Home: Message List - Advertise or die

Re: Advertise or die

Iwrite — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 19:45:33 GMT

Large and medium sized companies make the same mistake - the stories I could tell. Advertising agencies are constantly having to justify their advertising efforts to clients. Some get it, some don't.

The other mistake is thinking anyone can do what advertising professionals do. Small business owners end up hiring or working with someone who doesn't have the skills or experience to realy help the client grow their business but they had the cheapest rates.

Re: Advertise or die

dclgraphics — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 19:27:32 GMT

Thanks for the replies, I think one of the biggest mistake as a small business we make is looking at marketing as inexpense as to a business expense, an investment to grow you business and a tax write-off.

David C. Lopez
DCL Graphics

Re: Advertise or die

puzzleman — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 22:19:35 GMT

My response would have been something like: I realize that you don't want to gamble on attracting more customers with me. However, didn't you take a gamble when you started this business? How did you get started? Then I would follow up with the questions showing how I would fit into their program in the past. Leave them with the thought that you could have helped him even more in the past and can help in the future. Then call back in a few weeks.

Since you are in the graphics business, how about asking if he remembers any ads? Those are graphics.

Jim

Re: Advertise or die

Iwrite — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 22:17:08 GMT

"Some clients are not ready mentally or financially to row their business." Should be "Some clients are not ready mentally or financially to grow their business."

Excuse the typo.

Re: Advertise or die

intechspecial — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 22:00:53 GMT

Iwrite -

I would have to agree with you that some are not ready mentally to do well in business.

On the other hand, some people are in the business of being mental.

All relative I guess.

Re: Advertise or die

Iwrite — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 21:44:53 GMT

dclgraphics,

Great question. Some clients are not ready mentally or financially to row their business. It is important to recognize which prospects are viable or not.

But if you want to address that comment, I would actually say:

" We are a small business also, and I understand the challenges. I'm not trying to sell you something you do not want but how are you going to grow your business without attracting new customers? Word of Mouth will take you so far and having a website helps but you are going to have to find a way to get your name out there. Here are some things that you can do for yourself that might help you grow your business (and give them a short list of things they can do). If you have any questions or concerns feel free to give me a call - I am happy to provide information at no charge. Hey, we are all in the same position."

And every two weeks or so I would call to check on them to make sure they don't have any questions, but you have to let them come to understand why they need to advertise on their own. You cannot force people to buy or use a product or service - you can present the information and what they do with it is up to them.

Learn to sell better. Add information to your website addressing the potential hurdles your customer may have. Write a blog or column on your site that educates and informs. You can even do an electronic newsletter or a direct mail newsletter. The better educated prospects are the less selling you have to do.

Thank you for asking this. I don't give up on potential clients that I believe I can truly help, I just try to find new ways to do it. I hope that helps.

Thanks again.

Re: Advertise or die

val_cards — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 18:56:33 GMT

Iwrite I couldn't agree with you more. Quick Question for everyone needing to beef up their advertising in the coming months.

How does everyone feel about a totally green advertising vehicle that stays in the wallets of consumer for a period of 6 or 12 months and is reinforced with every purchase and will not harm the environment when disposed of? for more details: http://www.val-card.org/val-cards/

Re: Advertise or die

dclgraphics — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 18:19:46 GMT

Great topic and great reply's on this subject, we do advertise with direct mail, and have a e-mailing campaign for our website. but what do say to a potential customer, and I quote (Even though you promote yourself as a way to grow the business, we don't want any form of advertisement whatsoever. My company is looking for additional work, not for others to try to suck up money we haven't even earned yet.) any advise on this.

David C. Lopez
DCL Graphics

Re: Advertise or die

MarketSmarter — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 17:19:06 GMT

I couldn't agree more iWrite. But I am impressed that so many small businesses are getting the message. During the last downturn in 2000 - 2001 many of my clients cut their marketing budgets and then wondered where their sales went - especially as the economy rebounded. This go round my clients have made cuts in other places so they can continue to market - my challenge for them - and my challenge to all businesses - is to market smarter.

Marketing smarter is being willing to try new things, but ensuring the tracking mechanisms are in place to know what is working best. By understanding where your business is coming from, companies will be able to make their marketing investment go further. I share my thoughts on how companies can market smarter on http://smartermarketing.wordpress.com.

Re: Advertise or die

intechspecial — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 02:10:16 GMT

Really for a business to be successful it must be pro-active in its marketing approach.

A business without a well thought out and planned marketing strategy is sure to fail.

So when it comes to business, if you do not market correctly, your business will not survive.

So I guess the "advertise or die" is quite an accurate analogy.