Email: The Practically Free Marketing Strategy

by James Fowler
www.mywebsource1.com

Do you email your customers?

Email marketing can be very effective, but you have to be careful. The difference between an email marketing letter and spam is a razor-thin line. You must know your customer to email them. Most businesses don’t even know their customers to email them. It amazes me how many places I have worked with don’t collect an email with every person that walks through their door or purchases from them. I’ve even run into businesses that don’t keep the emails from the people who have purchased from them online! While you can rent email lists, the email method of contacting your customers is almost free and should be a staple in your marketing strategy!

Some simple rules to follow in making your own email campaign:

• Email specials to your customers once a month. Too little and they forget who you are, too many and you become a nuisance.
• Your email could be special, but better yet, if you want to get the emails opened on a regular basis, combine your special with some news-related items. Make it a newsletter if you have the time and mix in a special.
• If you want to email more than once a month, offer the customer something like a coupon aimed directly at them. Example: “Thank you for shopping with us. Here is an extra 10% off coupon if you buy something else in the next 60 days.”
• Invite your customers to open houses or meet-and-greets at your storefront.
• Always, always, always collect an email and keep it for your list. Have your customer service people automatically ask for an email when the phone rings.
• Add a spot on your web site to collect emails from potential customers.
• Every person you meet, every business card you collect should be added to your email list.
  

Hopefully, in time, your list will grow to thousands of people and your business will grow as your advertising costs go down!

Who Is Your Customer?

Who is important to your business?

Who should you sell to on your web site?

Who do you want to contact?

An existing customer is easier to sell to than prospecting a new customer. You want to keep in contact with people that have already given you money. Someone that has already said "Yes! I want your product or service!" should be at the top of your marketing plan.

In any business word-of-mouth (or "word-of-mouse" on the web) is generated by people that know you and your existing customers. Keeping these people happy is a keystone to your business success.

Finally, don't write someone off just because you "thought" they were going to be a customer. Keep their name and information. Email them or call from time to time. A "no" today, may be just a "not yet, thanks".

Expect Exactly What You Expect...

Great Expectations

I live in a small town with a lot of small town sentiments. People living here like the fact that we live in a small town and they resist big business. There are two grocery store chains in town.

The first is a one-stop shop. They have everything you can possibly find or need. When you leave, they have automated, self-service check out lanes. Getting in and out of this store is fast and efficient.

The other store is more expensive and may or may not have what you are looking for. However, they offer fully cooked meals for two with a different menu every night and not only will they take your purchases out to your vehicle, they put them away for you and say, "Have a nice day."

Can you guess which store does more business in my small town?
The "small town" store would do poorly in a major city. At the "small town" store (which incidentally is a large chain), things move slower and you are liable to run into people you know – and that is what people who go there expect.

Live up to what is expected of you and your business.
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Tangled up in the World Wide Web?

Is Your Local Business Tangled in the World Wide Web?
by James Fowler
www.mywebsource1.com

How would your local business benefit from having a web site?

Isn't the internet geared towards the world, as in world wide web?


Ask yourself five questions.
1. Do people in your community own computers?
2. Are there new people coming into your community that do not know about your business?
3. Do your customers come into your business as much as you would like?
4. Do you know who your customers are and know how to reach them?
5. If you only had a way to contact your customers when they did not come into your store that was cheaper than the U.S. mail, would you use it?

Obviously, the answers to the first two questions are 'YES' and NO your customers don't come in as often as you'd like them. So how do you get the positive results that you want from your business and how can this be accomplished with a web site?

If you don't know….don't be shy, click this link and ask me. There are no stupid questions.

I welcome all questions that you may have about Search Engine Marketing or getting your local business up on the web and making it work for you.