Growing your own small business can be one of the most exciting journeys you could ever embark upon!
But it's important that you continuously implement new and fresh ways to generate sales and improve your profitability in order to stay ahead of the market!
Here are the next 5 Strategies to help you propel your business to new heights of success!
1. Develop your own Loyalty Program
If you have a look in my wallet, I have a Jesters Pies Card, a Subway Card and a Video Ezy card ? all of which entitle me to something for nothing once I have made enough purchases!
Some people will call me cheap?I just think it makes sense! If I'm going to buy something anyway?why not go somewhere that rewards me for my loyalty?
If people have to buy your type of product or service from somewhere, why not make it more attractive for them to buy from you?
Create your own loyalty program and create regular, satisfied customers who get rewarded for giving you their business!
2. Collect email addresses from your clients (with their permission!)
The most cost effective form of marketing today is via email and if you haven't already started collecting your client's email addresses then start today. You may wonder how that could possibly help you grow your business, but let me give you an example.
I recently heard of a Hairdresser who started collecting email addresses from her clients each time they came to have their hair cut ? with the promise that she would keep them informed of any specials that she might be offering.
Now, when she looks at the next week's bookings ? if there are lots of spare appointments she fires out an email to all of her clients offering a special for 'Next Week Only!' ? and bingo! She has a full week of appointments.
She's happy and her clients are made to feel even more special that they've picked up a reward for their loyalty!
3. Create your own monthly newsletter
Every business has something interesting to share with their clients and I'm sure yours is no exception! Once again, by using your email addresses, you can provide a very low cost service to your clients, and give you an excuse to keep in touch with them every month.
If you're an accountant, then why not provide financial tips relating to the time of year. Eg GST info, Tax Tips etc.
If you are a mechanic, what about some tips for keeping your engine running smoothly. Eg Checking the oil and water, tyre pressure etc.
Maybe you're a Lawnmowing contractor?what about suggestions for keeping your grass green and lush according to the different seasons.
Of course each month you can also offer 'specials' to your loyal clients to bring in extra profits during the quieter times. In the meantime, you're building a stronger relationship with your existing clients.
4. When was the last time you raised your prices?
Here's an instant way to increase your profits!
Are you underselling your services? Have you checked what your competitors are charging recently?
By adding some of the value added services that I've already addressed in the previous questions, you can probably also add some increases to your pricing without too much drama from your clients.
If you have an excellent product or service, don't become the discount king or queen?become the Exceptional Service Provider.
People don't mind paying for good quality service?because there is so little of it around!
If you mow a fifty lawns a week at $16 each, are people really going to mind if you increased your price to $17? Or what about even $20 ? but each month you left them with a special report about how to care for some aspect of their lawn or garden for that month of the year - or maybe even threw some fertilizer on their grass! (They'll need to get you back even sooner if their grass grows better!)
You just added an additional $50 - $150 to your weekly profits - for very little extra work!
Think creatively!!
5. Develop your own Board of Directors
You probably know of other successful business operators in totally different fields from you, and their ideas could also be of benefit to your business.
Why not create your own Board of Directors. Offer to take them out to lunch as a group every two months and brainstorm for ideas on what they would do if they were running your business.
You may pick up two or three new ideas which is not a bad return on your investment of lunch!
Successful people love to share their ideas, so become a sponge and learn as much as you can!
Start applying these principles to your business today, and watch your profits grow!
About The Author
Glen Smyth is the author of the popular new eBook, 'The Small Business Success Guide'. Discover how you can build your own profit-pulling small business, starting today: http://www.smallbusinesssuccessguide.com. Make sure you also sign up for the WOW! Factor Newsletter which is full of great ideas from other Small Business owners!
http://www.smallbusinesssuccessguide.com
apartment cleaning near Highland Park ..Writing a business plan is no easy task, sure you... Read More
Would you like to jumpstart your online or offline business... Read More
Microsoft Great Plains does wonderful ERP job for horizontal markets... Read More
Q: A key investor in my business has suggested that... Read More
Business owners and entrepreneurs are, by nature, risk takers and... Read More
Is your business growing as fast and effectively as it... Read More
In most business plans, no matter how striking the idea,... Read More
Note to Rite Aid and CVS: It's not about the... Read More
Many business start-up kits or consultants will tell you one... Read More
Imagine an office without a desk, or lights, a computer,... Read More
Microsoft Great Plains fits horizontal markets clientele and in case... Read More
The first task before hiring a contractor for home remodeling... Read More
Imagine spending the same amount of money on marketing and... Read More
Canada's lean leaders need to look beyond the horizon and... Read More
Here is an abstract thought on studying nature and the... Read More
Some analysts credit [Larry] Ellison with anticipating the consolidation in... Read More
One of the key challenges for any business is to... Read More
Fun From The StartFor those with the will to start... Read More
Many of Ohio's downtown areas are in need of upgrading... Read More
More than $117 billion passed hands from Internet shoppers to... Read More
Many cities have home pages on the Internet. Many of... Read More
The trick is to determine what uniquely identifies your best... Read More
If you are looking for a partner, funding, angle investor... Read More
Six Sigma is becoming a proven approach for businesses and... Read More
It's easy to lose sight of what needs to be... Read More
cleaning lady near Arlington Heights ..The boom of the dot-com era in 1999 brought the... Read More
Canada's lean leaders need to look beyond the horizon and... Read More
Let us look at a few of the big distribution... Read More
There are no "rules of thumb" in the pursuit of... Read More
With the help of balanced scorecard strategy map, it is... Read More
I read once that something like 30 percent of all... Read More
How often does your company make a quantum leap forward?... Read More
Much of what we heard in the mass media about... Read More
Note to Rite Aid and CVS: It's not about the... Read More
If you own a pressure washing business one of the... Read More
I've either been involved with or held a process-related role... Read More
Microsoft Great Plains fits multiple services market niche and healthcare... Read More
In today's rapidly changing and highly competitive markets, many privately... Read More
All investors greatly desire and are motivated by a clear... Read More
So you've decided to write your own business plan because... Read More
No matter what product or service you provide you will... Read More
A strategic alliance is when two or more businesses join... Read More
As a franchisor it is imperative that you seek, find... Read More
There is a story, about a business owner who wasn't... Read More
"Rubbish!" shouted the large, aggressive man in the red-striped shirt... Read More
Have you ever done a SWOT analysis? No, it's not... Read More
Does your overall business strategy include the recruitment of college... Read More
It's easy to lose sight of what needs to be... Read More
In this small article we'll concentrate on farmers associations and... Read More
1. Largest Selection -One way that you can make your... Read More
Strategic Planning |