Advertising Specialties | Marketing by DM

Social Media Positive Impact

July 29, 2010 By Diane Meyer Leave a Comment

Social Media ~ It's All Good!!

Marketing by DM recent TV Interview ~ I was recently asked to share my experiences with Social Media and how it impacted my business. This TV interview is in 3 segments of approximately 7 minutes each.

The breakdown is as follows:

Segment 1 ~ My initial introduction to Social Media, in particular Twitter. Click Here Tweet Segment 2 ~ Marketing by DM beginning to engage on Twitter. This segment Click Here make references to Jamie Crager , Anne Deeter Gallaher, Deeter Gallaher Group , Ford , Howell Marketing , and others. Tweet

Segment 3 ~ Some of Social Media’s most recent impact on a small business such as Marketing by DM and the effects of truly being engaged. Click Here . Recommendations made to listeners regarding SMMmagazine and Harrisburg Social Media Club. Tweet

I was delighted to tell my story and in the end perhaps help others to view Social Media in a positive light. It is worth the time investment….everything else will come.

Love to hear your story.

Filed Under Advertising Specialties, Branding, Marketing, Marketing Mojo, News & Events, Promotions, ROI, Social Media, Uncategorized Tagged With Marketing, Promotional Products, Social Media

Fleece Embraces Social Media

July 23, 2010 By Diane Meyer Leave a Comment

Numerous pockets to carry Social Media devices

What would #Ford do? Or…..as most of you know I should probably say,

What would Scott Monty do?

Can you blame me? Here I am a Branding | Promotions Director who really, really…I mean really gets Social Media, so why wouldn’t Scott Monty come to mind when I come across a tech savvy wearable!!

Thinking like one of the best Marketers in the business is a little presumptuous on my part but I am sure going to try because if I stumble it just means that I am moving forward.

Now mind you, for a Social Media enthusiast like myself, these new fleece jackets that the vendors are putting out there are innovative and current. Let me tell you what they have taken into consideration:

Numerous Pockets

Different Size Pockets

Different Weight of Fleece Dependent Upon Use

Can you imazine even a year ago consideration being given to iPod, Blackberry and YES…even the iPad by the Apparel Industry.

My guess is if this were a new Ford Fusion Scott Monty would mention how neatly tucked into the inside as well as the outside of the jacket these useful compartments are to carry varied sized Social Media devices without taking away from the beauty of the design. Also, that the lighter weight of some of these jackets get far more mileage than past years because of the freedom of movement not enjoyed previously. He would also proudly state that all these updates have been made without sacrificing warmth and comfort. Ladies versions have even trimmer lines.

Sorry, but I am hooked and Social Media comes into play now with everything I do. BUT….I really wanted to share this because I am so delighted that there is a lot of vendors out there who are now understanding their customer is deciding the product they want. The buyer is driving the market not the seller convincing us that we need a certain product.

Let me know your comments. Love to hear from you.

Filed Under Advertising Specialties, Branding, Marketing, Promotions, Social Media

You did it! No…you did it! No…you did it!

June 26, 2010 By Diane Meyer Leave a Comment

This Is What The Blame Game Looks Like

During this terrible oil crisis in the Gulf, we have certainly heard, seen and spoken about the most overt exhibition of the “blame game” that we have ever experienced. While there are many opportunities for a blog post just on that subject alone, it brings to mind how in our everyday business dealings we must resist the temptation to look outside ourselves for reasons why something didn’t go well.

Really…why would we want to look like these three monkies?!!

Best practices guide us to do certain problem solving first when a client does not receive what they expected, when a vendor ships the wrong product, if an expected service is incorrectly applied. Our clients are extremely intelligent and know that something went wrong but they don’t necessarily care who’s fault it was…at least initially. Wasting a client’s time is not only costly to them but will definitely impact your relationship with them in the future leaving you potentially a difficult time ahead solidifying your brand all over again.

When we talk about exceeding the expectations of our customers, we are including how you handle issues. Anyone can handle business going smoothly…at least I would hope so…but the true test is, what do you hear, do and say when an issue arises. You want your clients to have confidence that they are not concerned about the error because they know you are going to resolve it…PERIOD. End of story.

Before I decided to enter the Promotional Product business, I was in various Marketing positions and ordered advertising specialties for years. Can’t tell you how many stories I got as to why it happened…the vendor did it, the secretary did it, I didn’t clearly state what I needed, there was a turnover in staff, someone was on vacation, etc. Truly didn’t solve a thing. After the problem was solved, I would be happy to listen to any explanation as to why we can take steps so that it wouldn’t happen again. However, it serves no purpose whatsoever, to drone on and on blaming someone/anyone without solving the problem first.

A much better practice is to immediately take the client’s side meaning that their side is simply they did not receive what they expected. Remember…we are talking about what they expected. It may be exactly what they ordered but not what they expected!! It doesn’t matter, at least YET, that they made the mistake. What matters most is that you are going to immediately come up with some solution or solutions. Extremely important to not put them on the defense. We want them to continue to listen to us and hear what we are saying. Just tell them you will check out what the next step will be for them to get what they actually need, timing, etc. and you will get back to them immediately. Believe me…you are creating the “WOW” factor in their mind.

If it is your mistake…own up immediately. However, do not dwell on it. Again, you must advise them you will take whatever steps are necessary including cost to get this corrected. Likewise, if it is a vendor error. You and the vendor can work it out later. Don’t waste time with calls back and forth to the vendor over the error. Your client doesn’t care.

Retention is the name of the game in the continued success of your business. The Blame Game is not compatable at all with retention.

Filed Under Advertising, Advertising Specialties, Branding, Marketing, Promotions

Go Green Can Be Confusing When It Comes To Cotton

May 3, 2010 By Diane Meyer Leave a Comment

This poor gentleman is so confused.

All he wanted to do was get some #Green polos for a Golf Tournament!

Go Green with Organic Cotton Polo

Did he want Certified Organic Cotton, Recycled Cotton, or the very Eco-Friendly Natural Bamboo.

We are going to give you some simple definitions here to help when you are in the decision-making process.

Certified Organic Cotton This is 100% cotton wovens which are grown without the use of pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. They contain no chemical bleaches and/or dyes which in turn reduces the amount of pollutants in the environment.

Recycled Cotton Made from clippings. Textile waste or clippings are collected from pre-consumer venues: new cotton-knit cuttings, upholstery and trim fabric, yarn waste and industrial fibers. Cippings re sorted by color and chopped into fine linty material called “Shoddy”. Shoddy is then spun into a yarn that is used to produce product. This information provided by AnvilRecycled Tees.

Eco-Friend Natural Bamboo Without the use of pesticides, bamboo grows faster than any other plant on earth making it one of the earth’s most renewable resources. Fabrics made from bamboo offer a luxurious feel (I can attest to that….so very soft and cool on your skin). It has inherent performance characteristics like UV protection and moisture wicking properties.

This summary information is shared with you from information provided by www.vantageapparel.com, one of the best apparel vendors in the industry along with their amazing award-winning decoration choices.

A Twitter friend of mine inspired this blog when he went to buy a suit and was showed a suit made of Bamboo.

Next week we will review moisture wicking, breathability, moisture management, and climate control. All terms that need some clarity.

Filed Under Advertising Specialties, Branding, Inbound Marketing, Marketing, Promotions

Competition sharpens our skills

February 20, 2010 By Diane Meyer Leave a Comment

Why hate me....I'm just being me!!

Competition is a good thing…right?

Motivates us to be the best we can be, helps to keep us up-to-date with what’s happening in our industry, teaches us to be more responsive to change, sharpens our skills, tests our values.

With all of these positive responses set forth above, why do many view the competitor as the “enemy”. It takes far more energy to study and complain about what someone else is doing or not doing, rather than developing our own strengths, deepest values, passions, and commitments so that what we are competent at is NOT JUST A JOB.

Keep in mind…somewhere down the line, that competitor may be a potential client and no door should ever be closed. Respect for the way a person does business should be across the board. Author Dr. Henry Cloud, “Integrity”, encourages us to be aware of the “wake” we leave behind us as we go through life and interact both with our personal and business relationships. Smooth or very little waves are good!!

Focusing in on your own worth and value to your client is a whole lot more beneficial to them than comments about what your competitor is or is not doing. Approach all with respect and it will come back to you ten-fold.

“I have been up against tough competition all my life. I wouldn’t know how to get along without it.” ~ Walt Disney

Filed Under Advertising Specialties, Branding, Inbound Marketing, Promotions

Branding with promotional techniques

December 28, 2009 By Diane Meyer Leave a Comment

Just when you thought Branding, T-shirts, Logo Integrity cannot be part of the same promotional product….take a look at this shirt that is laser etched to give a more professional look to even the least expensive wearable. Don’t have to spend a lot on the product, when vendors are offering cutting-edge decorating technology. This technique is offered by Vantage Apparel along with several other interesting methods of logo embellishments.

Most recently, they introduced a new laser decoration technique called Reserve Burn-out Applique’….a trendy option for fleece, t-shirts or denim. This reverse method gives a debossed impression which adds dimension to the logo.

Promotional products should always have a value no matter how little you budget or how much. Consideration given to imprint method as well as product, when given the proper guidance, you might just find that a $2.50 t-shirt could be quite an exciting give-away (not throw-away) when you discuss with your promotions expert imprinting methods such as Etched and Embroidered, Etched and Applique, Digital Photo Imaging, Heat Seal, Crystal Tansfers. How about YOUR company logo heat sealed on the inside of the product replacing the main label….tagless. Yeah! These unique imprinting methods can be more expensive than screen printing but the ROI makes it worth it. You can always get samples!

Filed Under Advertising Specialties, Branding, Promotions

Budget Constraints for Advertising Specialties Necessitate “Exact Count”

November 5, 2009 By Diane Meyer 1 Comment

Businesses, even in this struggling economy, are still budgeting some monies for special client gifts as well as recognition rewards for their employees. When doing so, it is important to understand that a majority of advertising specialty vendors do not perform an exact count when processing orders. This can come as quite a surprise when you receive your order and invoice, especially if the vendor adds 5% – 10% additional promotional product when your budget didn’t allow for this. If you order 200 pens, 5% additional product is not a big deal but if you order 200 Digital Frames and the vendor adds 10% additional product that could be $400 – $500 additional on invoice.

You do have a choice. It is recommended that any time you are ordering a specific quantity of promotional product, you ask what is the vendor’s policy for “exact count”, is there a fee for exact count and/or can you accept an underrun only? Sometimes the fee is not that much and is worth it. Other vendors may not charge at all but the request has to be put on the order itself by your distributor.

My advice would be to check it out every time you order….. at least throughout 2010 so that you you can stay within the monies you set aside and fully understand how much product you should receive.

Filed Under Advertising Specialties, Marketing