Yes, at first glance that appears to be a typo. However, speel means to mount or climb, ascend. Maybe not the best play on words but certainly a good way to get to the point of this post.

Making spelling and grammatical errors actually seems more common than it once was; most likely because people depend on MS Word to catch all the mistakes. While it will do a good job (if you have it set to do so), it doesn’t have a mind of its own and it glances over words that are spelled correctly even though they are being misused.

The first element comes in knowing the actual usage of a word. We can ‘go to’, ‘ask to’ or ‘give to’; but those are not the same meaning when we add the second ‘O’. ‘Go too’, ‘ask too’ or ‘give too’ hold entirely different meanings. The word “too” typically means ‘also’. ‘Go also’, ‘ask also’ or ‘give also’. This is a very common mistake and spell check isn’t going to catch it; we have to know the difference and watch closely.

‘Too’ also serves as an adjective in the form of ‘exceedingly’. i.e. “Too little time,” or “too many mistakes.” Many people don’t catch these when reading a document. But if we want to appear as if we are an authority on anything it never hurts to be ‘too’ careful and ‘to’ be on guard against these simple missuses.

Meanwhile, it seems unnecessary to include the word “two”, which sadly many people also mix up with ‘to’ and ‘too’. “Two” is a number; in every case, no exceptions. We can say, “You too,” meaning ‘also’, or we can say, “You two,” which would be a pair. Make sense? These simple mistakes require a human touch, and when misused in important documents they often convey a message of ignorance to your audience.

Here’s one that this writer struggles with, and yes, ‘too’ often this ‘too’ seems ‘to’ come up improperly used. “Accept” and “Except” are not the same word, and again, MS Word spell check will miss them every time.

“Accept” means to receive or take on; while “except” means to exclude, or in simple terms, ‘but’. For instance, “Everyone was there (but) except Bill. We had to accept (receive or bear) the fact he wasn’t coming.”

The easiest way to remember these two confusing words is to consider their extended versions, acceptance and exception. Remembering them this way should make it easier to sort them out.

This article isn’t meant to be a word study in as much as it is a simple reminder of how we use words, and the words we use in written form are very important in professional documents; more so in advertising.

Take “speel” for instance. Looking at it on this page while editing this document the spell check says the word is wrong. Not true. Taking time to look it up reveals this to be a correct and accurate word; one more proof this machine isn’t an authority so I have to be.

Take time to proof read your wrting and better yet, have someone else read it “too”. Everyone makes simple mistakes when writing, and while we have great modern tools that aide in keeping our written language sorted out there will always be words the computer won’t catch. That’s a human job and being aware is job one.

As a writer I am often fascinated with the origin of words and phrases. Last evening I was reminded of one that people too often talk about and fail to follow through on; “Going the Extra Mile”.

In Roman times it was law that if a person was asked to carry the armor or goods of a soldier, serving as a pack mule, they were obligated to carry that load for one mile. In Matthew 5:41 Jesus preached that we should be willing to carry that burden a second mile.

Before you go running off thinking this is a religious study, don’t. In this case, simply a qualification of the origin of the phrase.  But by any means, this is something we all need to remember and take to heart in a work and or business environment. As a company owner or employee, even a job seeker, we need to “Go the Extra Mile”.

Something that means a lot to me when I give my business to someone, an auto repair shop for example, is a note in the mail thanking me for my business. Recently, I got a phone call of this very nature, which was actually misplaced because I hadn’t gone to that shop. (Oops! wrong number!) But it did illustrate that some companies are taking the time to do simple follow up. That is the basic premise here. Follow Up!

Any time you have a new customer, or even a potential customer, someone that has taken the time to visit your business or meet with you on any level, it is prudent to follow up with some sort of note or gesture reminding them of the encounter. Job seekers most certainly need to follow up, and small companies who compete with major chains and large corporations will undoubtedly benefit from making Follow-Up a standard practice.

Okay, sometimes a potential customer comes into your business or visits your web site and you have no way to track them. Incorrect! Anytime someone comes through the door or peruses your web site it is essential that you capture their attention with something that will remind them of their visit.

A local bike shop I patronize, frequently now because I know they care, present every person that comes through the door with a postcard that offers the potential customer a 20% discount on their initial purchase. In many cases the customer uses that card on the spot; thus the shop captures instant business they may not have had. If not, the customer walks away with that coupon in mind; most likely shopping for a better deal only to find that discount will save them serious money on a large purchase.

This same shop Goes the Extra Mile in a couple of different ways. I needed a tire repaired; not an expensive transaction but in a busy shop it can be a lot of work. Not only did they repair the tire, but they wiped down the whole bike and applied oil to much needed hardware. This cost them time and money. But you’re getting the picture. I won’t go anywhere else because I know these guys are looking out for me.

Likewise, after every purchase, not just my first, they send me an appreciation card. They never fail. Having made the transaction with a credit/debit card they have captured my information. I didn’t fill out any forms, that is simply detail that comes attached to statements. Someone took the time to record the information and put it to use building good customer relations. If you’re not getting that information, request it or find a way it can be captured.

Doing business online or through a web site? No problem. The Internet is a savvy place and it isn’t so difficult to push a window to the visitor offering them a promotion simply by sharing their email. In most cases if the offer is of value the person will oblige. We have all seen these at one time or another and in many cases responded. Not fool proof for sure, but if you don’t make the effort at all then you are guaranteed to lose 100% of those opportunities.

Teach your employees to say thank you, your children to hold doors for strangers and be an example yourself by stepping up and stepping out. There is no reason to moan about missed opportunities when we fail to offer the simple things that make the greatest difference. Keep thank-you notes and postcards on hand, ready to follow-up with customers. Email works but it doesn’t carry the same impact as a personal note. Use loyalty programs that offer extra incentives and always show gratitude that someone has come to visit you online or in person.

Recently, in a previous post, we talked about “Going Local”. Google has done this in a big way and BING has followed suit. Look around your community and notice there are small businesses popping up that compete with larger stores. Ace Hardware and Dollar General are two simple examples of smaller chains that have found a way to compete with the Lowes and Walmart superstores. They do it primarily by offering better locations and better service with employees specifically trained to “Go the Extra Mile”.

Outsource Initiatives has established a solid client base that continues to support our business. In short we offer top shelf personalized services and strive in every way to “Go the Extra Mile”. Our clients don’t always choose to take our advice, but we are never shy to offer it to them. We take our business very personal, always looking out for the best interest of our clients. In an increasingly competitive environment it is truly our best asset. We believe it can be yours too when you strive to do more and treat people the way you want to be treated.

Outsource Initiatives offers Finished Printing and Marketing Services;
and we always “Go the Extra Mile”.

Doing a quick Internet search with the title of this post will reveal several articles; all of which clarify the details and reasoning why television is dead. To some of us that isn’t any real surprise, and for many others this is not any reason to be alarmed and toss out your TV. For advertisers this does signal the need to be aware of shifting trends.

The Death of Television

Possibly the beauty in the death of television for advertisers is that target marketing comes to the forefront. This trend also means that the little guys can finally get a fair shake in comparison; not something the big guys necessarily appreciate. But let’s face it, the whole superstore mentality is giving way to local business. And the simple fact is that the GNP of the United States is overwhelmingly supported by ‘Small Business’, not large corporations.

Don’t go rushing off to newspaper ads for greater exposure because that medium has been on the decline for over ten years and has now become little more than a coupon container. However, what has become a more prevalent medium in recent years is the local journal. Small town and community papers have gained many of the ad dollars lost by larger circulars. In fact the more common print publications are uniquely targeted.

For instance, golf communities, biker magazines, local shopping and dining guides as well as coupon books have sprung up in many places where they would have once been dominated by large newspapers.

Those are great resources but they don’t have the same reach that television has been able to provide. However, as the trend moves away from television many large scale advertisers are scratching their heads wondering how to get the word out.

The first answer is ‘diversify’. Spread the wealth spent on television to place ads in the smaller circulars and coupon books. If the company hasn’t made the transition into social networking then now is the time. But the writing is on the wall for Facebook advertising as well. So where to turn?

Recently Google launched Places, which is closely linked to Google Maps and Google Plus; which is actually written as Google+. They have had a serious push for some time to ‘Go Local’. A similar service exists on Microsoft’s BING Maps, which again is closely related to BING Business Portal. If your business isn’t listed on both of these then you are likely missing your audience.

Another service we strongly advocate is EDDM or Every Door Direct Mail; a service of the United States Postal Service (USPS). Rather than having to buy, create and maintain extensive mailing lists the post office will deliver to every address within a specified zip code, even down to designated community areas and neighborhoods. Any time mail arrives for ‘Resident’ it is quite likely an EDDM advertisement.

Large companies have marketing staff who should be paying close attention to these trends and re-positioning themselves away from expensive television ads while building new metrics that deal with diversification of advertising initiatives. Smaller companies which obviously don’t have that advantage should invest in a consultant or in the least be working with an agency that can best guide their efforts in a cost effective manner.

We encourage you to contact us for assistance to help in both cases. None of the above is written in stone and the tactics vary greatly depending on the product or service your company depends on for revenue. To many it seems like only yesterday that we moved from snail mail to e-mail. There are many still struggling to figure it all out and retake the high ground they once held. Don’t wait to see what happens and don’t take our word for it. Investigate, evaluate, and re-position before your competitors overtake you.

(Outsource Initiatives is a marketing company that can efficiently guide your business to higher ground without overwhelming your budget. Contact us today for assistance.)

Article Sited by Business Insider:
http://www.businessinsider.com/tv-business-collapse-2012-6

Business cards are an essential piece of marketing fabric. Yet we all have this ping in the back of our minds when we hand them out whether or not they are going to net the attention we seek. We go to great lengths sometimes to create one that is flashy, eye catching and effective. But too often, regardless of how snappy they are, business cards end up in the trash or shuffled into a pile of others. Hand one out and it often goes straight to the pocket without a glance. Here’s a creative way to get more attention.

The standard business card is 2 inch by 3 1/2 inch size. It has existed in this format for many years of course. This makes them easier to carry and store but do they really do the job we expect them to do? In a fast paced world business cards are typically dumped into a card file or placed on a stack; that is if they survive the trip to the circular file.

Why not print an oversize card? A 3×5 card isn’t any more difficult to carry in the pocket than the standard size and it is far more likely to end up on a wall or next to the phone where it will be seen and used more frequently. Some say it goes right to the trash, but this writer can assure you that will happen less often than using the standard format.

Retain the original look of the card you wish to present. Just make it bigger. The additional size facilitates more usable space on the back of the card to present a detailed message about what you do and how you can better serve the needs of the client/person you have presented it to. Point this out. Just handing it out and saying, “Here’s my card,” isn’t enough. Show them the extra content and tell them why it’s there.

If your goal is to get results, then step up your game by expanding the format. It may be prudent to carry both so the smaller version can be placed in a card file. However, test yourself the next time someone hands you a business card and see how you react. Do you pocket the card? Do you transcribe the information into your phone or desktop address book? Or, do you send it to the trash that evening when you clean out your pockets?

Using a larger format will get attention and is much more likely to land somewhere that yields greater mileage. Better yet, regardless of where it ends up, you will be more memorable because you are pointing out that you are different.

Outsource Initiatives - Business Cards, Postcards, Brochures, Ts or anything that needs to get printed. Never a set-up fee, always the best prices and personal service.

Correspondence is an essential aspect of doing business. We use it for many different purposes in hundreds of different formats from proposals to thank you letters, from invoicing to collections.

Regardless of the content, the format needs to be clean and clear, organized and brief. Spelling and grammar should be absolutely perfect. All numbers and calculations must be accurate. Showing attention to detail in simple documents exhibits care and concern that your customers respect.

Any document should include nothing less than a date, a phone number and/or email or web address where the recipient can obtain more information. When applicable, as with product shipping or billing by mail, be certain the company address is included and accurate. All this information can be added in one line at the top and/or bottom of the page. An alternative method is to place it in a block at the top directly underneath the company logo.

Even if your logo is nothing more than your name printed in a Times New Roman font, it needs to be prominent on the page and printed exactly the same way in the same place every time; try to be consistent throughout all outgoing documents. Adding a tag line is always a good idea. Keep it brief, three to five words max, and try not to be too cute or crafty. Catchy is good, cheesy is not.

Following these basic principles exhibits competence, consistency, stability and professionalism that are increasingly more valuable in an uncertain business climate. Poor grammar and spelling amidst unorganized and inaccurate content does not promote trust and dependability.

We believe that is isn’t always what you say, but how you say it that makes the greatest impact. Your documents are the most cost effective advertising your company has. Make the best use of those dollars by making all your documents the best they can be.

A recent article from “Business Insider” reported on a study in regards to posting a photo to LinkedIn as it pertains to job seekers. The study suggests that the ‘Hot Spot’ for attention by potential employers was the photo. The article reports that not to have a photo was likely worse than having a bad one. As image experts we engaged the conversation with a response of our own; as posted below. A link to the original article follows this post.

I am a communications specialist and image expert and I can assure you, while this research may or may not be valid, the basic premise is accurate. As a job seeker myself I am highly sensitive to every aspect of my personal presentation. Whether we like it or not, legal or not, people make snap judgments based on “looks”. That extends not only to race and attractiveness but the expression on your face and many other factors. Image is an essential part of being human and more so in a business environment.

We should all keep in mind, as recruiters, potential employers, employees and simply as humans that our judgments of others based on their “looks” does more to harm our own selves and thwart our efforts than it does the subject we are viewing.

We live in an age of information overload and more sad is the fact that “people don’t read”. We scan for keywords and scrutinize images that do not tell the whole story. However, I am keenly aware that recruiters are saturated with resumes and by no means do I envy anyone that has to fill an open position.

Right or wrong, we have to play the game by the rules as they are imposed. So put your best foot forward, be sure your photo is professional and use keywords that tell the story. We can scream “unfair” and scoff at the truth but we can not get past simple human nature.

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/should-you-include-a-picture-on-your-linkedin-profile-2012-5#ixzz1wMDXZNXF

We live in an amazing world of communication with cell phones, email, mini laptops, Blackberrys^TM and PDAs. Needless to say, business moves at the speed of light. Those who fail to keep up quickly find themselves struggling to catch up.

Twitter, MySpace, Facebook, Blogger and on and on; not to mention industry networks you may be required to monitor. We can all admit we’ve asked ourselves at least once if these are a benefit or a distraction. It can often be difficult to decifer the indespensible from the trendy. We don’t want to be left behind and we don’t want to waste time going down a dead end.

Simple fact is we honestly can’t afford to keep up with all these things and be effective with any of them. As the saying goes, “A Jack of all trades, a master of none.”

Saturation is an essential element to a successful marketing strategy. However, most small companies don’t have the resources to saturate multiple campaigns. This is where a careful evaluation of options and dedication to follow-through are important.

A month of research and planning will be more valuable than a year of misguided marketing. Know your customers, what they want and the diversity of their needs. Understand how and where they get information about their next purchase. Is it by radio, television or Twitter?

Evaluate the trends and test market those areas before commiting substantial resources. When conducting multiple market tests, be careful to keep results separate to maintain their accuracy and integrity.

Saturation means very little if the campaign can not be sustained over an extended period. Adequete resources and personel should be dedicated to the campaign to insure sustainability.

Coca Cola is the single greatest example of all these things. Only during the Holiday Season will Coke run television ads. Yet in the course of a day the average person is exposed to their marketing (branding) no less than fifteen times. This has been their strategy for the past thirty years and it obviously works well.

Seasoned salesmen know that it takes several good calls on a potential client to ultimately make a sale. Advertising and Marketing follow the same basic rule. Shotgun Marketing will never produce results as great as a carefully aimed Rifle Shot. Saturation and sustainability in target markets will yield a consistent return on your marketing investment.

Outsource Initiatives is more than just a printing company. We offer complete turn-key marketing solutions including graphic and web designs, advertising and marketing initiatives, copywriting and technical writing services, and a complete array of printed products.

Our goal is to be a one-stop resource for marketing resources including everything from business cards, to web sites and strategic marketing plans. Our work is always original and tailored to each of our clients based on their specific needs and objectives.

If it has to get printed, we’ll get it done. We go the extra mile to insure our efforts serve the specific needs of every client with personalized products and services. We take pride in our work and deliver quality measurable results. We offer consulting services to help our clients navigate the marketing madness and achieve cost effective lasting results.

Custom Designs, Finished Printing and Marketing Services
Visit us at: OutsourceInitiatives.com

A common misconception is that marketing has nothing to do with internal operations. In fact, effective office communication often results in higher customer growth and retention.

Being a small company is no excuse for failing to employ tools and resources that can track and document every aspect of your business. For some small companies it’s a leap just to put their sales and finances into a Quick BooksTM program. Without documentation and historical data any efforts to grow the business or make capital investments are futile and foolish.

Using the power of computers coupled with the accessibility of the Internet a small company can easily employ simple tools that improve internal communications with very little effort and relatively no expense.

Building and maintaining a company database is one way to improve several internal functions. More than a glorified account list, a database can isolate and track unique trends among customers. An efficient database can handle billing, correspondence, inventory management, payroll and client trends all in one place. A successful company will often find a database to be its single greatest asset.

Another simple yet powerful tool is ‘Event Tracking’. Since our college days we haven’t put much thought to the term ‘science’ in relation to ‘business’. However, business is a science that can accurately predict profitable and dangerous trends; that is as long as the documentation exists to support these findings.

Start with an event tracking system and religiously document every conversation and every transaction with every client. This information is truly indispensible for a company that expects to grow. Within six to eight months data will emerge that can be used to identify wasted time and resources, define potential new markets and capitalize on more sales with existing customers.

Large companies maintain a Human Resources web site including company policies, employee handbooks, insurance benefits, profit sharing and a company wide social and charity event calendar. Typically this information is conveyed weekly in a company newsletter.

Small companies should maintain the same level of internal communications making documentation and information quickly and easily available to company employees anywhere at any time. It’s simply smart and efficient.

Smart decisions can only be made by recording and tracking business activities. Stupid mistakes and costly adjustments can be avoided by maintaining and monitoring trends. Needless to say, when documentation is at our fingertips we waste less time gathering information and invest more time in applying that knowledge.

These suggestions are some of the best places to get started. While they may seem daunting to consider initiating, there is nothing more profitable and valuable you can do for your company than to establish and maintain an information library. After all, written knowledge is the springboard that has propelled the advancement human society.