April 28, 2011
Small Budget Business Promotions
Looking for new ideas to promote your business? New ways to get your customers to notice you? When it comes to innovative sales promotions, you can promote your business, find new customers and add substantially to your bottom line at minimal costs. Aloha Print and Copy can show you how, that with a little work and imagination, self-promotion efforts can provide a very cost-effective lift.
Small Budget? No problem!
If you’re not blessed with a large advertising budget to promote your business, don’t despair. Promoting your business with a variety of inexpensive but effective methods can go a long way to ensure a steady stream of work. Below are some unique marketing ideas for business promotion.
- Contact a client whenever you are on a trip by sending a postcard from your location. Tell them you’ve “Heard of a Great Idea” you’d like to share with them when you get back in the office. Build the intrigue so that they are expecting your call.
- On a hot day, hand out cold water bottles with an attached message. “Refer Your Friends to (your company) and We’ll Let the Money Flow Like Water.”
- People love to win prizes so send them scratch-off tickets. Prizes can be anything from a free hours consultation to product.
- Create a “faux” Lottery Ticket business card. Design in the style of a lottery ticket with your phone number in place of the lottery numbers. At the bottom of the ticket tell prospects: “Your chances of winning is better with us.”
- Need a creative networking gimmick? Give seed packets in the Spring. “Plant your Roots with Us.”
- Have your logo printed on business card and attach it to a bag of peanuts. Your card can say: “We’re nuts about our clients…call us to learn how to get your next project for peanuts.” Place them in an envelope and mail. People tend to open bulky envelopes to see what’s in them.
- Take a photo of the front of your business and let Aloha Print and Copy print full color postcards with your message: “Wish you were here…and you could be if you used our services.”
- Purchase “location” postcards that reflect your area. Great ones are the cards styled from the 50’s and 60’s that say: Hello from (your town)!.” Handwrite your personal sales message on the back.
- People love brain teasers. The best ones are those that ask you to find the mistake or hidden item. Create your teaser based on your company’s product.
- Another teaser people love are puzzles. Have your message printed on stock that is pre-cut for puzzle pieces. Take the pieces apart, place into an envelope and mail to your prospect.
The idea is to stand out from your competition, leave a lasting impression and get them to call you back. Call Aloha Print and Copy today at (770) 642-1642 and ask us for more details on creating your next marketing promotion.
April 18, 2011
What’s in a Tagline or Slogan?
Wikipedia Definition: A tagline is a variant of a branding slogan typically used in marketing materials and advertising. The idea behind the concept is to create a memorable phrase that will sum up the tone and premise of a brand or product (like a film), or to reinforce the audience’s memory of a product. Some taglines are successful enough to warrant inclusion in popular culture.
One of the hardest strategy in branding a company is coming up with a successful tagline or slogan that best communicates who they are, what they do or what they offer.
As a rule, taglines should be no longer that 10 words. Most memorable slogans are short, to the point and captures the readers attention. Your tagline should be original and self-explanatory. So how can you go about creating a tagline?
- The best way to begin your tagline is to look at your competition. This will not only help you come up with ideas for your own, it will help you differentiate your tagline to avoid confusion.
- Make a list of key words about your business, services and products. Using a search engine such as Google to run your words through will give you more phrasing options. A thesaurus is also a valuable tool.
- Talk to colleagues, clients, family and friends for ideas on creating your tagline. Once you’ve created your slogan, go back to them for feedback. Also, run it through Google to see what results may come back.
This website houses a collection of taglines or slogan. Broken down by industries, this is a great resource for helping you come up with your own:
http://www.textart.ru/database/slogan/list-advertising-slogans.html
Below are some famous taglines. How many can you identify without having to hear the company name?
I can’t believe I ate the whole thing. Alka-Seltzer
Don’t leave home without it. American Express
Reach out and touch someone. AT&T
The quicker picker-upper. Bounty
What’s in your wallet? Capital One
A diamond is forever. DeBeers
It keeps going, and going, and going…. Energizer Batteries
When it absolutely, positively has to be there overnight. FedEx
Quality is job one. Ford
When you care enough to send the very best. Hallmark
They’re g-r-r-r-eat! Kellog’s Frosted Flakes
Finger-lickin’ good! Kentucky Fried Chicken
Hey, Mikey…he likes it! Life Cereal
Melts in your mouth, not in your hands. M&Ms
Good to the last drop. Maxwell House
Because so much is riding on your tires. Michelin
Must see TV. NBC
Just do it. Nike
Strong enough for a man, but made for a woman. Secret Deodorant
Head for the border. Taco Bell
Expect more. Pay less. Target
Takes a licking and keeps on ticking. Timex
What can Brown do for you? UPS
Can you hear me now?…Good! Verizon Wireless
It’s everywhere you want to be. VISA
Always low prices. Always. Wal-Mart
Where’s the beef? Wendy’s
These taglines/slogans incorporate the company or product name within them. Again, each one is identifiable
You’re in good hands with Allstate.
Calgon, take me away.
Nothing comes between me and my Calvins.
Please don’t squeeze the Charmin.
When EF Hutton talks, people listen.
Don’t get mad. Ge GLAD.
The best tires in the world have Goodyear written all over them.
Pardon me, do you have any Grey Poupon?
Hey! How about a nice Hawaiian Punch?
Did somebody say McDonald’s?
Is it live or is it Memorex?
It’s Miller time!
RAID kills bugs dead.
How do you spell relief? R-O-L-A-I-D-S
Yo quiero Taco Bell.
With a name like Smucker’s. it has to be good.
Silly rabbit, Trix are for kids.
I coulda had a V-8!
Now you’re on your way to creating a tagline for your company or product. Incorporate it with your logo to complete the brand. Use it on every marketing communication you use: stationery, business cards, direct mailers, website, even when answering the phone.
Looking for more marketing ideas? Call Aloha Print and Copy today at (770) 642-1642 to talk to our marketing specialist.
April 6, 2011
25 Creative Uses for the Back of Your Business Card
One of the most under-utilized piece in your marketing package is the backside of you business card. Chances are for the majority of you, the backside is blank. Below are 25 fun and useful ideas to get your clients to notice you,
- Your business philosophy, core values, or mission statement
- A list (or partial list) of your services
- Directions to your office or place of business
- A reusable coupon/discount
- Create a referral program
- An affirmation or favorite quote
- Three benefits of doing business with you
- Tips on how your product or services can save or make money
- Five things people should know about your business, services or products
- A short quiz about your business or industry
- Trivia about your business or industry
- Your elevator speech
- A mini resume of credentials and honors
- A short joke/riddle
- A 12-month calendar
- A calendar of events (sports)
- Community emergency phone numbers
- Your rates
- Third party testimonials
- A tipping chart
- A list of common cooking weights or measurements
- Your personal guarantee
- Appointment date/time
- Useful websites
- Thought-provoking question (“Can you afford not to?”)
The answer to number 25 is NO!!! Your business card is the first and last impression a prospective client has of you. Make it memorable and utilize the back of your card.
For business card ideas and printing, call Aloha Print and Copy today at (770) 642-1642.
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