As a small business, you will have a small budget for everything, including marketing. It is a fact that you need to spend money in order to make money, but it is up to you to decide just how much money you will be spending. Entrepreneurs will be excited to note that it is possible to sell more, without an endless marketing budget. Consider the following:
Have a customer aftercare program in place:
Retaining an existing customer is cheaper than trying to get new ones. Usually when a person has bought from you once, they are likely to buy from you again, especially if they were happy with your service or products. An aftercare program, with loyalty points or special discounts for return customers, will be cheaper than rolling out a marketing campaign targeting new customers.
Provide impeccable service:
This is practically free. A service with a smile and even getting to know your customers’ names can help you make them feel welcome, special and appreciated. Such personalised service will have them coming back again and again.
Increase your Top of Mind Awareness (TOMA):
This is done by consistent communication with your customers. Sending them a newsletter or sms once a month with information such as specials, new products or just company news will help them remember you first. This helps not only create business, but also boosts the chances of repeat sales.
Send cards:
These can be birthday, Christmas or Valentine’s Day cards for instance, with accompanying messages and wishes. You can send them via email, which is cost-effective and quick or go ‘old-school’ and send them through the post for a personal, quaint touch. This makes your customers feel special and also contributes towards TOMA.
Make use of your customer database:
It contains valuable information on previous customers, what they bought and how much they spent. You can thus develop email marketing campaigns targeted specifically at them.
It is evident from the above that in order to sell more for less, you need to be an attentive business owner who makes his or her customers feel special. Previous customers are precious and should be reminded that your business exists – through monthly newsletters, marketing tex