12 Quick Marketing Methods
Survey Your Customers
The first step is to ask your salespeople, but remember to also get firsthand knowledge by personally working on the floor as well. You can also directly survey your customers in a short questionnaire that can be returned anonymously.
Follow Up on Every Sale
A one-time customer survey is not enough; you have to make sure that you are continually evaluating and figuring out what improvements can be made. You can do this by regularly sending out questionnaires or even more importantly, you can send customers a short thank you and put their names on a mailing list. Jay Conrad Levinson, marketing guru, explains that it is vital to remember not to skimp on follow-up because it is “the key to loyal customers”
Use Your Database to Write Customers a Personal Letter
Personal letters are fast and inexpensive to produce and usually are the most powerful marketing tool out there. This letter tells the customer what your business offers them. Because of its importance as a marketing tool and as good customer service, it is important to take the time to individually write customers a personal note.
Try Niche Marketing
The most common form of marketing today is “niche marketing,” which involves a reach out to narrowly-focused group. In order to make sure you effectively use “niche marketing,” you should create a list of the group which you can better serve than the competition and then, create a profile about these customers and use that profile to tailor products, services, and advertising to them.
Distribute Free Samples
Present Free Demonstrations, Consultations, and Seminars
Hand Out Free Gifts
Offering a free gift will guarantee attention. You can give a free gift for a particular amount or item of purchase, for responding to a direct-mail solicitation, or for other reasons. You can also give away special gifts with your company name, address, phone number, and slogan to prospective and current customers.
Use Coupons as an Advertising Vehicle
Build Awareness through Sweepstakes or Contests
This is usually an exciting way to get customers aware of your products, services, and company. Before starting the contest, contact your lawyer to make sure you meet all legal requirements in your jurisdiction. After you get the approval, you have to plan out your whole promotion, including details about how customers will enter, how entries will be handled, and how many prizes will be given out. You will need to advertise for this event. After the contest ends, you should generate publicity about the winners and the contest.
Be Creative with Telephone-Hold Marketing
Customers will inevitably be put on hold at some point, so to that end, you should design an audiotape that plays when they are put on hold. It can answer callers’ questions and even inform them of products and services that they did not know you provide.
Sell with Store Signs
Signs within your store can let customers know about special services you provide like free delivery and they can also answer customers’ most frequent questions.
Act Now to Extend your Seasonal Sales
Before the season, host sales and send coupons and mailers to current customers about the special deals. After the season, follow up with mailings or phone calls so that you can remain in touch with your customers and encourage their loyalty. You may also want to consider adding on a business or product line. No matter what, marketing is a 365-day-a-year job.
You’ve Got to Put the WOW Back in Business
You want to make sure that you are giving your customers the very best customer service you possibly can. Your customer service should make customers feel as though they are special and should make them tell their friends about the amazing service they have received.
We Put the Money into the Quality
It All Starts at the Grassroots Level
Remember that your employees are often those that are dealing with your customers on a regular basis, so it is important to realize that employees have to work together for the same goals, so improving morale should be your first step.
Your Best Customers Are Your Existing Customers |
