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How can he grow his business?
Hey, my boyfriend is very skilled when it comes to fixing things... computers, ipods, stereos, etc. He gets a few clients here and there, and never lets them down. He always helps them and gets they're stuff fixed by the time he says he will. The problem is, he needs more clients and I'm trying to help him figure out a fantastic way to advertise himself. He has legit business cards, I told him he's got to get out there and hand them out and interact with people so they know he's legit. I was thinking newspaper ads, putting up fliers around bust parts of towns where we live, and even craigslist. Does anyone else have any creative ideas that has helped you or anyone you know?
Any advice would be very much appreciated. Thank you so much.
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Newspaper advertising is an expensive way to market a business; it also does not allow for target marketing as the newspaper may cover a wider area than he may want to serve.
One of the best ways to market a business is word of mouth. Once your boyfriend has fixed something for someone he should send a letter to that person thanking them for their business and asking if the were satisfied with his work. In an effort to grow his business he would like to offer than the enclosed discount coupon for their next service. To validate this coupon all they need to do is refer someone to him for a repair or service.
The value of the coupon could be anywhere from 5% to 25% off their next repair or service. The higher the value the more chance his customer will refer someone to him.
This is a very inexpensive way to market his business as both the letter and coupon can be generated off his own computer.
Holiday cards is another way to market a business. Sending holiday cards not only for the traditional holidays one would send cards for but for the non-traditional ones too; such as Memorial Day, Labor Day and Thanksgiving.
The left side of the inside of the card will read "Wishing you and your family a Happy________. The right side of the card might say something like 10% off computer tune-ups.
The thanksgiving card is always a big hit with customers as it is so unusual that they usually talk about it at the office. You can also include the referral coupon in place of the discount coupon for the computer tune up or send both. Birthday cards are always a big hit with customers especially when they are not expecting to receive one from a service company.
When servicing a customers equipment your boyfriend should always keep on record the customers name address and phone number. If possible try and get information such as date of birth, wedding anniversary and children's birthdays.
Before a motor vehicle accident forced me to retire I had produced a list of twenty or so question concerning my customers and their business that I felt were important for me to know. Among the first questions are the ones I have given you.
At the beginning of each month you have your computer generate a list of all customers who have a birthday or wedding anniversary that month and prepare the cards for mailing. If the month has a holiday in it you should have those cards prepared for mailing as well.
Doing good work is probably the smallest part of growing your business. Keeping and finding new customers is the largest and hardest part of the business. Customers have short memories, even when you do good work. Communicating with them in the manner I suggest is inexpensive and also a unique way to keep your name in-front of then. It is just unique enough that they will most likely say something to friends an neighbors, one of whom will need your services.
It sounds like your boyfriend has a small business. The goal here is to work smart and inexpensive. As his business grows and he can afford more advertising the next level would be the local cable company.
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