Marketing to Millennials. Know Them and Love Them!

Millennials!  You need them!

Understand them, don't make assumptions!

There are some things that I don't understand.  One of those things is when businesses say they don't want to market to Millennials.  First, I'm not a Millennial so don't assume I'm one of those so-called "me, me, me slackers, entitled, non-communicators" and whatever. Millennials get a bad rap!  As with every generation, the previous generation wonders how they'll ever make it or has said, "They don't show any respect!"  Ha!  Somethings never change.

They've experienced family life differently.

Seriously, when a business says they don't want to market to Millennials, I'm wondering how much longer they can keep their head in the sand.  Millennials currently make up the largest segment of the population in the United States!  Their lives touch different age groups than in the past.  Some of them were born to parents who were very young while others were born to parents who waited until their 30's-40's to have children.  Some Millennials had their own children at a very young age.  Because of that, they were exposed to either fewer or more generations than previous generations.  Some Millennials have aging parents, some have much younger parents.  Why does all of this matter for marketing?   Let's talk about that.

Think about their view of the world.

The most important thing is marketing is knowing how to communicate with any particular marketing segment and know their mindset.  Their needs can vary greatly from one to another.  Remember that this age group has seen a lot for their years including multiple wars, an economic crisis most comparable to the Depression, scandals at all levels, one of the most rapidly changing ages in technology, etc.  Some of the Millennials are also facing wages and employment opportunities that don't even come close to the cost of living in many major areas of the country.  It's no wonder that they are compared to those who grew up during the Depression.  They are not as materialistic as the Baby Boomers.  Many are very frugal and have no problem using Uber rather than owning a car, spend a lot of time on Pinterest learning about DIY projects, are overwhelmed with information but use that access to dig deep into finding the truth.  You can't nor should you try to pull anything over their eyes.

Forget about them only wanting to be texting or that it's technology or nothing.

If you want Millennials to come to your store, you will be spinning your wheels unless you offer them an experience that is different than what they receive through technology.  You can use technology to reach them, but to get them into your store, you had better make an event out of it.  Make them feel special with a "by-invitation-only" event.  They will be texting about their experience at your store, so you have to do it right and be glad you have instant positive marketing because of their connections. One more thing!  Millennials love to receive things in the mail!

Guess what?  They are human beings, too!

They are no different than any other generation.  In fact, for major events that they attend, they aren't as interested in technology being a big part of it as they are just having a good time with their friends!  Sound familiar?  This generation has been able to have a world view like no other generation before it.  With the internet so accessible, the world has literally been at their fingertips.  They are not disconnected.  They also have a great "truth meter" built into them.  They verify facts and don't assume everything that they hear is to be taken for truth. Not all Millennials are like this, but this is a fair assessment.   

They have a heart!

Justice, the environment, volunteerism are on their minds.  If you want to appeal to them, make a part of your business cause-oriented.  Pair up with charities and you will gain the respect of Millennials.  They are inheriting this world and they care about it.  More power to them!

You know what?  I'm proud of them!  How do I know them?  I planned weddings for 8 years and most of them were Millennials.  I also have umpteen nieces, nephews and grand-nieces and grand-nephews in this age group.  I love them!!

Wishing you the greatest of days!

Creating and Remembering the Greatest of Days in Your Personal and Business Life with Events!

Plan with Purpose, Pt. 1 Hosting Business Events

Planning an Event for Your Business Part 1.

I've never cared for the term pre-planning.  Planning is planning.  If you have a series of events, you should actually start planning for the next event within a week of the event you just held.  Things will be fresh in your mind of what went well, what could have gone more smoothly, and what made the event special in the eyes of your attendees or audience.

Identify Your Primary Purposes of Your Event

Is your event's purpose to:

Educate, 

Inspire, 

Inform people of changes, 

Celebrate a person or an accomplishment, 

Introduce a person or a product, 

Build morale, 

Join forces with an industry expert, 

Gain clients, 

Repair a damaged reputation?

Remember that if events aren't fun, the material being taught or the message being sent will not be absorbed or recalled as effectively.

Spend some time carefully thinking about what you want to accomplish.  It doesn't have to be just one single purpose.  You can blend more than one purpose, but they must enhance each others intent.

Click here to contact us.  We would love to hear from you!

Think Like a Reporter When Planning Any Event

Think Like a Reporter When Planning Any Event

If you think back to your first journalism class, what was reinforced more than anything?  It was to make a complete story and that meant focusing on the 5 W's and 1 H.  The who, what, where, when, why and how.  The same philosophy applies to hosting a successful event to boost your business.  However, with events, you take this approach from two different directions or two different angles, if you will.

Those two different angles would be from:

Grand Openings Should be Just That!

Grand Openings are a great way for a business to become known to a community or industry.  Usually they take place after things have been operating normally and have been stabilized for a while.  However, grand openings really need to happen sooner than later.  A grand opening should inform, entertain and create a memory like any business event, but on a grander scale.

A grand opening can offer a great first impression not only for new or potential clients but the community at large.  This alone is why a business would want to make the event feel grand, be memorable and a true experience to absorb.

A business will want to inform attendees at a grand opening of the following: 

1. What they do, 

2. How they do something better or differently, 

3. Why people need their services,

4. When the best time is for people to plan ahead to use their services.

Its important to remember that the purpose of a grand opening is not merely to educate the public about a business, but it is crucial to offer an experience that is memorable.  An event is the perfect opportunity to set up a business to not be victim of the "out of sight, out of mind" mentality.  The purpose is to make the event one that will be remembered by anyone and everyone in a community and hopefully come up in conversations after the grand opening. Swag bags aren't just for convenience.  We have all experienced someone coming home with a swag bag filled with goodies and soon, those items are distributed to other members of a household or friends with a business name on them.  

Future business events with a more specific clientele in mind would be designed differently to have a narrower appeal.  Compared to other types of events that a business could host, a grand opening needs to offer more variety in the activities with a broader appeal that can be tailored to educate and almost be a family-friendly event.  It's a lot easier for an adult to attend if their children are allowed.  This might not work well if a business poses a danger to children.  Special accommodations can be made so that kids could be entertained in a separate area and that might suffice. You can hire childcare companies who do nothing but provide childcare for events.  One option if it was too dangerous for children to be present, would be to promote that there will be things to take home to surprise your children.  It's the world we live in. 

A grand opening is really about an introduction to all the members of a community to help a business gather more ambassadors and foster more conversations around the community.  If a business incorporates a food drive with a grand opening, it is a great way to show that a business cares about the community.  It's the perfect time to make a great impression because a business' grand opening is remembered all unto itself.  Other events can sometimes be blurred with other companies events, but a grand opening is different because it is new to everyone.  A business can and should claim a grand opening as its very own in a unique way.  It is all about being different from the competition especially with hosting events.

You'll notice a common thread in my blog posts, seminars and presentations about events of any kind and that is that any event needs to appeal to the five senses plus one more I refer to as "Quiet".  That's an entire blog post on its own!

Stay tuned for more information on how you can boost your business with successful events!

If you would like to learn more about our live seminars, teleseminars, webinars or speaking engagements, come on over to our Greatest of Days website and we'll be in touch!

"Events are unlike other forms of marketing.

They cannot be deleted or thrown away because they create permanent memories".

An Employee Saved is an Employee Earned

What does "an employee saved is an employee earned" mean?  Actually several things.  

Even the best employers will experience some turnover, but we know that it is more expensive to recruit and train a new employee than creating a good working environment to retain good employees. Every business is different, but we know that keeping the morale boosted is crucial.  It can be difficult for a business owner to see this beyond theory because there are a multitude of things bombarding the owner that perhaps the employees never see.  If a business owner stays on top of the mood, climate or whatever you might call it, a crisis is more likely to be averted.

What boss hasn't trembled after hearing that the most productive, amenable, and insightful employee is going off to greener pastures.  Haven't we been or heard about that employee that ended up having to be replaced with five employees?  When a person grows with a position at a company or agency over an extended period of time, this can become a reality.  What might have helped to retain an employee?

                   

What does all of this have to do with events to boost your business?  In one sentence, I would say it is appreciation and good management.  How do you go about showing your employees that you appreciate them when each employee is so different?  I'd liken it to a parent of a teenager or even an adult when they say, "We raised all our kids the same, but we just don't know what happened to ____!"  Therein lies the problem.  If you assume that everyone is going to respond to your appreciation efforts the same, you'll be in for the disappointing surprise.  

It doesn't have to be an elaborate event to show appreciation.  It can be very individualistic.  If you had to narrow it down to just one thing that any kind of employee gives to you, it would be time.  What do most employees wish they had more of?  It's time!  To different employees, time can mean money, or a day off, a special spa day, a weekend away, going to movies, admission to an anticipated sporting event or letting a parent know that you will always let them have an afternoon off for parent-teacher conferences.  It might be as simple as free parking or a bus pass for a month or others might love that you make a contribution to their favorite charity or a few hours off to volunteer at a charity.  You have to use your imagination and keep your ears to the ground.  If everyone knows their turn is coming to receive their appreciation award, there won't be any friction.  It should be something that each employee would be excited about not just for themselves but be shared and anticipated by everyone.  They will hopefully brag about what a great boss they have!  Does this sound like "an employee saved is an employee earned?"  I hope so.

If you have an event that is for everyone, you will reap the benefits of your employees getting a glimpse of each other as human beings which will hopefully show up in the form of gaining respect.  This type of an event should probably be off-site so that everyone is on a level playing field...sometimes, literally.  You can plan any variety of events for team building, birthdays, summer outings, fine dining or family-friendly events.  You could even offer to pay for childcare if that is what keeps a person from attending an event that takes place after business hours.  Your event is a gift to your employees as a special thank-you and that thankfulness should be emphasized throughout the entire event.  You will receive the rewards especially if you have put a lot of thought into it and not required your employees to do all of the work!

You know the saying, "You can catch more bees with sugar than vinegar!"  Consider events as an investment in keeping your employees humming, not just as busy bees but humming with contentment!

Watch out for blog posts here in the future about events that are to deal with low morale in the workplace and so much more.

You can contact Greatest of Days so we can keep you informed about upcoming seminars on "How to Rock Your Business with Successful Events".

Marketing by hosting events is still in the top two methods of marketing but partly that is because they are underutilized and under-optimized.  There are about 20 different types of events that businesses can choose from to meet their marketing needs.  Didn't think there could possibly be that many?  Find out how you might be missing this great opportunity in marketing and find out what it takes to host a successful event!

http://tinyurl.com/osxj75e

Learn how events are part art, science, logistics and psychology and they should involved 5+ 1 more senses!

Your Business Makes Me Sad

                                         

There's a good chance your business makes me sad.

Okay, that deserves further explanation!  I see a source for new clients, happy employees, happy clients, recognition of your hard work, showing off new equipment and a way to help it pay for itself!  I also see a way for you to show that you care about your community.  I see a way for you to look well-connected in your industry and be looked up to as a leader.  What is this source that seems to accomplish many things that has appeal to most business owners?  Hint, hint..we're talking about marketing if you didn't figure that out already.  What makes me sad is that so few business take advantage of this marketing method.

What is that method of marketing?

I hope I've begun to make up for the first sentence you read, but this source or method that can accomplish all of the things mentioned above and more is hosting events!  It's the second most effective method of marketing next to online marketing, but marketing through events has been around for centuries. I dare say that it's a lot more fun, too!

Apples and oranges.

Online marketing and marketing through events are like comparing apples and oranges even though it might appear that you are hoping achieve the same outcome.  People are beginning to crave the company of others rather than being stuck in front of a screen.  There really is no substitute for meeting face to face when it comes to marketing.  It's like the difference between two dimensional and three dimensional.  We all navigate through life with the help of the five senses. It makes sense to employ marketing where you can appeal to all five senses rather than only two.  

Part art and science.

What makes me sad is the fact that the vast majority of businesses do not utilize the unique opportunity to market through events.  Perhaps more disturbing is the fact that seldom do they know how to exercise the art and science behind successful events.  There's no reason why they would be in the know about hosting events.

If you would like to learn more about the types of events your business could host or even co-host, click here to send me a message about our upcoming launch of "How to Host a Successful Event to Boost Your Business" to help you optimize marketing with events. We will have webinars and live seminars.

Use Events to Pay for New Equipment You Purchased for Your Business!

When you as a business owner purchase a new piece of equipment to improve your products or services, there's no denying that it can come with mixed emotions. Perhaps a lot of blood, sweat and tears have gone into making a decision, financing, training, troubleshooting as well other types of investments have been involved.  If loss of sleep was an investment, that could very well be on the list, too.  You are hoping you've made the right decision and want it to do more than just pay for itself! 

What in the world does this have to do with hosting an event?  A piece of equipment?  A lot, actually.  If this addition to your business is going to make you more marketable to your current customers and expand your clientele, you want them to know about your new toys!  Think of it like a birth announcement.  Tell people all of the wonderful things you are looking forward to doing with that new baby and how proud you are of it.  Invite them to visit and let them know how this new addition is going to put a smile on their face and unlike real newborns, make your tasks easier by improving services for your clients.  You can even give it a name and have some fun with it.  Have a naming contest if that will draw attention to it.  Some people name their cars, so why not?  Enough with the baby stuff, but you get the point.  

If this equipment or new product is going to save your clients time, they will love hearing about that!  Create an event where they will get to see for themselves all the wonderful things that equipment offers them.  Give people a reason to think of having a good time in connection with your business.  That's where events come into the picture!  Curiosity may have killed a cat, but never is that the case for your business.  You want to build the curiosity and give your target market a chance to experience it first hand.  In the case of a printing business and marketing your event, you could divulge that every hour you will be announcing a winner of a custom banner (with stipulations, if necessary).   

Here's an example.  Let's say that you offer printing services, and you've just added a machine that enables you to make banners.  You're excited about it and you want to share your excitement and educate people on how you have one new way to serve them.  People love to see how things work.  It's like a mystery to them.  

The more you can suggest that your clients can benefit from having banners the better!  Whether it's a banner for a school event or activity, advertising a special businesses' sale, event or even special holiday hours.  For special social events, you want people thinking of how you can make birthdays, anniversaries and reunions customized.  People often love banners for weddings and some can serve a very useful purpose such as providing directions to an event and finally a grand entrance to an event.  If you have an employee who has just had a baby, businesses have made those announcement for decades on their signs and A-Boards.  I wouldn't recommend that the parents do this at their residence, but it is less of a danger if their employer does this. 

Whatever your business is, use new equipment as an excuse to celebrate and to pay for itself!  

People remember events much more than a brochure or even an online ad.

Here's a link to our waiting list for our workshop on "How to Host a Successful Event to Boost Your Business".  It will eventually become a paid webinar, but if you are in Seattle or Tacoma, you can enjoy the workshops in person!  Costs vary according to venue and food selections. 

Just for the fun of it!  Just to show you how strongly names are connected to equipment, do a Google search for Seattle and Bertha...after you've read this blog post.  This will be an example of what you never want associated with equipment and your business.



Wishing you the greatest of days!  Your business deserves them, too!

Greatest of Days, Event Planning and Design

Why Should You Host an Event to Boost Your Business?

Having events is one of the most under-utilized yet proven methods of marketing a business. It fits in with the motto "it's much easier to keep a client than to recruit a new one".  Aha, but you can invite a person who isn't a client to tag along with them to an event.

I'll be sharing on this blog the many ways that your business could benefit from hosting or co-hosting an event.  Yes, even those of you who have a home-based business.  You have options!

Anyone can host an event, but don't you want to do that in a successful way to make it worth your time and effort?  Events are part art and part science!  Successful events don't just happen!

We will be hosting events in the Seattle and Tacoma areas.  You can even attend a workshop on "How to Host a Successful Event to Boost Your Business".  Sign up to be placed on the waiting list  or go directly to http://www.greatestofdays.com/OtherEvents.html.

                                           

Wishing you the greatest of days!  Your business deserves them, too!