Tag: business advertising and marketing ideas

Business Advertising and Marketing Ideas–3 Ways to Create a Customer Retention Program that Will Raise Your Revenue

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Here’s a business advertising and marketing idea for you, the small or home-based business owner, that is often overlooked: treat your customer right!

How? By creating a customer retention program!

Why is this important? Because your current customer is your best customer. This seems to be forgotten by most companies, even major corporations. How many of us have been repelled by a big business that once we became a customer we were treated like we didn’t exist? I know I have!

If you keep the well-being of your customers in the forefront of your mind, you and your brand will be on the top of their minds! This is a business advertising and marketing idea you can bank on!

So how does this work and what can you do?

Here are some customer retention business advertising and marketing ideas to get you started:

1) Treat your customer the way you want to be treated.

It’s called the Golden Rule and it was taught by Jesus Christ. This is a timeless principle and applies in all areas of life, especially business.

If you treat your customer with respect, just like you would want to be treated, you will be elevating your brand. You will be building trust and credibility.

In this day and age, customer service has taken a rapid turn for the worst. Having an excellent customer service ethic will distinguish you from your competition.

CEO of Chick-Fil-A, Dan Cathy, has this value at the heart of his company. In an interview with Mike Huckabee on Fox News, he described how he trains his employees to greet every person with a smile so that they are happy to be there. Now, I realize Chick-Fil-A is under a lot of controversy right now (which I fully support them), but as I’ve heard from others, they have no lack of business, even in these hard times!

2) Set up a thank you, birthday, and Christmas card program.

Let’s face it. Our mailboxes are either filled with junk or bills. Actual personalized mail is very few and far between!

So here’s a chance for you to shine! Set up a system where you send out cards to your customers, whether that’s a thank you card for new business, a birthday card, or a Christmas card.

Big corporations get this. Branded Christmas cards are very popular with big business. What is it they know that we don’t know as small businesses?

They know that sending cards for whatever occasion is worth the investment. Why? Because you are showing your customer that you care. And when you show them that you care through something as simple as a card, your business and your brand will be in the top of their minds.

When they find themselves in need of a product or service like yours, you will come to mind first. And what will this do? Raise your revenue!

3) Give gifts to your premiere customers.

For your best customers, consider creating a gift retention program. Again, corporations get this. Reward loyalty. Send unique items that will remind them of who you are.

There are many options available out there. It’s really only a Google search away. Plus, you can also create branded products that your customers need, want, and desire. This is going to put your business literally under their noses!

Treat your customers well and you will be treated well. This is a simple law of reciprocity, kind of like the law of gravity. It is immutable. Because what goes around comes around.

And when you treat your customer well by instituting these business advertising and marketing ideas, your brand will sizzle and your future will dazzle!

Want more ideas to make your brand sizzle? Click here to take my FREE mini-video course!

How to Make Brochures–Graphic Design Secrets that Will Make Your Brochure Sizzle!

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So you’re thinking about making a brochure for your business. But how do you make brochures? And even more important, how do you make an effective brochure?

Basically, there are six stages of producing brochures:

  1. Initial Concept
  2. Writing
  3. Editing
  4. Designing
  5. Production
  6. Distribution

Fundamentally, brochures need to arouse attention and get interest. They need to motivate an audience toward an action.

You need to know your audience well. What is their age, location, income, family status, industry involved, job title/function, education level, political orientation, religious beliefs, ethnic origin?
Knowing all these things, think through what they really care about. What is important to them? What problems do they have? What are their fears, especially what are they afraid of losing?
Talk to your audience in terms of needs. What’s the problem? How can you meet that? Get benefits across to your audience. What solutions are you offering them?
Here’s some other ideas to help you create an effective brochure:

  • Use conversational tone “You”
  • Get message across in 20 seconds.
  • Make sure visuals work for you, that they illustrate a selling point.
  • Ask for action, make sure it’s easy to respond.
  • Use Business Reply Envelopes or include a custom domain name.

Additionally, ask these questions:

  • What is the purpose of your brochure?
  • Who is your audience?
  • What is your desired accomplishment?

Be sure to use graphic design elements:

  • Type
  • Graphics
  • Color of paper
  • Contrast and balance between dark and light
  • Balance between color and white space
  • Ink color
  • Contrast in type
  • Be consistent. This creates unity
  • Don’t use too much copy
  • Headlines are essential!

Follow these guidelines and you will have a brochure that sizzles!

Would you like to have a brand that sizzles and learn the principles of print design? Check out my free mini video course at Make Your Brand Sizzle.

Want even more help in turning your brand into quality print design? Get step by step guidance through my online tutorial course at Brand Identity Quest.