I’m a general contractor that sells and completes the build of modular homes, multi-family dwelling and commercial buildings. I also do remodels. I use just a family name for business, so I would like a catchy tagline. My business name is GJ Fletcher Construction, Inc.
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Jay’s Answer:
Jay’s Answer: Start by creating a marketing strategy. Identify the groups of people most likely to be interested in the book, and choose the best ways to have your message in front of them. It could be simply to identify editors of magazines and send them your book for review, find people interested in interviewing you for their TV/radio/Internet show, etc. If you haven’t written a press release, consider this as well – it’s one source for sources for articles. But be warned – there’s a huge number of people who are asking for (free) PR. If you want to ensure your message to be seen, you’ll also need to spend some $ advertising (pay-per-click, etc.).
We are setting up an outlet store on our website, www.seekwellness.com. We currently have a store already set-up, but we have decided to set-up a second store on the site that offers volume discounts, buy-in-bulk, free products, etc. It’s our way of helping our visitors during the tough economy. Where we need assistance:
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Jay’s Answer: I think you’re going about this backwards. Why not combine the two stores into one, and offer a category of “specials” or “closeouts” for many of your outlet items (or offer product suggestions based on price range)? Right now, people shopping one store won’t see the other offerings, and since you’re targeting the same people, you have the potential for missed sales.
I am working towards my Masters in Integrated Marketing Communications at WVU. My current employer provided a 90% student loan, but now that the economy is so bad, I’m not sure they will be able to continue. I hope to teach at the University level after my career in B-to-B marketing; anyway, if the company doesn’t make it, I’ll need my Masters to get another job.
Do you know of any graduate scholarships for 55 year old graduate students? 99% of scholarships are designed for kids, not older people, yet we need to continue to update ourselves throughout our careers.
I promised my boss to do the best that I could to find scholarship money, I will appreciate your experience, thoughts and suggestions.
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Jay’s Answer: Have you talked to the financial aid office for ideas?
Have you looked online? There are lots of sites that may have information of use, for example:
Looking for new ideas to the “Trailer Headquarters of the Midwest” slogan. Any ideas?
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Jay’s Answer:
Trailer:
Bruce Burtch is a nationally-recognized cause marketing catalyst. He helps for-profit and nonprofit organizations develop win-win partnerships which maximize their strategic marketing and fund development. Clients have included the American Red Cross, San Francisco Examiner, U.S. Olympic Committee, Marriott Corporation, AT&T, Special Olympics, and the March of Dimes. He designed and directed the most successful cause marketing program on emergency preparedness in the country through a partnership between the Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the American Red Cross, resulting in 1,000,000 people being trained in emergency preparedness. A driven entrepreneur, Bruce has founded three companies, two nonprofit organizations, has published four books, is an award-wining photographer, and has published two songs. While still an undergraduate, Bruce conceived and co-founded the nation’s only degree-granting college based on the Oxford-Cambridge tutorial system – the nationally-acclaimed Honors Tutorial College at Ohio University. He is a driven community leader who has served on numerous nonprofit Boards, served as President of the San Francisco Special Olympics, has received several Certificates of Honor from Bay Area mayors’ offices, and personal letters of commendation from President Bill Clinton and Senator Dianne Feinstein. In 1993, Bruce was awarded the Distinguished Leadership Award, presented by the National Association of Community Leadership for spearheading the building of the Tenderloin After-School Program in San Francisco’s most crime ridden neighborhood.
Phone: (415) 454-0839
Email: bruce@bruceburtch.com
Website: www.BruceBurtch.com
Author of:
I have had this name for 10+yrs (flowers by jennifer). We are now doing 90% floral arrangements for special events and party rentals. By listening to my name it just says one thing. However I want something unique and catchy.
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Jay’s Answer: I’m not sure if you’re thinking of changing your name or adding a tagline.
In general, if your name is recognized, your business is growing, and there’s no negative to the name (i.e., you had bad PR) I don’t suggest changing your name at all. You’ve spent the last 10+ years educating people about you, your business, and how you can help them.
Perhaps you don’t need a new name, but you need another name – a name that better describes your current business customer service. In this case, you could branch out subtly (Special Events by Jennifer, Parties by Jennifer, etc.), building on your “Jennifer” name recognition. Or, you could take your current tagline (“Making Your Celebration A Unique Affair”) and turn that into your new name: Unique Affairs, Celebrations, Affairs In The Making, etc.
But maybe you really want something totally new, unconnected to your existing business at all. In that case, the sky’s the limit: Affair-y Princess, Floribunda, Fwowers, Flowertastic, etc. The trick in this case is that the name needs to resonate with your target market (location, demographic, and even competition) as well as reflect your values/spirit.
We are looking for a catchy tag line for a medical mobile imaging business. We go to doctor’s offices, nursing homes and small hospitals and provide ultrasound and imaging services for their patients. Convenient for the doctors and patients.
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Jay’s Answer: Here are some ideas to get you thinking:
I’m a new owner of existing restaurant that wish to increase the amount of clients . Based on your experience, what would be the best and fastest way to attract customers?
And should I change the name of the restaurant?
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Jay’s Answer: If the restaurant wasn’t doing well, then rebranding it makes sense. Don’t put “under new management” signs up – people don’t care. If the food is good, the word spreads. If it doesn’t, it spreads faster. New management is a plea for trying it again, because there was a problem.
If the restaurant is doing well, then increasing # of customers (or average expenditure/customer) is your goal. Don’t rebrand – do improve the menu, adding some high-priced items (not necessarily to sell these, but it will psychologically cause an increase in the the avg. expenditure/customer). Build a loyalty program to increase the pull to come to your restaurant.
Hi, I am Nathaniel, a senior in high school, and we have a senior project coming up. For my project, I am trying to start an advertising business where we make video advertisements for local businesses. The main purpose for these videos is to give to these companies to put on their website. I was wondering if you could give me some advice on how to make a video advertisement for a special gym, because that is going to be the example that I use for my project. This gym in particular targets overweight or older people who are uncomfortable with working out in front of people, and has more privacy for the customers than most gyms.
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Jay’s Answer: Sounds like a fun project!
My first suggestion would be to talk to gym’s manager. Tell them about your project, find out if they have considered a video, and get their ideas for things they would like to see. The key is to find out some specific things they want before they’d consider putting in on their website. As a minimum they’d probably want:
Testimonials are always great (think before/after pictures).
Since you’re working with video – visuals: people working out, smiling, lacing up their shoes, walking easily, etc.