E-MAIL v TELEPHONE
Mike Walsh
It is 135 years since the telephone was invented yet most businesses are still largely dependant upon it to handle their communications. They have replaced the horse and cart with a firm?s van; the town crier is history as newspapers now carry advertisements. Mysteriously the telephone, once companion to the telegram, Morse code and semaphore signals, is still in vogue.
The year 2008 was the year when more of business advertising budgets were spent on Internet advertising than on television. Nearly everyone is familiar with e-mails so here are a few tips to make yours work for the improvement of your business. For a start always make sure your advertisements, signage and promotional literature includes your e-mail address prominently displayed.
WITH E-MAIL
You can give precise directions to visiting clients; even attach a map to make their trip easier. They will appreciate the thought that went into it.
E-mails can detail the services and prices you offer; if you own a restaurant your menus can be e-mailed. Pre-ordering makes life easier for the kitchen staff whilst reducing your buying costs.
Invite your customers to leave their e-mail addresses. That way you can inform them of special offers; price reductions; entertainment books, holidays, opening and closing times.
We have all heard the expression: people don?t buy products, they buy people. It is true. Pictures of the premises, staff; interior, can be sent to enquirers. This will help them to loyalty bond better with your business.
If you hold events; moving address, take on a new manager, book an entertainer, the e-mail can be used to inform customers or to make your introductions
The e-mail message will offer opportunity for you to place a ?signature?; a permanent sales message on every message you send.
Invite customers to comment on your services. These can then be included in e-mails to reassure new clients. They are good for inviting suggestions too.
Good news? Tell your customers; promotions, awards, and very important key selling points to identify your business as being perfect for their needs.
If you are a member of a trade association or body this can be permanently included in e-mails too.
If it is appropriate to the type of business you are involved in then places of local interest can be included. You can invite visitors to browse associated businesses.
When the phone rings you are obliged to answer it even if it is inconvenient for you to do so. Similarly you might have to get your timing right when making calls even though it interrupts your routine. Unlike the telephone call e-mails can be sent and replied to at your convenience.
Unlike the telephone the e-mail doesn?t cost anything to use.
Again, unlike the costly inconvenience of postal deliveries, when they are not striking or behaving like prima donnas, the e-mail can effortlessly handle bulk information without bumping up the cost of sending it.
Mike Walsh ? http://wwwquitewrite.blogspot.com/
