SOME INTERESTING AD SOFTWARE

While I was knocking around on the internet today while my computer was backing up, I came across this website. This CD that helps you write ads looks pretty cool, but I've never tried it myself. The retails for $395.00 and claims to do everything a marketing expert could do for you. This is doubtful, but it may still be of interest to you. Take a look and tell me what you think. If you decide to buy it, I'd like to know how it works for you.

PS - If may be hard to view this site if you don't have fast access!

UPCOMING EVENTS FOR SHARPENERS

The next two months will be loaded with opportunities for Sharpeners! Here is a listing of upcoming events:

The Wolff/ Huff Show at John Ascuagas Nugget in Reno, Nevada on June 8th, 9th and 10th.

Larry Brooks Traveling Training at John Ascuaga’s Nugget in Reno, Nevada, on Monday, June 11th and Tuesday, June 12th, following the Wolff/ Huff Show.

Larry Brooks Traveling Training at the Boothill Inn & Suites in Billings, Montana on Monday, June 18th and Tuesday, June 19th.

10th Annual Sharpener's Jam Session at the Holiday Inn—Gwinnett Center Duluth, Georgia on Sunday and Monday July 29-30.

To find out more about each one, click on the links above.

HOW IS YOUR ADVERTISING?

How you promote yourself can make or break your business! One of the things I try to pound into the heads of the sharpeners that come here to train with me is, it's not about you! It's about them!!!

This post in Michael Cage's Blog on Marketing teaches you questions to ask to see if you're heading in the right direction with your advertising program. It's easy to focus on yourself when designing ads! Be sure your focus is in the right place!!!

DESIGN YOUR BUSINESS

Stuart Skorman, author of Confessions of a Serial Entrepreneur has a great program on his website that teaches you how to Design your business. At the beginning of this short course, he says that Guerrilla Marketing, by Jay Conrad Levinson, is a must read. (One of my personal favorites by the way!!!) This short course is like a summary of Levinson's book. Take a look at it! It doesn't pertain to all aspects of the sharpening business, but it's a good read just the same. Let me know what you think!

LOOKING FOR REFERALS?

Want to get more people talking about you? Then you have to earn it! Here is a great article that will point you in the right direction.

KENCHII ON THE BIG SCREEN

Well maybe not the "big screen", but if you have a big screen TV then big screen it is! Kenchii has been chosen by the Beauty & Fashion Channel as the best and most innovative company. To see Kenchii on TV, tune into the Beauty & Fashion Channel (225 on Dish Network or 223 on direct TV) at 8:00pm tonight, June 5th, 12th or 19th.

PACKED FOR THE RENO SHOW!

I trust everyone had a great Memorial Day Holiday. I spent mine with my family at my In-Law's lake house. Had a blast!!!

I just finshed packing for the Reno Show June 8-10. I'm really looking foward to this show! I wnat to get my hands on the Huff's new 16" machine and wheel and the new 16" Andis Wheel they've had designed for it. I had a chance to play with the 16" Andis a little while I was in Knox City last month, but I want more time on it. What I saw looked great!!!!

I will also be doing some cool demos on the New Wolff Hira-To Flat Hone. I plan to wreck at least one shear and rebuild it for everyone. I also plan to do a series of article on this in On The Edge.

For those of you that still want to come, we still have a few seats available. To get set up for the show, call Wolff Industries at 1-800-888-3832 and they'll tell you everything you need to know. This show didn't fill up as well as the last one since it is shave down season and many of the sharpeners are busy. I'll have to plan my show times better in the future! Of course, the 35 that are coming will get that much more attention, so it works out well for them.

DEALING WITH THE MAIL?

Are you advertising by mail or providing a mail order service for your customers. If so, I think this article may interest you...

"In 1847 the first U.S. postage stamps were released, the five cent Ben Franklin and the ten cent George Washington. And, in just a week, the rate for postage stamps will increase to 41 cents - more than eight times that of the Ben Franklin.

You may be asking yourself, why the increase, since we just did this a little over a year ago? The stamp increase is to help cover operational expenses. Last year’s increase was mandated by Congress to fund an escrow account.

While the stamp increase won’t severely effect most business owners, the U.S. Post Office is also changing the postage rates for packages and this may cause a bit of a strain. But don’t worry, there are some ways to work around the added expense." Click here to read on