A Handwritten Thank You Note Will Wow Customers

Thanking your customers is a great way to build brand loyalty. You may be thinking on various options to say thanks, i.e. by offering some additional discount, free shipping, and loyalty program and so on. But let me tell you the most cost effective way!

Yes, it can a simple thanking note written by your CEO. “One simple way to ‘wow’ customers is thank-you cards — a handwritten note, a thank-you card saying ‘thank you for buying from me’.” – (Starts at 8:09) Ramon Ray, Technology Evangelist, SmallBizTechnology.com

Well, I never found much literature on this in any small business resources, but I feel that in digital world of ecommerce it may not be possible, so what you can do alternatively is to send them a personalized mail from CEO!

Tips for Increasing Repeat Sales Online

Well, repeat sales can be the lifeblood for any business. So you should always stay updated with new and improved techniques for keeping customers coming back to your website.

Increasing sales through online marketing can be tough if you do not have a sound strategy. And a strategy that doesn't give space to repeat sales is useless.

So whether you are at the beginning of creating strategy or tweaking things up, include repeat sales in the goals too.

Here I will list quick tips to increase repeat sales online:

1. Remember that the key deciders for online customers are ease of purchase and quality of service, rather than choice and price, so keep them posted with latest offers right in their email.
2. If you're in fast-moving consumer goods or fashion, for example, you must replenish or introduce new stock regularly and keep them posted about it.
3. Utilize the Search engine marketing at its best.
4. Reward them with loyalty vouchers valid for their next purchase. 
5. Offer free delivery on XX amount of purchase.
6. Connect with customers over social media.
7. Maintain a blog and let them subscribe.
8. Send them a feedback followup on a purchase with some new ideas to buy.

Think of more possibilities that can create value for your buyers and they will surely be your returning customers.

Strategic Partnership: A Virtually No Cost Startup Growth Option

Aligning yourself either with a similar type of business or the one that complements your business/services/products etc can be a powerful way to expand quickly.

Well, some entrepreneurs may be hesitant in approaching to be strategic partners. That can be due to  the fear of misalignment, an imbalanced relationship or a branding disaster. But when done correctly, strategic partnerships prove to be one of the fastest growth options.

So, if you are looking to grow small business faster, you need to make sure that you do the strategic partnerships rightly. This is how you can do so:

1- Identify opportunities: Look for companies that might be able to bring in valuable customers, credibility or links, among other resources

2- Look for well-known brands rather than XYZz.

3- Make sure you have the resources required for your partnerships. This means that both sides need to have the capital, people power and leadership in place to be able to devote time, energy and money into the partnership.

Having build strategic partnerships on the above grounds, your startup will certainly gain momentum and will grow as desired!