One of the most important things you can do to improve your rankings in the search engines and directories (Google, Yahoo, Bing, DMOZ, et cetera) is to ensure your website is optimized in accordance with the keywords and key phrases you are looking to target. To “optimize” a website for search engine … Read more
A great rule for a brochure is, “If you can’t say it all on a business card, you shouldn’t say it at all.” (Okay, so it’s not really a rule, but it should be.) Distill what you want to say about your product or service and fit it on a business card. … Read more
Why is it you occasionally see billboards that attempt to be brochures? Is their message so important that it couldn’t possibly be distilled down into a couple brief phrases? Is their key message so complex? When you get ready to make your billboard investment, don’t insist your billboard become more than a … Read more
Use humor in regard to your product or service. Poke fun at yourself and get your message across at the same time. Humor relaxes us. It invites us to let down our guard and have fun. If you associate your brand with a Jester brand archetype (also known as the Fool or … Read more
Donate your products or services to a charity auction. In doing so, you add value to the fundraiser while promoting yourself. Furthermore, the fact you’re willing to offer your time for a good cause can only help your own cause, and you just might be helping someone who wouldn’t have been able … Read more
Hone your public-speaking skills. Join Toastmasters (www.toastmasters.org). As you move onward and upward into the business community, you will be called upon to give presentations before groups (one of the best ways to be perceived as an authority on your topic). Being proficient and persuasive in communicating ideas and stories before an … Read more
A great way to get your organization’s name into the local community is to sponsor or underwrite a local news program, whether television or radio. Make sure the media station (and format) you select is appropriate for your target market. For instance, if you’re looking to reach an older crowd, maybe you … Read more
Often, radio stations will set aside time in their news schedules for taking public comment on important issues. Begin by calling the news directors of your local radio stations and asking for the chance to offer your editorial comment. (Make sure you have a good sense as to whether they cater to … Read more
To make your grand opening successful: schedule it during high-traffic times (if your location allows for it), throw a big grand opening sale, offer food (make this appropriate to the clientele you are seeking), provide a tent for seating outside, send a direct or email mailing the local market, offer demonstrations of … Read more
A great way to gain exposure and provide entertainment is to provide public tours of your facility. This is especially powerful for agriculture, arts and history, manufacturing; essentially, any place where something is grown, created or built. Try not to schedule such an event around any deadlines or busy periods you might … Read more
Make sure your customers can order from you online. If they can’t order from you online, make sure they can order by phone or by fax. You’re in the business of making it easier for your customers to do business with you! Your challenge is to analyze how easy it is for … Read more
How long have you had your current logo? Does it still reflect the culture of your organization? Does it still reflect the promise of your brand? Is it time to recreate it? Time for a logo update? Remember: Reinventing yourself is a marketable event, which—if it’s done well—can help you shed some … Read more