Jenny Klimisch – Vertical Response 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, 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 Business Conferences Not to Miss in 2014 appeared first on Vertical Response 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

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.
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.
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.
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?
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 – 2014, 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 Let’s Party! 16 Business Event Planning Tips appeared first on Vertical Response 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!

The post Interview Tips to Land Your Dream Job appeared first on Vertical Response 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, 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 Business Cards: The Good, the Bad, & the Ugly appeared first on Vertical Response 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:

Top 7 Local Business Listing Sites to Claim Now

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!

The post 7 Local Business Listing Sites You Should Claim Now appeared first on Vertical Response 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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The post 10 Must-Attend Food and Beverage Conferences appeared first on Vertical Response Blog.

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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The post 9 Must-Attend Retail Trade Shows for 2015 appeared first on Vertical Response 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, 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.

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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 bar customer appreciation

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!

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:

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.”
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.”
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.
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:

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.
Less is more – Don’t overwhelm people with information. Keep it as simple as possible while getting the useful information across to the viewer.
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.
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.
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.
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.

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.
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!
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)!
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!

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