Amazing Marketing Secret

E-commerce is a rapidly expanding, yet not overly saturated market, in which to sell your products or services. However, as more individuals worldwide join the online business trend, competition is growing more compacted. Perhaps the headline is a bit sensational but there are a few, rarely used tactics that can greatly improve your online sales. I will approach five simple strategies that can generate additional streams of income continuously.

• Do what your competitors don't/won't! This may sound odd even negative, but research your market niche, what is being offered and what is missing? Look closely at your competition: what do they promise, offer, or give? In what facet can you exceed their pitch? What are they NOT doing?

It is simple enough to over-deliver. Is there a free eBook or newsletter you can provide. Special give-a-ways and incentives are always a hit; always over deliver. For example, if your niche is dog training and your competition offers 32 secrets, you should offer 40 tips in video format with an easy to follow guide book and a forum.

You may even find that there is a neglected "sub-niche" waiting to be filled. Perhaps you have a web-site and eBook dedicated to digital photography, once you survey the online landscape, you may realize no one is paying particular attention to portrait photography with digital cameras. That is a sub-niche within the large field of digital photography that needs to be filled. You can put yourself into a position to "fill the void" in that category.

• Keep your first customer! It is harder to acquire new customers than to keep the one you already have. Why would any sound entrepreneur make a sale once, and then cast aside that client to begin searching for a new buyer. Yes, the smart business person will always be seeking new customers but wise entrepreneur will also keep previous customers as continuing buyers.

Once you have concluded a successful transaction, there is already a level of trust. Your customer knows you and, hopefully, appreciates your service. It is far better to approach the consumer from a position of strength and understanding. Keep your buyers in the loop with newsletters or promotional emails. You don't have to be pushy, use wording like, "customers how bought 'A' also really enjoyed 'B'.

• See what your competitors are offering, replicate it, and then GIVE it away! If within your niche, a competitor is selling an eBook, write a similar book and give it away as part of a larger package or service. Why would someone buy a product they can get for free somewhere else? In so doing, you endear the customer to you as a person who gives greater value and you have opened the door to future sales. Remember, value must outweigh money! As always, your free item should have an up sale element and numerous references to your site, products, and services.

• Know your competitors! This isn't spying, it's good business sense. As an entrepreneur, you need to keep your finger on the pulse of the market. You must understand the trends and tides of your niche. Examine who and what your competitors are. What do they offer and how successful are they?

You must be able to lay out a reasonable argument as to why your product or service is superior! Research, including purchase of a competitor's goods, will allow you to construct a better product. Show the buyer how you are different!

• Customer Service! Once the transaction has complete, go above and beyond with any customer service issues that may arise.

Give a free gift or bonus! The best gifts to deliver are unannounced. If people expect a gift, you are predictable but the surprise bonus, even a small token, is greatly appreciated and remembered. Don't do things by habit, do the unexpected.

Contact your buyer by email, phone, or a service such as "send out cards." Don't use this as an opportunity to up sale, just thank them for their purchase and ask if there is anything more you can do. Add the quality factor to the equation to change the game. Be personable and forthright not pushy or neglectful.

These little secrets are not revolutionary but they are often overlooked. With the growing competition in the online market, you must separate yourself from the competition. Compete on value. Give twice the value and your buyers will come back for more. Understand the competition, adjust to what is missing, fill the void of customer service, and you can dominate your niche!



Brian Trimmer is an established entrepreneur specializing in affiliate and article marketing. Also a known researcher and ghost writer, Brian has numerous e-Books and articles to his credit. Lastly, he is part of one of the most dynamic entrepreneur protege groups on the web. To learn more about starting and growing your own online family business, and to discover a remarkable entrepreneurial community, go to http://www.LearnFamilyBiz.com.




Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brian_Trimmer