Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Order next year's promotional calendars in the fall

Calendars are an effective and inexpensive promotional tool for small businesses. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, are easy to customize and help market your company for 12 months. If you are planning to hand out promotional calendars next year, the best time to order them is the fall. Using this time frame will ensure that you have enough time to design the product, have it printed and hand it out to your customers.Choosing a promotional calendar
The main considerations to take into

Small Business Marketing Blog

Order next year's promotional calendars in the fall

Calendars are an effective and inexpensive promotional tool for small businesses. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, are easy to customize and help market your company for 12 months. If you are planning to hand out promotional calendars next year, the best time to order them is the fall. Using this time frame will ensure that you have enough time to design the product, have it printed and hand it out to your customers.Choosing a promotional calendar
The main considerations to take into

Small Business Marketing Blog

Monday, September 29, 2014

Thank your volunteers on Make A Difference Day

Oct. 25 is Make A Difference Day, when volunteers around the country work together to improve their community and the lives of others. According to the Make A Difference website, it's the most celebrated community service day in the U.S. and has millions of participants each year.Getting involved
Your company might already have a tradition for Make A Difference Day, but if it doesn't, this year is a great time to start one. You can organize your own event, like a community cleanup or

Small Business Marketing Blog

Welcome new employees with thoughtful gestures

The first day at a new job can be nerve-wracking for anyone. There's a lot to acclimate to: new office space, coworkers, policies and duties. As a boss, it's your job to make sure the candidate you hired adjusts to the workplace and feels comfortable. An employee who is welcomed by the staff will quickly become a valuable team member. To make sure new hires get a great first impression of the company, make their first few days meaningful with the following strategies.Make

Small Business Marketing Blog

Friday, September 26, 2014

How to organize the perfect church event

Whether your church is hosting a simple potluck dinner or a big annual carnival, there's a lot to do before the event. Efficient planning and time management are essential to organizing a great church event. Follow these steps to host an amazing church function that everyone will enjoy.Define objectives for the event
Before you make any phone calls or create fliers, sit down and create a list of goals for the event. These should include how many people you want to attend, how

Small Business Marketing Blog

Blast from the past: Decade-themed promotions for your small business

Everyone enjoys reminiscing about the past, whether they're sifting through old photo books or watching a movie from their favorite decade. Frequently, consumers enjoy purchasing items that remind them of their pasts, as these goods allow them to revel in the good times of yesteryear.  As you're prepping your next set of promotions, consider those that will allow your consumers to interact with elements from some of the most notable decades long gone. This type of marketing

Small Business Marketing Blog

Thursday, September 25, 2014

Make the most of marketing during football season

The Super Bowl is as well known for its commercials as it is for the sport. However, football season isn't just a great marketing opportunity for giant companies. Small businesses who get in on football mania can increase brand awareness through creative marketing.According to Think With Google, analytics show that the National Football League is more popular than professional baseball and basketball. It's not just popular with men though. Women make up approximately half of NFL fans.

Small Business Marketing Blog

4 tips for companies contributing to a wedding

Many companies contribute to the celebration of a new marriage - hotels, restaurants, florists, printers, salons and more. If your business is lucky enough to be part of a couple's big day, you'll want to make the best impression possible. Delivering above and beyond a bridal party's expectations will boost your brand's reputation and score you future referrals. In addition to your company's usual customer service practices, use these four tips to ensure the bride and

Small Business Marketing Blog

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

5 great ideas to celebrate National Boss Day

Oct. 16 is National Boss Day, so gather your coworkers together and plan a little surprise for your office's head honcho. It's a great opportunity to show your supervisors just how much you appreciate their guidance and leadership. The holiday, founded in 1958, was originally intended to foster better relationships between staff and their bosses, so it's also a good opportunity to get to know a manager you aren't on good terms with. Here are five great ideas for how you can

Small Business Marketing Blog

Blast from the past: Decade-themed promotions for your small business

Everyone enjoys reminiscing about the past, whether they're sifting through old photo books or watching a movie from their favorite decade. Frequently, consumers enjoy purchasing items that remind them of their pasts, as these goods allow them to revel in the good times of yesteryear.  As you're prepping your next set of promotions, consider those that will allow your consumers to interact with elements from some of the most notable decades long gone. This type of marketing

Small Business Marketing Blog

Monday, September 22, 2014

How to host a great giveaway during autumn

Hosting a small giveaway on social media is a great way to increase brand exposure and get customers engaged. They're easy to hold during the summer, because you can give away beach paraphernalia, or during the holidays, when you can offer gift certificates. However, make sure your business isn't neglecting the in-between season! It might require a little more creativity to hold an autumn giveaway, but if done correctly, it can really benefit your business.Before you launch a

Small Business Marketing Blog

Friday, September 19, 2014

Make a difference during Breast Cancer Awareness Month

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among American women. All women between the ages of 50 and 74 should have a screening mammogram every two years, but many women skip these important appointments. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the perfect time to remind your customers about the seriousness of this disease.Your small business can make a difference during Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a

Small Business Marketing Blog

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Unique business cards for every industry

Even as marketing shifts further into the digital arena, business cards are an important part of making a first impression. Having a unique or interesting card is a great way to make your company stand out from competitors. However, this doesn't mean you have to spend a lot of money to have cards printed on fancy paper or designed by a professional. Just make sure that your business cards are appealing, convenient and reflective of your company.Entrepreneur magazine suggested that an

Small Business Marketing Blog

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Build company awareness with branded merchandise

A small business that is out of sight will end up out of a customer's mind. When developing a marketing strategy, it's important to keep your brand name in front of your target market. There are a lot of different ways to accomplish this - whether it's with billboards, radio spots, bumper stickers or sponsorships. However, these outlets can be expensive and many consumers tune them out after a few sightings. If you want to build brand awareness for your small business, consider a

Small Business Marketing Blog

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Thank your IT specialists on National Techie Day

Make sure your tech-savvy employees don't just hear from you when the internet crashes! Oct. 3, 2014, is National Techie Day and the perfect time to show your information technology specialists how much you appreciate their hard work. A study from Bersin and Associates showed that personal recognition goes a long way toward motivating employees and keeping everyone engaged in the workplace. Plus, without your technical staff, the email system would always be crashing and the website would

Small Business Marketing Blog

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Celebrate autumn with themed marketing events

As the air gets cooler, kids return to school and fresh apples appear at farm stands, it's time to wrap up summer promotions and transition into an autumn state of mind. Fall is many people's favorite season for its delicious foods, cozy attire and fun celebrations. As a small business owner, you can capitalize on the seasonal joy by planning a fall-themed marketing event. Hosting an event that highlights customers' favorite activities is a great way to build brand recognition

Small Business Marketing Blog

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Essential products for a successful open house

Whether you've been in the real estate industry for years or are just starting out, chances are that you get a little stressed when you have a big open house. There are so many things to take care of - getting the owners out of the house, staging the furniture, printing brochures and more. In your rush, you might overlook certain details that can make a big difference to potential buyers, so make sure to have these essential items on hand whenever you host an open house.Sign-in sheet
There

Small Business Marketing Blog

Essential products for a successful open house

Whether you've been in the real estate industry for years or are just starting out, chances are that you get a little stressed when you have a big open house. There are so many things to take care of - getting the owners out of the house, staging the furniture, printing brochures and more. In your rush, you might overlook certain details that can make a big difference to potential buyers, so make sure to have these essential items on hand whenever you host an open house.Sign-in sheet
There

Small Business Marketing Blog

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

5 ideas for an amazing raffle basket

As a small business, you may be asked by local organizations to donate a basket for a raffle. Supporting a good cause is always a great way to build brand knowledge, and you should strategically create the bundle you donate. Use these tips to put together a sought-after raffle basket that reflects well on your business and supplements your marketing efforts.According an informational article by Relay for Life, people are more likely to bid on baskets with a specific theme, rather than just

Small Business Marketing Blog

Monday, September 8, 2014

How to make your booth stand out at a trade show

Trade shows are fantastic opportunities for businesses to gain exposure and show their products to a wide array of potential customers. However, in a sea of booths, your display might get overlooked if it's too drab. To make the most of a trade show, your company's booth needs to stand out and seem interesting to the crowd. Here are some tips on designing a trade show booth that attendees will be sure to stop at.Invest in the best graphics
The backdrop of a trade show booth is the

Small Business Marketing Blog

Friday, September 5, 2014

Creative email marketing can increase brand awareness

Communication with new and existing clients is crucial to the success of a small business. Companies need to be engaging and stay in touch with patrons to ensure repeat business. Email marketing may often take a back seat to social media, but a creative email campaign can help to increase brand awareness and keep customers interested.The American City Business Journals explained that the three best practices to get people engaged with email marketing are to keep a subscription list, send

Small Business Marketing Blog

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Promotional products that foodies will eat up

If your company is catering to a culinary crowd, skip the keychains and give them what they really want: food. People everywhere rejoice at the prospect of free snacks, making edible gifts the perfect promotional products.For the snackers
Around 2 p.m., office workers start searching for a snack to get them through the day. If your company chooses to distribute edible promotional products, you can reach snackers everywhere. To satisfy all the sweet tooths out there, the Classic Tin of Butter

Small Business Marketing Blog

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Cater to bargain hunters during National Coupon Month

With all the back-to-school shopping to be done, it makes sense that September is National Coupon Month. Families are hunting for great deals on pens and pencils and college freshmen are decorating their dorms, so it's the perfect time for business to offer deals to entice bargain hunters.According to Daily Finance, 89 percent of consumers clip coupons for groceries, household and healthcare items. This money-saving habit has been around since 1909, when the first ever coupon was

Small Business Marketing Blog