| There is no excuse for a business not having a | | | | It is a good idea to have some plain cards on |
| customer database of some kind. It is easy to | | | | hand for those people who do not have a |
| create a spreadsheet, either manually, or using | | | | business card. Use brightly colored cards as they |
| computer software. A database of customers (or | | | | will add to the excitement and attract attention to |
| prospective customers), can be a valuable tool in | | | | the fishbowl. A local printing company will probably |
| the success of any business. | | | | have some free card off-cuts to use. |
| I have seen it said that "it costs five times more | | | | 3. Another idea relates to special customer deals. |
| to attract a new customer than it is to keep an | | | | Whenever possible, take a note of their name, |
| existing customer." Despite that, most businesses | | | | phone number and/or email address. The following |
| spend money, time and effort continually chasing | | | | month you can make these people another offer |
| after new customers. If you don't know who | | | | as a reward for taking up the original offer. You |
| your customers are, you will always be on the | | | | will find you get a high percentage of successful |
| back foot. | | | | sales. |
| Why do things the hard way? It is far more | | | | 4. If you are operating over the internet, offer a |
| lucrative to keep in touch with customers, and | | | | free report to build your database. Another idea is |
| reward good customers, by simply encouraging | | | | to offer a free mini-course or newsletter ezine. |
| them to remain loyal to your business. The first | | | | Thanks to the wonders of technology, these can |
| step to achieving this; is to build a good database | | | | be delivered instantly over the internet using an |
| and stay in contact with your customers and | | | | auto-responder. |
| potential customers. | | | | Building a database does not need to be difficult. |
| Here are some no-cost and low-cost marketing | | | | The key is to be organized and to be proactive! |
| ideas almost any business can use to add | | | | When you sell to a new customer add them to |
| customers to a database to increase sales and | | | | your database immediately. Then simply keep in |
| profits. | | | | touch with them, or list a date to contact them. |
| 1. One idea is to offer participation in a prize draw | | | | This might be for a car service check, a haircut, a |
| in return for collecting customer details. As an | | | | carpet clean, a pet's injection or whatever makes |
| incentive, you could give away a product or a | | | | sense in your business. On the contact date send |
| special discount. | | | | a reminder letter, email, or phone them to offer |
| 2. If you are running a retail store or office, you | | | | an appointment. Building a database is easy and a |
| could place a jar or fishbowl on the counter or | | | | lot cheaper than continually chasing after new |
| reception desk for business cards. Then at the | | | | customers. Build your database and you will build |
| end of each week or month, draw a winner. | | | | your profits! |