Archive for the 'Uncategorized' Category

IUMOVEMENT.COM is Live

Its been quiet on the blog front but not because we are taking it easy.  We have been working hard on our little baby.  We recently went live with www.iumovement.com.  It’s a line of clothing we designed representing Indiana Basketball.  Our designer Kristin put the full court press on and did a kick a$$  job coming up with a logo that was exactly what we had envisioned.

The fun thing about this project is that we put all the pieces together.  It started with the initial concept and art direction, sourcing and producing product, building of the e-commerce website, and now fulfillment of the orders.  It’s the stuff we do for client’s all the time but I must admit its been extremely rewarding and challenging  having total control.  There’s an old coach who won a few national champions who had his fair share of critics but at the end of the day he did it his way.  It’s our little baby and that is what we are doing!

As a little thank you for your support and a kick off to this project use the discount code:  kilroys at checkout.  It’s a 30% discount on product but it will only be available for a short period of time.  Enjoy and help spread the movement!

Cheers!

 

3D Mailings deliver results

I recently gave a presentation at the BST Forum in Carmel, IN.  It’s a good group of entrepreneurs interested in strategy, technology, and innovative ways to build their business. One of the topics I discussed was 3D mailings.  The outline below will give you some guidelines and things to think about if you are considering a 3D mailing.

3D mailings
Any promotional piece in a tube, box, or package.  When properly planned and executed with follow-up it will return a higher response rate than standard direct mail pieces.

Benefits

  • Higher response rate
  • It will get noticed
  • Easier to get past the gatekeeper
  • Most effective in B to B markets

Disadvantages

  • Higher cost per unit to produce
  • Packaging could be damaged during transit
  • Odd shapes can be more costly to ship

Things to consider to make your 3D mailing a success

  • Have a campaign mindset and a theme to make sure all the pieces go together
  • Make the packaging eye catching if you are using envelopes
  • Promotional products will give your packaging dimension just make sure the product is relevant to the theme
  • Be clear on what you’re trying to accomplish.  Is the mailing intended to make a sale, setup a meeting, or keep in touch?
  • Make it personal and easy for your client/prospect to relate
  • Make sure there is a specific call of action to get results
  • Offer multiple ways for people to connect.  QR codes, website, email, or phone call
  • Your list should be targeted since a 3D mailing is more per piece than a standard postcard direct mail piece
  • Have a follow-up strategy

Response Rates

Entrepreneur.com research says that dimensional mail has an average response rate of 5.49 percent compared to 1 percent or less for standard direct mail pieces.

Y-not Promotions and Marketing
Has been creating cool ideas and promotional product for 3D mailing since 2000.  If you are looking for an innovative business partner that will push limits and get results give us a call at 978.927.4553 or send us an email at info@y-notpromotions.com.  We love working with startups or companies willing to take a chance to deliver big results that will get their brand or product recognized.

VIP Happy Hour RSVP!

The invitations were sent and the response has been overwhelming.  Click the sign up button on the right side to join in on the fun and become a member of our VIP Happy Hour.

Being a VIP at Y-not Promotions and Marketing has its privileges.  Our blog will keep you informed of industry trends, cool ideas, unique products, and last minute deals only available to members.

Your boss will love the money you saved taking advantage of our last minute deals.  One insider told us that his boss was so happy with his savings that he stopped questioning his expense account!

Hat Tip to Game changer Steve Jobs

The business world has lost an entrepreneur, innovator, and most importantly a game changer with the loss of Steve Jobs who passed away at age 56.

Steve JobsAs an entrepreneur I am currently giving you a standing ovation along with millions of current and future entrepreneurs.  I have the vision that you will walk out from the dug out one last time.  Smiling at the crowd as you slowly walk to home plate.  You address the crowd with just a few words.  Keeping it simple but with a meaning that is much more complexed.  Right before you leave you give one last hat tip.  Acknowledging your accomplishments but more importantly being content knowing that your innovation and entrepreneur spirit has been passed on.

The following quote is taken from Steve Jobs Stanford University commencement address on June 2005.

“You can’t connect the dots looking forward.  You can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something…your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.”

Steve Jobs…Your game changing products will be missed but your entrepreneur spirit has been passed on!

Top 5 Promotional Products that make big impacts

1.  Technology Products.  If your target market is young professionals look at technology products.  Maybe it’s a protective sleeve for a IPad or Kindle.  It could be a protective skin for their IPhone or smartphone.  Think what’s hot in the retail market and figure out a way to incorporate that in your promotion.

2.  Screen printed T-shirts.  Yep that’s right we love T-shirts.  We have retail experience and understand what is popular at the retail level.  We work with clients to make sure their T-shirt designs could hold their own in a retail environment even if they are being used as giveaways.   A blank T-shirt give’s you a ton of real estate to work with unlike other promotional products that have limited imprint areas and locations.

3.  Compressed T-shirts.  Same benefits as above but with the option of compressing the shirt into 100′s of different shapes.  Whatever your industry is there’s a good chance that there is an existing shape that works.  If not we can do a custom mold.  One of our past projects includes a compressed T-shirt in the shape of a baseball bat.  This was a gift with purchase for a video game company promoting their MLB video game .  It’s safe to say this promotion was a big hit.

4.  Digital Rewards.  We love digital rewards and technology.  Digital rewards can include music downloads, movie tickets, photo prints, and more.  We highly recommend directing client’s to a custom landing page prior to receiving their music downloads.  It’s a great time to capture information and build your customer/marketing list.

5.  Reusable Grocery bag.  I don’t live in California but I agree those plastic grocery bags should be banned!  They are horrible on the environment and it’s a great way to make an impact on your event that is guaranteed to be used for years to come.  They are great walking billboards with large imprint areas.  How cool is the EcoSmart totes that is made from recycled paper?

Marketing with QR codes

QR codes were introduced in Japan in 1994 by a manufacturing company designed to keep track of packages.  Today you see them more and more in magazines, in store promotions, and marketing material.  Below you will see an example that will take you to Y-not Promotions and Marketing Facebook Fan Page.

QR code for Ynot Facebook

How do they work? You need to download an app on your smart phone.  I added the QR Droid to my phone.  Now scan the QR code with your phone and it will automatically take you to a website, video, coupon, or sweepstakes.

How can I use them in my next promotion?

A snowboarding clothing manufacture could print a QR code on every hang tag.  The QR code could take them to a video showing guys catching big air who are absolutely ripping it up on the slopes.  They could also enter in a sweepstakes with the grand prize being able to ride with professional boarders who are sponsored by that company.  Now….the company not only sold merchandise but they captured information that can be used for future campaigns.

A video game company could use them on their marketing material.  Once it’s scanned it could take the gamer to a site that includes “exclusive insider tips” for specific games.  It could be a forum where gamers can connect with the developers to give them feedback and suggestions.  Maybe it’s a website that sells cool apparel and game accessories.

It’s another piece…of the social media puzzle that allows your next promotion or marketing event to be creative and engaging.  They are becoming more and more popular all the time.   Who knows maybe someday everyone will be required to have one tattooed on our arms for identification purposes.   Probably not but if someone tattoos my company QR code on their arm I will pay for it plus I will give them a Ben Franklin for their troubles :-)

What business lessons can I learn from Halloween?

Halloween is a night when you have an excuse to be anyone or anything you please.  It gives you courage to do things you might not consider like the time I shaved my head or the time my business partner got his ear pierced.  I also like during Halloween seeing  individuals dressed up completely opposite of their everyday lives.  The accountant next door becomes the hot nurse with devil horns.  The skinny dude who lacks social skills wears a Superman outfit and for one night he seems to have a good game with the ladies.

Superman!

I think it’s very cool seeing people out of their element and that is what I love about Halloween.  Some people thrive in this environment while others clam up.  In business we need to remember Halloween and try new things that will take us out of our comfort zone.  It’s very easy to keep everything status quo but unfortunately the results will always be the same.  This will work for a while but in time it will catch up.  Blockbuster is a great example of a company that dominated the  market but got it’s BUTT kicked by Netflix and Red Box.

Y-not Promotions and Marketing loves Halloween year round and we have a mask that we like to wear.  We wear it not to hide but to think and create.   It gives us a little extra hop in our step and a little attitude PLUS….chicks dig it!

Sales Incentive….lesson from The Christmas Story

We were presenting ideas to a potential client for a sales incentive program.  The RFP had questions like…what’s your value proposition, business model, social media strategy, and the list went on and on.  All of the client’s questions were relative but there was an important one missing.  What can you do to make sure our sales incentive program is creative and engaging  from concept to execution?  This made me think of the movie…The Christmas Story.

The Leg Lamp Desk

I remember the excitement on the face of the father in a Christmas story when this huge wooden crate arrived at his house because he won a sales incentive program.  He knew it was something expensive because FRAGILE was written on the side of it.  When he took the top off of the wooden crate beneath all of the straw packaging he pulled out this jaw dropping leg lamp.   He was so proud that it was displayed in the front window for all of his neighbors to admire despite the lack of approval from his wife.

Here’s a few keys to make sure your next sales incentive program is a success.  Make the kickoff of the program exciting.  If the grand prize is a trip to Cancun have a mariachi band playing or have the local Taco truck passing out fish tacos with information about the program.  During the program make sure people know their status and how close they are to qualifying.  When individuals qualify acknowledge it by posting it on the company Facebook page or hang a sombrero on their office door or cubicle.  Towards the end of the program give one last push.  The product or trip given as the reward is important but the excitement and engagement created before, during, and after will ultimately determine the success.

Y-not Promotions and Marketing helps companies build their brands through innovative and creative ideas, promotions, and branded merchandise.  We currently have a cool app that we can use through Facebook to make your next sales incentive program a success.

It’s Hot…so I guess it’s time for Happy Hour!

It’s been a long HOT week so the controller just left to spend time with his family poolside.  To beat the heat I decided to take my shirt off and pour a cold draft while chillin in our Man Cave.  I guess this means I officially kicked off Happy Hour!

It's Happy Hour!

What does this mean to our VIP’s who signed up for our Happy Hour specials?  It means FREE shipping on all orders placed today from 1 PM  to 5 PM eastern time.   What happens at 5.01 PM….all specials are off…just like Happy Hour!

Cheers!

Creative ideas for your summer drink holder

Summer time is the perfect time for cold beverages and a little BBQ on the grill.  When I’m in my zone on the grill it’s easy to lose track of my cold beverage of choice.  One minute too long searching could mean the perfect steak turns into jerky and that’s a problem!  The following provides the perfect solution when manning the BBQ.

This one is excellent for the hamburgers or dogs…items that take a few minutes to cook.  What happens when you are cooking for a family reunion or large group?

Now that is what I am talking about….Cheers!!  I hope this post get’s your creative juices flowing along with your summer beverage of choice :-)

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