We have 2 ears and 1 mouth

... they should be used in that proportion.

If you are in business you probably have products and/or services that can help someone fulfil a need. Yet everyone’s needs are different. 

Does your Doctor try to diagnose you and sell you a cure before he has even examined you? No. So why should you start blurting out all the benefits of your products and services before you even know which ones are relevant to the individual?

Here’s an example (which I hope makes sense!): we go shopping for a BBQ. The salesperson has a long list of benefits and starts reeling them off “blah, blah, blah”. I just want a BBQ that can cook a decent lamb roast and my husband wants one that’s easy to clean. The salesperson is still “blah, blah, blah” reeling off the benefits of this BBQ; it’s reliable, will make us the envy of the entire neighbourhood, it has this and that and whatever else. All the salesperson had to do was ask a few questions, listen to how to fulfil our needs, point out those features and sell us the damn BBQ!

Do you ask questions, and actually listen to the answers, in order to gain a clear understanding of what your customer needs? If not, maybe you should... you will be surprised what happens. 

p: 0439 664 929 e: info@motormouthadvertising.com.au

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Are Business Cards still relevant?

I recently spoke to a guy who said that he would never use business cards again. This prompted me to ask the question "Do you think business cards are still relevant" on our Facebook. The response was astonishing. 

So back to this 'guy'. His reasoning for not using business cards:
 
1 – because he would rather get the other person's card so he could guarantee a connection.
 
2 – because they are irrelevant in the current day.

Ok, let’s ignore the fact that he just contradicted himself... I think business cards are as relevant as ever. How many times have you been asked, or have asked someone, “Do you have a card?”?

I agree, you should always ask for the other person's card in case they lose yours, and so you can follow up. However not carrying cards just so can have to ask for theirs is very risky. The other person might not have any either and a number of the back of a napkin doesn't scream professionalism!

After you have exchanged cards connecting on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter is a great idea. Can we all agree it’s not time for the business card to retire, just yet?

p: 0439 664 929 e: info@motormouthadvertising.com.au

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Do you know why you advertise?

Now’s the time to plan your 2011 communication strategy. Have you included advertising in the mix? If so, do you know what purpose it must serve? There are generally five communication functions advertising provides: 

Advertising informs your consumers about a new brand or can be used to educate them about the benefits and features of your existing brand. How can a client come to you, if they don’t know about you?  If you have something you’re bursting to tell potential customers, innovating advertising can help. 

Advertising reminds consumers about you and helps your brand stay at the top of their mind. When consumers have a want or need which your business can fulfil, if you’ve done effective advertising, your business should be the first thing they think of.

Advertising can persuade consumers to try your new product or service. Did you know, when Gillette introduced the then new Mach3 they invested US$300million on global advertising in order to persuade men to give their new product a go?! We’re not suggesting you spend anywhere near this much – there’s a much more cost effective way to achieve persuasion with innovative advertising.

Advertising can add value to your brand. If you want consumers to think of your brand as being more innovative, of higher quality or change their perception of your brand, effective advertising can do this. Think of beer; the working man with a blue singlet and a beer belly’s drink. Until effective advertising made it stylish, sophisticated, of high quality and suitable for the weight-conscious consumer.

Advertising should be used to assist your other marketing efforts as it is, of course, only one element of your company’s communication. 


You need to develop a clear communication plan with very clear objectives and knowing why you advertise is the first thing to think about. Once you've got that figured out, don’t be afraid to think out of the square and try new strategies in order to achieve your goals. 


For more info on how we can help you spend less and achieve more, contact us, we'd love to hear from you. 

e: megan@motormouthadvertising.com.au ph: (04) 3966 4929 facebook

The Beauty Suite Showcase

The Beauty Suite is nestled under street level which is perfect because it provides a peaceful retreat for clients. But on the other hand, how do clients find you when you have no shop front and only limited exposure? 

Well, we provided a brand-wagon which parks on the busiest street in Paddington every day and generates exposure directly to their target audience. We also provided a schmiko A-Frame to reinforce the message. 

I love hearing from a happy client and just have to share: “Thanks for helping me get the most out of my budget. I have never been so busy and the compliments just keep rolling in about how professional my advertising is.” Gemma, 
www.thebeautysuite.com.au

If your business needs more exposure,get in touch, we'd love to hear from you. 

e: megan@motormouthadvertising.com.au ph: (04) 3966 4929 facebook

11 Advertising Tips for 2011

If used correctly, advertising can increase the success of your business. Effective advertising reaches a large audience and can increase your customer base. Now’s the time to plan your 2011 advertising strategy and along with a new year you need new tactics. Spend less and achieve more. Investigate guerrilla advertising and marketing plus social media. Whichever path you take, here are 11 tips to keep at the top of your mind:

1. Target your niche audience. Remember, you can’t please everyone.
2. Advertise in the right place. Your favourite medium might be irrelevant to your potential customers.
3. Role with the seasons. Your advertising should change along with the retail calendar.
4. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Reinforce your message by using a variety of mediums.
5. Highlight your competitive advantage.
6. Test your ad on a small group first. You don’t have to fork out huge money on a focus group, just ask others what they think. People are surprisingly willing to offer their opinion.
7. Measure your advertising ROI. Always ask how people heard about you.
8. Be consistent with your branding and image.
9. Don’t be boring! Keep the message consistent, but mix it up a bit.
10. Use a medium that allows high repetition and consistency. People need to get to know you before they buy from you.
11. Ask for help. If you feel overwhelmed the worst thing you can do is give up. Ask for help from a professional.

If you think you aren't getting the most from your advertising budget, contact us, we'd love to hear from you. We have the knowledge and contacts to help you spend less and achieve more. 

e: megan@motormouthadvertising.com.au ph: (04) 3966 4929 facebook

Does traditional always mean better?

“The recent discovery of a mountain of unread newspapers in the Sydney University basement has posed some very serious questions among the big advertisers about just what official circulation figures are telling them and whether they're being conned.”

This was the introduction to a recent story on the ABC’s Inside Business. A story which should get advertisers thinking about whether their advertising investment is generating the opportunity-to-see they rely on.

Tim Burrowes from mUmbrella investigated the newspaper distribution policy at Sydney University, after someone suggested he ‘take a look’. Amazingly he found a stash of about 12,000 undistributed newspapers, 80% of which were Sydney Morning Herald’s from just that current week.

Instead of automatically trusting traditional media to deliver your message to your consumers, investigate and explore the benefits of guerrilla marketing, outdoor advertising and social media... you may be pleasantly surprised about the return on investment you will achieve.

Watch the story here - ABC News

e: megan@motormouthadvertising.com.au ph: (04) 3966 4929 facebook

Are expensive promises giving you false hope?

I recently received an invite to an expensive seminar. They promised to teach business owners to use a certain social networking tool (twitter *cough cough*) to enhance their business.

The concept was great, the results probably would have been great, but the price was outrageous.  Let me rephrase that; the price was outrageous... to me. That’s because I know businesses who offer the exact same deliverables as the seminar, for a fraction of the cost. The expensive seminar has to get registrants otherwise they wouldn't bother. 

Which got me thinking - do some business owners think expensive means guaranteed results? They’ve worked hard for their money, so their money must work equally hard for them, right? Not always the case. Just because something is expensive doesn’t mean it guarantees success.

This rings so true for advertising. A client once told me a traditional media advertising sales rep guaranteed them a 20% sales increase in order to justify their exorbitant prices. This client did not get one call from their highly priced traditional media ad and in turn was justifiably peeved!

So, look around, compare what you actually get and don’t allow expensive promises to give you false hope.

e: megan@motormouthadvertising.com.au ph: (04) 3966 4929 facebook
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