Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Knowledge is power for business owners

By Jay NaPier

Focusing on the positive is very important during challenging times. Today's ever changing economy makes it tough on business owners, but the smart business owner focuses on the positive and asked great questions. One of those being what can I do to increase the revenue in my business.

Start out by taking a close look at what you sell. How profitable is it? Could it be more profitable? Are there additional products or services that you could sell to make more profit? When was the last time you increased your price? These are just a few of the questions you should be asking yourself to increase the profits in your business?

Having the right relationship with your customer is important to the success of your business. It's important to show your customers and clients that you care. We do this by recognizing anniversary dates, birthdays, and sending out holiday cards. You can also send your customer a note when it's been a while since they purchased from you.

There are two key ways to increase your profits and your revenue in business. Get the customers you have too purchased more or more often. One of the easiest ways to increase your revenue is to offer a package deal. Let's say you own a lawn care company and your average customer gets their lawn mowed 20 times per year. if you're charging $40 per cut, that customer is worth $800. Now, let's look at a package option. At the beginning of the year, offer to cut your customers lawn for $700 for the entire year. This is not only a good value for the customer, but it also locks that customer into your services for the entire year.

It's a great idea to offer bonuses with a purchase. Our company gives away free Flip Mino HD video camcorders with purchase of our monthly video marketing program. a dry cleaner might give away a free lint roller with every $50 in cleaning.

Take a close look at your advertising budget. Too many business owners are still paying hundreds of dollars a month for ineffective yellow page advertising. Today, it's easier to Google a business than it is to go searching in the Yellow Pages. a simple e-commerce campaign is easy to do and cheaper than the Yellow Pages.

Do you have a customer list? If not, now is the time to do one. Four years direct marketers have sent out marketing pieces to announce new products, new services, special sales, promotions, and remind customers that it's time for a visit to the doctor. Today's list builders use technology instead of direct mail. It's cheaper and more effective. You can easily use this technology when you've had a slow week. Simply, send out a quick e-mail with the details on a special, silent promotion giving customers a 20% discount this week only.

A buy local campaign is one of the best options to bring attention to your business and the many others in your area. The objective is to simply remind local residents of your business and the many great businesses that make up your community. Start with your own business and family first, commit to buying everything you can from a local business owner versus a big box retailer. While many chambers of commerce promote the idea of buying local, if you invest in the marketing that would support such a great idea. Build a group of 50 to 100+ business owners who'll commit to help promote a local portal designed for your community. Each business owner will put a sign in their window that notes the website and the buy local logo that associates you as a part of the local community campaign. "A recent study found that for every $100 spent in a chain store, $14 went back into the local economy. For a locally owned business, it was $45," , says Stacy Mitchell author of"Big-Box Swindle.

Staying profitable during challenging times is easy when you focus your efforts working on your business instead of in your business.

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