UETa “ThreeWave To Grow A BusinessIn 2001 ‘he & Seiiel will Lake eon sale nexiW@edine: duc ompouseqend tnt MIL appr on vi Nn cach ie ‘he # wa “ii “a ia me, a Bai wo d | NSale ty bamed ” ofah (NAPS)—By now, most people have already made their personal New Year’s resolutions. Maybe they plan to lose weight, save moneyor visit an elderly aunt. All good intentions, but they leave out an important aspect of the coming year: business. It’s not too late to make New Year’s resolutions for your business—and you don’t have to go it alone. Various companies have launched “business services” centers designed to educate and empower business owners. These online centers offer innovative Online business services can be a great tool for helping a company grow. To step up your 2001 sales and year-round event? Thank current Business Services Center (www. staples.com / businesssolutions) rec- by handing out promotional goods stamped with your company’s ideas, expert advice, businessarticles and affordable prices for a broad range of business needs. marketing efforts, the Staples.com ommendsthesesimple strategies: Launcha direct mail campaign Direct mail is a powerful advertising tool that generates big returns. According to the Direct Marketing Association, what some people call “junk mail” typically generates an $11 return for every dollar spent. (Source: The Economic Impact of Direct and Inter- active Marketing on the U.S. Economy, 1999.) Dreading the thoughtof stuffing and licking envelopes? It’s now possible to quickly customize mar- keting pieces online, get free customer/prospect names and pre- view thefinal piece before making a purchase. Some companies even print, stuff, address, stamp and mail your direct marketing cam- paign. Better still, you can send direct mail for as little as 99 cents a piece; conventional campaigns of fewer than 1,000 pieces typically run $2.85 per piece. (Source: March 2000 study, ClickTactics.) Get your nameout there Why not make gift-giving a customers and attract new ones nameandlogo. Consider such customized items asgolf balls, mugs, shirts, pens, mouse pads, stress balls or flashlights. Experts also recommend giving out products that relate to your business. Look professional To compete with the big guys, you need to look like a big guy. For example, add legitimacy to your companyby investing in pro- fessional stationery and business cards. You can order business cards, letterhead, envelopes, labels and memopadsright from youroffice desk. Upload your company’s logo and choose from a variety of paper stocks, ink colors and template designs. Days later your order arrives on your doorstep; you'll have business cards in your pocket for impromptu networking and letterhead ready when you send contracts to new and existing customers. No matter what business resolutions you make, be sure to set achievable goals and reasonable timelines.
