Customer-Service-Experience

Create a Positive Customer Service Experience

by Communications

Customer-Service-ExperienceYour employees are the conduit between your customers and the cash register.  Customers choose where they spend their money. To make your small business as productive as possible, you need a great team behind you and that includes your employees.

How do you find and keep the right team of employees? Below are some tips for getting the most out of your team.

Boost Happiness Among Hourly Employees

If you want to get the most out of your team, it helps to keep them happy. Even hourly workers tend to get more done and stick around longer if you can provide some little things that make them happier at work. Expressing appreciation and a simple thank you means a lot. It shows employees you truly value them. An employee of the month recognition and a gift card every once in a while doesn’t break the bank and goes a long way toward employee morale.

Learn How to Hire Consultants

Adding to your small business team doesn’t necessarily have to mean hiring hourly employees. You can potentially grow your business by utilizing the help of consultants. These are experts in their field that can help with such things as marketing, social media, bookkeeping and human resource issues. You may not need a full-time employee. Independent consultants are focused and disciplined in their given areas of expertise and hiring the right consultant can help you strategize and grow your business.

Avoid Distractions and Consistently Hit Your Targets

It’s easy to say that you want to get more done in your business. But there are tons of distractions out there that can keep you from reaching your goals and targets. Make sure employees and consultants alike are aware of your goals. Celebrate the small victories when targets are hit.

Create a Sales Page for Your Online Course or Product

If you want your online customers to be able to complete their purchases easily, you need a great sales page. Inform your team of ongoing promotions. For instore promos – create a sales calendar outline the next quarter’s promotion so they know what’s coming up. Your staff will feel empowered and customers will appreciate a “heads up” on a future sale that starts in a few days.

Use Social Listening for Your Business

Social media isn’t just for promoting your business. You can also use it to learn from your customers and followers using social listening. Ask for reviews, monitor your online reputation and respond to any concerns listed by your customers.

Your customers and their purchasing power help to keep your lights on.  Create a WOW experience through stellar customer service. Empower your employees with knowledge and training. Give praise and appreciation for a job well done.

About the author: Autumn Edmiston is the CEO and owner of the Edmiston Group. The Edmiston Group is a multifaceted Pittsburgh based marketing consulting firm providing senior level marketing management services to businesses and non-profit organizations on a short or long term basis. Core areas of service are business development, marketing, strategic planning and public relations. The Edmiston Group has consistently delivered and implemented real-world, proven business marketing ideas and strategies for business growth.

Edmiston Group

Plan Ahead to Make the Most of Your Tradeshow (Part 2)

by ArticlesCommunications

Getting ready for a trade show can be overwhelming, but with the appropriate direction, pulling off the perfect trade show can be as easy as 1 * 2 * 3.  In part 2 of this 3-part series we focus on creating the perfect Display for your Booth.  Part 1 (Marketing Materials)   Part 3 (Promotional Products)

Step 2:  Prepare Your Booth with the Perfect Display

“3 Seconds!  That’s how long you have to capture the attention of a potential customer.  Grab it with an eye-catching display”

We talked with Lynne Arrington of Speedpro Imaging in Cranberry Township regarding best practices for selecting trade show display items.  Here’s what Lynne had to say.

Q: How far in advance should exhibitors contact you for new displays?  Lynne:  The ideal answer is the sooner the better.   6 – 8 weeks gives time to think about options and get feedback on proofs. Even when updating graphics on an existing display, time is needed to order replacement hardware.

Q:  What budgeting tips can you provide for deciding which display items to purchase?  Lynne:  Before selecting a display product, think about how long you will be using the display and for what purposes.  Do you want the display to be used repeatedly?  Can you repurpose the display and use it in your store, at a chamber event, at presentations?   Should the display be portable, should it have changeable graphics?  As an example, retractable banners stands can used to promote your brand or can be made for use with additional graphic cartridges that will promote a rotating theme or promotion.   Your expected usage will help to determine which display will best fit your needs.

Q: What is your #1 tip for creating the perfect display?  Lynne: Hone your message.  Your message should be simple, your graphics clean.  You have 3 seconds to grab someone’s attention, so you don’t want to overload information.  You DO want to pique interest.   Once your display has caught your potential customer’s attention, your trade show rep can get to work determining the best way to be helpful.

About the author: Autumn Edmiston is the CEO and owner of the Edmiston Group ~ The Edmiston Group provides senior level marketing management services to businesses and non-profit organizations on a short or long term basis.  Core areas of service are business development, marketing, strategic planning and public relations. The Edmiston Group has consistently delivered and implemented real-world, proven business marketing ideas and strategies for business growth.

tradeshow

Plan Ahead to Make the Most of Your Tradeshow (Part 1)

by ArticlesCommunications
Trade Shows

Getting ready for a trade show can be overwhelming, but with the appropriate direction, pulling off the perfect trade show can be as easy as 1 * 2 * 3.  In this 3-part series we cover tips from local industry experts on how creating marketing materials, putting together a display, and selecting promotional products will help you make the most of your tradeshow.  Part 2 (Display Booths)    Part 3 (Promotional Products)

Step 1:  Create your Marketing Materials

Have your more expensive brochures on hand, and use them if engaged with a potential customer, but don’t put them out for the masses.  Chocolate candy is always a draw!

Autumn Edmiston of Edmiston Group discusses best practices for creating marketing materials for trade shows.

Q: How far in advance should one begin developing their marketing materials?  Autumn: If possible, begin planning two to three months prior to the trade show.   It will also allow time to order any promotional products prior to the show.  This will also allow time to create particular show offers, obtain targeted marketing materials as well as notify others that you will be attending the particular show.  The show exhibit announcement can be sent out in your monthly newsletter or as an electronic “Come See Us” invitation.

Q: What budgeting tips should one keep in mind when creating marketing materials?  Autumn:  Create high quality colored flyers – they are more cost effective than a multi-page brochure or in some cases print take away flyers on bright colored paper.  Line cards (sometimes called rack cards) can be cost effective in highlighting your core service offerings without breaking the bank.  A nice door prize with a well thought out registration slip is a sure draw to capture names, addresses, e-mail addresses and ask some pertinent questions pertaining to your business. i.e. would you like to receive our electronic newsletter, are you interested in learning more about marketing services.   Have your more expensive brochures on hand, and use them if engaged with a potential customer, but don’t put them out for the masses.  Chocolate candy is always a draw!

Q:  What #1 tip should organizations keep in mind when creating marketing materials?  Autumn: Make sure you have a clear message – explain who you are, who you help and how you do it.  Utilize display units such as display holders to put information at eye level creating a dimension to your table.  Perhaps put a client testimonial on display.  A professional pull up display can be a cost effective way of setting you apart from the competition.   Make sure the display follows your brand.   If creating a show offer, put an expiration date on the offer to create a sense of urgency to take action.  Have extra business cards.  Be sure to have an extras bag for incidentals, scissors, tape, extra pens, extension cords, candy.

About the author: Autumn Edmiston is the CEO and owner of the Edmiston Group ~ The Edmiston Group provides senior level marketing management services to businesses and non-profit organizations on a short or long term basis.  Core areas of service are business development, marketing, strategic planning and public relations. The Edmiston Group has consistently delivered and implemented real-world, proven business marketing ideas and strategies for business growth.