What better way to offer a glimpse into your quality products, services, and support than with a risk-free trial or evaluation? Depending on your product, a free trial is not only an effective marketing tool to increase interest and expand your customer base, but it also helps establish rapport with potential customers and shows them your product or service is valuable and worth purchasing. Here are a few tips for offering a free trial:
Set a clear time frame for your trial offer, such as a 30 or 60-day evaluation period.
Consider a first-time discount if the user decides to purchase from you, as well as a referral program that offers coupons with a trial to pass along to friends.
Avoid scaring away potential customers by asking only for necessary information when signing up for the free trial.
Don't spam those who provide information. Offer an option to sign up for promotions if they are interested.
Notify users before the trial ends to avoid sharp cutoffs or automatic billing.
Lastly, think of a free trial program as a way to improve your products or services. You can gain valuable feedback from those who choose not to purchase from you.
In today's fast-paced business world full of instant technology, most people expect an answer to their email messages in one day or less. This can become challenging when you consider the volume of email many businesses receive. If checking your email throughout the day isn't ideal, consider blocking a chunk of time on your calendar each day to respond to email messages. Even if you don't know the answer or need to find additional information, you should acknowledge the email and let the sender know you are working on it. If you plan to be away from the office, remember to use an auto-responder. Include information such as how long you will be away and when you will return messages. Also provide your contact info or an alternate contact for those who need an immediate response. If you're looking for an even faster way for your customer support team to answer questions and interact with online shoppers, you may want to consider a live chat support service. Visitors who receive quick answers and responses are more likely to stay longer and buy more products. The personalized interaction will also help them develop more confidence in your business. The speed in which you respond can easily affect a potential buyer's perception of you and your business. Always remember that the sender emailed you for a reason and is expecting your prompt response. Don't give them time to find the answer, or a faster response, elsewhere.
Joe Gass @ Printing & Graphics _ 5900 Harris Technology Blvd, Suite G, Charlotte, NC 28269 * 704-551-0700 _ www.heritageprinting.com _ 22725 Washington St., Leonardtown, MD 20650 * 301-475-1700 _ Wide Format signs, banners & banner stands, displays, posters, wall and window graphics, vehicle and floor graphics, decals, backlit signs, point of purchase, end caps and toppers, on-site installation and fulfillment Offset and Digital newsletters, magazines, publications, catalogs, conference and meeting materials, brochures, rack cards, presentation folders and direct mail Veteran Owned and Operated
I've always wondered how fancy coffee shops could charge so much for a product that is worth pennies on the dollar. But I recently had an eye-opening experience that caused my opinion to sway. While feeling slightly impatient waiting for a cup of joe, my attitude was shockingly transformed by the laid-back atmosphere, the enchanting aroma, and the unique boutique-style tables and chairs at my favorite coffee shop. For a moment, I forgot why I was in such a hurry. Time stood still, as I was engrossed in a coffeehouse state of mind.
I now understand that the value of coffee, like many other products we buy, is contingent on how it makes us feel. Sometimes when I close my eyes and smell a fresh cup of coffee, I recall my coffeehouse state of mind... and smile. While other products might not offer the same memorable feeling as a good cup of joe, we should all strive to offer a memorable experience for the customers who walk through our front door. How can you make customers think of your business and smile?
Joe Gass @ Printing & Graphics _ 5900 Harris Technology Blvd, Suite G, Charlotte, NC 28269 * 704-551-0700 _ www.heritageprinting.com _ 22725 Washington St., Leonardtown, MD 20650 * 301-475-1700 _ Wide Format signs, banners & banner stands, displays, posters, wall and window graphics, vehicle and floor graphics, decals, backlit signs, point of purchase, end caps and toppers, on-site installation and fulfillment Offset and Digital newsletters, magazines, publications, catalogs, conference and meeting materials, brochures, rack cards, presentation folders and direct mail Veteran Owned and Operated
While a lot of planning goes into the preparation for a tradeshow, few companies spend as much effort during the critical follow-up period after the show is over. It becomes easy to overlook follow-up activities after returning to work and finding a full inbox of e-mails, voicemails, and other deadlines to catch up on. Others assume that prospects will call them because they gave them their business card or brochure. Overall, tradeshow success requires immediate follow-up on leads generated from the show floor. Here are a few tips to improve your follow-up strategy:
Follow-up should begin before the show ends by taking detailed notes on each prospect you meet and rating them (such as hot, cold, etc.).
Prioritize your follow-up plan, starting with the most serious prospects.
While you should wait a day or so for attendees to get settled back into their offices, you want to follow-up quickly while your conversations are fresh in their memory.
In addition to calling, send prospects you visited with personally an old fashioned, hand-written note via snail mail that addresses specific interests or needs the customer mentioned while visiting your booth.
Send special gifts to qualified leads that will remind your prospect about your company, such as a flash drive, flashlight, or envelope opener. Avoid cheap token items such as pens which are given out in abundance at the show.
E-mail all other booth attendees who provided e-mail contact information (regardless if they were a cold prospect) and tell them you will be in contact in the next few weeks, unless they need to reach you sooner. Whether or not they are ready in the buying cycle, you can create top of mind awareness for your business.
Design and print follow-up postcards, as well as the bulk of a follow-up e-mail messaging prior to the trade show to save valuable time. When you return, you can easily personalize the message and send it out.
Don't assume prospects will contact you for more information, since they likely saw your competition as well and are waiting to see who can earn their business.
Let us know if you'd like help developing professional follow-up materials. Our creative experts can help you ensure you and your business will be remembered in a positive light!
Joe Gass @ Printing & Graphics _ 5900 Harris Technology Blvd, Suite G, Charlotte, NC 28269 * 704-551-0700 _ www.heritageprinting.com _ 22725 Washington St., Leonardtown, MD 20650 * 301-475-1700 _ Wide Format signs, banners & banner stands, displays, posters, wall and window graphics, vehicle and floor graphics, decals, backlit signs, point of purchase, end caps and toppers, on-site installation and fulfillment Offset and Digital newsletters, magazines, publications, catalogs, conference and meeting materials, brochures, rack cards, presentation folders and direct mail Veteran Owned and Operated
If you want your business to get in the market quickly, there are two quick and easy ways you can go. You can use full-page or even two-page spreads in the yellow pages, or you can spend a bucket-load of money on pay-per-click.
Quick and easy is NOT always the most effective way to go. Sometimes it is, in fact, the least effective. The yellow pages have been destroyed by search engines, and pay-per-click is a great way to waste huge amounts of money if it isn't properly maintained. If you still think the yellow pages need to be a part of your marketing budget, then put a separate phone number in the ad, so at least you can track what your easy, expensive dollars are getting you. The fact is, having a good web presence, printing great looking marketing materials, and using a marketing calendar to get your message out there in a targeted way provide a far better plan. Yes, that plan isn't quick and easy, but it can be affordable and effective... two very desirable things in marketing.
Joe Gass @ Printing & Graphics _ 5900 Harris Technology Blvd, Suite G, Charlotte, NC 28269 * 704-551-0700 _ www.heritageprinting.com _ 22725 Washington St., Leonardtown, MD 20650 * 301-475-1700 _ Wide Format signs, banners & banner stands, displays, posters, wall and window graphics, vehicle and floor graphics, decals, backlit signs, point of purchase, end caps and toppers, on-site installation and fulfillment Offset and Digital newsletters, magazines, publications, catalogs, conference and meeting materials, brochures, rack cards, presentation folders and direct mail Veteran Owned and Operated
Several weeks ago, Google unveiled a new, simpler icon for its Chrome web browser. In a blog post explaining the change, Google designer Steve Rural wrote, "Since Chrome is all about making your web experience as easy and clutter-free as possible, we refreshed the Chrome icon to better represent these sentiments. A simpler icon embodies the Chrome spirit ââ?¬â?? to make the web quicker, lighter, and easier for all." Whether you love it or hate it, the new Chrome icon provides an important lesson to corporate marketers: When creating logos, color schemes, and icons to represent your brand, make sure those symbols represent the core values you want people to associate with you. Another lesson comes in the way Google went about creating its new Chrome icon. "Redesigning the icon was very much a group effort," Rural continues. While you probably should put together a core team of designers and marketing people who will have the final say in creating your corporate brand, don't overlook ideas from "outsiders" in your organization (customer service people, salespeople, product developers, etc.) who might bring a different perspective to the discussion. And finally, make sure your new identity translates well both online and off. "It was important to maintain consistency across all media," Rural concludes, "so we kept print, web, and other possible formats in mind." One way to ensure a strong print-based presence for your new logo, icon, or color scheme is to involve a printing firm, like ours, early in the design process. As print professionals, we can help you choose colors that are attractive, cost-effective, and easy to reproduce, so you don't wind up spending more than you hoped to for less-than-ideal results.
Joe Gass @ Printing & Graphics _ 5900 Harris Technology Blvd, Suite G, Charlotte, NC 28269 * 704-551-0700 _ www.heritageprinting.com _ 22725 Washington St., Leonardtown, MD 20650 * 301-475-1700 _ Wide Format signs, banners & banner stands, displays, posters, wall and window graphics, vehicle and floor graphics, decals, backlit signs, point of purchase, end caps and toppers, on-site installation and fulfillment Offset and Digital newsletters, magazines, publications, catalogs, conference and meeting materials, brochures, rack cards, presentation folders and direct mail Veteran Owned and Operated
When was the last time you asked your customers their opinion? When was the last time you acted on it? I have seen it in grocery stores. A board with a place for PUBLIC customer comments and PUBLIC employee responses below. "Hey, I don't like your new sodas. I want the old ones back!" -- Fred "Hi Fred, we've had issues getting that soda from the supplier but we will work twice as hard now to get it" -- Soda Manager. You know that YOU like to be listened to. Don't your customers? Throw away your old "Suggestion Box" and build one online or put up a board in your office and use those comments to make yourself better!
Joe Gass @ Printing & Graphics _ 5900 Harris Technology Blvd, Suite G, Charlotte, NC 28269 * 704-551-0700 _ www.heritageprinting.com _ 22725 Washington St., Leonardtown, MD 20650 * 301-475-1700 _ Wide Format signs, banners & banner stands, displays, posters, wall and window graphics, vehicle and floor graphics, decals, backlit signs, point of purchase, end caps and toppers, on-site installation and fulfillment Offset and Digital newsletters, magazines, publications, catalogs, conference and meeting materials, brochures, rack cards, presentation folders and direct mail Veteran Owned and Operated
Imagine you are in an elevator at a business conference and a stranger notices your name tag and asks, "What do you guys do?" You only have a few seconds to make a powerful mini-presentation before the doors open.
By preparing an "elevator speech," you not only have the opportunity to make a great first impression, but also demonstrate your professionalism and position yourself as an expert in your field in just a few words. An elevator speech should last no longer than the average elevator ride and offer unique highlights of what your company does and the solutions you offer.
Here are a few tips for creating an effective elevator speech:
Pique interest and feature highlights that set your company apart.
Talk about topics of most interest to your listener, focusing on what your service can do for them.
Avoid slang and industry jargon that your listener may not understand.
Motivate listeners to take action by showing your passion for the topic.
Develop different versions for different situations and audiences.
Keep it fresh. Update your speech as your business grows and changes.
Donâ??t be afraid to leave your elevator speech as a voice mail message on cold calls.
Remember practice makes perfect. Ask others for feedback on how to improve your speech. Consider joining a group such as Toastmasters to boost your confidence.
Always end with an action request, such as asking for a business card or follow-up meeting.
Print materials such as business cards, brochures, and fact sheets are a great way to back-up your elevator speech and be remembered. Stop by today for help creating professional marketing materials that help do the talking for you.
Joe Gass @ Heritage Printing & Graphics
5900 Harris Technology Blvd, Suite G, Charlotte, North Carolina 28269 * 704-551-0700    www.heritageprintingcharlotte.com
 22725 Washington Street, Leonardtown, Maryland 20650 *               301-475-1700 * www.heritageprinting.com
 Veteran Owned and OperatedWide Format - Signs, Banners & Banner Stands, Displays, Posters, Wall and Window Graphics, Vehicle and Floor Graphics, Backlit Signs, Retail Point of Purchase, End Caps and Toppers, On-Site Installation, Kit Packing and Fulfillment
Offset and Digital - Newsletters, Magazines, Publications, Catalogs, Conference and Meeting Materials, Brochures, Rack Cards, Presentation Folders and Direct Mail
You've just released a great new product you're sure will be a hit with customers... if only they'd give it a chance. So how do you convince skeptical buyers who may not know you or your business that your product is worth a chance? Here are a couple of ideas to help you put their minds at ease.
If practical, provide a free trial period of 30 or 60 days. Let the customer try your product, risk free, before committing to purchasing it. This may not be practical for all products or services, but if it is, it might be worth a try.
Offer a full money-back guarantee -- no strings attached. If, for any reason, a customer is not completely satisfied with their purchase, they can return your product -- no questions asked -- for a full refund. An airtight guarantee like this lets your customers know you believe in what you're selling and are willing to put your money where your mouth is. Sure, a few people might take advantage of your offer, but most will only return the item if they have legitimate concerns.
If something does go wrong and a customer returns your product, let them choose whether they'd like a refund or to have the item replaced. If they opt for a replacement, give them something extra as a free bonus for their troubles, as well. Remember, a happy customer is worth far more than the cost of the free item you're giving away.
22725 Washington Street, Leonardtown, Maryland  20650 *     301-475-1700     * www.heritageprinting.com
Wide Format â?? signs, banners & banner stands, displays, posters, wall and window graphics, vehicle and floor graphics, decals, backlit signs, point of purchase, end caps and toppers, on-site installation and fulfillment
Offset and Digital â?? newsletters, magazines, publications, catalogs, conference and meeting materials, brochures, rack cards, presentation folders and direct mail
 Veteran Owned and Operated
Being first to market is no guarantee you'll succeed. The business annals are littered with tales of cutting-edge companies that eventually lost out to newcomers who built a better mousetrap that redefined the game.
Google is a great case in point. By 1998, when Google burst on the scene, search engines and directories such as Yahoo!, AltaVista, Excite, Lycos, and AskJeeves were already firmly entrenched. Many people wondered why a new search engine was even necessary.
Then they tried Google. Using a proprietary algorithm to generate its search results, Google quickly gained a foothold and the loyalty of users frustrated by the other brands. Word spread, Google's popularity grew, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Today, Google powers more than two-thirds of all U.S. searches, according to the latest data from Experian Hitwise (February 2011). Yahoo! Search accounts for just a 15% market share, and many of the other search providers in existence when Google began have gone the way of the dinosaur.
Sure, many factors went into the success of Google as a brand, and Internet search is now just a part of what the company does.
But, generally speaking, what are some basic lessons we can all learn from Google and other Johnny-come-latelies who now dominate their fields (Facebook vs. MySpace, anyone)? Lots of things, really, but three really stick out in my mind....
1. Don't underestimate the competition.
2. Don't rest on your laurels.
3. Don't ignore the ever-evolving needs of your customers.
That's pretty sage advice for any company, no matter how big or small you might be.
22725 Washington Street, Leonardtown, Maryland  20650 *     301-475-1700     * www.heritageprinting.com
Wide Format â?? signs, banners & banner stands, displays, posters, wall and window graphics, vehicle and floor graphics, decals, backlit signs, point of purchase, end caps and toppers, on-site installation and fulfillment
Offset and Digital â?? newsletters, magazines, publications, catalogs, conference and meeting materials, brochures, rack cards, presentation folders and direct mail
 Veteran Owned and Operated
