Overwhelming your prospective customers with data, and bullet points in an attempt to answer every possible question is easy. Oh, it feels like you’re doing a lot of work, but all you’re really doing is stating the obvious – and the obvious is quickly forgotten.
Pay-Per-Click and Kansas City’s small businesses
Google is our Yellow Pages. It’s our encyclopedia. It’s our world, national and local news source. If you want to be found, you want to be found on Google. The fastest, cheapest and easiest way to find yourself on the first page of a Google search is by using their AdWords Pay-Per-Click (PPC) product.
It’s not easy being one of my clients
I love featuring my clients in their own ads. They’re so imperfect, so not-ready-for-primetime and yes, sometimes even grating. But they’re real. As a small business in Kansas City, your ads are up against a blur of high-dollar production values and professional talent. The best thing you can do is be yourself.
Keep your friends close and your mobile customers closer.
First it was Walmart and the big Box Stores. Then you had to compete with Amazon.com and free shipping. Now, thanks to internet-enabled smartphones your local business in a price battle with every retailer in the world. It’s called “Price Transparency” and it’s turning your neighborhood store into a showroom for online retailers.
“branding” is snake oil for small businesses
There, I’ve said it. I’ll probably have my Ad Man card revoked, but if I can save just one small business, one start-up, one store owner from getting the “branding” pulled over their eyes it will be worth it.
The most important small biz decision of today or every day.
Are you in or are you out?
I can spend my entire day on the intake… checking email, reading posts, absorbing big data, putting out fires, planning, revising, revisiting, Googling this and that. I bet you can too.
3 things Kansas City consumers want now
Results. Heroes. Ego.
Your business doesn’t have to deliver all three, but in 2013 you need to give them at least one. And to be honest, if Results is all you’ve got to offer, you better deliver Ego or Heroism as well.
The sells the thing
Great ideas. Big ideas. Even brilliant, genius, super-duper ideas don’t matter if you can make the sell. A great business is only great because there is someone willing to buy what you’re selling. Great businesses either know how to sell, or they know how to find customers who are willing to buy their ideas.
So, how much is that great idea worth? Whatever someone will pay for it.
The business that cried wolf.
Every business is in a rush to get noticed. You want to stand out. So your marketing sings, and screams and puts on a show. But what happens when I walk into your store… when I talk with your receptionist… as I’m browsing through your aisles? Am I going to be delighted or feel duped?
Toys for Toddies v.23
It’s the party of the year!
Our annual Toys for Toddies party will be December 6th from 4 – 7pm at the Boulevard Brewing Co. 2501 Southwest Boulevard, KCMO 64108.