Client referral incentives and testimonials can be a valuable and inexpensive way to build your business.
EVERY SMALL-BUSINESS owner knows that one way to inexpensively build a client base is to get referrals from satisfied clients. But how do you induce existing clients to refer new ones to you?
You should just ask. Business and marketing consultant Pinny Cohen in Fairlawn, N.J., points out that the people his clients refer tend to "match that client in outlook and perspective, so when a good client refers people, they are usually good clients. Make sure the person you're asking a referral from is your all-star client."
Some firms reward both the existing and the new customer. VoicePulse, a Voice over Internet protocol service provider, offers existing customers the opportunity to send an e-mail to their contacts with a referral code. If the referred person signs up for service, both customers get a credit to their accounts.
Other small-business owners offer gift certificates for items clients would enjoy- think house cleaning services, chocolates, flowers, spa days, theater tickets and the like.
Finally, don't forget one old-school incentive: a straightforward thank you.
"It sounds simple, but a handwritten thank you goes a long way," says Alexandra Mayzler, owner of Thinking Caps Tutoring in New York. "Incentive programs, especially in service industries, aren't always appropriate, and genuine thanks go a long way." – An excerpt from Entrepreneur Magazine
Don’t create an online presence to make money
You don't write a blog to get gigs. You don't help people out in a forum to build a freelance business. Sure, that might happen, but that's not why you do it. If you’re only in a forum or writing a blog to make money, eventually you will simply drop out or off line because your heart isn't in it.
An online presence doesn't take cash to create. It takes heart and energy and caring, which are scarce but renewable resources. As a result, many people are able to spend them without seeking anything external in return. Even better, the act of generosity, of giving without expectation, makes it easier to do art, to create work that matters on its own.
Online interaction is more like playing Santa. Santa flies around the world, giving stuff away, and for what? He earns gratitude, trust and friendship, that's what. Sure, one day he might decide to license his image or try to sell you something. But right here, right now, gratitude, trust and friendship are plenty. Especially if you enjoy doing what you're doing.
(an adaption of Seth Godin’s Blog..more on Seth and his marketing insights can be found at www.sethgodin.typepad.com)
This email is a courtesy of your friends @ 95North Marketing and Design
Know of a business that could use some great marketing? Drop us a line @ Referrals
Prefer not to receive these emails in the future: unsubscribe here
An online presence doesn't take cash to create. It takes heart and energy and caring, which are scarce but renewable resources. As a result, many people are able to spend them without seeking anything external in return. Even better, the act of generosity, of giving without expectation, makes it easier to do art, to create work that matters on its own.
Online interaction is more like playing Santa. Santa flies around the world, giving stuff away, and for what? He earns gratitude, trust and friendship, that's what. Sure, one day he might decide to license his image or try to sell you something. But right here, right now, gratitude, trust and friendship are plenty. Especially if you enjoy doing what you're doing.
(an adaption of Seth Godin’s Blog..more on Seth and his marketing insights can be found at www.sethgodin.typepad.com)
This email is a courtesy of your friends @ 95North Marketing and Design
Know of a business that could use some great marketing? Drop us a line @ Referrals
Prefer not to receive these emails in the future: unsubscribe here
We Can do It!
Too often, it seems, this attitude is missing from teams, organizations or the community.It's missing because people are quick to opt out of the 'we' part. "What do you mean, we?" they ask. It's so easy to not be part of we, so easy to make it someone else's problem, so easy to not to take responsibility as a member of whatever tribe you're part of.
Sometimes it's missing because people disagree about what 'it' is. If you don't know what you're after, it's unlikely you're going to find it.
And it's missing because people confuse cynicism with realism, and are afraid to say "can". They'd rather say 'might' or even 'probably won't'.
Just about everything worth doing is worth doing because it's important and because the odds are against you. If they weren't, then anyone could do it, so don't bother.
Product launches, innovations and initiatives by any organization work better when the key people agree on the goal, believe that they can achieve it and that the plan will work.
Do we have a cynicism shortage? Unlikely.
Successful people rarely confuse a can-do attitude with a smart plan. But they realize that one without the other is unlikely to get you very far.
Count me in. Let's go. - this post courtesy Seth Godin
Sometimes it's missing because people disagree about what 'it' is. If you don't know what you're after, it's unlikely you're going to find it.
And it's missing because people confuse cynicism with realism, and are afraid to say "can". They'd rather say 'might' or even 'probably won't'.
Just about everything worth doing is worth doing because it's important and because the odds are against you. If they weren't, then anyone could do it, so don't bother.
Product launches, innovations and initiatives by any organization work better when the key people agree on the goal, believe that they can achieve it and that the plan will work.
Do we have a cynicism shortage? Unlikely.
Successful people rarely confuse a can-do attitude with a smart plan. But they realize that one without the other is unlikely to get you very far.
Count me in. Let's go. - this post courtesy Seth Godin
Don't Be Afraid of Bad Ideas
Many people are petrified of bad ideas, especially ideas that might make them look stupid or waste time and money. The problem is that you can't have good ideas unless you're willing to generate a few of bad ones in return.
People who at least try their new ideas - knowing full well that they might fail - succeed far more often than people who have no ideas at all.
Someone asked me where I get all my good ideas, explaining that it takes him a month or two to come up with just one. I asked him how many bad ideas he has every month. He paused and said, "none."
And there, you see, is the problem.
-an excerpt of a recent post from Seth Godin -
This email is a courtesy of your friends @ 95North Marketing and Design
Know of a business that could use some great marketing? Drop us a line @ Referrals
Prefer not to receive these emails in the future: unsubscribe here
Christmas gift suggestions
Some gift suggestions, courtesy of writer Oren Arnold (1900-1980)
To your enemy, forgiveness.
To an opponent, tolerance.
To a friend, your heart.
To a customer, service.
To all, charity.
To every child, a good example.
To yourself, respect.
To an opponent, tolerance.
To a friend, your heart.
To a customer, service.
To all, charity.
To every child, a good example.
To yourself, respect.
The team at 95 North wishes you a safe and healthy holiday season
and a successful New Year!
Those "try a taste" people get it!
Ideas that spread WIN, and FREE spreads better than paid.
If you give your buyers "a free taste" - ala the "try a taste" food sample people at your local supermarket- then they will feel better about buying the whole product, and then they'll tell their friends about it too!
So give them a taste with FREE, convince them with GREAT (your great product or service), let them spread the word, and ............. you'll WIN!! And the only price you paid was a bit sized sample!
If you give your buyers "a free taste" - ala the "try a taste" food sample people at your local supermarket- then they will feel better about buying the whole product, and then they'll tell their friends about it too!
So give them a taste with FREE, convince them with GREAT (your great product or service), let them spread the word, and ............. you'll WIN!! And the only price you paid was a bit sized sample!
Want to make your product VIRAL?
First: Make a GOOD product.
Only after you have made a good product or can offer a service that a group of people desperately need will your name, your message and your product GO VIRAL! The people who love it will make it viral for you because they love it and pass it on! You can't set out and say " I want to make something viral, you need the product first!
Only after you have made a good product or can offer a service that a group of people desperately need will your name, your message and your product GO VIRAL! The people who love it will make it viral for you because they love it and pass it on! You can't set out and say " I want to make something viral, you need the product first!
Social Media is the new Punk Rock!
This is a really cool video comparing the emergence of punk in the 70's to that of social media in 2009. Even if your not into The Clash or The Ramonoes, this will give you better understanding of social media.
The ad game has changed!
Here's a funny "skit" on how the consumer has tuned out advertisers that constantly bombard them with wasted messaging. The lesson: For any business to be successful these days, they must build a dialogue and a relationship with each consumer.
One "Dissed" Customer Is ONE Too Many!
While Dave Carroll (Sons of Maxwell guitarist) was flying from Nova Scotia to Nebraska, he had his Taylor guitar ruined. When he approached United Airlines to pay for the damage, he was shunned by 3 different customer service agents. So Carroll struck back about the customer-service fiasco. The point: One lapse in customer service judgement can result in four million customers hearing about your bad customer service on YouTube.
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