Here are Direct Marketing Ideas That Put Cash in Your Pocket

If you are giving your customers only what they expect, you’re in danger of being made redundant by the clever marketer who knows how to add value to his product or service. So here’s some direct marketing ideas to make sure this doesn’t happen.Or if you’re just doing enough in the way of service to get by, then lookout for the savvy entrepreneur who knows what we buyers really want. Here’s an example to illustrate my point.A couple of years ago my wife and I went shopping for swimming pools. I’d thought it would be easy. Go to a pool place, choose what I want and then they would take charge and get the job done. I had money burning a hole in my pocket and I was determined to spend it. Easy right? Wrong!You see, the pool place I chose did not offer installation of the pool. They only sold them. And what’s worse, I had to take care of delivering the damn thing myself. What?It was like I was caught up in some Twilight Zone movie where everything works back-ass-wards. I couldn’t believe what they were telling me.Did I buy the pool from these guys? What do you think?Look, I want things done for me. I don’t want to have to track down three different guys to do the one job. So let’s look at what these clowns wanted me to do. First, buy the pool off of them.Second, locate someone to install it. Third, locate someone to deliver it. Fourth, locate someone to put the fence up around it. Shit, these guys didn’t have a clue and they just blew a five figure sale.Here’s what should have happened.You buy the pool and they organise the lot. Delivery, installation and pool fencing included. The customer doesn’t have to do a damn thing. Just pay the money and then go swimming. Sheesh, how easy is that? So, think about this…What opportunities are you missing out on? What services and or products can you include to add value to your business and to make it easier for your customers to give you money?

There is an excessive amount of traffic coming from your Region.

#EANF#

Shoe Repairs And Several Other Things When I Was 7

Shoe Repairs And Several Other Things When I Was 7
My Dad repaired most of our shoes believe it or not, I can hardly believe it myself now. With 7 pairs of shoes always needing repairs I think he was quite clever to learn how to “Keep us in shoe Leather” to coin a phrase!

He bought several different sizes of cast iron cobbler’s “lasts”. Last, the old English “Laest” meaning footprint. Lasts were holding devices shaped like a human foot. I have no idea where he would have bought the shoe leather. Only that it was a beautiful creamy, shiny colour and the smell was lovely.

But I do remember our shoes turned upside down on and fitted into these lasts, my Dad cutting the leather around the shape of the shoe, and then hammering nails, into the leather shape. Sometimes we’d feel one or 2 of those nails poking through the insides of our shoes, but our dad always fixed it.

Hiking and Swimming Galas
Dad was a very outdoorsy type, unlike my mother, who was probably too busy indoors. She also enjoyed the peace and quiet when he took us off for the day!

Anyway, he often took us hiking in the mountains where we’d have a picnic of sandwiches and flasks of tea. And more often than not we went by steam train.

We loved poking our heads out of the window until our eyes hurt like mad from a blast of soot blowing back from the engine. But sore, bloodshot eyes never dampened our enthusiasm.

Dad was an avid swimmer and water polo player, and he used to take us to swimming galas, as they were called back then. He often took part in these galas. And again we always travelled by steam train.

Rowing Over To Ireland’s Eye
That’s what we did back then, we had to go by rowboat, the only way to get to Ireland’s eye, which is 15 minutes from mainland Howth. From there we could see Malahide, Lambay Island and Howth Head of course. These days you can take a Round Trip Cruise on a small cruise ship!

But we thoroughly enjoyed rowing and once there we couldn’t wait to climb the rocks, and have a swim. We picnicked and watched the friendly seals doing their thing and showing off.

Not to mention all kinds of birdlife including the Puffin.The Martello Tower was also interesting but a bit dangerous to attempt entering. I’m getting lost in the past as I write, and have to drag myself back to the present.

Fun Outings with The camera Club
Dad was also a very keen amateur photographer, and was a member of a camera Club. There were many Sunday photography outings and along with us came other kids of the members of the club.

And we always had great fun while the adults busied themselves taking photos of everything and anything, it seemed to us. Dad was so serious about his photography that he set up a dark room where he developed and printed his photographs.

All black and white at the time. He and his camera club entered many of their favourites in exhibitions throughout Europe. I’m quite proud to say that many cups and medals were won by Dad. They have been shared amongst all his grandchildren which I find quite special.

He liked taking portraits of us kids too, mostly when we were in a state of untidiness, usually during play. Dad always preferred the natural look of messy hair and clothes in the photos of his children.