Everyone knows how crucial it is to make a good first impression.  Businesses worry about the cleanliness of their lobby, the personality of the front receptionist, their employees dress and manners; but what about that first item you GIVE to a potential client;  the one they take with them, and hopefully keep?  What about your BUSINESS CARD?

Your business card represents your company as much as any person, building, office, or product.  However, most of the time, businesses do not spend time designing the right image and card for their business.  What does your card say about your and your company?

Things your business card should contain:

• Easy to find and easy to read name, phone number(s), email address and website
• Only the necessary information – keep it simple
• Good use of color
• Only icons and designations that enhance your professionalism
• Quality paper

Things your business card should NOT contain:

• Text that is hard to read – be careful of color imprinted over color – sometimes that is hard to read
• Fonts and font sizes that are too small
• A cluttered layout
• Information on the back of the card that the reader must hunt

Business cards are an inexpensive investment in your image, but many times the one image that clients keep.   Make sure all the information is up-to-date, and uniform throughout the company.  You should also always keep your cards in a case so they look crisp and clean.  This will help make a positive impression on potential clients.

So, do your cards portray the image you are trying to project for your company?  If not, we at Promotions with Personality can help you achieve a professional, clean, eye-catching look.

Advertising dollars spent during slow times are the best investment a company can make.

Case Study – Kellogg’s versus Post during the Great Depression

In 1929, rival cereal makers Kellogg’s and Post were in a close race to win the breakfast cereal market.  When the Great Depression started, Kellogg’s maintained their advertising spending while rival Post cut back.  At the end of the Depression, Kellogg’s had achieved a category dominance that they maintain to this day.

Your ad dollars work harder in slow times.  If you competition is less active, this is a time to steal market share.

In a study of U.S. recessions, McGraw-Hill Research analyzed 600 companies from 1980-1985. The results showed that business-to-business firms that maintained or increased their advertising expenditures during the 1981-1982 recession averaged significantly higher sales growth, both during the recession and for the following three years, than those that eliminated or decreased advertising. By 1985, sales of companies that were aggressive recession advertisers had risen 256% over those that didn’t keep up their advertising.

Remember, just because your customers are not buying at recent levels, it does not mean they have stopped reading, thinking, and formulating opinions about the companies and brands from whom they buy.

For the 3rd year I was honored to be a judge for the Christmas Parade.

It is a delight to see the creativity and enthusiasm of the children participating in the parade.

Look at this great deal!

Now is a great time to stock up on your promotional items.  Lots of end of the year clearance sales and specials are out there.   Let me find you a deal on the things you use.

Look at what your marketing was budgeted for this year.  Did you use it all?  If you don’t use it you will lose it!

Thanksgiving Cards
Several business people that I know have switched their holiday greeting card sending to Thanksgiving.  What a perfect opportunity to thank our clients, customers, business associates, and referrals partners!

I remember the first Thanksgiving card I received from one of my vendors.  It was about 10 years ago and I remember opening it up and thinking, ‘how thoughtful … and how unusual’.  Whenever the opportunity arose to use that vendor’s product, he remained top of mind with that gesture.  The use of Thanksgiving cards is becoming more common, but it is still an excellent way to demonstrably show you care to your client base.

“This article is a product of Cybertary, Inc., a nationwide Virtual Assisting franchise company, and was originally published in its INNOVATE! newsletter. For other beneficial articles like this one or to find out more about Cybertary services, visit www.Cybertary.com. To learn about Cybertary franchise opportunities, go to www.CybertaryFranchise.com.”

Wednesday, Oct. 20th at the Holiday Inn Meadowlands

I will have a display booth.    The fair provides an excellent chance for businesses to meet with government agencies and prime contractors.  It has been a great resource for me.  Not only to do I have an opportunity to show my ideas to govt agencies, I also am seen by hundreds of business that use promotional products everyday.  This will be my third year at the fair.

Promotional Products Work see why you can spend less and achieve more with promotional products.