Print your best small ad on a postcard and mail it to prospects in your targeted
market. People read postcards when the message is brief. A small ad on a postcard
can drive a high volume of traffic to your web site and generate a flood of sales
leads for a very small cost.
No single marketing effort works
all the time for every business, so rotate several marketing tactics and vary
your approach. Your customers tune out after awhile if you toot only one note.
Not only that, YOU get bored. Marketing can be fun, so take advantage of the thousands
of opportunities available for communicating your value to customers. But don't
be arbitrary about your selection of a variety of marketing ploys. Plan carefully.
Get feedback from customers and adapt your efforts accordingly.
Use buddy marketing to promote your business. For example, if you send out brochures,
you could include a leaflet and/or business card of another business, which had
agreed to do the same for you. This gives you the chance to reach a whole new
pool of potential customers.
Answer Your Phone Differently. Try
announcing a special offer when you answer the phone. For example you could say,
"Good morning, this is Ann Marie with Check It Out; ask me about my special
marketing offer." The caller is compelled to ask about the offer. Sure, many
companies have recorded messages that play when you're tied up in a queue, but
who do you know that has a live message? I certainly haven't heard of anyone.
Make sure your offer is aggressive and increase your caller's urgency by including
a not-so-distant expiration date.
Stick It! Use stickers, stamps
and handwritten notes on all of your direct mail efforts and day-to-day business
mail. Remember, when you put a sticker or handwritten message on the outside of
an envelope, it has the impact of a miniature billboard. People read it first;
however, the message should be short and concise so it can be read in less than
10 seconds.
Send A Second Offer To Your Customers Immediately
After They've Purchased Your customer just purchased a sweater from your clothing
shop. Send a handwritten note to your customer thanking them for their business
and informing them that upon their return with "this note" they may
take advantage of a private offer, such as 20% off their next purchase. To create
urgency, remember to include an expiration date.
Newsletters.
Did you know it costs six times more to make a sale to a new customer than to
an existing one? You can use newsletters to focus your marketing on past customers.
Keep costs down by sacrificing frequency and high production values. If printed
newsletters are too expensive, consider an e-mail newsletter sent to people who
subscribe at your Web site.
Seminars/ open house. Hosting an
event is a great way to gain face time with key customers and prospects as well
as get your company name circulating. With the right programming, you'll be rewarded
with a nice turnout and media coverage. If it's a seminar, limit the attendance
and charge a fee. A fee gives the impression of value. Free often connotes, whether
intended or not, that attendees will have to endure a sales pitch.
Bartering. This is an excellent tool to promote your
business and get others to use your product and services.
You can trade your product for advertising space or for
another company's product or service. This is especially
helpful when two companies on limited budgets can exchange
their services.
Mail Outs. Enclose your brochure, ad, flyer etc. in all your outgoing mail. It
doesn't cost any additional postage and you'll be surprised at who could use what
you're offering.
To learn more Powerful Marketing Tips order the full
"Powerful Marketing Tips" report for only $9.00! Contact Check it Out
at (772) 335-0073 or visit www.checkitoutinc.com.
Ann Marie Rubertone owner of Check It Out, author
of "The One Page Marketing Plan" and "Household
Items You Can Use To Market Your Business Now" tips for
marketing on a shoestring budget. For more information, contact
Check It Out (772) 335-0073, www.checkitoutinc.com[email protected].
