Marketing Tips

[momon121]

Hi

I have a niche business based in my local town. We specialise in short date sugar and flour confectioneries. I have been fortunate to have a shop in the town centre facing directly a supermarket. Our disadvantage is that we are not visible to the public as we are tucked away from passing trade - any businesses that we do get is mainly via Facebook and word of mouth. As we have a low margin somebody suggested to have a refer a friend scheme and get their friends to tag their names in our post.

I like the idea however since we operate on low margins I don’t know how to reward the potential customers to incentive their visit to our shop?


Please can you advice me.

 

[Taobao agent]

you can offer them a vochure for the next purchase and they can become your old cusotmer.

Also you can also try O2O Model, placing order online and delivery offline. I do not know whether you can find a third platform like this.

Offering the best prices for new customer will attract more people to have a try.

Hope it will do you a favor.

 

[Nochexman]

I have been fortunate to have a shop in the town centre facing directly a supermarket. Our disadvantage is that we are not visible to the public as we are tucked away from passing trade

Have you considered using a sandwich board to get in peoples' faces?

 

[momon121]

How would the sandwich board work and how can I offer vouchers so that it doesn’t become too costly for the business?

 

[estwig]

Planning don't like sandwich boards, by all means ask them, just don't be optimistic.

 

[momon121]

Suppose I implement the refer a friend scheme:-

1) who do I reward
2) how shall I reward (the least costly way) ie discounts, freebies competition etc

 

[Ashley_Price]

As we have a low margin somebody suggested to have a refer a friend scheme and get their friends to tag their names in our post.

I like the idea however since we operate on low margins I don’t know how to reward the potential customers to incentive their visit to our shop?

You offer a reward to the customer who brings say ten new customers to the store. The referrer only gets the reward when the ten new customers have each bought something.

Now, this may cause you a loss for the reward, but you should soon make it back up again if the ten new customers keep coming back.

Another way that would have minimal outlay would be: have a loyalty card scheme. For their 8th or 10th purchase they get something free (make sure it's worth £2-£4 - like the coffee shops who will give you a free coffee, after your 10th purchase).

And, I would think of this of course but how about low-cost, promotional giveaways, the unit price doesn't cost much and could be added to the prices of the confectionery.

 

[Nochexman]

Planning don't like sandwich boards, by all means ask them, just don't be optimistic.

From memory my local council charge about £100 for a five year licence.

 

[Ashley_Price]

Planning don't like sandwich boards, by all means ask them, just don't be optimistic.

It very much depends on the location, and whether the sandwich board (or A-Board) would block pedestrian flow.

 

[estwig]

It's way more complex than just coughing up £100, or not blocking any pedestrians.

If you've got a spare day, or two, have a wade through this lot to get you started......

https://assets.publishing.service.g...uploads/attachment_data/file/11499/326679.pdf

 

[momon121]

You offer a reward to the customer who brings say ten new customers to the store. The referrer only gets the reward when the ten new customers have each bought something.

Now, this may cause you a loss for the reward, but you should soon make it back up again if the ten new customers keep coming back.

Another way that would have minimal outlay would be: have a loyalty card scheme. For their 8th or 10th purchase they get something free (make sure it's worth £2-£4 - like the coffee shops who will give you a free coffee, after your 10th purchase).

And, I would think of this of course but how about low-cost, promotional giveaways, the unit price doesn't cost much and could be added to the prices of the confectionery.

Please could kindly elaborate on the different giveaways? Yes you are right I want to keep the cost to minimal. I was thinking of entering their names into a raffle ?

 

[momon121]

Would refer a friend sheme to my shop help boost sales and would it work ?

 

[estwig]

Would refer a friend sheme to my shop help boost sales and would it work ?

Try it and if it doesn't work, try something else. Apart from your time, what have you got to lose.

 

[Ashley_Price]

Please could kindly elaborate on the different giveaways? Yes you are right I want to keep the cost to minimal. I was thinking of entering their names into a raffle ?

I am not sure if a raffle would work, because that would only be of interest to current customers.

With regards the give-aways I will contact you by private message - so it doesn't appear like I am trying to use this thread to self-promote.

 

[ssasoft]

i think you should compensate the customer in financial way.

 

[momon121]

Hi

I have thought of rewarding them financially but what should be the limit ? And how many do you reward ?

 

[momon121]

I am not sure if a raffle would work, because that would only be of interest to current customers.

With regards the give-aways I will contact you by private message - so it doesn't appear like I am trying to use this thread to self-promote.

Brilliant i look forward to your message and learning from you.

Regards

 

[Dario.c]

You can now also adopt digital solution for you vouchers through the use of digital Apps. I know Eagle Eye offers an interesting one on this. Maybe give it a look?

 

[Jack Elever]

Giveaways are a great way to promote your kind of business, and they are super cheap.

 

[momon121]

Giveaways are a great way to promote your kind of business, and they are super cheap.

Hi Jack

Could you recommmed any ideas please ?

 

[Jack Elever]

Hi Jack

Could you recommmed any ideas please ?

You could for example create a giveaway where people win one of your products and promote it on Facebook in giveaway groups and local pages. Or you could make a "bring a friend" kind of promo for existing customers bringing a new customer to your shop. This kind of advertising is very effective and cheap. I hope I've helped.