Dave Hultin, Author at Marketing, content, & technology to help printers sell more printing

Welcome back to another edition of Sell More Printing, where we explore real-world sales and marketing strategies that you, as a printer, can adapt to boost your business. This month, we’re going deep into the world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to consider how it can do real work that’s better, faster, and less expensive. The AI Journey: From Doubter to Believer My exploration into AI began with a sense of curiosity and a touch of skepticism. As someone who has always been interested in innovative solutions to enhance our marketing services at Marketing Ideas For Printers, I couldn’t ignore the growing buzz around AI. Initially, I focused on understanding how AI could help improve our marketing strategies, but what I discovered was far more profound. The challenge that set me on this path was to create an AI tool capable of delivering improvements in the order of 1,000 times better when measuring the time and money required to complete an existing task or process. The goal seemed ambitious, if not impossible. However, I embraced it because achieving a 1000x improvement would allow me to share this knowledge with you, helping you discover your 1000x improvements. The 1000x AI-powered Budgeted Hourly

Welcome back to another edition of Sell More Printing, where we explore real-world sales and marketing strategies that you, as a printer, can adapt to boost your business. This month, we dive into the powerful role of creating a welcoming environment in your shop, inspired by a modern banking experience and a cherished memory from my early days in the printing industry at Express Press in Fargo, North Dakota. The allure of complimentary cookies and coffee might be why some customers, myself included, prefer visiting their bank in person rather than speeding through the drive-through. This simple yet effective approach to customer care can transform a routine errand into a pleasurable visit, increasing customer satisfaction and loyalty. Now, imagine applying a similar strategy to your print shop. How This Helps You Sell More Printing Reflecting on the early ’90s, I recall the innovative spirit of Mike Stevens at Express Press. Mike often credited his father, Jerry, as his “secret weapon.” Jerry was known for his humor and friendliness, and he introduced a unique way to welcome customers—by baking bread right in the lobby using an automated bread-making machine, a cutting-edge technology at the time. The delightful aroma of fresh bread

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming industries worldwide, and the printing industry is no exception. While many printers have dabbled in AI, few have harnessed its full potential. The missing ingredient? Training. As printers, we are constantly looking for ways to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and provide better service to our customers, and AI offers solutions to all these challenges and more. By leveraging AI, you can streamline your operations, automate routine tasks, and gain insights that were previously unattainable. The Power of AI Training AI training isn’t about becoming an expert overnight; it’s really about understanding how to leverage AI effectively for your print business. Earlier this year, I joined a community of AI experts and was transformed from a novice to a proficient user in just weeks. The AI Foundations course I took was the catalyst for this transformation, providing an intensive, hands-on experience that took me from a beginner (white belt) AI user to an advanced user (black belt). Hiya! Real-World Success with AI For Printers Let me translate this training into what it quickly became. As part of my AI training, I created an AI tool to help printers conduct a budgeted hourly rate (BHR) study. Typically,

Welcome back to another edition of “Sell More Printing,” where we consider sales and marketing strategies that can significantly boost your printing business. In this issue, we’re spotlighting how your Management Information System (MIS) can be so much more than just a management tool; your MIS can also be a key element of your sales and marketing framework. Keep reading below, but also watch the replay of the Your Marketing-First Blueprint for Website & MIS Success webinar to discover how this strategy unfolds in more detail. This all-in-one solution, with its one-of-a-kind approach, specifically addresses the challenges of running a print business. In today’s competitive market, integrating your MIS with your marketing strategies is not just innovative; it’s essential. If your marketing strategy is designed to lead your prospects and customers to your website’s order forms, why can’t your website ask for the sale when they arrive, “Ready to make a purchase?” Why can’t your MIS tell your website to say to your customer, “Thanks for your order!” and then turn to your production team and say, “I’ve got a new order for you to print!” Odyssey Connects Marketing to MIS That’s exactly what happens with Odyssey, the Print MIS that lives

Welcome back to another edition of Sell More Printing, where we explore real-world sales and marketing strategies that you, as a printer, can adapt to boost your business. This month, we’re diving into a topic sparked by a conversation with my daughter, Tessa, about an unusual traffic marvel – England’s 7-circle Magic Roundabout – and how its principles can revolutionize your marketing approach. The Magic Roundabout: A Complex Dance of Traffic Imagine navigating a roundabout. Now, multiply that by seven interconnected circles! That’s the Magic Roundabout in Swindon, England. Click here to see a short video of this unique system in action. Initially confusing, this roundabout efficiently manages heavy traffic from multiple directions. Each mini-roundabout within the larger system requires drivers to adapt, observe, and react quickly – much like the multifaceted world of marketing. How This Helps You Sell More Printing The Magic Roundabout’s complexity mirrors the challenges you face in marketing your printing business. Just as drivers must choose the right path through the roundabout to reach their destination, you must navigate various marketing strategies to reach your target audience effectively. Steering Through the Marketing Maze: Practical Steps To adapt this analogy to your printing business, consider these key

Welcome back to another edition of Sell More Printing, where we explore real-world sales and marketing strategies that you, as a printer, can adapt to boost your business. Today, we’re venturing into the mystical world of video games – yes, you read that right – with a spotlight on Zelda. Our journey begins by exploring how Kathy, our fearless Director of Client Relations at Marketing Ideas For Printers, found business wisdom in this pixelated world, all while gaming with her grandson, who absolutely loves that his grandma is a gamer! Leveling Up Client Engagement with a Zelda Twist Get a picture in your mind of Kathy, controller in hand, navigating the landscapes of Zelda; her brow furrowed in concentration. In between helping her grandson find the Master Sword and rescuing Princess Zelda, she had an ‘aha!’ moment. Kathy thought, “If Link can save a kingdom with a little strategy and a lot of heart, why can’t printers use similar tactics in their day-to-day business?” Just as Link journeys through Hyrule, facing dragons and solving puzzles, you, too, can embark on an adventure with each client, armed with your mighty print solutions! How This Helps You Sell More Printing In Zelda,

Welcome back to another edition of Sell More Printing, where we explore real-world sales and marketing strategies that you, as a printer, can adapt to boost your business. This month, let’s dive into the world of car washes and discover how their clever subscription model can be a game-changer for your print shop. Sparkling Success – The Car Wash Subscription Strategy Recently, a new car wash opened in my neighborhood, with signage enticing all drivers with free car washes for a week. Count me in! As I lined up for a complimentary wash, they presented me with an irresistible offer – $5 for 30 days of unlimited, premium car washes. Thirty days later, I was no longer a one-time customer; I had become a regular subscriber. This clever marketing strategy is not just about cleaning cars – it’s about building a loyal customer base. How This Helps You Sell More Printing What makes this car wash strategy so effective for your printing business? It’s simple: the transition from a one-time free service to a low-cost, high-value subscription. By offering an incredible initial deal, you draw customers in. As they experience your service’s quality and convenience, transitioning to a regular subscription

Welcome back to another edition of Sell More Printing, where we explore real-world sales and marketing strategies that you, as a printer, can adapt to boost your business. This month we’ll explore how to sell more printing by owning a category that’s unique to you. Create Your Unique Category Creating a unique category can be as simple as combining two common items in a way that no one ever thought of before. Last month, I shared how Just Add Ice brilliantly combined ice cubes with the task of watering plants, establishing themselves as the go-to source for easy-to-maintain plants. When I’m ready to ship a Money Tree as a gift, you can bet there’s only one place I’ll go! Here’s another example that’s a little more unusual. Ladies, please accept my apologies in advance: I’d like to think that all men wash their hands after going to the bathroom. What would happen, though, if someone combined a urinal and a sink? Hygiene improves, and a new category is created with the urinal sink! How This Helps You Sell More Printing You can sell more printing when you create your very own category. Owning a unique category means you not only

Welcome back to another edition of Sell More Printing, where we explore real-world sales and marketing strategies that you, as a printer, can adapt to boost your business. This month, we’re tackling a topic close to home – my own klutzy coffee mishap and how it can be adapted to create a recurring revenue stream for you. Cleaning up Spilled Coffee with a Subscription Picture my not-so-graceful departure on a recent family road trip. My poorly secured cup of coffee led to an unfortunate spill on my iPhone. The panicked moments that followed, marked by a “Liquid Detected” warning, led me to an impromptu subscription to iCloud+. I hastily subscribed to iCloud+ before we drove away, and this subscription allowed me to back up my iPhone on the go. My hope? Salvage my data before the coffee-induced demise of my phone. How This Helps You Sell More Printing In my chaotic coffee episode, iCloud+ became my data lifeline. That got me thinking, as a printer, you can consider something similar for your printing business – offering a File Storage subscription akin to iCloud+. Offering this service as a subscription not only secures your clients’ precious files but also provides a

Each month’s Sell More Printing feature aims to highlight the exceptional sales and marketing efforts of others so you can adapt them to help you sell more printing. Last month, we explored a unique way to strengthen relationships with high-value clients by sending a physical Money Tree plant to symbolize mutual growth and your commitment to their success. Let’s take this concept one step further with two simple ice cubes! Watering the Money Tree with Ice If you followed the QR code from last month’s article to the ongoing conversation on LinkedIn, you know that our preferred vendor for the Money Tree is a company called Just Add Ice. It’s a clever name, but what does it mean? Well, when you order a Money Tree from Just Add Ice, it comes with a tag in the plant’s soil with clear and concise instructions: It’s a visual reminder that’s hard to miss, making the care process foolproof. Make it Easy and Memorable What could be easier than watering with ice cubes? But Just Add Ice doesn’t stop there. They go the extra mile to ensure that customers never forget to water their Money Trees by offering to send them friendly email

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