Clientconnector's Blog

Continuity Programs Not Just for Clients

clientconnector — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 23:00:31 +0000

Whether your goals to reach are for sales goals, employee or client loyalty, continuity programs can enhance your business.

It doesn’t take a marketing expert to know that the more times anyone sees a marketing message, the more likely they are to notice it, and remember it. Take for example, E-Trade ads that incorporate the familiar kids into different settings, or milk ads that picture different famous people sporting a milk moustache. Thanks to the consistency in the companies’ marketing efforts over a number of years, most people will instantly recognize the ads and the brands they represent. You laughed at those kids didn’t you?

You don’t have to be a high roller to make the same concepts work for your company. Businesses of all sizes can benefit from the power of continuity. Whether you’re striving for sales goals, employee or client loyalty, continuity programs designed to showcase you, and or your company can help achieve goals.

One of the most common types of continuity programs is one that shows client or employee appreciation by sending out related cards, and or gifts at certain intervals of time. The continual reminders of your company’s name and goodwill creates a positive impression with recipients.

But, it’s not as easy as it sounds. Developing an effective theme and selecting products that complement that theme are very important to making your program a success. And that’s where your promotional business manager comes in.

“The most effective programs are those that don’t replicate items or products in a row.”Carefully planned continuity programs can be used to influence all sorts of behaviors. Applying the concept to the workplace, companies can encourage employees to work at a high level and make their businesses more successful.

Some say that the client is number one, I feel your employee is number one. When you have happy employees that feel part of a team, and valuable, and appreciated, then your clients will be happy.

Today’s shaky economy and unstable job market can leave many employees feeling anxious about their jobs. Budget cutbacks and fewer bonuses could cause top employees to start looking elsewhere. Did you know that employed people get hired 30% faster than unemployed. You don’t want your employees looking elsewhere. While companies have no control over some of these factors, they can make employees feel more secure by showing their appreciation. The whole idea of an employee recognition program is to touch on the intangible, the non-monetary, the non-verbal area of what keeps employees happy and focusing on retention. You’ve got to not only attract good people to your company, you have to get them trained and retain them. If you retain your good people, your overhead costs go down.

Continuity programs are key for the success of your business inside, and outside your company. Do you have the key?

Spending money on marketing in a recession?

clientconnector — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 18:27:17 +0000

A lot of experts will agree that spending aggressively in marketing makes sense in a recession – but there’s a thought you will have to address. What if business is slow, and you don’t have the money to aggressively launch a new marketing campaign; but if you don’t launch a new marketing campaign, it’s hard to get business to pick up.

Putting that issue aside, now is a good time to get started. Consumer confidence is starting to pick up and there are signs that the recent federal stimulus is helping the economy see a start of a recovery.

So what do you do if you don’t have that extra money in your budget, but it’s time to start new marketing efforts? Here are a few low, and even a few no cost marketing tactics you can start right now.

Ramp up an existing marketing program with your existing marketing program you currently are using or have used in the past and take a fresh look at it. Think out of the box about what you could do if you spent just 10% more on that program: not just more ads or direct mail pieces, but some new edge, offer, or special promotion. Consider utilizing a paper-bag like insert into the Sunday papers. Sure, the cost is more than their typical Sunday newspaper flyer – but it stands out as a fun, and creative piece.

Next take control of your online presence This may or may not be your idea of marketing, but more and more conversations and interactions with your company are happening online – and they’re not all going to be on your web site, if you have one. They may start with a blog, or a response you make to others promos

Stake claim to your local listing on Google, Bing, MSN, Yahoo, and other major search engines. The idea is to make sure you’re in control of what the search engines are saying is the truth about your business. If your business is covered by industry review sites like for instance a travel agency may be covered by Yelp, TripAdvisor, or other consumer like sites, make sure you’re registered on those sites as well, so you can respond to any potentially damaging review.

Another idea is to pick a, trade show, newspaper ad, mail piece , and or an online campaign – any single marketing activity – and come up with a creative way to spruce it up, make it stand out, making it your own.

If there are no sites that exist for your business, you will want to look for professional forums, associations, and other online hangouts where your customers are talking to each other. You may not be familiar with these places yourself, but they are out there, if you’re not at least paying some attention to them, you are missing out on a chance to build relationships.

Hope this information has helped you think a little more outside the box when it comes to marketing. And I will give you more ideas next time!

Client Connector Celebrating 5 Year Anniversary!

clientconnector — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 20:58:12 +0000

Boy are we excited! WoooooHooooo! Since Client Connector supports businesses in promoting their company and or services, and have blogged about tooting your own horn………..it’s our turn to toot!!! 5 years in business is something to be excited about! When I started this company I only dreamed of what it could, and would become, and to now see it coming to fruition is truly a dream come true.

To celebrate our success in helping companies with their client follow-up, client retention, and or holiday card orders you are always expected to have great savings. Well I didn’t want to disappoint anyone so let me tell you about our celebration savings to everyone out there in the business world.

Become a client of ours at our website Client Connector this week ( July 27-31, 2009 ), and you will receive a 50% discount on your initial setup. Additionally when you refer someone to us that becomes a client, you will not only receive a credit of $20 on your account, you will also receive 5 birthday card mailings for FREE!

We have over 150 high quality business greeting cards to choose from to have mailed out to your clients, business associates, and or your employees. When was the last time you went to your mailbox and saw a colored envelope and felt special because someone had mailed you a card? We help you make others feel special, by saying thank you for their business, or great job they have done for your company, or birthday wishes. Client Connector does all the work for you, we remember when they are to be mailed, and who they are going to. Don’t miss that chance to show others that you work with how important they are to the success of your business.

Shortly all of us will be gearing up for the upcoming holiday season, and when we do, remember we also carry an upper end line of cards from Carlson Craft, and BirchCraft for your holiday needs. Order them directly from us to mail out yourself, or utilize our full service mailing services.

Thank you to all of our current clients, and our new clients coming on board. We truly appreciate you and value your business. When we can help you or someone you know in building a solid quality relationship with clients, click on over to our site and see how ~Building your business is our business.

Michael Jackson~ Changes

clientconnector — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 14:18:20 +0000

Like many of us around the world today I am thinking of how Michael Jackson was a part of my life. I feel like I grew up with MJ, listening over and over to my favorite song Rockin Robin. Talked to my sister Donna this morning and asked about her favorite song, and remembering for me growing up at a resort at the Lake of the Ozarks, and putting the quarters in the jukebox over and over to hear Rockin Robin. Those were different times I think for all of us, we were young, innocent children seeing someone our age out thing having fun, and “one of us” per say. Living at the lake there weren’t any black families, and we were told that our resort was one of the few that “allowed” ( I hate saying that) black people to come to a resort. How sad that is to think it was ever accepted to not accept others to live life, and, enjoy time with their families no matter what their heritage is. We were poor when we were growing up, but we didn’t know it. We listened to his music and smiled, danced, and celebrated life. Sure some reading this will say……………poor? ~ you lived at a resort on the lake. Yes we were poor, my parents spent their life savings to buy this resort, with 6 children to raise, and soon to be 7, and my father working at a lumber yard for .50 cents an hour. So yes we were poor, but that’s not why I’m writing this.

I just wanted I guess to send my condolences to his family, Michael led a life in later years that I can not and will not condone in anyway, but that doesn’t take the pain from the family he leaves behind. He was their brother, Uncle, son, and they now have a loss in their hearts. He gave me good memories from my childhood, and for that I will say thank you Michael. He does have a place in music history, and he will live on in that. To his family I know your pain, and I wish you comfort and peace during this time of grief.

Dentists, Attorneys, Massage Therapist Direct Mail Market Together

clientconnector — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 12:57:27 +0000

What is needed in a recession or any other time is smart marketing. Also marketing is not just about advertising. One could cut the advertising budget but still come up with clever marketing initiatives around say price or packaging. Offers such as bundle pricing for companies, and also launching smaller pack sizes to get more people at the lower end of the market. Partnering with retail outlets to offer value say ‘ or this weekend only’ price downs could be useful. This is what really lacks not just in a recession. Good ideas.The result is that marketing suffers in a recession. Coming up with smart measurable ideas that need not cost lots of money is what will make business owners respect marketing not defending it.

You might have a direct mailer made for you with a bonus included from another company such as: A dentist mailing out a birthday card to their clients with a coupon for a free flower at a local flower shop. This is a great marketing bundle as the dentist is making the patient feel special by having a birthday card mailed, and the flower shop just got a possible new customer coming through their door with the coupon. Have the partnering company pay a percentage of the cost of the mailing, as it is advertising for them also. Massage Therapist can be a stress reliever for those that find going to a dentist, and or attorney a stressful visit.

Recently I met with a company that does senior respite care, and suggested they could market travel agencies. There are many baby boomers out there that want to and do take care of their parents, but need a break, or have to travel for work. Senior care for those times are so important, as you want to know your loved ones are taken care of when you want and or need to be away. One of their clients actually schedules a break from their aging parent that lives with them. So the senior care company could partner with a hotel to give a discount to the caregiver that needs the break.

Partnering up for your marketing can help your marketing budget bottom line, and build possibly two businesses at once. Who do you know that you could partner up with? You might be surprised at who you could partner with that is needing the same as you, but just hadn’t thought about the opportunities available.

New Jersey Housewives ~ Addicting! lol

clientconnector — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 22:50:11 +0000

Honestly I never thought I would get into one of these shows, but thanks to my friend Brenda, I’m now getting caught up on the Real Housewives of New Jersey. I’m not even a housewife, not that I wouldn’t like to be with a home like theirs! Any eligible rich bachelors out there that are looking!? lol

I am getting a feel for all of them still, as I just started my addiction this past weekend. Thank goodness for dvr’s, so I’ve set it to record all of them so I can catch up. The one housewife that stands out to me, that I feel I would be good friends with is Caroline Manzo, she just seems like a true person, down to earth ( well as close as you can get with all the marble under their feet ). I just find her closer to what my friends are like, and if I get out to New Jersey some time, I will definitely go to The Brownstone to check the family out. She does seem to do too much for her kids at times, but it’s all good, they seem “normal”. The show has made me want to meet an Italian for dating, as they are family oriented, and show it.

Maybe near the holiday time they will be needing to order their Christmas cards, and think of my company. I would personally fly out there to meet with those ladies if they were placing orders. I think it would be a hoot to hang out for a couple of days with them! I wonder if I would be considered an “adopted friend” from the midwest. lol

When I was thinking about writing on my blog today, I had all these ideas about marketing, and networking, etc. to talk about, but then…. I was watching a saved Nightline episode and they were talking about these ladies, and…………… well you know what happened then. Yep I got all caught up again! lol

So ladies if you need my company mailing services for your holiday cards, invitations, etc. I will be happy to fly out, and be an adopted New Jersey friend.

Keep up the good work!

Positive & Negative = Energy/ Marketing today.

clientconnector — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 12:23:31 +0000

We all have energy, you can read articles all day on how our bodies are made of energy, the question is ~ how are you using your energy? Is it set on positive or negative?

It’s important to consider your energy, are you using it to grow a business, a new idea, or maybe to discourage growth, or happiness. I know most people reading this would say of course I use positive energy, why would I not? You may not realize which one you are using and how it maybe affecting your business.

Marketing is key today, how you project a story, internalize it, and also promote it. Think about the following, when you are at a social networking event, and you are asked how business is going, what is your response? Is it a positive one, ” business is great, we are looking to continue moving forward”, or do you chime in with so many out and say, ” well right now business is really down, and we hope to make it through”. You become what you think about, if you have a less than positive attitude, that’s what your business will have, less work, less clients, less motivation, less of everything.

Be sure when you are putting a plan together whether it is for a day or for a project, that you fill it with positive thoughts. We’ve all heard it and it’s true, negativity feeds negativity. Well……..it also works the other way, Positivity feeds Positivity!! Go with it, grow with it, make it happen!

Don’t listen to the media, as they can be your enemy, it all depends on which side of the bed they may have gotten up on. Take the bank failings, if this had been covered with a more neutral approach, then less banks, local authorities, businesses and home owners would have suffered. Fewer jobs would have been lost as less panic and knee jerk reactions would have occured. All of which were perfectly acceptable the day before.

Just as we see it in the media, and how it affects reactions, so do your energy, “attitude”, positive and or negative can affect your business. If your company, business, or position needs a shot in the arm it starts with you, and what you bring forward. I believe that what we listen to throughout our day is important, I get so much from audio cd’s, as I can have them playing in the background throughout my work day. Earl Nightengale said it best, “we become what we think about”. If you have not listened to his audio, ” Lead The Field” get it, and listen to it over and over again. Itunes, have a large library of free audio messages that you can download and play often. Your positive energy will build, and when you build this,…………you will build your business!

Cutting your marketing dollars? Dave Ramsey says ” don’t do that”.

clientconnector — Thu, 21 May 2009 15:25:41 +0000

I was watching Good Morning America this morning, as I normally do each morning, and wanted to give a shout out to Dave Ramsey,and his great advice. I’ve been dumbfounded by how many professionals, and companies cut their marketing budgets when they most need it. Why would you cut the source that gets your name, product, services out to others to let them know you are still in business? This morning Dave was asked want would be one thing you would put your money into when starting a business, ( this also applies to established businesses) and he said first off, to put your money in marketing. Thank you Dave!
Whether that is in the way of business cards, fliers, direct mailing, however you can get your name out there, and in a good way inexpensively, but make sure it doesn’t look cheap. There is a difference in not only the spelling of the words, but the perception of the words. Doing something inexpensively doesn’t mean it has to feel, look, and or sound cheap. I really take stock in how a business card feels when someone hands me theirs. If it is flimsy, and or not eye catching, my mind automatically says……….cheap! Cheap business person, cheap product they have, cheap service, in other words not a quality presentation all the way around. Cheap = low quality.
Inexpensive however, is smart business. You don’t have to cut your marketing budget to get quality! You can have business cards, marketing, clothes, flyers that are created for an inexpensive price, but the quality is high. Even when you are talking with a client, especially when it’s a possible new client be sure when you are talking pricing, you practice saying ” inexpensive” and not “cheap” This of this, you are thinking of doing business with someone who just handed you a flimsy business card, they have a cheap looking apparel, and they say ” hey guy, go with us because we are cheap”! Your first thought is going to be ~ yes you are! in every way! Hear this same approach this way, ” Hey Julie, when you go with us, you will find that our products are of high quality that is an inexpensive fit for your budgeting”. Well hopefully you see the difference as there is one.

You can get inexpensive products that look and feel of high quality, it’s all in the presentation from start to finish. That is your goal for today, practice your words that you say, and how you say them when working in business.
Don’t cut your budgeting dollars, look for the quality in inexpensive products. You’ve got to keep your name out there during this time, as the ones that do, are the ones still doing business now, and will in the future, as people will know you are still around! Find a way to stay out there in front of your biggest asset ~ your database! Be sure to say~ thank you to them every step of the way.

Whether you use the products and services at Client Connector or another company, the main thing is ~ Just Do It!

Happiness

clientconnector — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 20:56:30 +0000

I was just looking through some emails, which led me to some forums, which led me to a profile of a guy in an online group I belon, and saw this link http://www.happylifesuggestions.com I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Today is a day for me to really take a deep breath and know that it is true, your life can change in an instant!( mentioned on that link) One year ago today I said good-bye to one of my best friends……………my mom. As I kissed her good-bye with her last breath I knew my life would be different. It’s hard to believe that a whole year has gone by, I feel like I just saw her last week, and she is on one of her many vacations she took.

Life does change, and we all have to learn to change with it. People that are in my life know that one month after my mom left to go “dancing with God” ( as she loves to dance ) one of my sister’s was diagnosed with stage 4 cervical cancer. We didn’t have time, weren’t given, didn’t take the time to grieve my mom’s passing, and now thrown back into survival mode as a family. It has been tough, and it seems we may lose my sister to that terrible cancer. I guess why I’m writing today is to say, that although I’ve lost a best friend, and now living through a health crisis again so soon, that I am blessed. I can always look around and see others that don’t have what I have. I may not have all the material things I want, and notice I said “want”, but I have a great family that is close, loving, and I great friends in my life. Some may ask how do you do it, how do you keep going, well to me, there isn’t a choice. You have to keep going, keep living, keep loving.

When I was driving back from seeing my mom one time I was listening to Earl Nightengales’ cd and heard, that you have to learn to lean into diversity, and not try to fight it. If you lean into it, it will be easier, and you will learn to make the changes necessary to go forward, but if you don’t, you will not be all you can, and want to be in life.

Yesterday we welcomed in a new baby girl Brooklyn Rose to our family. Some like me were hoping she might have waited until today to come, but guess today is mom’s day! I love you mom, and still hear your voice letting me know when I need to do something, or hear your words of praise. Your presence is so strong sometimes I feel that I could reach out and touch you. Thank you for all you gave me while you were here, and all that you continue to give while you are dancing with God.

Positive Attitudes

clientconnector — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 17:14:49 +0000

If you ever want to see or experience a company that has some of the most positive to people working for them, go to Cancer Treatment Centers of America! I’ve had this experience first hand, and when I have talked with people about this place that have seen the commercials, I always say… to be there and experience it is 100 times better!

No I don’t get paid by them, I’m not directly associated with them, but hey if they ever want me to go on a speaking tour for them, sign me up! Last June 2008, my sister was diagnosed with stage 4 cervical cancer, so we headed there fast! We had seen the commercials just like everyone else, so thought, why not check it out. My first impression……WOW! What a place what an atmosphere, what great people!! From the first phone call until now I am continually impressed with CTCA. They just have such a great attitude about life, and living that even if as my sister says, even if you don’t survive, they say it with heart. I had taken my sister to a specialist at KU Med Center and although she was on the money in her diagnosis, she delivered it in such a cold manner, that you just sat there thinking…………how cold and disconnected this person is from empathy for another human being.

After being at CTCA with my sister now since last July I still ask………if they can do such a great job here, why aren’t they doing it everywhere? Sometimes just the attitude would make a difference in a patients life, from the hospitals to the caretakers. I once told a nursing supervisor from a hospital in Topeka that my sister was stuck in ( and I do mean stuck ) over a weekend at home, that after going to Tulsa to see what it was all about, that if all she brought back was attitude, then she would win!

So I will step off my soapbox now and just say a deep true from the bottom of heart thank you to CTCA! Your concierge Norma is your biggest asset! What an amazing woman to allows have a smile on her face and a warm hug! Keep up the great work all of you do!