Running a family-owned business is special in many ways. Besides the same-day convenience or customized service offerings, it’s more about bringing value to the community. Did you know that local retailers return 3 times the money per dollar of sales to their community than national enterprises?
This doesn’t end here. More than 70% of SMEs often donate a portion of their profits to charity. If you can project your company that values relationships and humanity, you can even take on the big names nearby your location.
On this National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day, let’s take one step ahead and engage customers in the right way to take your business to the next level.
Only Spend on Things You Can Afford
This is a cardinal rule of running a successful business, irrespective of the size of your company. There are often documented cases where businesses start losing control of their businesses because of overspending.
They take up loans for things that they can easily avoid by opting for relatively cheaper alternatives. For instance, everyone knows that the shipping of products to buyers is quite expensive and time-consuming. However, no one can neglect its importance.
But what if we tell you, you can navigate these complexes easily? Excited? Of course, you will be. However, the question is, “how do you do it?” It’s using Click and Ship Labels, you can print shipping labels using your own printer that costs you usually less per sheet. You can use these labels on a USPS shipping box and send it to your customers at a fairly lesser cost than otherwise.
Similarly, opt for options or technologies that are cheaper instead of going for choices that might cause a hole in your budget.
Take Advantage of Your Name
Unlike the big brands, you have the chance to create relationships with your customers. And that the same goes for your customers as well. Imagine this. A customer calls your store, and they call you by your first name or vice versa. How would that feel?
● Valued?
● Important?
In most cases, it would be both. And once you achieve that stage, customers will start coming back to your store. But how to take advantage of this fact? You need to make some effort to remember their preferences and current trends to provide them with customized services.
This will build the trust and credibility of your brand, thereby resulting in many referrals and recommendations.
Integrate Trending Strategies into Your Current Business Framework
With the evolving digital technologies, you can’t rely on traditional promotional or marketing practices to drive business growth or sales. Understandably, you are running a brick-and-mortar store. But if you don’t have an online presence, you might miss out on potential customers.
So, you have to invest in creating an appealing website and use different strategies to grow your business online. For instance, use articles or blogs to create authority and credibility. Switch to email marketing and target your landing pages. Use video marketing and digital marketing strategies to create awareness about your brand.
Last but not least, take the help of social media marketing to offer discounts or create hype about recent events. You can also use the same to drive customers to your physical store.
Don’t Let go Off Local Events to Promote Your Brand
Although the popularity of social media and OTT platforms might make you think otherwise, you still can’t ignore the fact that local businesses flourish when they promote their brands personally. For this, you can partner with local businesses so that you can share the investment and create a memorable experience.
For this, you can opt for pop-up marketplaces, print brochures, hold some events that customers can take part in. You can also devise some plans around scavenger hunts or organize a community picnic.
Help one another to promote your brand and their brands at the same time. This will help you foster positivity amongst yourself and create an atmosphere where you can flourish together.
Thrive on Local Ads or Local Media Strategies
Of course, you need to set your business online. But that doesn’t mean you have to let go of the print media altogether. You must use local ads, newspapers, and TV stations that are locally or nationally owned to promote your business. For instance, you can opt for press releases, schedules or maps, or even discounts for special events. You can also go for flyers or take part in video interviews for local radio stations. Doing so will enable you to expand your reach that will drive your sales.
This was all about the strategies. But there is one thing that you mustn’t miss out on. What is that? Scroll below to know more.
Support Causes Within Your Community
Mom and pop shops flourish only when they project their sense of social responsibility. Surprisingly, more than 50% of consumers are willing to pay more for services or products from companies that foster social responsibility.
So, you must always be at the forefront of making their lives better and be available when the community needs your support. For instance, sponsoring a social event or a charitable event will harbor good relationships, thereby strengthening your brand’s reputation.
In The End- Listen to Your Customers
When it comes to Mom and Pop Shops, all you need to have is a simple management structure to approve processes or new amendments in response to the market demands. Compared to that, big corporations need to pass through different tiers before finally launching their products or services.
Since you can quickly decide, you have a better market position that allows you to nurture loyalty, generate referrals, and better sales. So, start treating every customer interaction as an opportunity to gain insights about the offerings and what they are expecting from you to enhance customer satisfaction.
Listen to your customers, their demands, needs, and pain points to make the necessary changes in your business processes for better customer retention. Only then can you expect better sales, ROI, and eventually improved business growth.