Marketing your business
Millions of dollars are spent every year in marketing. Since that figure may not apply to your budget let’s discuss options that are reasonable or even free.
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About Kell-Sibley
Kell-Sibley is an Executive Management Training Services Company.
An Executive Management Training Company
Kell-Sibley provides Full Spectrum Training Services, including but not limited to, courseware development, instructor-led, CBT Levels I – IV, manuals, and training aids. Kell-Sibley provides Management Training Services. Our professionals have MBA’s and PhD’s. Kell-Sibley conducts 6Sigma Lean Events and Certified Management Training at your location.
Kell-Sibley provides certification and training in the following areas:
Certified International Project Manager
Project Management Certification
Project Manager E-Business Certification
Master Project Manager
Software Analyst Certification
Certified E-Marketing Analyst Certification
Certified Project Risk Analyst Certification
Certified Planning Engineer
Six Sigma Green Belt Certification
Six Sigma Black Belt Certification
Lean Management Certification
Kaizen Certification
Business Writing Skills Certification
Selling Skills Certifications
Time Management Certification
Total Quality Management Certification
Creative Writing Certification
Master Trainer Certification
Human Resources Management Certification
Accounting Fundamentals Certification
These courses are can be taught at you facility reducing your expenditures of gas, hotels, Per Diem, and ancillary items. We provide all curriculum and instructors. All program graduates receive a certificate suitable for framing.
Kell-Sibley Enterprises LLC
134 South Street
Collierville, TN 38017
901-854-7605 office
901-854-7601 fax
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Free marketing opportunity…..get a free blog on WordPress and link it to your website! – Your M.B.A. EJ Owens
Post your services on Craigslist.com – Your M.B.A. EJ Owens
Do you think you have too many services or capabilities to tell someone in 30 seconds? Divide your services or capabilities into 3 categories and decide what category the person you are talking too fits then give them that speech. If it grows past that category or this person takes an interest outside of this conversation then follow up with another capability but don’t waste your precious seconds gabbing about everything that you do. Time is money and momentum is fleeing. Try this out and see how fast you gain more business. – Your M.B.A. EJ Owens
How to Design an Informative Brochure for Your Business
Although a little more expensive to design and produce, the results of a well-designed brochure will be well worth the effort and money that you will put into it. Follow the following tips mentioned below, and you could soon have a well-designed and informative brochure on your hands.
Study Your Competitors’ Brochures
You should pick review sales materials made by your competitors to find out the points that they highlight in their brochures.
You can also pick up different brochures of different companies in various sectors to get a feel of their design, layout and presentation. Pick out the points in your competitors brochure that would be beneficial to your small business, and mention that in a tactful manner – without mentioning any names of rival companies or products.
Design an Attractive Brochure With Clear Fonts
Your brochure should start with your company history, followed by innovations you have made in your line of business, if any. This should be followed by a year-by-year timeline and a brief company description.
Include descriptions and images displaying a range of your current products. The brochure copy should end with a statement about your personal commitment towards your clients.
The wording of the brochure should be complimented with matching photos and it should be printed in various eye-pleasing colors. Check out different brochure costs before settling on one which suits your budget.
Finally, be sure that you hire a good designer, even if you have to pay a bit more – there is nothing worse than a company brochure that looks cheap. In the end, you get what you pay for.
Mention All Contact Details In Your Brochure
Your brochure should contain all the relevant details of your company, including your address, contact numbers, fax number and website address. If applicable, you should also print your business’ hours of operation.
You want potential customers to know how to get in touch with you, so don’t leave them guessing.
Include Free Items If Your Budget Is Higher
If your company budget is not a problem, then you can include pockets in your brochures and fill them with a pen and a paperweight with your company’s name and contact number printed on it.
Your brochure will then do double duty; your company pen and paperweight will most certainly end up in different parts of your recipient’s office, giving your business additional exposure.
Print In Small Batches
Do not print a very large quantity of your brochures at one time, because if there is any change in your contact number or other details, then the rest of your brochures will go to waste.
Instead, have them printed in small batches and distribute them immediately after you receive them. Get a list of potential clients related to your industry and start sending the brochures to them.
This will ensure that your brochures reach your targeted audience.
Redesign Your Brochure After a Couple of Years
Do not continue with the same design and format of your brochure year after year, but change the text and design every now and then. This way, you will ensure that your information is correct and that the design doesn’t get stale. Mention new products and any new details accordingly.
A well-designed brochure can work wonders for your small business if it falls into the right hands. It will impress your customers and encourage them to do business with you. By following the tips above, you will lay the foundation for a long-term business relationship by converting casual readers into long-term customers. -Your M.B.A. EJ Owens
Building a solid Customer Base
How you go about building a customer base can vary with the type of business you own. However, it does not have to be difficult or expensive. With a little creativity and effort you can be on your way to expanding your business in no time.
Think of “people who know people.” Give out business cards and information at the end of your transaction and ask customers to pass your name along. Offer a small referral bonus, discount or gift to everyone who refers a new customer.
This builds a lot of goodwill and can be cheaper than conventional advertising. Simply ask “how did you hear about us?”
If you have a store, have business cards and fliers on the counter. Offer coupons with expiration dates.
Consider a rewards or frequent buyer program. Have a card with 10 or so stamps on them. Have the 10th stamp yield a free product, meal or service.
Use the computer and the Internet. Create a website with a link to sign up for an email list. You can then advertise your latest specials, products and services. Update your website often.
First time yellow pages subscribers often save a bundle. Try the more well-known yellow pages (through the local phone company) and see how many clients and referrals you receive from it. Consider putting a coupon in the coupons section as well.
Use a vehicle sign of some sort with a business card holder. You only pay for the sign and cards. The rest is free. Your vehicle is earning money for you while you are parked somewhere.
Network all the time. Bring cards with you everywhere and do not be shy about handing them out. Post them on bulletin boards as well, as they are usually free! Talk about your business and why people would want your services or product. Join local networking groups. Often they have only one member of the community for each service, so there’s no competition.
Keep in touch with your clients. Send postcards, coupons, recommendations and reminders every three to six months. Oil change places, restaurants, and shops do this frequently. People are more likely to read your postcard than open a letter.
Advertise in Yahoo or Google Local. Or, your local coupon magazine or Valpak.
Try http://www.constantcontact.com
Mail Christmas and other holiday cards to your clients. Remember birthdays and anniversaries with special gifts and offers. Use software such as Microsoft Office to keep an updated list in the computer. Have the client fill out a brief survey or take the information over the phone while making an appointment.
This should get you started!
-Your M.B.A. EJ Owens
Effective Holiday Advertising for Small Businesses
Advertising during the holidays can often seem like an uphill battle to small business owners. Larger corporations seem like they suck the wind out of everyone else’s sails and leave everyone longing for the New Year to begin.
Holiday advertising is an ideal way to connect with existing customers and reach out to prospective customers. Small businesses have the unique ability to really connect with people during a time of the year that can be both financially and emotionally trying.
Holiday advertising is the perfect way to make yourself useful to your customers in their time of need.
Let’s look at some of the ways you can use holiday advertising to reach out to your customers.
Be Useful
Figure out how your business can be helpful to people during the holiday season and advertise it.
Be it free advice, free gift with purchase, etc., make sure customers are aware that you are there and that your business can help save them time and money.
Send a flyer, e-mail or newsletter highlighting your services and offering suggestions on how your services can be utilized during the holiday season.
Offer Gift Certificates
Make gift giving easy for your potential customer. Gift certificates are one of the best holiday advertising tools you can use.
Not only do they help your customer, but they may create a new customer in the recipient. You can also offer a free gift certificate to your customers who purchase a certain amount in your products or services.
This is an extremely enticing holiday advertising tool and it may help increase your profit margin.
Send Holiday Cards
Reach out to your customers by sending them a holiday card. This can be a great way to advertise, because you are reminding them you are there and you can offer them a gift in the card.
Put a time sensitive coupon or gift certificate in the card to get them in during the holidays. This shows your customers you appreciate them and their business.
Network
Contact organizations and businesses that host holiday parties so you can advertise with them.
Give them a free gift certificate from your business for them to raffle off at their holiday party. This not only acts as free holiday advertising for you, but you will probably get a new customer or two out of it.
You can donate a gift certificate to auctions, business, schools or any other place or organization that may be having a holiday celebration.
Focus on the Future
Focusing on the upcoming New Year is another great idea for holiday advertising. Send out an e-mail, card, flyer or newsletter that highlights exciting things to come for your business.
You could also focus on how your business can help people in the New Year or how your business may help them stick to their New Year’s resolution. The important thing is to remind them that you are there and how your services can be used year ‘round.
-Your MBA EJ Owens