Scratch-Off Cards

Everyone likes to win something, especially if it's free to enter or as a bonus. Scratch-off cards get customers involved in the process of playing a game with the chance to win something of value. Cards come in many sizes and even can be used as a post card for mailing to prospects. They have a much higher redemption rate than coupons because everyone wants to claim what they have won, even if it's just a percentage off a purchase. It also increases loyalty because they are having fun doing business with you and could win a big prize. Use them at fund raising events, trade shows and conventions. Scratch-Off cards can be an inexpensive addition and add a boost to your marketing. They will get prople talking about your company and make them take a serious look at your business. You can get samples & info at www.americas-cards.com More ideas in my book "The Jelly Bean Principle"

In Case You Wanted to Know

*A typical lightming bolt is 3 to 4 inches wide and 2 miles long *Any month that starts on a Sunday will have a Frinday the 13th in it *A "jiffy" is an actual unit of time and is 1/100 of a second *Nearly half of all bank robberies take place of a Friday *There are 31,557,600 seconds in a year *There are more than 650,000 restaurants in the United States *The most popular day of the week to eat out is Saturday, the slowest day is Monday

Three Ways to Brainstorm

Getting new ideas through brainstorming can give any business a boost in marketing, sales and growth. Here are three ways that you can take advantage of briainstorming. 1. With employees-many of them have direct contact with your clients and customers and hear what their concerns or wants are to become more loyal. They may not volunteer this information unless you ask them. Have a periodic brainstorming meeting with pizza and pop and get these ideas out in the open. 2. With customers-most customers will have ideas for your business that will make them happier about spending thier money with you. Well, you want to know what these ideas are so that you can act on them if possible. But in most cases you will have to ask them or provide a suggestion box in your store or on your website to get them. 3. With suppliers-Often a forgotten place to brainstorm but maybe one of the more important ways to get new information. They know what new products or services may be coming in the near future and how to prepare for it. They also know what your competitors are doing and can offer new marketing ideas that you can use quickly. Bookmark this blog and check back often for new short article you can use in your business.

The Unresponsive Customer

Some people just want to get their business done and that's it. You and your staff should be able to pinpoint this type of customer right away. Always start with a friendly greeting and if their response is a mumble or nothing at all, get down to business immediately. You don't know, or need to know, what else is going on in their life, so make the sale quickly and professionally. You'll actually make them satisfied by not trying to be friendly and not asking any non-business questions and just completing the transaction. Be happy to accept their business, their money and of course say Thank You. If they are served and treated the way they want to be, you''ll probably have a long term repeat customer. Never force a customer or client to respond to, "How are you today?" question if they don't want to answer. Asking other unrelated questions should also be eliminated as soon as this type of customer is identified in your mind. Give them the respect and service they want. Bookmark this site and check back several times a week for new ideas, they're Free!

Find the Decision Maker

If you're selling saddles make sure you're no talking to the horse! You have just made one of your best sales presentations and when you ask for the order, the prospect says, " I'll have to give all this information to Mr Big, he makes the decision. You have just spent much of your valuable time with the messenger who can't place the order. You now know that when it's presented to Mr Big that it won't have the same impact that you can give it.

Why not find out early in the meeting if the person you're talking to can make a decision. If not, suggest that they bring in Mr Big halfway through if they like your presentation so far. You can then give a short recap of what you've already said and ask for questions right away. Then proceed to close the sale with the person who can really make the purchasing decision. You will also know whom you're talking to and exactly whay their authority is to make a decision. Happy Selling!
More articles like this in the monthly Idea-Letter at www.idealetter.com

Turn Ideas into Goals

As soon as you get a new idea that you want to try out write it down so you don't forget any parts of it. Then set goals for this idea, short and long term and what to do to accomplish those goals. Be sure the new goal is a challenge but not impossible. Your new idea should be opening new doors and opportunities for you.

Plan how you'll reach these new goals but always focus on the end result of this goal. New ideas and goals can and will cause bumps along the way so don't get discouraged. Be ready to change directions and trust yourself, remember you came up with idea in the first place. Passing up a good idea couls mean missing the opportunity you've been waiting and working for so diligently.
Many short articles in the monthly Idea-Letter at http://www.idealetter.com/

Business Street Smarts

If you live in or near a big city, you probably know what street smarts are. Well, in business you have the same thing. Try to describe it and it's difficult but you know if you have it or not. You also get a good idea if the people you are working with or your employees are street smart. It's a definite advantage for people in sales, marketing or those growing a company.

Ever notice how young people graduate from college and start their first job and think they know it all? You can almost hear them say, "We didn't learn it that way in school." When working in business especially small business, the real education is learned on-the-job every day. College teaches logic and the basics of your subject area but just can't teach the abstract things that comes by doing.

Business street smarts is a valuable asset and takes years to acquire. Most of the people that built big companies out of start-ups certainly have it and a lot was learned from failures along the way. But once you have it, you'll probably never lose it and it will guide you to success.
More free longer articles you can reprint at www.idealetter.com