Why there is an “s” in Consultants

Tom Smisek Marketing Consultants (TSC) was launched in 1980 after a ten-year successful career as Tom Smisek Advertising Inc., a full-service ad agency with a staff of eight to eleven employees. While we did all of the creative and production in-house, we still utilized outside services like printers, auto-visual producers…

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Marketing when Trade Shows cancel

Due to COVID-19 concerns, many Trade Shows will not be opening.  An example is the 2020 SEMA Show which has been canceled. The annual automotive aftermarket trade show was scheduled to be held Nov. 3-6 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Other shows will soon be announcing cancellations as well.…

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NUTS AND BOLTS OF ADVERTISING

No, I am not talking about marketing hardware, but rather the basics of product and service sales promotion. Too much emphasis is being placed on creativity and on-line media placement while not presenting a compelling message. Effective advertising must appeal to the emotions, wants and needs and even fears of…

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Business Owners: Don’t wait for a complete recovery

In these uncertain times, when state and politicians are pulling the strings on business operations, you have to be proactive. The on-going tug of war with openings, closures and restrictions have caused havoc to marketers large and small. The knee-jerk responses have been blamed on the Coronavirus, but some suspect…

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Don’t advertise without a plan

  Some marketers buy advertising based on graphic design alone. They sporadically run ads in the least expensive media and hope to attract business. While it is desirable to have attractive artwork, advertising is more than artwork… it’s more that posting on Social Media. Impressive advertising is more important than…

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LAUNCHING A MARKETING CAMPAIGN

Whether you are launching a rocket, a new product or a new business, the four “P’s” apply. What are they? Product, Production, Preparation, and Propellent. Without these critical functions your rocket or your business endeavor will never get off the ground or crash and burn. Ninety-nine percent of new businesses…

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Directional vs Promotional Media

Advertising is comprised of two primary media functions; Promotional and Directional. Simply put: Promotional Media is proactive advertising that reaches out to target markets with motivational messages. Directional Media is reactive, initiated by consumers shopping for those advertised products and services and looking for the best price and a place…

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How to get the most out of your Marketing Consultant

  Does your company have a Marketing Consultant? While some businesses do their advertising in-house, or with freelancers and web services, astute marketers have found engaging the services of a Marketing Consultant provides an overall comprehensive marketing strategy, maximizing efficiency and reduces costly risks of misguided efforts. Whether your firm…

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WHO IS DOING YOUR MARKETING?

AN ALTERNATIVE TO HIGH PRICED AD SERVICES No one ever said that advertising was going to be cheap. Some of the most expensive advertising efforts have been attempts by marketers, who try to skimp by as cheaply as possible, by doing it themselves, or using freelancers to do their artwork.…

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Marketing the fuel that drives sales.

Advertising and marketing are the fuel that propels every business down the Marketing Highway. With enough fuel in your tank, you can accelerate and pass your competition. Or, you can choose to be conservative and just keep up with traffic. The worst mistake any business can make is to let…

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