Stimulus Checks are Coming!

Just like many Americans, I'm beginning to count down the days until the infamous "stimulus" check hits my mailbox. Granted, its far form winning the lottery, heck its hardly a part of my bi-weekly paycheck, but it IS money that I didn't otherwise have. Because of this, I'm going to spend it, and spend it quick. This is the mindset that most Americans have when it comes to the free money that's headed their way. Naturally, business owners need to be thinking about how to drive these potential customers to them... and quickly!

Whatever form of marketing you are using, or plan on using (radio, print, tv, web, whatever!) it needs to convey a sense of urgency! We call this Direct Response. Save the frills and over the top creativity for the rest of the year. Right now - in all forms of marketing, You need to ask your target customers a strategic question - and answer that question with an unbeatable offer of your services or products. Your message needs to be conveyed direct and often over the coming weeks to build the top-of-mind awareness needed to draw those potential customers to you. End of story. There's going to be ALLOT of money being spent in the coming weeks, make sure your business is on the receiving end.

I would be happy to help you put together a plan to draw these customers to your business! We'll look at the options available. I'll even do all the leg work, gathering quotes for an effective plan with-in your budget. Its a great time to give your target customers what they are looking for, don't wait until this window of "stimulus" opportunity has passed



Tony Brueski
231.468.9972
tony@bestradiocommercials.com
http://www.bestradiocommercials.com/

The Advertising "Magic Wand"

Searching for cheapest yet most effective ways to advertise your business can be a daunting task. There are A LOT of options out there - and even MORE sales people knocking down your door trying to convince you that their medium is the "best". The thought of strategically placing interns armed with sales person targeted teasers around the entrance of your business has probably crossed your mind once or twice.

Wouldn't it be nice if you could wave a magic wand and tell all the one-sided sales people to go away. Then magically have the most effective advertising options fall on your lap, at the lowest rates in front of you? Nice thought hugh?

Surprisingly, the "magic wand" exists. You don't pay the wand anything. The wand learns what your budget is, RESPECTS IT, and puts together strategically targeted marketing plans for your business. The wand can even save you money by getting lower rates from media companies than a business owner alone. The wand works for you and your best interest, not the interest of the radio/tv/print company.

Just as you have an extensive knowledge about your industry, this wand has an extensive knowledge of the advertising industry and what works. Saving you countless hours trying to translate and understand various "ratings", "cost per point", "time spent listening", "effective frequency", "viewership stats", etc, etc, etc.

Chances are, you have plans for some form of marketing this year. You could "experiment" with that money, trying various ideas. Some may work, some may not. Or you could use the "magic wand" - commonly known as an advertising agency. An honest advertising agency works for you free of charge, learns about your goals, does all the leg work, presents various ideas, options and targeted plans to help you grow your business.

Now that you've learned a little more about what an honest advertising agency can do to help you. I would love the opportunity to learn more about your business. If given the opportunity, my advertising agency will do everything described above and more. As an agency or "magic wand" if you will... My goal is to help You reach Your goals and grow your business.


Feel free to call or email anytime!

Tony Brueski
(231)468-9972
tony@bestradiocommercials.com
http://www.bestradiocommercials.com/

Audio on Your Website

Audio On Your Website

In years past, putting audio on a website was more of a slow loading "oh wow" factor used on personal websites to impress techno geeks. In 2008, thanks to high-speed technological advances used by most everyone, Audio on a website is a great marketing tool! Audio on your website connects your site viewers and potential customers to your products and services like never before, through an audio, visual and interactive format.

In our last article we discussed the importance of showcasing your customers positive feedback and testimonials on your website. Can you think of a more powerful from of "word of mouth" to showcase, other than just that - the "words from your customers mouths" - on your website! After reading last weeks article, one of my marketing savvy clients immediately came to me asking how we can record his clients reviews over the phone to present on his website. It's a great idea, and I'm excited to help him with it! I would be happy to help you do the same thing on your website!

Top Reasons To Add Audio To your Website
1. Customers remember what they hear more than what they read. People remember only 20% of what they read while they remember an astonishing 70% of what they hear! Three and a half times more! Your audio message will help you to stick into the minds of your customers longer.
2. Audio boosts your trust & credibility factor. Voice adds personality to your website and helps customers identify with you. Customers buy from people who they feel they know and trust, and using audio can help you communicate this.
3. Audio puts you miles ahead of your competitors. Using audio successfully on your site gives you a major competitive advantage. Most businesses don't even think of using this marketing tool - be sure you're leading the pack.
4. Your site will stand out! These days most people have computers capable of playing streaming audio and will find it a welcome and refreshing change from boring text.
5. Audio is cheap and easy to use. Being able to put audio on your website isn't limited to just techies or companies with massive budgets - anyone can do it! Most of the programs available don't even require you to know HTML or flash.

I'd be happy to help you put together an affordable plan of placing compelling audio on your website! Feel free to call or email me anytime!

Tony Brueski
231.468.9972
http://www.bestradiocommercials.com
tony@bestradiocommercials.com

Word of Mouth... on crack

How do you rise above marketing clutter and stick in the minds of your customers - A great slogan? A memorable commercial? A stand-out logo? All three are very important - Let's view these as "Hooks".

Once a potential customer is on the hook, you have their attention for a very limited time, don't loose it! This is where the "Call to Action" comes into play. We're going to examine a "Call to Action" often times over-looked - the very powerful "Customer Testimonial".

What your customer has to say about you in their own words, is one of the most powerful marketing tools in your "call to action" arsenal. If what your customers say is positive, USE IT! It may be in the form of an e-mail, it may be a verbal "I love what you do" mentioned in passing, whatever it is - you need to let other potential customers know about it. Not because you want to boast about how great you are, but because your potential customers WANT TO KNOW WHAT OTHERS THINK ABOUT YOU. Offer it up, because they are looking for it.

When you re-iterate a quote from a satisfied customer, you are sending out an un-spoken message of Competency and Trust-worthiness (the two most important things in growing your business). You wont be coming across as boasting or bragging, because you're not the one saying how great you are - a customer is saying it...About You! Now that is powerful. Furthermore, If you do have very satisfied customers, there is nothing wrong with letting the world know about it! Remember - your potential customers WANT TO KNOW WHAT OTHERS THINK ABOUT YOU.

The next time you get that positive thank you email save it! If you hear a positive comment in passing, ask that happy customer if they would be so kind as to drop you an email or a letter explaining their thoughts about your products or services (maybe give them a discount or a coupon for their time).

These little gems of feedback are priceless when it comes to building a great reputation for your business. They can be used in any and every form of marketing. Put them on your website, have them repeated in radio commercials, lay them out in print. Just be sure to use them, and use them often!

I've helped many of my clients translate these quotes from clients into effective radio commercials and eye-catching graphics for web and print use. I would love the opportunity to help you too! Feel free to call or email anytime to discuss how we can communicate the positive reviews you receive to the masses!

Sincerely,

Tony Brueski
(231)468-9972
http://www.bestradiocommercials.com
tony@bestradiocommercials.com

Plan Now for Stimulus Package Profits

Plan Now for Stimulus Package Profits
Your target customers will likely have an extra $300 - $1200 burning a hole in their pockets in the coming weeks. This extra spending money is thanks to the recently approved economic stimulus package. Will your target customers spend this new found money with you? More importantly, will they REMEMBER to spend it with you?

Bottom line - If you want this money spent with your business, your business NEEDS TO BE TOP OF MIND with your target customers. When your customers get their checks, they need to think "Hey, I heard X-business is having that great sale, I have this extra money, I need to check that out". The only way to have this effect is to start planning your marketing campaign now.

On average, it will take 3-6 weeks of a consistent and creative marketing campaign to create Top-Of-Mind awareness for your products or services. Don’t miss the window to start a buzz campaign for your products or services. Starting a campaign when the checks are sent out, or shortly after, will put you behind the competition. You need to create a sense of urgency in your target customer’s minds now, before they get their checks.

How do I create BUZZ?
Speak the language of your customers! Talk about what they are talking about – frequently and in the places they are! The BIG 2 effective communicators – Radio and E-mail marketing. Since the stimulus package was announced, people have been thinking about what they will do with their checks. Address this throughout your marketing campaigns! Tie in the checks they will be receiving to your products or services in a simple, to the point campaign.

Radio
Radio is the venue I've seen work for hundreds of people. Why? Because they advertised consistently with a clear call to action message. There is no other medium that can effectively reach as many people at one time, in so many places. A consistent and a focused approach are key factors. Read my article "how to buy radio" for details on how to target your specific customers effectively.

E-mail marketing
This will only work if your customers trust you, and you maintain a good reputation in your customer’s inbox. If you have a positive in-box reputation, I highly suggest using E-mail Marketing in combination with 1-2 forms of other marketing to solidify the top of mind placement you are looking for. E-mail marketing on its own, will not be enough. But it is a great way to re-enforce top-of-mind awareness for your product or service.

There are countless venues of marketing to get your message out. Combining these venues with Radio and/or an Email marketing campaign could be a ticket to large profits as your target customers head out to use their stimulus check.

If you have any questions, or would like to discuss a custom campaign for your business, feel free to call or email me anytime.


Tony Brueski
http://www.bestradiocommercials.com
tony@bestradiocommercials.com
(231)468-9972

Business Podcasting - Right Place, Right Time?

You hear the term "podcasting" all the time. But what exactly is it, and is it anything you should be thinking about?

What is it?
Simply put, a podcast is an mp3 audio download from a website designed to inform and entertain anyone who downloads it (think of it as an entertaining radio program that can be listened to on any computer or mp3 player at any time). Many businesses are offering podcasts on their websites that discuss issues important to their target customers.


What can it do for business?
For example, Swift Auto Repair may offer a podcast on its website that offers tips for keeping up on car repairs, or trends in the auto industry. Swift Auto Repairs podcast is offering a useful resource to its target customers. The ROI is the top-of-mind awareness created for Smith Auto Repair. When listeners need a product in relation to what was discussed, Swift Auto Repair is the first business that comes to mind. That customer may also send friends to Swift Auto Repairs website to listen to the podcast, resulting in viral marketing.


Who is listening?
If you have a website, anyone and everyone who visits could be a listener to your podcast. The amount of people in the US who listened to podcasts increased by 18.5 Million in 2007. This number continues to grow dramatically as more and more websites and businesses are offering podcasts to their customers. Its predicted that by 2010, the total podcast audience in the US will reach 65 million. Bottom line, "if you offer it, they will listen."


How is it done?
Luckily, you don't have to be a "professional broadcaster" to have your own podcast. Most business that use podcasting, work with a professional host that leads the show, with the business owner acting as the guest - sharing their knowledge on the topic or industry of discussion. These podcasts emulate radio programs, and have a true competent and professional sound to them. Featured guests from with-in a selected industry, listener emails and letters are also popular features of a business podcast.


What does it cost?
This depends on what is all involved in your podcast and who you select to work with. If you decided to record it yourself without the help of a professional, your only costs would be a microphone and sound editor software. If you wanted a truly professional sound, there are several companies that offer assistance. Prices vary from business to business, however on average it should cost no more than $500 per podcast (Beware of people who price gouge for $1000's of dollars for such a service). If you figured very conservatively "20- 40 peoplel listen to your podcast and use your services because of it" your ROI could be huge. For suggestions on professional podcasting companies, feel free to contact us.


Right Place Right Time
With the evolution of the podcast hitting the mainstream right now, we are sitting at the critical "Right Place, Right Time" state. With-in the next 1-3 years your competition will likely be offering a podcast on their website. If neither of you are podcasting at this point, now is the perfect time to beat them to the punch and create an established base of loyal listeners and customers who rave about your knowledge and service! If you are ahead of your competition's podcast by 1-3 years, you will be THE trusted source for information in the medium.


Questions? Need advice on a how to get your podcast created?
Feel free to contact us anytime.
http://www.bestradiocommercials.com
tony@bestradiocommercials.com
(231)468-9972

Effectively Communicate with Your Customers

PROBLEM:
You have a friend, colleague or even worse, a competitor who is having phenomenal success communicating with their customers through their radio commercial or marketing campaign... However you're not, or have no idea how to be?

We're going to examine one of the many possible factors that could be the cause of this. It could be the "Ease of Contact" between you and your potential customer. This is a problem I see all too often. Its quite simple to fix, unfortunately often times be overlooked.

Its very easy to throw away thousands upon thousands of dollars on advertising if your customers don't have a SIMPLE way of getting in contact with you. Even with an intriguing commercial that catches the attention of a potential customer. You will completely loose that open door you've created if you slam it shut with a complex or un-memorable phone number or website.

I've had several new customers come to me with this dilemma. I always stress a very simple rule to them: Keep It Simple

No one is going to remember "Call 316-672-8901" No matter how often it is repeated. Or "visit double-you, double-you,double-you, dot my business dot com slash great deals slash radio sale". NO ONE, No matter how photogenic their memory
will retain this information when they need it. People will hear the random combination of numbers above as just that, a random combination of numbers, NOT a phone number. The brain is not equipped to retain information this way. When trying to recall the web address above, will recall it in the wrong order, often times with words that were never even used.

You may reason with yourself, "If its important to them, they will remember it... Right?". Wrong.

Often times radio advertisers will connect with hundreds if not thousands of potential customers. However, only a fraction will become real customers because only a few were able to recall the information needed to follow through. Because all too often, this information is poorly communicated. However, hundreds if not thousands, WANT TO FOLLOW THROUGH. Although many can't recall how to due to poor communication.

SOLUTION #1
Simple Number. There are some GREAT vanity number services out there. Services that can give you numbers like - 1-800-NEW-CARS to 1-800-NEW-HOME. Using numbers like these, or a SIMPLE web address in your radio advertising is a KEY to the success of your business.

Plus some vanity number services provide you with AMAZING tracking data on every single person who calls your number. Everything from their address, household income, time of call, date of call, medium from which they got your phone number,
and much, much more. All of which is great information to have when it comes to building up a customer database, and track effectiveness of a commercial campaign. Even if your not having your commercials produced through us, feel free to contact
me for a recommendation on some great vanity phone number services that could transform your advertising!

SOLUTION #2
Simple Web Address. This one is simple. If you sell chocolate, try to have a web address such as "lovechocolate.com" or "eatchocolate.com". Something simple and physical. Not "www.ignieseandsons-chocolatefactoryandtours.com" or even worse
"ignieseandsons-chocolatefactoryandtour.com/radio". With the thought of adding the "/radio" to help "track" your marketing. Doing this tracks nothing other than the fact that people don't know how to spell the name of the business, remember the dash between words and the slash radio at the end.

Even if you have an existing website, the $5 a month it may cost to buy a referring domain to your existing site could be worth it 1000x over if you give your customers a simple address to remember.

Feel free to call or email anytime
Tony Brueski
(231)468-9972
tony@bestradiocommercials.com
http://www.bestradiocommercials.com