When we initially started our businesses, we had to decide how we were going to market ourselves. Kind of an obvious statement – every business has to do that. But, we had an added challenge. We were new to the area. So, our goal was to get to know as many people as possible.

We did that by becoming “promiscuous networkers”. We attended and joined any and every association we could afford. This was GREAT for meeting people. After a few months, we could walk into a room and just about everyone would recognize us. They knew us as the Johnsons, that young couple in business.

But, it wasn’t so great for actually getting business. They remembered us, but often didn’t have a *clue* about the services we offered. You see, we had missed a key part to networking, and all forms of marketing for that matter. We hadn’t defined our market and therefore weren’t attending events where our market was likely to be. Had we done that, people would have remembered us AND our services.

If you’re a Micro-Business owner, you are the face of your business. People also may recognize you as soon as you walk into a room. After that, they should make an automatic connection to your services or products. Now, people seem to know us as “press release girl” and “database guy”. Even though we offer other services, these are very good connections in our eyes.

What is the automatic connection that comes to mind when people see you? Is this the connection that you want? If not, what can you change to make sure that others know you for your services or products?

Leila Johnson co-owns Data-Scribe(tm), along with her husband, Brett. The New Mexico-based firm provides database, writing, and software training services to Micro-Businesses and government agencies. To get more tips like this, visit their E-Library or sign up for their Micro-Business Gazette at http://www.datascribe.biz

Branding your comapny should be the first thing a company does. You have to convince potential customers to buy from you. Very few people have a monopoly like Microsoft or Ebay, Everyone else need to steer business to their company or product. When people think about your company, what is their impression. For my company, Solutions Ink, I wanted to portray a fresh, professional, ease of use type of company whoose product meets their quality needs while helping their business. I wanted to portray Solutions Ink as always on the fore front of the printing and promotional product industry’s.

To achieve this I needed to tell potential customers of new and innovative products for the printing industry. Variable data, large format digital printing, digital printing with pantone colors, label and form combinations, magnet and form combinations and e-commerce ordering systems. How best to show customers then actually devise a campaign where the product you are trying to educate your customers about is sent out to them to give them ideas how to use this product to help their businesses. One campaign I organised was to compile a list of fashion retailers whoose logo’s were specific pantone colors that are not reproduced well in 4 color process printing. Today with 6,8 and 10 color presses you can print in 4 color process and 2 pantone colors quite easily. This keeps the integrity of the company’s logo intact in their big marketing or flyer campaigns. This is OK for large run printing jobs. The problem is that even for large chains, you tend to have regional sales in a small amount of stores. In store displays usually are done in small numbers and are printed digitally. Today there are certain digital presses that can insert pantone colors on top of the 4 color process printing. After devising a mock up campaign and targetting by variable data the buyers of these retail fashion chains, I was able to secure 2 large accounts for present and future business.

This technique can be applied to any industry. The key is to really now your product and the strengths of your company. The next step is to educate your customers on your company’s merits. Then you must reinforce your image constantly to stay in your existing customers mind, as well as peak the curiousity of potential new customers.

Once you have achieved this, giving out promotional products is a useful way of staying on their minds. The trick is to find a great promotional product, that fits you budget, is useful to the end user and doesn’t shout your name too boldly. Humour is a great way to have your customers keep your stuff. The items seen most times for an office person are calendars and coffee mugs. To be different in the Montreal Promotional Product market, Solutions Ink sent out to all existing customers a 14 ounze special mug which was imprinted with thermochromic ink. The ink is heat sensitive and evaporates on heat and returns on cold. With this you can print something underneath the thermochromic ink which is revealed when cold. On the outside we simply put the word STRESS in red over a black background. Most people who work know about stress. The humour side was that when you poured your hot coffee the message turned into stress free at Solutions Ink. A simple inexpensive idea that our customers really enjoyed and every time I stop at one of their offices I readily spot our mugs. On top of this I received 4 orders from these customers for these mugs with a different message for their customers.

Another great way for your company to be branded positively is to become associated with a worth while charity. Today we must give back to those less fortunate. Sponsering an event gives your company great exposure but the real treat is in knowing that you’ve helped others. Money is not the end all, all the time. A funny thing, helping others usually rewards yourself if not immediately some time in the future.

The trick is to plan out your actions. Research the market, research your company’s attributes and brand your company’s image positively and constantly. Following these steps should help your company stand out from the competition and make yourself more successful Best of luck. If you need help you can contact me at 514-337-2238 or visit us on the webb at www.solutionsink4u.com

Steven Schneidman

Steven Schneidman has a B.A. in Psychology and an MBA from Canadian Universities. He also served as a professor at a Montreal University and worked for the secong largest Canadian bank. I have owned 2 very successful printing and promotional product companies. My greatest achievement is my wife and 3 kids.

Honda has come out with a number of great new vehicles for its 2009 class. Here are some of the new models that you have to choose from this year.

Honda’s 2009 Legend is one of Honda’s flagship models. Honda redesigned the Legend for the new year, adding a great deal of exterior modifications to bolster the car’s sleek look. Along with its powerful engine and extensive luxury features, the 2009 Legend also boasts of amazing safety features and improved fuel efficiency.

Honda’s best selling Civic is back in 2009 with a new, updated exterior style, mp3 player support, improved safety, and even better fuel efficiency than before. The Civic doesn’t dominate the market for nothing: Its combination of a low price, legendary reliability, and fuel efficiency make for a winning combination. The Civic is available in Coupe and Sedan body styles.

Honda significantly redesigned its industry-leading Accord for its 40th anniversary in 2009. With the new design comes an optional higher-powered engine, an updated interior and exterior style, and an extensive improvement in the overall safety of the vehicle. The Accord is known to be one of the most comfortable rides in the entire automotive industry. If you haven’t before, you owe it to yourself to try out the new Accord. It’s even better than before. If you’re interested in buying a revolutionary new vehicle, the 2009

Honda Jazz is just right for you. This 5-door hatchback combines copious amounts of interior space with mind-blowing fuel efficiency and a unique aesthetic. Additionally, Honda updated the safety features of the Jazz and it is now one of the safest vehicles on the entire market.

Honda’s 2009 City is an industry-best subcompact that has only recently been introduced to the Australian market. The distinctive aspect of the city is the large amount of interior space compared to competing small vehicles. Additionally, the Honda City comes with a surprisingly powerful engine, great fuel efficiency, and is packed with safety features. You need not worry about any of the stigmas associated with driving a small car with Honda’s 2009 City.

If you’re interested in buying a Honda in Melbourne, then look to award winning Honda dealer: Robert Lane Honda. Robert Lane Honda has served Melbourne with superior quality, integrity, and customer service since 1979. Honda Australia awarded Robert Lane Honda with its prestigious 2007 “Outstanding Customer Service” award. For the award, Honda Australia considers every dealership in Australia and chose Robert Lane Honda above all others.

When buying a car, it’s very important that you go to a dealership that stresses quality and integrity. Doing so will make your purchasing experience easier, more enjoyable, and completely stress-free.

CEMEX, a leading global supplier of cement and other construction materials, has collaborated with the US Department of Energy’s Industrial Technologies Program (ITP), a national effort program to improve industrial energy efficiency.

The joint venture between CEMEX, one of the world’s largest building materials suppliers, and DOE’s energy preservation program, is already promoting the effectiveness of energy saving in most of the company’s plants. These savings from CEMEX environmental initiaves result from advancement in inefficient electrical motors and improvement in the efficiency of motor-driven fans, pumps, and compressed air systems.

ITP has joined with state and local agencies, non-profit organizations, trade associations, utilities, universities, and other groups that support improved energy running throughout their supply chains. Their “Save Energy Now” initiative has caught the attention of CEMEX, making it one of ITP’s valued members.

The program has helped US-based plants and manufacturing companies such as CEMEX, to make a 25% reduction in industrial energy intensity within 10 years of running. ITP supports in saving an average of $2 million or 8% of a corporation’s total energy costs. Even plants across the country have begun the course of reducing energy intensity by applying for a no-cost energy evaluation by an “energy expert” from DOE. The department’s energy assessments have allowed CEMEX air quality policies totake advantage of considerable opportunities for added energy savings on particular systems at a range of facilities across the United States.

Ewan McGregor, Tyra Banks, David Copperfield, and the Phantom — what do they have in common? Aside from being famous in their own right, each of them once bannered the still famous and running tag line “Got Milk?” with the now culturally iconic milk mustache.

Most social experts and psychologists agree that the success of the “Got Milk?” campaign is anchored on the celebrities who promoted the cry. Aside from the famous tagline, “Got Milk?” posters also have lines from the posters’ characters. Ewan McGregor’s Star Wars character Obi-Wan Kenobi states in the ad that he gets tired after battling Sith Lords and nothing could replenish him faster than milk. He also states that milk is fortified with Calcium and Vitamin D and finishes up with “I sense it. Why can’t you?”

Advertisers also agree that popular faces on the posters have massive influence. Advertisers have also added that the “Got Milk?” tagline has contributed largely to the campaign’s success. A tagline will remain in people’s heads if it is short, snappy, and easy to remember. No doubt “Got Milk?” has all these elements, judging from its success.

The “Got Milk?” campaign has now expanded to the Latin Americas, bannered by the Spanish tagline “Toma Leche?” Since its inception in 1993, the campaign is credited for revitalizing the milk industry in the United States.

Read Manta’s profile on Cemex California.

A conversation with Gilberto Perez, President of Cemex California.

Read more about Cemex California at the Brand Managing website.