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What was old is new again thanks to thinking inside the box. Add a QR code to any printed marketing piece, such as direct mail, and you’ve opened your marketing to a multiplatform experience for your customers and prospects.

What is a QR code? You’ve probably seen them cropping up in magazines and other printed materials over the past few months as smart phone technology continues to reach more hands in the U.S. In essence, a QR code is a relatively new type of two-dimensional barcode box that, when scanned by an app on a smart phone’s camera, generates information that causes a smart phone to take a desired action.

Those actions range from opening a website browser with specific information, providing a phone number to be dialed or triggering a text message to be sent. Here are some ways you can capitalize on using printed material in concert with other digital marketing channels.

Direct mail. QR codes are still relatively new to many smart phone users, and so are their phones. That means many are anxious to see where a QR code will take them. Add them to your direct mail to send prospects to your website, a landing page on your website for a coupon or drive them to your social media pages like Facebook or Twitter.

Brochures, menus and catalogs. Imagine having customers peruse your catalog or menu and giving them a QR code to go directly to a detailed information page where they can order online instantly. Maybe your brochure has a QR code that gives them instant access to a video demonstration of how your product works.

Business cards. We’ve all had to enter contact information into our little black books. Now with a quick scan, your contact information can be uploaded to your customer’s address book.

With this new technology, all of the possibilities are limited only by your imagination. To get started, there are several websites that help you to generate QR codes. Check with your local printer to have them help you with your new integrated marketing campaign.

Leaves have just started turning and that means your thoughts should be turning to what you’ll be doing for your customers this holiday season. Getting a personalized thank you card from your business would be a unique way to get your customers’ attention. Here are some tips for sending the perfect thank you note.

Start now.
Creating a holiday thank you takes time. Work with an Orange County printing company to create an eye-catching card. Then start working on your list of customers that you want to thank. These should be hand-written notes so you’ll want to budget your time to write a few a week for the next month.

Write something meaningful.
Yes, hand-written notes are time consuming, but the effect it has on the customers who receive your note will be worth it. Come up with a few stock thank you sentiments and make modifications based on the customer. Receiving a hand-written note in the mail will stand out and make a lasting impression.

Send them out early.
While the main objective of holiday thank you cards is to show your customers appreciation for their business and to wish them a happy holiday season, it is also a marketing tool. Send them so your customers will get them earlier so as they are doing their holiday shopping they will think of you first.

Companies put a lot of stock—and money—in their brand colors. You see the golden arches and you instantly know that McDonald’s is just up the road. Coca-Cola practically owns red. Think pink, especially in October. That belongs to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

October is breast cancer awareness month and the Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization knows what it means to claim a color. This pink movement happened thanks to an amazing story and strong partnerships that helped them build their brand. Here are a few examples of their marketing efforts.

Find Unique Audiences
Do not adjust your TV sets. Those are some pretty manly-men sporting pink to support breast cancer awareness. The National Football League has players wearing pink shoes, gloves, sweat bands and pink ribbons on their helmets. Coaches and referees wear pink hats. Goal posts don pink padding and the football is even branded with a pink ribbon. This effort reaches an unsuspecting and nontraditional audience that helps raise money for the cure.

Build Support From Big Names
The fact is that breast cancer affects every walk of life, so when a celebrity gets behind a cause, you know you’re gaining good support. Christina Applegate and Sheryl Crow lend their name to the cause to find a cure. Other major corporations such as Coca-Cola and Visa also use their marketing budgets to promote the pink ribbon. Of course, this helps their marketing efforts, but it drives awareness for the cause.

“Product” Placement
Even with the support of big names, the Komen organization gets their brand in the hands of practically every walk of life. It seems that you see pink everywhere these days. Wrist bands, car decals, pens, water bottles, coffee mugs and various articles of clothing help spread awareness of breast cancer.

To find out more about the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, visit www.komen.org.

In today’s economy, it seems more difficult to find new customers. So maybe it’s time to go back to the basics. It doesn’t matter how many new marketing tactics you have available to you, there’s nothing like a happy customer telling a potential customer about your company. So here are some ways to help facilitate those conversations to get referrals.

Develop a partnership. Work with companies that sell complimentary products and services to yours and develop a mutually beneficial referral program between your businesses. For example, if you sell sporting equipment find a fitness center willing to work with you on special offers from each company.

Give back. Make a proposal to one of your favorite nonprofits that you will donate a percentage of your sales from those customers that are referred by the nonprofit.

Get involved. Become a leader in your community. Join organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce or volunteer for a nonprofit organization. Not only will you contribute to your community, you’ll get an opportunity to meet people. Most people like to do business with local companies and will be more willing to work with you if you’re supporting an organization that they care about.

Create a referral program. Offer a special to customers who refer prospects to your business. You can offer a discount or a free service. But sometimes a lunch certificate or tickets to a local event will be more enticing because the reward goes directly to the one helping you out. You may have to test incentives to see what gets your customers excited.

Consider the money you spend on a referral program a part of your marketing budget. A customer who raves about you among their friends delivers a more qualified prospect to your business.

Your customers don’t recognize who you are anymore.

Pull out your business card right now. Compare that to the last direct mail piece you sent. Now take a look at your signage. Are they all sending a consistent message? Would your customers understand what your company does if they encountered your marketing? If the answer is “no” to these questions, it’s probably time to consider a rebrand of your business.

Rebranding can be a scary process. It could take a lot of time, cause confusion with your customers and cost you some money to make the transition. But it may be worth it if you’re not delivering the right message to the right audience to get more business. Before you take the leap, consider these rebranding tips.

It’s not me. Or is it?
Many people think that their brand consists of a logo, some signage and a business card. While these elements are key in indentifying who you are, the brand goes well beyond a look. Your brand is your customers’ perception of your company, what their expectations and experiences have been in their interactions with you. Your brand is also the promises you make and deliver on everyday. Before you start making cosmetic changes, make sure you take a holistic approach to how you do business.

Get over yourself.
While it’s your brand, it’s not about you. It’s about your customers. Take a top-down approach and analyze your entire business, and who you want to be. Talk with the type of customers you want to attract and find out what they know about you and what they need from you. Look at what your competition is doing and differentiate, don’t copy.

Plan. Plan. Plan.
The rebranding process takes time and “flipping the switch” on a new brand could cause some issues. Make a transition plan and get key stakeholders involved such as customers and prospects. You have to get your employees behind the process and get them excited about their new image and, possibly, new attitude.

Finally, don’t cling onto your history, but make sure you take the good things you’re doing and keep them so your customers can still get a sense of familiarity. This will keep the customers you want coming back to do business with you.

All we’ve wanted to do since we’ve been a baby is make a connection with another human. If you thought it was hard when all you could do was babble, it can still be a challenge as an adult. It doesn’t matter what career path you’re on, your communication skills will be tested. Those skills may just determine whether you move up or stay put. Here are a few tips to improve your communication skills.

Listen Up. You may think that communication means you should do all the talking. But the key is in listening. Save your judgment until the other person has been heard. You don’t have to be ready to respond right away. Stephen Covey says, “seek first to understand.” Pause and listen without thinking what you’re going to say next. Repeat what they’ve said to ensure you have understanding.

You’re a Ventriloquist. You constantly give and receive wordless signals in your body language. Your facial expressions, posture, gestures and eye contact are often saying more than your verbals. Give your attention to the person with good eye contact. Show that you’re listening with good nonverbal gestures, such as an occasional head nod or uncrossed arms. Think about your nonverbal cues as you’re speaking.

Stay Present. If you’re not ready for the conversation because of other distractions, it will only cause problems. Ask to defer the conversation so you can both be emotionally available. Then, understand why you’re trying to communicate in the first place. There’s no need to bring up the past as it does nothing but confuse the issue at hand. If you’re having a difficult conversation, focus on “I Statements” that remove any accusatory tone.

Communication is often to blame for many issues. Be the one that makes a difference and practice good communication skills. Accept responsibility for poor communication, apologize and now the real communication can begin.

You know you’ve taken five to do it at least once this week. You just clicked on a link your friend sent you to watch a funny YouTube video. Have you thought to use YouTube to market your business? YouTube has millions of viewers on a weekly basis and is one of the most searched sites on the internet. It’s time to get out that video camera and tap into that viewership to increase your exposure.

Set up a YouTube Channel
Before you start posting, set up a YouTube channel so all of your videos can be indexed in one location. This way when someone searches your video, they may just watch others you’ve posted.

Post relevant videos
Make sure you upload interesting videos that people will be searching for. Some goals with YouTube videos could be to either establish you as an expert in your industry or show your unique company culture. You can also display how your products or services work and provide support for your products. Make sure you keep them short. It is also important that you post new videos on a regular basis.

How to be found
With over 200 thousand videos uploaded each day, it’s important that you reach your target audience. Post your videos with keywords that are relevant to the video and what your prospects may be searching for. When you’ve got them loaded to YouTube, then create links on your company website and Facebook page to get more exposure.

Don’t think your videos have to be professionally produced to get noticed. Just make sure the audio and video are good enough to get people to watch.

There’s one piece of paper standing between you and your dream job and it’s time you took notice. September is International Update Your Resume Month so as you’re celebrating Labor Day, take a few hours to inventory your career accomplishments. It’s probably been a while for many of you, but it’s always a good plan to have an updated resume at the ready.

Why should I update my resume?
There are many reasons, even if you like what you’re doing. Maybe there’s a job opening at your current company just around the corner, and if you want to advance, you can apply tomorrow. Or if you’re ready to veer from your current career path, one of the greatest hurdles is getting that resume updated. If it’s always prepared, so are you.

How can I improve my resume?
If you’re looking to gain experience beyond what your current job offers, look to your free time. Volunteer for a non-profit organization or sit on a board of directors for an organization. You can learn new skills while helping a good cause. There is also the option of going back to school. Many schools offer night classes or online classes to accommodate your busy schedule.

When should I update my resume?
Make a task for yourself to look at your resume quarterly. Otherwise, dates will become fuzzy. Note the awards you receive, specific accomplishments in your career and anything that may be resume worthy. You may not use all of this information when it’s time to apply for that new job but at least you have all of the information in one place.

As always, have a friend take a look at your resume before sending it out. You could be one spelling error away from being considered for that dream job.

You may remember growing up waiting for the Sunday paper that delivered full-color funnies to your door. While you were pouring over the Peanuts and Family Circus, mom was rifling through the mounds of coupon inserts to plan her household shopping for the week.

Over the years, times changed and coupon usage leveled off somewhere around 1999. But due to our recent recession, NCH Marketing Services reported that coupon redemption grew 27% in 2009 and achieved the second highest year-over-year growth ever recorded. Surprisingly, it’s the more affluent households getting out their scissors to save a few bucks.

September is National Coupon Month so it may be time to consider coupons in your marketing strategy. The good news is that coupons take little time to put into action. As you are planning, here are the distribution methods seeing redemption growth, according to Inmar.

Direct mail saw a 69% growth in 2009. While newspaper inserts are still the primary method of distribution and redemption, the tried-and-true direct mail is also popular. Coupons bundled together and mailed with other companies’ offers also saw growth. Direct mail can be one of the most economical ways to reach potential customers.

Businesses using the Internet to deliver coupons to consumers saw a 263% growth in redemptions in 2009. This was the only delivery method out-ranking direct mail. Marketers are using other electronic delivery methods outside of printable coupons on the Internet to reach customers including delivering offers to valued customers’ smart phones and sending texts to those that have opted to receive information from selected companies.

If your business could stand a boost in sales, delivering an enticing offer through a coupon may just be the small discount that makes the big difference to your fourth quarter.