Drink Idea Published

I invented the next whisky sour years ago while in Baltimore tailgating at a Roller Derby bout. The drink is featured on this recipe site.

Here is a link: http://www.drinksite.com/drink.php?md_id=648

Nick and Norah opens in theatres tonight, drinking game invented

I can’t take the credit for this one.  Nick and Norah’s drinking game.

When Stein is on screen – do a shot

if you haven’t snuck booze into the theatre – you can substitute drinking for making out with someone or pointing and laughing.

Nick and Norah’s also has soon good friends and associates in it; Jeff O. from Curmudgeon Music (Somerville, NJ), Mike M. from Candiria, Tim C. from Dillinger Escape Plan, Andy Diamond from Court Tavern New Brunswick, Nate G. from Ensign, Fid from Fanshen and New Brunswick fame… movie times at nickandnorah.com.

Also – Cojo did an interview with me. Should be on the front page by now at www.artsucks.com. He’s awesome.

9/11/08 in NYC

I had to pleasure of spending 10 hours standing around in Union Square Park, Manhattan on 9/11 to be in an episode of Law And Order.  The day had a lot of memorials, firetrucks, and traffic.

Across from the park was an outdoor concert.  People were watching and Fox News covered it.

Vendors were everywhere. You could buy a t-shirt with 9/11 on it or the twin towers on it.  There was also a lot of t-shirts for sale with Obama on it.  If you wanted a t-shirt with 9/11, the twin towers and Obama, you could get that too.

Insert your promotional item into 15k promo bags at Meany Fest

About Meany Fest;

The M.E.A.N.Y Fest has made a name for itself in New York City as one of the premier
events for emerging artists and musicians. Showcasing for industry heavyweights, over
200 bands compete for incredible prizes ranging from recording time, top of the line
equipment and instruments, in addition to priceless exposure.

Last year the 2007 M.E.A.N.Y Fest showcased over 260 musicians who performed for
more than 15,000 festival go-ers at 20 venues including Joe’s Pub, Luna Lounge, The
Knitting Factory, Arlene’s Grocery, Lit, Mo Pitkens, Club Midway, and more.

This year’s festival runs from October 8. 2008- October 18, during which Motor
Marketing will distribute the official M.E.A.N.Y Fest Promo Bags to event attendants
throughout the city. The promo bags, stuffed with free swag and samples, are a perfect
way to put your brand the hands of thousands of festival attendants.

Insert your promotional item into 15,000 goodie bags. Contact me at stein@motormarketingusa.com

Print Advertising Down, Outdoor Advertising Up

I read all the RSS feeds on advertising, marketing, and PR. I’ll save you the time and research. The print industry is losing advertising and outdoor advertising is growing. The giant corporations are moving their advertising dollars from print to outdoor and so should you.

Did you hear about all the newspaper layoffs? Newspapers and magazines are receiving less advertising submissions. I see newspapers with circulation decreasing and ad space costing the same. (We’re getting screwed!) When you see layoffs, circulation decreasing, and advertising revenue decreasing; I find investing in print advertising suspect.

All the giant corporations do research on the effectiveness of their marketing. It seems pretty simple to me; if print advertising was affective, the giant corporations would continue to advertise in print.

I also hear pain from the small business owners I talk to. Last week, in my driveway, was a sole proprietor who installs new windows. He had just ended a 10-week run in the major newspaper. He received 3 calls. No jobs. Where is his advertising dollars right now? At the dump or the recycling center or the bottom of a bird cage.

Outdoor advertising is one of the oldest forms of advertising. Way before printing presses were even invented, businesses had signage in front of their shop. I believe every small business needs to invest in outdoor advertising. It is by far the most inexpensive way to advertise and best of all – a one time investment.

Signage in front of your commercial space – one time investment. A vinyl banner (which can cost under $100) – one time investment. That vinyl banner or road signage will work for you year after year and will demand a one time investment versus weekly or monthly payments like print ads.

What about billboards? I do not recommend road side, stationary billboards simply because they cost too much for a small business. Right now on Rt 22 in the Lehigh Valley, rent is $5500 a month. Yikes! The average business would have to bring in $20,000 in revenue per month to show a return.

I recommend vehicle wraps because they can be equally as affective as stationary billboards and a fraction of the cost. Vehicle wraps are a one time investment that advertise your business year after year. A full coverage vehicle wrap on a work van costs $3500. The vinyl wrap will last up to five years on the vehicle. How much would 5 years of print advertising cost?

This is basically what the millions of dollars of research is revealing; outdoor advertising is more affective. Whether you are investing $1000 or $1mil, outdoor advertising will reach the most potential customers.

written by: Stein Smith

Marketing Is The Most Important Part Of Small Business

The successful business markets the best. I’m sorry, but it’s the truth. You can have the best chef or be the best woodworker in America but how are people going to hear about you and ultimately, pay you? This is where marketing comes in.

Marketing is so important and how can you become more affective today? Put yourself in the shoes of your customers. Ask yourself, “Who needs my product or service?” “Where do they hang out?” “What do they read or watch?” The most affective way to market your business with minimal cost is to target your audience at events they would be at.

If you provide a service to home owners in your community then catch them at a local event like a parade, fireworks display, or sporting event. It might sound silly but what are the alternatives? You could hire a direct mail company to send your coupon or advertisement to every house in your city. You could also pay someone to distribute your coupon or advertisement door to door like a paper boy. Both of these will cost you too much time or money.

Find an upcoming event in your target market and do a promotion there. If you have a vehicle wrap on a vehicle, try to park the vehicle near an entrance or exit. Any high foot traffic area with be affective. I do not recommend handing out photocopied flyers or color brochures. Would you hold onto it? Everyone wants free stuff. No one wants free junk mail. Sorry, thats what your paper brochures look like to most people.

If you are going to hand something out, hand out something like pens, for example. No one throws out pens. They use them everyday and when they do, they see your business information on the side. Custom pens are a few cents a piece to make and will create an inexpensive and affective promotional items.

written by: Stein Smith

Stein Smith Starts Blogging

I have started blogging. I have written many articles and interviews in the past but never on a regular basis. I’m a phone guy. I like to hear the tone and emotion of the person I speaking with and it’s important for you to understand mine. I still find that important, but very inefficient.

I have started blogging because I have assumed too much. I assumed that small business owners understand the value of marketing their business. To my frustration, 9 out of 10 business owners do not get it and because they don’t get it; they waste time and money on marketing.

I talk with small business owners everyday. I learn something from everyone I talk to and this information needs to be shared. Which businesses are spending less and more affective than most? What are they doing different?

There are rich landscapers and poor landscapers. There are rich plumbers and poor plumbers. There are rich roofers and poor roofers. Should I go on? What are the rich ones doing?!

My blogging will help the small business owner who knows nothing of marketing and doesn’t have time to learn. You needed customers yesterday and I hope I can help.

by: Stein Smith