How To Increase Traffic To Your Business

It's time to gear up for the New Year!  This economy has hit us all hard but it is still a great time to market your business.

Here are some inexpensive ideas to stir up some business to your store or online business!

• Merchant Circle - this is a free service that is great for networking with other business owners creating coupons free blogging, newsletters, and has a great forum for your Q&A. 
• Blog Catalog - a great place to advertise your Blog
• Craigslist - advertise for free on this online classified ad
• Constant Contact - A great in-expensive e-mail blast program mention Love To Promote and receive one month free!
• Chamber of Commerce - Join your local Chamber and reap the benefits of networking as well as their many opportunities to market yourself to your local community
• REF USA - contact your local library to learn more about this FREE way to obtain addresses to your local families, or businesses.
• Trade Shows - Take advantage of the 2010 tradeshows geared towared your business type
• Referrals - Pay for referrals and see how many are sent your way!

Promoting your business can be time consuming but it is always best to give your pens, business cards, and imprinted promotional products to all potential customers.

To learn more about our services call us at 815-603-2324 or visit our website to see our online catalog at:
http://www.lovetopromote.com/

We love to hear from you feel free to post your questions or comments here!

Leslie Prohaska
Owner / Advertising Specialist
Love To Promote
Building Business through the use of Promotional Products

The Upside To Marketing In A Down Economy

Opportunity

It's the upside to a recession.  

It is time to embrace it.

Here are a few key points to keep in mind when precarious words like "Marketing Budget Cutbacks" occur:

Maintain your BRAND IMAGE: This sends a message that your company has successfully managed it's finances and, as a result has staying power.

Retain and/or Up your ad spending.  You have to work twice as hard to close the deals you normally would during tough times.

Stick with it.  When businesses run for cover, any empty space is created in customers' minds,  meaning more aggressive competition can take up residence.

Focus your efforts.  Marketing campagins are quicker/more cost effective when you target your current clients- you don't have to convince them of why they should choose you... they already have.

Gain good will.  marketing during a sluggish economy generates a more positive perception of your company; it shows a strong commitment to your products and services.


Sources: PPB-Keeping Advertising Up In A Down Economy, How to Gain the Advantage, by Tama Swan

Business Promotions

If you own an online business, sell nationwide, or are located in the Chicagoland area we would love to have you write a self-promotion ad for this site.  FREE!!

Just tell us who you are, where you are located, Website, E-mail, what you sell, or how we can help your business out.

In return all that we ask is that you mention to your friends, business associates, potential and existing customers that you are advertised on this blog http://LoveToPromote.Blogspot.com and invite them to check it out!

I'll start:

I am Leslie Prohaska owner of Love To Promote we are located in Plainfield, IL and sell a full line of Imprinted Promotional Items.  We specialize in business promotions but also sell items that cater to weddings and special events.  If you are looking to market your business we would love to help you out!!
We can be reached at 815-603-2324 or www.LoveToPromote.com or join our fan page on Facebook at
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/Love-To-Promote/96461283031?ref=nf

Hope to hear from you all soon!

Here are some pics of what we can have imprinted for your upcoming event!

 

 

Cover All Your Bases To Market Effectively

WORD-OF-MOUTH MARKETING. Referrals are the most trusted source of information when making a purchase decision. Take advantage of social networking sites like Friendster, Facebook, LinkedIn, Merchant Circle or by blogging.

INVEST IN A WEBSITE. Having your own website is a big plus since aside from publishing prices and information, viewers also get to see what the products look like without having to venture all the way to their store. Besides promoting your products, you can link your site to other relevant websites, thereby widening your customer base. Reciprocal Links can be another benefit on your website.

GIVE OUT FREEBIES. Sampling is crucial during events like exhibits and bazaars, as it encourages people to try out the product without having to spend any money. Just be sure to have your product readily available for customers if and when they actually decide to buy them. If your business is service oriented make sure you pass out promotional products that give your company a clear identity. Example: Beautician = Comb with contact info on it , Realtor = Key Chain with logo and contact info etc...

USE COMPANY TOOLS. If you use a car or van for your business, you can use this as your very own moving billboard - for free!

JOIN BAZAARS AND TRADE FAIRS. You may have to shell out a bit more cash for this but you can share it also with another entrepreneur to share booth space with, but joining fairs not only allows you to display your products, but also enables clients to place their orders on the spot. Provide a guestbook that customers can write on so that you can also get in touch with them to follow up even after the exhibit is over. Or provide a raffle and make sure there are several winners so that you can follow up with the winners and ask how they like their prize.

SEND OUT FLYERS. Which are strategically placed, we have found that holiday bags are well received by home owners and businesses with information on your business inserted in the bags. Ask Love To Promote what it would cost you to have bags made up with your contact information on them.

GET MEDIA EXPOSURE. Find friend who works in the media, to feature your products in their articles. Send samples of your products or invite them to try out your services; if they like the experience, they will be more than happy to put in a good word for you.

SPONSOR TV SHOWS. You don't have to take out an ad to appear in a TV show; some are actuall open to ex-deals, such as providing food for the staff and crew, and in exchange, either your company name gets mentioned or their logo gets flashed on air - most advantageous if you own a food business.

Check our Blog frequently to learn more on how to promote your business effectively.

Marketing Your Business With Promotional Products

In today's information-intensive world, it's hard for any business to attract potential customers. However, promotional products can offer your business a unique way to get your company's name out to its target market- and keep it there.

The promotional items that you choose are limited only by your own creativity. They can range from market-proven goods — such as calendars, coffee mugs, and baseball caps — to innovative items like candy and nuts, stadium blankets, toy cars and trucks, and first aid kits. Whatever items you pick, all should bear your logo and contact information.

Set clear goals for your promotion. Think about what you want these products to do for your business. Should they build awareness of your company? Boost sales? Provide a way to thank your customers? Have clear goals in mind from the start in order to purchase items that make sense for your business.

Call us we love to help! 815-603-2324

How to Market During These Rough Economic Times

Looking for ways to stir up some business but know that you have to be wise with your marketing dollars - here are 6 great ways to help you get started.

Now is not the time to stop marketing in fact it is a great time to market as long as you know how!

1. Focus your marketing. Use directed marketing methods when possible. Direct marketing media can typically be tracked and monitored. Tracking will ensure you are getting the most value from your advertising. Be sure your advertising uses a call to action to get customers to contact you. Offer prospective clients free samples or a gift for appointments to pitch them on your product or service. Then be sure to follow up with each potential customer. Remember, you have to work a little harder to win a customer in tough times.
2. Stay in contact with your current customers. Marketing professionals have proven it costs more to get a new customer than to keep an existing one. In tough times, go to your existing customers. Reward them with incentives; let them know they are important. You will most likely make up some of your slow sales by increasing sales to existing clients. Keep the lines of communications open and build the strength of that relationship. Bring back old customers with a welcome back offering or gift. Build the relationship so they will do business with you again.
3. Let your current customers help you. Word-of-mouth and referral sales can be extremely effective and cost efficient. Offer your current clients a gift or reward for sending business your way. Customer testimonials are extremely effective in gaining new business. Obviously, a satisfied customer is much more likely to talk about your business than a less than happy customer.
4. Look for free or inexpensive advertising and promotions. Consider using barters or trade-out for services with companies that can help promote your business. Be creative and think outside of the box! Tough times call for creative thinking. Use press releases when ever possible. Offering a new product line or making business changes can always be considered newsworthy.
5. Keep your employees happy. While this isn’t exactly marketing, it does work hand-in-hand with it. Your employees are your most important assets. Tough times affect them as well which in turn affects your business. Recognize their efforts. Reward them for going above and beyond their duties. Help them understand their importance in the company and let them sing your praises to potential clients. Your employees can be extremely effective marketers when they are happy.
6. Use the Internet. Finally, one area that businesses are realizing untapped potential is in Internet marketing. Use your website to your fullest potential. Advertise it on your company vehicles, business cards, flyers, billboards or anywhere you promote your company. Over 60% of Americans now use the Internet. If your business does not use the Internet, then you might want to rethink your strategy. The Internet is here to stay and it will continue to grow exponentially in the coming years

Banner Pens

The latest in pen advertising - We have seen alot of cool looking pens come our way but I have to say these banner pens have alot to say.

• Unique
• Now you can say it all
• Affordable
• Conversation starter
• Memorable keepsake

How to use those promotional pens!!!!

When you start a business or even have an existing business you decide to purchase some nice pens with your company name and information on it. This is a great idea however, all to often people do not know how to use them.

Promotional products are meant to be given away not stored in your drawer, or in your car to use when you are signing those checks. They are give aways. The purpose is to get your name out there to leave a lasting impression and to by chance be picked up by someone who is interested in your services.

#1 make sure your pen has what you do and how to contact you ex: Joe Smith HEATING & AIRCONDITIONING REPAIRMAN available 24/7 call me at 815-444-4444

#2 Leave your pens everywhere, at the restaurant you just ate at, at the salon, at the mechanic, at the vet, just randomly leave them places it is unlike a business card, it won't be thrown away it will be used and eventually not immediately they will look at who it was from and if it has enough info on it like #1 they may just call you especially if they had their heat go out at 3AM they will look at the pen and know this is the guy to call.

#3 Don't get just a average pen, stand out from the rest, make it bold, make it fun!

Use your pens wisely and they will pay off!!!