Can Community Translate in Business?

by Jason Barrett (designer/programmer at Fierce Creative):

When we think of the pace of business, it looks more like fast food than it would a meal with your family. For so long the paradigm has been to get what you need, get out, and be done. As a business that works exclusively with other businesses I'd ask, 'How's that working for you?'

Furthermore, I'd ask, what if there were a company that had more in mind than just a payment of an invoice? What if you did business with a company that had a keen interest in your goals, your dreams, and your ideas?

I'm a traditionalist, a purist of sorts when I think back to meals with my family. It was less about allowance and more about who I was as a person. I can remember a time when my family would turn the TV off, sit at the table, and discuss not only how I was doing, but where I wanted to be. More importantly, who I wanted to be.

At Fierce Creative Agency, deadlines and bottom line definitely have their place, but more than that, we want to know about you. Your business. Your place in the market of free ideas and expression. We believe that there's a dynamic that can still exist, where your ideas come before quotes and estimates.

We are not a unique business as far as what we do. However, we are unique in how we serve. In every project we undertake, whether it be business cards or an entire business branding, at the forefront, we have our clients goals at the beginning and end of everything that we do.

So, do you want fast food or a meal with the family?

Top 7 Reasons Why You Should Use Promotional Products

1. Promote goodwill: Are you involved in your community? Do you exhibit at the community expos, trade shows, health fairs, community service events, i.e. health fairs, charity golf tournaments, fundraising events? If yes, you need to provide your audience and fellow exhibitors with a tangible reminder that you were there, for the good of the community as well as exposure for your company!
   
2. Advertise your goods and services: Going to trade shows which are relative to your industry is a given, but what about those trade shows/events/appointments that you don't consider relative to your company? Insurance companies naturally will go to home shows, auto shows, (hopefully) health fairs, but what about educational fairs, safety events, and schools? All elementary schools know that the safety issue begins with our little ones! Take a gift for the K-8 students, making the reminder for safety and health appropriate to their age. For the high school group, emphasizing car safety, anti-gang, peer pressure, smoking, drinking and drug information and reminders are a must! Take things to your local law enforcement, fire department and social service department for them to give out to the kids in the community. They will appreciate your consideration! God knows our community helpers rarely have the money to spend on goodwill tokens!
   
3. Build customer loyalty: Do you have customers who you want to thank for being with you for "X" amount of years, "X" number of referrals, "X" amount of items purchased from you, or money spent at your place of business? This would be a great thank you to them for helping your business to grow!
   
4. Build store and trade show traffic: Going to your trade shows is one thing, getting people to your booth is quite another! Have something interesting for them that they will not only hang onto, but others will see and say "Hey, where'd ya get that!?" I did a promotion for one of my customers that was not only inexpensive, but brought numerous potential clientele to their booth. We did personalized Polaroid picture frames and took Polaroid pictures (with a flash) of the folks who came to the booth. The flash brought other onlookers who wanted to get a "keepsake" that was unique and meaningful to take home, too! This was a great promotion, inexpensive and "flashy."
   
5. Celebrate an anniversary or grand opening: Just starting up? You'd better have some budget allowed for your opening to show people you intend to stay in their community for a while. Otherwise, not showing "good faith" to the community may keep people away. Anniversary gifts are a great way to say "Thanks for your business through the years."
   
6. Thank your employees and customers for a great year: You didn't get where you are all by yourself -- your employees helped, which you know well. Give them a tangible thank you gift on their anniversary or your fiscal year-end anniversary. A picnic is wonderful and fun, but something small to take home with them is a real perk! And they will remain happily loyal just for such a small gesture.
   
7. Provide incentives for total quality or safety programs: Have your employees kept your company injury-free? Have workmen's compensation claims and suits dropped or diminished? Your employees will strive even harder to provide a safe environment for your workers if they are rewarded for their efforts. Trust me...it really works!
   
   BONUS TIPS
   
   • Introduce new products: Check out how well the pharmaceutical companies do this...they have their name on more things then you can imagine. Next time you go to your health care provider, take a look around the office. Do you see anything that doesn't have a sponsor's name on it? Not much, I assure you. I have found myself asking my doctor if "such and such" would be beneficial to me for whatever I am seeing him/her about. Their advertising does draw my attention. This works for all products, new or not!
   • Get your company's name and phone number or URL in front of customers and prospects: Have you just gone online? Gotten a Web site? Who knows you are there? Do you do a direct mailing or have something small you can send with your billing? I have just the things to show your clients are seriously wanting to consider your Web site as a real part of your/their business with your company, where they can go to get their questions answered without having to always get someone on the phone. Do you have a troubleshooter site? Checking status site? Things like that would be realistic reasons to alert your clientele of your Web site. Send them something (even as small as a magnet) to keep close at hand for getting in touch with you when they need to without always having to go to their phone book or their bill file.
   
   Now that you know the top 7 reasons to use Promotional Items, contact us and we'll get the ball rolling for you.  If you want it, we can get it and print on it!
   
   Fierce Creative Agency
   530 Church St. Suite 200
   Nashville, TN 37219
   Office: 615.523.9937
   Fax: 615.250.2447
   contact@fiercecreativeagency.com
   www.fiercecreativeagency.com