Propel Promotions Value Priced Featured Promotional Product of the Week!

Propel Promotions is pleased to announce the value priced featured promotional product of the week!

The keychain with bright LED light! Value priced at $.99 each based on quantity ordered. Batteries Included. Available in Black, Silver, Blue, Red or green.

Let us help you shed some light on your next promotion! This keychain is the perfect, pocket-sized billboard to keep your brand and contact information in front of your customers and prospects.

This keychain and LED light promotional product is the perfect promotion for automotive dealers, mechanics, collision repair shops, Realtors and others.

Contact Propel Promotions with specific questions regarding product availability, turn around time, and artwork specifications.

Andrew L. Anderson is a marketing and promotions consultant located in Mid-Michigan. To learn more about innovative, cost-effective promotional marketing solutions, call or email Andrew at 989-751-6588 or andrew@propelpromos.com

Use local online search to cut advertising expenses and increase results

Kelly Services, an international staffing company based in Troy, MI recently reviewed and consolidated their online advertising efforts. As a direct result of the consolidation, Kelly Services decreased overall advertising expenditures and increased results.

Consistency and accuracy within each listing was an important issue. Kelly has over 600 local office locations across the U.S. According to the director of E-business for Kelly Services most of the searches happen locally. “A ton of people look us up, but it’s a highly local activity (BtoB, 2009).”

Is your business properly positioned to reach consumers searching online for your services on a local level? Over 63% of consumers search for local businesses and services online. If you are not properly positioned to reach those consumers you may be loosing revenue to your competitors.

If someone is searching for your product or service online, are they finding you or your competitor? Let us show you the easiest and most affordable way to advertise online. We can help you take the guesswork out of online advertising and branding for less than the cost of a cup of coffee a day. We help give your business the prominent position on all of the major search engines including: Google, Yahoo, Mapquest, or Facebook and over a 1000 other websites!

Watch for our next article that explains which services can benefit most from the local online search trend.

Andrew L. Anderson is a marketing and promotions consultant located in Mid-Michigan. To learn more about innovative, cost-effective online advertising solutions, call or email Andrew at 989-751-6588 or andrew@propelpromos.com

How Kelly Services used local search to cut costs.(2009). BtoB’s Interactive Marketing Guide, 12.

How to Build a Dominate Brand

The American Marketing Association (AMA) defines a brand as a “name, term, sign, symbol or design, or a combination of them intended to identify the goods and services of one seller or group of sellers and to differentiate them from those of other sellers”.  

Therefore, it makes sense to understand that branding is not about getting your target market to choose you over the competition, rather its about getting your prospects to see you as the only one that provides a solution to their problem.

A quick review of the three points to branding:

1.  The objectives that a good brand will achieve include:
Delivering the message clearly

Confirming your credibility

Connecting your target prospects emotionally

Motivating the buyer

Solidifying user loyalty

 

2.  To succeed in branding you must understand the needs and wants of your customers and prospects. As Dan Walker would ask, “do you REALLY understand the Voice of the Customer?” You do this by integrating your brand strategies through your company at every point of public contact. Here are a couple of examples to consider:

When is the last time you have asked your customers what they want?

Has your view of the customer evolved with the rapid pace of change occurring in our information based economy and lifestyle?

 

3.  Your brand resides within the hearts and minds of customers, clients, and prospects. It is the sum total of their experiences, perceptions and interactions with you and your business!   Here are a few examples of where you can influence the customer:

Your Internet presence…does you website, blogs, video and online advertising represent who you are and what you do?  Can your customer find you online outside of your city?

If you are a brick and mortar business does your business represent who you  are by the signage, cleanliness, color, location and clothing!

Do your promotional products (shirts, pens, coffee cups, etc.) represent who you are? 

 

A strong brand is invaluable as the battle for customers intensifies day by day. It’s important to spend time investing in researching, defining, and building your brand. After all, your brand is the source of a promise to your consumer. It’s a foundational piece in your marketing communication and one you do not want to be without!
 
Implement these three points and your customers will not only be thinking about you more often but buying from you as well!

If someone is searching for your product or service on-line, are they finding you or your competitor?  We take the guesswork out of online advertising and branding for less than the cost of a cup of coffee a day. We help give your business the prominent position on all of the major search engines including: Google, Yahoo, Mapquest, or Facebook and over a 1000 other websites!

Andrew L. Anderson is a marketing and promotions consultant located in Mid-Michigan. To learn more about building a dominate brand for yourself or your business, call or email Andrew at 989-751-6588 or andrew@propelpromos.com

The Power of Referrals

The Power of Referrals

I really believe in the process of referrals, and so part of the service I provide is to be sure to refer my clients and associates to other qualified business people in the community.

 Below is a list of areas in which I know very credible, ethical, and outstanding professionals.  If you’re looking for a professional in a specific area that I’ve listed, please feel free to contact me.  I will be glad to put you in touch with the people I know who provide these services.

Andrew L. Anderson
Marketing & Promotions Consultant
Propel Promotions
Midland, MI 
(989) 751.6588
propelpromos.com 

 
Professions:

Accounting, Tax
Air purification Systems
Attorney
Auto Glass Replacement
Automotive Repair
Bank
Carpet Cleaning & Water Restoration
Chiropractic
Collections & Profit Recovery
Collision Repair
Computer Sales & Service
Electrical, Residential & Commercial
Financial Planning & Asset Management
Florist
General Contractor
Gift & Incentive Consultant
Greeting Cards & Send Out Cards
Handyman
Home & Commercial Inspections
Insurance (Property/Casual)
Jeweler
Legal Consulting
Massage Therapy
Mattress Sales
Mortgage Services, Residential
Nutrition Consultant
Optometry & Eye Care
Painter
Personal & Business Insurance
Pet Care, In home
Physical Fitness
Realtor
Self-defense
Signs, Banners, Apparel, Decals
Skin Care
Supplemental Insurance (AFLAC)
Video Production
Website Development

Each professional category listed above is a member of  the Success at Seven Chapter of Business Network International located in Midland, MI. We meet every Tuesday 7-8:30 am at Davenport University 3555 Patrick Midland, Michigan.

We are currently looking for a: car salesman; caterer; auto detailer; copywriter; dentist; HVAC; printer; and other area professionals not listed above who are looking to increase their business through qualified referrals.  For additional information, please visit our website at www.bnimidland.com  

The Most Cost-Effective Advertising Medium Available

Advertising Specialty Institute®, the largest media and marketing organization serving the advertising specialty industry, revealed today in a groundbreaking new study that advertising specialties beat out all forms of TV, radio and print advertising as the most cost-effective advertising medium available.  

 

The comprehensive 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.

Among key findings, results indicate that:

• 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%, indicate 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, bags were reported to be used most frequently, with respondents indicating that they use their 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.” 

 

Contact Propel Promotions today at www.propelpromos.com and request our FREE ROI analyzer which details potential cost per exposure for any promotional item you are considering.

 

 

 

 

 

For all results of the Advertising Specialties Effectiveness Study from ASI, visit www.asicentral.com/study.

The True Cost of Cutting Ad/Promotion Budgets During a Downturn

DON’T SKIMP ON AD/PROMOTION BUDGETS DURING AN ECONOMIC DOWNTURN

Cutting advertising/promotion expenses may yield short-term gains
but can lead to long-term trouble.

 Tempting as it may be to slash advertising/promotion budgets to control costs during the current crisis, it’s generally a bad idea—one that can put the long-term future of your company at risk, according to experts at the Wharton School of Business.

 Cutting advertising/promotion in a downturn leaves empty space in consumers’ minds—space that will quickly be filled by other aggressive marketers, says Peter Fader, Wharton marketing professor. Advertisers who stay the course in today’s economy can gain “an unusual opportunity to differentiate yourself and stand out from the crowd,” he says.

 As demand for advertising services slacks off, the cost of these services goes down, making advertising expenditures all the more defensible in a bad business climate, says Fader’s colleague, Leonard Lodish. “If your company has something to say that is relevant in this environment, it’s going to be more efficient to say it now than to say it in better times,” he explains.

The key for companies that do stick it out, advertising and promoting into a recession, says Lodish, is to craft messages that reflect the times and describe how your product or service benefits the consumer.

THE COST OF CUTTING BACK:
 If companies cut deeply into advertising and promotion in a down period, the cost to regain share of voice in the market once the economy turns around may cost 4-5 times as much as the costs saved.  —David Sable, Chief Operating Officer, Wunderman  (part of the global marketing firm, WPP Group) 

Look for a fresh post next week discussing the true power of promotional products which will showcase detailed information on the lost cost per impression of some key promotional elements.

Contact us  today for more information on how we can help you optimize and stretch your marketing and promotion budget.

Pump Up Sales in 2009

PUT SOME HIGH OCTANE INTO YOUR NEXT PROMOTION
With “Gas to Cash” Rebate Offer

Here’s a new way to pump up sales in 2009. Use a “Gas for Cash” Rebate Offer as an incentive to drive sales and/or in-store traffic…reward customer loyalty…increase response to an ad or direct mail campaign…collect consumer data for future bounce-back offers…and more.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

· “Gas for Cash” rebates are available in $40, $50 or $100 denominations (paid out in $10/month increments).

· Promote the rebate as part of your marketing campaign, to stimulate sales and/or other desired response or action (engages customers for up to 10 months!).

· Customer receives rebate card up-front (we supply).

· When purchase or other required activity takes place, you give customer a pre-printed Activation Certificate, and you’re done (everything else is turn-key).

·  Customer can claim $10 a month in gas rebates (up to $40, $50 or $100), by mailing in qualified gas receipts (valid for all major gas station brands).

How Much does it cost?
· $40 “Gas for Cash” Cards are $12.43
· $50 “Gas for Cash” Cards are $13.75
· $100 “Gas for Cash” Cards are $17.65

· Costs for custom graphics and printing (if required) and/or development fee/fulfillment services/data capture fees (as necessary) will be quoted separately

· No customer fees.
· 12-month expiration of “Gas to Cash” card.
· Backed by Chicago Title (150+ year company that maintains, controls and escrows rebate reserve accounts for rebates).

USE “GAS TO CASH” TO: 

· Drive retail traffic or inbound interest
· Drive response to an ad or direct mail campaign
· Stimulate purchase or upgrade
· Motivate consumers to activate a service or membership
· Reward consumers for brand loyalty
· Help drive renewal of a service or warranty
· Push ANY response or action you need!

WHY IT’S A GOOD INCENTIVE: 

· Wide demographic appeal
· Adds instant and relevant value to any offer
· Redeemable for all major gas station brands
· Funded on a breakage model
· Cost is low, value is high
· Distribution is easy, and all fulfillment is handled for you

Call us today at 989.751.6588 for a full presentation on the “Gas for Cash” program and how you can integrate it into your next promotion. Find out how easy and turn-key it is!

DID YOU KNOW?
In 2007 consumers redeemed $3 billion worth of rebates. It’s an effective marketing tool! Source: Promo Magazine, 11/1/2007

 

It Pays to Promote During a Recessionary Period

Studies prove: IT PAYS TO PROMOTE DURING A RECESSIONARY PERIOD

Smart marketers will not sit back during an economic downturn. Because studies have proven: Aggressive promoting during a recessionary period will actually increase your profits in both the long- and short-term.

In a study of U.S. recessions, McGraw-Hill Research analyzed 600 companies from 1980-1985. The results showed that business-to-business firms that maintained or increased their promotion expenditures during the 1981-1982 recession averaged significantly higher sales growth, both during the recession and for the following three years, than those that eliminated or decreased spending. By 1985, companies that were aggressive in their promotion throughout the recession had sales 256% higher than those that didn’t keep up their promoting.

MORE FACTS:

·       A series of six additional studies conducted by the research firm Meldrum & Fewsmith validated the McGraw-Hill findings, concluding that promoting aggressively during recessions not only increases sales, but also profits.

·       This fact has held true for all post-World War II recessions studied by The American Business Press starting in 1949.

 

Material Sources: McGraw-Hill Research, Meldrum & Fewsmith, American Business Press

REASONS TO PROMOTE DURING A RECESSION:

 

 ·      Studies show that businesses that promote during an economic downturn produce better short- and long-term sales and profits.

 ·      If you’re not asking for customers’ business, they’ll go somewhere else that is.

 ·      There will be less clutter in the marketplace (as others pull back), making it a perfect time to be heard and reach new customers.

 ·      You’ll be positioned for success when the economy turns around.

 PROSPECTING FOR NEW BUSINESS?

 We’ll help your salespeople get more appointments with a creative “door opener” direct mail campaign that gets buyers’ attention and increases your odds for success. Compare: 

·               A cold call has a 1-50 chance for a meeting.

·               Our prospecting campaign has historically delivered a 1-4 chance for a meeting.

PROMOTING DURING A RECESSION—

HOW DO I GET THE MOST FOR MY MONEY?

 

The answer is: Invest where your dollars can produce big impact!

 

Your Sales Force: In tough economic times, your sales force will likely be dealing with more rejections from customers—with a corresponding dip in morale and performance. If your salespeople are used to getting calls for orders and not having to prospect for new business, the problem intensifies. To keep performance on track, we suggest a sales incentive program called Steps to The Sale, adapted to your specific needs. The program motivates and rewards follow-through in completing these important sales steps: (1) initial phone contact; (2) gaining first appointment; (3) presenting first proposal; and (4) winning the sale.

 

Your Employees: Economic stress impacts everyone, and can be directly reflected in workplace attitudes and performance. A recession is a perfect time to focus on and reward productivity. Our Work Perks employee incentive program provides an effective “pump up.” It recognizes employees for job-related excellence and rewards them in areas such as customer referrals, personnel recruitment, on-time attendance, workplace safety, and other behaviors important to your business.

 

Your payback from programs like these can be significant. As a whole, an engaged workplace is characterized by*:

·       50% lower turnover

·       56% higher than average customer loyalty

·       38% above average productivity

·       27% higher profitability

 

*Source: Contented Cows Give Better Milk by Bill Catlette and Richard Hadden

Contact us for more information on these programs and other promotional resources to keep your business growing in good times and bad!