While not all businesses employ presentations as part of their marketing. For those that do, presentations may be very important to the business - prospect relationship. Presentations, in that context are intended to inform in an interesting way and move the audience from prospect to client.
To have an effective presentation it's important to be well informed about the audience. What do they already know about the topic? Why would the topic be of interest or of value? What do you want them to do as a result of the presentation? Why would they not want to do that? The audience, for the presentation to be effective, needs to know why they should think you are credible and qualified. To augment the connection, building a rapport through common interests is a real asset.
The job of the presentation is to take the audience through the process of seeing the current situation and then understanding what could be. Even if the audience has the information they need to make a decision and it's presented in an interesting, credible and persuasive way, without a call to action, the audience may not understand what the next step should be. Some call to action tools, may be spelling out a time line for the next step. Having appropriate paper work on hand and asking for the desired action is another way to go. People with a sales background reading this will recognize this step.
Some nuts and bolts things to keep in mind include making sure that there isn't too much detail on one page. The audience won't be able to take it in. If possible, use photos or images to illustrate your message. If you use a template or a logo on each page, observe that this takes up a large part of area that could be used for clean simple lettering and images. The audience will comprehend the message better with less information per page and one clean sharp font used in a limited number of sizes.
Before your presentation, go through it with someone you trust to give you an honest opinion. Walk through it in your mind until you are comfortable with the flow and how it relates to the audience. Hopefully these tips will help you create and deliver more effective presentations.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Friday, March 25, 2011
More Marketing Tips You Can Implement Today
These Marketing Tips You Can Implement Today are published here with the permission of Debra Power of Get Marketing Power. Her resent presentation at LEDC was highly informative and very helpful. You can learn more about Debra by going to her website GetMarketingPower.com or call 734-741-1134. These are some of Debra's useful and clever tips.
Host a contest for something related to your business. Keep in mind the expense of the prize and any collateral expenses versus the benefit.
Make your telephone on-hold message a marketing tool. Keeping this fresh is a great idea.
Start a blog. If you have email addresses for your customers, contact them and invite them to follow you. Be sure to put your blog address in other promotional materials, including your business cards.
Review your pricing strategy and see if there are opportunities to improve. It's not a bad idea to know what your competition is charging for the same or similar items. Is it possible for you to afford a loss leader for a period of time to bring new people into the store? If you offer a loss leader, it's important to advertise. Your pricing may also need revising if there is something you offer that just isn't selling. Remember that your customers may also have some insight for you on this topic.
Keep quality a priority. Customers are disappointed with shoddy merchandise. If you have a service business, make sure that your entire team is on the quality band wagon. Customers remember and share a good experiences with a business. Customers remember and share not so good ones too. For which would you prefer to be remembered?
Host a contest for something related to your business. Keep in mind the expense of the prize and any collateral expenses versus the benefit.
Make your telephone on-hold message a marketing tool. Keeping this fresh is a great idea.
Start a blog. If you have email addresses for your customers, contact them and invite them to follow you. Be sure to put your blog address in other promotional materials, including your business cards.
Review your pricing strategy and see if there are opportunities to improve. It's not a bad idea to know what your competition is charging for the same or similar items. Is it possible for you to afford a loss leader for a period of time to bring new people into the store? If you offer a loss leader, it's important to advertise. Your pricing may also need revising if there is something you offer that just isn't selling. Remember that your customers may also have some insight for you on this topic.
Keep quality a priority. Customers are disappointed with shoddy merchandise. If you have a service business, make sure that your entire team is on the quality band wagon. Customers remember and share a good experiences with a business. Customers remember and share not so good ones too. For which would you prefer to be remembered?
All About Women
If your business could benefit from meeting your customers face to face, then "All About Women" could be just the event for you. "All About Women" Women's Health Fair and EXPO is being held Saturday, April 16th at The Centre. This event allows businesses to sell, show & demonstrate their products and services to a mostly female audience attending the event. The cost to be a vendor is reasonable and an 8 foot skirted table is provided in each of the 10' X 7' display spaces.
For most businesses, women are a highly desirable audience. They tend to lead the way or have a lot of input on many decisions in their home. Women also make up a large share of business owners. Some vendors at the show may find women an attractive audience because their products are appealing to women.
Women attend the EXPO because the price of admission includes health screenings, pampering services, workshops and more. The featured speaker this year is America's Nutritionist, Zonya Foco. If participating as a vendor isn't in your plans for one reason or another, coming out to attend promises to be loads of fun. For more information on being a vendor or attending, contact the Chamber 265-2320.
For most businesses, women are a highly desirable audience. They tend to lead the way or have a lot of input on many decisions in their home. Women also make up a large share of business owners. Some vendors at the show may find women an attractive audience because their products are appealing to women.
Women attend the EXPO because the price of admission includes health screenings, pampering services, workshops and more. The featured speaker this year is America's Nutritionist, Zonya Foco. If participating as a vendor isn't in your plans for one reason or another, coming out to attend promises to be loads of fun. For more information on being a vendor or attending, contact the Chamber 265-2320.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Marketing Tips You Can Implement Today
The tips in this post are shared with the permission of Debra Power of Get Power Marketing. Recently I attended a workshop at LEDC presented by Debra. She is an exceptional speaker and her presentation was both informative and useful. If you have an opportunity to hear her speak in the future, I would recommend it. Just for reference, her web address is http://www.getmarketingpower.com/ and her phone number is 734-741-1134. The title of her presentation was Your Path to Marketing Success and the core topic was developing a marketing plan. Since wiser minds than I have recently addressed that topic, I'm simply going to pull out a few key tips for simple marketing steps you can take today. These are drawn from the workshop booklet I received at the meeting.
Survey your customers. They are a treasure trove of valuable information.
Create a customer database and use it. It requires 6 times the marketing expenditure to gain a new customer compared with getting an existing customer to do business with you again.
Follow up with your customers after the sale. They will be impressed that you care.
Use coupons, offer free samples or a free hour of consultation. Consider the impact on your bottom line before implementing this tip.
Hand out free promotional gifts. See above.
Re-examine your signage. Look at your business inside and out, like you have never seen it before. This can be a real eye opener.
Survey your customers. They are a treasure trove of valuable information.
Create a customer database and use it. It requires 6 times the marketing expenditure to gain a new customer compared with getting an existing customer to do business with you again.
Follow up with your customers after the sale. They will be impressed that you care.
Use coupons, offer free samples or a free hour of consultation. Consider the impact on your bottom line before implementing this tip.
Hand out free promotional gifts. See above.
Re-examine your signage. Look at your business inside and out, like you have never seen it before. This can be a real eye opener.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Your Customers Are Calling
There is a marketing tool in every business that can be put to better use today. It's your telephone. How you answer your phone may be a new undiscovered asset to your marketing.
To begin with basics, all your staff should answer the phone the same way. Think about first impressions. How do you want your staff to sound and what do you want the caller to think about your business as a result of the phone being answered? There is one business I have called a couple of times recently where the person who usually answers the phone sounds like they dislike talking to customers. Not a good first impression. Consider that on the other end of the phone line is a potential or existing customer and you have the opportunity to communicate something about your business. What will it be?
If you are having a sale or a special event, a very brief description of the promotion may be a good way to start. If you are unique in the market place and have a slogan that reflects that, saying your slogan as a part of phone answering protocol may be a good choice. Using the fast food drive thru approach may be something to consider. If you have a new product, ask the caller if they would like information about it. Even if they aren't interested at that moment, they know about something else you have to offer. This can also be used for product lines that you already have, but would like to emphasize. If you have a recorded message on hold, update it to include new information you would like to communicate about your business.
Remember to get everyone in your business who may be answering the phone on board with the kind of first impression you would like to give callers. The caller has already sought you out, you have the opportunity to give them another reason to do business with you.
To begin with basics, all your staff should answer the phone the same way. Think about first impressions. How do you want your staff to sound and what do you want the caller to think about your business as a result of the phone being answered? There is one business I have called a couple of times recently where the person who usually answers the phone sounds like they dislike talking to customers. Not a good first impression. Consider that on the other end of the phone line is a potential or existing customer and you have the opportunity to communicate something about your business. What will it be?
If you are having a sale or a special event, a very brief description of the promotion may be a good way to start. If you are unique in the market place and have a slogan that reflects that, saying your slogan as a part of phone answering protocol may be a good choice. Using the fast food drive thru approach may be something to consider. If you have a new product, ask the caller if they would like information about it. Even if they aren't interested at that moment, they know about something else you have to offer. This can also be used for product lines that you already have, but would like to emphasize. If you have a recorded message on hold, update it to include new information you would like to communicate about your business.
Remember to get everyone in your business who may be answering the phone on board with the kind of first impression you would like to give callers. The caller has already sought you out, you have the opportunity to give them another reason to do business with you.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Adrian Area Chamber Shared Interest Groups
The Adrian Area Chamber of Commerce offers members a valuable resource through Shared Interest Groups (SIG). Currently, there are two, Technology and Marketing.
Tomorrow the Technology group will meet at the Chamber office for a Lunch 'n' Learn regarding smart phones, Blackberries and Android phones. Mike McLemore is facilitating this conversation so those attending can make better use of their phones for practical and business purposes. There are some really smart people involved with the Chamber.
On March 25, the Marketing SIG will have a Lunch 'n' Learn covering location based apps. Details to be announced. The Marketing SIG has been especially helpful to me personally. I represent my organization's products and I am also responsible for the marketing. I have a marketing background, but I certainly don't know all of the answers.
Recently, I signed up to participate in the "All About Women" expo. While I've attended and represented a business at an expo before, I've never planned a booth, materials etc. I mentioned this at a Marketing SIG meeting and within a few minutes had lots of new ideas offered by members of the group. Like I said, there are some really smart people involved with the Chamber.
The Marketing Lunch 'n' Learn meeting in February covered creating and executing a marketing plan. It was presented by Gaynor Meilke who is Director of Corporate Relations at Siena Heights University. There was a lot a very good feed back. And no wonder, many businesses can benefit from information on planning marketing.
Each week the Adrian Chamber sends an email with information on upcoming events as well as some additional reminders during the week. If you haven't had time to look these over, take a moment to check out the emails. You may be pleasantly surprised at the learning opportunities that are available through the Chamber.
Tomorrow the Technology group will meet at the Chamber office for a Lunch 'n' Learn regarding smart phones, Blackberries and Android phones. Mike McLemore is facilitating this conversation so those attending can make better use of their phones for practical and business purposes. There are some really smart people involved with the Chamber.
On March 25, the Marketing SIG will have a Lunch 'n' Learn covering location based apps. Details to be announced. The Marketing SIG has been especially helpful to me personally. I represent my organization's products and I am also responsible for the marketing. I have a marketing background, but I certainly don't know all of the answers.
Recently, I signed up to participate in the "All About Women" expo. While I've attended and represented a business at an expo before, I've never planned a booth, materials etc. I mentioned this at a Marketing SIG meeting and within a few minutes had lots of new ideas offered by members of the group. Like I said, there are some really smart people involved with the Chamber.
The Marketing Lunch 'n' Learn meeting in February covered creating and executing a marketing plan. It was presented by Gaynor Meilke who is Director of Corporate Relations at Siena Heights University. There was a lot a very good feed back. And no wonder, many businesses can benefit from information on planning marketing.
Each week the Adrian Chamber sends an email with information on upcoming events as well as some additional reminders during the week. If you haven't had time to look these over, take a moment to check out the emails. You may be pleasantly surprised at the learning opportunities that are available through the Chamber.
The Generous Ant
It’s nearly Spring! Sometimes it’s hard to tell which season it is based on Michigan
Almost everyone is familiar with the fable about The Ant and The Grasshopper. The Ant works hard all summer, planning ahead for the coming winter, while The Grasshopper plays his fiddle, dances and lounges in the sun.
In researching this story, one finds that there are three different endings to this tale. In one ending The Ant turns The Grasshopper away when he asks for help once cold weather comes. In another, The Grasshopper's lack of planning proves fatal. In the third, and probably the best ending, The Ant shares what he can with The Grasshopper.
In all likelihood, if the story had originated in theUSA
With generosity, the recipient benefits, but so does the giver. Studies have shown that people just feel better when they extend a helping hand to someone in need. In a word, it's heartwarming. Another possible benefit is a tax deduction for charitable contributions. Your tax adviser can give you more information on how to claim a tax deduction for your charitable gift.
For many people there is one organization or cause that is near and dear to them. Because of that, some people will make a contribution to benefit the same group over and over. If this is something you do, or would like to do, there may be a better way to go about that than writing an annual check. Charitable giving can be planned through life insurance and annuities. For more information on which is the right approach for you and how to proceed, please contact me, as this can be complicated. I am licensed in Michigan.
If you are involved with a charitable organization and would like us to talk to your donors about setting up a contribution plan, please let us know. Long term planned giving can be a real asset for a non-profit organization. Thinking about what The Ant would do, he was such a good planner, very likely he would have a contribution plan in place for his favorite non-profit groups. He would be The Generous Ant!
Almost everyone is familiar with the fable about The Ant and The Grasshopper. The Ant works hard all summer, planning ahead for the coming winter, while The Grasshopper plays his fiddle, dances and lounges in the sun.
In researching this story, one finds that there are three different endings to this tale. In one ending The Ant turns The Grasshopper away when he asks for help once cold weather comes. In another, The Grasshopper's lack of planning proves fatal. In the third, and probably the best ending, The Ant shares what he can with The Grasshopper.
In all likelihood, if the story had originated in the
With generosity, the recipient benefits, but so does the giver. Studies have shown that people just feel better when they extend a helping hand to someone in need. In a word, it's heartwarming. Another possible benefit is a tax deduction for charitable contributions. Your tax adviser can give you more information on how to claim a tax deduction for your charitable gift.
For many people there is one organization or cause that is near and dear to them. Because of that, some people will make a contribution to benefit the same group over and over. If this is something you do, or would like to do, there may be a better way to go about that than writing an annual check. Charitable giving can be planned through life insurance and annuities. For more information on which is the right approach for you and how to proceed, please contact me, as this can be complicated. I am licensed in Michigan.
If you are involved with a charitable organization and would like us to talk to your donors about setting up a contribution plan, please let us know. Long term planned giving can be a real asset for a non-profit organization. Thinking about what The Ant would do, he was such a good planner, very likely he would have a contribution plan in place for his favorite non-profit groups. He would be The Generous Ant!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)