by John Gifford - February 18th, 2010
Small Business Trend Information #4
“Google Insights,” http://www.google.com/insights/search, allows you to compare search volume patterns across specific regions, categories, and time frames.
1. Searching “ipad” across U.S. Metro regions and also Indiana, reveals which cities are early adopters of technology and can give you insight into where you should direct your marketing. If you want to focus on the technophiles, market to cities and metros at the top of the list. If you have a strategy of bringing user-friendliness to the technologically challenged, focus on those on the bottom. By the way, West Lafayette has the most prolific “ipad” searchers in Indiana (see below).
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Tags: indianapolis small business, Trends
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by Tony Rubleski - February 18th, 2010
Here’s a quick checklist
of six smart ways to engage and ‘capture’ more
customers:
#1. Stay in better touch with them.
Once a month at a minimum your customers and key prospects should be hearing from you in some capacity. In the age of Facebook, LinkedIn, blogs, and Twitter, weekly communication is recommended and easier than ever to pull off. Put up a barbed wire fence around your customers and stay on their radar. The lifetime value of a good customer warrants frequent contact and a relationship mentality.
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Tags: indianapolis small business, Marketing
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by Sarah Wenger - February 16th, 2010
Why do salespeople, entrepreneurs, and business owners fail to make sales, fail to generate referrals, and lose clients? The reason is a lack of follow-up. Now, follow-up can fall into several categories. Let’s look at your own customers, and then we will look at prospects.
I have heard many business people say, “I just don’t understand why my customers chose to do business with someone else. I did everything right.” I then ask them, “When was the last time your customer heard from you? “ The answer is usually, “Well, umm….errrr.” The same has been said in many instances for a prospect that chose to do business with a competitor.
The relationship between a customer and a business is much like a dating relationship. There are certain things that you don’t do on the first date…and if you do, you may be risking the relationship down the road. There are also certain things that you should do if you want to cultivate the relationship. For example, a phone call now and then to say you are thinking of them, a thoughtful note from time to time, or an unexpected gift can all lead to a deeper relationship.
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Tags: Follow-up, indianapolis small business
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by Scott Manning - February 15th, 2010
Every great profit maximizing company has become masterful at getting its clients EVERYTHING they can possibly need or want in relation to their products or services. These companies do not leave money on the table or things to be desired from their clients.
The concept of the “add-on” is one that is elementary to sales people, a foundational method for increasing sales. This is the most basic level and probably one most companies teach and use within their sale process…the ultimate question; is it maximized and does it really generate additional profits?
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Tags: indianapolis small business, Marketing
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