Ads To Grow Consulting, Edwardsville IL
Ron Cunningham from Ads To Grow Consulting

Ron Cunningham

Ads To Grow Consulting

About Us

Get Any or All of This!

Tell me what frustrates you about your business and marketing. Also, what is exciting to you about your business and marketing. I am really interested to hear about that.

Small Business Marketing, Consulting, and Professional Copywriting Services.

Including:

- Education about how to market your business
- Local Business Listing Directories for many areas
- Free advice for how to market and how to buy marketing
- New or revised website with custom content
- Video Creation and Marketing
- Internet Marketing Optimization
- Listings Management
- Website and Marketing Audits
- Email Marketing
- Newsletters
- Review Management
- Google Maps, etc.
- Social Media (eg. Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter)
- Performance Tracking
- Review Monitoring.and Improvement
- Training to Manage Your Own Marketing

Special Programs for Real Estate and Vacation Rental properties

Get Any or All of This!

. Thanks

How We Got Started

I am semi-retired after 16 years working for one of the "big boys" for Marketing and Internet Marketing.
I wanted to keep busy and help more one-on-one with clients rather than working with over 2-300 clients each year. As a result, I pick and choose clients and remain affordable. I don't need to get rich!

Products & Services
Internet Marketing by Ads To Grow Consulting
Consult and/or provide Internet marketing programs. Take advantage of these facts: 1. Over 16 years experience in marketing and internet program...
Earn Extra Income for Yourself, Your Family, or Charity by Ads To Grow Consulting
Do Any of These Challenges Fit You? Retired and not enough income Charity Group has no way to earn money Stay at home mom can’t earn Colleg...
Edwardsville Business Directory by Ads To Grow Consulting
I am just starting a business directory for Edwardsville, IL.  The site will be getting updated and improved with your suggestions.  If you are a b...
Recommendations Given (48)
"Lake City is in good hands with Fleming Construction"
"Awesome products"
Recent Activity

Ron from Ads To Grow Consulting Answered this on May 19, 2020
Supporting your local businesses should be a natural reaction.  These are your neighbors and friends.  When neighbors and friends are going through tough times, you try to help.   I provide a local directory for the Edwardsville area businesses even when the times are not tough.  I don't think... (more) Supporting your local businesses should be a natural reaction.  These are your neighbors and friends.  When neighbors and friends are going through tough times, you try to help.   I provide a local directory for the Edwardsville area businesses even when the times are not tough.  I don't think they have to "deserve" it.  They are "family".  The free listings are equally supporting the local shoppers as much as the businesses.   I have seen too many local directories that have limited listings.  And where are the "local" articles and events?  If we serve the consumers, we serve the community.  And my listings are free to businesses and consumers, (whether they deserve it or not).

Ron from Ads To Grow Consulting Answered this on April 05, 2020
I guess my answer (for me) would have to be #4.  I am retired and use my experience and knowledge to help other businesses (new and established) find ways to keep it together and be ready for when this mess ends.   My one problem is time.  I have a number of people I help and it's growing.  Most... (more) I guess my answer (for me) would have to be #4.  I am retired and use my experience and knowledge to help other businesses (new and established) find ways to keep it together and be ready for when this mess ends.   My one problem is time.  I have a number of people I help and it's growing.  Most of what I do is at below-market rates or free because I am retired and comfortable.   The one "good" asset many people have now is time.  If they are not too busy washing their hands, now is a time they can learn to do a lot of the marketing chores themselves to be ready for the new growth at the end of this crisis.   The best thing I can do is teach businesses to do what they can themselves.  They have time to learn and do the things they always put off in the past due to budget or time.  I would advise them to learn learn learn.  Most of the marketing is not expensive or impossible to understand.  But when business is "okay", businesses don't have time. If you want to make a little in the short run to stay alive and learn to set up for the long run, I can guide you.  And there is a side benefit.  If you learn how to do this and how it works, you can make better decisions on what and how to do it when you get busy again.  If you look at my website, you will see that my mission is to help businesses to "not need me".  Then they will only want me to do the services that they don't have the time or desire to do when things get back to "normal".  It will also provide the tools to build a reserve for the next crisis. Talk is cheap.  Time is normally expensive.  Now is a good time to talk and learn for when you don't have time later.   One word of advice.  You can assume that business will be "different" when this crisis is over.  Those who learn now and prepare will surge forward after this crisis.  Processes will change because of this crisis.  There will be more "non-contact" marketing and business activity.  Learn what you can now to be ready. I am having promotions going now.  I have some free services and others at very low cost.  But if you want help, get in touch before the line is too long.  Don't worry about my "fees".  Just worry about how you can survive and be ready to grow when business resumes in its new environment. 

Ron from Ads To Grow Consulting Answered this on March 26, 2020
I publish a local business directory.  I have an ongoing promotion to provide free Premium business listings to anyone in the general area.  Message me if you want this.  I will need to override the price to zero for the time being.  Once you have this, you are good for a year.   Tell your... (more) I publish a local business directory.  I have an ongoing promotion to provide free Premium business listings to anyone in the general area.  Message me if you want this.  I will need to override the price to zero for the time being.  Once you have this, you are good for a year.   Tell your friends with businesses to contact me for the same.  This is open to any business in the area.  You will need to bear with me if we get a lot to take advantage of this. In the premium listing, you can add almost anything from menus to videos and more.   Also, share this with your friends who don't have a business.  They will want to keep up with their business favorites and to see who is open or who can deliver or more.    https://edwbusinesses.directorydealz.com/ I also help sponsor business directories in those areas where I don't work.  Anyone can sponsor a directory, but marketers are the best sponsors to help the businesses.
1 Reply

Ron from Ads To Grow Consulting Answered this on March 19, 2020
The Virus is all people want to talk about.  That is not always negative for my business.  It is just a challenge to analyze what individual businesses should do about it with their marketing. Each business is different.  Some are actually swamped, while others are almost (or actually) closed... (more) The Virus is all people want to talk about.  That is not always negative for my business.  It is just a challenge to analyze what individual businesses should do about it with their marketing. Each business is different.  Some are actually swamped, while others are almost (or actually) closed for business. I am finding that some people are getting quite creative, while others are in panic mode and can't focus at all. Everyone is concerned, but many don't want to acknowledge the problems and possible solutions.   I am in a particularly strange situation.  I mostly just try to help businesses without much heed to big profits.  I am semi-retired so I don't have to panic.  But I have the opportunity to try to help some businesses without the need for making money.   I have an event on my page that I just posted for free Premium listings in my local business directories. I expect a lot of the non-paralyzed businesses will take advantage of it because it will build at no cost to either help now or as they try to come out of this. I do feel a responsibility to help those less fortunate than me.  I will do what I can with my limited time.  

Ron from Ads To Grow Consulting Answered this on March 18, 2020
Simply put, I agree with most of what people are doing.  Depending on your business, evaluate your marketing for programs that are not long-term productive.   If you are an emergency service provider, make sure to protect your in-home service technicians, as well as the public.  Let people know... (more) Simply put, I agree with most of what people are doing.  Depending on your business, evaluate your marketing for programs that are not long-term productive.   If you are an emergency service provider, make sure to protect your in-home service technicians, as well as the public.  Let people know you are still available, but there could be problems responding if there is too much demand.   If your product or service is "non-essential", think of ways that it can help in this situation (maybe to keep away cabin-fever).   And definitely try to be helpful rather than a "vulture".  People will remember how you treat them. Fortunately, I am semi-retired and don't need to go out and about too much.  My business requires very little direct contact (except that I enjoy that part).   I have decided to try to help whenever possible, and within my capacity for time.  If you check my profile, you will see that a good part of my business is providing local business and travel directories.   I have added an event to give free Premium listings for this bad time and beyond.  I am already receiving requests.  It makes me feel good, and (other than time) is not an expensive service.  But it will provide some free exposure that will last beyond the crisis time to help recovery as well. Feel free to contact me for a free listing, where available, and to help build a new directory if one is not available in your area.  Here is a link to the event:  https://www.alignable.com/edwa...  This is not a scam and anyone is free to cancel at any time without any charge at all for the Premium Listing. One note... If you are thinking about cutting back advertising, check with a reliable marketing consultant that you can trust.  They will give you good advice if they are any good.  And they might even find ways to make your return on investment better either through providing more economical ways to keep your focus, or maybe even adding on services without increasing cost. If we all try to work together, we can weather this storm.  Don't try to take advantage of anyone.  Think of your neighbors and friends.  Don't worry about the industry giants (they will survive).  Help your local businesses to get through this.  And help your customers as well. Just remember that all your good deeds will not go without reward.  It might not be money, but it will always make you feel good and respect yourself.

Ron from Ads To Grow Consulting Answered this on March 07, 2020
If you have an office or storefront, how much would you spend on a sign?  How much more would you spend on a good location?  How much money do you have?  If you can answer these questions, you will have a better understanding of how much you should spend on online and offline marketing. The... (more) If you have an office or storefront, how much would you spend on a sign?  How much more would you spend on a good location?  How much money do you have?  If you can answer these questions, you will have a better understanding of how much you should spend on online and offline marketing. The purpose of marketing s to get people in your store (or to call or visit or buy from you).  If you think a cardboard sign would do the trick, then you set up your "garage sale".  If you think you need a lighted sign the size of the front of your business, people won't be able to find the door. An online example is Pay per Click.  If you allocate $20 per month for Pay per Click, you probably will spend that and get zero results.  If you are a local business in a small marketing area and spend $10,000 per month in PPC, you will likely be out of business when the money runs out. The best answer is to sit down with a consultant, ask for the best plan available for your type of business and marketing area and see what will give you the most return on investment.  Then you look at your bank account and adjust your plan to fit that.   Frankly, if you don't have enough to do an adequate job of getting customers/clients, you probably need to look at your financing and ability to start or continue the business. After 20 years in marketing, I have found that businesses tend to spend way too much or way too little because of fear of failure and not knowing what is appropriate for their businesses.   Find someone who will ask the right questions and give you the educated answers for your specific circumstances.  Then decide if you trust them to partner with you.
1 Reply

Ron from Ads To Grow Consulting Answered this on February 23, 2020
You've done it again!  Just when I think you've got it down, you always come up with a happy surprise.  I love the search tool.  I assume you will give the answer writers the ability to add "topic buttons" or hashtags or something to facilitate the search function, as opposed to just tagging the... (more) You've done it again!  Just when I think you've got it down, you always come up with a happy surprise.  I love the search tool.  I assume you will give the answer writers the ability to add "topic buttons" or hashtags or something to facilitate the search function, as opposed to just tagging the questions.   Okay.  Now, what's next to WOW me?  haha
1 Reply

Ron from Ads To Grow Consulting Answered this on February 18, 2020
You can use all the marketing routes, website, social, search, etc.  Trade and home shows are also good.  You should focus all your online search toward health-related keywords to get people who are health conscious.   (more) You can use all the marketing routes, website, social, search, etc.  Trade and home shows are also good.  You should focus all your online search toward health-related keywords to get people who are health conscious.  

Ron from Ads To Grow Consulting Answered this on February 15, 2020
Just a side note.  I am not sure when this was posted, but I looked and the first answers were on Feb 4.  I would like to know how long is before the person who submitted the question stopped reading answers. Response time should always be asap.  That asap can vary widely, depending on the... (more) Just a side note.  I am not sure when this was posted, but I looked and the first answers were on Feb 4.  I would like to know how long is before the person who submitted the question stopped reading answers. Response time should always be asap.  That asap can vary widely, depending on the situation.  I receive phone calls, texts, messages, and emails 24 hours a day because I deal with people in 24 time zones.   Prospects who call me get a message that I am not available and to text or leave a message and I will return the call asap.  I provide no service that requires 5 minutes max to complete a project.  most take a few days to even evaluate.   But I do answer as soon as I see the call, voice mail, text or email.  If it is a client, they know very quickly what to expect.  I often set appointments in the middle of the night (my time) to accommodate their time zone.  They are often surprised when I answer a message or email in the middle of the night (my time).  It happens when I am awake anyway dealing with another client. Now the rules are different when the calls are emergency calls.  A flooding bathroom or freezing home requires a business to have a system to deal with this.  (think typically like 911 type services).   Hospitality services or 24-hour businesses also should have the capability for almost immediate response.   I do get some calls that don't leave a voicemail or text.  Invariably, I find that these are telemarketers or wrong numbers when I call them back.  It can't be too urgent if they won't leave contact information (in my type of business). I guess there is no one size fits all answer.  It depends on your business.  I have never had an issue with a client, and very few with prospects.

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