Reasons to Buy

When using print, radio or video advertising you need to give your prospect reasons why they should buy your product or services. The reasons should be benefits for them, not features of the product. People want to know "What's in it for me." Revlon once said "Our product says lipstick, but we're selling hope" What's more important to a customer--, our tire has an extra row of 1/2 inch tread or our tire is safer for your family in ice and snow? A tour company isn't selling plane tickets and hotel reservations, they're selling a vacation. What will they get out of your product, not what's in it. Sell the dream, the idea, the benefits, the results and maybe you'll sell a lot more.

Trust & Value

Two very important words in a buyer-seller relationship. And it works both ways, not just for the buyer. The buyer must trust the quality and value of the product or service that they are paying for and the seller must trust that the buyer will pay on time and they will be a long time customer. Hit-n-Run buyers who only shop on price are less valuable to the seller. The seller will always provide better service, better offers and perks to repeat customers because they will support their business in the tough times. The buyer wants to know that their business is appreciated and that the seller says Thank You after every transaction. The buyer must be confident that even at the lowest price levels the product will still perform to their satisfaction. But if they purchase the high price product with all the bells & whistles they will expect exceptional performance. The entire economy is based on the buyer-seller relationship and Trust & Value play a big part. To get repeat business and word-of-mouth publicity your customers must feel that they recieved everything they expected for the money they spent. More about my books & newsletter at www.idealetter.com or oaktreebooks.com

No one's perfect, not even you

Trying to be perfectionist can hold you back more than help you. Here are some things to look out for and avoid.
.Being too caught up in details
.Get stressed if things don't go exactly as you planned
.Focus only on what's most important
.You can't make quick decisions
.Second guess your decisions
.Insist that everything must be done your way
.Ignore suggestions of others
.Go crazy when mistakes are made
.You are slow to trust others with tasks
.You can't give credit for a job well done
.You aren't happy even when things are going well
Try to realize that life is never going to be perfect and neither are you. Doing the best you can with what you have to work with will usually produce great results!

Small Busines Seminar

A small business seminar for retail, office, B to B, home-based and internet businesses will be May 1, 2010 at the Doubletree Hotel in Colorado Springs. There will be 4 half hour expert sessions with ideas that you can use right away in your business. Fast paced and very informative. Session agenda is:

Rick Uribe..Start-up and Survival
Barry Thomsen..Stand out from competitors
10 Min break
Steve Pletka..How to use ebay in your business
Barry Thomsen..5 Cheap Marketing Ideas

For more information, address and how to register go to www.idealetter.com and click on Small Business Seminar or call 719-268-1322. See You There!

Repeat Orders

For B to B customers an occaisional reorder reminder can get orders when you need them most. Select one of three methods to remind them it's time to check their supply. Emails can be fast, short and to the point. Post cards sent to the buyer can also include and new products or services that you want to introduce. A short phone call, even if you get voice mail, can add that personal touch and thank you for past orders. You can use all three and alternate them monthly. But it's important to do something because the contact person may have changed and you must connect with their replacement. If they can't find old ordering information you may have to earn their business all over again and there's no guarantee that you will get it. Make it easy to reorder especially if it's the same as their last order. Repeat orders will make your business more stable and help save marketing effort and dollars. And treat those repeat customers as if they were special, because they really are !

Cheap Marketing Ideas

When marketing funds are tight you still need to find ways of promoting your business. Your creative ideas applied to proven methods will keep new & repeat business coming in. Here are some ways to consider that require little or no capital.

.Cross Promotion-Set up a referral group that wants sales from the same target customer but are not competitors. Ask suppliers to pay or sponsor promotions.
.Positive Publicity-Write articles, speak to target groups and volunteer with your company logo & name showing. Generate word-of-mouth publicity.
.Treat Customers Like Dogs- create a WOW factor with your busines and treat them as good as we treat our pets. Outstanding service is the minimum.
.Direct Mail-yes it still works and can be an inexpensive way to stay in contact with customers & prospects. Always test new lists first.
.Find a Better Way-there is always something new that can boost sales and recognition for your business. Don't let competitors beat you to it. Small improved changes can increase value and your sales.

You must keep marketing in good & bad times so using methods that are proven and "cheap" will get you farther ahead and closer to your goals.

Competitor's Website

If you have one or more serious competitors, how often do you visit their website? If not at least monthly, start now and do it regularly. how can you compete effectively if you don't know the latest things that they are offering or discounting? There may be new products or services available and you need to know what they are and how to compete with them. And when you make additions or changes to your website be assured that they are visiting and taking notice. If they can afford a more expensive site than you have, select the main points of interest for your target market and focus on them. Don't be surprised by your competitor's website moves but stay in contact so you will be ready to counter or respond to their actions. For more ways to beat competitors read my book, "The Jelly Bean Principle"

Your Line Extension

If you want to increase sales and profits without massive, expensive advertising, look to your current customers and offer them more. Once everyone has seen your "One Trick Pony" there's not much more to entice them. But you can add products and services that compliment your already popular products.

These new products and services will keep your business fresh in your customer's mind. They will want to visit your location or website often to see what's new. Don't offer all your new ideas at one time but stagger their introductions so customers will have a reason to keep coming back. Line extensions will benefit both the customer and your business and show that you always striving to improve. It's another win-win situation.

Speaking Tips

Great speakers will motivate, persuade and inform their audience while keeping their interest and attention. Here are some ideas to make your presentation the best it can be.
.Attention-Getting Opening
.Direct eye contact
.Vocal Variety to accent points
.Move with purpose-don't pace
.Add humor but don't be a comedian
.Use gestures to emphasize your message
.Body language keeps audience alert
.Quote sources for your facts
.Listen to your audience response
.Omit the ahs, ums & and-so's
.Use pauses between thoughts
.Rehearse & record your speech
If you need help perfecting some of these points join your local Toastmasters club and everyone will help you.

Small Business Seminar

A small business seminar for retail, office, B to B, home-based and internet businesses will be May 1, 2010 at the Doubletree Hotel in Colorado Springs. There will be 4 half hour expert sessions with ideas that you can use right away in your business. Session agenda is:

Rick Uribe..Start-up and Survival
Barry Thomsen..Stand out from competitors
10 Min break
Steve Pletka..How to use ebay in your business
Barry Thomsen..5 Cheap Marketing Ideas

For more information, address and how to register go to www.idealetter.com and click on Small Business Seminar. See You There!