Business review

If you are running an offline business, that is, a brick & mortar business, it is time to take it online. Does that scare you off? With all the talks on advance technology, broadband, ipod, wireless etc.., if you have not come into contact with these features and capability, it might be too much for you. Well, the good news is, it is not that difficult in actual fact. These technologies are here to help you rather than to scare you off.

Then, how about the sophisticated website design and the constant updating? You must be guessing that you will cost you a bomb. The truth is, bring your offline business online only cost a very small amount. Yes, a very small amount as compared to your capital investment.

Another good news is that, you do not even need to have a website? Of course, if you want it, you can have it later. So, how can take your offline business to online without a website and does not cost you much?

Let's illustrate the method with this simple example. Let say, you are the owner of a salon. Your business is to maintain and cut people's hair. Your salon space and the number of customers that you can accommodate in your solon at any one time are also fixed. Based on these fixed variables, you could probably estimate how much you can earn per month.

Well to start with, your first goal is to establish a relationship with all your customers. The new way of doing this is far more than the 'hi-here-hi-there' approach. To take your business online, the first thing you need to do is to collect the customer's name and email address (of cause, if they have). Ask politely and if they refuse to give, let it be. Tell them that the purpose of collecting their email address is to inform them of any promotion or discount.

Do this for every customer and your data base will grow over time. So, what do you do with this list of email addresses? You send them emails, of course! But not that sort of casual chat email. You have to send them promotional and informational emails regarding anything about your offers to them. You have to design promotional material and deliver to your email list periodically.

For example, you can send a promotional message to your list telling them that there will be a very good promotion on next Tuesday between 2pm and 5pm. If they come between this timing, they will get 30% off the regular price. By using email, you can deliver this information and other promotional information right to their email inbox effortlessly and cheaply. Best of all, it does not take a lot of time to craft the email and once your email system is in place, it is also very easy to send out the emails just in a matter of minutes.

Of course you can do this by sending out traditional flyers, but this will cost you more. You need to pay for printing and postage. Just imagine, if you need to send to a few thousand people, it will cost a lot of money on flyers and postages. But with emails, you can do it over and over again without any substantial cost. What you need to do is to ensure that you follow the email's law. Do not spam.

What else can you still do with the list? Let say as a consequent of your email promotion, your salon is full house everyday, you can still use the email strategy to sell related products, like shampoo, conditioners etc.. Those who do not need a haircut will still come to your salon and buy from you. This is an additional income. Why not?

There are already many email system available that allows you to send out bulk emails fast and at a very low cost. You can also use the email system to automate your promotional campaign. For example, you can send out a series of follow-up emails by using the email system. In this way, you keep your customer loyal and informed. You are not restricted to sending promotional material only, at times you can send out some useful information on how to take care of their hair and what are the latest trends in the industry. They will appreciate your information.

So, what do you think will happen when you send out the email? Well, not all will response but some will do. The objective is to get people response and over time, with the marketing skills you learned, you will be able to use this powerful way to bring in more customers. So, who say you need a website to make money online? Let technology work for you today.

Rose Mary.Freelance Writer on Various Interest Topics and Specializes in Internet Marketing.Discover how you can take your offline business online by visiting Marketing Tips.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Discover The Most Powerful Way To Take Your Offline Business Online