GOT ADVERTISEMENTS? WHY AREN'T SMALL BUSINESSES STILL ADVERTIZING?

Well.... Have You?

Hey You Guys!!!!!!

(Said Like Electric Company Remember that show?)

Anyway, I observed something this week not only as a web observer but as a marketing consultant that has me not surprised at all. What's the did I notice? Is that most small businesses DO NOT ADVERTISE! I always hear a lot of small business owners complain about people not supporting their brand, service or store when in fact they don't support it themselves! How Ironic! In today's business world promotion of your brand is "EVERYTHING" it's the life line of your company/brand no matter what profession or field you choose. It's imperative that you do so! You can expect people to support you when YOU don't even support YOURSELF!!

We've all heard the phrase "Support Begets Support" right? ......So why do we do otherwise? Consumers follow a pattern of brand awareness as do you threw a series of commercials, print or digital marketing. Huge companies have the budget and invest billions on multi-media campaigning to brand on a subliminal level threw repetition. Examples: McDonald's, KFC, Burger King, Apple, Microsoft Etc... While small businesses mostly rely on "Word Of Mouth" advertisements but let's face it people the world is much smaller than just your circle of friends and this is the digital age! (In Short Times Have Changed So Shouldn't YOU?)

Technology has changed the way we view and consume products so either you get with the times or get left behind! I notice on most of the online networking platforms LINKED IN, TWITTER, FACEBOOK, MYSPACE, NING, ETC that most of the time the only ones truly promoting is either artists, models, promoters, pyramid schemes, online media websites, TV, blogs, labels etc but seldom do I see independent brands pushing their products. You rarely see Real Estate, Medical, Legal or other smaller corporate brands doing so. My question is WHY? If multi-billion dollar companies have to and they are already branded don't you?

This has truly become a lazy generation when we want support of our business when in fact 1/2 of us still don't support ourselves. You wouldn't go to a record store and buy a artist record who you are NOT familiar with so why do you think people would do the same about you? Word of mouth is only valid when that person hears or experienced great things about that brand or experienced something not so pleasant and that's when it backfires! People when you are positioning your product/goods and/or services please remember the following:Do you research know your consumer

1. Convenience is key the more accessible the better the results
   
2. Learn their shopping habits
3. Create a platform where they frequent
   
4. Never assume nor take them for granted
5. Ask for feedback (very important)
6. Don't lie they are NOT stupid and once they realize you did you lost!
7. Price within range
8. Feed the Need (Give them what THEY want not what you THINK THEY WANT)
9. Stay in touch with your consumer!

Follow the above steps and I assure you whatever brand your pushing you will gain the attention you seek as well as stay relevant to that consumer base as well!

Once again its official you just heard the whistle!!!!!

MONEY & MUSIC - THE ASSUMPTION OF YOUR CONSUMER

Cool V- Would like to give you the "Best TIP EVER" It's simple yet most of of us do this everyday! Stop assuming your consumer! If you truly want to get someone's respect you got to work a lil harder than a sales pitch to gain/instill their trust if you want them to "Truly Care" this means stop forcing your brand or opinion on them. Relax let them see the quality of your work and let ....."THAT SPEAK FOR ITSELF"! A wise person once told me "if you want to see life or people for what or who they truly are Just Sit Still" Now with that said I am NOT saying don't push or promote your brand or wait until business finds you rather sometimes we are so busy talking trying to push a product that we forget to the most important thing and that is to listen to what the consumer need!

Let me give you a scenario:

Business: Good morning kind sir/madam how are you?
Consumer: I'm ok

Business: We have a brand new flat screen television on sale for only $500.00 isn't that a steal?
Consumer: Yes it its "but" Im here browsing for something else

Business: But sir your gonna pass up a TV for that price? Your missing a great deal!
Consumer: I agree it's a excellent price but that's "not" what I'm looking for!

Business: Ok well I'd Hate for you to loose out but ok!
Consumer: Thank you for your time I think I'm going to look for my wife now!

Business: Thank you and have a great day!
Consumer: You do the same!

Now what was wrong with that scenario? The salesman didn't listen!!!! The consumer informed him three times he was NOT looking for a TV! Now although that may have been an amazing deal but a number of reasons could have came have been the reason it wasn't a go:

1. He already have enough Flatscreen TV's
   
2. He rarely watches television
3. His wife is blind and he has to work 3 jobs
4. He was shopping for another item
5. etc..

There could have been a variety of reasons but because he was more interested in making a sale he lost site of the most important thing to to and that was to gain his clients "TRUST" which plays the most important part in a sale. Because if your consumer does not have faith in your or the brand you represent is he's going to purchase your product? Chances are most likely not. Also be careful to watch your attitude or tone with your consumer because this will also hinder a sell. Things would have went a lot smoother if the salesperson just asked the consumer what exactly was it he was looking for. Another thing that could have helped is if he asked how could he be of better assistance? Both would have got what they was looking for! But because the salesperson was only interested in what he wanted then this became a heartless sale. (A sale with no emotion or care for the consumers needs)

We all know that in business most people have the attitude "it's not personal just business" but it is because when you invade a persons personal space you are now in "Their WORLD" They are not No longer caring about your store or brand until you gain their trust? (Your Introduction) The 1st thing in sales you learn is your selling "YOURSELF' 1st!!!!! Why?... because if the person doesn't buy you then trust me the same usually applies to the product your selling.

So in short "Stop, Look & Listen" don't be so eager or too busy trying to sell your brand that you forget the most important part of the deal "The Consumer & Your Relationship" this is the most vital part of the process that separates the successful return customer from the passer by!

Have a great day and It Ain't Official Unless U heard The Whistle!