As more businesses and marketers have turned to email marketing, it is fair to wonder if direct mail marketing still works as effectively as it once did. Email marketing is a good way to stay in touch with customers and prospects. Just like social media marketing, it has its place in the marketing mix. However, […]

If the economic doldrums still have you down, take action with these quick, simple, yet very effective “kick in the pants” steps for a fast turnaround. It’s no secret that you must have a process for continually bringing qualified leads into your sales funnel. This is the lifeblood of your business. Some things are out

Customers have more choices than ever in today’s competitive business world. That’s why it’s so important to do everything possible to stand apart from the competition. One great way to gain a competitive edge is to increase your credibility. Here are a few tips to help you establish and enhance credibility with your prospects and

We’ve all been there… You’re at a Chamber of Commerce networking meeting or a neighborhood party and meet a new person. Relatively quickly the conversation turns to what you do for a living. You respond, “I’m a (fill in your profession here).” Your new friend tries really hard to express interest and not have their

Are you in control of your life, or does it feel like life is tossing you around like a boat in a storm? Only one person in a hundred may look ahead, picture in their mind what they want, and set a plan to work toward their goals. The other ninety-nine may think about what

While rising prices are inevitable in the business world, that doesn’t mean price increase announcements have to be viewed negatively. Here are a few tips to help you break the ice as painlessly as possible for your customers. Announce the price increase with plenty of notice (at least 30 days) before raising your pricing. Don’t

Following up after a sale provides an opportunity to offer a heart-felt thank you and ensure customer satisfaction. It also lets you discuss additional services and improve a customer’s probable return to your business. Here are a few follow-up tips for after-sale marketing: Show your gratitude with a free offer that complements the original purchase.

Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will. Fear and self-doubt are two of the biggest dream killers in most of us. Success often comes down to what we’re willing to do about it. Will you take some risks and do something different than what you’ve always done? Many of us are so afraid of

Deadline Lessons from Saturday Night Live Saturday Night Live (SNL) producer Lorne Michaels once said, “I say it every week: We don’t go on because we’re ready. We go on because it’s 11:30.” He went on to say that being “ready” is a state of mind, one you can condition yourself to overcome with regular

Every print marketing piece should have an end goal in mind. Depending on the type of marketing piece, these goals can range from simply building name recognition to creating curiosity and ultimately generating sales. The next time you find yourself struggling to create print marketing that will get noticed, remember these three steps to maximize