We're here to give you the most help, and a chance to be helpful, too.

gaining new customers from your neighborhood

how waggin train came to "own" a dog park

here's how a restaurant works the neighborhood

generosity marketing in the community

helping others and your helping your business

mired in a slowdown and wondering how to get more customers back in your store?

this 5 page action guide provides proven techniques to successfully increase customer loyalty

it is easier to keep your customers than trying to get new ones. so, stop losing customers! this 7-page guide will help you learn ...and most importantly how to win them back.

6 page action guide with step-by-step step suggestions to beat your newest competitor

frustrated by coupon-cutters who always purchase with coupons? this 5 page action guide will teach you how to increase your profit margin by getting your customers to "kick the coupon habit." learn the secrets of a reliable three-stage program to help "rehabilitate" your customers to curb their coupon addiction.

so, how do you, the small retailer, make sure your customers continue shopping at your store during tough economic times? here are 12 ideas to consider:

how "small" can beat the big boys

great ideas for message strategy with non profits and causes.

things to consider before creating a myspace page for your business

microblogging is a way to keep in touch in real time with customers who want to keep in touch with you. more than that, though, microblogging provides a unique way to learnmore about what your customers are doing. is microblogging for your store?

“last summer we decided to focus on children in art. we took all items that even remotely seemed like something a child would like to work with and put them on sale. we have had weekly contests for children to participate in...a different theme each week....awarding them a small gift certificate.all of this naturally brings in parents...and we endeavor to engage them in buying their own supplies!.” hannah y, elsmwood, ct teacher supply store

“we partner with the local animal shelter for their adopt-a-pet program each spring and fall. we put together a “welcome to your new home” bag of food, treats and toys, which are handed out at the shelter when a pet is adopted. we include a discount coupon for their next total purchase at our store as well as their first grooming appointment.karen d, portsmouth nh, pet shop

“we always have a large drop-box for the toys-for-tots drive in november and december. we post a running total the number of “full boxes” donated during the drive. every donor receives a free ice cream cone. our store is one of the largest collectors of toys in town for this worthy cause.”kelly p, baton rouge, la ice cream store

“newsletters can provide good information about the store: for example, give subscribers first notice of any in-store events, and they will have ‘first dibs’ on signing up to attend events. also you communicate changes to your store hours or policies, to make their shopping easier and more convenient.”larry n, dearborn, mi ice rink owner

“i get a lot of newsletters from craft shops with information about new products and services. the newsletter provides an opportunity to give the dates the products will arrive and some information about price, color, etc that will be of interest to consumers. the manufacturers often will provide you this information to put into your newsletter.also, i like it when email newsletters have special offers and discounts that are available for a limited time only, and only for customers who receive email. you don’t need to have an offer in every email, once every two months could work to keep people interested.mary jane, salt lake city, ut homemaker