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Marketing Tip of the Week – Host a Party!

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The holidays are right around the corner, so why not host a party? This is a great excuse to get people into your store and a great marketing tactic. How will you get people into your store and what will your holiday party consist of? FGmarket has a few suggestions that will truly make your holiday party a hit!

What to feature – Sit down and decide what you are wanting to promote during this holiday season. Are you wanting to promote fall, Halloween and Christmas? You may just want to promote Christmas items that you have in your store. Decide what best works for your store. Take note of your inventory and start planning.

Once you decide – Plan the layout of your store. Just like any other time of the year, you truly want a cohesive layout, as well as a nice flow to your store. Where will you display your seasonal products? Will there be a theme throughout your store or have a theme to each corner of the store? You can go with seasonal themes or even color schemes if you are just doing holiday products. You don’t want all your products jumbled up together, so make sure there is some sort of system where your customers can browse with ease.

What to include – Like any party, you must provide your guests with snacks. An open house is no different. Make sure you feature some of the holiday gourmet food that you may carry in your store. This can be some of your soup mixes, cheeseballs, dips or gourmet candies. Don’t forget about the refreshments. Your customers will want to mingle, browse and enjoy shopping.

All hands on deck – Enlist all of your employees to be on hand for this event. They can offer some assistant with their product knowledge if any customers have Continue reading “Marketing Tip of the Week – Host a Party!” »

Marketing Tip Of The Week – Starting 2012 Off Right

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The new year is upon us and a brand new year for your store. It’s time to learn from past mistakes and start implementing new ways to improve for this new year. It’s a great time to start new ideas to see if they will work for your store or not. The way to start off is with a bang, and FGmarket’s marketing tip of the week will give you a few tips on how to do just that.

Plan Ahead Of Time – Don’t just wing it, start planning early. Sit down and take out a piece of paper and write down your goals for 2012. What do you want to achieve during this year and what do you want to avoid? Having written goals will help you stay on track and keep focused. Once you have your plans written out, develop a business plan to help you carry through and achieve your goals. How can you carry through with the goals that you want to achieve? Once you answer that question, you can start executing your plan.

Surround Yourself With The Right Crowd – It’s the beginning of the new year so that means it’s time to get rid of things or people that have been holding you back. If you have employees that are only bringing harm your way or paired with a business working together, however, they’re not pulling their weight, now is the time get rid of them. It may sound harsh, but who wants to be attached to someone who just brings them down?

Same Old Routine – Yes, you may feel as if you repeat the same routine everyday. However, don’t fall into the boredom aspect, which can result in poor performance. Why not think about improving these processes? Come up with new ways that will improve your systems and make them better streamlined. Write down the processes and always think of better ways in which you can improve your company.

Better Safe Than Sorry – It’s always great to retest certain aspects of your company. Are they performing up to your standards or are they actually not Continue reading “Marketing Tip Of The Week – Starting 2012 Off Right” »

Marketing Tip of the Week – Develop An Easy Marketing Strategy

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If you are starting up a business or haven’t yet implemented marketing into your store, you need to focus on how you can put marketing into effect in your store. However, are you not sure where to start or what exactly you need to do. Learning about marketing and how to implement it into your store can be overwhelming. You may think you need to follow all these steps, however, not everything is what your store needs. So, FGmarket’s marketing tip is an easy guide to developing a marketing strategy.

  1. Understand your company’s unique selling proposition – Understanding what your company stands for, how you want it to be unique and what makes your store unique is a must. That way, you know how to spin your company in a way that no other store does.
  2. Who are your customers? The next step is to take a step back, look what you have in your store and understand who your target market is going to be. You must understand their demographics to know what they like and how to sell to them.
  3. How will you sell your products to your target market? Once you understand who your target market is, develop a strategy on how to sell to them. Everyone has unique buying characteristics. So, you must understand them.
  4. How will you reach your target market? You must define what marketing strategies you will use, such as advertising, social media, direct marketing or even public relations. Again, not everyone can be reached the same way, that is why it’s so important to define your target market and understand the basics of your store.

This is part of marketing basics that are implemented into your store from the beginning. It helps you get off to a great start. Once you understand your store and Continue reading “Marketing Tip of the Week – Develop An Easy Marketing Strategy” »

Marketing Tip of the Week – Customer Service

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One of the most important things you focus on in your store is customer service. It is extremely important to your store that you always focus on this 24/7. Customer service brings your consumers into the store and makes them repeat customers. So, this week’s marketing tip will focus on 4 tips on customer service that you must always remember.

Handling Complaints – What store doesn’t get them? Pretty much all stores get complaints. However, you’re going to get them and the best thing is to learn from them and move on. Learn how to handle complaints and be proactive about it.

Don’t react in a way that will scare consumers off. Already have a strategy implemented in your store so you and your employees know how to handle these types of situations. Don’t forget to apologize sincerely, let them know you will handle the problem and maybe even offer them a store discount. Let them know you’re appreciative that they brought that to your attention and learn from it.

Personable –Don’t treat all customers the same. Treat customers as people, since not all customers are the same. Whether you are interacting with customers face-to-face, on the telephone or email, your interaction should be personable. Let customers know that you’re acknowledging them. Add a personal touch with quick responses, attention to their problem and letting them know you understand.

Lead Your Customers –Have you ever gotten frustrated because you’ve needed help with something and you were directed in the wrong direction or bounced around from department to department? Yes, again, it happens to all of us. Therefore, you and your employees need to know where to direct your customers in all situations. Whether they have a problem or just a simple question, know exactly who can answer the question, if not yourself. So many times, consumers have questions about a product or service and they ask someone and are directed to someone who knows, only then to be turned around to someone else. It’s very frustrating. Therefore, all of your employees and you should know how to handle each question or know who to direct them to. If they don’t, they should find out quick.

Feedback – In order to run your store properly, you must have feedback. How do you know what your customers want or are unsatisfied with if you don’t ask? You won’t! Therefore, ask!  Ask your customers, include feedback cards by the cash register or send feedback cards through email for Continue reading “Marketing Tip of the Week – Customer Service” »

Marketing Tip of the Week – Videos!

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What goals do you have for your store? One goal that is probably at the top of the list is getting your store’s name out there. However, are you looking for new and exciting ideas to meet this goal? Well, this week’s marketing tip is going to focus on videos! This is a fun and unique way that can get your store’s name out to new and potential customers.

A Few Things To Remember

Incorporating videos into your store’s marketing plan is easy. The main thing to remember is to allocate enough time and resources into this marketing strategy. If you’re going to make a video, make it a good one. How many times have you watched a video and was turned off by the quality? Several times. You think to yourself that the quality of the commercial or video was bad, therefore, I wouldn’t want to buy anything from that company or visit their business. You automatically think you’ll receive that exact service when visiting. So, take an idea and think it through.

How Do They Benefit?

So, how can videos benefit you? How many times have you heard of videos going viral? Many. So, there’s a chance that could happen to you and it’s a fun way to get your store out there. Plus, consumers will get a glance at what your store is all about. Take products that you feature in your store and showcase them in a video. Display unique ways on how your customers can use them in their very own home. These are great ways to market products, your store’s name and develop good relationships with your vendors. It gets their name out there as well.

Also, create commercials for your store. Showcase your employees, store and products in your video. Don’t forget to make it to the point and add a little quirkiness in there too. Videos display you as a store. Consumers get a sense of what you’re all about. Plus, if you make a great video, your Continue reading “Marketing Tip of the Week – Videos!” »

Marketing Tip Of The Week: What Do Kids Want?

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You spend all your resources trying to get customers into your store. Yes, you want to increase sales and create long term customers. You know who your target market is and all about their demographics. One question to ask yourself, how young is to young to start marketing to customers? That’s right, we’re talking about marketing to kids. You may be scratching your head and saying to yourself, “really”. Why should we market to kids? There are plenty of reasons. So, this week’s marketing tip is why and how you can start marketing towards kids.

Now, before you go into a frenzy thinking you may have to allocate resources to kids you won’t have to. There are plenty of marketing tactics that you can do yourself to market towards kids. You can implement these marketing strategies in your store for employees and for you to use. How is marketing to kids beneficial? It will keep them coming back to your store.

Marketing Tip Of The Week

Remember, children are the pride and joy of their parent’s lives. If the kid remembers how awesome your store was, they’ll keep asking their parents to take them back to YOUR store. Eventually the parents will give in, especially if they enjoy your store as much as their kids. Plus, you’ll make an early impression on them. You’ll start building that relationship at a younger age and it will carry on into adulthood for them. Which then carries onto their children and their children. How do you market towards children?

Be A Kid’s Friend – Treat them as an actual customer. However, you have to mean it. They don’t like to be talked down to like they are kids. Show them that you truly appreciate them and love that they come into your store. Implement this in your store through your employees. Make sure they show kids respect whenever they walk through your doors. If you do this, it will be a beautiful beginning to a long term customer.

Walk In Their Shoes –Remember, children view things differently as adults. They view the look of your store differently and also cannot see certain things due to their height. Place items on shelves that are catered towards their heights. Make sure it’s in eye view and they can reach it. Target signage and advertisements towards them and MAKE SURE THEY CAN SEE IT! That’s the most important thing to remember.

Advertise –Create eye-catching advertisements towards kids. You want them to see it, so put it on their eye level where it will catch their attention. Advertise towards children. It doesn’t have to be much, just maybe a paper advertisement or candy. Just something that is catered Continue reading “Marketing Tip Of The Week: What Do Kids Want?” »

Marketing Tip Of The Week: Marketing Trends

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Things change. It’s that simple. People change their ways to keep up-to-date on the latest trends, technology and what the world is doing. Trends evolve whether we like it or not. The world changes. Now, the question you need to ask yourself, do I need to change too? Yes! You don’t want to be left behind in the dust while every other competitor is changing with their customers to keep up their business sales. You’ll be left in the dark ages if you don’t keep up with the ever evolving trends. Therefore, this week’s marketing tip is all about marketing trends. What you need to stay on top of to keep your business ahead of the rest.

Social Media: Yes, we’ve all heard of social media. But, have you taken it seriously? Social media is a huge trend right now and it’s a great way to reach your customers. You may have a Facebook page or Twitter account, but do you actually use it to help promote your company? Have you integrated social media into your marketing strategy for your store? If not, now’s the time to start doing so.

earn the ins and outs of your social media page, find out what attracts customers and figure out what works and what doesn’t. These all play major roles in targeting your customers the correct way through your page. Integrating this strategy into your marketing plan is a great way to set goals for yourself using this platform.

Marketing Tip Of The Week

Online Marketing: First, determine your target market. Do you find most of them are online now? The days of newspaper, radio and billboards are slowly being put behind us. Yes, they are still great ways to reach some customers, but are they your customers? A lot of consumers are now leaning towards researching online.

Consumers research products online and even buy online. If this sounds like your customers, you need to ask yourself if you’re allocating enough resources to your online marketing. If not, then you aren’t reaching your customers properly. Online marketing is a huge trend that you’ll need to start diving into to reach consumers properly.

Mobile Marketing: With the evolutions of mobile devices, your marketing dollars may need to be allocated to this too. Now, consumers are using their device for almost everything. There’s a GPS, games, price comparisons, social media platforms and online researching. Again, if this is your customer, you must market to where they are spending most of their time.

Start researching mobile ads or creating a mobile friendly website. Mobile websites are easy to access and use right from their device. It will Continue reading “Marketing Tip Of The Week: Marketing Trends” »

Marketing Tip Of The Week: SWOT Analysis

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Alright, it’s back to basics with this one. We all remember our marketing classes (maybe), and the SWOT analysis. It represents strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. An ideal analysis when reevaluating your marketing strategy. The 2011 year is upon us and you need to determine what is the next best step for your company. You need to take a step back and learn exactly what your store needs to do to improve sales and using the SWOT analysis will help you through that process.

SWOT Analysis Basics

This strategic planning method is used when determining the goal of your business and identifying each favorable and unfavorable factor. Internal factors will be classified as strengths and weaknesses, while external factors will be considered threats and opportunities. This analysis helps match your resources and capabilities.

Marketing Tip Of The Week

Strengths: Your strengths are what you’re good at. You need to sit down and put them in writing so you focus on what are your strengths exactly. This way you have it right in front of you, instead of jumbled up in your mind, and you can start to develop your competitive advantage.

Weaknesses: Again, write out your weaknesses. That way you can see what they are exactly. As a store owner, you need to know these things so you can improve and will exist no more.

Opportunities: Take a look at products outside your normal realm. You may be surprised that there are new opportunities just waiting to happen, which in turn can help increase sales and build a better business. There may be new technologies, unique wholesale products or unfulfilled customer needs, which can help you create a long lasting business.

Threats: Of course, analyzing threats will help determine a better strategy. Knowing them will help you prepare to face them head on. This can be a change in consumer’s tastes or new substitute products to fulfill their needs. Whatever they are, you need to be prepared so you can stop them before they even begin.

Taking the time to determine these 4 things within the SWOT analysis will help you develop a better marketing plan.

So, What’s Next?

The next step is to determine the plan of action. What can you do to maintain your strengths, improve on weaknesses, take an opportunity and Continue reading “Marketing Tip Of The Week: SWOT Analysis” »

Marketing Tip of the Day

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Last week’s marketing tip focused on building relationships with your customers through the use of social media. This tool allows you to connect with hundreds and thousands of your current and potential customers. I also stressed the importance of identifying your customer’s needs and anticipating the future. Other than surveys, how can you receive feedback from your customers while also nurturing that relationship? Below are a few key points about using Facebook.

  • You can learn more about your customers, as well as their likes/dislikes, by participating in discussions on Facebook, reading their posts, notes, and giving your feedback. By showing an interest in your customer, you are showing you care about them!
  • Provide your customers insight into who you really are by posting your own comments, discussions, thoughts, etc. By being active on Facebook, you have figured out a way to directly reach your customer and how to cultivate that relationship.
  • Allow your customers who follow you on Facebook to participate in contests, give-a-way’s, etc or give them previews of upcoming products. These type of strategies will keep your business fresh in their minds and will also ideally improve your reputation with the clients

By learning more about your customers, you will be better equipped to anticipate their future needs. By building these relationships with your customers, you will be building a personal connection that will bring their business back to your company and creating value in your products.

Marketing is kind of like a balancing act, while it is essential to maintain and enhance the relationships you have with existing customers, you cannot ignore the world full of potential clients! Online marketing is a great way to spread the word about your company in a means that is efficient with your budget. However, in order to expand your business you cannot rely solely on online marketing and social media platforms. Every business is going to have various marketing needs; you should analyze your company, what products/services you offer, and your existing/potential customers. Plan a marketing campaign around those factors in order to gain the most exposure and potential leads.

Next week, we are going to refer back to the basics with a 4-step guide to evaluate your companies “marketing mix.”

As always, let me know what you think! Until next week… check out the various awesome vendors of FG Market at https://www.fgmarket.com

Danial

Was this tip helpful? Read Last Week’s Tip of the Day!