About Us
John Bagwell is An Entrepreneur, Marketing Professional, Industry and Inspirational Speaker and Vietnam Veteran.
For Over Fifty Years John Bagwell Has Worked in Advertising, Public Relations and Marketing.
John Bagwell has extensive knowledge of Internet marketing and e-commerce with specific emphasis on search engine optimization.
Through the years, he developed a strong knowledge of the advertising promotional product industry for trade show giveaways and other support. He managed booths and related trade show projects for clients, as well as for the agency.
His clients have included retail, banking and business-to-business with an expertise in multiple-location retail establishments.
He is experienced in the rent-to-own industry and retail.
Bagwell also coordinated advertising for over 125 independent banks in 22 states.
He served as Marketing Director for a banking services company, gaining experience in banking, business opportunity, seminars, electronic funds processing, retail marketing, direct response marketing and Internet marketing.
The products and services we offer
Recommendations Received (2)
"Bagwell Marketing always has the client's best interests at heart. Even if the client makes a..."
Read more
"Bagwell Marketing always has the client's best interests at heart. Even if the client makes a different choice than what Bagwell recommends, they are professionals and get the client the best bang for their buck!"
"Excellent promotional products and specialty items!"
Products & Services
Direct Response | Direct Mail Advertising Targets Your Customers and Prospects
Direct Mail is often overlooked as an effective marketing channel...
Bagwell Marketing provides everything from brochures to banners to promotional products. We'll work with you to customize your print project to sui...
Broadcast Advertising still works and for many businesses can be drive sales and create branding for your business. The Staff at Bagwell Marketing ...
Recommendations Given (2)
"Print Tyme has "bailed me out" many times with their quick service and delivery. I have used them..."
Read more
"Print Tyme has "bailed me out" many times with their quick service and delivery. I have used them for many years now."
"Nancy Crandall has "saved my neck" many times by meeting tight deadlines for her direct mail..."
Read more
"Nancy Crandall has "saved my neck" many times by meeting tight deadlines for her direct mail services. Excellent prices and great customer service. "
Recent Activity
Great Question. I found an article at https://adage.com/article/data...
that covers advertising by SIC codes. As you can see, it varies from less than a percent to over 20 percent of sales. I once had a client in the retail rent-to-own business (televisions, furniture) that spent $2,000 per...
(more)
Great Question. I found an article at https://adage.com/article/data...
that covers advertising by SIC codes. As you can see, it varies from less than a percent to over 20 percent of sales. I once had a client in the retail rent-to-own business (televisions, furniture) that spent $2,000 per month, per store regardless of the size of the store or the city it was located in. For some stores, it was hard to spend that kind of money. For others, it was just a drop in the advertising budget. Still, he grew from 10 stores to 550 in just five and a half years, so he must have been ding something right.
Try to get a take on how much money stores or businesses like yours are spending. Stangely enough that $2,000 per month budget I mentioned is pretty common in rent-to-own stores.
I have had the pleasure of 40 plus years in business and having a Gross of $100,000 a year to at one time over $15 million a year. For me, the sweet spot, where I made the most money was at about $6 million. I discovered that as I grew, I had overhead that took away from what was left for me...
(more)
I have had the pleasure of 40 plus years in business and having a Gross of $100,000 a year to at one time over $15 million a year. For me, the sweet spot, where I made the most money was at about $6 million. I discovered that as I grew, I had overhead that took away from what was left for me at the end of the month.
The frustration of managing a business with 36 employees was tough and my health was not good. I was always under the stress of making payroll and managing people.
One other thing to consider is an "exit strategy." If you are young, that might not be an issue. For me, I have an advertising agency. Neither of my two sons wants the business and I have no employee interested in purchasing it. Since my business is my client list, no one wants to give me anything close to what I think it is worth.
Spending time and energy to grow a business that you can't sell or pass along to family may not be a wise decision.
On the other hand, I know many people who have sold their business for a nice chunk of change.
1 Reply
It depends on "where" you are doing business. If you have an online site most people expect you to respond within minutes. In addition to my Agency, I have a Promotional Product business -- key chains, coffee cups, etc. I have lost business because I did not get back with someone within 30...
(more)
It depends on "where" you are doing business. If you have an online site most people expect you to respond within minutes. In addition to my Agency, I have a Promotional Product business -- key chains, coffee cups, etc. I have lost business because I did not get back with someone within 30 minutes. I am a fairly small business and I am not open at night and on weekends. I have had an inquiry at 2 o'clock on a Saturday afternoon and when I followed up at 9 a.m. on Monday they had already gone with someone else.
Clearly, the Internet has changed the way we do business.
I will say, how you respond is as important as the time. I have people that want to be contacted by email, text, and some still by telephone. I am not a big text guy. In fact, I hate to text. But I love email. It has been a challenge for me to use text. But for my clients that want to use text, I have learned.
1 Reply
For my marketing company, I use Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter. For clients I manage I will add some specialty sites like Pinterest or others that fit the niche. I'd suggest using only a limited number. I find if you can post quite often on a site you get a little bit better result instead of...
(more)
For my marketing company, I use Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter. For clients I manage I will add some specialty sites like Pinterest or others that fit the niche. I'd suggest using only a limited number. I find if you can post quite often on a site you get a little bit better result instead of being on a lot of sites when you only post on occasion. I would also look at what your competition is doing for ideas.
1 Reply
I'll be a "Debbie Downer" here. I wouldn't trust any bank or credit union to give you "marketing advice."
They all will tell you that they treat each customer as a unique business but in reality, if you are a plumber, accountant or retail store you are treated the same. There are no real...
(more)
I'll be a "Debbie Downer" here. I wouldn't trust any bank or credit union to give you "marketing advice."
They all will tell you that they treat each customer as a unique business but in reality, if you are a plumber, accountant or retail store you are treated the same. There are no real special accounts for restaurants or supply businesses.
They may tailor an account for you based upon how many checks you plan to write or if you need to deposit or take out lots of cash (such as a retail store or fast food facility). But that is the only thing they will do. The MasterCard Visa they offer and loans or checking accounts is basically the same. It is based on volume and has nothing to do with your type of business or your goals.
In 50 plus years of owning a business, I have never had a banker that understood my business -- or for that matter took the time to even try.
When I had an account that paid me a million dollars a month, I got a personal banker and he took an interest in me and my business, but he never really understood my business and I don't think he wanted to know about it. The very week I lost that account, my banker suddenly lost interest in my account.
Bottom Line: Don't expect any banker to give you marketing advice or other advice for your business. Get a CPA or marketing expert or tax expert or whatever you need on the outside.
And don't expect to keep your banker long -- especially if you are with a large bank. My Bank of America person turns over about every 14 months and I have long stopped trying to educate the next person in line about my business. I don't even have anyone "assigned" to me at Chase. I just take my chances on whoever is available when I walk in. Once these guys get any real experience they move on to a better job in the bank or to another company.
Don't ever get hung up on this idea that they care about your business. They only care about the money you deposit.
Interesting Question? I have an advertising agency also, so have knowledge for not only us -- but for our clients.
I'm probably about 50 - 50 for our company. We get (and encourage) referrals. I have a strong SEO for our website. It's been out there since 1996, so Google ranks us well for...
(more)
Interesting Question? I have an advertising agency also, so have knowledge for not only us -- but for our clients.
I'm probably about 50 - 50 for our company. We get (and encourage) referrals. I have a strong SEO for our website. It's been out there since 1996, so Google ranks us well for authority. I find having both works well for us.
I have some retail accounts that are heavier in the advertising area for leads. Generally, the longer a company has been in business the more easy it is to get referrals.
For most businesses, I find there is a need to get some leads from advertising or marketing.
As for networking -- I personally have never been able to make that work. I know a lot of people that find that useful, I am just not one of them. It has always been a total waste of time for me. In fifty years, I have only had one person buy from me as a result of a networking event.
I think it was Jayne Mansfield, the Hollywood actress, that said, "I don't care what you say about me, just spell my name correctly." She recognized in the 60's that even bad publicity is publicity.
I think the Peloton ad did the same thing. They have received probably a million dollars in...
(more)
I think it was Jayne Mansfield, the Hollywood actress, that said, "I don't care what you say about me, just spell my name correctly." She recognized in the 60's that even bad publicity is publicity.
I think the Peloton ad did the same thing. They have received probably a million dollars in free publicity over a very average ad campaign. They are still running the commercial, so they must not be too concerned.
I think they are laughing all the way to the bank.
I actually think that is their customer base. It is an elitist product for an elitist group of people. The average family couldn't afford one of those machines much less the monthly fee to participate in their program.
Social media will move on to something else they find offensive next week and will be upset at the topic de jure.
I'll echo what Jeremy Eiler said earlier - it's finding the right target market. I can't tell you the times I have asked potential clients who they want to reach and they tell me "everyone." I once talked with a new car dealer who told me that and I asked him if he really wanted to reach 13-year...
(more)
I'll echo what Jeremy Eiler said earlier - it's finding the right target market. I can't tell you the times I have asked potential clients who they want to reach and they tell me "everyone." I once talked with a new car dealer who told me that and I asked him if he really wanted to reach 13-year girls. "Well, no," he said. Even McDonalds or Walmart doesn't target "everyone."
Identifying your target market as clearly as possible is key to a successful campaign
Not sure if you are talking about business-to-business or business-to-consumer. Both have their problems. I see comments from most people that it is a bad idea, and I agree.
You are much better off putting your money into social media, Internet or direct mail.
If you are cold calling, phone...
(more)
Not sure if you are talking about business-to-business or business-to-consumer. Both have their problems. I see comments from most people that it is a bad idea, and I agree.
You are much better off putting your money into social media, Internet or direct mail.
If you are cold calling, phone calling or otherwise working a list for business-to-business leads you should work from the bottom of the list. Everyone starts with a list and if they are successful, they get promoted. If not, they quit. That leaves the next person to start at the top of the list. As an advertising agency named Bagwell, I get my share of calls. However, if you are a welder named Zumwalt, you get very little attention. Start where you have the least resistance. Who knows, Zumwalt may buy from you since nobody ever calls.
For me, AdWords is not a viable option anymore. My advice is always to remember you are in business to make money. Do not get caught up in "buying" traffic that cost you more than you make. For most AdWord campaigns, Google is the only one making money.
People get caught up in the cost per...
(more)
For me, AdWords is not a viable option anymore. My advice is always to remember you are in business to make money. Do not get caught up in "buying" traffic that cost you more than you make. For most AdWord campaigns, Google is the only one making money.
People get caught up in the cost per click. It really doesn't matter if you are paying 10 cents a click or $85.00 a click. What matters is how many sales you can get out of it. They want to be number one for a keyword. Why?
I'm in the promotional products business - ink pens, coffee cups, etc. I see people bidding some of these keywords up to $5 - $6 a click. That sounds okay at first, but for me, I have to get a lot of traffic to my website to get an actual buyer. My average sale is less than $500 gross so I can't afford to pay $5 a click. For my business, there are a lot of "tire kickers" out there that are shopping. Your business may be different, but it is very rare that someone clicks on an ad and buys immediately. Everyone is shopping for the best price and value.
So, don't get caught up on cost per click. You have to know your cost per sale.
I had a client in the air conditioning business. In the middle of the hot Texas summer, he was paying close to $100 for a click. Worthwhile when you are selling a $5,000 unit but he did not close every deal. Ultimately he was just breaking even.
I suspect there are people that will not agree with me on this. I do believe businesses can make money with AdWords but I think most people pay way too much money to Google for what they get in return.