Clients Need to be Fed / PromoJournal - Cliff's Notes

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The pandemic seems to be over for the most part. During that extended two-year period some threw up their hands, folded up their tents and decided to call it quits, others said ‘no way’ we can do this, and they did.I have spoken to and consulted with thousands of people over the years, through all types of life changing situations: the S.A.R.S. epidemic, the 911 catastrophe, and our latest challenge.It is amazing, when you are hungry and forced to do something like eat, pay your bills, and maintain your quality a life – you find away.During the height of COVID, I had the pleasure of working with some incredibly open, forward-thinking companies, and we worked on unique ways to engage and communicate with clients and prospects. Webinars exploded and iterations of how they looked changed the landscape of how we could communicate – while different, it was extremely effective. ZOOM, WebEx, and Go to Meeting provided platforms were highly effective in that communication.THINKING OUTSIDE THE PROVERBIAL BOXOne of my best clients and dear friend, Paul Zafarana, MAS, VP of PICA Marketing Group came to me and solicited my help on building an online event for his clients and prospects, where we could connect, deliver digestible information, in a win-win-win environment. I say, win-win-win because we cannot truly succeed in this business without what I call “The Golden Triangle,” great clients, great suppliers, and ourselves. This cooperation, and connectivity, if modeled correctly can produce amazing results.As Paul and I brain-stormed this project we produced the idea of creating the first online PICA Marketing Diner™, we solicited four of his top preferred vendors to help with the project. Here are some other aspects we put together:Developed a strong themeTargeted the proper specific audienceSet specific KPI metrics to measure the success and effectiveness of the programSelected products that would amplify and drive the theme and messageCreated a strong invitationPushed all the information via email and social media marketingDelivered a strong multi-level education presentationGenerated excitementReaped amazing resultsOUR PROCESSWe reached out, as mentioned, to four of his top vendor partners and explained what we are doing, they loved the idea and bought in. We created a strong opening introducing the entire team and our “chefs” (these were the four vendors who were doing a presentation) each were given 15 minutes, not to talk about products, rather something specific, unique, and relevant their companies did. For instance, our representative from Spector spoke on NFC (Near Field Communication) and how they could be embedded into products and used to drive better engagement – her presentation was stellar!We then targeted, and invited eighty clients and prospects, seventy-four clients and six prospects, amazingly everyone signed up, everyone attended the entire ninety-minute program.MERCH & HOW IT CONNECTED TO THE OVERALL OUTCOMEHere were the items and how they were used:As mentioned, the theme was the PICA Marketing DinerA custom unique themed logo was developed – The Marketing DinerLunch box – Exterior and interior sided 60’s Diner ThemeJournal with NFC Technology – a Spotify© account that linked to a Motown© music playlist, with top hits.Earbuds and case – we designed to resemble a hamburger with the earbuds inside, the case, was placed inside a box that mirrored a to-go hamburger containerBatch of pens – we place twenty yellow pens inside a container that mirrored a French fry containerMouse pad – we used this the emulate a placemat Thermal Mug – had a catchy copy that said “Let it Float” to play off of diners having soda-floatsCustom box – a branded box designed to use as the carrier to every person that signed up for the event THE PROGRAMEach of the supplier partners were given 15 minutes to deliver their presentation, each transitioned to the next. At the end of the program, we delivered a powerful 15-minute presentation on creativity, tying all the products together that were discussed earlier showing how they can work in concert to achieve measurable goals. RESULTSEighty of the eighty folks invited attended the entire event. The comments received after the event were stellar. What was most impressive is the program generated a staggering $270,000.00 in new business from these specific clients.My friends, I share this story because I want you to see that with some ingenuity and positively leveraging the talent around you – our amazing supplier partners, you can accomplish anything.I encourage you to keep your ear to the ground, tap into your amazing creative brain, the opportunities to grow and succeed are endless. Want to know more, send me an email, happy to chat.Continued Success, and Continued Good Selling - CQFor nearly 40 years, Cliff Quicksell, MAS+, MASI, with his company, Cliff Quicksell Associates, has been speaking, coaching, training, and consulting both nationally and internationally to associations and small business groups, on more effective ways to market themselves, their products, and services; as well as motivating their personnel. Recognized by PPAI for his creativity, he has won the prestigious PPAI Pyramid Award over 30 times, the Printing Industry's PSDA’s Peak Award for creativity 5 times, and Regional Association CPPA’s Peak Award 3 consecutive years. Cliff has coached countless others with the same result. Cliff received PPAI's Ambassador Speaker of the Year Award six consecutive years; and was the inaugural recipient of PPAI's Distinguished Service Award. Named one of top six industry speakers and trainers, he was recognized by PPAI in the book, "PPAI at 100", as having a significant influence in education in our industry. He was recognized by Counselor Magazine as one of the Top 50 Most Influential People in the Promotional Products Industry. Cliff’s BLOG 30 Seconds to Greatness won the Award for Most Passed Around Content. Cliff’s most recent book, 30 Seconds to Greatness, is available on his website www.QuicksellSpeaks.com  Connect with him on LinkedIn or via email at cliff@QuicksellSpeaks.com Cliff will be launching his 30 Minutes to Greatness PODCAST in the next couple of months geared specifically for small business owners and entrepreneurship. Connect with Cliff to get connected to this free podcast." />
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Clients Need to be Fed
So leverage the talent around you and feed them! 5/17/2022 | Cliff Quicksell, MAS+, Cliff's Notes
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The pandemic seems to be over for the most part. During that extended two-year period some threw up their hands, folded up their tents and decided to call it quits, others said ‘no way’ we can do this, and they did.
I have spoken to and consulted with thousands of people over the years, through all types of life changing situations: the S.A.R.S. epidemic, the 911 catastrophe, and our latest challenge.
It is amazing, when you are hungry and forced to do something like eat, pay your bills, and maintain your quality a life – you find away.
During the height of COVID, I had the pleasure of working with some incredibly open, forward-thinking companies, and we worked on unique ways to engage and communicate with clients and prospects. 
Webinars exploded and iterations of how they looked changed the landscape of how we could communicate – while different, it was extremely effective. ZOOM, WebEx, and Go to Meeting provided platforms were highly effective in that communication.
THINKING OUTSIDE THE PROVERBIAL BOX
One of my best clients and dear friend, Paul Zafarana, MAS, VP of PICA Marketing Group came to me and solicited my help on building an online event for his clients and prospects, where we could connect, deliver digestible information, in a win-win-win environment. I say, win-win-win because we cannot truly succeed in this business without what I call “The Golden Triangle,” great clients, great suppliers, and ourselves. This cooperation, and connectivity, if modeled correctly can produce amazing results.
As Paul and I brain-stormed this project we produced the idea of creating the first online PICA Marketing Diner™, we solicited four of his top preferred vendors to help with the project. Here are some other aspects we put together:
Developed a strong theme
Targeted the proper specific audience
Set specific KPI metrics to measure the success and effectiveness of the program
Selected products that would amplify and drive the theme and message
Created a strong invitation
Pushed all the information via email and social media marketing
Delivered a strong multi-level education presentation
Generated excitement