Today’s success tip comes from Andrew Griffiths.
Describing himself as a “serial entrepreneur”, Andrew has developed an international reputation that has significantly reinforced his six best-selling books. His books are sold in over 40 countries and their popularity has launched him as a sought-after keynote speaker and corporate coach.
Could you please list ten favourite low-cost marketing strategies?
1. Step outside your business and your comfort zone - spend some time getting out and about, networking and attending functions. Be prepared to tell people exactly what you sell and don’t be afraid to ask them for business.
2. Ask people to refer business to you - get on the referral bandwagon. Everyone out there is either a potential customer or they know someone who is a potential customer. Enlist the help of your family, friends, associates and neighbours to help grow your business substantially.
3. Become a spokesperson - stand in front of a crowd, send letters to the editor, become the head of your local organisations, or at least join them. Get yourself and your business name in front of as many people as you can.
4. Donate your time - it is amazing how much business you can have referred to you by being a good corporate citizen and helping out local charity events. Who has the time? None of us, but those that make time get well rewarded.
5. Use a blackboard - it still amazes me how much business you can get from simply putting a blackboard out the front of your business. An oldie but a goodie!
6. Set up strategic partnerships - do you know of any businesses that can refer customers to you and you can refer customers to them? Give them a call and go see them. Set up a more formal arrangement, and exchange brochures, get to know their business and start referring as soon as you can.
7. Ask your customers for ideas - it is very interesting to sit down with several of your customers and ask them for ideas to help you grow your business. Often, they will have some very interesting ideas that you otherwise may not have thought of. Smart business owners are always very open to other people’s ideas, and who better to look for ideas than your existing loyal customers? They get to feel good because you asked for their opinion and you get some great advice (fingers crossed) for free.
8. Use food - I have got more business over these many years with chocolates than any other selling tool I know of. I believe if you feed anything enough it will keep coming back for more. So have some chocolates, lollipops, fruit, sandwiches or whatever takes your fancy and give it to your customers.
9. Free samples - don’t be afraid to give free samples of your product or service to potential customers. It’s a case of putting your money where your mouth is. The fact is, people like getting things for free.
10. Do the little things - look for ways to do the little things for your customers that other businesses won’t, or can’t be bothered to do - remember names, give them a discount, and always be looking for ways to exceed their expectations.
Hope you’ve enjoyed this week’s success tip. Keep checking back for more great advice from the experts.
Until then,
Allan Poole
Amy is the Managing Director of Bow Wow Meow, which today is a leading producer of fun and functional pet tags. Its products are distributed through more than 1,500 pet shops sold throughout the world via the internet.