So the other day we discussed how being creative and unique will allow your business to stand out in the crowd.
Well today I’m going to go over 8 different ways that you can do it – even if you are on a shoe string budget!
So let’s start off by getting those creative juices flowing!
When looking at each scenario, I want you to think about each of them for a minute, and then figure out a way to personalize it in order to suite your business needs.
Ready? Well then let’s go!
Creative Way # 1: What Crazy Stunts Could You Do To Get Some FREE PR?
What type of challenge could you post in your area or online.
Perhaps something like: “Give me 30 days and I will change your life, your business, your appearance, etc.”
Things like this will attract customers and draw attention to yourself and your business and guess what… the media will love you!
The important thing to do is make sure that you follow through with results to get additional coverage on the updates!
Creative Way # 2: What’s Your Stadium Pitch?
Imagine this: You have been given the chance to do a 60 second presentation to 50,000 people in a stadium.
Just as you walk out to start the presentation… they announce that people don’t have to stay if they don’t want to.
What would you say in that 15 seconds that would make them want to listen and stay?
What could you say in 60 seconds to convince them that your company is the only alternative and they’d be crazy not to build a relationship with you?
Think about it and find a smaller crowd that you can use this on!
It’s always best to be prepared.
You never know when you’ll have your chance to “shine”.
Creative Way # 3: Think About The Lifetime Value Of Your Clients
When they are first introduced to you, they are buying into a relationship with you… they were NOT buying your service or product, so it’s important that you continue to nurture that relationship.
So my question is are you investing in your relationships with your clients?
If you treat them right and make them feel like family your clients will come back, buy more, and buy more often.
In today’s cold, impersonal business world, be the one that treats them like family.
So believe it or not, this would actually be considered “unique and outrageous” because most business owners don’t do this anymore.
Creative Way # 4: Find A Way To Build A Payment Plan For Your Business
If you have a one-time purchase of your product then find something that you can offer to your clients to have them come back more often.
Perhaps you can offer them a monthly review or ‘tune-up’, or a re-design service several times a year?
In other words, rather than waiting for them to come in offer them a reminder service and a monthly enticement to come back to you.
Perhaps you can design a new service or product that you can offer that will allow you to bill them monthly, or quarterly versus just once a year.
Up to fifty percent if not more of your clients will take this option and in the end what would it add to your bottom line?
Creative Way # 5: Create Joint Ventures
It’s always a win-win situation when you can create a joint venture with other related businesses, especially ones that deals with the same target market that you do.
Explain to them that you will send them extra business if they give your clients an incentive to buy.
This could be something as simple as a coupons, discounts, bonuses, etc. The possibilities and opportunities are endless!
You can create a booklet that you will give out to your clients with all these discounts.
For every discount coupon they use – that supplier is to pay you x dollars for the new client you brought them.
This is a great strategy for small business owners to connect with other client markets.
And if you operate online you can create affiliate links and link to each other’s products and/or websites.
Overall it’s a great business strategy and a win-win for the client and both business owner’s too!
Creative Way # 6: Send Out A Newsletter
On a weekly or monthly basis, be sure to send out a newsletter with some tips, humor and most importantly, some specials offers.
On the days when it is going to rain – send out an urgent bulletin – rainy day special!
Offer them a deal to come down, brave the rain and get a deal on lunch.
You can also set your business up a Facebook Fanpage and encourage your local ‘fans’ to sign up for your newsletter and receive coupons.
There are several different ways you can cross market and advertise your business to your clients.
Get those juices flowing…
Creative Way # 7: Make Doing Business With You More Exclusive
What do I mean by this? Try working on a referral-only basis.
Some professionals I know will not do business with you unless one of their present clients has recommended you and even then you need to pass the approval process.
Depending on the type of business you have, this can produce a stream of consistent clientele and you’ll probably be a much happier business owner.
Creative Way # 8: Take Away The Risk Of Working With You
Make it so that your clients come out so far ahead by dealing with you, they would be foolish not to.
In the end, even if they decide that your service or product is not for them, they still come out of the deal with the a refund and many bonuses that they never had before dealing with you.
The less risk they must take and the longer the guarantee, the fewer number of returns and complaints – this is a fact!
Be sure to modify this as needed because in order to see if they will work, you’re going to least need to try them out to see which one’s work for you.
In trying to come up with a strategy and plan for marketing your business, be sure to always think creatively and try to be unique in your thought process.
People will begin to notice that you do things differently, and will want to know more about you and what you do, and there’s no doubt you’ll bottom line will see the difference!
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Have an awesome day!
Pam Lawhorne
Hi Pam,
I like your list, well done
#8 resonates with me. Give, give and give some more. Add immense value to a person’s life by giving freely and you can’t help but to prosper your client.
As you said, make your client come out so far ahead that working with you is a no-brainer. The simple formula “the more you give the more you get” works quite well when you fully believe in the statement.
It’s all about being creative. You might receive inspirational ideas from fellow online entrepreneurs but it’s the little twists you put on these ideas that makes all the difference. Be innovative and by all means, never be afraid to fail. Don’t stifle your creativity!
Thanks for sharing your insight Pam.
RB
Hey Ryan!
Thanks for dropping by my little area of the internet!
I agree with you wholeheartedly! In order to increase my traffic, I’ve been investing a lot of time into putting quality content on my blog but the real payoff has been all of the wonderful people I have met like you that have somehow wandered over to hear what I had to say! ;o)
One of the things I love most about social marketing is that it forces people to work more on their ‘relationship and networking’ skills vs ‘their selling and promotional skills’. So the give (with no expectations) and you shall receive greater has definitely worked in this instance for me!
Good to be in contact with you. Will be spending a little time over in your area of the world this weekend!
Pam
Sounds great Pam
Bundle up, it’s pretty cold here!
Hi Pam,
I love your blog.Here is a tool that can be used by any kind of Business, on line and off. You may want to offer it with the rest of your Tools.
Thanks and GOD BLESS!
Michael Kouloukas
919-344-2553
email mkgold4u@gmail.com
Hi Michael!
Thanks so much for this information. I will certainly take a look and see if it’s something I can use. I appreciate you taking your time to post.
Have an awesome weekend!
Pam
Hi Pam – Great list you have come up with here! I think most people miss it when it comes to #3 on your list.
We are all looking for that person to “buy” our product or service, and often we forget about developing a relationship.
A relationship will keep that person coming back for more, rather than just the “one-time” sale.
Plus that relationship has often helped me to get “better” at what I do in finding out what my customers really want and need and then develop products and services tailored to their needs.
Thanks again for sharing!
~ Donnie
Hey Donnie!
Relationship marketing is a huge part of what I do. Most people don’t realize it but that’s really the the basic foundation of what social marketing is built on.
We are in a new era where people do not want to be sold. They want to be educated and then allowed to make a decision based on the information that’s been provided to them and how comfortable they feel with the person who provided it to them.
The tables have turned and the good thing is that this will allow people who practice business building principles the “good old fashioned way” to prevail because they recognize the importance of taking care of the customer first!
Thanks for dropping by!
Pam
Hi Pam,
This is a great article. Offering a service is about offering an experience. It is the best way to keep having clients coming back for more. Clients need support, by building a relationship with them, and giving them more then expected, their become your best PR.
Thank you for sharing these tips.
Hi Christine!
Thanks so much for the positive feedback! Everything I teach is about building relationships. Establishing a relationship up front with your clients ensures that you will be able to keep them coming back (and referring others) for a very long time!
BTW – Nice site!
Pam
Thanks!! ! I came across this post by way of JK the Hustler. Luckily I was perusing his twitter page. I am currently working on a fall campaign. These ideas reinterate my current ideas as well as offer new ones. Thanks a million. What a valuable post.
You are welcome. Be sure to check out Part 1 of Creative Ways To Market Your Business.
BTW – Great site! ;o)
Pam
“Send out a weekly or monthly newsletter with some tips, humor and most importantly, some specials offers.”
Do people still read email newsletters?
Yes. They do and I agree. Make it informative… not just a big ole’ sales pitch! ;o)
Thanks for the feedback!
Pam