Easy Marketing Tip #10 – and one more!

These tips are a continuation of the Easy Marketing Tips list which began on this blog in March of 2012.

Marketing Tip #10 – Be a Walking Billboard Do you wear a logo shirt? Name tag? Is your email in your car’s back windshield or on a front license plate? Where can you promote your company, every day in every way? Doing this can make all the other efforts you do come together.

Yes we said we’d give 10 tips, but to assure we exceed expectations, here’s #11 …

Marketing Tip #11 – Email is free are you using it to your advantage? There are multiple ways to use email as a sales tool. This is definitely where your VIP list comes in as critically important. The first is direct 1:1 communication between you and an individual. The second is between you and a group of people and the third is all of the above with extras. You can add graphics, an attachment, photography or even a video depending on what tools you have currently available.

Just be sure you are communicating, every day in every way to any one who might lead you to new business.

Connections Result in Sales – A trio of Easy Marketing Tips #7, #8 and #9

The easy marketing tips below, #7, #8 and #9 hinge on the Tips list I began in this blog March 2012.

Marketing Tip #7 – News to me (media and VIP) Every month think of something new or exciting to report – kind of like if you were calling your Mom to tell her the good things going on in your life. Then send that news to everyone on your VIP list and the media too. In a simple email format, we recommend using list management software or Constant Contact www.constantcontact.com – both give you insight into how many people read your email and gives you back bad addresses so you can keep your list up to date.

Marketing Tip #8 – Get and stay connected, it’s all about personalization You see the name of a potential customer in the news and think to yourself, “ I can do this or that for him”. Why not tell him? Proactive outreach is best when you personalize.

You might see an ad that could be done better; and you know how. Or a company that is just right for your services or products. Send a letter, an email or call and be sure you begin by saying “I believe I have a product/service that could make a difference to you”. Once you have this connection your sales effort will be much easier.

Marketing Tip #9 – Alternative Advertising – church bulletin, local billboard
Why buy an ad in the newspaper when the local church bulletin or the neighborhood flyer might serve you better, and for much much less? Think small. It may mean more work for you to post all these cards and flyers, but then again, it’s almost free. Think digitally too, Craig’s list (www.craigslist.org) and community billboards are often the first stop for some shoppers.

You never know where you will find a customer – one of the most successful campaigns I ever did included in-bathroom advertising in an office building! Marketing is meant to bring customers into your business and your second goal is to bring them back.

Reach Out and Touch Your Customers – Easy Marketing Tips #4, #5 and #6

In March 2012 I started a series of Easy Marketing Tips to Quick Start Your Business, here are tips #4, #5 and #6.

Marketing Tip #4 – Likability translates to the Bottom Line – TouchPoints How many chances a day do you and your team have to make an impression? Zillions. Think about how many people had a chance to impress you just last week, did they? My guess is that they were “fine” but didn’t translate their chance to wow you when they could. The teller at the bank window who barely acknowledges you, the cashier at the grocery store who focuses more on your vegetables than the person standing in front of her, the dry cleaner who takes your clothes and gives you a ticket, but no nice comment.

How easy would it have been to make you feel special? Are you making your customers feel special?

Touchpoints are those opportunities to reach out and make someone like you just a little bit more. If you had a banker, grocer or dry cleaner who really made you feel important you would think twice about changing service providers and you would surely recommend them to others. Think of the touch points you have every day – and use your Get Business Card (Tip #1 in prior blog) to start the conversation that will connect you to your next new business lead.

Marketing Tip #5 – A Personal Letter When was the last time you sent a personal letter thanking your customers? (and the last holiday card doesn’t count). Think about an individual letter to each prospect that says very sincerely how much their business means to you, or meant to you in the previous year. You might go on to say that you hope they recommend your company and if they need any further work, you have them on the priority list for scheduling and fees. If you want to include or reiterate the services you offer be sure to do so and include at least one business card, a magnet or other promotional items that will be kept. And to be sure they know this really is personal, sign it with a colored pen so it looks original.

Marketing Tip #6 – Grassroots and Neighborhood Marketing Do you know what your office neighbors sell? Do they know what you do? How about a knock on doors, introduce yourself schedule to not only tell your neighbors who you are and what you do, but for you to gather their business cards for your VIP list.

Next time you are at a professional meeting, or PTA or your homeowners association be sure to sit next to someone you’ve never met before and share with them what you do. Be sure to ask them the same and exchange cards.

The best business will come from people who you have connections with.