This Month's Marketing Calendar
Having trouble finding content for your blog and social media posts this month? A Marketing Calendar can help you stay on track and take advantage of recognition days for timely ideas. You can check out a short tutorial I did on Slideshare.
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Small Business Showcase 
Cook Builders Supply
With two locations in both West Springfield and Easthampton, Cook Builders Supply is the largest masonry supplier in Western Mass. I first met the folks at Cooks when I was asked to help them get their website back up and running. They had lost the ability to edit their previous site and knew that it was time to get back on track. When you walk into their West Springfield store you're working with professionals who know their business inside and out. Unlike big-box stores, Cooks knows their customers by name (and many of their contractors still thumbtack their cards on a big bulletin board up front). While working with professional landscaping contractors and builders has been their main focus of business, there are many homeowners and DIYers who've found Cooks to be a great resource for all their hardscaping projects. I love visiting with Betty, Cook's long time office manager and Tammy, whether she's keeping the store running smoothly or taking pictures for Facebook -- she's always eager to put a smile on every customer's face. Please take a moment to visit their website and be sure to LIKE them on Facebook! You can also get on their mailing list and be first to learn about sales, new products, workshops and events and special deals.
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Email Marketing Works
It's the GLUE that binds your social media to your website, a cost effective and INSTANT way to communicate with customer and people who already want to hear from you.
Try it out!
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STAY COOL - WORK SMARTER, NOT HARDER!
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 Greetings!
Hope you've survived our recent heat wave(s) that have plagued the Northeast. I secretly look forward to the 4th of July week each year, knowing that my inbox will slow down to a crawl. Most of my clients took a well deserved break last week which meant the demands on my time relaxed a bit too.
I don't typically take this time off. Instead, I use it as a mini-planning time, looking toward my fall marketing when businesses start the final push of the year. Getting some systems tweaked now will save me time later.
This month's message is about STAYING COOL and productive while ramping up your marketing. If you like it, please share it with others (just look for the social media buttons at the top of this email)
Oh, I'd LOVE to hear what you do to make your marketing easier. It may be included in a future edition!
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 What Abe Can Teach Us About Productivity
"Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe."My Mom shared a birthday with Abraham Lincoln. She seemed to be very proud of that, announcing the fact every year. I grew up kind of thinking that he was a relative. Of course, we all know that Abraham Lincoln was a skilled orator and debater. He cared deeply about relationships and suffered great losses in his life. Did you know he was also an entrepreneur and inventor? |
Woo Hoo! Get Ready For Your Close Up! Head Shot & Marketing Day - Tues. July 30th  Does the thought of having your picture taken make you cringe? I get that, I really do. I've always felt more comfortable being on the other side of the lens. The fact is . . . . as business owners, we NEED to have a professional image. While there is certainly a time and place for candids, putting our best faces forward in all our social media profiles, on our websites, blogs and brochures helps build relationships.
Dani of dani.fine photography and I want to help ease the discomfort of "picture taking" by creating a day just for you! When you book your head shot session on July 30th, you will also get to network, ask marketing questions, enter our drawing for some awesome door prizes and enjoy some snacks while meeting new friends. Only $95 (normally $400), delivered to you by CD and ready to use!
So, stop cropping those family photos, leave the dog out of the picture and don't make me Photoshop another draped arm around your shoulder! See you on the 30th. Dani says you can book from 9 - 5 now. Tell them it's for Head Shot & Marketing Day.
413.341.3031
150 Main Street, Northampton, MA 01060
in Thornes Marketplace
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 Staying On-Task
I had two client meetings this week during which I was asked for help managing time and productivity effectively -- a challenge for all of us as business owners. There's nothing that ruins a good night's sleep more than going over a mental list of forgotten tasks. That's why I try to develop systems for project management for myself and my clients. (see the link to the Marketing Calendar in the above-left column)
Although simple task management can be done through Outlook or Google Calendar, I use a program called Todoist which allows me to group and tag tasks easily while also synching to my calendar, email client and my mobile phone. It also sends me email and or SMS reminders and a daily digest of what's on tap. Tasks are backed up in the cloud and I can access my list on or offline anytime I want. To make sure my task list is easily accessible, I have it on my toolbar. If you've been looking for ways to manage your time better, try an online productivity tool. Many are free or very low cost. If you need help getting started, let me know. Remember, marketing should be FUN, not painful. |
Thank you for reading my latest newsletter. I hope you've picked up one or two tips to help you with your marketing. If you need some help, please know that I am here to assist. If you'd like to learn more about how we can work together, just give me a call or shoot me an email.
Sincerely,
Liz Provo
Mass Marketing Resources
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