19 Mar

3 More Ways To Master The Customer-Rewarding Game

Posted in Synergy Suggestions on 19.03.15 by John Meloche

Group of female shoppersNo matter what type of business you own, you’re in the customer-rewarding business. That is, of course, if you’re interested in both retaining your customer base and growing it exponentially, you will make showing your gratitude a habit. It certainly doesn’t hurt to say “thank you”. And there are a number of ways that you can do it. As we pointed out in yesterday’s blog, there are some very important go-to methods of rewarding your customers for their support.

In today’s blog, we’ll continue our look at this concept. It’s one that we’ve tackled quite often on the Synergy Marketing Blog. And that’s because we know that being adept in the customer-rewarding business plays a huge role in the growth of any company. Showing your customers that their support is valued is bound to keep them loyal for many years to come. Here are some more ways to master the customer-rewarding game.

1. Keep in touch. It sounds like the simplest piece of advice in the world, doesn’t it? But how many business owners are keeping in touch with their clients? This is an especially important practice for those who own businesses where even the most loyal of customers don’t visit on a regular basis. Take, car repair, for example. In many cases, customers may only visit once or twice a year, depending on the needs of their vehicles.

Your clients may also move living locations. Does this mean you should lose them as customers? “Keep in touch as contacts move on,” recommends Angela Stringfellow on AmericanExpress.com, “Many people switch jobs several times over the course of their careers. If your primary contact at a client moves on to another company, keeping in touch with that person will allow you to continue to nurture that relationship.”

2. Use social media. The use of social networking platforms such as Facebook and Twitter is commonly heralded as a must in today’s business world. This tip has found its way on many a list of tips found on the Synergy Marketing Blog as a result. These days, it can be as easy as simply mentioning a customer via an online post or tweet to show the type of gratitude that will keep that person loyal.

In other cases, you may want to include social media in your rewards program ideas. “Customer loyalty programs began with simple punch cards you kept in your pocket, and now they’re evolving through something else in your pocket: the smart phone,” writes Ted Donnelly on Inc.com. He goes on to note that larger companies still tend to be “slightly nervous about using social media”, so it’s a great strategy for smaller businesses to employ.

3. Spread the word. The more your customers support you, the more you should do to reward them for it. Be sure to let people know that you’re in the customer-rewarding game. Naturally, you can use social media to communicate that you offer special deals and discounts to those who refer your business to others. And you can certainly use your own word-of-mouth promotional skills to speak to customers in your store about your willingness to thank them for their support.

“Other ways to inform customers about referral and rewards programs include e-mail marketing blasts with program details, having a static referral rewards page on your company Website to explain specifics and requirements and using social media to broadcast referral incentive opportunities to your followers,” offers Stringfellow. Not to mention, handing out those handy promo gifts is bound to generate quite a buzz!

Order yours today by calling Synergy Marketing at 1-877-748-9884!

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21 Mar

5 More Ways Promo Gifts Boost Business

Posted in Promotional Products on 21.03.14 by John Meloche

Businessman holding and offer  a giftWe certainly hope that you’ve been enjoying and learning a lot from our “Promo Product Week” blogs all week long. As you can imagine, we greatly believe in the power of promo gifts, here at Synergy Marketing. Our many years of experience have taught us that there is nothing quite like a branded promotional gift to develop a strong sense of brand loyalty within a customer.

Promo gifts can work for you too! According to Sherri Jones of BetterNetworker.com, “promotional items have been proven to largely increase sales for any business model. Some businesses are fearful of promotional items because they see it as extra expense and inventory.” But it’s important to remember that a marketing budget is always necessary. Your budget for promo gifts, however, doesn’t have to be that big at all.

In fact, promo gifts are among the least expensive marketing strategies that you can adopt. As Jones points out, “when used, promotional items are very cost effective and cause a great buzz in the industry and in the public eye about your business and what you offer.” She goes on to list her top five ways that entrepreneurs can market their businesses using promotional items.

Name Visibility. In general, your business name should pretty much be on everything you send out there for business purposes, believes Jones. That includes stationary, business cards, e-mail signature lines and so on. Naturally, promotional gifts such as note pads, pens and key chains should do the same. The only difference is that the latter three are a lot more useful and therefore noticeable on a regular basis.

Client/Customer Appreciation. Acknowledging your clients goes a long way. It is imperative that you remember just how important they are to your business. Is there anyone more important? Show your customers that you see their business as important to you. Adding that “extra touch”, as Jones puts it, will keep you in their consideration for future business.

Trade Shows/Vending Events. These are great places to meet new people. That means they are also great places to make lasting impressions. When you participate in trade shows, you want to make sure that you are remembered by those you come into contact with. Your promotional items will do just that. Be sure that everyone you meet walks away with something special to remember you by.

Employee/Team Recognition. As we mentioned in yesterday’s blog, your staff members should not be left out of the promotional gift-giving process. “Promotional products such as business tools or new inventory to use as performance incentives gives your team something to work towards in addition to their monetary bonus,” writes Jones. This will encourage them to reach higher levels of success.

New Product Introduction. There are various ways to introduce new product lines to your client base. When you get your customers through the door, use your promo gifts as incentives for them to return. Your gifts, remember, are all about keeping in touch with your client. In other words, they are great reminders about your business. With promo gifts in hand, your clients can’t help but recall your place of business.

Give Synergy Marketing a call at 1-877-748-9884 to order your promo gifts today!

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20 Mar

5 Solid Reasons To Promote With Promo Gifts

Posted in Promotional Products on 20.03.14 by John Meloche

Free gift concept.You know, when you really think about it, the reasons for using promotional products to promote your business are endless! We’ve been blogging about it all week. But realistically, we’ve been blogging about it since the inception of the Synergy Marketing Blog. Sure, it’s what our company specializes in – providing Canadian business owners with the best promo products in the business.

BUT – it’s also what we truly believe in! We understand that the average business owner doesn’t have an enormous budget to create a television commercial. We know that it’s important for entrepreneurs to gain customer loyalty, repeat business and referrals that help to continually grow their client bases. And we know that, for decades, promotional products have been able to do so in extremely cost-effective ways.

Yes, there are many reasons to use promo gifts to build your brand. And the internet is filled with blogs communicating this very message. In keeping with our theme of blogs this week, we took a look at a Top7Business.com article by Molly Mathis to locate a few more good reasons to take advantage of promotional products for your marketing strategies. In today’s blog, we’ll review some of her ideas.

Promote goodwill. Being involved in your community is an excellent way to give your brand a good name. You should attend as many community expos, trade shows, health fairs and other community service events as you can, believes Mathis. Providing the people of your community with both your presence at these events and reminders that you were there helps to establish yourself as a dedicated member.

Advertise your goods and services. At the end of the day, the products that you’re really trying to move are the ones that your company sells. When you hand out your promo gifts, you are giving away more than a business card. You are providing useful reminders about where customers can shop for what it is you sell. Never leave home without your promo gifts!

Build customer loyalty. As we often say, the key to building your business is not through blatant advertising. It’s through building relationships. Promo gifts give you the opportunity to start new relationships by making personal connections with the people you give the gifts to. Start conversations, learn and remember names and do your part to secure customer relationships for the long haul.

Build store and trade show traffic. “Going to your trade shows is one thing, getting people to your booth is quite another!” writes Mathis, “Have something interesting for them that they will not only hang onto, but others will see and say ‘Hey, where’d ya get that!?’” This is how promo gifts work to build you a reputation far and above those made by your competitors.

Thank your employees and customers for a great year. Never forget that your customers aren’t the only ones who should be able to go home with your promo gifts. Your gifts also make for great rewards and incentives to provide to your staff members. “You didn’t get where you are all by yourself — your employees helped, which you know well,” reminds Mathis.

Contact Synergy Marketing at 1-877-748-9884 to select the perfect promotional product to promote your business today!

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