[MainstreetTowns] Article to help a business

[Jeremy Zeller]

Hey everyone.  I got this from my great mentor Jim Watters.  I think it is just another bit of information you can pass along.  Read below.

Jeremy Zeller
Oklahoma Main Street
Oklahoma Department of Commerce
Jeremy.Zeller at OKcommerce.gov
405-815-5186 | OKcommerce.gov<https://okcommerce.gov/>

[OKLAHOMAMAINSTREETCENTER]

OK, LET’S COUNT! Census 2020
The 2020 U.S. Census is right around the corner! It is important that all Oklahomans are counted. Want to do your part to spread the word? Sign up for the OK, LET’S COUNT community partner email<https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/OKDOC/subscriber/new?topic_id=OKDOC_112>!
Learn more about the 2020 Census at OKletscount.org<http://www.okletscount.org/>.
When Everyone Counts, Everyone Wins!





“Okay business managers - so it’s a slow time for your company.  You’re not thinking about closing the shop are you?  We’re experiencing an unusual period.  The stock market is way down but it will turn around.  It always does.  A lot of people are staying at home.  In some communities, the local mayor has closed public meeting places like restaurants and bars.

As a business owner, what will be your response?  It should be So What.  You have worked hard for your company.  Prepare to work a little harder.  Here area few ideas.

A. Review your customer lists for the last 5 years- what’s that, you don’t have a customer list?  Tsk,tsk.  For those companies that do, send out a mailer that describes your delivery services. Include your new products, special pricing and how convenient you make it for customers.  Offer a special promotion to former customers to entice them back.  Five years- why so long ago.  Customers leave a company for a number of reasons.  How has your  customer base changed?  Can you bring back lost customers?

B. How’s that “on-line” market doing?  An easily traveled and understandable website could be your new best friend.  If you haven’t changed your website recently, get busy.  What are the incentives offered to first time buyers? How much do you charge for delivery! (If it’s any larger than zero, think about it.)

C. Does your company email shoppers regularly?  This is especially important for cafes.  Send them your daily specials and remind all about you speedy delivery service.  Send emails to remind customers about birthdays, anniversaries and other special dates for their friends and relatives.  Include suggestions about gifts and your delivery service.

D. Have you adjusted store hours for your business?  Remind customers that they can order merchandise after 5:00 pm and before 9:00 am.  It’s more time for you and more convenience for shoppers.  “Call forwarding” relays calls to your company to your home.   Just because customers aren’t coming to your place of business doesn’t mean you can’t connect w them.

E. Never say no to customers.  If you can’t meet their requests, offer an alternative and why it’s a good option.  Show customers you will go out of your way to help them.  If they want to return an item, take it back - no problem.  Offer a substitute if that makes a customer happy. Certainly, never require a receipt for a return.

Other activities to do include -

  *   Inventory- a slow market is an excellent opportunity to count your stock (on premises and off).
  *   Clean up - dust those shelves, cabinets and merchandise.   Clean the floors and wash the windows.  A little air freshener goes a long way but don’t try to conceal a dirty store with an aroma.
  *   Window displays -if your business has the advantage of display windows - make them sparkle.  Be creative and informative.
  *   Stay informed and be aware - news about the virus and the economy change quickly."

Always make it convenient to your customers.  Loyalty is the goal.  What’s that mean.  Customers may not always buy from you but they will always give your business a look.”

Sent from my iPad
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.onenet.net/pipermail/mainstreettowns/attachments/20200324/b9535bae/attachment-0001.html>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image001.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 9266 bytes
Desc: image001.jpg
URL: <http://lists.onenet.net/pipermail/mainstreettowns/attachments/20200324/b9535bae/attachment-0001.jpg>