Advertising does work. The truth is anyone can advertise their business. But very few can do it effectively.
For example, have you ever noticed the Garage Sale signs in neighborhoods? What causes more traffic to go to one sale vs another? Some may be a ripped up weathered cardboard box on a stake with a felt tip marker that says, "GARAGE SALE" with the address and time underneath the heading. Maybe with an arrow to show direction. Next you see at a major intersection or high traffic areas there are a series of staked large bright orange or green neon signs which say in super-thick lettering Garage Sale or Moving Sale with details underneath. Most likely the brightly colored backdrops will attract more attention.
The key to its effectiveness is to put a lot of thought into the planning of your advertising to make sure it is going to be effective as possible. Remember, advertising is a business tool that can be used to attract more customers and ultimately make your business more profitable. Plan your advertising well, be prepared to try new ideas and work at making your advertising stand out from the crowd and you will be well on the way to success.
Have a fabulous day!
Adrienne
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Thursday, November 26, 2009
An Artist Named Jeff Sanson
True artists and illustrators are hard to find these days. But I was blessed to meet one who has a phenomenal talent in creating quality illustrations from the conceptualization stage to final art that can compel, educate, and attract viewers.
His name is Jeff Sanson. He has illustrated items on packaging for retail and food industry to technical dynamic drawings for the oil and gas industry.
His technique is his own and a trade secret. He has a fierce attention to detail. Check out his website that features his portfolio at http://jeffsanson.com/.
Jeff Sanson is a good guy to have at your fingertips to be able to produce quality artwork. Definitely down to earth, modest and humble. Jeff Sanson is definitely a pleasure to work with and gives a wow factor to any piece generated with his style.
His name is Jeff Sanson. He has illustrated items on packaging for retail and food industry to technical dynamic drawings for the oil and gas industry.
His technique is his own and a trade secret. He has a fierce attention to detail. Check out his website that features his portfolio at http://jeffsanson.com/.
Jeff Sanson is a good guy to have at your fingertips to be able to produce quality artwork. Definitely down to earth, modest and humble. Jeff Sanson is definitely a pleasure to work with and gives a wow factor to any piece generated with his style.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Things to know before you sign a Radio Contract
It is best to have a designated advertising agency to plan, negotiate, book and audit media on a client's behalf.
Unfortunately, there is a lot of account executives that work for radio stations that will give you a nice pretty presentation that will give you the impression that RADIO is going to give you the best investment. They will attempt to convince you to believe in numbers that have been reported. Be aware because you don't want your campaign to be a hemorrhage pain to your advertising budget.
I have seen first hand that they will use their many years of experience to give them a cloute.
SIGNS to know if you have a bad account executive:
1) They offer to represent you on your behalf even to other radio competitors.
2) Your company name and/or representative's name is misspelled on all documents including the radio station's website's advertising directory links.
3) You have to sign a second contract because the first one was "misplaced".
4) When other stations that allegedly had contracts signed are calling to set up an appointment directly with you to get the facts straight.
5) You notice a lot of late AM spots after Midnight on your schedule.
6) You don't receive a weekly spot schedule BEFORE they are aired.
7) You have TWO remotes appear on the same night when it was clearly scheduled separately.
8) You don't receive air checks in a reasonable time frame or EVER when requested and are told that everything will be delivered 10 days after the campaign.
9) You can't seem to reach them by phone. But are prompt and attentive to take your money.
10) The ROI that was originally hoped for goes to the wind when you compare the web analytic reports and point of sale purchases.
I have a laundry list of shocking dumb moves account executives have attempted on clients.
There are 3 account executives that I have worked with that I would recommend. Alan Kent (Clearchannel's 94.5 the Buzz), Michael Cody (CBS Radio's Hot 95.7) and Luis Hernandez (Liberman's 107.9 XO). These fine gentlemen represent 3 different markets but each of them have integrity. They all have a fun-loving attitude and they will definitely be involved in your campaign from the beginning to the end.
Have a fabulous day!
Adrienne
Unfortunately, there is a lot of account executives that work for radio stations that will give you a nice pretty presentation that will give you the impression that RADIO is going to give you the best investment. They will attempt to convince you to believe in numbers that have been reported. Be aware because you don't want your campaign to be a hemorrhage pain to your advertising budget.
I have seen first hand that they will use their many years of experience to give them a cloute.
SIGNS to know if you have a bad account executive:
1) They offer to represent you on your behalf even to other radio competitors.
2) Your company name and/or representative's name is misspelled on all documents including the radio station's website's advertising directory links.
3) You have to sign a second contract because the first one was "misplaced".
4) When other stations that allegedly had contracts signed are calling to set up an appointment directly with you to get the facts straight.
5) You notice a lot of late AM spots after Midnight on your schedule.
6) You don't receive a weekly spot schedule BEFORE they are aired.
7) You have TWO remotes appear on the same night when it was clearly scheduled separately.
8) You don't receive air checks in a reasonable time frame or EVER when requested and are told that everything will be delivered 10 days after the campaign.
9) You can't seem to reach them by phone. But are prompt and attentive to take your money.
10) The ROI that was originally hoped for goes to the wind when you compare the web analytic reports and point of sale purchases.
I have a laundry list of shocking dumb moves account executives have attempted on clients.
There are 3 account executives that I have worked with that I would recommend. Alan Kent (Clearchannel's 94.5 the Buzz), Michael Cody (CBS Radio's Hot 95.7) and Luis Hernandez (Liberman's 107.9 XO). These fine gentlemen represent 3 different markets but each of them have integrity. They all have a fun-loving attitude and they will definitely be involved in your campaign from the beginning to the end.
Have a fabulous day!
Adrienne
Is Social Marketing considered valuable?
What is SOCIAL MARKETING?
Facebook, MySpace, eBlasts, Blogs, Blogging, YouTube
Basically it is another form of brand awareness. A way to reach a target market that may be interested in your product and/or service. These outlets will allow consumer interaction. Similar to results of word-of-mouth that can be contagious.
It is a great way to interact with your consumer or new relationships.
To have a website is just the beginning. A website is such a valuable asset these days, but you have to do more than just have a page up. Your website should be your voice, a showcase and a wealth of information. It is important to understand that you will eventually have to do something to promote your business. Social Marketing, Web Marketing and Internet Marketing are the most affordable compared to traditional forms of advertising. It is true. You have to stay ahead of the curve, be unconventional and find a way to be different to reach your target.
I love to talk about people and businesses! One of my duties at times is to write press releases and send it out to various media organizations. But sometimes there is such a long wait for a response, or to hear back if they agree to publish your story. So, one day I just started blogging on various media sites, published FREE press releases on some public sites, emailed all of the editors that I could get my hands on and then one day we started noticing the press releases published. The reason why is because we took the initiative to use unconventional methods that it sparked an interest.
Having your information on various blogging sites or having a keyword pertaining to your unique business to lead back to you; like a cookie trail is a very good thing.
Is it time consuming yes? Is it affordable? Yes. Is it valuable? ABSOLUTELY.
The only person that will really be your cheerleader are the ones who will value your relationship and business. They are the ones who will put the effort to get on a soapbox and rave about you.
I hope that you find the best soapbox. They are definitely out there.
Facebook, MySpace, eBlasts, Blogs, Blogging, YouTube
Basically it is another form of brand awareness. A way to reach a target market that may be interested in your product and/or service. These outlets will allow consumer interaction. Similar to results of word-of-mouth that can be contagious.
It is a great way to interact with your consumer or new relationships.
To have a website is just the beginning. A website is such a valuable asset these days, but you have to do more than just have a page up. Your website should be your voice, a showcase and a wealth of information. It is important to understand that you will eventually have to do something to promote your business. Social Marketing, Web Marketing and Internet Marketing are the most affordable compared to traditional forms of advertising. It is true. You have to stay ahead of the curve, be unconventional and find a way to be different to reach your target.
I love to talk about people and businesses! One of my duties at times is to write press releases and send it out to various media organizations. But sometimes there is such a long wait for a response, or to hear back if they agree to publish your story. So, one day I just started blogging on various media sites, published FREE press releases on some public sites, emailed all of the editors that I could get my hands on and then one day we started noticing the press releases published. The reason why is because we took the initiative to use unconventional methods that it sparked an interest.
Having your information on various blogging sites or having a keyword pertaining to your unique business to lead back to you; like a cookie trail is a very good thing.
Is it time consuming yes? Is it affordable? Yes. Is it valuable? ABSOLUTELY.
The only person that will really be your cheerleader are the ones who will value your relationship and business. They are the ones who will put the effort to get on a soapbox and rave about you.
I hope that you find the best soapbox. They are definitely out there.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Hatching a Fresh New Look
Currently, I am redesigning the I-SYTES website. The revamp will feature case studies, video testimonies and projects that we have produced for our clients in the past years. The one big thing that is going to be a change for the better is to use Google approved forms of web marketing. Like Blogger.
On the Blog I will try to update it with all sorts of tidbits of things that I face in the Advertising Market. I will definitely share juicy betrayals and office soaps to enlighten and hopefully help you to avoid certain follies. Or you just might get a good laugh. Either way, I am looking forward to my November release of the website.
Have a fabulous day!
Adrienne
On the Blog I will try to update it with all sorts of tidbits of things that I face in the Advertising Market. I will definitely share juicy betrayals and office soaps to enlighten and hopefully help you to avoid certain follies. Or you just might get a good laugh. Either way, I am looking forward to my November release of the website.
Have a fabulous day!
Adrienne
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
