Utilizing Your Best Hidden Asset To Increase Sales

You probably already have in your possession one of the most valuable and powerful assets you can possibly own. But if you're like most business people you probably aren't using it to its full potential.

It's very easy to tap into its power -- and it is very powerful. What could this valuable asset possibly be?

Your mailing list. (You do have one don't you?)

Your mailing list is a surefire way to get repeat business and to bring in new customers but only if you're using it. Don't worry if your list isn't in a usable form yet. You may be further along than you realize and using these 6 tips will make the task easier:

1. Determine what information you already have. You probably already have more mailing data than you realize. Start with your invoicing and sales records. Do you have a stack of business cards lying around that you've collected at networking events?

2. Gather more names and addresses. With so many privacy concerns these days people are not as willing as they once were to give out personal information. But often they are more than willing to complete a form if they think they might win a contest or get something for free. Are you a member of your chamber of commerce or some other networking group? You can often get their membership lists for free or a nominal fee. You can also buy lists of people who have bought products and services similar to yours.

3. Give something away to say thanks. Your customers and prospects will expect something in return for giving you their information. It can be anything of perceived value. Free reports. Coffee mugs, t-shirts, pens one of your products or discount coupons. A candle retailer I know holds a drawing for one of their most popular candle scents every month and their customers are eager for a chance to win and gladly provide their mailing information.

4. Keep track with a database. Once you've gathered the information you need, put it into a contact database where you can easily access the info and create mailing labels. Include additional information such as birthdays, anniversaries, special interests and needs. A bed and breakfast owner uses upcoming anniversaries as an opportunity to send a greeting card and an invitation to come back to the inn to celebrate.

5. Brainstorm ideas for using your list. Newsletters. Postcards. Coupons. Thank you notes. Greeting cards. Flyers. There are hundreds of ways to stay in touch.

6. Use your list. There is a lot of advertising clutter out there. All the more reason to keep your name forefront in your customer's minds so they remember you when they're ready to buy. This means sending continual reminders. Mail something to your list at least once each quarter or more often if your budget allows.

(If you want to do your own marketing but could use the help of a patient teacher to get you started in the right direction, connect with Marty Marsh at http://www.martymarsh.com. His Marketing Mastery TeleClass program can have you successfully marketing your small business in as little as one hour a week.)

---

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

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

Top 10 Marketing Pitfalls

Ten Marketing Pitfalls By Stuart ReidIf you want to make... Read More

Good Marketing is Like a Bad Habit

You know those bad habits we get. Like raiding the... Read More

Creating Your Own Lead Capture Pages

Having a downline can be golden. A downline is a... Read More

How to Use Business Cards to Network and Market Your Business

You've had one thousand of the finest, most eye-catching business... Read More

The Top Ten Ways to Get Beyond Networking And Generate Cash-Building Exposure

Gain the exposure you need to succeed with these ten... Read More

What Does Your Business Card Say About You? - Making A Great First Impression!

Interesting article in USA Today that I read this week... Read More

Postcard Mania

Will postcards be an advantage for you?The latest craze these... Read More

Using Flyers In Your Business

If you are not using flyers in your business you... Read More

Six Secrets to Creating Successful Tourism Marketing, Websites, Ads, Tradeshow Booths, & More

If you want to substantially increase your tourism prospects and... Read More

Want to Increase Your Business? First You Need to Understand where You are at!

Are you having trouble understanding basic situational marekting concepts? Then... Read More

The Exiler

THE EXILER (your search for true brand attributes ends here!)With... Read More

Freebie Seekers? Turn Them Into Clients and Referrers - or Turn them Far, Far Away

Many service business owners these days are "giving away" their... Read More

Choosing Networking Functions

Time is a concern for all of us. We only... Read More

Trade Show Videos Need to be Planned

A few months ago, we attended the recent Austech 2005... Read More

Connect to Your Customers with Superb Sales Letters

In the age of e-newsletters and e-mail, you may not... Read More

The M-Word

It was a real eye-opener to hear the perceptions people... Read More

10 Tips to Grow Your Business Plain & Simple

"Try not to become a man of success but rather... Read More

Unique Selling Proposition - Your Competitive Advantage!

To capture a larger market share and be viable, sustainable... Read More

Unique Marketing Ideas That Generate Cash!

First of all - keep in touch with your customers!... Read More

Are Your Brochures Worth The Paper Theyre Printed On?

Brochures are one of the oldest marketing weapons in the... Read More

5 Steps to Success: A Surefire Way to Achieve Your Goals

No doubt you started this year with some big ideas... Read More

Wooing Women With Packaging

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

Motivating Shoppers with Online Coupons (Part 2 of 2)

Last time we discussed how online coupons and promotion codes... Read More

21 Must-Have Web Site Elements

Your Web site should be the cornerstone of your client... Read More

Seven Common Marketing Problems Solved by Marketing Operations

Corporate marketing groups - especially bandwidth-challenged small-to-mid-sized departments - can... Read More

Advertising Your Private Practice: Beware of the Problems-Part 1

One of the biggest mistakes coaches, counselors and other healing... Read More

Keeping Your Mailing List Clean and Efficient

Your mailing list retains its value best if... Read More

Marketing - The One Marketeer

I'm regularly asked to speak to people, that have either... Read More

Is It Time To Revisit Your Marketing Strategy?

Small & Mid Sized Business owners, have you revisited your... Read More

Secrets of Trade Show Success

The ropers at Annie Oakley's Real Western Dudette Ranch were... Read More

A Perfect Partnership for Business

Too often we small business owners get caught up in... Read More

The Power of Thank You

Sometimes we loose site of the small things in life... Read More