My friend Dottie can
precisely predict her sales peaks and plummets accurately...and no,
she's not into fortune telling. Experience has proven that March,
April, and May will bring a lot of money to her account, while
September and January will put her in the slumps
Sound familiar? Have
you too been caught in the vicious cycle of high and low sales
volumes? Why? Most of us tend to advertise heavily while things are
slow - in a desperate attempt to get customers through the door, but
back off when things are hopping.
If you're looking for
an even-keeled market, develop a steady marketing plan. Steady
advertising produces steady growth...and steadily climbing profits!
2. Single Shot Advertising
One shot ads, rarely
get results. Most customers are just like you, they don't jump on the
band wagon the first time it passes by. They often need to see your
sales material several times before they actually make the move to
walk through the doors.
Follow-ups are
necessary for success. We're not just talking about prospective
customers now...even your loyal customers need to be cultivated for
sales. How many times have you thought about making a purchase, but
just never followed through with it? Sure, we all do it. Sometimes
it takes a little pressure to get us to part with our hard-earned
money. Make it a point to spend time building relationships with both
new customers and your faithful following.
3. MonkeySee, Monkey Do Advertising
How many times have
you seen the same advertisement ideas written with just a little
different twist? If you're surfing the Web you've come across plenty
of the aped ads! Yeah, you can predict what the next paragraph will
cover, because you've seen it so many other places.
Sure, copy cat ads
can be effective for a little while, but the results will quickly die
down as others join in the copy mania. If you're looking for REAL and
LASTING results, be original. Do what only you can do, forget about
what everyone else is doing. Be you. When a competitor does have a
good idea, improve on it. Don't follow in his footsteps...step out
and lead the way to more effective advertisements.
4. Wild Shot Advertising
Ready, aim...yeah aim
before you advertise! Don't be caught up in wild advertising that
gets your message in front of a lot of people who have absolutely no
interest in your product or service.
Target your
market...and get better results for your investment. Finding the
target market that has a specific need you can fulfill takes a little
time and research, but you'll feel the effects when you hit the
bullseye!
Think about
this...there are advertising venues that your competition is
overlooking. What about postcards? These high impact marketing tools
are often overlooked. Yet, they're the perfect low-cost way to
generate prospective customer interest. Keep an eye open for
overlooked marketing gems, and get one up on your competition!
5. Me, Me Advertising
What is it that
consumers are looking for? ...Exactly, something that is going to
benefit them. They really aren't interested in the facts about your
product...they want to know how it will impact their life or
lifestyle.
Take a look at your ad
copy, and ask yourself what are you portraying...facts or benefits.
Multi Level Marketers have this all figured out. Rather than tell you
they have a business to offer, they spend a lot of time promising you
freedom to work your own hours, countless vacations, summer homes and
a host of other things you've probably already dreamed about at some
point. Hey, don't knock it...the MLM industry is a steadily growing
element in our economy.
Don't bore your
readers with the facts...attract them with exciting elements that will
fulfill their needs or desires.
Are you getting the results you've been looking
for? Take another look at your marketing strategy...are you making
the same mistakes many marketers unknowingly make. Hey, real success
may only be one change away!
Who is Allyn
Cutts, and why should you care?
Allyn has spent over
24 years helping businesses like yours find new customers and increase
sales to current customers. Allyn is a marketing and sales fanatic,
providing measurable marketing solutions that drive huge results for
small-to mid-size business clients. Allyn works personally with
clients to design and deliver off-line and on-line direct marketing
strategies that focus on metrics and measurable results. You can learn
more about Allyn Cutts at
www.AllynCutts.com and you can call 610.437.4106 between 10 AM and
4 PM Eastern Time Tuesdays and Thursdays.
