As you previously discovered in part one of this ongoing series, about how some extremely savvy small business owners, (and or) service providers, can still effectively market their business, in spite of the fact, their traditional marketing budget is practically zero and or non existent!
So we actually focused on “how” a local, (single location) and fairly popular Mom & Pop deli owner, that doesn’t currently have access to a fortune 500 advertising/marketing budget.
Nor do they have friends & family members and or extremely experienced, and well financed local investors lined up, salivating to invest their hard earned money in their business and or service!
And it was also pointed out, if these savvy deli owners, would place more emphasis on strategically saving money upfront, (without) having to cut corners mind you!
They could literally gross the exact same amount of money per day,week, month and or quarter and still net a higher gross profit!
However, part two is going to also advocate how they can effectively market their deli business, even though their traditional marketing budget, is practically zero!Let’s see how they might strategically go about gradually and consistently, generating more and more income!
So How Do You Effectively Market Your Deli Business Even Though Your Traditional Advertising And Or Marketing Budget Is Practically Zero?
So quickly picking up where part one left off; (as you re call) this savvy, (local) Mom & Pop deli owner, that runs a fairly successful, single location deli business.
They decided to monetize their daily foot traffic, by starting an annual “Thanksgiving Turkey Raffle.” And they did so by raffling off a rather popular (and extremely yummy) 25 LB “Butterball” turkey, (or whatever particular brand is extremely popular at the moment), and that would typically retail for anywhere from $29 to $39 dollars (or X.)
And the cost was a one time “raffle entry fee” of just $15 dollars (or X.)And we also said, (strictly) for illustration purposes, that 550 of their repeat (and extremely loyal customers) entered the raffle, over say a 8 to ten week period.
So that calculates out to a gross profit of $8,250 dollars! (550 customers x a one time $15 dollar raffle entry fee = an additional gross profit of $8,250 dollars.)
Minus the extremely minuscule cost to fulfill!Not too shabby,right? That said, (entrepreneur), how often do you think a single location, cash strapped Mom & pop style family orientated small business owner and or service provider, routinely grosses that kind of money, that easily? Not too often!
And remember, the only way any of their daily foot traffic customers can even enter the “raffle” and or any of the deli’s future monthly “free monthly drawings” of any kind! They have to be one of the deli owners VIP opt in email (and or) text message subscribers!
So no more throwing away a ton of extremely limited capital on poorly performing direct mail campaigns!Now instead, they’ll simply leverage the customers that are already coming into the deli on a daily,weekly basis!(Many of whom, they’ve known for years and years!)
How To Effectively Give Your Best Marketing Efforts The Jolt Of Forward Momentum It So Desperately Needs!
Now before going any farther, (please) bare in mine, as you start strategically following up with your various segmented, VIP opt in email list subscribers, each subsequent follow up email message, unlike each, (outrageously expensive) repeat direct mail campaign to 1,000 people or more, cost you the same each month, until your actual email subscriber list size grows to the next level!
(Ex: zero to your first 500 opt in email subscribers, you typically pay one set monthly price, and once you reach 501 opt in email subscribers you typically pay a little more per moth. And once your list size grows to 2,500 you pay even more each month etc.)
Where as, each time you mail at X number of post cards, and or fancy brochure like direct mail pieces, you pay the costly postage and type setting each time!
(And that’s part of the reason why so many extremely cash challenged small business owners and or service providers, simply don’t make it!)
Here’s the other strategic way your deli (and or service) will systematically lower your daily, weekly, monthly and or quarterly upfront out of pocket cost! Periodically, in order to continually build your (all important) VIP opt in email list and or text message subscriber base.
You will place a huge neon type sign, near your deli counter; and announce, “This Week Only!” All VIP Email Subscribers Automatically Save 30% Off (Or X) On Any Purchase Of One Pound Or More!
Again, you’re strategically compelling some of your very best customers onto your opt in email (and or) text message list!And just as a quick note.Your average text message is typically opened usually with three short minutes of being sent!
Which means, once you get to 500 to 1,000 text message subscribers or more!
Effective Marketing Tactics And Or Strategies Need Not Be Expensive! (Don’t You Agree?)
Can you see sending periodic text message blast!Alerting all of your VIP subscribers, today & tomorrow only! The first 250 (or X number of) VIP text message subscribers that purchase a pound of anything, automatically get a half a pound free! (While extremely limited supplies last! 😉 )
Or, the first X number of customers that come to your store and purchase at least a 10 LB ((brand name) Turkey for (whatever), they automatically get their choice of any gourmet pie 25-75% off!(Just imagine how many people will gladly showoff their fancy decorated pies, all over social media, bragging about how much they saved buying X from your deli!)
Now here’s the other way your cash challenged Mom & Pop deli will start to systematically create some (much needed) viral positive word of mouth & mouse exposure.
And this is where the extremely (positive word of mouth & mouse), viral social media marketing aspect of your marketing plan starts to come into play big time!You will diligently search high & low, until you discover (at least) one local dependable vendor that sells, (hands down) some of the very best tasting gourmet coffee!
(If you have to, allow the vendor(s) to set up a temporary booth inside your store, (at their expense) and let your customers do a taste test to decide which three flavors you will initially carry!)
And you will immediately replace the old brands you had previously been selling!And get this!You will not sell this great tasting gourmet coffee to make a front end profit per cup!Huh?
Put Your Some Of Your Very Best Marketing Efforts On Steroids!(And Watch Your Long Term Profits Grow!)
Think like an extremely savvy entrepreneur here!Instead, you’ll offer two prices on a really big sign, somewhere near your exotic coffee club stand!Your typical price will be X, but your “VIP Gourmet Coffee Club Members Only,” will pay up to 50% less per cup!
And only your “VIP Gourmet Coffee Club Members” get their very own plastic “Big Gulp” cups, that they can (and rest assured) they surely will, bring back over and over again, to get some of the town or city’s best tasting gourmet coffee, that cost non “VGCCM” $3.99 per cup (or X), but only cost them $1.29 (or X) per cup! Provided they bring their “Big Gulp” mug each time!
(In other words, you’ll offer some price that’s so much less, your best and most loyal repeat customers, literally feel compelled to jump on social media and starting talking your small Mom & Pop deli up!)
And they only have to do two (incredibly simple things), in order to become a certified VIP Gourmet Coffee Club Member.
They need to head over to your mobile responsive WordPress blog and join (either) your opt in email (and or) text message list. And spend just $10 dollars (or x) amount of money at one time.
Ladies & gentlemen, think about what’s happening here for just a second.You (unlike) your other major local competitors, are selling some really great tasting gourmet coffee, at your actual cost per cup!
You don’t think your highly enthusiastic “VIP Gourmet Coffee Club Members” won’t gladly spread the word, on and offline, both high & low!In part three will definitely continue to dig deep, okay?
Until then are you starting to see how you (and or) one of your major local competitors, can effectively market their deli, even if their traditional marketing budget, is practically zero!Great! See you in part three!Now as is customary during this part of our show.
Please share your extremely valuable comments (in the comments section below) that you can apply to your business, product or service in the next 30 days or less!
As always, if you got any value out of this post, please Google Plus or tweet this.Thanks!
And be sure you grab your explosive free 22 step small business marketing idea kit series, because it will help you increase your profits by as much as 25% in the next 90 days or less.
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Hey Mark what a really clever and interesting post. Wow I never realized there were so many ways we as small business owners, can market our products/services for practicaly zero expense.
Now I really like that and for that reason alone I have shared trhis post far and wide.
I would never have considered periodic text messaging to my subscribers – actually you raise and interesting issue for me here. For nearly all my subscribers all I know is their name and email.
But now after seeng yur post, I will think differently and also ask for the mobile number when they join my list.
Sure that may put some folks off joining but for the ones that do offer their phone details it will be a great way for me to build faster and more long-lasting relationships.
That point alone was a real gem for me amongst all your other valuable info
Thank you again Mark for this valauble share – you are a champion my man
all the best
Peter
Peter Beckenham recently posted…How To Fail Your Way To Success With Internet Marketing
Now that’s a freaking awesome comment Peter!Thank you!LOL!
And coming from a seasoned veteran such as yourself,that
really starts my head to swell slightly my friend!LOL!
And please know,it goes exactly the same for me, as I frequently treasure hunt some of your
proven gems as well!LOL!
Why do you think you’re starting to see so many comments from me
on your awesome posts!LOL!
If I could, with regards to you compelling (and or) ethically bribing some of your readership
to join your “VIP Insiders Only” mobile list!LOL! (That’s the first subtle hint!LOL!)
Inexpensively test (and or) maybe create a contest of some kind, where you ask your
and reward your audience to help you create some sort of high perceived value, but actual low
cost lead generating giveaway, that you only make available to your newly created
“VIP Insiders (or Super Insiders) Only” mobile subscribers!LOL!
Practically every body loves to be a part of something exclusive!
It might be special weekly, time sensitive 50% off, one to three hour power coaching sessions or
it might be special time sensitive weekly 90 minute one on one coaching sessions,
that you only charge for the first 60 minutes, at 25 -50% off your normally
hourly, personal consulting rates,but they get the other half hour free!
Otherwise, non “VIP Mobile List Insiders would expect to pay X, for the exact same offer(s.)LOL!
Plus periodically record special 90 minute Q & A power sessions, per Google Hangouts and only your
VIP Insider Mobile List Subscribers can get exclusive access to etc! For either free and a really deep
discounted price!
In short, create some sort of exclusive products or services or both & only allow
your VIP mobile subscribers Elite!” LOL! Direct access to it!
And many thanks for helping spread the word my friend! So greatly appreciated!
If you ever wanna become marketing brainstorming partners, via skype!
Please don’t hesitate to drop ma message via my contact page! I know already
know those sessions would be a complete blast & quite productive!!
I’m definitely gonna turn your awesome comment into a blog post and possibly a
Power Point video as well!Thanks!
Mark Newsome recently posted…How Extremely Savvy Marketers Turn Take No Prisoners Customer Service Into A Powerful Asset!