Gateway Gazette Marketing How-To's

So what helps advertising to work?

2012-01-31T17:02:00.001-07:00

There are a number of factors that will help make your advertising more effective, there are also several variables that you should keep an eye on along the way. However, there are a few key ingredients that will have a bigger, more immediate impact. First, customers are looking for relevance & credibility. We are inundated with thousands of advertising messages every day. Therefore the

Why is everyone a marketing expert?

2012-01-30T09:56:00.001-07:00

After reading this week's Monday Morning Memo that I receive from Roy Williams of the Academy of Wizards I can't help but marvel at the mindset of countless business owners. Why is it that a business owner who is an expert in their particular industry feels that they are also an expert in marketing - despite their lack of expertise? It never ceases to amaze me how many times I have

The Advertising Budget

2011-05-30T00:01:00.002-06:00

This is a tricky one and honestly, there are a few ideas out there on how to best determine your advertising budget. Frankly, at the end of the day you can’t spend what you don’t have, however, if you’ve planned correctly and/or are in the process of starting up a business, then you need to have enough working capital put aside to get you through, this includes your advertising budget. The

Don't get lost

2011-05-23T23:01:00.000-06:00

Today I find myself contemplating the erroneous and irresponsible way many businesses approach their marketing. It’s scary and even scarier is the number of small businesses who take a hap-hazard approach when at the end of the day they simply do not have the advertising budget to throw away like that. For every business, but small businesses in particular, it is imperative

To consult or not… that is the question!

2011-05-16T02:59:00.001-06:00

Periodically there is a surge of popularity in hiring on “Business Consultants”. It would appear the trend is on again, as in the last 2 weeks I have had several people reference to me the fact that they are planning to work with a Business Consultant. Whenever someone makes this comment I involuntarily cringe. In truth, it’s an unfair reaction. It’s much like saying because Lawyers in

Quote

2011-05-10T09:00:00.001-06:00

"The talent of success is nothing more than doing what you can do well, and doing well whatever you do without thought of fame. If it comes at all it will come because it is deserved, not because it is sought after." ~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow ~

The importance of your front line

2011-05-08T23:31:00.001-06:00

I’m going to touch on a bit of a different topic today that many businesses often over look when they think in terms of their marketing. This idea was spurred a bit by my last article with reference to choosing the right person to attend Trade Shows on behalf of your business. This addresses staffing. Many businesses think of their staff more in terms of their experience/

Happy Mother's Day

2011-05-08T09:00:00.001-06:00

Who ran to help me when I fell, And would some pretty story tell, Or kiss the place to make it well? My mother. ~Ann Taylor

Quote

2011-05-03T09:00:00.000-06:00

“We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give." ~ Winston Churchill ~

Trade Shows - worth it or not?

2011-05-02T01:49:00.002-06:00

This weekend I managed to find some time to stop by the Okotoks Trade Show. It was great to see such a terrific turn out by both the public and businesses and with so many professionally presented booths too! Although I didn't have time to speak with every business, the ones I did speak with offered some very positive feedback - which is great to hear! Personally, I think

Quote

2011-04-28T09:00:00.001-06:00

"The early bird gets the worm, But the second mouse gets the cheese!" ~Unknown~

Serious Marketers Package

2011-04-26T09:00:00.003-06:00

You understand that you need to advertise. You understand that consistent frequency is of prime importance. But you have a set budget and you're stuck with it. NO PROBLEM!Advertise for the whole year and stick to your budget!Your ad included in all 25 editions! 4 larger ads to schedule! Full colour to grab attention! Directly reach 54,000 homes - that's over 120,000 consumers! Enjoy the power

How do I fix my bottom-line?

2011-04-25T01:55:00.002-06:00

I hope everyone managed to find some quiet time this weekend to spend with their family – whether Easter is an occasion you personally celebrate or not, the long weekends are always a great excuse to step away from our businesses and put in a little concentrated family time to rejuvenate. Personally I find that a break away from directly thinking about my business and my clients’ businesses

What are the ingredients of an effective ad?

2011-04-17T23:59:00.001-06:00

There really is no question that print media absolutely MUST take its place in your marketing plans. To overlook print media as one of your marketing mediums would be like trying to operate as a “we accept cash only” business in today’s world of plastic and credit. It’s simply not realistic if you want to grow your business. If your market reach happens to be the south end of

The dawning of a new era . . .

2011-04-10T23:59:00.003-06:00

Are you REALLY in the export business? Hoping to draw customers from all around the globe? If you’re like most small, local businesses – no you’re not. So that leads to the question “Is SEO (search engine optimization) really the thing that should be the larger focus of your marketing budget and/or time?” Roughly 77.7% of Canadians are tapped in “online”, 81.7% of

Are you working "ON" your business?

2011-04-04T01:30:00.004-06:00

As a business owner myself, I am more than aware of how precious time is, but there are certain things that you simply MUST make time for. The obvious are yourself and your family. This is a point that is driven into everyone day in and day out. We see it on TV, in magazines, in newspapers, hear it on radios…. “If you don’t take care of yourself, you’re not going to be in any position to take

Is Advertising Scalable?

2011-03-27T23:59:00.000-06:00

Most people believe advertising is scalable. These people are right. And they are wrong. SCALABILITY: How well a solution to some problem will work when the size of the problem increases. Egg-zample: The small-scale solution: you want 24 eggs per week and you have 6 chickens, therefore you need each chicken to produce 4 eggs per week... This solution is scalable simply because on a larger

How “good” is your website ACTUALLY performing?

2011-03-20T23:59:00.000-06:00