There are some kinds of businesses that are a part of their customers' weekly, if not daily routine - grocery stores, dry cleaners, and gas stations to name a few. Other companies, such as clothing and hardware stores or even restaurants, also typically attract mostly repeat business. As long these operations offer competitive prices, good service and are conveniently located (with no new arrival in the market appearing significantly better on any of those points) customer loyalty should remain fairly strong.

But how can businesses instill loyalty when clients may need their services on an annual basis at best, or perhaps only a few times during an entire lifetime? This is the common situation for many professional service providers such as attorneys, CPAs, medical specialists, IT solution providers, or architects to name a few. An e-newsletter may be an economical and effective way to maintain top-of-mind awareness with prospective clients during those long stretches between having a need for the provider's services. More...

ADOPT-A-HUMAN CAMPAIGN FOR SPCA

Felines may be America's preferred pet - there are more pet cats than dogs in the US (81.7 million to 71.2 million) - but cats need help getting adopted. That's why Pinstripe Marketing teamed up with SPCA Tampa Bay to produce a pro bono adoption campaign featuring felines.

We all know that people don't adopt cats; cats adopt their humans! Our campaign approaches adoption from the point of view of four cats - Stumpy, Cyrano, Snickerdoodle and Mister Frisky - who each choose their perfect human.

Danette Morse shared her time and talent for the fantastic photography featured in the campaign.

The four stories are presented in posters, postcards, newspaper ads, and on AdoptAHuman.com.

IT'S HOLIDAY CARD TIME!

We've just carved our pumpkins, but it is already holiday card time. Creating a customized card typically costs the same as a template selected from a catalog. Make it personal! Put your list together and give us a call to get started.

Here are some holiday card tips from our friend, Lesley Peters, Tampa Bay Small Business Examiner.

PIN-STRIKE MARKETING SHOWS UP
TO AD INDUSTRY BOWL-OFF

While we obviously prefer to talk about our successes, we must admit our defeats. No, we didn't win the Big LeBowlSki - the AAF Tampa Bay Industry Bowl-Off. But there is good news! Our creative director, Jeff Zampino, earned Best Individual Score, and we beat our friends at Red Frog Marketing 869 to 836.

We would like to send a big thank you to all of the talented artists who donated bowling pins for the silent auction!

See more photos from the event.

REICHL SELECTED TO 40 UNDER 40

Ginger Reichl was named to the 2009 Gulf Coast Business Review's 40 Under 40, the annual list of young professionals making an impact in the community.