor who does one of a few things:

1.) Fills out a form to request a free sample
2.) Downloads a free software program
3.) Signs up for a newsletter

What’s important to know is that these people will not be handing over any money to the company. Yet, you can still generate an income by sending visitors to these companies.

That’s because these companies know that they will make back the money they invest in paying for the leads.

Here is a reputable company which will bring you quality pay per lead offers: http://www.azoogleads.com

There are many others in various niches. You can find them through Google.

You’ve found the lead companies. Now you need to find the freebie seekers and do some match making. Have a look at any of the various keyword research tools on the market. You’ll find tons of people searching free stuff.

These freebie seekers don’t stop at just one freebie. When they’re on a roll, they’ll practically run over anybody that gets in their way to find more free offers.

There’s another similar market that you could even tackle. That’s the coupon market. People who are searching for all sorts of coupons and rebates for products online.

There are enough companies using Adwords to advertise their sites that you could set up a content site and make money by placing Adsense ads on your sites.

I used to wonder how these sites were making money when their focus was on free stuff. Now using pay per lead programs and Adsense, I can see how much money there is flowing in this niche.

Three WaysTo Start A Conversation And Finish With A Sale

Июль 23rd, 2010

Three Ways To Start A Conversation And Finish With A Sale

Ditch your elevator pitch. Zap your infomercial. And whatever you do, keep your carefully worded, painstakingly developed, positioning statement to yourself.

They may make you sound clever, but your elevator pitch, infomercial or positioning statement don’t exactly make for good conversations. Which is a shame, because last I checked, even a sales conversation is just that – a conversation.

So what can you say to a prospect sitting across the boardroom table, or someone…

Keywords:
branding,differentiation,networking,sales,copywriting,marketing,persuasion,communication

Ditch your elevator pitch. Zap your infomercial. And whatever you do, keep your carefully worded, painstakingly developed, positioning statement to yourself.

They may make you sound clever, but your elevator pitch, infomercial or positioning statement don’t exactly make for good conversations. Which is a shame, because last I checked, even a sales conversation is just that – a conversation.

So what can you say to a prospect sitting across the boardroom table, or someone you meet at a networking event or the beach bum in the next chaise longue? How can you start a conversation in a totally natural, familiar way that doesn’t sound like a sales pitch to the other person, doesn’t feel like a sales pitch to you, and yet increases your chance of getting your next referral or making your next sale?

Unfortunately, there’s no such thing as a magical phrase or headline that will make the other person want to buy your product or services – it just doesn’t exist.

What does exist, however, is an approach that will elicit interest from the other person so that he or she will want to engage you in a conversation. As a copywriter, I have adapted several copywriting styles and approaches for use in verbal conversations.

Here are three of my favorites.

#1 The Provocative Question

Chances are, you’ve seen this technique on websites, flyers and direct mail. It’s Copywriting for Direct Marketers 101, and it works just as powerfully in verbal conversations. In fact, it works so well that I’m surprised people don’t use it more often!

The best way to come up with a Provocative Question is to ask yourself the following:

“What question can I ask, such that the response from the other person allows me to say, ‘That’s what I do…’?”

The best Provocative Question pinpoints a problem or a symptom of a problem that the other person has. However, don’t get trapped into thinking that the problem has to be a big, generic problem that the category as a whole solves. It can be a small but nagging problem, or even a one that people have when they deal with your competitors.

Many people have a hard time coming up with Provocative Questions because, ironically, the most compelling ones are also the simplest and most obvious. Another thing that people have trouble with is answering a question with a question – when someone asks us a question, we’re wired to answer. What I am suggesting here is that you use that wiring to your advantage.

Here’s an example. When someone asks me what I do, I often answer back with a Provocative Question like this:

“Well let me ask you a question. When you go to a networking event or when you have to introduce yourself in public, how confident are you with the way you describe your business?

Almost every time, the person acknowledges that he or she doesn’t feel confident with the way they describe their business. In that moment, I have engaged the other person’s interest by presenting what I do in a way that’s personally meaningful to him or her. Then, what generally ensues is a conversation about the sales and marketing challenges they have and how I can help.

If, on the other hand, the person responds by saying that they‘re totally confident with the way they describe their business, that’s cool too. I have two choices; I can either move on to another provocative question, (such as, ‘That’s great, do you get the response you want or would you like more people to ask for your business card, even in social situations?’), or I can talk about how being confident about the way you describe your business shows you have exceptional clarity the true value you offer to your clients – and how that’s the absolute most fundamental plank of your sales and marketing.

It’s all good – it’s all about having a conversation around an issue that’s both A) important to the other person, and B) related to a core challenge that you help your best clients solve.

#2 The Level-Setting Statement

If you’re a financial advisor, consultant, or in any other crowded profession where your prospects are very familiar with – perhaps even jaded about – the kind of work you do, this one’s for you.

The ‘level-setting statement’ is a universal statement that gets the other person nodding in agreement and then, WHAMMO! your point of difference hits them like a ton of bricks!
Here’s why it’s such a powerful technique. You can only be different in comparison to something else. That’s what the level-setting statement does — it establishes what that something else is.

Here’s just one example from an event planner I worked with:

“There are five specific areas of expertise that are absolutely critical in major event planning. (Pause – and wait to see if the other person wants to know what they are.) While there are a lot of excellent event planners who can do a good job in one or two of them, it’s extremely unlikely that any one event planner would be an expert in all of them. Because I’ve been in the business for 15 years – on both the corporate as well as on the vendor side – I’ve developed a detailed planning process around each and every one. That’s what enables me to track and manage the myriad of details to guarantee a successful event.”

By stating the level-setting statement up front, you educate the other person about the industry you operate in, and establish a frame of reference that gives meaning to the differentiation you want to communicate.

You can use this approach to challenge an underlying assumption that people have about the industry, to illustrate a small but significant problem that generally annoys customers when dealing with your competitors, or anything else that allows you to highlight your solution.

Take a look at your own point of difference. Can you come up with a level-setting statement that will help you stand out even more?

#3 Address The Stereotype Head-on

You know how as soon as people discover you’re a _________________(insert your title here), they immediately form an impression about you that’s based on a stereotype?
Unfortunately, that stereotype is often negative.

For professions such as life insurance agents or used car salespeople, where the negative stereotypes run strong and deep, I recommend you address the stereotype head-on:

“If I tell you I’m a used car salesman, you’d probably think ‘plaid jacket guy who sells lemons to unsuspecting customers’, right?”

Pausing here is important here, because you want to give the listener time to move the image of the stereotype from the unconscious part of their brain to the conscious part. They might even want to chime in and give you their negative experience about dealing with ‘people like you’.

Perfect – now their guard is down. Now you can continue on to explain how your business, service or approach ‘fixes’ the problem that everyone else in your industry has created.
That’s your most compelling differentiator!

Stop selling! And start having real conversations!

Simple as it may seem, everything truly does start with a conversation. You’re not trying to tell your entire story, nor are you even trying to get the most important points out of your mouth first. All you want to accomplish is elicit interest from the other person; to have that person say, ‘tell me more’.

So don’t think of these as sales techniques – think of them as conversation starters.

The rest is up to you. If you are genuinely interested in helping the person you’re chatting with, chances are better than excellent you’ll finish with a referral or a sale.
Now go out and have some conversations!

Ways to Market Your Business through Business Cards

Июль 23rd, 2010

Ways to Market Your Business through Business Cards

Business cards are one of the most cost effective marketing tools for your business. Keeping them in the box or in your drawer would do you no good.

Keywords:
business, cards, printing, design

So let’s say you were able to create an attractive and stunning business card. The problem now is what will you do with it?

Business cards are one of the most cost effective marketing tools for your business. Keeping them in the box or in your drawer would do you no good. You need to get them into the hands of your potential customers. Keep in mind that your business card is like a mini-billboard for your business so you need people to see it in order for it to be effective. How can you possibly do this?

First off, you need to always keep them in your purse, pocket, wallet or briefcase or at the reception area of your office. It is important that you have them on hand so that when you need them you can easily take hold of it and introduce yourself to a customer. Second, you can always place the cards in libraries, supermarkets, local restaurants or bulletin boards. Whenever there is an opportunity for you to post or leave your card in, go ahead. Somebody important might see it and contact you.

Third, include your business card in all your correspondence. If you ship products you can include a card in every package. You can also include your contact information in your email signature. It serves as an electronic business card. Fourth, keep you cards in a nice holder so they won’t get bent or wet. Storing your cards in a stylish case creates a better presentation. If you are also receiving someone else’s card treat them well. You won’t impress the person by mishandling their business card.

Fifth, give people a reason to hold your card. You can print something unique and different at the back such as a calendar, list of important events or anything relevant to your business. Lastly, use the business card to introduce yourself. However, don’t be too pushy. Make sure that the time is appropriate when you hand them. You can ask first for the other person’s card. This way they will also ask you for your card in return.

Business cards can do more than just provide your contact information. You can use them as marketing materials to help you bring in more business. So, don’t just leave them to sit in a box collecting dust. They are inexpensive enough to print by the thousands, so hand them out so they can serve their purpose.

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