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10 Steps to Becoming a Better Writer from copyblogger
June 16th, 2012 by admin No comments »Its Time to Spring Into Your April Marketing!
April 2nd, 2012 by elizabethdmrx No comments »
April 26th is National Pretzel Day
Spring is here and so are 30 more days of yummy marketing ideas. I’m liking April 18th National Animal Crackers Day. Send your clients a box of animal crackers as part of a marketing promotion. I’m thinking of a recipe contest for April 23rd National Cherry Cheesecake Day. Let me know what you come up with and I’ll share it on this blog.
1st Week
April 1 – National Sourdough Bread Day
April 1 – International Edible Book Day – [I’d like to read and eat an edible book!]
April 2 – National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day – Its peanut butter jelly time!
April 3 – National Chocolate Mousse Day
April 4 – National Cordon Bleu Day
April 5 – National Raisin & Spice Bar Day
April 6 – National Caramel Popcorn Day
April 7 – National Coffee Cake Day
2nd Week:
April 8 – National Empanada Day
April 9 – National Chinese Almond Cookie Day
April 10 – National Cinnamon Crescent Day
April 11 – National Cheese Fondue Day
April 12 – National Licorice Day
April 13 – National Peach Cobbler Day
April 14 – National Pecan Day
April 14 – National Hot Cross Bun Day
3rd Week:
April 15 – National Glazed Spiral Ham Day
April 16 – National Eggs Benedict Day
April 16 – National Baked Ham with Pineapple Day
April 16 – National Day of the Mushroom
April 17 – National Cheeseball Day
April 18 – National Animal Crackers Day – I’m thinking of a Shirley Temple look-a-like contest!
April 19 – National Garlic Day
April 19 – National Amaretto Day
April 20 – National Pineapple Upside-down Cake Day
April 20 – National Lima Bean Respect Day
April 21 – National Chocolate-Covered Cashews Day
4th Week:
April 22 – National Jelly Bean Day
April 23 – National Cherry Cheesecake Day
April 23 – National Picnic Day – Make it a family day for your customers.
April 24 – National Pigs-in-a-Blanket Day
April 25 – National Zucchini Bread Day
April 26 – National Pretzel Day [I love pretzels!] – I’m thinking Sports Bars can use it in a promotion.
April 27 – National Prime Rib Day – Yum! Treat your best clients to dinner.
April 28 – National Blueberry Pie Day
April 29 – National Shrimp Scampi Day
April 30 – National Oatmeal Cookie Day
April 30 – National Raisin Day
Which of these days will you use to get your customers buying?
Spring Into Your March Marketing with these Savory Days!
March 1st, 2012 by elizabethdmrx No comments »
There’s a tasty marketing idea for each of March’s 31 days. Some days have a few extra. What can you come up to spring into your March marketing? I like Potato Chip Day on March 14th. Have customers post photos of crazy looking chips on your Facebook Page or Pinterest, Twitter or Flicker.
Being a California gal March 21st as California Strawberry Day sounds like a fun marketing promotion. Have a recipe contest with your customers.
What promotional ideas can you come up with for March with the days below? Let me know in a comment. I’d love to hear about your plans.
Week 1
March 1 – National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day
March 1 – National Fruit Compote Day
March 2 – National Banana Cream Pie Day
March 3 – National Cold Cuts Day
March 3 – National Mulled Wine Day
Week 2
March 4 – National Poundcake Day
March 5 – National Cheese Doodle Day
March 6 – National Frozen Food Day
March 6 – White Chocolate Cheesecake Day
March 7 – National Crown Roast of Pork Day
March 7 – National Cereal Day
March 8 – National Peanut Cluster Day
March 9 – National Crabmeat Day – My Mom loves crabmeat!
March 10 – National Blueberry Popover Day
Week 3
March 11 – National Oatmeal Nut Waffles Day
March 12 – National Baked Scallops Day
March 13 – National Coconut Torte Day
March 14 – National Potato Chip Day
March 15 – National Peanut Lovers Day
March 15 – National Pears Helene Day
March 16 – National Artichoke Heart Day – I’d like to see a marketing campaign – Ideas?
March 17 – National Corned Beef and Cabbage Day
Week 4
March 18 – National Oatmeal Cookie Day
March 19 – National Poultry Day
March 19 – National Chocolate Caramel Day – Oh, I’m thinking of Sees Candy!
March 20 – National Ravioli Day
March 21 – National French Bread Day – I love it with butter! Yummy!
March 21 – National California Strawberry Day
March 22 – National Water Day – Stay healthy, what other ideas?
March 23 – National Chip and Dip Day
March 23 – National Melba Toast Day
March 24 – National Chocolate Covered Raisins Day
Week 5
March 25 – National Lobster Newburg Day
March 25 – National Pecan Day
March 26 – National Waffle Day
March 26 – National Nougat Day
March 27 – National Spanish Paella Day
March 28 – National Black Forest Cake Day – Check out Madonna Inn’s version! Delicious!
March 29 – National Lemon Chiffon Cake Day
March 30 – National Turkey Neck Soup Day
March 31 – National Clams on the Half Shell Day
March 31 – National Tater Day
22 Ways to Create Compelling Content from Copyblogger
February 25th, 2012 by elizabethdmrx No comments »Check out this infographic from Copyblogger about how to create compelling content for you blog. I like points 2 – Group brainstorming. And I like point number 5 – let a Guest Write. In need to work on this on and start having guest writers post on my blog. All 22 points are good ideas. Which one’s will you try out?
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February has a Bushel of Marketing Ideas!
February 6th, 2012 by elizabethdmrx No comments »
February is National Grapefruit Month!
Check out the food themed marketing ideas, healthy or decadent its up to you. I love Grapefruits so I like the idea of a Grapefruit Month marketing promotion. But my absolute favorite is Chocolate Month. Consider the possibilities.
February is:
Canned Food Month
Chocolate Month
Great American Pies Month
National Cherry Month
National Fiber Focus month
National Grapefruit Month
National Heart Healthy Month
National Hot Breakfast Month
National Snack Food Month
Potato Lover’s Month
National Sweet Potato Month.
Week long holidays for February are :
- First week of February is Shape up with Pickles Time
- Second week is the Great American Pizza Bake Celebration
- Third week is Kraut and Frankfurter week
- Fourth week is National Pancake Week.
If that is not enough celebrating for such a short month then check out the list below for the Daily Food Holidays.
February 1 – National Baked Alaska Day
February 2 – National Heavenly Hash Day
February 3 – National Carrot Cake Day
February 4 – National Homemade Soup Day
February 4 – National Stuffed Mushroom Day
February 5 – National Chocolate Fondue Day
February 6 – National Food Checkout Day
February 6 – National Nutella Day
February 7 – National Fettuccine Alfredo Day
February 8 – National Molasses Bar Day
February 9 – National Bagels and Lox Day
February 10 – National Cream Cheese Brownie Day
February 11 – National Peppermint Patty Day
February 11 – National Don’t Cry over Spilled Milk Day
February 12 – National Plum Pudding Day
February 13 – National Tortellini Day
February 14 – National Cream-Filled Chocolates Day
February 15 – National Gumdrop Day
February 16 – National Almond Day
February 17 – National Indian Pudding Day
February 18 – National Crab Stuffed Flounder Day
February 19 – National Chocolate Mint Day
February 20 – National Cherry Pie Day
February 21 – National Sticky Bun Day
February 22 – National Sweet Potato Day
February 22 – National Margarita Day
February 23- National Banana Bread Day
February 24 – National Tortilla Chip Day
February 25 – National Chocolate-Covered Peanuts Day
February 25 – National Clam Chowder Day
February 26 – National Pistachio Day
February 27 – National Chocolate Cake Day
February 27 – National Strawberry Day
February 28 – National Chocolate Souffle Day
February 29 (Leap Day) – National Surf and Turf Day
Let me know which ideas you use for your marketing and let me know in a comment!
Kick Off January with Spicy Marketing Ideas!
December 27th, 2011 by elizabethdmrx 1 comment »
Get your 2012 Marketing started with a variety of savory Awareness Days. You can have direct mail, Facebook, Twitter and Google+ marketing promotions going on all during January. Check out January 16th Hot & Spicy International Food Day. Get your customers blood pumping for big sales.
1st Week:
January 1 – National Apple Gifting Day
January 2 – National Cream Puff Day [Yum, eating contest maybe?]
January 3 – National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day [My Mom loves these!]
January 4 – National Spaghetti Day
January 5 – National Whipped Cream Day
January 6 – National Shortbread Day
January 6 – National Bean Day
January 7 – National Tempura Day
January 7 – National Fruitcake Toss Day
2nd Week:
January 8 – National English Toffee Day
January 9 – National Apricot Day
January 10 – National Bittersweet Chocolate Day
January 11 – National Milk Day [Got marketing ideas?]
January 11 – National Hot Toddy Day
January 12 – National Marzipan Day
January 12 – National Curried Chicken Day
January 13 – National Peach Melba Day
January 14 – National Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day [My favorite sandwich!]
3rd Week:
January 15 – National Strawberry Ice Cream Day
January 15 – National Fresh Squeezed Day
January 16 – National Fig Newton Day
January 16 – Hot & Spicy International Food Day
January 17 – National Hot Butter Rum Day
January 18 – National Peking Duck Day
January 19 – National Popcorn Day
January 20 – National Buttercrunch Day
January 20 – National Cheese Lover’s Day
January 20 – National Granola Bar Day
January 21 – National New England Clam Chowder Day
4th Week:
January 22 – National Blonde Brownie Day
January 23 – National Pie Day
January 23 – National Rhubarb Pie Day
January 24 – National Peanut Butter Day
January 25 – National Irish Coffee Day
January 26 – National Peanut Brittle Day
January 26 – National Pistachio Day
January 28 – National Blueberry Pancake Day
5th Week:
January 29 – National Corn Chip Day
January 30 – National Croissant Day
January 31 – National Brandy Alexander Day
Let me know which days you use and how the marketing promotions work out. Post your comments.
Bake Up Some Scrumptious Marketing Promotions in December!
December 1st, 2011 by elizabethdmrx No comments »
Here are some great days for you to get your customers all stirred up in December. Let me know which days you use and how it turns out.
1st week
December 1 – National Pie Day
December 2 – National Fritters Day
December 3 – National Apple Pie Day
December 4 – National Cookie Day – Woohoo cookies! I love baking.
December 5 – National Sacher Torte Day
December 6 – National Gazpacho Day
December 6 – Microwave Oven Day
December 7 – National Cotton Candy Day – Weird that its in December but fun!
December 8 – National Chocolate Brownie Day – Let’s get baking
December 9 – National Pastry Day
December 10 – National Lager Day
2nd week:
December 11 – National Noodle -Ring Day
December 12 – National Ambrosia Day
December 13 – National Cocoa Day – Warm drinks for everyone!
December 14 – National Bouillabaisse Day
December 15 – National Cupcake Day – Have a baking contest.
December 16 – National Chocolate Covered Anything Day
December 17 – National Maple Syrup Day
3rd week:
December 18 – National Roast Suckling Pig Day
December 19 – National Hard Candy Day – Always good for fresh breath and dry throats.
December 20 – National Fried Shrimp Day
December 20 – National Sangria Day – Drink up.
December 21 – Kiwi Fruit Day
December 22 – National Date Nut Bread Day
December 23 – National Pfeffernusse Day
December 24 – National Eggnog Day
4th week:
December 25 -National Pumpkin Pie Day
December 26 – National Candy Cane Day – I love peppermint!
December 27 – National Fruitcake Day
December 28 – National Chocolate Candy Day – Another day for chocolate. Yay!
December 29 – National Pepper Pot Day
December 30 – National Bicarbonate of Soda Day – For all that over eating.
December 31 – National Champagne Day
Social Media – Where Your Customers Know Your Name and You’re Glad They Came!
November 21st, 2011 by elizabethdmrx No comments »
Do you remember that sitcom Cheers about the some regular bar goers and their favorite bar? Whenever a certain guy came in everyone hollered his name. “Norm!” He came in so often the staff and customers all knew him by name. Even the show’s theme song was about going to a place where everybody knew your name was was glad you came.
If you’re wondering what all this is about I’ll explain. When you use Social Media for your business you can extend what I call the “Norm” Factor online. You can great customers who post regularly on your Facebook wall. Thank your customers for positive reviews and testimonials. You can even use Facebook, Twitter and Foursquare to have special offers available for your social network. By offering your customers a personal touch through Social Media they can get the “Norm” factor feeling anytime not only when they visit your business in person.
Here are four tips to creating your own “Norm” factor using Social Media
- Start conversations:
Sam the bartender would ask Norm and the other regulars about their day when they came in for a drink and they would tell him. He would listen attentively and over time they all became good friends. The customers knew Sam the bartender really cared and that’s why they kept coming back to his bar instead of buying their drinks elsewhere.
Social Media like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn allows you to chat one on one with clients/fans and at the same time share the conversation with hundreds or thousands of interested parties who want to see how much you care about your customers needs.
Ask questions and find out what your fans really need or want. Then give it to them.
- Listen to the conversation:
You can listen to your customers and provide advice and solutions using social media just like the bartender on the show offers patrons advice. And just as the bartender knows the drinks of his regulars you can know what products and services your regulars like and let them know of upcoming improvements or discounts.
I know when I go to my favorite gas station the employees are happy to see me and ask me about my day. They notice if I haven’t been by in a while. I let them know I’ve been out of town. Same thing happens at my credit union and my favorite restaurant. Something similar happens on Facebook and Twitter and LinkedInwhen I post comments about businesses I like or have an interest in.
- Encourage brand loyalty:
You can reward frequent customers in a variety of ways while keeping them interested in your postings. Post tips on and have a Customer of the Day or Week. Encourage them to share their stories. Have contests and let your customers post photos showing how much they enjoy your products. When a rival bar would compete against Cheers Sam the bartender would rally his regular customers to help him win. The customers were happy to support their favorite bar and did whatever they could to show they loyalty.
- Get personal:
Let prospective customers see that you would provide the “Norm” factor online and in person. Your customers aren’t numbers they are people you are happy to serve and you want to get to know them by name. You can be more personable by sharing your community activity on social media. Let you customers know about your favorite non-profits, share your employees of the month, post snippets of info about your hobbies or pets to keep it personal. Share the same stuff you would talk about face-to-face but on a wide scale. Everyone knew the bartender was a former baseball player and loved sports. They also new about his beloved car which I think was a Corvette. Let your customers know about you and give your business personality.
Use your social media to make your business the place everyone wants to go because you care enough to know their names!
Its Not too Late for Zesty Marketing for November!
November 3rd, 2011 by elizabethdmrx No comments »
Mix up some zesty November Marketing promotions Check out the variety of food awareness days below if you are scrambling for marketing themes for November. Let me know how your promotions turn out. Leave a comment.
First Week:
November 1 – National Deep Fried Clams Day
November 1 – National Vinegar Day
November 2 – National Deviled Egg Day
November 3 – National Sandwich Day
November 4 – National Candy Day -Yummy
November 5 – National Doughnut Day
Second Week:
November 6 – National Nachos Day
November 7 – National Bittersweet Chocolate with Almonds Day
November 8 – National Cappuccino Day
November 8 – National Scrapple Day
November 9 – National Cook Something Bold & Pungent Day
November 10 – Vanilla Cupcake Day
November 11 – National Sundae Day
November 12 – Pizza with Everything Except Anchovies Day
November 12 – Chicken Soup for the Soul Day
Third Week:
November 13 – National Indian Pudding Day
November 14 – National Guacamole Day
November 14 – National Pickle Day – Love pickles!
November 15 – National Spicy Hermit Cookie Day
November 15 – National Raisin Bran Cereal Day
November 15 – National Bundt Cake Day
November 16 – National Fast Food Day
November 17 – National Baklava Day
November 17 – Homemade Bread Day – Have customers share recipes on your Facebook Page
November 18 – National Vichyssoise Day
November 19 – Carbonated Beverage with Caffeine Day
Fourth Week:
November 20 – National Peanut Butter Fudge Day
November 20 – Noveau Beaujolais Day
November 21 – National Gingerbread Day
November 22 – National Cashew Day
November 23 – National Espresso Day
November 23 – National Eat a Cranberry Day
November 24 – National Sardines Day
November 25 – National Parfait Day
November 26 – National Cake Day
Fifth Week:
November 27 – National Bavarian Cream Pie Day
November 28 – National French Toast Day
November 29 – National Chocolates Day
November 29 – National Lemon Crème Pie Day
November 30 – National Mousse Day
October has a Cornucopia of Marketing Ideas!
October 2nd, 2011 by elizabethdmrx No comments »
Looking for Marketing Promotion Ideas for October? Check out the wide variety of days. Healthy ideas, not so healthy and fun food day ideas. October 22nd is National Nut day. What kind of nutty ideas can you come up with for your Marketing promotions?
First Week:
October 1 – World Vegetarian Day – Have customers share recipes on Facebook
October 1 – National Homemade Cookies Day [I love baking cookies!]
October 2 – National Fried Scallops Day
October 3 – National Caramel Custard Day
October 4 – National Taco Day
October 4 – National Vodka Day – Great promotion for Night Clubs, Sports Bars and Restaurants
October 5 – National Apple Betty Day
October 6 – National Noodle Day
October 7 – National Frappe Day
Second Week:
October 8 – National Fluffernutter Day
October 9 – National Dessert Day – Have people post their Favs!
October 9 – National Moldy Cheese Day
October 10 – National Angel Food Cake Day
October 11 – National Sausage Pizza Day
October 11 – World Egg Day
October 12 – National Gumbo Day
October 13 – National Yorkshire Pudding Day
October 14 – National Chocolate-Covered Insects Day – EWWW!
October 15 – National Mushroom Day
October 15 – National Chicken Cacciatore Day
October 15 – National Roast Pheasant Day
Third Week:
October 16 – World Food Day – Promote a feed the hungry food drive!
October 16 – National Liqueur Day
October 17 – National Pasta Day
October 18 – National Chocolate Cupcake Day
October 19 – National Seafood Bisque Day
October 20 – National Brandied Fruit Day
October 21 – National Apple Day
October 21 – National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day
October 21 – National Caramel Apple Day – Yum! Have them for your customers!
October 22 – National Nut Day
Fourth Week:
October 23 – National Boston Cream Pie Day
October 24 – National Bologna Day
October 24 – Good and Plenty Day
October 25 – National Greasy Foods Day
October 26 – National Mincemeat Pie Day
October 26 – National Pretzel Day – Do a mailer with mini bags of pretzels.
October 26 – National Pumpkin Day
October 27 – National Potato Day
October 28 – National Chocolate Day – Here’s my favorite day!
October 29 – National Oatmeal Day
October 30 – National Candy Corn Day
October 31 – National Candy Apple Day
Check out Dan Kennedy’s Game Changer DNA system!
September 23rd, 2011 by elizabethdmrx No comments »If you haven’t seen Dan Kennedy’s Game Changer DNA System launch videos yet then you are seriously missing out. The best place to check em out is on the Glazer Kennedy Facebook page. Click here to go see em: Game Changer DNA System
If You Doubt Social Media Works then Read this Post!
September 18th, 2011 by elizabethdmrx No comments »Social Media works. My toughest client, my hairstylist, was hard to convince to set up a Facebook Fan Page. She ended up leaving the salon she was at unexpectedly and didn’t have access to the computer database of her clientele. Trying to get the word out the offline way was not having any success. It was urgent to let her clients know the location of her new salon so they would keep coming to her. As the days went by her clients were being snapped up by her competition. And of course her old salon wasn’t going to tell her clients about her new location.
I set up the Facebook Page and started posting to the Wall. I shared her hairstylist Page with my Facebook Friends and Fans. One day a comment appears on a Page I created asking if the hairstylist I mentioned was the one that worked at the salon he was used to. He was very happy to find out it was the hairstylist he was used to having cut his hair.
Check out the post he put on her Fan Page in the screen shot below:
You can use social media to keep track of your fans and let them keep track of you. Using your Fan Page you can let your client know of changes in location, venues, hours and more. By keeping your customers informed you don’t have to worry about your competitors snapping them up.
September is Chock Full of Marketing Ideas!
August 19th, 2011 by elizabethdmrx 2 comments »
You’re in the right place if you need ideas for promoting your business in September. First off, September is National Biscuit Month. I’m picturing a contest on Facebook and having people post photos of what they like eating with their biscuits. Let fans choose which are the best looking photos. Or have people send in recipes and post a few recipes in your newsletter. Then have people comment on which biscuit recipe they tried and why they enjoyed it.
September 6th is National Coffee Ice Cream Day. I think that would work great for ice cream shops, coffee shops, coffee roasters and even restaurants. Come up with specialty coffee ice cream flavors. September 29th is National Coffee Day so you can have to great promotions going on during the month. Maybe even have a Foursquare check-in promotion of a free coffee or coffee ice cream. Let me know what you do and how it turns out.
Bakeries need to be aware of National Cream-Filled Donut Day on September 14th. Get crowds clambering for a cream-filled donut! National TV Dinner on September 10th could work for weight loss programs using special frozen dinner meals.
And if you want to promote healthy eating September 7th is National Acorn Squash Day.
First Week:
September 1 – National Cherry Popover Day
September 2 – National Blueberry Popsicle Day
September 3 – National Welsh Rarebit Day [Hmm, not sure, what would you do with it?]
Second Week:
September 4 – National Macadamia Nut Day [Do a mailer with packets of nuts.]
September 5 – National Cheese Pizza Day [Invite your customers over for lunch]
September 6 – National Coffee Ice Cream Day
September 7 – National Acorn Squash Day
September 8 – National Date-Nut Bread Day [Promote a Date Night for customers!]
September 9 – National Weinerschnitzel Day
September 10 – National TV Dinner Day
Third Week:
September 11 – National Hot Cross Bun Day
September 12 – National Chocolate Milkshake Day [Great for a 50’s Diner]
September 13 – National Peanut Day
September 14 – National Cream-Filled Donut Day
September 14 – National Eat a Hoagie Day [Have an open house with mini Hoagies!]
September 15 – National Creme de Menthe Day
September 15 – National Linguini Day [Great for restaurants!]
September 16 – National Cinnamon-Raisin Bread Day [Promote a baking contest.]
September 17 – National Apple Dumpling Day
Fourth Week:
September 18 – National Cheeseburger Day [Last Barbecue before it gets too cold?]
September 19 – National Butterscotch Pudding Day
September 20 – National Punch Day [Offer cups of punch to guests.]
September 21 – National Pecan Cookie Day10
September 22 – National Ice Cream Cone Day
September 23 – National White Chocolate Day [Send boxes to your top clients]
September 24 – National Cherries Jubilee Day
Fifth Week:
September 25 – National Crab Meat Newburg Day
September 26 – National Pancake Day [Breakfast with key clients?]
September 27 – National Chocolate Milk Day [Kid friendly day – what will you do with it?]
September 27 – National Corned Beef Hash Day
September 28 – National Strawberry Cream Pie Day
September 28 – National Drink Beer Day [Works great for sports bars and nightclubs.]
September 29 – National Coffee Day [Coffee shops and Roasters pay attention!]
September 30 – National Mulled Cider Day
Now you have 30 days worth of outrageous marketing ideas for September. Which days will you use and how? Be sure to leave a comment and let me know.
Social Media Class of 2011 Yearbook [Infographic]
August 10th, 2011 by elizabethdmrx No comments »Here’s a run down of Social Networks as a High School class. Fun descriptions of LinkedIn, Facebook, Foursquare and Twitter and Google+. Can you guess who is the Hot New Chick in Town? Find the details in the infographic below.
Google Adwords Top 20 Most Expensive Keywords for Advertising
August 8th, 2011 by elizabethdmrx No comments »Did you know that 97% of Google’s revenue comes from advertising? The top 20 list of most expensive keywords took me by surprise when I saw the infographic from WordStream. I especially found number 20 an unusual keyword. Check it out yourself.
![Where Does Google Make Its Money? [ infographic ]](http://www.wordstream.com/images/where-does-google-make-its-money.png)
© 2011 WordStream, Inc.
Cool Marketing Ideas for the Hot Days of August!
July 22nd, 2011 by elizabethdmrx No comments »
Looking for some marketing themes to cool off your customers on scorching hot August days? I notice several days have to do with ice cream, soda and refreshing fruits. I can really sink my teeth into August 2nd as National Ice Cream Sandwich Day.
Although August 6th National Root Beer Float Day sounds very thirst and heat quenching. August 14th is National Creamsicle Day and you can cool off your customers while they browse your special offers.
I’m curious what you can come up with for National Zucchini Day on August 8th. Would you do a Social Media based recipe contest? Offer samples of zucchini bread?
National Lemonade Day on August 20th is my favorite. I love drinking lemonade and frozen lemonade treats are fantastic. Would you have a recipe contest with judges doing taste tests
National Rum Day on August 16th has me thinking of a Captain Jack Sparrow costume contest. Now is that too outrageous? Post a photo of the winning costume on your Facebook Page.
1st Week:
August 1 – National Raspberry Cream Pie Day
August 2 – National Ice Cream Sandwich Day – Great on a hot day.
August 2 – National Ice Cream Soda Day
August 3 – National Watermelon Day – Have a picnic for your top customers.
August 4 – National Chocolate Chip Day – I bake yummy cookies.
August 4 – National Lasagne Day – Calling all Italian food restaurants!
August 5 – National Mustard Day
August 5 – National Waffle Day – Eateries that serve breakfast can use this in a promotion.
August 5 – National Oyster Day
August 6 – National Root Beer Float Day – I’d visit a store offering me one on a hot day!
2nd Week:
August 7 – National Raspberries ‘n Cream Day
August 8 – National Frozen Custard Day
August 8 – National Zucchini Day
August 9 – National Rice Pudding Day
August 10 – National S’mores Day – Sporting Goods shops can hand out treats to customers.
August 11 – National Raspberry Tart Day
August 12 – National Julliene Fries Day
August 13 – National Filet Mignon Day – For you luxury target market.
3rd Week:
August 14 – National Creamsicle Day
August 15 – National Lemon Meringue Pie Day – Yummy! Bakeries can create a promotion.
August 16 – National Bratwurst Day
August 16 – National Rum Day – Nightclubs and Sports Bars can have a Rum night!
August 17 – National Vanilla Custard Day
August 18 – National Ice Cream Pie Day
August 19 – National Soft Ice Cream Day
August 19 – National Potato Day
August 19 – National Hot & Spicy Food Day – Bring Your Own Antacids!
August 20 – National Chocolate Pecan Pie Day
August 20 – National Lemonade Day – I love lemonade! Have a recipe contest!
4th Week:
August 21 – National Spumoni Day
August 22 – National Pecan Torte Day
August 22 – National Eat a Peach Day – Healthy treat for your customers.
August 23 – National Spongecake Day – Now why am I thinking of Sponge Bob Squarepants?
August 24 – National Peach Pie Day
August 25 – National Banana Split Day – I’m thinking of an eating contest for customers.
August 26 – National Cherry Popsicle Day – Hand out to children.
August 27 – National Pots de Crème Day
August 27 – National Banana Day – I love them as a portable and healthy snack.
5th Week:
August 28 – National Cherry Turnovers Day
August 29 – National More Herbs
August 29 – National Less Salt Day – Good for nutritionists and restaurants
August 29 – National Chop Suey Day
August 29 – National Lemon Juice Day
August 30 – National Toasted Marshmallow Day – Have a campfire themed event.
August 31 – National Trail Mix Day
August 31 – National Eat Outside Day
I hope you find some marketing ideas for the 31 days of August. Please post a comment about which days you use and the results. I’d love to hear them.
Need to Rustle Up More Marketing Ideas for July?
June 28th, 2011 by elizabethdmrx No comments »
If you are looking for non-food related days for marketing themes here are a few. I’ ve had a few requests so I found these days courtesy of Giftypedia.
I think you can do a lot with July 26th – National Cowboy Day! Giddy Yup into audacious marketing promotions. Have a western themed sale. Maybe even have a horse shoe pitching contest. Make sure its safe!
July 13th Embrace Your Geekness Day sounds fun. Have a Geek costume contest and post the entries in your business and on your Facebook Fan Page. Have customers vote for the best costume and give a prize to the winner.
July 9th is Rock N Roll day. Have a rocker theme going on in your store and send out promotional materials with guitars and other rock images. Have a live rock band playing for the day. Free concert for your customers.
Sponsor a pet adoption event for a local shelter on July 31st, Mutt’s Day. Give away a basket of pet care items for people who adopt a mutt who needs a happy home.
1st Week:
July 1st – International Joke Day – Make sure they are clean jokes!
July 2nd – I Forgot Day – Umm, what was I supposed to buy? Send out sales flyers!
July 2nd – World UFO Day – Have an Area 51 theme going on!
July 3rd – Stay Out of the Sun Day – Hand out sunscreen, hats or beach umbrellas.
2nd Week:
July 4th – Country Music Day
July 4th – Sidewalk Egg Frying Day – I picture an egg frying contest for kids.
July 5th – Workaholics Day – Hmm, spa day needed for these people. Gift certificates.
July 6th – Take Your Webmaster to Lunch Day
July 7th – Father Daughter Take a Walk Together Day – Create sweet memories.
July 7th – International Cherry Pit Spitting Day – Another customer contest opportunity.
July 8th – Video Games Day [Pacman tune running through my head!]
July 9th – Rock N Roll Day – Great day for 50’s Diners and nightclubs
3rd Week
July 10th – Don’t Step on a Bee Day [I did this as a child during a family BBQ at the lake. Ruined my day.]
July 10th – Teddy Bear Picnic Day – Toy stores can do a promotion for kids!
July 11th – Cheer Up the Lonely Day
July 12th – Simplicity Day
July 13th – Embrace Your Geekness Day
July 13th – Barbershop Music Appreciation Day
July 15th – Be a Dork Day
July 15th – I Love Horses Day – Are they still called Dude Ranches?
July 16th – National Personal Chef’s Day
July 16th – International Juggling Day – Gift for customers juggling set
July 16th – Toss Away the “Could Haves” and “Should Haves” Day (third Saturday in July)
4th Week:
July 18th – Chrysanthemum Day
July 18th – National Get Out of the Dog House Day (third Monday in July)
July 18th – National Hug Your Kids Day (third Monday in July)
July 20th – Ugly Truck Day – Have a photo contest. Like that ugly dog contest.
July 22nd – Hammock Day
July 23rd – Gorgeous Grandma Day
July 23rd – Hot Enough For Ya Day – Invite customers in to cool off and browse!
July 24th – National Drive-Thru Day
July 24th – National Tell an Old Joke Day – Have a contest for your customers.
5th Week:
July 25th – Day Out of Time Day
July 25th – Threading the Needle Day
July 25th – Culinarians Day
July 26th – National Cowboy Day [Song in my head “I want to be a cowboy and you can be my cowgirl…]
July 26th – All or Nothing Day
July 27th – Walk on Stilts Day – Hire a professional to walk on stilts outside your business!
July 28th – Accountants Day
July 28th – Beatrix Potter Day
July 31st – Mutt’s Day – Sponsor a pet adoption from a local shelter.
July 31st – International Dance Day – for Dance instructors!
July 31st – National Underwear Day – Make sure its clean!
If you like the non-food days for your marketing promotions leave a comment and I’ll do it again for the next month. Otherwise I’m sticking to food holidays. I love food.
Battle of the Smartphones [Infographic]
June 26th, 2011 by elizabethdmrx No comments »Smart Phones are changing social media as it goes mobile. Check out the following statistics:
- 99.6 million smart phones were sold in the first quarter of this year.
- Facebook added 45 million mobile users in six months.
- Foursquare reported 380 million check-ins in 2010.
If you want to find out more interesting statics check out the infographic I found on Social Media Explorer about Android vs iPhone:
31 Days of Marketing Ideas for July!
June 23rd, 2011 by elizabethdmrx 3 comments »
Looking for outrageous marketing themes for July to keep your customers engaged and buying? You’ve come to the right place. Below are a list of food and drink National Days to give your marketing a sparkling flare!
I like July 31st – National Cotton Candy Day. It just so happens its during the local County Fair in my area! I have lots of happy childhood memories attached to Cotton Candy.
Rent a cotton candy machine for your business and invite your customers to come in with their families for free cotton candy. You can create an event on Facebook, tweet about it and set up a Foursquare promotion related to National Cotton Candy Day. And if you hurry you can even drop a cotton candy themed postcard in the mail to your customer list. Invite your guests to post photos of their cotton candy fun on your Facebook wall.
National Junk Food Day on July 21st sounds like lots of fun! Get your customers talking about their favorite Junk Food and have them post photos on your Facebook Wall.
Want a tropical theme for your marketing promotion? National Pina Colada Day on July 10th should work just fine. If you are a non-food service business you can have non alcoholic Pina Coladas available for customers to enjoy/
If you want to get fancy and deal with a luxury market send your best clients caviar on July 18th National Caviar Day.
1st Week:
July 1 – National Gingersnap Day
July 1 – National Creative Ice Cream Flavor Day – Have a contest and have people submit recipes.
July 2 – National Anisette Day – Its an Anise flavored liqueur.
July 3 – National Chocolate Wafer Day
July 3 – National Eat Beans Day [Make sure you use this for an out door event! LOL]
2nd Week:
July 4 – National Barbecue Day
July 4 – National Barbecued Spareribs Day
July 4 – National Caesar Salad Day
July 5 – National Apple Turnover Day
July 6 – National Fried Chicken Day – My Grandma fried the best chicken!
July 7 – National Strawberry Sundae Day
July 7 – National Macaroni Day
July 8 – National Milk Chocolate with Almonds Day
July 9 – National Sugar Cookie Day
July 9 – National Don’t Put all your Eggs in One Omelet Day
July 10 – National Pina Colada Day – Have a tropical theme with special offer on Pina Coladas!
3rd Week:
July 11 – National Blueberry Muffin Day – Bakeries, coffee shops and even diners can use this day.
July 12 – National Pecan Pie Day
July 13 – National French Fries Day [Oh, there goes my diet! Love fries!]
July 13 – National Bean ‘n Franks Day
July 14 – National Grand Marnier Day
July 14 – National Pick Blueberries Day
July 15 – National Tapioca Pudding Day
July 16 – National Corn Fritters Day
July 17 – National Peach Ice Cream Day
4th Week:
July 18 – National Caviar Day – Luxury market! Send out jars to your top clients.
July 19 – National Daiquiri Day – Have non-alcoholic ones in your store for customers on a hot day.
July 19 – National Ice Cream Day
July 20 – National Lollipop Day – Hand out to your customers children when they stop by.
July 20 – National Fortune Cookie Day – Have ones with motivational quotes and use in mailers.
July 21 – National Crème Brulee Day
July 21 – National Junk Food Day – Why am I thinking competitive eating contest?
July 22 – National Penuche Fudge Day [Made from brown sugar]
July 23 – National Vanilla Ice Cream Day
July 24 – National Tequila Day – Bars, Nightclubs and Mexican restaurants can do a themed promo.
5th Week:
July 25 – National Hot Fudge Sundae Day
July 26 – National Bagelfest – Bakeries pay attention!
July 26 – National Coffee Milkshake Day – Coffee shops can use this for a special promo.
July 27 – National Crème Brulee Day
July 27 – National Scotch Day – Bars, Pubs and Nightclubs can use this for a promotion.
July 28 – National Milk Chocolate Day
July 28 – National Hamburger Day
July 29 – National Lasagna Day
July 30 – National Cheesecake Day
July 31 – National Raspberry Cake Day
July 31 – National Cotton Candy Day – Rent a machine for your business and invite customers for a treat.
July 31 – National Jump for Jelly Beans Day – Send out mailers with jelly beans packages attached.
For those of you looking for non food related marketing themes for July I’ll be posting a list soon. Let me know which days you use for a promotion and the response you get.
Is Facebook Hurting Your Relationship? [Infographic]
June 16th, 2011 by elizabethdmrx No comments »
Online Dating University and All Facebook collaborated on this fascinating infographic of how Facebook may or may not hurt your romantic relationships.
Interesting statistics:
- About 60% of people on Facebook set a relationship status on their profile.
- Women have always made up a greater percentages of Facebook’s user base.
- 50% of active users log on to Facebook at any given time.
- This active 50% spend over 700 billion minutes on Facebook per month!
If your worried about whether Facebook is affecting your relationship check out the infographic below. First here are few tips:
- Remember everything you post is public.
- You can edit your privacy controls to keep exes from seeing your updated posts.
- Communicate with your partner to find out if there are any issues with something you’ve posted on Facebook.
Collaboration between All Facebook and Online Dating University
Piece of Cake Marketing Ideas for June!
May 30th, 2011 by elizabethdmrx No comments »
June has several cake awareness days that will make for some delicious marketing promotions. June 1st is National Hazelnut Cake Day, June 6th is National Applesauce Cake Day, June 11th is National German Chocolate Cake Day and June 14th is National Strawberry ShortCAKE Day.
I’m thinking wineries could also use National Cheese Day on June 4th to encourage wine tasters to visit. And stores selling kitchen items can have a special promotion for people who feel less skilled in the kitchen with National Kitchen Klutzes of America on June 13th.
If you want a family orientated theme how about International Picnic Day on June 18th. Or there is June 17th National Eat Your Veggies Day to encourage families to eat healthy.
What can you come up with for your June Marketing promotions?
First Week:
June 1: National Hazelnut Cake Day
June 2: National Rocky Road Day
June 3: National Chocolate Macaroon Day
June 4: National Cheese Day
June 4: National Cognac Day
June 5: National Gingerbread Day
Second Week:
June 6: National Applesauce Cake Day
June 6: National Frozen Yogurt Day
June 7: National Chocolate Ice Cream Day
June 8: National Jelly-filled Doughnut Day
June 9: National Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie Day
June 10: National Herbs & Spices Day
June 10: National Black Cow Day
June 11: National German Chocolate Cake Day
June 12: Peanut Butter Cookie Day
Third Week:
June 13: National Kitchen Klutzes of America Day
June 14: National Strawberry Shortcake Day
June 15: National Lobster Day – Seafood restaurants do something fun!
June 16: National Fudge Day
June 17: National Apple Strudel Day
June 17: National Eat All Your Veggies Day – Nutritionists, chefs, restaurants!
June 18: National Cherry Tart Day
June 18: International Picnic Day
June 19: National Dry Martini Day – Have a 007 contest!
Fourth Week:
June 20: National Vanilla Milkshake Day – Have a retro 50’s theme sale!
June 21: National Peaches & Cream Day
June 22: National Chocolate Eclair Day – Delicious!
June 22: National Onion Rings Day
June 23: National Pecan Sandies Day
June 24: National Pralines Day
June 25: National Strawberry Parfait Day
June 25: National Catfish Day
June 26: National Chocolate Pudding Day
Fifth Week:
June 27: National Orange Blossom Day
June 28: National Tapioca Day
June 29: National Almond Buttercrunch Day
June 30: National Ice Cream Soda Day – Lots of fun for summer time!
Let me know if you use June 25th National Catfish Day in a Marketing promotion. I think it could work for the right business.
Shape Up Your Marketing Promotions for May!
April 25th, 2011 by elizabethdmrx No comments »
Are you straining your brain for promotional themes for May? No need for a mental muscle pull. Here are some fun ideas to kick start your May sales.
I’m really liking May 6th as “National No Diet Day”. Might be a little outrageous but Athletic Clubs could use this as a get fit promotion. Celebrate No Diet Day then come in and start your fitness routine to maintain a healthy lifestyle not just and endless series of failed diets.
May 11th as “National Eat What You Want Day” can work for restaurants, candy shops, bakeries, ice cream parlors and even grocery stores.
May 23rd is “National Taffy Day”. Watching those taffy pulling machines is fun. Maybe you can rent one and have it in your store for a special sales promotion. Get the summer season started of with “National Grape Popsicle Day” on May 27th.
Check below for even more marketing ideas for the entire month of May.
First Week of May:
May 1 – National Chocolate Parfait Day
May 2 – National Truffle Day
May 3 – National Raspberry Tart Day
May 3 – National Chocolate Custard Day
May 4 – National Candied Orange Peel Day
May 4 – National Orange Juice Day
May 5 – National Chocolate Custard Day
May 5 – National Hoagie Day
May 5 – National Oyster Day [Seafood restaurants need to use this day.]
May 6 – National Crepe Suzette Day
May 6 – National No Diet Day [Yippee! Have a party for your clients.]
May 7 – National Roast Leg of Lamb Day
Second Week of May:
May 8 – National Coconut Cream Pie Day
May 8 – National Empanada Day
May 9 – National Butterscotch Brownie Day
May 10 – National Shrimp Day
May 11 – National Eat What You Want Day [Love this day!]
May 12 – National Nutty Fudge Day
May 13 – National Apple Pie Day
May 13 – National Fruit Cocktail Day
May 14 – National Buttermilk Biscuit Day
Third Week of May:
May 15 – National Chocolate Chip Day
May 16 – National Coquilles St. Jacques Day
May 17 – National Cherry Cobbler Day
May 18 – National Cheese Souffle Day
May 19 – National Devil’s Food Cake Day
May 20 – National Quiche Lorraine Day
May 20 – National Pick Strawberries Day [Make it a family event.]
May 21 – National Strawberries and Cream Day
Fourth Week of May:
May 22 – National Vanilla Pudding Day
May 23 – National Taffy Day
May 24 – National Escargot Day
May 25 – National Brown-Bag-It Day [Good for lunch presentations.]
May 25 – National Wine Day
May 26 – National Blueberry Cheesecake Day
May 26 – National Cherry Dessert Day
May 27 – National Grape Popsicle Day
May 28 – National Brisket Day
Fifth Week of May:
May 29 – National Coq Au Vin Day
May 30 – National Mint Julep Day
May 31 – National Macaroon Day
Be sure to leave a comment about which days you plan to use in your marketing promotions.
Curious about Quora? [Infographic]
April 13th, 2011 by elizabethdmrx No comments »I found this interesting inforgraphic from Kismmetrics about Quora. Not sure you want to join? Check out the stats to help you make a decision. I’ve joined but have under-utilized it. I’m going to see how I can make it work for me.
KISSmetrics Web Analytics
LinkedIn has Reached 100 Million Members [Infographic]
March 27th, 2011 by elizabethdmrx No comments »Are you on LinkedIn yet? If not think about becoming a member. There are now over 100 million professionals you can connect with on LinkedIn. 61% of members are men. Come on women join in and connect with professionals in your target market. The top countries with the highest percentage of LinkedIn users are U.S.A, India, UK and Brazil. (Side note: I’ve been learning Hindi.)
Check out the infographic below to get more statistics about LinkedIn members.
The Psychology of Social Media Marketing
March 15th, 2011 by elizabethdmrx No comments »
Solve Your Customers Problems with Your Services.
Do you want to know the best way to reach your customers with Social Media? I found an article from memeburn describing “6 Psychology Findings for Social Media Marketing”. What I took from the article:
• People love multiple ways to learn .Audio and visual so add videos and audios to your social media not just text content.
• Niche marketing is good for business. Solve a specific problem for a specific set of customers.
• Give people choices but not so many they get overwhelmed and can’t make a decision. Options A, B, and C not A thru Z.
• People will be more inclined to like us if we share valuable information on a regular basis. We start off as an acquaintance and become someone they enjoy seeing and trust.
• People like a story that connects with them on an emotional level. Share examples of how your products or services will enhance their lives.
• People love advice. A 2008 study showed that 50% of people consulted a blog before making a buying decision. You can influence you customers in a positive way by sharing the features and benefits of your services. Use reviews and testimonials.
If you want to read the details of the article you can read it here: 6 Psychology Findings for Social Media Marketing.
April Is A Marketing Picnic Of Ideas!
March 14th, 2011 by elizabethdmrx No comments »
April 23rd is National Picnic Day. Have a picnic themed promotion for your business. Send out Picnic baskets full of goodies to you top clients. Or have a picnic at your store if you cater to families and encourage them to bring their children.
April 1st has three different theme ideas to match any business. I like National Cherry Cheesecake Day…invite me to a tasting at your event.
There is even a healthy day for vegetarians: April 20th is National Lima Bean Respect Day. I loved them in my vegetable soup when I was a child. Hmm, National Zucchini Bread day sounds like a tasty treat for you customers.
All of April has some really good days for marketing themes. Check out the rest below for five weeks full of outrageous advertising ideas. Use them in your Social Media, Direct Mail and Print and TV advertising promotions
Week 1 –
April 1 – April Fool’s Day – This sale is no joke…prices that can’t be beat.
April 1 – National Sourdough Bread Day
April 1 – International Edible Book Day – There’s even an International Edible Book Festival.
April 2 – National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day – Its peanut butter, jelly time!
April 3 – National Chocolate Mousse Day – Ummm, delicious.
Week 2 –
April 4 – National Cordon Bleu Day
April 5 – National Raisin & Spice Bar Day
April 6 – National Caramel Popcorn Day
April 7 – National Coffee Cake Day – Coffee shops can offer a special offer with a beverage.
April 8 – National Empanada Day
April 9 – National Chinese Almond Cookie Day
April 10 – National Cinnamon Crescent Day – Bakeries can do a promotion to bring in customers.
Week 3 –
April 11 – National Cheese Fondue Day
April 12 – National Licorice Day
April 13 – National Peach Cobbler Day – Have fans post recipes on your Fan Page wall.
April 14 – National Pecan Day
April 14 – National Hot Cross Bun Day
April 15 – National Glazed Spiral Ham Day
April 16 – National Eggs Benedict Day
April 16 – National Baked Ham with Pineapple Day
April 16 – National Day of the Mushroom
April 17 – National Cheeseball Day
Week 4 –
April 18 – National Animal Crackers Day – Monkeys and rabbits Loop the Loop
April 19 – National Garlic Day
April 19 – National Amaretto Day
April 20 – National Pineapple Upside-down Cake Day
April 20 – National Lima Bean Respect Day
April 21 – National Chocolate-Covered Cashews Day
April 22 – National Jelly Bean Day – Mail out jelly beans in a mailer.
April 23 – National Cherry Cheesecake Day
April 23 – National Picnic Day – Picnic themed sale for families.
April 24 – National Pigs-in-a-Blanket Day
Week 5 –
April 25 – National Zucchini Bread Day
April 26 – National Pretzel Day – Offer customers big, warm pretzels. Yum!
April 27 – National Prime Rib Day
April 28 – National Blueberry Pie Day – Recipe contest for your customers.
April 29 – National Shrimp Scampi Day – Seafood restaurants, think up a promotion!
April 30 – National Oatmeal Cookie Day
April 30 – National Raisin Day
Do You Doubt You Can Find Your Customers On Facebook?
February 24th, 2011 by elizabethdmrx No comments »
Still wondering why you should bother having a Business Page on Facebook? Consider this 1 out of every 13 people in the world are on Facebook. Out of people in the U.S. connected to the internet, 72% have a profile on Facebook.
Think of how many people you could educate about your business. And the people who find you on Facebook will share your Page with others if they find it interesting. Word of mouth marketing done online because you made the time to interact with your customers on Facebook.
Check out this short video by Alex Trimpe to get more information on the power of Facebook in people’s lives and think about why you aren’t marketing your business on Facebook yet:
The World Is Obsessed With Facebook from Alex Trimpe on Vimeo.
It’s amazing, how in a few short years Facebook has grown and is a part of daily life for millions of people. People communicate with family and friends, search for information, places to go, companies to do business with all inside Facebook.
Direct Marketing Rx can help you get started. Contact us today and start reaching out to the half a billion people on Facebook. Don’t just think local, think global for your business.
If Social Media Were a High School [Infographic]
February 20th, 2011 by elizabethdmrx No comments »Flowtown had this fun infographic describing each social media network as a high school teenager. Its up to you to get involved and get your business known among the niche group your business is targeting.
Flowtown - Social Media Marketing Application
Is Being Relevant Only a Fantasy for Your Business?
February 12th, 2011 by elizabethdmrx No comments »
Have you made your business irrelevant online? Astonishingly enough I still hear on a daily basis, at least one business person say they are not interested in Facebook or other social media to promote their business online. Apparently those business people want to stay invisible and irrelevant on a media platform that can brand their business on a global scale.
An associate mentioned to me that some people currently view social media for marketing and advertising like people back in the 1950’s viewed radio some new fad that wasn’t worth their making room in for in their marketing budget. Savvy business people who saw the value of radio back in the 1950’s used it too make their businesses more successful. Today savvy business people can use social media, especially Facebook to enhance awareness about their business to their target market on a huge scale for much less money than a radio ad in today’s media. Social media is the present and the future.
Social media in unexplored territory for many and businesses need to know how to use social networking to promote their business. Social media allows you to expand your online presence, build a social media fan base, interact with your customers and increase sales with social networks like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube and Blogs.
You can use it to tell your customers about your business, future products and services, promotional events, special sales and educational seminars. You can also build your business reputation as a leader in your field by sharing your expertise which helps to create loyal customers who turn into fans and tell their friends about your business.
Don’t just fantasize about being relevant get your social media marketing started today. Direct Marketing Rx is a social media management firm dedicated to marketing your business through social networks. If you need help we are here to meet your social media marketing needs. To keep in touch with customers and build brand awareness you need to get involved in social media. Contact us today we can help you.
Spring into Your March Marketing Promotions!
February 11th, 2011 by elizabethdmrx No comments »
People are blooming with the urge to shop when the sun comes out and flowers start growing. Lure them into you business with special offers using fun and outrageous themes.
Get people interacting with you on your Facebook page and Twitter. Have recipe contests. Send out mailers with recipe cards attached and have customers post photos of their version of your recipe on your Facebook Wall.
Have a taste off at your business and have some local celebrities’ judge which of your customers had the best recipe. Take their photo with the winning dish and give them a gift certificate for your products or services.
If you run a restaurant and say a special day below that incorporates one of your dishes or desserts have a special discount on that specific day. Advertise it on you social media profile, your print, TV and radio ads. Get people excited to come in and taste that special dish. National White Chocolate Cheesecake days sounds like a yummy way to get customers dining at your restaurant. Or Lobster Newburg Day or Baked Scallops Day or even National Oatmeal Nut Waffles Day.
There are plenty of ideas for non-food service businesses too. Have a National Cheese Doodle Day promotion where you hand out snack sized bags to customers who come in to your business on March 5th.
Week 1 –
March 1 – National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day
March 1 – National Fruit Compote Day
March 2 – National Banana Cream Pie Day
March 3 – National Cold Cuts Day – Have cold cuts in a deli tray available for customers to enjoy while the shop your sale.
March 3 – National Mulled Wine Day
March 4 – National Poundcake Day
March 5 – National Cheese Doodle Day
March 6 – National White Chocolate Cheesecake Day
Week 2 –
March 7 – National Crown Roast of Pork Day
March 7 – National Cereal Day
March 8 – National Peanut Cluster Day
March 9 – National Crabmeat Day
March 10 – National Blueberry Popover Day
March 11 – National Oatmeal Nut Waffles Day – Invite your top clients over for a breakfast at your favorite restaurant
March 12 – National Baked Scallops Day – Great promotion idea for seafood restaurants.
March 13 – National Coconut Torte Day
Week 3 –
March 14 – National Potato Chip Day
March 15 – National Peanut Lovers Day
March 15 – National Pears Helene Day
March 16 – National Artichoke Heart Day
March 17 – National Corned Beef and Cabbage Day
March 18 – National Oatmeal Cookie Day – Bakery marketing idea.
March 19 – National Poultry Day
March 19 – National Chocolate Caramel Day
March 20 – National Ravioli Day – Italian restaurants can have a special offer.
Week 4 –
March 21 – National French Bread Day – I love fresh baked French Bread.
March 21 – National California Strawberry Day – The Santa Maria Strawberry Festival is April 29th – May 1st.
March 22 – National Water Day – Donate to Water Project.
March 23 – National Chip and Dip Day
March 23 – National Melba Toast Day
March 24 – National Chocolate Covered Raisins Day
March 25 – National Lobster Newburg Day
March 25 – National Pecan Day
March 26 – National Waffle Day
March 26 – National Nougat Day
March 27 – National Spanish Paella Day
Week 5 –
March 28 – National Black Forest Cake Day – I’m thinking of the Madonna Inn Bakery! Yum!
March 29 – National Lemon Chiffon Cake Day
March 30 – National Turkey Neck Soup Day – How about a recipe contests?
March 31 – National Clams on the Half Shell Day – Another seafood restaurant promotional idea.
March 31 – National Tater Day
Be sure to leave a comment about which day you used in your March Marketing promotions. I’m eager to hear how you used outrageous advertising to bring in sales.
Social Media Map of the World – Is Your Business On It? [Infographic]
February 8th, 2011 by elizabethdmrx No comments »Check out the infographic of the world map of social networking changes from June 2009 to December 2010. Facebook use is spreading throughout the world.
Facebook and Twitter are the top two social networking sites. Are you promoting your business on Facebook and Twitter? If your answer is no then what’s holding you back?
If social media has the power to move people to change history think about what it can do for your business. We live in a global economy. It’s time to get the word out about your business on a global scale with a Facebook Fan Page and a Twitter account.
An Old School Way to Get the Word Out About Your Social Networks
February 2nd, 2011 by elizabethdmrx No comments »Do you have your social media contact info on your business cards? I have them on mine. Give your customers more than one way to connect with you beyond traditional phone number, address, email and website. I have my twitter and Facebook Profile links listed on my business card. You really need to incorporate you business cards into your social media.
I was reading a blog post by Mike Capuzzi of Copy Doodles about “How to Get More Out of Your Business Card Layouts.” He mentions 7 secrets to get more use out of your business cards to market your business. I use secret #3 Double the Power of my card by making them double sided. Check mine out below:
I like to use full color and extra thick card stock although Mike Capuzzi’s post encourages using non-traditional materials.
If you want to read about all 7 secrets check out the original article here: How to Get More Out of Your Business Card Layouts.
How Can You Use a Twitter Party to Promote Your Business?
January 20th, 2011 by elizabethdmrx No comments »Michael Port held a Twitter Party today to promote the release of the second edition of his book “Book Yourself Solid”. He sent it out as an invitation to his Facebook friends so I decided to participate. I went to the link that showed the rules on how to participate. I signed up along with a 141 other people. I made my tweets and I won a signed copy of the new book! Check out the screen print with my name listed under winners.
How would you use a Twitter Party to promote your business? One way is to get people interested in winning free tickets to an event. And those who don’t win may end up buying tickets to the event. Or promote a book or new product launch. What other ways can you think of using a Twitter Party to get more clients?
It’s Not All about Hearts and Flowers – Marketing Ideas For February.
January 2nd, 2011 by elizabethdmrx No comments »
Need a marketing promotion idea for February? Check out the national days, week long awareness days and national month topics. There are endless ideas for outrageous marketing during February. Tie your marketing altogether using direct mail, social media and print, radio and TV advertising. Get your customers salivating over your great February deals.
February is:
• Chocolate Month
• Great American Pies Month
• National Cherry Month
• National Fiber Focus month
• National Grapefruit Month
• National Heart Healthy Month
• National Hot Breakfast Month
• National Snack Food Month
• National Sweet Potato Month
Week long holidays for February are:
• First week of February is Shape up with Pickles Time
• Second week of February is the Great American Pizza Bake Celebration!
• Third week is Kraut and Frankfurter week
• Fourth week is National Pancake Week.
Week 1 –
February 1 – National Baked Alaska Day
February 2 – National Heavenly Hash Day
February 3 – National Carrot Cake Day
February 4 – National Homemade Soup Day – Great marketing idea for personal chefs!
February 4 – National Stuffed Mushroom Day
February 5 – National Chocolate Fondue Day
February 6 – National Nutella Day
Week 2 –
February 7 – National Fettuccine Alfredo Day
February 8 – National Molasses Bar Day
February 9 – National Bagels and Lox Day
February 10 – National Cream Cheese Brownie Day
February 11 – National Peppermint Patty Day
February 11 – National Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk Day
February 12 – National Plum Pudding Day
February 13 – National Tortellini Day
Week 3 –
February 14 – National Cream – Filled Chocolates Day
February 15 – National Gumdrop Day
February 16 – National Almond Day
February 17 – National Indian Pudding Day
February 18 – National Crab Stuffed Flounder Day
February 19 – National Chocolate Mint Day – Do a bulky mailer with candy!
February 20 – National Cherry Pie Day – Makes me think of the 80’s song! 😀
Week 4 –
February 21 – National Sticky Bun Day
February 22 – National Sweet Potato Day
February 22 – National Margarita Day – Nightclubs and restaurants can offer specials!
February 23 -National Banana Bread Day – Bake up some great deals!
February 24 – National Tortilla Chip Day
February 25 – National Chocolate Covered Peanuts Day
February 25 – National Clam Chowder Day – Seafood restaurants use this idea!
February 26 – National Pistachio Day – Have a nutty marketing promo!
February 27 – National Chocolate Cake Day
February 27 – National Strawberry Day – Sweet, healthy promo idea!
February 28 – National Chocolate Soufflé Day
Let me know what outrageous advertising you come up with and I’ll feature it in a future blog post.
7 Tips for Dealing with Complaints Posted on Your Fan Page or Twitter Profile
December 30th, 2010 by elizabethdmrx 2 comments »
I’ve heard people worry about using social media because they aren’t sure how to handle negative comments or bad reviews. They’ve heard some nightmare situation where an unfounded complaint was posted on a review site or someone’s Facebook Wall and the business spent days in an ongoing dialogue refuting the complaint.
Consider social media networks as an extension of your customer service. Here are some tips in dealing with negative reviews and comments posted online:
- Be sure to thank the person posting the negative comment or review for sharing their concerns. Companies can appear indifferent or hostile when faced with a negative comment.
- Always reply to negative posts. It shows you are interested in their experience with your company. Let everyone see you have great customer service by posting a timely response.
- Don’t get into an online argument for any reason. Always be professional and civil no matter how inflammatory the individual’s comment or review may be.
- Be quick to provide an apology when dealing with a negative review. You are sorry they had a bad experience.
- Fix the problem and explain the steps you’ve taken to make the fix. Address the issue in a timely manner before you give the person reason to post further complaints due to your failure to respond to the complaint.
- Don’t obsess on a bitterly negative review. You don’t want to sound defensive or make a bad situation worse. Do your best to fix the problem and then move forward. Focus on keeping your regular customers happy and encourage them to post positive reviews. This will balance out any negative posts that prospective customers see. If they read on bad review out of 50 good reviews they’ll know it was an unusual occurrence.
If the issue is too involved send the person a direct message on Facebook or Twitter. You can even ask for the customer’s phone number so you can contact directly. In the past, when I’ve had issues with my web hosting services tech support scheduled a phone appointment to deal with my customer service and technical concerns.
The point is to be proactive and have a person designated to handle customer service issues that come up through your social media profiles.
Social Media Helps You Find Out What Your Customers Want
December 15th, 2010 by elizabethdmrx No comments »
Have you been wondering why you should bother using Twitter or Facebook as part of your marketing plan? Social networking incorporates the following aspects of human nature:
- People like to be involved
- People like to be appreciated
- People like to share their knowledge and experiences
Social networking is about building relationships – on a wide scale.
You can use social media to find out what motivates your customers to buy from your business over your competitors.
Your fans will let you know in real time what works and doesn’t work about your business. I have personally used Facebook and Twitter to resolve customer service issues I was having with companies. I was to the point of not even using the business ever again when I decided to post my dissatisfaction on the company’s Facebook page and Twitter profile.
I got quick responses when my previous phone calls and emails hadn’t worked and I’m still doing business with those companies. You can be the business owner known for a quick response to customer service issues. People will know you care about their needs and continuing business relationship not just making a quick buck.
Using social media is a great market research tool to understand what your customer wants:
- Posting questions for your customers to answer. People love to participate and give their opinions on a variety of topics. It’s amazing how many people will share their knowledge and expertise if you only ask by posting a question on Facebook or Twitter.
- Use surveys and polls. There are third party applications you can use and many are free or low cost. Are you curious to know why certain products or services sell more than others? Wondering if a new product or service you’re considering offering will even sell? Create a survey or poll and post it on Facebook and tweet a link to it on Twitter.
- Ask people what they like and don’t like about your products. You may find out how to improve what they are already buying so they will buy more often and referring their friends. Maybe they want more flexibility in service or more choices in colors or sizes in products you sell. Making a few small adjustments could increase sales without investing a lot of money in a new product or service that wouldn’t appeal to your customer base.
- Show customer appreciation by providing rewards for their participation. Give a discount or coupon for a free treat/sample when they come into your business or make an online purchase as the reward for completing the survey, poll or answering the questions you posted.
- Reward them for doing something they already wanted to do. Some times offering a reward for clicking LIKE on your Facebook Fan Page can be rewarded. After I clicked LIKE on a local business Fan Page they provided a 20% off discount coupon for me to print. I wasn’t expecting it and planned to LIKE their Fan page regardless. But now that I have the coupon I’m ready to go spend some money at the store I wasn’t planning on spending at all. How’s that for motivating your customers to spend money?
Using social media to market your business is a vital way to connect with your customers.
Use social networking to show our customers you appreciate them and want their feedback so you can keep improving your business to fit their needs. It’s also an effective platform to share your expertise and let people know why your business has the best services or products to fit their needs. Use your Facebook Fan Page or Twitter profile to be the online gathering place for prospects looking for what you have to offer.
Whip Your Marketing Into Shape for 2011!
December 14th, 2010 by elizabethdmrx No comments »
January is packed full of marketing opportunities. What outrageous advertising can you come up with to entice customers into your business?
I’m partial to candy so if you mailed me an offer including free candy I’d be tempted to make and extra trip into your store.
You can run a contest on egg recipes since January is National Egg Month.
Or have a Bake-Off with National Bread Machine Baking Month. Which you your customers can up with the best bread recipe? Have them post recipes to your Facebook Fan Page. You can send out tweets for people to vote for the best recipes.
January is:
National Candy Month
National Hot Tea Month
National Fresh Squeezed Juice Month
National Oatmeal Month
National Prune Breakfast Month
National Bread Machine Baking Month
National Wheat Bread Month
National Soup Month
National Egg Month
National Meat Month
Week 1
January 1 – National Apple Gifting Day
January 2 – National Cream Puff Day
January 3 – National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day
January 4 – National Spaghetti Day
January 5 – National Whipped Cream Day – I heard it now comes in peppermint flavor.
January 6 – National Shortbread Day
January 6 – National Bean Day
January 7 – National Tempura Day
January 7 – National Fruitcake Toss Day – Sounds like Punkin Chunkin – Have a competition.
January 8 – National English Toffee Day – Tasty treats to send your top clients.
Week 2
January 9 – National Apricot Day – I like them glazed and dipped in chocolate!
January 10 – National Bittersweet Chocolate Day – Use it to bake up cookies!
January 11 – National Milk Day
January 11 – National Hot Toddy Day
January 12 – National Marzipan Day
January 12 – National Curried Chicken Day – Namaste! Let’s eat.
January 13 – National Peach Melba Day
January 14 – National Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day – Oh, yeah, go for it Delis.
January 15 – National Strawberry Ice Cream Day
January 15 – National Fresh Squeezed Day
Week 3
January 16 – National Fig Newton Day
January 16 – Hot & Spicy International Food Day – Heat up your sales!
January 17 – National Hot Butter Rum Day
January 18 – National Peking Duck Day
January 19 – National Popcorn Day – Healthy treat
January 20 – National Buttercrunch Day
January 20 – National Cheese Lover’s Day
January 20 – National Granola Bar Day
January 21 – National New England Clam Chowder Day
January 22 – National Blonde Brownie Day – I make some yummy ones!
Week 4
January 23 – National Pie Day
January 23 – National Rhubarb Pie Day
January 24 – National Peanut Butter Day
January 25 – National Irish Coffee Day – Keep your customers warm while they shop – Make sure its non-alcoholic
January 26 – National Peanut Brittle Day
January 26 – National Pistachio Day – I love them!
January 28 – National Blueberry Pancake Day
January 29 – National Corn Chip Day
Week 5
January 30 – National Croissant Day
January 31 – National Brandy Alexander Day
Post which days you use and how the promotion worked. I’d love to see samples of your mailers or flyers or screen shots of your outrages ads. I’ll post them on this blog for others to see your great ideas.
How Marketers Are Using Social Media
December 12th, 2010 by elizabethdmrx No comments »Are you using social media to market your business? Why not? Check out what marketers are doing. Twitter and Facebook are the top social media tools. Are you using them effectively?
Harness Your October Marketing Promotions for Big Sales!
September 26th, 2010 by elizabethdmrx No comments »
Use your marketing promotions to celebrate:
National Chili Month
National Apple Month
National Popcorn Popping Month
National Pretzel Month
National Seafood Month
National Pork Month
There are food choices for every type of business. Make your promotions healthy fun or guilty pleasures! I’m thinking Chili Cook Offs or have your customers create recipes for apple desserts and use Facebook and Twitter to promote the events.
Pretzels are easily shipped and you can mail them out to prospects with recipes for chocolate dipped pretzels.
October being National Pork Month sounds like its time for a Luau for your customers. Or have a clam bake or shrimp cocktail available for a customer appreciation day.
Let me know what you decide to do for your October marketing promotions.
Week 1
October 1 World Vegetarian Day – All healthy businesses can do something on this day!
October 2 National Fried Scallops Day
October 3 National Caramel Custard Day
Week 2
October 4 National Taco Day
October 5 National Apple Betty Day
October 6 National Noodle Day
October 7 National Frappe Day
October 8 Celebrate National Chili Month
October 9 Celebrate National Apple Month
October 10 National Angel Food Cake Day
Week 3
October 11 World Egg Day
October 12 Celebrate National Popcorn Popping Month
October 13 National Yorkshire Pudding Day
October 14 Celebrate National Pretzel Month – Love ‘em! Send bags to your clients
October 15 National Chicken Cacciatore Day
October 16 Celebrate National Seafood Month
October 17 National Pasta Day
Week 4
October 18 National Chocolate Cupcake Day – Sprinkles strawberry cupcakes and strawberry frosting is fabulous! Bake some for you best clients.
October 19 National Seafood Bisque Day
October 20 Celebrate National Pork Month
October 21 National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day
October 22 National Nut Day – Send your clients packages of nut mixes.
October 23 National Boston Cream Pie Day
October 24 National Bologna Day
Week 5
October 25 National Greasy Foods Day
October 26 National Mincemeat Pie Day
October 27 National Potato Day
October 28 National Chocolate Day – Gotta love this one! Send boxes of chocolate out to show your client’s you appreciate them.
October 29 National Oatmeal Day
October 30 National Candy Corn Day
October 31 National Candy Apple Day – Rocky Mountain Chocolate factory has yummy ones in a variety of flavors.
Make Your Marketing Explode in July!
June 27th, 2010 by elizabethdmrx No comments »
Celebrate National Hot Dog Month and have a cookout for your best customers. And serve Sundays for National Hot Fudge Sundae Day on July 25th.
Here’s another fun idea. Send out a mailer on National Lollipop Day on July 20th with really lollipops attached. Offer a discount if they bring in the lollipop to your business and make a purchase.
On National Junk Food Day, July 21st you can have clients come in with a package of junk food they can trade for healthy snacks if your business is health or fitness related. Or offer a discount to sign up for a gym membership or diet program on Junk Food Day.
Week 1
July 1 National Gingersnap Day – I love gingersnaps. Give out to best clients.
July 3 Eat Beans Day – You might want to hand out air fresheners. 😀
July 4 National Cesar Salad Day
Week 2
July 5 National Apple Turnover Day
July 6 National Fried Chicken Day – My Grandma makes the best!
July 7 National Strawberry Sundae Day
July 8 National Chocolate with Almonds Day – Send out boxes to customers.
July 9 National Sugar Cookie Day
July 10 National Pina Colada Day – You can serve non-alcoholic ones.
July 11 National Blueberry Muffin Day
Week 3
July 12 National Pecan Pie Day
July 13 National French Fries Day – My guilty pleasure!
July 14 National Macaroni Day – Mail out boxes as a marketing promo.
July 15 National Tapioca Pudding Day
July 16 National Corn Fritters Day
July 17 National Peach Ice Cream Day
July 18 National Caviar Day – For those targeting Luxury market.
Week 4
July 19 Celebrate Ice Cream Month – Just in time for summer!
July 20 National Lollipop Day
July 21 National Junk Food Day – Oh no a whole day? I love junk food!
July 22 National Penuche Fudge Day
July 23 National Vanilla Ice Cream Day
July 24 Celebrate National Baked Bean Month
July 25 National Hot Fudge Sundae Day
Week 5
July 27 National Creme Brule Day
July 28 National Milk Chocolate Day
July 30 National Cheese Cake Day – Send out gift certificates for Cheese Cake!
July 31 Jump For Jelly Beans Day – I wonder if Jelly Belly will do something on this day.
How to Get a Lifetime Customer and How to Lose One Forever
May 24th, 2010 by elizabethdmrx No comments »
I had my car smog checked a few weeks ago. When I got ready to pay I was given a list of things that needed fixing on my car. This was a surprise to me because a few months ago when I had work done there were no problems. I was told I needed my brake fluid changed, my alignment done, new spark plugs, a new brake light, a new license plate tag light and a few other things. I was puzzled and suspicious especially when I wasn’t given an estimate of prices to make the repairs.
Oh, let me say I went to this new place after the business I had been to a few months ago closed down and had their phone number forwarded to the new place. I was shocked that an automotive repair shop that had been open for years closed suddenly and with no notice to customers. I hadn’t received a postcard, letter, email or phone call that my repair shop was no longer going to be servicing my car.
Hmm, poor marketing could be a huge reason why it went out of business. I also hadn’t received a time to get your oil changed notice and my car was overdue for an oil change. Another failure to communicate with customers. In the past I’ve received repeated postcards from places for months that I only went to once and didn’t like their service and so never went back. Yet this place that I liked, didn’t keep up any continued contact about regular maintenance on my car.
Maybe I should’ve noticed this before hand but I hate getting my car serviced so I don’t think about it unless I have to travel out of town then I start thinking of checking out my car. I don’t want to end up stranded somewhere because I failed to get my car checked out. I have friends who’ve had that happen and then been at the mercy of out-of-town auto repair shops.
This new shop sent me a thank you card which I thought was good follow-up and then I got a letter about the supposed needed repairs. Again with no cost estimate enclosed which aroused my suspicions again. I also got a coupon for what seemed like outrages prices for an oil change and tune up.
I decided to ask a friend who worked as a Fleet supervisor about this list of repairs. After explaining the list he gave a derisive laugh and said I likely didn’t need any of those things done and to see a mechanic of his recommendation.
He told me it sounded like this auto repair shop where I had the smog check done at was trying to make some easy money off me. I didn’t like that at ALL! I called the first shop he told me about and scheduled an oil change. I figured this should tell me what problems I really have by seeing someone new.
At this shop I mentioned up front my car shimmies at higher speeds. Immediately the manager said I needed my wheels balanced and recommended a local tire store to do the work. I noticed he didn’t say I needed my wheels aligned and was willing to refer me to another business whose niche was tires and balancing tires, etc. I was happy to be doing business with the shop already and they hadn’t even started working on my car!
When I came back to pick up my car I found out the only new problem was the replacement of the license plate tag light which cost me all of $1.94. Who knows what the nefarious smog check place would’ve charged me for it. I even asked if anything else was wrong with my car. I was told it was in good working order and reminded to have the balance done at the tire shop.
Wow! What a huge difference. An honest mechanic willing to refer me to other businesses. This was even better than frequent mailers. I could trust this business to take care of my car and not over charge me. They may not know it but they have a customer for life. Finding a mechanic you can trust is vital especially for a woman.
In the past I’ve had auto repair shops try to rip me off because I’m a woman and not very car savvy. One thing they didn’t realize is I have male friends that I ask questions before getting new repairs done. That has saved me hundreds maybe even thousands of dollars. Plus I keep all my repair receipts so if some dishonest mechanic tries to sell me a repair I’ve already had done I can point it out and save myself money. And let me tell you it has happened more than once over the years!
Don’t business people realize the fastest way to lose a customer is to rip her off? And the quickest way to get a lifetime customer is to be honest and trustworthy? This is especially important when marketing to women. Women value relationships and trust is vital in relationships.
Cheat me out of even a nickel one time and you’ll never see me again. Be honest and I’ll do business with you for years and years.
Oh and I went to the tire shop and since I had purchased tires there before they balanced my tires for free. Now my car drives smooth like frosting on a cake! Sweet!
Tasty Marketing Ideas for June
May 21st, 2010 by elizabethdmrx No comments »
June 3rd National Donut Day
June is full of delicious days to use for your marketing promotions. As a major candy addict I love National Candy Month. Your direct mailers can be sent out with a variety of candy that ties into your marketing promotion. I like using Smarties candies for smart business people.
I do enjoy the natural sweetness of fruit so National Papaya Month and Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month are healthy marketing options.
Monthly Campaign Topics:
National Candy Month
National Dairy Month
National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month
National Iced Tea Month
National Papaya Month
Week 1
June 1 National Hazelnut Cake Day
June 2 National Rocky Road Day
June 3 Donut Day (1st weekend in June)
June 3 National Chocolate Macaroon Day
June 5 National Gingerbread Day
June 6 National Applesauce Cake Day
Week 2
June 7 National Chocolate Ice Cream Day
June 9 National Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie Day
June 11 National German Chocolate Cake Day
June 12 National Peanut Butter Cookie Day
June 13 Kitchen Klutzes of America Day
Week 3
June 14 National Strawberry Shortcake Day
June 16 National Fudge Day
June 17 National Apple Strudel Day
June 17 National Cherry Tart Day
Week 4
June 21 National Peaches & Cream Day
June 22 National Chocolate Eclair Day
June 23 National Pecan Sandies Day
June 24 National Pralines Day
June 25 National Strawberry Parfait Day
June 26 National Chocolate Pudding Day
June 29 National Almond Buttercrunch Day
Are You Making It Hard For Customers To Contact You?
May 20th, 2010 by elizabethdmrx No comments »
I collected several business cards at a mixer recently. When I tried to follow up with people I noticed several cards had missing information. They could be missing out on a lot business by leaving off key information. And so could you by keeping your business contact information top secret.
Leaving information off your business card hurts your credibility. It made me wonder what these people were hiding. And I wondered how much they could really know about their industry or if they were even a real business.
The cards lacking the most info I tossed. How could they be worth my time if they didn’t really want me to get in touch by leaving off valuable contact information on the business card?
Red flag problems I noticed:
No website – Seriously in this day and age you don’t have even a one page website? Especially if your business is internet related? What kind of scam are you running? People often like to check out your website before doing business with you. It gives them an idea if you will be compatible for business.
No physical address – Get a post office box if you’re a home based business and don’t want people to have your home address. Without an address listed how can I find your business or write to you? If your customers feel comfortable sending mail and you have no address on your business card there goes a chance to get a new customer. One that was really bizarre was the card with a city, state and zip code but no street address. What was that about?
No zip code – You gave me your card and wanted to be mailed information. Putting your street, city and state but no zip code is just lazy. Are you being charged by the letter for printing your business cards? If you make your prospect go the extra mile to have to look up a zip code, goodbye new sale, your business card may go straight into the recycle bin.
No email – If your prospect wants to email you with questions before doing business with you, you just lost a sale. Not many people are going to hunt around for your email address on your website. They’ll just move on to your competition. At least get a free Gmail address using your business name if you don’t have a website.
Remember to use your business card as an advertisement and put all contact information on it. Don’t give prospects a reason to move on another business because they couldn’t reach you in a way that made them comfortable.
No one is asking you for personal information on your card. It’s a business card use it to promote your business and catch all the prospects you can with it.
Is Your Website Like The Loch Ness Monster?
May 14th, 2010 by elizabethdmrx No comments »
Occasionally sighted and only rumored to exist? You need to drive more traffic to your site and get getting your customers buying.
What do you do if you’re not sure why your website isn’t getting found on Search Engines or if you not sure why your site isn’t bringing in more sales? You need to get a Website Diagnostic Review Audit done.
Direct Marketing Rx will do a content audit of your site to uncover its strengths and weaknesses. We’ll review how your website performs in search engines like Google and Bing. Are your competitor’s websites doing better in search engines and do they have more appealing web content?
You’ll get an extensive report showing the results of a 31 point checklist on the health of your website. You’ll find out if you’re using the 5 components of web content that works. And if you website is easy to navigate and user-friendly.
May 22nd is the anniversary of the first sighting of the Loch Ness Monster in 1933. Don’t let your website be hard to find and cloaked in mystery like the Loch Ness Monster any longer. Contact Us and get your prescription for a website that sells today!
Check Out these Resources if You Market to Women
May 11th, 2010 by elizabethdmrx No comments »
If you are trying to sell to woman you need to do some research. I found a few links you need to check out as you plan your marketing promotions.
If you want to find out if your website content markets effectively to women check out our Website Diagnostic Review. Direct Marketing Rx will do a Site Content Audit to see if your web marketing message is selling to your target marketing. Get started in two easy steps. Read about it at “Is your Web Content Earning or Burning Money?” or Contact Us directly for help now.
Wonder Branding by Michelle Miller provides news & views on the female customer. Check out her post about The New Demography of Motherhood. The post discusses the change in age range for mothers and the impact cultural differences will have on your marketing campaigns.
Mashable has a great article about marketing to women read it here: 10 Musts for Marketing to Women on Facebook. My favorite point – Listen! Women like to have their needs heard and met. You can do it with the right marketing.
She conomy is a guy’s guide to marketing to women. Check out some quick facts about marketing to Boomer Women.
Adweek Media has a downloadable pdf report you can find here: The Family CFO.
Find out what women really want. Knowledge about your target market can only enhance your marketing campaigns and increase response rates.
Is Your Web Site Just Slowing The Rate Of Revenue Decline?
April 26th, 2010 by elizabethdmrx No comments »
Are you happy doing nothing then don’t read any further But if you want a website bringing in leads and making sales then its time to take action!
You need to find out whats ailing your website now. Its time for a website diagnostic exam. Direct Marketing Rx is here to do a review of your website with a 31 point checklist to see why your website is sickly and under performing.
Avoid Wally’s satisfaction in improving his rate of doing nothing. You’re web site is not static but an ever changing and improving profit machine. Let’s get started today: I’m ready for my web site diagnostic review!
Do You Fascinate?
April 20th, 2010 by elizabethdmrx No comments »I recently took the {F}Score Brand Personality Test to find out which triggers I use to persuade. According to brand innovation consultant Sally Hogshead fascination is what allows us to influence people.
Every day, intentionally or not, you’re using fascination triggers to persuade people at work and home. Whether you’re pitching a new client, or inviting a friend to lunch, or lulling a cranky toddler to sleep, you’re using triggers to elicit a certain response.
Which triggers are you using to persuade and captivate?
You have seven potential fascination triggers: power, trust, mystique, prestige, vice, alarm, and lust. Each trigger leads to a different style of communication, and a different type of relationship. The more accurately you identify your personality triggers, and the more intelligently you hone them, the more influential your message becomes.
Through proprietary research of 1,059 people, with bite-sized video explanations, the F Score has been carefully designed over the course of six months to highlight which triggers you naturally apply.
In the battle to fascinate consumers, brands apply triggers, too. Volvo uses trust. Godiva uses lust. Fedex uses alarm. Apple Computers uses several triggers, most notably prestige and power. Triggers help companies sell products off shelves, persuade shareholders to invest, and convince key employees to stay.
Now back to my results. The test was quick and easy. I think it took me five minutes or less. I found out my primary triggers are Prestige and Mystique. Who knew I was so fascinating? I figured I’m a bit quirky and funny but fascinating? Woo Hoo! Check out the two videos below about using Prestige and Mystique as your fascination triggers. They’re less than 2 minutes so watch them both.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQrlL1xtqSc&hl=en_US&fs=1]
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8waqwf1rBA&hl=en_US&fs=1]
I’m ready to read Fascinate Your Triggers to Persuasion and Captivation by Sally Hogshead. If you want to find out how fascinating you are take the {F}Score Brand Personality Test. Let me know what triggers make you fascinating!
Fun Marketing Promotion Ideas for May!
April 17th, 2010 by elizabethdmrx No comments »May has a variety of special days that can be used to promote any business with fun marketing campaigns. And help you ease into your summer marketing promotions.
I like National Barbecue Month. You can throw a BBQ for your best customers to show how much you appreciate their business.
Monthly Campaigns:
National Barbecue Month – Yummy! Think of the tasty marketing ideas.
National Hamburger Month
National Egg Month
National Salsa Month
Have a Salsa competition – food or dancing!
National Salad Month
National Chocolate Custard Month
National Strawberry Month
Where’s the whipped cream?
Special Week Campaigns:
May 1-7 National Raisin Week
May 3-9 National Herb Week – Give your clients packets of seeds to grow herbs.
Week 1
May 1 National Chocolate Parfait Day
May 3 National Raspberry Popover Day
May 3 National Chocolate Custard Day
May 4 National Candied Orange Peel Day
May 4 National Hoagie Day
May 6 National Crepe Suzette Day
May 7 National Roast Leg of Lamb Day
May 8 National Coconut Cream Pie Day
Week 2
May 12 National Nutty Fudge Day
May 13 National Apple Pie Day
May 14 National Buttermilk Biscuit Day
Week 3
May 17 National Cherry Cobbler Day
May 18 National Cheese Souffle Day
May 19 National Devil’s Food Cake Day
May 20 National Quiche Lorraine Day
May 22 National Vanilla Pudding Day
May 23 National Taffy Day
Week 4
May 24 National Escargot Day
May 25 National Brown-Bag-It Day
May 26 National Blueberry Cheesecake Day
Have a bake-off promotion?
May 31 National Macaroon Day
Love this day for a promotion
I have an easy recipe to back your own macaroons. You can give them to your customers in decorative gift bags. Or just have them on your counter by the register for people to enjoy. Or have some special where they bring in a coupon and get a free macaroon.
Here’s my recipe for Coconut Macaroons
Ingredients:
1 can of sweetened condensed milk (14 oz can)
14 oz bag of Shredded coconut – sweetened or unsweetened
6 tablespoons of flour
1 tsp of Vanilla extract – imitation Vanilla is fine
(optional) 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips – I like the mini chips the best
Parchment paper for cookie sheet.
Directions:
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees
Mix the condensed milk, vanilla and flour in a bowl. Add shredded coconut slowly. I use a hand mixer which is why you want to add the coconut slowly so the mixer doesn’t clog up. Once everything is mixed you can add the cup of chocolate chips into the batch.
Put parchment paper on a cookie sheet. If you don’t the macaroons will stick to the cookie sheet and crumble apart when you try to remove them from the cookie sheet.
Drop scoops of cookie mixture on parchment paper cover cookie sheet in sizes you want. I like to use a cookie scoop dropper tool to make it easy to make the cookies.
Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes depending on how hot your oven cookies. If they start to turn golden brown take the cookies out of the oven.
I like to lift of the parchment paper with the cookies still on it and place it on a wire rack to cool. I put new parchment paper on the cookie sheet and drop more cookie mixture on the sheet. Repeat until mixture is gone and you have a pile of delicious macaroons.
Want to Market to Women?
April 16th, 2010 by elizabethdmrx No comments »Check out the Central Coast Women’s Conference on April 29th. There will be over 30 vendor booths on site and some valuable presentations. Check out the details of the presentation by the Founder and Coordinator of the event:
Simple, Low Cost Marketing Ideas that REALLY Work in Any Economy (Both on or off the Internet)
And Strategic Steps to USE What You Learn at the Conference
Consuelo Meux, Ph.D., is the Founder and Coordinator of the Central Coast Women’s Conference Series. Dr. Meux is an expert in power marketing and networking techniques that help businesses grow a client list fast. Her additional expertise is in leadership, organization and systems development and writing coach.
Her clients praise her ability to provide innovative cutting edge concepts that result is increased income and new opportunities for their business. “A business or organization doesn’t have to fall victim to the changes in the economy when the leadership understands market trends, innovative marketing techniques and consumer needs.”
A former Peace Corps Volunteer, Consuelo has an international perspective from her travels and work in Africa, Europe, Mexico and most US States. She’s been a Small Business Analyst with California State University Fresno, Assistant Manager of the Central California Small Business Development Center, and owner of an independent Marketing Consulting Firm.
Consuelo earned her PhD in Human and Organization Systems and facilitates doctoral programs in organization development with the University of Phoenix online and has taught advertising and marketing courses at Cuesta College. Her book “Yes I CAN Success Online: 5-Easy Steps to Your Confident Online Business Presence” sold out the first printing in six weeks.
Want to find out how to register check here: 
I’ll see you there!
Reese’s Gets Customers Coming Back for More!
April 16th, 2010 by elizabethdmrx No comments »Every so often I get these cravings for peanut butter and chocolate so I buy Reese’s peanut butter cups. I noticed writing on the bottom of the card stock that holds the cups in place as I finished the last cup. See the photo below:
The comment was cheerful and then the end was an ingenious way on Hershey’s part to get you to buy more Reese’s candy. I read it and was moved to buy more. The candy was so yummy I think I even went specifically to the store just to buy more Reese’s peanut butter cups.
How’s that for copy that moves the customer to action? It had a positive message: “Have a perfect day” and “This is not an empty package but a REMINDER TO GET MORE”, how cool is that? I had been feeling sad that my candy was finished until I read the message on the card. Then I was moved to buy more peanut butter cups.
Hershey’s came up with an excellent and tasty way to encourage more sales. Now that’s what I call direct response marketing at its best! I had more peanut butter cups to enjoy and Hershey’s had more of my money. =) A win/win situation!
What are you doing to get your customers wanting more of your goods and services? Any notes on your invoices, sales receipts or follow up contacts encouraging them to do even more business with you?
Does Your Voicemail Get You Clients? Time to Change That!
April 7th, 2010 by elizabethdmrx No comments »
By Fabienne Fredrickson
If you’re serious about attracting clients consistently, I believe you should use every single piece of marketing “real estate” you can. Whether you’ve been in business for one year or 22 years, when you’re marketing your business, you want to have systems in place that PULL in clients without you having to do much to make it happen.
It can even be as “little” as using your outgoing voice mail as a Client Attraction tool. One of the key things you can do to PULL people in that most people in business do not do, especially when they’re working from home, is have an outgoing message on your voice mail or answering machine that describes exactly what you do, for whom, and what results they can expect.
The idea here is to have your voice explain what you do and how to give you referrals . So, instead of saying, “Hello, it’s Mary, leave a message,” you can say, “Hello, it’s Mary of so-and-so business, helping (insert target audience) who struggle with (insert common problem) achieve more (desired outcome).”
Once they know exactly what you do and for whom, don’t forget to list the best ways to reach you (other than phone) : your e-mail, your website, and your tag line. Oh, and don’t forget to include a call to action, like inviting them to visit your website and signing up for something. There are lots of different ways you can use your voice mail outgoing message as a way to get new clients. Remember to keep it pretty short or people will not want to call back.
You’d be surprised how many people over the years became my client, when all they had originally was my phone number. As a result of the voicemail, they all told me they went onto the website, signed up for the ezine, attended teleclasses, and after a while, wrote in to say they were ready to work with me. Not bad for a simple voicemail message!
My motto around marketing real estate? “If you’ve got it anyway, use it to attract clients!”
Your Client Attraction Assignment:
Create an outgoing message that can also act as a marketing tool, if it is brief. Include your tagline and e-mail address if it is easy to remember, direct callers to your website, and make sure to tell them about your newsletter or list any upcoming workshops you are promoting. You’ll not only impress callers, you might just get a few new clients out of it.
© 2010 Client Attraction LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Fabienne Fredrickson, The Client Attraction Mentor, is founder of the Client Attraction System , the proven step-by-step program that shows you exactly how to attract more clients, in record time…guaranteed. To get your F.R.E.E. Audio CD by mail and receive her weekly marketing & success mindset articles on attracting more high-paying clients and dramatically increasing your income, visit www.ClientAttraction.com .
April Brings More Audacious Marketing Ideas
April 6th, 2010 by elizabethdmrx No comments »
Need new ways to get your clients a reason to spend money? There are enough special days in April to cover any business and any target market.
National Cordon Bleu Day can work for upscale restaurants. Jelly Bean Day for family oriented promotions. Chocolate Mousse Day for your chocolate loving customers.
Or if you want a promotion that lasts all month, check out the four different national month topics:
National Soft Pretzel Month – Who doesn’t like a soft pretzel?
National Soy Foods Month – Are you targeting Vegans? Use this for your promotions.
National Fresh Celery Month – Healthy snack for your customers.
National Pecan Month – Pies and more. What yummy promotions can you dream up?
Week 1
Sorry I forgot to post this earlier. Week one is gone. But you still have 4 weeks left.
April 1 National Sourdough Bread Day
April 2 National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day
April 3 National Chocolate Mousse Day
April 4 National Cordon Bleu Day
Week 2
April 5 National Raisin and Spice Bar Day
April 6 National Caramel Popcorn Day
April 7 National Coffee Cake Day
April 8 National Empanada Day
April 9 National Chinese Almond Cookie Day
April 10 National Cinnamon Crescent Day
April 11 National Cheese Fondue Day
Week 3
April 12 National Licorice Day
April 13 National Peach Cobbler Day
April 14 National Pecan Day
April 15 National Glazed Ham Day
April 16 National Eggs Benedict Day
April 16 National Baked Ham with Pineapple Day
April 17 National Cheeseball Day
April 18 National Animal Crackers Day
Week 4
April 20 National Pineapple Upside-down Cake Day
April 21 National Chocolate-Covered Cashews Day
April 22 National Jelly Bean Day
April 23 National Cherry Cheesecake Day
Ohhh, yum.
April 24 National Pigs-in-a-Blanket Day
Sound like fun!
April 25 National Zucchini Bread Day
Week 5
April 26 National Pretzel Day
April 27 National Prime Rib Day
April 28 National Blueberry Pie Day
April 29 National Shrimp Scampi Day
April 30 National Oatmeal Cookie Day
Ok, with all these special days to fill your April marketing calendar let me know which ones you use.
Hmm, Now National Prime Rib Day sounds good. Must be time for lunch.
Are There Too Many Acronyms In Your Marketing Message?
April 5th, 2010 by elizabethdmrx No comments »
Beware of using too much industry jargon in your copy if your customers are not familiar with it. They may end up interpreting it like the gal in the Dilbert comic above.
The problem with that is you won’t make the sale because the prospect won’t have a clue what they should buy. Keep the content clear and easy to understand.
Even when targeting a specific market familiar with industry lingo be careful with using too many acronyms. It will make the copy difficult to read and make the reader eager to move on from your marketing messages.
You don’t want the customer so busy trying to sort it all out in his mental dictionary and missing the benefits of your goods or services in the process.
Keep your marketing messages from getting stuck in a Dilbertesque zone of lost sales.
If you need help with your website content consider having Direct Marketing Rx do content audit of your site to uncover its strengths and weaknesses.
You’ll get an extensive report showing the results of a 31 point checklist on the health of your website. You’ll find out if you’re using the 5 components of web content that works. And if your website is easy to navigate and user friendly.
Contact Us and get your prescription for a website content that sells today!
Anything is Possible with Good Copy
April 1st, 2010 by elizabethdmrx No comments »Copy makes all the difference. Have you seen the Old Spice ad? The commercial has an interesting visual style with all the special effects but what really grabs attention are the words being said:
“Hello ladies. Look at your man. Now back to me. Now back at your man. Now back to me. Sadly, he isn’t me. But if he stopped using lady-scented body wash and switched to Old Spice, he could smell like he’s me. Look down. Back up. Where are you? You’re on a boat with the man your man could smell like. What’s in your hand? Back at me. I have it. It’s an oyster with two tickets to that thing you love. Look again. The tickets are now diamonds. Anything is possible when your man smells like Old Spice and not a lady. I’m on a horse.”
The copy engages the listener directly. It tells you what to do and think and how things could be if you buy this product that opens up possibilities.
Suddenly everyone is listening and thinking either “How can I be that man” or “How can I get a man like that?” Hmm, well if Old Spice can help let’s buy some. Men will buy it hoping to be that cool guy in the commercial. Women will buy it hoping her man will morph into that cool guy or at least smell as good.
Anything is possible when you wear Old Spice. Boy that makes you want to buy. I was ready to buy it!
Watch the video yourself here:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owGykVbfgUE&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b]
Is It Better That They Buy from Their Heart or Their Head? 4 Ways to Support Prospects in Making a Great Decision!
March 7th, 2010 by elizabethdmrx No comments »by Lisa Sasevich
I’m thrilled to address this topic today, because it really transformed my own thinking. In fact, the first time I spoke of it during a teleclass last year, I was moved to tears.
The Head vs. the Heart
When you’re in the gap with prospects, which means that you’re supporting them as they feel the distance between where they are and where they want to be, they are also connected to their heart and intuition. In that place, they have the most inner knowing about whether something is right for them or not. They may feel a tingle in their gut. And sometimes it’s an “oh, no” feeling. They may be thinking, I wasn’t planning to transform in this area today. I wasn’t planning to step into my total greatness TODAY!
As prospects move through that tension inside themselves, it can be uncomfortable. But it’s actually a magical place, as they realize the possibility of who they could be.
Now, imagine a prospect, connected to her inner knowing, who never before has seen so clearly how her pain could be transformed. She’s in a lifeboat with you. You’re showing her the way. But, alas, you encourage her to go off and “think about it,” to use her intellect to decide whether she wants to invest. You return to the ship, and she’s out there alone, adrift, with her logical mind, her small self and her fear to help her decide. You probably thought that you were honoring her process, but what if you were actually encouraging her away from her intuition, from her best, highest source of information?
Do you see what a disservice that would be?
Instead, encourage your prospects to remain in the lifeboat with you until they decide from their hearts and intuition YES or NO. Here are 4 ways to facilitate that process.
1. First of all, remember that people are investing in themselves not in you. When you really understand that people are not investing in you, but via you, you take ego out of the equation, and so many things become possible. You’re more able to tolerate a person’s tension while they’re in the gap, you can price your services based on their value to your clients, rather than trying to gauge your own personal value, and you can serve your clients better, from a higher place.
2. Don’t focus on the delivery system. I’ve seen this so often: presenters spend 90 percent of their time talking about the delivery system, whether it’s a teleseminar or CD or webinar, and only 10 percent on the outcome or transformation their offer provides. Prospects don’t care much about the form in which the transformation arrives, they want to hear how your offer will improve their lives!
3. Elicit specific information. Vague questions yield vague answers. But specific questions, such as “How many fights did you have last week with your wife? Or, what is your body fat percentage?” elicit specific information that connects your prospects with their pain. Once they get in touch with what their situation is costing them, you can then have an authentic dialogue about the possibility of transforming that area.
4. Encourage them to make a decision. You’re not trying to get your prospects to say yes. You’re supporting them to make the best decision for themselves. Assisting the prospect to either a yes or a no is a real service. If it’s a no, this isn’t for me, then the person is now free to find something that is. And if it’s a yes, it’s a hell yes! and now you have a client fully invested in the transformation you’re about to embark upon together.
That’s why I believe this work is such a privilege. Whether your prospects say yes or no, you’re doing God’s work in the world.
Sales-from-the-podium expert Lisa Sasevich has x-ray vision for seeing the sales opportunities that exist in every company, and the creativity to convert them into gold! If you’re looking for simple, quick and easy ways to boost sales without spending a dime, get your FREE Sales Nuggets now at www.theinvisibleclose.com.
Your Doorway to a Successful Marketing Promotion!
March 5th, 2010 by elizabethdmrx No comments »
Today I opened my front door to find a hanger on my door. Annoyance turned into happy surprise. Kohl’s hired someone to hang discount tags on the doors in my neighborhood and possibly every neighborhood in town. It was a coupon for $10 of a purchase of $20 or more. Good sized discount and it lured me into Kohl’s. I don’t usually shop at Kohl’s.
The clothes I like are usually in the “I’d have to be anorexic and flat-chested to fit into” sizes. (I’m a buxom not skinny gal.) And the women’s clothes my size look like stuff matronly middle-aged women would wear. On that note my mother loves buying clothes at Kohl’s. The other items they carry I can usually find cheaper somewhere else.
But Kohl’s does have great sales. Although the coupon said the purchase had to be minimum $20 the part that really got me into the store was the small print that read “off all products, including sale items and clearance items”. I thought “Wow, after I stop in at Borders I’m checking out Kohl’s.” The stores happened to be in the same shopping center where I live so it was an easy decision.
This is where many businesses cheap out and look stingy. I’ve seen numerous coupons where they put so many limits on my ability to use them I end up tossing the coupon in the recycling bin.
Afterward I only think of those businesses with amazed disgust. Why bother offering what amounts to a non-existent discount in your coupon advertisement? You’re only going to alienate customers who will go on to shop at stores that appreciate their business and reward them for it.
I really appreciated that Kohl’s offered me a discount coupon I couldn’t ignore considering I’m not a regular shopper. And with only one minor limitation besides and end date which was also generous. The offer was valid until March 14th and started on February 28th.
I didn’t want to miss the deadline so I felt compelled to go in and use the $10 discount on stuff I hadn’t planned to buy. Kohl’s does have good products and I’m more than willing to shop there when the deal is worth it.
If you’re wondering what I bought I’ll tell you. I got a cool new watch and a set of colorful eye shadows in a compact shaped like an iphone. Oh and the items I bought were sale items and I still got my $10 discount. Yippee!
End result for Kohl’s – they got a reluctant shopper in the door spending money and feeling good with their generous Door Hanger Campaign. Now I understand why my Mother loves shopping at Kohl’s. They appreciate their shoppers and reward them for coming into the store.
Are you ready to try your own Door Hanger Campaign yet? Not sure? Interestingly enough, Dan Kennedy recommends using Door Hangers as a unique promotional campaign. I wonder if someone in Kohl’s marketing department reads Dan Kennedy’s newsletter. Hmmm…if so kudos for marketing savvy.
Let me know if you decide to try your own Door Hanger campaign and the results.
5 Weeks of March Marketing Madness!
February 28th, 2010 by elizabethdmrx No comments »
Are you looking for some unusual marketing days to promote your business? During March there is at least one new idea for every day of the month.
I’ve separated them by week so you can easily plan your March promotions. Go crazy with as many audacious marketing ideas as possible!
First week of March:
March 1 National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day
March 1 National Fruit Compote Day
March 2 National Banana Cream Pie Day
March 3 National Cold Cuts Day
March 3 National Mulled Wine Day
March 4 National Poundcake Day
March 5 National Cheese Doodle Day
March 6 National Frozen Food Day
March 6 National White Chocolate Cheesecake Day
Second week of March:
March 7 National Crown Roast of Pork Day
March 7 National Cereal Day
March 8 National Peanut Cluster Day
March 9 National Crabmeat Day
March 10 National Blueberry Popover Day
March 11 Oatmeal Nut Waffles Day
March 12 National Baked Scallops Day
March 13 National Coconut Torte Day
Third week of March:
March 14 National Potato Chip Day
March 15 National Peanut Lovers Day
March 15 National Pears Helene Day
March 16 National Artichoke Heart Day
March 18 National Lacy Oatmeal Cookie Day
March 19 National Poultry Day
March 19 National Chocolate Caramel Day
March 20 National Ravioli Day
Fourth week of March:
March 21 National French Bread Day
March 23 National Chip and Dip Day
March 23 National Melba Toast Day
March 24 National Chocolate Covered Raisins Day
March 25 National Lobster Newburg Day
March 26 National Waffle Day
March 26 National Nougat Day
March 27 National Spanish Paella Day
Fifth week of March:
March 28 National Black Forest Cake Day
March 29 National Lemon Chiffon Cake Day
March 30 Turkey Neck Soup Day
March 31 National Clams on the Half Shell Day
Five Refreshing Topics I’m Tracking:
February 23rd, 2010 by elizabethdmrx No comments »
I try to read about more than marketing. Here are a few topics that currently have my interest.
Lifestyle:
Introverts Corner – How to live a quiet life in a noisy world.
I’m an Introvert. If you’re familiar with the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator You’ll now what I’m talking about. Introverts get energy from spending time alone to recharge their internal batteries. Extroverts are energized by spending time with others.
This blog is worth checking out whether you’re an introvert or extrovert. The benefit for Introverts is reading a blog written by someone who understands your needs. Extroverts can benefit by reading the blog if they know an Introvert and want to improve their understanding, communication and overall relationship with the Introvert.
Click here to check out the Introverts Corner.
Tech stuff:
Makeuseof.com
It’s a blog that features nifty websites, computer tips and downloads that help you be more productive. MakeUseOf is like your own personal tour guide to the web, taking you to sites you’ve never seen before to enhance your life on the web. You’ll get daily links to websites with all kinds of useful tool, software and how to tips. Check it out here at MakeUsOf.com
Charitable:
Lemons for Literacy
I love to read. How about you? It’s terrible to think there are people who are unable to enjoy reading like we do. Let’s do our part to stamp out illiteracy. When you play this game for every answer you get right someone gets help learning to read. Lemons for Literacy has two goals:
- To help cure illiteracy by providing free literacy materials to people in need.
- Provide free education to everyone
Help combat illiteracy while playing a fun educational game: Lemons for Literacy
Modern language:
Urban Word of the Day
Keep track of changes in language by subscribing to this site. Daily you will get a new word or phrase and an example of how it’s used. Entertaining and also keeps you from saying the wrong thing when words take on new meanings.
Click here to get your daily dose of Urban Words.
Advice:
Consumerist – Shoppers bite back
The blog posts information to help consumers avoid scams, fight back against poor customer service and a variety of other valuable information. Its hardly boring – expect to be entertained while learning how to protect your consumer rights.
Visit it by clicking Consumerist.
You Can Feed the Hungry with Free Rice
February 18th, 2010 by elizabethdmrx No comments »
Free Rice has an easy way for you to help the hungry in the world. How? You can help the worlds hungry by playing a fun educational game.
It starts out with English vocabulary but you can select a different category. The other categories are Art, Chemistry, Math, Geography and Language Learning. The foreign language categories are Spanish, French, German and Italian.
There is not cost to play the game. For each question you get right 10 grains of rice are donated to feed the hungry. On the right side you see a bowl filling with rice until there are a hundred grains. Then a pile forms at the side of the bowl and you refill the bowl with each correct answer.
The cost of the rice is paid for by sponsors who advertise on the site. There is also the opportunity for you make your own monetary donation but it is not a requirement to play the game.
FreeRice has two goals:
- Provide education to everyone for free.
- Help end world hunger by providing rice to hungry people for free.
It’s a fun way to contribute food to those in need. I’ve donated over 2000 grains of rice while testing my knowledge. When I tried the art section I found out how little I really know about great artists. By the time I played a few rounds I could recognize some artists’ painting styles. It was a very satisfying feeling to learn something new and help provide rice to people who need it.
Want to do more than play the game? You can have your business become an advertising sponsor by contacting Free Rice through their contact page.
How cool is it that you can use your marketing dollars to advertise your business while feeding the hungry? People will see your sponsorship banner each time they answer a correct question.
Help the hungry and educate yourself at the same time by clicking on Free Rice.
I want to hear back about how many grains of rice you donate!
The Problem Isn’t the Problem
February 15th, 2010 by elizabethdmrx No comments »Wondering how to avoid a Toyota sized public relations nightmare when you have a problem with your products or services?
Check out this two minute video by Tom Peters:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFZA2rWUjxI&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b&border=1]
15 Ideas for Your February Marketing
February 9th, 2010 by elizabethdmrx No comments »
Are you looking for last-minute marketing ideas for February? Take a look at the list below for inspiration. There’s still time to use them.
Some sound really fun like Tortilla Chip day and Margarita Day if you want to have a multi-promotional week use them together. Or if you want a healthy promotion go for Almond Day or Cook a Sweet Potato Day or Strawberry Day.
Reading over the list it seems like there is a day for any business and any target market. Go for it!
- National Almond Day – February 16
- National Chocolate Mint Day – February 19
- National Cherry Pie Day – February 20
- National Sticky Bun Day – February 21
- National Cook a Sweet Potato Day – February 22
- National Margarita Day – February 22
- National Banana Bread Day – February 23
- National Tortilla Chip Day – February 24
- National Chocolate-Covered Peanuts Day – February 25
- National Clam Chowder Day – February 25
- National Pistachio Day – February 26
- National Chocolate Cake Day – February 27
- National Strawberry Day – February 27
- National Kahlua Day – February 27
- National Chocolate Soufflé Day – February 28
Which day worked for your promotion? I’d be curious to know if anyone uses Kahlua Day or Clam chowder Day.
Get Gooey Over Gumdrops!
February 3rd, 2010 by elizabethdmrx No comments »
February is about more than chocolate and hearts! Its also about National Gumdrop Day on the 15th! Want to do a marketing mailer with candy and not worry about chocolate melting everywhere? Use gumdrops!
Gumdrops are for more than gingerbread houses. Most of us have at least one memory of gumdrops….oh the marketing aspects of nostalgia. Time to make the most of your marketing mailers and promotions.
Ok, let’s talk about promotional topic tie-ins. Of course the obvious one would be candy stores promoting special gift baskets. Maybe for gift baskets you need to ship across the country or even overseas – sales benefit – gumdrops can travel without melting.
Toy stores can use gumdrops for a promotion sent to parents looking to buy their child a gift. Maybe even the promoting a sale of the Candy Land game.
I remember saving up my allowance so I could buy that board game. I loved staring at the board with all the candy houses and everything else made with candy! Playing the game was fun too. I still have a great love of candy.
Pet stores can send out mailers with gum drops using the headline: “Buy healthy, tasty, chewy treats for your pets and enjoy these gum drops on us.”
Hardware stores can get women customers in with a gumdrop mailer helping them find gifts for their DIY project loving spouses: “Buy your sweetie one of these specially priced items ands get your Honey-Do list done!
My favorite gum drop colors are the green, pink and red ones! What are yours? I’m sure you can think of other promotional ideas to use gumdrops in your mailers. Let me know which one’s you try!
I’m on Alltop!
February 3rd, 2010 by elizabethdmrx No comments »Check out my badge to the right. Direct Marketing Rx’s Blog will be listed under Alltop Marketing! Pretty cool.
5 Hot Blogs to Make Add Sizzle to Your Marketing!
January 25th, 2010 by elizabethdmrx No comments »
Are you searching a few informative and topical blogs that are worth your time? With all the useless vanity blogs out there I thought I’d share blogs I’ve found valuable. I subscribe to several blogs but the following are my top 5 daily must reads:
1. Glazer Kennedy Insider’s Circle Blog – If you want outrageous advertising check it out. Dan Kennedy will never steer you wrong.
2. Sweeties Sweeps – If you want to promote your business using a Sweepstakes or Contest you’ll want to get mentioned on Sweeties Sweeps site. Thousands of people visit the sites mentioned as having a sweeps worth entering. New products are often launched with a sweepstakes or contest which also helps you find out what your competitors are doing to get new customers.
3. ProBlogger – Write a better blog with these tips on blogging. I’m working on the 31 Days to Build a Better Blog program myself.
4. Men With Pens – A web design and copywriting blog from Canada. Good stuff comes from Canada.
5. Chris Brogan – A blog about community and social media
Check them out and let me know what you think about them. Oh, remember to subscribe to my blog too! Did I miss any blogs you feel should make the list?
