Conpoto’s Community Currency Technology makes it easy for local merchants to market themselves, with local currency programs managed by Chambers of Commerce. At Conpoto, we’re always thinking about building and growing business. Here are five of our favorite kick starters to add to your marketing mix.
1. Don’t just be online. Be active. Be engaging.
Your neighbor’s dog has a Twitter following. Your kid’s lemonade stand has a website. If your business doesn’t have an active Internet strategy, you’re lost.
Start with a blog. According to a Social Media Today story, 61% of U.S. consumers have bought something based on a blog post. Consider your ideal consumer or consumers and craft a list of how they might search for news and information about your business. Then build keywords (those little strings of words that we type into search engines to find answers) around those actions. Does your business make gourmet cupcakes? Then you’ll want to consider keywords around special occasions, holidays and indulgences.
Once you have your keywords, start blogging. But be careful not to litter your copy with keywords gratuitously. Always think of your target audience and write to attract them. If you fill your paragraphs with hype and promotional language, you’ll only attract vendors. Write from the consumers’ perspective, providing them great solutions to their needs, wants and questions, and you’ll attract customers.
2. Win business with treats.
Sending little gifts or free samples to prospective clients/customers is not a new idea. But you can do it in a new way with a service like community currency or gift programs managed by your Chamber of Commerce and powered by Conpoto. Send that hot prospect chamber cash to visit a favorite local baker or bar, and you’ll build good will that will make them more receptive to your killer sales pitch.
3. Get free advertising from happy clients.
Don’t get so bent on getting new clients that you neglect your current ones. Attention to detail, responsive service and a few words of appreciation (along with free baked goods or a local artisan brew, see #2) can mean positive word of mouth for your business.
According to Harvard Business School, increasing customer retention rates by 5 percent increases profits by 25 percent to 95 percent. Happy clients, happy CFO.
4. Use the buddy system.
Forming alliances with businesses similar to yours can help your company expand. Gourmet mustard entrepreneur meet handmade German pretzel guy. Cake whiz… meet wedding planner. In business, loners are losers.
5. Be a good citizen.
Support the community(ies) your business serves. Supporting charitable and community events (the Independence Day parade, the local high school’s musical) creates good will (and good profits) for your business, too.
