Getting and Keeping CustomersGetting and Keeping Customers
When networking leads to a first meeting
Networking is supposed to create opportunities for your business.
Keep it personal, suggests networking expert
Networking is widely accepted as one of the most affordable, powerful and productive business-building tools available to entrepreneurs.
5 business networking mistakes
Your next customer is ready to meet you. Are you ready for that conversation?
Low-cost marketing strategies
Effective marketing doesn’t need to cost a lot of money. Marketing results can be more about what you do rather than how much you spend.
Using LinkedIn to build your business network
There’s strong debate among entrepreneurs about LinkedIn – called the worlds’ largest social networking site for professionals.
Close more sales by removing barriers
If your marketing is working well, your business should pull in a healthy number of prospects. If your selling function is working well, your business should pull in healthy revenue.
Stick to marketing basics to bring in business
While walking to work earlier this month I passed by my neighbourhood barber shop.
Build your business by following up
It seems everyone these days is looking for affordable techniques to bring in more business. One source of new business might be lurking in that stash of business cards collecting dust inside your desk drawer.
Get your business noticed in a crowd
Powerful branding doesn’t need to cost a lot of money. If a business sticks to a basic customer promise it can build a unique position in its marketplace without spending a fortune on marketing.
How to keep your best customers happy
During a period of economic uncertainty business owners wisely move to fortify existing customer relationships. A solid base of current customers contributing to a predictable cash flow will allow you to plan ahead with confidence.
Selling to Baby Boomers
By Roger Pierce
Turning a profit in your business could be easier if you elect to serve Canada’s largest demographic group known as Baby Boomers.
Do’s and Don’ts of Online Advertising
According to ZenithOptimedia, advertising spending in Canada will exceed $10.6 billion in 2011, increasing 5% across all formats, with new media spending expected to overtake newspapers for the first time. This is great for media interests old and new, but as established firms increase their marketing budgets, small businesses will have to make even greater efforts just to get noticed.
Is Flash hurting your website?
Is your website an integral part of your marketing and communication strategy. It’s how new customers find you, and how current customers learn more about you. But if your website uses Flash, it may be hurting your ability to connect with them.
Customer Acquisition
Enjoying a busy holiday sales season
The holiday season is the busiest time of year for many businesses, but it’s also a hectic time of year for your customers.
The best holiday sales strategies make life easier for your customers. For instance, time-pressed shoppers don’t want to wander your store looking for that perfect gift—keep displays clean, and position your bestsellers front and centre.
Using online coupons to grow your business
Online coupons are an increasingly effective way to reach customers. According to a February 2010 survey by ICOM, a division of market research firm Epsilon Tarketing, two-thirds of Canadian households have used online coupons, up from 53% in 2008.
How Twitter can connect you with more than just customers
Twitter is a powerful marketing tool. The microblogging site lets you send 140-character messages to followers, and many small businesses use it to promote products and services.
The Retailers Guide to a Successful Holiday Season Part 2 - Management Tips
Retail Performance Specialist, Kevin Graff, of Graff Retail, shares his management tips in The Retailer's Guide to a Successful Holiday Season: Part 2.
The Retailers Guide to a Successful Holiday Season - Selling Tips
Retail Performance Specialist, Kevin Graff, of Graff Retail, shares his selling tips in The Retailer's Guide to a Successful Holiday Season
Keep Customers for Life
It costs a lot to win a customer, but less to keep them happy. Learn how to stop customers from leaving with insights from small business expert, Andrew Patricio of bizlaunch.ca.
How to Close More Sales
Roger Pierce, Small Business Expert, bizlaunch.ca, guides you through the steps needed to grow your sales.
Sales and Marketing Worksheet
To begin creating an effective Sales and Marketing strategy, start by identifying your primary target market by customer segment. Then make sure you clearly understand them and their buying habits. This worksheet will help you with brand, messaging and deployment tactics.
Strategy Implementation Worksheet
How to make contract negotiations a pain-free experience
Joel Scopelleti
Partner and operator of Carick Home Improvements (www.carickhome.com)
In a recent issue, I discussed the importance of upgrading your skills and boosting the value of your business through educational tools. Putting your worth in writing, however, can be a difficult task. Fortunately, creating a binding contract between you and your client doesn't have to be an unpleasant endeavour.
