Develop Top Sales And Marketing Strategies

The purpose of developing top sales and marketing strategies is to boost sales by identifying your ideal customer. A marketing strategy outlines the business of product offerings, pricing, communications, and distribution channels with a detailed marketing plan and budget. A sales strategy involves reaching the customers and staying competitive. Through research, top sales and marketing strategies are developed.

Instructions

1. Develop top sales and marketing strategies by understanding the market through market research using three methods: desk research, quantitative research and qualitative research. Conduct desk research by collecting information from historical documents, industrial documents and information from search engines. Use quantitative research to explore motivational factors of your market research through methods of questionnaires and sampling. Engage in qualitative research for data collection through focus groups, branding and attitude research to gather population-related information.

2. Consider offering technical support for your product, establishing service outlets for the customer, and developing quality-control methods. Develop practices to ensure that customers remember your customer service. Build a reputation for customer service.

3. Develop top sales and marketing strategies by researching distribution methods: a field sales organization for sales on site; an in-house sales organization selling through the Internet, telephone or mail order; intermediaries for wholesale sales to distribute your product or service to retailers; retail methods of distribution. Analyze pricing, promotion and distribution to create the strategy. Update your completed marketing strategy often to keep it current.

4. Set pricing by determining your costs per unit and customers' opinion of your value. Find out what a customer would pay for your product by conducting surveys, focus groups and interviews. Ask for their opinion on value and the price they have paid elsewhere. Conduct market research to determine the true value of your service. Charge higher prices if the research supports it and if you can communicate higher value. Avoid lowering prices below the true value.

Tags: marketing strategies, market research, sales marketing strategies, your product, customer service

Invest In An Effective Tv Commercial

Invest in an Effective TV Commercial

Advertising with a TV commercial should be viewed as any other form of advertising. You want to see a return for your investment in the ad. To see the type of investment that makes a TV commercial beneficial, you need to follow these steps.

Instructions

1. Decide where you want to run the TV commercial. Local networks are less expensive than national networks. If you only have one location, invest with a local network. There are typically several networks you can choose in the local market.

2. Look at the network's schedules for programming. You pay the most for a commercial during prime time. This does get you more viewers, but may not always be in your budget. You can look at the program list to find programs that interest your target audience. Compare the prices and times from the local networks to find the best investment.

3. Increase the amount of TV commercials you run. Most commercials are 30 second spots, but you do have the option of running a 10 or 15 second spot more often. You want to use the shorter spots as a reminder to your audience and the 30 second commercial as the main advertisement.

4. Negotiate with the networks. In the first and second quarter, advertisers drop commercial time to recoup from Christmas. During rerun season, viewing drops. If you want to advertise annually, negotiate a deal that compensates you for investing during these low times.

5. Run your commercial on cable TV. Cable TV works on a channel by channel basis. You can select specific areas and pinpoint your viewing areas. Often you can afford to run more commercials, which increases your frequency and provides a better return.

6. Establish a way to track your response from your TV commercial. This can be a special discount if clients mention the ad, having a phone number set up specifically for call from TV viewers or questionnaire that clients fill out when they come into your place of business. If you don't have a lot of interest from you ad, you need to change it to be more effective.

7. Work with a marketing professional. A marketing company can design your ads to look professional. They can help you define your target market and what aspects of your business to highlight. Often they can negotiate better deals for you.

Tags: Effective Commercial, Invest Effective, Invest Effective Commercial, your commercial, your target

Write A Letter To Introduce Myself To Customers

Writing customers a letter will let them know what you have to offer.

When you first open a business, one of the things you need to do from the start is advertise in order to let your customers know who you are, where you are and what you do. One way to accomplish this is to write a letter to introduce yourself to customers. These customers might be friends, family or members of the community that you feel will benefit from the products you have to offer.

Instructions

1. Open up your word processing program on your computer. Click on "New Document." Set the page size, margins and font for your letter. The most common way to format a business letter is in block format. Adjust your margins so the entire letter is justified to the left, and use single spacing. Use double spacing between paragraphs. The typical business font is Times New Roman in a size 12.

2. Write about your business. Tell your customer the name of your company, where you are located, how long you have been in business and why you decided to open your business. Let your customer know what type of value you will offer to them and to the local community.

3. Describe details of the nature of your business. Tell about the company or organization and what types of products you offer.

4. Explain to the customer why buying from you is better than buying from your competitors.

5. Give customers a reason to choose you. Let the reader know how you will save them money and time, and explain why your product is a must have. Offer your customers solutions to problems and challenges they may be facing.

6. Encourage the customer to visit your business by offering a grand opening, an open house or some type of coupon. This will also give your letter staying power, meaning it will give the customer a reason to keep your letter around if there is a specific date or special offer.

7. Use "you" and "yours" to build the customers' trust and let them know that your desire to get to know them comes before your desire to sell them a product.

8. Educate your customers on how they can make a purchase from your business. Let them know if you have an online presence and if they can purchase products online or over the phone.

9. Thank the customer for taking the time to read your letter. Let your customers know their time is appreciated and that you hope to see them soon.

Tags: your business, your customers, your letter, them know, business Tell, buying from

Packaging And Labeling Laws

Virtually every consumable product available in retail stores in the U.S. is regulated by federal laws in respect to packaging and labeling. Overseen by the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Federal Trade Commission, packaging legislation is designed to make all product information transparent and clearly defined so that consumers can make informed comparisons between competing products in the marketplace.

Fair Packaging and Labeling Act 1966

The Fair Packaging and Labeling Act of 1966 came into effect the following year and is the most wide ranging legislation concerning 'consumer commodities', defined as a food, drug, device or cosmetic. The act states that the product and manufacturer or supplier must be clearly identified on labeling along with the net weight or volume of the contents. Since 1994 all labeling must also include measurements in metric. The Fair Packaging and Labeling Act supersedes any State laws in place and also covers many imported goods. The Federal Trade Commission also has powers to extend or amend its scope without going through the lengthy legislative process.

Nutrition Labeling and Education Act 1990

This act was introduced in response to the growing popularity of nutrition products and the widely differing definitions of what exactly constitutes a health food. This law standardizes descriptions such as 'reduced fat' or 'sugar free' with compulsory minimum requirements. In 1993 it was extended to include restaurants who advertise healthy choice or low fat menus. It also requires detailed ingredient information to be clearly displayed on labels for specially marketed goods such as weight-loss products and energy drinks.

Other Packaging and Labeling Laws

Products not covered by these two acts include fresh meat, poultry, tobacco, prescription drugs, agricultural products and alcohol. There are several specific federal laws governing the manufacture, marketing and packaging of these consumables. The Federal Alcohol Administration Act, the Federal Seed Act and the Federal Hazardous Substances Labeling Act all include stringent labeling and packaging requirements that go much further. The more inclusive Food and Cosmetic Act administers safety and purity standards in a wide range of saleable goods and legally defines what a consumer commodity is. Under direction from the Food and Drug Administration, it has far reaching powers to inspect production facilities and to instigate necessary legal action. This act can also compel manufacturers to adopt a 'voluntary' code of conduct to ensure labeling information is less ambiguous for the consumer.

Tags: Packaging Labeling, Fair Packaging, Fair Packaging Labeling, federal laws, Federal Trade, Federal Trade Commission, Labeling 1966

Start A Promotion Company

Start a Promotion Company

Businesses spend millions of dollars in the promotion of their goods and services each year. Appropriate advertising is required in order to reach consumers. Without such promotion, most businesses would fail. To capitalize on the need for advertising, you can start a production company to provide these highly lucrative services.

Instructions

1. Choose a field of expertise. To become an effective promotion company, you must learn all you can about a specific industry. The promotional requirements for a plastics manufacturer vary greatly from those of a rock band, for example. For best results, select the type of business you will specialize in based on your interests and regional opportunities.

2. Study the existing promotional materials of companies in your customer base. Note if they're advertising on billboards, television, magazine ads and the like. Pay attention to the giveaway materials they use, the contests they run and the sponsors that appear in their ads.

3. Brainstorm ideas for cost-effective promotions the companies appear to be lacking. Keep a written record of all your ideas--they can come in handy for future clients.

4. Determine how you'll finance your business. You will have start-up costs including office and legal expenses, your own advertising, travel expenses. Prepare yourself for the financial undertaking before committing to a new venture.

5. Hire a consultant from the promotional marketing industry. Only a professional can give you realistic expectations of the requirements, risk factors and potential of your business idea.

6. Create a business plan. It's imperative to clearly outline your financial position, as well as show potential investors that you've done your homework.

7. Show your business model to a financial consultant before investing into your business. Consider this second opinion carefully before moving forward. You're about to invest a great deal of time and money into a business venture that's not guaranteed. Look at the facts objectively for the best chance of success.

Tags: your business, business will, Start Promotion, Start Promotion Company

What Are The Disadvantages Of Fashion Designing

Fashion designing entails more than just creating fashion sketches.

Fashion design is a world of creative possibilities. Fashion designers should have a keen eye for color, shape and trends. Students pursuing a degree in fashion design should be prepared to work hard and learn many skills including draping, sewing and pattern making. Although there are many benefits to a career in fashion design, no career is glamorous at all times.

Long Hours

A budding fashion designer must be prepared to work long hours. Fashion houses may be working under deadlines or working with clients to meet their specific needs. During times like this, which could be ongoing, fashion designers could work 12-hour days. Because the industry is competitive, an individual must be willing to work these hours or be easily replaced by someone else.

Daily Chores

Many people may picture an average day in the life of a fashion designer as sketching ideas and working with luxurious fabrics all day. However, this is not reality. Fashion designers have various chores on a daily basis. Completing paperwork, such as specification sheets, may be a daily function. Specification sheets include measurements, color sample specifications and a description of the product.

Competitive and Locations

The fashion industry attracts many people. According to the website Fashion Designer Salary Data, in addition to the competitive nature of the industry, many positions are concentrated in Los Angeles or New York. Fashion designers do not have the luxury of being able to get a job in any city.

Low Starting Salaries

A starting salary for a fashion designer may not be as glamorous as its job description. Low salaries are often the norm for an entry-level design position, notes Fashion Designer Salary Data. A beginning salary for a fashion designer might start about $25,000 as of April 2011. However, if fashion designers are willing to work hard and persevere, they could earn anywhere from $60,000 to $100,000 and upwards per year. The time it takes for a designer's salary increase varies depending on the company.

Tags: fashion designer, Fashion designers, Designer Salary, Designer Salary Data, designers have, fashion design, Fashion Designer Salary

Start A Coffee Shop

You drink that lovely caffeinated liquid all day long. You consider yourself an expert on the taste, aroma and nuances of a great cup of joe. You say to yourself "I might as well start my own coffee shop." The steps below will give you an idea of what it takes to make the leap from consumer to proprietor.

Instructions

1. Write a business plan outlining the goals, risks and growth ideas for starting a coffee shop. Take this plan to investors who are interested in staking money to start the business. You also may have to approach friends and family for capital as well as tapping into your own savings.

2. Determine the location where you want to start a coffee shop. The ideal location is in an area with heavy traffic and a prominent storefront space. If you want a drive-thru option, look for a property that already has this built in to save on construction costs.

3. Choose the vendors for the products that you are going to sell. Coffee, tea, pre-made pastries and baked goods and logo merchandise are some of the tangibles you will need. Paper goods, uniforms and cleaning supplies are also on the list of expenditures.

4. Determine the hours that the coffee shop will be open. Interview prospective employees for positions in the shop. If you are not going to be an owner/manager, the position of manager is crucial for a smooth running business, so take your time in selecting the right person for the job, someone that meshes well with you and your business philosophy.

5. Market the coffee shop you start in the vicinity of its location first and then branch out to other areas of the city. Flyers on car windshields in parking lots and grand opening specials are good ways to get that first visit. After that, word of mouth is your best advertisement.

6. Deliver a top-quality product in the coffee shop that you start. The amount of work that you put into your shop will be directly rewarded with good sales and a long standing business.

Tags: coffee shop, coffee shop, into your, shop will, start coffee

Cheap Personalized Business Gifts

A personalized pen is an inexpensive business gift.

Giving business gifts can be a difficult proposition due to anti-bribery rules in many industries that prohibit gifts over $25. Giving a personalized and inexpensive business gift is a way to express thanks as well as stay on a client's mind. Gifts can include the name of the person or business the gift is going to or can provide information about the company or person the gift is coming from.

Pens and Traditional Gifts

Pens are an easy and convenient gift that can easily be personalized and come in a range of prices. Pens can be personalized with the information of the company giving the pen or of the person receiving the pen. Other traditional gift ideas include small clocks, plaques of appreciation or paper weights. These gifts will likely be enjoyed more by traditional businesses. More modern and contemporary companies would probably enjoy gifts that are more unusual and creative, such as plants, artwork or gift cards.

Gift Baskets

There is a huge selection of gift baskets out there including everything from foods to paper products to holiday accessories. They come in a range of prices and can be personalized through various means. The company sending the gift could include some of its products, or the employees of the company could make some of the products in the basket by hand, particularly food. A thoughtful card also works to personalize the gift and let the business associates know that they are appreciated.

Other Ideas

The company sending the gift could put their logo on a number of other inexpensive gifts such as coffee mugs, ties or towels. More creative ideas include including the logo on cookies, chocolate, popcorn tins, handy tools or knifes, or flasks or bar sets. A company that puts logos on cookies, Rolling Pin Productions, charges from $4 to $10.50 per packaged cookie. The company Logo-Knife sells knifes customized with logos for $2.95 each with a minimum order of 100. When sending less serious gifts it is important to think about the person receiving the gift and whether it fits their personality. When in doubt, send a more serious gift that could not offend anyone.

Tags: business gift, come range, come range prices, company sending, company sending gift, gift could

The Definition Of Script Writing

How will the audience perceive the script?

Script writing is the activity of creating a script for any person or people to perform. Though it is most often associated with the movie and television industries, script writing is also an important part of live theatre, news casting, advertising, sales and education.

Script Writing in Movies

Script writing for movies involves not only creating believable dialog, but also indicating the actions and expressions of the actors involved in each scene. Script writers must consider how the movie will be filmed, what special effects will be used and how the audience will perceive the script. Movie scripts are often rewritten many times to get the right film from beginning to end. Scenes may be deleted and a script writer must be on hand to write new scenes that the director may want to add.

Script Writing in Television and Video

Televisions shows need many scripts each season and often employ a team of script writers. Television scripts are frequently written and revised as the season unfolds so that the writers can respond to audience opinion about a storyline. Television scriptwriters use current news and celebrity gossip as inspiration for stories or jokes. Recorded videos, including how-to videos, music videos and promotional videos all started out as a script for the actors to read.

Script Writing for Live Events

Live events such as plays, telethons, award shows and talk shows require script writers. Live comedy shows like "Saturday Night Live" often refer to their writers as "skit writers" due to the nature of the pieces they write. Even news shows are script-based. While on-site reporters must often ad lib, the scripts for the main stories told by the in-studio news anchors are shown on cue cards or electronic Teleprompters.

Script Writing for Games

Video games, for computers and for gaming systems, require script writers. The voices are recorded by actors reading from a set script. This type of script writing is specialized and complex. Since video game stories are not the same each time you play, but rather vary based on the player's decisions and skill, writers must create scripts for various scenarios. Each time someone speaks in a video game, a script writer told him what to say.

Script Writing for Business

Any ad that is read on the radio or filmed for television is based on a script written by a writer. Help desk agents are provided with basic scripts which they use to answer frequently asked questions. Outbound sales agents (telemarketers) use a calling script when contacting customers. Training companies often use role-playing techniques and demonstrations to teach skills and sometimes include sample scripts to teach learners respond to customer situations.

Tags: Script Writing, perceive script, require script, require script writers, script writer, script writers

Differences Between Ebusiness & Traditional Business

Since the surge of popularity of the Internet, many entrepreneurs have capitalized on it by starting businesses completely based on an online platform. These are called e-businesses or e-commerce sites. The typical e-business follows a different business model than traditional businesses. These differences have created completely separate business strategies for profit, operations and management.

Logistics

The logistics of e-business typically have lesser constraints than traditional business. E-businesses are not limited to venue; they can be located anywhere and still serve the same customer. Their product capacity is "infinite" in that they are not limited to the space of a brick-and-mortar store. E-businesses mainly depend on shipping methods to deliver and receive items, while traditional stores conduct an instant exchange. This timing difference can be a significant factor for some consumers; for example, refunds would typically take much longer to process for e-businesses than in a neighborhood store.

Human Resources

The two types of business differ in talent recruitment. E-businesses significantly emphasize technology and hire more people from the web design and development fields. In some cases, every employee may be required to have a technical background or receive in-house training for basic web development. On the other hand, traditional businesses are more diverse in hiring for nontechnical positions, such as sales representatives and display managers.

Marketing

In marketing for traditional business, marketers can focus on all five human senses to influence the sale. For example, maintaining a proper display keeps the product aesthetically appealing. Consumers can also physically touch the product in a traditional store; this is particularly vital for physically sensitive items such as clothes. E-businesses typically have to rely mainly on sight. The physical display is replaced with digital images. The inability to touch and test the product firsthand is replaced with technical text to visualize the details of the product; online retailers may also have the ability to present many more choices because they do not need to have the physical product on hand.

Finance

The major financial difference between e-business and traditional business is cost. E-businesses usually have lesser startup and operational costs -- buying an online domain is much cheaper than renting land and building facilities and buying equipment.

Management

E-business management is typically flatter than traditional management. A flat company happens when there are few levels in between top management and the entry-level employee. In most e-businesses, low level management, such as store managers and division managers, is unnecessary. Instead, e-businesses expand horizontally by hiring external consultants and contract web development positions. These entities specialize in a business service, such as e-commerce setup and online marketing. They may work for the company but are not necessarily included in or affected by management decisions.

Tags: than traditional, traditional business, have lesser, replaced with, traditional businesses, typically have

Why Can'T I Put A Flyer In A Mailbox

Many small businesses have a limited budget for advertising, and passing out flyers is one of the cheapest ways to get the word out on their sales and specials. Putting the flyers in mailboxes can cause trouble, though.

Flyers in mailboxes are a bad idea.

Flyers

Flyers are a cheap form of advertising for small businesses. Many young people are willing to pass out flyers for a small amount of money.

Flyers in Mailboxes

When passing out flyers, time is often of the essence. It is faster to put the flyer in the mailbox than to walk up the sidewalk and put it on the door or doorknob.

The Law

According to the United States Postal Service, access to your mailbox is only allowed by postal workers in the business of delivering the mail. Only items with postage on them are allowed to be placed in a mailbox.

Consequences

For each flyer found to have been delivered into a mailbox, the sender could possibly get a fine, according to U.S. Code Title 18, Part I Chapter 83 § 1725.

Alternatives

It is perfectly legal to put flyers on doorknobs, attached with a rubber band. The flyer could be slipped between the screen door and the door frame, as well.

Tags: passing flyers, small businesses

A Checklist For Opening A Resale Store

Resale shops operate on the idea that one person's trash is another person's treasure theory. They rescue discarded goods from the grasp of the refuse bin or from yard sales and polish them up for resale. When considering opening a resale store, consider your knowledge of antiques and buying trends along with your business prowess.

Business Beginnings

When opening a resale store, follow some business basics. Develop a business plan and set a plan of action in place to help guide you while confronting the various aspects of starting and running a business. Seek out the appropriate business licenses necessary in your chosen locale. These can include a business permit and a resale license, which allows you to purchase wholesale goods for resale. Some states refer to a resale license as a sales tax license. Consider whether you will handle the accounting or whether you will seek out the help of a qualified accountant. Contact the Internal Revenue Service for an employer identification number (EIN) that will help you when filing taxes and reporting income.

Research Basics

Visit other resale shops in your area and see what kind of merchandise they stock. Take note of pricing and ask the owners questions about how they acquire the goods or if they can offer you any tips. Take stock of goods that seem to sell well in your area, such as used furniture or decorative accents. If you plan on operating a niche resale store, such as furniture, research various aspects of that specific industry. In this example, you would want to acquire as much knowledge about the different types of wood used in furniture design, popular manufacturers and identifying marks that may lead to information on the age of the piece.

Merchandise Matters

Consider how you plan to obtain the goods you will offer at your resale store. Start by acquiring goods from family and friends. Clean out your own basement. Visit garage sales, yard sales and flea markets for good deals on merchandise you can turn a profit on. Once you obtain goods for resale, identify a fair value market price and clearly label the item with the price. You can determine an items market value by conducting a little Internet research at various websites which offer items for sale to visitors. Operating on consignment is another option available for resale shops. Consignment shops offer to sell items for clients and then split the profit when the item sells.

Additional Considerations

Find a location with foot or car traffic. Use signs to clearly identify your store and clearly display hours of operation and any other pertinent information, such as grand opening sales specials. Set up a system to take payments. You may choose to operate as cash only or offer the convenience of credit card and debit card payments. In this case, a merchant account representative from a local bank or credit union can help you set up a point-of-sale system. People need to know your resale store exists. Take out ads in local papers and pass out fliers at local flea markets, garage sales and yard sales.

Tags: resale store, yard sales, flea markets, garage sales, garage sales yard

What Are Ways To Increase Food Sales

Improving your food sales is one of the most direct methods for increasing the profitability of your restaurant. More food sold means more cash in the registers and less wasted product. There are a number of ways in which to increase your restaurant's food sales, but a few are very simple to implement and should show immediate positive results.

Improve Your Product

All the marketing in the world will not help you if customers come into your restaurant and your food is bland, boring or bad. Work with your chef to create some signature dishes that people can only get at your restaurant and try to make your food better than the competition. Good food sells itself, and if you can impress your customers, you will be building the potential for repeat business. Conduct a full menu review and dump the unpopular items to make room for more interesting fare.

Train Your Servers to Sell

The server is the face of your restaurant. Servers interact with your customers more than any other member of your staff. Set sales goals for your serving staff and coach them on ways to increase their individual food sales. Servers with high food sales will earn greater tips, so this should be an easy path to take.

Improve Your Presentation

People do not just go to a restaurant for the food, they go for the experience. This is why so many theme restaurants experience success. You do not have to turn your restaurant into a 50s diner or family playground to improve your sales, but you should work with servers, chefs, and bartenders to improve the presentation of your food. Fajitas should be served sizzling, chips should always be hot, drinks should be in interesting and attractive glassware, and food should be served with flair. Better presentation makes your restaurant look nicer, solidifies its identity and improves repeat business.

Participate in the Community

Getting your restaurant's name out there is an important step in building business and increasing food sales. Sponsor a local youth sports team. When people see your restaurant contributing to their community, they will have a more positive opinion of your establishment. If you find an opportunity to put your name on something positive near you, consider the potential payoff.

Tags: your restaurant, food sales, your food, Improve Your, repeat business

Quantifiable Elements Used To Control A Marketing Plan

Developing a marketing plan isn't just about qualitative elements, such as the color scheme of a poster, which celebrity to use and the font of a billboard. Quantitative elements are just as significant when devising a marketing plan. Quantitative factors tend to be controlled by the company's economists, financial analysts and statisticians.

Consumer Demographic Statistics

One prominent role of a marketing research analyst is getting the numbers behind the company's targeted demographic. These analysts gather data through surveys, consumer feedback reports and test groups. From these methods, the analyst assesses how many customers the marketing plan is expected to reach, the customer age group, economic background and other quantitative data. Consumer statistics from test groups also indicate preferences listed on a scale from one to 10. For instance, the demographic statistics might reveal that customers ranked a blue color scheme package as less favorable than one designed in red.

Budgeting Constraints

Funds limit the size and scope of marketing campaigns and therefore must be watched carefully. Some companies have bigger budgets than others, but all stick within the confines of the marketing plan. Marketing plans also must anticipate the budget constraints of the consumer. These constraints of the consumer are quantifiable. Sandeep Chandukala, Jaehwan Kim and Thomas Otter, authors of the book "Choice Models in Marketing," state that individuals make choices based on a ratio of their marginal utility (the benefit gained from consumption of a product) to price.

Expected Return

A key part of the marketing plan is figuring out the expected sales for every dollar spent on the campaign. The marketing division derives this calculation by analyzing the marginal impact of spending. David Besanko and Ronald Braeutigam, authors of the textbook "Microeconomics," explain that companies will analyze how much sales will increase with respect to every dollar spent. At some point on the cost curve, companies stop seeing an expected sales increase. Companies also use this method to compare which method of advertising yields the greatest expected return.

Comparable Economic Data

Marketing plans cross-apply data from previous strategies for guidance. The data from previous sales, returns and expenditures give companies a starting point for forecasting. Other comparable data included is from economic indicators specific to the company's industry. Retail data, for instance, give companies a picture of how much money consumers are spending on goods, such as clothing, music players and other items. William Luther states in his book, "The Marketing Plan," that such project plans include other economic data, including pricing sensitivity, economies of scale and regulatory exposure.

Tags: marketing plan, color scheme, constraints consumer, data from, data from previous

The Role Of Marketing In New Product Development

Marketing is important to product development.

Marketing is said to be the most important element of new product development. There is good reason for this. Marketing means the life or death of a product. Everything from the concept of a new product to meeting customers' needs is a part of marketing in new product development. With the right research, a product will be successful from the beginning.

Finding an Audience

With competition becoming fierce, companies are no longer developing products without an audience in mind. Usually, before a product can even become a concept, companies must first determine to whom they can market the product. Extensive market research in areas such as demographics help developers know which product ideas will be successful.

Discovering a Need

Once a target audience has been found, marketers must discover which needs products can meet. This "need-based" product development provides for a much more effective return on investment. The most attractive brochure printing designs and most intriguing TV commercials will not sell a product if no one at least perceives a need for it. While technology still has a role in new product development, a marketing team has to provide input for whom to market to and what they need.

Determining Right Timing

Some products that may have been very marketable just a few years back may no longer be practical in today's marketplace. Factors such as recession, seasons and war can make or break the success of a new product. While some timing factors simply cannot be foreseen, others are predictable. For instance, if a marketing team knows that a target audience mostly buys motorcycles in the spring, they will push the development team to launch new breathable motorcycle armor before spring. Once a launch date has been determined, the marketing team can begin designing and planning for a marketing campaign, which involves everything from events to poster and brochure printing designs to online advertising.

Differentiating a Product

A marketing team must research similar products that competitors are selling and determine if the product their company develops can be marketed uniquely. If a golf club being developed can only be marketed as just another golf club, there is no direction for a marketing campaign. On the other hand, if the golf club can be differentiated, for instance as a club light enough for anyone to easily use, then both the marketing and development team have a specific goal to reach.

Developing Pricing

Knowing the needs of consumers also brings marketers to ask the question, "How much would this target audience pay to fulfill this need?" When developing a new product, appropriate retail pricing must be kept in mind so that costs of development do not outweigh a marketable price. The marketing team must also remember costs of advertising, such as commercials or brochure printing, and must ask if a product will be worth the marketing costs. Without a price in mind, developers could create a product that provides little or no return on investment.

Assisting with Alterations

Few products have been developed that haven't required adjustments. Development teams create models to test both in the lab and then to discover the product's usability with a target market. When adjustments must be made, the marketing team must work alongside the development team to re-determine marketing opportunities and direction for the new product. This means that even factors such as patents and local or global sourcing problems must be considered by all parties involved in the development of the product.

Tags: marketing team, product development, brochure printing, development team, golf club

Market A New Construction Company

Marketing a new construction company seems overwhelming but the truth is it can be simple. A few simple steps can gain you a quick list of clients. A website, business cards and flyers are all cheap and very effective ways to get your business in the public's view.

Instructions

1. Advertise your construction company's phone number on your own trucks. You can paint the number or use decals. It's a good idea to use a number people can easily remember. Many companies call this free advertising because your own trucks are like moving billboards.

2. Create a website. Make sure the website is straight-forward and easy to understand. In addition, it is important to list your services along with your contact information. Investing in a photographer to display some examples of your work is also a great idea.

3. Participate in opening sales and specials. Nothing markets better than a discount. People love to save money and may even try your construction services simply because you have a sale. This is a good way to gain clients when a new business is being launched.

4. Distribute flyers. Do this by creating simple flyers that have your company's name, number and examples of your services. Ask local Realtors if you can leave some in their office. Also, you can leave some flyers at local grocery stores and markets.

5. Pass out company business cards. Whenever your construction company works for someone always leave them a few business cards. This will make it so they can easily keep track of your company for further reconstruction. Giving them a few extra cards is a great idea as well because it will allow your customers to easily refer you to somebody they know.

Tags: business cards, your construction, construction company, examples your, great idea, leave some

Check If An Online Company Is Legitimate

Check If an Online Company Is Legitimate

Nobody wants to get scammed and lose money, but with so many online business options these days, it can be difficult to tell who is telling the truth and who is lying. However, you can be your own best advocate. By devoting a little time and energy by following these simple steps, you can ensure that the online companies you do business with are legitimate--and save yourself quite a bit of headache.

Instructions

1. Review the online company's website thoroughly. Visit every page, read all of the fine print--terms of service/use, privacy policy, refund policies and contact information. It should be a major red flag if the terms of use/service is missing or if contact information is missing or incomplete.

2. Find a brick-and-mortar address. This should be listed somewhere on the website, but if not, try calling or emailing its customer service--who should be more than happy to provide you with that information. The Yellow Pages can also be a handy resource for locating a business address. Sometimes, this may simply be a post office box, but that doesn't necessarily indicate that a business is not legitimate. There are some very reputable companies that are almost entirely web-based, but take into consideration the type of business this is and judge accordingly. If you cannot find any mailing address at all, then the company is probably not legitimate.

3. Call the company. Ask questions. Anyone who is selling you a product or service should be available by phone to answer questions for you.

4. Research the company on the web. Google the company to find out if there are any third-party reviews or customer testimonials of its product, service or business practices. There are also several scam-alert sites, like FraudWatchInternational.com, that can advise you.

5. Contact the Better Business Bureau online or the Chamber of Commerce in the town where the physical store is located. Ask them about the company, whether there have been complaints or disputes, and how these issues have been resolved.

Tags: Check Online, Check Online Company, Company Legitimate, contact information, have been

Create A Coffee Shop Logo For Clothing

Create a Coffee Shop Logo for Clothing

Creating a coffee shop logo and creating a coffee shop logo for clothing are two different things. A coffee shop logo for clothing must take a few factors into consideration that can make the logo more appealing, easy to remember, and identifiable. When people wear the clothing with the coffee shop's logo on it, it can promote and advertise your coffee shop, so be sure it appropriately represents your shop. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

Brainstorm

1. Hold a brainstorming session with your associates and other people in the coffee industry. Decide what message you want to send with the logo, how you want it to affect people who see it, and what type of clothing you're going to put it on.

2. Ask for ideas and have an assigned person take notes, writing down each idea and suggestion. Review the ideas after the meeting and decide on which ideas you like the best.

3. Hold another meeting to vote on the logo that your associates believe will be the most effective at representing your coffee shop.

Consider Important Factors

4. Make the coffee shop logo simple and easy to identify. It shouldn't be very busy, simple and recognizable. For example, the McDonald's arch's are known worldwide without words. When a person sees the golden arch's he or she knows it's McDonalds.

5. Decide on one or two colors for the logo, and stick with those colors. Consider what color the clothing is going to be. You don't want the colors to blend or clash--instead, they should complement one another.

6. Place the coffee shop's web address in an eye-catching place either next to or under the logo. A web address will point onlookers to a place of action.

7. Decide what size the logo is going to be and where you will place it on the clothing. If it's going to be large, you may consider it placing it on the back of a shirt rather than the front. If it's going to be small, avoid detail and place it wherever looks appealing to you.

8. Hire a designer to provide rough sketches of your logo and ask for his or her advice of color choices, size and placement of the logo on clothing.

Tags: coffee shop, clothing going, coffee shop logo, logo clothing, shop logo

Can A Company Fire A Vegetarian For Refusing To Work Around Meat

Check your state's labor laws when you are fired.

Employers can fire you for a number of reasons, including poor performance, economic uncertainty in the marketplace and insubordination. However, if you are fired because you are a vegetarian and you refuse to work around meat, you might have legal options available to keep your job.

Falsified Resume

Companies have the right to fire employees who lie or falsify information on their resumes to get a position within the company. The company for which you work hired you based upon a particular set of qualifications you possessed at the time of your interview. For instance, if you said in your resume that you worked in a deli at one point, your employer would have reason to believe that you previously worked around meat based on your previous experience. Refusing to work around meat after you are hired might appear fraudulent to your employer.

Religious Beliefs

Employers cannot fire you for your religious beliefs because of civil rights legislation passed in the 1960s and 1970s that protects workers. Terminating your employment because of your religious practices infringes on your civil liberties as a United States citizen. For example, if part of your religious doctrine states that you are not allowed to touch or work around meat, and your boss fires you because of that fact, you can claim that your civil rights were violated.

Complaints

Employers in the United States are forbidden from firing you because of legitimate complaints you file within the company. For example, if you file a complaint with your manager that says you are physically sickened by the sight of meat at your workplace and that you want to change positions, the manager cannot fire you for this complaint. If your manager fires you for filing a complaint, this is considered wrongful termination.

Right-to-Work States

Some states have Right-to-Work laws in their labor code that limit the recourse an employee can take after her employer fires her. In states with employee unions, your employer must have a valid and legally permissible reason to fire you. If your state is a Right-to-Work state, your employer might be able to fire you for any reason it wants. For instance, if your employer sees your refusal to work around meat as a nuisance that hinders productivity, your employer can fire you legally.

Tags: your employer, around meat, work around, work around meat, your religious, around meat, cannot fire

Buy Tattoo Start Up Equipment

Starting a tattoo business requires far more than simply purchasing a tattoo machine and some ink. Each state has various health and licensing requirements that may make it illegal to purchase equipment or practice tattooing without an examination, apprenticeship and license being issued. However, if an artist has overcome these obstacles and is ready to set up shop, purchasing tattoo equipment from reputable sources can be simple.

Instructions

1. Prepare the paperwork. Reputable dealers will not sell to unlicensed artists and will ask for a business license, health certification or both to confirm.

2. Contact a reputable dealer (see Resources). These dealers will require the artist to fax or mail in their certifications to create an account. Many do not sell to the public.

3. Decide which equipment is necessary. If an artist is working for a shop, general and reusable equipment such as autoclaves, spray bottles, sanitizing equipment and other supplies may be provided.

4. Purchase the equipment. This can be done via the Internet, telephone or in person if the company has a storefront.

Tags: dealers will, purchasing tattoo

Promote A Healthy Life

Vegetables, such as tomatoes, are foods that promote healthy living.

Promotion of unhealthy living is all around us, from advertisements to TV to video games, so naturally many children are going to grow up with the wrong idea of healthy living. You can promote a healthy lifestyle for your children by not only advising them about healthy habits, but also taking it upon yourself to create a healthy environment by setting examples that promote a healthy lifestyle.

Instructions

1. Encourage and participate in outdoor activities. Telling your children to go outside and play isn't as effective as playing with them. Take the initiative once or twice a week and participate in outdoor activities with your children, such as throwing a ball, taking the dog for a walk or playing outdoor games. Outdoor activates naturally promote exercise and healthy living.

2. Cook healthy meals on a regular basis. Pizza delivery and fast-food takeout is quick and easy, but it's certainly not healthy. Cooking healthy meals, such as a main dish of chicken with a side of vegetables and fruit, teaches your children that takeout food is unhealthy and shouldn't be standard fare.

3. Set time limits for TV for both you and your children. Leading by example is often the best way to teach your children to live a healthy lifestyle. Sitting in front of the TV for hours often doesn't do anything for the growth of your children, and it may adversely affect their health. Children are more inclined to listen and do something if their parents do it as well.

4. Teach your children about food. Instruct them to look at food labels for low calories, cholesterol, sodium and fat, and foods that are high in protein, fiber and vitamins.

5. Reward good behavior with something other than food. Rewarding good behavior with food starts a bad habit of associating rewards with food, and it's a habit that's very difficult to reverse. When your kids accomplish something, such as getting straight A's or winning a baseball game, reward them with a later bedtime or take them out to a movie.

Tags: your children, healthy lifestyle, healthy living, behavior with, foods that, good behavior

End A Letter Of Request

Close a letter of request with details on how you can be reached.

Letters of request not only help you secure what you need, but they also can help establish a relationship with the person or organization you are addressing. The key is to write with confidence and be concise so the request is easily fulfilled. Whether the letter is to ask for a copy of an important document, a pay raise, or for someone's participation at an event, the end should leave the reader with a clear idea on proceed.

Instructions

1. Make no apologies at the end of the letter, regardless of the magnitude of your request. This is part of writing with confidence. You should expect that your request will be approved.

2. Include a brief statement regarding compensation toward the end of the note in order to make it clear that you are willing to give something in exchange for what you would like to receive.

3. List your contact information before closing the request. These details should be listed in the order you would like to be contacted. So if you prefer to talk over the phone, list your phone number first and then an e-mail address or mailing address. Given this information, the reader will have more time to focus on filling the request instead of spending time searching for your contact info elsewhere.

4. Close the letter with a courteous, brief salutation such as "Thank You" or "Sincerely." In this way, you are expressing gratitude since the reader will have to consider sharing his or her resources.

Tags: Close letter, reader will, reader will have, will have, with confidence, would like

The Best Places To Put Flyers For A New Business

Using flyers is a cost effective method to get your business name out to the public.

Marketing a business takes time and money. With flyers and computer programs, it does not have to cost much. By targeting the right customers for the flyers, it could increase buyers, according to Jay Levinson, author of Guerrilla Marketing. He even lists door hangers and flyers as part of 200 weapons people can use to market their business.

Laundromats

Consumer services and products that appeal to this group make this a prime spot for distributing business flyers. Using a service like the U.S. Census QuickFacts site lets you know the demographics down to the county level by just selecting the city where you are interested in distributing your flyers.

Coffee Shops and Bookstores

Many of these types of establishments have bulletin boards where you can post your flyer. The good part is that these types of establishments have demographics with higher incomes. The best kind of flyers to use would have a phone number or a web address or both, which can be torn off the page while leaving more for others.

Windshields

This is one of the riskier uses since it might cause you to receive complaints or be found in violation of a law; however, when it is done legally, it can be a cost-effective method of advertising according to Roy Williams of Entrepreneur. Putting flyers on cars works best with businesses focused on automobile services such as detailing or washing. Another alternative might be restaurants distributing flyers on cars parked within close proximity to them. You can test this method by using coupon codes or different phone numbers.

Homes

Those offering landscaping and other home services would find homes to be a great place to hand out their flyers. You can target your potential buyers by demographics and types of neighborhood (high income). One warning: do not put flyers in mailboxes -- it is illegal to do so.

Tags: establishments have, flyers cars, these types, these types establishments, types establishments

Agency Client Agreement

An agency tries to find the best job candidates for the client.

An agency client agreement is a contract between a company or other incorporated entity and an employment firm. The employment firm or agency provides potential job candidates to the company for temporary or contract work. This agreement outlines the business relationship between the parties.

Payment

In consideration for referring a successful job candidate to the company, the agency earns a percentage of the candidate's hourly earnings. The agreement typically designates when the payment is due.

Contingent Payment

The agency may earn a contingency fee in the event the company offers the contractor full-time employment and the contractor accepts. If this situation occurs, the agency usually earns a one-time percentage of the contractor's base salary.

Confidentiality Clause

The agency may come into trade practices and confidential information in order to find the most suitable job candidates. In so doing, the agency agrees to maintain confidentiality with the company.

Exclusivity

Depending on the contract language, the agreement may stipulate that the agency may be the exclusive source for finding job talent on behalf of the company.

Tags: employment firm

Run An Office For A Roofing Company

An office for a roofing company can be big or small.

While you may have experience as an office administrator, new employees at roofing companies may be surprised by the field-specific knowledge they need to acquire in order to run the office. Because roofing is in the construction field, a knowledge of insurance, publicity, and building client relationships are important to the running of the firm. Nevertheless, with some practice, you can successfully apply your administrative skills to running an office for a roofing company.

Instructions

1. Equip the office for basic administrative duties. Before you even have any clients, make sure that your office is set to handle them once they do arrive. To do this, you will need a computer, a client management system, such as Filemaker, to help you track client contact information and communications, a telephone (preferably one with multiple lines), a filing cabinet, a printer with paper supplies, and an Internet connection. Other office equipment, such as a fax machine or a postage machine, are optional but not necessary right away.

2. Check local regulations and make sure your company is in accord with them. As the office administrator or manager for a roofing company, keeping up with liability and other insurance coverage will most likely fall to you. Check with your local Chamber of Commerce for advice on the regulations in your area; attending meetings of government affairs committees, as well as presentations on issues such as insurance and liability, can help keep you connected to updates in the laws.

3. Educate yourself about roofing. When clients call to book their services, you will need to be able to advise them on their options. Though complicated technical questions should go to the contractor or workmen themselves, knowing the basics about the procedures, the time each one takes, and the pricing will help you build good relationships with your clients and cultivate long-term relationships. Community colleges in your area may offer programs in roofing or certificates in roofing apprenticeship. However, you can also learn on the job by discussing each service in-depth with workmen, or even spending several days on job sites to observe and learn what the workmen do.

4. Publicize the company for greater profit. Though many people only turn to roofing companies in times of need, you can establish your company as the "go-to" company in your area through a variety of networks. Traditional advertising, from fliers to billboards, can be effective, as can Internet search marketing. Taking out prominent space in the Yellow Pages with a large ad under "Roofing" can also help to bring you business.

Tags: roofing company, your area, make sure, office administrator, office roofing, roofing companies

Start A Tattoo Shop In Washington

New regulations in Washington officially begin July 1, 2010.

Opening a tattoo shop anywhere is a challenge for the entrepreneurial body artist. In the state of Washington,new rules enact stricter regulations for the operation of a tattoo or piercing operation. Beginning July 2010, the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) will require all tattoo shops and individual artists to have a license for providing tattoos and other body art. Chapter 18.300 of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) details the legal responsibilities of shop owners and tattoo artists.

Instructions

Get a Shop

1. Review zoning rules for your area for any restrictions on the placement of a tattoo shop. Avoid areas where a tattoo studio might be challenged by local property owners.

2. Find a suitable business location that meets legal requirements for a tattoo shop in Washington. A tattoo shop must provide toilet facilities for customers, provide adequate storage for sterilization materials, meet state and local fire codes, and keep any residential areas wholly separate from rooms in which tattooing will be performed.

3. Acquire all sterilization equipment required by the health department.

Comply with Local Laws

4. Review Washington Administration Code Chapter 308-22 and RCW Chapter 18.300. Ensure that your property and shop design follow the legal requirements of tattoo shop layout and health codes.

5. Obtain liability insurance necessary to operate a tattooing business. Insurance companies specialized in professional cosmetics and body art industries can provide counsel in the best packages available.

6. Complete blood-borne pathogen training course meeting Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards. Obtain certificate of completion upon fulfillment of course requirements.

7. Apply for a body art shop owner license with the Washington Department of Licensing. Fill out the form and prepare to submit payment after inspection.

8. Schedule a licensing and health code inspection with the Washington DOL, providing certificate of insurance and blood-borne pathogen training during the meeting. Pay license application fee upon inspection approval.

Open Shop

9. Hire artists over age 18 who have or will receive body art licenses before beginning to work. Contract artists may be required to provide their own materials but must have access to sterilization equipment approved by the board of health.

10. Display all shop licenses in the shop's reception hall before opening. Each artist must post their individual licenses at their workstations

11. Open your doors! Keep your needles clean, work areas neat, and insurance and licenses up-to-date.

Tags: tattoo shop, blood-borne pathogen, blood-borne pathogen training, Department Licensing, July 2010, legal requirements, legal requirements tattoo

Promote An Independent Cd

With the advent of technology and in-home studios and recording equipment, recording an independent CD is easier than ever. However, promoting that CD and making it stand out in a sea of other artists and recordings can be challenging, especially without the assistance of a label or manager. Learn promote an independent CD and jump-start your music career.

Instructions

1. Have a CD release party. The best way to generate buzz for your independent CD is to have an event to celebrate its release, including a live performance featuring music from the CD. Invite your family and friends and send announcements to key media outlets in your city--television and radio stations, newspapers, magazines and online calendars. Be sure to offer food and drinks and have CDs and other items for sale such as t-shirts, stickers and posters. You want as many people talking about your event and your CD.

2. Develop a website. If you can't afford to hire a website developer, take advantage of a free account on MySpace to promote your music and your independent CD. On MySpace (see Resources), you can post a bio, upload songs, list upcoming concert dates and add fans, all of which can help generated buzz for your recordings. At Sonic Bids (see Resources), you can submit an electronic press kit--including bios, press and audio clips and photos--that you can send to promoters easily. The site charges a small fee, generally less than $10 per month for the basic service, and allows you to connect with promoters and potential gigs to promote your independent CD.

3. Give your CD to as many people as possible. Keep a stash in your bag or in your car to distribute to friends, family, colleagues and any one else you meet. Always have business cards on hand with a link to your website and your contact information and pass those out as well.

4. Send CDs to newspaper and magazine editors. From your neighborhood newspaper to your alumni magazine to your city's daily newspaper and music industry magazines, no publication is too big or too small. Start with publications in your area and identify arts and entertainment and features editors. Send your CD with a bio and contact information, preferably in a nice folder. You can also email editors and direct them to your online press kit. Don't forget to send to online-only publications.

5. Consider hiring a professional publicist. He or she will have the media connections and experience and give you advice on how best to promote your independent CD.

Tags: your independent, promote your, buzz your, contact information, many people

Ice Cream Business Ideas

You can add an ice cream business to an existing business.

Whether an old fashioned ice cream parlor or modern gelato shop, you can run an ice cream business seasonally or year round. Look for a location with foot traffic and good parking to ensure your customers have quick access. Offer a selection of toppings including bits of candies, cookies, nuts, sauces and fruit to allow customers to customize a creation.

Ice Cream Shop

A traditional ice cream shop requires a storefront, preferably in a busy location on a main street, near a beach or in a mall. Seating is usually required. One idea is to arrange picnic tables outside your shop to encourage patrons to linger and enjoy their treat. Plus, they will be doing free advertising as anyone who walks or drives by will want a cone. In addition to ice cream, offer milkshakes, sundaes, frozen yogurt and other dessert options like brownies and cheesecake.

Ice Cream Stand

Ice cream stands are ideal ventures for busy areas in the summer. Big events like music festivals, carnivals and sports events can give your business a kick start. Book your space well in advance as these special events tend to fill their vendor quotas quickly. Look for a location near a waterfront or a busy park to optimize your summer sales. Check your local bylaw office for permits and regulations concerning public locations. Other things to offer include gelato and smoothies.

Ice Cream Truck

Mobile ice cream businesses allow you to cover far more areas than a stand or storefront might. Whether you choose to secure a spot in the city, travel from event to event or drive through neighborhoods catering to the cravings of children, an ice cream truck opens up many avenues for revenue. Paint your ice cream truck with vivid colors and affix a canopy over the window you will be serving from to clearly advertise what you have to offer. Bring a folding table and chairs or a picnic table with you to set up beneath the canopy.

Sundae Shop

For a new take on an old classic, drop the cone and serve sundaes instead. One idea is to use soft serve ice cream and create your own version of a banana split and other sundaes. Create sauce options such as margarita strawberry with a hint of lime, chocolate mocha and caramel apple. Instead of condiments on the table, design a tray filled with toppings. Design the shop like a diner, complete with booths and a jukebox.

Tags: cream business, cream truck, Look location

Dog Grooming Business Card Ideas

Business cards help advertise dog grooming skills.

Some businesses need to keep their business cards simple to seem professional. Other professions, such as dog groomers, are helped by being creative. When your occupation is making an animal look good, having creative business cards can help grow your client list.

Print Styles and Colors

Since a dog grooming business is about the visual, choose a visual for your card. If the area where you live has more of one breed, such as golden retrievers, use an image of a golden retriever on your card. You can have two-sided business cards with a catchy dog image on one side and your business information on the reverse. Many business card printers have templates for various businesses such as dog groomers. You also can consult a graphic artist for assistance in using a visual of a dog in an eye-catching way.

Shapes and Sizes

Rather than print your business information on regular rectangular cards, consider a dog shape for your business card. Make it larger than a regular business card to draw attention to it. You also could design a business card in three dimensions rather than two. An origami dog shape with your contact information printed cleverly on the dog would definitely get pet owners' attention. To print these professionally will be costly, so get competitive bids from printers if you go this route.

Pet Supplies

Consider attaching your business card to a collar or leash or printing your business card information on a collar, leash or food bowl. You may find that printing your business card information on an object rather than a piece of paper will make it more memorable. Dog owners love toys to share with their animals, and they will think that you feel the same way if you combine a gift with the business card. Items such as frisbees or brushes that dog owners use daily will keep your name on their mind regularly.

Magnets

Many households keep key business information where everyone can see it -- on the refrigerator. Think about making refrigerator magnets with your business card information, so clients can keep your information handy. Like any kind of production, most vendors who make refrigerator magnets will offer better prices for larger orders.

Tags: business card, your business, your business card, business card information, business cards

Teach English To A Foreigner

Teach English to a Foreigner

There will come a time that you will either be in a foreign land trying to speak in English to a local or you may be in your own country teaching a visiting foreigner to speak in English. As it is widely known, English is the universal language but not everyone can speak it. Here are some ways you can teach English to a foreigner.

Instructions

1. Point to objects. You can teach basic English by showing or pointing to objects and saying the words that correspond to the objects. For example, pick an apple at a produce market and say the word "apple" slowly and clearly. Have the foreigner watch your mouth and then have him repeat the word several times. Then try another object, each time having your foreign friend repeat several times until he gets the words correctly. Quiz the foreigner by pointing to each object again and see how much he could remember.

2. Show pictures. Like pointing to objects, you can point to pictures and then translate them into words slowly but clearly. Have your friend repeat several times until he can speak each word correctly. Quiz your friend by pointing to the pictures and having your friend call out the names.

3. Use hand gestures. When trying to teach English you can use hand gestures then add words as you do the hand gestures. Have your foreign friend repeat again until he can speak the words clearly and can match your hand gestures correctly.

4. Use body language. There will be times to demonstrate sentences or phrases in action. Use your whole body and say the words clearly n then repeat and have your friend guess the words by your actions.

5. Give your friend a translation handbook. Invest in an English/foreign language book. Give this to your friend and show him use it. Help your friend put together words correctly by teaching the correct verb and adjectives, as well as nouns and pronouns to use.

6. Make every effort whenever you get the chance. Speak to your friend in English all the time even if you can speak his language. Getting your friend used to the English language will speed up his learning process.

7. Watch English movies and turn off subtitles. If your friend cannot understand it, have him try to look for the words in his handbook. In due time, he will learn to get used to hearing the words and finding their meanings and translations on his own without using the subtitles.

Tags: your friend, hand gestures, friend repeat, several times, clearly Have, correctly Quiz, foreign friend

Make A Baby Burp Pad

Make a decorative burp pad to keep the laundry pile down.

Baby burp pads are a convenient feeding-time accessory to help keep you and your baby clean and dry. You may use a simple cloth diaper for a burp pad, or add a little bit of decorative embellishment to the cloth. Use some scrap pieces of fabric from other sewing projects to adorn the pad, and use an extra piece of ribbon or two for added panache. Make trendy burp pads for your own child, or make a bunch to give to a new mother to help lessen the amount of time she spends changing clothes.

Instructions

1. Place a 3-ply cloth diaper flat on your work surface.

2. Cut a 5 1/2-inch by 18 1/2-inch piece of decorative fabric, and a 4-inch by 17-inch piece of cardboard.

3. Lie the fabric on the work surface with the good side facing down. Center the cardboard on top of the fabric, with about 3/4 inch of fabric showing on each side of the cardboard.

4. Spray a light misting of spray starch on the exposed fabric and fold the fabric over the cardboard template. Place a scrap piece of fabric on top to prevent the cardboard from scorching, then iron the folded fabric to lie it flat.

5. Spray a light misting of spray starch on the exposed fabric and fold the fabric over the cardboard template. Place a scrap piece of fabric over top to prevent the cardboard from scorching and iron the folded fabric to lay it flat.

6. Remove the cardboard from the fabric and lie it down the center of the cloth diaper with the good side of the fabric facing up and the folded, pressed edges against the cloth.

7. Sew a simple stitch around the outer edges of the fabric to attach it to the cloth.

8. Cut a piece of ribbon. Make the ribbon 4 1/2 inches long. Fold over 1/4 inch of each short end and pin the ribbon across the fabric strip, about 4 inches from one end. Sew the ribbon in place. Repeat this to attach another decorative length of ribbon 4 inches from the other end.

Tags: cardboard from, cloth diaper, fabric over, burp pads, cardboard fabric

Run For Elementary School Class President

Campaign for president with posters.

Running for school class president comes with a responsibility, but it also provides an early opportunity to see how basic government works. Some elementary schools give students the opportunity to partake in their student government or student council. Positions a student may get the chance to run for include president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer. Running for a position like president might require responsibilities like running student council meetings, taking votes as well as being a middleman between faculty and students.

Instructions

1. Become a representative for your class when you are in the lower grades. Most elementary school student councils will have student representatives from 4th, 5th and 6th grade. Some might even have representatives from 3rd grade. Becoming a representative early on will get you used to how Student Council works and how it is run.

2. Check the policy of the Student Council as to who may run for what positions. Some student councils will only allow 6th graders to run for vice-president and president, while others might allow 5th graders to run as well.

3. Sign up to run for president with your school. Student Council elections usually take place at the beginning of the year.

4. Campaign. Put up posters and get your name out there to the entire student body. Make your posters large and clear so that everyone can read them. Keep the posters simple by writing "Elect John Doe for President" or "John Doe President (year)." If you can come up with a way for students to remember your name, with a rhyme pertaining to your campaigning, include it.

5. Talk to students personally during your recess, and lunch time and let them know that you are running for class president. This way, the students can put a face to your name. Also, ask the students what they would like changed if you were to become president.

6. Write a simple, informative and entertaining speech. Include in your speech why you should be voted president and what you will try to change once president. Some of these items could include the quality of school lunches, longer recess periods, better playground equipment, more after-school activities and newer books.

7. Wait for the votes to come in to see if you made it as student president.

Tags: Student Council, your name, allow graders, class president, councils will, from grade

Start A Television Ad Agency

The power of television in the advertising world remains remarkably strong, even as the Internet expands. Companies that want to be exposed to the largest possible group of consumers work with television ad agencies to develop innovative campaigns. You can start a television ad agency to promote burgeoning businesses on a reliable medium.

Instructions

Focus Your Agency's Attention on Television Advertisement

1. Contact every television station in your community before you start an ad agency. These contacts should feature a discussion of rate schedules and special programming in the near future that will draw a higher price for interested advertisers.

2. Search for acting, comedy writing and other entertainment experience during the hiring process for staff members. A qualified copywriter with some commercial acting experience can give you insightful comments on the best way to block out TV ads.

3. Use your staff to create sample TV ads for placement on your website as a virtual portfolio. You should film several types of TV ads, including both light-hearted and serious approaches, to show your agency's range to potential clients.

4. Create a rotation of freelance and contract ad professionals to help with larger projects as your agency grows. You should start to compile a contact list of local freelancers who can be reached on a short timetable to help clean up ad copy or design a background set.

5. Reduce the amount of space you need to rent for your agency by renting studio space on a case-by-case basis. The amount of room and equipment that need to be dedicated for a sophisticated TV studio can cause skyrocketing overhead costs. You can establish a relationship with one studio in town to get a decreased rental rate.

6. Consult with high-level staffers on an ad review process before you open the agency's doors. Larger agencies utilize community volunteers to review multiple versions of an advertisement. A good first step is to submit ad copy to a review by random members of your staff to get a new perspective.

7. Determine your agency's policy on political advertisements as you begin your agency. Your agency may focus on a particular industry, business size or type of TV advertisement that does not lend itself to candidate or issue ads.

Tags: your agency, your staff

Plan A Benefit Event

Planning a benefit event can be a tough task and requires a lot of organization.

Planning a benefit event to raise money for others can be a very satisfying job to complete. Although your intentions in planning a benefit event may be selfless, you will require substantial organizational skills and assistance to make sure your planning goes smoothly.

Instructions

1. Determine the type of benefit event you want to organize. There are a lot of options you can choose from, such as concerts, bake sales and art auctions, to name a few. Depending on what type of event you finalize, you can then further determine the types of press activity, sponsors and volunteers you need.

2. Determine the number of volunteers you require. If you are planning a small event such as an art auction, a small number of volunteers is enough. If you go for a large-scale concert, however, you will require volunteers for backstage management, sound and lights, stage design and security.

3. Make a list of possible venues. You need to have several options for venues on your list and contact the management of every venue. Most venue owners will give you permission to hold your event there for free if you make a good case on how your event will be beneficial to the community and them. However, you should also be prepared to pay a fee if the venue you really want doesn't agree to donate the space.

4. Plan ahead. Keep in mind that planning a benefit event successfully requires a few months to approach sponsors and finalize costs before you can bring in volunteers to start working. Have realistic long-term goals and stick to them.

5. Finalize sponsors. If you keep this till the last moment, your costs will keep building up and make them difficult to cover. You don't want all the funds raised from the event being spent on pending payments of planning the event.

6. Delegate authority. When you have the volunteers you require (gathered from friends and family, for example), delegate different jobs to groups of volunteers. You can then hold weekly meetings to monitor progress and make any changes in planning that are necessary.

7. Make an advance press release. Approach your local newspapers for ad space for your event. Also contact a local radio station and ask if they can cover your event live. Make sure you finalize this a few months before your event as it will help spread the word effectively. There are online organizations, too, that can help you write and distribute an advance press release.

8. Prepare attractive promotional materials such as posters, fliers, road-streamers and billboards. Display the logo/name of your sponsors and donors on this material. Make a simple website for promotion too and use social networking tools to spread word about the event.

Tags: benefit event, your event, advance press, advance press release, event will, number volunteers

Information On The Impact That Print Media Advertising Has On Standards Of Beauty

Does she see her own beauty?

Not long ago, a woman's success was measured by the success of her husband and her domestic prowess. Today, a woman is presumed successful if she can emulate the standards of beauty portrayed in the media. Unfortunately, this subliminally enforced standard is unattainable to some women, regardless of the quality of their character. The media has played a large part in how western women went from being pioneering superheroes, to people who measure their worth against airbrushed photographs of impossibly beautiful women.

Timeline

People have used women in print media to sell their products since the mid-19th century. The women in the ads were portrayed with thin waists, large breasts and stylish clothing. As the roaring 1920s moved in, American women scored voting rights and birth control. Due to World War I, it became necessary for women to work. The print world began to portray women in a boyish, sexy fashion. Hemlines rose for sex appeal. Breasts were bound so women did not appear too feminine in the work-place. Hair was cut shorter for convenience and the flapper-girl was born.

The 1930s and 1940s popularized the pin up girl. Traditionally, the pin-ups were heavy breasted, meatier than the flapper and scantily clad. Some pin-ups were printed to advertise products, while others were printed as calendars or centerfolds for the soldiers serving in World War II. Pin-up icons, such as Marilyn Monroe, began their careers this way. As of 2010, these women still set the par for American beauty standards.

The 1950s introduced the American housewife. Women in print ads were portrayed in a wholesome, Donna Reed, manner. They had the figures of a pin-up, but these figures were covered with dainty house-dresses.

Health and Beauty

During the 1960s and 1970s, models like Twiggy appeared everywhere. Women in print looked thin to the point of illness. The hippie movement, and the fashions that came with it, did nothing to stop this standard. Hippies ate when they could, and were almost always thin. In the early 1980's, AIDS reared its ugly head. The general population believed that if a person was thin, he or she may have the virus. The media began looking for healthier women to use to sell products. In the 1980s, the Wilhelmina Modeling Agency found Gia Carangi, the first supermodel. Gia sported a healthy, yet sexy appearance. Sadly, Gia needed to use drugs to deal with the pressures of maintaining perfection. Intravenous drug use led to her tragic death. On November 18, 1986, 26 year old Gia died of AIDS-related pneumonia.

Social Status

Today, print ads feature women with obvious social status. Veneers over teeth, name-brand from head to toe, all of these features let the outsider know that this girl has money. Naturally, girls do not want to be labeled as poor, so they strive for the features of the women they see on the magazines.

The modern portrayal of women in the print media often portrays women in a subservient manner. For instance, you may never see a male model in a bikini, provocatively eating a chicken salad. Likewise, you will be hard pressed to find an ad with a female model portraying a CEO, unless the model appears matronly. This dynamic sends two messages to the public; beautiful women cannot be smart, and matronly women cannot be beautiful. Therefore, impressionable young girls will opt to be sexy, and in turn, labeled stupid.

Body Dysmorphic Disorder

The Mayo Clinic Website uses the terms "Body Dysmorphic Disorder" and "Imaginary Ugliness" interchangeably. Culture is listed as one of the primary causes of BDD. American girls are inundated with media portraying unattainable standards of beauty. Unfortunately, BDD often leads to more serious conditions such as anorexia, bulimia and increased suicide risk.

Raising Confident Daughters

It is every parent's responsibility to help these girls understand that the women in print ads spend hours in makeup, and that the photographs are almost always airbrushed to achieve that look. It is most important to teach your daughters that content of character will get you much further in life than physical beauty. Everyone gets old, if they are lucky. When this happens, the beauty within will make her attractive.

Tags: almost always, beautiful women, Body Dysmorphic, Body Dysmorphic Disorder, Dysmorphic Disorder, pin-ups were, standards beauty

Communication System Of Disaster Management

Communication systems help speed up disaster recovery procedures.

Companies and public officials implement effective disaster preparedness and recovery policies and plans to prevent accidents during evacuation and rescue efforts. Central to disaster management is the communication system that professionals use to monitor hazards. Does this Spark an idea?

Disaster Management

According to the U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET OnLine, disaster management demands a set of tools and programs to detect, appraise and monitor safety risks in residential and nonresidential establishments. Sound disaster management also prevents or limits operating losses that an organization may incur because of disasters.

Disaster Communication Tools

The Federal Emergency Management Agency indicates that organizations use a variety of communication system tools to cope with accidents and other disasters. These tools include the disaster administration database, messenger interface, incident information portal and reporting journal. Communication system tools also include mapping data equipment and weather forecast software.

Other Considerations

According to O*NET OnLine, disaster management specialists often use other communication tools such as Federal Emergency Management Information System software, database user interface and query software, geographic information system applications and project management software.

Tags: communication system, disaster management, disaster management, Emergency Management, Federal Emergency, Federal Emergency Management, OnLine disaster

Make A Big Outdoor Sign

Let the public know about your product or event with a big outdoor sign.

If you have a product or event that you need to promote in a big way, you can make a big outdoor sign to advertise. Outdoor signs are commonly used to announce sales at retail stores or community happenings such as festivals or parades. They also can direct people to a specific place such as the entrance to a concert venue. Though it takes planning, making a big outdoor sign doesn't have to be complicated, and it can be accomplished using standard graphics software.

Instructions

1. Open a graphics program on your computer. Graphics programs that can be used to create big outdoor signs include Adobe Photoshop, CorelDRAW and Poster.

2. Go to "File" and "New" to open a new canvas. Type in the dimensions to create a canvas the size of the sign you need. For instance, if you need a sign 4 feet high and 6 feet wide, enter 48 inches into the height field and 72 inches into the width field.

3. Add text to the sign first by using the program's "Text" tool. Use both upper and lowercase letters in the text. Capitalize proper nouns and the words in a title, as usual, but use lowercase letters on the rest of the sign.

4. Avoid fancy font styles. They are more difficult to read than basic fonts on large signs. Sans serif font styles such as Verdana, Arial and Century Gothic are basic fonts without decorative additions. Base your font size on the distance from which it needs to be read. If you need help, consult the Letter Visibility Chart, based on information from a 1998 study by the United States Sign Council, Penn State University and the Pennsylvania Transportation Institute.

5. Include only the necessary words. The fewer words the sign contains, the faster and easier it is to read. Never use paragraphs, which are difficult to distinguish from a distance.

6. Add graphics and designs to the sign to draw attention. You can draw your graphics from scratch using any of the drawing tools in the graphics program. Common tools include "Shapes" and "Paintbrush." To draw with a tool, click on the tool in the toolbar, then click on the sign's canvas. Hold down the mouse button while dragging the mouse to make the shape or paint appear on the sign. To add photos or other pre-made graphics, open the "File" menu in the graphics programs and choose "Open." Navigate to the folder where the photo or graphic is located in the "Open" window and double-click the file to open it. Draw a marquee around the image with the "Marquee" tool, which appears as a dotted rectangle in most graphics programs, then go to the "Edit" menu and choose "Copy." Click anywhere on the sign's canvas and click "Paste." The image appears on the sign. Click on the image and drag it to relocate it on the canvas. Use the small squares, or handles, that appear around the border of the image to resize the photo or graphic if necessary. Avoid adding too many extra graphics and photos. None of the pictures should detract attention from the text.

7. Save the finished sign. To save, go to the "File" menu in the graphics program and select the "Save" option.

8. Print the sign on vinyl. Signs made of vinyl hold up better than paper signs in wet weather and wind. Vinyl signs can be printed by most professional printing companies. You can get your sign file to most printing companies by submitting the digital file through the company's online submission system or emailing the file to the company using the address provided on the company's website.

Tags: graphics program, basic fonts, File menu, File menu graphics, font styles, inches into, lowercase letters

Marketing Representative Duties

A marketing representative is a person at a business who takes care of tasks related to getting the word out about the company or the company's products and services. His ultimate goal is generating sales for the business. This person makes about $60,000 per year on average, according to CB Salary.

Target Markets

A marketing representative must perform is to do thorough research on the target markets for each of the company's products or services, then develop a solid marketing plan based on this information. This worker must analyze demographics data and information on the target markets of similar products from competitors. The final marketing plan will show the company position the product to achieve optimal sales.

Advertisements

The marketing representative helps the company decide on promotional and advertising campaigns for products and services. He may work closely with a separate advertising, design or production department (or an outsourced firm) to advertise the business and its products to the target market identified. He helps craft the marketing message for a product based on his research. In some cases, the marketing representative also is responsible for creating and placing ads for the company without the assistance of a separate advertising department. If the firm sells to other businesses, the marketing representative helps develop sales proposals and marketing materials for presentation in client meetings.

Sales Activity and Forecasts

A marketing representative's also compiles and monitors reports on the company's sales to decide whether the marketing plan is working. He also must help to make forecasts for the company based on historical data and the results of any change in the company's marketing initiative.

Reports

In many cases, the marketing representative must deliver regular reports to the higher-ups during sales meetings. The reports cover marketing initiatives, sales figures and forecasts and opportunities for improvement.

Tags: marketing representative, marketing plan, products services, cases marketing, cases marketing representative

Online Jobs That Are Free To Start

Even though the Internet is full of scams and work-at-home opportunities that cost money to begin, you can find some legitimate ways to make money online for free as well. Opportunities like affiliate marketing, freelance writing, selling products on eBay and performing basic tasks can provide you with additional income.

Affiliate Marketing

One of the simplest businesses to get started in is affiliate marketing. You can sign up for an affiliate marketing program such as Clickbank and get started earning commission right away. The idea behind affiliate marketing is that you sign up for a program and get a link that you can promote products with. When someone clicks on one of your links and buys a product, you make a commission. While you could spend money to promote the products, there are plenty of places online that you can advertise for free.

Freelance Writing

Another opportunity that you could pursue online for free is freelance writing. Many companies create online content for webmasters for a fee. You can get paid for each article that you write. If you have any writing ability, you could potentially make extra money with this activity. You could sell your articles on your own or you could try to get hired at one of the many online content producers on the Internet. This can be a steady way to generate extra money.

eBay

eBay is one of the most popular sites online and many people use it everyday to make extra money. To get started with eBay, you do not have to invest any of your own money. If you sell goods on eBay, you will have to pay seller's fees, but the fees can be deducted out of the money that the buyer pays you. You can sell items that you have around the house or even digital products that you create. You could also work with drop shippers to sell products to consumers or find products at yard sales in your area to sell.

Online Services

Many companies pay freelance workers to provide online services. For example, the Amazon turk program allows you to get paid for doing simple tasks that companies would like to outsource. (See Resource 2) These tasks can vary greatly from one item to the next but almost anyone can do them. They typically pay only a small amount per task, but you do not have to invest any money to get started in this area. Some examples of tasks include transcribing audio files, duplicating content and performing research.

Tags: affiliate marketing, extra money, freelance writing, have invest, make extra, make extra money