Low Cost Marketing For Businesses On A Budget
Allan Katz
As most other marketing experts will also tell you, it's time to start a more aggressive marketing campaign. Now is the not the time to stop marketing. That's what your competitors are doing . . . . nothing!
However, don't do what most businesses do. The local newspaper or radio station salesman shows up at your door trying to sell you a "package," which will tell everyone in your city how wonderful you are. That's sounds really interesting, but now is the time to cut costs. One way to cut costs is to fine tune your targeting. Make sure you understand who your best customers are and find more like them.
Here's how . . .
Partner With Complimentary Businesses
Bensinger's Fine Cleaners in Memphis, Tennessee printed gift certificates with the logo of three prominent men's clothing stores offering anyone who bought a shirt from any of those stores, 2 free cleanings. The stores were happy to give away this value added service to their upscale clients. The dry cleaner was thrilled with all the new customers.
Ask For Referrals
Referrals are the fastest, easiest way to double your business. Referred customers are better customers because they cost less to acquire, they are much less price resistant and less likely to complain. This type program rewards the person who is referring you new business and rewards the new customer. It normally costs $250 or more to acquire a new customer. It doesn't happen by itself. This is a much easier and affordable way to achieve it.
Winback Inactive Customers
Peggy Placek of Houdini's Cleaners in Ypsilanti, Michigan discovered the secret of how to incentivize employees and win back inactive customers. Here is what Peggy said,"Two days ago my counter girl made calls. The next day one man brought $300 worth of drycleaning into our store. He said he came because she called him. Just a friendly call and only a $5.00 discount on a $300 order. That was awesome."
Reward Customers
It's easy for a new customer to walk in when you're giving her a discount coupon. The trick is to get her to come back. Bob Clarke of the Clothes Doctor in Foothill Ranch, California gives out "Laundered Money" Cards to new customers with $5.00 off each of the next 4 visits. This gets customers appreciative about his quality and thrilled with his service.
Steve Thompson of Sand Dollar Cleaners in Jacksonville, Florida uses a "poor man's loyalty program, where he rewards customers with wooden "sand dollars." For every $10 a customer spends they receive a sand dollar worth $1 dollar off their next order. The nice thing is, the wooden nickels can be reused over and over again.
Social Networking
Work out an arrangement with a local school or charity looking for donations. One dry cleaning member in California built a school house out of cardboard, put it in his lobby and donates the "cents" on any receipt put in the house to the school. His customers forgot he had raised his prices.
These are five low cost strategies you can implement right away to get more customers and keep them coming back and spending more.
About the Author
Allan Katz helps companies attract, keep and multiply their customers. For his ezine, "Remarkable Marketing Results" visit his site at http://www.loyaltycoach.com.
Allan Katz may be contacted at http://www.loyaltycoach.com.
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Reprinted with Permission from IdeaMarketers.com