The Easiest Small Business Direct Marketing Tip You?ll Ever Get

This really and truly is the easiest (and most profitable) small business direct marketing tip you'll ever get. And when I say easy? I really mean EASY.

It's a no-brainer.

Once I tell you what it is you're probably going to say, "Oh that? I already knew that."

But if you own a small business and are doing this I can tell you right now you're an exception. "If this is such an easy and profitable small business direct marketing tip why isn't everyone using it?"

That's a good question. I don't know. Maybe most small business owners think it's too much of a hassle?

Not so.

It doesn't take much time. Costs little. You could even pay a high school geek to do the computer stuff for you if you don't feel like messing with it.

The financial rewards can be huge... if you do it right. But this seems to be a small business direct marketing tip most people are happy to ignore.

So what's the big tip?

Simple.

Every time you do business with a new customer ask them if they'd like to sign up for your free "e-mail alert." Tell them you periodically offer specials and discounts for customers and ask them if they'd like to be included on your list so they can know when you have them. Many customers will gladly sign up.

Then ? use your list.

Offer your customers something?

? specific ?

? limited ?

? and of value to them as well as yourself.

Let's pretend... just for discussion's sake... you're the owner of Little Town Diner in Smallville.

You'd place a little E-mail address sign-up book right next to the cash register. Include spaces on each page for customers to write-in both their name and a Email address. Have the cashier invite customers to sign it.

Build up your list of names. It's valuable.

Suppose every Wednesday is a slow day at the diner. On Wednesday mornings you start sending out an Email like this one to your list.

**********

Hi (Customer's Name),

Pat here? from the Little Town Diner. How'd you like for me to do the cooking tonight? I just got a HUGE shipment of chicken breasts in today and I've got to move these babies out!

So I'm running a SPECIAL today?

Pat's 2 for 1 Special (today only- - eat in or take out)

2 juicy, tender barbecued chicken breasts... 2 baked potatoes or French fries on the side... 2 servings of string beans or cole slaw...AND...2 slices from any of our delicious pies-of-the-day (your choice).

Don't want to eat out? No problem.

We can have your dinner packaged and ready for you to pick up at your convenience if you place your order before 3pm. Let us know about what time you'll be in for your pick-up.

**********

Or? here's another way you could apply this small business direct marketing tip ?

**********

Hi (Customer's Name),

Pat here. I want to say, "thank you" for making Little Town Diner a part of your dining experience. Serving folks like you is what makes our business so enjoyable.

To formally say, "thanks" I'd like to offer you a special discount this week. If you visit us between now and Sunday tell your waitress you want the "Thank You Discount." You and your family can order anything on our menu and get 20% off.

Now remember - - you have to ask for the discount to get it. This offer is just our way of saying, "thanks" for choosing us to serve you.

Thanks Again,
Pat

**********

There's no limit to how you can use this.

If you're a tree trimmer you could use this small business marketing tip too.

Let's pretend you drop off some of the wood from your tree cutting business to someone who makes mulch. This person tells you one day, "I've got a LOT of excess mulch here I'd like to get rid of for cheap. Do you know anyone who might want some?"

So you e-mail your list?

**********

"Hi (Customer's Name),

Fred here? from Smallville Tree Trimming Service.

I've got a friend who has a lot of mulch. They practically want to give it away. You can have as much as you want for $xxx per yard. Every yard of mulch covers xxx square feet.

If you'd like some call 800-555-5555 and place your order. It'll probably go quickly at this price so call and reserve yours now.

I'll even drop it off at your home to save you the hassle of having to pick it up.

Sincerely,
Fred

**********

You then split the profits with your friend who is in the wood mulch business. The people on your list know you. They trust you. You've done work for them before. They're more likely to buy from you than from anyone else.

Many on your list aren't going to be interested in mulch. Some of them will... and they'll be glad you contacted them with a great deal to help them out.

This small business direct marketing tip applies to ALL types of small businesses.

Get your message out. The people most likely to buy from you are waiting to hear from you. You can contact them for next to nothing. Anytime you want.

Joe Farinaccio is a direct-response copywriter. In addition to writing sales letters for online clients Joe specializes in putting together successful direct mail packages for small and medium sized businesses. You can learn more about how to market your business successfully and sign up to receive his free monthly Ezine at http://www.sales-letters-and-marketing.com

---

What You Need in Your Marketing Calendar

Marketing calendars are used by many businesses to help keep... Read More

Everybody Loves Raymond....You Should Too!

Popular TV Series Provides a Powerful Marketing LessonSmall Business owners... Read More

Make Your E-Mail Signature File WORK for You!

You're probably familiar with e-mail signature (or "sig") files -... Read More

Be a Smarter Marketer - Learn the L-A-W for Trade Shows

People attend trade shows because they are in a specific... Read More

Mission Statement Impossible

Dant dant da da dant dant da da. Dant dant... Read More

Your Ultimate Competitive Advantage

The biggest secret to success in business is to always... Read More

The X Factor

So you've invested more time than you ever believed possible... Read More

Reasons Why People Usually Dont Buy Again

There are many psychological reasons why people will buy from... Read More

Cave Paintings, Baseball and Connecting

There's no such thing as a captive audience--any of us... Read More

How To Go From Under Dog to Top Dog by Unleashing The Power Of a Postcard

The Tale of Two Dentists...Dr. Namel and Dr. Ivory are... Read More

Create A Business Card That Sells and is Effective

Why does your business need a business card?Business card is... Read More

10 Tips For Packaging That Sells Products To Boomers

Boomers are a prime and growing target audience. Does your... Read More

Is Your Marketing Working...

That is the question, you should be asking yourself. Many... Read More

Fail Your Way To Small Business Marketing Success!

Are you willing to fail your way to great marketing... Read More

Ten Deadly Proposal Preparation Pitfalls

Let's face it, the name "proposal" is a great misnomer,... Read More

Target Market - 3 Big Reasons You Need To Know Yours

Rule Number One when writing marketing materials is "Know Your... Read More

How Well Do You Know Your Prospects? Find Out With This 10-Point Quiz

It's crucial to know your prospects if you want to... Read More

Design, Design, Design

You need only one card, but make it noticeable. Make... Read More

5 Steps for Developing a Marketing Tag Line for Your Product, Business, or Website

A marketing tag line is the one or two line... Read More

How To Start With Absolutely Nothing And Create Wealth online in 30 days or less.

Without a doubt, if you asked me, Shane if there... Read More

Online Magazine Subscription Services Make Shopping Online Fun For Magazines

If recreating the old experience of subscribing to magazines by... Read More

3 Ways to Gain and KEEP Customers Using Postcards

In today's competitive (sometimes cutthroat) marketplace, savvy business owners need... Read More

Top Ten Blunders Exhibitors Make in Expos/Tradeshows

Triple your response from expos by avoiding the top ten... Read More

How to Size an Emerging Market

In developing their business plans, companies of all sizes face... Read More

10 Important Marketing Tips

Each of the following Ten Marketing Tips is based on... Read More

10 Surefire Ways to Add Sizzle to Your Brochures

Businesses rely on brochures as their front line in communicating... Read More

Youre Halfway There!...Or Not Part 1

The year is almost over and the last half of... Read More

Why Pay for Online Press Release Distribution?

We've all heard that "free advice is worth what you... Read More

Attracting Clients With Incremental Marketing

Do you ask prospective clients to go too far?Must your... Read More

If You Can?t Answer This Question Your Business is Doomed!

How do you answer the seemingly easy question, "What do... Read More

Beyond the Booth

With the advent of spring, trade shows begin to blossom.... Read More

Online Mentorship Programs: Cash in on Your Expertise

Whether you're a former retail store owner known for your... Read More

Getting Paid to Promote Yourself

We all know we can pay a magazine or a... Read More