Margot Black
BLACK INK
(323) 993-7171
BlackInkPr@aol.com

Ten Marketing Tips Under Ten Dollars
By Margot Black

1. Never leave home without your business card. ‘Tis the season to jingle and mingle. You never know who you might bump into at the supermarket, post office, gym, etc. Not only is it the season to be super social, it’s also a time when people are often standing in line and tend to get unusually chatty. Be prepared to seize every opportunity.
    

2. Perfect your “elevator speech” to encourage referrals. This is the 90-second sound bite that let’s people know exactly what you do – that includes what product or service you provide, how and under what conditions you provide it, how well you do it, and in what ways you’re better at what you do than your competitors. It may seem like a no-brainer – don’t we all know what we do for a living? Of course, but can you communicate it clearly and simply? Can you communicate it succinctly so someone else can repeat it to a potential client for you? 
    

3. Instead of using regular postage stamps on your holiday or business mail, use customized postage stamps with your own business logo. Modern technology – U.S. Postage stamps with your logo or picture on them, what next?! Check it out www.USPS.com
    

4. Update your standing email “signature” monthly and utilize it to advertise your business’ upcoming events or specials, or add an inspirational quote or other personal touch.
    

5. Hand write “Thank You” notes. In today’s high tech world many people think an email “thank you” is sufficient. A hand written, old fashioned “thank you” for a referral, gift, patronage or hard work stands out. It also tends to sit on peoples desk while email is deleted or filed in seconds. Make sure the card reflects you personality and your business.
    

6. Triple check your contact info: Make sure you are listed in all state, government, contractor, alumni or professional organization databases that might refer work to you. Double check they contain current info as well as two written lines about what you offer. Google yourself and see that all contact info that pops up is accurate and links are working. Place your up-to-date contact info on every piece of literature your office sends out. People can’t help you or buy from you if they can’t find you.
    

7. Frame articles about you and or your firm, product or service and display them prominently in your office. Third-party coverage is an indirect endorsement adding impressive credibility of great value. A lot of people have a lot of accolades gathering dust in a closet or folder somewhere. Dust them off and display them well.
    

8. Utilize child labor – your own! For $10, you can hire a student, a niece, nephew or a friend’s teen to swing a sign in front of your office. Encourage them to show off their best moves.
    

9. Throw a phone-a-thon. Is there a new business goal you’ve been trying to reach? A magazine you’d like to be profiled in? A new sales goal you’ve been trying to reach? Dig into your database or shoebox of business cards, pull up phone numbers and work the phones for yourself. Commit to two hours of un-interrupted phone time each day for one week straight and you’ll come up with a whole new crop of leads. Follow up diligently on any and all leads people provide you with. And of course, it never hurts to write them a thank you note for helping.
    

10. Does your business require you to be a people person?  Learn a clean joke and show that you are.  Holiday parties can often be uncomfortable gatherings and everyone appreciates the person willing to break the ice a bit or at least make an effort to offer up a little cheer. Here’s how to tell a joke like a real pro:
    
    A) Do a mental run-through: Don’t start unless you’ve memorized the ending.
    
    B) Remember the rule of three: There’s an expected rhythm in comedy: After two examples the third one is always the punch line (that’s why you usually say: “a rabbi, a priest and a monk walk into a bar,” not ‘a rabbi, priest, monk and duck’). Don’t drag it out. Shorter is funnier, always. Avoid telling last supper jokes in which every apostle speaks. Cut to the chase, and quick. 
    
    C) End on a high note. Just one is fun. Telling a second or third joke (unless others share theirs) will normally kill all hope of normal conversation.
    
    D) Have a failure plan ready in case you goof – Johnny Carson was a genius at this and David Letterman does it all the time. When a joke falls flat they smile and say something like “Ah yes, confused silence, just the reaction I was hoping for.”

 Got any other great tips? Please feel free to share them with me….

Happy Holidays! And Happy Marketing! Go Forth Unafraid! 

Margot Black
BLACK INK
C  O  M  M  U  N  I  C  A  T  I  O  N  S
Phone:  (323) 993-7171
Black Ink General Office (323) 876-5010
Margot@BlackInkpr.com