| Men and women in small businesses don't have the | | | | as though they are your only customer and making |
| same marketing muscle as large businesses. Trying to | | | | them feel special. Send out birthday or Christmas |
| create a brand and image like big corporations - on a | | | | cards to your customers - when everyone else is "too |
| small business budget is a recipe for disaster. A small | | | | busy." Look for ways to be memorable and |
| business simply doesn't have the advertising budget | | | | remarkable, in your market, versus others who just |
| needed to build a big corp brand and to gain | | | | copy cat one another. |
| recognition in the market through branding in the | | | | It is unique distinctions that set you ahead of your |
| big-boy budget way. | | | | competition. Whereas, most business owners just |
| So how is a small business to compete with the "big | | | | copy what their competitors do and soon they all look |
| guns?" | | | | alike (to the prospect). That's when price becomes the |
| The answer is by utilizing effective communication | | | | primary question for the prospect, since there isn't |
| strategies with their customers and clients. It is by using | | | | anything else that really makes you unique or special in |
| strategies and means that are affordable and practical | | | | their minds. |
| for small business owners. These are very different | | | | #4 - Show constant appreciation. After all, if it weren't |
| from the big corporate model. | | | | for your customers and clients, you and your team |
| As a small business owner, communicating with your | | | | have no reason to be there. Right? So, freely let your |
| customers or clients should be at the top of your | | | | customers know you appreciate them by sending a |
| agenda. Your customers will give you feedback which | | | | simple thank you card, perhaps with a discount |
| may help you improve your business. And, as the | | | | voucher inside. Or, maybe an online option through your |
| business owner, you must be sure that someone is | | | | own newsletter through services like Constant |
| listening because the most common loss of current | | | | Contact. And in some cases a small thank you gift |
| customers... and new prospects, is indifference on the | | | | may be a worthwhile investment for major loyalty and |
| part of your service team. | | | | return business - depending upon your customer's |
| If you use the right communication strategies, and | | | | contributions to your business. |
| team training, you can also cement your business in | | | | Treating customers well is one sure way to stand out |
| people's minds so that they become repeat customers | | | | from the competition in any economy - in any business. |
| and loyal referral champions. So, their loyalty builds with | | | | #5 - Get creative. Many businesses use the same old |
| you more and more. And, they become evangelists for | | | | boring marketing strategies. Why not stand out from |
| your cause, ongoing. | | | | the crowd by "juicing" up your marketing? Humor goes |
| Unfortunately, all too often small businesses miss this | | | | a long way in marketing - come up with a funny |
| step and conduct themselves in a manner more | | | | campaign that will grab your customer's attention. Or, |
| reminiscent of large corporate companies. Number | | | | something engaging your customer like a "quiz" night at |
| one: indifferent. Number two: impersonal. Number three: | | | | your restaurant, or bar, for example. |
| we're right and "sorry about that" attitude. And, the list | | | | What may seem "crazy" to some can catch the eyes |
| goes on. This can spell disaster for the small business | | | | of potential customers or clients and get them |
| owner. Unfortunately, big business often gets away | | | | interested in your business. Being at your place a |
| with this. You won't for long! | | | | particular night of the week, versus home, or |
| Here are a few tips to help you avoid these traps and | | | | somewhere else. The first step is always getting the |
| communicate effectively with your customers and | | | | customer through the door - a creative marketing |
| clientele: | | | | campaign will help you do this. Once they're in the door |
| #1 - Ask for feedback. Good or bad, feedback from | | | | it's up to you to WOW them with your services and |
| customers can be the saving grace for any small | | | | keep them coming back. |
| business. You can't fix things when you don't realize | | | | Communicating effectively with customers and clients |
| they are broken. So negative feedback is good to | | | | doesn't have to be difficult. It's all about connecting with |
| have, versus working in the blind. | | | | people on a more personal level and setting up your |
| It will help you improve, tweak, and keep what's | | | | business to help your customers to receive |
| working and get rid of what isn't working within the | | | | exceptional value. A few simple strategies can help |
| business. It's important to never become a "legend in | | | | you achieve this and stand out from the competition. |
| your own mind," or in the minds of your team, when it | | | | #6 - Use local marketing online. This is one of the most |
| comes to customer satisfaction. First, and always, ask | | | | front running marketing gold mines today. As of this |
| your customers or clients how they feel about your | | | | writing, 43% of all searches on Google are for local |
| service. How do they think it could be improved? It is | | | | businesses, by city, state and zip code. This is people |
| really only their perception and opinion that matters. | | | | using local search, to buy services and products offline, |
| You can ask customers to fill in a simple survey card | | | | at brick and mortar stores like yours. Online search has |
| or a fun poll about their preferences, their experience, | | | | taken over internet yellow pages and print yellow page |
| and so on. It may help to make the feedback | | | | use and is growing daily. |
| anonymous and to make it easier for the customer to | | | | Google is the king of local search marketing these |
| state their true feelings about your business. Adding a | | | | days. You may, or may not be part of "page one" on |
| small incentive to do so doesn't hurt either. Just | | | | Google. If you're not, it is wise to find out how you can |
| remember it is what "they think" that matters. Not just | | | | be - since this is the "king of search engine traffic" and |
| patting yourselves, one another, on the back and | | | | people finding your local business via Google is money |
| saying, "We're doing great!" | | | | in the bank. Our clients absolutely love this solution with |
| You simply are not the judge in this that matters. In this | | | | us, since they begin seeing new traffic in their doors |
| end, the customer is always right. Since, if made | | | | almost immediately. |
| wrong, they'll simply leave you! So, guess who wins. | | | | In any case, reach out to local business experts in your |
| #2 - Stay in touch. It's a battle these days. You are | | | | area, or online, and find a coach or mentor to help you |
| fighting, whether you know it, or not - to stay in the | | | | speed your business success. Learn how you can |
| minds of your customers - versus thousands of other | | | | optimize local marketing online. There are too many |
| marketing messages they are hit with every single | | | | options today, to be an expert is every area, and run |
| day. | | | | your business, too! So, look for experts who can help |
| Even if the customer was impressed with your | | | | you take advantage of local online marketing options |
| business in the first instance, it's easy for them to | | | | at reasonable fees. They may even offer you a |
| forget about it or go somewhere more convenient | | | | customized marketing plan to use as your monthly |
| when they're in a rush. However, if you stay at the | | | | map to business growth. |
| forefront of your customer's mind then you'll up the | | | | #7 Every "pro" has a coach. To help speed your |
| chances of them becoming repeat customers. | | | | marketing success along, you will be wise to find one |
| Local internet marketing, social media marketing and | | | | or more mentors, to help you in your business |
| offer many free marketing strategies for small | | | | ownership journey. And, Lord knows, it is a journey! |
| business owners to profit from. And, this is another big | | | | Personally, I'd say do it now. Find a business and |
| opportunity and area to explore for small business | | | | personal coach sooner than later. It can speed your |
| owners! | | | | success by years ahead of your competitors... and, |
| Send your customers reminders about your business | | | | probably save you thousands of dollars, if you connect |
| and news about special offers that will benefit them. | | | | with the "right one for you." |
| You can also offer repeat customers a discount | | | | All that is wasting is your time, money and loss of |
| voucher and other incentives to get them to come | | | | customers in the meantime... if you don't really have the |
| back to you. But keep in mind that the best incentive | | | | marketing expertise you need, in addition to your |
| for customers to return is often a simple "thank you" | | | | specific business know how. Most business owners |
| and great customer service. And, this is a team effort. | | | | I've met over the years know their "business |
| Not just an idea, or a once-in-a-while happening. | | | | expertise" very well. Other things, like marketing, is |
| Consistence in all forms of business marketing is key. | | | | another matter. And, often since they are week in |
| #3 - Differentiate yourself and dominate your market. | | | | marketing, they simply don't do it. Big mistake! |
| You can do this by treating each and every customer | | | | |