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Seven ways to Sharpen your Business Edge http://www.in-spiros.com/

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Seven ways to Sharpen your Business Edge By BZ Riger-Hull, Certified Success Coach http://www.in-spiros.com

When running a small business it is very important to lay out a plan of where your business is where you want to take it and plan the best way to get there. This can be a formal business plan, which is something you should definitely develop for your business and then update from time to time. Or you can start out with a more informal mission statement and assessment of your strengths and areas that need improvement.

The most important key is to develop a complete marketing plan. This should cover your business philosophy and your strategies for customer service all the way through what advertising you might place and where to reach your target customer. These seven tips will help you update your business planning and give you a fresh look at your business.

1. Pay attention to articles in newspapers, magazines and television shows about trends and changes in national and international demographics. This information can be very helpful in finding new business opportunities for you, increasing sales and providing new areas to service. This will help you assess what is important to customers in these areas.

2. Go right to your most knowledgeable source, your customer. Ask them for referrals. Explain to them how important this is to your business; give them an extra incentive for spreading the word about your products or services. Providing a small gift or discount on their next purchase is a nice way to show them how much you appreciate their help in referring new business.

3. A marketing plan is only as good as the tracking system you put in place to see where your marketing dollars are being the most beneficial to your business. You will need to track each customer, or request for additional information. Get in the habit of asking your customers "How did you hear about us?" Then keep that information in your database along with there name, address, and any special request or preferences they may have. It is important to know how that customer found you through an ad, referral, your web site... You will see patterns begin to emerge allowing you to focus your marketing efforts where they are the most effective.

4. Joining your local chamber of commerce or other trade associations will help you to network and connect with other small business owners. You will be able to share experiences and bounce new ideas off of these people, and help other people out with the experiences you have had to work out problems they may be facing. More and more the small business world works best when businesses co-partner and act in a mutual interdependent way.

5. You are always marketing your business and yourself. Even if you don't think it is a "business setting" you are still conveying an impression of yourself and your business. Be helpful and listen to people. Helping people out is very rewarding all by its self but you will find that other people notice and will think of your business first when they need the product or service you offer because they know you are committed to the community and helping others.

6. When advertising don't think big, as in circulation and exposure. Think targeted. Find out how your customers spend their time, what they read and what do they like to do for fun. Then take this information and use it to help you target your marketing efforts so your message will reach the specific group of people that are interested in your product or service.

7. Give your clients several options for beginning to work with you. Think of ways you can develop and tailor your services so they can work with you on a small scale to begin with. Offer different services with different price points. People like to test things out, make sure they feel comfortable and pleased with the services you provide. If you are offering different ways for them to start using your services at graduated prices, they will experience first hand the value you provide and continue to do more business with you.

~~~ Resource Box ©BZ Riger-Hull. Author of The Soul of Success http://www.in-spiros.com subscribe to free newsletter. Certified Success Coach, “4 Agreements” Facilitator & Tele-Course leader, we help you Communicate Powerfully, Strategically Attract Success, & increase your Financial Well-Being. Our coaching programs and Tele-Courses give you the Tools you need to succeed. Request Complimentary coaching session & Success Tip Sheet for Entrepreneurs or Business Professionals mailto:Tips@in-spiros.com

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