Promote Yourself/Your Business
Your promotional products are only a click away http://www.promodesignspecialty.com Promotional merchandise gets your name, company name/logo in front of the public. Promotional products are a must in any serious business's advertising/marketing budget.
It’s fall and time to be thinking about Halloween. I have a neighbor who has already put up some orange lights in their trees. The really creepy thing is that they also have a giant spider hooked on their front door. I won’t be paying them a visit!
I have a really great book for juvenile readers or you can read it to younger children. It has 25 full color illustrations. You can check it out here: http://www.outskirtspress.com/legendofthepumpkin and then go on to Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble.com or http://www.hotbutterdream.com click on bookstore, then type in Legend of the Pumpkin Carver to make your purchase.
I’m going to give you more information, because that’s what I do on this blog. First I’ll show you some pictures. I like pictures and this is a picture book of sorts … 25 full color illustrations! It’s 99 pages long. Not a typical picture book, there’s lots of reading to do.
Obviously, this is the cover. Now let’s take a 
little peek inside. Wow! There’s Elvira’s house. Yes, she’s in her pumpkin patch — do you see her?
Well, basically this is a book about a Pumpkin Carver — but no one knows who it is, but the children have their own theories as to his or her identity.
Elvira tells the children of her experience in trying to find the identity of the Pumpkin Carver … but it is something every generation has to seek and find for themselves.
Here are two brave boys who would like to hang out in the apple grove to try to get a peek at the Pumpkin Carver at work carving the pumpkins.
Elvira always gives her permission. But she asks these fellows a very practical question: “Why do you want to know who the pumpkin carver is?”
This question leads to a discovery and it also leads to some serious soul searching.
There are several morals to this story without being preachy. The children decide what is best for them … their parents have played a role … and just about everyone in town.
You need to get the book and find out for yourself!
A total of 25 full color illustrations! We barely scratched the surface!
Let me tell you … I wrote this book from the concept of planting a pumpkin patch in my backyard. I read somewhere that you can carve pumpkins while they are still growing on the vine. This seemed quite interesting … so … I had a go at it. From there the story grew into a legend … and I hope you will find it as interesting as I did when I wrote it.
All right, there’s more to it. You see, I had this neighbor who used to help me water my yard. I also had a gardener. I’d sneak out and start carving on a pumpkin or two … then wait … It seemed my neighbor noticed the gnarled carvings on the pumpkins … then the gardener noticed them … next thing you know, I have a whole pack of kid in my back yard scoping out my pumpkin patch.
I could hear them as they walked past my house wondering what is being printed on the pumpkins … and who could be doing it … yet, it seemed they were more interested in the strangeness of having letters appear on a pumpkin while it was still growing on the vine. Moms, Dads, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles … you name it came to have a look at my pumpkin patch.
I knew then and there … this was truly a dynamite concept for a book! Grab it now before Halloween! You won’t be disappointed!
Here are the links again: http://www.hotbutterdream.com you have to go to the bookstore, then type in Legend of the Pumpkin Carver. While you’re on this site ordering the book … check out the other stores — maybe there is a movie or two you’d like, or some other books, maybe something else in another of the stores available on this site. Be sure to bookmark this site — there’s lots of merchandise that would look great at your house!
http://www.outskirtspress.com/legendofthepumpkin here you can read the first page or so of the story … then there are links you can click to purchase Legend of the Pumpkin Carver.
Buy it now! Get it before Halloween!
Sharon Harvey
Let me tell you what I’ll do for you: purchase Legend of the Pumpkin Carver from http://www.hotbutterdream.com (go to book store, type in Legend of the Pumpkin Carver) email me your receipt … tell me who you would like to have a personalized autographed bookplate made out to … and I’ll email it to you. You can print it out and attach it to the book.
This book with the personalized autographed bookplate would made a great gift! You may want to buy several!
email me your receipt at legendofthepumpkincarver@gmail.com
When we understand human nature, then we’ll understand business. I’ve stated that with everything we sell, we must answer the question “What’s In It For Me?” Which leads one to believe people are thinking only of themselves. This may be a harsh statement, but there is definitely some truth there. So, we want to provide the best quality at the best price … having some profit in there as well to help everyone.
I’m reminded of the expression that it is easier to push someone in the direction they’re going than to pull them in an opposite direction. This simple concept makes considerable sense. People are going to do what they are going to do … no amount of persuasion is going to change their minds.
It’s also very important to think smart, rather than harder. Hard work in the wrong direction won’t get you to your rewards/profits. But being smart may … and faster.
I’m reminded of marketing a franchise. That could be fast food or it could be a grocery chain, hardware store, or car repair. Let’s say you’re having trouble with your car. You need it to get to work, take the kids to school, run errands, etc. When you go in to get it repaired, the mechanic doesn’t need to tell you all the benefits you’d receive to have a reliable car … you already know that … that’s why you’re there. In a grocery store, the manager doesn’t tell you how you must buy fruits and vegetables, stay away from the sugary drinks and junk food. You’re free to go in there and fill your cart with whatever you want.
So why, in advertising, are we telling you the benefits of our products? If you want them … go to this website for promotional products http://www.promodesignspecialty.com
If you want movies, music, books, games, home & garden, toys & games, software, audio & visual products check out our selection and prices at http://www.hotbutterdream.com Browse, take you time, we’re always open … and there’s no waiting or high pressure sales pitches. Get what you want … we have everything arranged in categories …there’s even a search bar to help narrow down your search. We’re user friendly and family oriented.
Sharon Harvey, http://www.promodesignspecialty.com
The question comes down to what’s in a name?
I believe the name of a website is extremely important — you want people to remember it. You want others to tell others about it. You want it to be on the lips of everyone.
Well, I may have made a mistake with mine.
It is a movie DVD site — you can also download them. I was trying to think of words that would describe watching movies — going to the movies — that sort of thing –” hot butter” came to mind to put over popcorn. If you’re getting movies for home, that seems logical to me.
In thinking about my website, I have other stores: books, music, audio & visual, home & garden, video games, toys & games, software, and the before mentioned movies. What comes to mind that would include all of these? I know with most books, movies, etc. take you into a dream world where you imagine all sorts of things — your imagination is working … even in games and home and garden merchandise and audio and visual merchandise — it is a “dream” to be a winner of a particular game, you imagine what you could do with that new software … so I put the two concepts together hot butter dream as my domain name: http://www.hotbutterdream.com
Click the link and see what I’m talking about!
It was a major accomplishment to come up with a name … I thought it was clever … so I had to tell my friends … well, that wasn’t so easy … it sounded a bit “suggestive” … but the three words made perfect sense when I thought of them … they are clean words … and the website is family friendly.
Each person I contacted had a nervous laugh … saying it was “suggestive.”
Now, that’s not what I was going for … but is it that wrong?
I wanted something that would be remembered … now, instead of it being shouted … people may have a nervous laugh and say in low tones “hot butter dream dot com” …
Hummm, well, that’s what I decided … now I have to see if it will get traffic to my website and get people to buy. That’s the whole idea of having a website … to make money!
I’ve already ordered my promotional products! I decided on key chains — 
but not any ordinary keychain — it also has a tape measure in it. How many times have you been out shopping and needed to measure something. Well, this will come in handy … if you don’t want to use it for keys, you can attach it to your purse and have it with you when you need it!
There are definitely promotional products for all businesses … on-line, off-line … even “suggestive” … But the promotional product is exactly what it is … functional.
Oh I also got: 
Compact disc opener … thought it, too, would be appropriate for my new website: http://www.hotbutterdream.com
Check out my new website … get some DVD’s, CD’s, how about a book … take a look around …
Sharon Harvey, http://www.promodesignspecialty.com
My Motto: Image is Everything … And Your Image Must Be On Everything!
Image … branding … whatever you want to call it is about getting your business recognized, noticed, and having customers around the block!
I used to think it had to do with the product … but now I’m thinking it has to do with image. McDonald’s hamburgers aren’t all that great, but you know when you get there what you’re going to get. Fast service and a hamburger or whatever you ordered. You could fix a better burger at home, but that would take time … this is fast.
But McDonald’s doesn’t tell you that their burgers aren’t all that great. They are telling you that they’ll do the cooking … they’ll get it to you fast … and you stop by and allow them to just do that!
I’m beginning to wonder if we get too caught up in the product. Our focus should be on marketing … telling about what it would good for you … save you time, etc.
Everyone wants to know “What’s In It For Me?”
If I buy [product] from you, what’s in it for me? Or Why should I buy [product] from you? Or any other question.
If you buy promotional products from me:
- we make every effort to get the right graphic on the product you purchase
- we have a wide selection from which you can choose
- you can be assured that the product you select is of the finest quality
- you get promotional products that will be the envy of your competitors
- you buy products in bulk
- you can talk with a consultant before your place your order
- you can receive a free quote
- you sign off on your graphics before they are printed
- we have the best competitive pricing to pass on to you
- you will be proud to distribute your personalized promotional products to customers and potential customers
- your customers will be proud to show others your promotional product — giving you free advertising
You can’t go wrong buying your promotional products from http://www.promodesignspecialty.com
Sharon Harvey, http://www.promodesignspecialty.com
This key chain compass light is extremely handy to have. I like it. Let me give you some more information. Let me give you another picture, too. 
As you can see, this is a flat translucent color body with a built-in decorative compass. A bright red key-light with a spring-lock loop completes this item — oh, by the way, batteries are included!
The colors:
- translucent blue
- translucent green
- translucent orange
- translucent red
- translucent purple
The product size is 2-5/16″ H x 1-5/16″W x 5/16″
The Printing Surface measures 1/2″H x 3/4″W
You can get these in bulk:
- 500 @ $1.99 each
- 1000 @ $1.79 each
- 2500 @ $1.59 each
- 5000 @ $1.49 each
- Set-Up Fee $50.
These are reasonably priced and would be extremely handy for most people. They are attractive and most likely be used. That is the key to any promotional product — you want it used — you want others to talk about it, show it off a bit … demonstrate how useful it is … allow them their bragging rights!
Next I have: 
Soft Rubber Turbo Pocket Fan which comes in handy during the summer. Let me expand the photograph a bit for you. 
As you can see, this pocket turbo fan with soft rubber blades comes in translucent red, translucent green, translucent orange, and translucent blue. It does include 2 AA batteries not inserted. You can have them imprinted with your business information in white, silver, gold, or black.
The product size is 1-1/4″W x 4″H x 2″D
The printed area is 5/8″W x 1-1/8″H — one color maximum — choose one of the above (white, silver, gold, or black).
Buying in bulk:
- 150 @ $2.25 each
- 250 @ $2.15 each
- 500 @ $2.05 each
- Set-Up Fee $50.
You can find these under travel accessories on the website.
These would go well with the key chains. Both items are reasonably priced and quite affordable … I wonder which one would be used more … it could be a seasonal thing … or a personal preference. These would come in handy at the gym … they would fit nicely in a gym bag. You can take them with you wherever you do … even at the park … you can create your own breeze if it gets a bit warm. I could see joggers and walkers using this … we do get a bit tired when going uphill a bit … it would be an interesting cool down exercise.
As usual, this is to give you something to think about and consider.
Sharon Harvey, http://www.promodesignspecialty.com
This would be an excellent item for a promotional gift. Everyone is using them … or they wish they had one. You can find this on the website under outdoors and accessories. This will help keep your car cool this summer! Beat the heat on sunny days! The size of this product: 59″w x 27-1/2″h x 1/8″ d. It comes in silver. The standard screenprin will be on the right side which measures 16″w x 12″h. That’s excellent! Your logo/business image would be highly visible!
Now these are inexpensive, but they are very well made and will last quite a long time.
- 50 @ $12.69 each
- 100 @ $11.19 each
- 250 @ $10.10 each
- 500 @ $9.59 each
- Set-up Fee $60.
These would definitely be traveling billboards for you! Think how appreciative your customers/clients would be to receive one of these!
Another popular item is: 
This 14 ounce stainless steel trip mug with drink-thru lid is quite popular. It has a black plastic liner and foam insulation. The size: 4-13/16″w x 5-5/8″h. You can have a screen imprint on one side: 2-3/4″w x 1/3″h.
- 48 @ $4.80 each
- 72 @ $4.70 each
- 144 @ $4.50 each
- 288 @ $4.10 each
- 576 @ $3.80 each
- Set-Up Fee is $60.
This is a bit more reasonable and equally impressive. It will get around, too!
Depending upon your business and your customers/clients and how you want to represent your company, there are numerous products for you to select. I was just thinking of what I would get to represent my business. What would impress others and wouldn’t be outrageously expensive for me to give away.
I know what I have for my advertising budget. I would have to weigh the difference in placing ads with advertising with promotional products. It is a good test. Basically, for me, placing ads is less work than sending promotional products all over the country … but I have found that the promotional products are giving me more customers. The ads are giving me more traffic. See the difference? Traffic is good, if you’re collecting numbers. Customers are better if you’re collecting money!
You decide what is best for you … what is most cost effective … and brings in paying customers.
Sharon Harvey, http://www.promodesignspecialty.com
Wow! It was hot yesterday! And may be the same today! It is cloudy which basically makes it muggy and no time to leave the house … unless you absolutely have to.
On-line businesses are looking more and more attractive. Well, basically, this is what I have … and growing … I don’t like putting all my eggs in one basket. I do wonder where those old expressions originated … they seem to crowd my mind. Yet, since they have been around for a long time … and I must have heard them often … important for me to take heed.
With promotional products, a variety is good for you to select, too. You will have customers/clients that would appreciate a coffee mug, others a t-shirt, or hat, others a pen. You don’t have to spend a fortune for a variety of promotional gifts … you just need to have a variety for the variety of people you see on a regular basis. It would also fit with the mood you’re in … or a gift for a certain day of the week. It’s good to be creative and think your purchase through carefully.
As I’ve said on several blog posts … having something others will use is the best promotional gift to have. I’m leaning towards the letter slitters … I remember having one of these. I probably showed it to someone and they found it so useful they kept it. That’s what usually happens to promotional products … they get passed around. This is good for the merchant who handed them out … not necessarily for the recipient who now doesn’t have it.
I know these slitters last a long time … if you can keep it from walking away in someone’s pocket or purse. They are really handy items.
Your logo/business information can be printed 1/2″ x 1-3/4″ in one color, on one side, and in one location. You can get 50 of these for $.82 cents each, 100 for $.77 cents each, 250 for $.63 cents each, 500 for $.62 cents each, 1000 for $.61 cents each, or 2500 for $.60 cents each.
They come in: translucent green, black, red, blue, white, yellow, green, translucent blue, translucent red, translucent yellow, and silver.
It may take approximately 10 working days to get your imprinted order. If you have a special event, best to plan ahead.
Sharon Harvey, http://www.promodesignspecialty.com
I’m getting another website and starting another business, but I was stumped with a domain name. When I think of promotional products and the various businesses and their logos, I often wonder how they came up with the name of their business.
From my research, I found that many people just pick something out of the air or it has some meaning to them personally. The good ones are your own name. Some people are able to trade on it, others maybe not. It is good to think about the product you’re selling primarily and using that as your business name or getting it in there.
Some people play on words and others go for something funny or serious or odd. We usually don’t know the thinking behind business names. I’m beginning to think that although some business names are funny or clever, if they have something to do with prosperity, that would go better than something to do with not being prosperous. As an example: Empty Pockets is a cute name, but it is exactly what it implies — your pockets are empty. We can relate … but it doesn’t seem to be the way we want it to be. So I do shy away from such images. I go for something that is fresh and describes the business to a degree, but has a positive message.
I have Psst I Got A Guy for my liquidation business. I hope it conveys that I can give the best service available because I got a guy who specializes in this arena and can move merchandise fast at the best possible price.
I also have Promo Design Specialty for my promotional products business. Promo for promotional (products) design is the image that you want to have on your promotional product and specialty because this is all we do … this is our business, we specialize in promotional products. We want your image on the promotional products you select to purchase and give out to your customers/clients.
Since I haven’t secured my website name yet, and I’ve a few to still think about, I won’t talk about them here. But I do want them to represent what I’m doing. Oh, I also have NoHogwash.eProduct-Review.com where I review various products from ecommerce to weight loss and everything in between. This is fun for me to look at products and review them. It is like blogging. It’s just giving my opinion … but basically I look at what it has to offer. The decision is up to the consumer. I do encourage people to listen to the audio/video presentation. They may gather some information. That is basically what I’m doing … giving information. I like learning something new. I want to know how to improve the businesses I have now. There is always room for improvement. It is always good to learn something new we may be able to apply to our business.
Promotional Products do work … I find it rewarding to have promotional items to give out to people. They are fun for me … I don’t get a kick out of giving business cards … unless they are made of chocolate … but I don’t recommend them for the summer.
Sharon Harvey, http://www.promodesignspecialty.com
Without a successful marketing plan … you don’t have a business. It really doesn’t matter what you’re selling … what matters is how you’re marketing your business — either on-line or off-line or both.
You may want to take a look at this video presentation:
http://www.plugintogreenprofits.com/clickbank.php?hop=oldoaktree it will definitely open your eyes to the so-called business opportunities available.
It tells you about a franchise model. You just need to think about how franchises work in your area. You may go to one for coffee or lunch or breakfast … or a quick dinner.
We may or may not agree about the quality of the beverage or the meal, but I’m not here to argue that … I hope we can agree about marketing and how well franchises market. No one is really selling to you … you went to the establishment to buy what you intended to buy … you basically know what you’re going to get — marketing and past experience has demonstrated that to you.
The thing I find amazing is how franchises have taken all the variables out of owning a business — they can almost guarantee success … they set up a push button easy plan to follow … but I’m sure there could be some goof ups … but it wouldn’t be the fault of the big corporation, but the franchanisee … well, some food for thought … this presentation is excellent in telling you about business. I enjoyed it. It took some of the myths out of business … we may be concentrating on the wrong things.
Marketing is essential in any business. You need to use whatever tools you find most effective. For many promotional products top their list of “must have” marketing tools. It’s always nice to have a gift for your customers … and a way for them to spread the word about your business. Word-of-mouth referrals are absolutely priceless … promotional gifts open the door for this to happen in your business.
Sharon Harvey, http://www.promodesignspecialty.com
There is a promotional product for you to get the word out about your blog, your website, and your physical building where you sell goods or services.
As I’ve said before and will probably say again … you must get traffic to your business … and once you do, you want satisfied customers … promotional products assist you in both areas.
It is all a matter of coming up with the right fit … for you and for your business and for your customers. Price is an issue … at least initially … you want to make sure it works for you before you dive in.
As an aside, but it is also valuable … recently I had 3000 post cards to send out to potential customers. It was recommended that I send out all 3000 and not divide them up in 200 or 300 batches. Well, at $.28 cents a stamp … that really does add up … plus I had to go to the post office for 3000 post card stamps … and take them to the post office once they were all stamped, addressed and ready to go.
Well, I decided I had to take a chance that this marketing strategy was going to work for me. I had my doubts. I still have doubts. It is all a waiting game. It has to do with timing. Then I wonder how many of those post cards got tossed out … how many are still in a pile of mail … how many are saved to be reviewed later … questions, questions, questions.
Well, that’s a post card and a $.28 cent stamp. You’re thinking about a stress ball for $1.69 each or a letter slitter for $.82 cents each, or any of hundreds of other possibilities. I understand how you feel. I know you won’t know how effective it is until you try it … pass them out … see if you receive more customers because of them. Nothing seems to be instant … we can sign up for things on-line, but there is still a delay … and a wait to see if it works as claimed or as you want it to work for you.
There is definitely something about getting the promotional product in your hands that really makes the whole concept real for you. If you selected correctly, you can’t wait to open the box and start handing them out! I believe your enthusiasm will spread to others.
That’s why it’s important to select something you’d be proud to give out and have associated with your business. Give it some serious thought.
Sharon Harvey, http://www.promodesignspecialty.com
