Archive for the ‘Marketing’ Category

First Impressions Are Lasting Impressions (Volume VI)

Tuesday, September 7th, 2010

TELEVISION COMMERCIALS

TV commercials are a very powerful medium when presenting your business to the public.  The receiver of your commercial will be stimulated both visually and audibly, therefore giving dual perceptions for interpretation.  Just imagine what content could be displayed in your ad; for instance, your place of business, your product line, your employees, etc.  Combine that with the spoken word and you can convey your message quite dynamically, whether creating a first impression, or reinforcing a previous one.

If your ad pictures your place of business, it should have both an inviting and appropriate, appearance.  If included, the product line should be prominently displayed, systematically organized, and eye-appealing.  Any spokesperson, whether management or an employee, should without question, project an image of professionalism and integrity.

Last, but not least, the purchase of air time is a very critical element, due to air time, and the broadcasting network.

To be continued…

First Impressions Are Lasting Impressions (Volume V)

Monday, August 30th, 2010

RADIO ADs

One of the oldest channels for advertising is Radio.

Radio ads can be an effective medium to target audiences with your message. People listen to the radio on the way to and from work, hear it while at work, and also stay up to hear the late-night shows. This medium provides an enormous audience for you to advertise your tire business.

The key to successful radio advertisement is targeting your audience with a message meant for them. Different consumers divide by station as well as listening times. Make sure you do your homework and get the statistics to make the best decision.

There are other limiting factors as well.  Some people only listen to their favorite radio personalities.  Other people only listen during specific times, such as to and from work.  Most often, our attention is focused elsewhere; for instance, on driving conditions, home, work, you need to repeat your company name multiple times so that it sinks in. Make sure to direct them to your website. It is important to have an easy to remember web address since they are not always able to stop and write it down.

Another benefit of advertising your tire business on the radio is your tire dealership can become comparable to larger competitor’s ads, since there is no cost of competing visually with them, such as with television ads.

To be continued…

Hesitant of Social Media?

Monday, August 16th, 2010

Whether you are a bit scared to get going on social media or your social media effort is off to an inauspicious beginning, there are steps you can take to make sure your social media marketing strategy actually propels consumers into your store rather than running them off.  The good news is, this medium of marketing is very well accepted by consumers.  Now there is a truly viable way to interact socially with your buyers outside of them coming into the store;  and consumers are more motivated than ever to share their experiences.  With social media, they have a means to do so – 24/7, every day of the year! We all know that positive experiences are always good for your business but social media allows you the opportunity to address the negative experiences as well. Imagine a customer comes to your tire dealership and is not satisfied. They immediately get on their social network and start talking about it. Now you have the opportunity to show your community how much you value your customers by joining the conversation and making it right.

So, good service + good social media feedback = more customers

To learn more about steps to ensure a positive experience with social media, read the following article published by Modern Tire Dealer:  http://www.moderntiredealer.com/Article/Story/2010/07/Keep-the-social-in-social-media.aspx

Tradehsows = Better Business!

Friday, July 23rd, 2010

How many times has your company sent you to a tradeshow? Have you gone in the past only to return feeling it was a waste of time and money? Were you prepared to be an attendee? Getting the most from a trade show requires careful preparation. These simple steps will aid you in preparing to get the most from the shows you attend.

  1. Before the Show: Make a list of goals to achieve while at the show; both company and personal. Include in those goals the booths you want to visit and the appropriate time you will require at each booth. Then decide who will be visiting those booths if more than one of your employees will be attending the show.
  2. During the Show: On arrival to the show, re-plan and then stick to your plans. Did any exhibitors not show? Are there others there you did not originally know would be in attendance? Make time to visit them as well. Finding maps of the floor and knowing show hours will aid in achieving your goals. Also, do not just grab brochures from these vendors. Spend the time you have scheduled with each vendor. Let them know what schedule you are on. They want to make the most of their time as well as yours. Finally, take breaks and stay hydrated. A sharp mind all day will ensure you get as much out of the last booth you visit as you did from the first.
  3. After the Show: If you have stuck to your plans and achieved your goals you will have a wealth of new knowledge and materials to look through. Take time to organize those thoughts, notes, and brochures. Be sure to follow up with your new found contacts and vendors after the show. Follow through with those leads. Finally, was there any marketing you saw at the show from vendors you could implement into your own store(s)?

Following these simple steps will ensure a more productive tradeshow for you and better business opportunities for your company.