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
limo prices to midway Crystal Lake west of Randal .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareWe are noticing an increase in the length of time... Read More
Ongoing support for a franchise system is omnipotent. A major... Read More
Are you thinking of starting a small pressure washer business... Read More
If you plan to upgrade your workshop into an Authorized... Read More
You bet it's worth it. Publicity via news releases, along... Read More
Washing the exterior of a truck. Sounds easy right? Well,... Read More
The FTC, Federal Trade Commission, is considering modifying the franchise... Read More
Why does consistency in the message have an effect on... Read More
If you intend to franchise your company you will need... Read More
Concrete Roof Tile Business: During the 2004 summer season, storms... Read More
It has been discussed allowing Franchising companies to electronically disclose... Read More
One of the first things you will need to set... Read More
Last week's question from Anthony R. on how to choose... Read More
How far away is the person you need to meet?We... Read More
More sales and more profit. Isn't that what you want... Read More
Think of all of your business ideas as tiny seeds... Read More
It behooves every professional mobile auto detailer to stay up... Read More
Get maximum results with minimum effort. Sounds great doesn't it?... Read More
What does buying a fat pig have to do with... Read More
No matter type of business you operate you've got to... Read More
-- The One Pager Shortcut Series --People do business with... Read More
With all the cabinet refacing business opportunities out there, you... Read More
In your small business debt collection laws will eventually become... Read More
A Private Investigator is a professional trained in the art... Read More
Many of our nations 400,000 franchisees run their businesses out... Read More
taxi o'hare Auburn ..The Federal Trade Commission which governs the franchise industry thru... Read More
Many investors and business ethics professionals are calling for more... Read More
One of the best ways to make money in the... Read More
If you've been considering incorporating your small business, you've probably... Read More
Most small business owners seek advisors who can help them... Read More
Pet Transportation Services are needed as the number of pets... Read More
It has been discussed allowing Franchising companies to electronically disclose... Read More
When someone owes your small business money, you certainly feel... Read More
The FTC Franchise Rule maybe changed, as the Federal trade... Read More
Here's why 'WHY' is such a profit-making marketing trigger."Stop taking... Read More
Too often in business we get trapped into reviewing our... Read More
The Franchise Group at the Federal Trade Commission in all... Read More
Franchising companies often use Business Broker to help attain sales... Read More
Writing a business plan for your Solo Entrepreneur business doesn't... Read More
Last summer the FTC put forth a report and then... Read More
If you own a mobile car washing, pressure washing or... Read More
Why should you describe your business to others in 5... Read More
Manufactured and Mobile Home owners know that the weather this... Read More
If you own a small business, you should know that... Read More
The efficiency of debt collection is the difference between a... Read More
If you've been thinking about starting a business, but are... Read More
Nothing can drive a business down faster than customers who... Read More
Whether it has been thrust upon you by external market... Read More
In today's economic climate, the first priority for the small... Read More
What are the benefits of using a Freelance Consultant /... Read More
Small Business |