A blind boy sat on the steps of a building with a hat
by his feet.  He held up a sign which said: "I am blind,
please help."  There were only a few coins in the hat.

 

A man was walking by. He took a few coins from his
pocket and dropped them into the hat. He then took
the sign, turned it around, and wrote some words. He
put the  sign back so that everyone who walked by would
see the new words.

Soon the hat began to fill up.  A lot more people were
giving money to the blind boy.
 

That afternoon the man who had changed the sign came
to see how things were. The boy recognized his footsteps
and asked, "Were you the one who changed my  sign this
morning?   What did you write?"

The man said, "I only wrote the truth. I said what you
said but in a different way." I wrote: "Today is a beautiful
day but I cannot see it."

Both signs told people that the boy was blind. But the
first sign simply said the boy was blind.  The second sign
told people that they were so lucky that they were not
blind. Should we be surprised that the second sign was
more effective?

The story shows us that "Copywriting" makes the
difference in how your business should be presented
- your services, your products.  In my book, the first
full advisory chapter, is about copywriting.  No matter
what medium - print, broadcast, direct mail, billboards
or imprinted products - "Copywriting" dictates the all
important message that you wish to convey to your
public, your prospects, your customers. 

Want help in telling your story, viably? 

Call Bakers Marketing Group.  We will put together
a selling message for you.  

We can be reached at 888-404-8044.

You can say what you do simply - like the little blind boy.  OR,
you can convey a message that will do well to "Enhance Your
Image . . . Grow Your Profits" as his updated message did! 

/s/ J. Frederick Baker,
315 W Downer Place, Aurora, IL 60506

Check our website for details on our services  -  www.CallBakers.com

I want to thank Cousin Judy for calling my attention
to this story.  It's much the same as the "Hot Dog Story"
which we published a few weeks ago.

More reasons to enjoy the story and take it to heart
are listed below:
 
Be thankful for what you have.  Be creative. Be innovative.

Think differently and positively.

Life, in these times, gives us 100 reasons to cry,
   but let's show life that we have 1000 reasons to smile.

Face your past without regret.

Handle your present with confidence.

Prepare for the future without fear.

AND . . .

The most beautiful thing is to see a person smiling…And even more beautiful is knowing that you are the reason behind it!!!

As we have said for years: "Keep Smiling.  It's Your #1 Promotional Tool".

Best to all and have a "Great Marketing Day"!   JFB

        

Brougt Back and Dusted Off.  This is one of the best stories about
"keeping on" and not being cowed by the doom and gloomers.  I
believe that I first saw it back in the '70s.  It's as true today as it
was then - and has been over the years.

This is a story of timely relevance. It is about a hotdog vendor who could have made it big. He almost did, but then he lost his nerve - talked out of his plans.  This man, lets call him Hamlet, suffered from poor eyesight, so he didn’t watch television or read the newspapers. He was, also, hard of hearing, so he didn’t listen to the radio either. But he made up and sold great hot dogs.

Every morning, at the crack of dawn, Hamlet visited the market where he stocked up with the best-quality sausages and the freshest rolls available. And before office commuters hit the streets on their way to work, he took up his position at a busy intersection.

“Lovely morning, Sir, don’t you want to buy a hotdog?” he would say when a man passed by. “You look especially lovely today, Madam, don’t you want to buy a hotdog?” he would call out to passing females. And because his stall looked clean and inviting and the smells that emanated from his sausage cooker were seductive, few passers-by could resist.

Business was brisk, but Hamlet wanted more. He had a banner made that advertised his hotdogs and put it up between two street poles every morning. This meant that he had to get out of bed even earlier each day, but he didn’t mind because it drove sales upwards.

Incredible as it may sound, Hamlet made enough money from his hotdog stand that he could put his son through university followed by an MBA. When the boy had completed his studies, father and son sat down to discuss the future. “You know, son,” Hamlet said, “I have never told anyone this but it has always been my dream to set up a chain of hotdog stands across the city, and perhaps even in cities and towns around the country. There could even be teams of part-timers to cover sporting events.

“Everyone loves good hotdogs, so I know that there is a market out there but I have never acted on my dream because, truth be told, I don’t think that I have the skills needed to manage a real big business. With you at my side, it would be a different ballgame, so what do you say?”

“You must be out of your mind, dad!” exclaimed the younger. “Don’t you know that there is a recession on? People are losing their jobs, businesses are closing down everywhere and everyone who has a chance to leave the country does so. And in this climate you want to expand?”

Hamlet was shocked to the core. He had spent his time selling hotdogs and business had been brisk as usual. He was so busy that he hadn’t even noticed that there was a recession happening. But he reasoned that as his son had gone to university, was watching television, reading newspapers and listening to the radio, he must know what’s going on in the world.

This realization depressed Hamlet. He no longer bothered to put up his banner, and he stopped greeting people and inviting them to buy a hotdog. “What’s the use?” he reasoned, “there is a recession on, so people won’t buy anyway!” And quite soon, people stopped buying. The pile of sausages and bread rolls left over at the end of each day grew bigger; at first, Hamlet would give the leftovers away for free, but he soon started to keep them for the next day.

Eventually, Hamlet decided that it was no longer worth his while to run the hotdog stand. “My son was absolutely right” he said to himself, “there really is a recession on; I might as well cut my losses and pack up before I lose everything!”

Our take goes like this: "Don't be talked into anything like Hamlet. "
Keep offering your wares and services. 
Keep Marketing, Advertising, Promoting. 
"DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE RECESSION"!

Call Bakers Marketing Group - to get the ideas you need to
"Enhance Your Image and Grow Your Profits"   888-404-8044. 

What do you think?   Is it time to give up?   We invite your comments?

 

        

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Next -----------------------------------

How about some ways that promotional products have been used
to "Build An Image or Grow Some Profits".

Calendars-A  library with which we worked used a calendar molded from
recycled plastic in a program to promote their Recycled Book Department. The
calendar was part of a year-end mailing to raise funds for the library.
Department and fundraising both successful

 Tote Bags -A local newspaper and a bank have sponsored Tote
Bags in conjunction with our Chamber of Commerce to present to newcomers
in the area. Merchant coupons, promo items, household products, community
fact book, maps and other newcomer information go inside. Copy on the bags
is step; repeat for the newspaper on one side of the bag and the bold logo of
the bank on the other side with its' locations.

 

WE CONTINUE TO OFFER PREMIUMS/ INCENTIVES - Premiums (more
expensive gifts and generally tied to an action - buying something, sales
performance, and the like) are being used by our clients to enhance business,
create sales, as dealer loaders, and the like. Also included in a premium program
classified as an incentive program is travel.Would you work a little harder, perform
a little better, for an all expense paid trip for two to Tahiti?

PREMIUM IDEA IN ACTION - A company that concentrates in hauling new
vehicles has used incentives and promotional products. New vehicles must arrive
at their dealerships in immaculate condition and the company rewards their drivers
who meet company performance standards with gifts recognizing the driver's
quality performance

 

DRINK UP!  We say.- If you really think about it, drinkware is as functional and
as necessary as a clock or a watch. Whether it's in the car, truck, home,  office,
gym or myriad other locations, people need something in which to hold the drink
of their choice. Many of our customers have used a mug (sometimes including a
gourmet coffee or tea) for cold calls and thank yous for the order; i.e. Realtors on
closing a home sale give the gifts at the time or deliver them as the customer
moves into the new home.Another customer who sells auto insurance gives a
travel mug on new or sometimes on renewal of auto insurance. Another customer
used our steel travel mug to celebrate their 50th anniversary giving them to
employees, customers and even vendors. We're not just talking the ceramic coffee
mug which still has a great life for office and home use, but we are talking all the
contemporary travel mugs made in contemporary looks and colors from neons to
metallics like copper. There is no limitation - just your imagination (and ours)!.

I always hope that what we present entertains, educates and works for you to:
                        "Build Your Image . . . Grow Your Profits"

Certainly, the promotions and ideas about which we write have helped our
clients to grow and prosper.  You can "borrow" them and prosper, too.

Have a Great Marketing day!

/s/ J. Frederick (Fred) Baker
888.404.8044 - finds me wherever I'm at.
Bakers Marketing Group
315 W Downer Place
Aurora, IL 60506

 

 

 

 

 

 

        

The Umbrella Spoke about which we'll be talking today is all about video,
in emails, on blogs, on your website.  Say more in less time.  Get more
information out to your customers.  Show a picture worth one thousand
words, etc., etc., etc.  Go to my website, (mouse over the blank space
following to  click on the site) www.CallBakers.com to learn more
about Video Email and how to use video on facebook, youtube and
other venues.

We're always trying something new.  Maybe it will benefit you and maybe
not, but if we know how it works we can, at least, advise you on the "care,
feeding and use" of those ideas.

As most of you know, there isn't a marketing project that we cannot initiate
and accomplish for you.  In many cases, an associate may help or participate,
but that's good for you.  Here's why.  In the largest agencies, with scores of
people on staff, they have to be kept busy.  But, no matter,  whether they are
or not, they have to be paid.  That creates enormous overhead.  That results
in what becomes, at least, in my mind - overcharging for services rendered.

In my scenario, I have put together a group of independent and seasoned
professionals that are all entrepreneurs.  Each of us, generally, concentrates
in a specific discipline.  We can, always, work in a special project to assist one
another in completing a project, in meeting a need you may have..

That overhead savings results in charges to you that are way under what a large
agency would charge,  but you get the same professionalism - maybe even better
because we all care about you as an individual.

So here's the new item we're adding or "may begin using" deal, I'm using the
"godaddy" video to pass along a lot of information in a short time.

Let's face it, most people can talk faster than they can type and more information
can be conveyed thru pictures in a short time.

Thanks for following us.  I may move to another forum as "godaddy" has no way to
get us who is and who isn't subscribed to our blog.  Personally, I think that is
ridiculous, and, of course, I've passed that thought on thru support and email
feedbacks.  Nothing seems like it is underway. 

Whatever I do, will still be a true opt in, so . . .if you get tired of hearing about
marketing, all you have to do is "opt out" or buy my book and get "educated"
quickly on the marketing mix. The book will be out very shortly.  I've toyed with
several different ways to publish it - the idea of putting it in a 3 ring binder (that
way when new or additional thoughts are forthcoming)really appealed to me,
We could get ideas to you quickly and you could store them in the 3 ring
binder.  That, however, would require a subscription and all that entails so we
decided against going that route.  

My master copy, however, is in a 3 ring binder which will allow me to update,
amend and refresh the book with new editions.   The book, now, is about 160
pages with 150 usable ideas to "Build Your Image . . . Grow Your Profits".  That's
about a dime per idea.  Can't go too far wrong there.

The book is shown in the following video.  This experimental video is about
5-6 minutes and there are some very special promotional ideas included.

That's it for now.  Have a Great and Healthy Marketing Day!

J Frederick (Fred) Baker  (Just click on the arrow to start the video)

 

 

        

A Personal Note 

On May 1, I began my 46th year in business – the business of sales promotion. Over the years, I've expanded the business to cover most facets of the marketing mix. We now provide a full range of marketing ideas and services to help you "Build Your Image . . . Grow Your Profits".

(To all those who have made these past 45 years so interesting, so much
fun - THANK YOU! Unfortunately too many are not with us any more.)

 

 

 

 

We do everything from print and broadcast (TV and Radio) advertising, to promotions such as direct mail, trade shows and displays, to contests and grand openings, to complete marketing programs including budgeting. Over the years, we've provided all those services, at one time or another, under the “special projects” category, but now we have formalized and built a complete marketing agency with the services such an agency can provide.

 It's easy to reflect on those things that were so great, the high points, but it is not hard either to forget the low points and there are both in anybody's lifetime, yours too, I'm sure.

 If you go through life without high points or low points I don't know if you're lucky (or unlucky) because the low points sure make you appreciate the high points a whole lot more.

 I have been blessed (sometimes I say cursed when we are in shouting disagreement) with a wife of 48 years, 4 kids (2 girls, 2 boys), 8 grandchildren (5 boys and 3 girls), and several dogs, cats and other pets over the years each of which presented their own laughter, problems, great stories and more.

 I have always looked at every day in my life as an adventure - and a gift. Some years after I started in business, I came across one quote that turned me on and proved to me that I've always been on track. That one is from Helen Keller – it is: “Life is either a daring adventure or it is nothing”, and I do believe in that. The quote hangs on my office wall.  Other well-knowns and leaders have said somewhat the same thing.

 Years ago, I coined the expression, "I'm not afraid of dying – I'm afraid of not living!" That is a fact. I've been a lucky "cat" (I'm afraid to count the life I'm on – hope it isn't number 9) beating health problems – parents thought they'd lost me when I was 10; beating leukemia (20 years ago) then lymphoma 10 years later.  A multitude of other sicknesses have attacked, too. I've been in accidents (one of which was a car that was totaled and I walked away with just scratches) - none of which, by the way, were my fault (except one minor one).

I've been kidnapped and shot at in the same episode, then, jumped from the speeding vehicle to get away and came out with just a few bruises and scrapes (we were chased all over downtown Chicago by police who fired on the vehicle). Made the front page of all (4 at the time) the Chicago newspapers on that one (and most TV and radio news).  Not the way, I would have liked to make the front page.  A Note: The police caught the guy after I vacated the vehicle.

 I've been fiscally and physically assaulted and survived to be here starting this 46^th year and looking for a great year as we pull out of this recession. Having been around for all these years, I can guarantee you that this US economy of ours will survive, will bounce back, will be profitable for those that work at marketing their businesses – NOW.

 Years ago, I introduced a phrase, “Keep Smiling – It's Your Number One Promotional Tool.” I still believe in that. Yes, once in awhile, it is moan and groan time, but just for a few minutes while we retrench and get ready for the next opportunity.

 Give us a call.  Get your business setup for the next, great surge of growth and profits. We look forward to working with you and growing together.  Thank you for reading and Have a Great Marketing Day!
J Frederick Baker, Bakers Marketing Group, 630.264.1200

 

 

 

 

        

What is it all about?  This advertising medium called Specialty Advertising . . .

-Visibility
-Position
-Repetition
-Appreciation
-Silent Salesmen

In an entry about a month or so ago, I defined Specialty Advertising (mostly used and useful items imprinted to provide the above) and gave the 3 main facets of the medium (Specialties, Gifts, Premiums).  I invite you to refer back to that entry for complete details.

Below are some ideas in action to whet your appetite for a sales promotion medium that works!

        

I seldom write about places that I've visited in this blog as it isn't a journal.  It is a blog that, hopefully, will help you "Build Your Image . . .Grow your Profits" by using our ideas and services.

However, this past Monday evening, my wife, Barb, and I visited an establishment that should be brought to your attention for it's differences, it's services and it's people.

I should add, too, about the following restaurants that in each are great people providing special services.  You can feel comfortable both casual and dressed up at the first two.

When we go out around Aurora, there's a plethora of fine and casual dining establishments.  One of our favorites is Orchard Valley Restaurant at the Fox Valley Park District Golf Course (on Orchard Road)  of the same name which, day-in-day-out serves up as fine a food for a reasonable price as you can find. 

At the other end of town on Route 59 (in Aurora) is Luigi's, a Portillo restaurant.  It's a little more pricey than Orchard Valley, but still in range of the average person (like my wife and I).  It's a great meal with desserts that make you smile with anticipation.

For casual, we drop in at Luigi's on Prairie (no relationship to the one on Route 59) to see Bill Poss now and then.  He has a packed house most of the time with games for kids and adults, as well as, pizza and sandwiches.  Another casual and fun place with TV for almost every area is Pat's   "The Shamrock Man" in west plaza off Galena.

That's four of our favorites among many that we like in the area.  BUT, we now have to get back to the reason for writing this, a Brazilian Restaurant called:  Chama Gaucha at Finley and Butterfield in Downers Grove.  A colleague, Jackie CR, who has an association with the restaurant told us about it and gave us access to a promotion for some savings.  So, last Monday evening, Barb and I stopped after calling on some customers over that way.  It's easy to get to - right off 355.  Another reason that we had an interest in stopping is that our twin sons had both mentioned the brazilian steakhouses, they had attended, and exclaimed on the experience.  The real crux of the meal is the meat serving, though everything else is great.  They bring you, *Prime Sirloin, *Ribeye, *Aleatra(top sirloin), *Fraldinha(bottom sirloin, *Costela(beef rib), *Filet Mignon, *Porco (Pork Ribs), *Frango Linguica (Chicken), *Cordeiro (Leg of Lamb), *Pork Sausage - and they don't stop.  You get slices of everything.  You are given a coaster with a red side and green side.  When you want them to stop - turn up the red.  You don't even have to stop chewing.  When you are ready to eat more, just turn to green.  The experience is not inexpensive but not out of line either.  Pricing is $32.50 per person, drinks are extra - so are desserts, etc.

Again, i really can't say enough about the service.  It's almost overwhelming.  You don't run out of anything whether rolls, water or drinks.  You can read more about it at this link: chamagaucha.com‎

That's our Monday night experience.  It's 4:30 PM on Thursday, now.  I'm going to start closing down, and I think Barb and I will head for Orchard Valley Restaurant and its great experience.  Maybe we'll see you there or one of the other places that  I mentioned.

Best to you all.

Enjoy. 

Fred Baker

----A disclaimer - nobody paid for this.  None of the places are customers.  We just like to go there.

        

        

Government surveyors came to Ole's farm in the fall and asked if they could
do some surveying. Ole agreed and Lena even served them a nice meal at
noontime.

The next spring, the two surveyors stopped by and told Ole, "Because you
were so kind to us, we wanted to give you this bad news in person instead of
by letter."
Ole replied, "Vat's da bad news?

The surveyors stated, "Well, after our work we discovered your farm is not
in Minnesota.  It is actually in South Dakota!"

Ole looked at Lena and said," Dat's da best news I've heard in a long
time. Remember, Lena, yust dis mornin, I said dat I don't tink I can take anoder
winder in Minnesoda."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sometimes that's all it takes to make something special - an attitude, a new idea, new look.  Ole has the right idea!

Specialty Advertising defined:
  The value of Specialty Adverising (imprinted promotional products) is the ability to create visibility to a well-defined audience
Because Specialty Advertising ideas/products are, generally, useful for and appreciated by the recipient, the items are retained and used providing repetition of the advertising message many times over without increased or further cost to the advertiser.
  An added bonus for the advertiser is the position advantage of the idea in personal space of the recipient.
The three product categories:
   Ad Specialties -  are products that 1) carry an advertising message; 2) are useful items; and 3) are given with no strings attached.  They become silent salesmen for your business, brand, slogan and even provide specific information.
  Premiums - are offered as an incentive for an accomplishment or an action.  Premiums are, generally, consumer type products and may not be imprinted.
  Business Gifts - are products given to customers, employees and centers of influence among others.  They are given to "Thank" people for performance.

That's it for this edition.  Next time we'll give some "ideas in action", some ways to use and how to use specialty advertising.

Our website, also, now carries our blog.  
Mouse over and click here for our website>>>> Click right here to go to our website: 

Have a great marketing day!

Fred Baker
630.701.6630 or 630.264.1200
315 W Downer Place
Aurora, IL 60506

        

Lena passed away and Ole called 911. The 911 operator told Ole that she would
send someone out right away. "Where do you live?" asked the operator.
Ole replied, "At the end of Eucalyptus Drive." "Can you spell that for me?" the operator asked.
There was a long pause and finally Ole said, "How 'bout if I drag her over to Oak
Street and you pick her up der?"
 -Anonymous-

 

We are so PC anymore that we can't have fun telling any kind of joke it seems. Being that both sets of my grandparents came over from Norway, I guess that I can get away with "Ole and Lena" jokes. Most of the those jokes that I have on file are anonymous - maybe because a lot of them are groaners - but funny.

I started with this Ole and Lena joke because of the fact that Ole couldn't spell the street on which he lived. Now that's really what you call "situational unawareness".

In sales, you must always be "situational aware". For our part, here at Bakers Marketing Group, we have always explored all areas of the companies with which we are working so that we have the widest possible "situational awareness" of those companies. (Besides that, it is a grand Liberal Arts education - and fun.)   We don't sell "tchochkees".  We provide advice and counsel on "Building Your Image . . . Growing Your Profits". We can't do that properly without knowing about your business, without having insight into how you work and goals you want to achieve.

No matter what business you are in, except maybe mass marketing, you must find out
about your customers to serve them the best way possible.

In training sessions here and in other areas and companies we serve, our mantra is, 1) "Questions Are The Answer!" and 2) "Listening Is Essential!" When you have completed the questions and digested the answers, then you can provide the ultimate service to your customer. We have a quick "Creative Analysis" card that we use at trade shows. It helps us get a capsule look at a prospect so that we can develop fast-start knowledge of the individual or that company. To get a leg up on your competition, you should develop your own "Creative Analysis". Puzzled on how? Give us a call, and we can work with you to develop that sales aid.

I have "sold" an idea 3 times in my business career. Here's what I mean: I felt so strongly about the idea that I was promoting in each instance (I knew it would be beneficial to my client) that I did sell with pressure to achieve each of those sales. Three times in 40+ years of "selling" that I actually sold.

Here's what we really do (and so should you) to make a sale. We offer choices based on an informed and educated knowledge of the prospects/customers/clients needs. The choices are offered based on the answers to the questions that we ask to become better acquainted with a company; and, therefore, that knowledge makes us far better equipped than any of our competition to serve the needs of the company with which we may be working at the time. That hard work in learning about a company is, generally, rewarded with the loyalty of our customers to us. In fact, isn't it that loyalty for which we all work - or for which we should work!

We classify what we do, not as selling, but as counseling or consulting.   We have taken this approach so that our clients (and those with whom we come in contact) know that what we do is in their best interest.  It is an approach that has worked well for our company over these very short, looking back, 40+ years that we have worked in marketing, advertising and sales promotion.

I have a bible verse posted on my wall in the office, in big bold letters, which became my slogan, motto, saying, expression, shibboleth, if you will, from a very early age. It is Mathew 7:7 and it reads: "Knock, and it shall be opened unto you; Seek, and ye shall find; Ask, and it shall be given to you." There is nothing more important or appropriate for a sales person than those words - those three admonishments.

Until next time, remember Matthew 7:7 and Bakers Marketing Group for your consulting and counseling on marketing needs to "Build Your Image . . . Grow Your Profits" in 2010 and beyond.
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February 15, 2010, Copyright, Bakers Marketing Group of PBI, Aurora, IL 60506,  Phone: 630-264-1200  630-264-1200