About Us
After many, many successful years in the commercial marketing and advertising world, my focus is now on non-profit and 'cause' organizations. The skills that worked in commercial can help your NPO raise funds, communicate needs, and move your organization to reach higher goals.
SPECIALTIES: fundraising letters and packages (online and offline), scripts, taglines. Consulting to improve your average donor gift.
I partner with you and your board to analyze the best options. Then, using fundraising copywriting, we can grow to give your NPO the chance to have a greater impact.
My private email is Mark@TakeControlMarketing.com if you are ready to knock down the walls that are stopping your non-profit from helping as many as you want.
Recommendations Received (127)
"I've studied marketing for web and print and have reviewed Mark's website, sample docs, and..."
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"I've studied marketing for web and print and have reviewed Mark's website, sample docs, and advice here. I think real marketing is hard to find on the web. That's because most websites are designed by graphic designers and coders. But, how many have had a marketing class? A simple, bland, website with a great message will out perform the fanciest websites any day of the week. From the information gathered from Mark, I would hire him in a heartbeat - and it would pay for itself."
"He knows his business, so he can add value to yours."
Products & Services
Expert fishermen know what fish to go after, where to find them, the best lures, and the best methods to get them on the hook and into the boat. Fi...
Recommendations Given (18)
"Ralf and Flor know this market and do what others can't or won't. Their personal attention to..."
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"Ralf and Flor know this market and do what others can't or won't. Their personal attention to everyone who calls defies modern 'online only' imitations of customer service. If your business needs to grow, or you just received that dream contract and need money to build product, MFS is the only source I trust- and you should too."
"Travis and Remington did a great job bringing my website from the caveman stage to looking..."
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"Travis and Remington did a great job bringing my website from the caveman stage to looking incredible. Don't miss the opportunity to talk to them before making a decision. I would challenge anyone who thinks they can do it themselves to see the power of my site (TakeControlMarketing.com)- and then call Travis."
Recent Activity
Let me ask a different question:
It takes 4 specialists to make a website that sells: A mechanical person to do the work, a graphic designer who has studied and understands how the eye reads and sees fonts and colors, a copy specialist who knows persuasion and influence, and a sales expert who...
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Let me ask a different question:
It takes 4 specialists to make a website that sells: A mechanical person to do the work, a graphic designer who has studied and understands how the eye reads and sees fonts and colors, a copy specialist who knows persuasion and influence, and a sales expert who knows how to move people to a decision.
How many of those were involved?
If you answer is anything less than 4, your website doesn't sell. And a website that doesn't sell will never earn back the time and money you invested in it.
And you can evaluate this yourself...
1 Reply
As someone turning 65 soon, I can see why no one is getting results.
I get barraged every day with Medicare stuff:
- they all look the same - I can't tell the difference - if Medicare is confusing, all this mail makes it worse, not better - there is no 'know, like, and trust' in any of the...
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As someone turning 65 soon, I can see why no one is getting results.
I get barraged every day with Medicare stuff:
- they all look the same - I can't tell the difference - if Medicare is confusing, all this mail makes it worse, not better - there is no 'know, like, and trust' in any of the mailings - half of it is disguised to look official- which completely turns me off and makes me suspicious of the sender... - if they are all the same (and it appears they are), how would anyone choose? After 3, you can't compare...
- Did anyone send me to an easy-to-understand short video explanation? NOPE. - Did anyone give me the impression they had faced the same challenges and overcome them? NOPE. - Did anyone even explain why I should talk to them when the government is the one who provides medicare?? NOPE.
Watch TV commercials- like the one with Joe Namath. You can learn a lot about marketing and communication by studying their techniques. I am guessing they get great results from their approach instead of all the junk mail I get.
I could go on for two hours, but it's obvious everyone sending things to me has THEIR best interests at heart- not mine!
First identify who you want to educate. Trying to educate the world will cost more than you can afford.
Then use 'niche associated' data and stories. Visuals will help a lot because there is little to see by the naked eye. Hospitals want to see peer reviewed results, not wild TV-like...
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First identify who you want to educate. Trying to educate the world will cost more than you can afford.
Then use 'niche associated' data and stories. Visuals will help a lot because there is little to see by the naked eye. Hospitals want to see peer reviewed results, not wild TV-like claims.
Here's an excellent example: "In November, the American Society of Microbiology released a new
study which discovered that copper hospital beds in intensive care units
had 95 percent fewer bacteria than conventional beds.
That’s important because “hospital-acquired infections sicken
approximately 2 million Americans annually, and kill nearly 100,000,”
Dr. Michael G. Schmidt, University of South Carolina, Charleston, added.
It is the eighth leading cause of U.S. deaths." (Taken from: https://www.courierherald.com/...)
Edu-marketing is very expensive. You need to shorten the cycle with clear examples, easy-to-understand communications, narrow 'why this is important', lots of results, and how this can quickly and positively alter their lifestyle.
Comedy or humor and marketing is a challenge. Humor just for humor's sake doesn't hit it.
Geico is doing all kinds of 'funny commercials'. But people are more price oriented. So all that 'humor' may make people smile but not compel people to buy. (This article is...
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Comedy or humor and marketing is a challenge. Humor just for humor's sake doesn't hit it.
Geico is doing all kinds of 'funny commercials'. But people are more price oriented. So all that 'humor' may make people smile but not compel people to buy. (This article is useful:https://www.chicagobusiness.co...)
Puns are definitely NOT recommended. Too many people don't get it.
Jokes can be misinterpreted or not understood- you run the risk of alienating your audience or making them feel like idiots.
Completely subtle humor, which makes fun of a situation , not a person, can work. That's why you see pots that can't be cleaned in black and white versus the 'wonder orange finish' where everything glides off.
Humor is a powerful tool. But like any sharp blade, it can cause a lot of blood if not used carefully.
1 Reply
If you only have people who buy on price, get new customers!
You pick your customers by everything you do.
When I started a service managing private homes when snowbirds went north from Florida, I tried to compete on price. And I almost shut the business down in frustration.
Then I...
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If you only have people who buy on price, get new customers!
You pick your customers by everything you do.
When I started a service managing private homes when snowbirds went north from Florida, I tried to compete on price. And I almost shut the business down in frustration.
Then I decided to get new customers. I changed who I marketed to, who I refused to work with based on home size, added a number of cool benefits, and yea, I also tripled my price from $49 to $149 and up.
Business instantly became better. One of my clients even said "We knew you must be good if you could charge that much!"
I did all kinds of things from writing a book for credibility (Think of this: I enter a multi-million dollar home and the owner challenges me with 'Why should I trust you?' My response was simple: "Well, I am the guy who wrote the book" and I presented them a copy. Never was asked a second time...)
Get new customers!
1 Reply
Great concept.
Here is one I have worked in the past.
An Italian restaurant hands out cards with their receipt that say "Did you spill some of our great sauce on your shirt? Well, we recommend (Dry Cleaner) to make it disappear!"
Meanwhile, the dry cleaners attaches ads for the Italian...
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Great concept.
Here is one I have worked in the past.
An Italian restaurant hands out cards with their receipt that say "Did you spill some of our great sauce on your shirt? Well, we recommend (Dry Cleaner) to make it disappear!"
Meanwhile, the dry cleaners attaches ads for the Italian place.
My concern with your idea is this: How can you get people to call the movers? I see how they have access to your potential clients- but I don't see that you have access to theirs- unlike my example.
1 Reply
5 Reasons Why Customers Stop Buying
4% They are gone. They have moved, got promoted, transferred, divorced, die or whatever. They are simply no longer in a position to make a buying decision.
5% Have changed their suppliers on the recommendation of a friend or business associate.
9%...
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5 Reasons Why Customers Stop Buying
4% They are gone. They have moved, got promoted, transferred, divorced, die or whatever. They are simply no longer in a position to make a buying decision.
5% Have changed their suppliers on the recommendation of a friend or business associate.
9% Change because of a true competitive advantage; an honest benefit offered over your product or service.
14% Change because they are unhappy with your service or product.
This reason is the Biggie. The #1 Reason Why Customers Stop Buying from you.
68% of customers stop buying from you because of a “PERCEIVED INDIFFERENCE” a perceived lack of caring expressed by your company!
[Sources: From U.S. government study “Why Customers Stop Buying.” ]
2 Replies
In-magazine is a media.
And the media is not the power. It's just a delivery system for your compelling message to your ideal prospects.
If your messages or offer stinks, no media will work.
If a media works for you, that doesn't mean it will work for others- or vice versa!
I applaud you...
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In-magazine is a media.
And the media is not the power. It's just a delivery system for your compelling message to your ideal prospects.
If your messages or offer stinks, no media will work.
If a media works for you, that doesn't mean it will work for others- or vice versa!
I applaud you investigating what works and what doesn't in your marketing but you are trying to guess which media works.
Better to research your ideal prospects and what they need to hear to buy your products instead of your competitors. Then, and only then, should you look for a media (like a magazine) to see if that media can deliver your message to your prospects.
1 Reply
Everyone has 'serious professional services'. Unless you are a comedian, I guess.
What you re missing is a clear cut definition of your ideal prospect- part of marketing 101. Then you need to know exactly what that prospect needs to see and hear from you to get motivated to take an action-...
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Everyone has 'serious professional services'. Unless you are a comedian, I guess.
What you re missing is a clear cut definition of your ideal prospect- part of marketing 101. Then you need to know exactly what that prospect needs to see and hear from you to get motivated to take an action- whatever action you are seeking.
Because this research is unique to you, there is no 'secret sauce'. I just gave you the recipe.
Most pros know you need to find those who will be most responsive to your offers. Like the little kid selling girl scout cookies who realized her prospects were people with cravings- and became the top seller by offering her cookies as people left marijuana shops!!
Generic sauce doesn't work.
Only research. There are plenty of experts to help. Just as you are an expert in your field, there are plenty in the marketing world- the area you are struggling in right now...
There are two groups using social for lead generation- those who have had trouble, and liars.
Social can be a great source with excellent research to know exactly who you are targeting, knowing how to communicate with them properly to compel them to action, and offers that are so amazing it...
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There are two groups using social for lead generation- those who have had trouble, and liars.
Social can be a great source with excellent research to know exactly who you are targeting, knowing how to communicate with them properly to compel them to action, and offers that are so amazing it draws them away from the stickiness of social, and testing before major investment.
Without those, you will always have trouble.
Those who have succeeded- and there are a lot- use that formula.
