By Jody Gabourie

Congratulations, you’ve done the research into understanding your prospects’ hot issues and have gotten noticed because you’ve demonstrated that you understand what solutions they are seeking.

Your prospect has given you their contact information in exchange for your great, solutions-packed free give-away. They may also have sent an email, filled out a contact form on the website, or come up to speak with you after a presentation you’ve given.

At this stage in the marketing relationship when the interest is mutual, avoid the temptation to sell them a service or product. Successful people know that most sales are made after the seventh or eighth contact with a prospect - few are made after just one email, phone call or letter.

It’s the same with your marketing, don’t try to book an appointment the first time a person contacts you.

Remember, with each interaction you are earning their trust. As a result, your prospective profitable client will be open to what you have to offer. Each follow-up brings them closer to the purchase of your services.

Your marketing efforts at this point are focused on building the relationship with prospects and clients rather than just trying to “sell” them your services. You want to let them know that you consider them and their issues to be important and welcome a chance to help them.

You accomplish this by ensuring that each contact with them provides something meaningful for them. You never want to waste anyone’s time (or yours!) by following up without a specific purpose. Remember, you are being of service to them by sharing useful information.

Here are some examples of valuable content you could provide to prospects, on a consistent basis, to keep growing the relationship:

* great book you’ve just read

* list of business resources you use; i.e. printers, web designers, writers, etc.

* interesting blog posting (yours or someone else’s)

* latest industry news

* helpful articles you’ve written

* upcoming teleseminar (yours or someone else’s)

* special discount on products or services

* list of useful industry-specific support, i.e. forums, associations, conference, new products

* invitation to an upcoming seminar/workshop (yours or someone else’s)

By Alison Cole

Television is one of the biggest inventions of the 20th century, and it revolutionized our lives. TV waves reach the living rooms of people all across the world. Almost all organizations find television the best medium for marketing or launching their products. People directly relate to the programs or commercials and can be influenced by them.

Television commercials have opened the gates of effective advertisement. The growing popularity of television has proved to be a boon to different types of enterprises, be it commercial, informative, or entertainment. There are many programs on television like the news, comedy shows, documentaries and soap operas that are viewed by millions of people. Commercials are placed in a short time frame within these programs, exposing products to the maximum amount of viewers. Companies pay a significant amount to get their advertisements aired. The higher the ratings of the program, the more expensive the ads are – because they reach more people when they air on higher-rated shows, thus, are more effective ads.

The commercials aired today are different from the ones aired 50 years ago. The kind of products advertised, their content, and form have undergone many changes. Innovations in technology have made way for more effective forms of advertising. Companies are sensitive to the ever-changing needs and habits of the public and keep this aspect in mind while designing commercials for adults, children and the youth.

Most TV commercials today are produced by advertising agencies. A vast majority of commercials consist of brief advertising spots, ranging in length from a few seconds to several minutes.