Tis the season . . . for most of us it's the season to be hectic, frantic and rushed. It's also the season to pause, reflect and be thankful for our bountiful blessings. We are very thankful for the responses and fantastic support we've received from you, our contributors and subscribers. Thank you.
   Our next edition publishes January 8, 2003 - please send your ideas in now, we'll be here to collect them. editor@mccurryassoc.com
   We have a special Holiday Wish for our subscribers - May you identify all your dead inventory now, mark it down now, and enter the New Year with abundant cash and clean shelves.

Idea #1 - Experts Agree - Buy Additional Memory/Media For Digital Cameras
Eric Olson, CPC - Kits Cameras, (div of Ritz Cameras) ericolson1@earthlink.net

   A salesperson can tell a customer they need to buy more; it's powerful if an industry guru says it. Check out this interesting article from Rob Galbraith on the Microsoft site.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/digitalphotography/getstarted/bigpicture/top10.asp

Idea #2 - Powerful New No Cost Twist on Club Cards
Ellen Collins, Howard's Custom Framing, Hangerstown, MD - HowardsArt@aol.com

   Idea from an Allied Profession... a picture framer! We have a Value Card (make 10 purchases of at least $20 and get $20 off), similar to what many others do. We, however, have made an arrangement with a local Mexican restaurant that whenever I send out the "Thank you for shopping at Howard's so frequently" note, it also is a coupon for the Mexican restaurant: Buy one combination dinner, get one free. I frequently get thank you notes from customers, because they think this is out of my pocket, and one person thought that they had won a drawing for the free meal! All in all, this has made me look generous and the Mexican restaurant gets new customers at no advertising expense to them... what a deal for both of us!

Idea #3 - The Naughty Kids Are Out Loose This Season
Jack King - Camera World, Charlotte, NC - cworldnc@bellsouth.net

   Tis the season...not that there is really a time period for the bad boys to come after you for your stuff. This past week, we were the victim of what was allegedly identity fraud of a local resident. We lost a Nikon D1-X Serial # 514356 to a slick fellow, White male, about 5'7 dark hair using the identity of Richard Lowe with a Fla. Address and a Cornelius, NC address. ( He said he had two homes, and guess what...the salespeople said:" Hey, this guy has two homes..." Look out folks for this one and the ones like him because my next $45,000 dollars in sales are on him just to catch up. He is gonna need lenses now, and says he is buying gifts for his son that is a NASCAR photographer. Don't be next and call me if he comes in. Thanks for your cooperation. Jack King (800) 868-3686.

Need an excuse for a trip to New York City?

   Bill McCurry will be speaking at the NY/NJ Division PMA Meeting, Tuesday, February 11, 2003 at the Fort Lee Hilton. Bill's topic is "Selling For Profit After The Sale Is Made", how you can maximize each sale and turn every customer into a life long relationship with repeat and referral business. The hotel is literally across the Geo Washington Bridge from Manhattan - need tourist info for NYC, drop us an email, editor@mccurryassoc.com. 

DIMA/PMA 2003 is coming up fast; you can hear Bill McCurry at

 * Saturday, March 1 - 1:00 - #D53 - Digital Marketing for Retail in Tough Times or Super Effective Digital Marketing without a lot of cash
 * Immediately following at 2:30 on Saturday - #D63 - Marketing Idea Exchange - bring an idea to share and take away actionable ideas for immediate profit improvement.
  * Monday, March 3 - 7:00 - 9:50 - N5 Guerrilla Marketing Night School - Each attendee will receive a copy of the NEW Digital Guerrilla Marketing book