CreativeWritingAndDesign

Preparing for the Upcoming Year

2010-12-14T13:43:00.000-08:00

I realize that this is the time of year when most are focused on the holidays, families, friends, and gatherings. However, as a business owner it is important to not lose site of your business during the end of the calendar year.

One of the things I recommend for clients is to review the past business year in terms of their overall marketing and reflect on the big picture:

Where did you market your business and how was the return? Was it in print advertising?
Did you utilize online resources such as directories and social media?
Did you give the source of each marketing tool at least six months minimum to prove its worthiness for next year's marketing plan?
How many free methods of advertising did you try? Did those methods have a higher or lower payoff?
Did you really stay in front of your clients with newsletters, social media opportunities, letters, emails, postcards and phone calls? Sometimes staying in touch is all that is needed to create repeat business AND referrals.
Did you advertise on your automobile? Magnet signs are relatively inexpensive and can be seen by thousands of people where you drive and shop, particularly if your business is locationally driven.

What new marketing tools do you want to deliver in 2011? Perhaps I can assist you.

Vicki Christensen
Creative Writing & Design
480-705-0095 | CreativeWriter@cox.net

2010-07-26T08:50:00.000-07:00

I just read some most interesting stats on Facebook and thought you might appreciate knowing them, also. This is certainly the wave of the future for business marketing.

"Facebook, the largest social networking website, surpassed Google, the leading search engine for the week ending March 19th, 2010. The social networking website captured 7.07 percent of the market share and online traffic, whereas Google captured 7.02 percent in the same category. Social networking has been on a surge reshaping how users get their news, and competition with search engine Google is a new chapter." (Source: www.examiner.com)

The average user:

-Has 130 friends.
-Spends more than 55 minutes per day on Facebook.
-Is connected to 60 Pages, Groups and Events
-Creates 70 pieces of content each month.

People spend over 500 billion minutes per month on Facebook.
-35 million+ users update their status each day.
-60 million+ status updates are posted each day.
-3 billion+ photos are uploaded to the site each month.
-3.5 million+ events are created each month.
-20 million+ users become fans of Pages each day

This is the direction of business marketing and networking. If you are not maximizing this free opportunity, contact me on how you can be online in 1 hour with a business group or page today!

Join In The Flow Marketing on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=118198741534889&ref=search&sid=100000480085315.1154071248..1

Join Creative Writing & Design on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/edit/?id=58787836505#!/pages/Tempe-AZ/Creative-Writing-Design/58787836505

Website update:
http://www.creativewritinganddesign.com/

Building Customer Relationships

2010-05-14T07:49:00.000-07:00

To the ordinary entrepreneur, closing and finalizing the sale is the completion of serving the customer’s needs. But for the pro, this is only the beginning. Repeat customers are the “backbone” of every successful business. So, how do you keep them?

- To ensure you don’t drop the ball on follow-up, check out one of the many contact management or sales software program on the market.

- Make it easy for customers to contact you – by phone, fax, email, website, social media, etc. – to share ideas, frustrations and suggestions.

- Create external incentives to keep customers coming back. Offer customers free merchandise or services after they buy a certain amount. This gets them in the habit of buying again and again.

- When customers are happy with your service, ask them for a testimonial. Get permission to use quotes from the testimony in your print ads, websites and brochures. Ask if you can use their name and phone number to certain qualified prospects so they can get a solid recommendation about your business firsthand.

- Offer referral discounts to loyal customers who refer new clients your way.

- Go above and beyond. Hand deliver merchandise. Call the customer personally. Take 20 percent to 30 percent off the cost. Invite customers to a showing of your new products.

Customer loyalty is hard to win and easy to lose. Going above and beyond with your customer service, you’ll soon see your sales going above and beyond those of your competitors.

In The Flow Marketing has a group on Facebook!

2010-05-07T11:02:00.000-07:00

In the Flow Marketing now has its own Facebook group! Join us for this online business marketing exchange and network. This new online group will allow us to expand and grow in unimaginable ways and you've all been invited to join!

Receive pertinent business tips and advice for small business owners, upcoming events for business growth, "outside the box" marketing ideas and more in your Facebook in box. And, market your business and events to the In The Flow network.

Let's continue to build businesses with this new wave of marketing. Join us now!

http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=118198741534889&ref=search&sid=100000480085315.1154071248..1

Tips from a Professional Presenter and Speaking Coach

2009-08-26T16:21:00.000-07:00

Would you like to…

Keep Your Audience Interested and Involved?
Speak Persuasively with Credibility and Sincerity?
Connect with charisma and likeability?
Have a clear, powerful message that results in Action?

Think about it…

Are your presentations a true and positive reflection of your company?
Are you smart but having difficulty conveying that knowledge?
Do you have a great message but lack the delivery skills to convey it effectively?

Then…don’t miss speaker Hilari Weinstein, President of High Impact Communication:

“Present with Impact!”

Make a fabulous impression on an audience of 1 or 100 by learning the 7 C's of winning presenters and better understanding the 3 ways others receive information:

- What is Seen
- What is Heard
- What is Felt

8/29/09: In The Flow Marketing - A Networking Group for Women - Scottsdale
Time 9:45 am Networking

Meeting: 10:00 am to Noon

Cost: $15 (Speaker & Speed Networking!)

Location: New Vision Spiritual Center, 9659 North Hayden Road, Scottsdale, AZ (in the corner of the shopping center, next door to the church in the fenced Education Building, Peace Room)

RSVP: Vicki Christensen, thevickster00@cox.net or 480-705-0095
More: www.CreativeWritingAndDesign.com (Click on In The Flow Marketing)

More about Hilari:

Hilari Weinstein, President of High Impact Communication, works with clients nationwide to help make their presentations more effective and engaging. Having gained greater confidence, productivity, and influence, her various clients have secured close to a billion dollars in revenue IN THE PAST FEW YEARS alone.

In The Flow Marketing is a division of Creative Writing and Design. For more information about In The Flow Marketing visit: http://www.creativewritinganddesign.com/In_The_Flow_Marketing.html

Seasoning the Cast Iron Pan

2009-07-21T14:14:00.000-07:00

I had a dream the other night about seasoning a cast-iron pan. I’m not sure what may have prompted this dream, but I find that my dreams are filled with interesting tidbits when I look into them further.

Anyone who has ever owned a cast-iron pan knows that the key to its marvelous non-stick surface is in the seasoning of the pan. The more seasoning that is done initially, the stronger the “seasoning bond.” If done correctly, the pan will last a lifetime. If food begins to stick over time, the pan needs to be properly re-cleaned and re-seasoned once again.

When I look at this process I cannot help but think about our country’s economic situation and its affect on us as individuals, women and entrepreneurs.

How “seasoned” are we feminine entrepreneurs?
Are all the world events “sticking” to our surfaces?
Are we in need of re-seasoning to form a stronger bond?
I think so.

For years now, I have heard that it is the time for the feminine to emerge. Yet, in our current situation, I cannot find them. Where are they? Who is leading them? What are they doing? Are they at home? Are they in fear? Are they cocooned waiting for something to happen? Waiting for someone to tell them what to do next, when and how?

Our thoughts about the economy are like food stuck to a poorly-seasoned pan. Unless, we re-season the pan and emerge victorious in our thoughts and actions, we will have more of the same.

Perhaps now is not the time for the feminine to hibernate.

Perhaps now is the time for them to join together in groups, circles and lead by example, supporting one another, allowing their skills to be seen and used by others. Let’s build a model community together.

I know that I could use some support right now. How about you?

I just re-seasoned my pan. What shape is your pan in?

Are you an Expert in Your Field?

2009-07-16T10:22:00.000-07:00

Positioning yourself in your field as an expert is a critical marketing component. If you’re not viewed as an expert, then why should your client hire YOU? If you do view yourself as an expert in your field, do your marketing materials reflect that? Or, do you still appear to be running your operation from the kitchen table?

Perception is such an important part of this equation.

So, how does one become an expert? Experts write books and articles, give lectures, and use the media to get recognized. Publishing a book has quickly become one of the best ways of making yourself visible in a time when you can be easily hidden by the absolute avalanche of available information. And, it's no secret that experts get paid more.

Find out how YOU can get the recognition you deserve for all your knowledge and skills this Saturday, July 18, 2009 at In The Flow Marketing where author and professional editor, Laura Orsini, presents: “Want to Charge More? Write That Book!”

Get your questions answered!

- Why a book gives you instant credibility
- Why experts can always charge more
- How to identify the audience for your book
- How to define the message for your audience
- How to repurpose your existing writing
- The pros and cons of using public domain material
- How to claim YOUR expert status

See you Saturday at New Vision Center in Scottsdale – 9:45 am (with speed networking)! For more information, visit the calendar page at: www.CreativeWritingAndDesign.com.

In The Flow Marketing: A Networking Group for Women-Mesa

2009-06-17T19:24:00.000-07:00

Mission Statement: To provide effective, affordable marketing opportunities for women in today’s business environment, based on building authentic relationships. Nearly 600 strong and growing!

Speaker, Jody Owen: “From Overwhelmed to Organized!” Learn Jody’s 3-step, SOS method that allows you to get your head around the process of organizing, and keep moving forward when the chaos wants to stop you! This method can be applied to both personal and business situations.

Time: 1:45 pm Networking
Meeting: 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm
Cost: $15 (Speaker & Networking!)
Location: Paradise Palms Plaza, 1616 East Main Street, Mesa, 2nd Floor Boardroom (between Stapley & Gilbert Roads; enter in the center of the buildings by the fountain)
RSVP: Contact Us - www.CreativeWritingAndDesign.com

About Jody Owen, The Space You’re In, Transformation thru Organization

Through her 20+ years in the corporate and small business worlds, she set up workable systems and developed procedures to streamline operations and improve productivity. Using those skills, along with her knowledge in personal development programs and methodologies, she has created a unique approach to consulting that works with her clients’ mental and emotional organization as well as with their physical space. She specializes in helping business people and teams maximize their effectiveness and create the kind of spaces, thinking and systems that allow them to be productive, creative and balanced.

The NEXT generation of networking events!

Seasoning the Cast Iron Pan

2009-06-17T18:58:00.000-07:00