| There are many different ways to get new clients, | | | | Client Appreciation Day. |
| repeat business and to stay focused. Here are some | | | | 5. Do you send out Thank You notes to a new client |
| of the ways to help you get that new client, keep that | | | | after their first visit? Why not put a Thank You |
| new client and maintain control of your advertising and | | | | Coupon or Gift Certificate in the note to be used on |
| marketing campaigns. | | | | their next visit. |
| For the past 10 years I have been involved in the | | | | 6. Do you acknowledge your clients on their birthdays |
| beauty industry. For the past 8, I have owned and | | | | or anniversaries? |
| operated my own businesses and have taught and | | | | Anyone who has the money can buy all kinds of |
| trained others in theirs. The one thing I understood | | | | marketing and advertising, which is fine, but utilizing your |
| more than anything was to market, market, market | | | | creativity can be quite exciting and very profitable. Let |
| and then market some more. | | | | your creative juices flow. Have fun and always think |
| What I found to be true for others was that so many | | | | about your business as if you were the customer. |
| small business owners do what we call periodic | | | | It still is true that you won't get the business, if you don't |
| marketing. They get some money, pick an advertising | | | | ask for it. However, people do not like to be sold, they |
| venue (print, radio or TV) and run it until and only until | | | | like to buy. They like it to be their decision to come to |
| they get a response. This is not good at all. | | | | your place of business and spend their hard earned |
| Marketing must be an ongoing process. Plus you need | | | | money because they want what you have to offer. |
| to have multiple marketing strategies. For example, in | | | | Along with the marketing, you do have to be a good |
| order to market successfully you must not put all of | | | | salesperson. By marketing, marketing and |
| your eggs in one basket, but rather spread them | | | | marketing...then marketing more, you will give people a |
| around like an Easter Egg Hunt. Just remember where | | | | way to find you and all that you have to offer. Your |
| you placed those eggs! Keeping track of where and | | | | marketing gives them the advantage to know that you |
| with whom you are advertising is vital to that | | | | have what they want and need and will gladly buy |
| marketing campaign's success. | | | | from you so that those needs are met. |
| Are you using the media to market your business? | | | | We want our customers to make an informed |
| 1. Print. Local magazines, newspaper, direct mailing. | | | | decision, and for it to be win-win for everyone, and |
| 2. Radio. | | | | that is how we conduct our business. You should too. |
| 3. Television. | | | | Remember, most of your marketing and advertising |
| 4. Press Releases. Are you sending out Press | | | | efforts are put forth to get people into your place of |
| Releases on anything relevant and news worthy? | | | | business for the first time and that is why it is so |
| Send a Press Release to all local media. | | | | important to track how your new clients are finding |
| Are you using the internet to market your business? | | | | you. Which marketing or advertising piece did they see |
| 1. Newsletters. Using your customer email database, | | | | or hear that brought them into your business? So that |
| are you sending out monthly newsletters to your | | | | you can track this, be sure to ask every person that |
| clients? | | | | comes and make a note of it. |
| 2. Press Releases. Are you submitting Press Releases | | | | I keep a running list of which ads I am running or which |
| on anything relevant and news worthy? | | | | radio or television stations I am using and instruct my |
| 3. Forums. Do you get involved in a few forums | | | | staff ask everyone and place a check next to the |
| pertaining to your type of business? | | | | corresponding campaign. At the end of the month it is |
| 4. Website. Is your website fresh and informative? | | | | very clear which ones are working better than others. |
| 5. Social Media. Are you using Social Media to your | | | | At best you will need to run your ads every week for |
| advantage? Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and a Blog | | | | a month if it is a weekly ad or at least three months if |
| are a definite advantage to your business. | | | | it is monthly. This will give you a clear vision of which |
| Are you using your community to market your | | | | ads to keep running and which ones to stop. |
| business? | | | | Most importantly, once these new clients grace your |
| 1. Join your Chamber of Commerce. | | | | doorstep, enter your business and enjoy your products |
| 2. Buy ads in your local school or church directories. | | | | and services, it is imperative to keep them coming |
| 3. Volunteer for your community's charitable events. | | | | back for more. Again, the most money is spent on the |
| Are you "In-House" marketing? | | | | first time client. It costs about six times more to get a |
| 1. Do you offer your clients incentives to pass out your | | | | new client than it is to keep an existing! So email those |
| brochures or business cards? | | | | newsletters, send them those birthday and anniversary |
| 2. Do you have a "refer a friend" policy? | | | | cards, give them incentives to bring in friends, host a |
| 3. Offer free informative classes on your services and | | | | Customer Appreciation Day and get them to come |
| products. | | | | back again and again. |
| 4. Host an Open House or an Anniversary Party or a | | | | Have fun, be creative, and attract new clients. |