Marketing Warfare - What's Your Battle Strategy?

The concept behind Marketing Warfare, written by Al Ries and Jack Trout, is that marketing strategies in the modern world of business, can be compared to battle strategies and terms from history, not only in the literal sense of actual wars, but also in the marketing sense, as it has related to various product wars from the past.

Ries and Trout start from the basis that in order to successfully win the marketing war, entrepreneurs need to shift their efforts from being “customer-oriented” to “competitor-oriented.”

In the aftermath of World War II, the leading companies became customer-oriented.  The marketing expert was in charge and the prime minister was marketing research.  But today every company is customer-oriented.  Knowing what the customer wants isn’t too helpful if a dozen other companies are already serving the same customer’s wants.  American Motors’s problem is not the customer.  American Motors’s problem is General Motors, Ford, Chrysler, and the imports.  To become successful today, a company must become competitor-oriented.  It must look for weak points in the positions of its competitors and then launch marketing attacks against those weak points.

Ries and Trout go on to illustrate real marketing stories of success utilizing this tactic.  Although this book was published in 1986, it remains a favorite among business people specifically in the marketing business, but it’s principles can also be applied to marketing for any company.  

The chapters briefly described below demonstrate how this book is not written like a business textbook; rather, it approaches the issues the way you, the business person, would expect them to be addressed: in a practical and intriguing way.

• Marketing is war: Introduction to the concepts of warfare strategies and how that can be applied to marketing.
• 2500 years of war: Introducing marketing people to some of the world’s most historic battles.
• The principle of force: The principle of big fish eating little fish, big companies eating small companies.
• The superiority of the defense: No military commander would seek to battle an opponent with the odds stacked against him, and how this applies to business marketing today. 
• The new era of competition: Learning the language and strategies from the military.
• The nature of the battleground: Marketing battles aren’t fought on an actual battlefield, but in the minds of the prospect.
• The strategic square: There are four ways to fight a war, and knowing which type of warfare to fight is the most important decision to be made.
• Principles of defensive warfare: Defensive strategy is for a marketing leader, with 3 key principles to be followed.
• Principles of offensive warfare: The primary principle in this approach is to find the weakness in the leader’s strength and then attack at that very point.
• Principles of flanking warfare: The most successful marketing results have been a result of flanking moves.
• Principles of guerilla warfare: How small companies can survive among the giant competitors.
• The cola war: A closer look at the Pepsi vs. Coke strategies.
• The beer war: The process of consolidation in the beer business, and how smaller breweries should be concentrating their forces together. 
• The burger war: Examining the marketing warfare between McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and Burger King.
• The computer war: How big name computer companies can fail when trying to fight a battleground they don’t own.
• Strategy and tactics: Strategy should follow tactics and start from the bottom up, not from the top down.
• The marketing general: The key attributes for marketing generals include flexibility, mental courage, and boldness.

What is your marketing strategy?

Is it working? 

Are you getting the results you want 

Or

Are you in need of a better "battle" plan?  

You will also want to read How I Raised Myself From Failure to Success.

Have You Heard of This National Event?

May 8th, 2013 - National Bike To School Day

Have you heard of this national event, being promoted by schools and bicycle industry businesses all around the nation?  This is the day that kids from all over the United States get to ride their bikes to school together; a wonderful opportunity for the community to come together, guiding our young bicycle riders to find the safe paths for them to take to school, in addition to demonstrating the most basic ways they can practice safety while on a bicycle.

While learning to ride a bike is one of the most memorable milestones of childhood, we often forget to properly instruct children on the ways they can be safe while enjoying their ride around town.  

The League of American Bicyclists has a great list of how-to tips for grown-ups when teaching the little people in their lives how to ride, especially this May, as we specifically pay attention to the preventative ways we can promote bike safety to children.

While some of these tips may seem obvious, they are still good reminders not to take any aspect of bicycle safety for granted, especially when it comes to helping our kids stay safe:

When

Once a child can hold their head up and fit a helment, they can be a passenger.  

Until about age five, kids should ride in a child seat, or better yet, a trailer. 

Kids need basic motor skills to operate a bike.

Traffic

Explain to kids how traffic works; they have only been passengers.

Teach them about yielding, passing, predicting and traffic law.

Bicycle riders have to obey the same rules as cars and buses.

Helmets

Let them pick out their helmet and they will want to wear it; wear yours also.

Make sure that the helmet fits the child properly; level on the head and snug.

Replace the helmet after a crash.

Training Wheels

Training wheels help the child develop a sense of balance.

Start with the training wheels solidly on the ground; they will hold the bike upright.

Gradually raise the training wheels; remove them when they start to get in the way.

Balance

Practice balancing in an open field or vacant parking lot.

Have the child practice riding in circles as well as in a straight line.

Show them how to use the brakes; get them to skid the rear wheel.

Starting and Stopping

Children should learn to stop before entering the roadway.

Look left, then right, then left again before proceeding.

Driveways, sidewalks and crosswalks are potential danger zones.

Riding Straight

Use a painted line in a parking lot.

Straight-line riding will allow drivers to predict what the child will do.

Predictability is important in any traffic situation; kids don't know this.

Scanning and Signaling

Have the child ride straight and look back at you without swerving.

Children must scan for traffic in front of them as well as behind before signaling.

Teach them how to signal right, left and stop and when to do it.

Neighborhood Ride

Plan a ride with your child around your neighborhood and discuss possible dangers.

Allow your child to lead.

Include them in the planning of the ride.

Transportation Choices

Bikes are vehicles; this is their introduction to driver's training.

Plan a route with your child to get them to a friend's house or school by bike.

At about 10, kids are ready for longer trips; make sure they make safe decisions.

At BikeNSafetyPromos, we take bicycle safety very seriously, but we make it fun for kids.  Check out our variety of promotional safety lights, bells, repair kits and much more!  

You may also want to read: LED Safety Lights Praised For Ease, Safety, and Cost Effectiveness.

26 Mobile Apps That Actually CAN Help Your Business

Angry Birds: A Business Networking App?!

While some of us have spent countless hours secretly playing Angry Birds or Words With Friends on our phones, the truth is that these are simply fun games to help pass the time or as a way to “reward” ourselves after a long, hard day of work.  Can shooting a bird from a slingshot with the intention of knocking down giant blocks and other animals actually inspire us to become better business people?  

Well....probably not.  But in actuality, mobile apps can be much more than just entertainment for us or our kids (when we need a break!).  

Social Media Examiner has just come up with a list of 26 different apps (and designates which ones are meant for iphones and/or smartphones), that can be utilized to enhance your business and/or networking possibilities, in addition to some fun resources for organizing your entrepreneurial tasks.  Examining the function of each app may also inspire you to pursue a new angle or approach in your business, which can give you a fresh and exciting perspective.  Great ideas are just waiting to be born!

This article provides brief information about each app, along with great images and the rest is up to you:  Which of these tools can your business benefit from?

1. Adobe Reader
2. Bump
3. CardMunch Business Card Reader
4. DocuSign Ink
5. Easy Note + To Do
6. Foursquare
7. Google+
8. Highlight
9. Instagram
10. Job Search
11. Kindle
12. Logo Mania Quiz
13. Meetup
14. Nook
15. Odometer
16. Photo Covers for Facebook Lite
17. QR Reader
18. (i)Reddit
19. Square Register
20. TED
21. Uber-Social
22. Vintique
23. WiFi Finder
24. e(xcel) Contacts Lite
25. Yelp
26. Zendesk

The social networking tools and opportunities continue to grow and change at a rate more rapidly than any of us can ever dare to keep up with, which is why you must purpose to find out what you're missing.  These aren't merely mobile app tools; they are agents of change.  

Which one(s) from the above list will you intentionally utilize to make a change in your business?

You Might Have Missed:  The Perfect LinkedIn Profile: What You Need To Know.

Do You Have THESE Success Forces?

Success Forces, written by Joseph Sugarman back in the 80’s, is unfortunately out of print.  But if there is a way for you to get your hands on this book, you will greatly benefit from one of the most brilliant business minds of our time.  He achieved great success in the direct sales marketing business, selling millions of dollars worth of Blublocker Sunglasses, digital watches, and was even the pioneer of using the “800 number” to have customers call in to give their payment information.

Sugarman saw that every “force” he encountered in business could be learned from and utilized in a positive way.  Here are the main “forces” he pegged as key pillars in guiding his growth in business.

Always Be Honest  

Sugarman employed this principle by always telling the truth, no matter what embarrassing position he may be put in.  He explains that honesty is the best policy, even by acknowledging what might be the challenges of your particular product and finding a way to turn it into an opportunity.

Cherish Your Failures  

Failures are what most of us (especially in business) seem to avoid at all costs.  We see our successes as what we must focus on, so that we can repeat them.  However, Sugarman said in one of his talks that he was probably the one in the room who had failed the most.  He cherished his failures because he saw them as opportunities to create “success forces” for future possibilities.

Relish Your Problems  

Most of us look at problems as inconveniences or roadblocks keeping us from reaching the goals we desperately want to reach.  But Sugarman viewed them as opportunities to take a difficult situation and see what could be improved for the next time.  

Concentrate Your Powers  

Sugarman encourages you to focus on one particular aspect of your business that you need to improve.  The point is to not get sidetracked by other things that you need to improve on; otherwise, your attention is divided by too many things which ultimately prevent you from making any real change.  Focus on one aspect, one day at a time until you have mastered it.

Do It Differently 

This addresses the fact that many entrepreneurs are great at “copying” ideas from others, but Sugarman says that there will always be copycats.  The people you should be concerned about are those who are innovators, those who are taking steps to improve what is already a great product or service.  Be an innovator, he says; not a copycat.

Clean Your Desk  

Sugarman had an early experience of interviewing presidents of various companies his father did business with.  What stood out most to him was the fact that these companies were well organized at every level, but most importantly, it started from the president’s desk.  He admits that his own desk is messy and piled up all day long; but he adopted the discipline of cleaning off his desk at the end of every day and putting every item in its own place.  He even went as far as requiring his employees to do the same.  He recounts having had people write to him about this “force” saying that this one discipline changed their entire lives.

The last "success force" presents a challenge to all of us.  Whether you have a desk or area of your home that you work from day in and day out, what would happen if you purposed to clean it at the end of your work day, every day for the next 30 days?  We'd love to hear the results of incorporating this simple discipline into your life.

You won't want to miss May Is National Bike Safety Month - How Will You Promote It? 

Three Social Media Tools To Expand Your Business

Are You Missing These Social Media Tools?

One of the most frustrating aspects of social media networking, is that after you spend weeks and months making connections, sending follow-up connection emails, joining relevant groups, making regular posts in those groups, and not seeing any “real” results or leads, you start to wonder:  Is this really helping my business or is this just a complete waste of my time?  We all have a million things that we could and should be doing to help grow and expand our businesses.  

But it seems that the potential for finding new leads is there - but how do I find them?  

Social Media Examiner has done it again!  They continue to be one of the top leaders in researching and sharing the top marketing tools which aim to help you maximize the full benefits available through social media networking tools.

“3 Social Media Tools That Improve the Sales Cycle" is an article where they go above and beyond to describe the benefits of each tool, in addition to explaining in detail the steps you can take to get the best results.  Listed below are the three main tools as presented by Social Media Examiner, including Nimble, NeedTagger, and Virally App, along with a brief description of their intended functions, but you will want to check out the full article here for an in-depth look at the various ways you will want to use these applications.

Nimble—Nurture Your Relationships and Get Sales

On their website, Nimble says their job is to help you "easily manage all of your contacts, communications, activities, and sales in one single place."  Organizing your connections will help you to give better focus to those relationships that you most want to develop and grow.

NeedTagger—Find Potential Business Opportunities Through Twitter

This is a very advanced search tool that allows you to look for opportunities to sell your products for your business through Twitter, so that you can immediately reach out to potential customers and start engaging them.  It also allows you to track the results of your outreach, seeing which topics got the most clicks and shares, in order to further assist you in preparing future campaigns.

Virally App - Get Leads and Analytics Through Your Content

This site encourages users not only to leave their email address with you, but also for you the business owner, to limit the content you allow them to access on your site until they connect to their favorite social media networking site.  This allows you to have greater depth in profile information, allowing you to see which leads have the most potential for your business.  

Have you heard of these social media sites before?  

Which one of these tools will you incorporate into your business within the next two weeks?

In case you missed it, check out 8 Proven Ways To Experience Excellence in Business.

May Is National Bike Safety Month - How Will You Promote It?

Every Month Should Be Bike Safety Month

Don't let this opportunity to promote your business pass you by!  The bicycle business has boomed over the last several years, and this is the one area you will be able to promote your business and feel good about the safety you are helping to spread to everyone around you.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has provided a wonderful list of ideas you can use to promote National Bike Safety Month.        

1. Organize a bike helmet discount or giveaway for younger kids, youth and parents. Make sure to teach proper fit and use.
2. Hold a helmet-use challenge at school, between schools, or between competing groups in the community.
3. Work with law enforcement agencies to encourage enforcement of bicycle traffic laws.
4. Conduct helmet-use observation studies and report your findings.
5. Organize a bike ride for your school or community. Include a discussion and safety education materials on rules for safe riding before the ride.
6. Encourage local bike retailers to promote helmet use for everyone.
7. Recruit bicycle crash survivors or motorists involved in a bicycle crash to speak at school assemblies, community or faith-based events, etc.
8. Organize a bike path clean-up day. Use this opportunity to reinforce safe riding and safe driving around bicyclists using existing resources.
9. Work with local pediatricians, family practice centers or clinics to counsel families to use bicycle helmets every ride.
10. Sponsor bicycle day, week, or month to get your community out riding bicycles for fun or to encourage replacing short car trips with a bike trip. The more bicyclists seen on a routine basis, the more motorists will expect to look for, and see bicycle riders. Replacing short trips by bike can impact traffic congestion and have an environmental impact. Encourage everyone to be a role model for safe behaviors as bicyclists and as motorists around bicyclists. Promote helmet use, shared courtesy and the rules of the road for bicyclists and drivers.
11. Sponsor or organize community training for identified groups on how to properly fit a bicycle helmet, i.e. employees of bicycle shops or where bicycles are sold, students and adults in after school programs or summer camps, youth and leaders of clubs like boy scouts, 4H, school bike clubs, etc.
12. Develop a “Share the Road” campaign to educate the community on what it means and what behavior is expected between bicyclists and motorists.
13. Start a community bicycle recycling program. Teach youth to repair or rebuild donated bicycles. Work with local law enforcement to rebuild stolen bicycles and donate them to families or youth in need.
14. Create a bicycle club for children, youth, adults, and/or families in the community, schools, after school programs or faith based settings.
15. Conduct a helmet use and bicycle attitudinal study. Ask community members of all ages what they think about bicycling conditions, helmet use, and other bicycle safety-related issues. Use the information you collect to build your bicycle safety program.
16. Work with youth and adult sports league team members to promote bicycle helmet use.
17. Sponsor a bike safety night at a community baseball or soccer game.
18. Seek opportunities to reach adults on adopting safe behaviors when riding.
19. Seek opportunities to reach adults on driving safely around those bicycling.
20. Initiate a school or community helmet incentive program for kids or youth providing rewards for wearing helmets. Think of how this should be varied based on programs for elementary or middle-high school ages. Don’t forget the behaviors of children need to be reinforced by what they see parents and adults doing.
21. Design a poster featuring local athletes promoting bike helmets.
22. Sponsor a bicycle safety essay contest for varying ages. Publish winners in newsletters or local papers.        
23. Solicit free billboard space and post bicycle safety messages.
24. Encourage health and/or car insurance companies and local medical facilities to offer bicycle helmets to clients at no or low cost along with bicycle safety information for bicyclists and motorists.
25. Sponsor a community bike-a-thon; use proceeds to provide bike helmets to riders who can’t afford them.                                                        
26. Hold a bicycle safety checkpoint at bike paths, recreation areas, or schools. Checkpoints can be used to pull over bicyclists whose helmets are being worn incorrectly and correct the fit, to offer education on the importance of helmet use and the safety rules of the road, or to entice community awareness, involvement and respect for sharing the road with motorists and bicyclists.                
27. Pass a bicycle helmet use policy in the school system, local government, and businesses.                                                         
28. Assess your community needs for bicycle safety Complete a Bikeability Checklist, see:www.bicyclinginfo.org/pdf/bikeability_checklist.pdf
29. Sponsor a bicycle safety poster contest.
30. Produce a bicycle safety video or public service announcement through a local TV or radio station. Reach out to bicyclists, motorists or both to help keep the roadway safe for all road users, including bicyclists.
31. Conduct a bicycle education program or Cycling Skills Clinic, see:www.nhtsa.gov/Driving+Safety/Bicycles/CyclingSkillsClinic
32. Develop a bicycle safety project with youth groups (e.g. Scout badges, 4-H programs, etc.)                                                        
33. Work with local retailers to include bicycle safety messages in their stores and as part of their advertisements.                                                 
34. Place bicycle safety displays in health clinics, doctors’ offices, hospitals, banks, cafeterias, shopping malls, bus stops, libraries and other gathering places in the community.                                                
35. Provide bicycle safety lesson ideas or activities for educators to utilize.
36. Sponsor bicycle maintenance clinics for all riders.
37. Work with fast food restaurants to place bicycle safety messages on tray liners.
38. Provide or sponsor bicycle safety training for those who work with youth and who could reinforce bicycle safety principles, e.g., youth group leaders, recreation department staff, and law enforcement officers, etc.
39. Hold a media event simulating an actual bike crash or near miss to emphasize the importance of how to behave safely as a bicyclist and a motorist around bicyclists.
40. Work with helmet distributors or local retailers to offer helmet discounts or coupons for discounts on helmets for your school or community.
41. Distribute bicycle safety tips through PTA’s, PTO’s, childcare centers, after- school programs, parent organizations, civic organization or in your local papers.
42. Be a sponsor for a bicycle helmet giveaway program. Provide financial support for bicycle safety equipment giveaways including helmets, retro-reflective gear, or bicycle lights.                                                        
43. Educate adults about the importance of being good role models; encourage them to set the example for safe behavior as a bicyclist and as a motorist.

At BikeNSafety Promos, our goal is to provide safety to every bicycle rider out there.  Which is why we have developed the BugEyez blinking lights - the perfect giveaway for any event.  Imagine your company name imprinted on our LED Safety Light, being passed out at an event whose main goal is not only to promote safety education, but in a fun way!  

In Case You Missed This:  Imprinted Promotional LED Safety Lights - Hit of the Las Vegas Show!  

Must-Read Entrepreneur Book Review: More Wealth Without Risk!

Have You Been Injured By Financial Mistakes?

37 Proven Strategies for Taking Control of Your Finances

In this day and age, who is NOT affected by finances on a daily basis?  One of the biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make is to mismanage personal finances, and then carry that over into mismanagement of business finances

In reviewing some of the most effective and helpful business books, More Wealth Without Risk by Charles Givens, is a must read.  The material in this book is so rich, that I found it necessary to write down in detail all that is contained in the table of contents, so that you will see the potentially life changing information they contain.  Givens divides the book into three sections:  Personal Finance Strategies, Tax-Reducing Strategies, and Powerful Investment Strategies.  

Most of us struggle with allowing our money to control us, and it often makes us feel helpless.  But Givens is providing tools and tips to show that you and I have the power to make informed decisions about the way we want our money to be spent, along with strategies for getting tax breaks in the process.  

Too good to be true?  Check out the topics below and decide for yourself.

Part One: Personal Finance Strategies

1. Developing Your Financial Blueprint (Turn dreams into realities)
2. Becoming Your Own Financial Expert (Take control of your financial future)
3. Automobile Insurance – Cutting Your Premiums 50% (Save up to 50% of the cost of your automobile insurance while maintaining necessary coverage’s
4. Avoid Rental Car Insurance Rip-Offs (Save hundreds of dollars and avoid unnecessary hassles when you rent a car)
5. Getting Control of Your Homeowner’s Policy and Other Insurance (Lower the premiums on your homeowner’s policy while getting rid of poor-value coverage’s and gimmick insurance)
6. Better Life Insurance for 80% Less (Cut the cost of your life insurance by up to 80% while increasing financial protection for your family)
7. Give Yourself Credit (Get control of your credit bureau file and establish good credit habits)
8. Creative Credit Repair (Get control and repair your credit when life throws you a financial curve)
9. Borrowing Money – Mortgage Control Strategies (Save tens of thousands on any home mortgage)
10. Borrowing Money – Loan and Credit Card Strategies (Cut the cost of borrowing money by 30-50%)
11. Send Your Kids to College Free! (Combine a college loan with an investment that will cut the real cost of educating your children by 50 to 100%)
12. Found Money For College (Take the mystery and frustration out of finding college loans and grants)

Part Two:  Tax-Reducing Strategies

1. Making Your Life Less Taxing (Cut your income taxes by up to 50%)
2. Tax Return Filing Strategies (Reduce your taxes and chances of an audit at the same time)
3. Winning the Tax Audit (Gain the upper hand in a tax audit)
4. Family Ties (Turning family expenses into tax deductions)
5. Whom Do You Trust? (Beat the dreaded gift tax and estate tax probate hoax, and protect your assets through the use of trusts)
6. Doubling the Profits in Your Employer’s Retirement Plan (Create a million-dollar retirement plan where you work)
7. Travel the World on Deductible Dollars (Make your vacations and trips tax deductible)
8. In Your Best Interest (Make consumer interest deductible)
9. Give Yourself a Tax-Free Raise (Increase your take-home pay $50 to $350 per month)
10. Working for Tax Deductions (Use your job to create big tax deductions)
11. Turn Your Home into a Tax Haven (Generate thousands in extra tax deductions from your principal residence)
12. Make Your Boat, Plane, or RV Tax Deductible (Find big tax deductions for your recreational assets)
13. Getting Down to Business (Start a small business for fun, profit, and huge tax deductions)

Part Three:  Powerful Investment Strategies

1. The Secrets of Powerful Investing (Accomplish the three major investment objectives: 15% safe investment return, no commissions, no taxes)
2. The Ten Biggest Investment Mistakes (Learn to recognize investment schemes, scams, and bad advice)
3. The 10% Solution (Get your million-dollar investment plan started on a shoestring)
4. The Asset Management Account (AMA) (Couple the convenience of checking with the power of an investment)
5. The Money Movement StrategyTM (Move your investment money among stock, bond, and money market mutual funds to earn an average 15% per year)
6. Mutual Fund Winning Strategies (Learn the winning strategies for identifying and using mutual fund investments)
7. Mutual Fund Margin Accounts (Use OPM to increase the earning power of mutual funds)
8. IRA and Keogh Investment Superstrategies (Earn 15 to 20% per year in nontraditional  IRA and Keogh investments)
9. Self-Directed Annuities (Combine the 15% earning power of the Money Movement Strategy with America's best tax shelter)
10. Discounted Mortgages (Earn 30% per year guaranteed and secured)
11. Tax-Lien Certificates (Earn 15 to 50% government-guaranteed interest)
12. Powerful Investing - How to Structure Your Investment Plan (Choose the investments that will accomplish your goals in the shortest time)

Which of these strategies is most intriguing to you in your current situation? Or maybe you have practiced one or more of these principles - what was the result?

You won't want to miss: "8 Proven Ways To Experience Excellence in Business."

Seven Simple Ways To Turn Blog Posts Into An Ebook (in just 5 weeks!)

Ebook Your Blog Content In No Time

Yes, it’s true!  Content Marketing for Google, a blog for business professionals looking to get picked up by Google, explains not only how easy it is to create an ebook, but goes on to provide logical steps to actually make it happen.

What makes this idea so appealing is that you’re already blogging about information you are passionate and excited about, and are writing to reach current and potential customers.  

Ask yourself: What is my main goal in having a blog?

For most people, blogging is not just about sharing random thoughts; well, if we're honest, we know there are many, many bloggers out there who really DO enjoy sharing their own random thoughts on life.  And that's fine. For them.  BUT - the assumption here is that if you’re even reading this post, then your goal is to share information that will ultimately give you more exposure, and ultimately lead to more business opportunities.  

Creating an ebook provides a great opportunity to take the posts you’ve already created (and will continue to create) and use it to get your name and information out in an inexpensive, yet tangible way.

The article goes on to describe in better detail how you need to look at the Google trends for what information people are looking for, in order to best match your content to what will be most sought out online.

Here are the main points, but you will want to read the details when you click here:

1. Decide on Your Topic and Make Sure Google Agrees
2. Start Blogging About the Topic of the Book
3. Edit All Aspects of What You Are Doing All the Time
4. By the Halfway Point, Begin to Organize
5. When You've Told Your Story, Stop!
6. Get a Professional Cover Made
7. Turn Your Completed Book in to Kindle

What if you haven’t even created a blog yet?  

The simple answer to this is that starting a blog is so simple that you will wonder why you haven’t done it sooner.  Blogger and WordPress seem to be the most popular and user-friendly.  

Shop Around

Take some time to go online and actually look at some blogs.  Observe their layouts, and the different aspects of content that they have chosen to focus on.  Write down what appeals to you aesthetically, and identify tools you can use to best appeal to your audience.

All in all, enjoy the process.  This is your opportunity to be as creative as you want to be.  

You may have missed: 9 Reasons For Using YouTube For Local Small Business Internet Marketing.

Why LED Safety Lights Make Spring Safer for Kids

Spring Safety Tips for Kids: Be Sure They’re Protected!

If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.  ~Anne Bradstreet

Did you let that quote soak in for a minute?  A great word picture describing the comparison between the seasons of nature with the seasons of life.  Spring literally demonstrates new life all around us - blooming flowers, budding trees, baby animals, and flourishing gardens.  

Spring beckons to us to come outside: relax, explore, and experience life on a whole different level.   Just as we would go through a checklist to ensure we’re prepared for a trip or event, review the items below to make sure your favorite little ones are prepared for the changes that spring brings!

Sunblock

Make sure you apply it generously to everyone in your family (kids and grownups alike), especially if you’re going to be out in the sun for longer than 30 minutes.  While you will definitely want to soak up all the vitamin B you can from the sun, it is still best to protect your skin from the damaging rays.

Allergies: Seasonal or Specific?

With all the lovely blooms of the season also comes the allergies.  If your little one is constantly walking around with  watery eyes, nose and perpetual sneezing, it may be time to see about getting him/her tested for specific allergies.  Getting tested can also provide some more specific options about what medications might be able to help relieve the specific symptoms your child is fighting.

Swimming Pool Safety

With the warmer weather always comes the desire to get refreshed in the comfort of your own backyard.  Water accidents can be most devastating because they are preventable.  Be sure that you are supervising your child in water play at all times!  Even if it is in a shallow spa, you must be attentive to the activity in that spa.  There have been accidents even in bathtubs where a parent had no idea their child had hit their head or had a seizure for the first time in their lives and drowned.  Take all necessary safety precautions related to water play:  swimming lessons, safety vests, review safety rules, and reward SAFE behavior!  Keeping it safe will keep it more fun for everyone.

Outdoor Safety

Spring opens the door of opportunity for taking longer walks together, riding bikes as a family, traveling to new places to explore together.   Let’s say that you’re riding bikes or finishing up your family walk just around sunset.  You want your child to experience such natural beauty, but then you start to feel uneasy about getting back home safely in the dark. BikeNSafetyPromos knows that the best way to keep your child in view at all times, is to make sure that there is a special “light” attached to them.  

Our Blinking Silicone Wristband can be worn while riding a bike, to let drivers know your child is coming down the street.  

 

Another popular favorite safety light (with a ton of great colors to choose from) is our Bug-Eyez LED Light which can be worn in multiple ways:

• Attached to the handlebars of a bike
• Attached to a child’s hat
• Attached to a child’s backpack
• Tied to a child's shoelaces
• Clipped on to a pet’s collar for evening walks
• Clipped to your child's pony tail

BikeNSafetyPromos knows that safety is number one in every parent’s book.  There is no better way to stay safe than to be “blinking” brightly through the dark!  There are so many opportunities to promote child safety, through local libraries, children's museums, amusement parks, police stations, and so many more.

What promotional events will you be part of in 2013 to help promote child safety?  Let us partner with you!

You will also enjoy reading "Imprinted LED Safety Lights for Pets (and their owners, too!)."