Tag: customer retention

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!

Build Brand Recognition through Custom Christmas Cards

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Now that Thanksgiving is over, Christmas is just around the corner. Have you thought about combining customer appreciation, brand awareness, and Christmas?

They fit together like a glove!

But why should you use valuable time and money to send cards and how do you go about it?

Keep on reading for some ideas that are sure to get your name noticed!

And you can use these ideas for personal use as well as business use, so read on!

1) Design and send Christmas cards because it improves customer retention. Your best customer is your existing customer! When you show that customer appreciation, you are encouraging them to turn into raving fans. That’s what you want! So that when you come up with a new product or service, they will be beating down your doors! A personal card with a unique design will communicate to them that you care. That you took the time to do something unique.

One of my clients (see card above, which I designed), an artist, has been doing Christmas cards for years. The people on her mailing list can’t wait to receive the card because they know it’s going to be something unusual. Now that’s name recognition!

2) Cards in the mail get noticed over email. Really! Think about it. What do you receive in your mailbox? Bills and junk mail, right? A card or letter is precious! The receiver of the card feels valued. E-mails are a dime a dozen and you are competing with many other e-mails. A spectacular card with your brand will automatically create name recognition and you will be on your way to creating raving fans!

3) But how can you create a spectacular card? With a scanner, some fabric, ribbon, and an original picture, you will have an unbeatable combination.

* Choose some fabric and ribbon, about letter page size. Make sure it’s not licensed!
* Scan it into computer at at least 300 dpi.
* Select an original piece of artwork, a photograph or painting. Scan it at 300 dpi.
* Layer the pieces together–use the fabric as a background, the ribbon as a frame, and the artwork as your centerpiece.
* Put your logo on the back with your address and website
* Include a personal greeting that complements your artwork

.4) Make your cards affordable by printing them through an online source. Overnightprints.com is my favorite source, and I have found them to be most cost-effective. They do great full-color work although the paper choice is limited. If you sign up for their mailing list, you will get great deals! Their cards come with white envelopes and they even have a mailing service!

5) If you want to choose semi-custom designs, Overnightprints.com has them available, or try Zazzle.com or CafePress.com. I plan to have some of my cards on these sites and will let you know as soon as I do!

6) If this sounds like too much work, hire a professional! I have been designing Christmas cards for years and would be glad to help you! But hurry, Christmas is around the corner and my schedule is already hectically busy! Just email me at info@angelarts.biz for more info.

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