Deka

March 2008

An Easy Way to Boost Your Business – FAST!

If there was an easy and inexpensive way to boost your bottom line in a hurry, would you do it? Of course you would. In the fiercely competitive world of business, you know that even a small advantage could mean greater profits and longevity. So exactly what is this “easy way”?

Newsletters. Yep, you read that right – newsletters. Consistent communication from you to your current customers via e-mail newsletters.

“And just how can newsletters boost my business?” you say. I’m glad you asked. Think renewals, cross-sales of related products and services, referrals, and up-selling. C’mon – admit it. You know that the best way to increase revenues with minimal cost has always been to market to your current customers. The only thing that’s changed is the method of reaching those customers – electronic instead of printed - and the good news is that it’s much less expensive to produce and deliver. And that means you have the potential for an extremely strong return on investment.

But “less expensive” doesn’t mean “unprofessional” or “random”. Your newsletters must be designed to reinforce your brand and strengthen customer relationships through a carefully created look and feel that ties into the overall message of your business. This consistent communication helps your customers trust you and value your products/services, leading to more sales.

And beyond your current customers, you can use your newsletters to find qualified prospects who can then be transformed into profitable customers. By posting a free sign-up on your web site, interested prospects willingly give you their e-mail address which then gives you permission to send them offers for your products/services in addition to the newsletters. How easy is that? And what are you waiting for?

Contact Deka to get started with your newsletter package including: Design, Creative Sales Writing, Email List Management and more!

Ask Deka!

Q. I know that having a web site is practically a requirement to do business these days - so I have one - but I don’t know where or how to market it to increase traffic so that I can increase sales. Can you help?

A. This is a common problem. You’ve got a great start if you’ve got a professional web site that correctly conveys your image and information to your customers, but as you point out you have to know how and where to market the site in order for your business to really benefit. The professionals at Deka can help you get the best return on your marketing dollars by showing you how to effectively market your site as well as helping you choose the best online marketing for your business. Contact us for a free initial consultation.

Please send your questions to Sales@DekaDesigns.com and read future newsletters for an answer. Due to the volume of mail we receive, we cannot personally answer each question.

Think Outside the Box!

In an effort to connect with pet owners, pet supply catalog company Drs. Foster & Smith produces educational videos and makes them available for free on its web site. And these are not infomercials hawking their wares, but truly educational programs meant to give pet owners the information they need to better care for their animals. While this use of video technology does not result in a “direct” return on investment, it helps create a bond of trust with consumers . . . and, as a consumer, wouldn’t you rather buy from a company that you trust?

Contact Deka for more options with Video on your site.

What’s Your Outlook for 2008?

If, like most of us, your crystal ball is a bit cloudy, following is some information to help you sharpen your focus. You’ve probably been distracted by the media predicting a year that’s gloomy, gloomier, or gloomiest. And while it’s true that the business cycle has shifted into a new phase, it’s not true that the sky is falling.

For proof of this, just look around you – there are still plenty of cars in grocery and retail store parking lots. And even in the undeniably difficult real estate market, there are still homes being bought and families who are relocating just like they’ve always done.

Life goes on and it’s no time to lose focus if you want your business to go on as well. So whether your focus for 2008 is customer retention or acquisition – or both – it’s critical not to shortchange your marketing efforts with the thought that you’ll just “wait out the bad times”. In fact, the “bad times” call for an increase in marketing so that your business will not only continue to the next “good times”, but will thrive and prosper.

A recent marketing media usage survey by Target Marketing showed that 38% of respondents planned to increase their marketing budgets in 2008, while 41% planned to spend the same as they did in 2007. But whatever your budget, the key is to get the most bang for your marketing dollars . . . and, increasingly, the way to do that is online.

The first step is a professionally designed web site that conveys the right image of your business. Having your site professionally created versus using a free template is the equivalent of walking into a meeting with your dream client wearing a business suit versus shorts and a t-shirt! – image is everything when creating that first impression. And if you appear unconcerned about your professional image, then your prospects and customers will assume that you don’t care about them or their business either.

The next thing is to correctly market your web site – you can have the greatest site on the Web, but if no one knows it’s there then what’s the point? There are many marketing options, so your best bet is to contact a professional who can help you choose the best methods for your business.

You may have noticed a theme here, but in case you missed it let me spell it out – hire a professional. No one can be an expert at everything so it makes sense to consult with an online marketing professional who can effectively handle that aspect of your business and free you up to take care of your core business. And I’ll guarantee that working with a marketing professional will bring you much better results than consulting that crystal ball!