31. Special Events For Top Customers
Is your business having an event, a sale or a launch of a new product? Send out personalised invitations to your best customers. The idea of the event may interest them, and the personalised approach could boost brand loyalty.
32. Have A Diverse Staff
If your business is big enough to accommodate a number of staff members it is wise to have a diverse set of individuals working for you. The various languages, backgrounds and people involved in your business will provide customers with a diverse staff that can understand and cater to their needs better.
33. Write Press Releases
When your business has positive news to convey it may be a good idea to write a press release to distribute to various media that would benefit from publishing the news. Writing your own press releases will save you money, and having business developments in the media thanks to the release will be an ideal low-cost form of marketing. Look for media that provides a section or email address where press releases can be sent.
34. Be Available When Others Are Not
Perhaps you have a public holiday that you can work on, or every Sunday you open your shop for three hours in the morning. Providing a service or product at times when your competition do not is a smart way to grow your business and show customers that you are dedicated to being there when they need you. Publicise your extra hours through a press release or on your website and promotional material.
35. Direct Mail In Small Quantities
The use of direct mail is a tried and tested marketing tool, but it is difficult to know how to get the most out of your promotional material sent to residential areas. Here is a suggestion: Enlist the services of your local post office. The post office provides a service where for a few cents per advert or brochure they will place the material in post boxes of areas that you specify. So decide on an area that is a reflection of your target market and send your direct mail via the postal services.
36. Yellow Pages
Sending direct mail can work, but at times your advert may end up in the trash, or used for other purposes. On the other hand, people often keep a copy of the yellow pages handy throughout the year, so it is wise to get your business’ name and details in the big book, so fingers can do the talking.
37. Do Well By Doing Good
Get involved in a project that uses your expertise to improve the local community. Plant a community vegetable garden using your tools, or transport people to the project using your business vehicles. Your contribution not only helps the community, but it will not quickly be forgotten.
38. Learn From Competitors
Both established and emerging businesses benefit from taking a look at the competition and seeing what they are doing right. Go to them as a customer and see how your products/services differ.
39. Develop More Skills
An investment in yourself and your own skills is a smart investment in your company’s future. Business seminars and short courses are smart low-cost ways to improve your business’ marketing ability.
40. Get Feedback From Clients
Your client’s views and feedback is the best market research you can hope for, as it will give you a firsthand account of what your business is doing wrong and right. Get clients to fill in survey’s of your work and you will be improving your company’s ability to market itself.
