Posts Tagged ‘smart business’

AJ Ross Presents Facebook Webinar

Jan

06

2012

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On Tuesday, January 10 th at 12 p.m., AJ Ross Creative Media will proudly presents “Marketing through Social Media: How to Use Facebook to Grow Your Business”, a webinar brought to you by the Orange County Chamber of Commerce.

The webinar, which welcomes the beginner Facebook users to the very experienced, will explain the value of Facebook to businesses, how to use it to your advantage and even allow for live audience questions at the end.  Topics like viral marketing, custom domains, how to engage your audience and custom applications will be discussed.  It’s a great way to get your business started with Facebook and a great way to give existing business pages the boost they need.

This important and informative webinar is completely free and is open to anyone, whether they have a Facebook page yet or not.  To take advantage of this, go to www.orangeny.com .

When size really does matter…

Jan

20

2011

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Hi this is Allan Ross from AJ Ross Creative Media, Today I would like to talk about
When size really does matter… How to look and act bigger to increase business and grow.

We all know the infamous account of David and Goliath, where a young little boy defends himself and wins over the renowned giant. It’s the classic ‘underdog wins story’ and emphasizes the importance of using one’s knowledge over one’s physical size.

While that may work most of the time–there still is that new business pitch or new venture when you realize–size really does matter.

Here are some tips on how to look and act bigger than you are to land that new business and help your business grow, all without giving up what you went into business for in the first place–your expertise.

First, you need to surround yourself with professionals who think and work like you. I call this the “type wow” personality, and I mean it in a good sense. Owning your own business is fast paced and there is no room for an unmotivated staff. The key is to nurture talent and keep them. Your image is portrayed not only by you, but also by all who work for, and with you.

Image is everything. So, how does a small to mid-sized company compete with the designer, high-end New York City executives? “Stay on top of your game,” is the best way to put it.  Project an image of confidence and assurance, but be sure to back it with experience, examples and referrals. Know your field, know your client’s needs and cater to your client as if he or she is the only one that exists. Larger companies tend to lose sight of client needs, and quickly, once they get the account.

You may have to tweak who you are on occasion. If your office looks more like a storage bin than a workplace, rent space for that big meeting. Bring in the caterer if necessary. Even hire temporary staff. Show that you are interested in entertaining your new client.

Re-think your marketing materials–from your letterhead to your brochure to your web site.  Do you present a mom-and-pop image or a new, trend-setting company ready to produce that award-winning widget or provide that phenomenal service? Yes, image. And yes, it’s important to have a polished, professional and integrated package to explain who you are and what you do.  You need more than just a logo and some ads in the local newspaper. You need a professional marketing company. Make the investment. Hire a company who knows what they are doing, who has experience and a track record. Remember, you get what you pay for. A lot of companies try to save money and hire designers who have no marketing or Branding experience. You should also use Public Relations, which is a tried-and-true approach that should be an integral part of any marketing program. Have the agency write and place announcements of your firms’ achievements, new business and new hires, feature articles, and even speaking and seminar engagements.

So, with tape measure in hand, or at least a fresh look at your company and what you do–it’s time to move forward. Use your talents, seek advice, outsource, revise your image by hiring the right Brand professionals, tell everyone and… succeed.

Pay Now, or You Might Not Be Around to Pay Later

Jan

05

2011

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Hi, this is Allan Ross from AJ Ross Creative Media.
Today’s article is about: pay now, or you may not be around to pay later.
Remember those classic Fram Oil Filter ads where the mechanic would look you in the eye and say, “You can pay me now or pay me later.” The premise was you could pay for an oil filter today or pay for an expensive engine repair later.

Something similar is going on in the advertising/marketing business today. The wording of the line, however, is slightly different. Today it’s, “You can pay now or you might not be around to pay later.”
The economy is getting better. Believe it.

In good times and bad times, it’s not the time to stop telling customers what you can do for them. The assumption that you can cut back on the ads and wait until everything turns around before you remind people how good you are at what you do, may not be the most prudent strategy. People forget. People change. And if they’re not hearing from you, they’ll always be willing to listen to an offer from somebody else. Don’t for a second believe they’ll jump right back to you when you decide to start communicating again.

So what are we saying here, today’s the perfect time to spend like there’s no tomorrow? No, we’re just saying times like these may be better than you think to advertise and build business. You might well be the only voice in your category. Maybe.

Of course, you have to do the advertising right. And that means having professionals working with you. Unfortunately, there are some people out there nationally, and especially locally, who are trying to make the most of a volatile economic situation. You know who they are. They’re those “new” ad guys on the block who claim they’ll give you everything you need for a lot less. You have to be extremely careful when you hear this pitch. It’s very tempting. Just remember, experience matters and so does proof of success. Cheap is not a good trade off for effective or smart.

If you believe as we do, that these times are good for advertising, you should seriously evaluate any advertising proposal made to you. Just make sure it’s legitimate. Check references. Call the agency’s clients. Ask them if they’re happy. Look at the work the agency’s done. Do you wish you had run some of the ads they created for somebody else?

Finding the right partner and putting some muscle behind a solid plan with creative that grabs eyes and ears can make a huge difference in your business right now and perhaps even more impressive for years to come. People should know you’re still here working hard and you’re not going to forget about them, because if you don’t do this: Remember, you can pay now…or…well, you know the rest.

Honesty

Dec

01

2010

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Hi This is Allan Ross from AJ Ross Creative Media On How To Market Your Business.

I would like to talk about subject dear to me.

Honesty is the Best Policy In Your Advertising Campaign.

If prospective customers don’t believe your message or you, you might as well put out your “Going Out of Business Notice” right now.

Credibility is an important concern when advertising. As a business owner you can’t afford to be viewed by potential customers as anything less than honest, ethical and above board.

Yet few advertisers use more than half of the strategies that build trust in the prospective customer’s mind, according to advertising industry statistics. A recent study found that with major corporations, like major retail and department stores, the average advertisement was implementing only 55% of guidelines for trustworthy advertising design. Smaller companies tend to use even fewer of the recommendations.

Here are some suggestions you can use to Communicate Credibility In Your Advertising Campaigns

  1. Make sure that all your contact information about your company is complete and easy to find. Especially important is making your Website information visible.
  2. Make good use of color and photos in your advertising. Usually smaller companies tend to cut corners because of budget concerns. By adding color photos it helps to raise your level of credibility. Photos help your prospective customers trust you because they come to feel they know you.
  3. If you are selling something make sure you don’t make prospects look all over for the price. Price it fair and put it there.
  4. Make sure your advertisement looks professional, is up to date, and is free of spelling and punctuation mistakes.
  5. If you require a specific disclaimer, Display it and let your prospects know why it is important.
  6. Make sure your prospective customers can reach someone quickly if they have questions, need help, or wish to do business with you.
  7. Give your prospective customers what they are looking for. If they’re looking for information on a particular service, don’t make them read through a three page brochure about your company before they get to the instructions.

According to and old saying, “Honesty is the best policy.” If you want to be successful in advertising, it’s an essential policy as well.

When Your Business Needs Fresh Ideas By Allan Ross

Sep

16

2010

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Advertising and Marketing

When Your Business Needs Fresh Ideas

By Allan Ross

If this recession has taught me anything it is the value of employees, colleagues, and friends who think outside the box. They believe, like I do, that businesses cannot survive the current economic challenges by sticking their heads in the sand and doing nothing. Maintaining the status quo is not the answer.

Instead, businesses must take advantage of the vacuum that now exists and market their services not only to the local market, but globally as well. As the economy starts to show signs of recovery, the window of opportunity is beginning to close for those who choose the forward-thinking strategy to aggressively seek out new customers and new markets through targeted advertising, marketing, and Public Relations campaigns.

Advertising during a bad economy clearly creates a competitive advantage by creating “Brand Assurance,” thus establishing confidence in your demographic by consistently being in the public eye. People don’t stay loyal to products or companies based on the memory of advertisements viewed months or years ago in rosier economic times.

With more than 20 years experience managing advertising, marketing and Public Relations for clients across the country, I’ve never been more convinced about what my business needs to do to compete locally and nationally. Some of my clients, with the guidance of AJ Ross Creative Media, have employed similar game plans that have reaped prodigious results.

What to Look For Before You Choose

If you are looking for a firm to help you in your advertising, marketing, and Public Relations efforts, here are a few pointers:

1)    Contact a number of prospective firms that have good reputations and have them provide you with their background, list of accomplishments, key personnel, etc.

2)    Make sure the firm you select has experience and first-hand knowledge of your industry.

3)    Have them show you some examples of their recent work. See if their ads, marketing materials are in step with your core beliefs, values, and goals.

4)    Stay clear of the firm that spends more time showing you the ads and marketing pieces promoting their services and little with campaigns they conducted for their clients.

5)    Sit down with the company’s principals or key staff prior to making a selection. The people you choose will have the future growth and prosperity of your business in their hands. You want a company that has experienced writers, designers, and marketing professionals who have the talent and imagination to take your company to the next step.

6)    Select a firm that has broad and well-rounded experience in all aspects of advertising including web design, marketing, media placement and Public Relations. More times than not, a company has talent in one area, but only dabbles in the others. That is a recipe for disaster.

These are just some of the things you should look for in an advertising, marketing, and Public Relations company. Hire the firm that best fits your needs and your budget so that you get your message out ASAP that your business is alive, well and ready to grow. Good luck!

Allan Ross is President of AJ Ross Creative Media, a full-service global advertising, marketing and Public Relations agency celebrating their 20 th year in business located in Chester, NY. A former NYC session musician, jingle writer and producer, Ross parlayed that experience into the development of a full-service strategic marketing agency. AJ Ross offers Brand development, Print, Radio, and TV advertising production, graphic design, Website development, and Public Relations. Some of AJ Ross’s accounts include Orange County Tourism, Hudson Heritage Federal Credit Union, Finkelstein and Partners, Jacoby and Meyers amongst others. To learn more about AJ Ross Creative Media, visit www.ajross.com, call 800-723-4644, or email info@ajross.com .