All Things Promotional Marketing
Misc.
Tweet your way to $25… Introducing tweetLIBS!
Jan 11th
Now is your chance to display your tweeting wit and be entered to win a $25 rushIMPRINT.com Gift Certificate every Tuesday at 3 p.m. EST. Be sure you follow us in order to play – twitter.com/rushIMPRINT!
Here’s how to play for a chance at a $25 Gift Certificate!
1. Check out our Twitter page every Tuesday at 3pm EST for our tweetLIB.
For example: “My favorite promo pen is the color ______!”
2. Reply to @rushIMPRINT with your answer to the blank in the tweet completing the tweetLIB! Submissions will be taken for one hour, ending at 4 p.m. EST.
3. One lucky follower will be randomly selected to win. Be creative (and appropriate) and your answer just might be randomly chosen!
Check Out of Twitter Page Now!
*Winners will be contacted through direct message via Twitter.
Rules:
• You must follow us on Twitter to play.
• Each person or company is eligible to win one “tweetLIBS Tuesdays” game every 30 days.
• Participants may tweet multiple times but will not increase your chances of winning. Twitter usernames are entered and chosen at random based on their submission.
• Entries suspected of coming from spam or fake accounts will not be considered for selection.
What Happened To Customer Service?
Sep 21st
We live in a world where not valuing your customer service is a severely poor idea; information travels too quickly for your brand to combat bad customer experiences! I’m really frustrated right now with my cell phone and trying to get a seemingly simple problem fixed. I’m quite confident that this could be taken care of effectively if somebody just took the time to care about my issue, but I don’t think I’ll be so lucky. Honestly though, I don’t blame the people on the other end of the line; I feel the problem is quite clearly with a compartmentalized system and poor treatment of customer service representatives.
My phone is having an issue connecting to the internet, it keeps telling me to have an authorized person contact the customer service 1-800 number. I called. I spent six minutes going through an automated system designed to spit me out to an appropriate representative to resolve my issue. The young gentleman informed me that due to system limitations he would not have access to help me and that the issue was something I could manage online myself. I was then transferred to online support and another digital queuing machine only to be spat out to another representative who walked me through the process of creating an online account to fix my own issue. Before the problem was resolved, she assumed that I had done all the tasks required, but since I was calling from my phone I would need to disconnect before I could investigate our success.
Problem remains.
![not getting what I need accomplished ]](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2350/2276575450_26198b94f9.jpg)
The system makes it impossible for me to find the same rep again. I go through the queue again; after explaining the issue (3rd time) to a new person they again remind me that they can’t fix it and it’s my job to do this online and then I am transferred again. More time… more digital queue. New young man in online support gets a lightly frustrated version of myself and a full explanation of the scenario; his response: “Well I can help you with that!” He then takes a few moments and claims that I should be good to go – again, I can’t check unless I am off the phone. I disconnect after thanking him.
Problem still remains… Mobile internet is not in my future it would seem. Looks like I’ll be switching to Verizon after all.
The moral: Information travels so fast these days – companies like major cellular providers can’t afford to continue this level of customer service. Business owners would be wise to realize that your customer interactions are the fundamental cornerstone of success while your customer service representatives, cashiers, baggers, and phone operators are the front line for your business – pay them well and make them value the experience of working for you.
Promo Items Make Lasting Memories
Sep 1st
Three words, The Pittsburgh Pirates. I love going to their games and getting score updates on my phone. I’ve been to about four games this year and hope to go to more next year.
What is your favorite thing to do? You should take a few hours or a day to remind yourself why life is so precious. What do I love? I love putting on my favorite hat and standing in the crowd cheering for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Why you may ask? Because I love the everything about it like the food, stadium, sport, and just getting out for the night.
Everyone loves free things!
In April, when I went to a game with my boyfriend Chris, we had awesome seats and a very memorable day. It happened to be really cold that day which is why I’m wearing a jacket in the picture. Before the game started, we walked past this free game called Spin-A-Wheel. All you had to do was show the workers your ID card and spin the wheel to win a prize. I ended up getting an Eco friendly Pirate’s tote bag, and Chris won a Pirate’s T-shirt.
I always try to get close seats between home plate and third base. Although, the Pirates probably aren’t your favorite team like they are mine, those seats are surely ta
ken fast. Well that night, we had awesome seats which may be why Chris caught two foul baseballs from Andrew McCutchen without a glove! A few people sitting near us weren’t very happy and called us greedy. This is my favorite memory, we had so much fun that night and he even gave me both baseballs. That’s the first and only game we ever caught a baseball at. We are still looking to get them signed.
After the amazing fireworks for the Pirate’s win we left in my car with my Pirate floor mats, license plate frame, and clear stickers on my windows that still makes me think of that day when I look at it.
You can find any of those types of promo products at rushIMPRINT. Having the products we won still has us thinking about this night. Now I buy all of my fan gear from them.
Well as much as I don’t like many other sports, like he loves hockey, I guess I’ll have to repay him by going to a game.
♥ Brandi
The Most Important Piece of Success
Aug 30th
So, you want to be wildly successful? I just figured out the key ingredient in ascending to where I want to be. I, you, all of us really, need to start focusing on the next two words: BE AWESOME!
“Awesome” might be one of the most overused and undervalued words in our language; it is used so much that people seem to have misplaced what the word actually means. It doesn’t take a degree in English Literature from a division II state school to know that “awesome” simply means to inspire awe, but nobody seems to really remember what “awe” means anymore. Dictionary.com tells us that “awe” is defined as, an overwhelming feeling of reverence, admiration, fear, etc., produced by that which is grand, sublime, extremely powerful, or the like: in awe of god; in awe of great political figures. WOW!
If you truly inspired awe in the people around you, then you would have no choice but to be truly and fully successful. Being awesome isn’t about doing cool tricks on a skateboard, or writing a great song; being awesome is about moving people at their very core – affecting them. Be grand, be powerful, and inspire those around you to admire the life you live; touch the lives of everyone you can by being the best person you can be. Those that are truly awesome don’t even have to tell people; awesome people just live good lives and the rest falls in to place.
Being awesome is a personal choice and it’s unlikely that anyone can make you awesome, but rushIMPRINT can definitely help you spread the word! If you are already awesome and need some help getting people to talk about it for you, then let us help you promote your business and your personal brand!
Meet the rushBLOGGERS!
Aug 17th
We’ve made many changes and what better place to make another change than our blog! We want our readers to feel a part of the rushIMPRINT community and so we’ve pulled in our talent – and by talent, we mean our team members! Meet our fantastic new blog authors here to share their stories, thoughts, and experiences. They will write about everything and anything from office culture (including an intense office fantasy football competition), movie reviews, to industry news!
We’re your one-stop-shop during your morning prep, lunch surfing, or mid-afternoon coffee break … stop by the blog @rushIMPRINT to see what is happening and join in on the conversation. Now, without further delay, meet our bloggers!
Dan
aka: “The Chairman”
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Favorite movie: Goodfellas
Last book I read: Delivering Happiness
Favorite Quote: “Always bear in mind that your own resolution to success is more important than any one thing.” – Abraham Lincoln
Kathy
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
My dream job: Personal Trainer
Something Unique About Me: “I have a heart of gold! …. well that’s what Robin said when I asked her.” (we all agree with Robin!)
Favorite Time of Year: Summer
What you can expect to read from Kathy: Holiday topics, running & fitness, Shopping, Office tales.
Brian
Hometown: White Oak, PA
Favorite Movie: The Hangover
Last book I read: Too Fat To Fish
What annoys you most: “Filling out these silly surveys.” (Too bad Brian. Too bad….)
Ashleigh
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Favorite Time of Year: Fall / Halloween
What annoys you most: “My dogs.”
What makes you happiest: “My dogs.”
Last book I read: “….”
Chris
Hometown: San Diego, CA
What did you want to be when you “grew up”? “I wanted to be a Jedi, when I found out that was a fictional occupation, I wanted to be a computer programmer.”
Favorite Quote: “There are 6.9×10^9 kinds of people in this world.” – Anon.
Last move I saw: Avatar in IMAX 3D
Chrissy
Hometown: Latrobe, PA
Favorite Movie: Hoosiers
What annoys you most?: “People that drive slow in the fast lane.”
What makes you happiest?” “Spending time with my family and friends.”
Perry
Nickname: “Warlock”
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
My dream job: Artist or Musician … mission accomplished?
Favorite Holiday: Christmas
Favorite Quote: “Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I’m not sure about the former.” – Albert Einstein
Brandi
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Favorite time of year: “I love the 4th of July, my favorite thing about it are the cook-outs.”
Something unique about me: “I’ve played softball for 4 years … you may find some of my writings deal with softball/baseball because it’s a fun subject for me!”
What you can expect to read from Brandi: Memories, experiences, general interests.
Zach
Hometown: Latrobe, PA
my dream job: Talk show host
Favorite Movie: Big Fish
Currently reading: Pink Ribbons, Inc. and American Conspiracies
Favorite Quote: “The meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not intend to sit.” – Anon.
Todd
Hometown: Vandergrift, PA
Favorite Holiday: Thanksgiving
My dream job: Actor
Something unique about me: “I am the youngest of 6 children.”
What you can expect to read from Todd: All about the customer experience, from beginning to end, and what we learn as a company and individuals from each purchase.
Loran
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Last book I read: The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown
Lost movie I saw: Knocked Up
What you can expect to read from Loran: Observations of daily life.
Linda
Hometown: PIttsburgh, PA
My dream job: Professional Dancer
Last book I read: Dear John
Something unique about me: “I make stain glass windows.”
Thomas
Hometown: Pittsburgh PA
My dream job: Actor, Comedian or Football player
What annoys me most: “When there is no explanation for why something stops working.”
Something unique about me: “I’ve seen more movies than you.”
Last book I read: Me of Little Faith by Lewis Black
Mike
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Nickname: Daddy (says twin girls)
Favorite Quote: “Not all days are created equal.” – Anon.
Annoys me most: Negativity.
Makes me happiest: Family.
Crystal
Hometown: Loveland, CO
Favorite Quote: “If you worry about what might be, and wonder what might have been, you will ignore what is.” -Author Unknown
Last Movie I Watched: Inception
Last Book I Read: The Twilight Series!
Now That You Got The Job: Tip #1
Aug 12th
Linda says…. “Smile Over The Phone”
Many people already do not enjoy talking on the phone, so make their experience delightful by following a few simple practices. A customer, client or business partner always want to speak with someone that is happy, energetic, enthusiastic and knowledgeable, if you keep a smile in your voice the customer will get that professional curiosity they deserve.
Happy Talking!
Business Strategies Made Simple
Aug 5th
Businesses that thrive need to have a powerful strategy in order to help growth everyday. Check out these 5 straightforward ways to getting your company on board for business.
Positioning
This is the bridge that connects everything together. It is one of the most important components in any business strategy as it creates brand equity which is crucial for the growth and success of almost any business in this world.
Publicity
Items such as press releases, contacting local editors, writing articles and getting in front of media professionals is a fantastic way to get your companies name out there. This way, you will be able to drive customers to your locations, call centers and website, and also encourage your customers to purchase your products or services.
Be memorable
You want to stand out in the minds of your customers, so put yourself out there to stand apart from your competition. Your marketing strategy should include all forms of marketing including direct marketing, online marketing, email marketing, article and event marketing and non-traditional as well as traditional methods of marketing.
Promotions
Not only should you hold special events and coupons to drive sales and customers up, but by creating promotional products to get your name out there is one of the most important and passive ways of making money.
Strategic Partnerships
Many successful business owners have developed partnerships that either increase their client list or add extra products or services to their product line.
Beyond Customer Service
Jul 29th
Bringing customers back and keeping your current customers happy is one of the most important and at times, most difficult things to accomplish in the life of your business. The steps go beyond simple customer service. The items below are ones that will lead you to distinguishing yourself from the competition. Stick to these steps to pave your road to success.
Answer the phone.
This sounds simple, maybe even stupid because of its obvious nature. But as simple and straightforward as it is, it’s truer than most other things in business. If you aren’t the phone answering type, get someone to do it for you. Hire an answering service, forward your calls, hire an assistant or a team to answer the calls. Don’t have a recording; people want to talk to a live real person. This is the first step to good business is answering the call that’s going to bring in revenue.
Commit what you can do, no more, no less.
When you think of commitment, don’t only think of a relationship with a loved one. Think of committing to your customers individually. This will bring value and a certain level of distinctness from other companies. However it is worse when you can’t deliver what you have committed. Make sure what you say is what you do. Simple as that!
Be a listener.
Every business owner is also someone else’s customer. Then they also know like the rest of the world how frustrating it is when someone is not listening to you. This is your customer’s money, make them feel comfortable with the money that they are spending with you and your venture. This way they are more likely to pass on the good news that your company is of good value and that you are good listeners.
Deal with complaints.
Walking away from a complaint helps no one. It frustrates your customer and may lead to the badmouthing of your business for the future. Assume that every customer is the most important and even if you are just listening (as many customers want, only) it is important to let them know you want to resolve it.
Be helpful, even when you don’t profit.
Not only does this concept help the world go round, it also helps business make names for them. When you go out of your way to help a client and not charge them for every bit and bop available, they feel special, valued and are likely to remember your kindness in many ways, for many moons.
Walk them there.
That extra step is what keeps people going to their favorite stores and companies. When someone asks for the best fertilizer in the store walk them there, don’t just let them know what aisle it resides. If you are on the phone and someone has a computer question, take them there, let them have the comfort of your knowledge on the other end.
A bit extra for you.
Give away things for those loyal or even tough customers. Keeping and saving face is important in business. Obviously you won’t be giving away the farm. But if you are selling a couch for $3000, why not throw in a couple of throw pillows? When we extend ourselves, people’s brain cells tend to grow memory in accordance to your act of kindness.
Logo Logic
Jul 28th
When you are creating a logo for your company, you want to be remembered. You want people to stop, glance, (hopefully) stay, and ultimately buy your products. While developing a logo as part of your brand, remember that brands should be:
Memorable
Remembering a logo is to remember a company and, ideally, what they stand for. Having a client or customer be able to point out your logo from the rest is, in many cases, the difference between you and your competition. When customers aren’t in a purchasing position, they should be able to remember you when they are.
Describable
Anything too complex or not understandable is easy to forget. When people describe Subaru’s logo, they describe their six star melodies in a simple circle. Or the Apple logo–an Apple with a bite taken out. All of the uber successfully branded companies in the world have one thing in common: a describable logo.
Relevant
Not straying too far from your sphere of business is truly important. If you sell meat, make your logo relevant to the butcher industry. If you sell paper, make your logo relevant to the stationary industry. Help your customers remember what you do within your logo, as well as remember the logo itself.
Effective with and without color
With color, your logo may be wondrous and magical, but without color your logo should still have a lasting impression. There are a number of instances where your company logo will not be in color; maybe in someone else’s publication, or even in a document within your own company. Make it work.
Scalable (works no matter what size)
Whether your logo is the size of a banner or a little spec on a document, you want it to be something that people will recognize no matter what. When creating your logo, be aware what it looks like in all sizes.