Wizard of Ads Partners

By Michele Miller, Wizard Partner
And along with Holly Buchanan, co-author of The Soccer Mom Myth

In The Soccer Mom Myth, we talk a lot about how important it is to have a website that doesn’t just look nice, it persuades visitors to become actual clients or customers. Many people avoid the topic, saying, “I don’t sell anything online, so my website is just fine.”

Au contraire, my friend. While you may not have ecommerce online, your website affects your business
more than you know.

Click to read more ...

By Michele Miller, Wizard of Ads Partner

The recently-released “2008 Customer Focus” study conducted by marketing firm Vertis shows that amongst women who are “chief shoppers” (responsible for more than 60 percent of household grocery shopping), nearly half (48 percent) say that low prices, advertised specials, and store coupons are the most important thing when it comes to choosing a grocery store.

By contrast, only 30 percent of men consider low prices to be a top reason – convenience and proximity rate higher, at 41 percent.

Click to read more ...

Ever wonder what Wonderbranding Marketing to Women seminar is about?

Ever wonder who attends Wizard Academy?

Ever wonder how Wizard of Ads consultants help businesses grow?

Ever wonder why you should partner with Wizard of Ads? 

Wonder no more. 

Listen to Wizard Partners Michele Miller and Dave Young discuss all the above.

The podcast runs about 15min... so coffee up... feet up... and enjoy

Do they have your permission to delight? 

By Michele Miller

Are your employees empowered to make decisions that affect customer satisfaction, or are they playing that worn out recording, "I'm sorry, I'll have to check with my manager."? 

"We have Room 245 reserved for you, folks, just as you requested." Melynda, the front desk agent, handed us our room key as we checked into the Westlake Hyatt for our regular holiday family visit in Thousand Oaks, CA. We've stayed at the Hyatt numerous times, mostly because it's a decent, affordable place to rest our heads. No big expectations, and no surprises. Til now.

We walked through the door to find one bed completely stripped of its linens and the bathroom waiting to be cleaned. Not really a big deal to us, since we both do so much traveling and know that these things happen from time to time. I rang down to the front desk and asked if they could send someone up while we unpacked. Less than two minutes later, a knock on the door revealed three maids and the manager of housekeeping, who apologized profusely while keeping a close eye on his scurrying staff. We told him not to worry at all and thanked him for his prompt response.

Five minutes passed and suddenly another knock on the door. There stood a waiter from the restaurant, balancing a platter with a fine bottle of wine, an opener and two glasses. The attached handwritten note read:

This was knockout customer service. Sincere apologies and a fast response to the problem were excellent, but the follow-up of wine and a note was a delightful left hook out of the blue. During the rest of our stay we witnessed a steady stream of happy employees and bend-over-backward service that comes only from the top.

Mind you, we are not a member of any Hyatt loyalty club, and we only stay there a maximum of twice a year. We even book our rooms on a discount hotel website. This was the level of service across the board for all guests. It reminded me a bit of the Ritz Carlton's customer service training program, where employees are empowered to make major decisions when it comes to satisfying a guest and customer service outweighs loyalty programs.

Are your employees empowered to make decisions that affect customer satisfaction, or are they playing that worn out recording, "I'm sorry, I'll have to check with my manager."? Do you have a one-two punch of your own - first satisfy, then delight?

Plant one experience like the one I had at the Hyatt in the reward behavior area of a woman's brain - you'll not only have her loyalty, you'll be giving her a great story to tell to everyone she knows.

Step through the portal and enjoy two magical days. (Oct 30 & 31)

You have all heard me rave about my fellow Wizard Partner Michele Miller. Well I have finally tuned my visit to the Wizard Home Office in Austin Texas to coincide with Michele's Academy, Wonder Branding Marketing to Women.

I'm excited.... so if you have been debating about seeing Michele live, now is the time. Gee... you'll even get to share a bottle of red with me. :-) 

Here is a snippet of what to expect...

WonderBranding teaches you how to understand women from the inside out - what language touches her mind, heart and pocketbook. It's an intensive, two-day seminar, jam-packed with information, real-life examples, discussion and creative experiences that will open your mind to a new way of thinking about your marketing, your customer and business in the 21^st century.

In this seminar, you'll learn about:
 

• how the female brain is "hard-wired" for branding
• why women have different needs for the same product – and how to speak to each of them in a way that compels them to do business with you
• the power of words and design in marketing to women – both in your store and on your website
• gathering the right kind of information to understand your customer better - the tools you can use to really get to know her
• what the "inside" of your business says to female customers
• how women use the internet – a comprehensive overview
• shattering stereotypes – what they are and why they're so harmful
• how to apply personas to your website
• how to attract qualified women to your website
• search engine marketing
• blogs
• the next wave in marketing to women – what new technologies mean for the future of marketing and advertising

Remove the obstacles to customer rewards.

by Wizard Associate, Sonya Winterbotham