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David Earle
- Original Poster
- #1
Ok so you're working in your shop. You've had no customers for 3 hours, so you're making use of the quiet time by doing a bit of cleaning/tidying, empty the bins, quick stocktake, check in at the forum etc. But wouldn't it be nicer if we were making money intead?
It's easy to get bored during the quiet periods, and frustrated that customers aren't coming in. Here's what I do to get the most out of this time...
1. Work on my Google ranking
Your Google ranking is important if you expect prospective customers to contact you as a result of searching for you on the web. Ranking above your competitors is vital as you'll get a chance to quote for jobs first. I post fresh content on my site, and write articles about what I do (t-shirt printing), posting these articles to free article directories. I also ask other webmasters for backlinks.
2. Speak to my neighbours
A free way of business networking! I sometimes nip out of the shop to chat to the other shop owners on my street as long (as I've got staff looking after the shop for me). It's amazing how easy it is to pick up leads just by keeping in touch with businesses nearby. It's a great opportunity to bounce ideas of your fellow businesspeople as well.
3. Contact existing customers
It's much easier to sell to your existing client base that to strangers, because you've already established a relationship with them and built trust. I try not to pester my customers obviously, but giving them a call every couple of months to keep them up to date with new products and special offers can encourage them to place an order. I use this tactic a lot when the colder months are approaching - I usually find that customers who ordered polo shirts & t-shirts to work in over the summer now need sweaters and hoodies!
Hope this has been useful reading! I'm actually on the train home while writing this - I never seem to stop working!
It's easy to get bored during the quiet periods, and frustrated that customers aren't coming in. Here's what I do to get the most out of this time...
1. Work on my Google ranking
Your Google ranking is important if you expect prospective customers to contact you as a result of searching for you on the web. Ranking above your competitors is vital as you'll get a chance to quote for jobs first. I post fresh content on my site, and write articles about what I do (t-shirt printing), posting these articles to free article directories. I also ask other webmasters for backlinks.
2. Speak to my neighbours
A free way of business networking! I sometimes nip out of the shop to chat to the other shop owners on my street as long (as I've got staff looking after the shop for me). It's amazing how easy it is to pick up leads just by keeping in touch with businesses nearby. It's a great opportunity to bounce ideas of your fellow businesspeople as well.
3. Contact existing customers
It's much easier to sell to your existing client base that to strangers, because you've already established a relationship with them and built trust. I try not to pester my customers obviously, but giving them a call every couple of months to keep them up to date with new products and special offers can encourage them to place an order. I use this tactic a lot when the colder months are approaching - I usually find that customers who ordered polo shirts & t-shirts to work in over the summer now need sweaters and hoodies!
Hope this has been useful reading! I'm actually on the train home while writing this - I never seem to stop working!
