1. Create your own blog. Go to www.blogger.com/start. Mine is at http://reecefranklin.blogspot.com/.
2. Use Face book and Linked In every night, M – F for ½ hour. Post a comment on it about your industry, and how your “subdivision” helps seniors.
3. Create a one sheet that you give out at networking meetings, post to your blog, put in your marketing presentation folder, etc. It should include: 5 W’s and H, who, what, where, when, why, and how.
A. Who you are: name of company and your personal name
B. What you do for seniors
C. Where you are located
D. When are your hours – when you are available
E. Why you do what you do – not to make money, why you are so passionate
F. How to reach you: list all: blogs, website, phone, cell, Facebook, linked in, etc.
4. Set up strategic alliances with people or businesses you meet at networking meetings. Take their one sheet-no more than 6 per sub category-and put in 3 ring binders. Now you have a referral binder. Categories may include RCFE, Board and Care, AL, In home care; non medical, in home care; medical, DME’s, referral agencies, etc. (for Senior oriented business.)
5. Strategic Partners: When you go to a network meeting – always take a tour. When you meet people, ask them first what they do, and how you can help them get more business. You decide if you want to work with them. Ask self do you want to add them as a strategic partner. If yes, create alliance – you will be cross promoting and helping each other for a fee.
6. Take the one sheet – use to structure a top 10 article: Ten ways to use Facebook to get more business, 10 ways to determine if you need in home care for your parent. Like Letterman Top 10. Things you need to know about. Create this top 10 into article for blog, Social media, etc.
7. Start with your local paper. Offer a free monthly article based on the top 10 list article. Make sure they understand they get it free, but you must have the resource box at the bottom.
8. Go to articles.com, and follow their submission structure.
9. Find list of local pubs and newspapers you can target.
10. Find list of local radio you can target. Send to assignment editors with cover sheet re: you are their local source for AL, in home care, etc.
YOUR FREE GIFT – 101 ways to Market to Seniors. Send email to seniorexpo@roadrunner.com, put send 101 in subject line.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Senior Industry Survey
Please tell us the most pressing marketing problem you have right now as a person who sells to seniors. Thanks.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
LA County Fair Screws Up Again! Seniors Revolt!
They've done it again! In their continuing effort to tick me off, and other seniors, the LA County Fair announced this week they will no longer offer shuttle service around the fair for people, only using them from the Parking Lot to fair gates. (See Daily Bulletin article on Wed by David Allen).
According to Wendy Talarico in the article, whom I know, people using the shuttles are stuck on them for long times, and it is so crowded with people who walk, it takes too long. I luv ya Wendy, but Bull hockey!
You have just effectively eliminated seniors going to the fair this year!
And this is not the only thing they've done over the years to make it harder for seniors.
Why don't you just say it -- you don't want seniors, and basically, you don't care about us. I know, your market skews younger. But don't give us the lip service of "senior days" when you make it more difficult every year.
By the way, Fairplex, I'm sure you'll call all the ALs and big companies to get them to send buses and buy tickets to the fair. Why should they? You just made it harder for people to get around.
Note: Most of this info on what they decided was gleaned from David Allen's Daily Bulletin Wed. Article.
So, call the Fair, tell them how upset you are about "no trams for seniors", and when they tell you "will you buy group tickets", tell them thanks but no thanks. The only way they understand things is in the pocketbook. If you're really upset, call the head honcho Dale and tell him you're upset. As a friend of mine used to say "Grey Power!"
According to Wendy Talarico in the article, whom I know, people using the shuttles are stuck on them for long times, and it is so crowded with people who walk, it takes too long. I luv ya Wendy, but Bull hockey!
You have just effectively eliminated seniors going to the fair this year!
And this is not the only thing they've done over the years to make it harder for seniors.
Why don't you just say it -- you don't want seniors, and basically, you don't care about us. I know, your market skews younger. But don't give us the lip service of "senior days" when you make it more difficult every year.
By the way, Fairplex, I'm sure you'll call all the ALs and big companies to get them to send buses and buy tickets to the fair. Why should they? You just made it harder for people to get around.
Note: Most of this info on what they decided was gleaned from David Allen's Daily Bulletin Wed. Article.
So, call the Fair, tell them how upset you are about "no trams for seniors", and when they tell you "will you buy group tickets", tell them thanks but no thanks. The only way they understand things is in the pocketbook. If you're really upset, call the head honcho Dale and tell him you're upset. As a friend of mine used to say "Grey Power!"
Thursday, April 9, 2009
OMG, I Cannot Believe the Industry is Not That Well Connected
I recently joined LinkedIn.com to increase my visibility with other businesses. In going through my over 600 business cards (people I've worked with in either Senior Expo from '02 to '08, or people I network with), I cannot believe what I found.
I typed in both the company name and the individual name. Out of almost 200 people, most of whom go to several senior networking meetings per month, less than 7% have a profile on Linked In. That's just 14 people. And these are the community relations reps and the owners, folks.
Many might be on Facebook or Myspace, but those are primarily for college kids, not business people.
For an industry that prides itself on referrals, there's definitely a problem.
I typed in both the company name and the individual name. Out of almost 200 people, most of whom go to several senior networking meetings per month, less than 7% have a profile on Linked In. That's just 14 people. And these are the community relations reps and the owners, folks.
Many might be on Facebook or Myspace, but those are primarily for college kids, not business people.
For an industry that prides itself on referrals, there's definitely a problem.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
How Do You Create a Marketing Plan that Makes Sense?
You start by understanding what you already know and have done. First, you’re going to lie out on paper specific things you know about your customer service program, your current and ideal customer profile, and your company strengths and weaknesses.
Next, you’ll analyze your competition, and their strengths and weaknesses. Then comparing their weaknesses with your strengths, you’ll put down exactly what it is that makes you unique, your difference or what’s better known as your Unique Selling Proposition.
By knowing these facts, you’ll know the correct message to convey to your prospective residents, their influencers (boomer children & others). Finally, after studying the different media and marketing tactics and strategies you can use, you’ll decide what methods to use, and lay them out in a comprehensive 3, 6, 9, and 12 months calendar that you can do over and over again.
Next, you’ll analyze your competition, and their strengths and weaknesses. Then comparing their weaknesses with your strengths, you’ll put down exactly what it is that makes you unique, your difference or what’s better known as your Unique Selling Proposition.
By knowing these facts, you’ll know the correct message to convey to your prospective residents, their influencers (boomer children & others). Finally, after studying the different media and marketing tactics and strategies you can use, you’ll decide what methods to use, and lay them out in a comprehensive 3, 6, 9, and 12 months calendar that you can do over and over again.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
What's Happening in Your Senior Facility?
Crazy stuff going on out there right now! Who would've thought that Sunrise, the nation's largest, with 2300 properties in the US, would file for bankruptcy protection. Talked to a regional the other day, he claims they're doing OK, now that they're focusing on their core business. Probably will turn out all right, as long as they don't try a marketing line extension again. (That's when companies like Xerox, known for copiers, try to do computers.)
My advice to the senior industry world: stick with your core competency, and expand it with other offerings, not other products.
In the meantime, why not add a comment about what you're doing in this economy to ramp up your patients, residents, or clients.
http://increaseyourcensus.com/
Reece
My advice to the senior industry world: stick with your core competency, and expand it with other offerings, not other products.
In the meantime, why not add a comment about what you're doing in this economy to ramp up your patients, residents, or clients.
http://increaseyourcensus.com/
Reece
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
How to Really Network at a Senior Industry Meeting
Here's the first of what I hope are MANY information tip sheets for those of you in the industry. We will have our site Senior Industry Update ready toward the first of the year. So here's Tip Sheet #1 - rather long, but VERY important.
1. Define Your Purpose – You must have a plan. You are there to meet other people who can help you gain more & better business. So determine what you want to accomplish with your 1 ½ hours at the meeting.
2. Set a goal for the Meeting – Perhaps a goal can be to talk further with someone you already know, and find out what you can do to help their business. If you give a little, you’ll get a lot.
3. Dress Appropriately – Men should wear a sport coat, slacks, and dress shirt, at the least. Women dress in business attire, pant suit or skirts are very appropriate.
4. Bring Brochures and Business Cards, Are you using them wisely? Many people take cards, but don’t look at them. Do this instead. Keep you business cards available, but ask the person for their card. Then ask permission, as you talk and ask them about their business, to jot a quick note on the back of the card. It should be something that helps you remember them and the conversation. (See # 12).
5. Prepare your 30-second “Pitch” – We are only given about 30 seconds to tell who we are, and what we do. But don’t be boring. Tell the audience why you are unique, not that you are “another in-home care or 6 bed b and c.” Practice your pitch until perfect.
6. Know Why You are Different – There is something special and unique about each of you. Tell the audience why you are special and different. But don’t use cliché’s. We all care for seniors – but why should someone refer your business rather then your neighbors?
7. Stand Up when you introduce yourself –Most of the meetings it’s hard to hear the introductions. Stand up, the air will fill your lungs, and we’ll be able to understand who you are and what you do.
8. Speak Clearly – Don’t mumble. Enunciate clearly. If we can’t hear you, we can’t help.
9. Don’t Be Shy – Some people are painfully shy. Don’t be, we are all friends. You are there to tell people what you do. We can’t help you if you don’t speak to us. And don’t look down.
10. Don’t Beg for Business – So many b & c’s get up and tell people “I need residents, please help.” Begging puts you at a disadvantage. People don’t refer to you out of pity. They refer to you because you are the best one.
11. Meet 3 New People, and Get Their Story – This should be your goal. Write down on the back of their business card a few notes about them that you can use for follow up.
12. Follow Up within 24 hours with a thank you note – Take that info from the back of the card. Hand write a thank you note. Mention something they said to you. When you personalize the note, they will be pleased you remembered something special about them, and they’ll remember you.
My email is: seniorexpo@roadrunner.com
1. Define Your Purpose – You must have a plan. You are there to meet other people who can help you gain more & better business. So determine what you want to accomplish with your 1 ½ hours at the meeting.
2. Set a goal for the Meeting – Perhaps a goal can be to talk further with someone you already know, and find out what you can do to help their business. If you give a little, you’ll get a lot.
3. Dress Appropriately – Men should wear a sport coat, slacks, and dress shirt, at the least. Women dress in business attire, pant suit or skirts are very appropriate.
4. Bring Brochures and Business Cards, Are you using them wisely? Many people take cards, but don’t look at them. Do this instead. Keep you business cards available, but ask the person for their card. Then ask permission, as you talk and ask them about their business, to jot a quick note on the back of the card. It should be something that helps you remember them and the conversation. (See # 12).
5. Prepare your 30-second “Pitch” – We are only given about 30 seconds to tell who we are, and what we do. But don’t be boring. Tell the audience why you are unique, not that you are “another in-home care or 6 bed b and c.” Practice your pitch until perfect.
6. Know Why You are Different – There is something special and unique about each of you. Tell the audience why you are special and different. But don’t use cliché’s. We all care for seniors – but why should someone refer your business rather then your neighbors?
7. Stand Up when you introduce yourself –Most of the meetings it’s hard to hear the introductions. Stand up, the air will fill your lungs, and we’ll be able to understand who you are and what you do.
8. Speak Clearly – Don’t mumble. Enunciate clearly. If we can’t hear you, we can’t help.
9. Don’t Be Shy – Some people are painfully shy. Don’t be, we are all friends. You are there to tell people what you do. We can’t help you if you don’t speak to us. And don’t look down.
10. Don’t Beg for Business – So many b & c’s get up and tell people “I need residents, please help.” Begging puts you at a disadvantage. People don’t refer to you out of pity. They refer to you because you are the best one.
11. Meet 3 New People, and Get Their Story – This should be your goal. Write down on the back of their business card a few notes about them that you can use for follow up.
12. Follow Up within 24 hours with a thank you note – Take that info from the back of the card. Hand write a thank you note. Mention something they said to you. When you personalize the note, they will be pleased you remembered something special about them, and they’ll remember you.
My email is: seniorexpo@roadrunner.com
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