Promotional Strategies For Those Who Dont Like Promotion
Colleen Davis
Not every small business owner is a natural seller. Many business owners are introverts or dont like to be seen as pushy and unrelenting the typical salesperson stereotype. But theres nothing that says typical salespeople get all the sales or are the best at promoting a business. You can market yourself with many low-key tactics.
Create effective business cards Yes, thats right your business cards are considered part of your marketing materials. By using double-sided business card printing and having an eye-catching design on the front and quality info on the back, your business cards can be an effective marketing tool for little money and little fanfare.
Promotional materials You can create everything from postcards to flyers to brochures that dont require you to be in peoples faces to distribute them. You can spend more money on a direct mail campaign rather than hosting a seminar to get people interested in your product.
Make sure your direct mail pieces have a consistent look and feel and that they all contribute to your core brand message. Write your brochure copy so that you highlight the value and benefits you can bring to your customers. Design your materials to look professional or hire a designer or agency to design them for you.
Create a one-on-one relationship with your customers Every time a customer walks into your store you have a chance to market to them. Having friendly conversations and getting to know your customers are part of the marketing effort. You dont always have to be in sell mode to be marketing. Its best to establish a relationship with customers before you market to them and just engaging them in conversation and showing you care does that.
Work on your personal presence As a business owner, the brand starts with you. Your brand is a big part of your marketing efforts. Take care of your appearance, watch your demeanor around customers and firm up that handshake (but dont be a bone-crusher!). Everything you do that customers see reflects on your brand.
Hello The way you answer your telephone is also a chance for marketing. Answer your telephone with a phrase like XYZ Company, were here for you or something similar with your tagline or a phrase that you want your customers to know. Listen to what your customers say on the phone and do your best to help them over the phone. A sale over the phone can be just as good as a sale in person.
Send a thank-you note After a big-ticket purchase, send your customer a handwritten thank-you note to let them know you appreciate their business. This is one simple and easy thing to do that wont seem at all pushy (keep the sales pitch out of it!) and will give your customers goodwill toward you and your company.
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