Adding value to your marketing

Well the topic is networking, Tuesdays are strong networking days, Letip in the morning keeps the concept of networking strong in my head all day. Few people would argue with the statement that referral business is good business. I know I wouldn't. But... are you a one way street?
Or....
Are you actively looking for ways to help out other businesses? Are you giving referrals? Making introductions?, and promoting the business owners that you want promoting you?

How can networking help you add value to your sale?

Suppose that in the process of completing your transaction you learn that your customer has a need that someone in your network can fill. You make the introduction and you have a three way win. You look good, your customer is happy and you have helped an associate generate more business.

Concentrate on finding referrals for your network. Make a point of introducing them to your customers. Find creative ways to promote their business.

They will follow your example and do the same for you.
http://www.signseht.com/
http://www.linkedin.com/in/signseht

Doing Something Different

If the news media and the stock market haven't made it clear enough, It Is Time To Do Something Different! What is your "Something Different"?
For me it's networking, Sign A Rama, Egg Harbor Township has done very well with our standard forms of small business advertising, for over 9 years now. Yellow page ads, the occasional print ad, a website at SignsEHT.com, and a couple of lettered company trucks.
But... it's time for more, and personal selling and business to business networking is where we are focusing our energies. I've found groups like Letip, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Women's Council of the Board of Realtors, to be extremely helpful.
LinkedIn has been very educational, the group directory is an incredible tool, and if you find yourself joining several groups and paging through the discussions you are bound to learn.
Try Something Different.
www.SignsEHT.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/signseht

Sending a message

Wow... take clean metal letters - a dark background add accent lighting, and you get A Statement.

No doubt, that's what a good sign should be, a statement, and more than that, several statements.

How about a question, What would your sign tell someone who couldn't read? I'm not taking a shot a literacy here, there are many reasons for people to be unable to read your sign.
What message does your advertising send to people who lack the ability, the energy, the time, the inclination, to read every word.
The sign pictured below uses a simple typestyle with minor modifications reproduced in cas aluminum with a brushed finish, the end result is simple and elegant. Very Stylish.

http://www.linkedin.com/in/signseht
www.SignsEHT.com