|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Books, Bibles and Fast-Talkers
Every community has 'em. Fast talkers who roll into town with a clever idea to sell to people in business.
Many times the ideas are clever and cute but you should weigh the ups and downs of every offer before you dig out the checkbook. Most of these in-town-for-a-day people want their cash up front.
Some of the common flim-flams are:
Coupon Books
They offer to put you in a giant coupon book to be sold for the needy charity or Lions Club. Books are sold on the phone for $29 and delivered by the Boy Scouts. Watch out for errors and missing expirations once the operation has moved to another town.
Telephone Book Covers
They wrap around the book and the callers see your ad every time they reach for the book. Might be OK if you own the wrecker service, locksmith or funeral home, but run the other way if you have a grocery, Mickey Dees, or bank.
City Maps
Your ad goes somewhere around the edge of the map. You might get pitched by several companies. Some look better than others, most are very pricey. Pick up maps like these when you see them and decide if you'd do business with anyone on the map because of the ad. Distribution is the selling point. Placement is the bug-a-boo. What if your ad is on the back and the reader only looks at the front? Don't be fooled by the promise of radio ads proclaiming free maps and mentioning your name.
Bibles for Newlyweds
I wish I had thought of this one 30 years ago. I would be clipping coupons instead of writing about it.
The fast talker promises to send a Bible to all newlyweds in the county (the names and addresses of the happy couples are public record at the courthouse). Four to six sales at about $500 each and they mail a one dollar Bible 4th class, a peel and stick label stuck inside with the name of the "sponsors" in inkjet color.
They can easily sell a town a day at 3 large and make one trip a quarter to visit the courthouse for names. Work it for two months on a route and eat cake the other 10. A great moneymaker for the Bible people, a dud for advertising effectiveness. But like kids in school and American Flags, this emotion sells well in every community.
There are hundreds of advertising "opportunities" out there. Your job as a business owner is to separate the effective from the cute and clever.
For more about advertising, get my article "Your Billboard is Showing" MailTo:Billboards@BigIdeasGroup.com
©2005 BIG Mike McDaniel All Rights Reserved Mike@BIGIdeasGroup.com BIG Mike is a Professional Speaker and Small Business Consultant with over 30 years experience, http://BIGIdeasGroup.com
Subscribe to "BIG Mike's BIG Ideas" Newsletter MailTo:subscribe-956603364@ezinedirector.net
MarketWatch - 5 hours ago
NEW YORK, Sep 05, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- While most consumers' initial reactions to marketing and advertising messages on their mobile phone can often be ...
What Are The Opportunities For Subscriber Growth Across The ... MarketWatch
Enterprise Mobility Forecasts: Highlights MarketWatch
all 66 news articles
Wall Street Journal
Wired News - 22 hours ago
By Meghan Keane September 04, 2008 | 3:07:36 PMCategories: Advertising Online advertising spending may be growing at an annual rate of 20 percent but the ...
Gap Widens in Online Advertising Wall Street Journal
Verizon and Yahoo extend portal deal CNET News
Search And Display Spending Diverge In Bad Economy Search Engine Land
Motley Fool - ZDNet.com.auall 64 news articles
Direct Traffic Media
Los Angeles Times, CA - 11 hours ago
By Jim Puzzanghera, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer It's been hard to avoid Barack Obama's distinctive red, white and blue "O" logo on display ads as you ...
Obama Expands Lead on McCain in Online Advertising Battle in June ... MarketWatch
Study says Obama beating McCain in online advertising Direct Traffic Media
Obama online advertising trumps McCain by 75:1 in June TG Daily
WebProNews - PC Magazineall 24 news articles
MarketWatch - 2 hours ago
The site, "Be Smart About Prescription Drug Advertising," is hosted by the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research and was developed by the FDA in ...
MarketWatch - 2 hours ago
Nationwide saw the biggest drop in advertising expenditure with just GBP287,232 spent in 2007, compared to GBP3.2m in 2006. - Gain access to the latest ...
ABC News
Jossip, NY - 4 hours ago
Advertising regulations exist to keep the consumer safe. This is why tobacco companies can't advertise near churches or schools, why hardcore sex is not ...
Latest James Bond flick criticised for glorifying armed violence Oneindia
jolie disarmed Toronto Star
Bond poster under fire from anti-gun campaigners Utalkmarketing
Boxwish - AHNall 201 news articles
The Australian, Australia - 3 hours ago
Restrictions on junk food advertising to children are a bit like that. The Australian Communications and Media Authority, in its draft report on children's ...
Weasel words on junk food ads Brisbane Times
all 2 news articles
Melbourne Herald Sun, Australia - 3 hours ago
So I searched a little pile of trade magazines to find a few shining examples of good advertising in the category. After a couple of hours I had found none. ...
PR Newswire (press release), NY - 4 hours ago
SpongeTech(R) To Begin Test Promotional Advertising Campaign on NESN TV over This Weekend NEW YORK, Sept. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SpongeTech(R) Delivery ...
Carolina Newswire (press release), NC - 7 hours ago
Since 2004 the Roaming Gnome, creation of Travelocity’s advertising agency McKinney, has traveled the world as the online travel leader’s “spokesgnome,” ...
BUSINESS BRIEFS Durham Herald Sun
all 2 news articles
Wind Chimes and more... Many groups like the Chamber of Commerce, ASB at the... Read More Classified ads do not have the big market appeal that... Read More Custom LED Display, as the name specifies, facilitate control anything... Read More Making money using direct mail isn't easy. And anyone who... Read More Moving message boards are used in the areas where continuous... Read More Research would indicate that consumers don't know what they're thinking.... Read More 1) Include a coupon in your large ads. This can... Read More You can turn your vehicle into a rolling advertisement. Costs... Read More You labor long and hard trying to create the perfect... Read More Having a quality brochure makes a positive impression on a... Read More I did a quick, very unscientific survey of 25 of... Read More If you have been following the recent advertising news you... Read More One of the challenges facing marketers is determining the most... Read More When advertising, you need to sell your opportunity, your products... Read More What is the golden rule of internet advertising?Give, so you... Read More Let's take an example that is easy to check: I... Read More If you are an ardent web surfer and MLMer like... Read More Ezine Articles - they're everywhere!And little wonder. They're one of... Read More Probably the most interesting thing about brochures and leaflets is... Read More We all are looking for ways to market our businesses... Read More A professional business card says more about you and your... Read More Remember, as a child lying in bed and listening to... Read More Sometimes, it is not an obvious business idea that will... Read More What's the cheapest, most under-used marketing tool you have?The answer's... Read More According to experts, just changing the headline of an ad... Read More
Windchimes
for great gifts!
Non-profit Coupon Books and Coupon Mailers for Small Businesses
Classified Ads That Get Results
Custom LED Display
3 Inside Secrets To Making You Richer Using Direct Mail!
Moving Message Board
Just What Are Consumers Thinking?
10 Ways To Improve Your Print Ads
Driving Customers to You - Your Car as a Marketing Vehicle
Advertising Copy: What?s Really Important?
How To Create A Better Brochure
Direct Mail = Your Money, From Printer to Mailbox to Trash!
In Advertising Bigger isn?t Always Better
When Advertising Wears Out
Advertising - Does it Matter?
Internet Advertising: How To Use The Golden Rule To Enrich Yourself.
Take Advantage of Your Foes
Juice - Scam of the Decade or Opportunity of the Century
How To Make Your Resource Box Sell
How To Write More Powerful Brochures, Leaflets, And Catalogues
8 Low Cost Ways To Advertise, Promote and Market Your Business
Whats On Your Business Card?
If You Want To Get More Customers, Heres 10 Powerful Stories To Improve Your Ads
Business Ideas: 5 Uncommon Ways To Generate More Online Business
Make Your Business Cards Work
How to Write Great Headlines
How To Create A Better Brochure
Having a quality brochure makes a positive impression on a... Read More
Get Better Results from Your Advertising with a Disruptor
When you spend money on an advertisement you want to... Read More
Is there anything new under the sun? Heres how to find out if your bright idea is unique.
"There's nothing new under the sun" is probably the... Read More
How To Write Ads That Get Response
Your print ads should do more than just get noticed.... Read More
Top 9 Reasons To Advertise
Advertising is not for every company. But some require it... Read More
7 Questions to Ask Before You Advertise
Most business owners and managers keep a fairly close eye... Read More
10 Simple Techniques To Make Your Ad Get Powerful Attention
1. Make your ad's keywords and phrases standout by enlarging... Read More
Media, the Internet, Yellow Pages, and Your Business
If you are reading this article, chances are you could... Read More
Does Post Card Advertising Really Work?
You've decided to try advertising your business with post cards.... Read More
What Does Your Business Card Say?
Business cards are the most underutilized and misunderstood marketing tool... Read More
The Graphic Problem
Digital printing has revolutionized the sign industry. Current printers can... Read More
7 Unique Ways To Get FREE Advertising
1. Give Testimonials When you purchase a product or service... Read More
Scrolling LED signs
Scrolling LED signs is type of LED signs that displays... Read More
Tips for Using Paid Advertising
Quite a few business out there can't survive without some... Read More
Business Ideas: 5 Uncommon Ways To Generate More Online Business
Sometimes, it is not an obvious business idea that will... Read More
Good Design Makes Good Sense
Organized your pencils and pens lately? Sorted your clothes into... Read More
Testimonials Convert Prospects Into Buyers
Big businesses get instant credibility with their well-known company name... Read More
A Quick And Easy Way Of Getting More Customers From Every Single Ad You Write... Guaranteed!
FACT: Most people don't spend anywhere near enough time on... Read More
God Bless The Refrigerator Magnet!
Ah, my very favorite promotional product of all, the refrigerator... Read More
Secrets to Profitable Mail Order Products
The most profitable mail order products are simple... Read More
The Inside Secrets Of Free Publicity For Your Business
Product publicity is the "secret pathway" to business success... Read More
Advertainment is Sneaking Into Music, Movies, TV and More
The very name "advertainment" sends thrilling vibrations up the spine... Read More
Does Your Brochure Pass the Test - Or is It Headed for the Trash? Part Two
In part one of this article we discussed the importance... Read More
Measure the Response of Your Advertising Campaigns by Using Promotional Products
For most companies, gone are the days of spending money... Read More
Using The Popularity of Celebrities and Currrent Events to Promote Your Business
In this article, we want to explore the idea of... Read More
Advertising |