Almost everyone who dreams of starting their own business is familiar with the fact that they should create a business plan. However, often that's where many people stop. When you created your business plan, what did you do with it? You actually have the base for the next step, which... Read More

Dear Friend:Don't do it.Don't start your fundraising letters with "Dear Friend."After all, when was the last time you received a letter from someone dear to you, addressing you as "Dear Friend?" Never, right? The days of the Dear Friend letter are dead. So let's bury the Dear Friend letter together.I... Read More

Businesses and other organizations use focus groups to research consumer and public opinion concerning a variety of issues. Corporations look to focus groups for general help in selling their products to the world at large instead of any type of direct marketing efforts.Focus groups are usually conducted by Market Research... Read More

In just one month three California vineyards have introduced new wine product lines specifically targeted to women. The product offerings are intriguing with names such as "White Lie" and "Mad Housewife" to the latest introduction "Working Girl White." These wine companies are responding to the message: A wine just for... Read More

To help promote your small business or professional practice, consider tearing a page out of the corporate marketing playbook. For years big companies have partnered with nonprofits to co-promote their brands. And it has worked well because they keep doing it.In fact, since 1990, cause related marketing (also called corporate... Read More

Cinch your success with 8-second leaders! Step into the saddle and ride to the buzzer ? but first, get outfitted for success. Some things are necessary to have on hand in order to be prepared for coming out of the chute. No cowboy worth his chaps would step onto a... Read More

Everyone wants to feel like they're getting a good deal. Merchants often attempt to capitalize on this desire through coupon offers, rebates, and "special discounts." Coupons have become the promotional drug of choice to woo more business from new and old customers alike. Unfortunately, coupons can destroy customer relationships almost... Read More

"Price gouging" is an emotional, inflammatory term. Everyone is against it, but only buyers, angry over excessive profit-taking, proclaim it. As a seller, how can you reap the profit rewards you deserve without being accused of price gouging?From a marketer's perspective, attaching a price tag to a product or service... Read More

Alright you've got yourself a nice website with a great design and a good steady traffic coming in...After that what are you going to do? Do you really have what it takes to make a website that sells? Or is it just another website?Now what I'm about to give you... Read More

1. Focus your fax marketing on one objectiveFax is a flexible medium, and is being used by Adestra clients to sell off-the-page, to conduct research, for broadcasting newsletters, for generating prospects and for database cleaning. Avoid diluting your message by keeping it simple and being clear about what you are... Read More