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An indispensable and fundamental basis in your marketing goal should be to educate
your customers. You should first educate them to your products or services.
Let's assume you sell houses. There are so many things to know about owning
a home, such as signing the agreement, inspection, closing costs, title, tax
advantages, city tax, home appreciation, type of loans, PMI, credit history,
how lenders use individuals credit, how to improve credit, down payment etc...
that you should include all that in your advertising material. You could have
a report on how to buy a home, how to improve credit, how to invest in real
estate and that you could give for free.
In other words you educate them on your services and your company. You educate
them so that they have a better understanding of the many benefits that an individuals
has when he/she becomes a homeowners, which has the effect of endearing you
to them.
One of the most terrible mistakes I personally see is how many businesses fail
to educate their customers about the unique advantages offered to them. May
be you offer a better quality product, may be you have a longer warranty, may
be your support is 24/7/365 days, and how about all the features you offer.
What comes with the package? You must state something that differentiates you
from your competition and that will allow you to build your credibility.
Once you educate your customers you will notice that your profits increase.
Just think about how you make a purchase decision. When you considering making
a purchase decision you most likely do not know much about the product or the
service and if you have unanswered questions you are less likely to buy that
product or service. If you educate your prospects on your offer and show them
all the benefits you will gain their trust and they will most likely buy from
you. Think about it. How can you possibly make a buying decision if you do not
know anything about a product or service? Remember that when it comes to spending
money people want to make sure they are making the right decision if not they
will regret their purchase. Why not helping them make that decision by educating
them and comforting by showing them that they are making a wide decision and
it will be good for them and their family.
Do not hesitate to show all the benefits and less positive aspects of your
offer and you will see a dramatic increase in sales. Few companies realize that
they must lead the customer to action and to a decision. People need to be what
to do to obtain the product and service they inquire about. Therefore it is
extremely important that every sales letter, call or advertising you do should
include some kind of education on your offer. The amazing thing is that people
need to be led to action of buying. If there is a difference in price between
you and the competition you must clearly explain it to the customers if not
there will not understand why. Individuals rarely question why a price is higher
or lower. They should question a low price for something and consider the negative
aspects of a product or offer but remember that it is always tempting to buy
something cheaper as it translate in saving money which is a value to any prospect
who want to make a purchase.
An other important way to help prospects make their decision is to give them
some kind of guaranteed satisfaction on your product or service. If for example
you give them 30-day unconditional money back guarantee you will dramatically
increase your sales. All benefits of you offer should be clearly spelled out
so that customers make an informed decision on your offer. Make them feel comfortable,
become their friend look for their true interest not yours. Do not hesitate
to tell someone that your offer may not be good for them. I have no problem
advising businesses on not using a particular service if I think they won't
have any ROI. This type of attitude will greatly be appreciated and in the future
they won't hesitate to come back to you for another service or product you may
have or they may as well refer someone to you.
Educate people to appreciate the value of what you have to offer. You can't
appreciate cookware until you are educated about it. One of the best way to
educate people is to give them something for free. free booklet, free sample,
free seminar, free report etc...
Three effective communication vehicles include person-to-person communication
(seminars, conference call), through the mail (direct mail advertising), or
on the Internet (email newsletter). The goal to educate your customers should
also be to position yourself as an industry expert. Reposition yourself as the
expert in your industry and you will be amazed to see your profits soaring.
Also keep in mind that educating people is to show your true interest in seeing
them satisfied with your offer. If you do all this you will definitely set yourself
apart from your competition.
About the Author:
Author & Marketing Consultant
Savings4Merchants
http://savings4Merchants.com
Big Marketing Ideas Without The Big Spending! |