Advertising Ideas: Why Be Normal?

I believe God wants you to know…

…that normal is not something to aspire to, it’s something
to get away from.

Jody Foster said that, and she was right. Never settle
for normal. Never. Normal is not natural. Extraordinary
is natural. Who do you think you are, anyway…?

What will you do today that is extraordinary? Plan it.
Think it through. And do it. All the angels in heaven
are waiting. And even if you ‘fail’, it will have been an
extraordinary effort. That qualifies as extraordinary.

As I reviewed my email and the above message I began to think why be normal? As I began to think how this related to business I thought about those who are above the norm in their marketing and promotion and those who are still conforming to traditional methodologies. I have found those that stay ahead of the curve and are forward in their thinking are the ones who have the most success while those who conform to the norm lag behind and try to play catch up. If you truly want to grow your business and increase your revenue you must be willing to take risks and stand out while getting away from what is considered normal.

Many that read this blog on a regular basis know that I am a proponent of doing things differently. An example of this is my wearing this jersey with the purple Chuck Taylor Converse All Star Sneakers that say BEAT CANCER With the New Era Relay Cap. I do this so I stand out and can start a conversation that will lead to people want to do business with me and supporting the cause. Today at WRPBiTV while taping my TV Show, The Anything Bucket, which airs on www.wrpbitv.com on Tuesday at 6:30 PM a guest commented about my sneakers and I was able to share with her the story behind the sneakers and The American Cancer Society Relay For Life. It is when you stand out that you can open up doors that other wise would have been shut. As you step outside of the norm and do thing differently you will begin to see that you grow both personally and professionally. I was wearing my purple sneakers out one day and a young lady stopped me to ask where she could get a pair and I said I made them at www.converse.com and I told her my story and she gave me a $5 donation for The American Cancer Society Relay For Life. I gave her my card as well and told her about me working at Sinbad Sports located at 2164 S. University Drive in The Tower Shops next to Best Buy in Davie, FL a few days later she was in the store buying a hat for her dad. This is why you must find different ways to share who you are and what you do with others for you never know how sharing will lead to business. Continue reading Advertising Ideas: Why Be Normal?

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: 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: Always Make Time!!!

Today’s entry is inspired by Ah Snagg CPA located at 460 N. University Drive in Lauderhill whose phone number is 954-749-9722 as he taught the lesson of how not to treat someone when they are cold calling. I walked in unannounced as I often do when out collecting donations for The American Cancer Society Relay For Life. I saw he was with a client so I apologized for interrupting and asked if I could leave a flier about Relay For Life and he immediately got irate called me rude said he couldn’t help and that he was with a client. I fully understood this and thanked him for his time. he continued to go on and tell me that the work I was doing was meaningless and then threatened to call the police. I understand I interrupted his flow of business however I was polite. All he saw was someone in jeans and a tee shirt and a ball cap and didn’t realize that I could have been of service and value to him. This encounter really got me to thinking about how many so-called professionals are struggling because of making judgments and not giving people time. I have always said that I may be a solicitor today however in the future I could be a client or be someone who recommends potential clients to you. Ask yourself what type of feeling am I leaving when I interact with others and how is that interaction affecting my business.

In business today it is imperative to understand the importance of making people feel good and leaving them with what I call a warm fuzzy about their encounter with you. When Ah Snagg said my work was meaningless this upset me and I thought wow I won’t be recommending him to any of my business associates. I had a great idea about how he could have helped The American Cancer Society and also strengthened his brand. It was a simply host a FREE Workshop on Charitable Giving for the volunteers. As a result of doing the workshop he may have picked up a few clients. I guess Ah Snagg didn’t realize that he had an opportunity to tap into volunteers simply by making time and being kind. Instead everyone who reads this entry will now think twice before they do business with him. The important thing to remember is to be kind to everyone for the people you see on the way up will be the same people you see on the way down. I would recommend that Ah Snagg and all those who aren’t making time for people grab a copy of Don Miguel Ruiz’s Four Agreements and apply the principles.

In adopting these four agreements you will see a dramatic change in your ability to make time for people and your image in the community. How many times have you ignored someone who came into your business or your office because of the way they looked or the way they were dressed. How many times did you lose out on opportunities that would have enhanced your image because you were quick to judge. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Always Make Time!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Turning Browsers Into Buyers!!!

If you have worked in retail you have heard oh I am just looking. When I hear this I ask what are you looking for? By doing this I get an idea if the customer is truly interested or is wasting my time. In not asking yes or no questions you open up the dialogue and thus you increase your chance of turning a browser into a buyer. I work with Celebrity Sports in Plantation, FL and I believe that everyone who walks into the store can be made into a customer. When I am in the store I make it a point to start conversations that will lead me to show the customer something that will peak their interest and as a result they will make a purchase. In knowing the merchandise and being able to show the customer what we have increase the opportunity to turn them from a browser to a buyer.

When I graduated from Hofstra University in 1987 I went to work for The Oaktree Men’s Clothing Store in Boca Raton, FL as a management trainee. With in 3 weeks I was the #1 salesperson in the country for this division of Edison Brothers Stores. I was asked by The Regional Vice President How I managed to be #1 in the country in a short period of time. I simply replied I turned the browsers into buyers. He then asked how did I do that. I said I greeted everyone within 5-10 seconds of coming into the store and asking them what brought them to Oaktree today. In doing so I began to build relationships with customers who then became regular customers. I remember a businessman from Chicago came in and was seeking casual wear for meetings he was attending and I helped him and he said he came into town every 3-5 weeks. I told him stop in when you are here and see our new arrivals. It turned out that he did just that and on average spent $300 with me. In getting to know your customers you can turn them from browsers to buyers.

I am asked by people all the time JDOGG what of you do not have a brick and mortar business and you aren’t selling tangible items then how do you turn browsers into buyers? My answer is by having a service that they seek and building their trust after all people like to work with people they know, like, and trust. If you have a website make sure you have a page where they can book your services and pay for them ahead of time. If you have merchandise like CDS, DVD’S. Books, and other materials make sure they can order hem and pay for them. In having a strong call to action you will be able to turn browsers into buyers.

Many of us spend an inordinate amount of time networking and we find ourselves dealing with many browsers. The question is how do we turn these browsers into buyers. The answer is to have something they desire, something that solves a problem, something that is relevant and resonating. It is important to follow-up with everyone who you get a business card from within 24-48 hours with a clear and consistent message that has a strong call to action at the end. I strongly suggest setting up a one on one and finding out what they are looking for and letting them know how you can be of service and value to them.

As many of you that read this blog you know I host a TV Show, The Anything Bucket, which airs on WRPBiTV. I invite many people to be on the show and give them the option of buying a fully edited clip of their appearance on my show for $200, which is a great deal to have a very useful tool to turn browsers into buyers. I explain the value of having the clip and how it can be used on their website, across social media platforms, and in all their marketing materials. I have found that those who purchase the clip and use it effectively increase their brand awareness and their cash flow. I have seen many of the people who came into the studio as browsers become buyers because my producer and I explain the value and how if they follow our suggestions they will have some success. I do not sell everyone the clip and I understand not everyone will be a buyer. The key is to have the mindset to always be closing in order to turn browsers into buyers.

Use your platforms to turn browsers into buyers!!! Stay Positive!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Having Relations!!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Having Relations!!!

As I went about my business today I began to think don’t people in service positions understand the importance of having relations? I went to a Walgreen’s on University Drive and McNab road in Tamarac, FL to get my blood pressure checked. I was told we don’t so that and I answered since when then the pharmacist said the machine didn’t work and that she could get another machine and I would have to have a seat and wait. I told her I don’t have to do anything and a better way to have answered would have been sir I can help you shortly please have a seat and I will do my best to accommodate you. She said okay and I waited and guess what the machine didn’t work. I told her that is okay I will be by another Walgreen’s later and will try them. As I left I thought no wonder sales may be down at this location bad customer service. I started to think how is Walgreen’s training their people and are they aware that they are losing sales because of bad customer service or do they think they are so big that they can recoup losses that easy. It all comes down to good customer relations. One the opposite end of the spectrum is The Walgreen’s on University Drive and Oakland Park Boulevard I am greeted and most of the employees now know me by my moniker JDOGG. It is amazing how two stores in the same chain can have such different levels of customer service. I support Walgreen’s and shop there because they are a National Corporate Partner of The American Cancer Society Relay For Life. This leads me to the point of the importance of good community relations.

I have encountered many businesses that just do not understand the importance of community relations and as a result wonder why they struggle. People like to do business with people they perceive to be giving back to the community. I know from a personal stand point that if your business supports my efforts with Relay For Life chances are I will use your product or services when a need arises and I will recommend others to do the same. Think about community relations as an adjunct to your marketing and the value it has. I support Starbucks because they support Relay For Life and they also support many other charities in the community. I support many businesses and promote others who have supported Relay For Life. I usually do not go to California Pizza Kitchen however they were doing a give back night for The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Sunrise, FL so I went and had dinner. By California Pizza Kitchen doing this they picked up business that they normally would not have had on a Tuesday night. If your business is not tied into the community this could explain why your sales are off. When you are seeking to build your brand and increase your cash flow remember that it is important to have relations with the community. When you do something for the community make sure you are sending it out to the media. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Having Relations!!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Stop Missing Opportunities!!!

This blog entry was prompted by a phone call I had this morning (7/31/2015) where I was introducing myself as The PA Announcer and Team Ambassador for The South Florida Gold, a professional basketball team that plays in The American Basketball Association. In this role I am responsible for community outreach and giving businesses and non-profit organizations a chance to form strategic partnerships. As I called a real estate broker whose card was given to me by a colleague I introduced myself and then was told I do not have a budget for marketing to which I replied I just wanted to offer you free tickets to our home opener to which the reply was I am not interested. I hung up the phone and thought wow this is a so called successful business person who just missed out on what could have been a great opportunity as players need housing, staff may be looking for real estate, and our fans may use his services. I run into this type of mentality all the time those who do not see the opportunities and can not see beyond what is considered the normal way to market. The fact is if you are doing what everyone else is doing you will not stand out and you will continue to struggle. You can avoid the struggle by simply listening to people who are presenting unique opportunities and being open to explore a different way of doing things. In being aligned with a professional basketball team you build awareness while having frequency and consistency in the market place.

Think about it you as a business owner can pay $250 and select a game for you and your staff and clients to attend, set up a table at the game to speak to fans, hang a banner, and receive PA Announcements. This is an affordable opportunity and is a form of direct marketing where you can obtain qualified leads. There are many opportunities to advertise and market and you as as a business owner must seek some unique and different forms of marketing and advertising that will help you to stand out in a crowd,

Imagine your name on 250 mini basketballs to be given out at a home game for The South Florida Gold. Your fee to do this $500. All you do is supply the artwork and The Gold gives the basketballs away to its fans. Again a different way to strengthen your brand and create a buzz about your business.

Advertisement Ideas: Don’t Miss This Opportunity To Brand Yourself!!!

In August of 2013 I launched an Internet TV Show, The Anything Bucket, which airs on www.wrpbitv.com. I give business people and non-profit organizations and opportunity to come to The WRPBiTV Studios in Boca Raton, FL to do a 10 minute interview to reach my over 50,000 viewers. I give my guests an opportunity to purchase their clip for $175 that is fully edited with their contact information for them to use across all their marketing platforms. In today’s marketplace video content is very important. I am always amazed when a business person says no or they can not afford it. Again a missed opportunity to which I say stop missing opportunities.

Now the question is what will you do the next time someone approaches you with an opportunity. Will you consider that the person you are speaking with may be selling you today but may be a customer in the future or tat the person you are speaking with may know people that can benefit from your products or services. Remember every interaction is an opportunity to build a relationship and thus create business as people like to do business with those they know, like, and trust. Before you go into your programmed responses think how listening to an opportunity might benefit you. Each time you engage with someone it is an opportunity to share information and possibly attract new business.

Advertisement Ideas: Leveraging Relationships!!!

It was a few Tuesday’s ago when I was at Tijuana Flats and I met a group of business men from the Oakley Vault and they made me an offer to come to one of their stores and pick out a pair of sunglasses for consideration of promotion by me. Today (7/3/2015) I went to the store and picked out the glasses seen in this video. This had me thinking about how important it is to leverage relationships. I have learned in all my years in marketing, advertising, public relations, and media relations that the key is to make it a win-win situation. In this case The Oakley Vault had a product I could use and I had a platform that they could use. The key is to see how you can be of value and service and how the person you are dealing with can be of service and value to you. I began leveraging relationships at a very young age as I hosted my very first special event, A Backyard Carnival to benefit The Muscular Dystrophy Association, at age 11. I went to all the places where I spent money and asked for their support. It was at that time that I learned if you return the favor and give something of value you will obtain either monetary or in kind donations. The key is to make the introduction and then find ways that everyone can benefit. I have used the idea of leveraging relationships for many years and the examples I can give are numerous just like the one in the video.

You may be wondering what oracle cards have to do with leveraging your relationships. Well there is a story behind these cards that illustrate a great point of leveraging your relationships and having a purpose in mind. I am very involved with The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of West Boca Raton,FL and I have been the leading fundraiser for this relay for several years. In 2015 I raised $2726.90, the webpage http://main.acsevents.org/goto/jdogg2 will be up until 8/31/2015. One way I was able to do this is by leveraging relationships. I was on Facebook one day and I wrote to both Doreen Virtue and Sonia Choquette who I had been interacting with on Facebook for a while and I asked them for items to use in chance drawings and they sent me oracle cards and other items and in return I am promoting them to my followers. When you have something that can benefit the person you are asking for support be it in business or in your charitable endeavors you can better leverage your relationship. I have always believed that the worst someone who you have built a relationship with will say is no and no today does not mean no forever. Think of what you have to offer that will help you to leverage a relationship so as to strengthen your brand and increase your revenue. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Leveraging Relationships!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Back To The Basics!!!

When I was a kid we has a supermarket in our area called Basics. It was place where you brought your own bags or boxes and most of the products were generic. The store did massive advertising and flooded the area with coupons. They were doing a good business but then the landlord decided to raise the rent and it got to be a bit pricey and cut into the profit margin and the store closed. The store sat empty for many years and now there is a Lowes Home Improvement store on that site. As I reflected on the concept of Basics Supermarket I began to think how many times we in business get away from the basics and then wonder why we aren’t having successes. How many times to we come up with an advertisement idea but we don’t implement it because we do not know if it will work and then we make many excuses as to why not to implement it. The key is to remember that if you do not advertise your business you will eventually lose so it is time to get back to basics.

The first basic principle is to get out there and hit the bricks. This sounds like an old school principle but it works. Last week as I was promoting my TV Show, The Anything Bucket, which airs on Tuesday at 6:30 PM EDT on www.wrpbitv.com I decided to walk a shopping plaza and share who I was and that I was seeking guests for my TV Show. I walked into Wise Little Shoppers in Sunrise,FL and the owner Sparkle was receptive to the idea of being on my show. She called me the next day and booked a time to come into the studio to tape a segment for the show. She came taped a segment and bought her clip to use in her marketing. In hitting the bricks you will meet people who can benefit from your products or services. I have been one to go business to business to share who I am and what I am doing and it has proven to be effective. Whatever I find myself promoting be it my TV Show, my charitable work with The American Cancer Society Relay For Life, or the South Florida Gold, a professional basketball team that I represent I find the best way is to get out in the community and go face to face, eyeball to eyeball, flesh to flesh to get the best results. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Back To The Basics!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Making The Commitment!!!

If you are in business I highly suggest you get a copy of Don Miguel Ruiz’s The Four Agreements a sit can truly help you in making a commitment to grow your business. Today (6/19/2015) I had an 11 AM appointment and arrived at 10:45 AM and asked for the person I was supposed to meet with and was told oh she may have forgotten. I waited until 11:15 AM and then handed my card to the gentleman who was there and I left. As I left I thought wow another person in South Florida who didn’t honor their commitment. As I drove to my next destination, my local Starbuck’s I thought it is her loss as she didn’t know that not only do I represent The South Florida Gold of The American Basketball Association but I also host a TV Show, The Anything Bucket, which airs on www.wrpbitv.com on Tuesday at 6:30 PM EDT and I have strong ties to the community and a fairly large social media following. The point is that when you make a commitment you should honor the commitment or at least give someone the courtesy of a phone call to give them a heads up on what is happening. The ironic thing is that today I may have been a solicitor but tomorrow I may have been a customer as I could use health and wellness products. When you make an appointment and you do not show it makes you look bad in the eyes of the person you were supposed to meet with and a a result hurts your business instead of improving it. Remember one oh crap will ruin 1000 at-a-boys.

Your level of commitment will determine your level of success. If you are not committed to honoring your word you will lose in the end because people like to do business with people they know, they like, and they trust. If you don’t honor your commitment to meet with someone you have breached the trust from the start and decreased your chances to have a business ally tremendously. What do you think I am going to say when asked about the business that was a no-show without a phone call? When you are doing your best to build your brand and increase your profits you need as many advocates as possible to be speaking well of you so tat you build your likability and your trust so that when people get to know you they are comfortable about doing business with you. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Making The Commitment!!!