Customers Are Like Vampires

No, customers aren't bloodsuckers (well, maybe a few are!) and they don't come out only at night. According to legend, vampires don't come in until they are invited. And that's true of customers, too.

You may think you've invited your customers. After all, you put up signs identifying your store, got a web site, placed ads, sent press releases, networked, put out fliers, etc.

Those things can let your customers know you exist, but to be effective they should include invitations to customers. That doesn't mean sending actual invitations, it means creating a reason for them to come, and communicating that reason to them. We're talking about giving customers a 'call to action'.

First, make sure you know what you want them to do. Do you want them to contact you for more information, pay a visit, make a first purchase, make larger or more frequent purchases? Once you know what results you want, you can tailor a call to action which inspires that reaction.

Are you trying to build traffic at your physical or online location? Your communication might focus more on reasons for people to visit, and less on buying.

Have traffic that you're trying to convert to sales? Encourage them to make a purchase by offering a limited-time discount, or something free with a purchase. Offer a guarantee.

Want business from customers you haven't seen in a while? Entice them. Let them know what's new. A hair salon changed ownership, and there were problems. Most of the stylists left, service was spotty, and lots of customers quit using them, including me. I got a postcard inviting me to come back and see the changes they made. While not saying, 'Yeah, we stunk, but now we're better,' they told about their new amenities and offered me a special price on my next visit. I went, and was impressed. I'll go back. They recovered a lost customer by inviting me to come back.

Here are a few more examples of calls to action:

Hold an event, such as an open house, seminar or product demonstration, to encourage people to come at a specific time.

Send out coupons with an expiration date to create a sense of urgency.

Give something away to people who visit or contact you.

Institute a frequent buyer club. For example, after I get my dog groomed six times, the seventh groom is free. It keeps me coming back to the same place.

Encourage customers to invite their friends to do business with you. After all, an invitation from a trusted friend is great incentive. Reward both the customer and the friend--give them each a small gift, or have special 'two-fer' pricing giving a discount.

Don't leave your customers wandering around aimlessly--invite them in!

Copyright Cathy Stucker. As the Idea Lady, Cathy Stucker can help you attract customers and make yourself famous with inexpensive and free marketing ideas. Get free marketing tips, articles and more at http://www.IdeaLady.com/.

---

5 Tips to Grow Your Business Globally

Entering into Global markets is a great way to organically... Read More

Using Purchased Leads

A little advice about using leads that you purchase from... Read More

Making Your Mark With The Millennials

Generation Y--The second-largest crop of young people in America's history,... Read More

Loyalty Cards ? Tips To Consider Before Committing To One

Loyalty marketing has been around for as long as retailing... Read More

Wooing Women With Packaging

In just one month three California vineyards have introduced new... Read More

Another Commercial? Dont Touch That Dial! Watch & Learn

When commercials come on the television do you get up... Read More

Three Simple Keys Will Make Your Customers Stick

Do you spend a lot of time and energy courting... Read More

Print Marketing Campaign, Whats Important and Whats Not!

Every company searches to lure customers to their product. Unless... Read More

Top 10 Benefits of Hiring a Marketing Writer to Write Your Marketing Materials

1. It costs less to delegate to a professional than... Read More

Why You Buy

Behavioral economics is a new science that sheds light on... Read More

Why Surveying Matters

What is the single most important thing you can do... Read More

Loan Officer Marketing ? How Branding Shapes Your Prospects Perceptions

Social scientists have proven that people experience what they come... Read More

3 Simple Selling Tactics

The following 3 simple selling tactics produce sales by responding... Read More

Bridging the Chasm from Lead to Loyal Customer

Bridging the Chasm from Lead to Loyal Customer: A Step... Read More

Growing Your Brand Assets

Okay. Raise your hand if you think brand management is... Read More

7 Marketing Lessons I Learned From the Muscleheads at Golds Gym

Can I share a secret with you?I love working out.... Read More

How to Conduct a Successful Fax Marketing Campaign

1. Focus your fax marketing on one objectiveFax is a... Read More

Why Your Business Need a Website

Web Presence gives your business a distince edge over your... Read More

Customizing Booklets By Industry or By Company

Customizing booklets can be done by industry or by company."110... Read More

8 Proven Ways to Get Referrals

Do you find it hard to ask for referrals? I... Read More

Fundraising Letter Envelopes: How To Make Them Irresistible

Readers spend only a few seconds deciding the fate of... Read More

Growing Your Business With Your Marketing Priorities

None of us have enough time in the day to... Read More

How to Tie a Tie and How To Kiss - What Do They Have In Common?

How to Tie a Tie and How To Kiss -... Read More

Web Site Marketing Strategy: 8 Ways To Increase The Perceived Value Of Your Freebies

It is a well known web site marketing strategy: To... Read More

Standing Above The Crowd

In today's highly competitive business environment it is critical to... Read More

Misrepresentation - Through Silence!

We're back to the subject of ethics, more specifically, business... Read More

Five Mistakes Absolutely Guaranteed to Drive Away Your Best Clients

We all work hard to attract even one paying client.... Read More

Have Something Good To Say

If you don't get this right, you can just forget... Read More

Marketing Success Defined

How do you personally define success? High income? Substantial net... Read More

How Do I Define My Market?

Your market is who you want to reach. Your customer.... Read More

10 Proven Ways To Accelerate Your Profits

1. Make copies of your web site in many different... Read More

Your Marketing Message

Your message is first among your weapons in the battle... Read More

Network Your Way to Success- 12 Tips to Jumpstart Your Business

Lots of people network but few reap the rewards of... Read More