Tips from September 4, 2009 The Small Business tips today discuss Executing a Promotional Event: Follow-up from the Event
Have a guest book, business card drop box, or a way to know who attended your event. Ask for their e-mail or address to thank them at a later date.
Make a discount or create a special for people who attended your event to receive the next time they come in.
Create mail and e-mail 'thank you' letters that include a discount or free prize for attending the event. This gets customers back to your business!
Write a short description of the event. What happened, who came, how it all went. Send it to local media to receive more media attention!
Daily Overview: Find a way to contact guests attended, send them 'thank yous' with a special discount, write about the event for the media.
By Cheryl Sowa · September 08 2009
small business tips, small business, contact, promotional event
Tips from September 3, 2009 The Small Business tips today discuss executing a promotional event: Hosting It!
The entrance of the event must look inviting. Have a greeter waiting to show the guest around, welcome them, let them know of the events activities.
Prepare your employees before the event so you will not have to do anything but entertain. You want them doing the work not you, the owner should be available for socializing.
The entertainment should start promptly and each guest should be involved. Enough space so everyone can see, participate, or enjoy the activity.
If it is possible, the owner should make an effort to talk to each guest. Personally thanking a guest for coming creates a positive relationship and a consistent customer.
Daily Overview: Event should be inviting, with activities starting promptly, the owner should be available to the guests during & after the event.
By Cheryl Sowa · September 03 2009
small business tips, small business, promotional event, event planning
Take a look at this advertisement. What is the first thing that comes to mind?
Shock? Anger? Hatred? Fear? Would you think it was for Homeland Security? The 9/11 Memorial? In actuality, this advertisement was pitched for the World Wildlife Fund.
Just over a week before the eighth anniversary of September 11th, this controversial advertisement was pitched to the Brazilian branch of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). The ad features dozens of airplanes in mid-air, flying directly into Lower Manhattan with an accompanying tag line reading "The Tsunami Killed 100 Times More People Than 9/11." Underneath the comparison of 9/11 to the Tsunami, the WWF's signature logo of the panda is displayed next to the copy of the ad: "The planet is brutally powerful. Respect it. Preserve it.” The Brazilian design firm DDB Brasil designed the advertisement and, according to...
By Cheryl Sowa · September 03 2009
Advertising, brand, business, attention
Tips from September 2, 2009 The Small Business tips today discuss Executing a Promotional Event: Publicizing the Event
Flier's: list the date, time, location and attraction. Have them available at your store for customers, in participating stores, and posted around busy locations in town.
Local media: contact through phone or e-mail. Include all information about your event along with a catchy paragraph describing the purpose it serves.
Invitations: Create invitations to send out to customers whom you have their address. Online invitations for customers whom you have their e-mail. Post the invitation on your web page so that all views can be informed.
Vocal: Go to your local chamber, city hall, or organization meeting to voice your event. Inviting people in person is a great way to get people to your event.
Daily Overview: Create flier's, information for local media, invitations (both online and mail), and voic...
By Cheryl Sowa · September 03 2009
small business tips, small business, media, promotional event
Tips from September 1, 2009 The Small Business tips today discuss Executing a Promotional Event: Planning the Event
Select a time, date, and location that will best accommodate your target guests. Unless your business restricts the goals of your event, your business is a great host location.
Book the entertainment, create the sale, or decide on a prize give-away. Make sure that whatever is going to take place at your event is confirmed and set to go.
Train your chosen employees to work the event. Demonstrations of products or services, cleaning, or even to be friendly knowledgeable faces. Your workers are your best promoters so use them to help out!
A cheap possibility to food and drinks is asking local businesses to donate or discount their prices for your event. They will be able to be recognized by guests and in turn your guests will appreciate the hospitality.
Daily Overview: Select a guest accommodating...
By Cheryl Sowa · September 01 2009
small business tips, small business, location, products
Government, Politics, and the EconomyInflation Will Accelerate Next Decade, Economists Say According to a poll taken by the National Association for Business Economics, the Federal Reserve cannot prevent the trillions of dollars from the stimulus package from inflation over the next decade, rising an average of 3% per year from 2014 through 2018. Bloomberg.comGovernment, Politics, and the Economy What's North Dakota Doing Right? As the rest of the nation painfully struggles with balancing the budget and rising unemployment, the state of North...
By Cheryl Sowa · September 01 2009
small business brief, small business, customer service, sales
Tips from August 31, 2009 The Small Business tips today discuss Executing a Promotional Event: Choosing the Type of Event
Identify the goal, message, idea or vision behind the event you are planning. You want your guests to leave knowing the purpose / benefit of the event they just attended.
Choose a theme that directly relates to the purpose of the event in order to brand it effectively. This will keep it consistent and memorable!
Establish what you want to take place during the event. Are you going to present a speaker, a 'how-to' session, sale, or prize give-away. These all bring in guests so it is important they are identified.
Determine the people you want to target to come to the event. Investors, current customers, prospective customers, or business partners.
Daily Overview: Identify the goal of the event, an appropriate theme, what will take place at the event, and who will be there.
By Cheryl Sowa · August 31 2009
small business tips, vision, promotional event, type
Tips from August 28, 2009 The Small Business tips today discuss how to close a cold call.
Be confident in the close. Take control of the conversation but let them make the decision. Offer options but stay focused.
Be specific when setting an appointment. Don't generalize with "next week," but say "10am next Tuesday."
Ask if they would like additional information to send them so they can look over before you speak with them again.
Follow up with a confirmation email about the appointment or next time to speak about an hour after the call is placed.
Daily Overview: Be courteous & seal the deal to cater to their needs, but don't forget about yours.
By Cheryl Sowa · August 28 2009
small business tips, small business, close, cold call
