MARKETING MINDSET

What I Learned At The "Bulk Store"

For those who don't go ta a "bulk grocery store" you'd be surprised at what they sell there. They have the usual - nuts (did you know that here in Ontario if you buy the unsalted type there is no tax?), raisins, cranberries etc in bulk - but they have other groceries as well. Where I go they sell organic cereal and baking materials!

OK. My anecdote ....

Recently I got some things at the "Bulk Barn" - a chain in Toronto. I  had spent a bunch of money (as you do) and when I was at the checkout, the girl there gave me a gift  certificate. I wasn't expecting it and therefore didn't spend/ buy accordingly - it was a surprise!

I knew it was to get  me to come back (a type of marketing) but because I wasn't expecting it, and the checkout person smiled as she gave it to me, it was a joy.

I smiled as I received it :-)

 

Do you give your customers gifts even if  they have "strings" attached? This event made me think  about my own business and what I could give to my clients to get repeat business -- or referrals -- or even to  have clients remember me and talk about me.  HMMMM ....

What do you do to get your clients to keep coming back?

3 Ways to Decide Which Social Networking Site To Use (For Technophobes)

Young people (those under 30) grew up with technology - computers in their classrooms and at home, cell phones used by most people - and PDAs - don't get me started. If an "older" (over 45) person asks them for help with technology they use a lot of what is "gobbledeygook"!

I'm older (over 55) and co-owned one of the first computer stores in Toronto in 1980. I'm a technology user but my partner was and still is a geek. He had to have the latest and greatest of every kind of technology. I couldn't stop him from getting a (large about the size of a copier) fax machine before there was anybody to fax to. He had one of the first cellphones - the handset was like our phone and its battery was as big and as heavy as a car battery. You needed a strap to carry it!

I could go on and on but I won't. Technology is here to stay.

But many people are overwhelmed by the choices, how to set it up and how to use it for their business.

I'm here to help :-)

Here are 3 steps to help you choose which Social Networking site is right for you.

1. Find out what your clients use. Ask them. from Denise Wakeman of "The Blog Squad"
2. What are your goals for social media? grow your list? have people buy from you? learn more? become known?
3. Follow your industry "conversations". Participate in discussions. Get a feel for what is out there and what is needed. Help people.

Remember: Google loves inbound links. Each social network site is considered a link whether you go there or not so when you have to "join", do and write a profile. You don't have to write any posts yet :-)

Comment on this and let me know if you agree or disagree!

Next time I'll write how to promote your "new link".

What To Know For A Radio Interview

A client of mine had a radio interview and called me ahead of time to ask what she should know. I only gave her one thing to remember. It's true for all marketing.

What is your goal?

Have one goal and keep it in mind at all times. There are at least three different kinds of interviewers - the "really" friendly one, the contrarian and someone who is a combination of the two.

1. The "friendly" agrees with everything you say and lets you take the lead.

2. The contrarian says the opposite of everything you do -- whether they believe it or not.

3. A"combo" person starts by being either friendly or contarian and then switches.

When the interviewer sidelines you by talking more about a topic that isn't your goal , take them -- nicely -- back to your goal. For example, let's say your goal is to talk about planning a no-stress home renovation. They talk about a garage renovation and go on at length with questions for you. You could say something like "well renovating a garage can be much like planning a home renovation. Let's talk some more about this. You can make a list of functions you want for your home renovation like ...." and give an example.

That way the interviewer doesn't look foolish but you've brought the conversation back to your goal -- gently.

Hope this helps you as it did her. Each time the interviewer went down a different path, she said she heard my voice in her head saying "Stay on track. Remember your goal."