small-business-saturday

SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY

by BlogCommunications

small-business-saturdaySmall Business Saturday celebrates and helps you discover small businesses. The Shop Small® movement began in 2011 and each year has continued to evolve and become a springboard for small businesses to leverage the holiday shopping experience.

According to the Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey commissioned by American Express and the National Federation of Independent Businesses, in 2017, an estimated 108 million consumers reported shopping or dining at local independently-owned businesses on Small Business Saturday — generating roughly $12 billion in reported spending.

As shopping small catches on in communities everywhere, Small Business Saturday goes from a cause to a day of community celebration. In 2017, there were 7,200 neighborhood champions organizing shop small events throughout their local communities. These champions spread the word about shopping small and supporting local businesses and encourage fellow business owners to unite in a community effort to attract new customers.

If you’re an independent business owner, now is the time to think about how you can leverage Shop Small Business on November 24, 2018!

By garnering support from fellow business owners, you can save by:

  1. Combining monies in a coordinated advertisement. Participating business owners, share in the cost of a print ad resulting in larger ad size at a fraction of the cost.
  2. Branded marketing piece featuring event highlights. It is recommended that this piece is professionally created by a marketing specialist and cost shared. Then each business participating in the event will be sharing the same message.
  3. Coordination of branded social media imagery and messaging. For those of you who manage your own social media – a joint calendar of standard messages can be created and shared amongst participating businesses. Therefore, all participating businesses are sharing the same message.
  4. Leverage newsletters and email lists. Tell your customers what you’re planning and to save the date. With each business sharing the same information, your business reaches new audiences.

Perhaps you’re a service business and not a brick and mortar store. How do you leverage this movement? Find a group of businesses to partner with. Participate as a sponsor. Have a grand prize give-a-way and collect contact information for follow-up. Be a breakfast or beverage sponsor.

The Edmiston Group works with a number of small businesses. By leveraging the power of the #shopsmall movement and planning ahead, small business owners can compete. Social media has made has helped to level the playing field. Create buzz around your event and get shoppers excited to see what each business has to offer. Download your Small Business Saturday Marketing Assets today. Need help to plan and execute? Give us a call at 724-612-0755.

About the author: Autumn Edmiston is the CEO and owner of the Edmiston Group. The Edmiston Group is a multifaceted Pittsburgh based marketing consulting firm providing senior level marketing management services to businesses and non-profit organizations on a short or long-term basis. Core areas of service are business development, marketing, strategic planning and public relations. The Edmiston Group has consistently delivered and implemented real-world, proven business marketing ideas and strategies for business.

emotional-selling

Emotional Selling

by BlogCommunications

emotional-sellingEmotions drive most of our decisions, and that includes what we purchase. Nearly a third of advertisers report success from emotional campaigns, double the amount of those who report success from rational campaigns. From the smell of freshly baked cookies triggering memories of hanging out at grandma’s house to a hysterical blog post making a reader like a brand even more, when an emotion is triggered, it nudges someone closer to or farther from the direction of a brand.

Being in tune with your customer’s wants and needs afford business owners the opportunity to bundle products. For example – buy a backpack and get a lunchbox at half price or grouping a free dessert with the purchase of an entrée and a beverage. We see it all the time, but as a business owner, we need to be careful we’re not giving away the store to win the sale.

Considering content marketing’s purposes include forming a connection with consumers that inspires trust, turns them into a lead, and might even spark a sale, the more brands can humanize their content, the more likely they are to incite an emotion that fosters a relationship between consumer and brand. If you’re not connecting with your customers how do you know what they want?

With Bissell Eye Care, the practice gives away a free book to children 7 and under who get glasses for the first time. They understand the how a child feels the first time they receive glasses and have partnered with a local author to supply a resource to the child and their parent.

A professional consultant often will provide a free phone consultation or an initial assessment at no charge. The consultant is willing to offer time to a potential customer in order to establish trust and begin developing a business relationship. Sometimes consultants provide a good better best program – offering tiered services with each service level.

Service bundling can also be offered through multiple businesses. For example – a chiropractic group can partner with a fitness facility each offering a package to their prospective members. Be certain of the business partner’s reputation and service capabilities before opening up your own customer list.

Bundle business for higher revenue. Keep close attention to your financials when bundling to be certain you aren’t giving away the profits. When partnering with a complimenting business, be sure they have as solid of a reputation as you do! Get creative, bundle your services and grow your business!

About the author: Autumn Edmiston is the CEO and owner of the Edmiston Group. The Edmiston Group is a multifaceted Pittsburgh based marketing consulting firm providing senior level marketing management services to businesses and non-profit organizations on a short or long-term basis. Core areas of service are business development, marketing, strategic planning and public relations. The Edmiston Group has consistently delivered and implemented real-world, proven business marketing ideas and strategies for business.

Edmiston Group

Plan Ahead to Make the Most of Your Tradeshow (Part 2)

by ArticlesCommunications

Getting ready for a trade show can be overwhelming, but with the appropriate direction, pulling off the perfect trade show can be as easy as 1 * 2 * 3.  In part 2 of this 3-part series we focus on creating the perfect Display for your Booth.  Part 1 (Marketing Materials)   Part 3 (Promotional Products)

Step 2:  Prepare Your Booth with the Perfect Display

“3 Seconds!  That’s how long you have to capture the attention of a potential customer.  Grab it with an eye-catching display”

We talked with Lynne Arrington of Speedpro Imaging in Cranberry Township regarding best practices for selecting trade show display items.  Here’s what Lynne had to say.

Q: How far in advance should exhibitors contact you for new displays?  Lynne:  The ideal answer is the sooner the better.   6 – 8 weeks gives time to think about options and get feedback on proofs. Even when updating graphics on an existing display, time is needed to order replacement hardware.

Q:  What budgeting tips can you provide for deciding which display items to purchase?  Lynne:  Before selecting a display product, think about how long you will be using the display and for what purposes.  Do you want the display to be used repeatedly?  Can you repurpose the display and use it in your store, at a chamber event, at presentations?   Should the display be portable, should it have changeable graphics?  As an example, retractable banners stands can used to promote your brand or can be made for use with additional graphic cartridges that will promote a rotating theme or promotion.   Your expected usage will help to determine which display will best fit your needs.

Q: What is your #1 tip for creating the perfect display?  Lynne: Hone your message.  Your message should be simple, your graphics clean.  You have 3 seconds to grab someone’s attention, so you don’t want to overload information.  You DO want to pique interest.   Once your display has caught your potential customer’s attention, your trade show rep can get to work determining the best way to be helpful.

About the author: Autumn Edmiston is the CEO and owner of the Edmiston Group ~ The Edmiston Group provides senior level marketing management services to businesses and non-profit organizations on a short or long term basis.  Core areas of service are business development, marketing, strategic planning and public relations. The Edmiston Group has consistently delivered and implemented real-world, proven business marketing ideas and strategies for business growth.

tradeshow

Plan Ahead to Make the Most of Your Tradeshow (Part 1)

by ArticlesCommunications
Trade Shows

Getting ready for a trade show can be overwhelming, but with the appropriate direction, pulling off the perfect trade show can be as easy as 1 * 2 * 3.  In this 3-part series we cover tips from local industry experts on how creating marketing materials, putting together a display, and selecting promotional products will help you make the most of your tradeshow.  Part 2 (Display Booths)    Part 3 (Promotional Products)

Step 1:  Create your Marketing Materials

Have your more expensive brochures on hand, and use them if engaged with a potential customer, but don’t put them out for the masses.  Chocolate candy is always a draw!

Autumn Edmiston of Edmiston Group discusses best practices for creating marketing materials for trade shows.

Q: How far in advance should one begin developing their marketing materials?  Autumn: If possible, begin planning two to three months prior to the trade show.   It will also allow time to order any promotional products prior to the show.  This will also allow time to create particular show offers, obtain targeted marketing materials as well as notify others that you will be attending the particular show.  The show exhibit announcement can be sent out in your monthly newsletter or as an electronic “Come See Us” invitation.

Q: What budgeting tips should one keep in mind when creating marketing materials?  Autumn:  Create high quality colored flyers – they are more cost effective than a multi-page brochure or in some cases print take away flyers on bright colored paper.  Line cards (sometimes called rack cards) can be cost effective in highlighting your core service offerings without breaking the bank.  A nice door prize with a well thought out registration slip is a sure draw to capture names, addresses, e-mail addresses and ask some pertinent questions pertaining to your business. i.e. would you like to receive our electronic newsletter, are you interested in learning more about marketing services.   Have your more expensive brochures on hand, and use them if engaged with a potential customer, but don’t put them out for the masses.  Chocolate candy is always a draw!

Q:  What #1 tip should organizations keep in mind when creating marketing materials?  Autumn: Make sure you have a clear message – explain who you are, who you help and how you do it.  Utilize display units such as display holders to put information at eye level creating a dimension to your table.  Perhaps put a client testimonial on display.  A professional pull up display can be a cost effective way of setting you apart from the competition.   Make sure the display follows your brand.   If creating a show offer, put an expiration date on the offer to create a sense of urgency to take action.  Have extra business cards.  Be sure to have an extras bag for incidentals, scissors, tape, extra pens, extension cords, candy.

About the author: Autumn Edmiston is the CEO and owner of the Edmiston Group ~ The Edmiston Group provides senior level marketing management services to businesses and non-profit organizations on a short or long term basis.  Core areas of service are business development, marketing, strategic planning and public relations. The Edmiston Group has consistently delivered and implemented real-world, proven business marketing ideas and strategies for business growth.