Monthly Business Growth Tip - December 2012
15 Marketing Ideas to help your Small Business to grow
Many businesses face a real challenge in how to market their product or service. However, as sales are the lifeblood of every business, every business must engage in some form of marketing. It's your challenge to find what works best for you. Dedicate a set time each week to consider and review your marketing, even if it's only 1 hour per week. Do this even when you're flat out busy because every business needs to consider what it's marketing is and how it can generate more sales.
Here's some ideas for you to consider:
1. Ask for Referrals/Testimonials/Customer Feedback/Customer Surveys
Don't be afraid to ask your customers for referrals or testimonials and feedback on your customer service. They are powerful tools to confirm a potential new customer to choose your business to buy from. Use surveymonkey.com to send your customer's feedback forms to complete and get how they feel about your service or products. This is actually a free service where you can create your own surveys to get customer feedback. And don't underestimate word of mouth - this is the most brilliant and cheapest way to get more customers.
2. Go back to existing customers
It takes 7 times as much effort to get a new customer as it does to get repeat business from existing customers. Get yourself a database and record detail of the customers you have sold to. Get their phone number, email address, postal address and start to communicate with those customers. Offer them the other products/services you sell. This is called cross-selling.
3. Try Telemarketing to generate leads
Telemarketing is a very cost effective way to generate new leads and new potential customers and potential sales. It's a far cheaper to phone than travel to potential customers. You can also get to the decision maker quicker in view of the next step of going to see the customer.
4. Use Direct Mail to reach your customers
Using your database send out direct mail letter with special offers you may have available. Create a newsletter that you can send to your customers to keep in touch with them and keep your name in front of them.
5. Diversify your Product/Service Range
Can you sell other product ranges that compliment your existing ranges of products/services? If you're strapped for cash get suppliers to put new ranges into your shop on consignment. Many wholesalers/suppliers are also looking for new outlets and looking for more sales as well.
6. Create a regular newsletter
Create either a paper newsletter or email type newsletter that you can send to your customers on a regular basis so that you keep your business in front of your customer's noses and so that they won't choose your competitors. Make sure your newsletter doesn't only contain special offers you may have but also include other related articles, free advice, helpful hints, success stories, facts and figures, a quote etc etc. Make it interesting and colourful. Use the free mailchimp.com service to manage your email list and use the free templates to create newsletters etc.
7. Enter new geographical markets
Have you thought about expanding the areas into which to sell? Maybe this is just to go across the other side of the city. Maybe it is to go to the next city from yours. Maybe you should go to another part of the country or even to another part of the world.
8. Get a Website
Currently 2 billion people access the internet worldwide and research shows that people may visit your website to find out more about you before choosing to buy from your business. So in today's business world it is imperative you have a website. Even if it is only a simple one it is better than nothing. And make sure you choose a website provider that will allow you to edit the content in your website as this is a great way to keep your website looking fresh and you can change details as you need to.
9. Watch your competition
Every business should keep an eye on what their competition is doing but don't become obsessed to the point where you don't get anything done. The trick is to outsmart your competitors. And often this comes down to good old fashioned top quality customer service. Don't be obsessed with price wars but concentrate on top quality service and top quality products with top quality customer follow-up and you will get and keep a lot of happy customers.
10. Network with other businesses
Can you network with other businesses in your industry to gain more customers and sales? In the building industry for example electricians could network with plumbers and give each other tips as to where building projects are happening. Give each other your business cards for each other to hand out to customers. A bedding shop could network with a furnishings store etc etc. If you're a tradesperson go and visit architects to see if they know of any projects you can price on.
11. Tender for Government work
Are you registered on the gets.govt.nz website? This website is where you can tender for government work. There is a huge variety of work offered by government departments on this site and even one-man business's can find work they may be able to do.
12. Consider exporting
Do you have a product or service that you could export? With the internet you have effectively a worldwide audience and basically the world is becoming smaller. It is easier than ever before to send goods across the other side of the globe and it is very easy to receive payment. Just make sure you do receive payment for any goods or services you may send overseas to people you don't know.
13. Free give-aways and Promotional Products
Everyone loves a freebie! Especially food! The fastest way to a man's heart is his belly!! Many businesses have won lucrative sales by providing the potential buyer with a free gift. And with promotional products you can advertise your name and brand for a long time to come. Consider Fridge Magnets, Calendars, Pens, - there is a vast array of products you can purchase to promote your business
14. Advertise somewhere different
Consider other mediums or avenues of advertising. Have you got a presence on TradeMe? Many businesses are finding success in offering products on TradeMe. And it seems to generate leads and enquiries for other products or services you may have. Have you tried mail box flyer drops? Newspaper advertising? On the back of your local buses? Roadside billboards? Consider your options and then find a way to monitor whether or not your advertising is effective. Ask your customers when they come to you - How did you find out about us?' And if the advertising doesn't work drop and don't waste further money on it.
15. Provide better service than your competitors
At the end of the day this is really one of the key secrets to business success. Provide service that can't be beaten and your customers will keep on coming back time after time after time. It's not a hard thing to provide top-quality service. Listen, listen and listen again to what your customer wants and then find a way to satisfy their needs. And remember the customer is always right. If you do something wrong, be up front, apologise and put it right as fast as you can.
Don't give up, be persistent
You don't get from your seat to the door without getting up and walking there. So start now, get your pen out and start a list of new marketing ideas that could work for your business. Nothing happens without you trying and this applies very much to marketing. So put your best foot forward, create a plan and go for it!! The Sky is the limit!
Monthly Business Growth Tips Disclaimer
Important: We cannot be held liable should Clients act solely on the basis of the material contained in the Monthly Business Growth Tips. Items herein are general comments only and do not constitute nor convey advice per se. The Monthly Business Growth Tips are issued as helpful guides to our clients. We cannot guarantee that your business will grow if you follow the guide of the Monthly Business Growth Tips as many other factors that can lead to decline are not necessarily influenced by making one change to the way your business operates.