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Service Service Service.

If it's a small company - send Thank you notes to past customers - do not include any marketing or coupons - just simply say Thank you for their business. Make sure staff and owners are always pleasant, willing to assist from the beginning to the end. Make suggestions if you do not carry an item - let them know who in town does - you may not get the immediate sale - but your helpfulness will stick in their minds. Be willing to custom order if possible. Gift wrapping and shipping services are good bonuses too.

Be involved in the local community - volunteer - join the Chamber of Commerce or small town business association. The more visible you are the more they are going to think of you. Make sure you build relationships with other businesses and people in the community - they are great referrals for you and your business!

Make sure all marketing and advertising is done professionally and with a positive message - no homemade business cards, postcards, flyers, etc - they look cheap and like your company doesn't have solidarity or longevity. If you can't afford marketing materials - skip them - focus on free marketing. But business cards are cheap to purchase from a professional - do at least that much.

Sell what the consumer wants or needs - just because you like it doesn't mean they want it or like it and vice versa - have a good variety - and in this day and age - do have too small of a niche.

Make your store inviting - bright colors, provide coffee or snacks have an open house - maybe a "by invitation only" sale.

Mail out Holiday cards - do not include any marketing or advertising - just a simple - "Happy Holidays thinking of you". It will make them feel more appreciated and not hounded.

People are talking about an economic slump - my two businesses have become more profitable this year than ever before - I believe it's truly because of the above factors - we now stand out from other area businesses.

I usually am influenced initially by the advertisement. If the item is affordable then I actually think twice about the advertisement. I do this consciously and unconsciously. After about the 50th time I see a commercial on tv it actually registers in my head what it is all about. Then as I shop I look at it and unconsiously make the decision wether I believe the advertisment or not and either then need or want the item. If it is something that I don't like or have already tried and don't like, I make fun of the item the advertisement, and everything about it. So don't false advertise.

They can be polite and show interest in the customers need

Say a customer doesnt want to buy anything but a nice sales person comes and talks to you and shows interest in you.

Well you will eventually get more interested in a product and buy it

Whereas

you want to buy something but noone helps you find what your looking for you will walk out of the store

Common interest and a little politeness can take you far

What is the company selling.