Recession Proof Your Small Business

The worst thing you can do when business is slow is hibernate!
Get out there. Be visible.

You cannot rely on drive by traffic. The days of "you build it, they will come" are long gone.


In order to increase customer traffic, you must first know your customer.
Keep track of what they buy or what services they tend to need and remember.
Define the demographics (sex, age, habits, etc.) of your best customers.
Get feedback from your customers.
Track the results of your promotions.


It is 5 to 10 times more expensive to find a new customer than to retain an existing customer. Therefore, customer loyalty is imperative. Concentrate on the benefits they receive from using your products and services.

You can build customer loyalty by following these steps:

Make your relationship personal.
Ask customers about themselves and their family.
Delight them by remembering dates important to them like their anniversary (this could also be the date they first became your customer).
Over-deliver and surprise them with an extra bonus.
Do more of what you do best and expand on it.
Send them thank you notes, they may lead to referrals.
Surprise them with a gift.
Send them useful information about items that might interest them.
Reward them with a frequent buyer program.

When developing a new customer you must do four things:

Get their ATTENTION!
Dramatize the biggest benefit of your products and services.

Keep their INTEREST!
Explain your product and service in short simple sentences.

Create DESIRE!
Focus on the benefits rather than features.
Use pictures or interesting descriptions.

Provide a COMPELLING REASON for why they should buy from you.
Sell them before your competitor does.
ASK FOR THEIR BUSINESS!

How to find new customers and sell them:
Ask for referrals - develop a referral program.
Seek joint venture opportunities- a local tile contractor created a networking group with contractors in other trades. He has found new business that way.

Use direct mail creatively:
(I realize cash flow is a concern but this is an investment you cannot afford to pass on!)
Send an invitation
Send Coupons
Send Promotional Gifts
Mail often

Get and use testimonial endorsements.
Hold a drawing.
Browse the internet.

For more marketing tips like these, visit our website at http://GetMoreROI.net and click on our blog tab.

Do You Know Where Buying Decisions Are Made?

Don’t Just Serve Your Clients; Wow Them!

When was the last time something like this happened to you? Four guys are arguing over a USGA rule on the course. Your client Bob whips out his cell phone and calls the service and gets the answer to his question. Bob is greeted by name and hears your company’s name twice. It's also on the card and then he'll probably mention something to his buddies who he's now collecting $10 each from for losing the bet. Your client is so excited about winning the bet that he leaves his golf bag behind. Before he makes it home, your caddy concierge service advises him of his loss and arranges to return the bag. When your client gets home, he calls to thank you again for providing a valuable service.

Or picture this. Your client Sue travels to a distant city. She doesn’t have a clue where the nice restaurants are. Sue calls the service. They not only tell Sue where the restaurant is, but send her a text message with the directions. When Sue hangs up she makes a mental note to send you more business for helping her out in a bind.

Offering concierge service is a great way to generate instant word of mouth. It's also a great way for a restaurant owner to show appreciation to a patron who spends a couple hundred a week or so in his restaurant. Concierge is an excellent service for Realtors®, car sales people, auto mechanics, tow truck companies-- anyone who wants to ingrain such messages into their client's heads as "We’re there when you need us", “Always ready to help" "You’re not alone". Could your company use this service? I bet it could.

For a complete list of our programs, please visit our website and click the "Concierge Services" tab located under the Showroom label. You’ll be glad you did.

How to Develop New Customers in Four Easy Steps

Did you know?

It costs 5 to 10 times more to find a new customer than it costs to retain an existing customer. This is why customer retention is so important. Equally important, however, is the need to attract new customers. Follow these four steps:

1) Get their attention!
Dramatize the biggest impact your products and services will have on their lives or business.

2) Keep their interest!
Do not bore your readers with lengthy prose. Talk about your product in short simple sentences.

3) Create desire!
Focus on the benefits rather than features. Benefits sell, features tell.
Use pictures or interesting descriptions.

4) Provide a compelling reason for why they should buy from you!
Sell them before your competitor does.
Ask For The Order!