![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
Since most of us are always online and our business is online, we often forget the importance of advertising our business offline. Print advertising can be one of the best forms of advertising for your buck. Why? Well, with print advertising it's in the form of hard copy and is always in view of your potential customers. Thats just one small example. Think about your daily newspaper...try hiding that in your email box! The following are just a few hints and ideas for you to consider before you place an offline advertising campaign.
--->Expiration Dates
You want to be sure to include an expiration date so that the possible customer sees that there is a limited time BUT don't make the date to end too soon. Why? You want to give an "extended expiration date" on printed material especially because for one thing printed material has a chance to "lie around" longer, it may not be the "right time" for the possible customer OR they may know of someone else that may be interested in what you're offering. Give them time to pass it on or "come back later".
--->Track your ads
If you have anyway of tracking your ads, use it. A couple of ways you can do this is:
1)Have the customer email/call/mail their orders to you.
2)Have a special code they need to use to receive the special. Use a different code for each advertising campaign you use. If you don't have the ability to use coupon codes you might want to check out PayCodes.com which is a new service developed by PayPal to help you in this situation.
--->Types of Ads to Generate Interest
Freebies! Everyone loves freebies!
1) Offer the prospective customer a free gift with their purchase.
2) Have them email/call/mail for a free sample.
3) When you send them their free sample, send them a card for another free sample to give to a friend.
4) Have the ad offer free shipping and handling.
5) Offer a "Buy One Get One Free" Promotion.
6) Have them contact you for a free catalog.
Discounts.
1) Offer a discount (ex. 10%, 15%, 20% off) for their first purchase.
2) Offer one product at full price and the second ½ off.
Drawings/Contests.
1) Have them email/call/mail you for an entry to a free contest. Use your products as the prize. (Be sure to offer an additional discount for the winner.)
* You've gain interest, now what?
Once you've had someone contact you with some interest in your business/products be sure to keep in contact back.
* First of all reply to them in a timely manner and be sure to thank them for their interest.
* Next, offer them yet another form of a discount.
* If they are requesting a free sample, free catalog, entry into a contest or any other form of interest offer them a discount of 10% off their next order.
* If you have a newsletter/ezine make sure you ask them if you can add them to your mailing list to receive announcements of discounts/specials/contests first hand.
* When you've sent off their free sample/free catalog/order/prize be sure to contact them again in a few days. Let them know that you wanted to make sure they received it and that everything was okay. Ask them for any thoughts/questions about it. Let them know that they can contact you for anything.
About the Author
Anita DeFrank a WAHM of two and co-owner of DirectSalesHelpers.com which was created specifically for those in Direct Sales. Do you find yourself asking how to make more sales? The above is only a small taste of the wealth of information available at http://www.directsaleshelpers.com. Stop on in if you're serious about your direct sales company and want to know how you can make more sales.
In today's fast paced environment, interaction with family and friends... Read More
You can turn your vehicle into a rolling advertisement. Costs... Read More
Graphical LED Displays utilize high-resolution graphics and video to transmit... Read More
Your marketing and advertising won't be effective if your potential... Read More
If you own a mobile detailing business or mobile car... Read More
The decision on whether or not someone will read your... Read More
Many of the most memorable ad campaigns around tend to... Read More
To promote the audience, staff, customers and other people the... Read More
To succeed in today's crowded marketplace where most of the... Read More
From meager beginnings in 1920, radio has grown with us... Read More
If you're a retailer and the only kind of advertising... Read More
Oh Grand and Glorious Southern Guru, I am perplexed. What... Read More
When, some little time ago now, I first descended upon... Read More
Critics conclude that entertaining or "creative" commercials sell better than... Read More
Today's online marketplace is extremely competitive. People want to market... Read More
Most of us have seen at least a dozen different... Read More
For Everyone Who Has Ever Struggled Sorting Out Benefits From... Read More
As I was searching through a kitchen drawer the other... Read More
Sometimes, it is not an obvious business idea that will... Read More
Are you confused by all the information you receive from... Read More
When advertising, you need to sell your opportunity, your products... Read More
Big businesses get instant credibility with their well-known company name... Read More
Are your business-to-business ads working for you? If they are... Read More
An effective way to gain company recognition is to order... Read More
A professional business card says more about you and your... Read More
I was in the fine city of Chicago this week... Read More
Depending on whom you ask, you will get told many... Read More
Is fear of failure an issue when you commit valuable... Read More
Do you often see print advertisements outdoors, as much as... Read More
To succeed in today's crowded marketplace where most of the... Read More
One of the most powerful offers you can use in... Read More
"Culture is a like dropping an Alka-seltzer into a glass... Read More
All sales begin with some form of advertising. To build... Read More
The opportunities for getting free advertising for your product or... Read More
Advertising and promoting your business is expensive, so it's important... Read More
A correspondent to AdBriefing, my monthly newsletter, has posed a... Read More
1. Place copies of your circular on bulletin... Read More
Since most of us are always online and our business... Read More
A joint venture is when two or more businesses join... Read More
So, you own a small business, sales are down and... Read More
"Do we need to cast a voice-over talent for this... Read More
It is difficult to miss a Hummer, but how many... Read More
Stand Out in Ways that Matter to Directory Users A... Read More
A good annual direct mail solicitation program can produce unrestrictive... Read More
The task of executing successful advertising campaigns for products made... Read More
The ability to lead, persuade and influence are integral skills... Read More
Your print ads should do more than just get noticed.... Read More
Give Us The Bottom Line!If you are like most people,... Read More
Starting a placemat ad business can create more business for... Read More
The big news on Wall Street last year was the... Read More
Advertising Advertising |