By the end of June your customer base will be scattered from their regular routine: kids are home from school, vacations are planned, and the nice weather draws families out doors. How do you stay in the forefront when life is happening?
Here are 7 free and almost free ways to keep in touch with your clientele online during the busy summer.
1- Email Marketing
Sign up for a free 60 days trial of Constant Contact and you are set for the majority of the Summer! Importing your contacts list is easy and designing your campaigns is fast and simple.
2- Social Media FREE!
Facebook, Twitter, Yelp, Youtube and Flickr are all places online that your customer base will be surfing when they have some downtime during the summer. Facebook and Yelp both have business platforms; for Facebook businesses can create a ‘Page’ and for Yelp they can have a ‘Business Owner Account’. In Youtube, create a Channel highlighting videos uploaded by your company along with your favorites from others for visitors to subscribe to.
3- Evites FREE!
Host a summer event whether it is a client appreciation day, or just a simple lunch with colleagues. By using Evite your invitees can see who is on the guest list and leave messages to encourage their attendance.
4- Viral videos FREE!
Create a video campaign that your visitors feel compelled to share with others that offers a ‘soft sell.’ Ex. ‘Will it Blend?’ campaign Read about it here.
5- Website mobile friendly
Is your website based on Flash or include other applications or design that may not transfer well to a smart phone? Make your important points like contact information, hours, services, location, and your unique selling proposition accessible on your website.
6- Share your photos FREE!
Take photos of your shop, new projects, personal vacations, and coworkers to make you personable and to form a connection with potential and current clients during the summer. Use your smart phone to upload photos easily on Facebook, Flickr, or Twitter using Twitpic or yFrog.
7- Blog FREE!
Remind your visitors of what is going on in your life and work to form a connection reminding them of what you offer at the same time. Use traditional blogs like Blogger or WordPress, adding the RSS feed to your website, or use Facebook Notes on your Facebook page.
