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Articles Tips on How to Succeed in Your Business
Tips on How to Succeed in Your Business
With the financial crisis upon us, we could all use a few tips to help ensure the longevity of our business.
Strategy #1 - Diversify Your Product Line
· Consider adding complimentary products. If you're a web designer, consider offering website hosting or printing services.
· Repackage products to a different target market. If you are a fitness instructor, consider offering a seniors or baby-boomers only class.
· If you are a restaurant owner or chef, consider using herb mixes in some of your recipes and offer them for sale at the counter. You are your brand, If you sell products homebased or internet now is the time to connect with your customers. Don't just try and sell them! Build relationships with your prospects and current customers. In tough times refferals are the key!
Strategy #2 - Boost Customer Service
· Survey your customers to see if their needs are being met. Boost those areas that may be weak. Consider offering things like faster delivery times, flexible payment plans or a la carte product lineups.
· Reconnect with previous clients. Make followup calls on past sales or projects to ensure customers were happy with their purchase. This can lead to discussing future work. Make sure to not let them forget you. The effect of poor customer service is - 68% of customers leave because of the way they have been treated. 14% are dissatisfied with products and service. 9% begin doing business with the competition, 5% seek alternatives and 3% move away. People want to feel valued and special.
Strategy #3 - Intensify Marketing Plan
· Give your customers and prospects reasons to buy from you. Sell the benefit not the feature. Focus more on the life necessity type of products as opposed to the luxury products.
· Offer freebies, discounts or other incentives to your current client base. Buy one, get one free is great for lower priced items.
· Become remarkable. Determine what your unique selling proposition is and enhance that in your marketing message. Brand yourself as someone that goes the extra mile for your customer.
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