by Mary Johnson -- Web Site Helper, LLC
  August 27, 2004  Issue 10

• W0W Your Customers and Get More Referrals
• Throw Away the Crystal Ball -- Find Out What Your Customers Really Want
• Is Your Company Brochure a Solid Marketing Piece?

W0W! Your Customers and Get More Referrals

Do You Deserve Referrals?

To deserve referrals from your clients and business partners, you really need to do something that W0Ws them. Give them something to talk about.

Here are some things that would W0W! me.

1. Sometimes it is as simple as returning phone calls or emails promptly or following through and doing what you say -- consistently. (You'd be surprised how many people don't do this).

2.  Being part of a business networking group and attending consistently, on time, even when it is your day off.

3. Coming in under budget (even though it is a fixed price contract) and giving them a refund or extra hours of training.

Sound crazy? That's how you stand out in a crowd and get them to talk about you.

Ron Folkerth, of Capital Realtors, shared with me that he W0W'd a client by following up "after" a house closing.  He found that there was an issue with a carpet stain discovered after some exercise equipment had been moved.

Ron stepped right in to help and recommended a reputable carpet cleaner and followed up again to make sure that everything worked out. His clients were impressed.

Throw Away the Crystal Ball -- Find Out What Your Customers Really Want

Add a Search Box to Your Web Site

Stop guessing what the next trend or hot topic of interest is to your clients and start working smart.

How? Add a search box to your existing web site to find out exactly what your site visitors are looking for.

There are many complimentary services on the Internet that allow you to incorporate search capabilities on a Web site. My favorite is a search service (for Web sites of 500 or fewer pages) by http://www.Atomz.com.

They offer reports that let you view the top searched words and terms on your Web site for the day, week, or month. It couldn't be easier. The reports are automatically emailed to you.

The information can also be used to determine if topics are hard to find on your site through the traditional navigation menu structure and internal Web links. If visitors resort to using the search, which is an extra step for them, then this is a red flag that something needs to be streamlined and made easier to find or the new topic added altogether.

Try it out! I've got it on my site http://www.WebSiteHelper.com.

Is Your Company Brochure a Solid Marketing Piece?

Article Written By: Karen Penney, owner
Company: Automated Advantage
Industry: Advertising Agency
Location: Beavercreek Ohio
Contact Info: 937-427-3277 kpenney@AutomatedAdvantage.com

Does your brochure tell the "story" of your company in a way that communicates your value to a potential customer?

Here are 3 tips to ensure it will.

1. Show Benefits -- The most important element of your brochure can be summed up in one word -- BENEFITS. No one wants to just read through a laundry list of your company’s features, but would rather learn "what’s in it for me?"

Your brochure gives you the opportunity to outline all the benefits of working with your company as well as the value you bring to the customer.

2. Keep the Copy Interesting! -- Don’t be boring and predictable. Also, be sure your cover inspires the reader to open the brochure and explore what’s inside.

Keeping your headlines and subheads benefit-driven entices the reader to read on. And when it comes to photography, make sure your photos are high quality and relative to the theme of your brochure.

3. Have a Clear "Call to Action" -- Lastly, your brochure should close with a solid "call to action." Then, make it easy for the prospect to contact you. Be sure to clearly indicate your company name, address, phone/fax, email address and web site information.

By approaching the development of your brochure with these tips in mind, you will achieve a solid marketing piece that effectively speaks for itself.

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Call me:  937-974-5539
Email me:  Mary@WebSiteHelper.com
Web me:  www.WebSiteHelper.com