The 12 Travel Tips for Christmas

Thanks to The Canada Safety Council for the following post.

1. Let people know your travel itinerary – either leave a copy with neighbours or family members, and always keep people informed if your plans happen to change.
   
2. Check to make sure your passports, visas and vaccinations are all up-to-date.  Leave copies of your passports, driver’s licence, credit cards and other important documents with family members in case of theft.
   
3. While you are away, make it look like someone is home.  Arrange to have a car parked in your driveway, plan to have someone pick up your mail and shovel your sidewalk.
   
4. Going somewhere exotic? Plan your travel budget ahead of time and be aware of the local currency.  A good travel book on the country will explain how much the Canadian dollar is worth, or you can visit a currency exchange before you leave.
   
5. Research your destination beforehand.  What are the entry requirements? Do they require proof of citizenship? Photo identification? Vaccinations?  Certain countries may require an “International Certificate of Vaccinations” against infectious diseases before you are allowed to enter.  Talk to your local travel agent, physician or the embassy of the country you plan on visiting.
   
6. Do you have a full supply of your prescription medication packed?  If not, make sure you fill up before you go.  It is also a good idea to contact the nearest consulate to find out the country’s health laws regarding controlled medication.  You may be required to obtain a doctor’s written prescription for your medication.
   
7. Purchase travel insurance.  If you plan on driving after you arrive, find out the type of insurance you require.
   
8. Luggage identification is important.  Clearly identify your luggage with your name, current address and phone number.  Put the information both inside and outside of your bag.  Remove old claim tag that might confuse handlers.  Attach a bright ribbon or bandana to your luggage to help distinguish your bags from similar ones in the baggage claim area.
   
9. Pack a basic first-aid kit for minor emergencies.  Include such items as antibiotic ointment, tablets for severe bacterial forms of diarrhea, tablets for relief from diarrhea, antifungal cream, antiseptic ointment, aspirin, bandages, lotion for insect bites, electrolyte replacement tablets to replace body salts lost through sweating or diarrhea, lotion for insect bites, insect repellent, safety pins, scissors (not permitted to be carried-on), soap, sunscreen, thermometer and tweezers.
   
10. Inform your bank of where you are going and for how long, this way your account won’t be flagged for suspicious activity when you make purchases in a foreign destination.
    
11. Visit the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority website at www.catsa-acsta.gc.ca for the latest information for air travellers, including the latest security measures.
    
12. Wherever you are going, always make sure to be safe – enjoy the holidays and remember to celebrate prudently with an eye to your health and wellness!

Have a safe and happy holiday season!

Promotional Products Make Memorable Holiday Gifts

Promotional products are “gifts” so why couldn’t they be holiday gifts? Of course, they can! For many years, companies have been giving out promotional products to promote their company and their brand. The holidays are a great time to give away branded gifts that will help keep your brand fresh in the minds of your customers and potential customers and increase their positive sentiment about your company. Promotional products can make holiday presents not just for kids. Of course, we do have promotional products for kids.

Here are some ideas for branded gifts that you might want to give away this holiday season. Whether you want to just send a small memento, include one with a purchase, or go big with a gift with more impact, we have what you need.

Smaller Promotional Gift Ideas:

There are a number of different gifts that you can just slip into the holiday card you already send by mail to your clients and customers.

Pens
Notepads
USB Sticks or Flash Drives
Bookmarks
Business Card Holders
Seeds for Planting
Magnets and Stickers

Memorable Branded Gifts:

Here are some ideas for branded gifts that will make an impact with your special clients and customers. This is where you can really connect with your brand and messaging.

Clothing
Reusable Bags
Candy Confections
Eco Friendly Promotional Gifts
Safety and Survival Kits
Drinkware
Cooking Products
Travel Products
Pet Products

If you're thinking it's getting late for holiday promotional gifts/// think again. Visit the AdVantages AdVertising One Day Rush Service page

Here's How an Email Campaign Can Create Buzz for Your Next Trade Show

When you are preparing to exhibit at a trade show there are many different marketing efforts that should go into making it a success. One of the best ways to create buzz in front of the trade show is with a targeted email campaign. Staying in contact with attendees and alerting your customers about the trade show and related events is an excellent marketing tool. Here are 4 tips for your trade show email marketing campaign:

1. Segment your email list. Rather than sending the same email to everyone on your email list, segment your list into different categories so that you can send relevant email messages to each set of your target customers. Examples of your segments can include past attendees not yet registered for this upcoming show, attendees already registered, target customers who have not attended a recent show, target customers who have never attended a trade show. This will allow you to customise your emails to each group and speak to each one in a targeted fashion. You will receive better results and have happier email list subscribers. Targeted and relevant information makes your subscribers feel important.
2. Offer Exclusive Sales or Specials. Email subscriptions are a give and take. Many people expect something in return for letting your company into their inbox. Make that happen with exclusive offers and be sure to let them know that these are better deals that non-email subscribers get. If you can’t change pricing or offers, perhaps allow them early access, sneak peaks, or special promotional product gifts. i.e. “Mention this Email for an Special Gift”
   
3. Include Important Information. Your emails regarding the trade show shouldn’t only be about your company. Sales only focused emails are less effective than a more social and informative approach. Include other trade show details in your emails that will help improve their entire experience. They will remember you and thank you for it, perhaps even sharing some of your information on social channels. Examples include trade show registration information, schedules, local city information, hotel details, or the best places to eat or visit in the city you are traveling to for the trade show.
   
4. Follow Up. During your trade show, maintain your list and add to it. Then you can further segment your list for a series of follow up emails. Thank attendees who came and made a purchase and offer related products. Follow up with visitors who didn’t make a purchase (yet). Email those who didn’t make it to the show and offer them a different deal.

Originally Posted by GoPromotional on October 31st, 2015

Holiday B2B Gift Giving - What to Give to Who

STEPS:

New Client
You probably don’t know your brand-new customers all that well, so go for something with universal appeal. Everyone loves food. Everyone could use some stress-relief and relaxation. Think about a nice candy jar, or some delicious coffee. You can also consider a relaxation kit.

Biggest Client
Biggest clients – those who bring in the most profit – should receive gifts that cost more and are a little more upscale. A nice leather briefcase works for anyone who works. A special gemstone clock lets anyone know their business is precious.

Friend and Client
For clients who are buddies, too, you can go a little more intimate and even humorous. Also, think about the kids. If you go that extra mile to include your customer’s children in the gift-giving plan, along with custom gift wrap for the child’s gift, that gesture won’t be forgotten.

Potential Client
Potential clients should receive something practical and unisex that they will absolutely find useful. It’s like you’re saying, “Hey, we really gave this some thought.” (Now, think about us!)

6 WAYS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOUR LUNCH BREAK

Taking a lunch break is important. It’s time when you can step away from your computer and have a little “me” time. Your lunch break should be a time when you can unplug and stop thinking about work so you can re-energize to make it through the rest of the day.

Unfortunately, many of us are guilty of working through our lunch breaks and some of us even skip lunch entirely, which is not healthy.

To help inspire you to do something better with your lunch break, we’ve compiled this list of ways to take advantage of this time:

1. Work on a side project.

What are you passionate about? Your lunch break is a great time to give your cooking blog some love, or maybe work on your poetry. Find whatever it is that excites you and then throw yourself into it just for fun. But make sure it’s something that helps you relieve stress, not create more of it.

2. Catch up with a friend or loved one.

We often get so caught up in the day to day, we forget what – or, more importantly,who – really matters. Use your lunch break to catch up with a family member or friend you haven’t spoken to in a while. Not only will it make their day a little brighter, but you’ll likely come back from lunch a little extra pep yourself.

3. Have lunch with the most interesting or inspiring person in your company.

No matter how experienced you are, you can still learn a lot from other people. Ask them what their day-to-day responsibilities are, how they stay organized, what they do to stay motivated and what they most enjoy outside of work. Not only could you learn something that you could apply to your own work, but you could gain a friend in the process.

For executives and business owners, taking the time to learn about their employees has made a tremendous impact on their bottom lines. You may be surprised what you learn. You could find out about issues or inefficiencies in your company that you didn’t know existed, and then take action to re-mediate them.

4. Get outside.

Weather permitting, go eat lunch outside. Post up on a park bench and read a book, or ask a coworker to toss the ol’ pigskin around. Depending on how much time you have, you could also go for a walk or a bike ride. Research has shown that taking a break in nature can do wonders to lower your stress levels and improve your mood, and being active outdoors is extra beneficial.

5. Meditate.

Meditating has been shown to improve concentration and help us relieve a lot of that stress that builds up throughout the workday. Click here to learn how to meditate.

6. Challenge your neighboring office to a competition.

Remember how we told you having fun at work ups your productivity. Take our advice and challenge the office next door to a friendly office chair race or a game of soccer, ping pong, pool, foosball, capture the flag or cornhole!

Six Tips For More Clicks With Email Marketing

Email marketing can be daunting if you’re new to it. Assuming you make it past the spam filter, you have a couple of seconds to make an impression or you’re sent to the trash. Despite this, email marketing is actually one of the most successful marketing techniques, offering a return on investment of 4,300 percent. Seventy-four percent of consumers prefer to receive commercial communications via email, and 66 percent of online consumers, ages 15 and up, made a purchase as a result of email marketing messages. That’s a lot of bang for your buck. To help you achieve this level of success, we’ve come up with the following tips for you to get more opens and more clicks with your email marketing campaigns.

1. Choose an effective subject line

Your subject line should be original, yet straightforward. It should pique your target market’s interest while communicating why they would want to open your email. Trick of the trade: Use numbers, they grab attention and let people know what they’re in for. “6 tips? I can skim through that in a breeze!”

2. Demand attention

Crafting an email that looks professional and is on brand is very important. Choose a layout and image that make your email stand out. Trick of the trade: Test your email on various devices. Forty-eight percent of email is opened on a mobile device, and over 70 percent of mobile purchasing decisions are influenced by promotional emails. So make sure the content in your email is responsive and looks good on all devices.

3. Benefit the subscriber

What is the subscriber getting out of opening your email? It could be a word of advice, a sale or promotion, or an invitation to an event. Many companies make the mistake of creating marketing pieces that are too feature focused. You can’t always know which features are most appealing to your audience and it could be different for everyone. Rather, the focus of your marketing should be the benefits your company or your products bring to the customer.

4. Earn your subscribers’ trust

Don’t overwhelm them with emails. Not every email should be trying to sell them something. Offer help or advice, and be concerned about the growth and improvement of their business, not just yours. One goal of email marketing is to establish your brand as an industry thought leader, meaning your company is who they turn to for all of their promotional needs. Once you’ve earned their trust, they’ll engage more with your brand.

5. Persuade subscribers to act

How will your subscribers know what you want them to do unless you TELL them? Do you want them to view a new product? Buy something during a sale? Register for an event? Always include a clear and convincing call to action. Trick of the trade: Adding the same link several times in the email increase the chances of it getting clicked.

6. Track your success

We can speculate all we want, but there is no average subscriber. Some emails are going to be successful with some people and not with others. Measuring the open and click-through rates with your subscribers is the best way to determine what works for you and what doesn’t. You can run A/B split tests by sending sample groups of your subscribers slightly different emails to see which ones get a better response.

According to a census conducted by digital marketing research firm, Econsultancy, companies that use an email service provider are more likely to be satisfied with their email marketing than those who do not.

Survey Finds Salary Influences Millennials’ Job Loyalty

Salary is as much a motivator for Millennials as it is for their older colleagues, reported in a study of office workers in the U.S. and Canada. Almost one third of Millennials (29 percent) report that higher salary is the biggest contributor to their loyalty, despite only 20 percent of the broader workforce reporting the same.

“Millennials are becoming the largest demographic in the U.S. workforce—about one third of all workers—so it’s critical for employers to understand how to attract and retain millennial talent,” says John Burke, senior vice president, chief culture officer, at Staples, Inc. “Our Workplace Index found that, contrary to popular belief, salary is important to Millennials just as it is to older workers.” The survey also revealed that flexibility and office perks are key to retaining Millennials.

U.S. office workers as a whole consider title and work responsibilities (38 percent) and work-life balance (30 percent) as leading contributors to their loyalty. Millennials favor more nontraditional benefits in the workplace, including flexibility regarding where and when they work, office perks, eco-friendliness, trust in leadership and a relationship with their direct boss.

6 Content Ideas Your Company Should be Posting on Social Media

If your company is new to the social media arena or even if you have had channels set up but weren’t sure what to post, we have some content ideas to help you fill your channels with excellent and engaging content.

One of the most important things to remember with social media is to consistently provide content, updates, and engage without always trying to sell something to your fans and followers. Here are 6 content ideas to keep your company top of mind and engaged with your customers.

• Company News: You may not think that your customers are interested in the newsworthy events that go on in your company, but they are. It is always a good idea to fill your social streams with content about your company’s news. It can be that you moved or opened a new location. Maybe you have a new hire or want to spotlight the employee of the month. Winning an award or even being nominated for one are all news bits that are perfect to share on all your social channels. All of this type of news helps show insight into your company and lets customers in.

• Local News: This works especially well for local businesses that are not solely internet based. Although some local news can even benefit internet-only companies. Posting about local events, things happening in your town, or things happening in your shopping mall or plaza will attract the attention of the fans and followers of the other businesses and the city or town. Tagging the other businesses and your city as well as neighboring cities is a great way to make new connections by getting extra exposure on their social networks as well as yours.

• Industry News: The news from your industry can also be big news for your social media followers. They might want your take on industry news or just want to come to you as a source for the industry. This establishes your company as an authority and is one of the best ways to remain top of mind with your customers and potential clientele.

• Offer Tips and Advice: Are you an authority on the things you sell or services you provide? Show your readers the great ideas you have, how to use your products, or tips to enhance the services you offer.

• Use Humour:  Even the most serious businesses can utilise humour in a tasteful way. Funny posts attract more people and make it easier for them to remember you.

• Images: Whenever possible, include images in your social media posts. People are very visual and a post with a picture in it attracts much more attention than just text alone. Always look for a relevant image to post with your content.

Reasons for Recognition

Thirteen great reasons why you should be recognizing and motivating your employees - we provide simple solutions for all your recognition requirements.

Recognition and Rewards Do Make a Difference

A successful recognition program can assist you in recognizing and rewarding the people that have made a difference in your organization and provide an ROI for your company. Studies have shown that the prime "job specific" motivator in the work place is recognition and that employees are drawn to activities which enhance their own self-esteem.

"Recognition is the key component of self-actualization". Maslow Herzberg 

Our Affinity programs are hassle-free and provide an excellent return on investment. Our unique symbolic approach combined with highly visible utilitarian or displayable items that are packaged for maximum impact, will provide you the positive and long-lasting impression you seek. 

• Recognition and rewards Motivate Employees 
• Appropriate recognition at the appropriate time is the best practice that ultimately improves the performance in any organization. A Gallup poll found that 82% of employees say that recognition or praise they receive at work motivates them to improve their performance. 
• Employees who feel valued and trusted are more productive 
• High performing employees will leave companies if they do not feel valued 
• Create a positive work environment 
• Motivate high performance 
• Reinforce desired behavior 
• Create a culture of recognition 
• Increase morale 
• Support organizational mission/values 
• Increase retention or decrease turnover 
• Encourage loyalty 
• Support a culture change

  

View our Affinity Awards program ~ Click HERE

How to Activate and Use Gmail’s New Unsend Button

Chances are anyone reading this has suffered the wrath of sending an email they didn’t mean to or shouldn’t have. Whether it was the dreaded “reply all” button accident, having second thoughts about a rant, or just recognising a simple type-o you wanted to fix, everyone has likely sent an email they immediately regretted. Now, Google has finally instituted a solution for you!

The unsend button feature that they previously only had in beta is now a full-fledged option available to every Gmail user. The setting delays the sending of the email and a button pops up that allows you to click “unsend” for anywhere from 5 to 30 seconds depending on how you adjust your settings. Here’s how:

Step One:

Settings Button

Click on the settings button at the top right of your Gmail screen. Choose settings from the drop down menu that appears.

Step Two:

Gmail Settings

Scroll down to the Undo Send section. Click the check box and then choose the amount of seconds you want the delay to be before sending, called the ‘send cancellation period’. The longest time frame is 30 seconds, shortest is 5 seconds. I would suggest just leaving it at 30 seconds.

Step Three:

Unsend Button

Scroll down and click the save button.

That’s it! It is that simple to save you a world of hurt! Keep in mind that this is not available for mobile yet. From now on after sending an email, you will see the following at the top of your Gmail screen:

Google says it will be available on mobile phone versions of Gmail soon. So still be extra careful when sending email from your phone. Also keep in mind that you only have those 30 seconds to click unsend. If you refresh the screen, close your Gmail, archive, or delete the email, that option goes away.

Check Out Other Gmail Settings

While you are in the settings, scroll through and check out all of the options available. There may be some conveniences that you didn’t know about and might also get some great use out of. You can adjust the page size, set your default country for using Google Voice calls, set up the conversation view style, set up a vacation message and customise your closing.

If the unsend button isn’t news to you, perhaps you have been using it since 2009 when Google implemented that as a test option in the labs section of Gmail’s settings. There are many other options available in the Labs Section of your Gmail account. You should check it out now and go back every month or two to see what’s new and what fun things you can make use of in there to make your emailing experience even better.

Here are some of the things I found in there today:

Canned Responses: This is great if you use Gmail for customer service, you can set up common responses to frequently asked questions here.
Authentication Icon for Verified Senders: This helps you identify authentic messages from known senders like eBay that are often mimicked by spammers.

Mark as Read Button
Pictures in Chat
Apps Search
Google Voice Player in Mail
Custom Keyboard Shortcuts
Google Calendar Gadget
Google Maps Previews in Mail

Just to name a few of the long list. Feel free to play around with them and see what works for you. Don’t worry if you don’t like a setting, you can go back and uncheck it to disable it.
Will the unsend button option make you switch to Gmail if you aren’t already using it?

Posted in Internet Marketing

6 Content Ideas Your Company Should be Posting on Social Media

If your company is new to the social media arena or even if you have had channels set up but weren’t sure what to post, we have some content ideas to help you fill your channels with excellent and engaging content. One of the most important things to remember with social media is to consistently provide content, updates, and engage without always trying to sell something to your fans and followers. Here are 6 content ideas to keep your company top of mind and engaged with your customers.

Company News: You may not think that your customers are interested in the newsworthy events that go on in your company, but they are. It is always a good idea to fill your social streams with content about your company’s news. It can be that you moved or opened a new location. Maybe you have a new hire or want to spotlight the employee of the month. inning an award or even being nominated for one are all news bits that are perfect to share on all your social channels. All of this type of news helps show insight into your company and lets customers in.

Local News: This works especially well for local businesses that are not solely internet based. Although some local news can even benefit internet-only companies. Posting about local events, things happening in your town, or things happening in your shopping mall or plaza will attract the attention of the fans and followers of the other businesses and the city or town. Tagging the other businesses and your city as well as neighboring cities is a great way to make new connections by getting extra exposure on their social networks as well as yours.

Industry News: The news from your industry can also be big news for your social media followers. They might want your take on industry news or just want to come to you as a source for the industry. This establishes your company as an authority and is one of the best ways to remain top of mind with your customers and potential clientele. Offer Tips and Advice: Are you an authority on the things you sell or services you provide? Show your readers the great ideas you have, how to use your products, or tips to enhance the services you offer.

Use Humour: A few weeks ago we did an entire blog post on the benefits of using humour in your content. Even the most serious businesses can utilise humour in a tasteful way. Funny posts attract more people and make it easier for them to remember you. Images: Whenever possible, include images in your social media posts. People are very visual and a post with a picture in it attracts much more attention than just text alone. Always look for a relevant image to post with your content.

Images: Whenever possible, include images in your social media posts. People are very visual and a post with a picture in it attracts much more attention than just text alone. Always look for a relevant image to post with your content.

Posted in Internet Marketing, Marketing Advice

The Intrigue of 3D Printing

You’ve probably heard the 3D printing skeptics – hey, I’ve been one myself. We’ve been saying things like: “3D printing is years away. Plus, it takes days to print anything half decent. Oh, and by the way, you need an engineering degree to operate one of those contraptions anyway.”  Well, most of that was true – but times are changing, quickly. In fact, 3D printing technology is progressing much faster than was forecast. 

For example, this week Lowe’s became the third major U.S. brand (following Staples and UPS) to offer 3D printing services. Lowe’s, though, is unveiling a much easier to use kiosk, letting shoppers print home-improvement products in almost any material – from plastics to hard metals. Customers can also bring in items to have a printer replicate them. Lowe’s is providing the technology with the help of a California firm called Authentise.

“Until now, it’s been hard for the average consumer to benefit from this technology because of the cost and complexity,” said Kyle Nel, executive director of Lowe’s Innovation Labs. “Our partnership with Authentise enabled us to rapidly develop 3D solutions in a way that is core to home improvement.”

Now, as much as I like home improvement (my wife is laughing), I like marketing much more. If 3D printers can suddenly be rigged to create fancy sconces and doorknobs, imagine what kind of promotional items they can produce. From bobbleheads to balls, from drinkware to desk accessories – the possibilities would be endless. And sector number one to target would be the live events market. If customized items could be made in minutes at a concert, a fair, or a ballgame, brands would be foolish to not embrace that kind of real-time and keepsake advertising. 

Certainly, it would make sense for larger industry companies to explore partnering with 3D printing startups. If printers could eventually reduce the reliance on China, the cost savings would be tremendous. Smaller firms, though, should be invested in this conversation, too. Distributors that are losing out to e-commerce firms could level the playing field a bit, especially in terms of turnaround time.

There are those in the industry who worry that 3D printing will upset traditional models and ultimately cut into margins. I won’t dispute that notion. My logic, however, is this: Rather than trying to stop the freight train, hop on board. Embrace entrepreneurial spirit instead of standing by unwritten rules. Tech companies seem to be on the cusp of making 3D printers incredible tools. Don’t be the business owner who got into the game too late.

Published in Promogram Tuesday May 5, 2015 By Dave Vagnoni

Marketing to Boomers

Are you paying attention to them?

Boomers (Baby Boomers are those individuals born between 1946 and 1964), are the largest generation in North America. They represent well over 35% of the nations population. Additionally, boomers are responsible for spending half of the country’s consumer spending.

There are a lot of misconceptions about boomers. The traditional view of this demographic is that they spend less, have rigid brand preferences and take little interest in new products and technology but this couldn’t be further from the truth. In reality, boomers are outspending other generations at a rapid pace of $400 billion each year in North America and they are the largest buyers of new technology. If you are a provider of consumer goods and services, you may want to take notice of this booming generation.

Demystifying boomers

Inaccurate assumptions about boomers have caused this group to be dubbed the most neglected wealthy demographic in the history of marketing. If you are looking to tap into this valuable audience, here are some things to consider:

Boomers are online: Boomers represent one-third of the country’s Internet users. In fact, last year they spent 27 hours online per week. Boomers are on the Web gathering information, shopping, gaming, engaging in social media and finding coupons or discounts. Consider reaching boomers by emailing coupons or posting discounts to social media. Or, try testing online ads with Google® AdWords. You can target your ads to reach those in a specific age group or life stage.

Boomers are active: Many boomers are working well into their 70’s, and not because they have to; because they want to. When marketing to boomers, it’s important to speak their language. They don’t want to be referred to as senior citizens or elderly.

To speak their language, think active, balanced life, optimal health, wise and mature. When designing communications, steer clear of imagery that portrays this group as sedentary; instead, show mature consumers doing meaningful things such as playing with children or engaging in outdoor activities.

Further, appeal to their interests by holding a Facebook® contest asking them to post a picture of themselves engaged in a favorite hobby or activity to enter.  Depending on the time of year, award winners with items such as a Fishing Bag, golf umbrella polo shirt or gardening tool kit, winter car care kit.... you get the idea. And don't forget... if you are calling on a Boomer, bring along some swag for them. They'll appreciate it and it will go a long way!

FINE TUNING YOUR MARKETING REGIMEN

While this article has a retail slant, it's marketing thrust still speaks to all business formats.  Original blog courtesy of the RedCappi Team.

      
Summertime marketing campaigns are in full-effect now that the 4th of July holiday has passed. Small businesses can use some simple and creative tactics of their own to better optimize their summer selling and to execute relevance and interest in the eyes of their target audiences.

Here are 5 helpful tricks to consider for successful summer marketing.

1. Send Out Summer Swag

Seriously, who wouldn't love a FREE pool tote, indestructible cool shades or an oversized beach towel? With the spike in temperature comes beach-bound weekends, pool-side barbecues and wine & cheese nights under the stars... so it's always a smart little trick to entice your audience with free summer swag.

And of course, slap on your brand name or logo and voila! You're summer giveaway product just metamorphosed into a moving ad campaign and a go-to reminder of your brand.

VICTORIA SECRET: PINK TUMBLER GIVEAWAY

Victoria Secret over the last several years has mastered this fine art of tempting swag giveaways, that really drive the average sale upwards of $75. They usually promise a free giveaway product, ranging from umbrellas in winter, summer beach totes and back-to-school duffle bags. Their latest campaign offers a pink Victoria Secret cooler tumbler with any PINK product purchase.

Knowing that most young girls who love the casual line of PINK products will adore a PINK tumbler poolside or at their desk, it's a smart giveaway to gently secure a sale.

2. Switch Up Your Marketing Techniques

It's easy for small businesses to get comfortable with their marketing routine and same avenues of promoting their business. Often times, even their content becomes stagnant and essentially glossed over by audiences for having somewhat of a 'bore' factor.

Switching up your marketing methodology to try new channels of communication, as well as sometimes different content, varying offers and promotions might just be what the doctor ordered for successful summer marketing.

If your business usually relies on sending coupons, try to host a local summer event inviting your audience to you for a more hands on experience, or vice versa. If your business is only growing primarily due to word of mouth, try using social media networking or email offers to see how they might work for you.

KIDS AHOY: NEW ACTIVITIES CAMPAIGN

A small local business in Los Angeles, Kids Ahoy, a kid's indoor playgym, has demonstrated just what switching up marketing techniques can bring to the table. No longer are the days of mere two for one deals or a coupon for a month's membership off. Kids on summer break demand more and Kids Ahoy understands their market precisely.

Their latest email promotion introduced a summer morning breakfast with Elsa from Frozen, among the other perks with admission, ranging from crafts to face painting, etc. Their offers to appeal to their subscribership and are anything but boring emails to parents' inboxes.

3. Bring Something Back for Summer

Sometimes, businesses think of summer as a time to purge the old and bring in new, fresh, clean, bright, energetic, taste-bud awakening, stimulating new items. Of course, this method is tried and true and while it makes sense, sometimes the opposite might work just as effectively- bring back the OLD!

Where an item in the past, a product or a menu item was popular, displayed high demand and drove sales, it might have the same power to devise the same effect  in the summer time. Try bringing it back for a limited time in the summer. Bringing something old back for a limited time can do one of two things.

First, it lets your audience know that this was popular and successful in the months before, which creates an organic curiosity to it and nature affinity. Second, by limiting it to the summer season adds a sense of urgency and heightened need to 'get it while its still available.'

MCDONALDS: MONOPOLY GAME

Every so often, McDonald's brings back the McDonald's Monopoly game, most recently in sticker form, as a sweepstakes sales promotion. They first started the sweepstakes game in the late 80's, and have brought it back a number of times, sometimes displaying a different name, like Monopoly Best Chance Game or Monopoly: Pick Your Prize!, but always resting on the same game principles.

The franchise truly understands the inner workings of sweepstakes and how they draw customers into their restaurant locations across the world. It's a classic example of bringing something back for summer.

4. Special Summer Hours

Consider adjusting your business hours to accommodate the times people are actually out and about. Given the summer scalding heat, air conditioners are pumping in full force until later in the evening when it often cools down.

So you might want to consider extending your hours to accommodate those special summer night owls. And vice versa also applies, where if you know its a summer long weekend and your audience is probably out of town, you might want to wait until the weekend passes and they are back in their offices at home before sending your next lines of communication.

MENCHIES: ICE CREAM HAPPY HOUR

Menchie's, a popular frozen yogurt chain, has started offering somewhat of a happy hour promotion after 9PM until midnight for all you can pour ice cream at a flat fee of $5. Whereas, typically, the cost of ice crea per person would be weighed and measured in ounces, this essentially offers a price break for late night patrons, making the most out of otherwise lost time with the store being closed.

5. Summer Clearance Sale

The most commonly used summertime marketing idea for all businesses alike is the classic summer clearance. It is worth taking a moment to remind you about why.

A summer clearance speaks to target audiences because even at a single first glance, they already know they are gaining something of value- a discount on your product that they already would probably otherwise want. It's a built-in trust mechanism that drives this simple tactic that you see being used across the channels.

OLD NAVY: CLEARANCE ALERT: 1000's of STYLES FOR $5 OR LESS

A well recognized American clothing retailer GAP, operates several notable divisions, including Banana Republic, Piperlime, Athleta and Old Navy. Each one of these divisions has mastered the art of summer marketing, with their timely sales and creative super promotions that absolutely grab your attention in the inbox.

The latest Old Navy campaign is a certain summer charmer, with its bright bold colors and block letters "SUMMER CLEARANCE- THOUSANDS OF ITEMS $5 AND UNDER." Without even clicking further, its already a given that you'll be getting a great deal on anything you order."

So there's really no reason to wait on fine tuning your summer marketing regimen.

Happy Summer!

Simple Marketing Tips for Small Business

As a small business, you may think it's impossible to get the word out about what you do. That's no excuse. And you don't need fads or gimmicks. Follow the proven, timeless tips and techniques of these entrepreneurs to help get the word out about your business and watch it grow.

1. Give Your Stuff Away

Ari Fleischer and Aly Moler of Frozen Pints have grown their craft beer ice cream business by leaps and bounds by attending craft beer shows and farmers markets to do one thing--give their product away. Once customers taste this unexpected combination (which happens to be delicious) for free, they line up at their local store to buy it or even request that the store carry it.

2. Attend Networking Events...

Desiree Scales of Bella Web Design is a master networker.  She attends and presents at almost every event in town. Her contribution to the overall community makes her one of the first people that come to mind when anyone looks for an expert in her area of concentration: small business websites and drip marketing.

3. ...Or, Create Your Own Event

If you don't like the events you are attending, invent your own! Darrah Brustein has created one of the most successful networking events in Atlanta: Atlanta Under 40. The event, which Darrah created to connect with other young entrepreneurs in her city, is now being franchised to other cities.

4. Volunteer to Lead an Organization

The secret to getting the most out of a group or organization is not just to attend but to lead. Take Lisa Calhoun of Write2Market. She served as the president of Entrepreneurs' Organization, allowing her to rub elbows and connect with the brightest minds of the fastest growing companies in the Atlanta market.

5. Start a Podcast

Todd Schnick of Dreamland Interactive is the first person I saw create his own podcast--he interviews other business owners.  People love to tell their story, and by highlighting them on a podcast you make an instant and meaningful connection. It's also a great way to get an education on a topic you are interested in.

6. Be Helpful

Most small business owners struggle to get their finances in line, especially when they move from an Excel spreadsheet to something as sophisticated as QuickBooks. Cathy Iconis of Iconis Group hosts a Quickbook Chat on Twitter every Thursday night at 7:00 EST to answer small business owners' questions--and potentially find some clients.

7. Send a Weekly E-mail

If you want to stay in relationship with your customers, there is nothing simpler than creating a weekly e-mail that provides something of value. Rick Houcek of Soar With Eagles sends one out every Monday that he calls the 2-Minute Monday Motivator. I look forward to getting it every week and often forward his advice to others.

8. Support a Cause

Mary Hester of LAN Systems throws an annual cookout with purpose every Earth Day. Party-goers are encouraged to bring their "e-waste"--old computer monitors and CPUs. At their most recent event they collected more than two tons of IT equipment, keeping it out of the landfills and creating goodwill with their customers, current and potential.

9. Sponsor an Organization

Many local organizations are not that expensive to sponsor for a year if you consider the  so-called per meeting cost. If your product or service is a good fit with their audience, you will get exposure every time the organization sends out an e-mail and a mention every time they meet. Attendees always remember and appreciate companies who sponsor their favorite organizations.

10. Create a Cool Giveaway

When thinking through what your company will  give away make sure it's something they won't want to throw away or easily lose in their desk or bag.

Get Mobile Friendly Now or Suffer Google’s Ranking Wrath

Google announced last month that an upcoming addition to their ranking algorithm will take into consideration whether your website is mobile friendly or not. Websites that are not mobile friendly will be penalized and that means that sites that are not mobile friendly will likely take a hit in Google’s search rankings. Google’s reasoning behind this addition of mobile-friendly design as a ranking signal is because “when it comes to search on mobile devices, users should get the most relevant and timely results, no matter if the information lives on mobile-friendly web pages or apps. Mobile usage is growing and that is why mobile-friendly website design is so important. Even if Google wasn’t taking this design element into a ranking factor, your site is likely to experience a higher bounce rate because of the large amount of smaller mobile devices that are being used at greater frequency.

If you are registered webmaster tools users, then you should have already received an alert letting you know if your website is not mobile friendly. The email alerts let you know what to fix regarding the mobile usability issues they have picked up; it includes mobile-friendly design tips and how to fix the mobile usability issues. If you haven’t received an email and you aren’t sure if your website is mobile –friendly, you can check for yourself with this tool Google created for the purpose of checking for mobile usability issues. You have until April 21, 2015 to get your site’s mobile usability in order. Act fast!

Mobile Usage

The statistics and reports have all shown that mobile usage overtook desktop usage on many levels in 2014. Essentially what that means is that if your site isn’t mobile friendly, it’s too late and you are losing sales, conversions, and visitors who can’t navigate your site on their smartphones

As Posted in Internet Marketing

Plan Ahead - June is National Safety Month

This is a great opportunity for internal and external promotions highlighting safety in June. For your employees, a safety campaign can focus on reducing lost man hours by adopting safety measures in the workplace regardless if it's on a shop floor or in the office. A tiered incentive program should provide logoed products for attaining goals. Promotions can also stress safety while on the road, whether it's for business or pleasure. Consider branded car safety kits as a gift. Such a campaign lets clients know you are concerned about their well-being. And for new homeowners or new parents, a promotion that highlights safety measures at home can be beneficial, especially if you market your products and services to this market. Your distributor partner can help you develop these campaigns and help you find appropriate products for each.

How Social Media Can Be Used Effectively in a Business

The prime concern of any business house or a new venture is to promote or propagate their business amongst the masses so that more and more people are aware of it. It becomes all the more important to do the promotion in a manner which is unique and different, so that people get attracted to it and do not miss out on making the purchase. Initially, all the promotions were done with the help of advertisements which were played regularly on the radio and television. Now with the advent of social media like email, Twitter, blog,whatsapp and Instagram, it has become very quick and convenient to promote any new business, on either electronic, paper and social media. There are various ways in which social media is used effectively. These can be listed as-


1.
Social media involves the usage of internet. Through this internet service, any business house can float their product details. These details can be searched by all the people using the internet service and those who have an excess to these sites. Immediately people read the content and revert back by giving their comments. The business house can come to know the reaction or the buzz, their product has created. This helps them to modify the details also if there are not many positive responses. This happens quickly by the help of social media as the reaction is instantaneous. There will not be any requirement of filling long feed-back forms or mentioning the comments.Every thing is just fast on the social media.

2.
To promote the business, many companies come up with different discounts and sale offers from time to time. The most common way adopted for this is usually putting different pamphlets in the newspapers or magazines. Now, with the help of social media, these advertisements can be put up on many sites simultaneously. People can make their choice easily and quickly.

3.
Another facet that social media have encouraged is the making purchases online, without going out to the shops and the malls. Online purchase offers a lot of variety with different colours and sizes to choose from. Once the purchase is finalised, the payment is done through the credit or the debit card thus making the entire process of shopping very convenient.

4.
The smartest aspect of intervention of the social media in business has resulted in a loyal and regular, customer relationship. All the personal details of the customer are fed in the computer and whatever latest the company has to offer, immediately reaches the customer via a mail or a sms. Along with this, the customer gets certain reward points on a particular purchase. These reward points can be accumulated and can be redeemed at a later date.

5.

With all the stored data, it becomes easy to assess requirements of the customers from time to time and thus providing the same in terms of products and new offers.
With the quick and steady development of social media all over the world, business is getting a chance to expand its wings tremendously. It has become easy to check out the latest offerings in the market, with just a click of a button! The main concern here is to be able to maintain the quality of the product, thus carrying on the legacy of a good business house. It is also important to sustain the customer in the highly competitive business world. So for the satisfactory growth, it is important to use the social media regularly and effectively!!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amy_Anderson_Lee

Small-Biz Owners Are Happier

Happier, healthier and free - that was the theme of a recent survey administered to small-business owners. The survey, commissioned by GoDaddy, found that 82% of small-business owners are happier running their current companies than when they worked for someone else in their previous jobs.

"Nobody ever said starting a small business was easy. The only question was: is it worth it? And this research shows that our small-business customers resoundingly say yes;' said Go Daddy CEO Blake Irving.

"Our customers are working how they want, when they want, where they want. That translates not only into successful entrepreneurs, but happier and healthier people."

On the whole, small-business owners said they enjoyed a higher quality oflife. More than half said
they exercised more, while 72% eat healthier than when they worked at their previous jobs. More than 60% said they have the ability to set their own work hours and are spending more time with family as a result. And 56% said they can wear whatever they want on the job.

The survey, which was administered by Zogby Analytics, includes responses from over 500 small businesses that use GoDaddy's services. More than half of the businesses from the survey have been open for longer than seven years. Half work from home and two-thirds of respondents self-financed their businesses through personal savings and credit cards.

And, the happier feelings of the entrepreneurs surveyed translated to increased confidence, with 88% more optimistic about the future. Nine in 10 of the respondents say they want to build their company into a $20 million business.

"The great thing about being a small-business owner is that you are in control, and you have a feeling of mastery," said Steven Aldrich, GoDaddy's senior vice president for business solutions. "You control your own destiny.

It's SHOWTIME! Trade Show Contest and Games Make Your Booth a “Winner"

The name of the “game” at trade shows is to attract visitors and potential buyers to your booth. Contests and games can really do the trick and attract interested trade show attendees to come over to your booth. Once there for contests or games where they can win a prize, you have the chance to win them over too.

Make sure that your quick elevator pitch is polished and ready to go. Also, if the display and support materials in your booth are descriptive enough, the potential buyers can learn about your company, what you do, and what you are selling just by standing there and looking around.

Here are some trade show booth contest and game ideas:

• Prize Wheel: These can be big and colourful; some are even glitzy or have lights to attract even more attention. They spin the wheel and see where it lands. Make sure that you connect your company’s contact information, business card, or maybe a promotional pen.
  
  You can customize the prizes and some ideas for giveaways are:
  
  
• Promotional Merchandise: You can have different levels of prizes, for example, a lower level prize could be a promotional mug, while a higher end promotional gift prize could be clothing, or electronics accessories.
  
• Free consultation for your services: Giveaway a 15 minute, 30 minute, or 1 hour consultation of your services.
  
• Free Products or Services: If you have something to giveaway and then that is a great way to stir up buzz about your products.
  
• Percentage off Their Order: Encourage them to purchase by offering a discount. It can be a dollar amount off or a percentage off.
  
• Free lunch at the trade show: Who doesn’t love a free lunch?
  
• Snacks or Drinks: Candy, granola bars, colas, or water bottles make easy giveaways that are appreciated.
  
• Local Business Gift Certificates: Hit up a few businesses that are local to your trade show and see if they would be willing to offer a gift certificate in exchange for the exposure they will get being featured as a prize on your prize wheel. You could also organise gift certificates with other trade show exhibitors that do not have competing products.
  
• Fish Bowl Drawing: This is a great way to collect business cards of attendees; and it is also an easy way to hold a contest. They will gladly give you their contact information for a chance to win a great prize.
  
• Trivia Games: To attract more attention and create buzz, you can hold trivia contests daily where attendees can win prizes based on their knowledge of your products or your industry.
  
• Interactive Games or Applications: If you are in a tech industry or tech savvy, having tablets with a game or interactive application on it can be a big draw and also get people talking about your booth.
  
  
  Don't choose just anything for your the event you want to be remembered by! We've been around since 1979 and will take the time to find the perfect product for your next event and save you money while doing it.

Promo Products Are Perfect Partners For IT Firm

Back Bay Networks, an IT consulting firm, regularly employs promotional products in its marketing efforts. “We have been sending fun toys or funny products – along with an info sheet – to companies just to have them pick it up, see our logo and remember us in the future if they have computer problems,” says Jake Lang, business development and marketing coordinator. The giveaways serve as a conversation starter. “They have definitely received interest and helped us build our potential client list,” says Lang. The price point varies depending on the type of client. Since Back Bay is an IT service company, it has a lower volume of clients but a high- and long-term profit margin, as the majority of its customers purchase yearly service contracts. “In our case, we believe the extra expense for customized marketing is worth the money to obtain a multi-year customer,” he says. The company’s biggest success to date came from a local soccer club. “We had worked with them in the past, but when they realized our increased marketing initiatives, they reached out to us and offered us an incredible deal – to become their official IT partner,” Lang says. Back Bay got advertising rights throughout all of the soccer club’s facilities and events, including promotional ceiling banners, indoor soccer wall boards and an entire indoor soccer goal wrap in return for a discounted IT service rate. “This new partnership put us in contact with a number of new clients and thousands of potential clients,” he says. “This one partnership will easily cover the expenses of running the promotional campaign.” Some of Back Bay’s giveaways that have been particularly well received include a Rubix Cube with the company’s logo replacing the white squares, and a note that reads, “If your computer issues are tougher than this Rubix Cube, give us a call.” Back Bay also has sent out “Boogie Bots,” logoed dancing robots. “This usually gets some laughs and a phone call or email saying ‘thanks,’” Lang says. Another popular giveaway was a Magic 8 Ball with the company logo and a note, “Ask the magic IT ball about your IT issues. And if that doesn’t work, give us a call because we have the answer.” The company attends a lot of trade shows and local town events, and brings along promotional materials like pens, key chains, bottle openers, flash drives, water bottles and T-shirts to hand out to potential clients. Make sure to partner with AdVantages Advertising for help procuring promotional items and great ideas for your next event or marketing campaign. Thanks to the Advertising Specialty Institute for the submission.

How does the Canadian slumping dollar effect us?

Content from CBC News. (See link below)


From Acuras to iPhone apps, suits to sweet potatoes, Canadians are going to be paying more for imported goods, thanks to the loonie's fall against the U.S. dollar.

"It's down roughly 10 per cent from a year ago. That's a very deep decline in a relatively short period of time." says Douglas Porter, chief economist and managing director of BMO Financial Group.

"We've seen deeper drops, but historically that would rank right up there with one of the biggest declines in a 12-month period."

And consumers, Porter says, will pay the price.

"The losers, pretty clear cut: It's consumers. Basically, we have to pay more for anything that's imported or priced in U.S. dollars," says Porter.
It's already happening

Food prices have been increasing for months. Clothing, while often made overseas, tends to be priced in U.S. dollars and has also been getting more expensive.

So too a big-ticket item that Canadians are buying in record numbers. Automakers have started to raise sticker prices on Canadian vehicles.

The Automobile Protection Association says Toyota and Honda, among others, raised prices in the first week of January. Several luxury brands, including Lexus, Acura, and BMW have also made changes to their pricing, with Audi reportedly set to follow in mid-January, the association says.

The APA says most of the increases are modest, an extra few hundred dollars per vehicle.

But it says Honda has raised the suggested retail price on its 2015 CRV Touring, all-wheel-drive model by $750.

"Car companies will take every opportunity that they can to maximize transaction prices or minimize their exposure to the exchange rate," says Jason Stein, publisher and editor of Automotive News.

"We do see prices increasing. We've seen prices increasing across North America. Will they increase a little bit more rapidly north of the border, due to the exchange rate? I think that's probably the case."
It doesn't cut both ways

Stein, a Canadian who lives in Windsor, Ont., and works in Detroit, echoes some of the frustration of some Canadians, who feel automakers were much slower to drop prices in this country when the Canadian dollar was high.

"Interestingly, when the Canadian dollar was above the U.S. dollar, a year, year and a half ago, you didn't see prices dropping."

Last week, Apple raised prices in its Canadian App Store. The 99-cent apps will now cost $1.19 Canadian, a 20 per cent increase. Other apps under $10 went up by about 15 per cent. Apple says the increase is linked to the exchange rate.

Other countries feel it too

But it's not all bad news. The loonie isn't the only currency falling against the greenback.

"This is not entirely a weak Canadian dollar story. Some of it is a strong U.S. dollar story," says BMO's Porter.

"The U.S. dollar is rising against a lot of currencies. So some items we might not be paying a lot more for. For instance, some items from Europe or from Japan, might not be going up that much in price because their currencies are also weakening."

But with the U.S. accounting for about half of all Canadian merchandise imports, the dollar's doldrums will hit most Canadian consumers in the pocketbook.







SOURCE: http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/canadian-dollar-slump-hikes-cost-of-u-s-imported-goods-1.2898150