Advertisement Ideas: Constant Communication Is The Key!!!

If you are a regular reader if this blog you know my commitment to The American Cancer Society Relay For Life and my many successes. In 2016 I was involved with The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Boca Raton and raised $1688.05, http://main.acsevents.org/goto/jdogg4 is my donation page for this relay. I also was involved in The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Sunrise and raised $1235.35, http://main.acsevents.org/goto/jdogg3 is my donation page for this relay. My secret to my successful fundraising was that every day I communicated and shared my story with people as to why I relay and asked for donations. In going out into the community I was able to share Relay and where the money goes and the positive impact with others. I was able to recruit a team for The Boca Raton Relay that raised $155. I share this with you to stress the importance of communication. In you business it is important to be out there in the community sharing who you are, what you do, and why people should do business with you. Over the years I have found that the facts they sell but the stories they sell. In building relationships and communicating with people on a regular basis you will have success. The more people you share with the more people know about you and the more money you can raise or the more sales you will have.

I was bit surprised when a People Lead and a Community Representative from The American Cancer Society told me that teams would not be contacted over the summer. I thought wow this goes against every rule of engagement that exists. I have always been one to plan the work and work the plan and keep the already existing participants informed as it is proven your best client/customer or participant is someone who already exists in your data base and by keeping in constant contact and making them feel appreciated they will continue to do business with you or support your organization. When you communicate on a regular basis people feel as though they are part of your business or organization and will support you. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Constant Communication Is The Key!!!

Advertisement Ideas: There Must Be 50 Ways To Drive Traffic!!!

As I listened to Simon and Garfunkel’s 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover I started to think about 50 ways to drive traffic to your business. The following is a list of 10 effective ways that I have found to drive traffic to brick and mortar businesses.

1: Slip in strategic marketing – Know who you want to attract and what they are tuned into and then market accordingly. A Good example of this is Sinbad Sports who just opened a second store in The Tower Shops in Davie to compliment their location at The Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood, FL. As they were getting the store stocked with inventory they put in motion two autograph signings so as to drive traffic to the store.

They have posted these on their website, on their social media pages, had hard copies made up to physically hand out in the community, sent these to those on their email list. The key is to have a plan to drive traffic to your business.

2: Advertise in as many places as possible to reach your target audience – Come up with ideas that will create a buzz about your business with the proper promotion.

Everyone loves balloons and everyone loves to get a prize so why not pick up a helium tank and 50 balloons and before you blow each one up put a special offer in each one like a $5 gift certificate, a 30% off coupon, or a free item. You then require people to spend a minimum amount and they then qualify to pop one of the balloons and can collect their prize. You would include this in all your social media, print media, electronic media, and on all in-house advertising. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: There Must Be 50 Ways To Drive Traffic!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Don’t Be In A Rush To Close!!!

How many times have you been working and it has been approaching time to close up and go home and you could wait to leave? Many times we are is such a rush to get out and go home that we leave money on the table and instead of turning a customer on and having them buy something we turn them off. I have found that as long as you have a retail operation you can not be in a rush to close. This came to fruition yesterday (4/30/2016) when I was finishing up an 11 hour day at Celebrity Sports located at 1825 N.Pine Island Road in Plantation. I had been posting specials being run during the moving sale all day on Facebook on The Celebrity Sports Page but sales were lacking. At about 9:45 PM a family came in and started to look around and like many potential buyers asked how much something was. In this case it was The Dwayne Wade signed Jersey that normally sells for $999. I told the customer it is normally $999 but because we are moving I could sell it to him for $750. I went back to interacting with his kids and he came over and said If I can do it for $725 he would take it. I called my manager to get approval and the manager said yes. I sold the piece did all the paperwork and as they were leaving his son saw The Dwayne Wade Finals Jersey Swatch Piece it wasn’t in the system so I called the manager who told me it is normally $99 but I could sell it for $65. I told the customer he said I’ll take it. In not rushing the customer and staying open about 15 minutes later than normal I sold $790 worth of merchandise. I share this with you so the next time you are dreading working a long shift and rushing to close that you stay a bit longer as you never know when that browser will become a buyer. As the customer was leaving he asked about any Marino Items we may have as his business partner has a birthday coming up. As a result of not being in a rush to close I not only made 2 nice sales I am confident that I will have future sales.

Even though Celebrity Sports is moving from its current location and having a moving sale I have learned that it is important to be nice to everyone even those who are only taking pictures and browsing as you never know what will lead to a sale. In not rushing to close and taking time to know who is walking into your retail establishment you will begin to drive more business as people will begin to speak highly of your business and bring you future business. Though you can not live on be backs and empty promises you must not be in a rush to close. I have learned over the last several months that it is important to create a good feeling for everyone who comes into the store, calls you on the phone, or stops by your booth at a special event. I have learned that whether in the store or representing the store at a special event that is imperative to stay till the end and sometimes work past closing if necessary.

As Celebrity Sports transitions and moves to a new location I hope the lessons I have shared here will translate to your business and show you that it is important to market, deliver outstanding customer service, and not be in a rush to close. Look for other lessons learned from Celebrity Sports like the importance of networking, paying it forward, using social media, having a great tagline and creating urgency. remember to be consistent in your message and not to rush to close and you will have success.

Advertisement Ideas: Proper Promotion Is Priority!!!

This past weekend (4/16-4/17/2016) I had the opportunity to participate in The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Boca Raton and also represent Celebrity Sports at The Ft. Lauderdale Coin and Collectibles Show. The one thing I observed about these tow events was the lack of turn out. I know as a participant and Team Captain in The American Cancer Society Relay For Life that I did my best to promote the event and to secure donations by getting out into the community and working it into all my conversations. I made it a point on Tuesday’s after taping my TV Show, The Anything Bucket, which airs on www.wrpbitv.com on Tuesday at 6:30 PM EDT to select an area in The Boca Raton Area and to promote and collect donations. I did this by planning my work and working my plan and making adjustments along the way.

While I was at The Ft. Lauderdale Coin and Collectible Show I thought what more could they have done outside the banner posted on the main road leading to the event that has been there for months announcing that there is a coin and collectible show every 3rd Sunday of The Month. I though ads in the condo newsletters , posting collectible groups on social media, and having the dealers promote that they would be at the show could have helped. As I manned the booth for Celebrity Sports I made it a point to engage everyone and let them know tat we are located down the street from the show and that we were open until 9 PM. I did manage to sell 2 8 x 10 Prints for $20. Many would say that was a waste but it wasn’t as more people now know about the store located at 1825 N. Pine Island Road and that we are moving which will translate into sales.

Advertisement Ideas Way To Make Proper Promotion A Priority!!!

If you desire to make proper promotion a priority you must find a way to reach your audience with your message. If you want the world to hear you must share your message and build value while providing excellent service. I have found the following ways to be the most effective in driving sales and increasing brand recognition.

One of my best result with my fundraising and in promoting businesses has been to use a face to face, eyeball to eyeball, flesh to flesh, approach. I have found that when you get from out behind the computer and get out in to the community sharing who you are and what you do with others to be the most effective way to promote. Make sure you have a purpose and plan. Sometimes it is as simple as being at a Starbucks, Panera Bread, a Dunkin Donuts or other location where people are and simple listening to what people are talking about and then finding a way to interact with them. I have done this when I hear someone talking about business and have gone over an handed them a card and invited them to be a guest on my TV Show, The Anything Bucket, which airs on www.wrpbitv.com on Tuesday at 6:30 PM. Over the years I have done this I have picked up guests for my TV show, secured marketing and media consultation work, secured announcer gigs, and raised money for charity. One of my favorite stories is the day I was at Starbucks and a friend of mine came in with her friend who I haven’t met before the conversation turned to being of service and value and I shared Relay For Life and the friend of my friend put a $100 bill in the collection canister for Relay. This week make it a point to get out into the community and share who you are and what you are doing.

Social Media cam be a great promotional tool, however to really make it work you need to have frequency and consistency with your message. This week use social media to promote and engage people.

Make sure you have multiple avenues to utilize when promoting your business. When you choose to do electronic or print media make sure you are choosing the platforms that reach your desired target audience. The key to remember with advertising and marketing is to have a defined purpose with measurable goals.

There are many components to Public Relations and it is important that you promote something about your charity or your business daily. each day Find something to promote that will be relevant, entertaining, and resonating so as to touch your desired target audience and drive business or donations to you. Stay Positive!!! Namaste!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Stand Up and Succeed!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Stand Up And Succeed!!!

This week I had a challenge as a so-called business professional took umbrage to the fact that I was using LinkedIn to ask for support of The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Boca Raton. He replied that no one cared about my cause or my opinion. I then did a reply to the 11 people in the conversation including this gentleman and I use that term loosely as he turned out to be anything but a gentleman. He wrote back saying he didn’t have time for my bullshit. It was at that point I called and told him all he had to do was remove himself from the conversation instead of saying okay he got very angered calling me an idiot, an asshole and telling me to go fuck myself. I told him sorry he felt that way and I would do as he requested and lose his number. I did my best to rectify the situation he complained to LinkedIn who has restricted my account and as I write this I am appealing the decision. It was at this point I decided to let go and let GOD and to continue to stand up for what I believed in and to move forward in my efforts to plant the seeds of hope and healing for cancer patients, their friends, and their families. By standing up and continuing to speak out and advocate for people touched by cancer and raising funds for research, education, advocacy, and services I have raised $935.83 for The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Boca Raton, which will be held on April 16, 2016 at Omni Middle School from 5 PM – 11 PM. By standing up and speaking out I finished with $1235.35 raised for The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Sunrise which was held on April 1, 2016. I am very passionate about helping those touched by cancer due to the fact that I have lost so many to cancer including my mother who was called home to GOD on July 5. 2012.

In responding to people and explaining your reasoning in a kind way you will create a respectful dialogue where everyone feels good about the outcome. You never know how your response will impact your business. Think about it if the gentleman who replied in a disparaging way would have simply stated thank you for reaching out to me however I share a different viewpoint than you do and will not be donating to your cause. I wish you much luck in your efforts. In the future if you or anyone else needs my services please visit my website and connect with me how he could have tapped into the connections that I have and perhaps obtained more clients. Now do you really think that I am going to even think about him and his company. He probably doesn’t care as he made it clear that he doesn’t want and doesn’t believe he needs my help. It is his loss because I have stood up for many businesses even when they have said no and sent people to them. Remember that every interaction you have can lead to building your brand and increasing your client base so do your best to be nice to everyone even if you disagree with them.

Think about it if you made someone feel bad they are going to tell people about the negative interaction they had. I have always taught that one oh crap ruins a thousand at a boys so I do my best to show respect to people and to check my ego at the door for the day I think I know everything is the day I begin to loose everything. In all that we do be it soliciting for donations, advertising our business, or attending networking events we must look at how are we making people feel and how are we responding to them.

One does not have to be mean spirited and try to tear one down they simply need to be kind and learn to move on as some will, some won’t, so what, some waiting next. The gentleman who responded negatively most likely will have some experiences that are not pleasant because karma is the greatest equalizer. He most likely will not change and it is not my job to change him it is my job to stand up, speak out, and shine my light and illuminate the world by being of service and value to others. I would recommend that before you respond negatively to anyone that you look at The Four Agreements. Stay Positive!!!

The next time you are unsure of what to do when communicating with someone remember these four agreements. It is when we are kind that we strengthen our business.

Advertisement Ideas: Opportunity Knocking!!!

We are given many opportunities to grow in our personal and professional life and many times we do not answer the opportunity knocking on the door and we look back and wonder what if? It is time to tune into the universal messages that are around us and to create opportunities by being aware of the potential that exists to achieve our goals. Today I was sitting at Starbucks and had my collection canister for The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Sunrise when a young woman said I remember Relay For Life I handed her a brochure and said I am collecting donations and she put $5 in the canister proving again that all you have to do is ask and create opportunities to ask. I have written several times about implementing a 3 foot rule where you have information about projects or businesses you represent and being prepared to share with those within 3 feet of you. I was at the bank today and a you man with a business called Road To Hollywood was next to me we began speaking about Celebrity Sports, a memorabilia store that I work with located at 1825 N. Pine Island Road in Plantation, FL as well as my TV Show, The Anything Bucket, which airs on www.wrpbitv.com on Tuesday at 6:30 PM EDT. He asked for my card and I am confident he will contact me. The key is to make opportunities and to take action. Every where you go you have an opportunity to engage people and create opportunities.I always say what is the worst they can say no or I am not interested. This is when the principle of some will, some, won’t so what, some waiting, next comes into play. If you do not create opportunities to share who you are and what you do you will leave money on the table and at the end of the day it takes money to pay bills, take trips, go to sporting events, go out to dinner, buy groceries and basically anything you desire in your life.

Each day there is an opportunity to excel and attract those who will enhance your personal and professional life. Many are held back because they are so worried about what people will think that they find every excuse to shy away from opportunities. They become limited in their beliefs and leave money on the table or they are so quick to judge that they don’t approach someone to share with. Many times when we take the opportunity to do something we may ruffle some feathers because it is not the way another person would have gone about doing something. This was evident when I was collecting donations for The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Sunrise at The City’s 4th of July Festivities and told that it wasn’t the appropriate place to collect donations by one of the city employees who actually does fundraising for Relay For Life. Of course I explained why it is appropriate and how most everyone is receptive to what I am doing. She said okay. Now some people did complain but at the end of the day what was important is that most gave cheerfully and I collected $250 toward helping those touched by cancer. My Donation Page is http://main.acsevents.org/goto/jdogg3. My methodology of raising funds has been questioned on many occasion because I simply just get out there and take advantage of the opportunity to use my voice to make the ask. I also see things differently and think differently. Such was the case yesterday as I ordered a bottle of Pink Lemonade and I noticed the phone number of the distributor so i called and asked if they could donate some product to Relay. They said send an email and I did. They replied to call them and they would do something. I am sure when I tell the committee I did this they will say it wasn’t my place to do it and I will reply did you think to do it.Of course they didn’t because many have not learned the art of looking for opportunities and do not have the mindset to create opportunities. I use Relay as a great lead in to set up other opportunities that I can share with people. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Opportunity Knocking!!!

Advertisement Ideas: I Like It On Top!!!

Advertisement Ideas: I Like It In Top!!!

I have always believed that it is important to be proactive in all you do and to be on top of events that can positively impact your business. If you are to get to the top in your chosen field you must stay up with the current events that affect that field. As the regular readers of this blog know I work with Celebrity Sports, The Ultimate Gift Store, located at 1825 N. Pine Island Road in Plantation, FL. We sell sports and non-sports memorabilia. We rely heavily on walk in traffic and our Facebook promotions to make sales. Each day I look for something industry related that we can capitalize on so as to create a buzz about the store and drive traffic. Today Peyton Manning is announcing his retirement thus I took pictures of some of The Peyton Manning Memorabilia and began to post it on our Facebook Page and on my personal Facebook Page. I am working on convincing the manager and owner to put up a website as I was very surprised that it today’s market where more and more people are going to the internet to look for goods and services that they did not have one. In order to get to the top in your industry and get a nice piece of the monetary pie you must keep up with technology. If you are to reach your desired target audience and be on the top you must be ahead of everyone else and do things that are unique and different. If you are going to drive business to you it is imperative to have innovative advertisement ideas and promote them. I had come up with an idea to put 50 balloons around the store and when some spent at least $25 have them pick a balloon to pop and inside would be some type of award such as a 10% discount or a FREE Wax Pack. I suggested we put out fliers in the community, send out emails, and promote this concept. I was told no we don’t have customers and nothing is working by my manager. I have always believed that to be the best you must stay a step ahead of everyone else and say yes to new innovative marketing ideas. If you are going to be on top you must have a vision and a strategy to get to the top.

If you create traffic you will have a chance to be of service and value to those who walk through your doors and as a result you have it all and be on top in your industry. In delivering outstanding customer service and understanding what value you deliver you will see your sales increase. I have this method I greet the customer with in 10 seconds of them entering the store, I ask questions, I show them some items and then I allow the to look around. In doing this I have been successful in every retail position that I have ever held. When I first started working retail I worked for The Oaktree Men’s Clothing Store and within 3 weeks I became the top sales person in the country. I was asked how I did this by the regional manager. My answer was I set goals and I took action to exceed those goals, one way to make sure I interacted with every customer and gave them a great shopping experience. As I continued to do this word got around that Jonathan at Oaktree is the man to see if you need men’s clothing. I left Oaktree and went to work for Merle Harmon’s Fan Fair, which specialized in sports apparel and collectibles. I took the store from a $400 a day store to a $2500 a day store. I was asked how and I simply said I went out and told people about the store and invited them to shop. When they came to shop again I made sure they had a good experience. The key to being on top is to make sure you are sharing your business with others and insuring that they have a good experience. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: I Like It On Top!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Assert Your Talents!!!

I have often stated that when you can find a good mix between spirituality and business you will be rewarded. It is when you use your talents for good that you begin to be rewarded. In coming from a spiritual base you will have those who will not understand you and will do all they can to block you from success. In business when you begin to conduct yourself driven by spiritual laws you will see that not only does your business life improve your personal life also improves. It is when you use your talents that you are prospered. So many people have talents that they do not assert because of coming from a place of lack instead of a place of abundance. I witness daily so many talented people who can be doing better financially if they would only realize that they have a talent that the world wants. I have seen so many people work from fear that they never thrive and are in the same place today as they were a year ago. I have observed many businesses go out of business because they didn’t use their talents to better themselves and others.

One of my talents is the ability to speak to total strangers and engage them in conversation. I have been able to use this talent now going on 17 years for The American Cancer Society Relay For Life. Sometimes my fearless approach brings on some complaints because people don’t know my story and many don’t want to hear my story or many don’t understand that using my talent in this manner works for me. I ask you how many people have you shared your business with today, how have you promoted your talent, how have you built value. In using my talent over the last 16 years in this manner I have been able to raise over $35,000 for The American Cancer Society. In the course of doing this I have managed to have my fair share of complaints because when you do things differently others will not understand. There are those that say I am too over the top or that this is not the way to fundraise. I always look to see how they are using their talents and improving their personal, professional, and spiritual lives. I then take a deep breath and realize that they haven’t come to the understanding that it is okay to assert your talents. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Assert Your Talents!!!

Advertisement Ideas: You Can’t Please Everyone!!!

I have come to learn that you could take what you believe to be great actions and achieve excellent results but that you will still have people who complain. Such was the case recently when I went to Legends on a Friday Night to collect donations for The American Cancer Society Relay For Life.I asked the GM for permission to go table to table and ask the patrons he said yes and I ended up collecting $34 in about a 30 minutes. I found out today that some patrons complained and that the owner called The American Cancer Society to complain that this hurt his business. I was told I should have arranged to set up a table and allow patrons to come to me. I explained that on that night it was a spur of the moment to go and collect. I can understand that the owner would be upset as a few customers complained. What he didn’t see was how many people showed appreciation and the one women who was helped because I gave her the 1-800-acs-2345 number for her to call to get support as her husband was recently diagnosed with cancer. What the executive director and event lead didn’t see was that many people now have brochures and may support relay. I learned a long time ago that your actions are not going to please everyone and that some will, some won’t, so what, some waiting, next.

In being authentic and not being afraid to speak my mind and take action I have managed to raise the ire of some people while I have also been able to motivate and inspire others. I have learned that when you do thing on your terms and your way you are not going to please everyone. This is why when I work with clients I ask them to define their niche market as not everyone will be your customer. As you do things and take action you are going to have some people who have nothing better to do than to complain.In the business sector today there is a tendency to focus on the complaints as the trend is to complain instead of to praise. I was at Starbucks one day and they are a National Corporate Partner with The American Cancer Society and one lady complained to the manager about me having my canister on my table. The manager said I can not have the canister on my table any more. I found this odd as I am a regular customer and the lady that complained hasn’t been back since that day. What has happened and what is wrong with the corporate and non-profit sector is that they have begun to major in the minor and try to please everyone and as a result are leaving money on the table. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: You Can’t Please Everyone!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Slow Down and Do Things Differently!!!

As I watched John Kasich speak about finishing #2 in New Hampshire and heard him talk about slowing down I couldn’t help but think how many business people are going so fast that they are missing out on opportunities. As he completed his speech and challenged the audience to slow down and get to know people I immediately though what a novel idea especially for those involved in retail. When I work in the store Celebrity Sports in Plantation, FL I make it a point to greet every customer and to engage with them so that I can get to know them understanding that even if they do not buy something on that day they may come back and buy an item because they will remember how they were treated. In all of my retail positions I have held I have subscribed to the idea that everyone who walks through the door can be of service and value in some way so take time to help everyone. I also have this attitude when some one calls me as I answer my phone hello this is Jonathan JDOGG Lederman how can I be of service and value to you. I have found that by slowing down and doing things a bit differently that I have had success. When I was hired in March of 1988 at Oaktree I made it a point to treat everyone with respect who entered the store. As a result I became the top salesman in the country for this men’s clothing store. I went from Oaktree to Meryl Harmon’s Fan Fair and I took sales from $400 a day to over $2500 per day simply by getting to know people and making everyone feel special. Over the years I have used this same philosophy of slowing down and doing things differently in my fundraising activities and a s a result I have been successful. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Slow Down and Do Things Differently!!!