Tag: marketing

  • Whatever Happened to Customer Service?

    [ad_1]

    In the old movie, Miracle on 34th Street, the Macy’s Santa sends customers to rival store Gimbels for products that Macy’s does not have. After a management outcry, it then turns out that customers really appreciate this service and become more loyal to Macy’s than ever before.

    Retailers today have forgotten that lesson. Everybody is looking to cut costs. Customer service is no longer considered a revenue generator, so it’s one of the first things on the chopping block when a retailer starts tightening its belt.

    Good customer service is good business. It creates repeat customers. Repeat customers are what every retailer wants because it is far less expensive from a marketing standpoint to sell to a former customer than to bring in new customers.

    Retailers no longer know what makes “good” customer service. The general feeling is that if the product leaves the store and does not come back, everything is fine. Customer service is only for the “problems” and the job of customer service is to make the problems go away at the least possible cost. The less interaction between the store and the customer, the better.

    Superior customer service demands extensive interaction between the customer and the retailer. In my Internet company we look for every possible opportunity to contact and engage the customer. Once a customer has placed an order, the company will contact them at least four times during the 4 week period between the sale and the delivery. The first contact is to acknowledge the order and thank the customer for her (or his) purchase. At that time the customer receives information about the production and delivery process and they are encouraged to call if there are any questions. A second contact is made shortly before production is complete The third contact is made when the product is actually shipped. At this time, there is a detailed description of what the delivery process will entail. There is also a tracking number provided so that the product can be tracked by the customer during the shipping process. The fourth contact is after delivery when each customer is contacted to find out whether they are happy with the product or whether some additional followup is needed.

    When we receive a request for one of our free catalogs, we send it along with a letter noting that we also offer free fabric swatches and free design advice. When an order is placed, we acknowledge the order electronically, then send an email personally thanking the customer. We notify them when the product (in our case sofas) is about to be shipped. We notify them again after it has shipped. Most important, we contact the customer after the product has been received to make sure that everything is OK and that there are no problems. In doing this, sometimes there is a minor problem that the customer might not have mentioned but which distracts from the enjoyment of the sofa — for example a cushion feels too firm. We send out free, softer replacement cushions. The result is that instead of having a silent but disappointed customer, we now have a very happy buyer who enthusiastically recommends us to friends and family. The cost of the extra cushions is a marketing cost.

    The secret behind outstanding customer service is simply to put yourself in the place of the customer. What would you want the company to do if you were the customer? Treat the customer the way you want to be treated.

    1. Answer telephone calls promptly. It is amazing how grateful a customer can be when they realize they are speaking with a real live knowledgeable person who can answer their questions.

    2. Respond to emails and phone messages promptly. All emails phone calls should be handled as quickly as possible, hopefully in less than one hour.

    3. Be honest. It is amazing how often salespeople feel that telling the truth gets in the way of making a sale. If a microfiber fabric already has a stain protector built in and does not need the optional spray protector, tell the customer. Once you have saved them from spending an unnecessary $50, they will trust you completely and might even be willing to forgive minor glitches that may pop up. If a sofa won’t be finished by the promised deadline, call as soon as you are aware of the problem.

    4. Under-promise — If a delivery will take 3 weeks, estimate 4. Customers are usually delighted when something is ready ahead of schedule.

    5. Maximize contact with the customer. This does not mean sending frequent ads or spam. It means keeping the customer informed of the progress of their order up to and after delivery.

    6. Be knowledgeable about your products and your company. If you don’t know the answer to a question, find out quickly.

    7. Surprise and amaze your customer — give them something they do not expect. This can be as simple as delivering your product one week eaarly, or it can involve giving an upgrade at no charge. This is particularly important when an error has been made and you are trying to correct it. Go farther than your customer expects and they will change from disgruntled critics to enthusiastic supporters.

    Retail stores have been cutting back on customer service for years. As competition grows and profit margins shrink, customer service is one of the first places to cut back. Everyone who has ever tried to call a computer company for technical assistance and winds up talking to someone from India knows the problem. Corporate bean counters forget that with good customer service you can earn better margins. You are not forced to fight over who can offer the lowest price. Besides, it’s just nicer working in a friendly environment. When you have happy customers, you have happy employees.

    [ad_2]

    Source by Jeff Frank

    Views: 0

  • Ann Sieg’s – The Renegade Network Marketer – A Review

    [ad_1]

    If you’re looking for a novel, convenient, and effective way to do network marketing, The Renegade Network Marketer from Ann Sieg may just be what you’re looking for.

    What You Won’t Do with the Renegade Network Marketing System

    Once you become a renegade network marketer, you can permanently say goodbye to all the things about network marketing that you hated. This includes but isn’t limited to nagging your family, loved ones, and strangers to take up a business opportunity they truly aren’t interested in as well as performing recruiting activities that never worked in the first place.

    With the Renegade Network Marketer from Ann Sieg, all those will simply be a fading memory of the past.

    What You Can Learn from the Renegade Network Marketing System

    You’re probably thinking that getting hold of this system would cost you money, and you’re right. But what you probably never expected is receiving so much more than what you’ve paid for. Here are just a few things you can expect to enjoy once you’ve got this system running for your network marketing business.

    Remote Control Selling

    Did you ever imagine it could be possible to use the same amount of time for selling to just one person to sell to a thousand? With the Renegade Network Marketer, remote control selling isn’t a dream but a reality. Even better, not just you but your distributors as well can make use of the system, consequently multiplying your income a hundred fold!

    Step by Step Strategy

    Didn’t you hate how so many “effective” systems couldn’t manage to effectively teach you even one simple lesson? Well, color the Renegade Network Marketer different. Knowing the difficulties that newcomers to MLM face, Ann Sieg made sure to break down her strategies for network marketing step by step. In fact, it’s so easy to understand that you can immediately pass on what you’ve learned to your downline.

    Kill Your Competition

    Network marketing is a tough nut to crack and competition can be terribly fierce. But once you become a renegade network marketer, you’ll have in your palm the key to driving your competition away…and you won’t even have to sweat for it!

    Successful Lead Generation

    Network marketing success always has its roots in profitable lead generation. It is the first and most important technique you should learn, and it’s certainly one of the major focuses of the renegade network marketing system.

    A Marketing Pipeline

    Just imagine how wonderful your life could be if all your prospects were sold on your idea even before you made a pitch. If you’re wondering how that could happen, you only have to sign up for Ann Sieg’s the Renegade Network Marketer and you’ll not only learn how it happens, but you can experience it, too!

    Make Them Believe You

    Last but most important of all, Ann Sieg uses the Renegade Network Marketer to share her best kept secret – one that every MLM associate would die to know: make your prospects believe you. Network marketing hasn’t enjoyed a positive reputation for quite some time, but don’t let that get you down. If you play by the renegade’s book, your prospects are sure to have faith in your words.

    All those are just the tip of the iceberg of what lies in store for you behind the pages of The Renegade Network Marketer.

    [ad_2]

    Source by Dave Jales

    Views: 1

  • Earn Dollars With Google AdSense

    [ad_1]

    If you want to increase your business earnings yet you do not want to be too pressured handling a new business that venture into a new industry, then trying Google AdSense is a good option for you.

    Google AdSense is a collection of links which may be posted on different sides of your website. It offers various products and services such as online games, internet products and more. When someone visits your site and clicks the advertisement, then you will earn some dollars from it.

    You have to take note that before settling for Google AdSense, your website needs to have a decent page rank. Increased traffic will help you in having higher chances in this strategy especially if the advertisement is appealing to your website’s visitors.

    Passive income is what most website owners like, especially that investing some dollars will never be required. Your Google AdSense will start to skyrocket only if you know how to do well. Unfortunately, it may not be the answer to your prayers, especially if you want to become a millionaire through your website. It may be possible to earn a lot only if you will drive excessively. So as to make it plausible and if you want to be able to do well on this aspect, then you have to work on various internet marketing strategies. Here are some free strategies you might like to look at:

    1. Write articles in various Web 2.0 sites.

    2. Exert some time doing blog and forum commenting which are on the same niche as yours.

    3. Partnered blog. Seek for a blogger who would be interested in mentioning your website.

    4. Video marketing using various platforms such as social media sites and YouTube.

    5. Social media marketing. These are free sites and are widely used by many individuals. Because of that, it can be used for marketing your website. People who are interested of your chosen niche will definitely click your website.

    What Should Not Be Done

    Google is very strict when it comes to Google AdSense. You have to make sure that you follow these guidelines:

    1. You are not allowed to click your own ad.

    2. You must not ask people to click the ad. Something like “Hey, could you do me a favor? I need you to click this link: blah… blah… blah… ”

    3. Be careful in placing your ads. Some website owners place this advertisement in areas where people may click them accidentally. Do not do that.

    4. Promote your website well. If you will ask a company, make sure that they will follow Google’s guidelines to proper promotion.

    5. Make use of Google Analytics.

    6. Ads may not be placed on websites which are prohibited by Google such as porn sites.

    7. Do not tamper the codes provided by Google.

    8. Avoid pop-ups which have no relevance to your niche.

    9. Respect Google’s trademarks.

    10. Be responsive whenever Google needs to contact you, in case your Google AdSense experienced a problem.

    Once you have finally ensured regular visitors, then more people will be able to see the Google AdSense you are trying to work on. You do not need to spend lots of dollars in order for you to be able to increase the amount of traffic your website is receiving. And basically, if you will only rely on Google AdSense, spending money for your internet marketing strategies should never be an option.

    But if it will serve as an additional earning apart from your online business, then this should not be set aside. The money you will be earning from it is still decent enough and it requires no investment. Good luck on your Google AdSense.

    [ad_2]

    Source by Hiyasmin Loong Elebaran

    Views: 0

  • How To Start Marketing Your Business

    [ad_1]

    To new business owners, starting a business is often its own reward. They are thrilled to be able to be their own bosses, and to successfully get a business up and running. Often they are happy just to keep the dream alive.

    But every business needs to grow. That doesn’t mean you have to reach out to a larger market – it means working toward increasing your share of the one you are targeting. This will keep your business healthy enough to survive obstacles such as tough economic times.

    In order to keep moving forward, we need to market our businesses constantly. We need to dedicate a certain percentage of our resources to building our brand and reaching our target market. Here are some simple things you can do to help your business grow.

    Have a clear picture of your target market.

    Find out what types of people use the products and services you provide and respond to your business philosophies. If you’re not marketing to the right people, all will be lost.

    Research, research, research.

    Determine how to best reach your target market and what they expect out of your offerings. Study your competition carefully, and make note of what they’re doing right and wrong.

    Choose your marketing channels wisely.

    If your target market rarely reads, there’s no point in advertising in a magazine. Use what you’ve learned about them to find the best possible outlets for your message, and focus your marketing efforts there.

    Give your advertising a chance.

    Studies show that consumers require repeated exposure to a product before they will even consider buying. So don’t be surprised if one ad run doesn’t bring spectacular results. If you’ve done your homework and found a viable way to reach your market, run the ad at least two more times before you evaluate the results.

    Take advantage of free publicity.

    Sending out press releases and finding other ways to attract the media will give you high-quality exposure, and it won’t eat into your budget.

    Keep track of the effectiveness of your marketing efforts.

    If what you’re doing is working, you should be generating more revenue. Use some of that revenue to do more marketing. If it isn’t working, make adjustments and try again.

    Sometimes you’ll have to take a step back with your marketing plans. But that’s not a sign you’ve failed. It’s a sign that you’re a smart marketer. Sometimes the market changes, and it’s up to us to monitor those changes and adjust our marketing plans accordingly. No successful company markets the same way forever. By evolving with our target market, we can make our marketing work better.

    [ad_2]

    Source by Jon Allo

    Views: 0

  • MLM vs. Consumer Direct Marketing Business Opportunities

    [ad_1]

    We’ve all seen them before – businesses that promise great wealth and prosperity with a minimal amount of effort. Did you know that only 1 out of every 1,000 home-based businesses last longer than 5 years? So what REALLY sets all these companies apart, and which method has the least risk for everyone?

    First, let’s take a look at a way of marketing that has gotten SO popular (and many times out-of-hand) – Multi-Level Marketing. When you think of multi-level marketing, you may think of overbearing sales people who begin by bothering their family and friends, and resort to manipulating others into buying lots of inventory. You might also imagine a get-rich-quick scheme with promises of great wealth through very little work. Finally, you may envision business schemes that lack a compelling product, but hype up the promise of big incomes.

    Now, let’s take a look at what a few companies are turning to – Consumer Direct Marketing. What’s the big difference? Well, Consumer Direct Marketing typically redirects the funds that would typically be used for advertising, multiple shipping costs, various middlemen, and several distribution channels into spending for higher quality ingredients, product innovations, and profit sharing with customers. The result of this is a new and interesting method of delivering quality, low-cost products to families around the world – and then SHARING THE INCOME with those families.

    The companies that are truly heads and tails above the rest are all turning their attentions to the important aspects of Consumer Direct Marketing. The true result is less risk for the business-builder as well as the consumer, because there are no inventories to buy, no financial risks, and no hype. EVERYONE, people referring the products, and customers alike, only buy what they need each month. And of course, anyone who refers someone else earns a commission from the purchases of the customers they refer.

    Maybe the neatest thing about this almost “laid-back” method is that the majority of customers buy each month without any interest in receiving commissions, and when you have customers that really love the products and aren’t pressured from the vast majority of MLM companies out there, that means true residual income – income that you’ll receive the rest of your life – your retirement, or your children’s college education!

    If you’re interested in a 20-year-old Consumer Direct Marketing company that might be a great opportunity for you and your family, please don’t hesitate to contact me, and I’d be happy to share my experiences with you.

    [ad_2]

    Source by Hayley Keller

    Views: 0

  • How Internet Network Marketing is Helping and Empowering Multi Level Marketing Businesses

    [ad_1]

    If you’ve been in or around the network marketing industry you’ve seen some of the consequences of doing what the old scholars have done over the years. Sure, there is plenty of empowering things about the business model and there are also somethings that some network marketer’s wouldn’t want to talk to you about.

    What happens when you send someone out with just a of names list and a few words to tell people when they come in contact with. Which have high hopes and ambition to go out and talk to people only to find out the person tells them no. After that first no it’s harder to get up and get going again to ask the next person.

    What happens when they call leads and no one answers only to find out that the leads that they purchased are old leads and they find out later that they just wasted their hard earned money for something that they thought at the time would help them in their network marketing business.

    How their up line told them that they need to come to an event or a summit when they new that they didn’t have the money to go, but went anyway just to hear the same lecture over and over the whole entire time they were there. Just to find out later that all of that was a waste of time and money. Of course they are pumped for a little while, but reality comes back quick!

    Going to weekly briefings will help them in there business if they will come and bring someone. Only to find out that every week is the same thing. Their doing “the thing”, but nothing ever happens.

    [ad_2]

    Source by Mark Colbert

    Views: 0

  • What’s The Difference Between Direct Sales And Network Marketing?

    [ad_1]

    My purpose and commitment is to really help you understand and appreciate the MLM industry. One of the things you need to know when shopping for a business opportunity that is built on the multi-level marketing format, is not only how these businesses work but which one will compliment your skill set, personality and area of expertise.

    The Difference Between Direct Sales and Network Marketing

    Direct Sales and Network Marketing are both based on the multilevel marketing business model. MLM or Multilevel simply refers to the business structure in which the compensation plan is mapped out. The Direct selling and Network marketing vehicle is the actual distribution system or the way the products are dispersed.

    With Direct Selling, the emphasis is usually on direct, person-to person product distribution, which typically involves the independent sales representatives earning a commission from the products that they sell directly to the customers.

    The usual way of getting their products out to the masses or finding customers is by hosting product parties, trunk sales, booths and etc., by way of their circle of influence. Advancing in rank is dependent upon the volume of products sold.

    In some companies you can recruit other people to hosts parties in which they would be offered a discount on the products for hosting that party and also earn free products if they sell a certain amount of merchandise.

    This is important to know if happen to be a really good sales person or if you hate the thought of selling in this way, when choosing a mlm company.

    Some examples of Direct Selling companies are:

    Avon, Natura, Vorwerk, Herbalife and Mary Kay

    Now with Network Marketing, the emphasis is on team building. Building a team of partners who are in agreement to use the company products in their household as well as share products with others outside of their network.

    You are basically the customer as well as the business owner and you are able to sponsor, support and train others who want to build a business of their own. So the importance here is on building an organization of like minded individuals who use and move product within and outside their network.

    In network marketing, you also have the flexibility to host product parties or have a booth, etc., in order to promote your products if you so choose. You are the business owner, not just a sales representative so you have the power to run your business as you see fit.

    This model is a great if you love networking, team building and training others.

    Some examples of Network Marketing companies are:

    Sisel International, Vemma, Amway and Visulas.

    Some direct sales companies also incorporate the network marketing team building model as well depending on the compensation structure, so make sure to do your research.

    Understand that the purpose of both models is product distribution, but, it’s the way the distribution happens and the way you, the marketer, gets compensated, that makes the difference.

    On a side note, steer clear of companies that don’t have a product OR they have a limited product line that offers little to no value to the public.

    End the end, the difference between direct sales and network marketing is fairly minimal. Both serve as an opportunity for the ordinary individual to build their own business, delivering quality products to the masses in a less expensive and more personal way.

    By eliminating the middle men; expensive advertisers and merchandisers, the network marketer and direct seller can create residual/ passive income from home with less time, less money and less hassle than the traditional business model.

    So Tell Me…

    Have you ever owned a network marketing or direct sales business?

    What did you like or dislike about it?

    Did you find it too challenging? If so, tell me why.

    I would love to hear from you!

    [ad_2]

    Source by April Ray

    Views: 0

  • Choosing Wealthy Clients For Your Cleaning Business

    [ad_1]

    Most people who go into the house cleaning business target the average income earning individuals as their target market. However, there are some who target the upper class, higher income earning individuals as their target market because they find more cleaning business opportunities on these.

    Whichever it may be, it is always up to you. However, just be sure that you determine which ones you wish to have as your target market so that you can employ the proper cleaning business marketing schemes and tools to your operations.

    The Benefits of Having Wealthy Clients as Your Target Market

    Every target market has their benefits and downsides, and so does having wealthy individuals as your clients. The benefits, however, are quite nice. Wealthy clients have big homes, estates, and even more than one home. They also have many properties like boats or yachts, for example. Some of them even may be in the hotel business or something of that sort. So basically, by having these people as your clients, you are opening more cleaning business opportunities for your company.

    If you do a great job in cleaning the client’s house, they may like your working style and hire you to clean their estates, their string of condos, or even their yachts. Wealthy clients are also people who own businesses rather than work as an employee. So if they like how you do things, they might even hire you to clean their offices, their buildings, etc… Also, they can refer you to their other wealthy friends and family who may also have their own string of properties that they’d like you to clean. If you do things well, your business will be growing at a rapid pace, and you’ll be hiring cleaning crews, staff, and personnel even earlier than expected.

    However, the downside of such is that their homes and other properties are expensive and costly and you have to be very careful when cleaning. Damages caused may cost you quite a hefty amount if you’re careless. And gaining access to their homes will be a lot stricter too. So if you can keep up with this, then you’ll be enjoying having a house cleaning business catering to wealthy clients.

    How to Get Wealthy People to Be Your Clients

    Basically, how to get wealthy people to be your clients is to go where the rich people are. To achieve this, the cleaning business marketing strategy is to join country clubs, exclusive clubs, and even business and other organizations. Expanding your network will get you to meet these people, but you’ll be keeping up with the expenses too. So which target market? It’s all up to you.

    [ad_2]

    Source by Janice Fowler

    Views: 0

  • Make Dry Ice Blasting Your Small Business Opportunity

    [ad_1]

    What is dry ice blasting? Dry ice blasting is a form of abrasive blasting industrial cleaning that uses a solid form of carbon dioxide known as dry ice. Pellets or ice is shot through pressurized air stream of either one hose or two hose machines.

    Which system is best? Most systems today are the single hose technology. Technology using the single hose was created by the Cold Jet company in 1986. One advantage of the single hose system is that it avoids the possible dangers of a pressurized hopper by the use of a quick cycle airlock. Another advantage of the single hose system is that it has more power and you can use a longer hose.

    Making massive money! There are many ways to make money cleaning with dry ice. Many people prefer dry ice blasting for paint removal, because it is less harsh than sand blasting. Another great business opportunity is to clean food processing equipment. Because it can decontaminate surfaces that could contain salmonella and e. Coli. Dry ice can clean without residue so the environmental protection agency prefers it to many kinds of solvent based cleaners. The aerospace industry also uses dry ice blasting to sensitive equipment like clean semiconductors. Manufacturers are also a great business opportunity because cleaning with cold can be used for maintaining their equipment and can drastically reduce their down time.

    The freeze jet is just one of several different types of dry ice blasting equipment. For around $3,000 you can usually purchase a dry ice blasting machine.

    What about safety? How safe is this type of industrial cleaning? Cleaning with cold (normal pressure is -78 c(-108 f) can be toxic if the concentration is over 1%. Asphyxia can be caused because of oxygen removal so dry ice must be used in a well ventilated area.

    Safety Equipment: Typical safety equipment will include a positive pressure blast hood or helmet. Air hoses are attached to a grade D pressurized air supply, which is mandated by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Also using ear plugs for hearing protection is part of the usual safety equipment. Body protection usually includes gloves and overalls as well as a leather coat and chaps.

    What fees can I charge? How much money can I make in this industrial cleaning business? Total typical fees can range in the $300.00 per hour range, so it can be one of the more lucrative types of industrial cleaning.

    The Benefits of Dry Ice Blasting: This type of industrial Cleaning meets EPA, USDA, and FDA guidelines. Has less clean up of the waste material. Extends the life of the equipment. Cleans more thoroughly. Reduces or eliminates equipment damage. Provides a safer cleaning environment. Is Non-polluting and environmental friendly. Can destroy and eliminate bacterial and fungal growth.

    How can I get started? You can get started with your small business by beginning with a business plan. A business plan is a formal statement of business goals, reasons they are attainable, and plans for reaching them. It may also contain background information about the organization or team attempting to reach those goals. It should also contain a good marketing plan. Then apply for small business government grants or small business loans, so you can purchase equipment.

    Having your own business can help you to end money worries. Having a business plan is essential to having a successful small business. Knowing how to market your small business for little or no money is an important key to your business success as well. Imagine how much more profit you can have when you don’t have to budget much on advertising.

    Get colossal cash from government contracts. Companies interested in selling their products and services to the federal government (the United States General Services Administration) can prepare by fulfilling applicable requirements, and registering in the appropriate systems. Companies may also participate by seeking sub-contracting opportunities with current contract holders. The General Services Administration provides and contracts for Billions of dollars’ worth of products and services for federal agencies.

    In summary dry ice blasting can be an extremely profitable business and helps with the environment as well.

    [ad_2]

    Source by Brian Mahoney

    Views: 0