Business Printers » Marketing a Business

Answer Your Phone

admin — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 17:23:46 +0000

It sounds so simple, but so many small business owners don’t do it. So many people are guilty of not answering phone calls. Why put all that time and effort into advertising if you aren’t even going to answer people’s phone calls? By completely ignoring phone calls, you seem unprofessional and are telling people that you are not in need of their business, which is certainly not the case.

While in the office, be sure that someone is available to answer the phone. When you are out, have your calls forwarded, or at the very least have an answering machine. Leave an outgoing message letting your callers know that you value their business and that you will return their call as soon as possible.

Forum Posting

Jim — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 19:52:26 +0000

Marketing a business is a difficult task to undertake these days but one excellent way to do it on the Internet aside from email newsletters, SEO marketing, or article marketing is to take part in forum posting. Forum posting has become a popular hobby among avid Internet users because forums allow people to talk to others all over the country about news stories, sports topics, and other things that interest them on a daily basis.

Forums typically do not cost anything to join and you can start your own discussion or join one already in progress. Forums are a great place to market your business, especially if it has a website attached to it. There is one catch though; most forums do not allow spamming or advertising unless you disguise it a certain way. For instance, make sure that you comment in a discussion and then add your website URL to the end of the comment.

Do not start a discussion just about your business or your company’s URL. This will anger forum users who will flag your account for misuse of the forum terms of service and rules. If you market your business through forums quietly then you probably won’t make too many people mad.

When posting in forums do not make others mad, do not respond to other’s comments angrily or you and your business will suffer. There will be people that click on the link provided, not like your site, and then respond to your comment ripping apart your business. You have to ignore these comments and not respond to them because if you negatively respond to these comments then you will give your business a bad name.

How to Market a Veterinary Practice

Jim — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 20:49:46 +0000

Veterinarians are an important part of our pets’ lives because they keep our pets healthy and in great shape. Some veterinarians are also breeders, which makes it even easier for them to care for other people’s pets. Veterinary practices are all over the country and keep sprouting up in record numbers. Pets are becoming more and more popular these days as a way for people to find companionship, especially if they are single. Dogs and cats are the two most popular form of pets these days.

Marketing a veterinary practice takes some time and a lot of work in the advertising department. The best way to market the business is to get positive word of mouth referrals from clients. The owners of the practice will need to create newspaper ads, Internet ads, a website, billboards, radio commercials, television commercials and much more.

There really isn’t one specific target audience for a veterinary practice when beginning a marketing campaign because everyone that has a pet needs a vet to care for that pet when it is sick or hurt. This could quite possibly be one of the easiest businesses to market since everyone needs a vet to care for their pet. The practice should come up with a recognizable slogan that everyone will be drawn in by.

The practice should also have a bunch of flyers, phamplets, and newsletters printed up that discuss the doctors at the practice and other important info about the practice. Customers of the practice can then take these printed materials home with them and show them to their friends and family members.

Marketing tip – create a sense of urgency

admin — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 14:33:36 +0000

Procrastination is a small business owner’s worst enemy. With limited time and resources, you can’t afford to put things off. You don’t like it any better when your customers procrastinate either. Procrastination is a big problem when it comes to making a sale. Sometimes it is necessary to create a sense of urgency or create a deadline. You may want to explain that the free T-shirt with purchase is only while supplies last or that a special sale is for the holiday weekend only. Keep deadlines in mind when creating your flyers, brochures, and postcards.

Marketing tip – create a blog

admin — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 17:44:55 +0000

One simple way to market your business and acquire more customers is by starting a blog. Blogging allows you to quickly and easily relay information to existing and potential customers. Start a blog relating to your line of work. Prove that you have knowledge and experience.

For example, if you were a landscaper, you could start a blog about lawn and garden maintenance. Offer solutions to common garden problems, feature special plants, offer garden ideas for beginners and experts, and include images of the work your company has done.

Also, design a web site, including your company’s contact information. It is important that you increase your business’s online presence.

Small businesses must be active in the community

admin — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 14:06:44 +0000

Hosting events or participating in fundraisers is very important for small businesses. Spread the word about your business by making a donation to a local school event, town fair, charity road race, or anything! If business has been slow and a monetary donation isn’t possible, offer your skills or donate a specific item. For example, your family restaurant cannot afford to make a donation to the middle school dance. Consider donating a few platters of chicken fingers and French fries, or offer to have some of your servers chaperone.

Guest speakers also draw great crowds. Invite a local poet to host a reading at your cafe or used book shop. Hosting events and participating in fundraisers are fantastic ways to attain new customers and garner respect in the community.

Keeping in touch with existing customers is important

admin — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 16:03:49 +0000

There is a saying, “A good salesman can sell anything once. A great salesman can sell anything more than once.” With so much competition out there, it is important that you, a small business owner, focus your energy on existing customers, not just potential customers.

Keeping in touch with existing customers is a great way to remind people of your servicers and to keep them coming back. Try designing custom postcards or greeting card-type mailers. Express your appreciation for a customer’s business, and your hope that you will be able to be of help in the future. Mention any special deals or promotions as well. This should serve as a friendly reminder. Do not be overbearing.

Design a card with your business logo and contact information. Promotional items like pens, key chains, and mouse pads are great gifts for returning customers, too!

Postcards are a simple marketing tool

admin — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:33:17 +0000

You know that you need to market your small business. However, with the economy, sales have been pretty low. You can’t afford to break the bank with some expensive marketing technique.

Postcards are a simple and inexpensive way to promote your business. They can be created online in minutes by simply uploading a design or customizing an online template. Create a postcard promoting a two-for-one deal at your ice-cream parlor, or offering a fall special from your landscaping company.

Try offering discounts to customers who present the postcard with their purchase, too.

Web sites are a small business must

admin — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 17:42:54 +0000

In today’s world, all small business should have a web site. Whether you own a used clothing store, a family-run restaurant, or a lawn care business, you must increase your online presence.

Your web site does not have to be overly elaborate. The main purpose is to explain who you are, what you do, where you are located, and how a customer can contact you.

Luckily, designing a professional looking web site is easy. No programming skills are required. Using templates from online marketing companies makes the process painless. You will be able to see how many people have viewed your site, and where they are located. Many companies even offer FREE trials!

Create a web site that matches your business cards and letterhead, too!

Custom hats and T-shirts for employees

admin — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:45:39 +0000

Whether it’s for the company softball game or a gift to celebrate the launch of the new brand, custom hats or T-shirts are great gifts for your employees. Your staff will love getting something free and you will love creating a sense of unity among them.

It’s easy and inexpensive to design custom hats or T-shirts. Upload your own logo or choose from online design galleries.

Create T-shirts to commemorate the office holiday party, show off the new logo, celebrate a company anniversary, or anything!

Designs shirts that can be worn all year long or use different colors for different seasons. Choose a day when all employees can wear their shirts to work!