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
shuttle from O'Hare Brocton .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareWith the massive explosion of start-ups and home businesses developing,... Read More
Sometimes when you run a business you feel as lonely... Read More
Many years ago, I had warned the carwash industry of... Read More
One way to determine your companies mission statement is based... Read More
Many small companies work very hard to get new accounts.... Read More
The current lack of industry leaders represents an exceptional opportunity... Read More
A recent survey indicated that clean Taxi Cabs Fleets have... Read More
So often small service businesses fail to exploit niches, which... Read More
During the California Recall Election, I was very interested. Without... Read More
Last week we discussed the importance of performing an autopsy... Read More
SBIR Corner: FFP vs. CPFF contracts:In the SBIR/STTR world, the... Read More
What is a Virtual Assistant?? A Virtual Assistant is that... Read More
Perhaps you are building a new home office or you... Read More
Most new small businesses won't be in business this time... Read More
Tammy, a skilled and gifted horticulturist, called me to discuss... Read More
CONSIDERATIONS FOR YOUR INTERN: Specify the number of hours the... Read More
Small business owners can relieve a lot of their own... Read More
Writing a business plan for a mobile car wash is... Read More
Office support services can range from basic data entry to... Read More
Business consulting opportunities might be just what your are looking... Read More
Competition in the business world is often viewed as a... Read More
During the 1980 presidential campaign, candidate Ronald Reagan vowed, if... Read More
Debt collection letters--an overview"Debt collection letter" in the singular may... Read More
Gather round while I tell you the story of Kennebec... Read More
No matter your age or station in life, we all... Read More
Chicago charter limousine service Hickory Hills ..Having their own business is something many millions of people... Read More
In many industries, image is one of the last things... Read More
Franchising Corporations need to maintain an iron fist when it... Read More
TRUTH IN THE LAWN MOWING INDUSTRYWe do not wish to... Read More
Sometimes the simple businesses are the ones, which make good... Read More
A Private Investigator is a professional trained in the art... Read More
Q: After years of dreaming about starting my own business,... Read More
Hi, Charles...here, Your Cap and t-shirt guy From Texas. How... Read More
How to identify future solutions and opportunities?Your power page, if... Read More
Deciding to start your own franchise is just one of... Read More
Have you been searching for the perfect home-based business? I... Read More
Commonly folks have asked me what the technical difference is... Read More
When we speak of branding most of the time people... Read More
Many businesses offer small business franchise opportunities. There are many... Read More
CONSIDERING COMPANY NEEDS: In identifying your needs for the internship,... Read More
Running a business, whether large, small or in your home,... Read More
Forget everything you've ever heard about the U.S. Small Business... Read More
You are selling your small business (business value under $1... Read More
Not sure how to start a small business? This guide... Read More
You may be in Mail Order, Direct Mail, or you... Read More
If a customer owes your local business money, it's hard... Read More
For many small businesses, the "S" corporation is the business... Read More
Manufactured and Mobile Home owners know that the weather this... Read More
The bad things starts with the letter 'O'?.like Obstacles, Obstruction,... Read More
Articles abound advising the business community how to properly screen... Read More
Small Business |