Reopening Guidelines: What your customers want to know

Reopening guidelines from the CDC and State and Local authorities seem to change every day.  But businesses are opening up, hoping that customers will come back.  Put yourself in your customers’ shoes: what do you have to do to convince them to return?

Consumers are eager to get back outside.  There’s pent-up demand for products and services, but after months of staying at home, many behaviors and buying habits have changed.  Success will take more than just reopening your doors.

Reopening Guidelines are there to protect your customers

Increased cleaning, screening, and social distancing procedures that seemed so challenging a few weeks ago have become “the new normal” and most of us are more comfortable with them.  Seeing people walking around in masks is common.  Walking down the street most of us step aside and don’t crowd others.

What are you doing to keep your customers safe?

Keeping customers safe is now part of attracting business.

1. Determine what needs to be disinfected: some frequently touched surfaces should be cleaned more frequently.
2. Normal routine cleaning with soap and water will reduce the risk of exposure
3. Disinfection with EPA-approved disinfectants reduce risk
4. Practice social distancing
5. Wear face coverings
6. Offer alcohol-based (at least 60%) hand sanitizers
7. Maintain and revise your plan

Sanitizing is key to keeping customers safe.

But what about attracting customers?

If consumers don’t know the steps you’re taking, they won’t know.  Use every opportunity to inform consumers about what you’re doing: with helpful signage, directions from your staff, and helpful messages on hold.  These are the informative messages that telephone callers hear every time they must wait on “hold.”  You can turn this time into a marketing tool that educates consumers about how you’re keeping them safe, with Informer Messages on hold

Reopening a Business is just the first step.

Success depends on customers understanding that they’re safe, so take every opportunity to reassure them.  That’s the first step.

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Looking Good On Zoom: 10 Tips to look more professional

You only get one chance to make a great first impression.  These days, with social distancing that means looking good on Zoom.  It’s not hard, but there are a few simple steps to take to ensure your success.

Looking Good On Zoom

Working from home has ushered in a new more relaxed feeling for many of us.  That can both free us from wasting time and effort commuting and in-office politics, and lose much of the professional feel (and attitude) from simply working with other professionals.

Tips you can use

Chances are you’ll be spending more time online than you ever have, and this trend might be one of the real lasting changes in our work lives.  So it’s probably worth taking a few simple steps so you look good on your next Zoom meeting.  Here are 10 tips for your next Zoom call.

1. Dress for success: just because you’re home doesn’t mean you’re not “at work.”  Wear the same clothes that you’d wear for a meeting in the office.  What you wear depends on your profession.  Bankers dress differently than builders, but both have a professional image to maintain.  This is one of the easiest ways to make a great first impression.  Looking for ideas?  Wear something bright and solid.  They look more professional.
   Bottom line: don’t dress like you’re cleaning out the basement: dress like you’re meeting a potential client…you just might be.
2. Lighting is one of the most important parts of looking good.  Just like in a photograph, you want to light up your face with even lighting that comes from in front of you.  Test the effect using your computer camera to see how you look.  Avoid sitting in front of a window: back lighting will cause your camera to underexpose your face, causing a dark silhouette.
3. Background: consider different locations for your Zoom meeting.  A simple background will be less distracting.  But you can reinforce your “image” with a tasteful background that projects the image of your profession (consider book shelves, projects in process, or a home office that’s not too messy).  This is also a look into your real life, so consider the impression you’re making.
   If all else fails, Zoom and others do offer custom virtual backgrounds.
4. Where’s your camera?  Most laptops have a built-in camera and microphone.  That makes filming easy.  But the camera’s positioning is important: some are at the top of your screen, others at the bottom.  If you sit too close to the screen it can look like you’re looking over the top of your viewers’ heads (if the camera is at the bottom of the screen) or like you’re looking down at the desk (if the camera is higher).  Best bet: back up so that the angle between the camera and the image of your audience is minimized and you seem to make eye contact.
5. Where’s your computer?  Your computer is usually on a desk or table, lower than your eye level.  That makes it look like you’re looking down on your viewer.  Raise the level of the computer to bring it up to eye level.  A stack of books works just fine.
6. Camera: if your laptop is old (like mine) the camera isn’t HD quality.  You’ll look better with an inexpensive upgrade that plugs right into your USB port.
7. Headphones: you look more natural if you can avoid wearing headphones and work from your computer’s speakers.  Earbuds are a workable second choice.
8. Test everything first: you look more professional if you’re not experimenting in front of an important audience.
9. Background noise: while it’s not exactly “looking” great, you do seem more professional if there aren’t barking dogs or noise from the television in the background.
10. Touch up your appearance: Zoom offers a “Touch up my appearance” filter that will smooth out your skin tones.  Click “settings” and “video” to try it.

Does Looking Good On Zoom really matter?

Right now, Zoom seems to be the best way that we can “get together.”  Professionals use it for 1:1 meetings, Sales Presentations, and Group Events.  We’ve all seen how easy it is to use, and it makes comunting a lot easier.  Even it “social distancing” ends tomorrow, Zoom has changed the way we do business for the better.

Is it worth paying attention to your appearance on Zoom?  Remember: it’s a new way to make a great first impression…and that’s important: you only get one chance.

Want to sound more professional on your phone calls?

Find out about Informer Messages on hold.

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Messages on hold for Florists in Stamford: 3 ways that they help you grow

Messages on hold for florists in Stamford aren’t really necessary.  Or are they?  There was a time that your customers would come into the shop and stroll around, admiring your creations.  Your arrangements were your best sales pitch.

Today, some of your business has moved online.  96% of Americans shop online.  But that statistic doesn’t tell you that more than only 35% of total purchase are made online.  And your average online sale is much lower (and less profitable) than “offline” sales.

Offline sales lend themselves to customer loyalty, “up selling” and additional purchases.  So how can you use this information?  Here’s an idea that will work for the majority of your customers.

 Messages on hold for florists in Stamford

Here in Connecticut your market is typical: almost 80% of flower sales are attributed to female customers, usually over 35 years of age.  And it’s interesting that 60% of the time, the your customer buys them for herself.

In your busy (understaffed) flower shop, many of your phone calls are placed on hold.  AT&T research estimates up to 69% of them.  So why not use that time to build customer loyalty, and increase both today’s order while planting the seeds for future business?

How can you do it?  Every phone call can be more productive when you realize that every moment of your time with your customer is a marketing opportunity.  That even means the time that your caller has to spend on “hold.”

Hold time can be less boring and frustrating, and more valuable (to both you and your caller) when you feature on hold messages, custom written for your area and your customer.  They can start your customer dreaming of more beautiful arrangements, of more reasons to enjoy them, and more occasions to enjoy them on.

Go beyond the big holidays

On hold advertising helps you tap into “non holiday” sales.  In fact, experienced florists know that 50% of sales are attributed to non-calendar events, so you know that everyone who calls you is ready to purchase on those other days.

Why not use “hold” time to suggest more reasons?  Offer a special “audio” coupon such as a free rose, or succulent with a minimum order.  Promote “Flower Fridays” with 10% off select inventory (possibly stock that hasn’t sold during the week).  Let callers know that you offer more than just your trademark flowers (such as terrariums, unique planters, chocolates, fragrances, or greeting cards): if you don’t tell a phone customer, they’ll never know!  Encourage “Likes” on your Facebook page, and “Follows” on your Instagram.  Give callers specific reasons to visit your website, such as giving you their email in return for a small “thank you.”  Ask for Google “Reviews” of their order.

You’ll never have time to do it all…

…unless you put wasted (hold) time to use.  We’ve got plenty of other “Guerrilla Marketing Tactics” that you can use to grow your flower shop every day of the year.  Call us for a list of 76+ ideas you can use.  And to find out how to make every phone call a better marketing opportunity.  In Stamford and throughout Fairfield County call us at (203) 655-3920.  Nationwide call us at (800) 862-8896.
Prefer to email us?  Click here to do it.

 

 

 

 

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Messages on hold for Spas in Stamford Increase Treatment Bookings

Messages on hold for Spas in Stamford give you a new way to tempt your best clients to make their visit more indulgent, by adding a second (or third!) treatment, trying something new, or taking the experience home with them by pre-ordering your Spa’s merchandise.  Wouldn’t you love to create a more complete experience for your guest’s next visit?

Messages on hold for Spas in Stamford can help

Your Spa has attracted clients from all around the Stamford and Fairfield county area, and there are times that they all seem to want to book their next visit.  When the phone rings and you just can’t help them all at once, your best clients often have to “hold on.”  For your most devoted clientele, it’s not a real problem: they’re willing to wait a few moments to get your undivided attention.

Your clients know you for providing a unique, and complete experience.  So why not begin the moment they call you?  When a caller must be asked to wait on hold, why not use that time to appeal to their senses, and introduce their next spa experience?

Here’s a sample of actual Informer Spa Messages on hold

Creative on hold messages can invite your client to take their spa experience to the next level, attracting them with descriptions of your new or premium treatments.  Your client will appreciate the opportunity to make the most of the visit, and not miss out of new services.

Increase your bookings

Thrill more clients with your best packages, or by suggesting that they share the experience and relax with friends.  Or help them find exactly what they’ve been looking for: a gift card to pass to family or friends.

What do your callers hear on hold?

So many callers wait in total silence, or listening to “default” music on hold.  That’s not the experience that your clients rely on you for.  Messages on hold can be the part of your marketing plans that is guaranteed to reach your best clients, right when they need you most.  Why not find out about giving your clients a “more complete” experience that begins the moment they call you?

Will messages on hold work for your Spa?  Click here to see the research.

Find out about how a complete package can be designed for your Spa, by clicking here, or calling us: in Stamford (and throughout Connecticut) call 203-655-3920.  Or, in Hartford, New Haven, and nationwide, call 800-862-8896.

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Your LinkedIn Profile: how to build its value for online networking

How’s your profile looking?  Now that we’re all officially quarantined we’ve got more time than ever to spend on social media.  But there are bills to pay, so open a new “tab” and head to your LinkedIn profile.  Take a look.  When was the last time you updated it?

LinkedIn Profile Building

This is probably a better time for growing your business than starting a new job, so take a look at your content to make sure that helps you make a great first impression.  That’s important, because you only get one chance.

LinkedIn gives you new visibility.  What does your profile say about you?  Do you look like an expert in your field?  Would you pick you as a valuable resource?

What do you want to be known for?  You can reinforce this in several different areas on your profile:

• Your headline is visible to all LinkedIn members. Use keywords here that will help people find you and what you do.  Don’t waste this opportunity.  It gives you a chance to quickly show your specialty, and your value proposition.
• Current Position: Again, this is what All Linked In members can see. It’s one of the best ways to let people know what you do, and how you can help them.  Include more than just a generic title, and you’ll get more response from it.
• The About Section: Here’s where you can go into detail and give a concise but convincing argument. Does yours show the value you provide?  Or could it be improved?  Use it to educate viewers about what you do, how you do it, and what makes you different from the competition.
• Experience: show your background and your expertise. Most LinkedIn members use this as a resume to help look for new employment opportunities.  If you’re a business owner, or just focused on growing a business, you’re probably not looking for a new job.  So put it to use as a marketing tool.  Potential customers often view your profile to pre-qualify you before taking the next step with you.
  Looking for more customers?  You’ll gain a valuable edge over your competition when you pay attention to this part of your LinkedIn profile.
• Skills and Endorsements: According to LinkedIn, people who list “at least five skills receive up to 17x more profile views.” There’s also evidence that more you have, the higher you’ll rank in the search results. And the more profile views you’re getting, whether from a recruiter or someone in your industry, the more opportunities you’ll see.
  How many skills should you list?  (LI lets you list up to 50)  You can think of them as keywords that recruiters, employers and potential clients can search.  But my approach is to focus on key skills that show me as a leader in my field.  I’d prefer to have 5 skills with lots of endorsements than a list of 50 skills with none.  When you list skills you’re bragging.  When others endorse you for them, they’re testifying that you’re good at those skills.

It’s an investment that will pay off

Right now we’re spending more time at home and less time in the office or out meeting people.  There’s never been a better time to invest a few minutes building up your best potential online business networking tool.

Casey Hart is President and founder of Informer Messages on hold. Informer Messages, like networking, are a way to start the conversations that help you sound more professional and sell more.  They turn the time that your telephone callers spend on hold into a marketing opportunity, replacing boring music on hold and the annoyance of waiting in “dead silence” with information that your best customers want, and that you want them to have.  Here’s a link to a 60-second video about Informer Messages: http://informermessages.com/about-informer-messages-on-hold

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Music on hold for Analog Phones helps you sound more professional

Music on hold for analog phones including multiline KSU phones help your business in Connecticut sound more professional. Research proves that it can also help you “hold on” to your callers.  Here’s the information that will show you exactly why you need to treat your callers better.

AT&T has found that 69% of business telephone calls are placed on hold. And of them, more than half of callers will simply hang up in less than a minute when waiting in silence.  That “abandoned call rate” is cut in half simply by playing music on hold.   Can you afford to lose half the calls you place on hold?

Music on hold for analog phones isn’t rocket science

Analog phones have served businesses for decades, and continue to do so (despite what VoIP phone sellers might try to tell you.

So, what kind of phones do you have?  Do you use a multi-line phone from a big box store or online retailer?  Or do you have a small business telephone system?  The simplest small business phone system is the Key Service Unit (KSU). It’s easy to use, and has features that have helped small businesses for years.  The next option is a PBX phone system, which offers enhanced flexibility for larger business organizations.

All three are Analog telephones.  And all three can play music on hold, though your inexpensive Big Box phone needs some help.

Multiline phones (usually 2-line, 3-line, or 4-line) are marketed by a number of brands, but only a few models come equipped to play music on hold.  For information on models to look for, click here.

Adaptors are available for multiline phones

Another option is adding a music on hold adaptor. It should be no surprise that some work better than others.  And some are so complicated that they never seem to work. For advice on these, click here.

Hold music for KSU and PBX systems is easy.  Some systems make it possible to load your music right onto the system. Other’s like the ever popular Avaya Partner System need an external playback system (standard digital on hold players make this easy and reliable).  Other popular brands are Grandstream, XBlue, NEC and Panasonic.

Music Considerations

Finally, two thoughts about the music you’ll be playing

1. There are legal issues around playing music on your phone.  When you buy your favorite music online, you’re buying “the right” to play it for your own private use. Playing it over the phone is considered a public performance (believe it or not).  So you’re actually supposed to pay music licensing fees
2. Giving your callers…your customers and best prospects…something better to listen to is a good idea. But why not take the next step? Click here for what might be a better idea.

Take the next step

Ready to take the next step? But have questions?  Click here to email us and we’ll do our best to help.  Or call us: in Stamford, Greenwich, Norwalk and throughout Southern Connecticut call (203) 655-3920. Nationwide you can call us at (800) 862-8896.

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Summer Marketing 17 ideas that will heat up sales this summer

Summer is the time we all wait for. We’re all more laid back…it’s time for vacations, being carefree, and kicking back.  We lower our defenses…and that’s why Summer Marketing can be so successful…“In the summer time, when the weather is hot.  You can stretch right up and tough the sky…”

Summer Marketing can be your most successful campaigns

Summer is so different from those other seasons…the days are longer and warmer and everyone’s in positive mood.  School’s out and even the adults feel like it’s time for a vacation.  So here are 17 ideas that can make this Summer your most successful marketing season of the year.

Which are right for you?

17 Ideas to Heat Up Summer Sales

1. Get Social: mobile phones are with us…at the beach, by the pool, in boats and on hikes.  They’re in our hands at brunch, and while we’re exploring a new destination.  So try some of these Social ideas to catch more attention of local residents and visitors
   1. Try a photo content that relates to what you do
   2. Offer prizes for users who post a photo of themselves with one of your products on your Facebook page
   3. Encourage Google reviews of your summer products
2. Get outdoors: promote with contribution, participation, and donations at your business at local summer events: Sidewalk sales, Fairs, Sporting events, Scouting activities, Street fairs, parades, etc.
3. Attract more visitors with great reviews: if your business is B2C (you sell to individual consumers) get ready for visitors by promoting reviews of your products or services.  Try handing out QR code cards that make it easy to leave a review.  Do you collect email addresses or mobile numbers from customers?  Ask us about easy ways to get more 4- and 5-star reviews from your customers.
4. Offer a “Rainy Day” Special: everyone loves Summer’s Sunny Days.  Give customers a reason to come in with a “Rainy Day” special with coupons, discounts, and merchandise.
5. Make the most of Summer Holidays with a “themed” sale just for Memorial Day, Independence Day, or Labor Day.
6. Introduce a new limited edition summer product
7. Team up with another local business to “cross promote” each other: with the local Ice Cream Stand, the local beach or park, our an outdoor restaurant
8. Team up with a local charity to “give back” by devoting a portion of sales of a specific product or service as a donation
9. Try a giveaway: give away water bottles, sunglasses, hats or other summer necessities (with your brand on them) with a purchase, or at community events.
10. Do you eblast?  Lighten them up with “summery” backgrounds of sunny days, palm trees, the beach, etc.  You can find examples at Shutterstock
11. Be ready when demand hits: your own employees will be taking vacations, too.  So that means fewer members of your team will be there to answer the phones when calls come in.  Be prepared: reinforce your Summer marketing tactics with informative messages on hold, complete with summer music in the background.
12. Try a “Door Hanger” campaign: if you sell to consumers, great weather and the availability of student workers is the perfect time to launch a door hanger campaign.  What would you like your neighborhood to know about?
13. Launch a referral campaign: give discounts or prizes to both the customer who refers you, and to their friend when the friend makes a purchase
14. Host a community clean-up day.  When the beach or hiking trails are free of trash, they’re just more enjoyable.
15. Work with a local ice cream parlor to create a unique flavor, available only to your customers with a coupon that gets them 50% off!
16. Pancakes: everyone loves pancakes: so work with a local pancake house to create a unique pancake meal that’s only available to your customers with a coupon that gets them a discount.
17. It Takes a Team:  Get your employees outside and have some fun doing good: Print up T-Shirts and organize a team of employees and their friends and family at a walk-a-thon.
18. Here’s a bonus idea that you can use year ’round: Don’t forget to boost your reputation with great reviews from your customers!

Get any good Summer Marketing ideas?

Maybe some of these are interesting to you and your business.  If not, maybe they can just inspire you to come up with a few of your own.

Summer is everybody’s favorite time of the year.  Now make it your favorite time to increase sales.

 

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