The Overturf Blog

The Internet Can Get Results

Jeremy and Stefanie — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 18:52:00 GMT

UPDATE: Scott Lyckberg from Nick Ferraro & Company called today, March 7, 2008 to apologize over the May 11, 2007 incident reported on my blog. Apparently their company has been made aware of my posting recently and they do not want any negative reviews on the internet. Scott does not remember the incident, and I must have caught him on a bad day. Locks have since been placed on the entrance doors to the pool area. He asked if I would remove the article and I said I would consider it.

After further review of the article, I have decided not to remove it. I feel the article was written objectively with the details written down minutes after our conversation ended.

I do appreciate the apology, albeit a year late and questionable on the motive, but I will put that aside and move on. I'm not going to post my personal opinion on the subject, even though this is my blog. I'm just posting the facts that took place today and will let you be the judge.

Related articles: http://blog.overturfonline.com/search.aspx?q=Nick%20Ferraro%20&%20Company

What We've Been Up To

Jeremy and Stefanie — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 20:52:00 GMT

You may wonder why the recent inactivity on my blog. The reason? Structural changes, reorganization...to put it plainly, we've been busy.

Stefanie has taken over day to day operations of Overturf Custom Greetings as I've been busy with Overturf Flooring, Tampa Bay's finest in hardwood flooring installation & sales. Yesterday, we changed the homepage of www.overturfonline.com, in order to launch Overturf Flooring's web page, www.overturfonline.com/flooring.

Overturf Flooring focuses on high quality hardwood flooring installations, doing things the right way, with the right kind of people, like with everything we do. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me, joverturf@overturfonline.com. We currently have room in our schedule for a few more installations, so call 941-209-9625 if you're in the Tampa Bay, Florida area and would like some beautiful new floors installed by the best.

The Power of Personalization

Jeremy and Stefanie — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 20:16:00 GMT

I've been trying to tell you...

http://entrepreneur.com/marketing/marketingcolumnistkimtgordon/article183950.html

Another great sales article, why referral marketing works:

http://entrepreneur.com/marketing/marketingideas/networkingcolumnistivanmisner/article183952.html

Rough Economy - Stop Advertising?

Jeremy and Stefanie — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 15:12:00 GMT

The reality as the U.S. dollar continues to weaken, stocks show little promise, and the housing market shows no signs of immediate recovery is that most of us must tighten our belts a little. Unfortunately for many small business owners, advertising is one of the first things to go. And this makes sense to an extent, as the search for new customers could get very expensive when the country for the most part is not spending as much money.

However, I have found to be true, and our clients have as well, that in this type of economy, it's more important than ever to hold on to the customers you already have. Therefore, follow up becomes even more vital, and our mailing service takes on a most important role in client retention.

As the market weakens, we have been acquiring more clients and I applaud these companies for taking the customer follow up, sales, and marketing roles more seriously. If, though, you use Overturf Custom Greetings in good times as well as bad, the bad times won't be as drastic since you will continue to have a steady flow of repeat and referral business coming in from our mailing programs.

Our greeting cards don't create the need for your product or service, but when they do need what you offer, you will be on their minds thanks to your constant communication with them.

J

See how much you need Overturf Custom Greetings with our new quiz

Jeremy and Stefanie — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 18:49:00 GMT

How Much Do You Need Overturf Custom Greetings? Take the quiz

It's been a rough week

Jeremy and Stefanie — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 19:27:00 GMT

I know businesses should generally be in the habit of making money, but this week I've decided to buck that trend.

At this point I'm almost sure it's psychological, since last week I had the golden touch and this week everything I touch withers and dies. That's just how it goes sometimes.

I have learned a lot in my week of downslides, but all my lessons have involved what not to do. For instance, you must be willing to risk money to make money, but it's called risk for a reason...it's risky.

On a positive note, Overturf Custom Greetings recently launced a radio advertisement campaign directing people to visit www.cardsaremoney.com. We thought cardsaremoney.com would be easier for people to remember than overturfonline.com, especially when they're in their cars. Listen for us if you're in the St. Louis, MO or Milwaukee, Wisconsin areas.

We're in the process of adding a program to reward people that refer our company to others. If you would like more information you can contact me at info@overturfonline.com. It would be a great way for you to earn some extra money doing what you already are...telling others about our wonderful company.

Other news, we've been campaigning for people to get us their list of mailing addresses as soon as possible before the holiday rush. We're anticipating large orders this winter, so the sooner you get us your orders, the better. Not just better for us, but better for you, we have more time available now to help you put together a knock-out mailing program.

On another note, if anyone out there does currency trading, I'm curious for any advice you might have on the subject. Part of my rough week has been due to my interest in this endeavor, and I'm looking to improve my trades. Let me know any advice you might have - info@overturfonline.com. Thanks in advance.

I'll wrap this up with words of encouragement partly directed to myself - "It's always darkest before the light."
I know, I know, very cliché.

Ok, how about this one, I bet you haven't heard it: “Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.” Dale Carnegie

Or what about this gem: "Always borrow money from a pessimist; he doesn't expect to be paid back."

I've got tons of them, I'll stop there.

Jeremy

World's Greatest Retail Salesman

Jeremy and Stefanie — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 14:41:00 GMT

Have you heard about Joe Girard?

The Guinness Book of World Records listed Joe Girard as the "World's Greatest Retail Salesman" for 12 consecutive years.

People actually used to lineup to meet Joe, so that he could sell them cars. There would always be a queue in front of Joe Girard’s dealership on every Saturday morning. Joe Girard sold more cars individually than most dealers sell in total. He sold an average of 6 cars everyday, throughout his selling career. He sold 13,001 cars during his selling career… all at retail.

What's his secret?

He built and maintained relationships. Joe used to send 13 cards to all his prospects and clients every year. One every month and one for Christmas. He created a place for himself in the brains of his prospects and clients by keeping in touch with them.

He made sure that he was in peoples' minds when they had to buy a car. And that is how he sold 6 cars a day, everyday.

Joe viewed this as so important, he had two full-time secretaries to select, address, write personal notes, stamp and mail the cards.

What can you learn from one of the greatest salespeople ever?

Keep in touch with people regularly.
Send them “Thank you” notes.
Send them season’s greetings.
Send them news and information that will be beneficial to them.
Send them free goodies.
Automate your follow ups so they don't get missed

Keeping in touch was an important factor in Joe Girard's success. Do you think it would be difficult to pick out and write all those cards to all of your clients each year? Guess what? You don't have to...we'll do it for you.

Work with Overturf Custom Greetings to set up a follow up program for your clients. We do all the work for you, all you have to provide is your client list. You too can achieve greater sales by implementing a follow up and referral program with us right away!

Visit www.overturfonline.com for details.

Excerts from http://www.biztactics.com/bullet-joe-girard.php

Why Greeting Cards?

Jeremy and Stefanie — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 13:52:00 GMT

I've been asked several times since the opening of Overturf Custom Greetings why I chose greeting card mailings for my company staple. I've always been interested in business. Sales, marketing, advertising, they've fascinated me, especially the psychological aspect of it. I'm also concerned about deteriorating customer service in this country...I'm sure you've noticed, whether it's dining out, shopping, or other business correspondence, it seems like in the course of a week I run into several instances of bad service. I want to help raise the standards.

To make a sale, sure you have to have a great product, but there are many other factors. For instance, if you do not like somebody, no matter how much you like or want their product, you usually won't buy from them. There are restaurants and businesses I won't go back to, not necessarily because of their product, but because of the way I was treated there. I bet you feel that way about certain places too. There are overly aggressive salespeople who I dread talking to. They might have a great product but I'll never know. I think it's vital, when possible, to connect with someone on some type of personal level before discussing business. Aren't you more likely to buy based on a friend's recommendation than a stranger's?

Many purchase decisions are emotional, not need based, so advertising that appeals to the emotions is often successful. Even when someone is purchasing a need (or perceived need), the emotions must still be appealed to. In the case of Overturf Custom Greetings, our card service is a need for most businesses, but the key is educating them on why it is vital. Our advertising has to educate, inform, and appeal to the emotional needs of making more sales or growing the business (thus more money). Advertising is this whole other realm, where every word, every picture that you choose is important. I read and reread every line of my web site, my e-mails, anything that is going down in writing to be sure the message I want coming across is coming across.

To me, our greeting card mailing service is satisfying because I work with great people that are part of great businesses on a small part of their marketing. I get to use my creativity in some cases, and I enjoy knowing that the people receiving these cards are getting great customer service. It really is win for all 3 parties involved - (1) the person receiving the card wins that extra personal touch, great service, (2) the business person sending the cards wins that extra business, either by referrals or repeat business,
and (3) OCG wins because the more clients that business attains, the more cards we get to send out for them.

The people that use our service are always part of businesses concerned with customer service, businesses that rely on customers coming back or telling other people about them. They're not just in it for a one shot sale, and to establish that kind of relationship takes work. We're changing the way the world does business by teaching people that when it comes to customer appreciation, the more you give, the more you gain. Some get it, some don't, but the ones that don't probably won't be in business very long (see my blog "another reason to use Overturf Custom Greetings", where MSN did an article that showed the link between customer satisfaction and stock performance is stronger than you might think).

So I can't really sum up in one sentence why I chose this business. Maybe no one that has invested the time and effort developing their business can. - J

www.overturfonline.com

When is the best time to start marketing?

Jeremy and Stefanie — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 14:53:00 GMT

Take Charge of Your Marketing

Don't wait until business dips to start marketing. Begin today using these 3 important principles to develop your core message.

By Kim T. Gordon | May 21, 2007

One of the questions I'm asked most frequently is, "When is the best time to market?" The answer is simple: The best time to market is now and every day hereafter. In fact, marketing should be a year-round process. Even seasonal businesses must continually reach out to customers or risk having to rebuild their sales every year.

Since 1991, when I began coaching small businesses on marketing, I've had requests from countless entrepreneurs who never marketed, but were facing bankruptcy if they didn't bring in customers immediately. Sadly, these business owners might have built highly successful companies if only they'd put marketing programs in place. But they had to struggle to bring in customers without prospect databases, marketing tools or materials, often with little or no name recognition in the marketplace.

Read the entire article at: http://www.entrepreneur.com/marketing/marketingcolumnistkimtgordon/article178592.html

Incorporate Overturf Custom Greetings as part of your marketing plan today:
www.overturfonline.com

DON'T FOLLOW UP? THEN DON'T EXPECT CUSTOMERS TO COME BACK

Jeremy and Stefanie — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 20:35:00 GMT

The following press release was sent at 4:28 pm eastern time today:

DON’T FOLLOW UP? THEN DON’T EXPECT CUSTOMERS TO COME BACK

68% of all business lost in America is due to apathy after the sale. Yet, it’s estimated to cost 4 times as much to attain a new client as it does to keep a current one. So why don’t more businesses practice retaining the customers who already use their business?

Overturf Custom Greetings has addressed the need for more regular customer follow up with full service greeting card mailings. The service customizes the message on a wide variety of cards, or will create a card from scratch with a company’s photo or logo on the cover. All a business person has to provide is their list of contacts, and the cards are mailed out with a look as though they were sent personally. This service makes customer follow up a breeze. Regular customer follow up leads to better business relationships, more referrals, and keeps the business on the minds of potential customers. According to Overturf Custom Greetings President Jeremy Overturf, “Our clients have found that personalized greeting cards are a more effective tool than other business mail because more people open greeting cards than other forms of direct mail.”

Overturf Custom Greetings was founded in 2006 to provide businesses with a cost and time effective way to keep in touch with their clients. The company is a customer service oriented business that believes the personal touch is missing from much of today's marketplace. Visit Overturf Custom Greetings on the web at www.overturfonline.com.

If you'd like more information about this topic, contact Jeremy Overturf at 941/238.0255 or e-mail Overturf Custom Greetings at info@overturfonline.com