No, I’m not talking about the medical and 401k employee benefits here!  I’m talking about listing the benefits of using your company!  I encourage companies to focus on the benefits of their service(s)/product(s) rather than list what they do.

The Potential Client Will Read On…

If you begin to list the benefits of using your company, the potential client will pay attention because that’s what (he/she) is searching. Always think like the potential customer when putting together a flyer, banner, blog, etc… If you’re not sure, ask one of your clients and tell them to be honest!  When companies simply list the obvious of what they do, it’s just noise that means absolutely nothing. Listing the benefits on the other hand, is more appealing!

Stir Things Up- Make it Interesting!

I have a great example for you. Generally speaking, gas stations are not known for their clean bathrooms. In putting together an ad campaign, this gas station decided to use the very ” pet peeve” of dirty bathrooms, and turn it around. They are now well renowned for their beautiful bathrooms…. and yes, they sell a lot of gas too.

Make it a great day and keep things interesting!  If you need help with your marketing or web design, contact me helene@rainandcompany.com

Helene

Press Releases are Your Friend!

Many small business owners don’t bother with a press release because they don’t have the staff or the know how.  Our company writes many press releases for small and mid size companies through-out the US and Canada. Your community wants to know about the good things you are doing!  You can write press releases about several things going on in your company such as:

• New contracts or staff members
• Your participation in a non-profit organization
• Offer expert advice or tips for the consumer
• A new partnership

Make It Interesting!

If you write a press release for your company, make it interesting. Make sure it’s not just a bunch of information that people will translate into “wha,wha, wha,wha” like the Charlie Brown characters.  When you write about something that people can relate too, it becomes interesting. Set yourself apart and talk about your staff or your partnerships and how it affects people around you.

Small businesses can have a big impact- some just don’t know it! I hope you expand your territory by reaching deeper. Branding is not something that happens overnight, but doing little things can make a big difference and give you exposure.

If you need help with a press release, contact us today! You too can shine!

Make it a great day!

Helene

Owner/Founder Rain and Company Marketing Group

How does a company go about establishing trust? We have all seen various marketing campaigns that promote a product or service and they’re the best and a MUST have!  We all know that those are just “wha, wha” sentences and to be truthful, most people don’t respond either way to such claims or promises. In this society of social media, advertising and gadgets, people have become somewhat immuned by such statements.

Let Your Customers Brag!

It’s one thing to hear a company claim the moon and the stars. It’s another to have a customer promote your product or services. There’s nothing like hearing it from the consumer. Encourage your customers to post about your products/services on your blog, your Facebook pages, ask them to Tweet about it and explain why they love your product/services so much.

Trust is important and experience is the proof. Let the voice of experience speak for your company. Offer incentives for people to talk about your products/services. You could even hold a contest with the most creative video about your product/services!

People can argue with a point of view, but one can never argue with experience!

Make it a great week!

Helene

OK, let’s be honest here, we all do it!  We judge at a glance and within two (2) seconds make a judgement that something is either good or not good.  In the world we now live in, first impressions could mean you get a deal or you don’t.  I’m talking about your website.

Two Seconds is Not Long!

We are bombarded by so much advertising, TV commercials, billboard ads and let’s not forget those emails that you never signed up to receive!  In order to be effective, we must eliminate the noise and decipher what’s legit and what’s “social vomit!” How does your website look? Does it truly represent your values, your company and your excellence at a glance?

Your Website Should be your #1 Sales Tool

If your website does not represent you like it should, perhaps it’s time to consider getting a professional web designer to create a unique website for you. Placement of items and images along with colors and headers are also very important to consider.

If you need help with your website, give us a call and talk to us- It doesn’t cost anything to talk and our prices might be better than you thought! Your branding is extremely important and you should be proud of your website! Call us today if you want a quote (727) 432-8693 and check us out on our website!  http://www.rainandcompany.com

Make it a great day!

Helene

When you’re planning a Marketing Campaign, make sure you list the benefits! Many people list the product/service and forget to list the benefits! People are educated and will be more tempted to buy your product if they know what the results are going to be!

People Buy For Results

Begin with the end in mind! Why should people buy your service/products? Make it obvious and then add the call to action!  Don’t be too soft on the benefits of your products- think like your potential customer. List the many benefits!

Don’t Let Your Clients Make the Assumption!

So many businesses have the right motive and they market a product or service without listing the benefits! If you’re targeting a new customer, why should they buy the product/service that you offer? We never want to give the job of assuming what the product is to our potential clients- that should be the business’ job- give em all the information!

Call us if you need a Marketing Team or if you need a new and fresh perspective on marketing or web design! We love what we do and we see results!  http://www.rainandcompany.com or call us (727) 432-8693

Make it a great day!

Helene

Owner/Founder of Rain and Company

We’ve all heard that we need to have our elevator speech ready, just in case we need it.  How about knowing off the top of your head, three key points that sets you apart from your competition?

Those Key Points Should Stand Out!

If you know what those three points are, you should post them on your website, brochures, business cards and even incorporate them in your sayings. The key factors that set you apart from your competition are the deciding factors for potential customers to buy from you instead of the competition.

Follow Through

If you state that those key factors set you apart from your competition, you better follow through and make sure those items are a part of every customer experience. Listen to the feedback your customers give you. Customers have the experience and you can never argue with experience! Stand out and let your key factors stand out loud and clear. Knowing how you set yourself apart from competition gives you a new confidence to write that press release and talk about your products/services!

Make it a great day!

Helene

Owner/Founder of Rain and Company Marketing Group and Web Design

Helene

For those of you who follow my blog on a regular basis, you know that I usually stick to business and to practical tips.  This blog is a bit different.  I want to challenge you and ask you if you are pursuing what you are passionate about?  The business that you’re in, is it what you want to do? Does it come naturally for you to do the things you do? So many people live their entire lives trying to imitate someone else. The sad thing is that all along, they were suppose to be who they are and that brings so much value to the workplace, family, friends… and it draws customers in because they are passionate about the product or service and it comes naturally!

Follow Your Passion- It is Contagious!

As a marketing specialist, I tell my clients that there is one thing that is more contagious than anything else and that is passion!  If you’re passionate about your business and your products/services… then you will draw customers on  your side and they will believe in the product/services that you offer. Without passion, you simply have a blah product/service.

Time For A Check-Up?

We all need to take some time and do a self check-up of where we are in life. Life changes all the time and so many of us need to adjust just to survive. Survival should be a temporary place, but many people make it a permanent residence.  What happens next, is that you start to hate what you do and you have no passion to grow or evolve into the next thing. If that’s you, I encourage you to take inventory of the things you are passionate about and pursue those things!

Life is too short to settle and we do so much better when we simply agree to be true to ourselves first! My favorite saying this year is “I Just Want To Be Me!”

Make it a great day!

Helene

http://www.rainandcompany.com

Founder/Owner

Marketing Staff VS Marketing Contractor

You’re in business and you know that marketing is essential to produce growth.  Which one is best? Hiring a staff to do your marketing or hiring an outside marketing contractor?  There are several pros and cons to both. The good news is that you have options, including having both a staff and hiring an outside consultant!

You Have Options

Let’s say you just launched a new product or service and you need a marketing campaign to spread the word. The marketing campaign can and should include several of the following:

• Brochures
• Banner on your website
• Press Release
• e-Newsletters
• Mail-out
• Advertise in magazine
• Advertise on billboard
• Advertise on radio
• Advertise on TV
• Post on all social media venues
• Word of mouth referrals on your website

I’m only listing a few, because I don’t want to be too long.  Most of the items listed above cost money, from social media that cost nothing to TV commercials that cost a lot!

The Perception

Some people think that hiring a contractor might be very impersonal. After all, you hire them to do a service, pay them and that’s the end of it right?  Well, as a Marketing Contractor, I would like to give my side of the story.  I’m a strong believer in relationship and building strong rapport with my clients. I hope to never be “just a contractor” but an ally, friend and a long term partner that will help this company grow and be successful. No matter how the internet has changed the relationship aspects of business, the one aspect that remains as important as it was 100 years ago, is trust and relationship.

You Can Have Both a Staff and Contractor

I have worked successfully with a marketing staff to launch products/services. Companies are not limited, but have the option to work with their staff and hire outside contractors.  I personally believe that it is beneficial hire outside marketing contractors at least twice a year, to bring forth a fresh objective and perception.  Let’s face it, everyone has an idea when it comes to marketing!  I’ve discovered that many of those ideas are all good, but might not be beneficial. Marketing Directors should embrace feedback from other professionals!

Benefits of Hiring a Marketing Contractor

There are many benefits to hiring a contractor to do your marketing. I will list a few in an effort to keep it short.

1. You don’t have to deal with lazy or disgruntle employees who feel entitled all the time
2. You can hire contractors on a month-to-month basis
3. The contractor can still be a part of your company and meet with your sales team either in person or via Skype or gotomeeting.com
4. You don’t have the extra expenses of salary, taxes or benefits
5. A marketing contractor might have more resources available for you to use
6. They have a bird’s view of what’s going on and can see the bigger picture more objectively
7. They can think more like your potential customer

Being in business can be difficult and so many people wear different hats. I like the new Staples commercial with “Dave” and all the roles he plays in the business… but in the end, he’s one guy.  Jack of all trades and master of none!  When it comes to marketing, don’t compromise. Leave it to the experts to promote your products/services.

Make it a great day!

Helene

http://www.rainandcompany.com

Attention business owners and entrepreneurs- Having a professional website is more affordable and easier than you think!  So many people go the free route with their websites! This makes companies look very amateurish!

If there’s one thing I recommend to all my clients, it’s to have the best, most professional website available. Your website tells the world who you are, how you operate and how professional you are.

Don’t settle for the cheap, free websites…. after all, you don’t want that to represent you?

Check out our portfolio- For more information, send me an email helene@rainandcompany.com

Until next time!

Helene

http://www.rainandcompany.com

Be Different

I don’t know about you, but I don’t like to be “talked at”- I enjoy a conversation, especially when it’s with someone I know! I decided to be different in my business. All my clients are also considered friends. This is not just business as usual, I really want them to succeed. I tell my friends about them and I really listen to what they want. It’s called connections or relationships and no one can put a price tag on that word!

Start Engaging

Everywhere we look, we see marketing ads, TV commercials, banner ads and they all scream AT us. It doesn’t matter if you want to see or hear them, they’re there! They are rude and they interrupt a lot.  I call that pushed marketing. They don’t care about me as a person, they just care to get the message out there and get in my wallet- anyone one else feels that way? I started engaging my clients  and I try to connect the dots of my connections. Make it a personal thing- This is not just business as usual anymore.

Go Above & Beyond

If my clients look good and are successful, that’s a reflection on me! Don’t be afraid to go above & beyond for your clients. One way I go above and beyond is to use my connections to spread the word. One of the most important element in doing business with someone is trust. If I don’t trust someone, I won’t do business with them. If I trust them, I will do business with them, develop a friendship and add them to my circle of connections and I will do everything in my power to see them succeed.

We can market stuff until we’re blue in the face, or we can connect effectively and create long lasting business relationships!

Go ahead and connect!

Helene Warner

Owner/Founder of Rain and Company Web Design and Marketing Group