Learn from Super Bowl Ads to Promote Your Business

MONDAY MARKETING MINUTE

With so much buzz about the Super Bowl and the commercials, I want to share how you and your business, no matter what the size, can create simple, but effective TV type commercials locally on TV and Cable channels.

First note a few things. Advertising your commercial for the entire world to see costs a bundle because of the amount of exposure you’ll get. Sadly, these commercials are more for entertainment and not for retaining real estate in the minds of the viewers over time that translates into purchases. But hopefully the immediate purchases make up for this. The most popular ad in the 2014 season was the Budweiser Puppy commercial. 

Both the Budweiser and Doritos ads came out on top. Think about it, these two advertisers have products that are relevant (who can watch a Super Bowl without beer and chips) and both of these products have a huge profit margin in the product so the company has money to invest in expensive ads. You will see car ads and other ads as networks hosting the Super Bowl offer space time for the local channels to air ads from advertisers immediately after the national ads. These are also more expensive than any other time of the year but not like the 3.5 million for a 30 second spot the “big guys” spend. 

OK, back to reality; let’ talk about your TV style ad. (I say TV style because you can, and should, use the same ad in YouTube marketing, TV, Cable, on your website, blogs and more). In marketing, as in anything else, systems, routine and consistency rule. I don’t like having to “redo” things all of the time so having a routine with a system saves time and conveniently, creates the necessary consistency we should strive for in all of our advertising.

Think of this technique as the “doughnut” technique or maybe a 3 step format. Basically the first and third step of your commercial remains consistent which leaves the second step (the doughnut hole) open for your current content such as specials etc. Think of how this adds consistency to all of your advertising and saves greatly on production costs!

Create your first and third parts. The first part might show your product(s); an answer to a need by your customer, or whatever. The third part which is the ending, should show the “solution” to the question presented in part one along with your contact information such as your location and phone number. You can also present your web address here, but be sure to make it easy for your viewer to remember everything; phone numbers should be something like, 218-999-cars; website addresses should be easy to remember www. “cars  are  us”.com (promotion here for any such website that might exist is not intentional);  and the address does not need to be the actual street address, but something more like “on the corner of 12^th and Grand”. Remember, part one and three remain the same in all of your commercials for a full 12 month campaign or longer so spent a lot of time and thought on them.

Now that you have created and produced the first and third sections of the doughnut format, you have the entire center of your commercial open to fill with your special of the month, season, or whatever your advertising heart desires!

Try this system and let our readers know your thoughts with your comments. Also, if you like what you read here consider following the RSS feed in your email box by registering as a “follower by email” on this page. Also, I am available for consulting to help you with your small business marketing. Contact me at my site: www.terscott.com.

Make it a great day! Ter

WATCH ALL SUPER BOWL 2014 COMMERCIALS HERE

How to Create a Great Logo Part 3

Part 3 How to Create a Great Logo

Before you read this, you may want to read parts 1 and 2 which are elsewhere on this blog.

Why every business needs a logo.

It captures the attention of its viewers immediately.

It sets your business apart from all competition.

You occupy a place in your prospect’s and customer’s minds, it’s memorable.

It establishes your business as being professional and reputable.

It “brands” your businesses.

It offers name recognition.

It adds necessary consistency in all of your advertising.

It creates marketing cohesiveness.

It is a silent ambassador working for you 24/7 telling your prospects and customers the “who, what, where, why and how” of your business. Yes, it is all in that simple symbol; or it should be!

It “positions” your business in the minds of your prospects and customers.

Your logo should be used on just about everything with very few exceptions. Also be sure that you have strict guidelines as to how it should be used for different applications. Large corporations are much strict on all of this; as they should be, because they need to maintain consistency of use by all their locations, dealers and representatives. Having this “end in mind” should also be considered when creating a logo.

Places to display your logo would include: business card, stationery, all of your marketing materials such as brochures, within your videos, indoor and outdoor signs, POP displays, promotional items like pens, calendars and hats (get great prices and service at: www.myimprintrep.com; this is one of my companies), and even on magnetic signs for your car. Truly, the media for using your logo is almost endless. Always protect and respect your logo and use it on media that reflects only what you believe in and matches with your USP and everything that your business “stands” for. Always be sure that when you advertise and use your logo that it is “relevant” to the market where it is used. Finally, only advertise and use your logo in association with other companies that espouse similar philosophies as you do.

There really is much that goes into a stellar logo, one that says everything it needs to say, and one that will say it for a long time, bringing you business and maintaining your business for years to come.

I understand that I feel pretty strong about creating logos, and it’s because I see so much “visual junk” that reflects poorly on a business. I wish that I could state more in this short article, but I find that it’s easier to answer questions and comments. So please leave them here and I will be glad to help in any way I can. You may also contact me at my webpage: www.terscott.com/contact.

Also, your logo will be treated right when you use it on any of our thousands of imprinted products at: www.myimprintrep.com. “Is your imprint rep, My Imprint Rep”?