In Business Since 2001 We accept Paypal
Home for Writers for Publishers Article Directory Article Search Contact
Directory of Ezines  
Products & Services
Article Distribution
Ghost Writing Services

Multiple Traffic Streams Report
Redneck Product Creation

Article Marketing Ebooks now available at: WritingPuzzle.com

Site Navigation
Home
+ FAQ

FAQ

+ Contact Us
+ Article Software

Use one of our Software Plugins to receive Articles from our site:

WordPress Content Plugin

Article Dashboard Content Plugin

+ About Us
+ Ebooks
+ Blogs
+ Social Media
+ Extra Pages
Search Tools
+ Search Our Articles
Article Directory
+ Authors
+ Articles
thePhantomWriters Blog
Get RSS Feed

Did Google Finally Kill Article Marketing Forever?
Early Indications Are That Google Farmer Update Loves Quality Syndicated Content
Detailed Insight into the Cooks Source Magazine PR Debacle
Increase Your Profits From Google Page One
Understanding How To Be Successful With Article Marketing
Temporary Issue with Article Distributions
Computer Upgrade
New Service Upgrades in Place
Are You Paying Too Much For Traffic? Increase Clicks 40-Fold With This PPC Strategy
How To Use Disinformation To Foul Up Your Competition In The SEO Game
Recommended Sites
Live Marketing Chat (Free) Saturday 8pm EST
Register for Notifications

 

 



Zig When They Zag - And Stand Out

Copyright (c) 2009-2012
(See This Article in its Original Format.)

The internet has become all the rage these days.

Don't send a letter, pop it on an email.

Don't mail the customer anything, pop it in an email.

In fact, let's forget about letters altogether and do everything electronically.

I'm as guilty of this as the next person.

But recently I received a thank you card and it made me think a little differently.

You see, I receive (and appreciate) a bundle of emails every week thanking me for the emails I send out.

And nothing makes me feel better than knowing that as I write these emails from my lonely office, someone is reading them and hopefully applying them.

However a couple of weeks ago I received something in the mail which really stood out.

It was a thank you card from a guy called Greg Kumanovski from Global Pictures. All it said was...

"Thank you for your regular emails with all the helpful ideas. Have a great day"

But I've had that card sitting on my filing cabinet ever since he sent it to me.

And I think there's a lesson here for all of us.

Whether it's thank you cards or anything else, consider sending the hard copy version over the soft copy version.

In other words: when everyone else is zigging, why not zag and stand out from the crowd.

After all, mail order should be far more effective these days because nobody else is doing it.

For instance, yesterday I was chatting with a guy who sent out his proposals via email.

He was getting a lot of proposals requests coming in every week and would pretty much churn back a standard response with a quotation.

I suggested he set up a system where he could send them out via mail instead.

We worked out that all he would need to pay for the cost of the mail is a 1% increase in response.

My bet is that he would get it.

Especially when all of his competitors are probably doing everything via email as well.

So take a moment now to think of how you can do things differently... and use alternative strategies to stand out from your competition.


About The Author:
Scott Bywater is a direct response copywriter with extensive experience in B2B and B2C writing. Mr Bywater is the author of Cash-Flow Advertising and More Customers Made Easy. You can gain access to his copywriting and marketing tips via his entertaining and eye opening "Copywriting Selling Secrets" newsletter available at http://www.copywritingthatsells.com.au/

Follow "The Phantom Writers" on Twitter (@phantomwriters)
to be notified when new articles are made available.


VOTE ON THIS ARTICLE
Needs Work >> 0 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 << Excellent Article

Tell our authors what you think about their article.


Top-Level Category: Business Offline Articles || Related Categories: Business Online Articles

10 Most Recent Articles Written by Scott Bywater

Work Less - Make More
Written by: Scott Bywater | Distributed: 2011-03-04 | Word Count: 413 | Page Views: 746
Sometimes it's nice to look back and see how far we have come. Because your growth can sometimes be a bit like watching grass grow.

Achieve Your Goals With This Mind Trick
Written by: Scott Bywater | Distributed: 2011-03-03 | Word Count: 332 | Page Views: 756 | Votes: 1 | Rating: 4.00
Zig Ziglar had a quote which read: "An optimist is someone who goes after Moby Dick in a rowboat and takes the tartar source with him." And I wanted to take a moment to expand on that quote today, because metaphorically "Moby Dick" is the big dreams we are chasing. But how many of us really believe we will create them?

Motivation Theory
Written by: Scott Bywater | Distributed: 2011-03-02 | Word Count: 277 | Page Views: 679 | Votes: 1 | Rating: 5.00
Here's another Zig Ziglar quote I came across the other day: "People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing - that's why we recommend it daily." Nice quote. And it really pulls on the fact that consistency is the key - that nothing just happens and lasts forever...

Success Leaves Clues
Written by: Scott Bywater | Distributed: 2011-03-01 | Word Count: 334 | Page Views: 787 | Votes: 1 | Rating: 3.00
Sometimes you can learn a lot from just watching what others are doing. After all, success leaves clues, right?

Success in Business is Easier – if You Can Live Without This
Written by: Scott Bywater | Distributed: 2010-10-08 | Word Count: 441 | Page Views: 828 | Votes: 1 | Rating: 0.00
It's no secret that acknowledgement is something we crave more than anything else. In fact, I've heard that acknowledgement is sometimes more important than money when it comes to running a team.

Direct Mail: Why Business Owners Don’t Use It
Written by: Scott Bywater | Distributed: 2010-10-07 | Word Count: 270 | Page Views: 822 | Votes: 1 | Rating: 4.00
Want to know why most business owners don't do direct mail even though it's probably one of the most effective marketing methods? Well, there's two reasons:

Never Be a Cheap Date
Written by: Scott Bywater | Distributed: 2010-10-06 | Word Count: 404 | Page Views: 800 | Votes: 1 | Rating: 2.00
Up until the last couple of years, I used to give my time away freely. In fact, I would spend up to an hour on the phone with people who had not even paid me a cent. It was frustrating and it was annoying - because while a certain percentage of those people did move forward, there was a lot of time wasted dealing with those who wanted to pick my brain at no charge. That was when I got smart.

Why Sales Without Marketing is DUMB
Written by: Scott Bywater | Distributed: 2010-10-05 | Word Count: 452 | Page Views: 791 | Votes: 1 | Rating: 4.00
I remember when I first started out in sales I used to set up a meeting and I would get there and the person sitting across from me would be like: "Well, convince me" ... and I would be like a telemarketer on steroids trying to show them why I had the best solution in the world for them. Can you relate?

A 3 Minute Mistake Which Could Cost You Thousands
Written by: Scott Bywater | Distributed: 2010-10-04 | Word Count: 320 | Page Views: 753
Anyway, I am a decent customer for them. And winning me over could be worth several thousand dollars over a lifetime. So you can imagine my shock and surprise when this happens...

How To Cope Better When Crappy Stuff Happens
Written by: Scott Bywater | Distributed: 2010-10-01 | Word Count: 371 | Page Views: 802
Sometimes stuff happens that we don't expect - in business and in life. How will you cope with the next unexpected problem or disaster?

All of Author's Articles on this site:

Most Recent "Business Offline" Articles

How To Build a Strong and Powerful Business During a Recession
Written by: Trey McMartin | Distributed: 2011-11-10 | Word Count: 987 | Page Views: 469
During a recession, most business owners pull the reins on advertising budgets, fearful of what tomorrow might bring... Those who remain fearful have forgotten what made them the success they are today... They have forgotten that they have a God-given talent to overcome the incredible obstacles in their paths.

SEO Lessons from Local Businesses
Written by: Trey McMartin | Distributed: 2011-11-09 | Word Count: 945 | Page Views: 871
More than once in the six years that I have been providing SEO services for websites, I have had the opportunity to discuss with individual business owners their search engine optimization needs. Now and again, I run across an individual business owner who is quick to say that SEO is absolutely worthless. When confronted with such an absolute statement, I like to press for details. It has been my experience that people who speak in negative absolutes will have a horror story to share.

Where Will FDA Target Next? What IVD Manufacturers Should Know Before Their Next FDA Audit
Written by: Norm Howe | Distributed: 2011-09-12 | Word Count: 706 | Page Views: 354
Medical device manufacturers are always interested in knowing what FDA's next area of focus will be. Well, if you're an In Vitro Diagnostic manufacturer you might review your measurement systems.

Online Fax - 10 Reasons To Get An Online Fax Service
Written by: Titus Hoskins | Distributed: 2011-09-12 | Word Count: 560 | Page Views: 366
Online faxing is the new more modern way to fax. If you or your company is not using an online fax service, here are 10 good reasons why you should get it.

Best Effort Essential for the Job Interview
Written by: Barbara Wulf MS, ACC, CPCC | Distributed: 2011-07-30 | Word Count: 676 | Page Views: 447
Interviewing will determine if you are the right person for the job. These tips will help you make the job interview a success.

Go Green With Your Career Search
Written by: Barbara Wulf MS, ACC, CPCC | Distributed: 2011-07-28 | Word Count: 636 | Page Views: 362
Many of the qualities of green living, like recycling and sustainability, can apply to a career search, even if the career is not directly associated with green industries.

ReCareer in the Second-half of Life
Written by: Barbara Wulf MS, ACC, CPCC | Distributed: 2011-07-26 | Word Count: 525 | Page Views: 424 | Votes: 1 | Rating: 3.00
Many of us worked the first half of our life to "fit" the job description. ReCareering is about finding the right fit, being selective, being creative, being fulfilled and being intentional about how you spend your time.

Up in the Air
Written by: Barbara Wulf MS, ACC, CPCC | Distributed: 2011-07-24 | Word Count: 678 | Page Views: 429
When looking for work or changing careers, go beyond researching on the internet and reading articles. Find out how you can learn from the art of listening and having a conversation.

Salon and Spa Owners: Which Monk Are You?
Written by: Dan Lok | Distributed: 2011-07-05 | Word Count: 477 | Page Views: 465
Too many salon and spa owners are carrying around a lot hurts, regrets, guilt, past failures and fears about the future. But no one is forcing you to carry these emotional rocks, so put that sack down!

The Single Most Profitable Day You Spend on Your Spa or Salon!
Written by: Dan Lok | Distributed: 2011-06-30 | Word Count: 470 | Page Views: 570
Salon and spa owners need to combine their marketing plan with marketing systems. A marketing calendar plans out strategies for a year, and is instrumental to the success of your spa or salon.

Most Viewed "Business Offline" Articles

How To Write A 300 Page Book In Four Months
Written by: Mark Silver | Distributed: 2008-07-15 | Word Count: 821 | Page Views: 36741 | Votes: 6 | Rating: 1.83
There's a lot of hoopla about becoming an author of your very own business book. The promise of fame and fortune is very alluring. Yet your book remains perpetually 'about to be' written. Meanwhile your business has ground to a halt. Hmmm... might there be a better way to get a book written?

The Best Marketing Book I've Ever Read (You'll Be Surprised)
Written by: Judy Murdoch | Distributed: 2007-05-09 | Word Count: 1522 | Page Views: 33879 | Votes: 15 | Rating: 3.60
From time to time someone asks me to recommend marketing books. Here's one of my favorite marketing books that always surprises people. Curious? Read on.

The Bizarre History Of The HOLLYWOOD Sign
Written by: Morris Timlen | Distributed: 2008-11-05 | Word Count: 1211 | Page Views: 28592 | Votes: 22 | Rating: 3.32
The most famous sign in the history of mankind is the one that graces the side of the hill above Hollywood, California. As famous a landmark as the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio De Janeiro, the Eiffel Tower in Paris France, the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt, The Church of the Savior on Blood in Saint Petersburg Russia, and the Statue Of Liberty in New York City, the Hollywood sign is known around the world as the symbol of the American movie industry.

What Does It Take To Be A Successful Salesman?
Written by: Casey Moher | Distributed: 2008-08-05 | Word Count: 930 | Page Views: 16107 | Votes: 68 | Rating: 3.16
In the course of my average workweek, I meet people who tell me that they have no sales experience, and very literally, many will tell me that they could not sell if their lives depended on it. Do you fit into this mold? Do you seriously believe that you can sell me on the idea that you cannot sell things?

Selecting Between a 401(k) And 403(b) For a Nonprofit
Written by: Daniel Lamaute | Distributed: 2007-10-11 | Word Count: 333 | Page Views: 6845 | Votes: 17 | Rating: 2.65
Newly released IRS regulations impose several new requirements and fiduciary responsibilities on employers with 403(b) plans. While the regulations generally don't take effect until January 1, 2009, there are some provisions that apply sooner.

Pitch A No-Hitter With Baseball-Themed Flower Gifts
Written by: Wesley Berry, AAF | Distributed: 2007-12-25 | Word Count: 413 | Page Views: 6114 | Votes: 16 | Rating: 1.94
Want to send a gift to the baseball fan in your life that's sure to knock one out of the park? Send flowers with a baseball theme! Everyone loves flowers and when you personalize them to include the recipient's favorite hobbies, like baseball, they're sure to make an even greater impression.

Never Write A 'Thank You' Letter Again
Written by: Perry Maisin | Distributed: 2008-08-12 | Word Count: 971 | Page Views: 5875 | Votes: 17 | Rating: 2.29
When I was in graduate school, I had a friend who interviewed at fortune 500 companies and succeeded at landing a great job. One day, I saw him sitting in the student union with a stack of cards. The cards said 'thank you'. He opened each card and signed his name. The inside of the card was blank. I asked him what he was doing and he told me that it was important to send a 'thank you' to every person you interviewed with. He believed that that was the difference between getting the job and being passed over.

Conducting Effective Career Aspiration Discussions with Employees
Written by: Andria L. Corso | Distributed: 2010-03-10 | Word Count: 690 | Page Views: 5333 | Votes: 8 | Rating: 1.88
Enhance your talent management and development programs through conducting career aspiration discussions with your employees. Find out where they want to grow their career to determine if it matches your business needs. This will enable you to differentiate your employee development to grow the future leaders of your company.

The Pros And Cons Of Postcard Marketing-direct marketing offline
Written by: Cheryl Miller | Distributed: 2006-11-29 | Word Count: 675 | Page Views: 4003 | Votes: 5 | Rating: 2.60
Postcard marketing is one of the oldest methods of marketing. Its concept is simple but can be quite effective. It is just sending out your message to your mailing list on a postcard. Postcard marketing is a powerful and cost effective way to advertise and will keep building in momentum when done correctly.

The Tea Room Business Plan – First Steps And Start Up Basics
Written by: Marcus Stout | Distributed: 2007-03-22 | Word Count: 1218 | Page Views: 3706 | Votes: 19 | Rating: 2.63
Every venture starts with the first steps and a business plan for a quality tea room is no exception. Well thought out first steps, properly implemented, will pay dividends in the business operations of the tea room in later years.

Highest Ranked "Business Offline" Articles

Why Businesses Need Receivable Factoring In Cash Flow Management
Written by: Toby Seibert | Distributed: 2007-08-08 | Word Count: 866 | Page Views: 1887 | Votes: 5 | Rating: 4.60
In today's business environment, many businesses need to fine-tune the process of getting paid on invoices, in order to improve their cash on hand. Improving cash flow can be an ongoing challenge for businesses of all sizes, and it is an issue that must be addressed to ensure the long-term viability of the business.

Whose Restaurant Can You Find Online?
Written by: Rudy Vener | Distributed: 2007-07-09 | Word Count: 640 | Page Views: 1550 | Votes: 5 | Rating: 4.40
What is so significant about Pizza Hut's latest TV commercial?

Business School for Non-Business Minds: Got a NAICS Number?
Written by: Melissa Mashtonio | Distributed: 2008-04-15 | Word Count: 423 | Page Views: 1638 | Votes: 5 | Rating: 4.40
I’m a journalist. I spent a lot of my career in the news business. As my career has progressed, I’ve spent time at small and large companies, and I have sat through dozens of business meetings wondering what the heck the “money” people are talking about. They used acronyms as if they were a foreign language.

The Problem With Swiping Sales Copy
Written by: Scott Bywater | Distributed: 2009-12-03 | Word Count: 480 | Page Views: 1063 | Votes: 5 | Rating: 4.40
This is what people miss when they try to simply "swipe" sales copy from another advertisement.

Equal Opportunity Pizza Ordering
Written by: Rudy Vener | Distributed: 2007-10-19 | Word Count: 629 | Page Views: 1547 | Votes: 8 | Rating: 4.38
With online ordering, your menu and restaurant suddenly become accessible to both the deaf and blind customers in your community.

The Secret To Making Successful Business Connections
Written by: Kate Smalley | Distributed: 2006-10-11 | Word Count: 672 | Page Views: 1661 | Votes: 6 | Rating: 4.00
If you have a hard time making successful business connections, don't despair. Anyone can be good at meeting people-if they use the right technique. The whole secret to making a positive connection is knowing how to attract people and inspire them to want to give you a chance.

How to Build a Really Great Business? (Super Success Secrets from a Legendary Business Master)
Written by: Chet Holmes | Distributed: 2007-01-15 | Word Count: 1523 | Page Views: 1649 | Votes: 7 | Rating: 4.00
Times are tough. The economy is in a constant state of upheaval. Is your company doing better than most? Are you placing greater emphasis on pure performance?

Get the Balance Right
Written by: Rich Thawley | Distributed: 2009-01-28 | Word Count: 638 | Page Views: 1500 | Votes: 11 | Rating: 3.91
Do you build your business around your family or your family around your business? The choice is yours.

Online Copywriting Makes Content as the King
Written by: Steven Gerber | Distributed: 2006-12-11 | Word Count: 560 | Page Views: 1671 | Votes: 7 | Rating: 3.86
The inverted pyramid is basically the placing of 4 W's in the primary sentences of the articles, supported by the other W and H on the following discussions. Four W's consist of what, when, where, and who. The other W which stands for why on the other hand, follows on the succeeding paragraphs, including the elaboration for the H which also stands for how, if necessary.

Interview Coaching: A Home-Based Business on the Cutting Edge
Written by: Carole Martin | Distributed: 2007-08-24 | Word Count: 1400 | Page Views: 1416 | Votes: 7 | Rating: 3.86
You name it - Blackberry, Skype Connection, Cell Phone, iPhone - these are the tools of this trade. Who would believe that someone with a home-based business could reach out to someone in a far away country and work with a client via a Blackberry and a cell phone?







Article Reprint Rights
Creative Commons License

This work is
licensed under a
Creative Commons
License


You are not required to show the creative commons license notice when you reprint this work.
Article Publishing Tools
Print Article
Email-to-Blog
HTML Source Code
Text Newsletter Format
Link Back HTML

Blog Publishing Tools

Internal ID: #7104
Article Statistics
Word Count: 365

Total Views: 672
Views This Month: 19
Views Last Month: 21

Article Rating: 2.00 of 5
Votes Cast: 2

Author Overall Stats:

Times Viewed Overall: 8362
Author Rating: 2.57 of 5
Votes Cast Overall: 355

More Articles By Author:




Article Title Search:

Widow Search
Right Blinker
Google
Yahoo!
Zuula
Bing
Cuil

Last Distribution Date:
2009-11-06 10:00:00






All Articles are Copyright © 2001-2012 of the Defined Authors.

All other material and images on this site are:
Copyright © 2001-2012, ThePhantomWriters.com

Local Marketing Consultant