Times are tough—no one is going to argue that. Unfortunately, this often means that small business owners will reduce their marketing efforts to cut business costs. After all, there are many business expenses that don’t stop just because your customers might slow down or stop. You have to pay employees, rent, taxes, and all operating expenses. If you don’t, your doors won’t be open for long. "if you are going through hell, keep going" Winston Churchill. Think about the options! Here is some more food for thought....
Do you think it’s too late to attract holiday shoppers into your business? Whether you’re a retailer, a hot food take-away or a service provider. The spending doesn’t stop after Christmas, either—consumers with gift cards or gift cash in their pockets are out and about, eager to treat themselves, to celebrate and splurge. How can you attract customers to your business for the holidays? Here’s a few tactics that I suggest you might try....
Study the true benefits of owning your product or using your service.
A true "benefit" differs greatly from a "feature". When you know the difference only then will you be able to communicate on the same terms as a buyer wishes to buy. Here is the difference in simple terms....
Creating a powerful brand image is a difficult task, especially if your business falls into the vast majority of businesses - unglamorous. But, it is not impossible.
To stand out in a category that no one wants to hear about, your ads need to be emotional, and even controversial. Think about this ....
Retailers in many shopping areas, both in the city suburbs and in rural towns, are similar in that they are being faced with the challenge of changing trends and increased rivalry from online retailers as well as new and bigger shopping centres. Here is what to do....
Q: My new mobile car detailing business offers wash, wax, polish and full clean services to customers at their work or home. I plan to start off with an advertising budget of $1,000 initially, and will contribute $100 per month thereafter.
What would be the most effective means of advertising on this limited budget?
A: The three questions that must be answered are these:
Building Your Image
A well-devised press release may sometimes be far more effective than an advertisement, and can sometimes attract a lot more attention – at far less cost.
Even letters to the editor can be a subtle way of promoting your business to your existing and potential customers.
The major drawback to this form of promotion is that you cannot control when or whether the story will be printed. Advertising is more expensive, but at least you control when it will be printed. Here's how you do it ....
I don't know about you, but it seems to me business was conducted differently when I started my first business – around 35 years ago.
There was a different level of trust commonly found in society, where your word was once good enough, and so was the other person's.
It seems to me that we've become a society of individuals not working for the betterment of all. We have become so focused on "rights", "doing it my way", and "looking after Number One", that some of us have lost sight of 'duties' and 'responsibilities'. So what's the answer?...
There are some facts on unhappy customers that both you and your staff should be aware of. Think about yourself and your business. If you fit some of these profiles it should also confirm to you that others feel the same. Go ahead, take the test ...
HOW GOOD A MANAGER ARE YOU?
A good business manager must have a good working knowledge of the financial state of their business at any given time. Is your knowledge adequate?
This checklist will help you discover how much control you have over the financial management of your business:
COMPLAINTS ARE A GREAT WAY FOR YOU TO IMPROVE YOUR BUSINESS
Firstly, you need to see your customer's complaint through their eyes. Imagine that whatever the customer is complaining about has also happened to you.
What would you be thinking and feeling? How would you react? How would you expect to be treated? What would it take to satisfy you? What response would be necessary for you to walk away feeling good about your complaint and the company? Here is some unexpected good news...
ARE YOU A “DO’ER”?
During the many years that I have been consulting to small business I have noticed a similar attribute that is common in most entrepreneurs and business owners:
The vast majority are 'do’ers' rather than 'planners.'
In reality, being a do’er is perhaps the ultimate mark of a successful person. It’s what makes entrepreneurs a rare breed. Rather than thinking or wishing, they get out there and make something happen.
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