Lessons From The Best Marketing Books of All Time

If you don’t ward off competition your small business will be left in the dust. Your business needs to stand up and stand out! Take charge with article marketing.

You have something totally unique to your business: Your Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. Employ your talents with the written word. Article marketing is hot right now. It is a wonderful tool to gain a reputation as a subject matter expert. Articles can also increase website traffic.

Many entrepreneurs are jumping on the article bandwagon. Many site owners are crying for submissions. But here’s the deal: everyone can write articles. However not everyone should. Let me repeat that: Not everyone should write articles.

Just as a poorly constructed website will hurt a business, poorly written articles can do even more damage. Websites don’t always have a name attached to them. The public doesn’t know if you created the unprofessional site or if someone else created it. However with articles, you’re attaching your name to it.

Many so-called authors don’t even realize that their work is horrible. In attempting to promote their business they inadvertently damage their own credibility. Plus they just don’t look very intelligent. Below are some common mistakes:

Run on sentences: Try to keep sentences to fifteen words or less – the fewer the better. You won’t hold the reader’s attention otherwise. I’ve seen some with thirty, forty and even fifty words or more in one sentence. That is one sure fire way to lose the audience.

Long paragraphs: Keep it to three or four sentences maximum.

Too familiar: It’s good to speak in a conversational tone. You should write like you speak – but don’t get carried away. Using phrases such as “let’s look…” or “We just talked about…” is too cozy. Minimize the use of pronouns.

Misuse of words: Spell check is a wonderful tool but it won’t always pick up context. There and their are often not used correctly. Other errors often used are lay/lie, saw/seen and many others.

Before submitting articles anywhere, have someone else review it. Pick someone who will be objective and honest. Family and friends tend to always respond in the positive. If it is truly a horribly written article it is better to find out before it lands on the World Wide Web!
By Laurie Ayers

Eco-chic isn’t just a trend; being kind to the earth has an enduring effect that will last much longer than your current trade show displays. Although going green is a great idea for all aspects of life, it’s also a great selling point for current clients and new customers alike. When you show them how green your company is, they’re more likely to want to buy from you. The key is to take small steps to become more ecologically responsible, and then think of creative ways to show that at your trade show exhibits.

Eco Consciousness Begins With Packing Your Trade Show Exhibits

One of the most wasteful parts of a convention is the amount of packing material used in the shipping process. Although shipping can be hazardous for any unit, the waste generated by unpacking and doing nothing to reuse or recycle the materials is much more hazardous to the environment. If your company regularly uses packing peanuts and cardboard to ship your stands, there is a lot that you can do to reduce your impact.

First, you can almost always recycle your packaging. Even if you just bring a big box to store all your packing peanuts, it’s a good first step. Remember, you’ll need that packing material again to ship everything home. Why not save it? The same goes for your cardboard. You can continue to reuse these materials for your next trip. There’s no reason to throw them away.

Eco-Friendly Giveaways At Your Trade Show Displays

Another big waste comes in the form of most giveaways. Much as they’re a great way to increase publicity for your trade show booths, they’re also a big drain on the environment. This fix is a simple one: get them from a company that uses recycled, sustainable materials. You’d be surprised how many products now have a green version, and common convention giveaways like bags and pens are no exception. You may pay a slightly higher price per item, but in the end, the extra expense will be well worth it. Your customers will enjoy knowing that their chosen business partner is also helping save the planet.

Consider Renting Trade Show Booths Rather Than Buying

In some cases, purchasing trade show displays rather than renting them can have a negative impact on the environment. The obvious exceptions are trade show booths which are made from sustainable materials, like bamboo. For most other units, however, sustainable craftsmanship isn’t really an option yet, and just the process of making them takes a lot of resources.

For these types of exhibits, green companies often choose to rent rather than buy. If you are particularly eco-conscious, renting an exhibit might be the best decision for you. However, if you are looking for a more permanent option, see what can be done to make your display more sustainable.

Think Outside The Box

Part of being eco-friendly is finding new ways to change things so you’re doing the right thing for the environment. While this guide offers suggestions, it’s ultimately up to your company to find new, innovative ways to make these ideas your own. Don’t think about what visitors will see when they come to your trade show exhibits; think about what will actually make a difference. When being green really becomes a philosophy, your visitors will notice, and your numbers will improve accordingly.
By Chris A. Harmen