AP9 Articles

AP9 AtHomeRewards Presents Rules for a Successful Garage Sale

“My closet is full of things I never wear.” Does this phrase sound familiar? Well, it is certainly not uncommon to find household closets crammed full of clothing and accessories that have not been worn in ages. This is why AP9 AtHomeRewards, a leading membership discount program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC^®, recommends having a garage sale to clear out cluttered closets while putting some extra cash back into the wallet.

There are certain rules that need to be kept in mind when planning a garage sale. Remember that a garage sale can be financially satisfying, but it’s also a lot of work. AP9 At Home Rewards first recommends committing to a day and time. Second, create a list of items to be sold and a list of people willing to help out the day of the sale. Third, it is very important to have plenty of change on hand since most people will pay cash for their finds.

In addition to the above, AP9 AtHomeRewards suggests some other important tips for a successful garage sale:

-- Advertisements. Letting people know about the garage sale is the most important rule for its success. Some ideas are to promote the garage sale through a local newspaper one to two days before the sale, tell friends and advertise by listing a few key items that will draw attention to potential garage sale goers. The key is to be specific, concise and honest. State the place, date, and hours, and if there is a large amount of clothing, specify some of the sizes.

-- Post signs. Signs come in handy, especially if the seller lives in the back of a large neighborhood. It is critical to the sale’s success to ensure there are plenty of signs so people can find the location. Place signs along the way to guide buyers directly to the sale. Remember to make sure the directions are easy to follow.

-- Pricing. Garage sale items should be priced as inexpensively as possible. Don’t expect to receive more than 10% of what you originally paid. Remember that the sentimental value one places on something has nothing to do with the actual value a potential buyer may see. Make sure all your items are marked properly and the prices are easy to read. We can save a lot of time answering questions if we show a price on all merchandise. People are looking for bargains, so don't disappoint them. Remember that what you sell is something you don't want, so whatever you get is more than what you could’ve gotten if you tossed it.

-- Join efforts for effectiveness. If there are not many items to sell, it’s a good idea to ask neighbors and friends if they have things they would like to contribute. The more there is to sell – the more successful the sale will be. If people stop by and only see a few, small items, they will be more likely to keep going than if they see a garage sale full of a variety of items.

-- Offer water, pop, lemonade and baked goods. Another way to make some extra money is to sell refreshments. Shoppers will be weary and refreshments will enhance your sale in their eyes and probably make them stay longer. A refreshment stand run by children will win the hearts of most shoppers!

One last note: The best days for a garage sale are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. These are the days when most people go out looking for inexpensive or unique items, concludes AP9 At Home Rewards.

AP9 HomeWorksPlus Presents Tasteful Gifts Ideas for a New Neighbor

Moving to a new neighborhood is just kind of like the first day of school – you don’t know anybody and feel like a fish out of water. So it may come as a pleasant surprise when a new neighbor knocks at the door, offers a “welcome to the neighborhood” gift and a friendly smile. AP9 HomeWorksPlus, a leading membership discount program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC^®, provides members with helpful tips on how to make new neighbors feel welcomed without having to bust the budget.

AP9 HomeWorks Plus allows members to save on just about all of their home decorating, home improvement and home maintenance projects by logging on to HomeWorksPlus123.com. There they will find discounts of up to 20% at national home improvement and home retail stores across the country – savings perfect for purchasing gifts for new neighbors.

Giving a welcome gift doesn’t have to be expensive. AP9 HomeWorksPlus recommends usefulness before expensiveness. Whenever picking out a housewarming gift, try to purchase items new home dwellers might need the most. AP9 HomeWorks Plus suggests the following items that will surely come in handy to those new families on the block.

-- Deliver a move-in survival kit – This kit will come in handy since it includes such items as: paper plates and cups, plastic flatware, a can opener, a phone book, a bottle of aspirin, and maybe some flowers. Be creative and remember the little things you needed when you first moved into your new place. Think of items that are not too expensive but useful. For families with small children, include crayons and coloring books.

-- Arrange for a town tour – Give the gift of personal time. Volunteer to show the new neighbors where stores, schools, parks, and other services are located. It’ll be a great opportunity to get to know them and for them to get to know the neighborhood.

-- Make something special – Give the gift of yourself by making something homemade. Baked goods, a painted welcome sign, a flower arrangement or a simple basket of fruit are just a few ideas. These items are usually graciously accepted since it came from the heart.

-- Make a neighborhood phonebook – This is an excellent idea for the people who are very involved in the community. List all names, addresses and phone numbers of neighbors on the block and put them into a three-ring binder for the new neighbors. It is also helpful to include important local phone numbers such as schools and healthcare facilities. Let them know resources for neighborhood snow removal, leaf removal and local babysitters.

All these ideas require personal time and effort – not money. They will also be more useful to a new neighbor than a very expensive bottle of wine for example. Tasteful gifts given with a warm smile just might make a new neighbor’s move much more special, concludes AP9 HomeWorksPlus.

AP9 ShoppingEssentials Presents Helpful Haircut Tips

Every girl at one point in their life has felt the need for a radical change. It could be a change of career, mate, town, but most of the time it’s just as simple as a change of appearance. Most of the time, this means “I need a new haircut!” Even though getting a new hairstyle is a great start, one has to keep in mind that many times the results can be unpleasant and even traumatic. Who doesn’t have a bad haircut story? To help all the women who are considering a new look, AP9 ShoppingEssentials, a leading membership discount program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC^®, recommends useful tips for a satisfying haircut experience.

When looking for change, look for something that gives you what you want – confidence, sophistication, charm, etc. The right haircut can certainly give someone the confidence necessary to strut out the front door with ease. This is the type of haircut every woman is looking for. But, finding that right haircut is not as easy as it may sound. According to AP9 Shopping Essentials, research and patience is the key to finding the right haircut.

AP9 ShoppingEssentials provides the following tips that might come in handy at the hair salon:

-- Do your homework. Research and find a style that works. Take it slow and never make a decision based on an emotional reaction – something that will probably be regretted later. Start by asking for a consultation before the cut and bring photos. Pick the top five styles and bring the pictures – it can be a celebrity haircut or a favorite previous hairstyle. This will help get on the same page with the hairstylist. He or she will also have a better idea of what is needed and would be the best fit.

-- Trust your instinct. By bringing in a sample hairstyle, you are letting your stylist know exactly what you want for your new haircut. You need to feel comfortable with the style you choose because it’s crucial to carry it well. Speak up if you think the stylist is not doing what you agreed on. It’s easier to fix it while he or she is in the process than coming back at a later date.

-- Listen to your stylist. Be open to suggestions, but be clear about the styles that you don’t feel comfortable with.

-- Work with your natural hair. Many people don’t have the time to work on their hair every morning. This is why AP9 Shopping Essentials recommends choosing a haircut that works with one’s natural hair. Maintaining a haircut will be much easier if a hairstyle is chosen that allows the hair to do what it wants to do naturally. A good haircut will fall into place even if it is not blown dry it in the morning.

This article was brought to you by AP9 ShoppingEssentials.

AP9 GalleriaUSA Presents Girls’ Night Out Party Ideas

Having a group of close girlfriends is important and spending quality time with them is even more important. This is why AP9 GalleriaUSA, a leading discount membership program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC^®, has put together a list of five fun activities to do with your girlfriends when you finally get to have that “girls’ night out.”

With women juggling full-time jobs and a family, finding free time to spend with the girls can be quite challenging. And many times “girls’ night out” becomes quite an event since they don’t happen very often. AP9 Galleria USA suggests setting the mood by sending “girls’ night out” invitations to friends explaining what the night will entail and to serve as reminders to mark their calendars.

AP9 GalleriaUSA wants women to enjoy an evening of gossip, glamour and good times. The following are a few suggestions for the next “girls’ night out”.

-- International girls’ night out – International nights are always fun. Pick a nationality and spend the rest of the night doing things related to that culture. For example, Spanish: dress like a Latina, learn some Spanish, go to a Spanish restaurant and later to a Latin club. French: buy or borrow a French poodle, get a French manicure, or go to a movie with French subtitles. The point is to do everything like you were from another culture.

-- Pamper party – A few simple touches can turn any place into a spa retreat. Get your friends together to enjoy the relaxation of a spa party. How you decorate for your spa party depends on the type of services you plan to have: a manicure party, pedicure party, makeover party, facial party, massage party—the choices are endless. The point is to be comfortable, relaxed and to enjoy the company of good friends. Give your pamper party an extra special touch by hiring a masseuse.

-- A trip down memory lane – Share pictures or home videos of the younger years, relive fond memories and watch your favorite “girly” movie of all time. All of these are excellent ideas to share with your long-time best friends. It works even better if you haven’t seen each other in ages.

-- Poker night – Who said Poker nights were just for the guys? Poker can also be a fun and competitive game for the girls. Poker night is a perfect choice for those nights when all you want to do it chat with your friends. It's easy to find an inexpensive poker set that includes cards, chips and a good playing surface. For an added touch, pick up some napkins and plates decorated with images of dice, cards or dollar signs, a bottle of your favorite wine and let the games begin.

-- Workout night – Take advantage of the night together and hit the gym for a Pilates, Yoga or a Salsa class. What better way to burn some calories than with a little motivation from friends. Afterwards, grab a bite to eat and indulge in good conversation.

Remember, the rule to having a successful “girls’ night out” or “in” is that boys are not allowed! But most importantly, enjoy every minute with the girls because you never know when the next night out will be, concludes AP9 Galleria USA.

AP9 Privacy Matters 123 Presents Tips on Money Management for Teens

It seems like parents and their teens always have important things to talk about – also known as “serious talks.” These talks can be challenging and parents often don’t want to follow through. However, parents should not be afraid of discussing money management and early financial responsibility with their teens, advises AP9 PrivacyMatters123, a leading program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC^® that’s designed to help members manage their credit.

The first money management opportunity comes with a monetary incentive widely known as an allowance. Most parents in the U.S. give their children a weekly or monthly allowance as a reward for good behavior, chores, responsibilities, or to simply teach them the value of money. AP9 Privacy Matters 123 believes the first lesson teens should learn about money is that even though saving money may not be as much fun as spending money, it is the foundation of financial success. The next lesson: Learn to invest it wisely.

Today, teens have access to more money than ever before through allowances, monetary gifts, and income from chores, summer jobs or part-time jobs. Teens are also expanding their horizons to online shopping or even selling – from school books to games, jewelry, CDs, etc. It is becoming more and more important for teens to learn to manage their income from an early age. AP9 PrivacyMatters123 provides parents with the following tips to get their teens started on the path to financial success.

-- Give an allowance that includes financial responsibility: Making sure teens take full responsibility for managing their own money is key. One way to do so is to make them responsible for buying their lunch at school or saving their money to buy that special something they have always wanted -- like their first car. Such responsibilities will help them learn to allocate their money to pay for some of their own wants and needs.

-- Open a savings account: Make teens aware that when they regularly put even a small amount of money into their savings account and leave it untouched for years, the results can be surprising. Through the magic of compounding interest, their savings and their interest payments will make their account grow faster than if they just left their money in their piggy bank.

-- Talk about investing young: Don’t stop at a discussion about saving money – talk about investing money wisely. Teens (or anyone for that matter) don’t need to invest big to see results. Some of the most popular types of investment options include stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. Teach them the pros and cons of each option then let the young adult make the decision of how much to invest and where to invest it. (If they’re under 18, they’ll need the consent of a parent or guardian.)

-- Teach them to spend less by shopping smart: Today, many teens are more concerned about designer labels than they are about the quality of the garments. But if they are committed to hard work and have developed a saving-conscious mindset, they should reward themselves from time to time. Every once in a while it is okay to splurge as long as they take care of their investment.

-- Help the less fortunate: Even though the primary goal of proper money management is usually to ensure a comfortable future, parents should also teach teens to give back to the community. They can choose whether to donate money or time, but community involvement can help them better appreciate what they have.

Some parents are financial experts for whom budgeting is second nature. But for other parents, money management can be difficult to handle and even harder to discuss with their teens. Still, it’s important for their children’s future that parents teach them how to save, manage and spend their money wisely. It is possible that “the talk” about money can end up being useful not only for their teens but for the parents as well, concludes AP9 Privacy Matters 123.

AP9 SavingSmart Presents Online Shopping Tips That Pockets Will Love

With the Internet becoming more affordable and faster, people all over the world are finding answers to a quick, convenient shopping experience by going online. AP9 SavingSmart, a leading membership discount program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC^®, reminds consumers than in addition to ease and convenience, online shopping can also help them save some extra bucks.

A new trend for online retailers is to use their websites to sell out-of-season merchandise, which creates a big opportunity for bargain shoppers since items are usually sold at lower prices. Today, shoppers can buy almost anything and everything they can possibly want or need online, and for those who can’t make up their mind, members of AP9 Saving Smart can log on to SavingSmart.com to purchase a wide variety of gift cards to nationally-known retailers at a 5% discount.

According to AP9 SavingSmart, the key to save on your next online shopping spree is to take advantage of the wonderful research tool that the Internet really is. From the comfort of home, visitors can go directly to the manufacturer’s website and read product descriptions. Shoppers can easily find consumer reports or product ratings on items of interest. Consumers can even compare prices with a click of a button. It is also helpful to ask family and friends for recommendations, suggests AP9 Saving Smart.

But even after doing all that research and finding the best prices, there are other ways to keep saving. AP9 SavingSmart presents a few creative ways to save while shopping online:

-- Price-matching policy – Many online stores are adopting the policy of matching the competitor’s advertised price. This is an excellent alternative that gives consumers the opportunity to receive some money back if they find the same item for less. For example, Apple Inc. has this policy: If you find a better price for a Mac at another online retailer, you can email the link to your salesperson and Apple will meet or beat the price.

-- Look out for shipping charges – Look for merchants that charge for the postage but not the handling. Many online stores charge an additional fee for “handling,” which means paying for the placement of what you bought in the actual box. In many cases, the merchant offering the cheaper price may very well end up charging more than the competitor once the shipping and handling costs have been calculated. Look for merchants that will only charge for shipping, or better yet, take advantage of e-tailers offering free shipping promotions. There are plenty of online stores that offer free shipping if the price of the item or items is over a certain dollar amount. Remember that when comparing prices between online merchants, compare shipping rates as well.

-- Online coupons and special deals – It is worth it to hunt for coupons and deals for online stores since the savings can really add up. During peak shopping months – October and November – online stores offer special deals. Many of these offers are available only online and not in stores.

-- Saving on gift buying – Shopping for oneself can sometimes be stressful and shopping for someone else can be even worse. Buying gifts online can save both time and money. However, shipping a gift to a relative can be really expensive, even more expensive than the actual gift. Take advantage of free shipping promotions or select a gift card instead. In the end, it will lead to fewer stops for you (shopping and shipping available in the same place) and more money in your pocket.

This article was brought to you by AP9 SavingSmart.

AP9 SimpleEscapes Gets the Jump on Spring 2007 New Book Releases

Now that Groundhog Day has come and gone it won’t be long before spring is officially in the air. So amidst those upcoming plans for spring cleaning and flower planting, AP9 SimpleEscapes, a leading discount membership program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC^®, offers tips on another rite of spring — finding out what’s new in the world of literature.

Renowned author Aldous Huxley (Brave New World) once said, “The proper study of mankind is books.” AP9 Simple Escapes subscribes to similar thinking and offers its take on the top spring 2007 book releases in five separate literary categories.

Whether you’re tired of waiting on the opening of baseball season, disappointed with the crop of typically weak early-year movie releases at the box office or just looking for something interesting to read, readers of all kinds have something to look forward to. With the wide range of genres and topics available, AP9 SimpleEscapes models the following literary selections in line with the words of 16th century British philosopher and essayist Francis Bacon: “Some books are to be tasted; others to be swallowed; and some few to be chewed and digested.”

-- Action/Adventure: Simple Genius, David Baldacci; The Overlook, Michael Connelly; The Unbinding, Walter Kirn; Sixty Days and Counting, Kim Stanley Robinson; Robert Ludlum's The Bourne Betrayal, Eric Von Lustbader

-- Children’s Literature: Don't Look Back, David A. Adler; Copper Sun, Sharon Draper; What Vegetable Starts with X?, Lois Ehlert; Edenville Owls, Robert B. Parker; The Higher Power of Lucky, Susan Patron; Ten Ways to Cope with Boys, Caroline Plaisted

-- History: Kafka’s Soup: A Complete History of World Literature in 14 Recipes, Mark Crick; The Book History Reader, D. Finkelstein; Eagle Pond, Donald Hall; The Five-Forty-Five to Cannes, Tess Uriza Holthe; Salt, A World History, Mark Kurlansky

-- Mystery/Suspense: The Thin Place, Kathryn Davis; The Good Guy, Dean Koontz; The Oxford Murders, Guillermo Martinez; The 6th Nanny, James Patterson; A Death in Vienna, Frank Tallis

-- Sports: Why My Wife Thinks I’m an Idiot: The Life and Times of a Sportscaster Dad, Mike Greenberg; Bleachers, John Grisham; Pistol: The Life of Pete Maravich, Mark Kriegel; Playing for JoePa, Jordan Hyman and Ken Rappoport; Baseball Forecaster 2007, Ron Shandler

In addition to great extras like this early peek at a wide variety of multi-genre literary selections, AP9 Simple Escapes offers savings on other escapist activities, including family vacations, theme park excursions and spur-of-the-moment, romantic getaway ideas. Escape the mundane through the world of literature and much more. A world that combines relaxation with adventure awaits at AP9 SimpleEscapes.

AP9 Connections Brings New Music to Your Ears

As the new season approaches, a wide range of musical artists will be coming out of hibernation with new albums, reports AP9 Connections, a leading entertainment savings program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC^®.

The good news for several artists is that their fans are ready to hit the stores and online music sites to get those new CDs and jam their way through the day, wherever they are. Many fans like great deals as much as they like music, and to get the best of both worlds, they can turn to the money-saving entertainment benefits of AP9 Connections.

So what CDs are on their way to music outlets? AP9 Connections takes a look at some of the biggest releases this spring. (Please note that release dates are subject to change without notice.)

-- March 6: This is the tentative release date for one of the most awaited albums in years, Guns N’ Roses’ “Chinese Democracy.” This album symbolizes the big comeback of one of the biggest hard rock bands of the ’80s, since their last album was released in 1991. Music critics, old and new fans can’t wait to hear what the new band can do in studio, since the only original member remaining is the one people love to hate but still listen to: frontman Axl Rose.

-- March 20: “Introducing Joss Stone” is the third album from the British soul singer who continues to wow fans with her style and impeccable voice. Written entirely by her -- “This album is truly me, these are my words, that’s why I’m calling it ‘Introducing Joss Stone,’” -- and produced by Raphael Saadiq, the album is a mix of vintage soul, ’70s style R&B and hip-hop grooves that also includes vocal collaborations with rapper Common and Fugees lead singer Lauryn Hill.

-- March 27: After earning a well-deserved reputation as an R&B producer, Timbaland hits the shelves in ’07 with a solo album: “Shock Value.” The first single, “Give it to me,” features Timbaland’s closest collaborators last year, Nelly Furtado and Justin Timberlake. With this solo album, Timbaland wants to reach a new audience, hit the top-40 charts and introduce an innovative mix of hip-hop and electronic sounds. “Shock Value” features great contributors like Missy Elliot, Jay-Z and Elton John.

-- April 3: “Como ama una mujer” (The Way a Woman Loves) is the first full Spanish-language album from Jennifer Lopez. The album was produced by Estéfano, who earned a Grammy nomination with Jennifer’s husband, Mark Anthony, for the album “Amar sin mentiras” (Love Without Lies). With her new album, J-Lo aims to expand her fan base in Latin America and Spain, after a series of hit singles in Spanish over the years. Recorded in Puerto Rico, the album includes collaborations with Luny Tunes, Pharrel and reggaeton star Don Omar.

In addition to savings on purchases at major national music retailers, members can also enjoy significant discounts on DVDs, concert tickets, books, restaurant dining, theme park visits and much more through AP9 Connections.

AP9 PassportToFun Provides Tips for Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day

AP9 PassportToFun, a premier recreation and entertainment savings program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC^®, is looking ahead to St. Patrick’s Day on March 17. You know — that rowdy celebration of everything Irish —from corn beef and cabbage to green beer to parades to inspired folk dancing and a slew of fun events.

AP9 Passport to Fun understands this celebratory day wouldn’t be possible, of course, were it not for Saint Patrick himself. Believed to have lived as far back as the 4th century, Saint Patrick eventually became the national apostle of Ireland. Ironically, March 17 actually marks the date of his death in 460 A.D.

deIn addition to serving as a day of celebration for the green and gold, shamrocks and good luck, March 17 is also widely recognized as a traditional day for spiritual renewal. Legend has it that when the Irish people began to spread out around the world, they took both their history and celebrations along with them. In that same spirit, AP9 PassportToFun offers the following ideas and tips for a great day of celebrating — one that will have old Saint Patrick himself up and dancing in the streets:

-- Erin Go Bragh! Roughly translated, this popular Gaelic interjection means “Ireland forever!” With that in mind, deck yourself out in green, meet with friends, eat corn beef and cabbage, and drink green beer. You don’t have to be Irish to celebrate, but you do have to drink responsibly. St. Patrick would insist!

-- Hit the Road. Attend a parade to get into the spirit. More than 40 U.S. states feature large St. Patrick’s Day celebrations on or about March 17. Some U.S. cities even dye local rivers and streams green for the day!

-- Spin some Irish tunes. If you’re not familiar with any of the classics, just remember that renowned rock and roll acts like U2, Icicle Works and The Pogues all have Irish roots.

-- Run Leprechaun relay races. Here’s how:

1. Make a list of different Irish dance steps.

2. Choose up even sides, and place each group on opposite ends of the room.

3. Start the game by calling out a dance — then see who paid attention!

4. Have each contestant complete the dance moves while running from one end to the other and then tag the next person.

AP9 Passport to Fun wants to give all its members useful tips and ideas on how to enjoy savings at popular restaurants, get great deals on movies, books and videos and much more. You can have plenty of fun — for less — with AP9 PassportToFun.

AP9 TodaysEscapes Helps College Students Ditch Books in Favor of Spring Break Delights

With mid-term exams fast approaching at many colleges and universities, AP9 TodaysEscapes, a travel discount membership program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC^®, knows that students may be busy thinking about other things — namely Spring Break!

Perhaps second only to graduation as the highlight of any college experience, determining specific Spring Break destinations often takes priority over all other scholarly activity. For that reason, AP9 Todays Escapes offers some top destination ideas for students seeking Spring Break fun:

5. South Padre Island, Texas If a “big time” getaway is on the docket this year, what better place to try than Texas? Offering hundreds of miles of beach and every water sport imaginable, the windblown but sunny, sandy split near Corpus Christi has become a Spring Break haven. The preferred mode of travel around South Padre is via motor scooter, so watch that balance!

4. Daytona Beach Florida Tired of winter? Daytona Beach’s air and water temperatures are usually a balmy 75-80 degrees. AP9 TodaysEscapes also recommends this jewel of Florida’s central east coast for its gentle breezes, fast-moving waves for boogie boarding, and miles of beach for soaking up sun and some good old-fashioned lying around.

3. Acapulco, Mexico Once again near the top of most Spring Break experts’ lists, Acapulco offers everything from quiet and secluded resort locations to wall-to-wall people. And if something in between sounds more like it, try a day trip to Puerto Marques. This semi-remote location provides palm-shaded tranquility away from the crowds, yet is also only a $1 taxi ride from the downtown club scene.

2. Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia, Canada While the majority of Spring Break crews seem to crave sand and sun, AP9 Todays Escapes wants to recognize a hot — but snowy — alternative. Offering skiing, snowboarding and a rockin’ nightlife that could reform even the most stubborn of winter curmudgeons, Whistler Blackcomb offers over 8,100 skiable acres, more than 200 trails, 38 lifts and a variety of food, spirits, music and atmosphere — clearly enough excitement to rival any island paradise!

1. Panama City, Florida This Florida Panhandle town is living proof that South Florida isn’t the only Sunshine State hot spot for hardcore spring breakers. The sunny skies, non-stop beach parties and glitzy nightclubs have placed Panama City, Florida at the head of this year’s AP9 TodaysEscapes Spring Break destination list.

AP9 Todays Escapes aims high in choosing these top Spring Break getaway destinations. After all, once-in-a-lifetime experiences like Spring Break are just too important to miss. And for travel needs and vacation ideas down the road, look no further than AP9 TodaysEscapes.

AP9 BusinessMax Gives Small Business Owners Tips on Promoting Their Offerings

We’ve all heard the common Hollywood PR refrain that “There’s no such thing as bad publicity.” AP9 BusinessMax, a leading membership discount program for small business owners offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC^®, doesn’t necessarily subscribe to that notion, but it does agree that the absence of promotion generally leads to an absence of sales, which can be a death knell for businesses of any size.

Small businesses tend to plow most of their budget into their products and services, in the hopes that a quality idea will lead to ever-increasing word-of-mouth and, with that, increased revenue. While optimizing a business’s offerings is indeed a valid and valuable primary goal, a critical supporting goal should be promoting one’s items and services to the widest audiences possible.

Obviously, the amount of advertising a business can do depends on the amount of money available to do so. However, AP9 Business Max points out that promotions don’t have to be expensive to be effective. Here are a few ways to maximize your efforts for less-than-maximum costs:

-- Think business first. Include your business name, logo and contact information on every communication you send, whether it’s an e-mail, a letter, a press release, a bill, or a note to your child’s teacher. The person who receives it may not need what you’re selling, but someone in her family or circle of friends might.

-- Get involved in the community. From road races to blood drives, from charity walks to local bazaars, there are any number of activities that small businesses can sponsor, join, or support through volunteer work. Set up a booth at a town fair; stage a refreshment stand at a local race; volunteer to man the phones for a public television fund-raising drive. Then be sure to bring signage and business cards with you to get your company name in front of the community.

-- Cultivate positive relationships with everyone you do business with. If a client has just received public recognition, send them a letter of congratulations. If your contact at a supplier has just run into a spot of bad luck, send him a note of support. Goodwill generates goodwill, and people tend to remember and appreciate personal expressions of kindness.

-- Generate your own positive press. Send press releases to the local papers whenever you hire someone new, sign a new contract with a customer, expand your offerings, contribute to the community and more. Newspapers may not run every announcement you send, but each time they do, it’s free advertising, and you can’t get that if you don’t spread the word about yourself.

Small business owners can take advantage of a wide variety of benefits that target their needs, including savings on office supplies, employee healthcare, professional development and more, available through AP9 BusinessMax.