Promotional Planning
There are many ways to promote a product or service. Whether
the product is new or existing, small or large, critical or
recreational there is one thing that stays the same when it
comes to executing a promotion. The constant in any case is
the need to create a plan for the promotion. Although it can
be fun to fly by the seat of ones pants it isn't very smart
when it comes to advertising. Failing to plan for a promotion
can cost you time and money.
Time and money are the two commodities a business can least
afford to waste. Developing a plan of execution for your
promotion can easily be the difference between success and
failure of the promotion itself. There are a few basic steps
needed for any successful campaign. Follow these; expand them
for your specific product or service and you can virtually
eliminate the chance for promotional failure.
First, it is important to decide what it is you are promoting.
Is it a specific product, a new or entire product line, a
service or group of services, or perhaps you are promoting
your business to build and enhance your brand? Once you have
established what it is you want to promote it is time to
decide who it is that you want to see or hear your promotion.
Selecting a target market for your product or service is a
critical factor in developing a successful promotion. Deciding
who your product or service is best suited for can narrow your
market considerably. Then you need to consider the cost and
who can best afford your product or service. Next consider who
out of this group may actually purchase and use your product
or service and you have a rough target market. After narrowing
your target market you need to focus your promotion.
Selecting advertising methods that will best reach and cost
effectively distribute your message to your target audience is
an important step in any promotional plan. For example;
advertising your new skateboard line during the polka hour on
the local radio station may be a mistake. However, selecting a
time slot that reaches younger listeners may be ideal. Now
that you have chosen an ad venue it is crucial to reduce the
risk of running an unsuccessful campaign.
Promoting your brand along with any product or service
specific advertising reduces and virtually eliminates the
risks of promotional failure. Even if your ad doesn't reach
the appropriate market for your product or service, brand
marketing is always a winning promotion. Take our new
skateboard line for example; an ad promoting the skateboards
alone has a much higher potential failure rate than an ad
promoting both your brand and the skateboard line. An ad such
as; "Check out the new Razors Edge Skateboard at Tom's
Sporting Goods, Offering quality sporting goods for over 30
years", advertises the new line and promotes your brand at
the same time.
Take the time to plan your promotions and your advertising
will be more successful and you can build your brand in the
process. |
Things We May or May Not Need The
ThinkGeek
website is full of fun, useful and frivolous items that we
may or may not need to fulfill our gadget oriented lifestyles.
This is a look at a few things that caught my eye the last
time I visited the site.
Texthook Stroller Smartphone Holder
This gadget holds your smartphone securely on your stroller
while you take junior for a walk. The site says, "Be
texting, talking, or emailing while stroller-ing."
Stroller-ing? Is that even a word? Also for use
on bikes, shopping carts and exercise equipment.
The need for a warning at the bottom of the description
about the dangers of texting while stroller-ing (I kind of
like the word) kind of answers the do we need it question.
WI-FI Detector T-Shirt
You have got to be kidding me! This t-shirt actually
detects and glows based upon the strength of nearby wi-fi
signals. The site says it is better than, "keychain wi-fi
detectors," because they would actually have to take that
out of their pocket.
The six step washing instructions makes this clever gadget
a definite No Need.
All Edges Brownie Pan
This item may be a bit over hyped with a description like,
"Not since the invention of fire has there been such an
advancement to baking." If you have seen two people fight
over an edge brownie you know the hyperbole is justified.
This one is a must have for true edge brownie lovers.
An edge lasagna pan is also available.
The Titanium Spork
Listed as, "The Spork of the Gods". This item
has true potential, spork lovers everywhere will see this as
one whose time has come. The site appropriately states, "Threatens
job security of your other utensils."
True Spork aficionados will deem this a must have.
Please welcome
Heights Home Health in Mapleton to the PPP Design
family. |
