How to Magnetize Your Business

Do you ever wonder how some businesses always seem to be doing so much business? And how they seem to do all that business without really trying that hard? Most of us would like to have business come to us, rather than chasing it. Think of a magnet ? pulling business towards your company, effortlessly and naturally. Sounds good, right? But how do you actually become a company like that? Here are some ways.

1. Have a clear vision. What do you want your company to be? Lasting companies have a large vision that can be true now or 100 years from now. While the vision always remains the same, these companies can adapt their products and services to fit what is profitable in the current market. That's why these companies are more successful than their competition that focuses on a specific product or service. If your company has a clear vision, it will stand out, since very few companies have one. Good examples of successful companies with a clear vision are: Walt Disney (to make people happy) and Merck (to preserve and improve human life).

2. Make sure everyone in your company buys into that vision. Every person in your company should agree with and be able to articulate that vision. Each person should also understand his/her role in that vision.

3. Be special. Your company should have a niche that lets you stand out from the crowd. Again, everyone in your company should be able to articulate it, whether at work or in casual conversation with family and friends.

4. Treat your employees well. Great employees make a business. Offer great benefits, training, recognition and feedback. Not only do happy employees help your profits increase, but they also help you develop a great reputation as an employer, so that more great employees want to work for you.

5. Help out your community. Every employee should take part in this in some way, even if it is during work hours. Volunteering for worthy causes, getting involved in business organizations and mentoring programs are all great ways to give back to your community. At the same time, you and your employees become ambassadors for your business, developing goodwill and potential business, through word of mouth and even free publicity.

6. Become an "of course". By being well-known and the best in your line of business, when people are in need of services that your company provides, it will always at least be on their short list. Part of that is being everywhere. When someone is in need of services that your company provides, your name should always be on their mind. The way to do that could be through local and national media, at meetings, through community service, newsletters, or word of mouth.

7. Present a positive image. Every contact with your business should be positive, from the way people dress to the cleanliness of the counters in a retail location. It also means that all of your written materials, including business cards, letterhead and brochures look professional. Finally, it means that any front line customer contact is handled professionally, especially people who answer the phone at your office or greet people at the door.

8. Build and protect your reputation. You can do this by not gossiping and not lying. Don't forget that even one negative experience with a customer can do irrevocable damage to your business.

9. Treat your customers like you would like to be treated, and then go 100% beyond that. It makes financial sense. Did you know that it costs five times more to gain a new customer than to keep one? Consider implementing a secret shopper system to evaluate service, and reward employees for great service, too.

10. Talk with your customers. Speak with your customers regularly, through surveys, Advisory Boards, complaint hotlines. Thank them for their business, regularly. Keep them updated through regular mailings. Your current customers will help keep you in business, help you become aware of problems, and will refer business to you.

When these steps come together, your company becomes a magnet. Your customers and potential customers will know that you are special and will want to do business with you. So, get ready to pull more customers and profits your way!

Margie Fisher is President of Margie Fisher Public Relations. Learn more about her Pay for Results Publicity Program? and her free biweekly PRactical P.R. newsletter at http://www.margiefisher.com

In The News:


pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


How to Win a Price War

Any economics student can tell you that price is a... Read More

20 Power Marketing Tips

Use these powerful yet simple tips from the national best-seller,... Read More

Produce More Sales from your Email Promotions - Part 2

Do sales come from your ezine regularly? How many well-written... Read More

Direct Marketing Puts Information In The Buyer?s Hands

Direct marketing is advertising from a manufacturer or front-end supplier... Read More

Marketing to Hispanics/Latinos

A powerful consumer market with annual spending power exceeding $350... Read More

Do You Know Where Your Marketing Dollars Are Going?

We all know the importance of marketing to increase sales... Read More

10 Awesome Ways To Attract More Orders

1. Create a free ebook directory on a specific topic... Read More

Marketing And Patience

"Get your positioning and your programs implemented properly, and the... Read More

How to Avoid Giving Away Free Consulting

After spending 30 minutes in a coffee shop with a... Read More

Promotions for Mobile Detailers

Mobile businesses are quite unique in the way they must... Read More

Packaging Trends You Cannot Overlook (Part #2)

Part #26) Food safety is becoming paramount.What this means to... Read More

Receiving a Brochure Printing Quote

Brochures are a great way to get your message across.... Read More

10 Steps To Getting Paid For Your Marketing Materials

How many times have you heard the same sound bites... Read More

A Look at Brochure Printing Services

A brochure can be a wonderful promotional tool for a... Read More

The Marketing Plan and the Four P?s

The Marketing Plan section of the business plan demonstrates how... Read More

Listen To What The Marketing Experts Say

But more importantly, watch what they do. If you do... Read More

What You Need in Your Marketing Calendar

Marketing calendars are used by many businesses to help keep... Read More

Maximize Your Lead Generation Efforts by Recycling Your Leads

The basic lead generation process is pretty much the same... Read More

Your 30 Second Commercial

This tip is so simple, that many people we've talked... Read More

Learn How to Market Your eBusiness in Real Time: Dissect, Study, Emulate

Everything you will ever need to know about internet marketing... Read More

Tackle a Newsletter and Come Out On Top

Unlike any other marketing vehicle, newsletters give you the opportunity... Read More

The Secret to Adding Credibility to Your Business ? Testimonials!

You may not realize it, but you already have a... Read More

Wooing Women With Packaging

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

Why Most Marketing Videos Dont Work

Every now and then I will meet someone who has... Read More

When The Stars Align - Choosing the Right Entertainment

Savvy event producers follow the Golden Rule: know thy audience.... Read More

Blowing Your Own Horn

Opportunity Assistance Business Resource Center At first you must think... Read More

How To Start With Absolutely Nothing And Create Wealth online in 30 days or less.

Without a doubt, if you asked me, Shane if there... Read More

Unique Selling Proposition - Your Competitive Advantage!

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

How To Market A Seminar

Have you ever left a seminar thinking: "I could have... Read More

Using Direct Mail

The advantages of using direct mail to promote your home-based... Read More

Marketing On The Cheap: Speak Out!

No matter what business you are in, you probably have... Read More

Dramatically Improve Your Marketing Results With These 6 Simple Steps

What if there were things you could start doing now... Read More

Attracting Clients With Incremental Marketing

Do you ask prospective clients to go too far?Must your... Read More