Newsletter | bBold Web Design : Troy, Michigan Web Design, Websites, Web Hosting

Home

Why do I need a Website?

Help target a specific region
Reduce advertising expenses
Keep your business open 24/7
Boost your marketing efforts
Increase sales & profitability
Draw in potential customers
Enhance your company image

Low-cost ways to market your small business!

Too many small-business owners think marketing is like a trip to the dentist - something you have to do every six months or so. But when marketing is continuous and targeted rather than occasional, business gets easier. If prospects have a positive view of your service and reputation before you call or before they start shopping, you're that much closer to making a sale.

Smart marketing is simply putting the right message in front of the right person at the right time. Here are some ideas for doing that - on the cheap.

Take steps to make customers feel special. Customers respond to being recognized, especially in these rush-rush, get-the-lowest-price times. Even with a web-based business, good customer service is possible and necessary.

Create business cards that prospects keep. Most business cards are tossed within hours of a meeting. Instead of having your card tossed, create one that recipients actually will use. The business card notepad is referred to almost daily, kept for 30 days or so and carries a high remembrance factor. For affordable business stationary, check out www.vistaprint.com and www.overnightprints.com.

Develop an electronic mailing list and send old-fashioned letters. Most businesses have harnessed the power of e-newsletters, and you definitely should be sending out one, too. It's very cost-effective. But now that email marketing is nearly ubiquitous, you can quickly stand out by occasionally sending personal, surface mail letters to customers and prospects. Just make sure the letter delivers something customers want to read, whether news of recent events in your field, premium offers or a discount personalized for the recipient.

Finally, don't let customers simply slip away. Make an effort to reel them back in. It costs a lot less to retain a disgruntled or inactive customer than to acquire a new one. If you haven't heard from a customer in awhile, send a personalized e-mail (you can automate this process), inquiring whether all is well. For a customer who suffered a bad experience, pick up the phone, acknowledging the unpleasantness and ask if there's anything you can do. A discount can't hurt either. Being kind to customers is the smartest low-cost marketing you can do.

Source: Microsoft.com/smallbusiness - September 2011