Businesses around the world invest, or to be more precise, they spend, untold numbers of dollars to advertise, market and promote their products and services to make sales and gain new clients. In an economic downturn these expenditures may be reduced due to cost constraints and consumer reluctance to buy.
As an example it costs around $1,000usd for a small classified advertisement in the weekend editions of major USA newspapers, $2-3,000usd for a similar placement in monthly travel magazines. Radio spots, from 'cheap and nasty' during the hours when nobody is really awake to prime time messages to thousands, the majority of whom may not be interested and many of the rest may just go to a competitor. In effect, business advertisers may often pay for 'lack of performance'. Either the advertising copy was ineffective or the reach of the medium and quality of the audience was ineffective.
In other fields of endeavour we work, perform, produce and then get paid. Why not in advertising?
It may be the time to rethink the effectiveness of our advertising spend and to rethink who we spend it with, what we spend it on, when we should spend it, where we should spend it, why we are spending it, how we should spend it? Or even, 'if' we should spend it.
In other words, how can we get more value from our advertising spend? Is there a better way?
The internet affords us all exceptional opportunities to showcase our wares but the same problem arises: how do small businesses let the world know about their own websites when contending with the major players who are always able to buy more 'googling' stuff than they can?
As well as being approached by media reps from local to national newspapers and magazines, small businesses now get inundated with internet offers such as: 'top 10 search engine rankings for your website; 50,000 hits guaranteed; increased visits assured with our email programs to our double opt-in email clients.' And so on and so forth. The emails arrive daily to inboxes everywhere.
Businesses do not want looky-loos clogging up their websites. They want committed buyers to review and compare their products to others. They do not want to give their hard-earned money to advertisers who simply want to sell advertising space. They want advertising partners.
Businesses should be given the opportunity to work with a 'pay for performance' option for their own advertising spend. In other words, "work with me, perform with me, produce with me, get results with me and then bill me." The P4P partnership could generate more advertising revenue than the old system of "just pay, shut up, wait and be thankful for what you get." Let's consider a P4P arrangement where a percentage of sales is given to advertisers who produce sales. Many businesses might welcome such an opportunity to partner with forward-thinking advertisers. Just consider how much more advertising copy could be placed.
An example:
A business that operates websites that offer travel in over 70 countries and with products available to travellers in all countries. This company needs to advertise in every country, in all traditional media and in all e-commerce media such as e-newsletters, ezines and websites plus tv, radio and of course the electronic social media. To do this would take an enormous budget, which is not available, but to do this on a P4P arrangement could lead to sales growth that could never be realized with the traditional methods. There could be many similar businesses around the world that could also grow more quickly. Advertisers who are willing to accept a radical change in their business practices by operating a P4P option could also benefit from the business growth of the thousands of global businesses that would embrace this innovative new concept. Sharing the risk of both success and failure. End of example.
The way we now advertise, market and promote business must change. Advertisers should consider P4P and share the risk and the greater rewards for performance. The advertising industry could experience more business, more profits and lead global economic recovery.
More global businesses will readily accept a P4P partnership. Businesses and advertisers can perform together and make better returns for both by sharing the risk and producing improved sales. However, the P4P format should only be implemented when both parties agree that it could produce better incomes for both parties. If advertisers consider that there would be no benefits for them with a P4P arrangement, the business has to also rethink their own advertising methods and lack of confidence of the advertiser for declining the arrangement. A catch 22, but real world.
Although most businesses do not want window shoppers, looky-loos, timewasters, or those who unfortunately cannot afford to buy, they must also be aware that, in travel anyway, "today's backpacker may be tomorrow's luxury travel buyer" and should be nurtured and even developed as future customers. A P4P partnership of media and business could develop improved campaigns leading to healthier long-term business growth for all partners.
A recent real case example for internet advertising is as follows:
An internet marketing company stating that they had 'a list of 3,000,000 enthusiastic travellers' recently approached a local business. Before even asking for the cost of using their services the business owner switched the tactics by offering them the opportunity to send their message to this list over a period of months, but on a P4P basis (at their cost). The business owner offered to pay them $10usd per sale (out of a $35 total sale). Their comments, "we do not do business that way."
The retort from the business owner: "if you are not prepared to try and get 1% (yes one percent) of your database to buy my offer (30,000 x $10 = earnings of $300k), it appears to me that you do not have any confidence in your own database, my offer, or my product, but you would take my money upfront even though you have no belief in the success of the mailing. This is not the way I want to do business and you are not the company I want to do business with."
If advertisers believe that your advertisement will work for you why would they not want to earn a better income from a P4P arrangement? Or do they really have an in-house ethical conflict between editorial and advertising departments? If so, what are advertorials and the published press releases sent from public relations agencies?
Over the years all types of businesses have been convinced by all forms of media to advertise but rarely are they asked to assess the results of the advertisement. Advertisers keep taking the money. Businesses keep on doing the same thing because they have been convinced that they need to be seen and to "do it this way." Well, maybe it's time for a change.
The present economic climate is causing stress and strife around the world. Advertisers could find that they have so much white space available forcing them to print thinner newspapers and to offer discounted rates to their recession-proof clients. But what if these advertising agencies and media outlets started to work on a P4P basis with all types of businesses to create new partnerships of media and frontline operations from restaurants to who knows what? A win for the media, a win for the businesses and a win for the buyers who stay informed and are kept aware of local, regional or international opportunities. And maybe full staffing, thick papers and magazines, robust ezines and e-newsletters that will make us all feel more confident about the economy.
Not all situations will allow a p4p partnership but there are enough out there to reward all parties and all we need to do is develop simple operating systems to make this new way attractive and secure for all participants.
The business in the example above could operate on a P4P basis. It could have a P4P arrangement with many different partners in many different countries at the same time. Any downside for the media partners would be minimized by their thorough understanding of the business services and products. They would know the wants and needs of the business and so be in a position to not just accept an advertisement but to be totally involved in the generation of leads and buyers. All partners could get the maximum benefit from the opportunity because the only way to earn revenues is to produce results by better use of skills, creativity, contacts and advertising reach.
A simple method for internet businesses is for unique pages or URLs to be set up for each P4P operation so that accurate assessments can be made of the specific promotion and the fees based on the same statistics and buyers. Another 'comfort-zone' action could be for the media P4P partner to collect the 'gross takings' and to remit the net after deductions, to the other partner. Vouchers can be created giving all parties an audit trail. Trust is paramount in P4P partnerships.
Many small businesses will survive and help save the global economies. Big business will continue heavy layoffs, cutbacks and corrections until the good times roll again, which could be a long way into the future. Let's take action now.
Small business together with Small Internet Media (e-newsletters, ezines) and other Smart Media can try new ways to pull us all out of the economic mire. If they seriously consider this new way of advertising, marketing and promotion 'with' their clients, not 'for' their clients, they can "get going now, or they can sit back, take no risks, take no chances, ignore P4P opportunities, downsize, get laid off, change careers, move away or just keep doing the same old thing and stagnate."
Thousands of businesses around the world would welcome approaches from all forms of media to advertise, market and promote within a P4P partnership arrangement. This could be a simple way to not only help business survival in the recession but will enable us to prepare for future growth.
We go to work, perform our duties, finish the job, produce results and then we get paid. Why then should we not expect to pay only for the 'results' of' our advertising and not just 'for' advertising?
Imagine the global acceptance of P4P. Businesses would be able to advertise anywhere and would never again have budgetary restrictions to advertise, market and promote sales. Media businesses would be getting new clients from places that they would never have considered and at the same time, helping their own clients to expand. Why don't we do it?
Just because; "We don't do business that way" is unacceptable!
The positive side of an economic downturn is that new opportunities arise for creative and progressive entrepreneurs to start new ventures such as P4P advertising. They are out there.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Reaching Your Targeted Audience With Text Message Marketing
Bulk SMS (short message system) companies offer you the opportunity to send a single text message to all your customer's cell phones at one time. This is similar to sending bulk email with much better open rates and response. 94% of all text messages sent are opened and read making Text message marketing or SMS marketing a very effective and inexpensive form of advertising for your business.
So how do you get all these cell numbers to send your messages too?
One is using your existing customer list. Some SMS marketing systems allow you to import your existing email list to send an email through their system with a link to opt in to your SMS system to receive something of value to them.
For example: xyz company invites you to join our text message system to receive valuable weekly coupons via a text message to your cell phone. Click the link to opt in.
If the system you choose does not have a email system, then use your existing email system to send the invitation and use a keyword such as "invite" to your systems short phone number known as a shortcode.
For example: xyz company invites you to join our text message system to receive valuable weekly coupons via a text message to your cell phone. On your cell phone text the word "invite" to the number 12345.
You may also use this invitation using standard postcard mailouts.
The other way to build your opt in list is to entice your audience to join and receive something of value instantly via text message. A restaurant might have table tents inviting it's customers to join and receive 10% off their meal or a free dessert. By texting a keyword such as dessert to the shortcode 12345, they will get an auto response message that might say, Thank you for joining. Enjoy your free dessert. Show this message to your server.
Now that you have a targeted audience, it provides direct and instant response to you marketing campaigns. These are people who have asked to receive your information and may already be your customers. These messages will provide greater response than all your other advertising efforts.
So how do you get all these cell numbers to send your messages too?
One is using your existing customer list. Some SMS marketing systems allow you to import your existing email list to send an email through their system with a link to opt in to your SMS system to receive something of value to them.
For example: xyz company invites you to join our text message system to receive valuable weekly coupons via a text message to your cell phone. Click the link to opt in.
If the system you choose does not have a email system, then use your existing email system to send the invitation and use a keyword such as "invite" to your systems short phone number known as a shortcode.
For example: xyz company invites you to join our text message system to receive valuable weekly coupons via a text message to your cell phone. On your cell phone text the word "invite" to the number 12345.
You may also use this invitation using standard postcard mailouts.
The other way to build your opt in list is to entice your audience to join and receive something of value instantly via text message. A restaurant might have table tents inviting it's customers to join and receive 10% off their meal or a free dessert. By texting a keyword such as dessert to the shortcode 12345, they will get an auto response message that might say, Thank you for joining. Enjoy your free dessert. Show this message to your server.
Now that you have a targeted audience, it provides direct and instant response to you marketing campaigns. These are people who have asked to receive your information and may already be your customers. These messages will provide greater response than all your other advertising efforts.
Get an Edge With Promotional Electronics Items
Living in the modern world, you have probably figured out that we are deeply integrated with electronics on a business and personal level. A great way to tell others about your business is through promotional items with an electronics edge. Use small items such as a USB Flash Drive or a MP3 player to advertise your business at a trade show. Or give away radios, clocks and cameras as prizes. All you have to do is have your company name, logo or motto imprinted on the item to get instant advertising.
Have you ever sat down with a client only to find that you couldn't communicate because they brought along a young child who doesn't want to sit through a meeting? Try holding a coloring contest where the winner wins a prize every month. The prize can be a watch or an MP3 player with your company logo printed on it. The child will most likely be happy coloring for the contest, and you and the parent can hold your meeting undisturbed.
Promotional items in the electronics field vary in price range from under two dollars up to approximately one hundred dollars. These prices include a choice of one color and one imprinting on location. Items in the higher range are wonderful gifts that show appreciation for your team.
Award a team member's sales record with a web camera so they can hold web meetings in company style. Send other team members on the road with a Cuvette Mobile Phone Holder. Show customers you appreciate them with unexpected gifts like a flashlight keychain clock. This shows them that you appreciate them and their business and also gives a message that you want to continue working with them in the future.
Another great way to show customers your appreciation is with simple gestures like having pens with clocks on them available in your office. Consider your audience and match an appropriate promotional item with something they would enjoy. Go to a college fair and distribute little flashlights or USB Flash Drives to the students. Go to an automotive shop and distribute electric tire air pressure gauges.
As you prepare your logo or wording for printing, keep in mind that you want to create an image or thought that makes customers want to do business with you. Let the electronic promotional products help you do this.
Have you ever sat down with a client only to find that you couldn't communicate because they brought along a young child who doesn't want to sit through a meeting? Try holding a coloring contest where the winner wins a prize every month. The prize can be a watch or an MP3 player with your company logo printed on it. The child will most likely be happy coloring for the contest, and you and the parent can hold your meeting undisturbed.
Promotional items in the electronics field vary in price range from under two dollars up to approximately one hundred dollars. These prices include a choice of one color and one imprinting on location. Items in the higher range are wonderful gifts that show appreciation for your team.
Award a team member's sales record with a web camera so they can hold web meetings in company style. Send other team members on the road with a Cuvette Mobile Phone Holder. Show customers you appreciate them with unexpected gifts like a flashlight keychain clock. This shows them that you appreciate them and their business and also gives a message that you want to continue working with them in the future.
Another great way to show customers your appreciation is with simple gestures like having pens with clocks on them available in your office. Consider your audience and match an appropriate promotional item with something they would enjoy. Go to a college fair and distribute little flashlights or USB Flash Drives to the students. Go to an automotive shop and distribute electric tire air pressure gauges.
As you prepare your logo or wording for printing, keep in mind that you want to create an image or thought that makes customers want to do business with you. Let the electronic promotional products help you do this.
The Smartest Babysitting Business Card Ideas
This is one business that you can be sure of, as long as there are going to be human beings on this world babies will have be born. The days babysitting was looked down upon are long gone.
Now days it is a full time job like any other. Baby-sitting has developed to be a full time thriving business. It is a preference job for teenagers looking for part-time or full time babysitting job and the managers for these businesses are teenagers themselves. The number of people employing their services has increased tremendously. A lot of career moms depend on these babysitters.
Baby-sitting being a serious business also needs some very innovative card designs. These business cards are what promotes and sell your business. I have been highlighted a few design ideas below;
* Include all useful information in your card-incorporate all information your prospective customer will refer from time to time. This information may include details about your organization, something specific. Put an unique information like a calendar on one side, your client will have a reason to draw out your card to check dates when it is required, hence reminding them about your business all the times.
* Make it a referral card-A referral card makes it easy to introduce prospective clients to your business. On one side, you use it to invite people to events while the other side it has details about your organization.
* Design it two sided-One side is information about your organization while the other side you can use it like a billboard advertisement. Let it be very eye catching just as you find on a billboard. The text should be simple enough to the prospective clients.
* Design it as if it is a note card-Design it in such a way that you can jot notes on one side while the other side is all about details concerning your organization.
* Design them like a card pad-Print the cards on lighter papers and tack the finished cards on notice boards or any other convenient place.
If you need money now, like I mean in the next hour, try what I did. I am making more money now than in my old business and you can too, read the amazing, true story, in the link below. When I joined I was skeptical for just ten seconds before I realized what this was. I was smiling from ear to ear and you will too.
Imagine doubling your money every week with no or little risk! To discover a verified list of Million Dollar Corporations offering you their products at 75% commission to you. Click the link below to learn HOW you will begin compounding your capital towards your first Million Dollars at the easy corporate money program.
Now days it is a full time job like any other. Baby-sitting has developed to be a full time thriving business. It is a preference job for teenagers looking for part-time or full time babysitting job and the managers for these businesses are teenagers themselves. The number of people employing their services has increased tremendously. A lot of career moms depend on these babysitters.
Baby-sitting being a serious business also needs some very innovative card designs. These business cards are what promotes and sell your business. I have been highlighted a few design ideas below;
* Include all useful information in your card-incorporate all information your prospective customer will refer from time to time. This information may include details about your organization, something specific. Put an unique information like a calendar on one side, your client will have a reason to draw out your card to check dates when it is required, hence reminding them about your business all the times.
* Make it a referral card-A referral card makes it easy to introduce prospective clients to your business. On one side, you use it to invite people to events while the other side it has details about your organization.
* Design it two sided-One side is information about your organization while the other side you can use it like a billboard advertisement. Let it be very eye catching just as you find on a billboard. The text should be simple enough to the prospective clients.
* Design it as if it is a note card-Design it in such a way that you can jot notes on one side while the other side is all about details concerning your organization.
* Design them like a card pad-Print the cards on lighter papers and tack the finished cards on notice boards or any other convenient place.
If you need money now, like I mean in the next hour, try what I did. I am making more money now than in my old business and you can too, read the amazing, true story, in the link below. When I joined I was skeptical for just ten seconds before I realized what this was. I was smiling from ear to ear and you will too.
Imagine doubling your money every week with no or little risk! To discover a verified list of Million Dollar Corporations offering you their products at 75% commission to you. Click the link below to learn HOW you will begin compounding your capital towards your first Million Dollars at the easy corporate money program.
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