Not that I’d pay $200 for a pen anyway…

Did you know that your computer mouse can become “infected” with the same virus that “sickens” your computer?  I found out the hard way.  Last week our desktop acquired a virus, and we have been unable to use the computer since.  As a favor, since I’m not at all fond of the “schmancy” mouse my husband purchased for the laptop, he took the mouse from the desktop and traded them out.  Little did we know we were giving our laptop the virus! 

 I was stunned when my friend Kathy  wouldn’t use her mouse to fix my laptop because she didn’t want it to get “infected”.  Immediately it clicked (no pun intended) that we had spread the virus ourselves! Evidently, since they operate under the same system, they contract the same viruses.  WHO KNEW???  Okay, maybe many of you…but I’ve mentioned my tidbit of knowledge of the day to several people who had no idea! 

So, the next time your computer gets a virus, put it and it’s mouse in quarantine…or you may start an epidemic! 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pasukaru76/3608025579/

Photo by I Don’t Know, Maybe via Flickr Creative Commons.

I can’t help but think about how nice it must be to look out that window every morning.  Tough work!  Giada’s an incredible cook, and a very lucky one!  Can you believe I have a friend who watches her show daily, and has never noticed the background!  Sometimes I find it hard to focus on the show!  Great “work at home” environment! 

Photo couresy of Food Network

I actually just have a quick note here where phone book advertising is concerned.  Did you know that the online services offerered by the phone books can be purchased separately from that expensive ad printed in the books?  The sales guys with several of the local books were all over us…but those ads in the books are quite costly.  Finally, after realizing that we weren’t going to purchase thousands of dollars worth of written ads, they let us in on their little secret.  Advertising online only costs just a fraction of the book price! 

I’m not saying here that the books themselves are not useful, just more costly than some can afford.  Many people never open a book to find a phone number anymore, so we figured this was a pretty good deal!  Ask up front when exploring this kind of marketing.  It’ll save you a lot of time and money!

Photo by How Can I Recycle This via Flickr Creative Commons.

Photo by JAGwired via Flickr Creative Commons.

Yesterday I claimed business cards as one of my favorite marketing tools.  Today I expand my list of favorites.  I am really a big fan of what I like to call “favors”.  Similar to party favors given away at a party, these are those little “goodies” that you pick up free at fairs, parades, community gatherings, etc.  Now, there are all kinds, and definitely some are most useful than others.  My favorite favors include, but are not limited to, pens and pencils, magnets, post-its, clips, and rulers. 

All of these tools can be used everyday, therefore allowing exposure of your company name.  And since they can be used everyday, and someone has taken the time to pick them up from you, they are usually less likey to throw them away.  In the same way as the business cards, they’re a convenient go-to tool when a need arises. 

 What’s the down side?  Sometimes they can get pricey.  They vary in color, size, weight, etc., and the prices reflect those differences.  I’ve found pens that cost over $10 each.  So, you have to choose carefully and plan for the purpose of each.  For instance, basic, one color magnets are very reasonable.  Consider purchasing these as handouts at an event, along with some inexpensive pencils and pens.  Purchase a few of the higher quality pens or desk tools for those customers you see often.  For instance, we have an awesome insurance company that has given us countless referrals.  They get the good stuff! 

So, when considering your marketing tools, whether they are simple business cards, “favors”, or full-page ads in the phone book, remember to consider their purpose and their audience.  Think about how each will be used and it’s “shelf life”.  Be careful about the decisions you make, but remember to always show appreciation to those who help or have helped grow your business.  They ARE your best marketing tool!

Photo by steakpinball via Flickr Creative Commons.

Last week, I discussed the ups and downs of advertising, and it’s importance in the success of small businesses.  I’ve decided to expand a little and discuss some of these marketing tools individually.

One of the easiest, and perhaps most inexpensive, forms of marketing is the business card.  Many companies offer great deals on starter cards, and Vista Print even has a large number of cards free.  We leave our cards EVERYWHERE! 

• At restaurants with our tip (not recommended if you’re a bad “tipper”)
• Bulletin boards whenever we see one
• Any giveaway “bowl” offering a prize for a drawing
• Hairstylists
• under the wiper or tucked into the window of a car with broken glass
• in the offering plate at church…JUST KIDDING…Were you paying attention???

We leave our business cards with ANYONE with whom we exchange phone numbers.  Business cards are a perfect size to tuck in your wallet and keep with you.  You see it briefly as you fumble trying to find cash, your license, or a credit card.  But when the day comes that you need that particular service, you have to go no further than your purse or pocket.

Photo by vectorfunk via Flicker Creative Commons.

How many of us have had it pounded into us that the customer is always right?  Well, after a couple of years in business for ourselves, we’ve determined that, although customer service is our number one goal, sometimes common courtesy escapes our customers. 

My husband was on his way home today when he received a phone call requesting a job be done this afternoon after 4 pm.  He turned around, headed back to the warehouse, picked up the glass, and headed to the person’s home to do the job.  He knocked on all three doors, waited for over 30 minutes, and called the customer several times.  Having spent over an hour just preparing for the job, he headed home with a windshield he doesn’t need, and $100 less than at lunchtime, as he paid for the glass up front.  He can return the glass on Monday, but we are less the money over the holiday weekend…a long weekend at that, with a bank holiday on Monday. 

I’m sure that this is a problem for big businesses, as well.  But the truth is, when you work for a big business, you’re paid regardless.  As a small business, we are affected by every cancelled job, every glass broken, every half tube of glue that goes bad, etc.  And wasted time is never beneficial! 

Over the last couple of years, we really have done our best to make our customers happy…100%.  And I know that we have succeeded probably 99% of the time, if not more.  We have had numerous calls from repeat customers, as well as many, many referral calls.  Most of our customers have been, at least, tolerable.  Most have been very friendly and helpful.  My husband has even become friends with some of the people he’s met on the job. 

What would have happened had the roles been reversed this afternoon?  What if my husband had simply not shown for his job?  My guess is that we would have seen one unhappy customer (or former customer). 

So…Is the customer really always right?  Yes…Sometimes!

Photo by borman818 via Flickr Creative Commons. 

Photo by asian186 via Flickr Creative Commons.