Bizarre Marketing Blog» Case Studies http://promostuff4u.com/blog Fri, 20 Jan 2012 04:19:09 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Email Marketing By Zip Code 2010 Schedule http://promostuff4u.com/blog/email-marketing-by-zip-code-2010-schedule/ http://promostuff4u.com/blog/email-marketing-by-zip-code-2010-schedule/#comments Tue, 26 Jan 2010 16:18:51 +0000 Tim Somers http://promostuff4u.com/blog/?p=392 The 2010 calendar schedule for Wayne County Michigan has been finalized and posted on our website.  Review The Schedule Here.

After a very successful beta launch of our Email Marketing By Zip Code program in 2009 we have rolled out several zip codes within Wayne County Michigan.  We will be rolling out other zip codes throughout Michigan and the entire United States through various distributors.  Solo Email Blasts are currently available to any zip code in the United States.  (contact us if you are interested in becoming a distributor).

Advertising and Marketing are two necessary evils that we business owners must endure to be successful.  More and more companies are refocusing their ad dollars to include various online channels such as banner advertising on popular websites and full blow Email Marketing campaigns.  It is clear that one thing will not change in this some times confusing arena. You need to market and advertise your business using several different avenues, both online and offline and email marketing is one of the more powerful and cost effective ways to increase your online presence.

Email Marketing By Zip Code uses opt-in subscribers, that have requested additional information from local and national merchants.   You can deliver a targeted marketing message right to these subscribers desktop.  This is one of the most dynamic ways you can get your message read at an incredibly minimal cost per exposure.

Example of Group (10) Ad Email Blast:

Tim Somers
Bizarre Promotions, Inc.

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]]> http://promostuff4u.com/blog/email-marketing-by-zip-code-2010-schedule/feed/ 0 Non Traditional Marketing Tips – Number One http://promostuff4u.com/blog/non-traditional-marketing-tips-%e2%80%93-number-one/ http://promostuff4u.com/blog/non-traditional-marketing-tips-%e2%80%93-number-one/#comments Mon, 11 Jan 2010 13:10:18 +0000 Tim Somers http://promostuff4u.com/blog/?p=366

As I mentioned in my Surviving 2010 and Beyond post, I will be highlighting some back to basics non traditional marketing tip and strategies to help your business stand out from the crowd.

Risky Business – consumers love scandals and controversy, so when brainstorming your next marketing campaign consider walking the fine line of etiquette.  Be careful though launching an edgy campaign can be risky business, your campaign could blow up in your face having a negative effect on your company.

Here is an example of a very successful edgy campaign.

A few years back a marketing campaign was launched to gain New York City residents attention and support.  The jaw dropping campaign was a huge success, in its effort to get NYC residents much needed support in the fight against the public restroom shortage. 

The campaign: Cardboard people were placed all around the city, to highlight the areas that needed a public restroom. 

Ok so you might think what is the big deal? – well the Cardboard people were very life like and depicted an act that should be only seen behind the closed doors of a restroom. Toilet Seat trash can covers were also made and put on various trash cans also highlighting the website url.  As you can see in the pictures this campaign was very effective in its jaw dropping goal.

Tim Somers
Bizarre Promotions, Inc.

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]]> http://promostuff4u.com/blog/non-traditional-marketing-tips-%e2%80%93-number-one/feed/ 0 Most Effective Advertising Medium Next To The Internet http://promostuff4u.com/blog/most-effective-advertising-medium-next-to-the-internet/ http://promostuff4u.com/blog/most-effective-advertising-medium-next-to-the-internet/#comments Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:34:10 +0000 Tim Somers http://promostuff4u.com/blog/?p=318 The Advertising Specialty Institute® announced the results of a study showing that the end-buyer recognizes promotional products as the most effective medium among all advertising next to the Internet.

When it comes to their Return of Investment (ROI) the study shows that 48% of those that participated in the study indicated that promotional products will deliver a positive ROI and plan to spend more this year than they had in years past.

Larry Basinait, executive director of research services at the Advertising Specialty Institute said “First, buyers clearly see the value of promotional products. Second, distributors who train their salespeople to be creative partners to their clients are in hot demand right now. Most buyers are looking for smart ideas, rather than simply the lowest-priced items.”

The study concludes that educated buyers will increase their sales if they know how to use promotional products as an advertising vehicle verses just a freebie to give a way at a tradeshow.

Tim Somers
Bizarre Promotions, Inc.

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]]> http://promostuff4u.com/blog/most-effective-advertising-medium-next-to-the-internet/feed/ 0 If You Are Advertising When Everyone Else Stops http://promostuff4u.com/blog/if-you-are-advertising-when-everyone-else-stops/ http://promostuff4u.com/blog/if-you-are-advertising-when-everyone-else-stops/#comments Fri, 17 Apr 2009 13:23:22 +0000 Tim Somers http://promostuff4u.com/blog/?p=240 It would seem like common sense, however most companies are quick to cut back on advertising and marketing dollars when they are forced to make concessions. If you advertise when everyone else has stopped or cut back, your message stands out even more since there are fewer ads in the marketplace. Your business will also get labeled as a strong and stable company and is more likely to be remembered first when everyone that survives starts advertising again.

While there are many forms of advertising you need to get the most bang for your buck when your dollars are limited due to a sluggish economy. Promotional Products deliver the best return on your investment and should be without question part of your recession busting marketing strategy.

In a recent promotional products impact and exposure study it is pretty clear that using a branded advertising specialty will be an investment that is second to none in regards to pushing through these turbulent times.

Here are some of the statistics:

• Increased sales. 62% of customers do business with the company
after receiving the promotional product.
• Brand awareness. 84% of customers remember the business that
provided them with the promotional product.
• Return on investment. At $.004/ impression promotional products
have the best CPI of popular advertising media.
• Improved relations. 42% of customers view the business more
favorably after receiving the item and virtually none indicate a
negative feeling.
• Frequency and repetition. A key to advertising, promotional
products are kept on average for 7 months and many are used
every business day!
Advertising Specialties Impact and Exposures Study, visit www.asicentral.com/study for more details.

Tim Somers
Bizarre Promotions, Inc.

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]]> http://promostuff4u.com/blog/if-you-are-advertising-when-everyone-else-stops/feed/ 0 Less Than A Week: Google First Page Challenge Success http://promostuff4u.com/blog/less-than-a-week-google-first-page-challenge-success/ http://promostuff4u.com/blog/less-than-a-week-google-first-page-challenge-success/#comments Sun, 23 Nov 2008 13:39:41 +0000 Tim Somers http://promostuff4u.com/blog/less-than-a-week-google-first-page-challenge-success/ I was pleasantly surprised that my “Getting On Page One Of Google Challenge” took less than one week for all three of the keyword phrases I was targeting.

This morning I thought I’d check the progress on all three and was amazed that all three were on the first page of Google.

Promotional Products For Lawyers – Google Listing #4 and #5 (first page)
Promotional Products For Law Firms – Google Listing #4 (first page)
Promotional Products For Attorneys – Google Listing #3 (first page)

Bonus: When changing the word “products” to “items” I found similar results

Promotional Items For Lawyers – Google Listing #4 and #5 (first page)
Promotional Items For Law Firms – Google Listing #5 (first page)
Promotional Items For Attorneys – Google Listing #4

Promotional Products For Attorneys

I estimate that these listings will generate 100 additional visitors to my site every month (Free Traffic). It took me about 1 hour to produce the three web pages with different content on each page.  Targeting and ranking for popular keywords like “Promotional Products” takes a lot of time and effort, but going after long tail keyword phrases that are less popular are pretty easy to rank for.

Tim Somers
Bizarre Promotions, Inc.

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]]> http://promostuff4u.com/blog/less-than-a-week-google-first-page-challenge-success/feed/ 0 Promotional Product Ideas For Lawyers http://promostuff4u.com/blog/promotional-product-ideas-for-lawyers/ http://promostuff4u.com/blog/promotional-product-ideas-for-lawyers/#comments Fri, 21 Nov 2008 17:40:03 +0000 Tim Somers http://promostuff4u.com/blog/promotional-product-ideas-for-lawyers/ I just quoted two Stress Relievers for a Law Firm and thought I’d post them here.  I had to laugh when the Gavel Stress RelieverLawyer I was working with asked for a quote on Shark Shaped Stress Relievers.  I have never really thought about what kind of Promotional Products For Lawyers were available.

Doing a little research I found that Custom Golf Balls were the most popular give-a-way to big clients, and high end pens were a close second.

The ever popular Koozie Can Cooler was used by many firms at tradeshow events.  The Gavel Stress reliever was right up there as well.

Tim Somers
Bizarre Promotions, Inc.

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]]> http://promostuff4u.com/blog/promotional-product-ideas-for-lawyers/feed/ 0 I Never Ask For Referrals, But Get Them All The Time http://promostuff4u.com/blog/i-never-ask-for-referrals-but-get-them-all-the-time/ http://promostuff4u.com/blog/i-never-ask-for-referrals-but-get-them-all-the-time/#comments Tue, 18 Nov 2008 14:04:16 +0000 Tim Somers http://promostuff4u.com/blog/i-never-ask-for-referrals-but-get-them-all-the-time/ How To Get ReferralsHow To Get ReferralsHaving no formal sales training I believe that asking for referrals puts your customers in an uncomfortable  position that may jeopardize future business dealings.  The “asking for referrals technique” is more than likely a technique taught in every company that is driven by a salesperson’s efforts.  I image it is step number 15, after Hot To Get Referralsyou close the deal – you ask for three people that might be interested in what you have just sold.  I have been a victim of this technique and I am sure everyone reading this has to.

My business has grown over the years for a couple of reasons –

  • I have build relationships with customers
  • I have delivered or over delivered as promised
  • I have always fixed without question any problem

In doing these small things I have retained customers 5, 10 and even 15 years and have gained their confidence, leading them to not think twice about giving someone my name when the need arises.
 
A referral is based on an outcome, an outcome that you can not control.  You can however influence an outcome by the actions you take in servicing your customers.

Referrals will only happen when these conditions have been met. 

  • The referrer had a good experience doing business with you and your company.
  • The referrer has a friend or associate who needs your product or service.
  • The referrer is confident the person they are referring will have the same experience with your company that they had.
  • The referrer wants to help both you and the person they are referring.

Another way I have received referrals without even intending to, is by just being helpful and informative to everyone possible.  Sharing the things I’ve learned with my network of friends, family and business associates has lead to unexpected referrals.

So you desire referrals, getting them is easy, just NEVER ASK FOR THEM, simply take care of your customers better than any competitor would. Work with your clients to understand what they are trying to achieve in life and in business. Help them get what they want and then some. Over deliver when they do business with you.

Do these things and your customers will naturally think of you when their friends and associates need the services you offer.

Tim Somers
Bizarre Promotions, Inc.

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]]> http://promostuff4u.com/blog/i-never-ask-for-referrals-but-get-them-all-the-time/feed/ 0 Getting On Page One Of Google Challenge http://promostuff4u.com/blog/getting-on-page-one-of-google-challenge/ http://promostuff4u.com/blog/getting-on-page-one-of-google-challenge/#comments Thu, 13 Nov 2008 13:12:44 +0000 Tim Somers http://promostuff4u.com/blog/getting-on-page-one-of-google-challenge/ When reviewing Google Analytics I found that someone had landed on my site using the keyword phrase “Promotional Products For Lawyers” this got my curiosity up so I jumped on a Keyword Tool I use called Wordtracker to see just how many people are using this phrase everyday.

The results came back estimating 14 searches – which is not really that great, also in the mix was two related phases “Promotional Products For Law Firms” and “Promotional Products For Attorneys” both of these also with 14 searches.  So between these three long tail phases I am looking at generating 42 additional visitors just by ranking on the first page of Google for them – that’s free traffic.

In doing a bit more research on this quest for the almighty first page, I Googled these phrases to see how competitive they are (how many competitor pages come up when conducting a search).

  • Promotional Products For Lawyers – 478,000 result pages
    Promotional Products For Law Firms -  364,000 result pages
    Promotional Products For Attorneys -  919,000 result pages

Due to the low estimated searches I found there are not many pages competing for these keyword phrases.  In reviewing the listings on the first page of Google I found the top ranking sites to be of low quality without many backlinks.

All these factors will make it pretty easy to get on the first page of Google in my opinion.

I am turning to the techniques I learned from being a long time user of a great product called SEO Elite.  I estimate I can be on the first page of Google for all three of these phrases in less than 30 days.

Stay tuned for future posts on the progress of this challenge.

THE RESULTS ARE IN

Tim Somers
Bizarre Promotions, Inc.

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]]> http://promostuff4u.com/blog/getting-on-page-one-of-google-challenge/feed/ 1 Advertising Specialties Impressions Study Beats All Forms Of Advertising http://promostuff4u.com/blog/advertising-specialties-impressions-study-beats-all-forms-of-advertising/ http://promostuff4u.com/blog/advertising-specialties-impressions-study-beats-all-forms-of-advertising/#comments Tue, 11 Nov 2008 14:08:30 +0000 Tim Somers http://promostuff4u.com/blog/advertising-specialties-impressions-study-beats-all-forms-of-advertising/ As a member of the Advertising Specialty Institute® (ASI), the largest media and marketing organization serving the advertising specialty industry, I am able to access over 3,500 vendors with over 750,000 Promotional Products to offer our customers.  An exciting study was revealed today that advertising specialties beat out all forms of TV, radio and print advertising as the most cost-effective advertising medium available. 

The wide-ranging study was completed by a team of interviewers who surveyed travelers in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and Philadelphia*.  Respondents were asked if they had received any advertising specialties in the last 12 months and the majority were businesspeople over age 21.

Here is an overview of the findings:

  • 84% of people remember the advertiser on a product they receive.
  • 42% have a more favorable impression of an advertiser after receiving an advertising specialty.
  • Nearly one quarter, or 24%, indicated that they are more likely to do business with an advertiser on items they receive.
  • Most respondents (62%) have done business with the advertiser on a product after receiving it.
  • Writing instruments are the most commonly-owned advertising specialty, with 54% of respondents owning them, followed by shirts, caps and bags.
  • The majority (81%) of promotional products were kept because they were considered useful.
  • More than three-quarters of respondents have had their items for about seven months.
  • Among wearables, tote bags were reported to be used most frequently, with respondents indicating that they use their tote bags on average nine times per month.
  • Bags deliver the most impressions, with 1,038 impressions per month on average.
  • The average cost-per-impression of an advertising specialty item is $0.004, making it less expensive per impression than nearly any other media.  (According to Nielsen Media data, the CPI for a national magazine ad is $0.033; a newspaper ad is $0.0129; a prime time TV ad is $0.019; a cable TV ad is $0.007; a syndicated TV ad is $0.006; and a spot radio ad is $0.005).

These statistics conclude that marketers get a more favorable return on investment from advertising specialties than almost any other popular media, with a very low cost-per-impression, high recall among those who receive ad specialty items, and increased intent among recipients to make purchases from the advertiser.  

“During a time when we’re facing turbulent economic conditions, this research advises marketers and business owners to invest in advertising specialties now more than ever,” said Timothy M. Andrews, president and chief executive officer of the Advertising Specialty Institute.  “Advertising specialties provide measurable results for a very reasonable investment.” 

“Distributors and suppliers should use these results to educate their customers, prospects and end-buyers about the power of advertising specialties and how they increase sales and brand exposure,” Andrews continued.  “Ad specialties are essentially gifts that break through the information clutter, reach consumers on a personal level, and provide real impact in a creative way.”

Advertising specialties, or promotional products, are items branded with a corporate logo or message that are used as an incentive, a gift or as part of an advertising campaign; and the industry comprises a 13% share of the advertising marketplace, with $19.6 billion in sales for 2007. 

For all results of the Advertising Specialties Effectiveness Study from ASI, visit www.asicentral.com/study.  For more information, contact Larry Basinait, executive director of research for ASI, lbasinait@asicentral.com.

About ASI
Advertising Specialty Institute is the largest media and marketing organization serving the advertising specialty industry, with a membership of over 26,000 distributor firms (sellers) and supplier firms (manufacturers) of advertising specialties.  Supplier firms use ASI print and electronic resources to market products to over 22,000 ASI distributor firms.  Distributor firms use ASI print and electronic resources, which contain nearly every product in the industry from more than 3,500 reputable suppliers, to locate supplier firms and to market services to buyers.  ASI provides catalogs, information directories, newsletters, magazines, websites and databases, and offers e-commerce, marketing and selling tools.

*  Methodology – A web-based survey was also used to augment segments of in-person interviews, resulting in a total sample of over 600 respondents.

Tim Somers
Bizarre Promotions, Inc.
Proud Member of the Advertising Specialty Institute®
ASI #140684

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]]> http://promostuff4u.com/blog/advertising-specialties-impressions-study-beats-all-forms-of-advertising/feed/ 8 Custom Pedometer Doubles Tradeshow Booth Traffic http://promostuff4u.com/blog/custom-pedometer-doubles-tradeshow-booth-traffic/ http://promostuff4u.com/blog/custom-pedometer-doubles-tradeshow-booth-traffic/#comments Tue, 28 Oct 2008 12:59:44 +0000 Tim Somers http://promostuff4u.com/blog/2008/10/28/custom-pedometer-doubles-tradeshow-booth-traffic/ Custom Printed PedometerI have attended and exhibited at hundreds of tradeshows and never really see anything new and exciting to grab or keep my attention in regards to tradeshow giveaways – I hate to say I’ve seen it all.  Being in the promotional products business I supply many customers with Tradeshow Give-A-Ways, most often your basic Pen or Stress Ball, the normal humdrum stuff.

In a recent visit to an industry tradeshow I was exposed to a brilliant idea that will double tradeshow booth traffic.  This item that will make your booth stand out from all the other exhibitors that are just handing out a low cost custom printed pen. 

When someone stops by your booth you hand them a custom printed pedometer that features your company name and web address.  You then tell them to wear it and return to your booth at the end of the show, because you will be tracking the amount of steps each attendee has taken and the one with the most steps wins a prize, like an iPod or some other cool techno gadget.

This is a great concept that will excite the recipient and make them return to your booth a second time giving you an advantage over your competition that more than likely will only have one exposure to prospects attending the event.

To Your Success!

Tim Somers
Bizarre Promotions, Inc.

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