Yellow Dog Consulting

Sales & Marketing Consulting for solo-preneurs.

Discount Codes or Secret Codes?

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imgresI’m looking for a new CSA here in Portland. And I think I’ve found it, BUT…

I was going through the checkout process the other day to finally get it setup and start having produce delivered to my house like I did in Seattle with Full Circle Farms. I loved Full Circle, AND when friends wanted to join I got a referral bonus (and so did they), and they were very easy to work with. So, I’m about to enter my credit card for this new CSA when it asks for a DISCOUNT CODE. Score, I want a discount code. But I don’t have one. I’m a new member and 99% sure that one exists for new members. And when I had asked people about CSA’s, I even said, if you have a referral link I’d be happy to use it so you get the bonus. Nada.

So, time to GTS (Google that Sh*t). Again, nada. So I tweet them. Nada. And now my rant about having a twitter account but not tweeting. So now I guess I’ll shoot them an email and ask.

Here’s the deal. If you promote that you have a discount code, by golly I’m going to get the discount. Mama didn’t raise no fool! Deal’s are GREAT, I LOVE a deal.

If your website has a very obvious discount code box at checkout, you better be prepared for it. A lot of retail sites have a bar across the site that says “free shipping on orders over $x with code MAMADIDNTRAISENOFOOL.” So be prepared. If it’s obvious HOW to obtain a code, then I won’t go hunting “oh I have to order 5 to get one free” fine. But I know as soon as I place my order I’ll get an email or tweet that says “New Customers Only!”

It’s Time to Network

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eWomenNetworks 4 questionsWith the move to Oregon my last couple of months have not been what they were when I lived in Issaquah. Most days I’m home and working away. Sometimes I head out to get some errands done in the afternoon. But I haven’t built a network yet in Portland. And I started to realize a couple weeks ago that the house is pretty settled and I’m ready to get out there.

So yesterday I went to the Portland eWomenNetwork chapter. As you know, I’ve been a LONG time (8 years!) member of eWomenNetwork in Seattle, and I knew I’d stay a member when I moved to Portland. The February meeting was a couple of days after the movers were here so I decided to wait till March.

And it was GREAT. It was just what I needed. Networking with the right people who know this town, and it sounds like a few of them do similar work, OR work with similar clients. I know it’s going to be a great group for me and I’m excited to delve in. And now I am home with a stack of business cards to follow up with (that will be done by the end of the day!) and new connections and opportunities awaiting!

If you’ve been half-assing your networking lately, let me tell you, get off your butt and go. Trust me. You’ll feel better once you do.

Could There be a Jinx in Your Future?

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The Jinx - HBOWe all know my love of pop culture, so on Sunday morning when I heard that the main “character” on The Jinx, an HBO docu-series was arrested in New Orleans, I became curious. I read a bit more about how in last weeks episode there was a pretty big reveal and so I marathoned the 5 episodes, then watched the finale as it aired. HOLY HELL. The guy confesses  to 3 murders when he doesn’t realize his mic is on. WOW. And so the internet blew up and the documentarian is THE hot interview of the moment.

What does this have to do with small business marketing?

Well, hopefully you don’t employ someone who has gotten away with 3 murders (well, until last weekend…), but I have had a number of clients where something happened and there was an opportunity to respond (remember the Go Daddy/Elephant hunting thing? yeah, lots of missed opportunity…) and they were too busy or didn’t have systems in place to do so.

Seize the moment when opportunity knocks.

Is a big name competitor under fire for unethical practices? Make sure your target market knows your ethics standards- share them in a blog post or newsletter.

Did a TV show talk about something you do and it’s the talk of the town? Make sure to promote your zombie survival products more prominently on social media and get your SEO up to speed.

Can you do the same thing (but better) than the latest viral post? Make sure people know!

Your network can’t help you if they don’t know what you do or how they can help you. Yes you’ve told them time and again what you do, but until it’s relevant and in their face, they aren’t going to remember. And make sure the mic is off when the interview is over.