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using direct mail to increase email marketing results

gaining new customers from your neighborhood

the owner of snack krackle pop tells us why

using fliers & handbills to generate store visits

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

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.

do you know how to go about creating, implementing and nurturing successful co-promotions? this 4-page action guide spells out the step-by-step details to creating cooperative promotions that work!

the free google local business center action guide will help you get your business listed on google's free local business listings that appear when a user types in a category with a geographical location, ie., "pizza san francisco." in addition, you'll learn how to customize your account by adding details about your business and visual media like pictures and video.

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:

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?

do you have a web page? if you don’t, you probably have thought about setting one up but for various reasonsyou took a pass.

how "small" can beat the big boys

great ideas for message strategy with non profits and causes.

“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

“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 work with the local american red cross to host a “blood drive” twice a year.we hold an open house” on the day their equipment and volunteers are in our parking lot. we also provide the juice and snacks for the donors.”barry v, pittsburgh, pa fitness studio

“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