What’s the first item you reach for when it’s time to expand your marketing?
For me, it’s one of the five items listed below.
Some of them may seem very basic, but each is incredibly effective and powerful when accessed or installed to convince prospects to become customers.
1. Pen and Notepad
For most of us, if an idea is not written, it’s forgotten. Pen and paper may be Flintstone-like materials, but both will take your promotions into the Jetsons’ age.
Store these materials in every room (in the office and at home), vehicle, purse, bag, and back pocket.
2. Digital Voice Recorder
If speaking your thoughts is your preference rather than writing, then a lightweight recorder works wonders. My choice is an Olympus Recorder, model DS-40, but there are newer models today.
This tool also doubles as a recorder on a podium when speaking at trade shows and business conferences.
3. Camera
This handy item lets you create a visual diary of sights and scenes that inspire new products and services, articles, special reports, blog posts, teleseminars, and more, all leading to value-added opportunities no matter where you set up shop.
4. Postcards
Call me old school, but I still believe that direct marketing is the great connector between you and clients. It’s one of the well-oiled tools lauded in my book, Marketing Strategies for the Home-Based Business, one that I order and mail each month to customers in several industries.
Your target market may not always access their Email, but there’s no doubt that they read mail delivered to their doors.
5. Computer Back-Up System
After writing, recording, snapping, and designing revenue-raising marketing materials, retaining these intellectual materials is the last crucial step. What good is any of it if it’s lost due to malfunction?
In the past I’ve written about my own computer crash, which cost me $995 for restoration. How much marketing could I have distributed for that amount? Whether you choose an external system or server-based model, install and regularly store your property.
What’s your must-have product, service, or tool that produces great marketing results?
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I love this post. I use my computer for a lot of things, but I am still a pen and paper kind of girl. I can’t tell you how many notebooks I have lying around at any one time to take notes and jot down ideas. I think I might have to get an audio recorder. This seems like an easy tool and I like the fact that it is portable. I would still want to transcribe the notes to one of those notebooks, but I think I would capture more of my ideas with the recorder.
Great Ideas.
Hi Brandi,
As simplified as these tools are, they truly come in handy and are definitely affordable.
I often travel with relatives to doctors’ visits and emerge from the appointment one hour later with four written blog posts and a written plan for another information product, all because I brought pen and paper with me.
Today’s recorders are feather weight and cost between $100-$140 for the ones that are a good investment for the long haul; definitely affordable.
Glad to share this tools list with you, Brandi, and other marketers.