I love making lists and enjoy crossing things off lists even more! I create lists in both my personal and professional life. So when it comes to planning tradeshows (almost 30 a year for VerticalResponse), needless to say, I have a lot of lists. When attending a trade show, which is an excellent opportunity for all small businesses, there are two lists that everyone should use: One for event deliverables and deadlines and the second with assets that are needed for each tradeshow. Follow and create lists like these, and your tradeshow planning will be easy breezy: 

Deadlines & Deets

Event deadlines always vary and it’s important to keep track. For most tradeshows, there are a lot of things that need to be ordered in advance like furniture, electrical and internet access, as well as shipping arrivals. You usually get “early bird” discounts if you order before a certain date. I don’t know about you, but I love discounts (another pastime of mine), so keep an eye out for early bird dates and order everything, not only in advance, but also at a cheaper rate!

Here’s an example of an exhibitor checklist from NYXPO, a tradeshow I’m currently coordinating. Most tradeshows don’t provide checklists so you can always use samples like this to make your own:

The Goods

The second list you want to create is pretty standard for all tradeshows, and it’s all the items you’ll need to bring. Below is my mega-list of supplies I know I need. Keep this list up-to-date and add things you may have forgotten in the past. Your packing checklist should look a little something like this:

• Business cards
• Your product (if it’s tangible)
• Laptop/charger (for demos of your products/services)
• Data sheets (brochures)
• Data sheet stands
• Extension cords
• Fishbowl to collect business cards
• Email signup form
• Internet (Mi-Fi)
• iPad
• Monitor
• Monitor cord – mini display port adapter
• Pens
• Pen holder
• Pop-up banners
• Portable cart
• Return shipping labels
• Scissors
• Shipping tape
• Stapler
• Swag (branded t-shirts, pens, fun stuff etc.)
• Thin-tipped permanent markers (for writing notes on business cards)
• Company-branded tablecloth

This might look like an intimidating list, but you don’t have to bring everything to every tradeshow. There are some staple items that you should always have, like business cards, a laptop, thin-tipped permanent markers, a stapler, data sheets, etc. but everything else on the list varies. At VerticalResponse, we attend shows with anywhere from 50 people in attendance to 50K so it depends on the needs of the show.

Making sure that everything is taken care of well before each tradeshow will undoubtedly make it seamless for everyone. There will always be last minute changes or things to do, but when everything’s crossed off your lists, your tradeshow will also be less stressful. Win-win!

Bonus tip: Looking for tradeshows to attend for your small business? Check with your local Chamber of Commerce for any tradeshows they’re hosting, or if they have a list of events in your area.

Want more in-depth info about events? We have a free guide for that too! Check out: Events 101 – Attending, Sponsoring & Hosting Events

The post How to Make Trade Show Planning Easy Breezy appeared first on VR Marketing Blog.

About StumbleUpon
If you haven’t used StumbleUpon, it’s worth your time to check out the discovery engine. StumbleUpon is a great way to uncover new content on the internet. The site finds and recommends content based on your interests. You can discover fun sites about cute cats, or find valuable articles and relevant information for your business. Taking advantage of StumbleUpon not only exposes you to some stellar content, but also presents a powerful way for others to discover your own business and unique content.

So how does StumbleUpon know what sort of content you might be interested in discovering? When creating an account, you’re simply asked to list your interests. This helps StumbleUpon hone in on particular websites and/or content that may be of interest to you. There’s also a rating system in which you can give a “thumbs up” or “thumbs down” to each suggested website so that StumbleUpon can further tailor the content for you. My personal StumbleUpon account happens to be full of cute animal pictures, DIY arts & crafts, and photography.

How to Use StumbleUpon for Your Business
StumbleUpon also has an ad platform called StumbleUpon Paid Discovery that allows you to post your content (from a website or blog) online for 5¢, 10¢, or 25¢ per “stumble” or page view. The payment plan you choose is based on more or less detailed reporting, and priority for your content.

Here’s How We Use It
We love content marketing, and always suggest creating content for your business. StumbleUpon is an easy way to spread content to your customers, prospects and tons of new eyeballs. According to StumbleUpon, there are over 1 billion pages Stumbled each month! Just imagine the potential traffic coming to your website!

We use content as ads on StumbleUpon, but the end user or Stumbler doesn’t necessarily know he/she is seeing an ad. This is called native advertising, where the ads become part of the content. We can advertise VerticalResponse without having it be too “in your face.” And, the Stumbler gets great content to boot.

We post anywhere from 2-10 articles/blog posts a month and add Google Analytics to track the performance. The articles are set at the 5¢ level so we can get our content out to the greatest number of Stumblers. After you post an article (via URL), StumbleUpon will track it and give it a score (percentage) that corresponds to the number of people giving it either a “thumbs up” or “thumbs down.” The more people like the article or content, the higher the percentage will be. Create a cut-off score for articles so that you aren’t paying to run content Stumblers don’t enjoy. 50% or higher means that 50% of the people that Stumbled your content gave it a thumbs up.

How You Can Use It
Do you have a spectacular website with content about your business? Create a StumbleUpon Paid Discovery account and start adding articles. Start slow – add one article and specify how much you want to spend per day. Or, you can specify how much you want to spend on multiple articles per day if you have enough content.

Posting  is really easy. Select the URL of the article/blog/picture that you want to send to StumbleUpon users and click the button “Create a New Campaign.” Paste the URL and select the number of daily visitors you want to reach, or how much you want to spend.

This is a set-it-and-forget-it type of platform. You can check in on it once a week to make sure you aren’t spending too much or too little and check your scores. If they’re below 50%, pause them, but keep all the articles within Paid Discovery so that you know what you’ve posted.

Some StumbleUpon Content Dos and Don’ts

• DO – Sign up for a standard StumbleUpon account (it’s free!) and start exploring. It’ll help you learn more about platform and how people use it.
• DON’T – Start posting to your Paid Discovery account without reading the terms and conditions.
• DO – Post content that is educational, creative and/or fun.
• DON’T – Post content that is outright selling your product or business. For example, we would never post just our homepage, but we do post content that contains small ads (check out the green call-to-action button on the right of the blog).
• DO – Find out what content people like based on your scores. We find that with our particular content, articles with a little sass seems to resonate for our Stumblers.

Reporting
Here is a peek at our Paid Discovery Dashboard. This is a quick look at paid Stumbles, organic Stumbles (users that have shared our articles), score, and effective CPV (cost per view). You can also see how much we are set to spend per day and how many active and pause campaigns we have in our account. You can also get more detailed reporting about each article if you click “Manage.”

Get Started!
Now you can get started and find and post great content like this:

The post Get More Eyes on Your Content Using StumbleUpon appeared first on VR Marketing Blog.

There are a ton of great business events and conferences to attend (and sponsor) every year, and 2013 is no exception. We recently shared 10 Awesome Events Every Entrepreneur Should Know, and we’ve got 14 more to attend in 2013, and one for 2014!

OMS – Online Marketing Summit (Multiple events/locations)
February 11-13, 2013
San Diego, CA
Attendees: 1,200

What OMS says: “Online Marketing Summit (OMS) connects marketers with the knowledge, experts and technologies that are transforming digital marketing and business as we know it.

This interactive symposium empowers marketing professionals of all levels with actionable information via expert led educational sessions and collaborative engagement with peers, thought leaders and providers that are driving the industry forward.”

 eTail West
February 25-28, 2013
Palm Desert, CA
Attendees: 2,000

What eTail says: “Launched in 1999, eTail is the premier online and multi-channel retail conference dedicated to supporting the growth of the retail industry by facilitating high-level networking opportunities and providing leading industry knowledge.

Every year, eTail brings together 2000+ senior-level eCommerce and marketing professionals from cross-industry, including, but not limited to; Apparel, Accessories, Sporting Goods, Beauty, Consumer Electronics, Hard and Soft Goods, Home Furnishings, Books, Music, Luxury, Travel, Office Products, Department Stores and more to find solutions for their top challenges.”

SXSW – South by Southwest (Interactive)
March 8-12, 2013
Austin, TX
Attendees: 15,000

Recommended by our resident Evangelist, Rob Zazueta
What Rob says: “It’s the event where I meet the leaders in the industry, just by waiting in line for the bathroom. There are amazing sessions discussing both cutting edge and well-tested ideas that cut across all aspects of marketing, technology, productivity and more. Plus, the trade show is where I find the hits I hear about for the rest of the year.”

What SXSW says: “Scheduled March 8-12, the 2013 SXSW® Interactive Festival will feature five days of compelling presentations from the brightest minds in emerging technology, scores of exciting networking events hosted by industry leaders, the SXSW Trade Show and an unbeatable lineup of special programs showcasing the best new digital works, video games and innovative ideas the international community has to offer. Join us for the most energetic, inspiring and creative event of the year.”

Inbound Marketing Summit (Multiple events/locations)
April 3-4, 2013
New York, NY
Attendees: 1,000

What IMS says: “Inbound Marketing Summit (IMS) is the one event that brings together enterprise CMOs, business leaders, agency execs and their teams, awesome keynotes, expert panels, plus solutions providers and their tools, all in a dynamic, community-based setting. Learn about the latest in social strategy and branding, content marketing, online video, Social CRM, mobile payments and more. And explore how to turn your plans into action with exclusive demos, showcases and the multimedia experience you expect from The Pulse. Come join the marketing revolution April 3-4, 2013 at the Altman Building in New York City.”

eMarketing Conference
April 9-10, 2013
San Francisco, CA

What eMarketing says: “With over 35 expert speakers and 33 sessions (all on one floor), you will leave energized and ready, with relevant, actionable new processes, techniques, ideas, and a bunch of new meaningful contacts. You can design your own conference around dedicated topics on Social, eMail, Search and Mobile marketing. Sessions are highly interactive and our speakers, panelists, moderators and attendees attend most social networking events at the conference.”

WaHB – Work at Home Business Expo (Multiple Events/Locations)
April 20-21, 2013
San Diego, CA
Attendees: 1,500

What WaHB Expo says: “WaHB Expo is focused on the Work at Home and Home Based Business industry. It provides a forum that brings together the providers of home based business models and services, with the very people considering a home based business for their own professional future, as well as those with already established home based businesses looking for the resources to grow and support them.”

Internet Retailer Conference and Exhibition
June 4-7, 2013
Chicago, IL
Attendees: 9,500

What the conference says: “Even if you’ve attended IRCE in the past, this year’s show will truly be breaking barriers of its own, in terms of content that includes more workshops, main conference session tracks and a greatly expanded roster of 220 expert speakers, fully 20% more than last year’s show.”

World Domination Summit
July 5-7, 2013
Portland, Organ
Attendees: 1,000

What the World Domination Summit says: “In July 2012, a small army of remarkable people converged on Portland, Oregon for a weekend of strategizing and adventure.”

Content Marketing World (Multiple events/locations)
September 9-12, 2013
Cleveland, OH
Attendees: 100

What CMW says: “Content Marketing World is the conference for the marketing/PR professional who develops the strategy or handles the execution of content marketing initiatives.  This is the person that, in some way, develops or curates valuable, relevant and compelling content through one or multiple channels to attract and retain customers.

This could be content for social media or public relations efforts.  It could be content for your corporate magazine.  It could be mobile content or applications. It could be a total content marketing strategy for your website and other properties.”

Foodservice Social Media Universe
September 16-18, 2013
Austin, TX

What FSMU says: “Welcome to the 3rd annual Foodservice Social Media Universe (#FSMU) Conference and Expo. In 2013, we will focus on the technology-driven transformation of the foodservice industry. How social and technology is at the core of app development and customer experience management. We will again, examine best practices for social media execution in the restaurant industry, uncover new strategies, learn new tactics and expand our universe of restaurant + technology providers.”

SES – Search Engine Strategies (Multiple Events/Locations)
September 10-13, 2013
San Francisco, CA
Attendees: 3,500

What SES says: “Founded in 1999, SES has become the leading search and social marketing event in the industry. SES is programmed by leading practitioners and industry thought leaders who form the SES Global Advisory Board. The focus is 100% on education with a large sprinkling of networking sessions and events for attendees to share knowledge and experience as well as develop new business relationships.”

Dreamforce
November 18-21, 213
San Francisco, CA
Attendees: 50,000

What Dreamforce says: “Dreamforce ‘13 will be here before you know it, and you can sign up to be the first to hear about all the details, including pricing.

In 2012, Dreamforce broke all records, and 2013 is going to be even bigger and better with:

• All-new keynote speakers and an amazing band for the Dreamforce Gala
• More than 800 breakout sessions—content for every role!
• 500+ partners in the Cloud Expo”

Email Insider Summit
December 2013
Park City, UT
Attendees: 100

What Email Insider says: “Set at the world-class Deer Valley ski resort in Park City, Utah, the Summit will generate discussion about the hottest topics in email marketing, with a focus on offering solutions that can be implemented the day after you get off the slopes. Industry thought-leaders deliver keynote presentations each day, followed by panels heavy with brand marketers – which will explore melding email and social media platforms, capitalizing on Big Data, turning $10K into $1M through budget allocation and much more.”

SMX Social Media Marketing
December 2013
Las Vegas, CA
Attendees: 700

What SMX says: “Whether you’re managing communities or buying social media advertising, SMX Social Media Marketing is your conference. You’ll be inspired by experts, meet others with your challenges, and leave confident you’ll excel in this fast-paced environment.

SMX Social Media Marketing is a two-day, tactic-rich conference that covers all key issues for getting the most out of social marketing, whether you’re tasked with driving organic traffic, managing paid campaigns, or stewarding your company’s brand with online reputation management and customer service. ”

Keep in Mind for 2014:

NMX – New Media Expo aka Blog World (Usually in January)
Las Vegas, NV

What NMX says: “Join us at New Media Expo (aka BlogWorld), the World’s Largest Conference and Trade Show for Bloggers, Podcasters, Web TV & Video Creators, and Social Business Pros. New Media Expo attracts content creators from across the globe, and it’s also the epicenter of leading ideas in social business with the collocated BusinessNext Social conference! These concurrent events combine to produce a who’s-who line up of content creators, global influencers, niche experts and business icons dedicated to educating you with the latest knowledge, technology and techniques for online success. You’ll learn from latest case studies and the most effective methods these innovators have used in their own businesses and online properties to rise above the rest.”

Which of these business events, conferences and/or festivals do you find useful? Plan on attending any? Let us know!

The post 14 Must-Attend Business Events and Conferences for 2013 appeared first on VR Marketing Blog.

Have you seen the movie, Pitch Perfect? I watched it 10 times before I even bought the movie. Can you say obsessed? Absolutely!

So how does this relate to trade show engagement and booth traffic? It’s all about the fun that brings you back for more! The more energy you have in your trade show booth, the more engagement you’ll get. No one wants to talk to boring people, and even worse, boring sales people. Awkward!

I know sometimes trade shows can feel chaotic like this:

But use the trade show ideas below to pump up the fun, and you’ll gain tons of traffic at your booth from both current and potential customers

Let’s get started with trade show contest ideas:

• Have visitors drop their business cards into a fishbowl to win a prize (make the prize something people will desire, or something quirky). Then have people come back at a certain time(s) for the drawing.
• Have visitors tag your business or booth in a picture or post on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram as entry for a contest. Have them use a specific hashtag relating to your business and the tradeshow. ex: #VRSXSW
• Have an interactive game at your booth like a beanbag toss or a video game; Whoever gets the  highest score wins. People will continue to check back throughout the day to see who has the highest score.
• Have a prize wheel in which visitors take a turn spinning to see what they win. We use one at every trade show, and people love it – It gets a lot of attention and draws a crowd.

Now that you’ve got some trade show ideas for a contest, what about the prize?

• Technology – headphones, a Kindle, camera, or of course an iPad
• Something pertaining to your business, like a free trial of your service, or actual products. This will get people to visit your website or place of business.
• Clothing or apparel
• Cash (who doesn’t love cash?)
• Mystery prize box – Create a box of goodies with your product or service include.
• Tickets to a local professional sports game
• Gift card to a local restaurant (everyone appreciates free food)
• Books about your business – People love getting a freebie, especially when it’ll help them learn something new.

Ideas to get the word out before the trade show:

• Before the event, promote the trade show and the contest you’ll have at said trade show.
• Send a few emails, and post to your social networks about trade shows and events your business will be attending. Include the date, time, location, booth number, and what contest or goodies you’ll be giving out.
• Add an event section to your website and on Facebook.

Ideas to get people to your booth at the trade show:

• Make sure your booth is clean and presentable. A big trade show faux pas is to eat while working in a booth. No one wants to talk to someone with a mouth full of food.
• Make sure your staff is engaged with the crowd and not just with each other.
• Have banners and even a custom tablecloth that says what your business does.
• Besides the contest prize, have lots of free giveaways like pens, notepads, or key chains with your logo on each item.
• Have signs at your booth about the contest. Make sure they’re readable from at least 10 feet away.
• Display what you’re giving away for the contest.
• Have handouts for people who want more information about your business.
• Make some noise (not too much, as you don’t want to annoy your fellow booth neighbors) – but enough to get people looking your way.

Lastly, make sure to smile and look approachable:

Other Trade Show aspects to consider:

• The more people who engage with your booth, the more others will want to see what all the excitement is about.
• Have a contest for your own staff. Incentivize those who collect the most business cards or signups.
• Use the time in which people approach your booth for free swag or a contest, to talk to them about their needs and how your business could help.
• Write notes on all business cards to remind yourself of the conversation, and needs of that potential customer.
• Follow up with all business card prospects with either with a personal call or an email. Re-introduce yourself and your business and let them know where you met them. Ask if you can add them to your email marketing list.
• Take a picture of your contest winner and post it to your website and social media pages with a caption like, “Susie just won an ipad by playing bean bag toss at the XYZ trade show with Your Company Name.”

Lastly, make sure to walk around to check out’s working at other booths. Use this knowledge to adjust what you’re doing, or use it for the next trade show. Different shows have different crowds, so consider your audience.

Whatever trade show ideas you use, make sure that you and your team are into it!

Also, grab our easy breezy trade show planning checklist here and you’ll be on your way to Pitch Perfect engagement.

© 2013, VR Marketing Blog. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited.

The post Trade Show Ideas for Pitch Perfect Engagement appeared first on VR Marketing Blog.

With the influx in popularity of sites like Pinterest, Instagram and marketing materials like infographics, poppin’ pictures are a must – Plus, it’s been proven that images invoke more engagement (up to 20x more!) on social. Spicing up your images or photos could do wonders for your email or social media marketing. But where can you edit and enhance plain Jane images? Here are 3 free photo editing tools (that you don’t even have to download) that’ll give your pics some serious sham-wow:

Pixlr.com
Pixlr is excellent for your basic photo editing needs, and includes the following features: crop, rotate, erase, paintbrush, paint bucket, basic shapes, type tool, and red eye remover. There are also tools for more advanced adjustments like: brightness & contrast, hue & saturation, color balance, color vibrant, levels, curves, exposures, layers and history tool box  (which we use a lot), and more.

*Pixlr Bonus: There’s a mobile Pixlr app and a filter editing site/app (Pixlr-O-Matic) that are also free. Pixlr-O-Matic does whimsical effects (filters), overlays, and frames.

If you’ve ever used Photoshop, Pixlr should be a snap. If you need some extra guidance, there’s a community-powered support site that can get you started.

PicMonkey
PicMonkey appears more basic than Pixlr, but does include more features. The great thing about PicMonkey, is that makes things super simple for people who are just getting started with photo editing. The tools are clearly marked and the editor uses very simple navigation. There are also classic filters like Sepia, in which you can adjust the tint and fade.

About half of the features on PicMonkey are free, anything labeled with a tiny white crown means you have to upgrade to $4.99 a month.

*PicMonkey Bonus: There’s a theme section (the jack-o-lantern icon in left menu) that allows you turn your photo into a Vampire, Zombie, Day of the Dead, Witch, Demons, Trick or Treat, Winterland, or Sweatheart scene with effects and objects.

FotoFlexer
FotoFlexer contains all of the basics seen above and also includes the following sections: Basics, Effects, Decorate, Beautify (with wrinkle cream), Distort, Layers, and Geek effects and tools. The editor is really easy to use with its labels and icons.

The only downside: It can take a while load inbetween editing. The other two programs are a little snappier.

*FotoFlexer Bonus: The animations tab lets you add GIFs (animated clip art) to your image – Fun! You can also import a photo from your computer or from a variety of image hosting sites like PhotoBucket, Facebook, and Flicker. Check out this patchwork effect:

All of these editors allow you to either save the edited image to your computer or share on social media sites right from the platform. Remember to save your images as you edit so you don’t lose your work – That’s always the worst!

Do you have any favorite free and/or cheap photo editing tools of your own? Share with us!

© 2013, VR Marketing Blog. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited.

The post 3 Free Photo Editing Tools That’ll Give Your Pics Sham-Wow appeared first on VR Marketing Blog.

Having just returned from another networking event, this time, San Francisco Small Business Week, we noticed that networking tends to be a lot like dating – Everything relies on your first impression! From bad breath, to talking with your mouthful, a lousy follow-up or forgetting someone’s name, people, including potential customers and/or business partners notice these things. A bad first impression not only reflects on you, but also on your business. In order to make your first impression a polished one, abide by these tried and true dos and don’ts of networking:

Do

• Have your business cards with you at all times. Have a pocket for your cards, and a pocket for the cards you collect. If you need business card ideas that stand out, take a look at these creative cards featured on Mashable.
• Have a great handshake. Some handshakes are too firm, some are too soft, and some are just right.
• Have your elevator business pitch ready. Be clear and concise.
• Treat everyone with respect. You never know where your next customer or referral will come from.
• Keep in touch. So you met some great people/businesses that you’d like to keep in touch with, now what? The next step is reach out via social media, or email to stay connected. Here are some guidelines:
  • Follow businesses you liked on their social media (LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest) business pages.
  • Connect on LinkedIn with folks you met and make sure to include where you met them and maybe even something you talked about. Also, make sure you have a updated picture on your profile. It’s best to be able to see/remember the person before you accept their invite to connect on LinkedIn:

Who are you Suzanne? Where did I meet you? A little context here would make all the difference.

• Follow up with people when you say you’re going to and with the information you promised. Nothing’s worse then an “I’ll call you” and then never hearing from them again (sound familiar?) Check out this great follow up from Linda at the Women’s Network. She follows up with helpful information and in a very timely manner.

Don’t

• Try to “hard sell” someone on your product during the first meeting. You’re just getting to know each other so tell them about your company but don’t try to get them to sign up or buy just yet.
• Talk about yourself too much. Just like dating, you need to find out about the other person by asking questions and listening to their answers. We’ve all met that person that is all, “Me, me, me” and no one sticks around to talk to them for long.
• Drink too much. Like Patti Stanger says on Millionaire Matchmaker,“There’s a two drink maximum.” After two drinks you might start to commit some of the other don’ts listed here.
• Use the wrong name when you email or connect with the person on LinkedIn. We have to admit, we’ve done this before when we were in a rush, but we try to never repeat that mistake. Here’s a LinkedIn invite we just received as a perfect example:
  
  Jeff did a great job saying where we met but who’s Stacy? My name is Jenny! Maybe the two drink rule kicking in?

• Don’t try to add your new contact on their Facebook personal profile page unless they invite you to. It’s their personal page and you don’t want to overstep your business/personal relationship.

Are there any dos and don’ts you think we’ve missed? Have any networking advice of your own? Share with us!

© 2013, VR Marketing Blog. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited.

The post Networking Dos and Don’ts from an Event Pro appeared first on VR Marketing Blog.

As the trade show and exhibition organizer at VerticalResponse, I plan at least 30 trade shows a year and attend even more, so I’ve seen my fair share of company swag – You know, those (typically) free promotional goodies. There are a couple swag staples at every show (pens, and the likes), and then there are items that really stand out – Something you certainly want to do in a sea of trade show booths. If you’re in need of some eye-catching goodies to give away, there are a couple things to consider before picking your company’s swag: Will people actually use this item? Will this stand out? Does this item and the quality represent my company well? How much do I want to spend per item? Once you’ve answered these questions, it’s time to get shopping! Having a mixture of sturdy staples and seasonal or trendy standout items are sure to please.

Here are a couple of giveaways that always seem to be in style:

• Pens – Granted, pens may not seem like the most exciting of swag giveaways, but have them anyway! People still like/need to collect them at shows and one always need to jot down notes, people’s names, etc. Higher the quality, the better
• Notepads, Notebooks or Moleskines (with your Logo) – Similarly to pens, people always need to write something down. (These are my personal favorite since I use them at work.)
• Apparel – T-shirts are always popular, as are hats – Though just about every company at an event seems to be slinging free tees anymore. Make sure your shirts are nice quality, stylish, and comfortable – Shirts with funny slogans, quotes or compelling images also seem to be picked up the most. Consider the following: Would you wear this shirt? If not, neither will your booth visitors! And after the show, if people wear your apparel around, they’re extending the reach of your company name and branding – Win, win.
• Drink Containers – Acrylic tumblers (some now have water filters), coffee/travel mugs (if they’re light – People don’t like to carry heavy, bulky items around), reusable water bottles
• Breath Mints or Gum – Who doesn’t need/appreciate these at trade shows, or any time for that matter?
• Stress Balls
• Hand Sanitizer and/or Sunscreen
• Umbrellas (depending on the weather)
• Reusable totes (to put all your swag in, of course)
• Drink Koozies
• Drink Coasters – These come in a variety of different shapes and materials (i.e., leather, paper, and cork.)
• Bottle Openers – Now in all shapes and sizes!

Here are a few excellent examples from companies who not only don stellar swag, but use it to represent what they do. These are all products that I’ve received from various trade shows (click the thumbnails to see more details).

Pet Camp – Mini Frisbee and tennis balls for dogs and cats they hope to have as future clients.

OrangeSoda – Stunner shades (sunglasses) and a folding Frisbee make online marketing fun.

Peninsula Beauty – Samples of beauty products they sell in the stores plus a 20% off in-store coupon.

Cloud Extend for SalesForce – A flying monkey with branded cape. One word: Memorable.

The Future of Swag
Staples are great, but what do people really want, and what can we expect to see in the foreseeable future of swag? I asked several brand and promotion marketing experts for swag trends and here are some of the items they suggest. Many of the newest items have to do with mobile devices or technology, but keep in mind, they tend to be on the pricier side:

• Earbuds or Headphones
• Eco Friendly Items – These say “I like the environment and you”
• Computer Mouse – Now in a mini travel version!
• Screen Cleaners (for a laptop, iPod, mobile phone etc.)
• Laptop Bags, cases or Backpacks
• Snack Bars – Like these custom Element Bars we bought for South by Southwest
• AC Mobile Chargers
• Photo Booth Photos – These are trending quickly! Companies set up photo booths (with their logo as the backdrop) and provide funny props for passerbys and booth visitors to get dressed up & take instant pics – A big hit.
• Portable speakers

What are the coolest (or worst!) swag you’ve gotten for your company or from another? Share away in the comments.

© 2013, VR Marketing Blog. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited.

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Have you done a web search for your business lately? Most likely, you’ll discover people talking about your business on various review websites. Having a presence on these review sites equates to the best (free) word of mouth around – so it’s important to be on them! Most companies will get a mixture of positive and negative reviews, and there are useful techniques for responding to both. So, let’s discuss the various review sites you should be on, how to set them up, and how to handle both stellar and not-so-hot comments about your business.

Review Sites 

Here are a few of the more well-known review sites. You should go through each to verify your listing and see what’s being said out there about your business:

• Yelp for Business Owners
• Google Places
• Yahoo! Local Listing
• Angie’s List
• Super Pages
• Judy’s Book - this is a paid service
• BBB’s (Better Business Bureau) - this is a paid service
  
• Facebook Places
• Foursquare

Each site will take at about 15-30 minutes to go through; so don’t try to accomplish this all in one day. Start with the most used or relevant and work your way down the list as time permits.

There are also a couple of lesser known or new review sites that can give you more insight into your business:

• Mifft ”Private Mobile Feedback” – A new way to provide private negative feedback to businesses.
• Glass Door - A free jobs and career community that offers the world an inside look at jobs and companies.

How to Claim Your Business
Each of these sites allow you to update your information by claiming your business or listing. You’ll have to prove it’s your business in one of three ways: They give you a pin number by 1) calling your business number, 2) sending a post card to your business address, or 3) via email. You can get more information on how to set up your profiles here.

Updating Your Business’s Info
Once you’ve claimed ownership of your business listing, you can then update any business info. The more information you add, the more easily customers or potential customers will find you. This will also give your SEO (Search Engine Optimization) a boost . And that’s a big bonus!

Andrew Shotland of Search Engine Land wrote about 5 common problems with local business listings. Check to make sure your biz isn’t committing these listing sins :

• No listing
• Phone number incorrect or missing
• Website URL missing
• Business name incorrect or missing
• Address incorrect or missing

Potential customers are looking for your business everyday and you could be losing them simply because your businesses info is incorrect. So take the time to update!

Spam Reviews and How to Handle Reviews: Good or Bad

Luckily, certain review sites take out “spam” reviews. Yelp has a filter to make sure all reviews are actually valid. Wondering what Yelp considers a “valid” review? Excellent question! It’s a review that doesn’t come from anyone in your company, by yourself, your competitors, or an advertisement.

If you do get a spam review that’s either completely made up or possibly for another business with a similar name, there’s a way to flag or report the comment and have it taken off your listing.

People are going to give your business good and bad reviews – It’s a fact of life and it happens to the best of us! But being part of the conversation, and trying to resolve the situation could change that customer’s bad experience into a positive one. On some review sites, you do have the option to comment on your reviews. Keep your comments productive and positive and/or offer a free or discounted service to make amends. And make sure to comment on the positive reviews too. Here’s an excellent example

This is a great way of thanking your customers, getting them to come back for more, and sharing holiday specials. It also lets people know you’re listening. After all, people review businesses to be heard.

Now, here is an example of the same pizzeria dealing with a negative review:

Anthony G. at the pizzeria sticks to the facts and provides context that will help others readers judge for themselves whether or not the pizza is overpriced. He closes with an invitation, and his tone is unruffled throughout. It’s important to remember that the key audience is not the original complainer, but the many other people who will read the review. If you can craft a response that puts their minds at ease, you’ve succeeded.

Entrepreneur.com wrote an excellent article on how to handle a bad review. Their tips include keeping your cool, responding diplomatically, and being consistent. We’d also recommend keeping it timely. Anthony G. from this local pizza joint responds to both of these reviews within a day of the reviews being posted.

Managing review sites and comments will take a bit of time, but the results can pay off in the form of new business.

How do you use review sites to get customer insights about your business?

© 2013, VR Marketing Blog. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited.

The post What Are People Saying About Your Business? appeared first on VR Marketing Blog.

Did you know that acquiring a new customer is more costly than retaining an existing one? According to this infographic, “The Value of an Existing Customer,” by Flowtown, it’s “6-7 times more costly.” What does this mean? You should keep your current customers happy! Obtaining new customers is always a goal, but not only are loyal customers keeping your business thriving, they’re also costing you less dough. So how do you show your customers some love? We’ve compiled some of our favorite customer appreciation gifts, ideas or loyalty programs from various companies to inspire you:

Car Dealerships
I’ve recently been looking into buying a new car and several car dealerships benefit programs are top notch. For example, various programs include free scheduled maintenance, free car washes for life, free breakfast, and even free use of their gym. Dealerships want to keep you and your vehicle happy. By offering perks like these, they keep you coming back, continue to build upon your relationship, and hope that when/if it’s time for your next vehicle, they’ll be at the top of your list.

Old Navy
There are several rewards for being a credit card holder for the Gap, Inc. retailer brand, Old Navy. You get $5 rewards card for every $100 you spend, as well as an extra 15% off on Tuesdays when you use your credit card. Who doesn’t love a discount? Plus, they’ll probably make you shop a little more! Old Navy also frequently sends emails with exclusive offers like “Stuff and Save,” in which you save a certain percentage off everything you can stuff inside a specific bag you receive in the store – Pretty fun!

Portico Restaurant
Portico is a chain restaurant spot (my favorite lunch spot because they have a delicious salad buffet priced by weight) in the Financial District of San Francisco – often frequented by busy lunch-seekers. They have a “Diner’s Club” card in which you get $6 off your next purchase after 8 visits. One of our favorite customer appreciation ideas from Portico, however, (and the most fun to attempt) is one in which, if you pile up your salad  and hit a pound on the scale exactly, your meal is free! I’ve done this twice already, plus I’ve filled up one Diner’s Club card and have started on my second.

Many businesses use this same model of getting stamps each time you buy something to earn something free or a % off. Apps have even been created to keep track of all these loyalty cards with a popular one being Key Ring.

Maker’s Mark 
Maker’s Mark, the small-batch bourbon whisky company, has a extensive and popular ambassador program “reserved for the truly passionate.” The program includes getting “your name in Maker’s Mark history” (wowsa), plus, your name on a Maker’s Mark barrel, an opportunity to purchase a bottle of Maker’s Mark from your batch, updates on the aging of your bourbon, advance notice of rare, special-release bottles, and opportunities to purchase Ambassadors-only Maker’s Mark merchandise amongst other things. They also send some cool swag (like a Maker’s Mark bottle sweater) to members during the holidays.

Tillamook
Jill Bastian, VerticalResponse Training and Education Manager shared an excellent reward she got from Tillamook cheese. As a customer, Jill received a Klout Perk from Tillamook including a t-shirt, canvas bag, glass canning jar for making yogurt parfaits, granola and nuts, and coupons. “So awesome! I eat their cheese, but the Klout Perk made me try their yogurt too.” Tillamook made Jill one happy camper and now she shares her story with friends! A little positive WOM (word of mouth) advertising never hurt anyone.

Domain Chandon
At “Club Chandon,” like many other wineries, you get perks for being part of their club. The club does cost an additional fee, but it includes exclusive deals, 20%-30% off wine and food, a members only area at the winery, a winery tour and a glass of bubbly during every winery visit, plus other perks. They also have complimentary glasses of bubbly for being locals. This is a deal because it rewards locals for visiting the winery and bringing their visiting friends.

Picky Bars
VerticalResponse SEO Specialist, Chipper Nicodemus is a huge fan of Picky Bars (gluten and dairy free energy bars made for endurance) and their Picky Club stating it’s “the swank, exclusive, uber-hard-core, member’s only club —scientifically designed for the biggest Picky Fan Addicts!” Their club perks include opportunities to sample new flavors, members-only discounts, free random stuff (t-shirts, handwritten thank you notes, etc.), and “Whatever else we think of!” They make being part of their club a fun and cool experience.

Hopefully these examples have gotten your own customer appreciation creative ideas flowing. By researching other business’s customer loyalty programs, you can easily discover what will work best for your own biz.

Do you have a customer appreciation or loyalty program at your own business? How do you show your customers some love? Belong to any programs that you’re a fan of? Share away!

© 2013, VR Marketing Blog. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited.

The post Show Some Love – Inspiring Customer Appreciation Ideas appeared first on VR Marketing Blog.

Ever dabbled in print advertising, or thought about it? I’ve done marketing for my family’s small business for the past 10+ years and I’ve learned a few things about making advertising look professional even on a tight budget. My family’s business, like a lot of small businesses, doesn’t have the time or resources to have ads professionally made. So what’s a small business to do?

Here are some tips, tactics and examples of small business advertising; what they’re doing well, plus, what can take their ads up a notch. But first, here’s what you should include in every advertisement:

1. Your logo or business name – If your business’s logo/name doesn’t contain what you do, make sure to clarify that in the ad. For example saying “Klimisch’s Inc Collision Repair” instead of just “Klimisch’s Inc.”
2. A CTA (call-to-action) with supporting contact information – Say exactly why people should contact your business and what you can do for them. For example “Call us at (415) 000-0000 to save money on home insurance today.”
3. Additional information about what your business does and how you intend to help your potential customer. Don’t go overboard with copy because you want to make sure they can read it quickly and easily.
4. Supporting visual elements like a photo or graphics. This can be your logo, a picture of your business, or a graphic related to your business.

Using these elements can make an effective ad, but here are a few additional guidelines to follow:

1. Hierarchy of information – Choose the information from the above list that’s most important and make it your main element of the ad. Every piece of information in your ad should be weighted according to its importance. It’s hard to read an ad in which everything is the same size.
2. Less is more – Don’t overwhelm people with information. Keep it as simple as possible while getting the useful information across to the viewer.
3. Use your space wisely – Don’t use every inch of white space because you can. Leave some “breathing room” so people can digest your message.
4. Use contrasting colors for fonts and backgrounds to make sure that your copy is readable. The best combo is dark type on a light background because it’s easier to read.
5. Fonts, fonts, and fonts – Use mostly sans-serif fonts, use different font sizes to differentiate the importance of the copy, however, don’t use too many font types or too many font colors (think one or two max). The biggest font offenders that tend to thoroughly annoy people include comic sans, curlz, and papyrus.
6. Have at least one other person who isn’t working on your ad read it over to make sure there aren’t spelling errors, incorrect information, or missing information.

Now, you might be asking yourself “what does this all really mean?” Here are some examples that I’ve scanned from small business print publications to illustrate my points. Keep in mind these ads are smaller then they were printed in the publications.

1. Stanley Steemer – A little color and a lot of white space goes a long way. Stanley Steemer has includes all of the information from my “must include” list plus, they added coupons. Their message is very clear and understandable.
   
2. Napa Valley Rug – This ad has all the info needed. Two things that could use some improvement, however: The ad is in black and white (when all the other ads on the page were color) and most of the fonts are the same size. By adding color and font size variation, they could have really spiced things up!
   
3. BusinessMixers.com – This is a prime example of how a simple ad can be effective. It’s straight and to the point and very understandable without using too many graphics, words, or fonts. Yes, it’s also in black and white like the above ad, but that’s how it was supposed to be printed. Make sure to check the specifications of each publication or website before creating your ads (see more info about this in the “pro tip” below)!
   
4. The Book Worm – This charming ad wonderfully illustrates hierarchy of information. The logo with supporting visual element is attention-grabbing, while the description and CTA (in a smaller font) tell me exactly who they are and what action they want me to take, (i.e., “Visit us online!”). The font they used is clear and they varied the font size to show the importance of the information. The Book Worm must have studied up on its advertising techniques!
   

These are all print ads but the same elements apply to online ads. The most important part of advertising is to show who you are as a company, so have a little fun with it!

*Bonus Pro Tip: Ask for the “specs” or specifications for each ad. This will tell you what ad size is needed, the resolution, bleed/no bleed, acceptable formats (i.e., jpg, tiff, pdf), unacceptable formats (i.e., Microsoft Word or Microsoft Publisher) and whether it’s full color or black and white.

What tips would you ad to our list for creating effective print advertisements? Share away in the comments!

© 2013, VR Marketing Blog. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited.

The post How to Create an Effective Small Business Advertisement appeared first on VR Marketing Blog.

Attending any business conferences in the upcoming year, or simply want to know the scoop on what’s worth attending? Whether you’re networking, or putting your biz out there in a trade show booth, getting a head start is ideal. As the VerticalResponse business conference planning guru, I work months in advance. So, I’ve put together details for you on some of the best small business conferences lined up for the rest of the year. We’ll also fast forward to 2014 and look at conferences you won’t want to miss next year.

WomanCon 2013
September 25, 2013
New York, NY
Attendees: 200+

What WomanCon says: “Thinking about starting a business? Looking to connect with entrepreneurial women? Want to learn more about financing options for your venture? Not sure how to pitch the media? Come to WomanCon 2013 and experience a fresh, new one-day conference that brings together amazing women entrepreneurs, both on and off the stage. 200 professional women will hear real behind-the-scenes stories of success from incredibly successful female entrepreneurs.”

What you learn about at WomanCon: How to turn ideas into companies, pitching to the media, branding, getting money for business growth, success tips from women founders, etc. Psst… our CEO, Janine Popick is a speaker, too!

Dreamforce
November 18-21, 2013
San Francisco, CA
Attendees: 50,000

What Dreamforce says: In 2012, Dreamforce broke all records, and 2013 is going to be even bigger and better with:

• All-new keynote speakers and an amazing band for the Dreamforce Gala
• More than 800 breakout sessions—content for every role!
• 500+ partners in the Cloud Expo

What you learn about at Dreamforce: Latest product updates, newest technology, tips and tricks directly from the experts to turbo charge your current skill set.

SMX Social Media Marketing
November 20-21, 2013
Las Vegas, CA
Attendees: 700

What SMX says: “Whether you’re managing communities or buying social media advertising, SMX Social Media Marketing is your conference.”

What you learn about at SMX: Blogging, social media advertising, Facebook, Google+, Twitter, and social community management and social tools.

2014 business conferences to look forward to:

There are a lot of events out there for your business. Here are a few in addition to our 2013 Business Conference list. We’ve covered events through May, as many are still being planned, and haven’t been announced. Let’s start with two small business resources that can help find classes and/or conferences in your area:

California SBDC – Small Business Development Center
Events all year
Find your local SBDC here

What the SBDC says: “The California Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Program is the leader in providing small business owners and entrepreneurs with the tools and guidance needed to become successful in today’s challenging economic climate.”

Your local SBDC provides comprehensive business guidance on most business issues including: Best practices for small businesses, business planning development, start-up basics, financing, procurement & contracting opportunities, regulatory compliance, money management, international trade, and manufacturing assistance.

SBA – Small Business Administration
Events all year
Find your local SBA here

What the SBA says: “Since its founding on July 30, 1953, the U.S. Small Business Administration has delivered millions of loans, loan guarantees, contracts, counseling sessions and other forms of assistance to small businesses.”

The SBA has classes and even virtual classes that cover: starting a business, managing a business, lender financing/financing a business, business planning, contracting, export assistance, social media and web presence.

NMX – New Media Expo aka “Blog World”
January 4-6, 2014
Las Vegas, NV
Attendees: 30,000

What NMX says: “Join us at New Media Expo (aka Blog World), the World’s Largest Conference and Trade Show for Bloggers, Podcasters, Web TV & Video Creators, and Social Business Pros. New Media Expo attracts content creators from across the globe, and it’s also the epicenter of leading ideas in social business with the collocated BusinessNext Social conference! You’ll learn from latest case studies and the most effective methods these innovators have used in their own businesses and online properties to rise above the rest.”

What you learn about at the NMX: Blogging, commerce, tools, podcasting, web TV & video. They also have one-on-one workshops for hands-on experience and advice.

Small Business Expo
January 16, 2014
Miami, FL (multiple cities)

What the Small Business Expo says: “Small Business Expo is the largest & most anticipated nationwide B2B trade show, conference and networking event held in multiple cities across the United States (currently NYC, Dallas, Miami, Boston, Los Angeles).”

What you learn about at the Small Business Expo: email marketing, web hosting, SEO , business coaching, financial planning, health care and other topics depending on the location of each event.

Women Entrepreneurs’ Small Business Boot Camp
March 1, 2014
Scottsdale, Arizona

What Women Entrepreneurs’ Small Business Boot Camp says: “Please join us and soak up the knowledge and experience of fantastically successful local business experts who will share relevant, valuable tricks, tips and tools to help your business grow and make money. Take control of your business destiny and enjoy: A full day of education, motivation and celebration!”

What you learn about at Women’s Boot Camp: Sales success, search engine optimization, creating magnetic influence, time management, building a high performing team, grow your wealth and social media.

San Fransisco Small Business Week Conference
May 2014
San Fransisco (Check for Small Business Week in your area)

What the Small Business Week says: “Celebrate the contributions of San Francisco small businesses! Connect with more than 4,000 members of the small business community. Focus on making your business soar! Learn about best practices and innovative technology. Join this inspiring free annual event that honors small business’ contribution to San Francisco’s prosperity.”

What you learn about at SF Small Business Week: running your business in the cloud, financing, email marketing, social media, manufacturing, smart hiring, business planning, branding, network, and much more.

Finding the right conference for you and your business

Find the right conference by looking at the sessions/classes being held, the businesses that are sponsoring, and check out the speakers. We’ve shared general small business and marketing events. If you’d like to go to events that are specific to your business, start looking now! Early-bird pricing for conference passes, hotels, and flights is already out there.

What small business events are you looking forward to? Share in the comments below.

© 2013, VR Marketing Blog. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited.

The post Business Conferences Not to Miss in 2014 appeared first on VR Marketing Blog.

There are many ways to create a unique experience for your employees, customers, and potential customers. Hosting a business event like a happy hour or networking event is a great way to get in front of people and learn more about them at the same time.

Plus, who doesn’t love an excuse to have a party? But first ask yourself, “what are the goals of this event?” Is it to gain more customers, is it to show your employees that you appreciate their hard work, or are you thanking your customers for their loyalty? Who is this event for, and what’s the benefit for you and your attendees? Once you have your goal(s) in mind, like every event, you have to plan ahead. Use these tips and ideas to make business event planning a breeze:

Planning Your Event

1. Set your budget – How much can you afford to spend for the event? What will you need? Some of the usual costs associated with events include the venue, food, drinks, decor, marketing (printing/postage), giveaways and labor.
2. Create a guest list – How many people (and who) will you invite? How many people do you expect to show up? These answers will help you with the rest of the items on this list. Start by looking at your customer base and work from there. Use other networking events that you attend to pass out info about your event, if appropriate.
3. Select a date – When is the best time for your event? Select a few dates that work for you your potential invitees. Most people won’t be able to play hooky from work just for your event. Keep in mind that your date needs to coincide with your venue availability. The more flexible you are, the better your chance of getting a great location, and a good price.
4. Scout locations – Should your event be held at your business, or do you need to check out other locations that might work? How much room do they have? What does the venue include (i.e., food, drinks, staff, audio equipment)? Can you use their venue in exchange for getting more people in their door or in trade for something from your business?
5. Pick a theme – Having a theme can help brand your entire event from invitations to decorations, food, and drink ideas. Remember, the holidays are right around the corner and people LOVE holidays. Use Pinterest to your advantage for finding inexpensive and fun ideas for your theme.

Promoting Your Event

• Questions to ask yourself: How are you going to promote your event? What’s the right way to reach your target attendee, email, social media, print invitation? What will you offer people to get them to attend?
• Create a a timeline – Once you’ve selected a date for your business event, work backwards and decide when you’ll send out your save the date, invitations and reminders, as well as your post event thank-yous. Also consider when you’ll need to order giveaways (if applicable) and any other items.
• Send invitations – Try using different methods (paper, email, social media) to send out your invitations. You know your audience, what will work best for them? You may want to use multiple methods.

Additional Tips

• Consider piggybacking other events in your area. There might be a annual event in your town or neighboring town that can establish some traction for your event. There’s a Small Business Week in San Francisco that we’ve used to propel our customer events with extra marketing.
• Find a similar or complementary business to co-host an event with you. You can use their customer list to gain more attendees for your event and possibly more prospects for your business.
• Get donations from other business that might benefit from your event. They can sponsor different aspects of your event or help with giveaways or swag.
• Have invitations available at your place of business (if you have one), and on you all all times to pass out. You never know when you’ll need them.
• Social media is free! Make sure to use it to your advantage. You can offer invitees a deal for sharing your event with their friends.
• An unexpected surprise? Send folks who were not able to attend the event a virtual goodie bag with a special offer like a discount for your services and merchandise. They’ll still feel important and recognized.
• Check out these helpful food and drink calculations based on the number of people attending and what they’ll potentially consume so you don’t run out.
• Last but not least, play the host/hostess. Make sure during the event that you work the room and keep the event, conversation, food and drinks flowing!

Have a business event of your own coming up? Share your planning tips with our readers in the comments!

© 2013, VR Marketing Blog. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited.

The post Let’s Party! 16 Business Event Planning Tips appeared first on VR Marketing Blog.

We recently sat down with a human resources director at a tech company in San Francisco to get practical interview tips to help you land your next dream job. Follow these tips and tactics and you may hear, “You’re hired!”

Your resume gets you through the door and your personality gets you hired.
It’s all about having the right “fit.” Hiring managers want to make sure that you fit with the company culture and the team that you’ll be working with. Show that you know what you’re talking about, but are also willing to learn. Most of all, let your personality show!

The HR director we interviewed exclaims: “I once hired an individual that didn’t have the right experience, but we gave a ‘courtesy interview’ because she came highly recommended by one of our internal managers. She didn’t have the qualifications we were looking for on paper, but she was able to show us during her interview that she had the aptitude and attitude to skill-up and learn, plus she was a cultural fit for our company. She ended up being one of the best hires we made that year and grew to a key role within her first year at the company.”

Prep, prep, and prep some more.
Determine the personality, core values, and energy of the hiring company. Research the company’s latest happenings and who makes up the leadership. This information can be found on most “About Us” sections on company websites. It also helps you determine if it’s the type of company you want to work for, and if it has the kind of leadership that’ll move the company forward.

Before your interview, check out the company building and come prepared. Is there parking in the area? Are you taking public transportation? How long does it take to get to there? Does the building have security that you need to check in with? If this info isn’t easily found, ask the employee who scheduled the interview.

The interview goes both ways.
As much as you’re being interviewed, you’re also interviewing the company. Bring questions about what you’re looking for in a company. For example, “What was the last success of the company?” or “What’s the vision of the company?” You can also ask about the hiring process and if you can provide any additional info that will help the hiring manager make a decision.

Be professional. 
You should always go to an interview dressed to impress. Don’t wear  clothing that’s revealing or inappropriate.

No matter how laid back the interview is, be on your best behavior. Try not to offend anyone, and always avoid harsh language. Mind your manners and know that you only have one chance to make a good first impression.

Old school tips (things you should know but it doesn’t hurt to review).

• Have a good handshake - Make sure not to crush someone’s hand, but also don’t shake like a wet fish.
• Bring a few hard copies of your resume and make sure to run it through a spell check.
• Try to be in the best of moods before the interview. Our HR expert suggests listening to you favorite band or podcast.
• “Be on time,” which in interview lingo means, arrive 15 minutes early. This is a good amount of time to get yourself into the building or settled. You’ll also have time to wash your hands or go to the restroom so that doesn’t interfere with the interview. If you happen to arrive well before the 15-minute mark, find a coffee shop to hangout in or wait in your car.
• If you’re going to be late, make sure to call and let the company know. Give them a time frame on when you will be able to make it or reschedule. A no-show will leave a lasting impression, and not in a good way.
• If they offer you something to drink, take it! Getting grilled can make you thirsty.
• Don’t use your phone or keep it out on the table. The interview isn’t going to be long enough to warrant that. If you need to keep it out for an emergency situation you should communicate that to the interviewer. Triple check that it’s off or on silent.
• Good eye contact: You don’t have to stare, but make sure you stay connected with the person you’re interviewing with and maintain good eye contact
• Skip the heavy cologne or perfume and make sure your odor isn’t overpowering.
• Ask for a business card if they don’t give one to you. This way you can send a thank you note, which is a must!
• Use your networks. If you know someone at the company or a friend-of-a-friend, reach out to them and try to get some insight on the company culture and/or position.

A little bit of prep and polish can take you a long way to landing your dream job. And, being prepared and ready for an interview helps alleviate nerves, total win!

Have any favorites to add to our list of interview tips? Share in the comments below!

© 2013, VR Marketing Blog. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited.

The post Interview Tips to Land Your Dream Job appeared first on VR Marketing Blog.

Handing out business cards is essential for networking, building brand-awareness and gaining potential new customers. At VerticalResponse, we consistently attend trade shows all over the country, so we see a lot of business cards. But get this: Around 75% of the people we chatted with at the last trade show didn’t have business cards on them at all. What gives? Business cards can be one of your best marketing tools, so having one to begin with is vital.

Once you’ve got a card in hand, use these aspects from the good, the bad, and the ugly business cards we’ve come across to spruce yours up or tone it down. All sample business cards are innocent until proven guilty and certain images have been withheld to protect the identity of the individuals and businesses. 

The Good

The basics to creating a good business card includes readability, valuable content, and what sets you apart from other businesses. There should be a hierarchy of information and the most important information should be the largest.

What are some business card must-haves?

• Logo
• Business name (if it isn’t clear in your logo)
• Your name
• Your title
• Phone number
• Company website
• Email address
• Social media handles
• A design element that makes you stand out from a stack of other business cards, like a unique color, or specific font.

Check out Mark’s card below that I received recently. It’s a very simple design, but it contains all of the information you need to reach him. His logo is largest with his name highlighted in a larger, blue font. He even used his twitter handle as an added bonus. The one thing I would add, is what SIGNAL does or is as a business.

This business card comes from our sister company, PSPrint. It’s a piece of artwork. Can you tell she’s an artist and illustrator?

You should also consider what type of paper weight and finish to use. There are several choices, so take a trip into your local printer and feel the paper. If you’re using an online printer, or website service, you can request a sample packet (which are usually free) to make sure you’re picking the paper you like.

The example I also received below is very simple, however, it was printed on beautiful, matte heavy weight card stock that felt luxurious. There’s also a fair amount of white space that helps direct your eye to the important info, or even allows you to write notes.

Which kind of paper represents you and your business without going over budget? Check out these cool designs from PSPrint that are “hot off the press.” It might give you some new and exciting ideas for your next business card.

The Bad

The worst business cards that have landed in our trade show fish bowl have contained one or more of the following no-nos, but we tell you how to fix ‘em too.

• Zero contact information – Make sure to include at least your business name, your personal name, phone number, and email address.
• Unreadable fonts – Here are the top 10 notoriously hated fonts that you should try to not use. The fonts on this list are either over used or hard to read. 
• Too many font choices/sizes – Limit yourself to 2 fonts and 3 font sizes. Most printers have templates that you can use. While it’s nice to have this as a starting point, make sure to add your own flare. 
• Unprofessional head shots or pictures – If you want to include your image on a business card, get a professional head shot taken and ask a friend if it represents you as your business. 
• Information overload or too busy - Allow some room for white space (please see Lisa’s card above).
• Boring – This is all relative, but you should make your business stand out. Even simple designs (please see Mark’s card above) can be interesting if you use the proper font choices and font sizes for your business. 
• Typos – Use spell check and have your card double checked by a friend or colleague to make sure there aren’t any errors you might have missed. 
• Low quality printing – Finding a printer you like is half the battle. If you like someone else’s business card, ask where they had them printed and what their experience was like. Local printers are usually more expensive but have better customer serves while online printers like Greenprinter, moo.com, and PsPrint are more economical and have templates available.

The Ugly

Not having or forgetting your business card is one of the biggest faux pas. It’s the one item that you can (and should) carry around at all times to promote your business. You’re representing your business at all times and you never know what customers, current or potential, you might run into. If you’re attending a business event, bring more than you think you need. It gets “ugly” when you run out! 

*Bonus design Note: After designing your business card, ask for a sample before you take the plunge and print them all. This will add a week or more onto your timeline, but you you’ll ensure make sure it’s the look and feel that you want.

What’s the best business card you’ve ever received? What’s the worst? Comment below and let us know!

© 2014, VR Marketing Blog. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited.

The post Business Cards: The Good, the Bad, & the Ugly appeared first on VR Marketing Blog.

Finding time to update or create your online business listings can sometimes be a challenge. But, once you claim your listing, you can control what information and images are shown on these sites about your business, which is certainly worth the effort.

In most cases, you may already have a listing, so it’s just a matter of claiming the page for your business. What’s the difference between updating and claiming? Updating means you’ve created an account and just need to add new information to the page. Claiming means that a page for your business exists, but you may not have created or set it up. In this case, you’ll need to prove it’s your business before you can change any information.

There are several sites your business could be listed on, so how do you choose the best? Easy! Here are our top 7 business listing sites you should claim and/or update:

1. Google My Business - Google My Business says it “connects you directly with customers, whether they’re looking for you on Search, Maps or Google+.”

How to claim or edit your business listing: Click the “Get on Google” anywhere on the page, sign in to your Google account, and follow the steps to add your business information to Google.

2. Facebook for Business - According to Facebook, it “can help you reach all the people who matter most to your business.”

How to claim or edit your business listing: If you need to claim your Business Page click here and if you need sign up for a business page click here.

3. Yelp for Business - According to Yelp, “Millions of people visit Yelp every month to find great local businesses. Help them find your business – free!”

How to claim or edit your business listing: Click here to search for your business. If it exists, you’ll see two options: A Claim button or an Already Claimed link. Click the option you see and either log in, or set up an account to edit it.

4. Yellow Pages - According to YellowPages, they “will not only get you online, but can also help you get found, drive leads and expand your reach.”

How to claim or edit your business listing: Click here to update your business details and then click “Get your listing fee.”

5. Yahoo Local - According to Yahoo, they are “a comprehensive business directory complete with ratings and reviews, maps, events, and more.”

How to claim or edit your business listing: Scroll down this page to “Try Local Basic Listing for free” and click, “Sign Up.” Then, update your business contact information including address, phone number, and URL. You don’t need to pay for this service.

6. Bing Places for Business -  According to Bing,”Places for Business is a Bing portal that enables business owners add a listing for their business on Bing.”

How to claim or edit your business listing: Chances are, Bing already has listings for your business. Click here to claim it.

7. Foursquare for Business - According to Foursquare, “Over 50 million people use Foursquare to discover great businesses and share what they love about them with others. Join the nearly 2 million businesses who are already taking advantage of Foursquare to join the conversation and grow their business.”

How to claim or edit your business listing: Start by searching for your business, then select your listing. If you don’t see your business just click the link at the bottom of the page to add it. Click here to manage your listing.

Vital information you should include on every listing:
Be prepared to fill out the following information, and keep it consistent on each site. Consistency helps your SEO (Search Engine Optimization) efforts.

• Business Name
• Address (City, State, Zip)
• Main Phone Number
• Website
• Business Hours
• Description - A description of your business, minimum 250 characters.
• Business Categories
• Logo and pictures

Keep a document of each listing so you can duplicate it exactly. Check on your listings and update your information (if applicable) every six months. Also, keep images of your business current and compelling to draw in prospects and customers.

*Bonus Tip* If you’re a brick-and-mortar business, encourage people to “check-in”and write a review by displaying a sign in your business window that states the sites in which you’re listed.

Have any sites to add to our list? We’ve got more here in the Top 20 Places Your Business Needs to Be Listed Online.

Want more marketing tips and tactics? Subscribe to the VR Buzz Newsletter and stay in the know!

© 2014, VR Marketing Blog. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited.

The post 7 Local Business Listing Sites You Should Claim Now appeared first on VR Marketing Blog.

The food and beverage business is a huge industry that includes agriculture, food processing, wholesale and distribution, retail, technology, and even marketing. If you’re in the food and beverage business, here are 10 must-attend conferences and networking opportunities that cover everything from wine, natural products to restaurant technology. 

PMA Fresh Summit
Anaheim Convention Center – Anaheim,CA
October 17-19, 2014
20,000 Attendees

Why they say you should attend: “Fresh Summit is the must-attend event for you and your colleagues. It’s where produce and floral industry leaders from around the world converge to share ideas, breakthroughs and inspiration.”

Direct to Consumer Wine Symposium
Hilton Concord Hotel - Concord, CA
January 14-15, 2015 
300 Attendees
   
Why they say you should attend: “This is the national wine industry’s only annual conference on direct marketing and sales — a must-attend event for every level in the company, and the only summit organized by vintners, for vintners.”     

RFMA 2015 Annual Conference
San Diego Convention Center – San Diego, CA
February 1-3, 2015

Why they say you should attend: “The RFMA 2015 Annual Conference is your next big chance to network with the largest gathering of restaurant facility professionals and vendors. It’s the one place where you can share insights and learn about the newest products and services needed to succeed. We will have all of the information you need to help you buckle up for a successful 2015!”

Natural Products Expo West
Anaheim Convention Center – Anaheim, CA
March 5-8, 2015
67,000 Attendees

Why they say you should attend: “Natural Products Expo West continues to be the leading trade show in the natural, organic and healthy products industry, attracting over 67,000 industry professionals and 3,000 exhibits to the Anaheim Convention Center. Rated as one of the top 200 trade shows in the US by Tradeshow Week, Natural Products Expo West continues to help attendees reach their business goals.”

International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York
Javits Center – New York, NY
March 8-10, 2014
16,000 Attendees

Why they say you should attend: “The International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York is the only all-encompassing event in New York for the restaurant and foodservice industry, making it THE one-stop source for everything you need to succeed in today’s market.”   

New England Food Show 
Boston Convention Center – Boston, MA
March 15-17, 2015
14,000 Attendees

Why they say you should attend: “The New England Food Show is the region’s largest event focused on the retail and foodservice markets. NEFS is THE place in New England to get inspired and source wicked good foods, beverages and equipment ideas you can use to establish, build and grow your business.”

MURTEC: Multi-Unit Restaurant Technology Conference 
Caesars Palace – Las Vegas, NV
March 17-19, 2015 
550 Attendees 

Why they say you should attend: “As the must-attend event to learn about the latest innovations and get up-to-speed on how to leverage new technologies, MURTEC® is lauded as the ‘gold standard’ for restaurant technology insight offering both compelling sessions and top-notch networking opportunities.”  

National Restaurant Association Restaurant (NRA) & International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event at NRA Show® (IWSB)
McCormick Place - Chicago, IL
May 16-19, 2015
44,000 Attendees

Why they say you should attend: “Join your industry and arm yourself for another year with the latest products, services and insights from more then 2,000 exhibitors and hundreds of industry leaders.”  

Sweets and Snacks Expo
McCormick Place – Chicago, IL
May 19-21, 2015
16,000 Attendees

Why they say you should attend: “After the sold out, record-setting show in May of 2014, the Sweets & Snacks Expo proves to once again be the global power-house event for the industry, and the 2015 show is poised for even more exceptional growth! With 16,000 attendees and 650 exhibiting companies in 2014, the Expo offers the best opportunity to buy, shop, learn and discover!”

Institute of Food Technologists Annual Meeting & Food Expo
Chicago, IL
July 11-14, 2015
16,000 Attendees

Why they say you should attend: “At the IFT Food Expo, you’ll find the industry’s largest collection of food ingredients, equipment, processing, and packaging suppliers, all under one roof. It’s the only place where the latest global food trends—and the products designed to meet them—are on display.”

Have you been to any of these conferences? Have any others you’d add to the list? Share in the comments. 

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© 2014, VerticalResponse Blog. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited.

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Whether you’re a one man-or-woman run business just starting out, or a 20-year-old company of 50+ employees, one should never underestimate the power of attending a trade show. In a recent article on Forbes, Georganne Bender, a retail speaker, consultant and recognized industry expert, and her partner Rich Kizer both stressed the importance and value that businesses of all sizes gain from attending trade shows.

“Over the years we have spoken to retailers who have avoided trade shows for a variety of reasons, but one reason that is fairly common is due to the expense of travel to attend. What they don’t realize, however, is that it actually costs them more by not attending. Missing out on your industry’s trade shows can impact your business success in a variety of ways, including the missed opportunities of finding new vendors, staying competitive to your competition, and not expanding your store’s inventory based on market trends and proven data,” says Bender and Kizer. 

With that, we’ve compiled this list of nine must-attend retail trade shows in 2015 – Feel free to add and share your favorites!

CES International
January 6-9, 2015
Las Vegas, NV

Why they say to attend: “International CES is the world’s gathering place for all who thrive on the business of consumer technologies. Held in Las Vegas every year, it has served as the proving ground for innovators and breakthrough technologies for more than 40 years—the global stage where next-generation innovations are introduced to the marketplace.”

National Retail Federation’s Annual Convention & EXPO
January 11-14, 2015
New York City, NY

Why they say to attend: “Today, retail’s big show is NRF’s flagship industry event held annually in New York City. The four day event offers unparalleled education, collegial networking, and an enormous EXPO Hall full of technologies and solutions.” NRF also has many other events including dinners and webinars.

MAGIC
February 17-19, 2015 
Las Vegas, NV

Why they say to attend: “With 85 years of experience and attendance from over 120 countries, we move fashion forward globally. From the fabric to the finished product, the hottest brands to the top designers, and the tastemakers to the power buyers, if it’s fashion, you’ll find it at MAGIC.” 

ASD Market Week
March 1-4, 2015
Las Vegas, NV

Why they say to attend: “ASD Las Vegas (held twice annually) brings the world’s widest variety of merchandise together in one efficient consumer-goods trade show that’s as easy to shop as it is to love. Loaded with quality choices at every price point, this well-established trade event continues to grow, attracting tens of thousands of loyal attendees from every retail and distribution channel who come here to discover new suppliers, new product categories—and new ways to profit.”

World Alliance Retail Merchandising and Marketing Conference
April 25 – 28, 2015
San Antonio, TX

Why they say to attend: “Knowledge, networking, relationship building and for some – several games of golf. The (2014) conference delivered all that and more!”

SPREE
May 18-20, 2015
Las Vegas, NV

Why they say to attend: “If you’re in the retail industry, then you need to be attending SPREE, the world’s largest event for the cart, kiosk and temporary retail industry.”

IRCE
June 2-5, 2015
Chicago, IL

Why they say to attend: “Internet Retailer Conference & Exhibition is the flagship event of the e-commerce industry. A gathering of retail trailblazers across every industry segment, IRCE is the event to network with and learn from industry leaders of all sizes. Total attendance at IRCE 2015 in Chicago is projected reach nearly 10,000.”

SuperZoo
July 21-23, 2015
Las Vegas, NV

Why they say to attend: “It’s the must-attend event of the year for smart pet retailers who want their businesses to succeed! Everything to expand your customer base, increase your sales and improve your profits is waiting for you right here.”

ABC Kids Expo
October 18-21, 2015
Las Vegas, NV

Why they say to attend: “ABC Kids Expo is your opportunity to meet face-to-face with domestic and international buyers, media and fellow manufacturers at the premier juvenile products show in the world! Don’t miss out on your chance to take home orders and get leads that will help sustain your business for months and years to come!”

Strengthening and building relationships with peers, vendors, potential or current customers in person, as well as keeping up with industry trends and competition is reason enough to jump on the trade show bandwagon. As a retailer, which trade shows do you attend, or why do you find trade shows valuable? Share with us in the comments.

Interested in food and beverage Conferences? Check out these 10 must-attend events.

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© 2014, VerticalResponse Blog. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited.

The post 9 Must-Attend Retail Trade Shows for 2015 appeared first on VerticalResponse Blog.

There are networking opportunities everywhere, whether you’re at a trade show, conference, meetup, or even chatting with someone on your commute. You need to make the most of every opportunity because you never know who you might meet! Here are eight actionable dos and don’ts for following up with someone in a professional way after you’ve connected:

DO: Send an invitation to connect on LinkedIn in a timely manor by including a personal note on where you met him or her and something you may have discussed. For example, “It was great meeting you at the ABC Event. I’d like to keep in touch about the possible partnership we were chatting about.”

DON’T: Send a LinkedIn invite to every business card you collect. You should have a one-on-one meaningful conversation with someone before sending them an invitation to connect.

DO: Follow up via email to business cards you collected and personalize the messages. Ensure you let people know ahead of time you’ll be sending an email and have their permission, otherwise your email may be viewed in a negative light. 

DON’T: Buy a list of event attendees and email them all. This would be a violation of the CAN-SPAM act. Also, it’s not the best way to start a professional relationship.

DO: Try to follow up in a timely fashion, usually within a few days to a week of the event. It will help keep you top of mind of your potential clients or business partners. 

DON’T: Wait too long to follow up with a contact. Time flies after events and it’s easy to forget all of the people that you might have met. 

DO: Go the extra mile about how your businesses or connection can be mutually beneficial when you do reach out to someone. Take the time to research and understand what his or her company does, if you don’t know already.

DON’T: Go on about your company without understanding whether it’s actually a good fit for the company or contact you’re reaching out to.

DO: Set a limit to the amount of communication. Do some testing to see the optimal amount of touches that it takes to connect with someone. Refine your cadence and amount of outreach accordingly. 

DON’T: Call or email multiple times if you don’t get a response. No one likes to be harassed or stalked.

DO: Extend an offer for a free demo or an info session to learn more about your product or service.

DON’T: Forget to include a link to your website in your email.

DO: Include your LinkedIn profile link (personal or business) within your email signature to make it easy for people to connect with you.

DON’T: Have an unprofessional picture in your email signature, or as your LinkedIn profile picture. 

DO: “Like” a business you’re interested in on Facebook, and follow that business on LinkedIn and Twitter. When you do, the business or owner may follow you back.

DON’T: Try to friend someone’s personal page on Facebook, or connect in other more personal ways. Sometimes it can be perceived as creepy.

These eight networking follow up dos and don’ts should keep you on the right path to growing your network and making successful new connections like a pro.  

What are your dos and don’ts of networking? Share in the comments.

© 2015, VerticalResponse Blog. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited.

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Did you know that acquiring a new customer is more costly than retaining an existing one? According to this infographic, “The Value of an Existing Customer,” by Flowtown, it’s “6-7 times more costly.” What does this mean? You should keep your current customers happy! Obtaining new customers is always a goal, but not only are loyal customers keeping your business thriving, they’re also costing you less dough. So how do you show your customers some love? We’ve compiled some of our favorite customer appreciation gifts, ideas or loyalty programs from various companies to inspire you:

Car Dealerships
I’ve recently been looking into buying a new car and several car dealerships benefit programs are top notch. For example, various programs include free scheduled maintenance, free car washes for life, free breakfast, and even free use of their gym. Dealerships want to keep you and your vehicle happy. By offering perks like these, they keep you coming back, continue to build upon your relationship, and hope that when/if it’s time for your next vehicle, they’ll be at the top of your list.

Old Navy
There are several rewards for being a credit card holder for the Gap, Inc. retailer brand, Old Navy. You get $5 rewards card for every $100 you spend, as well as an extra 15% off on Tuesdays when you use your credit card. Who doesn’t love a discount? Plus, they’ll probably make you shop a little more! Old Navy also frequently sends emails with exclusive offers like “Stuff and Save,” in which you save a certain percentage off everything you can stuff inside a specific bag you receive in the store – Pretty fun!

Portico Restaurant
Portico is a chain restaurant spot (my favorite lunch spot because they have a delicious salad buffet priced by weight) in the Financial District of San Francisco – often frequented by busy lunch-seekers. They have a “Diner’s Club” card in which you get $6 off your next purchase after 8 visits. One of our favorite customer appreciation ideas from Portico, however, (and the most fun to attempt) is one in which, if you pile up your salad  and hit a pound on the scale exactly, your meal is free! I’ve done this twice already, plus I’ve filled up one Diner’s Club card and have started on my second.

Many businesses use this same model of getting stamps each time you buy something to earn something free or a % off. Apps have even been created to keep track of all these loyalty cards with a popular one being Key Ring.

Maker’s Mark 
Maker’s Mark, the small-batch bourbon whisky company, has a extensive and popular ambassador program “reserved for the truly passionate.” The program includes getting “your name in Maker’s Mark history” (wowsa), plus, your name on a Maker’s Mark barrel, an opportunity to purchase a bottle of Maker’s Mark from your batch, updates on the aging of your bourbon, advance notice of rare, special-release bottles, and opportunities to purchase Ambassadors-only Maker’s Mark merchandise amongst other things. They also send some cool swag (like a Maker’s Mark bottle sweater) to members during the holidays.

Tillamook
Jill Bastian, VerticalResponse Training and Education Manager shared an excellent reward she got from Tillamook cheese. As a customer, Jill received a Klout Perk from Tillamook including a t-shirt, canvas bag, glass canning jar for making yogurt parfaits, granola and nuts, and coupons. “So awesome! I eat their cheese, but the Klout Perk made me try their yogurt too.” Tillamook made Jill one happy camper and now she shares her story with friends! A little positive WOM (word of mouth) advertising never hurt anyone.

Domain Chandon
At “Club Chandon,” like many other wineries, you get perks for being part of their club. The club does cost an additional fee, but it includes exclusive deals, 20%-30% off wine and food, a members only area at the winery, a winery tour and a glass of bubbly during every winery visit, plus other perks. They also have complimentary glasses of bubbly for being locals. This is a deal because it rewards locals for visiting the winery and bringing their visiting friends.

Picky Bars
VerticalResponse SEO Specialist, Chipper Nicodemus is a huge fan of Picky Bars (gluten and dairy free energy bars made for endurance) and their Picky Club stating it’s “the swank, exclusive, uber-hard-core, member’s only club —scientifically designed for the biggest Picky Fan Addicts!” Their club perks include opportunities to sample new flavors, members-only discounts, free random stuff (t-shirts, handwritten thank you notes, etc.), and “Whatever else we think of!” They make being part of their club a fun and cool experience.

Hopefully these examples have gotten your own customer appreciation creative ideas flowing. By researching other business’s customer loyalty programs, you can easily discover what will work best for your own biz.

Do you have a customer appreciation or loyalty program at your own business? How do you show your customers some love? Belong to any programs that you’re a fan of? Share away!

© 2013, Vertical Response Blog. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited.

The post Show Some Love – Inspiring Customer Appreciation Ideas appeared first on Vertical Response Blog.

Ever dabbled in print advertising, or thought about it? I’ve done marketing for my family’s small business for the past 10+ years and I’ve learned a few things about making advertising look professional even on a tight budget. My family’s business, like a lot of small businesses, doesn’t have the time or resources to have ads professionally made. So what’s a small business to do?

Here are some tips, tactics and examples of small business advertising; what they’re doing well, plus, what can take their ads up a notch. But first, here’s what you should include in every advertisement:

1. Your logo or business name – If your business’s logo/name doesn’t contain what you do, make sure to clarify that in the ad. For example saying “Klimisch’s Inc Collision Repair” instead of just “Klimisch’s Inc.”
2. A CTA (call-to-action) with supporting contact information – Say exactly why people should contact your business and what you can do for them. For example “Call us at (415) 000-0000 to save money on home insurance today.”
3. Additional information about what your business does and how you intend to help your potential customer. Don’t go overboard with copy because you want to make sure they can read it quickly and easily.
4. Supporting visual elements like a photo or graphics. This can be your logo, a picture of your business, or a graphic related to your business.

Using these elements can make an effective ad, but here are a few additional guidelines to follow:

1. Hierarchy of information – Choose the information from the above list that’s most important and make it your main element of the ad. Every piece of information in your ad should be weighted according to its importance. It’s hard to read an ad in which everything is the same size.
2. Less is more – Don’t overwhelm people with information. Keep it as simple as possible while getting the useful information across to the viewer.
3. Use your space wisely – Don’t use every inch of white space because you can. Leave some “breathing room” so people can digest your message.
4. Use contrasting colors for fonts and backgrounds to make sure that your copy is readable. The best combo is dark type on a light background because it’s easier to read.
5. Fonts, fonts, and fonts – Use mostly sans-serif fonts, use different font sizes to differentiate the importance of the copy, however, don’t use too many font types or too many font colors (think one or two max). The biggest font offenders that tend to thoroughly annoy people include comic sans, curlz, and papyrus.
6. Have at least one other person who isn’t working on your ad read it over to make sure there aren’t spelling errors, incorrect information, or missing information.

Now, you might be asking yourself “what does this all really mean?” Here are some examples that I’ve scanned from small business print publications to illustrate my points. Keep in mind these ads are smaller then they were printed in the publications.

1. Stanley Steemer – A little color and a lot of white space goes a long way. Stanley Steemer has includes all of the information from my “must include” list plus, they added coupons. Their message is very clear and understandable.
   
2. Napa Valley Rug – This ad has all the info needed. Two things that could use some improvement, however: The ad is in black and white (when all the other ads on the page were color) and most of the fonts are the same size. By adding color and font size variation, they could have really spiced things up!
   
3. BusinessMixers.com – This is a prime example of how a simple ad can be effective. It’s straight and to the point and very understandable without using too many graphics, words, or fonts. Yes, it’s also in black and white like the above ad, but that’s how it was supposed to be printed. Make sure to check the specifications of each publication or website before creating your ads (see more info about this in the “pro tip” below)!
   
4. The Book Worm – This charming ad wonderfully illustrates hierarchy of information. The logo with supporting visual element is attention-grabbing, while the description and CTA (in a smaller font) tell me exactly who they are and what action they want me to take, (i.e., “Visit us online!”). The font they used is clear and they varied the font size to show the importance of the information. The Book Worm must have studied up on its advertising techniques!
   

These are all print ads but the same elements apply to online ads. The most important part of advertising is to show who you are as a company, so have a little fun with it!

*Bonus Pro Tip: Ask for the “specs” or specifications for each ad. This will tell you what ad size is needed, the resolution, bleed/no bleed, acceptable formats (i.e., jpg, tiff, pdf), unacceptable formats (i.e., Microsoft Word or Microsoft Publisher) and whether it’s full color or black and white.

What tips would you ad to our list for creating effective print advertisements? Share away in the comments!

© 2013, Vertical Response Blog. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited.

The post How to Create an Effective Small Business Advertisement appeared first on Vertical Response Blog.