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Most
small businesses don’t have the time or budget for large marketing
campaigns. That doesn’t mean you can’t stay top-of-mind with customers.
There are small efforts that have big impacts that any small business can
take advantage of.
Remember
the days when the bank handed out lollipops, the gas attendants checked your
oil while pumping gas, the store owner greeted every customer at the door?
People are nostalgic for those days, and you can use this to your advantage.
Consider handing out free samples—especially if there is a new product or
service you would like customers to try. If you have a deli counter, it can
be a food sample. If you run a beauty salon, it can be a sample-size
cosmetic or shampoo. Remember, the point is to make your business stand out
and your customers come back.
If
you are somewhat computer-savvy there are many more low-cost marketing
techniques available to you. Consider self-publishing a catalog of your
merchandise. There are many software programs that provide templates for
this exact purpose. You can use a local printer, a chain copy shop or your
own machines to produce the final copy. Develop a schedule for your catalog
(bi-monthly, quarterly, annually). Consider including a customer survey with
the catalog. Send a free sample with the catalog or include an offer of some
sort for filling out the customer survey. You may be surprised by how many
responses you receive when you offer a free service in exchange for a
response. People love freebies.
For
your longstanding and loyal customers, consider emailing them special
promotions. Remember, your longstanding customers are your most loyal
customers. Just like new customers, they should be romanced with incentives
to keep using your business. Giving them the opportunity to get a good
bargain first or exclusively gives loyal customers a sense of priority and
prestige.
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