Visit Banner Ups #2072 and Visual Communications Group #2250 in Orlando! We'll see you at ISA Sign Expo in less than 2 weeks.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Forget Grommets & Make Stronger Banners Instantly!
Check out another great offer from a trusted manufacturer on the VCG Network! Banner Ups products eliminate the hassle and cost of traditional grommets. Banner Ups invites you to try out their great product now! Request your free sample today by clicking here.
Visit Banner Ups #2072 and Visual Communications Group #2250 in Orlando! We'll see you at ISA Sign Expo in less than 2 weeks.
Visit Banner Ups #2072 and Visual Communications Group #2250 in Orlando! We'll see you at ISA Sign Expo in less than 2 weeks.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Faith Based Advertising
In re-reading that recent small business advertising report from WebVisible, Inc., (summarized here: http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Midmarket/Small-Business-Search-Spending-Rises-Report-Finds-140656/), another thing struck me. The report states that “conversions are predominantly calls…”.
Darn.
The wonderful world of the world wide web, (would that be wwwww.?), was supposed to make everything so nicely compartmentalized and uber-trackable - this customer came as a result of this bit of advertising money, etc. etc. – right down to the last customer / penny. The days of not knowing which half of your advertising dollars were wasted were to be a thing of the past. But as it turns out, customers still like to pick up the phone and just call, and even if you ask them how they found you, darn them… most of the time they can’t remember, or they just blurt out something ambiguous like “the Internet” (which, as it turns out, is a pretty big place). And I’m not even going to speak of those customers that have the nerve to just show up at your shop instead of sending you a very source-traceable email request like they’re “supposed” to.
So, what’s an advertiser to do? Well, if I had to choose between more customers or knowing where every single one of my customers came from, I think I’d go with more customers. I’d say track everything you can but continue to give the potential customer as many ways to find and contact you as possible, even if some of them are less trackable than others.
Darn.
The wonderful world of the world wide web, (would that be wwwww.?), was supposed to make everything so nicely compartmentalized and uber-trackable - this customer came as a result of this bit of advertising money, etc. etc. – right down to the last customer / penny. The days of not knowing which half of your advertising dollars were wasted were to be a thing of the past. But as it turns out, customers still like to pick up the phone and just call, and even if you ask them how they found you, darn them… most of the time they can’t remember, or they just blurt out something ambiguous like “the Internet” (which, as it turns out, is a pretty big place). And I’m not even going to speak of those customers that have the nerve to just show up at your shop instead of sending you a very source-traceable email request like they’re “supposed” to.
So, what’s an advertiser to do? Well, if I had to choose between more customers or knowing where every single one of my customers came from, I think I’d go with more customers. I’d say track everything you can but continue to give the potential customer as many ways to find and contact you as possible, even if some of them are less trackable than others.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
2 Weeks Left Until ISA Sign Expo!
There are only two weeks left until the ISA Sign Expo in Orlando. Don't miss out the industry trade show of the year. Register through VCG and receive complimentary trade show registration and get a chance to instantly win a $500 Pointe Orlando Gift Card!
Go to http://www.madeyoulook2010.com to register now!
Come visit our booth #2250!
Go to http://www.madeyoulook2010.com to register now!
Come visit our booth #2250!
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Of Dew Worms and Advertising
A new report from WebVisible, Inc., (summarized here: http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Midmarket/Small-Business-Search-Spending-Rises-Report-Finds-140656/), found that small businesses surveyed spent 30% more on search advertising in the fourth quarter of 2009 vs. the third quarter of 2009, and 111% more than in the fourth quarter of 2008. This, I suppose, could be interpreted as either a sign that economic recovery is taking hold, or, that businesses are realizing that they’re going to have to “spend” their way out of the downtimes via advertising – responsibly of course.
I’m kind of a linear thinker…
But of course, as much as I wish I’d just coined that phrase, we all already knew that to be true.
I guess what’s surprising is how often it seems that we all think that for some reason we’ll be fine just going it alone. Yes, others need to advertise, but somehow we’ll be the exception. Somehow customers will magically find us because somehow we’re better, smarter, more deserving, etc. etc. Finding, allocating, and spending those advertising dollars is like, well… “stuffing dew worms up a dog’s nose”, (unfortunately I didn’t coin that one either) – it’s tough. (And I deliberately use the terms “we” and “us” as I have lived through my own non-advertising delusional episode with a small business attempt of my wife’s where I discovered a rather direct correlation between a lack of advertising and a lack of business.)
According to the report, the average small business advertiser spent $2,149 on search advertising in the fourth quarter of 2009. Let’s see… $2,149 per quarter times 4 quarters per year = $8,596 a year. Yikes. That sure sounds like a lot of money to me. I think that’s because it is a lot of money to me. But, if you can somehow muster up the courage to open your wallet, the nice thing about advertising is that, as long as it’s done responsibly and it continues to provide sufficient return, it “pays for itself”.
To wrap this up with yet another un-original cliché, (is there such a thing as an original cliché?), all things considered, with advertising you typically “get what you pay for”. Or, as my own sad personal case study would suggest, you don’t get what you don’t pay for.
I’m kind of a linear thinker…
- To gain business, (aka make money), one needs to advertise… somehow, somewhere.
- To advertise, one needs to spend money (in varying degrees for sure, but even if it’s through word of mouth it’s because you’ve taken the time to do a good job, which has a cost associated with it).
- Therefore, “to make money one needs to spend money”.
But of course, as much as I wish I’d just coined that phrase, we all already knew that to be true.
I guess what’s surprising is how often it seems that we all think that for some reason we’ll be fine just going it alone. Yes, others need to advertise, but somehow we’ll be the exception. Somehow customers will magically find us because somehow we’re better, smarter, more deserving, etc. etc. Finding, allocating, and spending those advertising dollars is like, well… “stuffing dew worms up a dog’s nose”, (unfortunately I didn’t coin that one either) – it’s tough. (And I deliberately use the terms “we” and “us” as I have lived through my own non-advertising delusional episode with a small business attempt of my wife’s where I discovered a rather direct correlation between a lack of advertising and a lack of business.)
According to the report, the average small business advertiser spent $2,149 on search advertising in the fourth quarter of 2009. Let’s see… $2,149 per quarter times 4 quarters per year = $8,596 a year. Yikes. That sure sounds like a lot of money to me. I think that’s because it is a lot of money to me. But, if you can somehow muster up the courage to open your wallet, the nice thing about advertising is that, as long as it’s done responsibly and it continues to provide sufficient return, it “pays for itself”.
To wrap this up with yet another un-original cliché, (is there such a thing as an original cliché?), all things considered, with advertising you typically “get what you pay for”. Or, as my own sad personal case study would suggest, you don’t get what you don’t pay for.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Gerber Scientific Products announces their 2010 Gerber EDGE Roadshow schedule
Gerber Scientific Products has announced its 2010 summer tour schedule and will be offering free seminars in 23 locations across the country. This traveling seminar is geared toward teaching users how to expand their sales and improve margins.
Gerber Scientific Products is also offering $1000 in free goods for each attending company!
Read More!
See tour locations & sign up now!
Gerber Scientific Products is also offering $1000 in free goods for each attending company!
Read More!
See tour locations & sign up now!
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Free Shipping on Solo - Cold Laminators
Get Free Shipping* on Solo - Cold Laminators!
Solo - Cold Laminator
• Makes laminating a one person operation
• Costs thousands less than competitive models
• Great for laminating wraps, signage, photos
• Mount prints to boards in seconds
• Made in the U.S.A.
Limited time only! Must call and use offer code SS15 by April 15!
To find a dealer near you call (800) 645-3323
or E-mail: info@daige.com
*To qualify, you must order a Solo from an authorized Daige dealer or Daige.
Solo - Cold Laminator
• Makes laminating a one person operation
• Costs thousands less than competitive models
• Great for laminating wraps, signage, photos
• Mount prints to boards in seconds
• Made in the U.S.A.
Limited time only! Must call and use offer code SS15 by April 15!
To find a dealer near you call (800) 645-3323
or E-mail: info@daige.com
*To qualify, you must order a Solo from an authorized Daige dealer or Daige.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Amazing New Fabric Print Process
AAA Flag & Banner announces a new state-of-the-art fabric print process and 20% off your first order.
Chemical Rinse & Steam Fixation Process
* Removes harsh chemicals for safe handling· Eliminates excess inks
* Ensures colors won’t run
* Outdoor durable inks
* Starting at $3.00 per square foot
For a limited time, get 20% off your first order!
Chemical Rinse & Steam Fixation Process
* Removes harsh chemicals for safe handling· Eliminates excess inks
* Ensures colors won’t run
* Outdoor durable inks
* Starting at $3.00 per square foot
For a limited time, get 20% off your first order!
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