recession busting tips for small business
remind your existing customers your still there
in hard times we need to make sure that we retain all our customers. Make sure you keep your customers informed & interested using targeted marketing and good old customer service. Throw a party or a competition everyone loves a freebie and its a great oportunity to connect and promote new services.
create interest in new services
Utilise newsltters, promotions and email campaigns to promote new services to your existing customers.
give away something for nothing, well almost!!
Reward existing customers with special offers and insider tips & tricks, a little bit goes a long way. Talk to your suppliers and join forces to promote a new product or service, spreading the cost is great for everyone. Give away something that only costs your time, not your back pocket!! Utilise these free giveaways to get subscribers to your newsletter system or client database, fair trade realy!!
improve customer service
Good service goes along way, dont loose your valued customers.
market yourselves online
Make use of email newsletters, web marketing, social networking to promote your business. Get that video camera out and get yourself on Youtube!! Remember consistency of image is important so make sure you plan before you jump!!
target your marketing
When times are tough spend money wisely, dont use the scatter gun method. Target the customers you want and allready have.
encourage your staff
When times are tough we tend to overlook our staff. Make sure you keep your staff are informed about how your business is doing and where they can help. You are all in it together!! Get their input as they are in daily contact with customers and can often see things we either try and ignore or are to busy to react to.
work on your business not just in it
Take time to work on your business, not just in it. If the phone is quite, take it as a blessing. Dont just shut up shop and go fishing, plan your marketing, re-write your website copy, create your next newsletter!!
