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<title>Marketing and Sales Info</title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://businessknowledgesource.com/marketing/" />
<modified>2008-10-13T13:13:16Z</modified>
<tagline>Marketing and sales information to build your bottom line.</tagline>
<id>tag:businessknowledgesource.com,2008:/marketing/2</id>
<generator url="http://www.movabletype.org/" version="3.36">Movable Type</generator>
<copyright>Copyright (c) 2008, DF</copyright>
<entry>
<title>Improving your marketing efforts</title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://businessknowledgesource.com/marketing/improving_your_marketing_efforts_026008.html" />
<modified>2008-10-13T13:13:16Z</modified>
<issued>2008-10-13T12:50:00Z</issued>
<id>tag:businessknowledgesource.com,2008:/marketing/2.26008</id>
<created>2008-10-13T12:50:00Z</created>
<summary type="text/plain"> Your marketing efforts are a crucial aspect of your business. Your marketing strategy will help you define and reach the right customers. That&apos;s why it&apos;s so important to make sure they are doing the job for you. An ineffective...</summary>
<author>
<name>DF</name>

<email>don@greatresults.com</email>
</author>
<dc:subject>Marketing</dc:subject>
<content type="text/html" mode="escaped" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://businessknowledgesource.com/marketing/">
<![CDATA[<p><img alt="shopping30321705.jpg" src="http://businessknowledgesource.com/marketing/images/shopping30321705.jpg" width="175" height="145" align="left" style="border:3px solid #e7e7e7;margin-right:10px" /><br />
Your marketing efforts are a crucial aspect of your business. Your marketing strategy will help you define and reach the right customers. That's why it's so important to make sure they are doing the job for you. An ineffective marketing campaign can result in wasted money, labor, and resources and cause you sales to slow or even halt. </p>

<p>If your marketing techniques haven't gotten you the results you were hoping for, consider the following tips for improving your marketing efforts. </p>

<p><strong>Make sure you have a written, detailed plan. </strong><br />
Your marketing campaign should be written out so everyone it applies to can see it. It should include objectives that are, if necessary, divided up into smaller tasks. In addition, there should also be concrete deadlines. </p>

<p>The key players in your marketing campaign should all know what their specific tasks and deadlines are as well. </p>

<p><strong>Find a niche market. </strong><br />
It's crucial to make sure you are marketing to the correct people. For example, if you have a tutoring service, you would target your marketing campaign to students who are in need of extra help. As a result, it would make more sense to advertise in schools or libraries instead of sending out mass mailers. When you have a niche, you are better able to focus your marketing goals and objectives. </p>]]>
<![CDATA[<p>If you don't have a niche, it would be beneficial to find one. </p>

<p><strong>Collect feedback from your customers. </strong><br />
Another way to improve your marketing performance is to find out what works and what doesn't by getting feedback from your customers. Getting to know your customers, how they learned about your services, and how they would like to be contacted are all important points to consider. </p>

<p>If you don't know about your customers, or you're not sure how they heard about you, consider rethinking your marketing campaigns. Create questionnaires, mail postcards, and have them fill out comment cards, then act on their answers. </p>

<p>You should also have an updated mailing list. You can organize this and keep track of it in Excel and include pertinent information as well as other things, like how they would like to be contacted and how often. </p>

<p><strong>Update your marketing materials. </strong><br />
Making professional marketing materials is well worth the expense, as you will have better success when they look professional. Make sure your marketing materials are readable and free of errors. Customers' names and company names should be spelled correctly. <br />
Keep track of your efforts.</p>

<p>Evaluating the effectiveness of your marketing campaign can be done in a number of ways. You can have customers fill out questionnaires, send postcards, and so forth. Make sure you know how your customers learned about you. </p>

<p>In addition, you should be tracking your success through sales numbers as well. If your profits have increased after a particular campaign or task, you can assume your marketing campaign was successful. </p>

<p><strong>Change anything that isn't working </strong><br />
If you are not seeing results from a particular campaign or task, readjust your efforts. For example, if you paid $1,000 to enter a trade show only to have no one visit your booth, you should rethink whether or not you would like to participate next year. In addition, if you are mailing out ads and not hearing any responses, stop sending them out and try something else. </p>

<p>Keeping track of and measuring the success of your marketing campaigns is crucial. By keeping detailed records, meeting to discuss your campaign, and doing away with campaigns that are ineffective or don't yield a large enough return on investment, you can measure the success of your marketing campaign.</p>]]>
</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<title>How your logo affects your marketing</title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://businessknowledgesource.com/marketing/how_your_logo_affects_your_marketing_026007.html" />
<modified>2008-10-10T12:12:43Z</modified>
<issued>2008-10-10T11:45:00Z</issued>
<id>tag:businessknowledgesource.com,2008:/marketing/2.26007</id>
<created>2008-10-10T11:45:00Z</created>
<summary type="text/plain"> Establishing a strong visual identity, or logo, for your company is a crucial part of your marketing strategy. A visual identity is one of the first things people will think of when they hear your name - think of...</summary>
<author>
<name>DF</name>

<email>don@greatresults.com</email>
</author>
<dc:subject>Marketing Plan</dc:subject>
<content type="text/html" mode="escaped" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://businessknowledgesource.com/marketing/">
<![CDATA[<p><img alt="communication23689951.jpg" src="http://businessknowledgesource.com/marketing/images/communication23689951.jpg" width="89" height="125" align="left" style="border:3px solid #e7e7e7;margin-right:10px" /><br />
Establishing a strong visual identity, or logo, for your company is a crucial part of your marketing strategy. A visual identity is one of the first things people will think of when they hear your name - think of Nike's Swoosh, Ralph Lauren's polo pony, and Mac's apple. </p>

<p>While there are lots of visual identities, your strongest visual identity will most likely come in the form of a logo. However, everything you put out portrays your company's image. From brochures to letterhead to business cards, your company's logo should be recognizable and will have a dramatic effect on your marketing efforts. </p>

<p><strong>The following tips will help you to create a strong logo for your company: </strong><br />
	<ul><li><strong>Hire a good designer. </strong>Find a good designer through recommendations or ask other companies whose logos you like who their designer is. Once you find one, let him or her know exactly what you want to avoid.</li><br />
<li>	<strong>Make gradual logo changes over time.</strong> If you know you want change your logo eventually, instead of running the risk of alienating customers, consider making small changes to your logo over time, such as different coloring or other subtle changes. That way, an entirely redone logo won't be as much of a shock.</li></ul></p>]]>
<![CDATA[<ul><li><strong>Avoid anything too trendy.</strong> You should steer clear of overly trendy designs, colors, and patterns when you redo your logo, as you don't want a logo you will need to change and update every few years. Instead, choose a clean, simple logo that will be timeless, or that can be updated with minor changes when the occasion calls for it.</li>
<li>	<strong>Consider all costs.</strong> If you're going introduce a visual identity, consider the fact there will most likely be a number of costs incurred as a result. You will most likely be changing your signage, your stationary, updating your computer files that have your logo, as well as additional marketing costs that may arise.</li></ul>

<p><strong>Creating a strong visual identity</strong><br />
One thing that plays a large part in creating a good logo are the colors you use. The following are some suggestions: </p>

<ul><li><strong>Black. </strong>Black colors tend to indicate strength, power, credibility, precision, and professionalism. These colors are well-suited to organizations that are corporate in nature, such as finance and marketing. In addition, black colors are suitable for the fashion industry (depending on the niche) as well as more powerful professions, such as mining or construction.</li>

<p><li><strong>Red.</strong> Red is a color that conveys such emotions as hunger, sex appeal, excitement, urgency, and romance, as well as danger or a warning. Red colors are best suited for professions like medicine or rescue services, or things such as cosmetics and fashion.</li></p>

<p><li><strong>Green.</strong> Many people associate green shades with calm, nurturing, or natural and organic organizations and professions. Organizations that would create a strong visual identity with this color include services that have to do with scientific or governmental applications.</li></p>

<p><li><strong>Yellow. </strong>Yellow shades signify fun, youthful, energetic, and bright ideas and innovations. Visual identities well-suited to yellow include child care, food, signs, and anything in the entertainment industry.</li></p>

<p><li><strong>Blue. </strong>Often associated with tranquility and calm, blue shades go well with such helping professions as medicine or Psychiatry.</li></ul></p>

<p>Your visual identity is an important part of your marketing campaign. Creating a logo that conveys the right emotions will help attract customers and associate your buyers with your products. <br />
</p>]]>
</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<title>How to win your customers&apos; confidence through marketing</title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://businessknowledgesource.com/marketing/how_to_win_your_customers_confidence_through_marketing_026006.html" />
<modified>2008-10-09T13:12:35Z</modified>
<issued>2008-10-09T12:45:00Z</issued>
<id>tag:businessknowledgesource.com,2008:/marketing/2.26006</id>
<created>2008-10-09T12:45:00Z</created>
<summary type="text/plain"> When it comes to the success of your business, it is crucial that you gain the trust and confidence of your customers. Unfortunately, at one time or another, we have all been victims of poor customer service, cheap products,...</summary>
<author>
<name>DF</name>

<email>don@greatresults.com</email>
</author>
<dc:subject>Marketing Plan</dc:subject>
<content type="text/html" mode="escaped" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://businessknowledgesource.com/marketing/">
<![CDATA[<p><img alt="poundingfists30395631.jpg" src="http://businessknowledgesource.com/marketing/images/poundingfists30395631.jpg" width="175" height="117" align="left" style="border:3px solid #e7e7e7;margin-right:10px" /><br />
When it comes to the success of your business, it is crucial that you gain the trust and confidence of your customers. Unfortunately, at one time or another, we have all been victims of poor customer service, cheap products, or an overall bad experience with a company or service. As a result, many people are initially skeptical or distrustful when it comes to trying new products and services.  </p>

<p>One of the things you will need to do as a new business is win the trust and confidence of your potential customers through marketing. There are a number of ways you can do this. The following are some tips for winning your customers' confidence-and ultimately their business-through your marketing materials and efforts.  </p>

<p><strong>Join professional organizations</strong><br />
One way you can increase your credibility is by joining a professional organization that your customers will know, such as the Better Business Bureau, Chamber of Commerce, or any other organization that has to do with your industry. This will show your customers that you are serious about your business and the way you are perceived by your customers and colleagues. Print on your marketing materials and your websites which organizations you are affiliated with, which will add to your credibility. </p>]]>
<![CDATA[<p><strong>Ask for testimonials</strong><br />
This is important whether your business is brand new or has been in operation for years. If you have satisfied customers, ask them to fill out a survey where they can comment about what impressed them about your services, whether they would recommend them, and so forth. Don't be scared to ask a satisfied customer to write up a quick testimonial for you. Once you have this information, publish it in your marketing materials, or turn it into a tag line that will win new customers over, such as "99% of our customers would recommend our services to their friends." <br />
<strong><br />
Provide incentives. </strong><br />
Customers will be more willing to buy if they can try a sample or trial run first before committing to one of your products and services. For example, if you have a software program, offer providing a 30-day free trial. Or, if you have a catering business, offer free desserts with an order. If you are confident enough in your products and services that you are willing to give them away, your customers will be more likely to try, and ultimately buy, them. </p>

<p>Keep in mind that with providing incentives, however, it's a good idea to create a sense of urgency by imposing a deadline or expiration date. This will get your potential customers to act quickly rather than putting it off, as many tend to do. <br />
<strong><br />
Be committed to customer service. </strong><br />
Many loyal customers will tell you that it's not just the products that keep them coming back, but the commitment the company has to customer service. Strive to provide excellent customer service by working to first determine, then understand, then meet the needs of your customers. </p>

<p>You can also provide excellent customer service by guaranteeing your products and services. This way, your customers know that not only do you have confidence in your products, but you are concerned with their happiness as well. Put your guarantees in your marketing materials. </p>

<p>Your marketing materials are a great avenue to help ease the anxiety and unease of spending hard-earned money on a new product or service. The above tips for your marketing can help to win your customers' confidence. <br />
</p>]]>
</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<title>How to save on marketing costs</title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://businessknowledgesource.com/marketing/how_to_save_on_marketing_costs_026005.html" />
<modified>2008-10-08T12:12:35Z</modified>
<issued>2008-10-08T11:40:00Z</issued>
<id>tag:businessknowledgesource.com,2008:/marketing/2.26005</id>
<created>2008-10-08T11:40:00Z</created>
<summary type="text/plain"> When it comes to starting your own business, there are many costs that go into getting your business up and running. Purchasing or renting equipment, paying for necessary licensing, and hiring employees can quickly drain your budget. One thing...</summary>
<author>
<name>DF</name>

<email>don@greatresults.com</email>
</author>
<dc:subject>Marketing Plan</dc:subject>
<content type="text/html" mode="escaped" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://businessknowledgesource.com/marketing/">
<![CDATA[<p><img alt="moneybeingpinched7361240.jpg" src="http://businessknowledgesource.com/marketing/images/moneybeingpinched7361240.jpg" width="175" height="115" align="left" style="border:3px solid #e7e7e7;margin-right:10px" /><br />
When it comes to starting your own business, there are many costs that go into getting your business up and running. Purchasing or renting equipment, paying for necessary licensing, and hiring employees can quickly drain your budget. </p>

<p>One thing you will also need to spend a good deal of your business start-up money on is your marketing efforts. Marketing is important because it gets your name out and draws in more customers. </p>

<p>You can market your business in a number of different ways, from brochures to advertising on television spots. The costs quickly add up, however. The following are some tips for saving money on your marketing costs. <br />
<strong><br />
Take advantage of free press when possible. </strong><br />
Sometimes, the best types of marketing and advertising are free. One example of free marketing and advertising is through press releases. They are free to write, and are published in your local newspaper. You can write a press release for a wide range of reasons, from hiring a new employee to introducing a new product to participating in or sponsoring a local charity event. </p>]]>
<![CDATA[<p>In order to make your press release successful, make sure you write clearly and proofread it to make sure it is free of errors. If you are unsure of how to write a release, look at examples or templates online. When sending in your press release, make sure you call first and ask who to direct it to; different publications will have you send the information to different editors, and knowing where exactly to direct it will increase your chances of having it published. </p>

<p><strong>Barter services. </strong><br />
You may also be able to cut your marketing costs by bartering your services with others. For example, if you are opening a bakery and need printing services for your marketing materials, you might be able to work out an arrangement with them by offering to cater their next employee function. Many companies, particularly start-up companies who are short on profits in the beginning, are willing to barter their services in exchange for other work. </p>

<p><strong>Call on friends. </strong><br />
If you have friends or family members who work or have a talent in certain areas, like desktop publishing or writing, don't hesitate to call on them and see if they can help you. For example, if you have a friend or family member who knows how to design websites, they may be willing to help you for free, or at least a substantial discount. Consider who you know and what they do when thinking of cutting the costs of your marketing materials. </p>

<p><strong>Know what to splurge on and what to save on </strong><br />
Instead of spreading your budget too thing and purchasing low-cost or low-quality services and materials for your marketing, there are some marketing materials that you should be willing to spend money on. To determine what these are, consider your business. More and more companies and conducting the majority of their business, from selling to displaying products to taking orders, online via their website. For this reason, it would be wise to invest in a good web design service rather than spending all of your money on an expensive graphic designer for your print work. </p>

<p>You don't have to break the bank on your marketing materials. These are just a few of the ways you can save money on marketing materials until you become more established. <br />
</p>]]>
</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<title>How to have a successful marketing campaign</title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://businessknowledgesource.com/marketing/how_to_have_a_successful_marketing_campaign_026004.html" />
<modified>2008-10-07T13:13:37Z</modified>
<issued>2008-10-07T12:20:00Z</issued>
<id>tag:businessknowledgesource.com,2008:/marketing/2.26004</id>
<created>2008-10-07T12:20:00Z</created>
<summary type="text/plain"> A successful marketing campaign is important to any company. When implemented properly, your marketing campaign will serve to bolster your company&apos;s image, get your name out, and increase your sales. What is a successful marketing campaign? A successful marketing...</summary>
<author>
<name>DF</name>

<email>don@greatresults.com</email>
</author>
<dc:subject>Marketing Plan</dc:subject>
<content type="text/html" mode="escaped" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://businessknowledgesource.com/marketing/">
<![CDATA[<p><img alt="teamwork23109832.jpg" src="http://businessknowledgesource.com/marketing/images/teamwork23109832.jpg" width="113" height="125" align="left" style="border:3px solid #e7e7e7;margin-right:10px" /><br />
A successful marketing campaign is important to any company. When implemented properly, your marketing campaign will serve to bolster your company's image, get your name out, and increase your sales. <br />
<strong><br />
What is a successful marketing campaign? <br />
A successful marketing campaign should address the following: </strong></p>

<p>	<ul><li>Your company's overall business goals. Both long and short term goals are taken in to consideration in a successful marketing campaign. The business goals of your company, whether it is to increase overall sales by 10% in 12 months or expand into a larger building by 5 years, all have an impact on your marketing campaign.</li><br />
<li>	The desired results you expect the marketing campaign to achieve. Successful marketing campaigns have a well-laid out, detailed plan so everyone knows exactly what the marketing campaign should accomplish.</li><br />
<li>	Budget and time constraints. The successful campaign takes budget into consideration and stays within the limits. In addition, measurable goals are essential as well.</li><br />
<li>	The success of the campaign is measured. A successful campaign continually assesses what works and what doesn't work about the current campaign, then works to change what is not bringing results.</li><br />
<li>	A target audience. The ability to narrow down your prospective customers is essential to a successful campaign and saves both time and money.</li><br />
<li>	What sets your products or services apart. In order to market successfully, you must be able to tell your customers why they should buy your products instead of the competition's.</li></ul><br />
</p>]]>
<![CDATA[<p><strong>The results of a successful marketing campaign<br />
A successful marketing campaign will bring a number of benefits to your company, including: </p>

<p>Increased customer base</strong><br />
The purpose of marketing is to promote products and services in order to attract new customers, retain current customers, and anticipate what they want next. A successful marketing campaign will not only attract new customers, but it will also help to keep your current customers satisfied. </p>

<p><strong>Savings</strong><br />
A successful marketing campaign will save the company money in a number of ways. A marketing campaign that is the result of careful market research and takes into account their customers' needs and wants will utilize the right marketing techniques that will bring results, instead of wasting money. For example, let's say you want to promote the opening of a new daycare center. Mailing flyers around a community with an average age of 65 would most likely be a waste of money. </p>

<p>Marketing campaigns that focus on your current customers will also save you money, as it is more cost effective to retain current customers than to try and recruit new ones. <br />
<strong><br />
Promotion of new products</strong><br />
The successful marketing campaign will be able to effectively promote new products and services. Part of this is doing market research so you will already know what the customers want, need, and expect. In addition, you will be able to better gauge the timing of product release. For example, if your competitor released a similar product to yours, you could adjust your timing so it is not overshadowed by the competition. </p>

<p>A successful marketing campaign will result in a number of benefits to your company. By taking the time to plan and implement a winning marketing campaign, you will enjoy a more satisfied customer base, increased sales, and the ability to better promote your products and services to the right groups. </p>]]>
</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<title>Different ways to market your business</title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://businessknowledgesource.com/marketing/different_ways_to_market_your_business_026003.html" />
<modified>2008-10-06T13:12:50Z</modified>
<issued>2008-10-06T12:50:00Z</issued>
<id>tag:businessknowledgesource.com,2008:/marketing/2.26003</id>
<created>2008-10-06T12:50:00Z</created>
<summary type="text/plain"> Business owners and managers are constantly looking for ways to maximize their profits. Often, marketing is an excellent means for this to be accomplished. One way to maximize your profits is by devising the right marketing mix. This includes...</summary>
<author>
<name>DF</name>

<email>don@greatresults.com</email>
</author>
<dc:subject>Marketing Plan</dc:subject>
<content type="text/html" mode="escaped" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://businessknowledgesource.com/marketing/">
<![CDATA[<p><img alt="businessmeeting26668304.jpg" src="http://businessknowledgesource.com/marketing/images/businessmeeting26668304.jpg" width="175" height="116" align="left" style="border:3px solid #e7e7e7;margin-right:10px" /><br />
Business owners and managers are constantly looking for ways to maximize their profits. Often, marketing is an excellent means for this to be accomplished. </p>

<p>One way to maximize your profits is by devising the right marketing mix. This includes combining different marketing resources and tools in order to reach more customers and draw more business. For example, let's say your primary marketing focus is direct mail. However, because mailing lists can be expensive, you can reach more customers by combining mailing lists with something else, like flyers or cold calling. </p>

<p><strong>Devising the right marketing mix</strong></p>

<p>The following are some various marketing tools and how, when combined, they can help you maximize your profits. <br />
</p>]]>
<![CDATA[<p><strong>Press releases</strong></p>

<p>Press releases are a great marketing tool for a number of reasons. For one thing, they're completely free - you simply write one and send it to your local publications or news rooms. Another reason they are good promotional tools is because they reach a wide audience. </p>

<p>You can write a press release for a number of different things, such as the opening of a new store, the introduction of a new product, your grand opening, or participation in a charity event. Call your local newspapers and ask who to direct your press releases to, and then make sure you write a well-written, error-free release. </p>

<p><strong>Flyers or mailers</strong></p>

<p>You have probably received mailers mixed in with your bills and catalogs promoting a new business or have found a flyer stuck under your windshield wiper at some point. If you're like most people, you probably glance at them and throw them away. </p>

<p>If you do decide to use a flyer or mailer, don't just place them randomly. Do your market research so you can send them to people who are specifically looking for the services or products you provide. Make sure they are designed well and not loaded with text - a sentence or two and contact information should suffice. </p>

<p><strong>Freebies</strong></p>

<p>This is an excellent form of promotional tool that all businesses, both small and large, use on a daily basis. Two for one deals, 50% off your next service, or a free trial run are common promotional techniques that can encourage your potential customers to utilize your services or buy your products. </p>

<p>You can advertise your specials in a number of ways, including flyers in your business, postcards, signs, and so forth. If you have the budget, the radio is a good place for advertising as well. </p>

<p><strong>Charity fundraisers<br />
</strong><br />
This is a great way to drum up business, get your name out, and help a worthy cause at the same time. Often, businesses will get together or host a charity fundraiser, which can take the form of a run or walk, a food collection, a street fair, and so forth. </p>

<p>This is a great promotional technique since you will most likely be getting free publicity for your event as well. Make sure you advertise, send out press releases, and call local news stations to cover your event. Pass out information about your company to those who attend.</p>

<p>When it comes to marketing, a successful campaign will include a variety of different mediums. Make sure you take into consideration your budget as well as your demographics, so you are utilizing marketing materials that will reach the right group of people. With that in mind, the right mix of materials can greatly maximize your profits and reach more customers. <br />
</p>]]>
</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<title>Word of mouth, your best friend in marketing.</title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://businessknowledgesource.com/marketing/word_of_mouth_your_best_friend_in_marketing_026002.html" />
<modified>2008-10-03T12:12:19Z</modified>
<issued>2008-10-03T12:10:00Z</issued>
<id>tag:businessknowledgesource.com,2008:/marketing/2.26002</id>
<created>2008-10-03T12:10:00Z</created>
<summary type="text/plain"> Have you noticed that word of mouth is you best friend in marketing? If you can get the customers you currently have to tell a friend or two that your company or business is a good business then you...</summary>
<author>
<name>DF</name>

<email>don@greatresults.com</email>
</author>
<dc:subject>Marketing Plan</dc:subject>
<content type="text/html" mode="escaped" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://businessknowledgesource.com/marketing/">
<![CDATA[<p><img alt="discussion8075165.jpg" src="http://businessknowledgesource.com/marketing/images/discussion8075165.jpg" width="68" height="125" align="left" style="border:3px solid #e7e7e7;margin-right:10px" /><br />
Have you noticed that word of mouth is you best friend in marketing?  If you can get the customers you currently have to tell a friend or two that your company or business is a good business then you have just increased your customer base.  Increasing your customer base will increase your sales and thus positively affecting the profit you make in your business.  </p>

<p>Word of mouth can definitely be your best friend in marketing; it can also hurt you in marketing if the word of mouth is bad.  It is vital to a business to keep the word of mouth concerning their business good.   Good word of mouth gets you new customers and keeps customers coming back.  </p>

<p>Have good PR.  Keep you clients happy.  Offer referral promotions.  These are all ways to keep the word of mouth about your business good and profitable to your business.  Remember you would want you best friend to be happy so keep the word of mouth happy and positive and your business will thrive.  <br />
</p>]]>
<![CDATA[<p>Have good PR.  PR means public relations and public relations means how you and your employees interact with customers.  "The customer is always right" was made up for PR purposes.  A happy customer is more likely to come back for more business from your company.  A happy customer is more likely to tell their friends about your company.  Make the customer happy by letting them see you are listening to them and that you care that they are at your business.  Their word of mouth will become your best friend in marketing.</p>

<p>Good PR also includes correcting any problems that a customer may encounter.  Be aware when a customer shows displeasure in the way they are being treated or the product they were sold.  While you cannot take everything back from every dishonest person, you or an employee can listen to each customer and try to help in ways that are possible.  If nothing else, offer in-store credit for the product the customer was not happy with.  The customer will go away with good things to say about your business and could become your best friend in marketing.  </p>

<p>Keep your clients happy.  While this does fall under good PR, there are other aspects of keeping you clients happy.  Think of your products, are there are some products that you can get for your customers that will help them out in their buying needs and then make them happy?  Have your customers liked what you have and you have been thinking of changing something?  Ask your customers what they think of the new product or service you want to incorporate into your business.  </p>

<p>Customers like to think that you value their opinion.  Especially customers that have been long time repeat customers.  They like to think that you care what they think.  This will allow them to spread by word of mouth that you have a great business, and they will tell all their best friends to come to your business.  </p>

<p>Another way for word of mouth to be your best friend is to offer referral promotions.  This is a great way to get current customers to tell their friends about your business.  They get something for their trouble and you get new customers for you business.  The referral promotions can be simple like 10% off your next purchase, or refer a friend get a free gift.  </p>

<p>These promotions show customers that you appreciate the fact that they like your business and would tell their friends about it.  The referral promotions can help spread the word of mouth about your business and help you out in marketing your business to a variety of people in different places.  </p>

<p>Having good word of mouth about your business can be your best friend in marketing your business online or off.  It doesn't matter where your business is, you need good word of mouth from your customers to promote your business.  This can be your best friend in marketing your products or services whether it is by sales, new items, or promotions.<br />
</p>]]>
</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<title>Using auto-responders to improve your marketing</title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://businessknowledgesource.com/marketing/using_autoresponders_to_improve_your_marketing_026001.html" />
<modified>2008-10-02T13:15:38Z</modified>
<issued>2008-10-02T12:20:00Z</issued>
<id>tag:businessknowledgesource.com,2008:/marketing/2.26001</id>
<created>2008-10-02T12:20:00Z</created>
<summary type="text/plain"> Can using auto-responders improve your marketing? Yes, there are ways to use auto-responders to improve your marketing. Auto-responders can more efficiently answer frequently asked questions about your business. Marketing becomes more efficient this way. Auto-responder can improve your marketing...</summary>
<author>
<name>DF</name>

<email>don@greatresults.com</email>
</author>
<dc:subject>Email Marketing</dc:subject>
<content type="text/html" mode="escaped" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://businessknowledgesource.com/marketing/">
<![CDATA[<p><img alt="manrelaxingatdesk30846571.jpg" src="http://businessknowledgesource.com/marketing/images/manrelaxingatdesk30846571.jpg" width="143" height="125" align="left" style="border:3px solid #e7e7e7;margin-right:10px" /><br />
Can using auto-responders improve your marketing?  Yes, there are ways to use auto-responders to improve your marketing.  Auto-responders can more efficiently answer frequently asked questions about your business.  Marketing becomes more efficient this way.  Auto-responder can improve your marketing by delivering information on sales for your business and shorten the sale cycle.  Using auto-responders can also make your business customer service automated and quicker.  </p>

<p>Before you can use auto-responders you need to understand what they are.  Auto-responders will automatically respond to emails asking about your business.   Web users send either a blank email or an email containing some key words to an email address.  Then the auto-responders send out information about your business.  If key words are used then the auto-responder can give more specific information.  </p>

<p>Auto-responders can more efficiently answer frequently asked questions about your business.  There are many questions any new or potential customer may have about a business.  With auto-responders you can get the questions answered in a short amount of time.  Most of the time the auto-responders can reply to inquiries with in a few hours.  This gives customers the piece of mind that you have gotten their information and their questions have been answered.  </p>]]>
<![CDATA[<p>Getting questions asked in a timely manner will only increase any marketing made for a business.  Getting the customers questions answered quickly and accurately is sometimes the best marketing that can be done for a business.  </p>

<p>Auto-responder can improve your marketing by delivering information on sales for your business and shorten the sale cycle.  When a business is going to have a sale or promotion, use auto-responders.  This will allow the business more time to work on getting ready for the sale or promotion.  Using auto-responders to improve the marketing of any sales your business has will get the word out quicker.  </p>

<p>Auto-responders can get the word out in a matter of minutes and then the sale can begin the next day.  This greatly shortens the sale cycle of a business.  Having a shorter sale cycle will free up time and money for other marketing the business may want or need to do.  </p>

<p>Using auto-responders can also increase sales for the company.  When a business uses auto-responders to let customers and clients know about new products and what is being discontinued, they will increase their sales profit margins.  This is because by marketing with auto-responders a business can quickly send information and not have to use any of the businesses manpower.  It's a great way to market new products or products that may be discontinued.  </p>

<p>Using auto-responders can also make your business customer service automated and quicker.  Sometime in any business there is a slow turn around for getting back to customers or potential clients.  This is when auto-responders help with your customer service and therefore your marketing.  Word of mouth is one of the best marketing techniques a business can have.  When a business has good customer service the customers are more likely to tell their friends.  </p>

<p>With auto-responders a business can at least let their customers know that they are working on the project even if it is not done.  When a person can't get a hold of someone in the business they get frustrated.  By using auto-responders when the person inquires about the progress of what they have hired your business to do, they get a response letting them know you are working on it and it eases their minds that they have not been forgotten.  </p>

<p>When using auto-responders to improve you marketing keep these three main benefits in mind.  Auto-responders can answer frequently asked questions about your business. Auto-responder can improve your marketing by delivering information on sales, promotions and new products for your business and shorten the sale cycle.  Using auto-responders can also make your business customer service automated and quicker</p>]]>
</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<title>The ins and outs of a marketing blog</title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://businessknowledgesource.com/marketing/the_ins_and_outs_of_a_marketing_blog_026000.html" />
<modified>2008-10-01T12:13:52Z</modified>
<issued>2008-10-01T11:45:00Z</issued>
<id>tag:businessknowledgesource.com,2008:/marketing/2.26000</id>
<created>2008-10-01T11:45:00Z</created>
<summary type="text/plain"> The ins and outs of a marketing blog can show a person or business if a marketing blog is something they want to do. There are blogs everywhere out there. Nearly everyone has a blog. There are personal ones...</summary>
<author>
<name>DF</name>

<email>don@greatresults.com</email>
</author>
<dc:subject>Internet Marketing</dc:subject>
<content type="text/html" mode="escaped" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://businessknowledgesource.com/marketing/">
<![CDATA[<p><img alt="womanwithlaptop30719462.jpg" src="http://businessknowledgesource.com/marketing/images/womanwithlaptop30719462.jpg" width="175" height="116" align="left" style="border:3px solid #e7e7e7;margin-right:10px" /><br />
The ins and outs of a marketing blog can show a person or business if a marketing blog is something they want to do.  There are blogs everywhere out there.  Nearly everyone has a blog.  There are personal ones as well as blogs for businesses.  Business owners or CEO's can have a marketing blog to help promote their business.  A blog is a Web log, typically in a journal style that allows new information to be automatically put at the top of the page on a regular basis.  </p>

<p>One of the most major ins of a marketing blog is the time it saves a business.  A marketing blog can be accessed from any computer and it just takes a few minutes to update it on a regular basis.  The time saved in advertising through the blog can benefit the business in a great way.  When potential or current customers can see the latest news they will have more confidence in a business and will be more likely to patronage the business.<br />
</p>]]>
<![CDATA[<p>Another "in" of a marketing blog is that they are less expensive than typical public speaking.  Many businesses are using marketing blogs to promote their business instead of public speaking.  For a marketing blog there is no need to arrange a conference or pay someone, like a radio station, to let you talk about your business.  You can promote all that your business has to offer and it won't even cost a fraction of a seminar type thing.  </p>

<p>Another "in" of a marketing blog is that is can be done with little or no technical background.  The way blogs are set up it takes little computer and technical know how to get the blog going and keep it updated.  Any one can get onto their blog and add a few words of their life.  There are some very simple blogs out there that a lot of users love.  They love them because they are from real people and about real people.  Blogs do not need to be fancy, although there is the option to put on pictures and get advertisers.  If a person can type a little, they can start and maintain a blog.  </p>

<p>People want to get interested in the business that is doing the blog.  People want to see what is going on in the business.  Many people like this because they feel more secure about the business this way.  </p>

<p>There are outs or negative aspects of a marketing blog.  The main "out" is that a blog needs to follow bloggers unwritten rules.  These rules include keeping the same blog form.  They like the personal journal type web log and if a business comes in and tries to use a newspaper sale form, it will back fire and be horrible for the business.  Another rule is that it needs to be real.  Bloggers and those that read blogs will quickly shun and scorn a blog that is not a real persons talking.  Characters are not easily accepted, they don't like third person writing.  </p>

<p>Another "out" of a marketing blog is that is must be added to regularly.  If a business is updating their blog every other day, then goes to every other week, it reflects badly on the blog and the business.  Keep the update regular even if they are only once a week.  </p>

<p>The third major out of a marketing blog is that when the content changes, readers don't like it.  And when readers don't like it they stop reading and any marketing your business is trying with a blog just became harder.</p>

<p>There are ins and outs of a marketing blog.  They main ins of a marketing blog are; they are time saving, money saving, and they require little technical knowledge.  The main outs of a marketing blog are; they have unspoken rules you need to follow, they need to be added to regularly, and the blog needs to keep the content consistent.<br />
</p>]]>
</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<title>The difference between marketing and spamming</title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://businessknowledgesource.com/marketing/the_difference_between_marketing_and_spamming_025999.html" />
<modified>2008-09-30T13:13:07Z</modified>
<issued>2008-09-30T12:45:00Z</issued>
<id>tag:businessknowledgesource.com,2008:/marketing/2.25999</id>
<created>2008-09-30T12:45:00Z</created>
<summary type="text/plain"> There is a lot of spamming going on in cyber space. There is also a lot of spamming that tries to get passed off as marketing. It is important for businesses to know the difference between marketing and spamming....</summary>
<author>
<name>DF</name>

<email>don@greatresults.com</email>
</author>
<dc:subject>Marketing Plan</dc:subject>
<content type="text/html" mode="escaped" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://businessknowledgesource.com/marketing/">
<![CDATA[<p><img alt="manonlaptop30348010.jpg" src="http://businessknowledgesource.com/marketing/images/manonlaptop30348010.jpg" width="102" height="125" align="left" style="border:3px solid #e7e7e7;margin-right:10px" /><br />
There is a lot of spamming going on in cyber space.   There is also a lot of spamming that tries to get passed off as marketing.  It is important for businesses to know the difference between marketing and spamming.  A business will not want to be labeled as a spammer when it is a legitimate business.    When a business sends an email, the email needs to be viewed as a marketing email and not just some junky spam.  To do this a business needs to know the difference between marketing and spamming.  </p>

<p>Spam is never signed up for.  This is one of the main differences between marketing and spamming.  Spammers take email from legitimate businesses and then send the spam email to address that never signed up for the junk the email contains.   To often in a day, emailers find spam in their box and get fuming mad and want to make it stop.  This is why it is so important for a business to not be viewed as spam, but to be seen as marketing.   <br />
</p>]]>
<![CDATA[<p>Marketing is opt-in emailing, or permission emailing.  This is when a person signs up on a web site to receive a certain type of information.  This is marketing and not spamming.  Sometimes a person may forget that they signed up and still mark the email spam.  This can be avoided by showing that the email was sent by a business and that the business has a real purpose.  It is also helpful for a business to offer a unsubscribe button that will stop any unwanted emails.  This will greatly reduce the chance of being marked spam when the emails sent are marketing a business.</p>

<p>There is a difference in acquiring email lists between marketing and spamming.  Here the difference is, that marketing gets the list through email companies or by being on a list for a certain product or line of work.  Spamming email list take the list from anyone they can.  There is no grouping or content similarities.  They take a few hundred emails form this group and then a few hundred from another group.  Spammers may even pay to get a list form a legitimate online business and then send spam.  This will only last until they get caught and are forced to stop.  </p>

<p>Marketing lists come from senders whose addresses are legitimate.  Spam comes from an email address that is not real.  This and the difference of personalized emails between marketing and spamming should tell any one that an email is spam.   If a business wants to stay in the marketing email list and not the spamming email list then they need to show their email address is real and the personalize the subject line.  </p>

<p>Spam is actually illegal and should never be done.  There are steps being made to try and control the spam that is sent out every day, but the spamming continues.  Marketing on the other hand is not illegal and the email list that a company sends to is typically a lot smaller that spamming.  Spammers will send to tens of thousands, while marketing emails are sent to a much smaller number due to the specific nature of the business that is marketing. </p>

<p>The main difference between marketing and spamming emails is that the spam is never wanted or signed up for.  The marketing is sent because of an expressed interest in certain products or services, or because an individual asked to have the marketing email sent to them.  Another difference is that spamming is not personalized and most of the time has a bogus email address.  Another difference between spamming and marketing is that spamming is illegal and marketing is not.  So be careful, as a business, that the emails sent for marketing do not look like spam.  <br />
</p>]]>
</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<title>Television marketing tips</title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://businessknowledgesource.com/marketing/television_marketing_tips_025998.html" />
<modified>2008-09-29T13:13:00Z</modified>
<issued>2008-09-29T12:35:00Z</issued>
<id>tag:businessknowledgesource.com,2008:/marketing/2.25998</id>
<created>2008-09-29T12:35:00Z</created>
<summary type="text/plain"> Does you business need to market on the television? When it comes to marketing the television is a great way to reach a lot of people in about 30 seconds. Television can cost some money depending where you advertise....</summary>
<author>
<name>DF</name>

<email>don@greatresults.com</email>
</author>
<dc:subject>Marketing Plan</dc:subject>
<content type="text/html" mode="escaped" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://businessknowledgesource.com/marketing/">
<![CDATA[<p><img alt="entertainmentcenter63493818.jpg" src="http://businessknowledgesource.com/marketing/images/entertainmentcenter63493818.jpg" width="83" height="125" align="left" style="border:3px solid #e7e7e7;margin-right:10px" /><br />
Does you business need to market on the television?  When it comes to marketing the television is a great way to reach a lot of people in about 30 seconds.  Television can cost some money depending where you advertise.  But there are some good tips for making television work for your marketing needs.   </p>

<p>First, if you have a time crunch, look into online companies that will make television ads for you.   There are companies that say they will get your television commercial on T.V. within 10 days.  This can save a business a lot of time and money.  Remember time is money when it comes to business and making money.  </p>

<p>You can have your own ideas that the advertising companies will work with and produce a professional looking ad.  Or you can let them come up with a great ad for your business.  The nice thing here is the turn around time, it will take ten days for most ads.  This means that if you choose to change anything, it can be done and out on the T.V. waves in no time at all.  </p>]]>
<![CDATA[<p>More tips to make television marketing work for your business.  You will have better marketing results if you connect your television with the Internet.  If you have an Internet page put the web site on the television ad.  Studies have shown that people are more willing to patronage a business if they can connect the T.V. to the Internet.  It gives them a chance to explore what a business has to offer right after seeing a 30 second ad that gives the business a hype.  </p>

<p>Another tip for television marketing is to put your ad on the television on sometime during the day so that people can more freely get up and look at your business.  Once you get them on your web site they are more likely to buy from you, which increases your sales.  Getting sales is the purpose of television marketing and you want to get your money's worth.    </p>

<p>If your business is not online yet, think about getting online.  But until you do get online connect your television ad to a phone number and address so that potential customers can call or come in and see your store.  Even if you can't sell online, get a web site that can show potential customers more of what you are marketing on television.  Television will only give you 30-60 seconds of advertising; if you can then get potential customers to look at more of your business online you will have an increase in sales.  </p>

<p>If you are looking to make television marketing work for your business and be worth the money you put into it, then try offering rewards and incentives for responding to the television commercial.  The rewards may be as simple as a percentage off.  Or businesses could offer a chance to win something great for the first 50 customers.  There is a vast amount of ways for a business to promote their business through television marketing.  Try some free incentive.  People love free and will probably come into your store or look your business up on the Internet just to get something free.  </p>

<p>So if you are looking for television marketing tips, here are a few.  Look into getting your T.V. ad on the air in a timely manner.  You might like to get a television marketing company to help you get a professional looking commercial and have the ability to change it in a matter of days.  Then look at how you are marketing on the television.  You will need to combine the Internet with the television to get the best marketing results for your business.  When you put out a television ad, give and incentive or a reward.  <br />
</p>]]>
</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<title>Marketing manuals and books worth reading</title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://businessknowledgesource.com/marketing/marketing_manuals_and_books_worth_reading_025997.html" />
<modified>2008-09-26T12:13:19Z</modified>
<issued>2008-09-26T12:10:00Z</issued>
<id>tag:businessknowledgesource.com,2008:/marketing/2.25997</id>
<created>2008-09-26T12:10:00Z</created>
<summary type="text/plain"> With so many marketing manuals on the market, it&apos;s hard to know which marketing manuals and books are worth reading. There are some very useless ones out there but there are some marketing manual and books that are great....</summary>
<author>
<name>DF</name>

<email>don@greatresults.com</email>
</author>
<dc:subject>Marketing</dc:subject>
<content type="text/html" mode="escaped" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://businessknowledgesource.com/marketing/">
<![CDATA[<p><img alt="manlookingnewspaper30336850.jpg" src="http://businessknowledgesource.com/marketing/images/manlookingnewspaper30336850.jpg" width="103" height="125" align="left" style="border:3px solid #e7e7e7;margin-right:10px" /><br />
With so many marketing manuals on the market, it's hard to know which marketing manuals and books are worth reading.  There are some very useless ones out there but there are some marketing manual and books that are great.  You can tell the authors have actually done the research needed to put these manuals and books together.  </p>

<p>First off there are a few ways to tell if the marketing manual or book is worth reading.  Begin with the title.  If the title doesn't make sense to your then the book or manual will not be worth your reading.  Even though titles tell something about the book, they need to be understood and be logical to those that want to read it.  </p>

<p>Then go to the year the book was published.  If you are looking for marketing manuals and books look for newer book.  Books written 10 years ago are bad books.  It just that, if you are marketing a business now days you will need to have updated information and ideas that include modern marketing techniques.  A recently written book is more likely to have online marketing guides that are worth reading.  <br />
</p>]]>
<![CDATA[<p>One more way to help with deciding if a marketing manual or books is worth reading is the way you hear about it?  If you get an email that says it's the "best ever marketing manual online, just pay $30 to get your manual today!"  It most likely is not a marketing manual worth reading.  But if you have a friend that has read or heard that a certain marketing book is "great!"  Give that book a try it's probably worth your time.  </p>

<p>Another way to tell if a marketing book or manual is worth reading is to look at the reviews and bestsellers list.  Bookstore will make this available and online bookstores give you the chance to read all the reviews given about the book.  If it has been selling good and there is positive reviews then it's most likely worth reading.  <br />
<strong><br />
With that being said, here are 4 marketing manuals and books that are worth reading.<br />
1.  The New Rules of Marketing and PR:  </strong>How to Use News Releases, Blogs, Podcasting, Viral Marketing and Online Media to Reach Buyers Directly- by David Meerman Scott.  This book has some great reviews where many people found it very helpful in getting into the online marketing.  It has some new ideas that will help with marketing any business.  This book also has an easy to understand view of the online market.  </p>

<p><strong>2.  Blue Ocean Strategy: </strong> How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make Competition Irrelevant by W. Chan Kim, Renee Mauborgne.  This book helps readers to see that their strategy is an important part of marketing.  If you want to have a limitless marketing space then this marketing book is worth reading. </p>

<p><strong>3.  The Tipping Point: </strong> How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference by Malcolm Gladwell.  This book will help readers identify new trends and help them keep up with or on top of the trends so that their business will not be left in the dark.  Staying on top of marketing is essential to a business.  <br />
 <br />
<strong>4.  For an inexpensive book that will help with most marketing concepts,</strong> try Guerrilla Marketing, 4th edition: Easy and Inexpensive Strategies for Making Big Profits from Your Small Business by Jay Conrad Levinson.  This book is not the best for online marketing, but it is a quick read and can get anyone started in the right marketing direction for their business.</p>

<p>Marketing manuals and books worth reading are sometimes hard to find.  Many times a person has to sift through hundreds of books only to find that the one they though was great was not worth reading.  There are some helpful hints when finding marketing books or manuals.  First the title, it needs to make sense to you the reader.  Second look at the date it was written, although many books are revised to include new marketing strategies, most of the time newer books have a fresh start and look.  Third check out the reviews and where the book is on the bestsellers list.  A marketing book that 5 people bought and 4 of the 5 didn't like it is not worth reading.  <br />
</p>]]>
</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<title>How to make holidays a marketing tool.</title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://businessknowledgesource.com/marketing/how_to_make_holidays_a_marketing_tool_025996.html" />
<modified>2008-09-25T13:16:27Z</modified>
<issued>2008-09-25T12:30:00Z</issued>
<id>tag:businessknowledgesource.com,2008:/marketing/2.25996</id>
<created>2008-09-25T12:30:00Z</created>
<summary type="text/plain"> Holidays are a great for so many businesses. So how is it possible to make the holidays a marketing tool for your business? There are many ways to market your business for the holidays. Using the holidays as a...</summary>
<author>
<name>DF</name>

<email>don@greatresults.com</email>
</author>
<dc:subject>Marketing Plan</dc:subject>
<content type="text/html" mode="escaped" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://businessknowledgesource.com/marketing/">
<![CDATA[<p><img alt="holiday30884949.jpg" src="http://businessknowledgesource.com/marketing/images/holiday30884949.jpg" width="175" height="117" align="left" style="border:3px solid #e7e7e7;margin-right:10px" /><br />
Holidays are a great for so many businesses.  So how is it possible to make the holidays a marketing tool for your business?  There are many ways to market your business for the holidays.  Using the holidays as a marketing tool only makes sense for any business that wants to boost sales.  </p>

<p>First thing any business owner or marketing advisor needs to realize is that there are many holidays, not just "the holiday season" at the end of the year.  Holidays begin in January and go all through the year to December.  Make each holiday a marketing tool for your business.  </p>

<p>Advertise that you will have this or that on sale for the holiday. Let customers know ahead of time that if they come in during the holiday week you will have different specials each day.  This will entice customers to come back each day and hopefully spend some money each time.  This can work whether your company is only Internet based or if your company has a storefront.  <br />
</p>]]>
<![CDATA[<p>Another fun way to make holidays a marketing tool for you business is to decorate for the holiday. This may take some time and seem pointless to some, but it will show you have a holiday spirit in your business.  Customers like companies that show they are patriotic or that they enjoy the fun of Valentine's Day.  Decorating for the different holidays includes Internet businesses.  A web page can be added to with Easter eggs or Santa.  Have some fun with the decorating and enjoy the holiday, it may mean more sales.  </p>

<p>Change things around for the holiday, but not too bad that your customers can't find them.  This may be a little more difficult for web sites.  But a website can still use the power of the Internet to change the promotions that are suggested during checkout. </p>

<p>The second thing to know when a business wants to make holidays a marketing tool for their business is that, holiday products are not required.  A business doesn't need to have a holiday product to use the holidays for marketing.   Think of all those car dealerships that use every holiday they can to put some car or truck on sale, they don't have a Thanksgiving car that looks like a turkey.  </p>

<p>How a business makes holidays a marketing tool is by promoting the products they have with a holiday twist.  If it is possible to make the products you have represent the holiday then do it.  Like it a business is wood products, then make some shamrocks or leprechaun to sell for St Patrick's Day.  If this isn't possible for a company to do, then try different colors to represent a holiday.   Market a business by using a holiday as the tool by having special holiday promotions.  </p>

<p>Third make the holiday a marketing tool by knowing the businesses around you.  A business needs to realize how to make any holiday a marketing tool by sizing up the competition.  This makes a great time to let the public know what you have and at what price and how that beats your competitors.  </p>

<p>A competitor may be in the same area or it may be a top online business with yours.  It doesn't matter where the competition is, it matter if you can get the customers and not let them have all the customers for the holiday.  Keep track of what competitors did last year if they were around.  Keep track of what you did last year.  Compare the two and see what you can do to promote and market your business for the current holiday.</p>

<p>There are ways how a business can make holidays a marketing tool that is prosperous.  There are three great ways to make all the holidays a marketing tool for any business.  First realize that holidays happen all through out the year, use holidays to entice people to come to your company.  Second, remember a business doesn't have to have a holiday product to use the holiday as a marketing tool.  Third, is to keep track of your competition and make sure your customers know what you are offering for the holiday.<br />
</p>]]>
</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<title>How to build an email list for marketing</title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://businessknowledgesource.com/marketing/how_to_build_an_email_list_for_marketing_025995.html" />
<modified>2008-09-24T13:14:40Z</modified>
<issued>2008-09-24T12:05:00Z</issued>
<id>tag:businessknowledgesource.com,2008:/marketing/2.25995</id>
<created>2008-09-24T12:05:00Z</created>
<summary type="text/plain"> How to build an email list for marketing a business can be done with three things in mind. First start with the simple and direct approach by asking for address from those you deal with. Second go ahead and...</summary>
<author>
<name>DF</name>

<email>don@greatresults.com</email>
</author>
<dc:subject>Internet Marketing</dc:subject>
<content type="text/html" mode="escaped" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://businessknowledgesource.com/marketing/">
<![CDATA[<p><img alt="womanatcomputersmiling19167076.jpg" src="http://businessknowledgesource.com/marketing/images/womanatcomputersmiling19167076.jpg" width="83" height="125" align="left" style="border:3px solid #e7e7e7;margin-right:10px" /><br />
How to build an email list for marketing a business can be done with three things in mind.  First start with the simple and direct approach by asking for address from those  you deal with.  Second go ahead and offer your clients, their friends and anyone something to sign up to the email list.  Third, use other resources. </p>

<p>When a business has a large email list for marketing then it has a large clientele base. This means that it can have a greater potential for earning some money.   The past has shone that a larger email list results in a larger income.  Increase the business email list and enjoy better business.  </p>

<p>So the first thing to try when building an email list for marketing is to simply ask for emails from customers and clients. This can be done over the phone, in the store, on the business web site, or during an order. If the business has a storefront or a place for customers to come into, then the business can have a guest or register book where customers can willingly give their email to the business.<br />
</p>]]>
<![CDATA[<p>When a business wants to build their email list they need to ask everyone they see if they can get their email address.  This includes any kind of trade shows, business conferences, workshops, etc.  Get used to asking people for their email addresses.  This can lead to the next way to build an email list for marketing.  If the business has a web site then have a "sign up for newsletter here" link that is easily found.  Next to the link give a little bit of information about the newsletter so that potential customers can see that you have a real newsletter and will not send some junk to their email address.  </p>

<p>A good way to build an email list for marketing a business is to offer incentives.  Most people will give their email list to a business for a chance to win something or get a discount.  A business can offer a giveaway to all those that provide their email and a few other details.  A business can even offer a discount to those that forward the business newsletter to a friend.  This will all build the email list that is needed for marketing online.  </p>

<p>When a business needs to build an email list they need to look at other resources.  These resources can include online businesses that specialize in building an email list for other businesses.  These businesses will help you to build your email list for a fee, the fee is usually small, but so is the service they provide.   Be careful that the online business that helps build an email list is not helping to send spam; this will hurt any business.   </p>

<p>Another resource is to use is a business that compliments the business trying to build up their email list.  Team up with a business that is related to your's but not a competitor and work together to promote each other's email lists.   A business can do this through the newsletters it sends out and highlight the other business in a link.  Let customers know that this is a reputable company and they do not send spam.  The two businesses should come to an understanding and help each other out.  </p>

<p>When a business wants to build an email list for marketing purposes it's nice to know how.  There are some simple ways to build an email list; one is to just get the email addresses of those you come in contact with.  This includes current clients and potential clients.  Another way to build an email list for marketing is to offer incentives or giveaways for signing up for regular newsletters.  There are also other resources that a business can use to build their email lists. These resources may include hiring a business to guide help build an email list, or teaming up with other businesses that will work with your business.</p>]]>
</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<title>How to avoid being a spammer</title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://businessknowledgesource.com/marketing/how_to_avoid_being_a_spammer_025994.html" />
<modified>2008-09-23T12:12:24Z</modified>
<issued>2008-09-23T12:00:00Z</issued>
<id>tag:businessknowledgesource.com,2008:/marketing/2.25994</id>
<created>2008-09-23T12:00:00Z</created>
<summary type="text/plain"> How to avoid being a spammer is many Internet businesses top concerns. Spam is fast becoming a nuisance to most people who use email. Some people will get 50 spam emails in a day. This means that a legitimate...</summary>
<author>
<name>DF</name>

<email>don@greatresults.com</email>
</author>
<dc:subject>Internet Marketing</dc:subject>
<content type="text/html" mode="escaped" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://businessknowledgesource.com/marketing/">
<![CDATA[<p><img alt="womancomputerhotel30420644.jpg" src="http://businessknowledgesource.com/marketing/images/womancomputerhotel30420644.jpg" width="175" height="117" align="left" style="border:3px solid #e7e7e7;margin-right:10px" /><br />
How to avoid being a spammer is many Internet businesses top concerns.  Spam is fast becoming a nuisance to most people who use email.  Some people will get 50 spam emails in a day.  This means that a legitimate business that is trying to market a product or service will need to avoid being a spammer to help them stay in business.  </p>

<p>To begin with, there is the need to know the difference between marketing and spamming.  The main difference is that spamming is never signed up for. So a business will need to send to only those that have given their email address to the business.  Spam will also not be personalized. This means that a business will need to not look like some off the wall email address that is not real.  A business will need to make the email and subject reflect what the business does or can do.  </p>

<p>There are four major points that a person or business needs to do to avoid being a spammer.  First is to get emails legitimately, ask for them.  Second, have a place for users to unsubscribe.  Third, personalize your emails sent and don't change the subjects. <br />
</p>]]>
<![CDATA[<p>The first major way to avoid being a spammer is to get the emails you send to legitimately.  This means ask for the email before you send anything at all to the email address.   Send to emails that have signed up for the businesses email and don't try to trick a person into signing up.  This will only make them mad and then they will mark the sender as spam. Spam is not asked for.  A business will need to get the emails they send to by having email addresses given to the business.  This will include friends that you may just want to send your newsletter to.  Be sure and ask the friends first.  </p>

<p>There are sometimes when a business can get some emails because they were part of a group that shares common interests and email addresses.  Be careful when doing this, make sure it is all legal and the business will not be shut down for being a spammer.  </p>

<p>The second helpful hint to avoid being a spammer is to have a place for users to unsubscribe.  Spam will not have a place to unsubscribe and a recognized business will want to have the unsubscribe option.  This shows a person that they can unsubscribe if they do not want to have the newsletter or emails sent to them.  This will help the business, because they will not risk being marked as spam just to get the emails to quit.  It is better for a business to have a person unsubscribe than to have that person mad that they can't unsubscribe and mark the email address as spam.</p>

<p>Third, a person or business needs to personalize the email sent and keep the subject of the content the same.   When a person sees all capitals or lots of exclamation marks in the subject line, they see spam.  A business or person will need to put some sort of content in the subject line.  Like it the business is for picture frames, in the subject line could be "Monthly newsletter for Picture Frames R Us."  Then once a reader gets to the content of the email, they will need to see that the business is for real with picture frame related items at the tops of the email.  It is also helpful to have the newsletter or email begin the same and establish a familiarity.  Also don't surprise people with different content in the newsletter.  Don't suddenly start talking about wallpaper when the business is scrapbooking.  Keep the subject the same or before adding more content advertise for it in the newsletter or email.  </p>

<p>So how to avoid being a spammer is to first not look like a spammer, then make it possible to unsubscribe.  Make sure that the emails sent are professional looking and the content is real and related to the business that a person signed up for.  Don't forget to only send to those that have actually given their email address and signed up for a email or newsletter.  <br />
</p>]]>
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</entry>

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