Greetings ,

It's August, so things have slowed down here a bit at Marketing Mentor. Well, except for the buzz of preparations for the Creative Freelancer Conference in Chicago next week (finalizing our presentations and our last minute promotion -- speaking of which, you can still take advantage of our "bring 2 friends" discount. More details here.)

 

Anyway, I'm focused on printed promotions at the moment because we just finished writing the introduction to the Big Book of Self Promotion (due out Spring 2009), which is full of other people's printed self promo pieces. Lots of examples also in the latest issue of HOW Magazine's Self Promotion Issue (see our article on page 124, "Backyard Bonanza)."

 

Check out those resources for inspiration and follow these 3 tips to create an effective printed piece:

1. Make it simple. Don't over-think it, don't complicate it. Do what you do for clients: come up with the most essential message and focus on that. Then get it out the door.
2. Personalize it. Digital printing makes it easy -- and not that expensive -- to personalize promotional pieces for every prospect, especially if your list is small.
3. Don't forget your contact information. It happens more often than you'd think: you get so wrapped up on the creative aspect of your promotional piece that you forget the basics, like your phone number or web address.

And I shouldn't have to say it, but a fabulous mailing doesn't successful marketing make. You must follow up. A phone call is best, combined with email is even better, at least to your top prospects.

 

If you need help getting this done (i.e. someone to keep you accountable), I have 3 mentoring slots open for September plus a few Marketing Mentor groups starting. Just reply to this message and we'll talk details.

 

Scroll all the way down for upcoming speaking engagements around the country this Fall. 

 

And finally, I was asked to contribute my thoughts on "Marketing in an Economic Downturn" for a client's newsletter recently. If you'd like to receive that 2 page article, just reply to this message with "send article" in the subject line and I'll send it along to you. 

 

'Til next time....(after Labor Day).

 

Ilise Benun

Marketing-Mentor.com

Learn in a marketing mentor group

We have mentoring mini-groups (3-4 people in each) starting in September. Our most popular groups are the 3-month, Bi-Weekly Marketing Plan Group and the Feet to the Fire Group. Details here.

 

Check out our blog!

Check out the latest posts on the MarketingMixBlog.com: 

• True or false: no one uses the phone anymore?
  
• When does "opt-in" mean "free to shill"?
• What's your favorite business or marketing book?

Listen to our free podcast series! 

(Excellent vacation listening) 

We now have all 13 episodes posted here and on iTunes from the new book, The Designer's Guide to Marketing and Pricing. Here's what one "non-designer" listener wrote to us, "I am a consultant, not a designer, yet your book and exercises remain OUTSTANDING, top-shelf presentation.  It is helping me think and re-think my behavior and realities. And I bought it for a friend. He is thriving from your words." 

 

BTW: You don't need an iPod to listen to a podcast. I don't have one myself but I'm listening on the computer.

 

Get your very own marketing plan

Third quarter is upon us! Is your marketing plan on track? What? You don't have a marketing plan? Well, it's not too late to start with our Start Anytime Grow Your Business Marketing Plan + Calendar. All the marketing tools are laid out for you in the calendar. You can customize it for your business. Start Up and Veteran's versions available as downloads. More details here (and a sneak peek at our new look!)

 

Get a FREE consultation

Do you have a burning marketing question? Are you curious about what it's like to work with a mentor? I urge you to take advantage of the free half hour consultation we offer (click here). Or, if we've already done the consultation, I am available on an hourly, as-needed basis to discuss any marketing or pricing questions that come up or brainstorm new opportunities. Just reply to this message and we'll discuss details. 

 

Come see us

Only 6 days til the Creative Freelancer Conference in Chicago, Aug. 27-29. We've done everything we can to make this an affordable event for solopreneurs -- including a group discount. So round up 3 freelancing friends and you each get $60 off. Get all the details here: www.CreativeFreelancerConference.com

 

Plus, come see us at one of these live events:

Sept 13: Portland, OR Self Employed Creative Professionals
http://www.secppdx.com/workshops-ilise.html

Sept 16: Seattle, WA AIGA Seattle
http://www.new.facebook.com/event.php?eid=22886623566

Sept 25-28: New York Digital Life 2008
http://www.digitallife.com/newyork/

Sept 29: NY Public Library of Science, Industry and Business http://www.nypl.org/research/calendar/prog/sibl/progsched.cfm

Oct 10: Orange County CA AIGA OC
http://orangecounty.aiga.org/images/aigahow_oview.png

October 28-29: Design Thinkers for RGD Ontario
www.designthinkers.com