More sales and more profit. Isn't that what you want from your business? It's not hard to achieve if you follow these 4 simple tips.
1. Keep Adding More New Markets
Every new market you open captures a new layer of sales ...and makes your business more secure. The more markets you serve the less dependent you are on the sales from any one market.
Tip: You can quickly add several profitable new markets to your business by sub-dividing your present market into several narrowly defined niche markets. Then create customized versions of your current advertising that offers specific solutions to the unique needs of each niche market.
2. Continually Add Something New
Every time you add something new to your business you create additional opportunities to close sales. For example, by just adding one new product or service to the list of those you already offer you create 3 new selling opportunities:
1) It attracts new prospects who are not interested your current products and services.
2) It generates activity from existing customers who want to find out about your new product.
3) It enables you to create attractive combination packages of two or more items ...which also produces some bigger sales for you.
Tip: Even something as simple as adding something new to your web site creates more selling opportunities for you ...by attracting both new visitors and repeat visitors.
3. Find Some Ways to Generate Publicity
Publicity is what you get when somebody else promotes (or you get them to promote) your business. It creates more credibility than advertising - and generates sales without an advertising expense.
Look for some ways you can generate some publicity for your business. For example, contact non-competing businesses that serve customers in your market. Offer to publicize their products and services to your customers in exchange for their publicizing your services to their customers.
Tip: Don't expect non-paid publicity to replace your paid advertising. Instead, use publicity to supplement your advertising. You control where and when your advertising appears - and what it says. But you cannot control where or when you get publicity ...or how effective it is.
4. Implement a System to Promote Customer Referrals
Referrals from customers are easier to sell than cold prospects. And they don't cost you anything. Unfortunately, most customers don't volunteer referrals. You have to ask for them.
A simple, passive way to ask for referrals is to use a brief customer survey. Send it to customers by postal mail, email, or post it on your web site. The survey I use only asks 3 questions:
1) What did you like best about our (product or service)?
2) What can we do to improve the value of our (product or service) for you?
3) Who else do you know that wants to (state the benefit provided by your product or service)?
The first 2 questions focus your customer's attention on the benefits they got from you. Customers will be more likely to provide referrals at the 3rd question when you have them thinking about the value of those benefits.
Tip: Pay attention to the answers you get to the first question. It often generates a response you can use as a testimonial (with your customer's permission).
More sales and more profit. If that's what you want from your business, start by following these 4 simple tips. They produce results quickly ...and don't require much of your time or money.
Copyright 2005 Bob Leduc http://BobLeduc.com
Bob Leduc spent 20 years helping businesses like yours find new customers and increase sales. He just released a New Edition of his manual, How To Build Your Small Business Fast With Simple Postcards ...and launched *BizTips from Bob*, a newsletter to help small businesses grow and prosper. You'll find his low-cost marketing methods at: http://bobleduc.com or call: 702-658-1707 After 10 AM Pacific Time/Las Vegas, NV
home cleaning services Glencoe ...As a Boat Detailing Specialist, you may want to offer... Read More
Most small businesses simply go about their daily business and... Read More
Get maximum results with minimum effort. Sounds great doesn't it?... Read More
If you're like me, you love accounting. It's so fascinating... Read More
There are no "rules of thumb" in the pursuit of... Read More
Has this ever happened to you... 'John, you have a... Read More
Like most regulatory bodies in the United States, the Federal... Read More
Introduction: This article is written as a general discussion on... Read More
In the book Women and Small Business author gives all... Read More
Now that you have invested your time, energy and money... Read More
If you own a mobile service or home based franchise... Read More
Whether it has been thrust upon you by external market... Read More
One way to determine your companies mission statement is based... Read More
I recently met with a very successful magazine publisher who... Read More
Since you own a business you probably have liability insurance... Read More
It has been discussed allowing Franchising companies to electronically disclose... Read More
Why are Chambers a good launching pad?Chambers provide you with... Read More
How often have you thumbed through a business opportunity magazine,... Read More
Your business is making profits, but where is the cash?... Read More
I believe the number one reason why a business will... Read More
Paul Leonard's BirthdayCards2Go.com paid greeting card service offers convenience when... Read More
It's the dream of every person who starts a business... Read More
In many industries, image is one of the last things... Read More
Small business owners often enter their field with great expectations.... Read More
Technical writing services are employed to explain the details of... Read More
spotless home service Mundelein ...Yes, that IS security when nobody can downsize you because... Read More
Everyday more web based companies enter the business scene. The... Read More
Just recently, I took a break and caught "The Return... Read More
Looking for ways to boost your cash flow? As a... Read More
E-mail and Internet use are integral parts of the typical... Read More
You've come up with the best idea since sliced bread,... Read More
During the California Recall Election, I was very interested. Without... Read More
You bet a name is important. Many small business owners... Read More
If you are just starting your business, or if you... Read More
Shipping materials can be expensive! Even the styrofoam "peanuts" can... Read More
1. Everyone Makes A Difference ? Despite not letting him... Read More
Many times small businesses want to expand their businesses and... Read More
Business owners rarely go into business to deal with the... Read More
Whether your target audience is in your neighborhood or across... Read More
If you ask most small business owners what priority CRM... Read More
You are selling your small business (business value under $1... Read More
Competition in the business world is often viewed as a... Read More
WHEN you are operating or planning a small business that... Read More
If you are worried about how many different business cards... Read More
Thankfully, most of us will never find out. That is... Read More
The FTC, Federal Trade Commission, is considering modifying the franchise... Read More
One of the biggest excuses franchisees of home based and... Read More
SBIR Corner: FFP vs. CPFF contracts:In the SBIR/STTR world, the... Read More
Some of the greatest words of wisdom for any man... Read More
In a quest for customers and to keep those customers,... Read More
Small Business |