What could Seinfeld possibly have to do with marketing a small business? As it turns out, all small business owners could take a few lessons from the show that brought us such popular phrases as "Man Hands" and "master of your domain".
The Coffee Shop ? Jerry, George, Kramer, and Elaine spent countless hours in the coffee shop, talking about "nothing." You should spend some time there as well, but instead of talking about your parents or your date last night, get together with other small business owners and talk about your respective business and marketing activities. Many of you already participate in local business clubs and organizations, but the feedback and shared ideas that are generated in an informal business chat over a coffee are often the most valuable. My "coffee shop group" consists of 3 small businesses owners from different industries. Between us, we generate great marketing ideas for each other or in my case, new topics for small business articles. You can easily gather a few small business owners together for this type of meeting. Just be sure they are not competitors!
The Short-Term Relationship ? It seemed that every Thursday, Jerry was dating a different woman. In fact, outside of Elaine he rarely dated a woman for any length of time. Jerry understood that sometimes, you don't want to be tied down to a long-term relationship. The same rule applies to your small business marketing activities. Too many small businesses get drawn in to long-term advertising relationships by committing to a certain amount of advertising in exchange for a discount. Those who sell advertising try to convince business owners that you can't evaluate a particular form of advertising based on just a small sampling period, and thus a longer contract is required. This is simply not true. In the small business world, ads must at least pay for themselves before you agree to investigate any long-term advertising commitment. You're not building the next mega conglomerate (not yet, anyway), so ad money that doesn't produce a positive ROI is wasted money. Jerry understood that if the early part of the relationship wasn't perfect, the rest was bound to go downhill. Apply that rule to your marketing and advertising purchases and you'll maximize the effectiveness of your advertising. If it works on a sample basis, consider a long term plan. If it doesn't work in the short term, give them the "it's not you, it's me" routine and move on.
The Superman Effect ? Did you know that Superman appears or is mentioned in every Seinfeld episode? It's true, largely because Jerry kept a Superman figurine in his apartment that popped up in the background numerous times during each episode. For small business marketers, Jerry's Superman equates to your core business. With so many marketing opportunities to consider, it's easy to lose sight of your primary business in pursuit of new revenue streams. Unfortunately, this can often leads to the collapse of your business. Take a page out of Jerry's book, and be sure to keep your core business (your "Superman") a part of everything you do, even if it is only in the background. Every opportunity and every possible marketing strategy that you consider must relate back to your core product/service offering to ensure the continuity of your business. Don't allow yourself to become so sidetracked that you end up chasing marketing opportunities that detract from your current strengths. When evaluating a new business opportunity, ask yourself "How will this new marketing or business idea impact on my core business?" before you begin a new marketing venture.
The next time you are watching a Seinfeld Rerun, be sure to look for the hidden small business tips in each episode. You might find that it wasn't a show about nothing after all.
About The Author
Will Dylan is the Author of Small Business Big Marketing and owner of www.marketingyoursmallbusiness.com. Will also offers article and news release writing services through his website. You can contact Will at www.marketingyoursmallbusiness.com
disinfecting cleaning services Buffalo Grove ..Do you spend every waking minute in your business? Do... Read More
Just recently, I took a break and caught "The Return... Read More
Discover How Specialized Cost Containment Creates A New Win-Win Position... Read More
Paper Shredding Business Opportunities are blossoming up everywhere because in... Read More
How do you make sure you have the business solutions... Read More
How much is your time really worth? Is it worth... Read More
Anyone in business today realizes both the natural dependency on... Read More
As a company grows, the owner's role begins to change.... Read More
Washing manufactured homes, mobile homes, can be a lucrative and... Read More
Expanding your business requires you to take a good hard... Read More
Should you buy a business opportunity or Franchise if you... Read More
If you've been considering incorporating your small business, you've probably... Read More
It has been said that the only constant is change.... Read More
Data. Most people think it is a term relegated to... Read More
At one point or another, almost every business runs short... Read More
Nothing can drive a business down faster than customers who... Read More
Hogwash!That's what I say to people who tell me that... Read More
The Federal Trade Commission is assisting competitor to cheat and... Read More
All cities have a purchasing office and/or a procurement officer.... Read More
A corporate shell could be liken to a house that... Read More
Frankly, given the legal and regulatory requirements involved in attempting... Read More
Gather round while I tell you the story of Kennebec... Read More
Auto detailers are often asked to clean boats and detail... Read More
Many physical therapists in private practice have the appearance of... Read More
Here are some important points to take note of if... Read More
spotless home service Arlington Heights ..Mobile detailers will find themselves with lots of competition even... Read More
As an entrepreneur you can learn a lot by following... Read More
If you are in a franchise and have a territory... Read More
Thankfully, most of us will never find out. That is... Read More
Many have not experienced a fire up close. One year... Read More
One of the critical success factors for service-related businesses is... Read More
"I don't know the key to success, but the key... Read More
Are you tired yet of all the books out there... Read More
How careful are you with the data you collect from... Read More
Small business success is very similar to learning to walk,... Read More
If you are a motorcycle detailer and need to expand... Read More
As a practise gets larger & larger the associated problems... Read More
A janitorial cleaning service is one of the best businesses... Read More
Once you've decided to incorporate your small business the next... Read More
You've heard marketing and advertising gurus quip, "Sell the sizzle,... Read More
During the 1980 presidential campaign, candidate Ronald Reagan vowed, if... Read More
As you reflect on this year and prepare for next... Read More
Multimedia is everywhere on the Internet, whether in the form... Read More
Last week's question from Anthony R. on how to choose... Read More
Don't you find that there are so many decisions you... Read More
Becoming a contractor or sub-contractor for the U.S. government can... Read More
Disclosure laws in franchising are suppose to help the consumer.... Read More
How do window cleaning franchise businesses start? It is a... Read More
I frequently give presentations at small business gatherings, providing me... Read More
My clients and many of my readers are small and... Read More
Small Business |