You are a F
Those words were scrawled in what looked like red crayon across the top of a business size envelope addressed to my son. There was no return address or any other print.
I was stunned. I thought, Man, he sure has ticked someone off.
I held the letter up to the light and saw that red scrawl across the top of the letter. Curious, I opened the envelope (I obtained permission) and found a continuation of the note on the letter:
ew moments away... from discovering your new career.
Turns out it was a letter from a nearby aviation institute stating: You are a Few moments away from discovering your new career.
Initially I thought, How low can they get? What a crude and rude advertising ploy.
On the other hand, I'm somewhat impressed. The wording definitely aroused my interest and made me want to open that envelope immediately. How often can you say that about other mail except checks? And maybe I had my head in the gutter with my first thoughts that the "F" stood for profanity.
What do you think? Is this type of advertising appropriate for a vocational school appealing primarily to young males?
Post your thoughts here, or if you're a Linkedin member, feel free to answer here:
http://www.linkedin.com/answers/marketing-sales/advertising-promotion/direct-marketing/MAR_ADP_DMA/279568-13935827?goback=%2Eait%2Eahp
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Writer asks how to promote teleseminar
Recently a writer asked for advice on simple marketing ideas to promote a client's upcoming teleseminar. Marketing is not part of this writer's expertise so she wanted some concrete tasks and ideas she could deliver as part of a successful marketing campaign. The writer has firsthand knowledge of her client's expertise as she attended a course given by her client and liked it.
With your professional writing and research skills, you should be able to pull off this campaign even if marketing isn’t your niche. Here are a few simple marketing ideas. I hope you find them helpful.
1. If you haven’t done so already, create a web page to promote this event. Use testimonials and craft benefit-laden copy that compels site visitors to sign up on the spot for this teleseminar. Make them believe they can’t live without the knowledge they’ll acquire. (I’m assuming target audience is computer savvy. If not, you’ll have to determine other ways for them to sign up).
Here are a few samples of how others promote their teleseminars and online courses:
http://thebabyboomerentrepreneur.com/freeteleseminar/
http://www.red-hot-copy.com/rhcbootcamp.htm
http://www.yudkin.com/seminars.htm
http://www.clientmagnets.com/previewcalls/
2. Promote, promote, promote!
Use snail mail and email to promote this event to your client’s past course attendees and anyone else on her mailing list. I’d send a simple postcard announcing the teleseminar and follow up with weekly emails. Direct readers to the website.
Write a feature article (or several with different slants) based upon your experience in the class and submit to appropriate media outlets. Include blurb announcing upcoming teleseminar along with website link and/or contact information.
Craft a press release and/or tip sheet that promotes your client’s topic and event. Use an online distribution service as well as a distribution list you’ve cultivated. Don’t forget to include local media, chamber of commerce and any organizations client belongs to.
Write a series of short articles covering different aspects your client will cover in the teleseminar. Again, include blurb announcing upcoming teleseminar along with website link and/or contact information. Use these shorts to drum up interest and drive traffic to her website by posting them on her website and/or blog. Also distribute them to online sites seeking free expert content as well as traditional media sources.
Seek out event calendars in traditional media as well as online sources and post teleseminar details. I believe Facebook allows you to promote events. Business sections of newspapers always list upcoming seminars and events.
Seek out speaking opportunities for your client to demonstrate her expertise prior to the teleseminar. Speaking engagements can include a presentation at local chamber meeting or an interview broadcast over the radio, television or via internet. Many show hosts are always looking for guest speakers. If audiences like what your client has to say, they’ll look her up online and sign up for the teleseminar. Don’t forget to send out press releases promoting these speaking engagements as well. (I like to send out press releases before and after an event.
Encourage your client to join online forums that appeal to her target market and become a valuable member by providing helpful answers. While the answers should never be blatant self-promotion, she can include a link to her website in her signature line.
In fact, any emails she sends out from now on should include a signature line promoting her website and forthcoming teleseminar.
Paid advertisements in traditional media as well as online newsletters, etc. might pay off.
These two sites were passed on to me as resources for hosting teleseminars. I've never used them, but you might find them helpful. them.
http://www.blackandwhitecom.com/
http://www.freeconference.com/
With your professional writing and research skills, you should be able to pull off this campaign even if marketing isn’t your niche. Here are a few simple marketing ideas. I hope you find them helpful.
1. If you haven’t done so already, create a web page to promote this event. Use testimonials and craft benefit-laden copy that compels site visitors to sign up on the spot for this teleseminar. Make them believe they can’t live without the knowledge they’ll acquire. (I’m assuming target audience is computer savvy. If not, you’ll have to determine other ways for them to sign up).
Here are a few samples of how others promote their teleseminars and online courses:
http://thebabyboomerentrepreneur.com/freeteleseminar/
http://www.red-hot-copy.com/rhcbootcamp.htm
http://www.yudkin.com/seminars.htm
http://www.clientmagnets.com/previewcalls/
2. Promote, promote, promote!
Use snail mail and email to promote this event to your client’s past course attendees and anyone else on her mailing list. I’d send a simple postcard announcing the teleseminar and follow up with weekly emails. Direct readers to the website.
Write a feature article (or several with different slants) based upon your experience in the class and submit to appropriate media outlets. Include blurb announcing upcoming teleseminar along with website link and/or contact information.
Craft a press release and/or tip sheet that promotes your client’s topic and event. Use an online distribution service as well as a distribution list you’ve cultivated. Don’t forget to include local media, chamber of commerce and any organizations client belongs to.
Write a series of short articles covering different aspects your client will cover in the teleseminar. Again, include blurb announcing upcoming teleseminar along with website link and/or contact information. Use these shorts to drum up interest and drive traffic to her website by posting them on her website and/or blog. Also distribute them to online sites seeking free expert content as well as traditional media sources.
Seek out event calendars in traditional media as well as online sources and post teleseminar details. I believe Facebook allows you to promote events. Business sections of newspapers always list upcoming seminars and events.
Seek out speaking opportunities for your client to demonstrate her expertise prior to the teleseminar. Speaking engagements can include a presentation at local chamber meeting or an interview broadcast over the radio, television or via internet. Many show hosts are always looking for guest speakers. If audiences like what your client has to say, they’ll look her up online and sign up for the teleseminar. Don’t forget to send out press releases promoting these speaking engagements as well. (I like to send out press releases before and after an event.
Encourage your client to join online forums that appeal to her target market and become a valuable member by providing helpful answers. While the answers should never be blatant self-promotion, she can include a link to her website in her signature line.
In fact, any emails she sends out from now on should include a signature line promoting her website and forthcoming teleseminar.
Paid advertisements in traditional media as well as online newsletters, etc. might pay off.
These two sites were passed on to me as resources for hosting teleseminars. I've never used them, but you might find them helpful. them.
http://www.blackandwhitecom.com/
http://www.freeconference.com/
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Seeking social networking success stories to publish in upcoming eZine
Have you used social networking sites to successfully boost your business? If so, I'd like to interview you for an article in my upcoming eZine. Questions are listed below. Just email me the answers. Disclaimer: By answering, you're granting permission to quote you in my article.
Have social network sites such as Linkedin, Facebook, etc. been a benefit to your business? If so, how?
Has your participation with these sites landed you customers, increased your revenue, raised your business profile, built business relationships, etc?
What strategies have you employed that garnered these results?
Social networking seems to be great for online businesses. Any advice on how brick and mortar businesses such as manufacturing companies, large and small retailers, hair salons, financial institutions, home health care companies, etc. might use social networking?
Please provide 1 to 3 tips on professional social networking etiquette (I will attribute tips to you). For example, I just saw someone post this response to someone's question: "So now you're a question spammer." Don't quite know what that is - I think it's constantly sending questions to people in your network. Anyway, any tips on how to use social networking without offending members?
Anything you'd like to add that I haven't asked?
About You:
Your name, title and business name
How many years in business
A sentence or two summarizing what you/your business does
Business URL
If you'd like to include a photo, please send one in jpeg format (compressed please).
Tentatively, I plan to publish this in my July 22nd issue. Sign up for my eZine at:
http://www.crystalbaycommunications.com/
Thanks,
Karin
Have social network sites such as Linkedin, Facebook, etc. been a benefit to your business? If so, how?
Has your participation with these sites landed you customers, increased your revenue, raised your business profile, built business relationships, etc?
What strategies have you employed that garnered these results?
Social networking seems to be great for online businesses. Any advice on how brick and mortar businesses such as manufacturing companies, large and small retailers, hair salons, financial institutions, home health care companies, etc. might use social networking?
Please provide 1 to 3 tips on professional social networking etiquette (I will attribute tips to you). For example, I just saw someone post this response to someone's question: "So now you're a question spammer." Don't quite know what that is - I think it's constantly sending questions to people in your network. Anyway, any tips on how to use social networking without offending members?
Anything you'd like to add that I haven't asked?
About You:
Your name, title and business name
How many years in business
A sentence or two summarizing what you/your business does
Business URL
If you'd like to include a photo, please send one in jpeg format (compressed please).
Tentatively, I plan to publish this in my July 22nd issue. Sign up for my eZine at:
http://www.crystalbaycommunications.com/
Thanks,
Karin
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