It’s Christmas Eve Day, just a few more things to do before the Big Day, and as far as I’m concerned, no better time for a Clever Advantage Promotional Pop-Bys gift for new and old customers alike. Whether it has your company logo or your business card, let me tell you, nothing lights up customers’ faces more than a fun creative gift, and that’s what Clever Advantage is all about.
I’m sure you already know the level of the clients you have. There are varying levels of clients out there. The top group, what I like to call, the ‘A+’ Clients – are the ones who send referrals your way and enjoy doing so, and then there’s the rest. Most of them are important and probably don’t and shouldn’t garner the same financial attention the ‘A+’ Clients deserve. The ‘A+” Clients are the ones you want to impress with Clever Advantage’s Pop-By promotional products.
For the others, well, with the help of a nice printer for a note to go with each, and an hour of your time, here are some great last minute tips that just might turn those ‘other’ rated clients into ‘A+’ Clients.
· Small Puzzle Box – “Your referrals are a perfect fit for my business.”
· Household Tape – “Thanks for sticking by me.”
· Candy Mints – “Your referrals are like a breath of fresh air.”
· Chocolate Gold Coins – “I treasure your referrals.”
· A Christmas Light – “Your referrals brighten my life.”
· Jelly Beans – “Your referrals are always sweeter!”
Don’t break the bank and think carefully about those on your ‘other’ list.
Customers truly enjoy the last minute part of this gesture. You’ve done something nice, you’ve thought about them, and there isn’t any time for them to feel obligated to get you something in return.
Remember a couple of things;
· This is a ‘Pop-by’ – don’t stay!
· Don’t talk business on Christmas Eve Day.
· This season is about giving – Have Fun!
Well, I’m off to finish the rest of the day. Have a Happy Holiday! (see, I didn’t even ask for a referral!)
It’s definitely that time of year again. A few catalogues came across my desk this morning, and I have to tell you, I am always surprised at the fun little corporate holiday promotional gifts that come out every year. I know, I know, I wasn’t working for Clever Advantage here in San Diego last year, but, hey, I get mail, and have occasionally clicked-tabbed-scrolled across the World Wide Web. Yeah, I surf, just not on wheels or a board. I leave that sort of thing to the professionals and the younger crowd.
So, anyway, I was flipping through the pages of Clever Advantage’s Corporate Promotional Catalogue and boom there it was – a big box of candy, nuts and chocolate. It wasn’t like anything I’d seen elsewhere. What was different you ask? What makes this so darned special? Well, hold on, let me tell you. The center bar, or shall I call it a ‘chunk,’ of chocolate can be designed with a company logo on it. Okay, so that’s not the best part, but, there’s more. The surrounding candy can be shaped in the design of a company’s product. Items like hammers, handsaws, airplanes, trucks, or whatever.
I think this is a great gift to remind customers that you’re thinking about them, and maybe they’ll give you the pleasure of thinking about your company when they crunch down on some of these delicious candies.
This is one of my favorite times of year and not because of the gifts – it takes a very close second behind Thanksgiving. But, what I like most is how cheerful nearly everyone is during this holiday. Well, most people are anyway.
Anyhow, the phones are ringing, so I need to wrap it up here. Feel free to drop me a line with any great ideas, or even if you’ve had someone do something nice for you this season.
Caring stories rock!
Oh yes, and one last thing, remember, I never find myself too busy for any type of referral.
Clever Advantage, a San Diego based promotional products company, has streamlined their marketing programs, designing each one specifically to their clients’ needs to increase company brand recognition. With these customized marketing programs, scaled to a companies’ target, timeframe, budget, and industry, the results are palpable.
The most cost effecting marketing plan is through word of mouth, but starting out with a list of marketing goals is the first step in discovering what is most important to the company. These goals could be; mining a client base, reducing costs per acquisition, increasing conversions and referrals, generating a positive brand exposure, targeting new market segments, or even launching a new product. Upon realizing these goals it will be easier for a company to identify itself and team up with a Marketing Promotional Company that has the same goals and philosophies.
“We only associate with the very best partners for our programs; ones of the highest caliber,” says Sam Knox of Clever Advantage. “We are happy to oversee and contract for anyone. Our services include printing, public relations, web development, graphic design, video production, photography, comprehensive internet marketing, including search engine optimization, and pay per click marketing. Taking your brand to the next level is what we are all about.”
Clever Advantage is located at 611 K Street, Suite B, #161 in San Diego. They can be reached at (866) 698-SPIN, or visit their website at www.cleveradvantage.com.
Clever Advantage, a San Diego based promotional product company, has found its niche in the entrepreneurial market by adapting product items that produce valuable brand building in Southern California.
Company branding, as defined by the American Marketing Association, is a name, term, sign, symbol or design, or a combination of them that’s intended to identify the goods and services of one seller or group and to differentiate them from those other sellers. In order to do this a good brand needs to achieve; a clearly delivered message, emotional connection, buyer motivation, credibility confirmation, and will cement user loyalty.
The importance of branding is vital to any company’s success in today’s highly competitive market, and with the battle for customers deepening every day, the brand promises associated with its product becomes a precious commodity in and of itself. “Branding isn’t only being the one people choose over someone else, but it is the message that you are the only one who can give them what they want,” says Sam Knox of Clever Advantage.
“Our clients in both the marketing and entrepreneurial arena,” continues Knox, “understand that branding is truly the cornerstone piece of the communications portion of their marketing strategy. In order to succeed they must understand the needs of prospects and customers.”
Okay, so how cool is this? I was at this networking party not too long ago and was, you know, just putting my best foot forward; smiling, shaking hands, and handing out my business cards. I know, I know, it probably doesn’t sound too cool, but after having just moved to San Diego from the Bay Area everything was exciting and fresh. At least for the most part!
I was planning to stay in the San Diego area for a while, so I knew I needed to meet people in the business community. My plan was simple; spend two hours at the networking event, hand out a minimum of twenty personal business cards, talk about my work experience when able, and then grab dinner. One of my side focuses at these events is to never, ever over stay my welcome.
As the end of my two hours was quickly approaching, I saw these two women cracking jokes and clearly knowing how to have a good time. I moved to introduce myself and found out they were from this promo company in San Diego. They turn other companies’ promo items into clever marketing products that will help assign a branding advantage over their competitors; hence the company name: Clever Advantage. They had the coolest logo, using the same ‘V’ for both words. And, as it turns out, one of the two is from the Bay Area and the other one is from Montreal, which is rather close to where I grew up, so we had lots to talk and laugh about. They were certainly the highlight of my networking evening, and as my dad always told me, ‘always leave on a high note.’ So I did. I hit the street, heading off to dinner.
Over the course of the next few weeks, maybe a month, we traded some work emails. It was evident their style of work was similar to my own – have fun and do a good job — it seemed like a good opportunity. I knew that my entrepreneurial marketing experience, although not as vast as theirs, was present, so I took a shot and bounced some ideas their way.
And now, suddenly, here I am offering ideas and creating promo products.
Well, I should wrap up here, so feel free to contact me with any stories like this or ideas for business because I never find myself too busy for any type of referral. bobby@cleverpromotionalproducts.com.