Getting Your Fair Share

Autumn is a great time to market your business.  Many people make the mistake of waiting until the holidays to advertise or promote but the early Autumn months provide an opportunity to announce a new product or service or have a sale, and position your business to capture your fair share of holiday business.

Authorities in email marketing, including the DMA (Direct Marketing Association) and the EEC (Email Experience Council), have determined that 4-6 weeks is how often a business should email to their client lists.  Too infrequently is just as much of a mistake as too often.  You want to keep yourself in their recent experience.
 
During busier times you may not have had the time or inclination to get out an email promotion, but keeping in touch with your customers is essential. If too much time goes by, they may not think of you when they're trying to think of a special gift or what to do with their new found money, but they probably will think of someone or some business that they have had contact with recently.
 
So... what can you do to stay in touch with your customers and encourge their thinking of you when they are ready to shop? Think creatively. Can you create some Viral Marketing?  Do you have an offer you can inspire people to pass on?  Can you create a game they can participate in that makes them laugh or gets them so excited about the prize that they have to spread the word? Even a coupon (in your emails or on paper) can cause people to want to share the wealth.  Make it really enticing. Consider increasing the coupon discount for multiple purchases. For example, save $25.00 on a $100.00 or more purchase, save $50.00 on a $150.00 or more purchase and save $100.00 on a $200.00 or more purchase!
 
Can you Joint Venture with neighboring businesses, each giving the customer a discount or small freebie when they come from the other establishment?
 
Well, I hope I've inspired a little creative thinking. If you take some time to think in new ways, you may be surprised with the creative, and successful, ideas you can come up with!