Use Your Creativity to Capture Attention

In our world of hyper-stimulation - billboards, ads on shopping carts, internet pop-ups, tv commercials, direct mail, etc. - we are all tuning out. So how do you capture the attention of potential clients? Well, I can tell you what isn't working - traditional marketing. Unless you have an enormous budget, it is just too hard to stand out among the competition with regular advertising. And even if you DO have an enormous budget, traditional advertising isn't working anymore.

What does work? Doing something remarkable - something that people will talk about. I can't tell you specifically what that is for your company, but let me give you some examples:

• A high-end designer holds her initial consultations in a horse-drawn carriage. During a scenic ride around the park, the designer and client discuss the scope of the job. Can you imagine the word-of-mouth value?
• A window treatment consultant calls her current clients every week to let them know the status of their orders, even when the job goes on for months. She has the most loyal clients!
• One of my shade vendors comes to my office once a month to check my samples and price lists - to make sure they are all up to date. Of all of my vendors, he is the only one who does that.

Can you think up some fun and innovative ideas that will set you apart from the competition? Your task is to think of a few. Post them on the blog - but more importantly, put them into action for your business!