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Your Out-of-Office E-mail
A Marketing Tool You Never Suspected

Maybe you are in an exotic, tropical paradise. Perhaps you are taking in outstanding museums or historical sites. Or maybe you are at a professional workshop or performing your civic duties. Whatever it is, you are not in your office. But does that mean you can't do a little marketing to folks while you're away? By no means!

Your out-of-office e-mail message can be a potent tool for marketing communication. Next time you'll be out of the office for a while, use these helpful tips and leave an out-of-office e-mail that will make a lasting impression.

Tip 1: Don't Forget the Little Things
Your out-of-office e-mail message should always include the length of time you will be out of the office and a way to reach you (or an associate) in case a client needs immediate assistance. If you will be checking your voice mail or e-mail while you are away, say so in your message.

A good way to make sure you don't leave out any vital information is to type up your away message and keep it on file. Then you should only have to change a few details the next time you have to be out of the office for an extended period.

Tip 2: Spice up the Essentials
Here is where you really turn your out-of-office e-mail message into a marketing tool. If you are attending or leading a professional workshop or training session, tell about it in your message to show you are committed to continued development in your field.

If your vacation destination or activities are among the more unusual, mention what you will be doing. Remember, though, to use appropriate discretion in all cases. You do not want to release sensitive corporate information or share anything too personal.

Tip 3: Alert Folks In Advance
Sometimes it is an emergency and you may only have a brief period to type up your out-of-office e-mail (see the part about keeping the text on file in Tip 1 again). However, if you know you'll be out of the office for an extended period, let your clients know well before the actual date comes. It lets them know you care, and helps them prepare for the time you'll be away. Don't let your out-of-office e-mail message be the first time they learn you are gone if you can help it.

Marketing yourself and your business/non-profit should never stop. By following these tips, you will give yourself the chance to further build your relationships with clients, vendors etc. even when you are not in your office. It is also a small part of giving great service to keep your clients returning to you again and again.

(The e-sources article above was created, in part, from information from an article by Karen Gedney entitled "Your Vacation Message: Make It Work for You" on ClickZ.com.)

Semaphore Welcomes Writer/Strategist Todd Hudak
Semaphore is pleased to announce that Todd Hudak has joined the staff as a writer/strategist. Todd will work with our 20 electric cooperative clients, serving as lead writer and developing public relations strategies. He brings to Semaphore years of news editing and writing experience, most recently at Francis Marion University in Florence. He has been a newspaper editor and writer at several weekly and daily South Carolina newspapers, including city editor of The (Sumter) Item. A journalism graduate of the University of South Carolina, Todd is currently pursuing a master's degree in integrated marketing communications from West Virginia University. His talents will be well used at Semaphore. Welcome him when you get the chance.

Semaphore Lands Seaside Bank of Florida
Semaphore has been selected as the advertising and marketing agency of record for Seaside National Bank & Trust of Florida. With initial capitalization in excess of $50 million, Seaside National Bank & Trust is the largest de novo federally chartered bank in United States history. Headquartered in Orlando, Seaside will provide a full spectrum of commercial banking, personal banking and comprehensive wealth management solutions to clients in the state of Florida. The bank will initially open banking facilities in central Florida with expansion plans in select markets throughout the state.

"Semaphore has created a strong brand identity and a beautiful rollout campaign for us," said Gideon Haymaker, president of Seaside National Bank & Trust. "We look forward to Semaphore helping us make Seaside the financial institution of choice for businesses and communities throughout Florida."

In addition to the rollout campaign, Semaphore will provide brand management, advertising and online services for Seaside Bank & Trust.

Curtain Exchange Highlights Their Unique Service Niche
Print ads, collateral and a television spot are among the marketing tools Semaphore developed recently for The Curtain Exchange, an area retailer of fine window treatments for home interiors. All of the tools focus on one of The Curtain Exchange's unique services: allowing customers to take window treatments home for a trial run before they make their final selection. Since the tools have been employed, The Curtain Exchange is pleased to note an increase in both inquiries and foot traffic at their Devine Street location. colacurtainexch@bellsouth.net

DayBreak Campaign Hits Road
Semaphore client DayBreak Adult Care Services recently hit the road, literally, with its "Bringing Care Home To You" ad campaign. Semaphore recently completed a wrap, featuring DayBreak's "Bringing Care" creative, for a company mini-van. The vehicle is now serving as a mobile advertisement for DayBreak throughout the Midlands - complementing the company's strong print and radio advertising campaigns. Be on the look out for the DayBreak van in your area!! www.daybreakcare.com

Holiday Schedule
Semaphore will be closed November 22-24 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday and December 22 - January 1 in observance of the Christmas and New Years holidays. We'll be back at our desks on Tuesday, January 2, 2007 observing our regular hours, 8:15am until 5:15pm.

Semaphore and Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina Unite Clemson and Carolina
If you've ever wondered what could possibly bring Clemson and USC together in a true spirit of cooperation, look no further than Semaphore's current campaign on behalf of the Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina (ECSC). Agency president Cynthia Gilliam worked with ECSC's Lou Green to create the Touchstone Energy Teammate of the Week - radio and television spots that feature athletes from Clemson and USC. Officials from both universities identified students that embodied the Touchstone Energy values of accountability, integrity, innovation and community commitment, highlighting the student's volunteer activities and community activism.

The spots run during broadcasts of each school's respective game schedule, resulting in a very high message frequency for ECSC. There is a second commercial airing during each team's Sunday morning television program with their coaches. With the live football crowds, the coach's shows, and the radio broadcasts, ECSC has launched a unique branding program.

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Workshop Theatre presents The Trip to Bountiful, a poignant play about loss and redemption written by Horton Foote, November 9 through November 20. The production, directed by Semaphore president Cynthia Gilliam, stars Columbia theater legend Ruth Gottleib Moore. Call the theatre at 799-6551 for your reservations.

As people go about their daily lives, they are exposed to many logos - often many times. But do the subtle differences of logos really stick with us? See where you stand with this fun test from www.GuessTheLogo.com.

Viral Marketing — spreads a message in word of mouth fashion using devices such as the Internet or other digital media. Advertisers send a funny message or video out on the Internet via e-mail, blog, website or text message and the recipient is enticed to send the message on - spreading it like a virus. Burger King's website featuring The Subservient Chicken, a promotion for their chicken product line, is an excellent example of the viral marketing. Site visitors give commands that a costumed chicken executes - often hilariously. Any time a visitor views the site and sends it on they spread the Burger King message. To read more about viral marketing and other examples like The Subservient Chicken visit viral marketing on wikipedia.org.

Semaphore is a premier full-service advertising, marketing, branding, public relations and Internet development firm.

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