1. IN-PERSON -- ONE-ON-ONE
PRESENTATIONS: While face-to-face with your prospects
or customers you can instantly build rapport and gain trust --
plus you have their direct attention.
2. IN-PERSON -- GROUP PRESENTATIONS:
This can be a sales presentation, a free seminar or a workshop.
Your attendees can get to know, like and trust you quickly.
3. IN-PERSON -- NETWORKING:
Everyone knows about 250 other people. The potential contacts
for direct business or referrals is enormous.
4. TELEPHONE: You can use
the phone to call a current customer for a re-order or to let
them know about a special offer on a new product or service. You
can also use the phone to build your prospect list. It's the
next best thing to being there.
5. MAIL: It's only 'junk
mail' to the people who don't want it. Chocolate lovers, love
getting chocolate catalogs and offers in the mail. We just went
to see a play by one of our local theater groups because of a
post card we received in the mail. By mailing your message, you
have the opportunity to provide as little or as much detail as
you like.
6. SIGNS: Everywhere you
look there's a sign! Billboards, store front signs, in-store
signs, wall signs, even magnetic car signs. Signs are an
excellent vehicle for delivering your marketing messages.
7. ADS -- NEWSPAPERS/MAGAZINES:
You can use classifieds, small display ads or full page ads.
Make sure you choose the section that targets your prospects,
and include a strong offer and call to action. Test small.
8. ADS -- CALENDARS, BULLETINS,
ETC.: Other publications for displaying your ads, are
church or community calendars and bulletins, ceremonial or
theater programs, even place mats.
9. ADS -- NEWSLETTERS:
Newsletters--either hard copy or electronic--are terrific
vehicles for delivering your messages. Just make sure the
newsletter targets your primary prospects and you have a strong
offer.
10. ADS -- YELLOW PAGES:
If you have the type of product or service that people find by
turning to the yellow pages, this may be the perfect vehicle for
you. Keep accurate track of your responses so you'll know
whether it's worth the investment.
11. TV -- COMMERCIAL: The
expense can be cost-prohibitive for many businesses, but for
some it is the ideal method for communicating to the masses. If
your product or service has a broad target and your budget
allows, it could be worth testing.
12. TV -- CABLE: More
cost-effective and better targeted. You can either run ads, or,
if you're really ambitious, host your own tips program.
13. RADIO: Can be great
for building awareness or supplementing other vehicles. Can be
expensive, but worth it for many established businesses.
14. TRADE SHOWS:
Excellent way to meet your prospects face-to-face. Very
targeted. Make sure you're not just handing out literature that
will get dumped in the trash as they leave. Make contacts and
follow up.
15. DOOR HANGERS: Can be
effective for home oriented products and services, like pest
control, lawn care, etc.
16. FLYERS - HANDED OUT:
Create your flyer with a strong benefit-focused message, strong
offer and call to action, and then get it into the hands of your
best prospects.
17. FLYERS - POSTED: Post
your flyers in high traffic areas on bulletin and display
boards, shop windows, etc.
18. FLYERS - INSERTED:
You can have your flyers inserted in your local community
newspaper. Some of the smaller weekly shopper newspapers will
insert them for a very reasonable price. Have your flyer copied
on brightly colored paper and it will not be missed. You can
also insert your flyer in with your current orders, or arrange
for another business to insert them into their orders.
19. FLYERS - DISPLAYED:
Displaying your flyer at the point of sale, the checkout
counter, for instance, can be a very nice way of getting people
to see your message.
20. FAX: We wouldn't
recommend faxing your message to strangers. It can be an
intrusion. However, you certainly can let your current prospects
or customers know about a new offer you have by faxing it to
them directly, or providing them with information they need.
21. E-MAIL: Sending
unsolicited e-mails to strangers is a taboo on the Internet.
It's called spam--and most people don't appreciate it. But,
using e-mail to follow up with prospects or customers who have
agreed to receive your messages can be very effective.
22. WEB SITE: More and
more people are turning to the Internet for information about
products and services. The time is rapidly approaching when all
businesses will need to have a presence on the Web or they'll be
left behind. Excellent vehicle for delivering information and
your marketing messages.
23. NEWS RELEASES: The
media is always looking for items of interest for their
readers/viewers/listeners. By making effective and consistent
use of News Releases you can get your message out for little or
no cost.
24. PUBLICITY/INTERVIEWS:
Is your product/service or business newsworthy? With the right
slant, every business can be interesting. You may offer your
expertise to the media and find yourself being interviewed on
the evening news, or on a radio broadcast. Many successful
marketers make excellent use of publicity and interviews to help
deliver their message to their market.
25. ARTICLES: How's your
writing? One of the best and least expensive ways to deliver
your message is by writing tips articles related to your
products/services--like this one--and offering it to the media
for free. The media gets content that will interest their
audience, and you get exposure for you and your company.