Whirlwind

Life is good and so exciting! I've been gone for nine days on a vacation, wedding trip, honeymoon, and company convention. And yes, I planned it all to coincide. Now trying to get caught up.

First things first, yes I did get married to my long time significant other of nine and half years. We were married in Lake Tahoe. Hope to have pictures posted on Facebook soon. From there we went to Salt Lake for my company convention.

I am so excited about all the new announcements at convention, especially the new product to become a sender of greeting cards. It is a great product for home, office, and school parties, trade shows, fund raisers, etc. The list just goes on and on. Also, a new low entry fee to get started making money, and all just in time for the holidays! ALL The best features of direct sales.

So I am busy scheduling 'Celebrate Life' parties and following up with all those folks who have expressed interest. This is a wonderful opportunity just in time for the holidays - gifts and greeting cards.

Let me know if you would like more information.

In gratitude,
Annette
Painted Lady Enterprises
"Helping You and Your Business Look Good"

Advertising Specialty Promotional Product Study

Image via Wikipedia

It’s important to show our clients that we appreciate their business. After all they are our best sales people. At this time of the year we begin to think about gifts that we can give that will show our appreciation. Imprinted ad specialties provide a gift of appreciation as well as a gift that will keep on giving impressions to your client as well as to new prospects.

Here are some highlights of a study done by the ©Advertising Specialty Institute on the impact of promotional products. It provides some interesting information to consider when selecting imprinted ad specialty gifts for your clients. If you would like to see the entire study, let me know and I will send it to you in its entirety.

The purpose of this study was to understand how advertising specialties influence end-user’s purchasing decision; determine the number of impressions of popular advertising specialties; and analyze the Cost Per Impression (CPI) of advertising specialties compared with other popular advertising media.

Respondents were asked if they had received any promotional products in the last 12 months. Most respondents were business/professional people and all were age 21 or older.

Summary of Conclusions:

• Instant recall: 84% respondents remembered the advertisers of the promotional products they had received.
• Very Impressionable: 42% had MORE favorable impression of an advertiser after receiving the item. And 24% said they are MORE likely to do business with the advertiser on the items they receive.
• It’s all business: 62% have done business with the advertiser on a promotional product after receiving the item.
• Pens are in: Writing instruments are the most-recalled advertising specialty items (54% recall owning them), followed by shirts, caps, and bags.
• User-Friendly: 81% of promotional products were kept because they were considered useful.
• Staying power: More than three-quarter have had their items for more than 6 months.
• Bag It!: Among wearables, bags were reported to be used most frequently with respondents indicating that they used their bags an average of 9 times per month. Bags also deliver the most impressions: Each bag averages 1,038 impressions per month.
• Most Impressive: The average CPI of an advertising specialty item is $0.004; as a result, marketers get a more favorable return on investment from advertising specialties than nearly any other popular advertising media.

Commonly owned advertising specialty items:

• The most commonly owned promotional products among all respondents were writing instruments (54%) followed by shirts (45%) and caps (31%)

Usage: How often do you wear/use the item per month? (Asked to those who had shirts, caps, other wearables, and bags).

• Shirts – 4.32
• Caps – 6.06
• Other Wearables – 4.62
• Bags – 9.33

Number of Impressions:

Impressions were calculated based on the number of times items were worn or used per month and the average number of people that came in contact with the user.

• Bags made the highest number of impressions (approximately 1,038 per month) followed by caps (approximately 476 per month).
• Among non-wearables, writing instruments made the most impressions, with 363 per month.

Length of Time an Item is Held:

• More than one year:
o Bags – 42%
o Wearables – Shirts, caps, etc. 39%
o Other – 37%
o Recognition awards – 34%
o Glassware/Ceramics – 26%

Frequency of Use:

How often do you use the item? (Asked of those who had writing instruments, glassware/ceramics, desk/office/business accessories, and other promotional products).

• Nearly one-third (32%) of glassware/ceramics items received were used once per week and another one-quarter (25%) were used once per day.
• 40% of writing instruments were used at least two times per day.
• On average, writing instruments were used most frequently per month (approximately 64 times per month).

Are you able to identify the advertiser of the item?

• Respondents were able to identify the advertiser the vast majority of the time (84%).
• Wearables were the most often cited product where the recipient was familiar with the sponsor.

Why do you keep the item you received?

• The majority (81%) of promotional product items were kept because they were considered useful, i.e. bags, writing instruments, wearables, glassware/ceramics, desk/office/business accessories, and calendars.
• Receivers of wearables items were more likely to keep these items because they were considered attractive, i.e. bags, wearables, calendars, caps, and shirts.

Which of the following best describes your impression of the advertiser after receiving the item?

• Among respondents of all promotional products received, 42% indicated that their impression of the advertiser had become either significantly or somewhat more favorable after receiving the item.
• This was especially true among receivers of bags with over one-half (53%) reporting that they viewed the advertiser more favorably.

Since receiving the item, have you actually done any business with the advertiser?

• Among respondents of all promotional products received, 62% indicated that they had done business with the advertiser after receiving the item.

Total Impressions/Cost Per Impression (CPI):

• The cost per impression of ad specialties is very low, with fractions of a cent per impression, i.e. 0.004 average.
• Advertising specialties are less expensive per impression than nearly any other media.

Caps – 0.002
Bags – 0.002
Writing Instruments – 0.002
Calendars – 0.003
Glassware/Ceramics – 0.004
Shirts – 0.005
Desk/office/business accessories 0.007

Excerpted from 13 page 2008 study ©Advertising Specialty Institute. All Rights Reserved.

Again if you would like a copy of this 13 page report, let me know and I will send you a copy.

As you consider gifts for your clients and prospects this holiday season, consider ad specialty promotional products imprinted with your company logo. These are gifts that will keep on giving. A useful product your client will use with your contact information at their fingertips so they can call you for more business and/or refer you to others.

I also have some BOGO specials right now that I can also send or you can search for your perfect item at www.LesterBMartin.com Let me know what you are interested in and I will be glad to get it ordered for you. Also, while you are on the website, be sure and register to win $1000 in promotional products. Be sure and list that I referred you.

I would also like to hear what advertising specialty item you currently have that is your favorite and why.

Happy Marketing,

Annette
Painted Lady Enterprises
“Helping You and Your Business Look Good”

Infinite Possibilities - The Art of Living Your Dreams

I am a huge fan of Mike Dooley. Mike was featured in the book and movie 'The Secret.' He has written a new book and has some exciting news and special offers to go along with the release. This book has already broken publication records for its pre-published sales to bookstores. The worldwide release date was Tuesday, September 8th and in celebration of the release, TUT is declaring September the “Month of Infinite Possibilities,” dedicated to making people’s dreams come true. Click here to order your copy.

Here is a preview of the book -

Infinite Possibilities: The Art of Living Your Dreams The brand NEW book by Mike Dooley!

A profound exploration into the mysteries of the Universe. Infinite Possibilities is bestselling author Mike Dooley’s manifesto, revealing that we are literally the eyes and the ears of the Divine. He enlightens that our dreams are not accidental but serve rather as invitations to understand the truth about ourselves, hinting at the lives we can create. Dooley shares that our “default settings” are abundance, health, and harmony, and he explains that once we grasp the truth about our heritage, thinking far beyond what spirituality has traditionally meant, it becomes evident that life, itself, is the ultimate adventure—filled with unending opportunities that day-by-day lead us to rediscover how powerful we are, how much we deserve, and why we’re here. With recognizable insight, lighthearted wit, and striking sincerity, this new work by the much-celebrated author elevates the lessons learned in The Secret, Choose Them Wisely and his Notes from the Universe trilogy to a whole new level. Prepare to be challenged and excited with this unique guide to living the life of your dreams—purposefully, lovingly, brilliantly.

An international tax accountant turned entrepreneur turned writer for “the Universe,” Mike Dooley lives in Orlando Florida, where he runs TUT’s Adventurers Club and sends out his Notes from the Universe to hundreds of thousands of e-mail subscribers each weekday. As a featured teacher in The Secret book and DVD, Dooley is actively using the profound concepts and principles he expounds upon to travel the world speaking on life, dreams, and happiness.

A “Month of Infinite Possibilities” – TUT is making dreams come true!!

In celebration of the release of Mike Dooley’s brand new book, Infinite Possibilities: The Art of Living Your Dreams, TUT has decided to make the entire month of September a “Month of Infinite Possibilities,” dedicated to making people’s dreams come true! Each person who purchases the book can be entered into a drawing with a chance at winning several “dream” prizes, including a trip for two to Egypt, a Tahiti Cruise for two, a week in Hawaii, a spa getaway retreat, a year of chocolate, and lots more!!!). For more information about the prizes and other fun contests and events, please go to http://www.tut.com/events/ip/thebook/! To enter the Month of Infinite Possibilities Sweepstakes*, just purchase the book and mail a copy of your receipt to the address below:

TUT’s Month of Infinite Possibilities Sweepstakes Entry
625 Panorama Trail
Building 2, Suite 100
Rochester, NY 14625

For Canadian Residents:

TUT’s Month of Infinite Possibilities Sweepstakes Entry
17-7000 McLeod Rd
Unit 135
Niagara Falls, ON L2G 7K3

*You may also enter the sweepstakes without purchase. Simply send a stamped postcard to TUT’s Month of Infinite Possibilities Sweepstakes at the address above.

And remember 'Thoughts become Things' choose the good ones!

In gratitude,
Annette
Painted Lady Enterprises
"Helping You and Your Business Look Good"

August Winner

In August I made the offer again to give away Chocolate Brownies. In order to be eligible to win you had to send a free greeting card*.

I am pleased to announce that Maureen McKeown owner of the Atlanta Kids Directory will be receiving decadent Chocolate Brownies in her mailbox very soon. Here is what Maureen has to say about the greeting card system, "I love SOC! It is so easy to put what were once thoughts of Thanks, Happy Birthday, Sympathy, etc. into action. Using Send Out Cards for both my business and personal use has enabled me to enrich my connections to family, friends and customers in a way that is uniquely me. The cost and time savings is just an added plus!"

Maureen liked the system so much, she signed up for an Entrepreneur account.

There are over 14,000 greeting cards to choose from. There are new ones being added each month. Cards for every conceivable occasion. And also gifts for everyone on your gift list. A record was set in June with over 40,000 gifts sent. Chocolate Brownies is just one of many gifts that can be sent with your greeting card. No going to the store or to the post office. Just a few mouse clicks and your greeting cards and gifts are on their way.

One great feature about this system is you can schedule cards to go out at a later date. Imagine getting all your holiday cards done now and scheduled to mail in November or December. Don't procrastinate, call me today and I can help you get this task done early rather than frantically worrying about it later.

Since this has been such a great promotion, I've decided to continue with it. Is your mouth watering just thinking about Chocolate Brownies? In order for you to be entered in the drawing for your very own Chocolate Brownies go to www.RememberGreetingCards.com/PaintedLady and register for a Free Greeting Card Gift account. I will email a link to the website to send two free greeting cards. These are real cards, not E-Cards. You select your cards, personalize your cards, even add digital photos, click send, and we will print and mail your cards anywhere in the world where postal mail can be delivered. I'm sure there is someone you need to send a card to, i.e. Thank You, Birthday, Happy Anniversary, Congratulations, Just Because, Thinking of you, etc.

No fees, no minimum. Send one card for less than $1.00 plus postage or send hundreds of cards at one time. Try it today and see how quick and easy it is to send a card and a whole lot cheaper than going to the store. Maybe you'll be my next lucky winner.

*This offer is for anyone who has not tried the system since January 2009. Log in today and see all the new features and all the new cards.

*Want more chances to win? Here's how:

- Refer your friends. - You receive one entry for each friend you refer who sends a card. Tell them to be sure and state how they found out about the system.

- Set up your own auto order account of at least 20 points per month. That's only $9.80 and buys you points for 20 postcards or 10 regular greeting cards. That's a whole lot cheaper than going to the store.

- Upgrade an existing account to a:

- Picture Plus Account - Gives you the capability of making your own custom cards by uploading your digital photos and placing them on the front of your cards

- Wholesale account - Gives you a 35% discount on your points, Picture Plus, and your handwriting font so you can send 'handwritten' notes.

- Entrepreneur account - All of the above plus make money referring others. www.BusinessIncomeOpportunity.info

See how many times you can be entered for additional chances to win decadent Chocolate Brownies. The Chocolate Brownies are just one of the many gifts that you can send with your Greeting Card.

Looking forward to seeing who the next lucky winner will be.

In gratitude,
Annette
Painted Lady Enterprises
"Helping You and Your Business Look Good"

Analogies Must Be Relevant

Image via Wikipedia

The following is from my very favorite marketing expert, Liz Goodgold, branding expert, author, and speaker.

"As I was exercising at the gym last week, I literally laughed aloud when I saw the latest commercial from Cinergy Health Insurance.

After lengthy voiceover announcements about the importance of good medical care, preventive care, prescription coverage and lab benefits, this unthinkable analogy was heard: “For less than the cost of a pack of cigarettes per day, you can get health insurance.” What? I’m still gasping for breath!

How can you possibly compare the cost of health insurance to an item that is 100% proven to deteriorate your health? And, with only 25% of Americans smoking, what non-smoker even knows the price of a pack?

What’s the hot lesson here? Analogies do work, but they must be relevant to your target.

Wal-Mart’s recent ad shows how making ice cream Sundaes at home 3 times per month vs. going out will save your family over $220.00 per year. Now, that is a relevant and appropriate ad in this economy. And, it’s even more compelling because it gives the specifics; it doesn’t just tout “save money at Wal-Mart” - it gives the exact amount.

Your turn to act: Find a comparable analogy to help your business.

Sign up for Liz's FREE BRAND FINALE newsletter with valuable information at www.redfirebranding.com.

Liz also posts to the Mogul Mom's blog each week which is also one of the blog's on our list shown in the left column.

Do you have an analogy that you use for your business? We would love to hear it. Your comments are welcomed and appreciated.

In gratitude,
Annette
Painted Lady Enterprises
"Helping You and Your Business Look Good"