[Resources, ideas, Tips] Marketing Tactics America Hates, Beware Customers Asking Price, Don'ts for Presenters...
[Resources, Ideas, Tips] Improving response to business-to-business, high-tech, Internet, and direct marketing...
***10 marketing tactics Americans say they despise*** 1--Direct mail that looks like it has a bill, fake check, or is otherwise official-looking.
2--Pop-up ads on web sites.
3--Ads for nutritional supplements with exaggerated claims.
4--Videos you have to sit through before reaching web content.
5--Products advertised as "made in America" that are not.
6--Free offers with strings attached.
7--TV ads louder than the program.
8--Ads targeted based on purchases, demographics, or behavior.
9--Product placement in movies and TV.
10--Billboards.
Source: Consumer Reports, 6/14, p. 11.
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***Beware the customer who asks the price right away***
Watch out for prospects who ask about price right up front.
Sometimes, even before saying hello, buyers ask about price. Often this is a sign that the prospect is a price shopper and the primary factor in her purchase decision is getting the lowest price. Not the kind of client you want to have.
Talking about price too soon puts the entire focus on money. While salespeople can't ignore the question, most buyers -- other than price shoppers -- will accept the explanation that more has to be learned about their specific needs before price can be discussed.
Source: Customer Experience Insight, 7/8/14.
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***5 "don'ts" for presenters***
The popular online lecture series TED offers these 5 common speaking mistakes that you should avoid:
--Don't use lots of unexplained technical jargon to make yourself sound smart.
--Don't refer to your book repeatedly.
--Don't let everyone know how important you are.
--Don't recite your talk from memory or sound as if you are.
--Don't cram your slides with numerous text bullet points in multiple fonts.
Source: Chris Anderson, "How to Give a Killer Presentation," Harvard Business Review, 6/13, p. 6.
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This post appears courtesy of Bob Bly's Direct Response Letter. Bob Bly is the author of 70+ books and the man McGraw-Hill calls America's top copywriter.