Showing posts with label marketing tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label marketing tips. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

KISS - Before You Invest Your Money


KISS is a well known acronym for keep it simple simon (some say stupid - but that's not nice). In marketing the most effective strategy is often the simple one. Before you spend thousands of dollars on marketing services, shiny new computer programs and gurus who promise the stars, be sure that you have carefully evaluated the simple strategies that have been used to generate unlimited customers and millions of dollars.

Have you ever heard of guerilla marketing strategies? You know, the marketing ideas that you can implement for little or no cost while reaching a large audience? I remember many years ago being in awe of the creator and teacher of this method. I thought it was just genius. Jay Conrad Levinson taught us to use common sense, every day encounters and basic messages to reach the masses.
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Simple but powerful marketing that got results.

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Since that time I have learned methods, tips and strategies from many of the great gurus of our time. Though these names may not be familiar, if you have an opportunity read articles or study the programs of Robert Middleton, Armand Morin, Yanik Silver or David Frey it would be time and money well spent - or should I say invested. These men have all contributed brilliant ideas and methodologies for building your client base while leveraging your money.

To get started, here are a few ideas that any entrepreneur can implement:

1) Write a press release - Here's an opportunity to introduce your company to a very large audience at no cost!

2) Form a joint venture - Form a relationship with a company that services your target market. Example, if you are a landscaper, form a joint venture with a general contractor. If you own a daycare, form a relationship with the local uniform shop. One simple technique to jumpstarting this is to have your partner agree to write a letter to every client in his/her database recommending your services. Be sure to include a few testimonials in the letter and your contact information. You can tap into a brand new database of potential clients and do it with the endorsement of someone that they trust and all for the price of a stamp and stationary or time at the computer! Now that's leverage.

3) Sponsor a local charity event - First, choose a charity that you personally would endorse. Then choose a method that would help promote the event to the community. Examples would be paying to have flyers printed, purchase door prizes, putting together a team of volunteers to help at the event and of course cash donations are always welcome. An idea that is often over looked is offering introductory discounts to the organizations supporters. In return, your business name and services can be listed as a sponsor on all of their marketing materials, given an opportunity to display banners or be recognized at public events, not to mention, you now have access to their supporters.

4) Join your local chamber of commerce or networking organization - Members are inclined to patronize the services of other members

5) Start a blog - this is not only an article by itself --- it's a series. But if we stick to the basics. Begin by visiting blogger (dot) com or Wordpress (dot) com.

Remember, marketing isn't an exact science, what works for one business may not produce the same results for another business. The key is to be persistent, personable and passionate.

Start your new year with a commitment to always KISS - before you invest.

To your marketing success,

DaJuan Tircuit

Sunday, December 10, 2006

Where's the "marketing" beef?

Do you remember the Wendy's commercial years ago where the elderly lady would bite the hamburgers and ask in a really deep voice "Where's the Beef'? It became a household slang, even used in a major political campaign. Basically, the message was that the competitors offered very little substance.


Great marketing move for many reasons. First, if I were a betting person, I would say that an overwhelming majority of people ( those 30 and over :)) reading this remembers the slogan. Second, the words were not merely words, they painted a clear picture for prospective customers. Whether they realized it or not, people who remembered the slogan were subtly indoctrinated with the thought that Wendy's hamburgers were always bigger. Third, it was entertaining. The humor, the visual image and play on words inspired people to remember it. Last, it was viral, a major politician adopted it, people were repeating it.

What does your marketing message communicated about your business? If I said your business name to one of your customers, what would be the first thing that they remember about you?

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That is marketing in the purest sense.
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I don't mean selling. I mean painting a picture in the minds of your target customer's that help them to easily identify your strengths over your competitors.

So what's a simple way to develop your own picturesque message?

Try this exercise for quick results:


  1. Make a list of your business strengths, your unique qualities and narrow your list down to the most important quality;

  2. Next choose an image that can easily be associated with that strength and that will be familiar to your clients;

  3. Now as you begin to promote your product or service, place emphasis on this quality;

  4. Before you send the new message out to the general public, test it by polling a smaller group of current or prospective customers. Ask their opinions;

  5. Don't get discouraged if your great idea doesn't go over well. Remember not only is marketing not an exact science, your marketing messages are not written in stone.

Why does this work? Often, the driving force behind a customer's decision to choose your product or service is not the cheaper price, rather, it's forces that are far more connected to our human nature. When you properly connect to these human traits, you will win life time clients.


What do you think they are? Post and let us know.

Partnering with you for growth and success,


DaJuan Tircuit