Spring Partnering Promotion - Cars & Dirt

 

This looks like clever marketing. Driving by a car dealership, the yellow bags of soil and compost caught my attention.

Why? Because it's spring and I was thinking about what I should do to improve my yard.

So just imagine if it's spring and you are also thinking about getting a new car. What a clever connection.

One,  the yellow bags catch your attention.
Two, it looks like you get a free bag of soil when you buy a car.
Three, you are likely to tell others about this deal.



George Torok Keynote Marketing Speaker Co-author of Secrets of Power Marketing Get your free copy of "50 Power Marketing Ideas" Power Marketing on FaceBook Marketing Zoo on Twitter

Innovation is Not a Good Marketing Plan

Don't bet your marketing plans on innovation. That's not enough. It's easy to note the success of APPLE and delude yourself into believing that the secret to success is simply to be innovative.

Remember the Segway?

It was innovative. Even showed up in some future themed movies - but it didn't sell. Because there wasn't a realistic and practical market.

Why did the Segway fail?

The name didn't mean anything.

There was no compelling need (imagined or real) being met.

There were major legal issues about where it could be used. (Not on the street and not on the sidewalks)

It was expensive compared to the alternative - bicycles and walking.

When the owner (who signed up to become a dealer) of this Segway described it to me he praised the technology instead of explaining benefits. Clearly the Segway company had emphasized technology instead of customer emotions

Innovative - yes
Successful product - no


George Torok Keynote Marketing Speaker Co-author of Secrets of Power Marketing
Get your free copy of "50 Power Marketing Ideas" Power Marketing on FaceBook Marketing Zoo on Twitter

The Best Personal Marketing

Smile

Personal marketing is about marketing your personality.

The number one thing you can do to sell yourself is to smile more. Smile when you greet your clients. Smile when you enter their place of business. Smile at the receptionist when you ask to meet your contact. Smile when you say your name. Smile when they give you the order. 

Smile even when you don't get the business. (That's a tough one, but it's important.) 

Smile when they are talking. Smile when you describe your services. Smile - don't look guilty when you tell them your price. Smile when you are on the phone. Smile when they hand you the payment - don't leer, just smile.

A smile conveys confidence in yourself, your product, and your company. A smile builds trust. We would rather do business with a face that smiles than one that frowns. When I line up at the grocery store, I will go to the checkout with the friendly cashier, even if it has the longest lineup.

In the global marketplace, a smile is the one gesture that is understood in any language, in any culture. And smiles are infectious. When you smile, others will smile back at you. Try it; it's hard to resist. 

When you smile, your brain releases endorphins that make you feel good. Imagine that. Every time you smile, you make yourself and others feel better.

Your smile is your best tool for personal marketing. What could be more personal in marketing you?

George Torok Keynote Marketing Speaker Co-author of Secrets of Power Marketing
Get your free copy of "50 Power Marketing Ideas" Power Marketing on FaceBook Marketing Zoo on Twitter

McMaster University Alumni Luncheon

I attended the luncheon for McMaster University Alumni.

It's a good way to network and have some stimulating conversation. The first is about making and building business contacts. The second is about staying sharp because that will help you build your business contacts.

I graduated from McMaster University in 1979 with my degree in Economics. I sat at a table with graduates from 1962. As you can imagine, they were now retired. We were decades apart. Several had been teachers so we were able to connect on the topic of public speaking and motivation.

The year of 62 grads were planning their 50th year reunion. They were engaged and motivated. That impressed me. They must be 70 plus in age.

I connected with several other people I knew. People need to see you again to remember you.

I also made a first face meeting with one person that I had only connected with online.

An Alumni event is an easy way to connect and reconnect with people. The environment is non-threatening.

It was a stimulating event. If you haven't been to a college, university or high school alumni event in a long while then just do it.

It's amazing that even though we attended the same school, in different decades, we can still find a bond.


George Torok Keynote Marketing Speaker Co-author of Secrets of Power Marketing
Get your free copy of "50 Power Marketing Ideas" Power Marketing on FaceBook Marketing Zoo on Twitter

Your Car as a Marketing Tool

Is That Your Car?

Your car sends a message about how successful you are. Maintain it. A rusty car is never cool. If you have an old car, get it repainted. Customers might think that you are an antique collector. But if it is rusty they know you have no money. If you have no money they think you are not successful in your business. And if you are not successful you must not be good.

If you drive an old car, you might rent or borrow a better one for an important meeting.

Keep your car clean inside and out, even if,  no, especially if, it is the family car. When you are on business it is acceptable to have a baby seat in the back, but not the diapers.

Use your car as a signboard. Paint your name on the sides if it fits the image of your business. If you're in a big city with tall buildings, put your name on the roof of the car. If signs are not appropriate, then you can always go with vanity plates.

George Torok Keynote Marketing Speaker Co-author of Secrets of Power Marketing
Get your free copy of "50 Power Marketing Ideas" Power Marketing on FaceBook Marketing Zoo on Twitter
 

Introduce Yourself with Flair

Introducing Yourself Like Zorro

You may have heard your name thousands of times, so to save time you state it very quickly. The listener does not hear your name and won't remember you. Say your name slowly and clearly so they hear it. Enunciate for them. “Hi, I am (short pause) George (longer pause) Torok (pause and smile)." Look happy to state your name. If you have a difficult or unusual name, repeat it. You might help them remember it by saying, "rhymes with . . ." or "in my mother tongue it means . . ." And if you can make people laugh when you say your name, they will remember you.

State your name clearly when meeting face to face, talking on the phone, or introducing yourself to a group. Be proud of your name and show it. Never apologize for introducing yourself.


The next time that you introduce yourself picture how Zorro would do it.

George Torok Keynote Marketing Speaker Co-author of Secrets of Power Marketing
Get your free copy of "50 Power Marketing Ideas" Power Marketing on FaceBook Marketing Zoo on Twitter

Soiled Collar Kills the Sale

The Power of Presentation

The president of an oil company remembers going shopping with his dad for a new car when he was a young boy. His father's business had done well and they were going to buy a brand new Cadillac. 

They entered the showroom, both of them proud and excited. They smiled as the salesman approached them. 

Then a strange thing happened. As the expectant salesman got closer, the smile on the father's face disappeared, and he reached down, grabbed his son's hand, turned around, and marched out. 

The boy was almost in tears. “What happened, Dad? Why did we leave?” His father barked, “I’ll not buy an expensive car from a man with a soiled shirt.” It seems the negligent salesman had worn his shirt at least two days in a row.

George Torok Keynote Marketing Speaker Co-author of Secrets of Power Marketing
Get your free copy of "50 Power Marketing Ideas" Power Marketing on FaceBook Marketing Zoo on Twitter