Where do you find more customers?
How do you compete with bigger businesses?
Answer. Build loyalty and rewards.
You may not have the money to spend on advertising like your competitors do but you don't need it. What you need is added exposure, added exposure that costs little or none.
One of the best ways is referrals. Getting referrals from your customers reinforces new customers that they should choose you because they can trust you and they will be satisfied. A good way to track your referrals is to build a list and rank it. You can develop a database of your most loyal customers and the products they buy. How many are repeat customers? How many times per month/year are they repeat customers. Assemble this information and rank it to ensure you are spending your time wisely with your best customers.
Join local events. Get involved in your community. Being involved in one event may spell the difference between increased cash flow or stagnation.
You must remember that you are one of many businesses that the customer can chose. You must give them an incentive. Once you give them an incentive, reward them and reinforce that they have made the right decision. Actively pursing them to give you leads of other people with the same problem or people that may be in their industry and simply contacting them will be a great start! Until next month.
Mr. Des Marais has operated small businesses for over 20 years. He has been a consultant and held positions in some of the fastest growing companies in Canada. He has held past management positions in retail, tourism, hospitality and sales for a variety of companies. He has increased sales by 200% in 2 months for an herbal doctor; increased sales by 30% in 4 months for a major Canadian Big Box Retailer and helped several entrepreneurs develop and sell their business. His expertise is in the area of growth and business development. He has also been involved in developing business chapters in cities across Western Canada. In terms of charities he has been involved with several groups including Habitat for Humanity, United Way and local city soup kitchens. In terms of Business Development and mentoring Mr. Des Marais has volunteered with S.E.E.D.S mentorship review committee, ACE, YEA and university alumni and speaking events. He has given presentations at the University of Victoria and Simon Fraser University.
shuttle to Midway Beardstown .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareAnyone who is serious about washing aircraft as a full... Read More
Grow your Professional Organizer business by branching out into related... Read More
Franchising Corporations need to maintain an iron fist when it... Read More
What kinds of things effect mobile service businesses P and... Read More
Early in my career, I wrote an article for a... Read More
During the California Recall Election, I was very interested. Without... Read More
No matter your age or station in life, we all... Read More
How often has someone thought of starting a business based... Read More
There is a Batting Cages Business for those people who... Read More
You've been meaning to tend to the administration part of... Read More
Q: Is the online world the best place to sell... Read More
The revenue history is a vital piece of your power... Read More
Someone new to business ownership recently told me, "Before I... Read More
A top executive called up me late in the night.... Read More
When it comes to cost, how much can you afford... Read More
Do you promote yourself as offering prompt, reliable and quality... Read More
Congratulations, you are starting a small business! You are taking... Read More
Why? Because they have access to world class public relations... Read More
Q: I have outgrown my home office and need to... Read More
Most small businesses simply go about their daily business and... Read More
In this series of articles I'm going to show you... Read More
A thing worth doing is worth doing badly. Yes I... Read More
The success of your business is critically dependent on how... Read More
As you reflect on this year and prepare for next... Read More
Just recently, I took a break and caught "The Return... Read More
Green Bay Hummer H2 SUV rentals ..Many new ventures are preoccupied with all the money they... Read More
Small businesses need Public Relations, possibly more than large corporations,... Read More
All cities have a purchasing office and/or a procurement officer.... Read More
Car wash businesses are unique to other businesses. In fact... Read More
Did you ever have one of those days or weeks... Read More
The reason we Franchisors call it an exclusive territory is... Read More
Not sure how to start a small business? This guide... Read More
We're birds of a feather, public relations and small business.... Read More
I love work, I can watch it all day.I am... Read More
SBIR Corner: FFP vs. CPFF contracts:In the SBIR/STTR world, the... Read More
The following are six essential skills to business success. You... Read More
You're pretty proud of yourself! After all, only four months... Read More
The current lack of industry leaders represents an exceptional opportunity... Read More
When you hear the word "success" does it bring on... Read More
During the California Recall Election, I was very interested. Without... Read More
Before you read any further in this article, I'd like... Read More
Scenario OneDuring a recent presentation, a business owner was given... Read More
For many small businesses, the "S" corporation is the business... Read More
1. Look Over Your Shoulder ? Of course, Punxsutawney Phil... Read More
The employer / employee relations environment has been constantly evolving... Read More
If you own a small business, then you know the... Read More
Here are seven ways for owners of small businesses to... Read More
If a customer owes your local business money, it's hard... Read More
I'll be the first to admit that I went a... Read More
We all know that competition is an ugly word but... Read More
Small Business |