EP# 159 - How Toni Chamberlain Transformed Direct Mail into an Art of Engagement
May 21, 2024Season 1Episode 159
"Cabo" Jim Schaller
Ever wonder how a simple piece of mail could reignite the spark between businesses and customers? Toni Chamberlain of Wow Them Marketing stops by to share her enchanting story of metamorphosis from a retired introvert to a direct mail dynamo. She unpacks the secrets to crafting personal and automated mail campaigns that not only defy the 'direct mail is dead' myth but also foster enduring customer bonds. With anecdotes from her Michigan upbringing and tales of political campaign designs, Toni illustrates how passion and creativity can merge into a successful marketing venture.
In a heartwarming shift, we're also getting cozy with the community's beloved Perfect Pony from Estero. This episode is sprinkled with local love and the simple joys of connecting within our neighborhood. As we wrap up, I'm extending an invitation to you, our listeners, to spotlight local businesses that embody the spirit of the community. It's stories like Toni's and the charm of local heroes like Perfect Pony that weave the vibrant tapestry of our daily lives. Tune in for an episode that's not just about marketing mastery but also an ode to the power of community.
WOW THEM Marketing Toni Chamberlain SWFL 941-483-6777 toni@wowthemmarketing.com WEBSITE
Ever wonder how a simple piece of mail could reignite the spark between businesses and customers? Toni Chamberlain of Wow Them Marketing stops by to share her enchanting story of metamorphosis from a retired introvert to a direct mail dynamo. She unpacks the secrets to crafting personal and automated mail campaigns that not only defy the 'direct mail is dead' myth but also foster enduring customer bonds. With anecdotes from her Michigan upbringing and tales of political campaign designs, Toni illustrates how passion and creativity can merge into a successful marketing venture.
In a heartwarming shift, we're also getting cozy with the community's beloved Perfect Pony from Estero. This episode is sprinkled with local love and the simple joys of connecting within our neighborhood. As we wrap up, I'm extending an invitation to you, our listeners, to spotlight local businesses that embody the spirit of the community. It's stories like Toni's and the charm of local heroes like Perfect Pony that weave the vibrant tapestry of our daily lives. Tune in for an episode that's not just about marketing mastery but also an ode to the power of community.
WOW THEM Marketing Toni Chamberlain SWFL 941-483-6777 toni@wowthemmarketing.com WEBSITE
Speaker 1:
This is the Good Neighbor Podcast, the place where local businesses and neighbors come together. Here's your host, cabo, jim Schaller.
Speaker 2:
Welcome Good Neighbors to episode number 159 of the Good Neighbor Podcast Estero. Today we have Good Neighbor Toni Chamberlain from Wow them Marketing. Toni, welcome, thank you.
Speaker 3:
Hello Jim.
Speaker 2:
Awesome. Excited to learn a little bit more about you today and what you do, so let's without further ado, just jump right in.
Speaker 3:
and why don't you share a little bit about what you do over at WOW? Well, my business is for business and we help businesses of all sizes stay in touch with their customers, building solid relationships by direct mail.
Speaker 2:
Interesting. So let me ask you this how did you get involved in this industry?
Speaker 3:
Well, my whole career was in the corporate world with business management, accounting, bookkeeping, etc. And then I retired, or thought I was going to retire, and I was very bored. So a friend of mine came over and said you've got to see this. So I looked at what she had on the screen and, oh my gosh, it just blew me away. I thought this is the best thing since sliced bread no kind of crazy way to say that, but I was really knocked out with it.
Speaker 2:
Very good. And then you got involved and you started technically your own business, right.
Speaker 3:
I did. I thought that this might be a good way for me to just stop the boredom, if nothing else. But I got into it and really enjoyed the creativity of it, pursued business connections and showed them what they were offering, and before I knew it I was in business, so that was kind of fun.
Speaker 2:
Getting paid to be social right.
Speaker 3:
Yeah, yeah, and I had absolutely no social I mean business experience in sales at all until that point. Still don't consider myself a salesperson, but I sure have a lot of fun doing what I do with this service. I help businesses get noticed and retain customers, keeping relationships fresh, and I think that the customers enjoy it too.
Speaker 2:
Absolutely. Helping people is important. So starting your own business after being in business for so long and something new we all have some type of challenge or maybe obstacle that we went through, whether it's personal or business-wise. Is there something that happened along your journey that we can look back at now and say you know what I went through that, but now I'm in a better place?
Speaker 3:
Oh, I think so. Sure, I'm a very shy private person and some people find that hard to believe, but yeah, I'm very guarded when it comes to public speaking or anything having to do with being out there in the public eye. I just feel very uncomfortable. But I did force myself to become more outgoing and it really has paid off. I suggest that if anyone is feeling that way about themselves just you know, having a fear of public speaking or anything they really should just jump right in with both feet. I still don't like it, but I'm better at it.
Speaker 2:
There you go, and it's not as bad Once you start doing it. It's not as bad as you thought it was.
Speaker 3:
I know and it's really funny because back in the 80s I owned a radio station. I did not perform on the air very much. I had someone who did that, but you would think that, having that experience, that I would be a little more comfortable, but I'm still very reserved about it. I'm having a good time with creating cards and doing these things for my customers. I enjoy it so much that the public part of it doesn't really matter.
Speaker 2:
There we go, and that's what is important. So are there any myths or maybe misconceptions surrounding what you do that we could clear up for our listeners?
Speaker 3:
Wow, there's a big one. There's a rumor going around that direct mail is dead, but I can assure you that it is not especially the way we do it. It's personalized and automated so that you don't really have to think about it. You just put it on automatic pilot and it all happens automatically. And best part is it's affordable.
Speaker 2:
That's the key. That's what everybody likes to hear. So are you from Southwest Florida originally.
Speaker 3:
No, actually I'm a Michigan girl, born and raised in Michigan. What brought you down here? What? Brought you down here Well family matters. My mother was not doing well. She was down here with my sister and I was invited down to take care of her and I lived in Venice for eight years and now I live with my sister on Marco Island.
Speaker 2:
Very nice. That's a beautiful place down there.
Speaker 3:
Yeah, it's very nice.
Speaker 2:
It's funny. I'm the same way. I moved down to Florida right out of college and now my family has ended up following me, but my brothers have come down here as well. Isn't that nice. It's nice to have them around for sure. So I know you're kind of semi-retired, but you're doing this now. What do you enjoy doing when you have some free time?
Speaker 3:
Believe it or not, excuse me. I love to design the cards, and so I spend a lot of time sitting here at my computer designing for my customers and myself. I love to do that In my spare time, which I don't have much of, but I enjoy working for a political campaign for a gentleman who's running for supervisor of elections in Collier County, so maybe I can put in a good word for him.
Speaker 2:
Yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 3:
Yes, I am. Yes, His name is Tim Jarette and he's the best guy I have ever met.
Speaker 2:
And that's important A real solid man. That's good. We need more people like that, for sure.
Speaker 3:
Definitely.
Speaker 2:
So is there one thing that you wish our listeners knew about? Wow them Marketing that maybe they don't know.
Speaker 3:
Well, let's see, we have a way to have our customers design their own postcards and send out, if they like, thousands of them without paying directly for them, but they just pay for postage. So if you wanted to promote a special that you're having, you could send 100 or 1, thousand or as many as you want. There's no limit and there's no minimum, and it's all very affordable. We can also laser engrave and personalize gifts, and I just personalized golf balls for someone who wanted to give their brother a birthday present, so they're very happy about that. You can put a photograph of someone on golf balls.
Speaker 3:
We also have drinkware that can be like coffee mugs and so forth. You can have their photographs of anything you know grandkids or whatever and it really makes a wonderful gift. And geez, they're so affordable. You don't have to pay extra to have things engraved or personalized on any of our products.
Speaker 2:
And you can just let your creativity take over.
Speaker 3:
And I mentioned the possibilities. I love that, that's the best part.
Speaker 2:
So how would our listeners go about getting a hold of you if they wanted to learn a little bit more?
Speaker 3:
Well, they can just call me up. I'm always available and if not, just leave a message and I'll call you back. My number is 941-483-6777.
Speaker 2:
Perfect Pony, it's been a pleasure getting to know you. Thank you for being such a good neighbor and I hope to see you out in the community soon.
Speaker 3:
Well, thank you so much. This was very special.
Speaker 1:
Thank you for listening to the Good Neighbor Podcast, estero. To nominate your favorite local businesses to be featured on the show, go to gnpesterocom. That's gnpasterocom, gnpestero or call 239-296-2621.