Top 10 Ways to Get More Customers Locally

by Jason Jacoby

Posted: 9 years ago 18 replies

OFFLINE MARKETING

Hello all...
Looking over the forum reading a lot of posts, it seems like most people are just looking for value, not the same old re-spun crap. I wrote a short book a while back about the top 10 ways to get more customers locally, and I thought I would share it. I think I'll just list 1 thing per day for the next 10 days and see how it goes. I'd love any feedback from anyone and any other ideas anyone has would be awesome too.

#customers #locally #top #ways

Jason Jacoby 9 years ago

1) TESTIMONIALS
These days, perhaps more than ever, testimonials carry weight and deliver texture. It is
received from someone who has had experience with you and believes you did a good
job, you delivered, and you came through. As a result, they are a satisfied customer.
Testimonials carry more credibility than stand alone advertising or perhaps even public
relations. It can help you "prove" your offering is really worth the price, and increase
sales conversion rates for more pricey offerings.

How to get testimonials
You want to make it easy for your customers to deliver you praise-worthy
endorsements. Here are a few ways to get testimonials:

1. Ask
Whenever a customer makes you blush because they are so pleased by your
service or product, be it in person, via an email, or through social media, ask
them for permission to use their comments as a testimonial for your business. Of
course, they will almost always say "yes".

2. Online Comment Form
Make certain you have a contact form on your website and encourage visitors to
use it to ask questions, provide you with feedback, or share their opinions with
you. Yes, you may get some negative comments, but that is actually a good
thing. Better, you be made aware of a problem, so you can adequately address
it. Chances are high, most of the comments you receive will be positive.

3. Point of Purchase Comment Forms
We have all seen table tents on restaurant tables asking for us to evaluate the
customer service we received. Simplified feedback forms could be placed near
the cash register, at a customer service counter, or any spot where the customer
will be spending time after or during their experience.

4. Receipt Reward
Use your receipt as an opportunity to request feedback from your customers in
return for a free gift--a small discount or entry into a bigger contest. It will not
cost you a lot, you will get some great testimonials, and you will be solidifying
your relationship with your customers in the process.

5. Via Email
Use email as a follow-up after the sale to ask customers for their feedback. You
can also use your email newsletter as a way to collect testimonials by providing
them with a link to your contact page and asking them to share their most
memorable experiences with your business or staff. Just be certain you have
asked the customer for permission to email them. You do not want to ruin a
perfectly good experience by becoming an email spammer.

You may also want to use these same techniques to get your customers to provide you
with some positive feedback and social juice through recommendations on Facebook,
Twitter, and LinkedIn etc.

How to Use Testimonials
1. Use them everywhere.
2. Use them throughout your website; share them in social media posts, in your
brochures, in your eBooks, in all of your sales materials.
3. Include some of the most glowing remarks for your advertising.
4. You may discover some very catchy testimonials that you could use for
promotional purposes...on t-shirts, mugs, etc.
Keep your eyes open and you will see many ways to use testimonials to promote your
business. Wherever possible, get a photo of the person providing the testimonial. The
simple addition of the photo with the words will increase the credibility of the
testimonial.

Lastly, do not forget to thank those who provide you with testimonials. Send back a
little thank you note. You will be glad you did.
- [ 5 ] Thanks
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AmericanMuscleTA

9 years ago

Nice, Jason!

My favorite tool to get testimonials is using Angie's List (especially for getting business locally).

Most people think it costs money to be on Angie's List. Whelp, half truth. It costs the consumer a membership fee but is free for the business to sign up (though, Angie's List will try to upsell you).

Also, I've never used this service, but others who I mastermind and consult with have, is GetFiveStars.com.

[ 1 ] Thanks
1 reply

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David Hunter | Duke of Marketing
www.DukeOfMarketing.com
www.BibleAndFriendsYouTube.com

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Jason Jacoby

9 years ago

Originally Posted by AmericanMuscleTA

That's a great idea using Angie's List, it always slips my mind to use that one. Thanks for sharing it. And thank you for the opening compliment.

Thanks
1 reply

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hometutor 9 years ago

Originally Posted by JasonJacoby

That's a great idea using Angie's List, it always slips my mind to use that one. Thanks for sharing it. And thank you for the opening compliment.

I'm on it, but never thought of using it for testimonials.
- Thanks
- 2 replies
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- Jason Jacoby 9 years ago
  
  Today's Top 10 way to get more customers is about using social media. Enjoy!
  
  2) SOCIAL NETWORKS
  
  An integral part of the sales process is getting to know your prospects and establishing
  relationships--and it turns out that social media can help you accomplish this quickly
  and easily.
  
  Social media allows you to see what prospects are saying and what others are saying
  about them. You can really get to know a prospect and his or her needs this way. Social
  media is a great way to research a prospect and initiate a sale, if you use it right. Not
  only can it help you generate new customers, but also it allows you to build deeper
  relationships with existing clients that drives them to purchase repeatedly.
  
  How to get customers through Facebook
  Many successful business owners know that Facebook is the place to get new
  customers. This is the reason why many businesses want to reach new audiences on
  Facebook, but they just are not sure how. The answer is simple: through your existing
  fans. Here are some of the ways that you can use your current customers to generate
  awareness with their friends:
  
  -Encourage interactions with content to build awareness
  
  -Run contests or trivia where your fans reveal interesting things about their
  personality
  
  -Ask customers to post photos on your Facebook
  
  -Feature customers on your Facebook
  
  -Provide incentives for sharing
  
  -Build contests for sharing and social spread, not to maximize entries
  
  -Create an extraordinary visual experience that customers want to share
  
  -Build mass momentum with events
  
  Notice something about these activities mentioned above? They are all engaging. It is
  important to remember that you cannot simply rely on your fan base to do your work
  for you. You have to make it fun, to create rewarding experiences that will get them
  interacting with and sharing your content.
  
  How to get customers through Twitter
  Everyone has surely heard of Twitter by now. The concept is rather simple: you can use a
  maximum of 140 characters to update news to your followers. Twitter has proven that it
  is not simply a fad, but a valuable promotion tool. If you want to get new customers for
  a small business, tapping into Twitter is an important element. A lot can be conveyed in
  those seemingly few characters.
  
  Getting Started
  First, you need to create a Twitter account for your small business website. This is very
  easy and can be done with a quick visit to Twitter's website. Next, you need to make
  sure that your account is prepared for the influx of traffic it is sure to get. Below are a
  few tips for getting it all right:
  
  -Create a user name that is easy to remember and as close as possible to the
  name of your small business website. There is little point in making a website if
  potential followers cannot easily find it when searching Twitter.
  
  -Complete all the fields in your profile to look more credible and make it easier to
  find you in a search.
  
  -In the "Bio" field of your profile, insert the URL of your small business website,
  which will drive traffic back to the site.
  
  -Upload a relevant image that is in line with your small business website. When
  making a website, we recommended using graphics for the business logo - the
  logo would be perfect here.
  
  -Populate your Twitter account with insightful tweets before starting a strong
  promotional push so new followers will see you have something to offer that
  they want to be a part of.
  
  -It is also okay to let followers know that you are new to twitter. They will
  appreciate the honesty and allow for a learning curve, while at the same time be
  presenting a human side, which is good for building relationships.
  
  -Let the existing customers and visitors to your small business website know that
  you are on Twitter. This can be done by a small announcement on your home
  page and a Twitter icon widget that will link directly to your account.
  
  -Become a follower of others that have a similar focus as your small business
  website. To find these accounts, do a simple search on topics, locations, and/or
  phrases. Feel free to chime in on a discussion if you find it relevant. You can do
  this by addressing the poster by placing the "@" symbol directly before their
  user name in the post. For example, "I wanted to know how to get new
  customers and @jimmypagemaker had great info."
  
  -Include links in your messages. People will not click on random links, so make
  sure to explain where it is they will be going. This is a great means of linking
  followers to your small business website.
  
  -Send out tweets that relate specifically to your business or area of interest.
  
  -Ask them questions. Get your followers engaged in a conversation.
  
  -Tweet about the latest industry news. Let your followers know that you are one
  smart cookie and are on top of things.
  
  -Develop a unique voice/personality so your tweets come off more "human."
  
  -Use hash tags (#) to mark a specific topic of the conversation and start or add to
  a trend. For example, "how to make a website made easy with #WebsApps."
  
  -Be consistent with updating your tweets; you don't want your followers to get
  bored with long gaps between tweets
  
  [ 1 ] Thanks
  
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- AmericanMuscleTA 9 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by JasonJacoby
  
  That's a great idea using Angie's List, it always slips my mind to use that one. Thanks for sharing it. And thank you for the opening compliment.
  
  Originally Posted by hometutor
  
  I'm on it, but never thought of using it for testimonials.
  
  You're welcome, Jason! You could turn these posts into a lead generation magnet as a marketing course on your site!
  
  HomeTutor... yep... lots of people think it's just a place to get reviews. But, once you get those reviews that's the time to ask the clients if you can use it as a testimonial on your marketing materials. :-)
  
  Thanks
  
  1 reply
  
  Signature
  
  David Hunter | Duke of Marketing
  www.DukeOfMarketing.com
  www.BibleAndFriendsYouTube.com
  
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  Jason Jacoby 9 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by AmericanMuscleTA
  
  You're welcome, Jason! You could turn these posts into a lead generation magnet as a marketing course on your site!
  
  I totally agree
  
  Thanks
  
  1 reply
  
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  Jason Jacoby 9 years ago
  
  Today's top 10 tip is a little long, but it's really important. Enjoy!
  
  3) Coupons Coupons Coupons
  
  Coupons should be a part of your online AND offline marketing strategy. If they are not,
  you should reconsider why you are even in business. They can drastically affect the
  effectiveness of existing marketing efforts by increasing the number of people who
  convert off your website, emails, social media accounts and more.
  
  Online coupons can be used to attract new customers who may not be aware of your
  business and existing customers who either need a reminder to come back, or should be
  rewarded for their loyalty to help turn them into a champion of your business
  (especially on social media).
  
  In fact, combined with an effective marketing distribution strategy, coupons are some of
  the most effective tactics available to you. Coupon redemption in the U.S. rose 10% in
  the fourth quarter of 2008 -- the first rise in coupon use since the early 1990s -- and
  total coupon redemption reached 3 billion in 2009, (Source:
  http://www.inmar.com/promotion-servi...consumerstudy-
  consumer-coupon-usage-findings.htm).
  
  What's more, the use of printable coupons, where people print online coupons and
  redeem them in stores, rose 308% in the first half of 2009, while 10 million digital
  coupons were redeemed during the same period, up 25% year-on-year.
  
  And if you recall, in April of 2013, JC Penney fired CEO Ron Johnson after he got rid of
  coupons, sales, and discount flyers that JCP had used for decades...which contributed to
  a huge loss for the company. JCP reported a $4 billion (yes, that's "billion") loss for
  2012.
  
  Price sensitive consumers want deals, and smart local companies realize coupons are a
  great way to attract new customers and retain existing ones. Increasingly, local
  businesses are eager to use online coupons as a simple, cost-effective way to attract
  local customers. However, while it is fairly easy to create a coupon online the bigger
  trick is making sure people find it. To ensure a small business coupon promotion reaches
  enough people in your local area, a well-planned distribution strategy is crucial.
  
  How to create an online coupon
  The first step in creating an online coupon is deciding on the level of discount you want
  to offer, and how long you want the promotion to run. Be clear and direct with the
  promotion: "10% off this week" or "Buy one get one free today only."
  
  Next, you will need to create your online coupon. There are many national coupon sites
  targeted at large consumer brands, like Coupons.com and Redplum, but they are not
  suited to smaller businesses. Small businesses need to reach a targeted, local audience
  with their promotions, so it makes more sense to create a coupon on a site like Craigslist
  or Local.com, which let local businesses create and distribute coupons with just a few
  clicks. You can also create a "coupon" by simply coming up with an offer to send out via
  e-mail.
  
  How to distribute your online coupon
  Once you have created a coupon offer, you need distribution. If your local business
  coupon is not getting into the hands of local consumers, what is the point? Here are
  several free or inexpensive ways small businesses can distribute online coupons.
  
  1. E-mail a coupon to your client list. Allow recipients to print the coupon and
  bring it into your store, or simply "mention" the promotion to receive the
  discount.
  
  2. Blog about it. Even if you only have a few customers subscribing to your blog,
  posting deals will encourage recommendations and new subscribers.
  
  3. Post your coupon on an online business directory site or social network that
  automatically distributes coupons to targeted audiences via a network of local
  sites and social channels, such as Facebook, Local.com, or Valpak.
  
  4. Particularly if you are a service business, create a Craigslist posting in a relevant
  business or service category offering your discount. Even a simple text-only
  coupon works well.
  
  5. Add a coupon banner on your website that automatically applies the promotion
  at checkout. To make this work, you need a somewhat sophisticated
  transactional system that allows you to tie a promotion to clicks on the coupon
  banner.
  
  6. Use your Twitter and Facebook accounts to offer friends and followers a special
  discount. Make sure the promotions you offer are compelling and make your
  followers feel special. They are following you for a reason: To get deals and
  inside information.
  
  7. Purchase a paid banner ad promoting your discount on a locally focused
  advertising network such as AdReady, iPromote, Jivox, or Inflection Point Media.
  
  8. Film a short video clip displaying your business and post it on YouTube. Add text
  to the video offering a discount to customers who mention they saw the clip. Do
  not forget to promote your YouTube video in Facebook, Twitter and on your
  blog.
  
  9. Try a social shopping site. Sites like Groupon allow businesses to offer coupons
  to local customers redeemable only if a certain number of people sign up for the
  discount, so it is a great way to attract a large number of new customers.
  
  Whatever combination of distribution methods a small business chooses; do not forget
  traditional methods that have stood the test of time. For example, place printed
  coupons on your shop's counter, promote your deal via flyers, or continue to include
  paper coupons in the local mailer. Even though online coupons are gaining in popularity,
  tried-and-true methods still work to drive some business.
  
  How to measure redemption
  Always put a time limit or expiration date on a coupon. Once your coupon promotion is
  over it is time to measure how well it performed to drive sales. If you have a
  transactional website, use Google Analytics or your other analytics provider to find out
  how many people clicked on your coupon, and how many of those clicks lead to
  purchases. YouTube will show you how many people viewed your video promotion.
  
  You should also use other more "primitive" methods to track redemption. Ask
  customers where they saw the coupon they are redeeming in your store (e-mail, your
  website, a third-party website) and track their comments in a document. After a few
  weeks, look back to see a pattern of which distribution channels yielded the highest
  redemption rates.
  
  Thanks
  
  1 reply
  
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  Jason Jacoby 9 years ago
  
  Today's top 10 tip is about using urgency and scarcity in your business.
  
  Use urgency and scarcity
  Scarcity and urgency are marketing tactics that involves motivating people to buy
  something by telling them there is a shortage in what is available and a limited time to
  act. The goal is to create a sense of urgency through an aggressive call to action; to
  make people scared that they will not be able to acquire something that they want if
  they do not act fast.
  
  You have probably seen examples of scarcity used before:
  
  - Verbiage such as "for a limited time only" or "while supplies last" in
  advertisements and commercials.
  
  - Infomercials that say if you call within the next 5 minutes, you get a bonus
  product for free.
  
  - Venues that offer a free gift to the first 500 entrants.
  
  - Products online that are only available for a certain period of time.
  
  - Holiday sales in retail stores at the mall.
  
  The list goes on and on.
  
  As with most marketing techniques, scarcity works because of the way we, as humans,
  tend to think. Specifically, scarcity works because:
  
  - We hate missed opportunities.
  
  - We give more value to things that are rare or things that we cannot have.
  
  - We love having control over situations.
  
  - We love now.
  
  The primary benefit of using scarcity marketing in your business is being able to position
  your products and services as a commodity. This drives up the perceived value of what
  you are selling, and the fear that it has limited availability makes people act fast to
  purchase.
  
  Scarcity can also present an opportunity to engage your audience in a new way. By
  creating an interesting background that shares the reason for the scarcity (such as a
  one-of-a-kind product or special edition that has significant meaning), you can capture
  and keep the customer's attention.
  
  Below is an example of how an affiliate marketer
  used scarcity and urgency to make great sales...
  
  The affiliate marketer frequently recommends a product called Market Samurai, a killer
  keyword research and SEO competition tool that he uses almost every day. The
  company beautifully incorporated scarcity into their sales funnel by offering a huge $50
  discount during the first 7-days after downloading the free trial. After those 7-days are
  up, the price goes back to the original $147.00 and there is absolutely no way to go back
  and get the $50 off.
  
  About 99% of the commissions he received from this product are from people who
  purchase at the discounted price, so he can tell that there is a huge sense of urgency to
  buy the product before the price goes up.
  The key thing to note here is that they are very strict when it comes to honoring the
  price changes. If they were not, scarcity would be compromised and it would not be as
  effective in generating sales.
  
  How to use urgency and scarcity
  - Always have an expiry date on your special offers
  
  - Be clear about the expiry date in your emails and promotional pages.
  
  - Stick to the end date. Resist the temptation to keep the promotion running and
  catch some more sales. Your customers will learn that you are serious about
  your end-dates, which will increase the urgency next time.
  
  - Send out reminders. At least 2 or 3, maybe more if the promotion is running for
  a longer time.
  
  - Do not forget the "24 hours left" reminder, as it can pull in many sales.
  
  - Use scarcity to add urgency. If you have a limited inventory, tell your customers
  you will end the offer after 200 copies are sold.
  
  - If you can do it, display a live "items left" counter on your promotion page. This
  will not only increase the urgency, but it will also give your offer some credibility,
  as it shows that other customers are taking advantage of it already.
  
  Thanks
  
  1 reply
  
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  Jason Jacoby 9 years ago
  
  Be a part of something bigger than yourself and you'll not only help others, but you'll gain exposure. Don't do it for the glory, though...be genuine, and others will see that. This is what today's tip is about.
  
  Stand for something
  Many well-informed small businesses are affiliating themselves with charities to market
  their businesses. Not only is it a primary means for developing a powerful network but
  also it helps others in the process. People like to associate themselves with businesses
  that support causes, which help disadvantaged people in a meaningful way.
  
  Do not think that charities are oblivious to your motivations. Most charities today
  understand your secondary purpose for participating in charities and are experienced at
  helping you receive a return on your charitable investments.
  
  In Which Charity should you participate?
  Choosing a charity is sometimes confusing. Each has its own demands on your time and
  a variety of different positions in which to contribute. Look for charities that you believe
  in and to which you have some affinity. Not only will it be more fun, but also you will be
  happier giving your time and means.
  
  From a business standpoint, look for charities that will give you meaningful exposure to
  a large number of influential people. You will also want to volunteer your time in a
  position that will show your talents and skills.
  
  If you are sponsoring a charitable event, try to choose one in which your target market
  would participate. For instance, if you run a senior living community, consider getting
  involved with charities for retired veterans. If you manage a sporting goods store,
  consider sponsoring a little league baseball team.
  
  Use Publicity to Associate Your Name with That of the Charity
  Linking your name with the charitable cause is an important part of charitable
  marketing. Even if you are participating in a charity for altruistic reasons, there is no
  reason why you should not benefit from the resulting positive exposure. Besides, if it
  leads to more customers/money, that's more money that you can use to help your
  charity. Here are some ideas to maximize your exposure:
  
  1. Publicize your donations of goods or services to charities by sending press
  releases and photos to the local media.
  
  2. Include your charitable involvement in your marketing materials such as
  newsletters, brochures, signs, displays, advertisements, and commercials.
  
  3. Get involved with high-profile causes that attract the media's attention.
  
  4. If you have given significant support to a program, ask that it be named after you
  or the name of your business.
  
  5. Give away information about your charity as a part of your business transactions
  such as placing pamphlets in your retail outlets, having employees wear clothing
  or pins and buttons publicizing your charity, or placing charity information with
  your product when it ships.
  
  6. Lastly, be sure to ask your charity to recognize your support in their publicity
  efforts.
  
  Market Your Products and Services to the Constituencies of Your Charity
  Most charities have thousands, even millions of people that either belong to the charity
  or who have some type of affinity with your charity. These people make excellent
  prospects for your products or services because of your indirect association with them.
  Use these ideas to sell more of your products and services to your charity's affinity
  group:
  
  1. Direct market to the employees, clients, members, family members, and any
  group that is directly associated with your charity. Make this group one of your
  niche markets by creating a marketing program tailored to their wants and
  needs.
  
  2. Advertise your products and services in the communication vehicles of your
  charity such as newsletters and magazines.
  
  3. Offer special discounts and targeted promotions to people who are associated
  with your charity.
  
  4. Consider offering a percentage of the sale of particular products or services as a
  donation to your charitable cause.
  
  5. Develop a "membership program" or a "preferred customer program" or even a
  "buying club" for constituents of your charitable cause by offering special
  benefits to members.
  
  Invite Your Charity to Market Your Products or Services
  If you want to put your marketing in overdrive and multiply your charity marketing
  efforts, consider inviting your charity to market for you in a way that you and your
  charity receive a significant benefit.
  
  Idea # 1 - Invite your charity's members to sell coupons for your business and keep a
  percentage of the entire amount of the proceeds. A good example of this would be to
  allow local high school band members to sell coupons to the neighborhood that you
  service. Auto repair shops, chiropractors, beauty salons, massage therapists; fast food
  restaurants can all take advantage of this tactic.
  
  Idea # 2 - Designate specific products as "charitable" or "cause-related" products that,
  when sold, financially benefit your charity. Invite the charity to promote these products.
  For instance, if you own a barbershop, a portion of the proceeds from all haircuts done
  on Tuesdays could go to your charity.
  
  Idea # 3 - Invite your charity to sell admission tickets to a special sale, celebrity
  appearance, or grand opening to build traffic for your business. Allow the charity to
  keep all the proceeds, while you benefit from the increased traffic.
  
  Idea # 4 - Create "packages" during special times of the year such as Easter, the Fourth
  of July, or Memorial Day that can be donated to your charity or even sold to them at
  cost. They in turn can resell the packages or you can sell the packages and give a
  percentage to your charity.
  
  [ 2 ] Thanks
  
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yogyogi 9 years ago

I find useful information to gain customer feeback. Thank you.
- Thanks
- 1 reply
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- Jason Jacoby 9 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by yogyogi
  
  I find useful information to gain customer feeback. Thank you.
  
  Thanks, YogYogi
  
  Thanks
  
  1 reply
  
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  Jason Jacoby 9 years ago
  
  Today's tip is about upselling...if you're not doing it you're leaving a lot of money on the table.
  
  Upsell something when they buy something else
  Upselling is simply about persuading your customers to take more from you. They want
  to buy one of your products? What about taking 2 or 3? They want to get your services
  for a year? What about committing to 18 months? Alternatively, give them a package or
  bundle of services rather than just the one thing that they normally take.
  
  Upselling: Identifying additional customer needs and meeting those needs with
  additional merchandise. Most retailers know they should do it. In addition, those who
  do upsell reap the benefits.
  
  It is worth learning how to do it right. Upselling spells the difference between 'just
  getting by' and having a very profitable year. Revenues from upselling are usually over
  and above a store's break-even point, so the extra sales quickly turn into profits.
  Retailers commonly enjoy sales increases of 20 percent or more when they start
  upselling.
  
  How to upsell
  Successful salespersons upsell from the time a customer arrives to the time he/she pulls
  out her wallet. In addition, it does not stop there. The key is to always think about
  meeting the person's needs. You can start today by using the techniques below:
  
  Establish rapport on the spot
  Start upselling the minute the customer comes to your cart or into your store. Starting
  the conversation with the right opener makes all the difference. She suggests something
  like, "Nice to see you! What brings you to our store today?" This opener lets customers
  expand on their reasons for visiting you. In addition, in their answer is the need you can
  fill--thereby opening opportunities for upselling. The customer represents a
  relationship opportunity, in a sense; the visitor has come into your home. Make the
  guest feel welcome.
  
  Identify additional needs
  Now you can start identifying more needs that you can fill. The magic in sales is when
  you stop thinking of yourself as a salesperson of merchandise and services; think of
  yourself as being in the business of meeting the needs of the customer. The only way to
  do that is to concentrate with the customer.
  
  Your task is to engage in conversation that stimulates the customer to open up and
  reveal his needs. Ask questions that result in a "needs assessment". Avoid questions
  that elicit yes or no responses. Start with the customer's response to your greeting:
  look for a reason, any reason, to continue the dialogue. For example, if the customer
  says "I'm looking for a widget," respond with something like, "Have you seen our
  newest style? It just came in this week. Let me show you." As you are getting the item or
  taking the customer where it is displayed, keep asking questions like "Why are you
  buying a widget? Is it a replacement? Or a gift?" Taking the customer to the
  merchandise gives you an even better chance for dialogue that reveals the customer's
  needs. It provides a much higher level of service. It shows you care.
  
  Cross-sell related items
  Once the customer has decided to buy something, ask about related items to meet
  additional needs. The trick is to suggest additional items without being pushy. Say
  something like, "Here's something most people buy with that, since it helps them." This
  focuses on the benefit of the additional item. In addition, it implies a third-party
  endorsement you do not have if you just say, "You should also buy..."
  
  Introduce additional items with an attitude of service rather than selling. For example,
  play up the convenience factor: "If you buy this second jar now, you'll save yourself a
  trip in a couple of weeks." Alternatively, if there is a sale price on that additional item,
  be sure to mention it! ("By the way, they're on sale through tomorrow.") Doing this
  highlights a customer need and identifies you as the one to fulfill it. It also stimulates
  impulse buys. In your conversation with the customer, you can do things by suggestion
  that create an impulse to buy.
  
  Upsell at checkout
  You have upsell opportunities at checkout. It is very possible that the customer did not
  see all your signs or notice the specials. You can ask questions like "Did you see our sale
  area? We have a tremendous selection of... " Or "Do you have enough...?" You can also
  suggest additional services that increase the amount of the sale. Again, meet the
  customer's needs: "Don't have time to gift-wrap? We can do that for you for just $3.50,"
  or "Will this fit in your car? We can deliver it for only $10."
  
  Relationship building starts at Hello and continues with Goodbye--or more to the point,
  with a cheerful invitation to come back soon. You can say something like, "Looking
  forward to seeing you next time!" or "Remember, we have a special on widgets next
  week!" These farewells are more useful to encourage repeat buying than the ubiquitous
  (and mindless) "Have a nice day."
  
  Upsell after hours
  Upselling does not stop when you lock up for the night. Keep the momentum going.
  Think lifetime upsell. Personalize your approach by taking note of personal aspects that
  can spark conversation: Does the customer have a vacation home? A hobby? Use
  anything to open up conversation that can lead to upselling. One way: create a list of
  your best customers and call them weekly or monthly. Ask them how they are doing
  with their last purchase and suggest additional items.
  
  [ 1 ] Thanks
  
  1 reply
  
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  Jason Jacoby 9 years ago
  
  Hi everyone, today's tip is about incentives...enjoy!
  
  Create Incentives for customers to buy your products
  Customer loyalty/incentive programs are everywhere now. Whether it is a stamp card
  for a free sandwich, downloadable coupons, or reward-filled e-newsletters, these kinds
  of programs can be essential for picking up new customers, retaining old ones and most
  importantly, finding out what your customers really want from you. Here is some advice
  from small business experts on how to offer promotions that your customers, both new
  and existing, really want:
  
  What to Do
  What customers are looking for more than anything is a reason to come back. The everpresent
  punch card, such as one for a free car wash after 10 paid ones, works because
  you are rewarding the customer's loyalty with something that is related to your product
  or service--it is what they want more of anyway and so these kinds of promotions are a
  good deal for the customer.
  
  The offer must be something related to the business for the customer to truly benefit
  and recognize that your business provided that extra touch. A good example of
  incentives is the one offered by a first aid/emergency center in Florida that offers a
  coupon for a free bowl of chicken soup at a local café. It fits because chicken soup is
  often synonymous with illness and its remedies. If that same center offered a coupon
  for a free cup of coffee, the promotion would not necessarily work.
  There are different modes and tactics, but they are doing the same thing. It depends on
  the type of business you are. In order to be effective at incentive programs these days,
  because there are so many of them, you have to stand out, be innovative and offer
  something a little bit different and make the customer's life easier."
  
  Examples of free incentives
  
  Free Shipping
  People love the convenience of shopping online. However, they do not like paying for
  shipping. Offer your customer free shipping and you will generate more sales than you
  will lose in shipping costs. When developing your free shipping special, consider a
  minimum order amount before the free shipping offer kicks in.
  
  Discounts
  Who says 10 percent does not go a long way? Discounts can help you obtain long-term
  customers the easy way.
  
  Gifts
  If a customer orders an item you specify or a minimum amount of products/services,
  give them a special gift. The gifts you give do not have to cost too much. They are just a
  way for you to show your customers your appreciation for their business.
  
  Specials
  Having different specials every month gives customers a variety of reasons to keep
  coming back. Give your specials a variety so they can appeal to all customers. For
  instance, you would not want to offer a free coffeemaker with every dishwasher
  purchase month after month after month.
  
  No Payments
  If you can offer financing or delay someone's payments for a period of time, this is an
  excellent way to get people in your store. Be sure you have the proper financing
  restrictions and policies in place before offering this option to your customers.
  
  Easy Billing
  Splitting your billing into two or more easy payments for your customers gives
  customers more of an incentive to make expensive purchases.
  
  Giveaway
  Giving away products drives people to your store with little to no cost to you. You can
  require customers to have to fill out an entry form for your giveaway in person to get
  them in your store.
  
  Sale
  The most basic of advertising opportunities is often the most overlooked. Having a sale
  requires advertising through outside mediums but if your sale is good, customers will
  flock to your store with wallets in hand.
  
  [ 1 ] Thanks
  
  1 reply
  
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  Jason Jacoby 9 years ago
  
  Today's tip is about the importance of having a web presence:
  
  Website (Desktop AND mobile) with a clear call to action and easy-to-find phone
  number, directions, etc
  The need for a small business to have a website and an online presence has become
  absolutely essential for business success in today’s marketplace.
  
  According to recent studies, over 90% of consumers look to online sources for locating
  products and services. That represents a tremendous amount of consumer dollars falling
  to your competitors if your target audience cannot locate you online. With computers in
  every home and business, coupled with the explosive growth and use of mobile and
  portable communication devices, you are leaving potential profits on the table. If you do
  not take advantage of what technology offers, your competition will.
  
  If you factor in the current state of the economy, and the struggles that many
  businesses face today, you will understand why the need for a small business website is
  not just a luxury, but simply the cost of doing business in today’s marketplace. You need
  an online presence in order to remain relevant within your industry or field of endeavor.
  
  A small business website can serve a variety of functions and purposes. It is like having a
  mirror image of your company, but one that affords you much greater flexibility and has
  options that a traditional brick and mortar presence simply does not have.
  
  Some of the benefits include:
  
  Having your own small business website is like having a helpful online sales clerk
  available 24 hours a day to answer questions that prospective customers may have.
  Rather than lose a potential lead, or have them go to your competitor, they can read
  and learn more about your business’ products and services, and even contact you via
  email. This helps develop customer loyalty.
  
  When you have a website, you have “global reach,” and that can translate into
  tremendous advantages for your business. Now you can cultivate business leads by
  being accessible to consumers regardless of where they are in the world, or what time
  of day it is. The cost effectiveness of this form of advertising is priceless.
  Whether you have a small corner shop, or you are a large corporation, you need online
  visibility. Today, people not only judge a business by how they conduct themselves, but
  also by their online presence.
  
  How to build a website
  
  The domain name
  The first thing you need to build your website is your domain name. This will be your
  company's web address and what internet users will need to type into the search bar to
  go to your homepage. Think of a name and check if it has not already been claimed. You
  can search for, and register, your domain name at a web hosting company such as,
  www.namecheap.com or www.godaddy.com.
  
  If you want your company name and domain name to be the same, it's a good idea to
  secure your domain name before formally deciding on a company name, otherwise you
  might get your new company set up only to find you cannot have a website in that
  name.
  
  Decide on the suffix at the end of the web name. The most common (and usually the
  most expensive to buy) is .com, but there are many more, such as .co.uk and .net.
  Depending on cost, it may make sense to register your domain name with multiple
  suffixes to ensure visitors find the site, while also protecting your brand.
  
  Building a website
  When it comes to designing and building a website, you can either do it yourself or get
  someone else to do it.
  DIY websites are largely done from templates – often free on the internet, which will
  usually have limited scope for customization, which is what creates an individual look.
  Alternatively, you can get a web company to build and design your website while you
  concentrate on other aspects of your new business. Web design and building are two
  different skills and a good web design company will use graphic designers and
  programmers together to provide the website.
  
  Hosting
  A website needs to be hosted on a dedicated web server in order to make it available on
  the internet. Hosting involves housing, serving and maintaining files so visitors are able
  to view the site contents. Some web companies have their own hosting facilities but
  most will act as resellers for a bigger hosting company.
  What type of hosting will work best depends on a number of factors, such as the volume
  of traffic you expect (bandwidth), whether your website contains a lot of images or
  videos, and how important it is that you have as close as possible to 100% uptime.
  
  Mobile websites
  You may have thought that having a website was enough to attract your clients. After
  all, your business now has a web presence, and you are searchable on search engines
  around the world. However, your website that has been designed for the standard
  computer screen is likely too content-rich and possibly even has features that do not
  work for customers reading it from their Smartphone, like Flash content. In order to stay
  competitive in the fast growing mobile market, your business needs to incorporate a
  mobile website into your marketing strategy.
  
  Mobile users often express frustration when viewing a web page that has not been
  optimized for a smaller screen. They are heavy and load like an old dial-up service.
  However, mobile websites have faster load time, can be viewed anywhere, and it is
  easy for your customer to communicate with you.
  
  Mobile web stats
  - 20% of U.S. Internet traffic comes from mobile (Denver Post)
  - 26% of small business have mobile sites
  - Of that 26%, 84% reported growth in business as a result of a mobile presence
  - By 2015, 50% of web sales will be generated from social and mobile (Gartner)
  
  How to get a mobile website
  You can get your mobile website using a couple of different ways:
  1. DIY (Do It Yourself)
  Depending on your skill level, this may or may not be as easy as you might think.
  One option is to use the automated systems offered by some companies. They
  essentially take your existing website content and auto-format it for a mobile screen. If
  your website is on Wordpress, they have some plug-ins that do a decent job of this. You
  are somewhat limited on how your site will look using this method, though. It may end
  up just looking like text and not as visually appealing as you, or especially your visitors,
  might want.
  
  Of course this can be a cheaper route to take, but you do have to account for your time
  involved, and if it doesn't end up being inviting to your visitors and they just leave your
  site, then you've also wasted your time.
  
  2. Have it done for you
  Another method is having a mobile design company create a mobile site for you.
  These companies actually create a separate mobile website that is completely
  independent from your regular website. You can search for them on Google, and you
  will find a number of companies doing this. There are some good organizations offering
  these services, but some aren't as good or professional as others, so you need to do
  your research before you choose a company to work with.
  
  Note:
  For SEO purposes, it's better to have your mobile site in a subfolder on your main site (ex yoursite.com/mobile) than to have a separate domain (ex m.yoursite.com or yoursite.mobi).
  
  Thanks
  
  1 reply
  
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  Jason Jacoby 9 years ago
  
  Today it's all about capturing contact information...
  
  Capture their contact information (at least email)
  You have a great company, good products or services, and loyal customers. Wouldn't it
  be great to reach out to them and ask them to tell their friends about their great
  experiences with you? If only you had their email address. Obtaining email addresses
  isn't difficult, but in these times people are a lot more protective of this information. If
  you've ever added your email address to an online site and then been inundated with
  spam, you would probably think twice the next time someone asks for your email.
  
  How to capture your customer's email
  Here are five legitimate and unobtrusive ways to obtain your own customers email
  addresses:
  
  1.Ask them while they are in your store
  Have you ever been to a large store and had to provide your email address at the
  register? Did you think twice about it? Honestly, if you are at the store anyway and you
  already shop there, giving them your email address isn't a horrible task. As a business
  owner, you have an advantage with your own customers -- they are YOUR customers.
  Usually they want to see you survive and they'd be willing to help you out. Set up an
  email sign-up sheet right near your register. At the top of the sheet make a simple note
  like "Sign up for our email list", add a note about confidentiality and state that you
  won't sell or trade their email address (*important* - Don't sell or trade their email
  addresses!). You'll be surprised how many people will give you their email.
  
  2. Put a fish bowl on your counter
  A great way to quickly and easily get your customers to provide an email is to ask
  for their business card. You've probably seen one of the "Drop your card in for a free
  lunch" containers more than once. This is an outstanding and quick way to get your
  customers to provide their contact information without having to borrow a pen from
  some person trying to eat a hot dog.
  
  3. Add an email sign-up link to your web site
  Your customers and prospective customers may only hit your site when they are
  looking for your phone number or a product that you offer. You should take advantage
  of that moment and have a prominent spot on all of your web pages pointing to an
  email signup form. You should put a link to this sign-up on all of your emails as part of
  your signature. You could also place business-sized cards on your counter at your
  business location pointing to your site and asking your customers to visit the site and
  sign up. To make the sign-up as painless as possible, consider making the only necessary
  fields their "First name" and "Email Address". Any more requirements than that could
  prompt them to just close their browser. Remember to apply the same courtesy here as
  on your sign-up sheet: note confidentiality and don't forget "please" and "thank you".
  
  4. Give something away
  You can put together a quick monthly or weekly giveaway of a product or service
  such as a "Free Lunch" or "Free Air Conditioner Inspection". Whatever the giveaway, on
  the sign-up slips, require an email address. It would be smart to mention "Only one
  entry per person" or some person will enter 100 times and spoil all the fun (and cause
  you to have to enter the information multiple times or otherwise remove the extras).
  Yes, you will probably have duplicates to existing customers but that's okay. You could
  use the information to track how many of your customers are really interested in this
  type of campaign.
  
  5. Use your social media connections
  If you have an active Facebook page, you probably have access to many of your
  customers already. Getting their email address should not be difficult. Take the time to
  ask your connections for their email address. It is a fairly simple process to post a link to
  your web site's "contact us" page on your Facebook page or even just to say "Hi, could I
  get your email address so I can send you our company newsletter?" Many people will
  provide their email address when asked by an established connection.
  
  [ 1 ] Thanks
  
  1 reply
  
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  Jason Jacoby 9 years ago
  
  The last top 10 tip has to do with giving...
  
  Give something away
  It may seem counter-intuitive that if you give something away for free you could easily
  stand to gain more customers, and therefore end up making more money in the end.
  First, it bears saying that this concept won't work if you are only in it for the money. The
  concept works when you are truly interested in providing value to your customers.
  
  Smart companies know giving away freebies is a great way to lure customers. Look at
  Apple. They offer iTunes software for free in order to build demand for the iPod and the
  iTunes music store. In the offline world, retail outlets do the same. Starbucks says a new
  purchase is stimulated for every five beverage samples they give away to customers.
  Not too shabby.
  
  In today's highly social media incentivized world, people want instant gratification. They
  want the latest in gadgets, the hottest new trends, and the best of everything that they
  can possibly afford. Consumerism has an almost frenzied approach to it these days. How
  do you make a name for your business when so many consumers have 'shiny object
  syndrome' and are at risk of jumping from one brand to another on the whim of a
  coupon? It's quite simple, really. You need to give your customers, and potential
  customers, value.
  
  When you offer free samples, coupons for free products, and give tips or hints or helpful
  advice away for free you build a loyal following. You build a connection. By positioning
  your brand as a part of your audience's community, you won't have to fend off the
  fleeting attention that so often accompanies today's consumerists' attitude towards
  doing business with a particular company or brand.
  
  When you offer promotions that are of value, your customers feel special and are much
  more likely to A) buy your products or service, even if you charge a little bit more, and B)
  tell their family and friends all about how they should buy from you, too. This includes
  their 600 Facebook friends and 1,400 Twitter followers. Don't forget about their 800
  Pinterest followers that will see the pictures they've posted of them using your product.
  
  A word of caution though, if you are reading this only to make more money, then
  today's savvy shopper will be able to see right through that mentality and you won't
  have won their loyalty. As soon as another business or brand comes along with a great
  offer, they'll jump ship faster than you can say "half off!"
  
  Find a way to connect with your customer base by offering tips, advice, helpful hints,
  free services, robust guarantees, and give something of tremendous value away from
  time to time, and you'll find that your business is here to stay and can weather the
  storms of an economic slowdown with ease.
  
  [ 1 ] Thanks
  
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Brandboyz Banned 9 years ago

Thanks Jason for sharing these .
It really very helpful to me .
- Thanks
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