Advertisement Ideas: The Importance of Cause Marketing!!!

Advertisement Ideas: The Importance Of Cause Marketing!!!

If you are a frequent reader of this blog you know how deep my passion runs for helping those touched by cancer through my involvement with Relay For Life. I do my best to share Relay with as many people as I can especially businesses that can use cause marketing as a strategy to acquire customers and retain customers. I have partnered with many business like The Tijuana Flats in Tamarac, FL, The Chuck E. Cheese’s in Sunrise, and Skyline Chili in Sunrise, FL to do fundraisers and I have been very successful in bringing people to these establishments who normally would not have gone. As a result several of those involved in Relay have become regular customers at these establishments. I have had mush success with those who understand the importance of cause marketing. The key is to partner with a cause that you are passionate about and then leverage your involvement by mentioning it in advertising, through your social media, and in your media releases. The idea is that you never know who may come into your business because of your support of a cause.

I went to a McDonald’s located Nob Hill Road and Sunset Strip yesterday (4/1/2017) to seek support of Relay For Life and the manager told me you have to call the owner but didn’t have the owner’s number. I thought here is someone who is supposed to be looking out for the best interest of The McDonald’s franchise and should be astute enough to understand the importance of cause marketing. The interesting part of the interaction was that I was going to place and order but because of the manager’s attitude and lack of information to give me to contact the owner I left and went to SUBWAY and bought my meal there as they have supported Relay For Life. Think about it and do the math I would have sent about $8- $10 at McDonald’s but because of the manager’s lack of understanding of the importance of cause marketing another business received my business. The reason I share this with you is to show you that you must empower your managers to make some decisions when it comes to cause marketing because you may be leaving money on the table because of their lack of understanding the importance of cause marketing. $8-10 may not seek like a lot of money to be walking out the door but think about it how many people will see this story and not go to that McDonald’s and do you think I will be going back to patronize that location? Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: The Importance of Cause Marketing!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Is Your Brand Memorable?

Advertisement Ideas:Is Your Brand Memorable?

When one sees this logo they immediately know it is Mercedes-Benz and it represents quality and class. I for one have stated that when I amass enough money to get one I will not buy one but instead I will buy a practical vehicle and donate the difference to charities for after all you can not take the Mercedes with you when GOD decides to call you home. I use Mercedes-Benz as an illustration as to how important the idea of having a memorable brand is. Think about it there are certain brands that have stood the test of time by making sure they were in the consumers face on a daily basis with a consistent message. Ask yourself if you are creating a memorable brand?

Advertisement Ideas: Some Memorable Brands!!!

When you ask most people about hamburgers they will mention one of these three as these have become the top 3 recognizable fast food restaurants in the world. Much of this is due to extensive marketing to drive people to these businesses because of the perceived value despite the fact that their food can kill you. I personally prefer Five Guys which does a good job with the use of testimonials in their restaurants. Five Guys is also not the most healthy choice but it is better that the three recognizable brands here.

Another thing that makes Five Guys memorable is the fact that they have differentiated themselves in the market place by creating an image that people have come to know that represents quality and good service. If you were to open up a hamburger place ask yourself how would I create a memorable brand? the answer is simple by flooding the market place with literature about the restaurant and giving the consumer a reason to come and buy your burgers. When you are creating a memorable brand you must determine your desired target audience, create a marketing program that will put you on top of the consumer’s mind, and you must have something that differentiates you from everyone else in your chosen industry.

These are 3 recognizable people in The Personal Development Field. If you are someone who is into personal development you most likely will be able to identify them. They have all created their own identity and have enticed many people to follow their teachings. They share a few things in common they have used strategic promotion to garner interest, they have become their own brand, they taped into their passion and found a way to monetize their passion and create a message that is relevant, entertaining, and resonating with their desired audience. When asked who their target demographic was they were able to give a precise answer this is important to know because you are not going to attract everyone. They also have surrounded themselves with a team of people to handle their marketing and public relations. They have built billion dollar businesses by having a plan and working their plan and never giving up. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Is Your Brand Memorable?

Advertisement Ideas: Doing It and Doing It Well!!!

Have you ever noticed how doing business is much like satisfying a partner while making love. If you don’t hit the right spot and pay attention to your lover’s needs and desires while making love that lover may go elsewhere. It is the same in business if you don’t know what your customer/clients needs or desires are and you do not satisfy them they will go elsewhere. The key is know what you are doing and to do it well. In business like in turning on your lover you have to advertise in the love making game it might mean dressing sexy or playing some soft music to get in the mood to entice your lover. It is the same in business you must advertise to entice the consumer/client and get them to do business with you. Look at the ways you are marketing and how you are reaching your customers/clients. The process starts with knowing who to pursue and how to court the people that you desire to have as clients/customers, then creating a brand so when people hear the brand or see the logo it is easily accessible, then you must do things to create a buzz.

Advertisement Ideas: People Who Are Doing It and Doing It Well!!!

If you were to show this picture to 10 people I believe 7 would know who it is. Despite his perceived arrogance the man in the picture has built a reputation as a great ball player and a savvy business man.

If I showed this photo to 10 people I can almost guarantee that 9 people would know who this soulful singer is. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Doing It and Doing It Well!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Spread ‘Em Wide!!!

When you read the headline of this entry what was your first thought? Many probably went right to the image of the police officer getting ready to put the cuffs on someone and pat them down. Most conjured up this image as we have been programmed to react in a certain way through media manipulation and the repetition of many so-called norms of our society. When I think of the headline spread ’em wide I think about marketing a frequent and consistent message so that when someone thinks of me they know who I am and what I do and feel comfortable about doing business with me. just as this phrase spread ’em wide conjures up a certain image or picture ask yourself what image or picture does my brand conjure up when people see it or hear it.

Well established brands like McDonald’s and Allstate share one common thread and that is a frequent and consistent presence in the marketplace. A few years back Allstate partnered with The NCAA to sponsor the goal post nets that are put up for field goals and extra points and as a result has increased their brand awareness while also donating to scholarship funds thus creating a picture that they area company that cares about the community. McDonald’s has sponsored many sporting events including The Olympics.

Now you may not have the budget of a McDonald’s or Allstate but you should have a budget to spread your message wide. How many times have you been approached with an opportunity to spread your message and you have found all the reason why not to take advantage of the opportunity and the you see your competition did. As a result clients/consumers may be going to the competition. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Spread ‘Em Wide!!!

Advertising Ideas: Lessons Learned From Obama, McDonald’s And More!!!

Advertising Ideas:Lessons Learned From Obama, McDonald’d And More!!!

What can a U.S.President, a Fast Food Chain, and a a 3rd String Quarterback teach us about business? This week President Obama decided it was to much of a security risk to travel to Paris or to send a representative to Paris on his behalf. The newspapers and all the electronic media outlets were a buzz at what is perceived to be another gaffe for this president. Social media had people calling Obama, ODrama, Dumbo, and other derogatory names. I looked and I thought what if a business acted in the manner that OBama acted and received the negative push back how could they spin it and rebuild their reputation in the market place. The lesson that I learned from Obama is to make sure you are always putting yourself in a positive light so that you will always be perceived as someone to know, like, and trust as consumers like to do business with people they know like and trust. If you look at the Obama presidency you can learn many lessons of what not to do so as to avoid the downfalls of negative public relations. There is a saying that one oh crap ruins a thousand at-a-boys. If you truly want to be seen in a positive light then you must present yourself in a positive light especially if you are a high profiled individual. People are going to watch what you say and what you do and they may forget that but they will not forget how you made them feel. So when you are doing business, networking, advertising, posting on social media make sure you leave people feeling good.
As I was watching the NFL Divisional Playoffs I saw this McDonald’s Ad for the first time and I thought McDonald’s has done it again. They created another ad campaign that will be remembered and relate to their target audience.Though it has been over 16 months since my last McDonald’s Purchase I have always looked to their marketing campaigns for lessons. If you notice the characters in the ad you will notice that most of them will resonate with the 25-54 crowd who today has children and that is one of the biggest consumer audiences for McDonald’s.The first lesson learned here is to know who your target audience and to deliver a campaign that will be resonating, entertaining, and relevant . The second lesson is to create something that will get people talking thus creating a buzz around your business. Many consumers want to feel good about supporting the companies where they spend their hard-earned money. After spending money at McDonald’s those who choose to do so have said that they feel good about their purchases because of the perception that McDonald’s cares about the community. One thing I have learned is that it is important to create a warm fuzzy feeling with existing customers and potential customers like what McDonald’s did here with this commercial. Continue reading Advertising Ideas: Lessons Learned From Obama, McDonald’s And More!!!

Advertisement Ideas: We Will Never Forget!!!!

Advertisement Ideas: We Will Never Forget!!!

As I sit at my desk at WRPBiTV, where I host a TV Show, The Anything Bucket, which airs on www.wrpbitv.com on Tuesday at 6:30 PM EDT I begin to reflect on where I was 13 years ago (9/11/2001) when I saw the news of the terrorist attacks. These attacks galvanized our nation and brought people together from all walks of life. As I reflected on the events of that day I begin to think what if a business could make that indelible mark on the audience that they seek to attract? Budweiser made a tribute ad that aired once during The Superbowl that created a buzz as it evoked many emotions and touched the heart of the viewer.
This commercial epitomizes what every advertising campaign should have.

An effective deliberate message.

A connection to the audience.

Proper brand placement. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: We Will Never Forget!!!!

Advertisement Ideas: How Memorable Is Your Promotion?

As I was watching The NFL Game on Monday with my dad a commercial came on and before the brand appeared he said The Coors Light commercials are getting to be ridiculous. I said Dad they did their job as you remembered the commercial. It is with this in mind that I ask you How Memorable Is Your Promotion? If people are not remembering your brand you are missing out on being on the top of the mind of the consumer. The key is to have a campaign that is memorable so when someone seeks your products and services they think of you before they think of your competitor.

What do these two logos have in common? They are recognizable and if you as 100 people in The United States to identify the companies I would say 90 would be able to identify them. This leads to the question, How recognizable and memorable is your logo? Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: How Memorable Is Your Promotion?

Advertisement Ideas: How To Get Noticed!!!!

Everyday n business I am asked JDOGG how can I standout? My answer is always find ways to be proactive and creative. I ask what are you do differently that no one else is doing? Ask yourself what pain are you taking away, what problem are you solving? Think about what will get you noticed.

I was on spring break in California many years ago and I noticed on my walk back from Knott’s Berry Farms a dinner type restaurant with roller skating waitresses. I understand that these were very popular in the 1950’s and that the restaurant from Happy Days, Arnold’s was modeled after them. As I wasn’t driving I went in and sat down and placed my order and inside the waitresses were all on roller skates. I thought wow what a novel idea. I then noticed all of the newspaper clippings about the restaurant and thought what a great way to leverage your press coverage and build credibility. I was asked by my waitress if I liked roller skating and I said yes she said great are you here alone. I said yes and she handed me a free pass to the local roller rink. I went skating after my meal and upon arrival I was given a coupon for the restaurant. My marketing mind went into complete exhilaration as I had just experienced a great example of cross promotion and businesses standing apart from other businesses. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: How To Get Noticed!!!!

Advertisement Ideas: How To Build A Strong Brand!!!!

Advertisement Ideas: How To Build A Strong Brand!!!

You will notice most of these brands and think but I don’t have their budget. It is time you change that to I have enough money set aside to build a strong brand and become a leader in my industry. If you look at the history of these companies and how they built a recognizable brand you will notice a few things they all share. What they share is necessary in building your brand:

1: They had a plan of action and followed that plan tweaking it along the way.

2: They created a culture that related & resonated to their desired target audience.

3: They understood that not everyone was going to use their products or services so they went after the niche that they wanted through effective research and marketing.

4: They created tag lines that were easy to remember and illustrated who they were and what they did.

5: Over time they changed campaigns but maintained their message.

6: They were consistent with the use of their logos.

7: They allocated money and personnel to promote their brand message.

8: They aligned themselves with causes that were synergistic to their brand message.

9: They continually put themselves in front of their desired target audience.

10: They became top of the mind in their industry.

We all recognize these brands and we can tell you what they all produce. They did not become strong recognizable brands over night. They all researched what their brand message was going to be, what they would stand for, and how they would project that to those seeking their products and services. They created an advertising campaign and make positive advertising choices that used a variety of tracking methods to measure the effectiveness. They created a buzz and when one buzz wore off they worked at creating another buzz. I know what you are thinking, JDOGG but they are all large corporations, I am a small business with limited resources. HELLO, TIME TO CHANGE YOUR THINKING!!!!! You are as large as you choose to be. You may not have the large marketing staff, however you have ideas to implement that can help build a strong brand. You have many resources that are available to you that you may not have thought of like The Small Business Administration, others in your industry, or SCORE. I suggest you look at the case studies of what these companies did and see how you can gleam and implement this information. In many cases it is not a matter of money it is a matter of innovation and implementation. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: How To Build A Strong Brand!!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Using Words Effectively!!!

In advertising it is important to think of how words can affect your business and the relationships with your current clients/customers and potential clients/ customers. Words when used effectively can drive business and increase your brand awareness and also escalate your sales. People are more apt to respond to a print ad, radio ad, TV ad, or social media ad if the words resonate with them. Ask yourself how effective are the words I am using in my advertisement? Recently a travel agency used a slogan GET AWAY after their name and the campaign was very successful as they put in small print to which was followed by different destinations and prices. When I look at major corporations such as the following I immediately recall their tagline. How are you getting people to recall your tag line? If you do not have a tag line you should really develop one and brand it in all your marketing materials.

I’m Loving It!!!!

It’s All Good In The Neighborhood!!!

You’re In Good Hands!!!!

We Try Harder!!!!

What words are being associated with your business. A good tag line can help to create a buzz and build a positive image while also increasing your revenue. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Using Words Effectively!!!