Marketing Tips for a SLOW economy II

Marketing Tips
For a
SLOW
Economy
(Finding the customer)


First, know your business. What is it that you do? What makes your business necessary? Do you have a niche? Why would someone choose you or your business? What makes your business unique? To know what type of customer you are looking for and where to find them you must know your business. If you do not know the answers to these questions you may want to sit down with a trusted colleague or business coach to make sure you are on the right track. Many business owners think they can throw up a sign and they are good to go. However truly knowing your business is crucial to being successful. It is vital for retaining customers.


Second, know your customers. Whether you have been in business for fifty years or 6 weeks, this is fundamental. Times have changed so have customers. So ask yourself these questions. Where are your customers coming from? Are they within a 10 mile radius of your location or are they international? How old are they? How are they doing business? (Walking in or ordering online) What is there average income? Are they the right demographic for what you are trying to accomplish in business?


Third, Now that you know what kind of customer you have or are going after, you will need to think like that customer. This is where you cannot be afraid to do some research or ask questions. For example, if the customers you are trying to reach are newly engaged couples, think about what you would do or where you would go to plan for your future or sit down with a wedding planner from your network of business people and ask them specific questions that may help you enhance your business. Like how are you marketing to your base? Do you send referrals? Would you mind if I put together some materials for you to give to your clients when you meet with them?
Working with businesses that service the same demographic of clients can be an enormous improvement for your business.

You may even want to go directly to the client themselves. Set up a test group and ask for feed back. Use the feed back to enhance your business.


Forth, EDUCATE, EDUCATE, EDUCATE. People like to learn. They also like to do things on their own, or for themselves. See if there is anyway you can teach or educate your clients about one of your products or services to gain their trust and business. For this you may need to team up with those in your core group to make a stronger impact. Be creative. Seminars and classes really work.

For those of you working with major corporation’s clear, crisp power point presentations and market research without the industry vocabulary and jargon is effective. Make sure you are using terminology that everyone can understand. Impress without making people feel inferior.



Finally, follow up. If someone refers a client to you make sure you call and thank them for the referral as well as contact that referral in a timely manner. Remember nothing happens overnight and you get out what you put in. If you want people to remember you stay in front of them. Above all don’t forget ASK FOR THEIR BUSINESS AND SUPPORT.



Written by: April M Hack -Sales and Marketing Oldstone Title Agency Inc. February 2010
Phone (330)670-0150 Fax (330)670-0151