My New Newsletter

Hello!

Many people are registering for my “new and improved” marketing newsletter. If you’ve not received an email from me, here’s the news. The newsletter is suspended for just a while so I can make major changes for the new year. If you’ve not registered to get this great newsletter, you can email me at: terscottpromotes AT YAHOO DOT COM, being sure to use NEWSLETTER REQ (yes, all CAPS please) in the subject line so I will see it and not delete it.

Here’s today’s tip.

Before the Internet, I would go to the library and look through the stacks of Yellow Pages books they had from other major cities. I would “study” (not copy) the display ads and take note of the best and then apply things and the ideas that would be inspired from viewing them into my own ads, yellow page ads and others. Today we can do the same using the Internet. I speak about this in one of the Marketing Bootcamp Modules I present that shares how to use the Yellow Pages (both online and offline version; and yes, they are still effective when used right).  

This week do a Google search using a search term that someone would use to find your business. If you own a pet store, you might simply type in: “pet stores (city name and state)”. See which business is on top of the list. If it isn’t yours, ask me why and I can help. But for this assignment, you just want to know who the top 10 are. Then, create a document on your computer, copy and paste the addresses of each website (so this can be an ongoing education) and study each site. What do you like, what do you not like? What do you think is effective that you should incorporate into your site (or overall business marketing for that matter).

That’s it for today. Be sure to register for the newsletter. Also, I’m sure you’ve seen all of the reward programs and websites advertised lately; especially for the holidays. Here’s a shopping site that I recommend. It’s probably one of the largest shopping and comparison sites on the Internet. You really can save money for your business and home purchases. It’s one of my sites where I’ve partnered with Market America and Shop.com. Just go to www.scottshopping.com. On the first page you’ll be asked if you have an account. Register, it’s free. Then see all of the brand name stores that are now literally at your fingertips. I send all my family and friends to www.scottshopping.com because you also get rewarded to shop, financially and otherwise. If your friend owned a business, wouldn’t you shop there?

Make it a great day!

Ter

Terrific. Energizing. Results!

Do Business with others as they do unto you...

Especially in this economy, people do business with people who they do business.

Here is a letter that I have emailed or sent to people I do business with as I certainly believe in this policy. I understand that there is still competition out there, that they are obviously doing business with a similar firm as mine, etc. etc. But we should ask for the "chance" to show what we can do, right? Even if we have a similar company, products or service as a competitor or the firm already used, we can offer a different perspective or a different product perhaps used in a different way.

Anyway, here is a letter that I send to businesses that I do business with. It's sincere and to the point. Feel free to adapt it to what you do and of course, you may consider doing business with me as well!

Hello!

My name is Terry (Ter) Scott and I am one of your customers. Got a marketing “itch” for imprinted pens, and other promotional products?

Not only am I a customer, but I am a raving fan! I tell most everyone I meet about your business and my great experience as a customer; especially when your type of business need comes up in a conversation.

You may have heard it said that people like to do business with people they do business with. So, why not do business with me?

Every business uses imprinted items to promote the business message. I represent one of the oldest and best companies supplying imprinted promotional products such as pens, gifts, awards, hats, magnets, decals, even apparel; all at great prices with the best customer service in the industry! It’s Newton Manufacturing out of Newton Iowa, so it’s close with a very fast turnaround time.

I’ve been in the industry over 25 years and I love it. I know a lot about how to get your imprint to look just right, at the right price and right on time!

Call me at the nat’l message center: 888 two fortyone, 40 thirtyone. Let’s take care of that marketing itch. I’ll scratch your back and you scratch mine. Try just one order from me, and I know you’ll love everything about how easy and hassle-free it is!

PS. Please forward this to someone else or another department that may also need imprinted promotional ideas.

Thanks.

Terry (Ter) Scott!

Sponsors of Success with Bentleyville in Duluth Minnesota?

Bentleyville is now open and it's better than ever!
I have 3 great promotions for the sponsors of Bentleyville in Duluth Minnesota.
(If the links do not open, first try to copy and paste into your address bar, and finally please email me at the contact information at the upper right of my webpage: www.terscott.com).

I will answer your most pressing marketing "problem" via email response at www.terscott.com/marketingquestion at no fee. (Expires 2/28/13).

There is still time to order Holiday Greeting Cards for your employees and patrons. Do so at: www.holidaycardwebsite.com/terscott and I'll donate 25% to a charity of your choice. We have repeat customers from all over the USA who do this every year. (Changes to wedding stationery after the holidays at: www.yourinvitationplace.com/terscott.

Get last column pricing with the NEWTON MANUFACTURING Virtual Catalog, and save hundreds off your imprinted promotional items until November 30, 2012 at: www.myimprintrep.com/catalog123. (Expires 11.30/12).

So enjoy all that Bentleyville offers, and thank all the sponsors listed below (and sponsors, take advantage of the above offers). Also, don't forget to help out by bringing a non-perishable food item or new unwrapped toy for the Salvation army Food & Toy Drive!

Make it a great day!
Ter Scott

"Bricks to Clicks Marketing Consultant"
www.terscott.com

Questions or comments? Please use my contact information at the website.
Bentleyville Sponsors:

ADVANTAGE, ESSENTIA HEALTH, REPUBLIC BANK, EDINA REALTY, VISIT DULUTH, UPS, "BLOB LOGO", CITY OF DULUTH, ARROWHEAD PRINTING, CUB FOODS, "BLOB LOGO", DSC, THE EDGE, LAKEHEAD CONSTRUCTORS INC., DULUTH GREATER DOWNTOWN COUNCIL.

Plus:

A1 Movers, Anytime Fitness, Blackwoods Grill & Bar, Duluth, Duke's Towing, Harbor City Oil, Lake City Towing, Lamar, Menard's, Titan Machinery, TwinPorts Nightlife.com . . . and,
AirFiber, Amsoil, Bellisios, Blackwoods, Grill (Proctor), Building Owners & Managers Assn of Duluth, Compudyne, Inc., Duluth Grill, Erberts & Gerberts, Famous Dave's Grandma's Saloon & Grill, Grandma's Sports Garden, Green Mill, Gruizzly's Wood-fire Grill, Halvor Lines, Heartwood Constructyion, Highway Technology, Holiday Inn, Holiday Station Stores, Little Angies's Cantina, McDonald's, Miner's Inc., New Page, Pizza Luce, Sappi, Savories, Catering, Security Jewelers, Stor-More Mobile Storage Inc. , Subway, Super One, Texas Road House, Twin Ports Paper & Supply, UFCW Local 1189, Walmart #1929-Cloquet, U.S. Federal Prison Camp, Walmart # 1447 Superior, Waste Management, StayInDuluth.com, Young & Associates.

And also:

Americinn Duluth South, Andren's Paint Co., Carlson Orthodontics, Citon Computer Corp. , Contract Tile & Carpet, Denny's Ace Hardware, DSI Work Solutions Inc., Duluth Insurance Agency, Inc. , Dunbar's Supply Inc., Fitger's Brewhouse, Fond-du-luth Casino, GBS Carpet, Grandma's Inc., Great Lakes Children's Dental, Holiday Center Merchants Assn., Alekef Coffee Roasters, Iron Mining Association of MN, Junior League, Kolquist Seitz & Goldman, LLC, L&M Supply, Lumber Liquidators #198, Marshall Hardware, Michaud Distributing, ME Electrical, North American Salt Co., The Optimist Club of Duluth MN., Duluth Lion's Club, Port of Duluth Kiwanis Club, Proctor Builders, Just Ask Rental, Radisson Hotel Duluth, Harborview, Reif EyeCare Specialists, RJ Sport & Cycle, Sam's Club, Sam's Florist & Greenhouse, South Pier Inn, The Suites Hotel, Superior Beverage, Sysco Minnesota, Inc., Telephone Associates, Timber Lodge Steakhouse, Dan's Feed Bin, American Bottling, Northern Tool & Equipment.

If you've had any part in the creation and maintaining of this wonderful venture and you are not listed, please accept my apologies. (Also, "Blob Logo" stands for any sponsor who used a logo that was "unidentifible" when printed small in the ad). Simply reply to this, and you may take advantage of these great offers too.

Three Rules to get your Press Release Published

The three rules for placing a press release are: it needs to be news, it needs to be interesting and it needs NOT to be advertising. If it’s news and not advertising you can probably use your talent and skill to make it interesting, but if it’s not news or blatant advertising don’t waste your time submitting it. It’s tough enough to get a press release printed as it is and if all three of these are not apparent, wait or change to make it so.


Some companies hire firms to continually “throw stuff on the wall and hopes something sticks”, but I say first start with a year calendar, post a few marketing ideas per each month with the end result in mind; namely sending a press release about it, implement the idea and voila, you’ve got some free publicity!

In my local area I place simple press releases to all the local media for just $9.99 to generate sales for my other marketing services. I do the same for any business person across the country but the press release goes to most media in their local area, and Internet sources. The fee for this is $350 per press release. Details are at www.terscott.com/pressreleaseservice. If you have trouble getting to the right page on my www.terscott.com site, email me at: terscottpromotes AT yahoo.com (don’t use spaces and replace the AT with the @ sign).

Press releases are a great way to get the word out about anything new about you, your message, and your organization. If you have questions, comments, etc. just leave your comment below.

Make it a great day! Ter

Terrific. Energizing . Results!

Never mind rocket science, just ask questions

I keep stating to my clients that marketing is not "rocket science" and more "horse sense". OK, maybe rocket science isn't really rocket science, and I've never owned a horse. But I do know a bit about marketing and human nature.

When you want to know something, ask. It was the kid in class who wasn't afraid of appearing stupid who today is succeeding because of the answers found. To know if and which elements of your marketing is working, ask.

For instance, wouldn't it be nice to know how your cusomter found you, your store or website? You can. Here are just 3 short questions that when asked, won't sound like the fifth (or is it the first) degree:

How did you find “Us”? Just ask 3 Things.


It’s important to know how your visitor (who hopefully becomes your customer or already is your customer) “happened” upon your store (or virtual store/website). Knowing this, you can increase your marketing dollars in that direction and perhaps even “tweak” or “test” the advertising vehicle(s) that was responsible. In the physical world, someone may have seen your billboard that stated “turn here”; in the virtual, online world it may have been a banner ad that stated: “click here”.

Here are three things you can ask the next person who walks in your store or is using your shopping cart at your website:

1. How did you find us? I remember when a restaurant owner asked a patron “How did you find your steak?” The reply was, “I merely looked under my baked potato and there it was!” Hopefully that won't be the response you get.

2. What do you think of our store (or website)? This is a great open ended question which can elicit many responses; that’s good.
3. Did you see any reviews? This can mean “anything” from any word of mouth marketing to an online review.
Do these three things every time a customer visits and you’ll know more about your customers, and you too can be a marketing "guru".