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SUPPLIERS

Getting the best bang for your buck is always important, no matter how big or small of a business. The Internet now offers numerous budget-friendly supplier services that make it more affordable than ever for smaller businesses to professionally market their message.

BOOKS

If you are a business owner, you are also a Marketer! As a Marketer you need to be on top of the trends that might present both opportunities and threats to your business. Keep reading so that you can build your marketing intelligence.

SUPPLIERS

When contracting a supplier it’s “BUYER'S BEWARE” – pricing and quality can vary vastly from one supplier to the next. Why take a chance on picking a dud when you can resource The Marketing Edge’s TRIED AND TRUE suppliers?

The Marketing Edge subcontracts a variety of suppliers when required to complete a client project - not just the ones presented on this page. The Resource Centre suppliers are recommended for the budget conscious Marketer who needs professional supplier options at the lowest possible prices.

Depending on your skill level, it is advisable that you get assistance from someone with the communication skills required to enhance marketing projects. For example, you might need copy-writing or a creative theme for your website or direct mail campaign. The Marketing Edge can help you get the biggest bang for your buck from any of the suppliers listed below.

BUYCANADIANFIRST.CA

www.buycanadianfirst.ca

Buy Canadian First is a website promoting Canadian products of all kinds. Membership packages are available that offer opportunities to feature your company profile and products. Extensive online marketing support is also offered through blogs, facebook, twitter etc. This is not an e-commerce site but a directory that will offer consumers information and pricing with links to your site for cart service or brick and mortar locations.

HOW M/E (Marketing Edge) CAN HELP: We can send you a presentation and membership price list. Prices are not featured on the website and must be requested.

BRANDED PRODUCTS

www.corppromo.logomall.com

Corporate Promotions provides top quality corporate branded products for companies of all sizes. Branding products with your company logo helps increase awareness, stand out from your competition, increase traffic, promote sales, recognize achievement or display appreciation.

HOW M/E (Marketing Edge) CAN HELP: We can help you brainstorm and/or coordinate a creative theme/event that will compliment your gift, reward or incentive program. SEE CONSULTATION SERVICES.

TEMPLATE PRODUCTION AND PRINTING

www.Vistaprint.com

Free Shipping on Orders Over $50+

Vistaprint.ca is another amazing self-service site with numerous marketing and business services. You can purchase your letterhead or a postcard at cheaper prices than most local printers. There's lots of small business services to check out.

HOW M/E CAN HELP:The Marketing Edge can help you develop the creative copy and concept that will make a marketing piece work for your business. Visaprint does offer template designs, however if you want something customized, talk to us! SEE MARKET YOUR MESSAGE.

DATABASE COLLECTION AND TRACKING

www.Mailchimp.com

Mailchimp is the greatest idea since sliced bread - no it's better. This service helps you manage your contact and/or subscriber lists and track campaign performance. They allow you to email through their service, FREE to the first 500 customers. Various inexpensive pay-as-you-go price plans are available. Read more about it on their website. It’s truly the most cost effective and professional way to set up your database.

HOW M/E CAN HELP: The set-up is up to you. However, if you need copy-writing assistance for email marketing messages, newsletters etc., we can help! SEE CONSULTATION SERVICES and MARKET YOUR MESSAGE.

ROYALTY-FREE PHOTOS

www.istockphoto.com

When using photographs for marketing purposes you must ensure you have the photo rights. There are Internet detectives looking to nail people for unlawfully using photos. Big fines can be levied. Istock.ca is my favourite website for royalty-free photos - you can use as much as you want, wherever you want. The photo rights are really inexpensive. You pay less when you choose low resolution photos that might be required for your website versus a print campaign which requires a higher resolution photo.

HOW M/E CAN HELP: You may be searching for a photo that already matches a crafted headline or paragraph of copy: But what if your message is weak? It becomes more difficult to find a real eye-catching photo. The Marketing Edge can help you build a catchy marketing message as well as find the best photo to match it. SEE CONSULTATION RATES.

TEMPLATES FOR EMAIL CAMPAIGNS

www.constantcontact.com

Email Marketing and Online Surveys by Constant Contact make it easy to connect with your customers. Try it FREE for 60-Days.

Constant Contact is another handy online marketing helper. It allows members to access templates for email marketing messages and newsletters. You are likely receiving numerous emails from people already using them. If emailing is part of your marketing campaign, this is the way to go.

Constant Contact is offering a FREE trial for 60 days. You can go in and design your newsletter and get coaching tips on how to get started. The newsletter makes the design part easy.

HOW M/E CAN HELP: Most people do not have the time or writing strength to put out a newsletter. The Marketing Edge offers creative services and/or editing. If you need a unique design, a template is not the route to go. We can create your own unique template design that allows you to input your own newsletter copy. See MARKET YOUR MESSAGE.

REAL-TIME, ON-LINE MEETINGS & WEBINARS

www.Gotomeeting.com

Gotomeeting.com allows you to host an online meeting with up to 15 people. Using the web conferencing tools you can invite people to see your presentation on your desktop in real time. Attendees can join meetings in seconds. If everyone has a microphone, there are no long distance fees. If not, those without a microphone can join by phone. This is a great way to cut down on travel time and increase overall client relationships. You pay a low monthly fee for membership. You can conduct webinars too. A free 30 day trial is offered.

HOW M/E CAN HELP: If you invite people to your desk top you should have a professional presentation to show. We can help you create a power point sales presentation. SEE CONSULTATION RATES for prices.

WEBSITE DESIGN & SEO

www.marketingedge.ab.ca

If you have a business, you should have a website design that ENTICES viewers to learn more about you. Take our website survey and evaluate whether your site is good marketing tool. You should also consider SEO marketing: The Marketing Edge can help you increase your search engine rankings.

WEB HOSTING

www.1and1.com

Like telephone services web hosting prices have come down considerably in price. The Marketing Edge hosts its website with 1and1.com for only $9.99 per month. You can host up to 5 domain names for this price. They have a great toll-free telephone support service.

VIDEO PRESENTATIONS

www.animoto.com

If you liked the Marketing Edge’s video presentation, you can thank Animoto. This web-based, self-service website offers all of the tools to create impactful, professional presentations. Of course you need to supply the video camera and/or photos. For one month, you pay a $39 fee to create a masterpiece for your website or trade show. After that you cancel to prevent further billings or continue paying monthly.

HOW M/E CAN HELP: We can help you write the copy for your video. If you are located in Calgary we can coordinate and/or supply the level of video recording services you require. See MARKET YOUR MESSAGE.