MY WIFE RENEWED HER WIRELESS PHONE CONTRACT LAST MONTH
My wife’s cell phone contract came up for renewal last month, so it was time to shop for a new plan and phone. Up to this point she was content with the call features, the ability to keep in touch with family and friends using texts and taking the occasional photo with the built in camera.

YOU DON’T KNOW YOU NEED IT, UNTIL SOMEONE SHOWS YOU, YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT IT!
She wasn’t looking for the latest and greatest in technology. She has a laptop, but never thought she would need to go online with her phone. Didn’t matter. Remember that old saying,: “Necessity Is The Mother Of Invention”? Well, I’m convinced that in this day and age, we can change that to: “Invention Is The Mother Of Necessity”! In other words you don’t know you need it until someone shows you, you can’t live without it. You guessed it, the smart phone has arrived and the way the plans are priced, by the time you sign on the dotted line, you’ve got a phone that, in many cases, is faster and can do more than your old desk top computer at home.

IT DIDN’T TAKE LONG FOR HER TO DISCOVER QR CODES
What are QR Codes?

They look like this:

They come to us from Japan where they are very common. QR is short for Quick Response (they can be read quickly by a cell phone). They are basically a bar code, but can store much more data. Many cell phones today come with built in readers. QR readers can also be downloaded for free.

Back to my wife’s QR discovery moment. She’s at the store looking at some towels. She spots a QR Code on the tag which says, “Scan With Your Phone”. She does. Instantly she gets more information than anyone  should need to make a towel purchase, and in the process gets hooked!

IF QR CODES ARE THE NEXT BIG THING, MY CLIENTS SHOULD BE USING THEM, NOW!
With more and more smart phones being introduced, it won’t be long before QR Codes are everywhere. So don’t wait. You can create a QR Codes for free online.  Give it a try at this link:  http://goqr.me/ .

Here are a few example of how businesses are using QR Codes:

1. Business Cards – A QR Code can create a vCard when scanned including phone numbers, web address, email etc.
2. Postcards & Door Hangers – Someone reading  a postcard or door hanger, doesn’t have to be at his computer to view a website. Another benefit, is that the QR Code can be saved on the phone. Now URL addresses that are long or hard to spell can be loaded with the touch of a button.
3. Storefront Window – Some restaurants have a QR Code hanging in their window with a quick link to a menu or daily specials. (QR Codes can be any size – some advertisers are using them on billboards)
4. Coupons –  Advertise the QR Code of a webpage containing special offers that are updated regularly.
5. Videos – Links to videos on You Tube or a website can be launched instantly.

Envelopes, stationery, brochures, T-shirts, signs – your imagination is the limit.

Even if you are not the most “tech savvy” individual,  using QR Codes will impress those that are and peak the curiosity of those that aren’t.

By the way, the QR Code in this Blog happens to be the web address of our Blog. If you have a smart phone, I hope you will scan it.

THANKS, I’LL GET BACK TO YOU
Most shoppers are looking for the best price. No one wants to pay too much. But unless they enjoy shopping (and some people do) most folks would rather be doing something else. The truth is, prices for most products and services are pretty much the same from one company to another. Yet, how many times have you presented your product or service to a prospect only to be told, “thanks, I’ll get back to you”. As we all know, that’s code for let me check around for a better price.

WHY DIDN’T YOU GIVE ME THAT PRICE TO BEGIN WITH?
In frustration, I have seen many business owners advertise “WE’LL BEAT ANY PRICE BY 5% OR MORE!”. Does that tactic ever work? Are prospects going to spend time getting written estimates to present to you so you can beat someone else’s price? Or will they think to themselves, why didn’t you give me this price to begin with?

HAVE YOU BEEN OR DO YOU PLAN TO SHOP?
Why not confront the price issue head on? Ask the prospect: “Have You Been Shopping?”

If he answers: “YES”
Then ask him “How does my price compare?” If your price is much higher there can be 2 reasons:
1- The prospect is not comparing “apples with apples” and you’ve got an opportunity to straighten him out.
2- Your prices really are higher. If so you better address that fact.

If he answers: “NO”
Assume that he is going to.  You should inform the prospect that most reputable providers of your product or service have very similar prices and that he shouldn’t make his choice based on price alone.

IF NOT PRICE, THEN WHAT?
With either of the above answers, you need to finish your presentation with the reason that the client should do business with you. Your “Claim To Fame” or whatever makes your offering unique and better than the competition.

If you can’t define what makes you better than the rest,  in real terms, then you may be doomed to suffer the horrible fate of always being at the mercy of those price shoppers.

DON’T GET MAD, CHANGE THE SUBJECT
By the way, don’t get upset with price shoppers. Chance are you are a price shopper too. Everyone starts out comparing prices until someone challenges that notion and gets them to compare features and benefits.

HERE’S HOW WE HANDLE “SHOPPERS”
We try to get prospects to go to this page on our website – it addresses the price issue. Check it out: CLICK HERE

In the current economy, many business owners are wondering what to do to maintain and hopefully increase sales. The obvious solution is to advertise. Even some established businesses that have relied on word or mouth or reputation in the past, are considering some type of an advertising campaign. If you are one of them, regardless what media you choose, there is one word you should remember: “COMMITMENT”.

Remember, most advertising media works. TV, radio, direct mail, newspapers, billboards, door hangers, etc may be new methods of advertising for your business, but they have been proven effective for thousands of others. Of course, some media choices for your particular business are better than others. You’ve got to do some research, evaluate costs and your budget, and then make a choice. Chances are you will make the right one.

Choosing which media to use is only the first step. After you launch your campaign, you have to evaluate the “R O I” (Return On Investment). Yes, advertising is an investment, and like many investments, it may take a little time for your investment to pay off. True, sometimes, advertising may seem more like a visit to a casino. You make a bet and once in a while luck is on your side. Smart businessmen try to avoid that hit and miss cycle.

So what is the answer? Commitment! Stick with it. Advertising is hard. It is a process. You have to advertise, carefully evaluate the results, fine tune your campaign and then try it again. That is the hard part. It may seem as though you are putting good money after bad.  But remember, it is an “investment”. Don’t cut your losses and run after just one try. Even if no one responds to your advertising, that is still a result. Obviously not the result you were hoping for, but a result just the same. Poor or no response can reveal things about your prices, your competition even your reputation if you are honest with yourself.

A last word caution. When shopping for advertising (or anything else for that matter) don’t use price as your only consideration. If you are not an expert in the field, then find a supplier that can educate you as well as provide the product or service you are seeking. Getting the right advice can be priceless!