Sales and Marketing - Jen Jordan

Boost your Bottom Line with These 3 Creative Sales Strategies

It's no secret that small businesses lack the same resources as large companies when it comes to advertising, marketing, and paths to increase sales. Small businesses often lack the same level of capital and backing as big businesses. In fact, the second most common reason small businesses fail is running out of capital. This makes it imperative for small businesses to find creative and cost-effective strategies to generate sales.

Concentrating your small business' creative focus in three key areas will ensure you are headed toward increased sales. Technology, education/community, and customer focused actions are the three areas that will work together to diversify your sales strategy for growth.

Technology Based Strategies:

According to statistics, technology is a great way to compete with other businesses in your genre.

With almost 30% of small businesses still lacking a website, this is a great place to start. This year, 81% of shoppers opted to visit a business' website before purchasing anything. It is estimated that 95% of purchases will be through e-commerce by 2040. To stay competitive with sales, your organization needs to get in the technology game.

Here are some creative tech ideas to increase your web traffic and sales:

• "Gamify" your customer's shopping experience. Engaging your customers with things like virtual dressing rooms, challenges, rewards, and scavenger hunts are just a few ideas on how to use gamification to up your sales.
• Create a filter people can use on social media. This is a great way to build your brand recognition and create something that increases your exposure. Geofilters on Snapchat or AR filters on Instagram can be creative tools for marketing success on social media platforms.
• Launch a social media contest. Encouraging customers to take part in reviews, hashtags, and other consumer based marketing will help grow your business through your target audience.
• Offer statistics presented in the form of infographics and visuals to engage your customers.

Educating Customers Grows Your Community

According to SEMrush, almost half of consumers are more likely to shop at a small business because they feel it gives back to the community. Cementing yourself as part of the community will do wonders for sales and customer loyalty.

Participating in community events and speaking at schools is a great start. Here are some additional ideas:

• Using a CRM (customer relationship management) software helps make sure that your customers stay informed on sales and promotions CRM systems ae also useful in sending newsletters and scheduling other interactions with your customer base.
• Host a webinar or podcast. These platforms offer great ways to inform, demonstrate, and engage through discussion. You can also use these scripts for a YouTube channel to build further authority.
• Set up pop up shops at events like the local farmer's market or other gatherings. Pop up shops give your small business a chance to be seen and for potential customers to physically interact with you and your products.
• Jump into industry-related discussion boards like Reddit or Quora. This will help you answer questions, promote products, and link marketing materials.

Customer Focused Actions

90% of customers will spend more with companies that personalize customer service. This statistic speaks for itself, so let's dive into some creative ways to make your customers want to spend more with your small business.

• Consider adding an area where consumers will want to stop in and stay a while. Free Wi-Fi never hurts either. For example, a local bike shop in Virginia partnered with a local brewery to host weekly gatherings for cyclists in the shop.
• Consider offering mystery or subscription boxes. The most obvious way this can help your bottom line is to provide a way to move inventory while creating something fun for your customers.
• Spoil your customers by offering a personal online shopper, a designated representative, or a phone call to meet their needs while providing personalized service.
• Create quizzes, discussions, and interactions that will allow you to learn more about your customers while making them feel heard.
• Invite your customers to share their content, reviews, or to become affiliates in your marketing.

Once the creativity starts flowing, there is no end to the ideas you can create to boost your small business sales. Use the three key areas of technology, education/community, and customer focus to get started.

From painting a mural in your community to crafting quirky recommendations, focus on the things that will set your small business apart from your competition to increase your sales.