I’m really focusing on referrals…I make a point to mail a postcard to former clients and ask for referrals, and send a gift certificate to a nice restaurant to every client who gives me a referral.Patrick O. Rapid City, SD- Real Estate

Two food giants...General Mills and Kraft...have just started WOM communities. GM is called psst...and Kraft's is called First TasteAndrea K, Virginia Beach, VA, Shoe Store

"Word of mouth spread offline is more positive and more likely to be interpreted as credible than WOM spread online, according to a recent research study from WOMMA member company the Keller Fay Group. Fifty-nine percent of those surveyed indicted they found WOM transmitted face-to-face and on the phone was "highly" credible, versus 49% for online WOM. The study also found that 66% of face-to-face WOM communication was "mostly positive" versus 57% of the impressions on blogs and chat rooms. Offline WOM was also found to be 7% more likely to lead to purchase intent, according to the research." Marsha T., Advertising agency, Baton Rouge. LA.

“We use newsletters to get information from our customers. Have a poll or a survey. It can be short, and even fun: where are you going on vacation? What TV show are you enjoying this summer? Then post results in a future newsletter. People love taking polls.Of course, always best to use a poll topic that is of interest to your audience.Our customers are into new bands, especially hip-hop. We like to poll about "Who's Hot" in order to let them chime in about their favorites, and it also let's us get a sense of trends.”Anson L , Natchez, Miss Clothing 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

“We use newsletters to get information from our customers. Have a poll or a survey. It can be short, and even fun: where are you going on vacation? What TV show are you enjoying this summer? Then post results in a future newsletter. People love taking polls.Of course, always best to use a poll topic that is of interest to your audience.Our customers are into new bands, especially hip-hop. We like to poll about "Who's Hot" in order to let them chime in about their favorites, and it also let's us get a sense of trends.”Anson L , Natchez, Miss Clothing Store

“Some in our center used post it notes as flyers that they put on cars. We asked them about it and they said that they got better response than before with normal flyers. Plus they had no complaints from the landlord about flyers all over the parking lot. They used the local printer and had 500 of the post it notes printed. One thing that they said was important is that they put the note on the driver’s side door not on the windshield.”Alexis V, Newport Beach, CA, dress boutique

“Door hangers. For the last several years, I didn’t have to “farm” an area. With the housing market the way it is, I decided to go back to some areas that I had sold homes in before and re-introduce myself with some information about what’s happened to this particular area in terms of home prices. I got 3 leads for listings because the people wanted me to evaluate their home for sale before the market moved again.”Linda G, Las Vegas, NV, Real Estate

I’m really focusing on referrals…I make a point to mail a postcard to former clients and ask for referrals, and send a gift certificate to a nice restaurant to every client who gives me a referral. Patrick O. Rapid City, SD- Real Estate

“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

“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

“Our downtown main street is very busy on Saturday mornings with bike riders.We set up two tables in front of our restaurant and fill cups with ice water. I had a banner made for “Bike Rider Rest Station—Free Water.” We probably have 50 to 60 riders stop.I’m happy that at least 5 customers a week come in to eat and thank us for doing this.”Michelle M, San Clemente, CA Vegan Cafe

“We’re scheduling more ‘try me nights’ where people can come in and work out for free. We schedule these on the slow nights of the week and let our ‘regulars’ know that they’ll be a few more people here on those nights. We give our regulars who are in on the ‘try me’ nights a free juice drink to make up for any inconvenience.”Todd H, Cedar City, UT Fitness Center

“We’ve been very focused in our targeting, and are now emailing and mailing only to teachers and parents with kids under 12 to promote our store as a place for art supplies for school. In November, we’ll switch to stay at home Moms and promote the store as a place to buy supplies to make Christmas gifts.”Kevin J, Bangor, ME Gift Store

“Our downtown main street is very busy on Saturday mornings with bike riders.We set up two tables in front of our restaurant and fill cups with ice water. I had a banner made for “Bike Rider Rest Station—Free Water.” We probably have 50 to 60 riders stop.I’m happy that at least 5 customers a week come in to eat and thank us for doing this.”Michelle M, San Clemente, CA Vegan Cafe

We are really focusing on enhancing value with consumers, so for Fall we’re putting together and promoting product combo bundles such as football jersey and pads for kids, bike helmet and water bottle, etc. To promote this we wanted to reach families, so we advertised in the weekly newspapers, which tend to be less expensive than the big daily paper in town. This allowed us to advertise more often and look at geographic specific circulation runs to reach our immediate area better.Bobby Joe C. Springfield, IL Sporting Goods

“We started offering each of our customers a chance to win $250 in pet supplies if they referred another pet owner. We call it “Refer a Pet Pal”. We have had over 100 entries/most of which are new users since we started the promotion on September 1st.Evan L, Topeka, KS Pet Store

“I have started going to some of our local community events and using them as a chance to meet new people and promote my business. I always have a pocketful of business cards with me, in case I talk with someone who has pets, and many people do. The local weekend farmer’s market has been great. I also got a lot out of participating at a local Cure for Cancer walk. Met a lot of people, particularly those walking with their dogs, and in several cases, the conversations got around to “what do you do?”, and it gave me a chance to tell them about my shop.”Maria M, Los Angeles, Pet Store

“We’re focusing our efforts on the neighborhood: distributing leaflets on cars at parking lots near our business, and dropping off menus and local businesses to increase our lunch traffic. I personally visit a few local businesses every day and drop off my card, and offer to create a special ‘in office lunch’ for local businesses.”Flo K, Jonesboro, KY Diner

“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