We have successfully moved the office. Painting is done. Carpet is laid and we're working once more. Glad to get back into the routine of website design and internet marketing. One of my clients said to look at the move this way: "It's a way to get rid of junk." Very true. And the trash can overflowed! About the only hitch so far is the former landlord immediately removed the notice I taped to the front door of the old office letting anyone who stopped by know that we moved. We have received a couple of phone calls from people making sure we're still around and providing web services, so I feel good about that.

Feel free to stop by and see us in the new office. It is at 1247 Rucker Boulevard, Suite 11 (across from Mitchell Mazda), Enterprise, Alabama. We are still offering our entire host of website development, internet marketing, graphic design, postcards and business cards.

Chad Chadwick of Real Wood Signs just east of Dothan, Alabama called me one day and asked about our website design and internet marketing services. He has had a website for about ten years, but has not seen any business from it. Despite numerous searches we could not find any reference to the site on Google except for the specific company name or domain. In addition, Chad wanted a site that he could edit on his own. He was tired of his previous designer's lack of responsiveness.

I met with Chad in his shop early one morning. The medium-sized building sits in a small field close to a lovingly landscaped house complete with a water garden surrounded by Chad's carved tiles portraying lizards and turtles nestled among leafy green plants.

We had a long discussion and I was able to view first hand some of the exquisite detail he carves into his wood and man-made materials signs. If you live in Dothan, Alabama then inevitably you have seen some of his signs along the roads. His road signs are three dimensional. They often have gold leaf paint in the recessed letters. In addition to road signs he has also made many of the directional signs seen in the hallways of the local hospitals.

As I viewed Chad's handiwork, I was amazed at the artwork I was looking at. I was in awe of the beautifully carved, life-sized birds in 3 dimensions painted in bright, true to life colors. I came to realize I was not in the presence of a run-of-the-mill sign maker. I was talking to a true artist. One who expresses himself in the medium of elegant signs.

Visit Chad's website, www.rwsign.com and view some of the artwork. Need a road sign that is different from everyone else's and will remain memorable to passers by? Ask Chad for a quote. He's itching to start another piece of art!

There is one thing in life that I just hate to do. That is moving locations. Packing, unpacking. Carrying stuff. Occasionally dropping stuff too.

The end of October our landlord visited us and advised that, although she wanted us to stay, she was going to increase the rent when the lease came up for renewal in December. I greatly appreciated the notice. It allowed me to do some planning, restructuring and changing while looking for a suitable location.

Last year, when we moved to Highway 84 in Enterprise, Alabama I wanted to see if locating on a major artery would increase our business. We were able to pick up some new clients, especially in the print and graphic design division, but it did little to increase the website design and development division, the core of our company. Therefore we could not justify paying an increase in rent.

So this week we packed and moved, beginning at 9 AM Thursday and finishing the transfer at 5:30! What a long day. Friday (today) we spent a portion of the morning unpacking the necessary items to conduct business as the client messages had stacked up pretty high the day previous.

So this weekend my work is cut out for me. In between church activities (our Christmas program is Sunday) I have boxes to unpack, things to put away and website work to catch up on. Monday is a new day, a new office, a new location, and new faces passing looking in our window wondering what we are doing.

By the way, feel free to visit us at 1247 Rucker Boulevard, Suite 11, across from Mitchell Mazda.

This past week we had three clients come to us and ask about marketing their business. They all asked one question, "How can I get more business?" My answer was, "Let's look at what you are doing today inside your business." This surprised them. They were expecting some grand internet marketing scheme involving their websites. (Although our niche is internet marketing we can assist businesses in all aspects of their marketing plan.) Our philosophy is business owners need to approach marketing from a wholistic approach. They first need to look at their target market, then at all marketing avenues available to reach their market(s). Should internet marketing be part of that plan? In most cases, yes, but in all but very few cases it should not be the complete plan.

Every marketing professor will tell you that it is easier to get more business from a current customer than to get a new one. It is also easier to use an existing customer base to bring in new customers than to cold call. Since all three have established businesses with regular customers, this is the platform we started building on. 

Our first plan for them was to begin in-store promotions. First, we need to make the existing customer base return more often and second we need them to bring a friend. Thirdly we need the customers to spend more money while doing the actions above. But the kicker is, we don't want to give away profits. Unfortunately, most marketing plans do involve money of some sort. Even time is money. So our goal was to develop ideas that would not cost too much, but provide big bang for the buck.

Here is the marketing plan we devised for them. (Yes, we are giving the idea away for free!) The Bible says there is nothing new under the sun. That is true, hence the core idea is not my idea (it comes from a resaurant in Los Angeles) but we have modified it to fit the criteria mentioned above. Have an on-going contest. Develop a list of prizes ranging from simple to grandiose. Of course, as in all contests, we're going to give away more simple than grand. The list can include small items to large items as well as services. If your business employs contractors, such as a hair salon, be sure to include everyone. Make up winner cards and put one item on each card. Insert the cards into brightly colored,  non-see through envelopes. Print, "DO NOT OPEN. You must bring this envelope back to [business name] by [date] and open in the presence of the manager (or contractor if the case)." Be sure to write a date on the envelope that is sooner than the customer normally returns.  Having the customer return to claim the prize gets them into the business again. This fulfills the goal of encouraging customers to return more often. Make sure the customer is aware of all the prizes they can win, and every envelope wins something. As they leave from the return visit, be sure to give them another envelope! One word of caution here. There are always customers who come in after the date on the envelope and expect you to honor the prize, or they will open the envelope at home. DO NOT AWARD THE PRIZE! Instead, give them another envelope for a future date.

Now for the goal of increasing the customer base. Let's use the same idea as above. Give the customer a second envelope. Write the customer's name and phone number on it and provide the instructions, "Give this second envelope to a friend who has never been here before. If they bring this envelope by the date written on it, then both of you will win the prize inside." When the new customer comes in, if the old customer is not with them, call the old customer on the phone so eveyone can be excited about opening the envelope together. This also notifies the old customer of winning a prize, who will now need to return to the business to claim that prize. We've just achieved another visit! 

Here is one more thought. Since we do not want to give away product or services needlessly, if you have a customer who is a regular and you cannot really increase their number of visits, then only supply them with the "friend's" envelope.

I hope this marketing idea helps you in your business. Although Wiregrass Advertising, Inc. is not providing prizes right now, if you need a website, graphic design or know of someone who does, contact us today. We'll be glad to provide a free intial consultation to see how we can improve your business.

I have always tried to operate my business as ethically as possible and encourage every employee to uphold the same values in both their personal lives and dealings with our clients. I believe I will answer to God one day for every action undertaken.

• E-commerce (Online Store) Value and Tips
• Is Your Web Master a Graphic Designer, Website Designer or Web Developer?
• A Comparison of Southeast Alabama Website Design Companies
• Marketing Consultation Update
• When Websites Don't Work
• Marvin Salter Construction's New Website

• August (1)
• July (2)
• June (2)
• May (3)
• April (3)
• March (3)
• February (3)
• January (6)

• December (6)
• November (4)
• March (1)