It's been a busy September

We’ve seen a lot of vendors in the past few weeks.  Althea and Joe took on Vegas at the North American Business Meeting (NABM) earlier this month and visited a lot of our preferred vendors.  (And met Dick Vitale, the keynote speaker along the way)

Kate ‘attended’ a virtual show through ASI and got to see some pretty interesting things without leaving the comforts of the office. (Ever see hand-sanitizer in a self dispensing wrist band?  I hadn’t either. Pretty neat.)

To cap off the month, Althea, Dawn, Kate and Debbie went to Massachusetts to the NEPPA (New England Promotional Products Association) show.  It was a long day, with a lot of walking but we met some great people and saw some new and innovative products.  We’ll be sharing the things we’ve seen, as well as some of the great ideas we’ve gathered along the way.  Stay tuned!  

Joe and Althea Take Vegas

Althea and I recently attended the Safeguard North American Business Meeting in Las Vegas.  The meeting lasted for 3 days and offered a number of classes focused on finding solutions for our customers needs, from social media marketing to high security check products to promotional product campaigns.  We also visited 70 of our top print and promotional vendors at a private tradeshow. 

With the end of the year coming it is time to begin planning for 2012 and our team at Safeguard is uniquely positioned to offer everything a business needs to drive sales, operate more efficiently and reward top employees.

-Joe

Why Direct Mail?

Direct mail provides you with a more personal connection with your customers than other forms of advertising.  Newspapers, television and online ads are more generic and impersonal, and there is no guarantee they are going to reach the audience you want to interact with. With direct mail, you can target a specific group of people who are more likely to respond to your offer.

By placing your message directly in your customers’ hand, you are encouraging them to do business with you.   Providing them with information about an upcoming event, or a coupon, gives them the incentive to act.  By counting how many coupons are used, or how many sales are made, you can easily analyze the success of your program and adjust marketing as needed.

Another option with direct mail is to provide information about your business to potential clients.  By explaining the services you offer, you can make sure that potential clients don’t pass you by because they were unaware that you provided a certain service.  Sending along a small but useful gift, such as a calendar or key chain, also keeps your business in front of your current and potential customers each day.

Keep direct mail in mind when deciding how to establish a new connection, or to reconnect with a former customer.  Whether you send a simple postcard updating your clients about your business, or an elaborate flyer with professional images to announce a major event, by personalizing your news, you are more likely to get and keep the attention of those you are trying to reach.

Do Businesses Even Send Holiday Cards Anymore?

They should. Not E-cards, by the way.  Real, honest to goodness paper cards.  In envelopes.  With stamps.  That are delivered by the mail carrier. Why?

The simple reason is because people like to get things. People especially like to get things in the mail that aren’t bills.  Think about it.  If your mail consisted of ten invoices and a greeting card, which would you open first?  The greeting card, naturally.  Who wouldn’t choose a little bit of happy when it’s delivered to their door?

Why a ‘snail mail’ greeting over email?

In addition to giving someone a little lift, there are other reasons to avoid using email for all communication.  Consider how many emails the average person gets in one day.  Now think about how many times you check your junk folder to make sure you didn’t miss something important.  Do you want to spend your time writing a thank you, or a seasonal greeting to a client only to have it vanish into cyberspace?

 Even if your email is read, there’s a pretty good shot it’s going to be deleted immediately.  Have you ever seen anyone print out their email and place them on the mantel for everyone to see? 

I haven’t either. It’s simple.  People keep real cards longer.

How many emails do you delete each day without even reading them?  If your clients think your email is an advertisement, they might overlook it entirely.

Sending your customers a holiday greeting, a thank you card, or a birthday card lets them know you appreciate them enough to take the time to say so.  People feel special when they receive a card addressed to them instead of an email addressed to everyone whose name ends in .com. People who feel valued are going to remember who values them. 

Sending an actual card allows you to send other things as well.  Insert a calendar in the envelope and make sure your business is remembered all year long.  Include a coupon for a discount on your product if used within a certain timeframe.  There’s no rule that says you can’t, especially since you’re specifically thanking your customer base. 

It’s simple and direct.  Thank them for doing business with you and give them an incentive to keep the relationship going.

Take the time to send your customers a holiday or greeting card.  They’ll appreciate it and in the long run, so will you.

Who Needs a QR Code Anyway?

Everyone.  Why?  With the amount of people carrying smart phones, and using them to access everything from Amazon to Zappos, it’s time to take advantage of QR technology to drive business your way. QR codes give instant access to the information you want people to have.  No waiting for an email, fax or phone call, QR is all about instant gratification.  QR can also increase your business by linking to coupons, discounts and special offers. The potential for growth is fantastic.

What's a QR Code...and what can I do with it?

A QR code (short for Quick Response code) is a two-dimensional code that is readable by QR readers and smart phones.  It looks kind of like someone took an old fashioned bar code and shook it up.  Originally used as a way to track inventory, the QR code is now used just about everywhere.  It’s not hard to find a way to utilize these little guys in your business.

• Link your code to your Facebook/Twitter pages to increase your social media presence. A QR code will get you more ‘likes’ and ‘follows’ because it will be easier for people to find you.
• Put a QR on your front door to provide your customers with an instant coupon.  Because QR codes are so versatile, it is easy to change offers frequently, which increases traffic to your store.
• In real estate, add a code to a ‘For Sale’ sign, providing quick contact information for any interested buyers or a slide show of the property.  Why risk losing a potential sale because they drive by and run across another property with more information available?
• A QR code on a table tent can increase traffic by providing information of upcoming events, specials, drink menus, etc.  Offer a free appetizer or a discount on a second dinner on specific days to increase business.
• Have a ‘contest’.  Have two or three QR codes that are different from the rest, offering deeper discounts to those who scan them.  The code can link a customer directly to your mobile site, allowing them to shop and apply the discount immediately.
• Link a QR code to a video, showcasing your business or product.  Give your potential and existing customers instant access to information and new products, engaging them immediately.
• On your business card, have a QR linked directly to your phone so calls are immediate, or provide a map directing customers to your location.  
• A code directly on a product label can provide a link to more information or reviews for those interested.
• Put a QR code on your promotional items.  Provide your clients with information about your company, your contact information or special offers.

The potential for QR codes is really limitless.  Be sure that wherever your QR code takes those who scan it, that the page is optimized for mobile use.  Use your imagination and find a way to bring this technology into your business.

Protect Yourself from Online Fraud

Internet fraud is something everyone has to worry about these days. While the internet has certainly made life easier for individuals and businesses alike, there is always a risk of identity theft. By taking a few precautions, you can greatly reduce the risk to yourself and your business. The FBI provides information on prevalent fraud schemes on their website, as well as tips to avoid common scams, both on and offline. Consider a few of the tips below before conducting an online transaction and help keep your personal and business identities safe.

• There is no reason to give your social security number in order to conduct business online.
• When making a purchase, make sure you are doing so from a reputable source.
• Research the individual company you are dealing with to be sure they are legitimate.
• Obtain a physical address and phone number rather than a post office box. Call the company directly to be sure that the contact information is legitimate.
• Don’t judge a company by its website. Websites can be created easily.
• Inquire about warrantees and return policies.
• Be cautious when dealing with companies outside of your own country.
• If possible make purchases with your credit card, since you can often dispute your purchase if something goes wrong.

You can find a complete listing of online safety tips and common fraudulent practices at www.fbi.gov. It is always a good idea to be proactive when keeping your business and personal identities safe from online fraud. A few extra moments of your time could save you from having to repair avoidable damage.

Are business cards a thing of the past?

The business card.  There’s a lot of potential in that little piece of card stock.  Though technology has made communicating with others nearly instantaneous, there is still a place for the business card in everyday life.

Throughout history, calling cards (for the wealthy) and trade cards (for merchants and shops) have been a central part of people’s lives.  The wealthy would call on friends and acquaintances, presenting their card to the staff who admitted them.  Trade cards were colorful advertisements for shops and merchants, usually with a map, in order to direct customers to their place of business. Naturally, the more colorful and eye catching the card, the more likely it would be noticed, thereby increasing sales.

Times change, but the basic functionality of the business card remains the same.  A small thing, but providing someone with your contact information is the first step in creating a lasting business relationship.  Keep some things in mind when you’re designing your cards in the future.

• Sales increase 2.5% with every 2000 cards you hand out.  Make sure you keep track of your inventory.
• People will keep a color card 10 times longer than a plain card.
• Consider adding a QR Code to drive business to a special offer for your customers, or a specific page of your website.
• Make sure your business card looks professional.  Don’t overwhelm people with loud graphics or illegible print. No one can contact you if they can’t read the information you’ve given them.
• Provide some key points of interest about your business.  This will help people tie you to your business. 
• While non-standard cards are eye-catching, they make it difficult for people to store easily.  If you want a card that stands out from the rest, consider having two cards printed. 

In the end, no matter what technology brings us in the future, the business card will always have its place. Make sure yours represents you and your business in the best possible way.

-Kate