Direct Marketing: 5 Easy Ways to Get It Right
Direct marketing — the practice of using impactful one-on-one communication to get your carefully chosen prospects to respond in a desired way — is a smart, cost-effective strategy for increasing your sales and business. The best direct marketers align the right message, audience, format, timing and measurement to create outstanding direct-marketing results. To do so, you need to develop the following:
Right Message: Compel your prospects to take action by giving them fresh, insightful information that will save them time and money, add comfort and convenience, or make their lives safer and more enjoyable. Attach guarantees, discounts and deadlines to make offers stand out even more.
Right Audience: These are the people you believe will benefit most from your products and services. On all of your communications, include a sign-up or subscribe button, along with your contact information. Continue to cull and cultivate your contacts and treat them like the gold they are.
Right Format: Your message and audience will often influence the format(s) your direct marketing will take. These formats include direct mail in the form of letters, postcards, flyers and brochures; electronic media such as emails, blogs and social networking sites; telemarketing; and point of purchase (POP) displays. Each, however, must be high-impact and professional looking. Collect direct-marketing examples you have admired and use them to influence your own pieces.
Right Timing: Tie your value-added information to holidays, birthdays or breaking news (i.e., changes in interest rates or new government homebuying incentives) to make it all the more timely and valuable. Providing customers with timely information that increases their knowledge and options will quickly set you apart from your competition.
Right Tracking: If you are not getting the results you want, continually refine and tweak your message, audience, product, service, offer, packaging, format, and/or timing. That's the beauty of direct marketing: It's measurable.
All "Betts" on Brian! The Only Realtor you want!
Friday, October 15, 2010
Brian E. Betts-Helping people
Brian E. Betts-Helping people
This is an unfortunate part of our reality now. I know that you have someone in your life that is going through a rough time and knows that the time in now. Feel Comfortable knowing that I will let them know their options and lead them in the right direction.
I know what it takes to get the job done!
Truly,
Brian E. Betts
All "Betts" on Brian! The Only Realtor You Want!
Keller Williams Utah Realtors
435-513-0973
betts@kw.com
www.brianebetts.com
This is an unfortunate part of our reality now. I know that you have someone in your life that is going through a rough time and knows that the time in now. Feel Comfortable knowing that I will let them know their options and lead them in the right direction.
I know what it takes to get the job done!
Truly,
Brian E. Betts
All "Betts" on Brian! The Only Realtor You Want!
Keller Williams Utah Realtors
435-513-0973
betts@kw.com
www.brianebetts.com
Daily Quotes!
Daily Quotes for Oct. 15 2010!
"I would never have amounted to anything were it not for adversity. I
was forced to come up the hard way."
-- J.C. Penney, Businessman and Mason
"All serious daring starts from within."
-- Eudora Welty, writer
"Knowing thyself is the height of wisdom."
-- Socrates
"Never let life's hardships disturb you; no one can avoid problems, not
even saints or sages."
-- Nichiren Daishonen
"I believe in me more than anything in this world."
-- Wilma Rudolph, Olympic runner
All "Betts" on Brian! The Only Realtor you want!
"I would never have amounted to anything were it not for adversity. I
was forced to come up the hard way."
-- J.C. Penney, Businessman and Mason
"All serious daring starts from within."
-- Eudora Welty, writer
"Knowing thyself is the height of wisdom."
-- Socrates
"Never let life's hardships disturb you; no one can avoid problems, not
even saints or sages."
-- Nichiren Daishonen
"I believe in me more than anything in this world."
-- Wilma Rudolph, Olympic runner
All "Betts" on Brian! The Only Realtor you want!
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Daily Quotes!
Daily Quotes Oct. 14 2010!
"When you affirm big, believe big and pray big, putting faith into action, big things happen."
-- Norman Vincent Peale, clergyman
"No matter how small and unimportant what we are doing may seem, if we do it well, it may soon become the step that will lead us to better things."
-- Channing Pollock
"Never forget that it is the spirit with which you endow your work that makes it useful or futile."
-- Adelaide Hasse, librarian
"Sometimes we stare so long at a door that is closing that we see too late the one that is open."
-- Alexander Graham Bell, inventor
"You promote yourself every time you take on a new responsibility."
-- William Gore, executive
All "Betts" on Brian! The Only Realtor you want!
"When you affirm big, believe big and pray big, putting faith into action, big things happen."
-- Norman Vincent Peale, clergyman
"No matter how small and unimportant what we are doing may seem, if we do it well, it may soon become the step that will lead us to better things."
-- Channing Pollock
"Never forget that it is the spirit with which you endow your work that makes it useful or futile."
-- Adelaide Hasse, librarian
"Sometimes we stare so long at a door that is closing that we see too late the one that is open."
-- Alexander Graham Bell, inventor
"You promote yourself every time you take on a new responsibility."
-- William Gore, executive
All "Betts" on Brian! The Only Realtor you want!
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
For the week of October 11, 2010
For the week of October 11, 2010
INFO THAT HITS US WHERE WE LIVE
Market Update
With all the conflicting opinions about the housing market, we found this recently published article in the Wall Street Journal to be quite helpful. It's title says it all, "10 Reasons to Buy a Home".
Last Monday, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported its August Pending Home Sales index UP 4.3% over the prior month. But this measure of signed contracts on existing homes was down 20.1% compared to a year ago. The NAR's current economic forecast looks to a 6.4% drop in existing home sales for 2010 compared to 2009, putting the volume at 4.82 million, and the median existing home price UP 0.2%, to $172,900. This is a smaller drop and a greater price rise than previously predicted.
On the new homes front, the NAR projects sales off 13.4% for the year to 325,000, although housing starts will be UP 11.3% while the new home median price will dip 0.4% to $215,000. But the NAR projects new home sales UP a whopping 28.9% for 2011 and 28% in 2012, with the median price UP 2.4% next year and 4.9% the year after that. Finally, the President last week signed a bill that keeps in place today's higher loan limits for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guaranteed loans and FHA multifamily programs.
Review of Last Week
DOW AT 11 THOU... Stocks went up and down all week as investors on Wall Street tried to figure out if it was smarter to be betting on the economy or against it. The economic data coming from the government and corporations pointed opposite ways, but UP was the direction that ultimately prevailed. As a result, the Dow crossed over the 11,000 threshold for the first time since May, as all three major market indexes showed gains for the week and were up from 4.5% to almost 6% for the year.
It was nice to see Pending Homes Sales ahead for the month, but the 20% drop year-over-year indicates that the housing market still awaits real recovery. Then the week ended with a disappointing September employment report showing payrolls down by 95,000 for the month. This was all due to heavy layoffs in government jobs, as the private sector showed a gain of 64,000 jobs, which was OK, but a bit less than expected. The unemployment rate held at 9.6%
On the good news side, the ISM Services index rose above expectations in September, showing slow but still steady expansion in the non-manufacturing sector of the economy. There were also better-than-expected earnings reports from Alcoa, Yum! Brands, and Costco, with PepsiCo's Q3 numbers in line with expectations. But some observers felt the biggest push to the upside was investors' increasing certainty that the Fed will move soon to stimulate the economy with QE-2, its second round of quantitative easing. Of course, negative economic numbers increase chances that the Fed will act sooner.
For the week, the Dow ended UP 1.6%, to 1106.48; the S&P 500 was also UP 1.6%, to 1165.15; and the Nasdaq was UP 1.3%, to 2401.91.
Prices were strong in the bond market and held up, even with some profit-taking at the end of the week. The FNMA 30-year 4.0% bond we watch ended UP 79 basis points for the week, closing at $103.06. National average mortgage rates for most mortgages tracked in Freddie Mac's weekly survey remain at historically low levels.
This Week’s Forecast
THE FED'S THOUGHTS, INFLATION, RETAIL... Tuesday we have the minutes from the Fed's last FOMC meeting a few weeks ago. The economic experts are sure to pore over the dialogue to see when the central bank may go for another round of quantitative easing ("QE-2"). This will keep rates low, but could lead to more inflation later on, which could drive more people into the housing market.
Wholesale inflation for September is measured with Thursday's Producer Price Index (PPI), but more important are Friday's CPI readings on consumer inflation. These are all expected to remain in benign territory, where they've resided for some time. Friday's Retail Sales numbers will tell us more about the consumer's contribution to the recovery, but they're expected to show more modest gains than previously reported. All this indicates a slowing of the recovery, but at least we're not falling back into recession.
The Week’s Economic Indicator Calendar
Weaker than expected economic data tends to send bond prices up and interest rates down, while positive data points to lower bond prices and rising loan rates.
Federal Reserve Watch
Forecasting Federal Reserve policy changes in coming months There's more talk about the Fed helping the economy along with a second round of quantitative easing (QE-2). Consequently, economists expect the Fed Funds Rate to stay at its rock bottom level well into next year. Note: In the lower chart, a 1% probability of change is a 99% certainty the rate will stay the same.
All "Betts" on Brian! The Only Relator you want!
INFO THAT HITS US WHERE WE LIVE
Market Update
With all the conflicting opinions about the housing market, we found this recently published article in the Wall Street Journal to be quite helpful. It's title says it all, "10 Reasons to Buy a Home".
Last Monday, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported its August Pending Home Sales index UP 4.3% over the prior month. But this measure of signed contracts on existing homes was down 20.1% compared to a year ago. The NAR's current economic forecast looks to a 6.4% drop in existing home sales for 2010 compared to 2009, putting the volume at 4.82 million, and the median existing home price UP 0.2%, to $172,900. This is a smaller drop and a greater price rise than previously predicted.
On the new homes front, the NAR projects sales off 13.4% for the year to 325,000, although housing starts will be UP 11.3% while the new home median price will dip 0.4% to $215,000. But the NAR projects new home sales UP a whopping 28.9% for 2011 and 28% in 2012, with the median price UP 2.4% next year and 4.9% the year after that. Finally, the President last week signed a bill that keeps in place today's higher loan limits for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guaranteed loans and FHA multifamily programs.
Review of Last Week
DOW AT 11 THOU... Stocks went up and down all week as investors on Wall Street tried to figure out if it was smarter to be betting on the economy or against it. The economic data coming from the government and corporations pointed opposite ways, but UP was the direction that ultimately prevailed. As a result, the Dow crossed over the 11,000 threshold for the first time since May, as all three major market indexes showed gains for the week and were up from 4.5% to almost 6% for the year.
It was nice to see Pending Homes Sales ahead for the month, but the 20% drop year-over-year indicates that the housing market still awaits real recovery. Then the week ended with a disappointing September employment report showing payrolls down by 95,000 for the month. This was all due to heavy layoffs in government jobs, as the private sector showed a gain of 64,000 jobs, which was OK, but a bit less than expected. The unemployment rate held at 9.6%
On the good news side, the ISM Services index rose above expectations in September, showing slow but still steady expansion in the non-manufacturing sector of the economy. There were also better-than-expected earnings reports from Alcoa, Yum! Brands, and Costco, with PepsiCo's Q3 numbers in line with expectations. But some observers felt the biggest push to the upside was investors' increasing certainty that the Fed will move soon to stimulate the economy with QE-2, its second round of quantitative easing. Of course, negative economic numbers increase chances that the Fed will act sooner.
For the week, the Dow ended UP 1.6%, to 1106.48; the S&P 500 was also UP 1.6%, to 1165.15; and the Nasdaq was UP 1.3%, to 2401.91.
Prices were strong in the bond market and held up, even with some profit-taking at the end of the week. The FNMA 30-year 4.0% bond we watch ended UP 79 basis points for the week, closing at $103.06. National average mortgage rates for most mortgages tracked in Freddie Mac's weekly survey remain at historically low levels.
This Week’s Forecast
THE FED'S THOUGHTS, INFLATION, RETAIL... Tuesday we have the minutes from the Fed's last FOMC meeting a few weeks ago. The economic experts are sure to pore over the dialogue to see when the central bank may go for another round of quantitative easing ("QE-2"). This will keep rates low, but could lead to more inflation later on, which could drive more people into the housing market.
Wholesale inflation for September is measured with Thursday's Producer Price Index (PPI), but more important are Friday's CPI readings on consumer inflation. These are all expected to remain in benign territory, where they've resided for some time. Friday's Retail Sales numbers will tell us more about the consumer's contribution to the recovery, but they're expected to show more modest gains than previously reported. All this indicates a slowing of the recovery, but at least we're not falling back into recession.
The Week’s Economic Indicator Calendar
Weaker than expected economic data tends to send bond prices up and interest rates down, while positive data points to lower bond prices and rising loan rates.
Federal Reserve Watch
Forecasting Federal Reserve policy changes in coming months There's more talk about the Fed helping the economy along with a second round of quantitative easing (QE-2). Consequently, economists expect the Fed Funds Rate to stay at its rock bottom level well into next year. Note: In the lower chart, a 1% probability of change is a 99% certainty the rate will stay the same.
All "Betts" on Brian! The Only Relator you want!
Last Week in the News
Last Week in the News
The National Association of Realtors reported that its pending home sales index, a forward-looking indicator based on signed contracts, rose 4.3% in August after a downwardly revised 4.5% increase in July. On a year-over-year basis, pending sales are down 18.4%.
Factory orders fell 0.5% in August to a seasonally adjusted $408.9 billion. The decline follows a revised increase of 0.5% in July. The decrease was largely due to a 40.2% drop in demand for commercial aircraft. Excluding the volatile transportation sector, orders rose 0.9%.
The Institute for Supply Management reported that the monthly composite index of non-manufacturing activity rose to 53.2 in September from 51.5 in August. A reading above 50 signals expansion. It was the ninth consecutive month of growth.
The Mortgage Bankers Association said its seasonally adjusted composite index of mortgage applications for the week ending October 1 fell 0.2%. Refinancing applications fell 2.5%. Purchase volume increased 9.3%, the highest level since early May.
Wholesalers increased their inventories 0.8% in August, following a revised 1.5% rise in July. Sales at the wholesale level rose 0.5% in August after a 0.8% increase in July. Economists had anticipated inventories would increase 0.5% in August.
Initial claims for unemployment benefits fell by 11,000 to 445,000 for the week ending October 2. Continuing claims for the week ending September 25 fell by 48,000 to 4.45 million. The unemployment rate remained unchanged at 9.6% in September.
Upcoming on the economic calendar are reports on international trade on October 14 and retail sales on October 15.
All "Betts" on Brian! The Only Realtor you want!
The National Association of Realtors reported that its pending home sales index, a forward-looking indicator based on signed contracts, rose 4.3% in August after a downwardly revised 4.5% increase in July. On a year-over-year basis, pending sales are down 18.4%.
Factory orders fell 0.5% in August to a seasonally adjusted $408.9 billion. The decline follows a revised increase of 0.5% in July. The decrease was largely due to a 40.2% drop in demand for commercial aircraft. Excluding the volatile transportation sector, orders rose 0.9%.
The Institute for Supply Management reported that the monthly composite index of non-manufacturing activity rose to 53.2 in September from 51.5 in August. A reading above 50 signals expansion. It was the ninth consecutive month of growth.
The Mortgage Bankers Association said its seasonally adjusted composite index of mortgage applications for the week ending October 1 fell 0.2%. Refinancing applications fell 2.5%. Purchase volume increased 9.3%, the highest level since early May.
Wholesalers increased their inventories 0.8% in August, following a revised 1.5% rise in July. Sales at the wholesale level rose 0.5% in August after a 0.8% increase in July. Economists had anticipated inventories would increase 0.5% in August.
Initial claims for unemployment benefits fell by 11,000 to 445,000 for the week ending October 2. Continuing claims for the week ending September 25 fell by 48,000 to 4.45 million. The unemployment rate remained unchanged at 9.6% in September.
Upcoming on the economic calendar are reports on international trade on October 14 and retail sales on October 15.
All "Betts" on Brian! The Only Realtor you want!
Getting More Important Things Done
Getting More Important Things Done
You should start your day by tackling the biggest, hardest and most important task of the day. In short: Do the worst first and resist the temptation to start with the easier tasks. This is the central message of Brian Tracy's bestselling book, "Eat That Frog: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time."
To help you separate the big and important tasks from low-priority tasks, try creating imaginary deadlines. Work through your day as if you've just received an emergency message and been informed you must leave town tomorrow. Then ask yourself: What are my priorities? Write them down and grade them, with "A" being items of greatest importance.
Examine ways you can save, schedule and consolidate large chunks of time for the most important tasks. Work in blocks of time. Make work appointments with yourself then discipline yourself to keep those appointments. If you have tasks you can schedule, then set aside preplanned time slots where you focus only on one task at a time.
One of the most powerful tools for time management is the word "no." Learn to say no politely but clearly. Intentionally avoid working on low-value tasks, activities or responsibilities that you can abandon with no real loss. Keep in mind that to do something new you must stop or complete doing something old.
Develop a sense of urgency to everything you do. Impose deadlines for every task. There is never enough time to get everything done. But you are free to choose what you do next. And your ability to choose between the important and the unimportant is the key determinant of your success in life and work.
All "Betts" on Brian! The Only Relator you want!
You should start your day by tackling the biggest, hardest and most important task of the day. In short: Do the worst first and resist the temptation to start with the easier tasks. This is the central message of Brian Tracy's bestselling book, "Eat That Frog: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time."
To help you separate the big and important tasks from low-priority tasks, try creating imaginary deadlines. Work through your day as if you've just received an emergency message and been informed you must leave town tomorrow. Then ask yourself: What are my priorities? Write them down and grade them, with "A" being items of greatest importance.
Examine ways you can save, schedule and consolidate large chunks of time for the most important tasks. Work in blocks of time. Make work appointments with yourself then discipline yourself to keep those appointments. If you have tasks you can schedule, then set aside preplanned time slots where you focus only on one task at a time.
One of the most powerful tools for time management is the word "no." Learn to say no politely but clearly. Intentionally avoid working on low-value tasks, activities or responsibilities that you can abandon with no real loss. Keep in mind that to do something new you must stop or complete doing something old.
Develop a sense of urgency to everything you do. Impose deadlines for every task. There is never enough time to get everything done. But you are free to choose what you do next. And your ability to choose between the important and the unimportant is the key determinant of your success in life and work.
All "Betts" on Brian! The Only Relator you want!
Daily Quotes!
Daily Quotes Oct. 12 2010!
"Nurture your mind with great thoughts. To believe in the heroic makes heroes."
-- Benjamin Disraeli, British prime minister
"A smooth sea never made a skillful mariner."
-- English proverb
"Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go."
-- T.S. Eliot
"The greater the difficulty, the more glory in surmounting it."
-- Epicurus
"Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future."
-- Paul Boese
All "Betts" on Brian! The Only Realtor you want!
"Nurture your mind with great thoughts. To believe in the heroic makes heroes."
-- Benjamin Disraeli, British prime minister
"A smooth sea never made a skillful mariner."
-- English proverb
"Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go."
-- T.S. Eliot
"The greater the difficulty, the more glory in surmounting it."
-- Epicurus
"Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future."
-- Paul Boese
All "Betts" on Brian! The Only Realtor you want!
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