Make friends and turn them into customers
Word-of-mouth has been responsible for building many a
service business. Friends speak to friends and conversations about
mechanics, appliance repairmen, drycleaners, etc will frequently surface
when groups of people are having friendly conversations. We are all
faced with the same problems and many of these problems are finding a
responsible tradesman or professional that we can trust. Where do you
turn when you need help locating a service provider? Probably a
relative or friend who had a similar problem.
We all want to support our friends. As people become more comfortable with
you, you can begin to develop a business relationship with them. Everyone
within walking distance of your home or apartment should have your
business card. In fact, give them two cards, one to keep and one to pass
on to their friends.
These people are your neighbors. We want to support our
neighbors. We have a common existence with them. They are in the same boat
we are. Similar challenges and successes. Job, mortgage, kids, bills, etc.
Let them know what you're doing and even more importantly, ask what they
do and become a customer of theirs.
Don't erase all your hard work by selling a bogus
product or service. Your friends, more than anyone, expect and deserve
honesty and quality for their hard earned money. Your product's quality
should reinforce the relationship, not detract from it. If something is
not right, make it right...immediately.
Your friends are going to know people you don't know.
Who do they know who might also need your product or service? Build a new
relationship with the referral and start the process all over again. I
certainly make an effort to send any business I can to my friends and
hopefully they will do the same for me.
Network with businesses you do business with
Contrary to popular opinion, the business environment is
still composed of individual business owners. Mom and Pop business,
although they are being pressured by the big chains, are still the
backbone of American business. The barber, hair stylist, pizza shop,
bakery, local clothing boutiques, Doctors, Dentists, etc. are all
independently owned. When you patronize these businesses, introduce
yourself. If you are a regular let the owner get to know you.
Make a comment about the quality of their service or product. Make
them feel you enjoy doing business with them. Believe me, they will
come to know and recognize you very quickly. Once you establish a
relationship (some may already be established) ask for a bunch
of their business cards that you can give to your customers and in return
give the business owner one of yours. In most cases you will be
asked for more cards and receive an offer to place them on the counter of
some visible place in the store. When you return, and do so within a
short time period, ask for more business cards and mention the fact that
you told several of your customers to visit the store and did he know if
any of them stopped in recently?
Continue doing this to all businesses you patronize. Friendships and
referrals will quickly form. Eventually as time goes on you may even
co-operate with mutual advertising of marketing promotions.
Thinking big takes no more energy than thinking small, the
difference is the rewards are bigger.
The ability to start your business inexpensively and on a
part-time schedule affords the opportunity to gain experience without
sacrificing your present position or finances.
The Mobile Dry Cleaner Manual and the MDCSP membership is offered with
a money back, no questions asked guarantee. If you are serious
about having your own business, the MDCSP will help.
Click
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