The Power of Local Email Marketing

As a local business owner you realize the opportunities available on the Web, but you probably do not have the time or money to invest into a full blown web presence. The obstacles and costs in building a web site keep many local businesses on the sideline.

But as a local business there is an opportunity to exploit the marketing power of the Internet at little or no cost, and it does not require a web presence.

Through email marketing you can have a direct conduit to both your customers and prospects. You may think email marketing is complicated, but that is a misconception. If you are already using email to correspond, then you are quite capable of advertising through virtual mail. In fact, if you are communicating to your customers through email, in a sense you are already marketing online. You are probably aware that a small amount of customer communication can be very profitable, and email can generate considerable income.

All you need to do is start collecting customer emails, and send them occasional promotions or sale updates. The email advertisements do not need to be coded in html, plain text messages are quite acceptable.

So how do you start down the road to Internet marketing success? You begin by simply collecting customer email addresses, with their permission. Permission email marketing is a requirement. It is referred to as opt-in marketing. At all stages of email marketing you MUST respect your customers and their privacy. Only when they have accepted your request to send information, should you forward email promotions.

How do You Collect Customer Emails?

You simply ask! As a local business owner you are constantly in touch with customers and prospects, either in person or on the phone. As a retail business you could have a clipboard by your register or pre-printed index cards that your customers can fill-out. As a service business you just ask for their email address when you make contact.

What’s in it for Your Customers?

The opportunity to save money or be notified of special offers. People are always looking for a bargain, and through email you can keep them informed on the latest deals, in addition you can alert them to new services or products. This is very appealing. And customers will perceive this as a value added service, that makes doing business with you more appealing.

How Difficult is Email Marketing?

It is quite simple. If you email friends or family, you are quite capable of marketing through email. Initially your list will be small so you can manage it through the use of your current email client like MicroSoft Outlook. You place your customer emails in a “group,” compose a message, and hit the send button. Not exactly rocket science. (Note: Make sure you use the “blind box” feature.)

But from the start, you may want to consider using a professional email management service like ConstantContact.com. They have a service that is free for lists that are under 50. Their next level handles up to 500, and cost only $15 per month. A service like Constant Contact simplifies the management of your list. These types of services offer features like tracking, reporting, templates and customer support. In addition, they automate the process of people opting out of your list. An important factor with permission email marketing.

What Results Can You Expect?

Think about the potential profit from simply keeping your customers informed. This is not invasive advertising, but permission marketing, where your customers have willingly given their consent to receive your advertisements. It is like they are saying, “Please allow me to spend more money with your business.”

If you already have a web site then you will also want to add an opt-in box. Give your site visitors an opportunity to join your promotional list. Many will.

From a marketing perspective it doesn’t get anymore targeted then this. And your advertising costs are insignificant. A perfect example is a local wine store owner who works her list twice a week with special promotions. She makes a killing, and often sells out her promotional inventory through email alone.

As a local business owner there are opportunities and there are golden opportunities. This one is solid 24 karat. It’s simple, direct and very profitable. And yet few local businesses are taking advantage of email marketing. Why not lead the pack.

Your Advertising Business Internet Marketing Plan Is The Answer To Sucess

One of the built-in benefits of running a business that involves helping other businesses promotional effort is the built-in testimonial of an advertising business internet marketing plan. When you take part in a business where advertising is a key service you provide, then the ability for your customers to find you and be swayed to employ you is a testament that you understand internet marketing and advertising. If this is the kind of business you’re looking to go into because you want to consult or handle promotions for other businesses, then don’t miss the opportunity to point out to potential customers that you grow your own business with the very techniques you want to provide for them.

While it’s inherent that an advertising business internet marketing plan must be successful if they do find clients, you must also bring this to the potential client’s attention. Of course you’ll want to have concrete results from other companies that you’ve helped promote products and services. But don’t neglect to use your own promotional techniques and results as tools to market your own business. While your knowledge of advertising business internet marketing techniques maybe be clear since you’re earning their business, it might consciously occur to them so be sure and point it out.

Advertising business internet marketing has the benefit that many other online businesses don’t have–built-in testimonial information from within their very own business! Take screen shots of your search engine rankings on various searches and use those. Describe your own company’s efforts towards promotion and the results. Reiterate the ways in which customers find you—when you mention the manner in which that particular client found your advertising business internet marketing campaign, they’ll be impressed—and stress that you can do for them what you’ve done for your own company.

An advertising business internet marketing strategy of this sort is especially key for a new business with no other clients to give testimonials and no other sites on which to show real results. In a case like this, it’s not going to be easy to convince a potential client to sign on, since there’s no real evidence that you can do what you claim as far as their promotional efforts go. But if you show your marketing efforts and the good results, you do have evidence for them to see.

While it might not be as compelling evidence as another site with concrete results, it will still show potential clients that you do know how to market a business online, and you do know how to implement a promotional plan. For someone starting out in an advertising business that focuses on internet marketing, in order to get some evidence beyond your own website, create one or two websites based on varied interests. They don’t have to be businesses, just general information. Use all your promotional skills in tweaking the site and the methods of marketing you use for it. Then your advertising business internet marketing skills will have more good results to show potential clients.

Your Advertising Business Internet Marketing Plan

One of the built-in benefits of running a business that involves helping other businesses promotional effort is the built-in testimonial of an advertising business internet marketing plan. When you take part in a business where advertising is a key service you provide, then the ability for your customers to find you and be swayed to employ you is a testament that you understand internet marketing and advertising. If this is the kind of business you’re looking to go into because you want to consult or handle promotions for other businesses, then don’t miss the opportunity to point out to potential customers that you grow your own business with the very techniques you want to provide for them.

While it’s inherent that an advertising business internet marketing plan must be successful if they do find clients, you must also bring this to the potential client’s attention. Of course you’ll want to have concrete results from other companies that you’ve helped promote products and services. But don’t neglect to use your own promotional techniques and results as tools to market your own business. While your knowledge of advertising business internet marketing techniques maybe be clear since you’re earning their business, it might consciously occur to them so be sure and point it out.

Advertising business internet marketing has the benefit that many other online businesses don’t have–built-in testimonial information from within their very own business! Take screen shots of your search engine rankings on various searches and use those. Describe your own company’s efforts towards promotion and the results. Reiterate the ways in which customers find you—when you mention the manner in which that particular client found your advertising business internet marketing campaign, they’ll be impressed—and stress that you can do for them what you’ve done for your own company.

An advertising business internet marketing strategy of this sort is especially key for a new business with no other clients to give testimonials and no other sites on which to show real results. In a case like this, it’s not going to be easy to convince a potential client to sign on, since there’s no real evidence that you can do what you claim as far as their promotional efforts go. But if you show your marketing efforts and the good results, you do have evidence for them to see.

While it might not be as compelling evidence as another site with concrete results, it will still show potential clients that you do know how to market a business online, and you do know how to implement a promotional plan. For someone starting out in an advertising business that focuses on internet marketing, in order to get some evidence beyond your own website, create one or two websites based on varied interests.

They don’t have to be businesses, just general information. Use all your promotional skills in tweaking the site and the methods of marketing you use for it. Then your advertising business internet marketing skills will have more good results to show potential clients.

7 marketing mistakes to avoid when promoting your business

Many people rush into business thinking it will be easy to run, but very soon they realize that it is not as easy as it looks. A successful business is a finely tuned machine. In order to keep your business running smoothly it is important to avoid making mistakes.

Here are the 7 most common mistakes to avoid:

1. Not having clear objectives: Many business people start a business without clear objectives. They fail to set realistic goals for their marketing and consequently set themselves up for failure. It is important to make a list of goals and objectives based on a quarterly time line. If you do not have company goals and objectives you are like a car driving without a road map. Make sure all employees are briefed on company objectives. When your employees are not properly prepared you will not be able to achieve company objectives.

2. Neglecting to analyse your potential customers is a dangerous mistake. It can lead to many problems. When you do not analyse your customers wants and needs you do not know what products and services to develop for them. This will lead to targeting the wrong market and neglecting to understand your own niche market. It is important for any business to do their marketing analysis so that you can target your market and maximise your sales.

3. Not testing: By not testing your sales copy and places you advertise with split testing your advertising, you will be losing sales. Split testing is simple to do but many businesses fail to do this. This results in a lot of wasted time and effort. If you do not test your ad copy and marketing promotions you will not have a proper idea of the ads and promotions that are pulling and what is not working. It is simple to do by placing 2 ads for the same product in a publication or website etc. You can then see which one is performing the best.

4. Not budgeting: Budgeting is extremely important in business. Your business should never run out of money. This is especially true with your marketing and advertising ventures. It is important to have a monthly or quarterly budget for your marketing. Within that budget put aside money for each promotion you will be doing. Start small, test and then build on successes. This will allow you to always stay solvent and have enough for promotions.

5. Giving up too soon: Companies go out of business at an alarming rate these days. One of the reasons is that the owners give up too soon. Just when success might be just around the corner they give up and decide to close the business down. In exactly the same fashion marketing promotions can fail. You need to give your promotions at least 3 months before you decide to scrap them. Some promotions will take longer than others to bring results. As always, test all marketing tactics before you launch a larger promotion. Patience is one of the hallmarks of business and you need to implement it.

6. Poor sales copy: How often have you wanted a product but when you read the sales page you had serious doubts? Poor unprofessional ad copy will cost you sales. In fact without good sales copy you will not be able to sell effectively at all. It is critical to your business to get this right. If necessary get an experienced copywriter to do this. It is worth the investment, as you will see returns when you make sales.

7. Not screening your employees carefully: To handle the extra load for the Christmas season you will need to hire new employees. It is very important not to rush into this. There is no dearth of people needing employment but you need to screen them carefully before hiring. One rude customer service agent can cost you customers. Do not take this type of risk. You want to preserve the integrity of your company at all times and screening employees is the way to achieve this. You will then be able to build a core of loyal professional employees that will be an asset to the company.

The golden rule is to diversify. You should always use multiple forms of marketing promotions in your business. Do not just do one or two promotions and then wait for results. This will slow company growth and your business will stagnate. The last thing you need is to slow your marketing in the Christmas season. So remember to diversify and enjoy the increase in sales.

By avoiding these mistakes you will take your company to the success you deserve. You will be able to have year round success for your business and really be able to cash in on the Christmas season. So plan ahead and be careful not to make these common mistakes.

Business Advertising: Do-It-Yourself Advertising Versus Using A Promotional AD Agency

Are you a small to medium sized business owner? If you are, you may be looking for ways to improve your customer base and your profits in general. If you are you, you may be interested in starting a new marketing or advertising campaign. When it comes to business advertising and business marketing, you will find that you have a number of different options. Many business owners choose to do their own direct marketing promotions, while others choose to use the services of a professional promotional ad agency.

If this is your first time proceeding ahead with a full scale marketing or advertising campaign, you may be wondering whether you should use the services of a professional promotional ad agency or if you should perform your own direct marketing promotions. When it comes to determining which marketing approach is best for your business, you will want to examine the advantages and disadvantages of each. A few of the most influential advantages and disadvantages, of both promotional ad agencies and direct marketing promotions, are outlined below for your convenience.

When using the services of a professional promotional ad agency, many business owners appreciate the time that they are able to save. It is no secret that business marketing and business advertising are time consuming tasks, especially if you are unfamiliar with the process. Should you decide to allow a professional promotional ad agency handle your business’s marketing and advertising, you will likely find yourself able to focus on other important tasks.

In addition to saved time, using the services of a professional promotional ad agency often produces professional results. Many promotional ad agency employees have experience with business advertising and business marketing. Most promotional ad agencies have taken the time to research and test out numerous marketing approaches. This, essentially, means that they already know which approaches are successful, like promotional gifts, and which ones are only a waste of time and money.

Although there are a number of advantages to uses the services of a professional promotional ad agency, there also a number of disadvantages to doing so as well. One of those disadvantages is the cost. Hiring a professional promotional ad agency can be fairly expensive. Despite the cost of doing so, many business owners find it well worth the costs. In fact, many look at it from the standpoint of a business investment; an investment that they will likely see a return on.

If you are uninterested in using a professional promotional ad agency to your advantage, you may be interested in learning the advantages and disadvantages to doing your own direct marking promotions. As for the main disadvantage to doing your own direct marketing promotions, you will find that it can be time consuming to do. If you are relatively unfamiliar with business marketing and business advertising, you may spend a good deal of your time doing research and then relying on trail and error. As previously stated, many promotional ad agencies already have proven marketing and advertising plans in place, which include reward or incentive programs.

Perhaps, the biggest advantage to doing your direct marketing promotion, either yourself or by having one of your staff member do it, is the money that you may be able to save yourself and your business. This is ideal if you are operating your business on a budget. Although your time or the time of your employees will cost money, you will find that the cost is often lower than that of using a promotional ad agency. It is also nice to have complete control over all advertising and marketing decisions.

Whether you decide to handle your own direct marketing promotions or rely on professional assistance, you will want to consider using reward programs or customer incentive programs to your advantage. These programs can include rewards, like free merchandise or travel certificates, to new or returning customers. If you decide to perform your own direct marketing promotions, you will need to find an incentive company to do business with. You will want one, like the Infinity Incentive Group, that gives you the option of choosing multiple promotional gifts.