October 14, 2008
Business and Management
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Giving out promotional items can be very expensive, so why not get the recipients to pay?
Rather than distributing inexpensive promotional items that your recipients don’t really want and aren’t likely to keep, why not add some perceived value to the item and get them paying for each one that they receive?
Better still, why not use the promotional item to encourage them back in the future to buy more - at the same time they are likely to buy from you again?
Sounds too good to be true? Have you ever noticed fast food chains entice children back into their restaurants by offering a different toy each week? Come back next week and you get another new toy. Maybe not a huge branding, but you know by looking at them where they are from.
What can we learn from this clever marketing strategy? Well, if you are a shop, put a little thought into some promotional items. Select items with a theme that can be developed over weeks. Maybe a different coloured item each week, a different variety or a series of characters.
Get posters printed and advertise the arrival of this new promotional item. It doesn’t matter too much what it is. Then sell it to the customers (or their children) for a small amount. Be sneaky even - ‘Get this wonderful toy for just
October 12, 2008
Business and Management
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Bottle openers are such an easy gift to use within a promotional campaign that it is a shame that more aren’t used. Giving promotional gifts to your customers can help to bring them back to you in the future and drives in new customers. But what’s so special about promotional bottle openers? Have you explored their uses?
Promotional bottle openers are a very easy item to have produced and distribute. Being a small and very handy tool, targeted to the correct audience they are likely to be retained by the recipient.
Bottle openers don’t cost that much to customize and are therefore suitable for mass production and bulk giveaways. They are suitable for encouraging further sales.
Along with a choice of design or logo you can usually also choose the shape of the bottle opener. This is great as the printed design of the opener can be reflected in the actual shape of the keyring.
Also, usually the design can include a few colours, which on most other promotional items would come at an additional cost. Choose a shape that won’t take away from the leverage of the opener (a long shape - away from the opener ring) rather then a compact design (wide and not going far from the opener). Also choose a shape that will attract attention.
Use a bright and colourful design. If your logo is just one or two colours, add to it with a background or a contrasting outline.
Then make sure that you are giving out the bottle openers at every available opportunity. If you have followed the hints above - made it useful; bright and easy to see your logo then customers and potential customers will see them and take the bottle openers with them.
You can hand them out with orders over a certain level, to encourage more sales. Sell them at the counter as add on sales. Just give them away with every sale of a bottle if you are in the trade! Hand them out in the street, at trade fairs and public gathering.
Bottle openers are small and compact yet have a good space for a really eye catching promotional message. Their compact size and weight makes them very easy to distribute. Their utility makes your customers need them and keep them.
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October 11, 2008
Business and Management
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The dawn of the internet and web based services opened new vistas in every frontier, be it jobs, be it business and be it marketing. However, the basic advantage of the advent of such technology was clearly seen in the field of home based business which is quite evident from the sky rocketing number of individuals starting their own home based business.
No doubt, a home businessis a privilege as you can enjoy the independence of being the boss of your own life and on top of that own decisions. No commuting, no boss and no nine to five routine and a lot of money. It is awesome. However, starting the business is just the initial phase and you need to open your mind to become successful in your home based business.
The first thing that you should know is that there is no substitute of hard work. Even though you work from your home you need to give extra effort into the same just to make it go up, up and up. You have no boss, no one to tell what to do and what not to but you should stay focused and do according to your plans. Treat your business and your self with a great deal of respect. Get yourself into the business as soon as you get up in the morning and do not let daily household things seep between you and your work.
Apart from being focused, one very vital point that has a very important act to play in the success of your home based business is the scheduling of your work. A proper and efficient scheduling of your work is very necessary as it inculcates a sense of discipline, which a successful business needs a lot. It might be the case that you run a business besides your regular job but then also it calls for a lot of discipline and focus.
Moreover, the attitude of any businessman or businesswoman also speaks a lot about his or business. Feel proud of your business, however small it might be. It is very much necessary as it is going to pay for your expenses and bills now and in near future. Always be confident about your success; think that you are doing the right thing and your business will provide you with a good return.
Never give in to fear. This is arguably the major reason why many persons are not successful in business. They fear the business not making money or not surviving hard times. Fear will stop you from thinking creatively to develop your business. Fear closes your mind to options and possibilities.
Last, but the most important point that counts is the quality of the service that you are providing to your consumers. Your quality spells your image and ensures your high standards.
Without any doubt it can be said that success is never an outcome of one factor but an amalgamation of numerous factors, which together erects the stepping stone of the same.
October 11, 2008
Business and Management
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Vehicular branding in South Africa has grown enormously over the past 8 years; finally fleet owners/operators are realizing the benefits thereof. Woolworths currently advertise extensively on a fleet of trailers that operates nationwide, Joburg Metro Bus have also made a substantial number of their fleet available for branding/advertising.
Understanding Outdoor Media Growth in South Africa and specifically the awareness and impact results concluded from various campaigns undertaken is key. Educate yourself with information relevant to local conditions, available through various organizations/associations within the industry.
Taxi advertising campaigns are normally targeted at a specific consumer market, the volumes of commuters who use taxis in South Africa is substantial, they (the commuters) being Exceptional Advertising Targets. Vehicular branding
Smaller companies who wrap their delivery/company vehicles have responded positively with most reporting a significant increase in brand awareness and keen interest shown towards their branded vehicles. Statistics show that consumers who are repeatedly reached with a message show higher Advertiser Awareness, Brand Recall & Purchase Behaviour.
Vehicle wraps are one of the very few mediums that people will make an effort at viewing, Final design/artwork contributes enormously to the effect/ visual impact intended.
Vehicle Branding in South Africa is relatively affordable in comparison to our European & American counterparts. Supplier/Manufacturers in South Africa have responded and recognized the needs of their clients, who are demanding quality prints and flawless installations. Vehicular branding
Taxi advertising campaigns are normally targeted at a specific consumer market, the volumes of commuters who use taxis in South Africa is substantial, they (the commuters) being Exceptional Advertising Targets.
Smaller companies who wrap their delivery/company vehicles have responded positively with most reporting a significant increase in brand awareness and keen interest shown towards their branded vehicles. Statistics show that consumers who are repeatedly reached with a message show higher Advertiser Awareness, Brand Recall & Purchase Behaviour.
October 10, 2008
Business and Management
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If you are planning to set up a business of your own then it is necessary to invest a lot of capital in it but if you are planning to start small business then the amount will reduce considerably. Small businesses that you run from your home can be a great success, provided you know how to manage it. Proper management skills will turn your small Great home based business into a highly profitable one. So, it is quite obvious that you can turn your home based business into a big success. For that you need motivation and a focused approach towards your business.
In a home business you are the boss and the decision maker; so, you do not have to depend on anyone else to take decisions regarding the business. Taking correct business decisions will bring you closer to success. This is the first step in making your home business a grand success.
The key to your success in a home run business will be your level of dedication. The amount of hard work you put in will determine where your business will stand in the future. If you are not willing to work very hard, then setting up a home based business is of no use. To make your home based business successful you have to put in a lot of effort because you do not have a big capital or manpower at your disposal. Your dedication will take the business to new heights. There are many problems associated with a small home based business. The lack of manpower will put extra work pressure on you but after the initial set up phase things will become much easier.
The initial hard work required to set up a home based business should not discourage you from taking the initiative to set up a home based business. There is initial hard work but once you get started there is no looking back for you. The advantages of a small home based business are many. It involves a small amount of capital and the risk factor is naturally quite less. The other important point is financial management. If you think that you cannot meet the expenses required to set up a small home based business, then take a small business loan but you should consider the terms of repayment. Take a loan when you are sure you can return it on time otherwise it will put you in a position of bankruptcy. Small business loans are a key to the success of your home based business. Besides, proper planning will yield good results and therefore plan your business strategy before hand.
Home based business will be a success if you have enough time and dedication. It will give you a platform from where you can target bigger horizons.
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