Abstract:
The present invention is a method for generating, producing, and distributing advertising materials. The present invention utilizes an Internet web site that allows a user to upload a testimonial and then use the testimonial in combination with pre-designed templates to generate posters, brochures, websites, and other advertising articles. The present invention utilizes an Internet web site that allows a user to upload his businesses information such as logos, address, names, and telephone numbers once and then uploads testimonials and then use the testimonials in combination with pre-designed templates to generate posters, brochures, magazines, flyers, email, websites, video and other advertising articles.

Description:
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
       [0001]    Not Applicable 
       SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention relates generally to a method for creating advertisements and marketing materials. More specifically, the present invention relates to an Internet web site that allows a user to upload a testimonial and then use the testimonial in combination with pre-designed templates that merge in the users information, logos, etc. to generate posters, brochures, websites, and other advertising articles. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    New customers, clients or in the case of doctors offices, patients are most often created by either advertising or referrals. What is needed is a method which creates low cost advertising campaigns and increases referrals from existing customers by providing a simple software solution for the generation of advertising materials that utilizes a company&#39;s existing customer base and contacts to generate the advertising content and provide a mechanize for internal referral generation of new business or sales. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,084,581 issued to Hunt discloses a system for simultaneously creating a plurality of individually customized video product from a plurality of video segments uses a central computer and one or more workstations to control the operation of a video file server and video recorders connected thereto. An operator at the workstation enters selection choices into a workstation. The central computer uses the selection choices to select and order a subset of video segments prestored on the video file server. Under control of the central computer, the selected and ordered subset of video segments are output from the video file server to a designated video recorder to make the customized video product. Hunt requires a skilled graphical artist or computer operator to generate the customized video content, which is not supportive of a cost effective option for the majority of business to quickly generate their own custom advertising materials. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,064,857 issues to Parker, et al. teaches a method for advertising, comprising the steps of generating a high-quality image; placing one or more advertising data in a predetermined location of the high-quality image; and fixing the high-quality image and advertising data to a utilitarian object. The advertising data is thereby placed in the high-quality image on an object therein so that the advertising data appears to be part of the particular object in the high-quality image. Parker, et al. fails to incorporate or utilize information for an existing customer database or teach the creation of a testimonial based marketing product. 
         [0008]    Another shortcoming of the methods taught in the prior art is that they fail to disclose a method that places an existing buyer, client, or patient base into a continuous referral network that repeatedly expands and generates new referrals. 
         [0009]    Still another shortcoming of the prior art advertising methods it they fail to use current contacts and customer base to generate internal referrals from contacts and existing buyers, clients, or patients by enabling the creating of custom posters, brochures, mailers and magazines featuring personal logos and third party testimonials, with a minimal amount of keystrokes using computer software. 
         [0010]    Yet another shortcoming is that the prior art does not disclose a low cost advertising generation, production, and distribution system or method that is simple to use and requires no graphics skills. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    The present invention is a method for generating, producing, and distributing advertising materials. The present invention utilizes an Internet web site that allows a user to upload his businesses information such as logos, address, names, and telephone numbers once and then upload testimonials and then use the testimonials in combination with pre-designed templates to generate posters, brochures, magazines, flyers, email, websites, video and other advertising articles. 
         [0012]    It is an objective of the present invention to teach a method for low cost advertising generation, production, and distribution that is simple to use and requires no graphics skills. 
         [0013]    In addition, it is the objective to increases internal referrals from contacts and existing buyers, clients, or patients by enabling the creating of custom posters, brochures, mailers and magazines featuring personal logos and third party testimonials, with a minimal amount of keystrokes using computer software. 
         [0014]    It is another objective to teach a method of advertising that transforms an existing buyer, client, or patient base into a continuous referral network that repeatedly expands and generates new referrals. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate the present invention and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles of the invention and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a screen shot of the GUI of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a screen shot of the clinic management section and existing clinics list of a representative embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a screen shot of the clinic management section and an all user list of an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a screen shot of the user management section and detailed user information database of a representative embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a screen shot of the template management section and template style list of a representative embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a screen shot of the template management section and complete template list of a representative embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a screen shot of the testimonial management section and testimonial detail database view of a representative embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a screen shot of the image library GUI of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIGS. 9-10  are screen shots of the shop settings and product forms and information of a representative embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  is a screen shot of the shop settings and product category list of a representative embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 12  is a screen shot of the administration control and record list of a representative embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 13  is a screen shot of the administration control and project list of a representative embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 14  is a screen shot of the administration control and reporting feature of a representative embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0029]      FIG. 15  is a flow chart illustrating the steps of the method of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0030]    In the following detailed description of the invention of exemplary embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings (where like numbers represent like elements), which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific exemplary embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, but other embodiments may be utilized and logical, mechanical, electrical, and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims. 
         [0031]    In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it is understood that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and techniques known to one of ordinary skill in the art have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure the invention. 
         [0032]    Referring to the figures, it is possible to see the various major elements constituting the apparatus of the present invention. The present invention is a method for generating, producing, and distributing advertising materials. The present invention utilizes an Internet web site that allows a user to upload a testimonial and then use the testimonial in combination with pre-designed templates to generate posters, brochures, websites, and other advertising articles. 
         [0033]    In a best mode embodiment, the present invention is used to assist medical professionals and medical specialists in the development of your practice. The samples illustrated in the Figures illustrate the use of the system and method taught by the present invention for use by healthcare providers such as doctors&#39; offices, drug manufacturers, dentists, chiropractors, physicians, rehabilitations providers, or medical clinics, but the invention is not limited to this usage. For example, the method is applicable to all service professions or products that provide a benefit. 
         [0034]    Now referring to  FIG. 1 , a screen shot of the GUI  100  of the present invention is shown. The system of the present invention consists of a clinic or business management component  102 , a user management component  103 , a testimonial management component  104 , a project management component  105 , a template management component  106 , and an administrative management component  107 . To navigate the website, links are provide for each component and a control panel  101  also allows for the selection of components and sub-components. 
         [0035]      FIG. 2  is a screen shot of the clinic or business management section  115  and existing clinics list  116  of the present invention. The existing client list  116  includes group or business name  133 , healthcare provider information, business owner information  134 , forms  135 , information  136 , and an action link  137 . Additionally, a logo may be uploaded and edited with provided graphical tools. 
         [0036]    Now referring to  FIG. 3 , a screen shot of the clinic management section  109  and an all user list  112  of the present invention is shown. Each user provides a username  138 , full name  139 , clinic name  140 , and additional information  144 . The system tracks the user&#39;s creation date  141 , assigns a user class or type  142 , records activity and log information  143 , and allows for removal  145 . Additionally, the control panel provides a view all  110  selections and add a new user feature  111 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 4  is a screen shot of the user management section and detailed user information database  113  of the present invention. The user detailed view  114  contains general information  146  uploaded or added by the user to the system. 
         [0038]    Now referring to  FIG. 5 , a screen shot of the template management section and template style list  117  of the present invention is shown. The template style type  118  contains name, description and other information  147  for each template available to a user. 
         [0039]      FIG. 6  is a screen shot of the template management section  119  and complete template list  120  of the present invention and displays all templates for use by a user and provides the ability of an administrator to add new template, modify existing templates or remove templates. 
         [0040]    Now referring to  FIG. 7 , a screen shot of the testimonial management section  121  and testimonial detail database view  122  of the present invention is shown. Testimonial detail as structured for healthcare providers can include the clinic name, healthcare provider&#39;s name, patient name, city, account number, primary healthcare provider, referring healthcare provider, and services performed. In addition details about the patients condition can be entered into the database. If this were a different business, testimonial detail relevant to that business model would be recorded appropriately. 
         [0041]      FIG. 8  is a screen shot of the image library GUI  123  of the present invention that provides a database of images  124  for use in templates that may be searched and selected during the advertising generation process. These images are used in addition to, or to replace photographs of the person providing the testimonial 
         [0042]      FIGS. 9-10  are screen shots of the shop settings and product forms  125  and information  148  of the present invention. These allow for the creation of specialized marketing materials utilizing the method of this invention. The product form  126  contains category  128 , name  129 , description  130 , price, order  137 , and photo information  127  for each product in the shopping database. The shopping component of the present invention functions like those taught in the prior art where each product  149  is viewable and can be added to a shopping cart for processing. 
         [0043]      FIG. 11  is a screen shot of the shop settings and product category list  150  of the present invention and illustrates the product categories  151  available. 
         [0044]      FIGS. 12-14  are screen shots of the administration control panels.  FIG. 12  is a screen shot of the administration control and record list  152  of the present invention and illustrates a listing of all records  153  in the database by clinic, patient name, condition, and location for modification or use.  FIG. 13  is a screen shot of the administration control and project list  154  of the present invention and illustrates a listing of all projects  155  in the database by project name, template, style, and clinic name for modification or use. 
         [0045]    Now referring to  FIG. 14 , a screen shot of the administration control and reporting feature  156  of the present invention illustrates a feedback or information gathering input screen  157  for use by the administration. The system provides the ability to email, fax, or print a letter, testimonial, or case study that may be sent to a list or selected group or individual user. Lists of referring healthcare providers are also maintained by the systems as well as a list of individuals that the system can be market to in the future. Finally the system provides the ability to select testimonials, healthcare providers, and groups or individual users based upon condition, interest or other factors. 
         [0046]    Finally, referring to  FIG. 15 , a flow chart illustrating the steps of the method of the present invention is provided. The method of advertising described by the present invention is enabled by a computer network multi-user network, and server. The method comprises the steps of first recording business information  158  and recording one or more testimonials  159  to a server located on a multi-user network. The server provides one or more pre-designed advertising templates  160  and combined the testimonials with one or more pre-designed templates  170  to create one or more electronic  171  advertising materials or printed advertising materials  172 . The printed advertising materials  172  can be posters  173 , brochures  174 , magazine  175 , websites  176 , case studies  182 , and other printable marketing materials. The electronic advertising materials  171  can be websites  176 , email  181 , RSS Feeds  182 , the printed advertising materials  172  produced in an electronic format, and other electronic marketing methods. By accessing the server from a local computer over a multi-user network, a user may edit testimonial content; and edit pre-designed template content. 
         [0047]    In an alternative embodiment, the testimonials  159  are replaced with case studies  177 . The templates  170  displaying the testimonial  159  in a format called a case study  177  change the point of view to that of the testimonial  159  from the patient to that of the healthcare provider. 
         [0048]    Multiple testimonials  159  may be combined on individual advertising materials  172 . Multiple testimonials  172  may also populate website content on one or more websites. The printing of advertising materials  172  occurs on a local printer  178 , or printing may occur on a remote third party printer  179  that is then packaged and mailed  180 . 
         [0049]    In an alternative embodiment testimonials are replaced with case studies. In many industries and locales it is not considered to be acceptable or legal to advertise with testimonials. A testimonial is a third party endorsement whereas a case study is a first party report of what occurred in any given situation or treatment. Thus, the method and system of the present invention may also utilize templates that display the material that might be included in a testimonial in a format called a case study and change the point of view to that from the patient to that of the healthcare provider. This would eliminate marketing restrictions imposed on testimonial advertising and would reduce or eliminate the need to reference individuals by name, which may be undesirable or increase liability exposure. 
         [0050]    Thus, it is appreciated that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variation in size, materials, shape, form, function, and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the above description are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
         [0051]    Furthermore, other areas of art may benefit from this method and adjustments to the design are anticipated. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.