In the second part of a series on how to increase profitability by a number of simple and cost-effective methods, we take a look ways of harnessing the value and power of a customer database.
No matter the size of a business, there will be details of hundreds or even thousands of customers collected somewhere, in payment spreadsheets, or lists of various kinds.
“When a job is done and invoiced and paid, that is really the beginning of ensuring a customer will keep coming back in the future.”
All of these customers lists, if left as they are, are a wasted opportunity for future sales or even more customers through referrals. When a job is done and invoiced and paid, that is really the beginning of ensuring a customer will keep coming back in the future. When invoicing it is a great idea to include an opt in tick box for future newsletters and information about your business.
As those op ins are collected they can then be added to a spreadsheet that can easily be imported to an email marketing platform, like MailChimp, that is an easy to use and affordable way of marketing your business.
“The key to profitability is small steps that will steadily bring in more sales . . .”
A well designed and informative newsletter is a great promotional tool for business without appearing ‘salesly’
Regular newsletters – fortnightly, monthly, bi-monthly – are a soft sell way of promoting new services, promotions, perhaps the introduction of new staff, and ensuring that your business is regularly in your existing customers’ minds. They can also include tips and advice for customers that will increase the value of your business in their eyes. An arborist, for example, could offer some free seasonal trips on particular types of tress and what needs to be done to make sure they are in the best health. A roofer could explain the sort of things homeowners should be looking at on an annual basis to ensure that their roof is in the best condition possible.
“Every consumer loves the feeling of being taken care of . . .”
The key to profitability is small steps that will steadily bring in more sales by staying in the mind of existing customers and creating trust, dependability and value at the same time. Every consumer loves the feeling of being taken care of, given free advice and educated about things that they may know very little about.
So instead of letting customer lists stay dormant in worksheets, harness their value by simple, extremely cost-effective marketing that will bring in more revenue and ensure that previous customers are continual customers. remember as well, that satisfied customers are the best advocates of any business and will create new business through word-of-mouth and through online reviews.
NoCowboys offers free advice on newsletter marketing and can also help create and send them for you. To find out more – email us here
