Ask Joy Gendusa

“The sales of companies who had kept advertising during (a) recession had risen 256% over those who had not.”
— McGraw-Hill Research

In tough times, it’s easy to put marketing on the back burner and then wonder why new customers aren’t coming or calling in. From personal experience and numerous accounts from our clients and other business owners I’ve spoken with, one thing is for sure: the more you market, the more your profits will remain steady and eventually go up.

I went to a conference in Nashville a couple of weeks ago and talked with a very successful business person in the same industry as me and was shocked to learn that his income was cut in half from $20 million to $10 million this year. Of course, I asked him what he does for marketing and he said, “Not too much, just have a website.” Unfortunately, I see this frequently.

Many business owners don’t know the positive effects of continually and consistently marketing – they only see money going out. Of course, it’s imperative that you market to the RIGHT people. You must know who your target market is. Do you know your target market? If not, you need to find out or your marketing is just about as effective as dropping a stack of postcards in the street and seeing who buys from you.

The great advertising mogul Morris Hite once said, “There is more money wasted in advertising by under spending than by overspending. Years ago someone said that under spending in advertising is like buying a ticket halfway to Europe. You’ve spent your money but you never get there.”

I challenge you to put this concept to the test in your business, “the more you market, the more business you’ll get.” It’s not too late to strengthen your profits this year. Whether you market with postcards, email marketing or even pay-per-click ads on Google or Yahoo, know that marketing does bring results when done consistently.

Learn how to increase new leads with an affordable marketing program based on what we know is currently working in your industry, call one of our marketing consultants for more details at 1-866-889-0322.

Email me anytime at joy.gendusa@postcardmania.com.

Best,
Joy

Restaurant owner/chef Tom Colicchio talks about steps he takes to ensure his restaurants will be well poised for success during any economy. Tell me what you think!

Are you giving your readers a reason to want to know more about you? See why I say this can affect your response. Let me know what you think.

Definition of risk management – The process of analyzing exposure to risk and determining how to best handle such exposure

In the last year, marketing strategies for businesses, both large and small, have changed. With reduced marketing budgets and restructured goals, you run a big risk…Continue Reading

Thanks for your input on the last book cover for my friend last week. Based on your responses he came up with another cover and would like to get your opinion on which book cover appeals to you most. Love, Joy
Cover 1	Cover 2

 

Aside from reaching OUT with ads, billboards, postcards, commercials and pulling IN leads and sales — what else is included in your marketing mix? Every experience along the way in the sales process or due diligence process is part of your marketing.

Here are five thing you can implement now:

1. Your receptionist is the first person anyone calling in will speak to. How has she or he been trained to answer the phone? Have you recently listened to ensure your company’s first impression is a great one? Find out if he or she is genuine, upbeat and helpful in directing customers to the right person or solution.
2. Your customer service largely determines whether or not new customers will buy again. This applies to any industry, whether you are a doctor, accountant or insurance agent — the background folks at your office can cause you to lose clients or can keep clients them coming back. Are you aware of the experience your clients are having? Tracking this can be as simple as sending a survey to every customer asking them about the service they received from your staff.
3. Cleanliness. Go around your office, store or showroom and look at it through the eyes of someone seeing it for the very first time. Is there dust you hadn’t noticed before? Some sprucing up may be in order, you’d be surprised at how much a first impression can affect your prospects’ buying decision.
4. Appreciation. If all the people in your organization show appreciation to your clients for their business, you’ll have happier customers who will come back again and again.
5. Go the extra mile and give a bit more than what is expected. Are you doing this? Do your customers finish a transaction and feel like there is no way they would EVER go somewhere else? Every time I visit my salon, I feel like I’m the only one there, I’m greeted by name, given a beverage and don’t have to wait. Make your customers feel this way about your business.

Are you looking for effective ideas to improve your marketing mix?
It’s not too late to make 2010 a great year. Our marketing
consultants will help you create an affordable marketing program
based on what we know is currently working in your industry, for more details call 1-866-889-0322.

Want to ask me a question directly? Email me any time at joy.gendusa@postcardmania.com.

Best,
Joy

Are worried about how many people see your message? Find out why Seth Godin says that doesn’t matter anymore. Take a look.

Does your photo make a personal connection with your reader? Find out why I think it’s important in getting response.

Mom, Mom, Mom, Mom, can I have an ice cream? Can I, Can I, Can I, Can I? Please, Please, Please, Please. I’ll be good for a whole year. I promise. Just give me a dollar. I won’t ask again for a long time. Pleaseeeeee!

Regular, repeated mailings are the way to create big predictable results. When you mail every 30 days for a year you will cause a dramatic growth in your business.

People respond to … Continue Reading

Amongst all the questions, decisions and traffic you face this week, here’s something to think about — is your product or service remarkable?  This is something that Seth Godin asks in our video of the week and it really makes me wonder, if every business takes this question to heart and takes action to be the absolute best in their market — how much faster will they rise above the recession doom and gloom talk still buzzing around?

For example, if you’re a dentist, you may think you are just like all of the other dentists and there is nothing that sets you apart…take a look at this children’s dentist who dominated his market by using imaginative and extraordinary marketing.

Or look at Behind the Wheel Driving School…their goal was to increase students during summer. They decided they could stand out by offering an unordinary, trendy car to learn to drive in: a Mini Cooper. It worked. They received calls from interested people over 20 miles away. See more results in their case study.

You should really figure out what sets your business apart from everyone else and then market THAT to stand out from the rest of the promo-noise that is constantly blaring in our ears!

Are you looking for a proven, effective marketing program that
will boost your business this year? From postcards to email
marketing, we have custom marketing solutions that can bring in
more leads in slow times. Call our marketing consultants for more details at 1-866-889-0322.

Want to ask me a question directly? Email me any time at joy.gendusa@postcardmania.com.

Best,
Joy