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Back Issues

Psst . . . Pass it On
Have you heard of "viral marketing"? It means creating something that customers want to pass along. Seth Godin called it the Idea Virus, and he used the concept to promote his book of the same name.

Automatic Research
Want to know what is being said about you, your company, or the competition? Or just keep up with trends and developments in your industry? There is an easy and no-cost way to have news sent to your e-mail inbox.

Turning Customers Away
It happened again, just the other day. Someone called, ready to order a product from me--and I talked her out of it. Does that sound crazy to you? Maybe it is, but I think it is a good business practice, and it is the honest and ethical thing to do in some circumstances.

Marketing Resolutions
Here is how you can make resolutions to create positive marketing habits, and make those habits stick.

Do You Want Fries With That?
Suggestive selling is a powerful tool that can increase your revenues--and your bottom line--significantly. We are all used to the order taker at a fast food place asking if we want fries with our burgers, or if we would like to "Jumbo-Size" our orders, but suggestive selling can work in any business.

Holiday Cards
Did you mail cards to your customers this holiday season? Lots of businesses do, so your card may be one of many sent to your customers and potential customers. To stand out, try something different next year--send cards at times other than the traditional holiday season.

Show Your Stuff
Your customers may need assurance that you not only have the skills to help them, but that you understand their needs. Show them, and you can make the sale.

Answering Questions
Make it easy for customers to get the answers they want, and they will do business with you (instead of the place that makes it hard to learn what they want to know).

Checking Out the Competition
Are there things you do better than your competitors? Are there other things that they do better? How much do they charge? How do they present themselves? Do they offer products or services that you don't? The answers to these questions may be gotten more easily than you think.

Are You in Focus?
One staple of market research is the focus group. Focus groups assemble several people who are current customers or members of a target market to give their opinions about current or planned products, advertising campaigns and more.

Hold a Contest
Want to bring in more customers, get more traffic at your web site, attract publicity and more? Run a contest.

Keep In Touch
Does everyone who visits your web site buy from you?  Although they didn't buy from you today, they are good prospects to become customers in the future.

Trick or Treat?
Are your communications with customers (and potential customers) loaded with tricks--or treats?

"May I Have Your Autograph?"
Putting your name to something means that you have pride in it. Backing that up with a signature adds a personal touch to which customers will respond.

Using Freelancers

Strange Bedfellows

Rewarding Loyalty

Reading--and Creating--RSS Feeds

Your Marketing Idea Box