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A Cybersecurity Engineer, a Food Inspector and a Tugboat Captain…
Is it Madness to Run a March Giveaway?
Okay, maybe. Yet, I don’t think so! I think having Giveaways all year round work! I’m preparing a March Madness Giveaway starting next week! I’ll tell you more about it, but first…let me tell you a bit about Giveaways for your own business.
Giveaways have always been a good marketing idea. Why? Folks love Free Stuff. Folks love Free Samples. Folks love the Idea of Winning Things. Free Gift with Purchase? Still works. Buy One Get One, yep, that too. I love all of that myself!
So many successful business owners started out Building their Brands giving away their products or services. Just in the last few weeks, I’ve read about relatively new businesses which over and over again said something like this:
‘We gave lots of our products away in the beginning and still do to boost Brand Awareness.’
Why would they do this? They want and need Reviews. They want and need Suggestions for how to make their products better. They know that these new folks will often share the news with their friends. Brand Recognition is always a smart thing to do!
Even, as their business grows. Successful Businesses do some type of Giveaways. Why? They want and need to Create a Buzz, by Attracting New Audiences, Reaching more Viewers. Giveaways do this almost immediately. These new audiences who participate in Giveaways are more likely to become customers in the Future. That’s what the experts call- Brand Loyalty. Are you convinced? I hope so. In the next blog post, I’ll share my best advice on how to run a Giveaway…
Here’s my March Madness Giveaway! *and no, it doesn’t have anything to do with basketball! I’ve done giveaways for decades when I worked in Retail for 30+ years! I’ve done Giveaways since I published my online course last year. I started with a belief in what I could share with others. I also began with the commitment to give away my course from time to time, for all the reasons above but mostly because the idea was born during the pandemic when folks were in danger of losing their businesses or jobs.
So! Here’s what’s in the March Madness Giveaway!
- 5 Complete Course Giveaways! Value? Almost $200 each!
- 4 Instagram Grid Upgrade Suggestions- *this is your Virtual Shop Window!
- 3 Instagram Bio Upgrade Suggestions- *this is your worldwide Business Card!
- 2 One on One Coaching Sessions with me- *a $75 value each
- 1 Grand Prize- This is a Complete Course with the Choice of a Coaching Call or Both the Grid Upgrade and Bio Upgrade
And, I’m not leaving out those folks who have already gone through my online course- ‘Be Unforgettable- Beginner’s Guide to Visual Marketing’ – they can notify they’ve taken the course and they will automatically be entered for a Grid or Bio Upgrade or to Be Featured in the updates I’m doing to the Course! There may be more prizes – hopefully for anyone who enters! Stay tuned…
So how do you enter: https://skilled-author-7671.ck.page/74d4fe914d Sign up for My Newsletter! That’s the only entry required! Folks already on the list will be entrants and the Winners will be announced through the Newsletter too! I hope you’ll take me up on this.
That’s It! The Giveaway begins March 20, 2023 and ends March 30, 2023! So I hope you’ll sign up and get All the Details!
And, Good Luck on your own Giveaways- coming up next blog post will be How to Run a Successful Giveaway!
As always, love y’all, Brenda
That’s It! *not sure how those big blocks got there 🙂
What is Visual Marketing? The Art of Visual Story and more..
Hello!
If you’re new here, so thankful to have you with us! As you may have noticed the seasons are definitely changing! And what that means is that we are entering Fall and Winter Holiday Season! New Colors, New Designs. New Images. New Content to Write. New Marketing efforts! Did I hear a groan? Yes, I know. And I also know this- Visual Marketing is the best way to do it all!
The question recently was asked- What is Visual Marketing? Well, the short answer is that Visual Marketing is the Art of Visual Storytelling. Your Brand Colors. Your Products and Images. Your Designs. The way you Market what you offer. Your Written Content all add up to a Visual Story that has an energy that only you can offer! It takes all 5 of those components! Is this new? Not really, it’s just that if you focus on just one aspect, you may not be getting the word out there in a way that makes folks want to make a decision or purchase your products. Remember the statistics- 600% recall what they See! 20% recall of what they Read! 300% will make a Purchasing Decision with Visual plus Compelling Content! (there’s the sweet spot!) And that blend is known as Visual Marketing! Visual Storytelling is the best way to sell your Products and Services! Let me give you an example:
Let me tell you a story: .Marc and Robert lived in Paris and had been friends from childhood. Both had a brilliant creative parent. . Marc’s father was a famous glassmaker who crafted jewelry, vases, chandeliers and even glass hood ornaments- for very expensive cars.. .Robert’s mother was a famous fashion designer- beautiful soft and feminine clothing. .Marc’s father was Rene Lalique, yes of the famous Lalique Glass. .Robert’s mother was a famous fashion designer- beautiful soft and feminine clothing. .Marc’s father was Rene Lalique, yes of the famous Lalique Glass. Robert’s mother was Nina Ricci. .Nina Ricci and her son Robert decided that a signature fragrance would be added to the fashion design business. Robert would be in charge. The scent would go on to be one of the top 5 fragrances in the 20th century. World War 2 had ended. Folks were getting married in record numbers. This fragrance would be worn by countless brides and beautiful ladies. The blend of roses, iris, gardenias and carnations won their hearts. Grooms were ready for peace and hope. .Robert hired his friends Rene and Marc to design the fragrance bottle- they designed the top with 2 doves and a rising sun as a sign of peace. The box which housed the parfum was a soft yellow trimmed with pure white. . The name of the fragrance is L’ Air du Temps (love fills the air) and was worn as a sign of Hope. It was released in 1948. .This fragrance was still highly prized and worn by those same war brides and their daughters… so what sold the fragrance? . The colors? The bottle design? The way it was displayed? The Name? the creative Blend? the Story? . I sold it. It was all of the above. That’s what visual marketing is! .It’s that amazing blend of color, design, beautiful images and thoughtful displays and oh my yes- the Unforgettable Story!
That’s the Power of Visual Marketing- it’s the art of Visual Storytelling with Color Values, Good Design, Wonderful Images, Compelling Written Content and Basic Marketing Principles.
As you plan your posts- remember to tell those Stories! Use Color to speak their language. Use great images, be aware of the lighting you use. Make sure you aren’t using too many templates and collages, they often confuse the eye with too many images to focus on. If you use a lot of colorful images, be sure to add space- my favorite way to do this is to add White Space as a Quote with simple Fonts! Also, it’s worth noting now that the best holiday prices are before Black Friday- so plan those discounts now!.
I hope your upcoming Seasonal and Holiday Marketing efforts are now in the planning stage and you’ve got some great ideas to showcase your products and services! And while you’re at it- go ahead and plan those Holiday Gift Guides! I can’t wait to see the images you share, the colors you choose and those amazing stories I’m sure to read! All the Best.
Love y’all, Brenda
Creator of ‘Be Unforgettable’ Online Marketing Course
August and September…
Hello! I hope you’re having a Great Week! It’s still hot where I live… though as Back to School has started here, I’m thinking of cooler days, Fall travel plans, seeing big plump pumpkins and enjoying all of you! Thank you for your kind responses to my blog- it means the world to me. Why? You always make my day, wherever you are! If you’re new here? Wonderful to have you!
This will be an important post, why? Because it’s Time Sensitive! I wrote about this in my last newsletter yet! It really needed to be at the top of a newsletter not at the bottom! (that’s where I generally put the best marketing stuff)
Number One! August and September are the Best Months of the Year to Launch new products! Let me say that again- August and September are the best months in the Retail Calendar Year for Launching New Products! I can hear some of you now saying- but what if I don’t have a new product? Well, create one or repurpose something you’ve had before! It’s a great time to do it! Time sensitive means- You literally have just Six Weeks! *This is true worldwide, not just in the US.
Number Two– actually helps you with Number One. Commit right now to creating one piece of Content every day! Did I hear a groan? Here’s what you did not hear- I didn’t say. Create an IG post every day. I didn’t say you have to do a Reel or Video every day! I said, ‘Create one piece of content everyday’. If you need to batch 7 pieces of content to use throughout the week- Please do that! An IG post per day? No, I didn’t say that either! My “One Piece of Content Strategy’ is this:
- Post to IG- probably my usual 3 times per week. I may increase this to 4 during August and September.
- Create a unique Story for my IG- a Reel, short appropriate to my brand or my personal life, that I choose to share. Probably more than one!
- Create a PDF or something new to offer folks who might be interested in my online course. It’s always good to be creating new content! Maybe I won’t use it right now, but it’s something I can use later when I’m pressed for Time!
- Add a video to my small YouTube account- this is, after all the 2nd largest platform in the world! Or add something new to my Pinterest account- which has been sadly neglected.
- Create Compelling Content for this Newsletter! *please note: the Algorithm doesn’t change your email list! And really? it rarely affects your blogging efforts either!
Since my Online Course is now in the Launch Phase, I don’t want to miss an opportunity to tell you a little about it- Be Unforgettable Beginner’s Guide to Visual Marketing will help you learn how:
- To share your values with color before you write a single word! (Saves so much time!)
- Not sure how to do a layout for your social media sites so that it really looks like a Brand? or as I say- like a beautiful Virtual Shop Window!
- Not sure what images to choose and use? I teach you that with my Favorite Props, Materials and Images! This includes some tips about the difference between Product Shots and Social Media posts.
- Don’t like Writing Content? I get it. I’ll teach you time tested proven methods, easy and fun too!
- Really dread Marketing your products or aren’t sure how? In Marketing 101, you’ll learn methods that won’t feel icky or salesy!
- In just over a month, your site will look wonderful, I predict you’ll be thrilled!
I always say: ‘The Sooner Your Site looks beautiful and your Copy is Compelling, the sooner your products will begin to sell!’
Here’s the link to my course: https://camellia-s-cottage-blog.mykajabi.com/about-course-copy-1-ed7ee1ac-4438-4133-968b-ffee43106f2b
All the best if you have new products or services! I hope August and September are truly successful! Would love to hear from you!
Love y’all, Brenda
Creator- Be Unforgettable Beginner’s Guide to Visual Marketing
‘…it’s about the Stories you tell.’
Here’s a portion of that IG post, which started with one of my favorite Quotes from marketing expert Seth Godin.
‘Marketing is no longer about the stuff you make, it’s the stories you tell’
Godin’s quote is pure truth. Fragrances made up a big part of my retail experience. When a new fragrance was launched, or I was hired on contract to sell fragrances- I learned the stories behind the perfumes. What went into a particular blend. Especially European scents use of natural essences. Honestly? It’s a lot like learning the notes that make up fine wines…
I worked for Oscar de La Renta’s fragrances and the International Division of Chanel fragrances. The story behind Oscar’s was one I particularly loved (it helped that I met him too!) he was from the Dominican Republic- becoming a premier fashion designer, he was asked to design a perfume that reflected his fashion. What did he do? He went home and walked through his mother’s garden picking a bouquet of his favorites.
With notes of gardenia, orange and peach blossom, basil, coriander, rosemary-add in tuberose, iris, jasmine, roses and bottom notes of cloves and coconut. It was a fragrance that’s stood the test of time. Light and feminine- it expressed his brand of feminine clothing. I gave customers samples, sprayed my own business cards with Oscar’s fragrance and dropped them in with their purchases… (What does that mean for you? Think about it- I’ll tell you later on..)
Actually, there was a bit more to my IG post with stories as we launched and sold new products. First, I learned all I could about the new products, whether it was products, clothing or fragrance. Learning the finer points of a new product is essential, If a celebrity used it, that was a fun fact – just like the fact that Oscar created his fragrance from his mother’s garden in the Dominican Republic. If a celebrity used the fragrance or product that was often a selling point too! Let me rephrase that! When the Stories were told about celebrities or fun, quirky facts- That! actually sold the products!
How does that relate to what you do? Well… Do you teach meditation? Could you find out if a popular figure or celebrity also meditates? If you are an artist who prefers watercolors- is there a famous artist who preferred watercolors too? Maybe you prefer to paint in a garden- now I Know there must be a famous artist who also painted in a garden! If you created a product or service- what is the story? Why did you create it? Share the Pain Point or Turning Point of why you decided to bring forth your creativity into the marketplace of Ideas…
More Ideas are included in my Newsletter! If you’d like to find out more? I hope you’ll sign up for my Marketing Newsletter! Just send an email to brenda@brenda-wyatt.com
Love y’all, Brenda
Creator of ‘Be Unforgettable Beginner’s Guide to Visual Marketing online course. It’s in Launch Phase now! Click below to find out more about it. Now is the time to uplevel your visual marketing for the big Holiday Season ahead! Whether you’re a pro, just getting started or even just dreaming of marketing! I’d love to have you!
Camellia's Cottage 