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Copyright 2006 Sandra P. Martini
Do you got to get more clients? Are you trying to urge your first client? Is your marketing budget like the value of a cheerful Meal? the subsequent tips and techniques aren't by any means hidden secrets, but they're a number of the foremost overlooked ways to plug alittle business today.
1. Know your audience .
As silly because it sounds, many small business owners begin a marketing campaign without reference to whom they need to focus on . If you send a coupon for NASCAR tickets to the primary 1,000 people within the phone book, some will undoubtedly be thrilled and can do what’s necessary to earn the tickets (akin to dropping 1,000 mailers from an airplane -- some will hit the target). But just imagine the response rate if you sent out an equivalent 1,000 NASCAR ticket coupons to only those people that attended a NASCAR event within the last year. You’ve gone from wildly shooting to steadily aiming your campaign, thus increasing your response rate and decreasing your cost per customer.
2. Publish an e-zine (or newsletter).
Publishing an e-zine or print newsletter (even as short as a page) may be a good way to stay in-tuned together with your customers and clients. you'll produce one online employing a program like Constant Contact for small to no money and may even set your e-zines up beforehand using easy-to-understand templates.
3. Have an internet site and keep it updated.
All businesses, regardless of your size or field, need an internet site lately . you'll get a website name for as little as $2.95/year and, using templates, have a basic design wiped out a couple of hours. Once your customers, clients, and potential customers and clients have visited your website, they're going to find fresh, quality content within the sort of new e-zines, articles, blog posts and tips. this may keep them, and therefore the program spiders, returning for more.
4. Opportunity is looking .
While not usually viewed as a marketing technique, answering the phone and follow-up is critical during this day and age of limited valuable time and impersonal service. have you ever ever called someone only to not get a call-back or sent an email and waited days for a response? More clients and prospects become lost revenue lately thanks to inadequate, or non-existent follow-up. If you receive a call from a prospective client or from an existing client, call him back as soon as possible or, better yet, immediately!
5. become involved online.
Find out where your audience hangs out and participate in those online discussion groups and forums. Yahoo Groups may be a excellent spot to seek out a good sort of discussion groups. Several business owners also belong to Ryze -- a web networking forum. By consistently offering your help to others, you'll position yourself as an expert that others will address when the time is true for them.
6. become involved offline.
Getting involved local organizations can help to create your reputation as a “doer”, a “go getter” or simply a very dependable individual (all things which can help your business). Just remember that you simply are representing your business in everything you are doing and act accordingly.
7. Word of Mouth/Referrals.
We’ve all heard the old saying that a cheerful customer tells somewhere between 1 and three people about her experience while an unhappy customer tells up to 12 people about hers. Keep your customers happy, invite feedback on what you'll do better, and once you recognize they’re happy, then invite a referral. People generally are willing to assist those they like.
8. Use postcards.
Whether you're an online-only business, a brick & mortar establishment or a hybrid, you'll effectively use postcards to plug your business. Postcards are easy to try to to , inexpensive to mail and have a high readership. many of us associate postcards with personal notes from friends and family and don’t even think before they turn it over to read the message. With this method, you've got already gotten into the hands of the many folks that wouldn't take the time to open spam .
9. Have others roll in the hay for you or with you.
Never underestimate the facility of cooperation and reciprocal agreements. Is there a vendor that features a related, but indirectly competitive, audience to yours? If so, form a strategic alliance where you recommend his products/services and he recommends yours. for instance , a movies and a restaurant could share customer information and pit one another for promotions.
While many of the above tips and techniques will arouse the “DUH” response, it’s constantly surprising to me what percentage businesses – small and enormous – overlook these basic items in their day-to-day marketing and operations.