#68 – Outrageous Business Signage, How to Promote Your Business Locally for Free, Where to Find Professionally Designed Marketing Materials, and a BIG marketing Lesson from MasterPlans.com
August 11, 2009Episode #68 – “I Listen to Bands that Don’t Even Exist Yet!” 
Websites and resources mentioned in the show:
Infusion (Download the free guide from Infusion)
Paid for Life (San Diego Charity Seminar)
StockLayouts (Professionally designed marketing materials, ready to use)
NiftyClicks (Discover the very latest web tools and resources)
Get a Private Telephone Consultation with me (to Help YOUR Business)
Buy This Week’s T-Shirt (from National Media Services)
Went to Austin, Texas last week and that was quite an experience. In the Little Long Horn Saloon they play a game that I can only describe as bizarre (but fun).
I have some more outrageous business signs to show you from all over the world, even a few from righ here in the good ‘ol USA!
If you own a small business that serves local customers you’ll probably relate to this weeks question, which is all about how to promote your business in the area without spending a lot of money. Or no money
Now there’s no excuse for not having professional looking marketing materials. This week’s resource, StockLayouts is an amazing find for anyone that needs business cards, postcards, stationery, posters, etc as promotional tools in your business.
Finally, the BIG marketing lesson this week comes from a company called MasterPlans.com – it’s an advanced copywriting strategy that’s incredibly effective at persuading readers. Let me know what you think.
If you’d like to share YOUR favorite little known website, simply write a comment below!
Enjoy the show!
Regards,
August 12th, 2009 at 5:18 am
Great ideas about choosing a catchy company name, but any thoughts on what to do if all the corresponding website names are already taken?
August 12th, 2009 at 5:29 am
I really appreciate your big marketing lesson this week. Thanks Andrew.
August 12th, 2009 at 6:02 am
Really liked the “More advanced concept” from the Big Lesson From Big Brands section.
August 12th, 2009 at 6:54 am
Great show, as always.
Your opening piece with the “too honest” signage reminded me of a business ad I saw when I first moved into the new city where I live a few years ago. The ad was for “New Hope Hospice”!
I thought that was a cruel and deceptive name for the business…until I found out that the nearby town where the hospice service was located is called….New Hope!
I still think they should come up with a better name for THAT type of business….but it made me chuckle.
August 12th, 2009 at 7:07 am
Hi Andrew,
Another great show! As always!
I especially liked your insight about getting to the “real issue” in marketing. People always want to know “what’s in it for me” even if they don’t know exactly what it is they want and when you answer that single question effectively, it draws them directly toward you every time. Again, great show.
Best,
Ted Robinson
August 12th, 2009 at 8:53 am
I’ve seen contests(?) where you buy a square in a field, and a cow is released and… you get the idea.
August 12th, 2009 at 10:41 am
Maybe tasteless coffee makes some people feel like their at home?
August 12th, 2009 at 10:52 am
Great show. Very good work on ideas to marketing your business.
August 12th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
All good ideas for starting a new business when you have little to no funds available. Another way for them to advertise for free is to list their business on Google’s local business center. Then get some to comment about it.
August 12th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
Another great show Andrew.
There used to be a little mom & pop gas station in our local area that had signage that proudly & boldly boasted “Home of the worst hot dogs in the South”. I never got up the nerve to see if their claim was true.
There was another that boasted “The worst boiled peanuts in the South”…which is saying a lot because boiled peanuts period are god-awful.
I guess the reverse psychology worked because both places always seemed to do a lot of local business.
August 12th, 2009 at 5:45 pm
Great ideas! I enjoyed the part about realizing the end benifit of a product is more important than the most obvious one. Also, good advice on the naming of a business… most business names are forgotten very quickly.
August 13th, 2009 at 4:32 am
Hi Andrew!
For more funny, hilarious signs, you MUST see:
http://www.engrish.com
Thank you!
August 13th, 2009 at 7:50 am
I realize a lot of what I’m reading lately has to do with the current financial crisis, but your post is another story
thank you for sharing this!
August 13th, 2009 at 2:19 pm
This makes me think of the fact that “languages” change over time and between cultural sub-groups, especially betweeen age gaps. The way to communicate and ‘click’ with cliques or any group of people is to speak the same language or lingo. Obviously people speak with more humorours undertones in everyday life and BUSINESS than used to be considered acceptable and professional. Thanks Andrew.
Jesse
August 13th, 2009 at 5:17 pm
I really liked the ideas for the business names. They were clever, and I like a good play on words. What I found especially helpful was the advice you gave on copywriting. Thank you! I’m from Texas by the way.
August 13th, 2009 at 7:06 pm
Wow! This is very entertaining while teaching valuable marketing skills and the tools are just really cutting edge!!……The time these will save is incredible! BRAVO!!
August 14th, 2009 at 5:24 am
hi andrew
first of all hats off to you for finding and telling bitter realities of marketing world.i found your information very much accurate and updated.i am also a new member of this marketing world and want your help in real sense.
August 14th, 2009 at 6:22 am
Dear Andrew,
Just had a classic ‘ooooh thats really bad marketing’ moment which I’d love to share with you as it might be of interest but nit sure if its something I should post here (yet!). Is therea way to send a PM?
Yours
Robert
August 14th, 2009 at 3:07 pm
I thought it was a little informative, it lacked professionalism…where did he get the shirt? threadless.com? Did not keep me interested and I don’t think I walked away with any further knowledge on the subject. I rate it about 4 thumbs down.
August 14th, 2009 at 4:41 pm
Nice video, nice concept… you make my day!!
and I would love to invite you to swim with dolphins with us!! That will be very fun adding your creativity!
Regards from Cancun, Mexico!
http://www.delphinus.com.mx
August 14th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
I think this was a good episode for someone who has no clue about starting a business, but this information is pretty much common sense.
August 15th, 2009 at 12:32 am
Great informative video! A lot of good tips that would seem like common sense but apparently it’s missed a lot of business people!
August 15th, 2009 at 4:52 am
don’t mean you should run away. That’s not going to solve your problems. I know one entrepreneur who flits off to Bali whenever she feels like she’s drowning. But this is just running away from the problem. When she returns from her escape, she’s spent much of her time on the beach worrying about it and, guess what, the problem is still there when she returns. Sometimes, it’s even worse
August 15th, 2009 at 9:29 am
This video was funny, informational, different and very interesting. I enjoyed it and would love to see another one seriously. So refreshing.
Good job.
August 15th, 2009 at 10:03 am
A very interesting way to spread the news about the essence of marketing. I am totally agreed, that everything is marketing. The video has successfully drawn attention to learn more about marketing.
August 15th, 2009 at 10:18 pm
I must say that I greatly enjoyed the show. I especially liked the funny signs and the marketing advice the the lawn care business. Those were some very creative names that you came up with, that would definitely help the business to be more memorable.
August 16th, 2009 at 2:39 am
Very funny video. Should really think of doing more of these
August 16th, 2009 at 2:59 am
The most amazing videos about marketing tips i have ever found.So enjoyeble infact i preffer visuals than words keep it up and develop more.
August 16th, 2009 at 4:01 am
The video was great. I learned quite a bit about managing my own business.
August 16th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
This show is really funny I never would have heard about the pooping chicken. The Post cards were interesting. I will watch this alot more because business can be pretty dry and boring sometimes. So I needed the pick me up before getting the main information. Thanks Lots of laughs.
August 16th, 2009 at 2:34 pm
I really enjoyed it. this is an encouraging and useful video for business men.
August 16th, 2009 at 6:39 pm
This is good work. It is very informative and comical. I look foreward to more shows! This is very entertaining.
August 16th, 2009 at 6:56 pm
The advice offered regarding naming a business is extremely helpful, especially when choosing a website address. It must be memorable. The visuals helped emphasize the marketing tips you spoke about.
August 16th, 2009 at 7:34 pm
My experience has been that quality service and word of mouth will build a business better than a catchy name or flashy signage.
August 16th, 2009 at 9:59 pm
Interesting episode. The signs shown were very interesting because some were creative but lacked visual appeal while other did the opposite.
August 17th, 2009 at 12:20 am
It is really appreciate .
August 17th, 2009 at 4:45 am
Interesting video about marketing delivered in an entertaining way. Look forward for more videos.
August 17th, 2009 at 7:43 am
Great ideas on choosing a catchy company name, never thought of it like that until now.
August 17th, 2009 at 10:29 am
It is a very interesting and informative site,I like this site,It is a great site
August 17th, 2009 at 10:34 am
Yes, very well video show. Very good work on good ideas to marketing your business.
August 17th, 2009 at 11:19 am
I was very surprised by the quality of this program! I stumbled upon the video and gave it a look-see, and the information presented was very relevant, helpful, and direct. I have been reading Entrepreneur magazine for some time now, and this has made far more of an impact than any article on advertising in that magazine! (I may even cancel my subscription…)
August 17th, 2009 at 11:42 am
I think it’s obvious, but apparently some businesses don’t think about what their signs are really saying to the customers. A creative name is a good idea to draw attention to your business.
August 17th, 2009 at 11:57 am
I must agree those are a bit unconventional, but I guess if you’re business is a rut, the convention methods obviously aren’t working. I especially like the whole bit about a create name.
August 17th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
I love the ideas about how to advertise your business locally without spending much or any money. Advertisements are the best things you can do for your business but also some of the biggest expenses, so finding a way to advertise for less is an awesome way to save some money!
August 17th, 2009 at 8:23 pm
All good ideas for starting a new business when you have little to no funds available. Another way for them to advertise for free is to list their business on Google’s local business center. its really i am looking marketing tool, but i came to me after so many years i wasted my time in internet
August 17th, 2009 at 8:28 pm
great tips to start new business with limited fund and how to remember the business name.
you have to be stand on the crowd with creative name and image of your business. have to be straight forward on what is the benefits of your service.
August 17th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
You have some good tips for helping out small businesses. I just wanted to comment on the idea of using “free” advertising. While I do believe sources like craigslist are an incredible resource, you need to know your market. If you’re not making an appetizing advertisement, you can risk looking like a cheap or cheesy business. Then again, if you can’t afford yet to do more, free advertising is great.
I still believe word-of-mouth is the best advertisement out there, so get talking!
I don’t have a favourite website, but a new favourite phone number, it’s googles version of 4-1-1 and it’s FREE.
1-800-GOOG-411
August 18th, 2009 at 3:00 am
Great video, I loved the signs at the begining. Very helpful. My only problem was the slow loading time. The video kept stalling.
August 18th, 2009 at 7:18 am
Wonderful Idea to attract customers using a different kind of company nameboards and marketing Banners. I hope these ideas will surely boost up my business.
I Listen to Bands that Don’t Even Exist Yet – I was trying to find the meaning of this statement on your shirt but I could not.
Thank you so much.
August 18th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
I really enjoyed this lesson — he’s funny and serious at the same time. I think the ideas for business names was excellent. Even though some of his topics could be dry, he kept them interesting. And showing the clip of the chicken on the pool table was priceless, especially since he called it a bit of culture! Maybe in Texas, lol!
August 18th, 2009 at 5:05 pm
Made some good points on naming, or how not to name, a business. I get so tired of seeing those generic business names, and it’s true how catchy names attract more business.
August 18th, 2009 at 7:02 pm
Cool broadcast my friend. Some fantastic tips about marketing, but I must agree with Woodrononice. You must ensure that you know you’re market. Craigslist works very well in mainstream classified ads, but I feel it cam sometimes backfire as a marketing avenue. How many times have you been on Craigslist and seen very shady, seedy posts for companies you envision are scams! But once again thanks for the great broadcast!!
August 18th, 2009 at 9:55 pm
Loved the tips and advise about names and buisness. I will have to have some of my buddies check this out.
August 18th, 2009 at 10:14 pm
I think it is worth watching for all the people who are doing business.
August 19th, 2009 at 1:29 am
Hi Andrew, loved your video and tips. Very informative and not boring!
August 19th, 2009 at 4:17 am
Hi,
This is a very interesting video about marketing.
Very good work on good ideas to marketing business.
August 19th, 2009 at 8:47 am
Very fun and informative episode. Thanks for the lesson on trying to meet the customers “real” need and look past the stated or obvious needs. Might be harder but surely will pay big dividends. Thanks!
November 14th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
get rich on the internet make money at home.
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