I have had the pleasure, this past year, of working with the dedicated staff and the members of the Polo Picnic Committee for Elant, Inc. a not-for-profit, community-based organization that provides nursing home care, assisted living, adult day care, home health care, and rehabilitation services throughout the Hudson Valley.
I have mentioned, in past blogs, the importance of becoming involved in your community. I have volunteered my time in what seems like a past life, when I was the leader of a 4H Club (The Cantering Clydesdales). Our group would regularly visit with the residents of the Arden Hill Life Care Center, which is now a part of the Elant family. Our club members were involved with horses and dogs, and would bring some of the more obedient pups to visit with the residents. What great memories!
Now, years later, my company BBG&G Advertising, donated our time to create the first Elant Calendar, which was distributed at the Polo Picnic yesterday. We worked with Barbara George, an Elant board member and a member of the Polo Picnic Committee, as well as members of the Elant staff, and we put together a beautiful calendar which included artwork from residents.
I wanted to write about this today, because I wanted to share the fact that when, in fact, you are giving to your community, it is often the case that you get much more in return. The Hudson Valley is such a wonderful place to live and work. I urge you all to get involved. Donate your time and your expertise to the community - your rewards will be great!
June Bisel
BBG&G Advertising and Public Relations
Visit me on Twitter
www.BBGGadv.com
Insight@bbggadv.com
Monday, August 31, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
Creating the At-Home College Workspace
Back to school time is here. I know firsthand how much kids hate the audacity of marketers pushing back-to-school season earlier and earlier in the summer. Wal-Mart had back-to-school supplies fully stocked and displayed shortly after July 4th. At Wal-Mart, Independence Day meant just the opposite to students just beginning to enjoy their summer vacation.
For college-bound kids, back to school season means something very different than their younger counterparts. For many, it means moving out of the house again and back into the textbook jungle. This, like nearly everything else about our lives has become slightly soured by the recession. In fact, more students will be opting to stay home and commute to school this year. If a student is looking to save money, cutting out housing costs is a great way to do it.
This is an opportunity for retailers to profit by showing students that they understand what they are going through. I see an opportunity for businesses to allow students to Create Their College Workspace. Many students' bedrooms at home haven't been updated for a long time and are lacking the workspace function that would suit their current collegiate needs. Therefore, businesses can still sell desks, chairs, lamps, and organization materials that these young adults will need to create a college environment in their bedroom at home.
June Bisel
BBG&G Advertising, Inc.
Insight@bbggadv.com
845-291-7399
Visit us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/BBGGadv
BBGGadv.com
For college-bound kids, back to school season means something very different than their younger counterparts. For many, it means moving out of the house again and back into the textbook jungle. This, like nearly everything else about our lives has become slightly soured by the recession. In fact, more students will be opting to stay home and commute to school this year. If a student is looking to save money, cutting out housing costs is a great way to do it.
This is an opportunity for retailers to profit by showing students that they understand what they are going through. I see an opportunity for businesses to allow students to Create Their College Workspace. Many students' bedrooms at home haven't been updated for a long time and are lacking the workspace function that would suit their current collegiate needs. Therefore, businesses can still sell desks, chairs, lamps, and organization materials that these young adults will need to create a college environment in their bedroom at home.
June Bisel
BBG&G Advertising, Inc.
Insight@bbggadv.com
845-291-7399
Visit us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/BBGGadv
BBGGadv.com
Friday, August 21, 2009
Ladies Night Out a Huge Success
Last night, I spent a good part of my evening enjoying dinner, drinks, and shopping with some friends. And I was not alone!
The event, which I believe was organized by the Warwick Chamber of Commerce, brought out hundreds of women. We enjoyed music, appetizers, refreshments, and lots of good bargains. The stores stayed open late and they were filled. The best part, was that it was also a fundraiser for Orange County Safe Homes.
Partnering with other local businesses is always a good idea. I say it all the time. It is a great way to market your business and a win/win for all involved. Especially when a local non-for-profit can also benefit.
Join your local chambers, rotaries, and your industry-related groups. Get to know the other businesses in your area -- even your "competitors". Good relationships are key to every business. That doesn't just mean relationships with your customers. It includes ALL relationships.
I'd love to hear about organized events that you have held, or other ways that you have collaborated with local businesses to attract customers.
June Bisel
BBG&G Advertising and Public Relations
Insight@bbggadv.com
Visit me on Twitter
The event, which I believe was organized by the Warwick Chamber of Commerce, brought out hundreds of women. We enjoyed music, appetizers, refreshments, and lots of good bargains. The stores stayed open late and they were filled. The best part, was that it was also a fundraiser for Orange County Safe Homes.
Partnering with other local businesses is always a good idea. I say it all the time. It is a great way to market your business and a win/win for all involved. Especially when a local non-for-profit can also benefit.
Join your local chambers, rotaries, and your industry-related groups. Get to know the other businesses in your area -- even your "competitors". Good relationships are key to every business. That doesn't just mean relationships with your customers. It includes ALL relationships.
I'd love to hear about organized events that you have held, or other ways that you have collaborated with local businesses to attract customers.
June Bisel
BBG&G Advertising and Public Relations
Insight@bbggadv.com
Visit me on Twitter
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Hotels Expected to See Decrease in Revenues
Findings in two recent studies indicate that challenges are ahead for the hotel industry.
Reports from Smith Travel Research and Cornell University's Center for Hospitality Research show that the demand for rooms is on the decline and the amount of rooms available are increasing. The challenges for the industry may include price wars, increased competition, and difficulties with contract renegotiations.
With a decrease in travel expected through 2010, the continued pressures of profitability will force some hotel operators to rethink their strategy and increase their marketing efforts.
Here are a few suggestions for hotel managers who strive to exceed the projected 55.1% average occupancy rate in 2010:
- develop beneficial partnerships
- improve loyalty programs
- keep an eye on new leisure or travel trends
Try your best not to get caught up in the price war. Offer good value and give your guests more than they expected.
June Bisel
BBG&G Advertising and Public Relations
Insight@bbggadv.com
Visit me on Twitter
Reports from Smith Travel Research and Cornell University's Center for Hospitality Research show that the demand for rooms is on the decline and the amount of rooms available are increasing. The challenges for the industry may include price wars, increased competition, and difficulties with contract renegotiations.
With a decrease in travel expected through 2010, the continued pressures of profitability will force some hotel operators to rethink their strategy and increase their marketing efforts.
Here are a few suggestions for hotel managers who strive to exceed the projected 55.1% average occupancy rate in 2010:
- develop beneficial partnerships
- improve loyalty programs
- keep an eye on new leisure or travel trends
Try your best not to get caught up in the price war. Offer good value and give your guests more than they expected.
June Bisel
BBG&G Advertising and Public Relations
Insight@bbggadv.com
Visit me on Twitter
Friday, August 14, 2009
Universities Revamping Recruitment Methods for the Facebook Generation
There is a wave of social media marketing coming from colleges and universities seeking to market to teens. College marketing through social networking and other online media platforms is a great fit to the developing social marketing landscape. Teens spend a reported 31 hours per week online. They are active users of online media, downloading podcasts, reading blogs, and Twittering, Facebooking and Googling.
Colleges are already using social networking to communicate with and recruit high school seniors. Still, the question remains of how colleges will engage this hyperactive teenage market. Teenagers are hip to marketers' usual games. They expect to get letters in the mail. They expect emails. They expect banner ads. College bound teenagers will be receptive to colleges and universities who use the digital space in conjunction with traditional recruitment platforms to connect with them.
This means that using radio, TV, and direct mail are not obsolete, but integrating them with a smart digital engagement will bring the best ROI for recruiting colleges and universities. An online presence that really grabs teenagers attention and engages them will make your institution stand out from competing colleges.
June Bisel
BBG&G Advertising and Public Relations
Visit me on Twitter
845-291-7399
Insight@bbggadv.com
Colleges are already using social networking to communicate with and recruit high school seniors. Still, the question remains of how colleges will engage this hyperactive teenage market. Teenagers are hip to marketers' usual games. They expect to get letters in the mail. They expect emails. They expect banner ads. College bound teenagers will be receptive to colleges and universities who use the digital space in conjunction with traditional recruitment platforms to connect with them.
This means that using radio, TV, and direct mail are not obsolete, but integrating them with a smart digital engagement will bring the best ROI for recruiting colleges and universities. An online presence that really grabs teenagers attention and engages them will make your institution stand out from competing colleges.
June Bisel
BBG&G Advertising and Public Relations
Visit me on Twitter
845-291-7399
Insight@bbggadv.com
Monday, August 10, 2009
Really Cool Renovation Blogs
During this recession, consumers have been holding off on large, expensive remodeling projects in favor of smaller projects that add personal touches to their living spaces. I discussed this trend in a March post, and since then, I have found some very cool blogs where people show off some of their home renovations, share inspirations, and provide how-to's online.
The first post that stopped me in my tracks was a project that I stumbled upon on Designsponge.com. The project was a woman named Lori's painted sun room floor. This was just such a beautiful, fresh take on painting a floor that I had to share it. Most times you see a painted floor, it is done on the outside to bring some color to a boring wooden patio, but this one has made me think twice about the idea of a painted floor.
Some other great sites for great home decorating ideas that I've come across are Remodelista, and http://www.budgetdesigner.blogspot.com/. Remodelista is a website that I have found great inspirations from. The designs are more upscale, but they provide good ideas that can be emulated on a budget. Budgetdesigner.blogspot.com offers very helpful and insightful advice on making decor renovations on a budget.
I found these sites to be very helpful and inspiring. If your business caters to the home improvement sector, you should be sharing ideas like this. Do you have a web site? Do you have a blog? Do you see where you're missing out? Get on the social media band wagon now. You'll be glad you did.
June Bisel
BBG&G Advertising and Public Relations
Visit me on Twitter
845-291-7399
junebisel@bbggadv.com
The first post that stopped me in my tracks was a project that I stumbled upon on Designsponge.com. The project was a woman named Lori's painted sun room floor. This was just such a beautiful, fresh take on painting a floor that I had to share it. Most times you see a painted floor, it is done on the outside to bring some color to a boring wooden patio, but this one has made me think twice about the idea of a painted floor.
Some other great sites for great home decorating ideas that I've come across are Remodelista, and http://www.budgetdesigner.blogspot.com/. Remodelista is a website that I have found great inspirations from. The designs are more upscale, but they provide good ideas that can be emulated on a budget. Budgetdesigner.blogspot.com offers very helpful and insightful advice on making decor renovations on a budget.
I found these sites to be very helpful and inspiring. If your business caters to the home improvement sector, you should be sharing ideas like this. Do you have a web site? Do you have a blog? Do you see where you're missing out? Get on the social media band wagon now. You'll be glad you did.
June Bisel
BBG&G Advertising and Public Relations
Visit me on Twitter
845-291-7399
junebisel@bbggadv.com
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Do You Know What PR Stands For?
So often, I find that people think PR stands for press release. But PR is so much more than that.
Public relations is a form of marketing that goes well beyond a simple press release. In fact, many PR campaigns don't even include press releases.
The goal of PR is to improve relations and communication with your public - your clients or prospects, the community in which you are located, the community you serve, your stake holders, your vendors, your employees. There are times when press releases are effective in reaching your public. But more often than not, it is just a piece of the puzzle.
So the next time you think PR, think beyond the press release. And remember, actions speak louder than words.
June Bisel
BBG&G Advertising, Inc.
junebisel@bbggadv.com
845-695-1880
Visit us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/BBGGadv
BBGGadv.com
Public relations is a form of marketing that goes well beyond a simple press release. In fact, many PR campaigns don't even include press releases.
The goal of PR is to improve relations and communication with your public - your clients or prospects, the community in which you are located, the community you serve, your stake holders, your vendors, your employees. There are times when press releases are effective in reaching your public. But more often than not, it is just a piece of the puzzle.
So the next time you think PR, think beyond the press release. And remember, actions speak louder than words.
June Bisel
BBG&G Advertising, Inc.
junebisel@bbggadv.com
845-695-1880
Visit us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/BBGGadv
BBGGadv.com
Monday, August 3, 2009
Rain, Rain Go Away ... please
I just returned from a one-week camping trip up in the Adirondacks. I really can't complain too much about the weather, but there was a bit more rain than I would have liked (imagine that). Truthfully, I probably would have been fine if it hadn't poured the entire last day. That just kind of put me over the top.
But, always with the mind of a marketer, I couldn't help but think, as I was driving home over the weekend, how all this rain we've been having has really increased the need for particular products and services.
The store at the camp certainly passed their Marketing 101 classes, and offered everything a camper may need to help stay dry: ponchos, umbrellas, tarps, dry wood, you name it. Other products that would be popular for homeowners would be sump pumps, drainage pipes, maybe even roofing supplies.
And I can't help but think how busy the basement waterproofing companies must be right now.
My point is, if you have the potential to sell a service or product that will help people through this crappy weather we've been having, then do it! If you're in a retail environment, make sure you keep the products in a highly visible area. For products and services alike, advertise like crazy. This is your chance to really profit.
June Bisel
BBGG Advertising, Inc.
junebisel@bbggadv.com
845-695-1880
But, always with the mind of a marketer, I couldn't help but think, as I was driving home over the weekend, how all this rain we've been having has really increased the need for particular products and services.
The store at the camp certainly passed their Marketing 101 classes, and offered everything a camper may need to help stay dry: ponchos, umbrellas, tarps, dry wood, you name it. Other products that would be popular for homeowners would be sump pumps, drainage pipes, maybe even roofing supplies.
And I can't help but think how busy the basement waterproofing companies must be right now.
My point is, if you have the potential to sell a service or product that will help people through this crappy weather we've been having, then do it! If you're in a retail environment, make sure you keep the products in a highly visible area. For products and services alike, advertise like crazy. This is your chance to really profit.
June Bisel
BBGG Advertising, Inc.
junebisel@bbggadv.com
845-695-1880
Drink Birds & Beans Coffee and Save Birds
It probably does not come as much of a shock to anyone that Americans drink one-third of the coffee produced worldwide. Whether you prefer Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts, iced or hot, dark or light, organic or not, there is no doubt about it: Americans need their daily caffeine fix, and they get it from coffee. For me, personally, the thought of that first cup of coffee is what helps get me out of bed every day, and I'm not embarrassed to admit it either :)
So what is your first thought when you take your first sip of that morning coffee? It probably is not, “I wonder if I am endangering species of birds and destroying the rain forest with every sip I take of this coffee?” Yet, that is exactly what most of us are doing as we wake ourselves up with a cup of Joe each workday.
Now besides being a coffee lover, I also happen to be a big bird lover, and I was amazed to have learned this. The good news is an up-and-coming coffee company – Birds and Beans – provides us with an option to drink an organic cup of shade-grown coffee -- saving the rain forest, and saving the birds.
Birds and Beans will soon be offering their products in the Hudson Valley, New York, but if you are interested and do not live in the area, visit their web site at birdsandbeans.com
I think this is a wonderful product and a great cause. What do you think?
June Bisel
BusinessCardContacts.com
BBGG Advertising, Inc.
junebisel@bbggadv.com
845-695-1880
So what is your first thought when you take your first sip of that morning coffee? It probably is not, “I wonder if I am endangering species of birds and destroying the rain forest with every sip I take of this coffee?” Yet, that is exactly what most of us are doing as we wake ourselves up with a cup of Joe each workday.
Now besides being a coffee lover, I also happen to be a big bird lover, and I was amazed to have learned this. The good news is an up-and-coming coffee company – Birds and Beans – provides us with an option to drink an organic cup of shade-grown coffee -- saving the rain forest, and saving the birds.
Birds and Beans will soon be offering their products in the Hudson Valley, New York, but if you are interested and do not live in the area, visit their web site at birdsandbeans.com
I think this is a wonderful product and a great cause. What do you think?
June Bisel
BusinessCardContacts.com
BBGG Advertising, Inc.
junebisel@bbggadv.com
845-695-1880
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