Category Archives: big money

ProfitCenterCoach.com – Episode 505 – Making Your Customer Wait is a Good Thing.

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It’s what you look forward to that best drives you forward. – Tony Curl

Friday: Big Money Small Change

I was looking through my phone for today’s topic for small changes you can implement now at your business.

The biggest thing????

Anticipation.

Did you ever have an old Polaroid camera… you’d snap the photo and then put the photo on the counter and wait… wait… wait and after about 90 seconds you could see your image?!?  There was something magical about the waiting.

This type of waiting is a good thing… it makes you bond with the “thing”.  (that’s my technical term) haha.

But it’s true.  You spend your time waiting so you’ve already invested a piece of you in the process.

Therefore, build anticipation with everything you do.  It’s going to help build loyalty.  I like to say “it’s part of the show” — now, this may seem difficult, but it can be very simple.

Last year before the Boat Show started I needed to make an “in person” stop to pay for the weekly parking permit.  The arena was alive with activity… I found the location of our booth space and took a picture, then marked up the photo with “Our Booth #1418 Coming Soon”

Our customers, along with most Minnesotans fighting cabin fever, love to visit the boat show and think of summer.

But it’s more fun to see the show before it’s set up, it’s a “behind the scenes” view… it’s a great way to connect on your Facebook page… and it builds anticipation!

You can do this when a new shipment of products arrive, just snap a picture of the shipping containers and a “guess what arrived” note.

These things are so simple, and they go a long way toward building loyalty!

One final example is a brand new iPhone.

Do you think Apple is incompetent that their box opens so slow?  OR, brilliant because it drives you nutz!  You just bought a cool new phone and you really want to see it, but it takes an extra 9 seconds for the bottom and top of the box to separate.

New Phone Day is the BEST DAY EVER!

So look to ways to build anticipation, you have them, so might as well use them!

#doinginfinity

Tomorrow… come back for my episode on “Try This”!
PS:  Like my vibe? I want you to join my tribe! start here! 

Infinitypreneur.com

Infinity Marketing Machine Daily Topics:
Monday – Character (Subject Matter Expert)
Tuesday – Content & Consistency
Wednesday – Midweek Motivation
Thursday – Infinity Customers
Friday – Big Money
Saturday – Try This!
Sunday – Week in Review

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ProfitCenterCoach.com – Episode 499 – How Does a Train Go Places But Never Moves?

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“Art Is The Expression Of Those Beauties And Emotions That Stir The Human Soul”

Friday: Big Money Small Change

I never knew that dashes, slashes, commas, and circles could be art… but they can be.

When you embrace creativity in your posts you can create magic.  Amtrak did.  It’s not often that a “RT for good luck” actually works.

Think about it.

Do you regularly forward posts that beg to become viral or do you “thumbs up” or likes?  That rarely works.

But, look what Amtrak did…

They used the same characters that you have on your keyboard!  You could create this artwork… but you also know how difficult it is.

Look how many retweets… 8.452!  This is great for name recognition and for branding.  It’s a great “big money small change” idea… however, you cannot create a viral post by begging – you need to create magic.  Sure, you can ask for the RT – and that’s ok.

But… posting/forwarding is a social activity forces people think twice before doing it, BECAUSE it’s a reflection on them.

Your best chance at any sort of traction or any opportunity to become viral is by creating great content.  Ironically, as shown by the Amtrak tweet, content that is typed does not have to be able to be read!

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See… Easter Bunny or Santa are pretty easy to create – all it takes is a quick search!  So Hop to It – Santa’s watching… 🙂

#doinginfinity

Tomorrow… come back for my episode on “Try This”!
PS:  Like my vibe? I want you to join my tribe! start here! 

Infinitypreneur.com

 

Infinity Marketing Machine Daily Topics:
Monday – Character (Subject Matter Expert)
Tuesday – Content & Consistency
Wednesday – Midweek Motivation
Thursday – Infinity Customers
Friday – Big Money
Saturday – Try This!
Sunday – Week in Review

ProfitCenterCoach.com – E493 – Ho HO Whole Lot of Money

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“Opportunity does not waste time with those who are unprepared.”

Friday: Big Money Small Change

Ho Ho HO!  It’s October 26 and we’re ready for Christmas!

But it’s not even Halloween yet?  Are we rushing it?

Well today is “Big Money Small Change” Day and that means we look for easy ways to make more money that do not cost a whole lot… I like to focus on things you’re doing at your small business, especially things that are done online.

Today, I’m sharing a post from… October 5!  Twenty-one days ago!  Imagine Santa and a big belly howl, “Merry Christmas”!  Along with the “ta da” music.

If you think October 26 is too early for your Christmas Promotions to begin… you are actually twenty-one days behind this ad!

Now, I like the ad… because I like cookies… but look at how cute the cookies are!

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The photo is very easy to understand, you see the rolling pin… it matches the pattern in the cookie.  There are absolutely no directions!  The ad implies it’s really that easy…

But for us we are less concerned with the functionality of the product and more concerned with the metrics of the ad!  It was placed October 6th!  It now takes somewhere around 12+ “touches” to get a response out of your customers… meaning they need to see your ad 12 times before it breaks through the “noise” of their world and they take action.

Do you really want to wait until after December 1st… or after Thanksgiving… or After Halloween?

NO — just like today’s inspiration states… If you want opportunities, you’ve got to be ready!  This rolling pin seller is READY!

It’s your turn… GET READY, NOW!

#doinginfinity

Tomorrow… come back for my episode on “Try This”!
PS:  Like my vibe? I want you to join my tribe! start here! 

Infinitypreneur.com

Infinity Marketing Machine Daily Topics:
Monday – Character (Subject Matter Expert)
Tuesday – Content & Consistency
Wednesday – Midweek Motivation
Thursday – Infinity Customers
Friday – Big Money
Saturday – Try This!
Sunday – Week in Review

ProfitCenterCoach.com – Episode #487 – Get Your Halloween On

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“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” Arthur Ashe

Friday: Big Money Small Change

We’re at Friday!  This is the day we take a look at what our neighbors are doing… well, at least some examples of ways to improve your marketing and sales that don’t cost a lot.

I was kinda stressing because I didn’t have an idea of what to write… then just like magic, inspiration struck!  This really cool ad popped up on my Facebook feed.

This is what I call an “every day product” it’s not something you buy for a specific holiday, or a one time special event type use.  You buy it and use it “every day”.

What it does is takes your Apple plug in cord and converts it into a retractable cord that stays neat and tidy in your bag!

There is nothing that says “Halloween” about the product… it’s not orange, there are no pumpkins, and it’s void of candy… but look at what this company did to get their Halloween on!

They placed their product on a piece of decorated paper and created a Facebook ad.

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How brilliant.

It catches your eye, it’s simple, and it helps you vary your ads so your customers notice.

Learn from the ad it’s a brilliant representation of today’s inspiration.

1- Start where you are.
2- Use what you have.
3- Do what you can.

Your efforts do not have to be expensive to be impactful.

Your turn.

#doinginfinity

Tomorrow… come back for my episode on “Try This”!
PS:  Like my vibe? I want you to join my tribe! start here! 

 

Infinity Marketing Machine Daily Topics:
Monday – Character (Subject Matter Expert)
Tuesday – Content & Consistency
Wednesday – Midweek Motivation
Thursday – Infinity Customers
Friday – Big Money
Saturday – Try This!
Sunday – Week in Review

ProfitCenterCoach.com – E481 – Why You Need an Infinity Product.

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“Everything comes to him who hustles while he waits.”

Friday: Big Money Small Change

Do you want to make money while you sleep?  This is the best thing ever.  When you wake up, check your email, and find that you have an order!

This is not new.

Prior to email… we used to walk to our mail box and see envelopes with checks.  Remember the informercial (before they were called informercials) you can make money while you sleep with one small ad!  I know you remember.  Then all you had to do was send in a couple dollars to find out the secret which was placing small classified ads in newspapers around the country.

Now with the internet, this doesn’t seem like a big deal.  But it was a HUGE deal back in the day, this kit included addresses of all newspapers across the country!  (not that I ever bought one of these packets)

OK, I’ll admit it.  I have a rule.  I can write down the 800 number (or nowadays, the website) but I cannot buy anything until morning.  OH my… someone is going to have to ban me from buying things on Instagram. Same thing, the ads are sooooooo enticing!

But back to the make money while you sleep.

Here’s the spin.  How about making “big money” over and over and over.

This is the new goal for a small business.  You need to learn to create an Infinity Product.  This is a product that has no upper limit. It rejuvenates itself.  For example, a downloadable book!  You create it once, and sell it again and again.

The reason I mention it is because it’s fun with something like this sells… you can check out my Best and Simple Social Media Planner that I sell on Etsy.  I love when it sells.  It inspires me to pass this message on to you all!  Work on your Infinity Products… yes, make more than one!

#doinginfinity

Tomorrow… come back for my episode on “Try This”!
PS:  Like my vibe? I want you to join my tribe! start here! 

Infinity Marketing Machine Daily Topics:
Monday – Character (Subject Matter Expert)
Tuesday – Content & Consistency
Wednesday – Midweek Motivation
Thursday – Infinity Customers
Friday – Big Money
Saturday – Try This!
Sunday – Week in Review

ProfitCenterCoach.com – Episode 475 – Celebrate a Normal Day

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“Do it with passion or not at all!”

Friday: “Big Money Small Change”

I love when I find fun examples online!  I’ve said it before that when you’re looking for a topic to write about, check the “National Day Of” calendar.

It can seem corny… but there are some very good inspirations in that list of days!

We recently celebrated World Ballet Day!  Most of the world probably woke up in the morning and went to sleep at night without ever knowing it happened.

BUT

If you’re a dance studio it’s a big deal!

It’s a great way to create a post to alert your students and their family.  It’s also a great way to spread the news about your industry.

It helps to build your tribe and that’s a great way to increase the value of the information you provide to them.

Get out there and check out your “National Day Of” calendar and start finding celebrations relevant to your business.

#doinginfinity

Tomorrow… come back for my episode on “Try This”!
PS:  Like my vibe? I want you to join my tribe! start here! 

 

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Infinity Marketing Machine Daily Topics:
Monday – Character (Subject Matter Expert)
Tuesday – Content & Consistency
Wednesday – Midweek Motivation
Thursday – Infinity Customers
Friday – Big Money
Saturday – Try This!
Sunday – Week in Review

ProfitCenterCoach.com – Episode #469 – The Grim Reapers Visit Sears…

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“The day which we fear as our last is but the birthday of eternity.” – Seneca

Friday: Big Money Small Change

Alright, I’m going to take some heat for today’s inspiration… but before you get all ghoulish on me… when I searched for today’s quote, I overlooked many that were  waaaay more macabre!

But what a quote to describe a date with my husband!   Hahahaha he’ll get a kick out of that.  He’s always like, “why don’t you mention me in your blog” well, there you go honey…

We visited the Mall of America.  We live about 20 minutes away and the last time I was there was at least 3 years ago.  What the heck… people spend thousands of dollars to fly into town and I can’t even get in my car for a day visit.

In the MOA’s defense, it’s pretty cool.  You should visit.  It’s clean, safe, and full of activity.  It’s easy to access, easy to maneuver, and well… enjoyable.

However, at the expense of my husband’s psyche that hates the “after the nuclear holocaust empty street feeling”, I made him go into Sears.  Is today’s inspiration starting to make more sense?

Sears is an anchor at the mall… but honestly, put a fork in it and call it done.  As he said, “it doesn’t know it’s dead.”  Now, we have an interesting history.  We’re kind of the “angles of death” duo.  It started with a visit to a Pizza Hut and a short time later (like the next day) it closed.  We did it again with another pizza restaurant… oh, there was the hill top restaurant… but our jewel is Lehman Brothers.

Yes.

We are responsible for the 2008 economic collapse.  We’re sorry.  But we got on the plane from Minnesota and all was good… the economy was fine.  We landed in New York, checked into the Sheraton across the street from Lehman Brothers, annnd the rest is history.

So I said, looking into Sears, we’ve got to do it.  Let’s go.

We walked down the hallway, it was eerie.  Nobody was around. Here’s something creepy… we swear the tile floor outside the entrance is the original from the 1991 opening.  We made one lap in the store to see the stained carpeting and bare shelves.  there was a 90% off jewelry sign.

Woah, who’s that… we passed another couple!  Although we’re pretty sure they had been walking the aisles for years, trapped and trying to escape this retail empire.  Strangely this visit to Sears felt like my very last visit to Montegomery Wards.  Sad.

I’m not saying Sears is dead, but it sure ain’t breathing with any regularity.

But as we look forward to celebrating it’s eternal birthday – I will say this.  When you walk in and find plaid scarves in a wad at the bottom of a bin… maybe our effort in display is suffering.

You see…

Two stores later we visited the Burberry boutique.  They also sell scarves.  In fact they display two, just two, neatly folded, behind a glass case, in a well lit velvet heaven.

I’m just making an observation… both Sears and Burberry had similar looking plaid print scarves… yet one store is dying and can’t sell a scarf for 40% off it’s $15 price… and the other store locks it’s version up.  I didn’t ask how much, but I’m guessing somewhere between the $1,850 purse and the $450 men’s pajama bottoms.

So what’s the difference in the two scarves?

Even if you’re putting something on clearance… you need to display it like you give a poo!

Learn a lesson from America’s foremost retail authority.  And the lesson is hidden in “what they no longer do category”…  simply clean your store! Add a little lighting, soft music, and hang up your clearance scarves!

Respect your customers.  Give them a dignified shopping experience, always.

When looking for a “Big Money Small Change” tip… just dust and fold your merchandise.  It’s CHEAP!    Go… do it now!

Sears has been good to marketers and students of retail, but like our dear sweet old relatives that go a little crazy at the end, let’s hold tight to the good memories of what they’ve taught us about being a selling empire.

BTW:  Our work here is done.   Wahahahahaha

#doinginfinity

Tomorrow… come back for my episode on “Try This”!
PS:  Like my vibe? I want you to join my tribe! start here! 

 

 

Infinity Marketing Machine Daily Topics:
Monday – Character (Subject Matter Expert)
Tuesday – Content & Consistency
Wednesday – Midweek Motivation
Thursday – Infinity Customers
Friday – Big Money
Saturday – Try This!
Sunday – Week in Review

ProfitCenterCoach.com – Episode 463 – How Do You Solve A Problem? Create It!

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“By the time you read this comment, I will have finished writing it.” SMcKee

Friday – Big Money Small Change

The obvious is very important.  That’s why I’m including a picture.

When you have a captive audience, entertain them.  I recently went to the gas station and of course, I get the TV screen that annoys me.  It shows the weather forecast and some word of the day, followed by a news story.  Great.  I’m entertained.

But why am I thirsty?

I’m totally not listening to the TV and really not reading the messages… but you know what, the ad along side the gas pump focuses on an emotion.

The obvious part of the picture is to occupy the down time of your customers, like in a waiting room, hotel room, restroom, lines, gas pump, etc.

But go one step further.  Focus on an emotion.

The message is not “did you forget milk?”, “do you need an energy drink?”, “how about some water?”… AND it’s not “are you thirsty?” The ad is in fact, telling the person reading that they are getting VERY thirsty.

It’s one ad placement that focuses on one profit center they sell, but it puts the customer at the center of it all to solve their problem.  The problem you’re telling them they have!

Start with the obvious and focus on the why.  This is a Big Money Small Change advertising winner…

#doinginfinity

Tomorrow… come back for my episode on “Try This”!
PS:  Like my vibe? I want you to join my tribe! start here! 

 

Infinity Marketing Machine Daily Topics:
Monday – Character (Subject Matter Expert)
Tuesday – Content & Consistency
Wednesday – Midweek Motivation
Thursday – Infinity Customers
Friday – Big Money
Saturday – Try This!
Sunday – Week in Review

ProfitCenterCoach.com – Episode 457 – Ask for the Sale.

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“Chase the vision, not the money. The money will end up following you.” Tony Hsieh

Friday: Big Money Small Change

Sometimes the best advice is the most obvious.

When you are trying to make more money… ask for the sale!  Today I was on the phone trying to sign up someone for our winter boat storage.  I finished my pitch… there was a pause… I said, “would you like to sign up?” and the answer was, yes!

Normally our customers “think about it” and call back… but it’s a good reminder to just ask.

Now here’s a fun little tid bit, the equivalent online is your call to action.

Just like your phone conversation or letter in the mail… ever leave your post or email without a call to action. Consider it your opportunity to “ask for the sale.”

Your call to action might be your “buy here” button – but again… don’t simply leave it up to the text on the button.

Set the stage.  Even something like, “Imagine your life in 5 years if you buy ____” gear it toward your situation, but do something that helps your customer “hear” your suggestion.

It seems silly to mention “The Next Step” but it’s often overlooked!

Here’s my next step for you… today – create a post where you have a “next step” don’t want to make a post — then do it in your phone call.  See what happens!

Worked for me… 🙂

#doinginfinity

Tomorrow… come back for my episode on “Try This”!
PS:  Like my vibe? I want you to join my tribe! start here! 

 

ProfitCenterCoach.com – Episode 439 – Money Down The Drain

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“To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong.” Joseph C. Pearce

Friday: Big Money Small Change

This post is both an idea and an cautionary tale.

I stayed at a San Diego, CA, hotel last March.  It was a beautiful hotel with a view to match.  I was attending a conference… now I didn’t feel great.  I was actually battling a head cold.  That really doesn’t have anything to do with the post… I’m just looking for sympathy. (haha)

But…

I walked into the bathroom and they had this sticker sign on the mirror.

The sticker says that, basically, if you “opt in” to their program you’ll get rewarded… $5 food and beverage credit or 500 points per night stayed.  In exchange they skip your room for house keeping.

I don’t know about you but I love staying in hotels.  I love staying in them because they’re clean.  AND that’s because someone wonderful magically cleans my tub, makes my bed, and in general takes care of me!

However… If you stay 6 nights at this hotel and you join their program, you could earn $30 food/beverage credits or 3,000 points.  Quick math shows the 500 points are the better deal with a 3 star hotel earning a free night at 3,000 points…. but I’ll get back to my point.

If you choose to “Opt In” to their program… you don’t get your room clean every night, you do get a food credit… and you know what, you also get to feel good about saving water.

What does the hotel get?

They don’t have to clean your room and they comp you $5.00…  they don’t have to pay someone the 30 minutes it takes to come into your room AND they also don’t have the expense of your water.

Hummmmm

That’s pretty substantial in both labor costs and water costs.

So my head started spinning as to the BIG money savings from this small change.  (or the head cold)  Then I thought to myself, that’s pretty clever.  And I started to run the water for a shower.

Guess what…  All credibility in the program for “saving water” fell on his head when I pulled up the faucet/shower lever.


Can you see it?  Water is running through the spout… FAST.  The shower head is running wide open AND at the same time water is running from the faucet straight down the drain without any purpose.

While the hotel cost saving and earth saving program sounds good on the mirror, when you turn around, and I’m not kidding… had I felt better, I could have taken the photo with the water reflection in the mirror…   But turning around actually dispelled their entire “cost/earth savings” angle.

My recommendation is in line with today’s inspiration.  Lose your fear of being wrong, and having someone like me point it out.  Keep going with these creative programs because it’s a fabulous idea and has great hidden savings… just make sure to look at your obvious cost/water savings, too!

OR it’s money down the drain (hahahaha I just couldn’t resist that!!!)

Tomorrow… come back for this week’s episode on “Try This”!
PS:  Like my vibe? I want you to join my tribe! start here! 

Infinity Marketing Machine Daily Topics:
Monday – Character (Subject Matter Expert)
Tuesday – Content & Consistency
Wednesday – Midweek Motivation
Thursday – Infinity Customers
Friday – Big Money
Saturday – Try This