Published by Robert A. & Vicki L. Prentice of Professional Development Systems
February 25, 2008 Issue 289
From the Desk of Bob
Greetings!
One of the requests I sometimes get is to have me write more often on business ideas and business strategies. Business, of course, is one of my favorite subjects, so I am happy to oblige. Having 26+ years of experience in the business world has provided me with numerous personal examples of how to apply principles and strategies that really work for me that I truly enjoy sharing with others.
Have a super week! Bob
bob@mrattitudespeaks.com
In this week's issue
Life Attitudes
Seeds of Success: Bootstrap Marketing 101
Sunny Side of Life
Mr. Attitude's Life Tested Tools
Life Attitudes
"Marketing is not an event, but a process. It has a beginning, a middle, but never an end, for it is a process. You improve it, perfect it, change it, even pause it. But you never stop it completely."
-Jay Conrad Levinson
"Authentic marketing is not the art of selling what you make but knowing what to make. It is the art of identifying and understanding customer needs and creating solutions that deliver satisfaction to the customers, profits to the producers and benefits for the stakeholders."
-Philip Kotler
"People don't want to be marketed to; they want to be communicated with."
-Flint McGlaughlin
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Seeds of Success: Bootstrap Marketing 101
By Robert A. Prentice
We live in the land of opportunity and the free enterprise system is alive and well! I love owning my own business! There is so much freedom and flexibility in owning your own business, not to mention some great tax benefits. But owning your own business is not easy-it takes plenty of hard and smart work to succeed, and as anyone will tell you, no matter how great your business is, if no one knows about it, you're not very likely to succeed. Which brings me to the subject at hand: Marketing a business, organization or idea.
Over the years, especially when on a tight budget, I have implemented a few basic marketing concepts that I believe anyone in business-or just starting a business-for themselves should take into consideration. Focus your energies on these strategies and watch what happens.
Customer Loyalty: Building lifetime customer loyalty is the key!
Here are the top two things you can do to build customer loyalty in your business and have your customers become your best sales force.
1. Deliver quality with every project. Never ever skimp in your materials, processes or delivery. Customers will be most impressed and will naturally tell others.
2. Build your customer list in a database that is easy for you to assimilate, extract and update. This will help you "touch" your customer more effectively with greater creativity. The more you consistently touch your customers the longer they will be with you.
Tough Customers: You just gotta love the tough ones!
Remember that ultimately the tougher the customer, the better the customer. Tough customers are so good for us because they make us work harder and smarter; they cause us to stretch, learn, and grow.
Promotional Ideas: Three great options to consider!
1. Podcasting: Not sure what that is? Google the word. Basically, podcasting is an audio blog that can drive many people to your website and phone number. A podcast is very inexpensive to implement into your business plan. For an example check out one of my podcasts at: www.prairiebeaconradio.com
2. Blogging: Short for weblog, it's sort of an online journal. Google it for more information and start blogging today! Post your blog or podcast to the dozens of directories that you will find out on the internet.
3. E-Newsletter: Why not write an e-newsletter and develop a subscriber base. Put out some positive information about your industry, your company or your self. Of course, as an active subscriber to MMM, the e-newsletter you are reading today is an example of what I am talking about.
Your Brand: Your "brand" will get you noticed!
Have you updated your company slogan lately? Maybe you don't even have a company slogan. Well, if you don't, you probably should come up with one that tells people in a quick simple phrase what your business is.
What about your logo? Have you updated it lately? A crisp sharp design that sells success for you is an absolute must. When your logo keeps popping up all over the place, people will begin to take notice, so place it on your name badges, your brochures, a sign and/or banner, then get it out their in the marketplace so people see it. This is called "top-of-the-mind awareness".
Market yourself in a frugal manner. Start by communicating with your customers and your future customers. Watch your business grow and prosper.
On the Sunny Side of Life: What's the Difference?
If the circus is coming to town and you paint a sign saying "Circus Coming to the Fairground Saturday," that's advertising.
If you put the sign on the back of an elephant and walk it into town, that's promotion.
If the elephant walks through the mayor's flower bed, that's publicity, and if you get the mayor to laugh about it, that's public relations.
If the town's citizens go the circus, you show them the many entertainment booths, explain how much fun they'll have spending money at the booths, answer their questions and ultimately, they spend a lot at the circus, that's sales.
Bob "Mr. Attitude" Prentice is available for Keynote, conference engagements, and in-house company training assignments Call to schedule Bob TODAY! 800.437.9715
Read on...
The Prairie Beacon
The Prairie Beacon is a monthly positive attitude paper, published by Mr. Attitude, featuring Seeds of Success articles, motivational stories, quotes and attitudes, all guaranteed to challenge and inspire it's readers to live a richer, fuller and happier life.
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Mr. Attitude's Life Tested Tools
Bob "Mr. Attitude" Prentice is available for Keynote, conference engagements, and in-house company training assignments.
Bob says,"My training sessions consist of the principles, attitudes and skills that I have discovered over the course of my life, and that I aspire to practice in my day to day living. These are the Life- Tested Tools that I have to offer..."
KEYS TO BETTER LEADERSHIP
KEYS TO BETTER SELLING
EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT
CUSTOMER SERVICE
AND MORE!
Call to schedule Bob today! 800-437-9715
Check out website! www.mrattitudespeaks.com
:: bob@mrattitudespeaks.com
:: http://www.mrattitudespeaks.com
:: 800-437-9715
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