Stickers as Marketing Tools

From T-Shirt Company, Ex-Boyfriend

With a recent T-shirt order I received a cute sticker. At a concert the opening band had stickers. At a recent customer appreciation day my three-year-old had a temporary tattoo applied to his forearm. Stickers are more than just decorative decals. They advertise, build identity, and influence your potential clients. All of which increase sales.

Temporary Tattoo from Cell Provider, Cellcom

Why Stickers Work

To understand how stickers work, remove any preconceptions you have about “stickers.” They aren’t just for kids. Consider these little decals as potentially powerful advertising medium. Remarkably a sticker is viewed as a “product” though they cost pennies. The investment is possibly the same or less than your business cards, but stickers aren’t thrown away as such. 

Sticker on Pair of Jeans, Hydraulic

When to Use Stickers

Stickers are great little giveaways for trade shows and events. When you think about the application of the sticker, your product sees more potential. Would someone put it on their car, notebook, window, lunchbox, equipment, workspace, or helmet (a highly visible location)? Although somewhat generic, you could start with your name or logo for a promotional sticker. But consider these tips for decals that really “stick.”

Tag on a Shirt, Self-Esteem

Tips for Sticker Marketing

Your sticker should be perceived as having value. If it is “cool” it will be kept. Don’t forget the back! Utilize the back side of the sticker sheet. Here is a place to deliver information without cluttering up you’re a-“peeling” image (pun possibly intended). Consider a special offer, call to action, and contact info. Your sticker could also be a survey, entry form, or the tag on your product. The sticker could be dual purpose; if there is a cause you’re committed to consider showcasing “your logo” supports “cause/charity.” 

Band Sticker, Stellar Revival

Back

 

A sticker must have a strong design (color, size, shape, imagery) and concise copy (catchy headlines, slogans). It should be eye catching up close and from a reasonable distance (considering application). If size is well thought-out the sticker’s back copy can be changed to suit multiple purposes. Keep the sticker design simple and aligned with your overall brand image.

A vinyl die cut with black or white background is usually best. Consider leaving the back blank and having printed for multiple uses by a local printshop. (This is easiest on a square cut.)

Have you used stickers in your marketing? What stickers do you keep? Where do you put them? Please share in the comments.

Appleton Wisconsin is Marketing Everywhere, Even the Bathroom

I’ve got two kudos for Fox Valley Technical College this week. I enjoyed this ad on the back of their magazine. The social media invite is a great way to get people to interact with their brand. So much better than a generic request to “Like us on Facebook.”

Waiting to meet with a representative from FVTC I sat in a room at the business center which offers classes on… you guessed it… entrepreneurship. Instead of decorating all the walls with art, someone took advantage of the space and (occasionally captive) audiences by highlighting the purpose of the room. The wall opposite had framed letters from students who had gone through the FVTC programs and found success. There was another frame simply showcasing business cards of students.

Marketing everywhere? Even the bathroom? No, I don’t mean those placards on the back of the stall door. Although, they certainly count. In my opinion the best marketing is communication that doesn’t look like marketing or advertising. And you know me… I like to take pictures wherever I see good marketing.

I stopped at a Citgo station, the Northsider in Appleton. I had to snap this picture in the restroom. Don’t most little girls grow up wanting to be the fairest of them all? And who wouldn’t want a favorable association with a gas station bathroom?

What have you done “out of the box” to be memorable and communicate with your audience? Please share in the comments below. Or if you know what it says in the men's room at the Northsider... I'm curious about that, too!

Weapons of Mass Seduction

I attended a seminar in Wausau, Wisconsin on Tuesday. It was presented by Paul Weyland. I’m looking forward to utilizing his techniques to help my clients. His theory of the “deep sell” was a fresh perspective. Weyland also touched on common advertising mistakes, why price is the last way you attract customers, and tips for effective headlines.

Why Ads Fail

Most ad campaigns fail because they aren’t reaching your target audience.


Ads fail because they are all about you. You know the old benefit-feature rule. Why are you talking about yourself so much? People want to know, “What’s in it for me?”

Ads fail because they are boring. Get out the yellow pages and look up your business. Look at your competition. How many times do you see the same words and phrases throughout? Your company needs to stand out.

Ads fail because they don’t affect emotion. You need to sell the emotional end result. Not the product. Harley doesn’t sell motorcycles. They sell the excuse/opportunity for 43-year-old accountants to wear black leather and have people in small towns fear them. Sell the attitude, sell the lifestyle.

Why Ads Succeed

Ads succeed because they reach your ideal customer. They are in the right media, the right frequency. Successful ads contain information, create interest, and get the audience involved.

For more successful ads and a higher return on your advertising investment contact FletcherFreelance.com today!

(715) 584-6773
terra@fletcherfreelance.com

Does My Small Business Need a Website?

In a word, yes.

Does your business have a phone number? If that seems like a silly question that’s because you understand how much business you would lose without a phone number. Today, a website is just as important (if not more important) than a phone number.

The credibility and professionalism of a business is called into question if they don’t have a website. Many consumers use the Internet in place of a phone book. If a business doesn’t have a website they are missing a large market potential. Additionally, there are often individuals that know your company name, but not how to get in touch with you. Small businesses need a website.

I know that if I’m looking to do business with a company I almost always check out their website first. Even if a company has been in business for decades (if they don't have a website) there is a lingering feeling of uncertainty.

Surprise #1

There is no need to spend $1,000s on a website. Even one simple webpage highly increases your selling potential. One page can showcase your logo, unique selling proposition, mission statement, specialties, products or services, and contact information.

The return on investment can be very high. It usually costs very little to host and maintain a website after the initial setup. A simple website may not need frequent changes or updates either.

Surprise #2

You don’t need to sell anything on your website! Don’t think that your small business needs to set up complex forms, stores, checkouts, or payment options. All you need to do is be present so that when a potential customer types in the town name and business genre they are looking for (TA-DA) you show up.

Surprise #3

It isn’t hard to get top rankings for a local market! If you were under the impression that it would take extensive time and a large budget to get a high page rank, think again. Because small businesses usually cater to local markets and fill a specific niche they are easy to find. Again, if consumers type in the city and service, likely you’ll be on the first page of search results.

Of course your site should be well written and contain the keywords that your audience will use. You will want to list your website on your marketing materials just as you would indicate your phone number. Bonus: websites are usually easier to remember than phone numbers. There are also many free directories online where you can list your website.

If you have a business, you should have a website. If you need website content or Internet Marketing help, you need fletcherfreelance.com.

Did you see me? I was on WFRV Channel 5 News.

This is one of the three clips I was in that aired yesterday.  Thanks Channel 5. (It's the one about Owens)



Too bad they spelled my name wrong. I'm not "Tara Fletcher."

Dynamic Designs

I met with Tammy from Dynamic Designs last Tuesday. I enjoyed getting to know her better. Tammy’s impressive business started as a small designing operation that she ran out of her home. That was in 1995. Today Tammy and her co-owners operate a successful shop in Pulaski, Wisconsin. They do screen printing, embroidery, promotional products, and design. Tammy really knows her stuff! She is also involved in many community activities and two local Chambers of Commerce, including Shawano.

What I like about Tammy is her positive attitude and driven spirit. Tammy doesn’t like to say, "no." She finds a way to do whatever her customers need. Her business flourished because she didn’t say, "no." That’s not to say Tammy doesn’t have high standards. View her site for testimonials from satisfied customers. Tammy knows that the quality of her products and services directly affect the success of her clients. Just like myself, Tammy knows if her clients aren’t happy, neither she nor they can be a success. This is just one benefit of working with someone local, someone small enough to care.

Tammy and I are teaming up to serve you better. Most small and mid-size businesses can’t afford an ad agency nor do they have marketing departments. As small business owners, we also recognize the necessity to spend time focusing on what it is you do. Let us do our thing so that you can better do your thing. By working with Dynamic Designs or Fletcher Freelance you only need to make one call. Let us help you put together your next direct mail campaign, business cards, advertisements, and more.

In addition, Tammy and I are offering a limited number of Strategic Marketing Consultations. The ONE thing you must have if you want to succeed is a plan. Benefit from Tammy’s experience in guiding her customers to the right professional image through promotional products, corporate apparel, logos, and more. As a widely published copywriter with direct response marketing, Internet marketing, and web content experience, I provide the rest of the package. We know that with the right combination of exposure and awareness your professional image will get results. Let us help you learn how to market your business with the best return on your investment. Benefit from our experience so that you can do your thing.

Call or email either Tammy or myself today to learn more.

Why Happy Employees make you More Money

According to a 2005 report by The Conference Board about one-quarter of the U.S. workforce reported being so dissatisfied that they're "simply showing up to collect a paycheck". Why is that a problem for business owners? Simply put, it pays to have happy employees.

Think about it: What makes you happy in your job?

Most employment is considered “at will”. Yes, people actually choose to go to a specific company to work. Remember all the effort that your employees put forth to get the job they have? Likely your employees filled out an application, submitted a carefully written resume with a well drafted cover letter, interviewed, and followed up with a thank you letter or phone call. Perhaps you even required written tests, drug screening, and physical exams. These people wanted their job!

You made sure you only hired people that wanted the job you were offering. You ensured that every person on your team was bringing something to the table. Rekindle the enthusiasm that your workers once had. You already know that happy employees make you more money here’s why.

Marketing

I recently blogged on how employees can be walking billboards. If employees of a given corporation are to say good things about where they work (when the opportunity presents itself due to conversation starters such as company logo apparel) your employees need to be happy.

Productivity

There will always be aspects of an individual’s job that they simply don’t enjoy. Many of us have just come to terms with that. Not so the employee that strives for happiness- and productivity.

Happy people are a lot more fun to be around. They communicate better with customers and coworkers. Happy employees are more energetic and efficient. Happy employees are more optimistic and motivated. Whether you believe you can or you believe you can’t, you’re probably right. Happy people are also more open minded and receptive to learning new things.

Creativity

Happy employees are more creative because they can think clearly and focus their energy in a positive way. They fix problems instead of complaining about them. When an employee doesn’t enjoy their job they look at problems as insurmountable setbacks. A happy employee doesn’t have the same mental block. They just fix the problem.

Health

We know that stress adversely effects our health. Happy employees are less stressed and less likely to get sick. Heavy job strain also causes burnout.

The health of us and that of our employees is worth the effort of finding out what it takes to get happy. If you can’t help your employees find more happiness in their current job, maybe its time you let them find another job.

Marketing Tips: Your Employees as Billboards

Corporate apparel

Just think of all the people that walk through your door to come to work each day. Their apparel can improve morale, establish dress codes, and blur psychological barriers between staff. That is - if you have a uniform. In addition, quality corporate apparel boosts your professional image and increases brand awareness. (Isn’t that what marketing is all about?)

Custom embroidery in particular portrays quality, but even a simple screen-printed T-shirt can have positive results. Scenario: After work your employees go shopping, pick up their kids, or run other errands. If you have 100 employees and ten people see them with your logo in a week, that’s 1000 pair of eyes!

In addition to caps, jackets, and shirts consider giving gifts with corporate branding as sales or safety incentives. Pens, coffee mugs, and key chains are appropriate for smaller achievements. Totes, luggage, briefcases, and padfolios make nice gifts.

Social media

A great way to get your employees to spread the news about your company is through a contest. (We are all motivated by an appealing prize!)

Employees compete in creating the best commercial for your business. Give a few basic rules such as: a slogan they must include or a product they must feature. Mention the contest on your company website or blog. You might even want to set up a facebook page just for this purpose. The better the prize and more creative the advertisements, the more likely you are to increase awareness of your company and products/services.

YouTube’s contest channel is a free and fun way to showcase the commercials. Not only will employees talk about this contest, they will want to make sure all their friends and family vote for them. Your employees will blog and twitter about your company and their own ads. There will be mention of the ads on your employees’ social networking sites such as facebook or myspace.

Happy employees make for one of the best advertisements. Bonus: “Employee Billboards” cost very little, but have a high return on investment. Make sure you consider your employees as an asset in your marketing plan. Don’t have a marketing plan? Call 715-584-6773 or email Terra today.

Direct Mail Marketing

I just wanted to share with everyone my latest direct mail campaign. I thought this was clever (my husband thinks I'm crazy). He said a lot of people "won't get it". Do you?

Benefits of Hiring a Freelance Writer

Affordability

Most small and mid-size businesses don’t have the need to hire a full-time writer. In addition to the payroll costs, consider the taxes, benefits, and office space that would be required to employ another person. Ad agencies also charge rates that are outside the budgets of many companies. A freelancer has very low overhead and can reflect that in their rates.

Quality

Freelancers live or die by word-of-mouth advertising. They work hard to create quality copy so you tell your colleagues about them. Freelance writers also produce copy for a wide variety of industries and are able to bring a fresh perspective to your business. A freelancer becomes an extension of your marketing team.

They know what works and require very little of your direct involvement. Your time is better spent doing your thing. However, if you need personal attention and additional advice a freelancer is more likely to be in a position to interact with you. Small and mid-size businesses have to compete with large corporations to get attention from ad agencies. Unlike an agency, when you work with a freelancer you have the benefit of directly interfacing with the person that is producing your copy.

Turnaround

Freelance writers want to work and are almost always available. Most freelancers are not tied down to a strict 9 to 5 schedule. I’ve gotten phone calls at 8pm and I’ve done writing on Sunday afternoons. If I don’t work, I don’t get paid. Freelancers are highly motivated entrepreneurs. A freelancer can’t afford to hold on to a project for long periods of time. If they don’t do their work, no one else will do it for them. If you are really in a rush, a freelancer’s rush charge will be significantly less than that of an agency.

Marketing Plans

I thought I’d let you in on what’s up my sleeve.  I’ve been busy with a few marketing ventures as of late. They seem to be consuming my time, but I think they are worthwhile endeavors. I keep reminding small business owners that this is not the time to cut back on marketing. I need to follow my own advice.

I had some dress shirts embroidered by Quality Images. They turned out really nice. Maybe the shirts will strike up a conversation or two.

I’m getting some car magnets made by B&J Custom Graphics. Both of these local companies were highly recommended to me. Their prices are reasonable and I like dealing locally as much as possible.

I’m looking forward to a photo shoot I have scheduled with K Design and Photography on the 20th. Kristy is going to be taking some new bio pictures for me.

Kristy and I are also planning on getting her website online. She’s great with design, but needs a little help with the content. Be watching for links to her new site.