|
Editorial
Smart Is as Smart Does
There’s an exhilarating
rush that occurs when you see your store’s logo or company’s
name in print. Whether it’s a mention in a national window
coverings magazine, or a feature in your hometown newspaper, a positive
placement can spur new customer calls, lend third-party credibility
to your business and confirm a reader’s decision to choose
you as a vendor, retailer or even employer. But securing a well-placed
article or editorial mention is very different from buying a well-placed
ad—it requires creativity, flexibility and sometimes a little
bit of luck.
Let’s face it, most of us are not born marketing geniuses and
don’t have the time, money or manpower to develop separate
marketing teams to grow our businesses. The Internet has been extremely
beneficial in this area by helping businesses get their names out
there. Many businesses of all sizes have done this through the creation
of Web sites to self promote their companies in their own little
ways. Though there are a select few that have jumped right in and
created one, there still are many others who are “waiting on
the sidelines.” (More on this topic next month.) If you fall
into this group, might we suggest you at least get started by getting
your company listed on www.BuyWindowCoverings.com?
This site is the consumer portal for the window coverings industry.
It is how today’s customers will find you.
Whether you are searching for media to launch or promote your company
or simply seeking fresh ideas to build your business, check out
www.DWConline.com (formerly www.DWCdesigNet.com) where more than
50,000 visitors landed in June to see the latest window coverings
related products, current and past issues of Draperies & Window
Coverings magazine and classifieds or conducted a search through
our exclusive directory of more than 2,000 industry suppliers. We
have given DWConline a new name and a face-lift to keep it fresh
and exciting. We invite you to visit our redesign and e-mail us
your opinions.
If you have a great story to tell and would like to be considered
for an upcoming feature article in D&WC, you can contact us
at info@lcclark.com or write
Howard Shingle, Editor, D&WC magazine, 1724 E. Grand Ave., Lindenhurst,
IL 60046.
No matter what form it takes, the exhilaration of seeing your name
in print could be easier to come by than you thought—and you
don’t have to be a genius to take advantage of these opportunities.
|
