Star Promoz

Shhhh! Quiet! We're Listening!

2011-08-12T09:07:00.000-07:00

Lately we've had inquiries on our activities this Summer. In fact, Star Promoz was recently accused of being - *gasp* - silent all Summer... and we couldn't be prouder of this accusation!

Personally, I'm known for matching clients to the items that best "fit" their businesses. Marketing budgets that include branded items must also consider that any marketing expense is an investment. Would you invest blindly in a new business venture or the stock market? I hope not! You shouldn't invest money into branded items without speaking with someone who is listening to your needs and strategizing for your business.

This means that the majority of my time is spent listening! I listen to WHO is the target for branded items, WHAT has worked in the past for my clients and WHEN the items are needed. I listen to what makes my client special in their field, and the ways that my client's products or services are different than the competition's products or services.

Sometimes I'm like a BRAND therapist, through the ups and downs! I'm there for my clients when business is slow - brainstorming ways to increase sales - and I provide support for my clients when business is booming - meeting deadlines for items that were needed yesterday.

In other words, YES! We've been quiet all Summer. And beyond assisting our network with invaluable sales and marketing tips, we're going to continue our quiet trend!

Technology & Promotions

2011-03-10T15:03:00.000-08:00

Business Tech: I was just reading this great article at LegalZoom.com that outlines the ways technology has transformed business in the last 10 years.

Banking - Online banking & loan applications
Media - RSS Feeds, blogs, networks, smartphones
Personal Communication - Video chatting & chat freedom
Google - It's more than Google! It's Picasa, Blogger, etc
Social Networking - One of the most significant communication phenomenons
Tablets - Personal tablets & ultra mobile computer
Cars - Smart cars & hybrids
Legal Matters - Common legal issues & questions fixed online!

This list is to just get everyone thinking about how technology has transformed business. When you consider the list, it's apparent that any marketing strategy should investigate not only these changes but also the future of technology. Where will tomorrow take our businesses? How can we anticipate these changes to be on the forefront of business technology instead of being left behind?

Promotions! A key element of promoting your brand is thinking ahead of your competition and using all tools available to you to develop an efficient and effective marketing strategy. We offer many fun ways to incorporate technology into your brand strategy - such as branded Flash Drives - that will elevate your branding into the next generation!

Tip: Integrate testimonials into your marketing materials

2011-02-08T07:16:00.000-08:00

Today's tip maximizes your ability to not only reach your customers, but connect with them too!

Hot Tip: Integrate testimonials into your marketing materials

Think about it - you're advertising your business by telling them what you can do and why you're better than your competitors through brochures, websites, business cards, flyers, etc. But do you include on these materials a second opinion? Do you give your marketing materials an opportunity to speak for you?

Take a moment this week an evaluate your advertising strategy. If you haven't already, begin to collect testimonials. You'll begin to see how easily those testimonials can be included in your advertising strategy, and you'll never miss out on the opportunity again!

Show your love! Valentine's Day Promotions

2011-01-21T08:02:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day is the perfect time of year to show your love for EVERYONE: clients, business associates, fellow networkers, employees and anyone who has shown their love for you by giving you a referral! We sometimes forget to say "thank you" so it's a holiday that gives us a stress free opportunity to show our love in fun and creative ways.

Sweets for a sweet gatekeeper? Heart shaped tokens of appreciation as incentives for employees? The possibilities are endless ... so let's make February EXTRA sweet and spread the love to everyone!

Trade Show Season is Here!

2011-01-13T11:21:00.000-08:00

This is an exciting time for Star Promoz. We are committed to helping small business make the most out of the trade show experience. There are so many fantastic opportunities during this season, especially for branding your business and business networking!

So, to kick off the season right, I'm including some fantastic links around the web to begin researching your trade show strategy this year:

1.) Avoid these mistakes: 10 Mistakes Exhibitors Make
2.) Tips & Strategies to Remember: Seven Super Trade Show Promotion Steps

I would love to personally sit with each and every one of you this year and discuss making the most out of this season. As always, you are cordially invited to my showroom. However, I can also come to you if your schedule is too crunched!

I'll be posting more links, tips and ideas as they come to me. If you have a specific question, please don't hesitate to drop me an email or give me a call! Consider me your personal trade show advisor. :)

hzagaro@starpromoz.com

(516) 459-5376

Marketing Tips: Important Dates in February & March

2011-01-05T10:17:00.000-08:00

Your marketing strategy should always include *timely* events, so plan around the calendar for your promotional strategy. In this post I'm including the upcoming holidays & national awareness days for February and March. Mark your calendars and order your promotional materials in time!

February 2011

1st        National Freedom Day
2nd       Groundhog Day
4th        National Wear Red Day
8th        Boy Scout Day
14th      Valentine's Day
21st       President's Day

February is ... American Heart Month, National Children's Dental Health Month, AMD/Low Vision Awareness Month, National Wise Health Consumer Month

March 2011

4th        Employee Appreciation Day
17th      St. Patrick's Day
20th      International Earth Day
25th      American Diabetes Alert Day

March is ... National Nutrition Month, Music in Our Schools Month, Save Your Vision Month, National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, National Endometriosis Awareness Month, Trisomy Awareness Month,

Tip: Make "more" out of follow-up

2010-12-16T12:54:00.000-08:00

I recently received a fantastic tip for follow-up that I would like to share with you. We all try to reach out to our existing clients and remind them of our services and our commitment to satisfaction, but how many of us reach out to our existing clients and try to improve their business simply to say: I care!

One way we can all strive to build our b2b relationships: look for relevant magazine articles, helpful surveys, interesting industry studies and other important information - whether digital or print - and pass this information on to our existing clients. Clip an article that helps them market or build their business and send it to them with a note.

It's an easy method for follow-up that actually helps everyone. If we all did this, imagine how successful we could be together!

The Value of Promotional Products

2010-12-03T06:28:00.000-08:00

Here is the most recent data from a study performed by the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) on the value of promotional products & branding:

83% surveyed like receiving promo products with an advertising message
48% surveyed would like to receive promo products MORE often
76% surveyed could completely recall the message and brand from a promo product
50% surveyed keep and use promo products for 1-4 years

They are memorable. They are mobile advertisements. They make a statement. They encourage brand recognition and company pride. These are the reasons that define the value of promotional products.

Read more at: http://www.stepbystepmarketing.com/?p=8153

Planning 2011 in December

2010-12-01T08:44:00.000-08:00

The New Year is fast approaching, and it's a good time to mentally begin planning your marketing in 2011. I will be writing several blogs featuring marketing & promotions tips and tricks for 2011 because of how important it is for everyone to begin considering their plans and the effectiveness of their approach.

Just what can you do now to start preparing? First, order catalogs from us. Begin to browse through your options - I'm sure you don't realize how many options you have and how your approach can be customized with promotional giveaways! The catalogs will help you immensely.

Second, begin reflecting on 2010. What worked? What needed improvement? Did you find any resistance to your sales technique? Were you having difficulty with retaining customers? It's time to write all of this down, so you can correct any issues in the new year and start fresh with a better outlook on your ability to market, promote and sell!

Walking, Talking Marketing Tools

2010-11-16T07:38:00.000-08:00

Recently I read a fantastic blog by JoAn Majors on working with indecisive prospects. One key point she made was that not everyone you meet with is the decision maker. Often, you will run into a prospect that needs more time or needs to clear the decision through the actual decision maker. These prospects, she says, should be handled with more care.

She calls this type of indecisive prospect a "walking, talking marketing tool." I couldn't agree with her more! This type of prospect is the PERFECT example of an opportunity when your marketing materials really have to make an impression. Sure, this person meets many people a day. That's why you need something unique - something expressive - to reach out to that prospect and make your service or brand stand alone!

Structuring your presentation is key, and Ms. Majors points out how the structure of a presentation to an indecisive prospect should be loose. It shouldn't restrict the person to saying YES when they clearly cannot commit. My sales tip is to structure your presentation into giving things - your promotional dynamite - away, so that the prospect is neither saying NO or YES, but THANK YOU!

What better way to make an impression!

Holiday Tips from Helen!

2010-11-04T13:17:00.000-07:00

Back in October I mentioned it was the best time to order promotional items and start browsing through catalogs. With the season fast approaching, I wanted to take a moment a revisit holiday promotional buying with a few simple tips to help you this season:

Buy Early & Save

It shouldn't be surprising that businesses want you to buy early. Many people wait until the last moment and will pay a price for their procrastination. To award early shoppers, businesses are most than willing to offer savings, and this is especially true in the promotional items genre where time is essentially everything due to imprinting, embroidery and miscellaneous customizations.

Creativity is Key!

Yes, everyone is trying to gain market share by going above and beyond expectations, even in holiday gift giving. If you're on a budget - and almost everyone is today - plan on using creativity instead of dollars to win over existing and potential clients. We are experts in the fields of "fun" and "creative" so try to consult experts like us who love these areas and save yourself the time and energy of brainstorming the perfect gift. Let us be your holiday helpers!

Grow Your Business During the Holidays

Don't give up on growing your business because the holidays are upon us. In fact, this is the best time to grow your business because the holiday season offers so many opportunities to spread and share your message and brand. We have both holiday-themed items and seasonal items - such as calendars - that will enhance your season through helping to grow your brand. We like to say that we "give the gift of BRAND" during the holidays!

Holiday 2010 Promotions Time

2010-10-20T13:26:00.000-07:00

It may seem too early for Holiday 2010 promotions, but October is the *best* time to start ordering your holiday promotional items and corporate gifts. At least begin to browse - you can call our office at 631-580-6036 and order your holiday catalogs to get a head start on the season. Also, if you're looking for the perfect gift item this year, call our office for special tips and ideas for your business.

After the Party: Tips on Following Up After A Networking Event

2010-09-23T14:22:00.000-07:00

Star Promoz had a wonderful Lunch Break event yesterday with a fantastic turnout, and I wanted to take a moment to give some tips on how to make the most of a networking event by focusing on AFTER the party.

1.) Prioritize - who needs something immediately?

Did someone mention they needed something tomorrow? Did anyone mention a deadline, an urgent need, or a last minute request? Exceed expectations and contact these people immediately. You will find that they not only appreciate the rapid response, but remember you in the future for being mindful of them when they were stressed under a deadline.

2.) Stacks of business cards - what now?

Implement a system for keeping track of your business cards. Scan them into a computer or have someone input these contacts for you. There are plenty of companies and programs that will make this much easier. Don't skip this step! Business cards will get lost in the shuffle, and you should keep track of who you meet in a way that makes future follow-up simple.

3.) It was a pleasure to meet you!

Take a moment to make contact with everyone and thank each person for taking a moment to meet with you.

4.) Make An Appointment

It's important to make an appointment and learn more about a person - what do they do, exactly? What do they need? Build a lasting relationship by meeting with someone and learning more.

5.) Revisit Your Leads

You've met a lead at a networking event but he/she just didn't seem interested. Maybe they were in transition, or focusing on something else at the time. Timing is so crucial, and sometimes it's not the right time. Be sure to revisit all of your leads. Take to time to meet again. You may find there was more to the connection than it seemed!

Hope these tips help everyone to get organized and start making those connections! See you at the next Lunch Break!

Build Your Business - Support Your Community!

2010-09-15T13:18:00.000-07:00

Looking for a unique way to build your business & brand? One way is through showing support for local charities and community non-profits. Remember that building a business can be just as much about giving as it is about receiving.

Give from your heart and find a charity or cause that is meaningful to you & your employees! Communicate your new cause through your business networks and through your own office staff. Encourage everyone to join & participate in supporting your community.

Star Promoz supports the following organizations. Visit the links to learn more about how these amazing people help & support people in your community everyday!

Island Harvest - http://www.islandharvest.org/
AHA - http://www.ahany.org/
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation - http://www.cff.org/Chapters/longisland/