May 2012

The Grapevine Newsletter    

IN THIS ISSUE
Networking Events
Jumpstart Your Business
Networking Tip
Newsworthy...
Extra, Extra!

 Richard Associates specializes in results-oriented marketing efforts. 

 

 

NETWORKING EVENTS

    

Professional Women's Business Network

Meetings

Various Dates

For more info: PWBN 

 

Women's Business Forum

Morning Meeting

Wednesday, June 6

8-9:15 am

For more info: WBF

 

PWBN Amazing Connections Expo

Spring Mill Manor

Wednesday, June 6

8 am-4 pm

For info: PWBN EXPO

  

Lower Bucks Chamber

Business Card Exchange

Tuesday, June 12

4:30-6:30 pm

For info: LBCCC

   

 Lower Bucks Chamber

Bucks Business Connect

Volunteer Recognition 

Thursday, June  14

8-9:30 am

RSVP: LBCCC 

  

Central Bucks Chamber

Business Card Exchange

Wednesday, June 20

5-7 pm

 For more info: CBCC  

 

 

Lower Bucks Chamber Annual Golf Outing and Game Night

Spring Mill Country Club

Tuesday, June 26

10:30 am-8:00 pm

For more info:

LBCCC GOLF 

 

 

 

 

 

 

QUICK LINKS
 
 
Strategic Partners

Management & Human Resources Consulting 
 
Advertising & Graphic Design
 
Creative Agency
 
Graphic Design
 
Graphic, Web & Email Design

Greetings!

 

I love Spring!

 

I hope you've been busy! Recently, I've had the opportunity to meet with some great people in the local business community. And, I will be participating in the PWBN Amazing Connections Expo on June 6 with Joanne Lewis from Tango Vision Advertising and Graphic Design. Come and visit us at Table #53!

 

Richard Associates has developed the "Marketing Matters" seminar series that covers networking, marketing and other business topics to help you succeed. I'll be teaming up with Gregg Oliver from GO Direct to discuss how to make your ads work. You'll find more details highlighted below in the "Newsworthy" section.

 

At Richard Associates, we specialize in business and image consulting as well as marketing program execution to help make your business as effective and successful as it can be.
 

If you'd like to improve your marketing efforts, I encourage you to call or email us to find out how we can partner with you to get results.

 

Take a look at our colorful and easy-to-navigate website to find out more about our services! Plus, don't forget to "like" us on Facebook.

 

Your target audience is the basis of your marketing mix. Read "Jumpstart Your Business" below to find out how to develop one that's right for your business. There's also a list of local networking events, a networking tip, and links to interesting articles. Enjoy!

 

Best regards,

 

Susan Richard
 
P.S.  Mark your calendar for our latest "Marketing Matters" seminar!
Jumpstart Your Business


The Marketing Mix
 

 

You may have heard of the 4 P's of marketing. The marketing mix includes Product, Price, Place (Distribution), and Promotion. Your target market is where it all starts. Take a moment to think about who the ultimate user of your product or service is. You may have multiple markets. What are the characteristics of these people? Where can you find them? Having answers to these questions will help you to determine your marketing mix.

 

Product

Your product or service is developed with someone specific in mind. The decisions about what the final product will look like, the name of the product, and its packaging are all based on how it will appeal to your target market.

 

Price

To set your pricing, you need to review not only what will be profitable for your business, but what the market will bear. What is your target market willing to pay for your product or service? This requires looking at what your competitors are charging, as well as the unique aspects of your own offering.

 

Place

You want your ideal clients to be able to find your product when they need it. This may involve getting your product into retail locations, and include manufacturing, transportation, inventory control, warehouses, and order processing systems.  If you offer a service, can you find clients locally, regionally, nationally, or online? Are you able to provide your service in-person, via phone or videochat? Take these elements into consideration when planning your strategy.

 

Promotion

Many people think of "promotion" as "selling." It's really about communicating with your target market. What is the best way to get your message to them? Consider the demographics of your audience, like age, gender, income, or education level. How can you appeal to this segment? You  might consider print ads, direct mail, email blasts, online ads, or social media. It's different for each business.

  

Marketing is essential to every business, but each business has its own way to reach customers. When developing your marketing mix, go back to basics and keep your target market in mind at each phase.

Networking Tip

Be Helpful

Networking is about building relationships. One way to do that is to provide ideas or solutions to your business connections.

 

Read articles and trade journals with your clients or colleagues in mind. Send an email message telling the person why you think it would be interesting to her, and include a link to the article.

 

People are often surprised that others have taken time out of their busy schedules to help them. It's a great way to let others know that you want to see their business succeed!

Newsworthy 
Seminar Series
Our seminars and collaborations with speakers are going great! They are part of the "Marketing Matters" series which covers networking, marketing and other business topics to help you perform at the highest level.
 
Target Marketing
Can your advertising save the day? For a seminar on Thursday, June 14, we will be partnering with Gregg Oliver of GO Direct to discuss target marketing and evaluating ads in The Dynamic Duo: Target Marketing & Great Creative. For more information and to register, click here.
  
Networking
To enhance your professional skills, join us for Networking I: Successfully Promoting Yourself and Your Business. Maximize your efforts by creating a great "30-second commercial" and making a favorable first impression! New dates will be added soon!

In addition, the 4-Week Business Success Program is in development. You'll have the opportunity to focus on specific aspects of your business over a 4-week period to get ahead of your competition...fast!

 

Look for more info in the coming weeks! 
Extra, Extra!
Listen to Me 
How can you capture an audience with your ideas?  This article from ForbesWoman has 5 Ways to help.

Billion Dollar Idea 
Ever heard of Spanx? Read this article from ForbesWoman for 10 Lessons based on how Sara Blakely found success...and became a billionaire.

Richard Associates...Your Marketing Partner

At Richard Associates, we provide customized marketing services to help you succeed. From advertising that works to seminars designed to enhance your professional skills to business consulting that focuses on your goals, our services are developed with your needs in mind.

 

We understand that marketing is an investment in your business. And, you'd like a return on that investment. That's why we focus on results-oriented efforts that measure your success.

 

We build client relationships into marketing partnerships. Working with you.

 

Call 215-595-8959  �  Website www.richardassociates.net