| > | | | | Demonstrate a low cost for your product or service |
| Here are 7 well known, highly effective marketing | | | | bybreaking down the price to its lowest time |
| tacticsmany small business owners overlook when | | | | increment. "$325per year" frightens many customers |
| developing theirmarketing program. How many have | | | | away. "Enjoy all of thisfor less than 90 cents a day" |
| you overlooked? | | | | attracts them to the low cost. |
| 1. BE UNIQUE | | | | 5. STRESS BENEFITS BEFORE FEATURES |
| The best way to beat your competition is to | | | | A feature is what something is. A benefit is what it |
| promote adistinct advantage your customers cannot | | | | does. |
| get from acompetitor. This is often called your USP | | | | For example, my favorite donuts are now delivered |
| (short for Unique | | | | in a re-sealable box. That's a feature. The donuts |
| Selling Proposition). If you don't already have a | | | | stay fresh for aweek after I first open the box. |
| distinctadvantage, create one. Add something to your | | | | That's the benefit. Promotethe benefits of your |
| business you'renot already doing. One network | | | | product or service before you promotethe features |
| marketer I know doubled hersign up ratio by | | | | of it. People never buy something to get afeature. |
| providing free sales leads to her newdistributors for | | | | They always buy to get the benefit produced by |
| their first 4 months. | | | | thefeature. |
| 2. USE TESTIMONIALS | | | | 6. FOCUS ON THE HEADLINE |
| Collect and use testimonials. Testimonials from | | | | Always include a headline with your ad, sales letter |
| satisfiedcustomers are similar to referrals. Both | | | | orwebpage. Include your biggest benefit in the |
| provide yourprospect with evidence that your | | | | headline tograb your prospect's attention. Otherwise, |
| product or service producedresults for other | | | | many prospectivecustomers won't read your |
| customers just like them. I've performedmany tests | | | | promotional material. When youdevelop a new |
| using the same messages with and | | | | promotion, test different headlines to findthe most |
| withouttestimonials. Those with testimonials always | | | | effective one BEFORE you test anything else. |
| increasedsales, often by as much as 65% or more. | | | | Afteryou find the headline that attracts the most |
| Don't wait for satisfied customers to volunteer | | | | readers you cantest to find the most motivating |
| atestimonial. Instead, follow up with some customers | | | | copy for them to read. |
| soonafter completing a transaction. Ask what they | | | | 7. MAKE AN OFFER |
| liked bestabout your product, service or business | | | | Never advertise without including an offer. An |
| opportunity. You'llget many flattering compliments. | | | | irresistibleoffer is the number one reason why people |
| Ask for permission to usethem in your promotions. | | | | buy something. Tosubstantially increase the response |
| 3. MAKE AN UPSELLING OFFER | | | | to your advertising,substantially improve your offer. |
| Upselling is a proven technique you can use to get | | | | Many small businessesadvertise without including an |
| moremoney at the point of sale. Customers will | | | | offer. This is a costlymistake because it doesn't |
| never be morereceptive to an attractive offer from | | | | provide a reason for prospectivecustomers to |
| you than when they'repaying you money. Offer your | | | | respond. The best way to get a big responsefrom |
| customers or clients the optionto upgrade to a | | | | your advertising is to make an offer your |
| better product or service at a specialprice. Or, offer | | | | prospectscan't refuse. |
| the option of adding a related item to thesale for a | | | | Are you using all 7 of these tactics in your |
| special combination price. Many will accept youroffer. | | | | promotions? Ifnot, revise your marketing program to |
| An upselling offer can increase your average sale by | | | | include those you'veoverlooked. You'll immediately |
| 30 percent or more without creating any advertising | | | | enjoy a big increase in yoursales and profits without |
| expense. | | | | increasing your expenses. |
| 4. TRIVIALIZE YOUR PRICE | | | | |