Small Business Marketing Tactic: Make Sure Your Friends Know What You Do!

Yes, I know it sounds simple because it is. Make it a point to let ALL of your friends, family, neighbors, etc know exactly what you do for a living. People like to do business with their friends, so it's important they know what you do.

Just possibly, they will even start telling their network of friends, family, neighbors, etc.

Of course, do NOT bombard them with a marketing pitch that threatens your relationships and leaves them feeling abused, simply make it a point to let them know your business. There's a high probability they are connected with your target audience members, and this knowledge could prove extremely valuable to the success of your business.

Small Business Marketing Tactic: Celebrate Those "Life" Moments

Celebrate those special "life" moments with your customers and strengthen the emotional connections and their loyalty. As a small business entrepreneur, you have an incredible opportunity to connect and STAY CONNECTED with your growing customer base.

SUGGESTIONS:

1. Congratulations On Your New Arrival!

A baby brings much joy to a growing family. Take the opportunity to extend your personal congratulations when you:

a. laminate the birth announcement and include it within the card/gift that you deliver to the family

b. include the birth announcement on your website and your weekly email serviced to your customers

2. Congratulations On Your Graduation

Every year, your customers' children are graduating from kindergarten, high school, or college. A simple card acknowledging the achievement will go a long way to building customer loyalty.

3. Appreciate Your Efforts

The local news is a great way to identify those "life" moments. A small business owner, who tunes in to the local news and recognizes the customers' community efforts is sure to win friends.

a. Laminate the newspaper announcement or article and mail it along with a "Thank You" card to show your appreciation for their efforts

b. Telephone your customer and express your "Thanks" for a job well done

Small Business Marketing Tactic: OFFER FREE SHIPPING to spike online sales!

YES! Offer FREE SHIPPING, and your consumer are more likely to make an online purchase!

According to a new survey from Experian CheetahMail, 70% of respondents from online companies had higher conversion rates on emails offering FREE SHIPPING than on other types of marketing emails. Of the 70% respondents,

- 78% saw increased transaction-to-click rates

- 47% had higher average order values

Of course, small businesses need to make sure the FREE SHIPPING offers are with products that consumers are actually interested in purchasing. Remember, your consumers are YOUR CONSUMERS...learn them, speak to them, service them.

Small Business Marketing Tactic: Reward Your Customers

Make effort to keep your current customers happy.

1. Offer a deep discount when they come to your store on a designed date/time.

2. Provide a special event for your special customers:

- breakfast gathering before you open on a select date/time of week

- after hours shopping endeavor where customers receive an additional discount off MSRP

3. Deliver additional savings to your customers when they bring new customers to your business.

4. With purchase of $50.00 or more, GIVE YOUR CUSTOMERS an in-store credit so they are encouraged to return at a later date & redeem it!

Small Business Marketing Tactic: MAKE IT PERSONAL!

Much deeper than the nonchalant greeting when they enter your door, your consumers welcome personal attention. They hunger for genuine interaction.

What to do?

1. Identify your top-tier of customers

2. Grab your letterhead and a pen.

3. Write these words, "Thank you so much for your business!" & sign it

4. Fold the letter and insert it into an envelope

5. Apply a stamp and mail it.

Yes, I understand these are 5 very basic steps. But still, your efforts to create personal interactions are sure to pleasantly surprise your valued customers while making a significant deposits into their emotional bank accounts.

Other thoughts:

- Send them personalized Christmas cards

(Yes, you must write the greeting.)

- Deliver them birthday/anniversary cards

(They are your customers, so you SHOULD know this information.),

- Call their home and leave them a "Merry Christmas" voicemail message

One of my friends owns and operates his own lawncare business. For Christmas last year, he selected his top 100 customers and sent them a personalized Christmas card along with a gift book "Case For Christmas" by Lee Strobel