Top Viral Marketing

Archive for June, 2011

Time To Build Your List Act Now

Many people who want to make money online will ask do I need to build a list or don’t I need to build a list? The problem with that question is you will get different answers depending on who you ask. Everyone who are serious online business owners know the importance of being a list builder. For them the question isn’t when to build your list but how to build a responsive list.

Then you have the question of your opt in list should it be a single or double opt in? Have you considered using the double opt in list builder? This is something you can be using with your downline builder. Imagine the difference it would make to your mailing list.

Can you imagine what you email marketing strategy would be like if you knew that you would have a doubleoptin viral list? Imagine what it would be like if your list just grew and grew. You would be learning how to build your list and keep on building your list to a size that you have only dreamt of.

Gone will be the days where you are excited because one person has joined your site but you will be seeing hundreds added as your run a viral network. You have just discovered one of the hidden secrets for viral marketing. Yes you read that correctly. You see most people think small they think that at some stage their list will grow into four figures and by then they will have such a great relationship that people will buy.

The problem with that thinking is the time it takes to do the building. Imagine what it would be like if your list grew to that size in a short time. You might be wondering how that could happen but word of mouth is a brilliant sales strategy. You will always trust your friends’ recommendation over someone you have never met.

Think about it for a moment you want to buy something for your home. You have checked and basically you can’t see what is different in the products. The salesmen might be pushing a product for more commission but your friend tells you why their choice is the best based on their experience. Yes you will buy your friend’s recommendation.

The same is true online. You recommend to a friend and explain that they need to join your list. Suddenly word of mouth has given you a viral explosion. This is something most people on dream about but by using your downline builder you will see this becoming a reality. It is simple to do and you will be able to email your offers to your list many times a week. The more you build your list the more you will use your email marketing strategy and the more you will see the money coming directly into your bank account.

The longer you leave building your list the more money you will be leaving on the table as you have no list to build a relationship with and then make great offers to.

http://www.buildhugelist.com
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About the writer:nbsp;nbsp;www.buildhugelist.com

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The Recession: Who Will Survive? What All Businesses Should Know

THE RECESSION: WHO WILL SURVIVE? What all businesses should know

In the past the beauty industry has proven to be recession proof but there is no question that the recent economical crisis has left salon and spa owners across the country feeling a lot of pressure. Here are a few tips to help you focus on what you can and should do during this time for your salon or spa:

Use This Time To Reevaluate
Be assured that the economic crisis we are facing will come to an end. And when it does you have two choices. You can choose to come out as a stronger business with an edge over your competitors or complacently continue on the same path as before. Your choice depends directly on the actions you take now. Like all businesses salon and spa owners who choose to use their time wisely in the face of adversity are and will continue to be the institutions that are the ones to watch the trend?setters and the ones who set the standard of excellence for others to follow. With less clients coming through the doors of your salon or spa your newly?found time should be looked at as an opportunity to revisit areas of your business that have been neglected. Time well spent now will solidify your foundation for the future and guarantee you are better equipped to know how to thrive when faced with the next economical hardship.

Conduct a Financial Analysis
Your first investment should be to revisit your finances. Often times during a recession owners ask themselves How can I generate more revenue? When the economy is not able to support sales via your clients cutting costs alone can be the solution you need until the economy stabilizes. Some questions to ask yourself when doing a financial analysis of your business include:

• How can I increase my ROI Return on Investment?
• What are my current expenses?
• Where can I decrease costs without compromising quality?
• Do I have effective budgets in place?
• When was the last time I did a competitive analysis of my supply vendors?
• Is the cost of payroll too high and is my current pay structure effective?
• Are my employees effectively meeting their sales goals and being held accountable?

The answers to all of these questions are no surprise to a salon or spa owner who runs a successful business. If you dont know the answers to all of these questions off the top of your head it is an indication that you need to grow in order to help your business survive. Overcoming an economical hardship does not take a miracle only a proper plan that is followed on a daily basis and re?evaluated periodically to update it as needed. Analyzing your past financial records will give you the best indication of if you are gaining prosperity breaking even or heading for a loss. Know where you stand at all times. A financial analysis is the most valuable investment you can make and now is the time to do it.

Marketing Solutions and Team Execution
When sales are down the first instinct of many business owners is to invest in a marketing campaign. The intention is to offer an enticing discount that will generate a large volume of clients to make up for a lack of revenue. This may be a good solution but if business is slow due to a

crumbling economy you have to be strategic in your selection and execution of the right marketing promotion see my other article. Some important questions to ask your self when planning a marketing campaign to generate business on a tight budget include:

• What is my target market and what method of advertising will best reach that demographic?
• Is the cost of this marketing campaign higher than the expected rate of return?
• Is my offer enticing enough to bring in the volume of clients I need and can I afford such an enticing discount?

These questions among others are critical to ask yourself before launching any marketing campaign and the answers will determine what type of campaign if any you choose. Radio advertisements and direct mail pieces often reach the largest volume of potential clients while less formal SMS campaigns could be more cost effective and allow you to target your customers more effectively. Be strategic with everything from the length of time and dates you run your promotion to having a plan in place on how to retain these couponsavvy clients when they do come into your salon or spa.

Schedule a mandatory staff meeting to inform your team about all details of the current promotion. The meeting should
emphasize that it will be the goal of each employee to rebook the clients they receive from this promotion and therefore retain the new client. After all having the clients come back is the goal. A well?informed staff demonstrate intelligence good communication and is key to making a positive lasting impression on a new client. Set up an incentive program for the team member who rebooks the most clients during the duration of the promotion. Remember your team is feeling the crunch of the economy too and a little incentive can make a world of difference. If you dont opt to use a monetary reward schedule your highest re?booking producer a day of salon services with a complimentary lunch.

If you havent already got salon management system now might the time to invest in one. The technology can help you capture valuable client data monitor financial performance identify weaknesses with your business reduce overheads implement staff incentives design promotions send out promotional data via SMS and evaluate the effectiveness of campaigns. All of which can help improve your bottom line. The Studio Tracker software system encompasses all these features and prices start from just 9 a week. Check out www.studiotracker.co.uk for your free 30 day trial or contact lauren.matherstudiotracker.co.uk for more info.

About the writer:  I have a Bsc in Psychology Hons from the University of Sheffield and an MA in Advertising and Marketing from Leeds University Business School. I am now working as a marketing associate for a small business to business software firm who specialise in CRM software solutions.

The Recession: The Changes That You Need To Make Now

The Recession: The Changes that you need to make NOW

It is proven that in times of hardship successful companies do not abandon their marketing strategies they adapt them. Here is a quick guide to the things you can implement to make sure your business lives to tell the recession tale.

v Know your customer

You need to understand how your customers are reevaluating their circumstances. It is unlikely that anyone wants to talk about this matter especially as they may be visiting your business to escape their woes but you can still keep a record of customers purchase history which will indicate whether or not they seem to be cutting back. You can then use this information to target those who seem to be watching their money with promotional offers. This will encourage them to maintain their loyalty to you and cut back in other areas. A Salon Management System like Studio Tracker can help you capture organise and track client data which will aid you in this process.

v Maintain marketing spend

This is not the time to cut marketing spend. It is well documented that brands that increase advertising during a recession when competitors are cutting back can improve market share and return on investment at lower cost than during good economic times. There are however ways to market more cost effectively perhaps by reducing your ad space or by sending out promotional SMS messages which reach customers cheaply directly and quickly. Studio Tracker software has this function and texts are priced at 10 pence each.

v Adjust product portfolios

Business owners must reforecast demand for both the treatments and products they sell. Multibenefit products will weather the storm better than specialised products but professionals must take the time to explain all the different features and benefits of each product or service.

v Adjust pricing tactics

Customers will be shopping around for the best deals. You do not necessarily have to cut list prices but you may need to offer more temporary price promotions. Targeting promotions based on clients purchase history has proven to be more cost efficient than just sending out one standard campaign. Studio Tracker comes with a number of campaign templates already built into the system. In tough times price cuts attract more consumer support than promotions such as sweepstakes and mailin offers. It is worth noting that discounts below 15 are often ineffective.

v Emphasise core values

Although these are understandably tough times for most businesses maintaining quality is key to survival. Businesses shouldnt lose sight of their vision. Managers need to take time to communicate with and motivate employees to ensure a good working atmosphere is maintained.

Studio Tracker is a salon management software package which allows you to store track and communicate with customers in one easytouse integrated system. Campaign templates are built into the system which allow you to send out personalised messages such as promotional offers to customers via SMS. It can show you the purchase history of your clients allowing you target promotional material more effectively as well as making cross and up selling easier. Studio Tracker monitors stock levels enabling you to monitor sales and restock your bestselling products more quickly thus preventing lost sales. Prices start from just 9 a week. Check out www.studiotracker.co.uk for your free 30 day trial or contact lauren.matherstudiotracker.co.uk for more info.

About the writer:  I have a Bsc in Psychology Hons from the University of Sheffield and an MA in Advertising and Marketing from Leeds University Business School. I am now working as a marketing associate for a small business to business software firm who specialise in CRM software solutions.