September 15, 2010
Promote, Promote, Promote
Denis Flanagan CLD
Director of public relations and membership services
Many of you may be familiar with the following fable. It reflects what happens when we cut back or fail to promote our businesses. That is something many fall into, mostly
through fear.
During these days of continual bombardment with doom and gloom about the economy, it might be a good time to re-visit the famous story of the hot dog vendor.
hot dogs.
He put up a sign on the highway, telling everyone how good his hot dogs tasted. He would stand by the side of the road and cry, “Buy a hot dog, mister!” And people bought.
The hot dog vendor soon increased his meat and bun order, and he bought a bigger stove to take care of his trade. His son arrived home from college to help him.
But then something happened. His son said, “Father, haven’t you been listening to the radio? There’s a big Depression on. The international situation is terrible, and the domestic situation is even worse.”
Whereupon the father thought, “Well, my son has gone to college. He listens to the radio and reads the newspaper, so he ought to know.” So, the father cut down on the bun order, took down his advertising sign, and no longer bothered to stand on the highway to sell hot dogs.
His hot dog sales fell almost overnight. “You were right, son, we are certainly in the middle of a Great Depression.”
We subscribe to a news clipping service every month to keep track of members in the news. Each month we see our members highlighted in newspaper and magazine stories. For instance, in July, Arvils Lukss of Landscapes by Lucin was featured in Reno & Decor magazine in regards to creating a beautiful front entrance. And, the Bloor West Town Crier featured Adam Gracey of D.A. Gracey and Associates.
These are just two examples of how the news media needs and uses our experts to help create information articles. The bottom line is that investing some time in keeping your company in the headlines and promoting your marketing advantage with the Landscape Ontario/Green for Life brand, it will keep you one step ahead of the competition and hopefully provide some cash flow to buy hot dogs for a staff
barbecue.
Denis Flanagan may be contacted at dflanagan@landscapeontario.com.
Director of public relations and membership services
Many of you may be familiar with the following fable. It reflects what happens when we cut back or fail to promote our businesses. That is something many fall into, mostlythrough fear.
During these days of continual bombardment with doom and gloom about the economy, it might be a good time to re-visit the famous story of the hot dog vendor.
The Hotdog Vendor
A man lived by the side of the road, where he sold hot dogs. He was hard of hearing, so he had no radio, and he had trouble with his eyes, so he had no newspaper. But he sold goodhot dogs.
He put up a sign on the highway, telling everyone how good his hot dogs tasted. He would stand by the side of the road and cry, “Buy a hot dog, mister!” And people bought.
The hot dog vendor soon increased his meat and bun order, and he bought a bigger stove to take care of his trade. His son arrived home from college to help him.
But then something happened. His son said, “Father, haven’t you been listening to the radio? There’s a big Depression on. The international situation is terrible, and the domestic situation is even worse.”
Whereupon the father thought, “Well, my son has gone to college. He listens to the radio and reads the newspaper, so he ought to know.” So, the father cut down on the bun order, took down his advertising sign, and no longer bothered to stand on the highway to sell hot dogs.
His hot dog sales fell almost overnight. “You were right, son, we are certainly in the middle of a Great Depression.”
Promotion
Promotion is more important than ever in this very competitive market, but it does not have to be in the form of traditional, but sometimes costly, methods of advertising. Being savvy about media opportunities can go a long way to promoting your company.We subscribe to a news clipping service every month to keep track of members in the news. Each month we see our members highlighted in newspaper and magazine stories. For instance, in July, Arvils Lukss of Landscapes by Lucin was featured in Reno & Decor magazine in regards to creating a beautiful front entrance. And, the Bloor West Town Crier featured Adam Gracey of D.A. Gracey and Associates.
These are just two examples of how the news media needs and uses our experts to help create information articles. The bottom line is that investing some time in keeping your company in the headlines and promoting your marketing advantage with the Landscape Ontario/Green for Life brand, it will keep you one step ahead of the competition and hopefully provide some cash flow to buy hot dogs for a staff
barbecue.
Denis Flanagan may be contacted at dflanagan@landscapeontario.com.