8 Marketing Questions for Every Business

MONDAY MARKETING MINUTE

The mind is a great thing. Here are 8 questions for your inspiration sessions to ask so you’ll market your business better in 2014. Get yourself comfortable in a quiet spot with a cup of coffee, a pen and paper. Do this alone and later with your key people if you’d like. But for now, it’s just you, and your mind connected to infinite intelligence; ready to write what inspiration brings your way.

Get a sheet of paper and write down these 8 questions, leaving space for your answers.

(You can get my own Brainstorming “How Can I Market Better” sheet by requesting it at: www.terscott.com/contact). Sometimes marketing can be this simple; “you don’t get because you don’t ask”. Here are 8 questions to ask:

1. How can I attract customers, clients, patients?
2. How can I maintain existing clients and recapture those that I’ve lost who have gone elsewhere?
3. How can I generate leads?
4. How can I cultivate referrals?
5. How can I continue to develop and maintain my company image?
6. How can I promote name recognition for what I do with my company?
7. How can I grow and increase my data base?
8. How can I increase my profits?

Plan to spend at least 30 minutes on each of these questions. Consider scheduling a 30 minute session per day to do each of these questions while reviewing all of them and adding to the each as you do so. Carry 3 x 5 cards and jot down ideas as they come to you outside your formal inspiration session and enter them when you are in your sessions.

When you are letting ideas come to you you’ll find them coming to you faster than you can write them down so just abbreviate your words, write fast, don’t question things, don’t have a conversation with yourself saying things like “this won’t work”; just listen and write. Edit later! When ideas start to slow, change the question slightly, then listen again and write again. Only after you’ve done this on your own, go to the Internet and use the question as a search phrase and find get ideas and sources. Enter the words and ideas that your session brought you as your key word search. Write down what you’ve found.

After you’ve completed your own private inspiration sessions for each of these questions, then open this up as a brainstorm session with key employees, staff and even key customers. You could even create an “Inspiration Board” for your business. These are key people in your industry and community that you bring together on a monthly or weekly basis to think of creative ways to market your business. Learn more about how to do your Inspiration Sessions and create and manage an Inspiration Board at my other blog: Attainment Rules.

If you prefer, you can type into a word document during your inspiration session but I have found that ideas come faster than I can type (and I can type pretty fast). Also there is something about writing your thoughts that connects you to your ideas and ingrains them into your subconscious.

Schedule your 30 minute Inspiration Sessions as soon as possible and move your business ahead this year by exploring the possibilities in these 8 marketing areas.

 

Ter Scott coins Phrase: "Johnny Appleseed Advertising"

MONDAY MARKETING MINUTE

Have you planted good, marketing seeds today? Johnny Appleseed’s (September 26, 1774 – March 11, 1845), philosophy can offer benefit to any one who wants to market effectively today.

According to Wikipedia, John Chapman (September 26, 1774 – March 11, 1845), often called Johnny Appleseed (real name: John Chapman), was an American pioneer nurseryman who introduced apple trees to large parts of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, including the northern counties of present day West Virginia. According to legend, he was kind, generous, and lead in conservation practices of his day; basically he was an all around good guy. The image that I remember about this American legend was of his spreading apple seeds randomly, everywhere he went. I’ve applied this to my marketing philosophy and activities.

Some time ago I coined the term "Johnny Appleseed Advertising", and I even offer an advertising opportunity by the same name. The whole idea is to advertising just a little everyday with little "seeds" and eventual the results becomes a big, beautiful, and bloosoming large apple tree. In marketing we too are spreading little seeds about our business message everywhere we go. Sometimes they are not always “good”! We need to first have a plan to “randomly” spread our message. Here are just a few ways to use Johnny Appleseed Advertising:

• Always have business cards and flyers with you.
• Have a know your 30 second commercial or what some call your “elevator” speech.
• Be kind, and generous in your business offers.

Soon your business and it’s message will span the country and the globe. All from keeping little “seeds” of create and generous thoughts always in mind!

Get the Ameriplan Facts from Someone who is Doing Well

For anyone interested in getting the facts from someone who is doing well with Ameriplan, let me know. Just go to the one of these two sites, depending on your interest, and when you click on “CONTACT US” in the lower left hand column, and a window will open where you can choose to order, join or just get more information; it’s all good! THE BUSINESS: http://www.MyHomeBusinessPays.com/40791297   THE PRODUCTS: http://www.nolimithc.com/ I look forward to answering your questions!

 I will deliver on the promise!

Market your Business with Imprinted Goodwill Ambassadors

Promotionally Yours, By Ter Scott!

(Don't miss these Friday marketing blurbs. Sign up as a "follower by email" on this page).

 

 

Have you given your silent ambassadors their marching orders?

 

What do you want to accomplish by using your imprinted calendars, writing instruments, and apparel (there’s millions of things available with your imprint so I won’t list them all here)?  All of these items imprinted with your business message act as silent ambassadors, ready to present your message at any time, when someone takes it from a pocket or purse, when someone sees it on their kitchen or office wall, or on the back of a bumper or a person's head. To have them do this well, you need to first decide their purpose.

 

The three main purposes for your promos are:

 

advertise your message,

educate, and

goodwill.

 

Request my free 10 point check/question list to be sure that your next order of imprinted specialties will be more effective at: www.terscott.com/contact.

 

Do you have questions? Get your free consultation by contacting me at my imprinted promotional site: www.myimprintrep.com/123order. "Lower Prices, Better Service. Is MyImprintRep your imprint rep?"

The Great Marketing Guru, Jay Conrad Levinson has passed on.

One of my marketing heroes and gurus is now "on the other side". His books and resources from his genius are still with us and he will live on through them. When the "greats" such as Jay move on, I am reminded to always live each moment and do things for others. Marketing is so much fun and is profitable for both sides, the marketer and the one marketed to; both win. That's why I love marketing and teach it. I've learned much from Jay's materials. My respects to the family and friends.

Thanks Jay for all. I for one, will continue your work. Rest in peace.

Here is an email I received minutes ago:

Dear TER,

          

On October 10^th 2013 at 4:36 am, the world lost a bright light. Jay Conrad Levinson, the “Father of Guerrilla Marketing” passed peacefully on to his next great adventure while at his home in the loving arms of his wife, Jeannie Levinson, and surrounded by family after a two and a half year battle with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) a cancer of the bone marrow.

Jay was the author of the "Guerrilla Marketing" series of books. Guerrilla Marketing is the best known marketing brand in history, and has been named one of the 100 best business books ever written, with over 21 million copies sold. His guerrilla concepts have influenced marketing so much that his books appear in 62 languages, and are required reading in MBA programs worldwide.
 
Jay was born in Detroit on February 10^th 1933 to Robert & Sadelle (Cohen) Levinson and sister, Myrna (Levinson) Pope, raised in Chicago, Graduating from Hyde Park High School, He was an avid White Sox Fan and a pitcher in the Minor Leagues. He served two years in the US Army Counter Intelligence Corp. His genius level IQ earned him membership into the Mensa Society.  Graduating from the University of Colorado, his studies in Psychology led him to advertising agencies, including a Directorship at Leo Burnett in London, where he served as Creative Director. Returning to the US, he joined J. Walter Thompson as Senior Vice President..

A winner of first prizes in all the media, including the both the Cannes and Venice Film Festivals, Jay has been part of the creative teams that made household names of The Marlboro Man, The Pillsbury Doughboy, Allstate's good hands, United's friendly skies, the Sears Diehard battery, Morris the Cat, Mr. Clean, Charlie the Tuna, Snap Crackle Pop, Tony the Tiger, the Jolly Green Giant, and Rolling Stone Magazine to name a few. In the 60’s he had the most ads running on TV at any one time.

Jay also worked closely with Hugh Hefner to help the marketing launch of Playboy Magazine and the first Playboy Mansion in Chicago.

In 1971 Jay left the corporate life and moved to the San Francisco Bay Area where he lived for the next 35 years. A proponent of work/life balance, he prided himself on earning a healthy living working only a three day week, while writing and teaching others how to do the same. He usually spent his four day weekends following his two favorite passions (other than writing) white water river rafting in the summer, and snow skiing in the winter.

In the early 1980’s, seeing the need for small business and entrepreneurs to be able to compete in the marketplace against huge Fortune 500 companies, Jay created Guerrilla Marketing and taught it for ten years at the extension division of the University of California in Berkeley
Young students in his class included the likes of Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Michael Dell and Larry Ellison among others who went on with the marketing skills they learned from Jay to became legends in the upcoming computer and tech industries. 
Entrepreneur magazine called him one of the foremost business marketing experts in the world. Jay has written over 100 business books. He and his wife, Jeannie co-authored several books and traveled the globe together speaking to students, entrepreneurs, and business large and small.

He was especially honored as being a national hero to many emerging Eastern European nations, who credited his writing of free enterprise, with helping them with the skills needed to break free from the Iron Curtain.
 
In 2004 Jay and Jeannie sold their home, bought a Luxury Motor Home, towed a Jeep, and spent the next few years “Full Timing” in their RV as they criss-crossed the country visiting national parks and grandchildren along the way. They eventually settled down in their lakefront home in DeBary, Florida,  just outside Orlando, close to many of their grandchildren, which they called their own personal Disney World.

Jay Conrad Levinson lived a life that changed the world and touched profoundly the lives of everyone that knew him

On October 20^th  2012, a memorial service was held with his family and many of his friends aboard the St. John’s Rivership, honoring his request to have his ashes sprinkled across Lake Monroe where he lived.
He also has some ashes sprinkled in the Sonoran Desert, one of his favorite places on Earth, along with some ashes sprinkled with a planting of a memorial tree in his front yard by his grandchildren.
And finally, as a world traveler, a portion of his ashes were placed in a bottle and set sail in the ocean along with his picture, biography, and a letter from his wife, asking anyone who finds him to take a picture and email her, telling where he was found, and then sending him back into the ocean to continue on his grand journey.
Jay is survived by his wife, Jeannie Levinson and five children: daughter, Amy Levinson (Dean Worgan); daughter, Ginger Adkins (Frank Adkins); son, Jeremy Huffman (Samantha Huffman); daughter, Christy Huffman (Tara Wenig); son, Joshua Huffman (Marissa Cart).
Grandchildren: Sage Scofield, Seth Pickett, Thurston Smith, Austin Adkins, Blake Adkins, Cali Adkins, Michelle Staruk (Michael), Steven Livernois (Kelsey), Heidi Livernois (Edgar), Elexa Hussien (Moe), Hayley Huffman (James), Zachary Huffman, Jon-Thomas Huffman, Ava Huffman, Alyssa Huffman, Leighton Huffman, and Caden Huffman.
Great Grandchildren: DeMarcus Johnson, Daute Johnson, Darren Johnson, Landon Staruk and Ethan Willard.
Nephews: Robert Pope (Aga), George Reskin (Peggy), Glen Reskin, Larry Meyerson (Debbie), Mitch Myerson,
Nieces: Gina Mandell (Joel), Nicole Wagner (Eric), Melinda Miller, Corliss Meyerson

Beloved Pets: Llaso Apso puppy, Monroe and Siamese kitty, Marilyn,

…and countless extended family, friends and colleagues who will all help carry on his wide-eyed excitement for life and his legacy of love.
All the best…
Jeannie & Amy Levinson
PS: We are now in the process of forming an advisory board for Guerrilla Marketing International, to seek guidance and leadership. To preserve, protect and grow Jay’s legacy, we’ve chosen one of Jay’s dear friends publishers, David Hancock of Morgan James Publishing to act as the director of this advisory board.

enter to win a free consultation from the people at HubSpot

As the self proclaimed "Bricks to Clicks Marketing Consultant" I've been "big" on writing articles, creating blogs, and "everything internet" to get more business offline and online. If you write at all, you should be creating hub articles. Here's something that may motivate you to take action.

Here's a letter I received from HubSpot and wanted to share it with my readers:

Hi TERRY, As marketers ourselves, we know what kind of challenges you're up against. Whether it's figuring out how to build out an audience on social media, learning how to create a killer marketing email, or deciding what the heck to do with AdWords, our marketing experts are standing by, ready to help one lucky winner. We're giving you the chance to win a free 30-minute consultation with one of HubSpot's marketers (worth $250). Learn more about each of them and their respective areas of expertise by visiting our contest page, then enter the contest and choose your marketer before December 31st to enter for your chance to chat with your favorite expert! Enter For Your Chance to Win Now >> PS - You can up the chances of winning a consultation for your business by sharing the contest with your colleagues so they can enter, too. Share This Contest With A Colleague! Best of luck, Kipp Kipp Bodnar (@kippbodnar) VP Marketing, HubSpot

What is a USP and why is it important for my business?

Does your business have a USP?

You know who you are and what your business does when you have created a vision and/or a mission statement. The next step is to tell people your USP in the form of a “headline”; a type of slogan that immediately follows your business name as it appears on your stationery, business cards, billboards, newsletter and website. When creating your USP be sure that you use good, keywords because today so much in marketing is being able to find your business online. Also consider how it “sounds” as it will probably be spoken in an audio ad. (Imagine hearing an announcer saying: “And this portion of the program is brought to you by: My Imprint Rep DOT com. “Anything With an Imprint at Lower Prices and Better Service. Is My Imprint Rep, your Imprint Rep? And by….”

The best known USP statements are probably still those by the originator of the idea back in the 1950s by Rosser Reeves as Wikipedia explains:

 His ads were focused around what he called the unique selling proposition, the one reason the product needed to be bought or was better than its competitors. These often took the form of slogans — Reeves oversaw the introduction of dozens, some that still exist to this day, such as M&M's "melts in your mouth, not in your hand." He argued that advertising campaigns should be unchanging with a single slogan for each product. His commercials for Bic pens, Minute Maid orange juice, M&M's candies, Colgate toothpaste and other products used similar methods, often making dramatic demonstrations. READ MORE: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosser_Reeves

 Ideally, your USP should be concise enough to be READ MORE: http://mondaymarketingtips.blogspot.com/2013/12/easy-way-to-create-usp.html

Bestmark is Looking for Evaluators

Learn to market by "doing"- and get paid!

By seeing how companies evaluate customer service teaches one to do so and become a better consultant to his or her clients. I enjoy being an evaluator or a mystery shopper because I learn about businesses every time I do an audit. I now work with a select few companies because my time is limited. What's cool is before I speak in an area, or travel anywhere for business or pleasure, I first check to see if there is a "shop" available in the area I'll be at. If so, I sign on for it and this gives me a little pocket money as well. Some shops only take about 15 minutes; others maybe 45. They are all fun and I usually learn something from each. Obviously certain things are confidential, but I can pass on things of  a "general" nature to my clients and use what I've learned with my experience in my consulting.

Bestmark is a company that I've worked with for years. They are very professional and pay on time, etc. Check them out here:


Want to make some extra cash for sharing your opinion? Do you post reviews on websites like Yelp? Now you can get compensated with cash! Check out Bestmark’s website: https://apply.bestmark.com/?r=WI10299

Deadline for this year's MARKETING ON CALL Drawing Near

Don't miss out on the Online Marketing Coaching at 3 Months 

(a full 90 Days with NO Monthly Fee).

I am doing a pilot “Marketing University” online for 90 days to help small businesses get started right. Later I will do this program as an “all year” program for a fee of $100 a month. I will use this 90 version as a “test” and tweak things before doing the full year program (smart marketing choice). 

For now it will actually be at no fee for those who sign on as members for the I.D. program; which is an investment in your business of only $25. The I.D. program offers monthly online access to great business helps and actually brings income into your business if you choose that option. READ MORE.

How to Promote a Community Theatre

Here's a "mouse in the corner" peak at a new project that I'm doing with a small theatre group in my area. Take what you can from this exchange between my client and I here and use it to improve your marketing. When you understand marketing, the actions are not so dissimilar with different businesses. Also, by taking something that is commonly used in one industry and using it in another reveals some great results. Doing this is called benchmarking.

Here goes:

Client's email to me after initial consultation:

Thank you for your email. Here is the brake down for this show
Royalties $1800
Overhead $200-$400
Advertising $200-$400
Music dir. $300-$500
Dir $300-$500
Staging, costuming $200-$400
Plus your cost/%

It's amazing this is a lot of money. We put on this plays with no budget. One angel, my wife, our bookkeeper and i fund the plays, most of the time my wife and bookkeeper get the money back they put into it but nothing more. I normally get about half back , but never full Re-emberseme. It's apparent we are not doing this to make money. How ever I don't have the money to put into the shows, yet i keep doing. Why? For the love of theater. But I sure would like to get some money out of the deal. Please help me to be a success.
Sent from my iPhone

My reply to original email message after our first consultation:

Thanks for this; you are going to be very happy that you and I are working together. You will have many “ah ha” moments like this one as together we discover exactly what your dream of this theatre can really be for you and others. We need to set another meeting where I’m going to ask you some in depth questions about where you (and the theatre) came, where you are now, and where you want to go and when you want to be there. I know we’ve chatted a bit about this already but now it goes on paper with a timeline.

I normally charge consulting charges for this but for now I will only make money on any ads I sell and any promotional media used for the theatre. Perhaps in a year’s time you’ll be more successful and we can revisit this; sound fair?

 

The theatre will make more this year because of one, we are promoting this (just a little at first and much more as time and monies allow), selling ads in the programs, and the tickets are raising to:

All Four Shows; a 2014 Year Pass: only $24 (keeps the original ticket price at the $8 and you’ll have working capital; just be sure to only use it as the plays happen; not all at once for the first of the year’s play).

$10 or $12 for regular pricing depending on the seating arrangements; the yearly pass gets people the best seats.

We will also have a special “Meet the Players” event after each of the shows performance where the general public can be a part of the cast party for a charge to cover the costs and a bit more to add to the funds. And, we’ll sell tickets at every silent auction in the Twin Ports area events that we can find.

And that’s just the start!

Let’s touch base and decide on another “working” meeting.

Ter

 

Would you like coaching like this for your business? Contact me at: www.terscott.com/coaching.

Coop Advertising with Pens at Tradeshows and all Year Long

This is an example of coop advertisng that I use to promote my wedding invitations website by coop'ing with similar businesses who will attend a Bridal event. If you are reading this because you are a regular here for these great marketing ideas, by all means, take this idea and run with it; it works great. Also, know that we can coop with you wherever you are in this great USA! Or, remember us when you would like to save money on wedding invitations or imprinted products or maybe you have a different type of tradeshow and we can promote one of our different products and websites!

If you are reading this because you saw our ad, please, let's get together and promote each other's business at the event!

Here's the ad your responded to:

 

Will share cost of advertising at the Duluth Bridal Show in January.

Is your business having a booth at the show? If so, we’d like to coop advertise with you. If you business is not one of selling wedding invitations but offers similar products to brides we’d like to share in your advertising cost with this unique idea which we’ve used for years. Here’s how it works.

At our booth you’ll give out pens with your imprint on one side and our imprint on the other side. That way you’ll pay ½ the cost of the pen order! If you can find another business that will be at the event, all three of our businesses can be on a three sided pen and do this.

We will not be at the event so having a business present as a coop advertiser in this way is beneficial in our marketing. Our imprint will be: “www.yourinvitationplace.com/terscott a Newton Manufacturing Rep”. You can click on the link to see the quality and our reputation as being a great company to be associated with. Here’s a blog article that explains how this marketing method has rocked with similar businesses: http://newtonmanufacturingcompany.blogspot.com/2013/12/how-to-have-someone-else-pay-for-your.html . If interested in sharing the advertising costs on imprinted pens at the event, please contact us soon to work out the details and get these ordered in time. Call us at: 888 two forty one -40 three one or reply to this ad.

 Thanks. Terry

 

Here's a blog article that shows how this has worked for us and others: http://newtonmanufacturingcompany.blogspot.com/2013/12/how-to-have-someone-else-pay-for-your.html.

 

Your Business is Your Reflection

There are no short cuts in doing a good job with anything; even with your marketing. One must build a good marketing foundation to continually build upon as the business becomes a viable venture, meaning that it cash flows and the owner sees the expected results. From here it continues to meet and exceed the goals that have been set. I’ve seen where some businesses have survived by doing the day by day promotions and seasonal specials for a time, but ultimately businesses which succeed are those which are run from a plan which is used as a track to run on and a road map to future growth and earnings.

Everything starts with the originator of the business and it grows from there. The business starts with an idea by the originator and a plan emerges to go forward in creating an organization. Because the business is the idea of the originator it follows that the philosophies, personality and everything about the person exists in the business. (This is why I ask the originator so much about his or herself when I create logos for businesses; because the created image used as a logo is, or should be, a reflected image of the idea, the thoughts, and wishes of the originator).

As the originator moves forward from the idea of the business, the thoughts and wishes for the originator’s dream must be conveyed (marketed) “to and through” everyone associated with the business which includes the internal customers (employees and staff) and the external customers (those benefited when purchasing the products and services). I’ve always been a fan of Dave Thomas who started Wendy’s. He started with an idea, conveyed it to and through everyone involved with the company and now, even after his passing, the company successfully continues with his original philosophies.

With the business being so tied to the originator’s thoughts, personality and wishes for its positive results, the originator must do some real soul searching; it all starts with the originator. After a business has been around for years and the originator has passed on, successors may sometimes rightly ask “What would (name of originator) have done?” Asking the question helps to keep everyone doing what was intended for the business.

Having a business is like having money; it simply amplifies who a person is. If a person is a “good” person, he or she will have a “good” business. If a person is not “good” or “liked” the business will not be “good” or “liked”. Again, everything starts with and is the reflection of the originator. So, do you want to own a business that strives and continues to grow to success? You then need to be a person who thrives and continues to grow to success; personally. The originator and the business are one and the same.

In a future article I will touch a bit on knowing who you are, what you want to do, how you want to do it, and how long you want to take to get there. That’s marketing.

Don’t miss my Marketing On Call, a full 90 days with yours truly. Get details here: http://terscott.blogspot.com/2013/12/more-about-ter-scotts-marketing-on-call.html and contact me for further details by using the contact form at my website: www.terscott.com/contactus. There is no cost for this 90 day pilot program which will later be a full year at a “steal” for only $100 a month. However, to be enrolled in the Marketing On Call, you’ll need to join and commit to 3 months minimum of being in the I.D. program. This is a program in which I and other business associates invest $25 monthly to gain about $500 a month so this is my sneaky way of getting you successful and earning cash flow to help any business venture you have.  

More about Ter Scott's MARKETING ON CALL 90 Days of No Fee Coaching

Here's more about the MARKETING ON CALL program. 

This is the first pilot program. (There may be others; but no guarantees, so sign up for this one if you can. When I have a good "test" I will do the full 12 month version at $100 per month membership). It will start early January.

Also, you must agree to two things: Be a member of the I.D. Program (you'll see details at my site. This is a program we use to help businesses to improve cash flow by investing $25 monthly to earn $500 or more each month) for the minimum of 3 months. 

And secondly, you'll need to agree to submit your honest opinion in a survey at the end of the 90 days.
......................................................

Here's a bit about me, my company and what we will do together in these 90 days to get your business exposure (and customers) by having a good foundation to market your product and service in the right way. If you like what you see here (I obviously cannot share a ton here in this short space) you can visit my webpage shown below (if the link is not live, please copy and paste into your address bar to go to the page). 

My name is Ter Scott and I’m “legit”; you can simply plug my name “Ter Scott” into your Internet’s address bar and you’ll see that I’m “real”. OK, now that you are back; here’s a bit about me. I’ve taught marketing at the college level at a university where I live but unlike so many teachers out there, over the years I’ve actually helped hundreds of small and large companies build their businesses by doing things correctly. You don’t need to spend lots of money, have a large advertising budget or hire an agency (though this might be good for some). But, you just need to do a few things right, and keep doing them right. 

Here’s what you’ll be doing (with up to 50 others; as membership is limited):

You’ll have access to me via email for a full 90 days. 

MONDAY: You’ll receive an article from me.

TUESDAY: I will have another speaker about this topic.

WEDNESDAY: We rotate a product, book, speaker, website of the month to discuss.

THURSDAY: You’ll get a video of me talking about the week’s topic.

FRIDAY: You’ll get what is called “The BIG Question”. Here you’ll interact with other members conversationally around a main topic but of course, you’ll be able to ask and comment on other related topics as well.

There is one catch to getting all of this at no fee (when signing on for the $25 monthly I.D. program) and that is this. You will need to give your honest input about the program so I can tweak it to create the full 12 month program. 

That’s it. For more details, and instructions on how to reserve your place, visit my site page: www.terscott.com/90daymarketing. 

Registration for this program will expire December 30^th or when we have 50 members.