Archive for the ‘Quit smoking’ Category
Found an article on prospering in this economy from master copywriter and marketer Bob Bly. We should all keep these 5 things in mind…remember, this too shall pass.
And if you keep marketing, you’ll come out the other side with a bigger piece of the pie than you had before!
***5 ways to thrive in a recession***
By Bob Bly
BusinessWeek recently gave these 5 suggestions for navigating
your business through the current economic storm:
1–Don’t panic. Cycles happen. Sometimes they happen hard, but
we’ll come back around eventually.
2–Keep marketing. Slowdowns are an ideal time to snatch up
market share.
3–Stick to your focus. Don’t water down your message in a
misguided attempt to widen your market appeal.
4–Don’t go “discount crazy.” If you keep offering “special
deals,” eventually the deals are no longer special… and
customers learn to wait for the next deal instead of buying
right now.
5–Have a plan. You can’t wish the crisis away by ignoring it.
Source: The Copywriter’s Roundtable, #398. This article appears courtesy of Bob Bly’s "Direct Response Letter" and can be found at www.bly.com.
I’m at a crossroads.
I have a passion for helping people quit smoking. I used to be a tobacco quitline coach and am a former smoker myself (8 years quit as of January 8).
I believe that nicotine replacement therapy and Chantix have been oversold and overhyped as *the* answers. In reality, everyone has the ability within themselves to quit cigarettes or chew if they have the desire, education, and confidence to tap that inner strength.
I know that I can help them find that inner strength. I also know I could marry internet marketing with quitting smoking and help more people than I ever could one-on-one. At the same time, I could make enough money to have even more time to devote to helping more people quit.
But there’s one issue that makes me pause…
In my time with the quitline, one persistent theme came up with smokers and chewers. They didn’t want to pay for help. They didn’t want to pay for a few days’ worth of patches while waiting for the supply from us. They were unhappy that Chantix wasn’t free. Interesting, considering what they willingly paid for cigarettes.
To be fair, they’ve been trained to expect this by their state governments with the free programs many of them provide. Understandable, since these programs are paid for with their cigarette taxes. Some of the pharmaceutical companies help out with free stuff as well. And frankly, some are stubborn enough that they won’t even think of quitting unless someone gives something to them.
But then I see the Allen Carr Easyway to Stop Smoking seminars being given in three US cities for $350-425 a pop. Perhaps this is a niche within a niche? The more committed of the quitters?
So my research continues. Has anyone tried to work in this niche and do you have any advice for me? Thank you in advance for any help.
–Melody
