Album of some offers and coupons from November 2012 HVG magazine mailing

Take a look at a some of the current coupons offered by businesses in Asheville, NC and Hendersonville, NC.

Album of Coupons from November HVG mailing

Direct Marketing Consumer Survey: “We Prefer Direct Mail”

December 1, 2011 -- According to marketing firm Epsilon Targeting’s latest Consumer Channel Preference Study of nearly 5,000 North American consumers, 50% of U.S. consumers prefer direct mail to email, and the same can be said for nearly as many Canadians.

    

The study, entitled “The Formula For Success: Preference and Trust,” finds that direct mail continues to deliver as consumers’ preferred means of receiving marketing messages from brands, with six out of 10 Americans and even more Canadians say they “enjoy getting postal mail from brands about new products.”

    

The 2011 research shows that despite direct mail’s reputation for being “old school” or expensive, it is the top choice of U.S. and Canadian consumers for the receipt of brand communications in almost every category, ranging from “health to household products, to household services, insurance and financial services,”  Also of note, “the preference for direct mail also extends to the 18-34 year old demographic.”

    

Additional Key Findings: 

• Compared to Epsilon 2010 survey of consumer channel preferences, 10% of U.S. respondents say they used Facebook to research and review product information, a 66% growth from six percent in 2010.

    

• With this said, approximately a third of U.S. and Canadian survey respondents (33% U.S. and 31% Canadian) don’t find ads on social media sites useful. 

    

• Across all key verticals – from financial and insurance to retail and personal care - direct mail is preferred to email by all respondents. 

    

• Nearly 4 out of 10 (37%) U.S. consumers and 29% of Canadians use TV daily to get consumer product information, down from 43% and 35% respectively in 2010

    

• In the U.S., 75% of consumers say they get more email than they can read; 61% of Canadians express the same sentiment.

    

The study suggests that brands should use a variety of channels to build relationships, starting with trusted channels like direct mail.

    

Warren Storey, VP of product marketing and insight at Epsilon Targeting, said the findings are not all that unexpected when “you know the data and consumer trends.”  He is quoted as saying: 

    

“It’s just ‘surprising’ because everything you hear in the media is basically counter to what the consumers are actually telling us, which is that direct mail is still the preferred channel,” and “direct mail is one of those mediums that is always quietly there in the background doing a great job.”

    

“The key learning from this study is that marketers should recognize consumer preferences and establish a trustworthy relationship across a variety of channels,” said Storey. “Consumers appreciate brands that pay attention to their interests and stated preferences.”

Source:  Epsilon, The Formula For Success: Preference and Trust, 2011.

Running Hot and Cold - Asheville & Hendersonville Heating and Air Conditioning

It was over seven years ago when my family and I landed in our 'new-to-us' home nestled in Horse Shoe (in the middle of the triangle cities Hendersonville, Asheville and Brevard, NC). Enjoying our first spring in the rich mountains we now called home was a great contrast to the flat swamps of south Florida we were used to. Then came summer.

When things heated up, we found our new house didn't have the cooling capabilities we needed to be comfortable. That’s when I decided to call Champion Comfort Experts (formerly Champion service Experts). They serviced some of our neighbors’ heating and cooling systems so I gave them a ring about our air conditioning. Since we were not sure if larger changes were required to address our future plans of finishing our basement space, a technician was dispatched and a ‘comfort expert’ appointment was set.

The technician arrived, performed the routine check and uncovered some problems that were repaired. Our tech also shared his observations of some likely long-term issues we should be aware of. He took a complete survey of the system while at our house to pass on to our comfort expert. In just a few hours, from call to completion, Champion Comfort Experts has us cooling again.

A few days later we met our comfort expert. He took time to thoroughly explain the options available and all the pros and cons of each approach. He measured rooms, tallied air flow stats, measured again checking the existing system for additional options.

What we learned was we didn't need a new system. By re-working of our existing equipment, new ductwork for the expansion of living area we wanted to cool/heat and the addition of a zoning system we have been able to obtain six years more useful and more efficient life from what we already owned. Plus, Champion’s approach saved us thousands of dollars! <big smile>

Champion Comfort Experts did what was right, not what was most profitable for them. And that has made our family loyal Champion customers! Owners Ritchie and Amy Holt, Tracy, Sharon and their whole team are ready to serve your home or business heating and air conditioning needs in Asheville, Hendersonville and surrounding areas. You can check out their latest money saving offer at the Hometown Value Guide website.

There is nothing without belief

It wasn't very long ago that I was trapped by my previous choices in a very unhappy 'place'. I just turned 38 years old. My hip, which was surgically secured (fused) in place after a high-school auto accident was causing my knee to become more and more damaged. I was fast approaching 280lbs and getting around was getting harder and harder. I didn't know what I was going to do...An operation to repair my knee was just around the corner if I couldn't reverse my course. My four young children were watching me be unhealthy because I used the excuse of my hip.  My wife didn't nag me, but her fears grew just as my pants size did. She wondered, "Will Joe be at risk for more problems like heart disease, diabetes and stroke...all are in his family history." I didn't believe I could change.

My left hip - fused in place when I was 19 years old.

This all started to change for the better the day I met Kam Parker, owner and head-trainer at The Fire Personal Training Studio. Attending one of the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce opportunities to connect with other business owners, I heard Kam give a presentation about her business. I was struck by her confidence and knowledge. It was if she was talking directly to me! After catching up with Kam after the event, we talked about my situation. She agreed to take me on as a one-on-one personal training client. Her only requirement was that my level of commitment to see this journey through was going to have to be extremely high (not wasting her/my time). You can trust she pushed me hard enough that I wanted to give up, plenty. But that's not the reason I've successfully changed my health and fitness levels. It's because I finally believed I could do it, then I didn't stop.

Once I started to push through and start forming better habits, my belief started to soar. Kam has that right mix of experience and drive that anyone at any fitness level or age can benefit from. Personal training and diet guidance got me to a new level, but Kam's understanding of the emotional changes I needed to conquer was the tipping point that has helped me create lasting change. Now I like to share my story with anyone who wants to listen.

After intense personal training to correct the weakness in my left leg, I moved into the regular group personal training sessions at The Fire. Now when I stop in once a week, I'm in the advanced class. I was able to run a 1/2 marathon last year and continue to work toward new challenges. I train my wife at home and my kids are very happy with the more active and fit Dad I am now.

Until I believed it was possible, I was stuck. Not anymore. If you need help getting on your way to a more fit and health version of yourself, contact me, I'll share more details or you can contact Kam at The Fire.

Asheville, NC Coupons most valid through 7/15/12

The latest Hometown Value Guide offers from savings and promotions from local businesses in the Asheville, NC area that help consumers save money and connect with many service providers, retailers and restaurants. Take a look at our coupon slideshow to see some ads and the promotions. Most of the coupons are good till 7/15/12. Print them out, or show them on your mobile device to redeem them. Thanks - JoeHVG

Small Business ROI

There are those times that come along in any entrepreneurial journey when one feels completely assured that all the effort is worth it. Today, a short note tweeted by one of the newer advertising clients in the Hometown Value Guide said it well:

Expand your reach. Measure results. Get new customers.

Joe Jakubielski
Publisher / Owner
Hometown Value Guide
828.335.3553
www.hometownvalueguide.com
www.facebook.com/hometownvalueguide
www.twitter.com/joehvg

7 comments our readers say about the Hometown Value Guide

#7 - “Hometown Value Guide is filled with local businesses.”
We are useful for people who live in the neighborhood.

#6 - “I like the way Hometown Value Guide looks and feels.”
That's why we have not made our magazine smaller in size or reduce the quality of our paper.

#5 - “The Hometown Value Guide gives me a reason to return to a business I haven’t been to in a while.”
Bringing back an old or lost customer is always good for the "bottom line".

#4 - “Each Hometown Value Guide helps me to get to know quality businesses are in town.”
We all like to make a good impression. Quality begets quality.

#3 - “I like the variety of useful ads and, of course, the savings in our Hometown Value Guide!”
Smart people like to save. Wealthy people like to save. Who wants smart, wealthy customers?

#2 - “My family looks for the next Hometown Value Guide issue in our mailbox.”
A captive and receptive audience means our advertisers make impressions. Thousands of them. Tens of thousands.

#1 - “The Hometown Value Guide gives me a reason to try someplace new.”
Somewhat the “holy grail” of marketing...we are proud to deliver new customers to our advertisers.

Joe Jakubielski
Publisher / Owner
Hometown Value Guide
828.335.3553
www.hometownvalueguide.com
www.facebook.com/hometownvalueguide
www.twitter.com/hmtownvaluguide
www.twitter.com/joehvg


Expand your reach. Measure results. Get new customers.

Guaranteed delivery in up to 55,000 homes quarterly, brilliant color and exceptional quality.

Hendersonville Coupon Savings by Hometown Value Guide

The Hometown Value Guide of Hendersonville North Carolina has plenty of coupons from great, reliable businesses in the area. You can pick up our print edition at many locations, or you can print off one of our online coupons, or simply show these coupons on your phone or mobile device to the businesses listed. Here is a photo slideshow of Hendersonville Coupons for you to use. Thank you.

Asheville Coupons - Hometown Value Guide - January 2012

The Hometown Value Guide of Asheville has plenty of great coupons from local businesses in the community. Here is a way to save money and experience so many places in the area. Take a look at our coupon slideshow to see some values. Most of these coupons are good till 2/15/12. You can print them out, or show them on your mobile device to redeem them. Thanks.