7 Ways to Keep Your Business Phone Ringing

A Smart Marketing Campaign Can Help Your Company Stay Strong

Mar 15, 2009 Elaine Petrowski

No matter what your business or the economic conditions, implement these affordable, strategic marketing plans to thrive.

Hard economic times may tempt some small business owners to try to save money by cutting down on, or even totally eliminating, marketing efforts. But a downturn is precisely the time to implement a savvy marketing campaign to keep your business phone ringing and your company strong.

  1. Update your internet presence. Be sure your web site is up-to-date. Remove or update stale copy, for example, that online newsletter you have not changed since 2006. Review the site to be sure it's simple to use and has an uncluttered look, with short text blocks. And add attractive visuals. Is it easy to find a "contact me" button and/or a phone number on your site? is there a "search" button in the same place, on each page? If not, have the site redesigned. Stay current with dues for any industry associations that list you on their website finders. And if you don't have an internet presence, get one. That's how the bulk of today's busy clients initially seek out services.
  2. Keep in touch with past clients. Satisfied former clients know your work and are your best form of advertising for business growth. Make contact with past clients via an email marketing blast, postcard or phone call. Offer past clients an incentive (cash, a prepaid gift card for a dinner out, car wash or tank of gas) for any referrals that net you more new customers.
  3. Ramp up your customer service. Focus on providing excellent customer service for current clients. Meet or exceed their deadlines and expectations. Return calls and emails promptly. If necessary, retrain employees to uphold the customer service goals of your company.
  4. Advertise locally. Even though your revenues might be down, it's a huge mistake to cut out all business advertising. However, you might consider narrowing in on the geographic area where you want to work and focus your advertising dollars there. Target the area you want to work in with coupon mailers like Valpak. Or advertise in local papers with a coupon for a free service, free hour or a discounted rate. And advertise your services wherever you go. It's possible to outfit your vehicle with magnetic signs that stash in the trunk when not in use, for less than $40 a pair from sites like Vistaprints.
  5. Build up your local network. Join the Chamber of Commerce and Rotary. Sponsor or participate in local events, such as street fairs or church and school auctions if your product or service suits that audience. When you are approached, do buy ads in local church bulletins, recital and concert programs and school yearbooks. These usually small investments keep your business name uppermost in the community consciousness.
  6. Partner with related businesses. Seek business relationships with others. For example, a writer could form an alliance with a website developer and a local printer; an architect or interior designer might work with remodeling contractors or landscape designers.
  7. Establish yourself as an expert in your field. Offer free seminars in your office or at the local library. Start a blog focused on your area of expertise. Sponsor events related to your industry, for example, a garden designer might run a landscape lighting seminar in the local garden shop or lighting store. And always promptly answer calls or emails from reporters seeing sources for stories in your area of expertise.

To help keep your business afloat in tough times, review your website and revamp as necessary. Make contact with former clients and ask for referrals.Refocus your advertising dollars in the geographic area you wish to serve. And build your local network and partner with related businesses.

The copyright of the article 7 Ways to Keep Your Business Phone Ringing in Marketing/PR is owned by Elaine Petrowski. Permission to republish 7 Ways to Keep Your Business Phone Ringing in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
Ramp Up Your Customer Service., freedigitalphotos Ramp Up Your Customer Service.
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Mar 16, 2009 12:21 PM
Guest :
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