Death to "Band-Aid" Marketing & Advertising

The Sky is Falling...The Sky is Falling!!!

Alas, was Chicken Little overreacting or prophetic in his frantic ranting? Well, if you are looking at (and who isn't) the recent economic blunders it does appear as if something is falling...mainly consumer confidence.

So, what's a merchant to do? You could apply a "Band-Aid" fix and start rampant discounting or you can apply a more strategic approach a la John Deere amidst The Great Depression. What did they do? Glad you asked, with business at a standstill they emphasized product development and actually extended credit to farmers (who had no money by the way). They must have been crazy...like a fox!

Today, John Deere is stalwart in terms of brand loyalty and extends through multiple generations. Can you imagine telling your grandpappy that you are reading a Blog about loyalty programs and cite John Deere as an example? He'd probably wash your mouth out for saying the word "Blog".

But I digress; what can today's businesses glean from John Deere? Several key items. First is to apply a strategic approach to current conditions (all things come to pass). And, secondly, be creative on how you foster loyalty with your customers.

With the great database marketing tools available today (insert plug for our product here ;) www.dataRM.com) and the low barrier to entry to offer a loyalty program you can speak to your customers in ways that defy thinking even 20 years ago. Use what is available to you today and if you don't know how, contact us. We can help rip off the band-aid and offer a cure!

The Faceless Customer

How many customers enter a typical retailer anonymously?  Most I would presume...these are "faceless customers" and without knowing who they are how can retailers serve them best?

ADVERTISING IS RISKY - we call it "pay & pray"...you pay for it & pray customers come in.   With all of the available technology out there it is time to put a face on your customer and communicate with them on a highly personalized basis.  

How? 

• Step 1 - Mine your database (if you don't have a customer database it's time to step out of the dark ages and establish one (those Gieco cavemen would use one!).  
  
• Step 2, use customer data from your database to send your customers precisely targeted marketing.  
  
• Step 3, Measure your results & maximize your highest returning marketing efforts.
  

Sounds simple and it is but action is needed to take your business to the next level.  Wasted time is wasted opportunity!