Billboard Sign from Signarama Murrieta

Make it big like AAA Storage with a 10 ft high x 15 ft wide Billboard Sign that we made for them.

www.signarama-murrieta.com

 

Vehicle Graphics on Trailer from Signarama Murrieta

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The old horse trailer was ready for the scrap heap, but we helped Kariann, the owner of Absolut Dog Grooming, transform her vision into an eye catching mobile dog grooming salon using creative graphic design and expert installation. Thank you Kariann for working with us and the best of success with your business.

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Vehicle Graphics - Dodge Challenger

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Bradd, the owner of this Dodge Challenger, was thrilled with the stripes we put on his car.

www.signarama-murrieta.com

Husqvarna Motorcycles & Signarama Murrieta

This is a 10 foot long back painted acrylic sign we made for Husqvarna Motorcycles. It is displayed in their main reception area creating a dramatic effect for people who come to visit or do business at the facility.

Thank You Husqvarna Motorcycles for letting us be a part of your business.

www.signarama-murrieta.com

1972 Mustang Fastback Convertible | Signarama Murrieta

Couple of pictures shown stripping we applied to a classic 1972 Mustang Fastback Convertible. Laying the stripes is a little nerve wracking because of the extreme precision required, but the job turned out great and the customer is very happy. Look for this car and lots of other cool classic cars in Idlewild on the 4th of July.

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Reception Sign | Signarama Murrieta

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Reception area wall signs are generally the first thing your client will see when they come into your place of business. They are a highly effective way to promote your brand or message.

The reception area sign we made for Ameriprise Financial in Menifee was digitally printed on adhesive back vinyl and applied to a piece of clear acrylic. We mounted the sign to the wall using brushed aluminum stand-offs to give it added depth and dimension.

The next time you need signage, printing or graphic design services, call Signarama Murrieta today to help you grow your business.

Very Creative Truck Wraps III | Signarama Murrieta

Our compliments to the graphic artists who created these very imaginative 3-D designs. Capturing and holding the attention of your target customers is part of what good advertising is supposed to do. The experienced team of marketing and design professionals at Signarama Murrieta can help you grab the attention of the customers you want to reach with creative designs and products.  Give us a call to help you with your next advertising campaign.

Signarama… “The way to grow your business” 

Very Creative Truck Wraps II | Signarama Murrieta

Our compliments to the graphic artists who created these very imaginative 3-D designs. Capturing and holding the attention of your target customers is part of what good advertising is supposed to do. The experienced team of marketing and design professionals at Signarama Murrieta can help you grab the attention of the customers you want to reach with creative designs and products.  Give us a call to help you with your next advertising campaign.

Signarama… “The way to grow your business” 

Very Creative Truck Wraps | Signarama Murrieta

Our compliments to the graphic artists who created these very imaginative 3-D designs. Capturing and holding the attention of your target customers is part of what good advertising is supposed to do. The experienced team of marketing and design professionals at Signarama Murrieta can help you grab the attention of the customers you want to reach with creative designs and products.  Give us a call to help you with your next advertising campaign.

Signarama… “The way to grow your business” 

Why Do I Need a Sign for my Business? | Signarama Murrieta

"Why should I have a sign?" is a question often asked by business owners. The answer will vary depending on your business type and format. In a highly impulse oriented business, good signage can be the difference between the success and failure of the business. The profile of your trade area also impacts your signage needs.

Good signage can increase a business's opportunity for success.
As we recover from a turbulent 2009, most businesses -new or not -- don't have a dollar to waste.

Here are the top 6 reasons why SBA recommends that your business include signs to your marketing program.

1. Signs are an effective, yet inexpensive, form of advertising for the small business.
2. A sign is your introduction and handshake with those passing by, identifying your business to existing and potential customers.
3. Signs are always "on the job" for you, advertising 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
4. People often judge a business by how it looks on the sign.
5. Many merchants increase their business measurably just by adding a good sign. Conversely, many have gone out of business because they simply were not identified well, so not enough potential customers knew of their existence.
6. We live in a mobile society. According to the United States Census Bureau, 18% of households relocate each year. As your customers move, you need to replace them by attracting new customers.

So whether you are a new business interested in letting your community know that you are now Open
For Business or an established business interested in increasing your business profile, Signarama - Murrieta can help.

Contact us today and we can review the different types of signage to determine which type best fits your needs and budget.

(Source: United States Small Business Administration Bulletin Number 101)

Signs Are Effective | Signarama Murrieta

Your sign is an integral part of your advertising program along with the other forms of commercial communication such as television, radio, newspapers, magazines, and billboards. There are four basic criteria used to judge the effectiveness of these advertising media: (1) coverage of the trade area, (2) repetition of a message, (3) readership of a message, and (4) cost per thousand exposures of a message. Two other criteria important for the small business owner are (5) availability and (6) ease of use. Let's see how signs measure up to the above criteria.

1. Signs are oriented to your trade area. Signs do not waste your resources by requiring you to pay for wasted advertising coverage. The people who see your sign are the people who live in your trade area.

2. Signs are always on the job repeating your message to potential customers. Your on-premise sign communicates to potential customers twenty four hours a day, seven days a week, week after week, month after month, year after year. Every time people pass your business establishment they see your sign. The mere repetition of the message will help them remember your business.

3. Nearly everyone reads signs. Signs are practical to use for nearly everyone is used to looking at signs and using signs, even small children. Studies have shown that people do read and remember what is on signs. When special items are displayed, sales increase for these particular items within the store.

4. Signs are inexpensive. When compared to the cost of advertising in some other media, the on-premise sign is very inexpensive. Table 1 indicates the cost-per-thousand-exposures for various media in a given type of community. Unless your trade area encompasses an entire city or region where you must rely upon broad based media coverage, there is no better advertising dollar value than your on-premise sign.

5. Signs are available to each and every shop owner. There is no need to schedule the use of your sign. Your sign is available to you whenever you need it and to be used however you please.

6. Signs are easy to use. No special skills or resources are needed to operate a sign once it has been installed. If it is an illuminated sign, all you need to do is flip the switch and that may not be necessary with timing equipment. Once the initial expenditures are made no special resources or professional services are needed. You need only operate and maintain your sign.

The Perfect Location for your Banner | Signarama-Murrieta

If you have decided to purchase a banner, it is very important to place your new banner is a position that will do your company the most good. By selecting the proper location, you can ensure that your new purchase will perform up to expectations and that it will be able to function to the utmost.
The old slogan, “Location, location, location,” applies to much more than real estate. When you are placing a banner, this is the most important factor. Here are some useful tips to help you find the best location for your banner.

Make it Visible
Placing a banner on the side of your building or under an overhang can greatly reduce the ability of potential customers to see this banner. You will need to make sure that your banner is located where it can be easily seen from the majority of directions and angles.

Try it Out
Before you finalize your banner's position, try hanging it in several different angles. Then, place yourself in your customer's position. Is it visible from the road, sitting in a car? Can it be easily seen from across the street in multiple directions? You will need to find the one location that provides the most visibility. Take some time with this step to make sure that your final location is the right location.

Remember the Elements
Weather can be detrimental to your new banner. If it is not secure properly, your banner may flap in the wind, making it unintelligible to passing pedestrians and vehicles. Make sure that your banner is located somewhere where there is at least some protection from the elements. If this is impossible, make sure that the banner is well secured and that it will not flap in the wind, obscuring the text.

Get Feedback.
Try to find a few impartial friends to test-drive your banner. Ask them to walk and/or drive by your location and get their input on what they think of the banner. Ideally, do not reveal what your banner says to these test-drivers. It is important to make sure that they are able to read the banner as they pass-by.

You know what the banner says and your brain may automatically fill in places that may not be completely visible. By conducting this test, you can make sure that everyone will be able to read your banner, regardless of whether they are walking or driving by.
  
Don't Be Afraid to Change.
If your banner is not performing up to expectation, a move may be in order. Try a few different locations at first, to see which one provides the desired effect. Once you have narrowed down your options, you will be able to select the best location for your banner, based on actual customer reaction. This step should be carefully documented to provide you with the most useful data.

By following these steps, you will be able to get the most out of your banner, both in actual life of the banner and effectiveness in getting your message across.

www.signarama-murrieta.com

Which Sign Is Right For My Business? | Signarama Murrieta

By Andrew Stratton

Attracting new customers to your business is easy with a well-designed sign. Choosing the right signs for your business is the key to creating new clients and --- keeping your company on the map.
Advertising is the key to attracting new customers and maintaining a steady stream of regulars. And nothing is more important than first impressions, so it is imperative that you choose the proper signage for your storefront or business.

Attracting new customers to your business is easy when you have a well-designed sign. It may seem like a relatively simple decision to make, but choosing the wrong signs can potentially lose you valuable business. Here are a number of factors to consider when picking out your signage.

1. What does your business need?
What kind of business you are running is one of the biggest deciding factors in which signs will be most the suitable. If your clientèle will be comprised of referrals, something straightforward and simple will do the trick. However, if you're reaching out to foot traffic, you'll want eye-catching, easily legible designs and scripts.

2. Where is your business?
The location of your business will determine the size of the script, colors, and amount of signs necessary to capture people's attention. If you're competing with much nearby signage or many street lanes, you'll need bigger letters, bolder colors, and you may even need to extend the sign above the business itself. Is there a large tree obstructing the view of your business? You'll want to think about the angle at which drivers passing by are able to easily view your signage. Examine the property carefully in order to determine where the clearest view will be and how to maximize the space.

3. Do you need neon?
Neon signs can be your main sign, such is often the case with bars or pool halls; however, many other businesses find that one or two neon signs can help attract attention and send clear messages. The most common are "open", "exit", and "enter". These are especially useful for businesses that operate later hours as the neon is easily visible and eye-catching even in the dark. Neon is a great way to add some color and attraction to your storefront. More artistic signs such as picture logos can also be successfully created from neon.

4. What does the sign need to convey?
Business names do not always reflect the products or services being offered, so your sign needs to give the proper impression to clients. If your business' name is "Pete's", who is going to know what you're selling? Add additional information when necessary. Descriptive phrases such as "pet store" or "family dentist" can clarify your business.

5. What type of material?
One of the most popular types of material for signs is high density urethane. They have a similar look to carved wooden signs, but weather much better and are more versatile as they can be sanded, machined, or carved. Wood carved signs are a cheaper alternative and have an old time feel which can suit some businesses quite well. And as mentioned previously, neon works well for certain types of businesses as well as a striking additional sign to attract attention.

Attracting new customers to your business is easy with a well-designed sign. Signarama - Murrieta offers custom-made signs with quick access and capable installers to get your sign up quickly.

www.signarama-murrieta.com

Five Ways To Boost Business Traffic With Banners | Signarama Murrieta

By Matthew Stewart

Let's face it, banners work. For the money, they are probably one of the most effective tools in your marketing toolbox. If made right, they last for years. If designed right, they capture attention. And if used strategically, they will make you money! Quite simply, a banner campaign should be one of the first things you do to boost business traffic. If you are not currently using banners, YOU SHOULD! Below are 5 great ideas on how to make Vinyl Banner Advertising work for you.


1. CHANGE: Change is good. Your prospective customers likely live or work within 5-10 miles from your business. They probably drive by your location several times per week. LOOK BUSY! Implement a 12 MONTH banner campaign and change your vinyl banner out at least once each month. Make each banner pertain to the season. For example, if your business is a Storage Unit, display a HEATED UNITS banner in the coldest month of the year. You will be perceived as busy and current and on top of your game. Start thinking of at least 1 banner for each month of the year!

2. SPECIALS / PROMOS: I know this sounds way too obvious but you would be surprised at how many people who run a business just assume that customers already KNOW their specials. THEY DON'T - you HAVE to tell them! Relate your specials to Holidays. FREE GIFT for new customers. FREE PUMPKIN for Halloween. What is your special deal? Tell your customers with a BANNER!


3. DIFFERENTIATE: Not all businesses are created equally. And yes, you do have competition who is trying to get your money. What makes your location / facility / space / building / service /  product different from the competition? Maybe you offer a money back guarantee. Again, you have to TELL YOUR CUSTOMERS these things. Do it with a banner.

4. HUMOR: Some of the most successful advertising messages of all time have been based on humor. Get creative. Think of something funny or off the wall. Even better - make it topical - relate it to something currently in the news. You can make these banners a part of your 12 month Banner Campaign.

5. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Involve your business in the community. Volunteer your business as a drop-site for local disaster relief, Food or possibly Toys for Tots. Not only will you get picked up in some FREE PRESS in local radio/TV/newspapers but you'll now have new prospective clients coming to your business who may not have normally walked through the door. Use a custom vinyl banner to MARK your SITE. The public loves this!!! On your way home from work today just count how many vinyl banners you see. I'm sure it will surprise you. Why do you see so many?

BECAUSE THEY WORK!
Custom vinyl banners are inexpensive, effective, and durable marketing pieces that should be in your advertising tool kit. Make it your goal to purchase 1 new banner every month. It will be the best investment you've made in a long time.

www.signarama-murrieta.com

Celebrate Team's Success and Boost Business | Signarama Murrieta

By Brenda Bence

When your team experiences a success, what do you do? Do you ignore these wins, automatically working toward the next goal without an acknowledgement of what has been achieved? Do you share a quick "congratulations" or "good job" and then head back into your office?

So, if you gloss over your team's successes without recognition, what does that say about you as a leader? How do you think employees perceive, think, and feel about a leader when their efforts go unappreciated? Those perceptions also reflect on the company as a whole, and that kind of downward spiral can mean loss of some of your best team members.

As a leader, it's your job to keep your team motivated toward their personal growth as well as toward the common goal of growing and building the company. Celebrating wins is a great way to do both and has the great side effect of boosting your own leadership personal brand at the same time.
Here are the Top 10 reasons why celebrating wins is important for you, your team, your company, and for building up your own leadership personal brand.

Celebrating wins...
1. ...forces you and your team to concentrate on the positive rather than the negative. Even if your company has taken some hits in the down economy, there are still wins you can celebrate. Give your team a boost by celebrating and reminding them that good things are still happening for the company.

2. ... builds momentum for you and your team. When a success is celebrated, everyone is reminded that their ability to reach one specific goal indicates just how close they are to achieving even greater goals.

3. ... gets you away from mundane day-to-day tasks. No matter how briefly, changing your team's mindset from "work" to "celebration" gives both you and your team renewed positive energy on the job.

4. ... allows you to connect with colleagues and coworkers in a way that is not just work related. It helps you build a more personal connection with your team - another great way to boost your leadership personal brand.

5. ... allows you to reward specific employees. When you're clear about what went well - naming names, dates, great ideas, and the deadlines that were met or exceeded, you not only legitimize the celebration, but you reinforce the kinds of behaviors that the company values. This shows your team exactly how they can earn similar celebrations in the future.

6. ...reminds you of the goal you set and why you set it in the first place. It's easy to forget why a goal was important, but forgetting that removes all meaning from the task. When people remember why the work they do helps grow the business, they're inspired to do more.

7. ...reminds you that a good, focused goal-setting process works. You set the goal, create strategies to achieve it and reach the outcomes you want. This not only delivers good results, but it inspires your team to set goals in all areas of their work as well.

8. ... motivates your team to continue delivering good work. Employees who feel appreciated and know their efforts have been noticed become even more productive with the next round of projects.

9. ... unifies the team around a positive outcome. If there are members of your team who are struggling to get along, reminding them that they have achieved a common goal helps bring them together.

10. ... reminds the team that they work for a winning organization. People want to work for winners. So, one of the greatest morale-builders that a leader can offer employees is the knowledge that they work for a successful company, even if -- and especially if -- there are other areas where the company might be struggling.

Source: Brenda Bence is an internationally recognized branding expert, certified executive coach, professional speaker, and award-winning author of the How YOU™ Are Like Shampoo personal branding book series. As president of Brand Development Associates (BDA) International, Ltd. she helps individuals and companies become successful through corporate and personal brand development.

Thinking Green? If you’re not yet, you will be soon enough! | Signarama Murrieta

More and more facility and organization managers are expected to take ‘green’ solutions into consideration when they look at their expenses and investments. Oftentimes the green solution feels like a compromise -- like driving a Prius when you really want to drive a Tahoe!

In the signage industry there’s the lucky circumstance that “green” is often synonymous with “effective” and “cutting edge”! In our industry we see newer and better products all the time that offer cost effective, environmentally responsible innovations… hand in hand with increasingly powerful communications. Even some ‘tried and true’ signage products are coming back around as stand outs in the green revolution.

For facility and school directors, it’s the best of both worlds! Let’s review some of the ‘old’ and some of the ‘new’ products in the signage industry that are energy-saving, recyclable or reusable!

Old-Fashioned Banner!
With some planning and savvy design, and with the added investment of a banner display system, a school can maximize its investment and save the environment at the same time.

Next time you need a banner, ask yourself if it is possible to reuse the message multiple times – maybe a recurring event? If so, why not have your annual event banner printed – sans a date – and either add vinyl lettering that is removable for the date, or even create a double-banner display so that the only banner that is thrown away is the date banner?

A banner display system, often made from durable, weather proof aluminum components, will let you create a reusable, durable display that is easy to use and helps your banners last longer by displaying them properly. Some schools are resourceful enough to go DIY and buy some pvc pipe to make a freestanding banner display.

By storing and reusing your banners for annual events and by displaying them efficiently and effectively, you’ve just made the old-fashioned banner the new Green Solution!

Biodegradable Banners
So let’s say you have a one-time event to announce – maybe a student who has won a championship chess match -- and you want to share your good news. So what’s the solution? A biodegradable banner is the solution! Yes, there are some manufacturers who have figured out how to make a banner that will degrade and fail after several months – you may still end up putting it in a dumpster, but you can rest assured it will eventually disappear!

Yard Signs-Guerrilla Warfare in Messaging!
One of the most effective forms of advertising that still survives despite the march of time and technology is the lowly yard sign!

The standard metal frame – like those you see real estate agents use – is an amazingly flexible, useful display for sharing messages or announcements. Why do they work so well for real estate agents and politicians? The secret is a good design, but also it is the temporary nature of the message. First it is there, and then it is gone. It pops up where you might not expect it and can disappear just as easily.

That’s one of the greatest secrets of good signage – changing messages is what keeps it fresh and keeps the human eye drawn to it. Many businesses make the mistake of leaving a sign unchanged for years or even decades. What they don’t’ realize is the typical sign in these circumstances simply becomes part of the background and isn’t noticed by the passersby.

When you shop for a frame, look for a ‘slide-in’ frame that requires no hardware or tools – just lift old the old message and drop in a new one! You can even incorporate a dry erase vinyl or wet erase chalk board to give you an added element of flexibility.

Don’t forget to use the smaller “riders” on top and bottom for an added message like a date or phone number!

Again, design your inserts smartly, have the inserts made from something durable, and you will have a signage display  that can serve and expand to your needs for years to come.

A sandwich board or a-frame can operate from the same principle – provide a place for a changing message where panels can be made, kept and reused.

DIMENSIONAL LETTERS
Maybe you’re looking for a permanent way to mark a facility or building -- something that will be easy to read and will be a solid, long-term investment in the property. Of course, plastic dimensional letters are durable enough for multidecade use—some are warranted for life!

But let’s face it – plastic 24” letters are not exactly “green” and maybe dumping them into a landfill some day is not your goal.

So what is the green solution for dimensional letters? Aluminum! Although aluminum is expensive to make and manufacturing requires processes that are hard on the environment, the good news is that it can be readily melted down and used again for a new purpose! So you can rest your conscience easy and order some aluminum letters – cast or flat cut – to mark your new facility or recognize your donor.

ELECTRONIC MESSAGE CENTERS – The Ultimate in Power and Efficiency
You may not know them by name, but you know one when you see one! These are the tv-screen like signs you may see in your community where a scrolling message changes, flips, flashes or bursts upon the face, brighter than any sign you’ve ever seen. Some even allow for full color video imaging – brighter, bolder and more eye-catching than anything we’ve seen since neon.

Love it or hate it, Light Emitting Diodes (LED) EMC’s as they are called, are actually energy-saving, allowing their owners to realize sometimes huge returns on the investment.

First of all, they are impossible to resist. The human eye and brain were designed to look for something bright and colorful that moves quickly – and EMC’s do just that! Even the Small Business Administration demonstrated in research the power of these signs to increase a business’s walk in business by 5 to 40% almost instantaneously. In addition, the EMC can be arranged to make changes and updates effortless. Messages can be sent via wireless signal by office staff and ongoing messages can be scheduled by the hour, day, week, month or year. No more standing in windy or rainy weather changing those letter boards on your sign to let folks know the date of the football game. Instead, a few deft clicks of the keyboard and – voila! – your message is up within seconds.

There’s the added feature of providing messaging, if needed, in the event of an emergency at your school. The system can be devised to allow remote updates to your signs via the internet from anywhere you get an internet signal.

Imagine multiple sites for EMC’s at your facility, all with coordinated messaging so that students and parents alike to receive accurate, up to date, irresistibly displayed 24 hours a days from your campus.

Finding the green solution doesn’t have to be burdensome, difficult or more costly in the arena of signage. Use some ingenuity, new technologies and good management and you can promote your school, business or event and save money and save the environment – all at the same time!

www.signarama-murrieta.com

Five Good Habits | Signarama Murrieta

By Tracey C. Velt

Are you still following your New Year's resolutions? If not, spring is a great time to let go of bad habits and start fresh.

1. Exercise.
Feeling stressed? When nothing seems to be going right, try to squeeze in a workout, suggests sales coach John D. Mayfield, of Farmington, Mo. Going for a walk, run, bike ride, swim, or other exercise is an excellent way to feel better. Exercise can improve your mood because it releases endorphins in your brain, a hormone that can even trigger feelings of euphoria, he says. Physical exertion can add a wide variety of benefits to your life and is excellent for relieving stress. Of course, be sure to consult your physician before starting any major new exercise program.

2. Read and study more.
Become better educated on market conditions and trends locally, regionally, and nationally. Unfortunately, too few of us study, analyze, and use the wealth of information that is easily available to us, says sales coach Dirk Zeller.

3. Eat your big fish first.
When faced with a mounting obstacle, don’t blow it off until later, Mayfield says. Confront it first thing that day. You might be tempted to put off the problem and tackle the easier, smaller stuff first. But this usually winds up prolonging and intensifying the stressful situation.

4. Use checklists.
When you take on a listing, do you have a checklist that you follow as you work with your client? If not, try creating such a system so that you can put your business on autopilot, Mayfield says. Rather than trying to perform your marketing functions from memory, even if you’ve been in the business for years, institute a formal plan of action items you normally complete for each listing; it will help you streamline your day and make you more productive. Also, delegating tasks will be easier than ever, Mayfield says.

5. Ask for feedback.
Make a habit of surveying past customers about their experience with you, Mayfield says. Surveys can fuel ideas for new service offerings and help you fix problems you didn’t even know existed.
You can use a Web-based survey provider such as Constant Contact, Survey Monkey or send it via mail along with a self-addressed stamped envelope. Consider some type of small incentive for completing it promptly. When you discover that customers have a gripe, look at it as an opportunity to follow up and remedy the situation before they tell others about their bad experience.

www.signarama-murrieta.com

Wild Pepper Sportswear and Signarama-Murrieta

We recently had the opportunity to print posters and banners that were used in the successful launch of a new line of women’s sport clothing by Wild Pepper. Consider Signarama-Murrieta when you need high-end prints produced to make your product look it’s very best.

www.signarama-murrieta.com

Removing Vinyl from Sun Damaged Vehicle

Talk About a Bad Sun Burn

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We recently took on a project to remove vinyl from a car that was 100% wrapped. The wrap was on the car for about 4 years and as you can see from the pictures it was severely baked on in many areas due to 24/7 sun exposure and, I believe, poor quality material. After 25 painstaking man hours we finally removed the last bit of vinyl and adhesive from the car. 


Overall, the car cleaned up pretty well, but there was some damage to the paint and permanent spider webbing that was transferred from the sun baked vinyl.  The life span of the vinyl, the graphics and their subsequent removal would have been much better if a quality material had been used in the first place. 

If you are considering having graphics or a wrap installed on your vehicle, come see the professionals at Signarama Murrieta who will not only use the best materials available, but will create a design that will help promote and grow your business.   

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www.signarama-murrieta.com

Networking: It's An Overlooked Opportunity | Signarama Murrieta

Networking is by far the most essential skill for building a business or sales career -- and the one most often overlooked. Networking opportunities exist everywhere -- business meetings, professional associations, alumni groups, sports groups, community groups, weddings, parties and any place people come together.

The trick to maintaining a successful internal network is to keep in touch: don't call someone only when you want something. Sure it takes time and effort to keep those connections warm -- but remember Woody Allen's old adage: "Eighty percent of life is showing up." The more often you show up, the more people will get to know you. That will increase your opportunities.

The same concepts apply for internal networking -- set goals for the people you plan to meet with each week, get to know them, exchange ideas, volunteer for special projects. If you are in a senior position, find opportunities to encourage, support, and help others develop themselves. Whether you are new to an organization or a veteran, your activities are the same.

Getting Started

• Your goal should be to attend at least one event per week where you'll have an opportunity to meet potential clients, expand your contacts, and your knowledge.
• Decide which groups you'd like to join and show up regularly. A good rule of thumb is to join fewer groups and attend often rather than to join many groups and show up once in awhile.
• Volunteer with an organization. People will learn how you work -- that you are dependable and contribute innovative ideas -- and you'll begin to develop strong, trusting relationships.

Networking Tips

1. Decide which events to attend, put monthly attendance on your calendar and set a goal for each event.
2. Travel solo. If you go with someone, split up. Meet new people.
3. Prepare insightful questions in advance.
4. Don't spend time talking to people you already know.
5. Move graciously from group to group.
6. Ask, "How can I help you?"

Never stop building your network. Remember to connect with people, and you will see your career and your opportunities expand. Enjoy the process, have a great time and be yourself. Your rewards will be infinite.

Source: Sales strategist Joanne S. Black is America's leading authority on referral selling and the author of "No More Cold Calling™: The Breakthrough System That Will Leave Your Competition in the Dust".

 

Six Powerful Tips To Build Your Sales Business | Signarama Murrieta

1. Don't Forget To Ask For Referrals. When it comes to asking for referrals, timing is everything. Research indicates that the most effective time to ask for referrals is right after you've made the sale or provided a valuable service for your customer. Asking for referrals prior to closing the sale is a big mistake and may even jeopardize the sale itself. Once the sale has been completed, your customer will be on an emotional high and far more receptive to the idea of providing you referrals.

2. Train And Reward Your Advocates. An advocate is a person who's willing to go out of his or her way to recommend you to a friend or associate. Most customers are initially reluctant to provide referrals without some basic training and motivation. Once you're given a prospect, it's a good idea to take the time to role-play with your advocate to demonstrate how to approach and talk to the referral.

A brief role-playing exercise will build your advocate's confidence and keep him or her from over-educating their referrals. During your role-play session, be sure to prepare your advocate to expect some initial resistance. This training will pay big dividends by making your advocate more effective and less likely to become discouraged when faced with rejection. Always take the time to thank your advocate and give him or her feedback on the status of the referrals. I recommend that you call them and then follow up by sending a thank you card, promotional product and/or gift.

3. Strike While The Iron Is Hot.  Prospects, like food in your refrigerator, are perishable and therefore need to be contacted quickly. Each day you let slip by without making initial contact with your referral dramatically reduces the probability of you making the sale. Develop the habit of contacting your referrals within two-business days or sooner. Have a system to keep track of your referrals so they don't end up falling through the cracks. It's critical to have a computerized client contact management system to record your remarks and track future contacts and appointments. Relying on your memory alone is a very poor business decision that will cost you dearly.

4. Set Aside Time For Phone Calling. Make your phone calls in the morning while you and your referrals are both fresh and alert. Treat your prospecting time with the same respect you would give to any other important appointment. This is not the time to check your e-mails, play solitaire on the computer, make personal phone calls or chat with your associates. Avoid the temptation to try and sell your product or service over the phone. Your objective for every phone call is to create interest, gather information and make an appointment. If your prospect asks you a question, get in the habit of going for an appointment, if possible, rather than giving a quick response.

5. Qualify Your Prospect At Maximum Range. Unfortunately, not every prospect will be interested or qualified financially to purchase your products or services. Successful sales reps don't waste time chasing after low-probability prospects and know when it's time to cut their losses and move on.

6. Don't Take Rejection Personally. Selling, like baseball, is a numbers game pure and simple. Rejection is to be anticipated as a natural aspect of the qualification process, so don't take it personally. Learn from rejection by using it as a valuable feedback mechanism. Salespeople who take rejection personally lack perseverance and seldom make the sale.
Source: John Boe presents a wide variety of motivational and sales-oriented keynotes and seminar programs for sales meetings and conventions. He is a nationally recognized sales trainer and business motivational speaker with an impeccable track record in the meeting industry.

5 Ways to Get More Referrals | Signarama Murrieta

If you’re doing good work, have products that people enjoy, and provide a service and experience that exceeds expectation, chances are, your business is benefiting from word of mouth referrals.

While this occasional lead generation windfall may be great, there are things you can do to shine a light on referral generation and generate significantly more referrals.

Below are five foundational approaches that can help you keep referral top of mind. There’s no reason you can’t employ two or three of these approaches at the same time.

Offer 100% refund
The idea of a 100% refund is pretty compelling. In reality all you are doing is offering a reward for people who refer. The idea is to tell a customer that they can receive 25% refund for each customer they refer up to 100%. This way you turn giving referrals into a game and get the added benefit of a creative marketing message.

Partner with a non-profit
There are so many not for profit agencies that need and deserve support from businesses. From an organization standpoint, partnering with a local agency is a great thing to do on many levels. One way to take this up a notch is to run a campaign for a new product launch or special promotion in which you donate a percentage of new sales to your chosen partner. This is a great way to incentivise anyone that wants to help your non-profit partner to make referrals to your campaign.

Co-brand your content
If you’ve created a series of tip sheets, how to articles or other useful information to use in your own lead generation efforts – the accountant: 10 little known ways to cut your taxes in half – consider reaching out to strategic partners and offering to let them use your free report. Let them add their logo and contact information and send it to their customers and prospects. In many cases partners will readily accept the offer of educational content that’s already a proven winner.

Buy one get one free
If you are promoting a new product or service, one of the best ways to get the word out is to allow people who buy today to make a gift of an additional product or service to a friend. This is a particularly powerful tactic when promoting a starter or lower cost item that can produce up-sells and future business from those who receive the free version.

Win-win workshops
Many businesses have taken the free report concept mentioned above and turned it into the free 10 ways to avoid XYZ seminar. If you’ve created a compelling, non sales oriented workshop you can get in front of prospects by offering to present this workshop to a strategic partner’s customers. To really ramp this idea up, offer to do the workshop for two non-competing partners. This way they both get to offer great content for their customers and get to meet and greet each other’s customers. They both see it as a marketing opportunity and you get ushered in and referred as the expert. It’s a win for all.

John Jantsch is a marketing and digital technology coach, award winning social media publisher and author of Duct Tape Marketing.

Keeping Your Stand Out Factor | Signarama Murrieta

Everything has become a commodity. Every day we find more and more inexpensive versions of the same things. Companies quickly catch up with what others have done -- and even a good idea quickly becomes commoditized.

So, how do you keep your edge? How do you get remembered? How do you develop your SO -- your Stand Out factor?

Even though we know that new, different and distinct is what gets people's attention, most of our services and products look like what people expect or what has already been done. We are stuck in a pattern of doing what we've always done. Bland. Boring. Blah!

Business and life successes are in the "could be," not in the "what is." The result is that much of the work place, and the workforce as well, is operating with yesterday's approach even though today is different.

Customers and employees become bored. This causes employees to change jobs in the hope of finding more excitement and a way to significantly contribute. They look for organizations that commit to the largest experiences and impact in what they do because it's a lot more fun. And, if the organization could be ordinary or extraordinary, why not work and shop in a place that is extraordinary?

The key to Stand Out thinking is being different -- better. The goal is to know what others do and insist on doing something better. Don't try to fit in; separate yourself because in a crowded marketplace fitting in is failing.

As we are herded into similar thinking, much of our ability to stand out is challenged, diminished or eliminated. Over time we become great at doing what others did.

Find Creative Solutions To Problems, Issues
In today's service economy, our value is in our thinking. Passionate performance happens when we have freedom to imagine, create and innovate.

Learn to reconnect with your creative side. More than 90 percent of five-year-olds are creative, but only five percent of 13-year-olds (and older) are creative. We have trained ourselves out of being creative. Train yourself back into creative thinking by learning how to revisit a problem, issue or opportunity in the following ways:

• Frame it differently. Make it a product, a hobby, an inanimate object, a cartoon, a food, a superhero, etc.
• See it from another perspective: man, woman, child, minority, friend, enemy, teacher, employee, customer, affluent, poor, honest, greedy, etc.
• Morph the problem by changing it to the best, worst, an object, a person, a policy, a fruit, a car, a game, etc.
• Link it to an unrelated item to see the correlations; identify how it is similar, how it is different. This forces the brain to see connections it would normally ignore.
• Use pictures to visualize the problem, issue or opportunity. How does the visual encourage different thinking?
• View the problem as a color -- what does it make you think of, how does the color offer a new perspective?
• Brainstorm using the phrases, "What if?" "How about?" or "Just consider."
• Use word association to generate ideas
• Write a headline, poem, obituary, news report or book title that relates to a business issue, event or other need. This forces a new perspective on the situation.

So, remember the bad B's: bland, boring and blending as a way of going bust. To succeed, Stand Out.

Think, Dream, Invent And Stand Out From The Crowd
Organizations that openly encourage all employees to think, dream and invent, create the possibility of standing out. And standing out is the only way to compete in this information blurred and "over commoditized" economy.

Service that stands out encourages customer loyalty. Workplaces that stand out encourage employee loyalty. At a time where there seems to be so little loyalty by either party, a bold commitment to being remembered is a critical advantage.Standing out is about creating something original, exciting and dynamic.

Stand Out thinking starts with the permission to let yourself invent. This happens in an open and accepting environment. It happens when your workplace is diverse in both background and experience and when all employees are required to openly invent, think and participate in decision-making, and say what is on their minds. This is way to invite the new, the different and the great.

Build a culture of creative thinkers in your organization by the following:

• Allow employees to invent and take calculated risks. Reward excellent failures. Encourage greater thinking. If you are not failing every now and then, chances are you are not doing anything innovative. Visibly applaud creative efforts that focus on value, profits and customer service. Applaud employee reach and innovation.
• Invent a Creativity Zone -- an area of the workplace that is committed to extraordinary thinking.
• Invent the "Creativiteam" -- a team assembled to generate ideas to solve an issue, invent something new, create an event, etc.
• Create an idea journal and add to it each day.

Think unique, valuable, exceptional and exclusive. Think success by focusing on what makes you different and distinct. Then help your employees show up to get it done, step up to do it right and Stand Out to be remembered.

Source: Jay Forte

How to Read Your Prospect Like a Book! | Signarama Murrieta

By John Boe

Top salespeople and the most successful managers recognize the importance of nonverbal communication in the selling process and have learned to "listen with their eyes". They understand that one of the easiest and most effective ways to close sales is to be aware of their prospect's "buy signals".

Are you aware that your body language reveals your deepest feelings and hidden thoughts to total strangers? It might surprise you to know that research indicates over 70% of our communication is done nonverbally. In fact, studies show that nonverbal communication has a much greater impact and reliability than the spoken word. Therefore, if your prospect's words are incongruent with their body language gestures, you would be wise to rely on their body language as a more accurate reflection of their true feelings. Body language is a mixture of movement, posture, and tone of voice. The good news about this subject is that your subconscious mind already understands the meaning of every gesture, posture, and voice inflection. The bad news is, without the proper training you are unable to consciously apply this information.

Gain the Competitive Edge
Get started on the right foot. Research shows that we decide in the first few moments whether we like someone or not. Yes, we also judge a book by its cover too. There is absolutely no substitute for a positive first impression. Create a favorable first impression and build rapport quickly by using open body language. In addition to smiling and making good eye contact, you should show the palms of your hands, keep your arms unfolded, and your legs uncrossed.

Create harmony by "matching and mirroring" your prospect's body language gestures. Matching and mirroring is unconscious mimicry. It is a way of subconsciously telling another that you like them and agree with them. The next time you are at a social event, notice how many people are subconsciously matching one another. Likewise, when people disagree, they subconsciously mismatch their body language gestures. The psychological principle behind matching and mirroring is that people want to do business with salespeople that they believe are similar to them.

You can build trust and rapport by deliberately, but subtly, matching your prospect's body language in the first ten minutes of the appointment. For example, if you notice that your prospect is crossing their arms, subtly cross your arms to match them. After you believe you have developed trust and rapport, verify it by seeing if your prospect will match you. Uncross your arms and see if your prospect will match and mirror you as you move into a more open posture. If you notice your prospect subconsciously matching your body language gestures, congratulations, this indicates that you have developed trust and rapport. Conversely, if you notice your prospect mismatching your body language gestures, you know trust and rapport has not been established and you need to continue matching and mirroring them.

Body Language Basics
Be mindful to evaluate the flow of "gesture clusters" rather than isolated gestures taken out of context. Listed below are some important body language gestures that you need to become familiar with.

Body Postures:
There are two basic categories of body postures; Open/Closed and Forward/Back. In an open and receptive body posture, arms are unfolded, legs uncrossed, and palms are exposed. In a closed body posture, arms are folded, legs are crossed and the entire body is usually turned away.

• Leaning back and closed = Lack of interest.
• Leaning back and open = Contemplation and cautious interest.
• Leaning forward and closed = Potential aggressive behavior.
• Leaning forward and open = Interest and agreement. If appropriate, this would be a good time to ask for the order.

Head Gestures:
There are four basic head positions.

• Head neutral = Neutral and open attitude.
• Tilted back = Superior attitude.
• Tilted down = Negative and judgmental attitude.
• Tilted to one side = Interest.

Facial Gestures:

• Facial gestures reveal deceit, doubt, deliberation, and critical judgment.
• Eye rub = Deceit, "see no evil."
• Eye roll = Dismissive gesture that indicates superiority.
• Looking over top of glasses = Scrutiny and a critical attitude.
• Nose rub = Dislike of the subject.
• Hand or fingers blocking mouth = Deceit, "speak no evil."
• Chin stroking = Making a decision.
• Thumb under chin with index finger pointing vertically along the cheek = Negative attitude and critical judgment.

Are you missing your prospect's buy signals? As a professional salesperson you must continuously monitor your prospect's body language and adjust your presentation accordingly. By understanding your prospect's body language gestures you will minimize perceived sales pressure and know when it's appropriate to close the sale!

John Boe presents a wide variety of motivational and sales-oriented keynotes and seminar programs for sales meetings and conventions. John is a nationally recognized sales trainer and business motivational speaker with an impeccable track record in the meeting industry. To have John speak at your next event, visit www.johnboe.com or call 937-299-9001.

 

Energize Your Business With A Business Plan Makeover | Signarama Murrieta

If you haven't revisited your business plan, you could be missing a great opportunity to re-energize your business. Here’s a few tips to create a realistic plan that can adapt to market changes of the new year.

1. Don’t think of it as a one-time thing. Your business plan should be a living document, so start thinking of it that way. "Calling it a ‘plan’ implies it’s something you did 10 months ago and never use," says Tim Berry, author of The Plan-As-You-Go Business Plan (Entrepreneur Press, 2008). Instead, use the more active phrase "business planning," he says. "Business planning is like steering and driving. It requires having a destination and making course corrections."

2. Identify your top priorities. Everything in the plan should be assessed in relation to meeting your top goals. "Good business planning helps you sift through everything to make sure the most important things are getting done," Berry says.

3. Don’t get lost in minutiae. Many template business plans include descriptions of management team members. Do you need that? Not likely. "People are led to believe that a business plan has some sort of prescribed format and components," Berry says. "It should include only what you need to manage your company. It should be written in simple, easy-to-manage terms about strategy, steps, who’s doing what when, and who’s going to manage it."

4. Measure your progress. Ask yourself how you’ll know if you’re on track. "You want to be able to track progress against your plan—that means metrics," Berry says. Don’t just include annual metrics. Break them down by month, day, or whatever unit will be most helpful for evaluating your company’s progress.

5. Expect to make changes. "We’re all human, and we need the discipline of a review schedule so we actually do it," advises Berry. "My company is 21 years old, and we have a managers’ meeting every third Thursday of the month where we review our plan versus our actual results and revise as needed." When might changes be in order? If you happily find that one marketing program is outperforming your expectations, consider shifting resources to it from an under performing program.

www.signarama-murrieta.com

Are You Open For Business | Signarama Murrieta

 By H. Miller

That is the question your potential customers are asking themselves everyday as they pass by your business. Do you know why they are asking that question? Because they do not see an indicator, such as an open sign, letting them know you are open.

People don't like to stop and get out their car to see if a business is open. They prefer to know before they stop. Otherwise, they will be inconvenienced and we all know no one likes to be inconvenienced. Make it easy for your potential customers to know you are open and ready to assist them.

Put yourself in their shoes. How many stores have you passed up because you were unsure if they were open or not? Your customers are doing the same thing. They are passing by your business and patronizing someone else's.

Why would you let money slip through you fingers? By simply placing an open sign in your window, you will increase walk in's and sales. Something so simple will have a major affect on your business.

It amazes me how many small business owners choose not to invest in an open sign yet they wonder why business is slow and not doing as good as it should be. The answer is simple. No one knows you are open.

An open sign will bring your more business then radio, newspaper and even word of mouth. An open sign is considered on site advertising, and there is nothing better then on site advertising. Invest in an open sign today and watch your bottom line go up.

www.signarama-murrieta.com

Inspiration Versus Motivation--What's More Important | Signarama Murrieta

By Rick Melero

My life is thriving in balance with purpose. Is yours? Do you find yourself fighting to stay motivated? Are you putting things off . . . wasting time . . . lost without a purpose? If you said yes to any of these, there is still hope. But first, you must understand the difference between motivation and inspiration.

How would you like to be that person that is always motivated . . . always getting things done . . . always enjoying life . . . always fulfilled? If so, here are some time-tested principles that, if you apply them, will take you to that next level.

Motivation vs. Inspiration
Many people believe that motivation is the "engine" that drives you to success. Most people seeking motivation attend seminars to hear others as they share success stories and strategies. These events cause us to feel good and challenge us to get moving. However, when you face the real world, it often seems as if motivation just burns out on the extra mile. Have you ever felt that way too?

That is because "motivation," as Napoleon Hill says "is like fuel to a vehicle." So what exactly is the "engine" that drives you to success? If motivation is just an external portion that helps build momentum, where does the power lie?

Now inspiration, on the other hand, is internal and comes from realizing your purpose. The problem with most people is that their purpose is unclear and much smaller than was intended. Inspiration is truly the motor itself.

The reason many people lose motivation and quit before ever reaching the next level is because their purpose is smaller than themselves. However, what would happen if your purpose were bigger than you? I'm glad you asked . . .

Imagine you want to build a home. Just the thought of all the work involved makes you lose your motivation, but as you begin to think, you realize that in this "home" you will live with your spouse, raise your children, and have your grandchildren visit. You are now inspired and compelled to fulfill the vision of building your "home" no matter what the cost. This is your inspiration. Don't you deserve a life of inspiration?

Define Your Purpose
"Why?" is the first question you must ask yourself on both a personal and business level. If your "home" wanted to discover why it was built, who would it ask: the neighbor, the mailman, or its builder? I think you get the picture. So visualize your purpose by writing it down. Once your "why" is bigger than your "how," you will get inspired and the "hows" will automatically begin aligning themselves.

Break Through
You can't fight what you don't know exists. Answer this question: "What is holding me back from fulfilling my purpose?" The most popular answer is fear. Whatever your answer is, realize that you must conquer your obstacles or they will conquer you. If, while building your "home," you find there are problems with the foundation, you must do what it takes to strengthen what holds it all together. When you get weary, don't worry--it's normal. Remember that the foundation is the reason "why" you are paying the price.

Assemble Your Team
As you press toward the next level you will find that you can't do it on your own. Take the time to pick the right people who will empower you to keep moving forward in your journey. For example, a few things you might need to build your "home" are a developer, an architect, and a construction crew. What kind of team do you need to build your vision? How about a team that balances out all your weaknesses? That way, when you run across problems that seem impossible, you can seek answers from those who have them.

Grow in Balance
True success can be measured by how balanced your life is. Balance can be like the fence that protects your "home." It is vital to grow in every area of your life to experience the type of fulfillment that comes to those who grow in discipline. Decide to live balanced today and reap the benefits.

Enjoy the Journey
When you are taking action, every day takes you one step closer to fulfilling your purpose. Just like you would get excited about your "home" taking shape with each new day, so too should you enjoy traveling your path to success. So get excited! Every day you are one step closer to fulfilling your vision.

Remember . . .
Even though your "home" that took so much work is very valuable, nothing compares to the lives that will be shaped by and in it. So empower others to do the same by passing on these tools that enabled you to build your own.

Source: http://www.ideamarketers.com