Marketing for profit

What is marketing? Is it the yellow pages, not really. Yellow pages are advertising, and so are wall signs, pylon signs or any type of sign or ad.

Marketing is getting the right message to the right people through the right media.

We learn marketing from the people who sell advertising. You know it is true. Their job is to find out how much you spend on advertising and then get it.

Do you want to make money with your marketing? Then you must figure out how to get the right message to the right people through the right media. Otherwise, we are not ‘marketing’. We are ‘blowing money’ on ‘hit and miss’
advertising—which is exactly what 99% of ALL small businesses do!!!

One way is through a well planned sign plan. Either wall signs or pylon signs on your property.

Proper marketing is the only part of your business that creates income for your business. No customers, no work, no money. The more that customers know about you, the more work, the more money. It is that simple.

The hard part is figuring out what method works. Yellow pages? TV? Newspapers? Signs?

All are important parts of the marketing plan. If you have a building with a road in front of it, remember, the best way to get a client to come into your store is when they are right in front of it.

If you need clients from different parts of the Twin cities, then gear your marketing to those media that will reach them.

I like to test and measure before committing large sums of money on advertising. The other thing I like to do is to market in a variety of ways. I go to networking groups, community groups, vehicle lettering, road signs as well as other print media. My thinking is if you have customers coming in from multiple sources, then you won’t have any problems if one of them stops working.

I also like the web. I am beginning to think that this internet thing is not going away.

good signing

The Sign Guy is the owner of Signs by RSG located in Ramsey, Mn. He and his brother (The sign dude) are 4th generation sign makers and can be reached at 763.753.7571

Signs are Marketing #2

Marketing ideas for your business

Marketing your business means money. Money is not evil. It buys us the things we need. With a little extra money, you can be benevolent. Helping others is a great use of money. But you have to get some first. That is where the success of your business comes in. In my earlier blog, I wrote about just a few ideas. Today we will look at some other creative ideas.

Planes, trains and automobiles (also trucks & vans)
Put a sign on anything that moves that you own. If you have 1 car or a fleet of trucks, GET YOUR NAME ON IT! A vehicle sign is easy and cheap advertising. An owner of a company in Elk River, MN was receiving calls the same day that we put vinyl lettering on his van. It works.

Wrapping a vehicle with signs are just added visibility for your company. Bus billboards, signs inside and outside of the mass transit system or light rail in your city.

Networking:
Not a sign, but another great way to market your business. I belong to an organization called BNI Minnesota and it brings in multiple thousands of dollars annually for my business. It is based on the premise that each person knows well about 250 people. (the average number that shows up to your wedding or funeral) You get to know people in your chapter and the next thing you know, they will refer to you the people in their contact list. I started getting referrals almost immediately.

We could go on about the many ways to promote your business, such as: balloons, banners, portable signs, flags, sidewalk signs, yard signs, window lettering the list can go on forever.

In this market, you need to keep your name in front of your customers. If you have to cut, do it somewhere else. Signs and advertising is the one expense that can make you money.

good signing

The Sign Guy is the owner of Signs by RSG located in Ramsey, Mn. He and his brother (The sign dude) are 4th generation sign makers and can be reached at 763.753.7571

The Benefit of Vehicle Wraps in MN

Minnesota vehicle wraps

Vehicle wraps are a great source of advertising if your business requires a lot of commuting.  Also, if you run a daycare or other home based business and are a soccer mom, every time you pick your kids up from practice or go to a game you could be taking that as an opportunity to advertise your business.

Any vehicle can be wrapped whether it be a truck, car, motorcycle, van, bus, and even a boat.  The profile of the vehicle may be taken into consideration.  If it’s a high profile vehicle like a sports car or a unique foreign car people are going to look at it anyway so putting a wrap on it will only add to its eye drawing ability.

Vehicle wraps can be used to carve a niche for your business in the local community giving your fleet a local appeal and recognition.  Vehicle wraps can actually have a better return on your investment than other forms of advertising like radio ads or billboards.

Just ask yourself. Are vehicle wraps right for your business?  Are they a good investment? We think they are worth the money.