Why Smart Businesses Happily Spend Money on Marketing
There are two types of business owners: those who spend as little as they possibly can on marketing; and those who spend as much as they can. The difference between the two is that the former looks just at the cost of marketing, while the latter looks at the cost of marketing and, most importantly,…
Why it’s worth embracing The Dip
Here’s a book you need to read if you’re in business, are in a career, or are in a relationship. The Dip, by Seth Godin, styles itself as the little book that teaches you when to quit (and when to stick). Here are the main takeaways. If something is worth doing, it’s worth being the…
On your existing customers, turning browsers into buyers, and real estate ‘heart and soul’
Here are a couple of great posts by other bloggers over the past few days. All are worth reading and all have relevance to anyone using printed newsletters as a marketing tool. Becky Carroll wonders why so many companies give their best offers to new customers only while neglecting their existing ones. She gives some…
Why smart marketers don’t fear the postal rate increase
Many marketers are gnashing their teeth this week after the US Postal Service hiked postal rates. Here’s why you shouldn’t be afraid of this price rise. If you monitor Return on Investment (and you should) you’ll know exactly the effect of the price rise. You’ll know that it costs x dollars to send out your…
How to use the postal rate increase to your advantage
Postal rates in the US went up this week, hurting the budget of anyone who markets by mail. Here’s one way to use the postal rate increase to your advantage and turn it into a marketing opportunity. How about you send your best propects and clients stamps to the value of 2 cents, with a…
Why writer’s block attacks
Starting an article for your newsletter is the hardest part. After that, the writing comes easy. Sometimes, it seems almost impossible to start. The words just don’t come. I’ve found the biggest reason for writer’s block is this: I don’t know enough about what I’m writing about! In other words, I need to do more…
5 Reasons Why Every Business Needs a Newsletter
I’m on a drive, called: A Newsletter for Every Business. After all, I believe they’re so powerful that every business should have one. That’s one reason why I give one away free at Ready to Go Newsletters. So here are the 5 Reasons why every business needs a newsletter: Customers forget. People are busy. While…
We appreciate your patience, please continue to hold
This is a story about turning one lost customer into 10 lost customers. I’m writing this entry while on hold with Vonage, the VOIP telephone company. You see, I want to cancel my account (wasn’t using it — quality too bad) and Vonage is trying to stop me canceling. It’s like a war of wills.…
The best kind of picture
I’m actually a words man. So I don’t always go along with the "one picture tells 1,000 words" mantra. After all, words are incredibly powerful things when they speak to the needs and desires of the reader. But pictures are a great way to illustrate your newsletter because they provide visual proof of what you…