Posts

Drive Fresh Traffic for Your Business

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A new era in business is bringing fresh flavor to Kohl's. As traditional retailers struggle to keep their doors open, Kohl's executives are trying something radically different: a grocery partnership with Aldi. In March of 2018, the department store announced it would team up with Aldi to offer grocery sales in 10 of its locations. "The key priority we have as a company is to drive traffic," Kevin Mansell, the chief executive of Kohl's said in a Thursday earnings call. "We're focused on traffic-driving retailers: Groceries, supermarket chains, they drive a lot of traffic. We're finally on a path where we're getting more [shoppers]." In an age of online shopping, brick-and-mortar businesses have to hustle to make their company more relevant to consumers. Kohl's has experimented with lighter inventory, smaller stores, and more streamlined partnerships with companies like Under Armour and Amazon. Other retail giants have ...

7 Banner Options to Raise Your Bottom Line

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As a small business owner, you need ways to grab attention and look your best, and business signage is your foremost advertising tool. For high-traffic areas custom printed vinyl banners are an excellent investment. In terms of cost, a vinyl banner is one of the most inexpensive, most high-impact marketing tools. Vinyl banners are also versatile, great for large exteriors, point-of-sale kiosks, welcome centers, or interior displays. Studies show that good signage directly boosts a business' profits. Pole banners can add up to 15.6% to your bottom line and larger storefront signage may boost sales by up to 7.7%. Banner Inspiration Need some inspiration to get your creative juices flowing? Here are several types of banners that can give you a killer first impression. Ceiling Banners Get your customers looking up by taking advantage of your unused ceiling space! Use ceiling banners for event signage, special events, product features, or welcome messag...

Small Business Twitter Tips for 2019

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If you're a small business owner, you know time is limited. Usually, your task list far outweighs your capacity for meeting your goals. When identifying social media objectives, you have to be clear on the what, why, and where you will engage. How Can Twitter be a Valuable Resource for You? Stats show that Twitter is still an effective way to connect with a broad range of customers. Forty-seven percent of people who follow a brand on Twitter are more likely to visit that company's website, and 75% of companies with an online presence are now using Twitter for marketing. Twitter's own study found that Twitter users, compared to the general online population, were more likely to discover or try new things and were more receptive of change. Twitter can help you reach broader audiences and engage with a generation that values interaction and experience. As you evaluate your Twitter marketing in 2019, be clear about your goals. Do you want to increase br...

Four Design Keys Every Novice Can Master

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Ever feel stuck in a rut when it comes to your print or graphics capabilities? "It's impossible," you say. "I just don't have an eye for design." There's hope for even you! In today's generation, incredible graphics, fonts, and digital capabilities are literally at our fingertips. And while design may not come naturally to you, everyone can make their projects look better. Whether you're creating newsletters, small advertisements, or presentations, here are four concepts that are fundamental to every well-designed print project. 1) Proximity The main purpose of proximity is to organize. When you begin your layout, remember that items relating to each other should be grouped close together. This reduces clutter and gives your reader a clear sense of structure. When you're thinking about proximity, organize your elements as groupings that form one visual unit rather than scattering around several separate pieces. Physi...

Grow Creativity with the Brainstorming Strategies of Walt Disney

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From Tarzan's treehouse to the Magic Carpets of Aladdin, Disney's creative team has spent decades constructing fantasy lands depicted in Disney movies. Bringing dreams to life is Disney's business, and its empire spans 11 theme parks, a town, four cruise ships, dozens of hotels, and many waterparks and restaurants that help guests experience the happiest place on Earth. The dreamers, or "Imagineers" at Disney are the brains behind the vision. Peter Rummell, who served as chairman of the Imagineers for 12 years, said creativity doesn't just happen . It has to be engineered: "It is a process and if you don't understand that and if you sit around and wait for the lightning bolt, you're not going to be very productive." Walt Disney himself was a master of creative thinking and brainstorming. Not only was he talented in discovering ideas, he knew how to convert possibilities into reality. One associate said this about Disney: ...

How Emotions Win Customers

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Cassell's Hamburgers is something of a Cinderella story. Founder Al Cassell launched the iconic lunch counter in Los Angeles in 1948. Famous for grinding beef daily, Al's passion for great burgers and homemade mayonnaise lived for years. But by 2012, struggling owners decided to sell off Cassell's rights, recipes, and equipment. It seems there was no magic touch that could save this beauty. Jingbo Lou had other ideas. As a Chinese exchange student, Lou came to the U.S. to study at the University of Southern California and developed a passion for architectural restoration that grew out curiosity for American culture: "As an immigrant to this country, my very big task is to learn the culture," Lou says. "I really fell in love with the history." J Lou put this love to work bringing Cassell's back to life in a salvaged, crumbling 1920s inn called the Hotel Normandie. J Lou recognized a hotel/restaurant combo was a chance to cater to...

Target Local Consumers with Event Sponsorship

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Corporate sponsorship is one of the most effective marketing channels, but most businesses haven't tried it. What is event sponsorship and why should you consider it? From a 5K road race to a good old-fashioned neighborhood picnic, companies that get outside their walls can make a huge splash in the community. Won't You Be My Neighbor? Businesses that rely on local support understand that their company will grow primarily through the support of its neighbors. How do you engage your neighbors? By being a good neighbor! Put a face on your business by sponsoring a baseball league, hosting community events on your lawn, or by mobilizing your city to benefit a beloved charity. Community development events show you are invested in your region and you enjoy its people. Here are some fun examples of how firms have made this a reality: Budweiser helps sponsor the annual "duck" tape festival in Avon, Ohio. With music, brews, fashion shows, and fa...