The drum has rolled, the train has left the station, and just this past Wednesday, iTunes released our app! To say we're excited is the understatement of the world!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Why haven't you bought Silly Songz Yet?
The drum has rolled, the train has left the station, and just this past Wednesday, iTunes released our app! To say we're excited is the understatement of the world!
Saturday, February 21, 2009
You might be a redneck if...
Well, we went, we saw, we hardly conquered. Our recent trip to the Shipshewana Flea Market gave us some keen insights as to our real target audience for Spazzles. Needless to say, these kind folks were NOT one of them. In total, we sold 4 Spazzles. That's right, 4. A total profit of $16.00. Heck, the gasoline cost us $35.00 just to get there! Now you ask yourself, why the low number?Well, this is 100% proof that marketing and statistics about demographics do exist and stand for something. Matching the right people, in the right venue, with the right product is paramount. Unfortunately for our team, they had to endure 8 hours of learning the hard way! It isn't that these folks don't appreciate our product or think we have a stinker on our hands. Quite the contrary. The disconnect came when we put ourselves in direct competition with hand-crafted oak mailboxes that had wood-burned engravings that said "The Redneck Family" on them for a mere $35.00! Never underestimate the buying habits of those who go to flea markets looking for a "real deal."
Who said the mullet died?
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
The IFA was GREAT!
We made some really great connections at the IFA Convention in San Diego over the weekend and one of those connections was with Jack Nicholson! OK, so it was a look alike Jack named John, but close enough. We can’t go into details about who we met with and talked to, (because we are terrified of jinxing ourselves) but suffice it to say, they were all good and we are very hopeful.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
The legend of Cougar Sticks
One day, the phone rings at Spazzles offices, and on the other end of the phone we hear a voice that cannot be described. Friendly, but odd. After what seemed like an hour, the individual wanted to place an order for customized Spazzles to promote himself to the world. Well, not one to pass on any opportunity for new revenue, we probed further. So we've all heard of Tiger Woods. But I'll bet you haven't heard of "Cougar Sticks?" Spazzles is pleased to support this brave pioneer of golf who's individual handicap ranks as the highest of all-times in USGA recorded history. Cougar is making a run at becoming the worst golfer on record while at the same time building his popularity to the level of Tiger Woods. We'll keep you posted...
Monday, February 9, 2009
Why your company needs to Spazzle!
Promotional Items can build customer loyalty.
When I think of all the imprinted items I have in my office, the first thing that comes to mind is a trade show. Somewhere along the line, I have visited a booth, workshop, or product display, and walked away with an imprinted item from the vendor. Over the years I have reduced the number of items I receive so that I can maintain a minimal luggage requirement for the trip. Good for me, but not so good for those who would like to keep their brand alive after the show.
It wasn’t until a recent telephone conversation that I began to see promotional items in a new light. While talking to a business associate, he made mention of promotional items being used as a tool to increase customer loyalty. We went on to talk about Maritz Inc. - a company we know in common - a leader in the field of customer loyalty and employee recognition programs.
Where I thought of rewards programs from credit card companies as customer loyalty programs, he pointed out the branding of small items can have a lasting impression on customers and employees, too. So, how would a customer loyalty program like this work for the average size company?
I stumbled upon the answer while talking to my son, Kyle Kusterer, a newly appointed account executive for Think Promotional Group (formerly Capital Promotion Partners of Raleigh, NC). Where I described the need for a three voicemail script for lasting impressions in making sales calls, he described using promotional items in a sequence of mailings to stay “Top Of Mind” (awareness) with salespeople.
He showed me a program they provide to their customers – in this case, their customer is a supplier of goods, or services – that sends one, new promotional item each month to the salespeople at the vendor’s customer. Each item is imprinted with a logo or contact information of the vendor. The items vary, but most are simple and useful, e.g., a flash drive, or cellular phone headset.
It’s the lasting effect these items have on the salespeople that caught my interest; when the sequence of items is finished, the salespeople want to know why the items have stopped. A positive and lasting impression is the foundation of customer loyalty and brand awareness. A program like this sounds like a positive branding experience, and one that far outlasts a trade show.
Another company in my area, Brand Fuel Promotions, showed me a wealth of creative promotional items. In visiting their showroom, I was quickly lost in the vast inventory of items and possibilities. However, what I found more effective than creativity in the item design or use, was Brand Fuel’s desire to match an item to the customer’s business and increasing brand awareness. Spending adequate time working with the promotional items company to drive customer loyalty is more important than finding a clever item to give away.
Beyond customer or employee loyalty programs, promotional items can serve as an incentive to attend an upcoming workshop or seminar. As an example, I was recently offered a flash drive as an incentive to attend a local conference with the flash drive serving as an enticement for early registration.
Do you have stories of using promotional items to build customer loyalty beyond the traditional giveaway at a trade show? As a recipient of promotional items, which ones have left you with the most lasting impression, or branding experience? What kind of items do you find useful, and why?
http://salesbarriers.typepad.com/one_goal_revenue_generati/2008/11/promotional-items-can-build-customer-loyalty.html
When I think of all the imprinted items I have in my office, the first thing that comes to mind is a trade show. Somewhere along the line, I have visited a booth, workshop, or product display, and walked away with an imprinted item from the vendor. Over the years I have reduced the number of items I receive so that I can maintain a minimal luggage requirement for the trip. Good for me, but not so good for those who would like to keep their brand alive after the show.
It wasn’t until a recent telephone conversation that I began to see promotional items in a new light. While talking to a business associate, he made mention of promotional items being used as a tool to increase customer loyalty. We went on to talk about Maritz Inc. - a company we know in common - a leader in the field of customer loyalty and employee recognition programs.
Where I thought of rewards programs from credit card companies as customer loyalty programs, he pointed out the branding of small items can have a lasting impression on customers and employees, too. So, how would a customer loyalty program like this work for the average size company?
I stumbled upon the answer while talking to my son, Kyle Kusterer, a newly appointed account executive for Think Promotional Group (formerly Capital Promotion Partners of Raleigh, NC). Where I described the need for a three voicemail script for lasting impressions in making sales calls, he described using promotional items in a sequence of mailings to stay “Top Of Mind” (awareness) with salespeople.
He showed me a program they provide to their customers – in this case, their customer is a supplier of goods, or services – that sends one, new promotional item each month to the salespeople at the vendor’s customer. Each item is imprinted with a logo or contact information of the vendor. The items vary, but most are simple and useful, e.g., a flash drive, or cellular phone headset.
It’s the lasting effect these items have on the salespeople that caught my interest; when the sequence of items is finished, the salespeople want to know why the items have stopped. A positive and lasting impression is the foundation of customer loyalty and brand awareness. A program like this sounds like a positive branding experience, and one that far outlasts a trade show.
Another company in my area, Brand Fuel Promotions, showed me a wealth of creative promotional items. In visiting their showroom, I was quickly lost in the vast inventory of items and possibilities. However, what I found more effective than creativity in the item design or use, was Brand Fuel’s desire to match an item to the customer’s business and increasing brand awareness. Spending adequate time working with the promotional items company to drive customer loyalty is more important than finding a clever item to give away.
Beyond customer or employee loyalty programs, promotional items can serve as an incentive to attend an upcoming workshop or seminar. As an example, I was recently offered a flash drive as an incentive to attend a local conference with the flash drive serving as an enticement for early registration.
Do you have stories of using promotional items to build customer loyalty beyond the traditional giveaway at a trade show? As a recipient of promotional items, which ones have left you with the most lasting impression, or branding experience? What kind of items do you find useful, and why?
http://salesbarriers.typepad.com/one_goal_revenue_generati/2008/11/promotional-items-can-build-customer-loyalty.html
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Frozen Beauty
Even in the depths of a Michigan winter, beauty can be found. We took a walk today around the corner from our home, and were blessed with this visual splendor. While we can't wait until the warmer temperatures of spring grace West Michigan, we sometimes forget just how special every season can be. Not today. Enjoy...
(Yes, that is huge ice flow in the background!)
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Spazzle This...
Just because you’re not the hat-wearing type, doesn’t mean you can’t rock your outfit with a Spazzle! If you have idea on how to “wear” your favorite Spazzle, don’t be shy, tell us about it!
contact@spazzles.com
Monday, February 2, 2009
What a big poster you have?
Check out our new banner for our booth. Imagine this. Only $75! Our new friends at banners.com came through big time!.
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