Tips on how to beat the credit crunch
This week Diss Express columnist, Diss Business Forum member and businesswoman Jenna Cox gives her tips on how to beat the recession.
Customer Service – Do you ever offer to help the customer who is struggling with packages? Do you ever do follow ups to find out if the customer is happy? How long would it take to send an email or pick up the phone? Whatever you do, it must be personal. A blanket email will put people off while a personal email to find out if they are happy, or that tells of a special offer relevant to their previous purchases, could be a dealmaker.
Promote Your Business and Your Town – Do a joint promotion with neighbouring businesses to reduce your advertising spend but get more for your money. By sharing the cost, you could get a half page or full page in target publications.
Price vs Quality – Everyone is shouting 'discounts' at the moment. Very few are projecting an image of security and quality. People still need to buy but they will be more likely to buy from a business that looks credible and stands for quality - a business built to last.
Keep one step ahead – If your competitors are doing better than you are, dig a little and try to figure out why. Do they have a better, more effective website? Are they offering something people want that you don't provide (but could)? Are they matching the right people with the right products? The more you know, the more you can compete.
Your Product – Perhaps it is time to 'take stock'. Look at your best-sellers and promote them more. Think about what people are looking for these days that you could provide, and stock it.
In other words, look at your business from the eyes of a potential customer.
Your website – Today, even if you advertise or give out cards and flyers, most people will still check out your site before they visit. You have three seconds to engage them before they look elsewhere, so your site must have visual impact, be simple to navigate and reflect the quality of your business. Always keep it fresh and update it weekly - one tiny change can bring in a raft of new business.
PR – When you are sure that all your branding is right, and works for you, then you can think about PR.
But don't create a press release that looks like an advert. Make sure it is tied around an issue of note, that relates to a product or service you provide.
Remember, the editor is not looking to promote your business but for something that will interest the readers.
Looking in the Mirror – Your shop front is the mirror by which you will be judged. If you looked in that mirror for the first time, what would you see? Does it need a bit more blush? Is it looking a bit dated? Give your shop front a makeover and make it work for you.
Jenna Cox is managing partner of marketing agency Articulate HLC.
Email to a friend
Print this page Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Local pages
Looking for a...
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Diss
Thursday 02 September 2010
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North east
